It’s too high, too cold and too early. These are the phrases that often define an unproductive day of Maine fly fishing in April. Despite whatever Mother Nature dishes out on any given April one thing is for sure, I’ll be fishing. My first few trips of the year often involve a lot of driving from place to place checking out changes in favourite rivers, lakes and ponds, knocking the dust off of my cast and generally ending with no decent fish and the notion that “it’s just good to get out on the water again.” This year winter threw a couple tough blows at Maine well into April and it was beginning to seem like the water temp would never rise above 37 degrees. I tried to remain patient through winter’s last cold gasps, and reluctantly returned to tying flies and waiting out the storm. I always find it funny to hear people speak of weather in passing conversation, comparing this year to that year, or speculating what the weather will do, and when. To a fisherman a fair day, isn’t necessarily a good day, and often times a miserable day is something to savour. These thoughts further solidify my belief that many folks alive today have completely lost any sense of connection to the natural world that constantly changes all around them. Those folks who do have their finger on the pulse of these natural rhythms and who observe and take note of these subtle day to day changes can fully understand the importance of timing. One such instance recently took place. A morning call came through from Jeremy, “been awhile since we fly fished together.” We decided to fish late morning and by 9 am we were on the road in pursuit of fish. We shared stories and jokes back and forth catching up and filling in the gaps of what life has and hasn’t been recently. Our combined lack of results in some usual favourite locations led us to point the vehicle in a new direction yet still seeking the silver Landlocked Salmon of spring. It was good to hear some new stories of far away fishing from his southern and western travels, and I began to sense that maybe it wouldn’t be long for things to turn on here. The day was panning out to be pretty laid back and at one point I almost forgot that we were even going fishing, until the vehicle came to a stop and we began to string up the rods and slip on dry waders. Approaching vast new water is always somewhat of a daunting task, leaving more questions raised than answered. We spoke of new fly patterns and shook heads in disbelief that flies this good looking could be ignored by anything that swims. After a few non-productive hours of beating the new water to death we agreed that one more shot at a new spot would round out the day. I reached in my box to change up my fly when I saw Jeremy’s 5 weight doubled over and pulsing, as whatever was on the other end shook its head to throw his fly. We landed some beautiful fish including some of our best salmon to date and our biggest ever lake trout on flies, in a short amount of time. As quickly as it happened, so did it end. Amazed by the fish we had caught we returned multiple days to this new found spot only to walk away empty handed. Sometimes moments come and go and cannot be recaptured. This was one of those days.
Pure Beauty, Greg. That’s the Maine “connection” with nature and fly fishing art we all are seeking. You are the man. Thanks for the fine story and excellent photos. I Look forward to seeing you again. Be safe and good fishing.
Marsh
jeremy and boz…these are the golden fish of maine, and i know you have been searching endlessly for these fish. Countless hours of nothing and terrible weather has never seemed to stop you in the pursuit of these fish. Congradgulations on these fish, they are the some of the biggest landlocks and lake trout caught on shore on the fly that i have seen to date.
Austin
Boz — it certainly was a memorable day …. and like you said – as quickly as it happened it ended … but i will never forget those salmon and those trout …. i am so glad that the maine season is getting underway … it was a long winter and i am really looking forward to it this year ..
Hey hey hey, its heating up out there. Really nice togue….its been a long while since I’ve hauled one of those boys in on the fly. I tip my hat to this excursion
great work guys i know the feeling, “there one day, gone the next” I geuss you just have to savor the moment…..
Very sweet guys. A laker like either of those 2 on a 5 wt must have been a hell of a show. Both of those LL’s are monsters also. Nice new piece of water you found there. Just out of curiousity did you guys catch these where a river or stream runs into the lake?
WOW! Those LL’s are prime specimens. It must have taken a long time to pattern those fish and figure out the area. Anyone who fly fishes enough knows that there is no such thing as luck. Great job.
WOW those are large…
Whip, You said volumes when you said, “pattern tose fish and fgure out the area….”
What these two guys did was to get it all right under tough conditions. And, it’s likely that it was a combo of hard work positioning-casting-retrieving and right-on patterns that produced strikes….then, experienced and patient landing expertise.
This one’s a rare gem.
I hope you and I can fish sometime this season.
marsh
Nice fish! It was good seeing you guys out on the water. I guess there was just a small window of opportunity with that place. Always good to be in the right place at the right time. See ya around.
Marc
Marsh, sounds like a plan. The Delaware or up in your stomping grounds, up to you.
Greg,
Atta Boy…Very nice fish!
Now, if you can just put Justin and I on some….
Don