Would this be just another day of early season fly fishing in Maine? One of those days when the amount of laughs and wisecracks outnumber the fish? I hoped not. My close fishing friends and I were having a rough start to our annual spring-run landlocked atlantic salmon season. The season is short and in order to hook an elusive spring-run salmon, conditions have to be ideal. This season, it was all about the smelt. I hiked through a long stretch of woods and walked out onto a jagged rock and chucked my fly out upstream into the main current. After a couple casts with quick, pulsing retrieves and salmon twitches I checked on my fly. The fly remained intact and true. I especially liked this fly as it cast beautifully, looked life-like in the water and did not foul. It was a springtime smelt pattern hand-tied by a local legend in the area. I was proud to be casting it and felt confident in my approach. Earlier, I had spoted some smelt lingering on the rocks on the waters edge. The smelt were coming into the river, so the silver salmon should be too. I made a long cast and mended downstream. I quickly twitched the maribou smelt pattern through the current. A dark shadow appeared behind the fly. As quickly as the large salmon had come, he was gone. Maine salmon are what my friends like to call “weird fish.” They will sniff a fly right up to your feet, turn, and many times won’t be back again for another investigation. I made another cast, hoping that this fish was different. This time my fly traveled a little further. I stripped and twitched in the fly and as soon as i went to cast again, BANG! The fight was on. After the first jump, I knew this was my 2009 salmon I had was hoping for. The silver bullet darted and tail walked across the river time and time again. After an epic battle, Jeremy tailed my best landlocked altantic salmon ever. A wild fish with dark black spots and silvery sides. This spring-run landlocked atlantic salmon season was a tough one. I didn’t catch many salmon, but I did catch one – my best one ever!
Austin,
It was great to fish with you! Everyone in the crew is always asking, “Where has Austin been?” I reply, “Doing what most 18 year olds should be doing .. hanging out with friends, proms, getting ready for graduation and college, playing lacrosse etc..” It has been great to watch you graduate from Maine Trout Camp 4 years ago when you were just a freshman in high school. And now, you are getting ready to graduate from High School and heading to college. And, it is great that fly fishing is still something that you love to do. Hopefully, fly fishing will continue to provide an escape and enjoyment throughout your life. Congratulations on your best salmon ever! I was stoked that I could be there to tail it for you. What a beautiful fish! Looking forward to making some more casts with you this summer before you head off to college!
Austin – Congrats on the trophy salmon, a fish you will remember forever. Good to see you out and about with the boys flinging some flies. Looking forward to getting over some fish with you again in the future. Be well bro.
That is a sweet fish and one that sounds like you had to earn.
Atown, Nice story. i miss chasing those LLS around in the spring and fall. Certainly one of the best freshwater fish to catch IMO. That one is a beauty. Hope you find more like it. Congrats.
Nice fish Austin, a beautiful native fish, it was a rough spring. I did finally get into some beauties.
I hope you caught that fish on my teaser pattern, it was a killer, although I came up with another that seemed to work even better, get in touch with me I will get you a copy or 2.
Great fish! this is a great time of year for the fresh water silver king of Maine! FYI the sucker spawn is in full bloom in your favorite river I was there last week!! Lots of bright fish and brook trout
see ya
Joe-m
Austin…AWESOME!! that is a pig. Did you measure that bad boy?
Great story and fish! very nice No need to put mine up now! Congrats
Greg
nice work brother beautiful fish..hope to see you soon.
Alex
Awesome, I still haven’t fished for those landlocked salmon but look forward to the time that I get to. Your story makes me want to go right now!
Thanks everyone. It was truely a fish i will never forget!
Nice fish!…they were tough this year. But it looks like you got it done.