Plan Your Next Adventure
Here in Maine, you can’t throw a stone without hitting water. With over 30,000 miles of rivers and streams and 6,000 ponds there are a lot of options. I have gained and intimate knowledge of a handful of these legendary waters over the years. On this page you can browse the variety of trips that I offer. I guide everything from walk and wade style fishing on small to medium size rivers to drift boat trips on the bigger rivers, and also canoe trips on remote ponds.
Rangeley Region
Walk & Wade Trip
The Rangeley Region is located in the beautiful Western Mountains of Maine and contains an abundance of forestland, wildlife, and pristine lakes, rivers, and streams. It has long been known as a mecca for the outdoor enthusiast. It’s no secret that Rangeley is the place to go for big native brook trout. The rivers that are referred to as "big three" are the Magalloway, Rapid, and Kennebago. While the focus is on these three rivers, there are plenty of other lesser known rivers and streams that hold brook trout. Each river is unique and has its own nuanced fishery. During a day of fishing in Rangeley we may move from place to place depending on conditions and time of year.
The best time of year to fish Rangeley is from just after spring run off in early May until late July. During the hot summer months the fishing slows on the bigger rivers and we focus on the high elevation small streams where the water stays cold throughout the summer. Late September just as the leaves start to change can be a good time to fish, often with bigger fish moving into the rivers. In October river fishing options are limited as most of the rivers are closed for the season, although there are still a few places that have an extended season through October.
East Outlet Kennebec River
Drift Boat Trip
Explore one of Maine's most well-known fly fishing rivers for brook trout and landlocked salmon! We will start the trip at the outlet of Moosehead Lake, just below the dam where the Kennebec River starts its 170 mile voyage to the ocean. We will drift three and a half miles of remote river, dropping anchor frequently to maximize our fishing in the deep holes and runs. Our day will come to an end in the afternoon when we float all the way to Indian Pond.
The best time of year to fish the East Outlet is from just after spring run off in early May until late June. During the hot summer months the fishing slows. In October the fish get active again as they begin to move up the river and stage for spawning. Fall can be exceptional fishing often with bigger fish moving into the river.
Bingham Kennebec River
Drift Boat Trip
The Bingham section of the Kennebec River is a renowned spot in Maine, famous for its wild rainbow trout fishery nicknamed "Rainbow Alley". The rainbow trout were stocked in the 1970’s and never restocked, so it is a totally self sustaining wild population. On top of the rainbow trout there are landlocked salmon, splake, and native brook trout. From its start at Wyman Dam it flows about six miles down to the Williams Dam in Solon. This section of river is vast and is full of meandering riffles and islands. This stretch of river is known for awesome dry fly fishing.
The best time of year to fish Bingham is as soon as the water flows drop after run off in mid-May through mid-July. The warmer summer months provide an exciting smallmouth bass fishery. In October as the water cools off the trout fishing gets good again.
Solon Kennebec River
Drift Boat Trip
Solon is the next section of river down stream of Bingham. They are similar fisheries, but in Solon you can add brown trout to the list. It’s also about 6 miles of meandering riffles and islands. The vibe is a little bit more agricultural, with a mix of forest and farm fields along the banks of the river. This river is mostly calm and serene, and perfect for swinging a streamer or wet fly.
The best time to fish Solon is just as the high flows of the spring start to drop in early to mid May. June can be good also with lots of bug activity. During the warmer summer months the fishing slows down. In October when the water temps drop the fish become more active and are more accessible to target.
West Branch Penobscot River
Drift Boat Trip
The West Branch is about as far north as you can get before enter Baxter State Park or The North Maine Woods. This tailwater fishery is located beneath Ripogenus Dam, a sizable bottom release dam that maintains the river's year-round cold water. This section of the river is home to salmon and trout that reach excellent sizes. We start fishing in the eddy at the Big Eddy Campground, which is located off The Golden Road. We frequently catch a lot of fish here, and sometimes we never leave the eddy. Before we descend and fish the remainder of the river—roughly a mile drift—enjoy a freshly prepared lunch at the campground with a view of the eddy. The fishing, wildlife, and views are amazing!
The best time to fish the West Branch is anytime from early May until early August. I consider prime time to be in early July. In late summer/fall the fishing tends to slow down significantly.
Remote Ponds
Canoe Trip
If you’re looking to get deep in the woods and away from the crowds, pond fishing is for you. Maine has many designated heritage trout ponds that are full of native brook trout. These ponds are often spring fed which is what keeps the fish happy all year long. Stillwater fishing can be done with many different techniques and each pond has its own nuanced techniques that work the best, so it’s a great opportunity to learn how to locate and catch fish in a variety of scenarios. Fishing out of a canoe can present its own challenges, but is ultimately the only way to access these remote waters.
The best time to fish these remote ponds can vary depending on the presence of spring holes, depth, elevation, and inlets or outlets. Some ponds fish well all season, while others slow down in the hot summer months.
Kennebec Smallmouth Bass
Drift Boat Trip
There’s nothing quite like watching an aggressive smallmouth smash a top water frog. I find bass to be some of the most fun fish to target on a fly rod. They are a sporty strong fish that will put a real serious bend in the rod. Luckily these days the Kennebec river is full of them, but unluckily these bass are considered an invasive species. So I strategically I like to fish for them in the hot summer months in order to take the pressure off of the native trout species. It’s a great way to stay out on the water fishing throughout the season.