Dead drifting and a slow retrieve is my go to as a starting technique but every situation is different and it all depends on how aggressively the bass are feeding. Not everything, just the BEST. A simple hares ear soft hackle wet fly, but in Richards hands this fly is a fish catching machine. Instead, stock your pack with a wide range of flies to ensure you don’t go home empty-handed at the end of the day. The rapid River is known for being one of the best brook trout fisheries in the entire country. It works especially well when dead-drifting right below a dam or similar structure, as it imitates a stunned or dead bait fish and attracts hordes of hungry salmon and trout. This state has more than 100 years’ worth of fly fishing and because of that the residents have managed to develop their very own unique fly fishing styles and patterns. That’s exactly why I have chosen the career of being a full time, professional fly fishing guide. Smaller black stone flies can be super effective in the winter months right into March. I carry a mix of poppers, crease flies, and gurglers. These species are easy prey for striped bass. The San Juan Worm is a simple, effective way to fish for trout with worms. It also utilizes hair that is naturally more buoyant, as it is designed to be twitched hard on the surface. The past few seasons pogies have lined the coast of Maine and with these dense schools of protein come whales, bluefin tuna, and mature striped bass. Hatches have tapered off. Knowing what to use can be challenging, but I’ve taken a look inside my winter fly fishing box to find the patterns that should net you a trout over winter. The Magalloway River flows into Lake Umbagog and holds some pretty large brook trout and … Add a name or favorite quote. The olive grizzly hackle on the upper wing helps to color this mackerel imitation in a natural and realistic way. Top water can be one of the most fun ways to catch almost any species on the fly. It behaves more like a jig when it moves through the water, and is highly visible to both you and the trout with a chartreuse and white body. Understanding the time of year and the location you’re fishing will help you to tune your sand eels to fool the most finicky stripers. It is a highly mobile fly, skittering along the surface and creating enticing movement that is highly tempting to fish. With a dark color and bulky profile, it stands out in deep waters. Egg flies can be tied using simple egg yarn (such as Glow Yarn) or with impaling beads. It is also perfect for use in the dirty, high waters of spring as it is best used with a little bit of movement. The Kennebec River is a 170-mile long river entirely within the state of Maine. To that end, most flies fit into these six categories: 1. As the wave rolls in and washes over the rocks, I deliver my fly. 30” bass caught in 12” of water; sight fished on a crab fly by Ellis, 14 years old. Rabbit strips move fluidly in the water and give the fly a ton of life. A Kennebec River fly fishing report, Kennebec River fly fishing guide and hatches and flies are included. Drop me an email or a phone call anytime and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Try a pause in your strip to trigger a following bass to strike… just be ready on the strip set. 1. While it’s designed to attract trout, it also lures smallmouth in some conditions. The flatwings above were tied by Joe Cordeiro and range from 7” to over 12”. Land your fly in the water with your fly line tight and give a long strip to remove any additional slack. Zug Bug imitates isonychia, big slate drakes that hatch during the autumn months. Bob Popovics’ Hollow Fleye is one of the most effective patterns in my box. Stripers can be picky when they are keyed in on sand eels so it’s important to closely match the hatch. (photo: Maine Guide Fly Shop) For those of us who are streamer-junkies here in Maine, the Montreal Whore is one of the most popular "traditional styled" streamer patterns around. You’ll find a list of my 11 best trout flies, and I’ve included some guidance on making the best choice. Floating, sinking tip, and sinking all in use. Poppers move lots of water and create a splash or a “pop” with each strip. Wherever you live, you are almost guaranteed to encounter the live, actual version of this insect–so make sure you have its replica on hand to land some monster trout. Also, these patterns can be highly effective in different fisheries around the world. 5. Don?t be afraid to experiment with different fly sizes, styles, colors, and casting techniques. The glass beads of this midge don’t sink so with a little bit of floatant it will hang right where you want it to. This is a killer pattern to fish on the coast where bigger bait fish are present throughout the season. Here’s one that every striper angler needs in their box. Flatwing’s were popularized by Ken Abrams and his book Striper Moon. It is one of the only fall mayflies, so Zug Bugs should always be used in the fall. I try to match the color of the flat when I am choosing a shrimp pattern. Best Places to Fly Fish in Maine. Rainbow Warrior Size 16 – 20. It can imitate a variety of small flies, such as mayflies, but can also imitate a Caddis fly. Dry flies, nymphs, streamers, wet flies. How to Tie a Fly Fishing Leader: Plus Formulas, A PERSONALIZED fly box make a perfect gift. You’ll fool more fish with a correctly presented bad fly than you will with a bad presentation of the perfect fly. The Maine Guide Fly Shop & Guide Service caters to the needs of the modern angler. From top water flies to assorted baitfish to shrimp and specialty flies, my fly box has a pattern for each situation I encounter on t This is a great fly to fish deeper along structure on a sinking line. When mackerel are around, this is the fly to tie on. Many people wait until late in the season to fish terrestrial imitators like beetle or ant flies. One of my favorite applications is to throw a flatwing against the rocks when there is a nice clean swell rolling in. When backwater stripers are being picky this section of my box will get a look. This fly is somewhat of a spin-off on the Elk Hair Caddis, but sit son a longer-shanked hook with more hackle. Watch the school for holes and also keep your eyes on the edges of the school for signs of the pogies being pushed. With a little bit of flexibility, knowledge, and experience–and yes, a dash of luck–you?ll learn how to adapt your fly selection to just about any fish there is. Ben Whalley tied this one, as well. When you are pausing, this fly it will not hover and flutter, it will drop slowly in the water column. It is visible even in bright sun or dim light, and rises quickly. Fly Fishing in Maine and particularly the Moosehead Lake Region is a unique experience. These schools can have 1000’s of menhaden stacked up on eachother so the trick lies in getting your fly to the right spot at the right time. Flatwing flies are often thought of as Rhody flies because they have their roots in Rhode Island, a state seemingly created by God exclusively for the striped bass fly-fisherman. We … If you’re fishing over sand it’s likely that sand eels are close by. The shrimp and crab box is a necessity for me everyday. Remember to be patient on the hook set. This includes breaking out your best winter trout flies. Getting to... Magalloway River. Variations in patterns are good to try – Klinkhammer, parachute, spinner, emerger or traditional upright.