Summer Fly Fishing Report on the Androscoggin River
Smallmouth, Smallmouth, Smallmouth!
We went from high water to low water very fast this year. But no worries, we have been targeting smallmouth with clients on the Androscoggin. It is important to watch weather patterns with smallmouth. From my experience I find smallmouth to be even more reactive to pressure drops and spikes than trout. However, when we have had stable pressure or drops before storms the topwater bite has been quite good. Clients have enjoyed the excitement of popper, slider, and gurgler bites on top! Of course streamer fishing is always a productive way to target smallmouth, especially when the weather puts them down or they seek deep water. For the more adept caster we prefer sinking lines and large unweighted flies that are articulated and move freely. For those who prefer floating lines or are newer casters, wooly buggers, clousers, dragon fly nymphs, etc. work very well. We will also be getting into terrestrial season and chubbys, beetles, and dragonfly dries will all be productive, just as they are on trout.
Baby squirrel coughed up in the net by an 18” smallmouth!
I am always amazed by how opportunistic smallmouth are as feeders. When conditions are right and they are “on the feed” nothing is safe. This makes the takes on large streamers and poppers fun! The 18” smallie that coughed up the baby squirrel above was under a large overhanging silver maple. The tree extended 20 ft out over the river and provided shade for the smallie to hide in. When the popper was airborne and about to start its decent to the water, I saw a back rushing toward the airborne popper. The V-shaped wake raced 4-5 feet to intercept the popper the moment it hit the water. This bass was anticipating squirrels to drop from the tree. Most likely he experienced one very lucky meal dropping from the sky and wanted another. Situations like this really make you ponder the intelligence of smallmouth as a species and their ability to learn how to target certain food sources. Topwater bites are just simply the best!
I feel very lucky to able to help connect clients to the outdoors and show them the amazing fishery we have for these strong fighting fish! Take a peek at some of the fins and smiles from this summer so far!
Don’t hesitate to reach out with trip questions! We offer half day and full day floats. All trips are by drift boat. Shore lunch provided on full day trips. If you have a large group we can most likely accommodate that as well.
As always thanks for supporting my art and guiding businesses!
Alex
Western Maine Fishing Report
April and May have brought lots of rain and cool temps! This has made flows on the Androscoggin tough at times but should give us cool water later into summer. When the flows have been fishable we have been able to fool some really sizable wild and holdover trout. Caddis and Henricksons have been ramping up, though the fish have not been looking to the surface yet. Spring is such a great time to get out and enjoy the river from a drift boat. Things should be heating up even more in the coming weeks. Smallmouth fishing is going to start turning on as well once the water crests 60 degrees. Hope to see you out there or reach out if you would like a trip.
-Alex
Free Lodging With Fly Fishing Trip
For the month of May and June, we are offering a free night stay at one of our 16 yurts in Bethel Maine, with any full day guided fly fishing trip. We guide on the Androscoggin (Andro) River for trout and smallmouth bass. Trout fishing heats up in May and smallmouth bass fishing starts heating up mid June. I love this time of year in Bethel at the yurts and on the Andro. Please reach out with any questions regarding trips or what a yurt stay looks like. We can cater to large groups and have many creative packages. We offer fly tying and casting lessons. Newbies are welcome and we can put together a relaxing informative weekend stay with instruction and fishing built right in. Hope to see ya!
Guided Fly Fishing Trips on the Androscoggin River
We are very excited about this years season upon us! We are offering free yurts stays with any full day guided trip in May and June. I have been fly fishing the Androscoggin from my drift boats and rafts for 13 years now and am very excited to start guiding out of our yurt glampground (Western Maine Yurts). Whether you want to fish for trout or smallmouth bass we got you covered. In addition, we have our small gallery/studio finished onsite and guests can stop in to view my work by appointment or on most Sunday mornings. From the gallery location you can view my work, take a fly tying lesson, or learn to cast a fly rod! We have worked hard to build an inclusive facility that can really help you grow as a fly fisherman or newbie! Hope to see you guys on the river, at the campfire, or taking a stroll on our trails. Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions you have. Tightlines folks!
