Fly Fishing the Penobscot River

The Penobscot River is 350 miles long and is the largest river in the state of Maine; and the second largest river in the USA. The Penobscot River means “waters of descending ledge” which is the name given to it by the native people who occupied the Penobscot Valley. The Penobscot River flows through the Baxter State Park home of Maine’s highest mountain, Mount Kathadin which can sometimes be seen from the Penobscot River. The area surrounding the Penobscot is known for its wildlife which includes eagles, bear, deer and moose.

The total Penobscot River system contains many species of fish including trout, and land locked salmon, as well as bass. The best fishing for trout and land locked salmon can be found on the East and the West Branches.

The East Branch is often called the most spectacular wilderness river in the northeast. It starts as small streams flowing from the East Branch Pond and from there it flows into Matagomon Lake and Grand Lake Matagomon. Below Grand Lake Matagomon, the river is wide and easier to access. The amount of water flowing depends on the releases from the dam and obviously can vary a good deal. The East Branch is better known for the bronze backed small mouth bass than it is known for the trout.

The North and the South Branches of the Penobscot River feed Seboomook Lake. The West Branch starts at the dam below Seboomook Lake and flows into Chesuncook Lake and Ripogenous Lake where it is released from the Ripogenous Dam. The West Branch of the Penobscot River is approximately 200 miles long and is a high quality, large volume, white water river with many water falls. The West Branch is considered to be one of the best landlocked salmon streams in the United States as well as a great trout fishery.

The section of the river from the Ripogenus Dam to Abol Bridge is the best known part of the river and it runs for approximately 11.5 miles dropping about 310 feet in elevation. The Golden Road runs along the south shore of much of this stretch and provides easy access. This popular section of river averages about 200 feet wide, and offers some of the states best dry fly fishing. In many sections of the river the water falls and the pools are deeper than one's head prevent wading.

The water changes from large rapids to long sections of riffles and runs with deep pools. Most of the fishing there is done from inflatable rafts but it requires a knowledge of the river and a deft skill with a raft. This section of the river has a lot of kayakers and white water rafters but they are not as troublesome as you might imagine. This portion of the river provides some great brook trout fishing often overlooked by the salmon anglers.

The distance from the Big Eddy to Ambajejus Lake is about 25 miles and it contains flat-water, rapids, heavy rapids, and falls. This is no place for the inexperienced fisherman or canoeist. If you choose to wade these waters be careful and be aware of the rapid changes of water levels.

In this stretch, there are numerous places to fish including Pray’s Campground in the middle of Big Eddy and in Big Eddy there are sure to be some trout lurking behind some of those large rocks. Below big Eddy are Little and Big Ambejackmocjamus Falls and then the Horserace, all swift pools and runs. After this, the river opens up into the Nesowadnehunk Deadwater which abounds with trout and then we have a series of pools and runs until reaching the Abdol Bridge Pool which is a favorite spot. From here to the Ambajejus Lake the trout population begins to thin out.

Fly Fishing the Penobscot River:

The West Branch of the Penobscot River falls under Artificial Lure Only rules, daily bag limit 2 trout / 1 salmon, April through August 15. From August 15 until the end of September is Fly Fishing Only, daily bag limit 1 trout or salmon.

The season opens on April 1st but doesn’t get rolling until the smelt run shortly after ice out. Large schools of smelt move from Ambajejus Lake into the river during the spring spawning season. This run, lasting as long as three weeks, is one of the longest and heaviest in the state. Fishing this time of year can be unpredictable, but fishing streamers are the best bet for enticing strikes.

Spring:

Although the season starts the first of April, the ice may not be melted at that time and the good fishing does not start until the start of the smelt run which varies depending on the weather. Streamers work well early in the season giving way to the nymphs by the end of April and the hatches that begin in May.

Summer:

Late May and early June start the first descent hatches of blue winged olvies, the hendricksons and the red quills followed by the start of the rivers epic Caddis hatches, which can sometimes carry well into fall. Be sure to include caddis pupae and larvae in your fly box.

Stone flies hatches occur throughout the season, and can often bring some of the rivers biggest fish to the surface for a big bite. The water will remain cool and the fishing will continue to be good all summer long. The river is best fished with a six weight system.

Fall:

The season in the early fall can be good with terrestrials and streamers as well as as occasional dry fly.