GREG BOSTATER is a Registered Maine Guide.
He owns and operates Maine River Guides, LLC.
He can be reached at 207-749-1593, maineriver
[email protected], or www.maineriverguides.com.
Closest fly shops
Maine Guide Fly Shop
34 Moosehead Lake Road
Greenville, Maine 04441
207-695-2266
www.maineguideflyshop.com [email protected]
Closest guides/outfitters
Maine River Guides
131 Edwards Street
Portland, Maine 04102
207-749-1593
www.maineriverguides.com [email protected]
Penobscot Drift Boats
364 Hudson Road
Glenburn, Maine 04401
207-570-4235
www.penobscotdriftboats.com [email protected]
Closest lodging
Big Eddy Campground
Rustic Cabins and Tent Sites
207-350-1599
www.chewonki.org/vacations/vacations _big_eddy.asp [email protected]
Big Moose Inn
Millinocket Lake, Maine 04462
877-666-7346
www.bigmoosecabins.com [email protected]
Twin Pines Cabins
Fire Road 20 D
Millinocket, Maine 04462
800-634-7238
Allagash Gateway Campground & Cabins
Chesuncook Lake Road
Ripogenus Lake, Maine 04462
207-723-9215
www.allagashgatewaycamps.com [email protected]
Closest restaurants
Fredericka’s Restaurant
Fine Dining & Pub
Millinocket Lake, Maine 04462
877-666-7346
www.bigmoosecabins.com [email protected]
River Drivers Restaurant
Fine Dining & Pub
Fire Lane 20D
Millinocket, Maine 04462
207-723-8475
www.neoc.com [email protected]
Scootic In Restaurant
70 Penobscot Avenue
Millinocket, Maine 04462
207-723-4566
The Northern Restaurant
Abol Bridge Campground & Store
Millinocket, Maine 04462
4 . East Outlet
The East Outlet is a branch of the fabled Kennebec River. It is located 15 minutes northwest of the historic town of Greenville. The “Outlet,” as it is called locally, originates at Moosehead Lake—the largest lake in Maine.
Moosehead is a rare example of a body of water with two outlets. After exiting the big lake at a low dam, the Outlet travels roughly 3½ miles before emptying into Indian Pond. Dropping an average 25 feet per mile, the East Outlet is the polar opposite of its sluggish sibling to the west. Its swift current flows over large rocks, providing an ideal, oxygen-rich habitat favored by landlocked salmon. The East Outlet is considered one of the finest landlocked salmon fisheries in Maine.
Most of the land surrounding the East Outlet is designated Maine Public Preserved Land. This protects it from development and allows it to retain its wild character. It is home to one of the larger white-tailed deer wintering areas in the state. Moose and black bears are common. The East Outlet typifies northern Maine’s (and the southern boreal forest’s) ruggedly beautiful scenery and large-river angling for landlocked Atlantic salmon and eastern brook trout amid the musical sound of falling water. Conifers, ferns, and large granite rocks line its banks and river bottom.
Most anglers typically wade the first mile of river, fishing from the dam to what is known as the Spawning Beds. These areas can be reached from the highway and a dirt road that parallels the river to the north. The dirt road is best left to vehicles with good clearance and four-wheel drive. There is parking on either side of the river at the Route 6/15 bridge. There are several pull-outs along the dirt road. One ends at the Beach Pool. Below here access becomes more difficult, requiring a walk to reach the more remote sections down to the lake.
The best way to experience the East Outlet and cover the entire 3½ miles of river is by drift boat. Unlike many rivers where fish hold near the banks, in the Outlet salmon and trout can be just about anywhere. Midriver runs inaccessible to wading anglers often hold fish. Drift boats can be maneuvered into position and anchored in the river’s swift current, giving access to fish that wading anglers never reach. When the water is high, driftboat anglers can continue to fish productively, while wading anglers have few options. It is, however, important to
note that the East Outlet is not easy to float. It is a technical river with Class II and III rapids. As a result, it is best floated by expert rowers with an intimate knowledge of the river and its flow regime. This is a river where hiring a guide is always a good idea.
Sluice