50 Best Places Fly Fishing the Northeast. Bob Mallard

Pool in Fall. Maine Guide Fly Shop

      Flows in the East Outlet are generally consistent—at least in regard to the seasons. The lowest flows occur in the summer, late fall, and winter. High flows occur in the spring, late summer, and early fall. Flows below 1,200 cfs are considered low. Those in the 1,200–2,000 cfs range are considered medium. Flows above 2,000 cfs are considered high. Flows above 3,000 cfs make fishing tough. Low flows

      Above. East Outlet

      Dam at Moosehead

      Lake. Fliesandfins.com

      Left. Greg Bostater

      with fall brookie.

      Fliesandfins.com

      are conducive to wading; high flows are not. The opposite applies to floating, because low flows are difficult to row. Medium flows are wadable and floatable, and usually offer the best fishing. Wading anglers should be vigilant, as the water can rise unexpectedly—and fast. Harris hydropower station at Indian Pond, water levels in Moosehead Lake, and heavy rains can all influence flows. Projected daily flows are posted in the parking area at the Route 6/15 bridge. There is also a toll- free flow information number: 800-557-3569. Wading staffs are highly recommended, as the riverbed is lined with slippery bowling ball–size rocks.

      May through October is prime time on the Outlet. Fall typically produces the largest fish. The river is heavily stocked by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife—the Outlet is one of the most heavily stocked stretches of river in the state. Fish are stocked in both spring and fall. There is some level of natural salmon reproduction. Artificial spawning beds have been built on the river. In the fall, large salmon can

      be seen moving in and out of these beds, which are closed to fishing. There are also some resident brook trout. Trout and salmon enter the river from both Moosehead Lake and Indian Pond as well. There are also holdover fish. Trout average a foot long, though fish up to 16 inches are caught. Salmon average roughly the same, but some fish over 20 inches are caught every year.

       Hatches: Hatches on the East Outlet occur slightly later than those on the lower sections of the Kennebec. They are, however, both strong and predictable. Mayflies start in late May and run well into late June. They hatch intermittently in the summer and pick back up again in the late summer and early fall. Caddis overlap early mayfly hatches, peak in the late spring and summer, and continue into early fall. Blue-winged Olives can provide excellent dry-fly angling during overcast conditions. Stoneflies can hatch pretty much anytime, and classic streamer fishing for salmon in the spring and fall, and on overcast days, can be particularly productive.

       Regulations: The East Outlet is restricted to fly fishing only. It is catch-and-release from October 1 through April 30. From May 1 to September 30 there is a one-fish limit. The minimum length limit on trout and salmon is 14 inches. From November 1 through March 31, the lower section of the river (from the yellow markers at the tail end of Beach Pool to the red markers at Indian Pond) is closed to fishing.

      As I mentioned in the beginning, the East Outlet represents classic landlocked salmon fishing at its finest. It is a unique fishery on a rugged and beautiful river in a remote and relatively undeveloped setting.

      Fall landlocked salmon. Maine Guide Fly Shop

       Tackle: A 9-foot 5-weight rod with a floating line is your best bet for the East Outlet most of the time. If you want to fish streamers, a 9-foot 6-weight with a fast-sinking sink-tip is your best option. Dry-fly fishing is best done with a 9-foot 4-weight, as you may need to drop to 6X to effectively fish smaller patterns such as BWOs. While rods longer than 9 feet can work—especially for nymphing—rods shorter than 9 feet are not practical. Strike indicators should be large enough to float two flies and added weight. Flies should include smelt patterns and Woolly Buggers, and all stages of mayflies, stoneflies, and caddis in a variety of sizes and colors.

      MIKE BUTLER guides out of Kennebec River Outfitters in Madison, Maine. He is also a nationally known maker of fine fish models, catch-and-release trophy carvings, and his signature weathervanes. He can be reached at 207-474-2500, [email protected], or www.kennebecriveroutfitters.com for guiding; or for his fish carvings at www.MikeButlerFishCarver.com.

      Closest fly shops

      Maine Guide Fly Shop

      34 Moosehead Lake Road

      Greenville, Maine 04441

      207-695-2266

      www.maineguideflyshop.com [email protected]

      Kennebec River Outfitters

      469 Lakewood Road

      Madison, Maine 04950

      207-474-2500

      www.kennebecriveroutfitters.com [email protected]

      Closest guides and outfitters

      Maine River Guides

      Portland, Maine

      207-749-1593

      www.maineriverguides.com [email protected]

      Penobscot Drift Boats

      Glenburn, Maine 04401

      207-570-4235

      www.penobscotdriftboats.com [email protected]

      Northwoods Outfitters

      5 Lily Bay Road

      Greenville, Maine 04441

      866-223-1380

      www.maineoutfitter.com [email protected]

      Closest lodging

      Moose Mountain Inn

      314 Rockwood Road

      Greenville, Maine 04441

      800-792-1858

      www.moosemountaininn.com [email protected]

      Wilsons on Moosehead Lake (cabins)

      Route 15

      Greenville Junction, Maine 04442

      800-817-2549

      www.wilsonsonmooseheadlake.com [email protected]

      Closest lodging

      The Captain Sawyer House Bed & Breakfast

      18 Lakeview