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 Maine Atlantic Salmon: Salmo Salar, The King Returns
Posted by greg on September 08, 2006
This year, September 15 to October 15, marks an experimental season for the Atlantic Salmon. This is the event that so many avid Atlantic Salmon fishermen have been waiting for with readied gear since 1999 when Atlantic salmon fishing ended in Maine. To the more avid old timers, words like Black Bear, Belfast Killer and Cosseboom bring back memories of fly patterns of the heyday of Salmon fishing in rivers like the Narraguagus, Penobscot, Sheepscott, Pleasant, Machias and Denny’s. These and other rivers all the way to New York had healthy Atlantic Salmon runs at one time. This experimental season has very stringent special regulations and anyone getting the license should be sure and read them well. People, like me, who have never had the opportunity to fish for Atlantics in their home state, will want to grasp this opportunity as its future is tenuous at best.
I am told by inland fisheries that the area to be fished will be well marked and the resident license is $15.00 and 3 day Licenses will be available as will non resident licenses. I am also reminded that there will be sufficient fishery personnel available to help with questions and be sure the special regulations are adhered to. Today a friend and I went to The Veazie Salmon Club high on the banks of the Penobscot River. The high position of this club gives it a sweeping view of the clubs Salmon Pools starting just below the dam on the West side of the river. There are two other Salmon clubs down river on the East side. The Eddington Salmon Club and the oldest of them all, The Bangor Salmon Club.
Claude Z. Westfall notes in his article that 20,000 years ago Cro-Magnon man had etchings of Atlantic Salmon on the walls of their caves. He also mentions that Roman Legions around 1000 B.C. gave The Salmon the name "leaper". The word Salmo is derived from the Latin “Salio”. Isaac Walton, in his 17th century writing “The Complete Angler” called the Atlantic salmon “The King of Fish”. What I found surprising was that Professor Westfall, a well known
Atlantic Salmon fisherman, says that the Atlantic salmon’s closest relatives are the Brown Trout and Steelhead. In an article appearing in “Forest and Stream”, Volume XV, August 12, 1880, the Maine Salmon had yet to take a fly which was a problem and curiosity as Atlantic Salmon were being taken on the fly in other states. The first Salmon taken on a fly in Maine was taken by J.F. Leavitt and H. L. Leonard, on the Wassataquoik Stream. This stream empties into the East branch of the Penobscot. This would appear to be the beginning of a long and lasting love affair between fly fishermen and the Atlantic Salmon. Taking Atlantic Salmon on the fly definitely adds to the mystique of angling for the King of fish. In an article, Maine Sportsman, Volume 1, No. 12 May 28, 1894, Titled “A Unique Adventure, “ about legendary Penobscot River Angler, J. Henry Peavey. A Big fish leaped out of the water, striking him and knocking him over backwards. The Salmon, which weighed at least 25 lbs., fell into the boat, and then jumped out again. In the rumpus, Mr. Peavey broke his fine Salmon Rod! Atlantic Salmon cause great highs and great lows, either way it’s a pursuit of love of task.
How important is this short season of catch and release, Cro- Magnon drew pictures and Mr. Peavey broke his rod, sounds like man has been stirred by this pursuit for some time.
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Re: Maine Atlantic Salmon: Salmo Salar, The King Returns
by waterwhippa on September 08, 2006 http://salmonriverspecialists.com | | Greg, thanks for the rich history of the "leaper". I am pulling for you to land one in your home state. Those flies are brilliant, they must have taken a few hours at the vise. This year will be my introduction to salmo, hopefully I will have a run in like old Mr. Peavey. Awesome read |
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Re: Maine Atlantic Salmon: Salmo Salar, The King Returns
by Shaq on September 08, 2006 http://www.theanglersnet.com | Great story Greg, VEry fiiting of the King's return. Good luck this year as you are swinging for the king as I will make my pilgramages to the Champlain for the landlocked cousin of you fish. Very nice ties on the article as well, Is that a Floodtide up top? Superb!
Good luck. |
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Re: Maine Atlantic Salmon: Salmo Salar, The King Returns
by ChrisR on September 09, 2006 | | Great read Greg. I'm holding out hope that you guys get into some Maine Kings. That would be a site to see for sure. Since the Penobscot hasn't been fished in a while I think it is pretty much up in the air as to whether a number of fish will be caught or not. Can't wait for the fish tales to come that detail your outings. |
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Re: Maine Atlantic Salmon: Salmo Salar, The King Returns
by jeremy on September 10, 2006 http://www.ineedasimplesolution.com | | greg - excellent fish-tale ... it is exciting .. especially considering the long history surround the atlantic salmon ... a true survivor and certainly deserving of the name .. the "king of fish" ... i hope to someday catch one ... wouldn't it be awesome to catch my first one in maine .. rather than having to travel to a foreign country ... that would really be a dream come true ... maybe you can help me out making that dream come true .. you certainly know much more than me about fly fishing for the king of fish .. and i am sure through your personal networks you might be able to get a good idea of where our best chances might be for hooking one .... would love to give it a shot. got a spey rod i could use? that is some big water. oh yah, got some flies i could borrow to? ... i'll buy the coffee and smokes.:) |
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Re: Maine Atlantic Salmon: Salmo Salar, The King Returns
by AusableWulff on September 10, 2006 | I was wondering if there is anybody out there that is disappointed that they are having an experimental season on the penobscot this year? I honestly dont like the idea one bit. The river just started getting runs of a thousand+ fish and now that there is a reliable tricke of fish coming in, there is a now a season for atlantics. I think it sends the wrong message with respect to restoring and conserving the resource. This should have been done when the runs reached ten thousand ++ atlantics, which would be possible in not so long a time with the proper manangement of the runs and the dam removal projects along the penobscot. It seems that impatience got the best of policy on this one.
-Chrid |
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Re: Maine Atlantic Salmon: Salmo Salar, The King Returns
by greg on September 21, 2006 http://www.fliesandfinsnorth.com | | I have been remiss in mentioning the water temp flags. There have been green and red flags used to indicate wether or not you can fish. The red flags were out the other day indicating the water was to warm and fishing was not allowed until the water cooled. The next day green flags were out indicating that fishing was again allowed as the water temp had dropped. |
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