Landlock Salmon VideoHi Speed Only

After a six day work week I found myself asking the question why are you hauling your 55 year old body out of a warm bed at 4am to go flyfishing in a wind driven rain? The simple answer is I like to flyfish. I especially like to flyfish with Jeremy and Austin and they were my flyfishing companions for the day. I like flyfishing with Jeremy because he is a pretty darn good flyfisherman. I always learn something when I flyfish with him. He is technical enough to find the right method that will take fish. So more often then not flyfishing with Jeremy means you will catch fish. And flyfishing with Austin is always a breath of fresh air. He is a good flyfisherman, but more then that a good kid that brings humor, enthusiasm and boundless energy to every trip. Anyway I climb into the King Ranch pick up Jeremy and Austin and head for the East Outlet. After 8 days of rain it is hard to believe we will find any water that is not blown out. Jeremy calls the river flow info number and reports the flow is at 511. (It boggles my mind as to why all the rivers and streams we have passed are at flood stage yet the EO is at 511.) It is going to be a great day he says. As we drive through Abbott on the Moosehead Trail Jeremy exclaims “There they are!” As we are still 45 minutes from the river I have no idea what he is talking about. I do know that he is insistent on me turning the truck around. He directs me to a convienance store. I pull into the parking lot and there in the window you can see egg sandwiches wrapped in tinfoil rotating on a warming tray. He looks at me and says “They shine just like a chrome fish.” You gotta love it, he spotted them from the passenger seat of the King Ranch at 55 mph. Amazing.
Once we arrive at the East Outlet I am very surprised at the number of flyfisheman we encounter. We aren’t the only crazy people on this Sunday morning. The good news is the East Outlet can accomadate a fair number of people so finding a spot is not a major concern. Our fishing begins on the north bank of the river. Jeremy isn’t long before a fish is connected to the nymph. He is flyfishing with sinking line. He quickly brings the fish to hand, and releases the chub back to the Kennebec. Certainly not the species he had hoped for. I have seen a couple of Salmon rise on the opposite shore. I find the best wading route and head across. I have completed my second cast of the black nose dace streamer. The swing is complete and I begin the strip. WHAM, a huge Salmon slams my fly. I set the hook and anticipate the battle. It is short lived, the leader, the fly and the fish have seperated from my flyline. Bad knot? Bad leader? Probably one of the two but since this is my article it was the size of the fish that caused this unexpected seperation. After several more cast and changes in offerings the fish seemed to have vanished.The 3 of usdecided a coffee break at the Moose River Store was in order. When we return to the river Jeremy suggests we fish further down stream. This proved to be the right choice. Jeremy decided on flashback pheasent tail nymph rigs with strike indicators. The accompanying video shows the results. Austin is the first to hook up. He nonchalantly drifted a nymph with a dropper attatched through a deep run. He was quite surprised by the subtle take but quickly regained his composure and masterfully hooked and played the fish. The fish were fat and fiesty, and they fought well. The acrobats of a landlock salmon attempting to lose the fly are always thrilling to watch and these fish did not disappoint. Each fish took line off the reel and used the current to hunker down before they made long runs and vaulting leaps. So all and all it was a great day. We all caught very respectable salmon, had some laughs, and of course enjoyed the breakfast sandwiches. Thanks guys for a great day. It did beat staying in a warm bed, watching football, and taking naps. You would have to be a flyfisherman to understand why!