Saturday morning, May 21st. First day of 2005 on a pristine trout pond in Western Maine. My friend Larry and I drove to his camp in Moxie Gore on Friday night. The plan was to fish some ponds on Saturday and some streams and rivers on Sunday. We both transfered from canoe fishing these ponds to float tube fishing last year. We agree there is no more comfortable way to be on the water for hours at a time in search of native trout. We agreed that due to the early date, ice out was about 2 weeks ago, we should fish the shelves. By this I mean we positon ourselves so that when looking out of your float tube on one side you can see bottom on the other side you can’t. The idea is to cast into the deep water, give your fly time to sink to the bottom then strip it up the shelf.We were rigged up and ready to start by 8 am. 10 minutes later I heard the familiar “There we go.” from Larry’s float tube. This guy has a knack for fly fishing fast sinking lines and stripping the fly (in this case a black ant) across the bottom of the pond. I don’t know what secret he employs to get the fish to find his fly but he is truly amazing at this method of fishing. I have fished with him for years and can not recall a single time I out fished him. Anyway, I watch from my tube as he played this fish.By the looks of the bend in the rod it appeared to be a fish of some quality. As the water was still on the cold side, 48 degrees on the surface the fish played out quickly. The fish measured 18 plus inches and was fat through the girth. I would estimate this trout at 3.5 pounds. The 2 fish that followed this one in the next couple of hours were easily in the 2lb range. The most rewarding part of these trout is that they are all native. The stocking truck never goes near these ponds. I have fished these ponds when the daily limit was 5 fish per day. I am sorry to say that I saw many a fisherman fill his limit day after day. Fortunately, catch and release has become the norm and the the daily bag limit and decreased and size limits increased. It is amazing to watch these ponds reproduce quality native Brook Trout year after year.If you are looking for quality trout fishing I suggest you try some of Maines ponds from a float tube or canoe. Plan on long times between hook ups but know there is a 5 pounder waiting for the right presentation at the right time.
Pat,
Looks like a really good, quality experience. I would love to do that with you guys sometime. The chance of tangling with a 5 pound square tail really peaks my interest.
Now that’s what I’m talking about. Nothing beats native Brookies in my opinion. I remember catching Brookies like that as a kid. Now they are a tough find. They just don’t seem to stock Brookies in NY anymore. Maybe up north. But the southern portions of NY mainly see browns. Great fish Pat. Thanks for posting. I can’t get enough of the square tail stories. Might have one to post for myself after next week.
pat – nice work – i know that i am mostly a river man when it comes to trout and you have a love for the ponds. i have shared with you some of my knowledge and river tactics….hopefully, someday soon, you will take me up to your secret ponds where the legendary big native brookies live and show me how to fly fish for them……
i liked your mentioning of the little details that Larry employed in his fly fishing technique. i believe whole heartedly that IT IS the tiny, little things that make all the difference. IT IS NOT an accident nor luck when 2 guys fly fishing side by side produce different results….to the casual observer it appears that both guys are doing the exact same thing…however the difference is in the details. a slight mend, a little twitch, a little more time, a little faster, a little slower, a litttle less, a little more….find the perfect combination of these little things is usually the key to unlocking a fishery.
Its cool that you acknowledged that about Larry’s style and did not shun it off as “oh Larry was lucky…” Not many people realize that Luck has a little to do with it…but attention to detail has alot more to do with it….i look forward to learning about the fine details from you.
can i use a kyak instead of a float tube — when we go???
Pat, I also like the flot tube action I have a remote pond by sugarloaf full of brookies. I have never tried it so early I like the dry action in late June. If the rain ever stope I’ll give the sink line a try thanks for sharing
Pat, I also like the flot tube action I have a remote pond by sugarloaf full of brookies. I have never tried it so early I like the dry action in late June. If the rain ever stope I’ll give the sink line a try thanks for sharing