With the reports of fish everywhere, water super low and the hydro company working on the dam Jeremy and I play hooky from work. I like to fish the Kennebec River at Shawmut from the east side. Jeremy likes the west side. Well Jeremy did drive… Here we are on the west side looking across at feeding fish( on the East side). Jeremy shows me some good pools on the west but the fish are busting at a very steady pace by my favorite spot. We cross the river get set up and BEEP,BEEP,BEEP the Dam sounds the water release horn. Now I’m nervous. I have just crossed the river for the first time(In a hurry) and I don’t know how much time we have to get back. I don’t know how much water will be released. You get the picture. Half way back a second horn beeps. Oh shit! Another release with 50 yards of river to cross. Well I did my best river scoot, got across and stayed dry and safe. Jeremy and I both on dry ground I suggested let’s give the east side a try. The pools are close to the river bank and plenty of fish.
On the east side there is a pool that is about 12’ deep. The head of the pool comes off an 18” shelf and drops off sharp. The river is a little high so the prime spot is out of range. I rigged up my favorite 2 nymph rig a #16 black stone and #18 prince. Cast up to the top of the shelf drift over the drop and boom a nice Brown ( Nothing like Scott’s) but a quality Maine fish. I fished the same spot for 3 hours hooking several fish. The fishing was different. As the water changed it would slow for a wile then pick up then slow. When fishing dam controlled water the bite can turn on and off is a second. Jeremy and I witnessed this first hand. When the water rose the hatches stopped and fish went down. Remember when the water gets high you better go low and don’t forget the slip shot. See ya on the river Joe-m
