Fly Fishing In Maine

September 9, 2010 - 7:15 am

West Branch Penobscot River

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West Branch Penobscot River

Town: Millinocket
Season: April 1 to September 30
Water Type: River
Wading Access: Moderate
Species: Brook Trout, Landlocked Salmon
Flow Information: (207)-723-2328
Recommended Rod: 9' 6#
Recommended Flies: Gray Ghost

Description:

The West Branch of the Penobscot River just below Ripogenus Dam if fabled in Maine to be the best landlocked Salmon water in the world. And those who have fished it know why. I took a trip here last summer in August and the fishing was still great. Yo u see, the water here comes from a pipe leading from the bottom of Ripogenus lake and therefore flows cold all summer long, never reaching the high 60's. This makes for the unusual conditions of consistant fishing all summer long. There are some huge fi sh in here, although the normal catch is between 12-14 inches. These fish are beautiful and healthy. There are a number of fine spots all down the river from the damn to the deadwater after Horserace Brook. The land around the river is gorgeous and unt ouched for the most part. You are in the middle of land owned by a large paper company on one side and Baxter State Park on the other. With Mount Katadhin looming in the background this might powerful river is a picture come to life. This ar...more