Rangeley region should be hot with brookies this week

Saturday, June 11, 2005

The Augusta-Waterville area is a great place for salmonid anglers to live because we have the Kennebec River running through it, and in addition to this river among rivers, myriad ponds, lakes, more rivers and endless brooks offer fishing aplenty. Even better, none of us in central Maine need drive far to reach such storied destinations as the Moosehead area (roughly 90 miles away), Jackman country (100 miles) or Rangeley region (79 miles) -- all approximately a two-hour drive for many of us.

This coming week would be an excellent time to head to Rangeley because all the fresh, cool water falling from the sky draws fish up tributaries, and then, rivers and streams in such mountainous terrain run-off quickly.One day, the currents rage toward lakes below, and two or three days later, just about any mountain stream can be fishable.Ê

When folks head to Rangeley to cast into rivers and streams, they often think of the Kennebago and Rangeley rivers, and for good reason. Brook trout and landlocked salmon move into these waters in June, and folks with light fly rods can tangle with some old brutes. Just remember that the Kennebago is a dawn river. Of course, afternoon hatches can change that rule.

However, a stream and small river attract me in late spring, and neither sees a tenth of the angling pressure exerted on Kennebago or Rangeley. One of them has drawn me for 41 years -- South Bog Stream, and the other one has called my name for the better part of 30 years -- Cupsuptic River. Fly-fishing-only regulations insure quality fishing for future generations.

Let's start with South Bog Stream. This mountain stream rushes and tumbles across South Shore Drive -- a fancy name for a narrow, tree-lined road that smacks of north-country imagery. This small water lies about one-half mile west of the Rangeley Lake State Park entrance, and upstream of the road is catch and release only. However, downstream of the bridge, anglers can kill five, 10-inch or longer brookies per day.

Nearer the road, the stream drops rapidly, classic pocket water with small pools and alder banks. It looks like a classic calendar or catalog cover from the 1950s. As anglers near the lake a mile away, though, it flattens out and brookies run larger. During September, in the deep, gravel glides, the chance exists to catch a wall hanger. To reach the lake from South Shore Drive requires a little bushwhacking.

In June, I work my way downstream from the road, taking small brookies that often measure just shy of the 10-inch minimum. This bothers me little because of my catch-and-release philosophy. As the lake nears, the fish run larger as a general rule.

This is a great spot to take newcomers to fly-fish, but my advice comes with two caveats. First, in June, the black flies here can carry a child or small adult away, and second, South Bog Stream can be feast or famine. One day, you will have a fish on much of the time and thank me for sending you. Another time, you'll swear South Bog is barren of trout and write me a nasty note.

When South Bog falls flat for me, I hot-foot it to Cupsuptic River northwest of Rangeley village, a small stream in the upper reaches. Take Route 16 to the north end of Cupsuptic Lake and turn north on Morton Cutoff Road. This gravel byway comes to Lincoln Pond Road and makes a T junction. A left here goes immediately to Cupsuptic River, a stretch that is deep and silt-bottomed. I cross the bridge and take a second right (north). DeLorme's The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer shows one right, but there are two and the first one is a dead end.

Follow this second right turn, which eventually comes to a campground next to Cupsuptic River. Keep going beyond the campground until you come to a sharp left in the road. Park there, walk east on a path and fish downstream from Big Falls.

At Big Falls, Maine's most picturesque trout pool, you must have a camera to record a partner casting at this gorgeous spot, where -- by the way -- I have never caught a fish.ÊHowever, at times, the pocket water below can be filthy with brookies.

Here is the beauty of South Bog and Cupsuptic. Wet flies and nymphs cast quartering downstream work just fine here, a simple method for introducing beginners to fly fishing. After the cast, the fly swings in an arc on a tight line before the fly rodders inches it back. Because of the tight line, brookies hook themselves, and novices can have fun galore.

These mountain brookies are less wary than trout in more heavily fished spots, so a dry fly with a drag may still draw a savage strike. South Bog Stream helped me learn fly-fishing so many years ago, and like Cupsuptic, can be a great confidence builder.

Brook trout love the following flies: Small Red and White and Little Brook Trout bucktails; Zugbug, Hare's Ear, Picket Pin, Pheasant Tail, Prince and Casual Dress nymphs; Mosquito, Quill Gordon, Hendrickson, Henryville Special and Light Cahill dry flies.

Ken Allen, of Belgrade Lakes, is a writer, editor and photographer.ÊTo reach him, send e-mail to KAllyn800@aol.com