A Not So Secret Fishing Hole

Saturday, June 25, 2005

By DAVID LEAMING
Staff Writer

Staff photo by David Leaming
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KEEPERS: Erving Curtis, of Burnham, holds up a large rainbow trout and two brook trout he landed at one of the ponds at Rainbow Valley Fly Fishing in Thorndike.

THORNDIKE -- Ask a fisherman the whereabouts of his favorite secret fishing hole and he'll walk away without a word. Ask Delton and Becky Curtis and they will gladly tell you where you can catch trout by the bucket load and throw in coffee and cookies to boot.

The Curtises own and operate Rainbow Valley Fly Fishing at their home in the woods on the Curtis Pond Road. Their business offers fishermen the chance to catch rainbow and brook trout in a serene environment for the joy of hooking a large fish and releasing it, or bring it home for dinner.

The year-round business consists of five spring-fed ponds that were carved out of the land when the Curtises built their home 15 years ago. Four of the ponds are designated for fly fishermen and anglers can catch and release fish until their arms ache.

Fly fishing those ponds requires using hooks without a barb to minimize injury to the fish. The fifth pond can be fished using worms, lures or flies and the fishermen must keep each fish he catches. The cost of the fish kept is $1 per inch up to 14 inches and then $2 per inch thereafter. A total of approximately 2,000 trout of both species, some up to two-feet long, fill the ponds that sometimes boil with shiny and jumping fish when a fly, natural or artificial, teases the surface of the water.

"Some fishermen just fish for the thrill of catching and playing fish and then release them," Delton Curtis said. "I like those customers."

Sportsmen can fish at the business at a full day rate (6 a.m. to 8 p.m.) for $95 that allows unlimited fishing and two fish may be kept. A home-cooked lunch is provided. A half-day rate for $60 (6 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.) can be purchased and one fish may be kept. Anglers in a rush may try their luck for three hours at $35 and keep one fish. No fishing license is required because it is a private pond. There is a cabin available for rental for those who just can't get enough fishing. Becky Curtis offers customers hot coffee and cookies.

The Curtises have made their business, now in the second year, suit the fisherman who wants to catch fish and relax at the same time. The couple also gains pleasure by seeing the fish and fishermen succeed and enjoy their sport.

"They are like our children," said Becky Curtis as she gazed out at the fish in the closest pond from her kitchen window. "We enjoy seeing the fish jump."

Delton Curtis said business is growing as fast as the fish.

"People come from all over Maine and New England," he said. Fishermen can just stop in or make reservations. Many are repeat customers, he said.

The ponds are easily accessible and groomed to blend naturally into the woods and allow fisherman a chance to cast without catching branches. Mowed pathways, docks, lupine flowers and an outhouse surround the ponds.

Both Delton and Becky feel their business is an "absolute success."

"We have done this for ourselves as well as our customers," Becky Curtis said. "We make a little money, meet our business obligations and the customers are happy. We don't have people lined up at the door but we don't have people getting tangled up in lines either. It is peaceful, quiet and relaxed."

Delton agrees. "We enjoy the company and they enjoy the fishing," he said."We have had a lot of fun and satisfaction. There is a lot of growth potential here."