LIP GRIPPER 3.5-MILLION-ACRE
FOREST. GO NOW. PHOTO: BEN DUCHESNEY
SCOOP FISHING HOLE
Fox Carlton Pond, Tributaries of the Sandy River
WHAT’S BITING Brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout
TOURIST SEASON June and September through
October, when the spring runoff is finished and water temperatures get into prime range.
RIGGED UP
Most of the rivers are fly fishing only. Four-weight fly rod, floating line, 5x tippet.
TACKLE BOX
Reverse hackle flies or dry flies like gnat, mosquito or Adams patterns.
KAYAK PLANNER
More ponds, pools and trout than you can shake a stick at [LOCALS ON LY]
NORTH WOODS BROOKS
After hours driving through twisting mountain roads, I knew I was close when I spotted a trout stream running beside the road. Many of the creeks in Maine’s North Woods have that perfect blend of whitewater and pools so you can spend the morning fishing the rise and then work nymphs all afternoon. Just before the road started climbing up into the mountains again, I pulled off into Fox Carlton Pond Sporting Camps, a little slice of fishing bliss. I lost cellphone reception just before I dropped my bags in a sportsman’s cabin, complete with balcony and paintings of local fish and wildlife. Then I ran towards the pond and waiting canoe. Sitting in the stern of his canoe, Jon Pound, owner of Fox Carlton, laughed as his dog ran the perimeter of the pond chasing trout. The rising moon lit up rings from rising fish. I couldn’t help but laugh, too. BEN DUCHESNEY
DIGITAL EXTRA: Click here to watch video from the author’s escape to Maine's North Woods. 24…KAYAK ANGLER
OUTFITTER & LODGE Fox Carlton Pond Sporting Camps, 207-491-5865
www.foxcarltonpond.com
EAT
The Orange Cat Café, 207-265-2860
www.orangecatcafe.com Get a hot cup of local Carrabassett Coffee. Or bring your goodies from home and have a cookout at Fox Carlton Sporting Camp.
DIVERSION
Go whitewater rafting on the Kennebec, Penobscot and Dead rivers.
www.threeriverswhitewater.com
In ponds, use a stable, quiet kayak or canoe to sneak up on rising fish. Take a nimble whitewater kayak for eddy-hopping on the Sandy River tributaries.
GEAR
Polarized sunglasses to spot rising fish on the pond or see fish sitting in a river pool.
GAME PLAN
After waking up before dawn, hit the sunrise bite on any of the nearby ponds, then float or wade the Sandy River and tributaries for brook trout, rainbows and browns. North Woods is rocky; try your hand at bouldering—free climbing giant rocks. Or, go creeking. Find class III-IV whitewater at high water levels. After dinner, get on the pond in time to catch the sunset and watch as the water lights up with rises. Fish until you can't see to tie on another fly.
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