The Pine Tree State offers a number of pristine wild trout rivers in its northernmost corner to anyone with a fly rod and a desire to catch some fish.
Since it originates in the mountains along the Québec border, this river shares a border with New Hampshire and criss-crosses back and forth into Maine.
There are a lot of landlocked salmon in the Magalloway River, so it’s a great example of what you can find here. You can find some of the best trout fishing in the Magalloway, whether you are a novice or an experienced fly fisherman, but you do have to do some research.
By calling one of the many trout fishing guides in the area, I was able to glean information on the best times of the year, the best flies to use, and creel limits and seasons.
In this region, most trout anglers adhere to a catch-and-release policy that contributes to the survival of this wild trout population. This is also a fly-fishing-only area, with no traditional gear allowed.
Learn more about some great brook trout and landlocked salmon fishing in Maine from a first-timer’s perspective.
Fishing the Magalloway River
Large brook trout and landlocked salmon live in the Upper Magalloway River above Aziscohos Lake.
Fishing is best in spring and fall when water temperatures are lower, but much of the lower river is cold and oxygen-rich during the summer.
Aziscohos Dam has some beautiful tailwaters with cold water riffles and pockets that just beg for flies.
This is a cold water species dream for nymph fishermen looking for big brookies and landlocked salmon, but you should also carry dry flies and streamers.
The section of the river from the dam to the Route 16 bridge is the easiest to access and the most heavily fished by fly anglers of all skill levels, but there is plenty of room for multiple anglers at most fishable spots.
In the end, we started at the well known #10 bridge, but we weren’t the first anglers there. It still didn’t feel too crowded, and we were able to catch some fish right away.
Gear
A decent 5W fly rod would be ideal for just about anything that swims in the Magalloway River, depending on who you ask and what you are fishing for.
Our four anglers used 5W line with a tapered leader and 4- to 6.5-pound tippet for this trip. I had the pleasure of fishing with the Maine Fly Company Kennebec 5W, which is a pleasure to fish with. Fly anglers will thoroughly appreciate its light weight and quick action.
Moreover, I had a nice, affordable Cheeky 300 that came preloaded with line and leader to match the 5W rod I had in my hands.
Fly Patterns
There are many patterns, but they are generally simple and familiar to experienced fly anglers.
The Copper John, Cased Caddis, Beadhead Pheasant, Green Rock Worm, and Barr Emerger are some of the nymphs that work well here in the spring.
Dry fly patterns abound, but Blue Wing Olive, Deer Hair Caddis, Hare’s Ear, Parachute Adams, and Klinkhamer are some of my favorites.
Summer nymphing patterns include Copper John, Black Stonefly, Zebra Midge, Hare’s Ear, and Caddis Larvae. Summer dry fly patterns include Deer Hair Caddis, Adams, Royal Wullf, and Klinkhamer.
Zebra Midges, Barr Emergers, Brassies, Beadhead Stoneflies, and Copper Johns are ideal patterns for fall in this part of Maine. Deer Hair Caddis, Griffith Gnats, Adams, and Hornbergs are also common.
Live The Experience
Sources: Wideopenspaces, Youtube
