trout

Opening Day 2018

April 1 is the traditional opening day for trout fishing in Maine. It's no coincidence that it's also April Fools Day--no many non-fishermen understand why you'd go stand in a half-frozen body of water searching for fish that often seem like they are hibernating. With ice and snow, not to mention near freezing water temps, the excitement of opening day is enough. Opening day is about getting outside, remembering how to cast a fly rod, and basking the gloriousness of fishing season finally arriving. Much how I approach all of my fishing, catching fish is secondary.

With the late winter weather we've been having (it's snowing while I'm typing this!) we headed to a small pond that we know holds wild fish and hoped that the ice was out. As luck would have it, this pond happened to be the first one I've seen ice free in 2018.

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Spotting the pond through the tangle of alders led us to the next surprise of the day. Evidently, a beaver had moved in since the last time any of us had been there and raised the pond about 2 feet and doubled the size of the pond. Next time we come, we'll definitely be bringing the float tubes.

A few midges skirted across the cold, dark, tannic water but wet flies and tiny streamers were the place to start. After a few casts with a royal coachman I had the first hit of the year--I promptly strip set (too used to striper fishing!) and yanked the fly right out from the little guy's mouth. Nonetheless, over the next hour or so all three of us landed a dozen or so healthy brookies (and didn't lose too many flies to the flooded alders). A morning with good friends, eager (but still not foolish) wild brook trout, a "new" old pond to explore, it was the perfect Opening Day. Let's hope it bodes well for the rest of the season!

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Two April Fools on a blustery, but fishy, day.

Two April Fools on a blustery, but fishy, day.

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Welcome to the new Anadromous Adventures Blog!

Thank you for checking out our new blog and please check back here often for new posts!

This blog will serve many purposes, including keeping you up to date on our various adventures and activities throughout the year. I'll post fishing reports, adventures both on and off the water, updates fro the fly factory and favorite fly patterns, fly tying tutorials, wild fish and game recipes, and whatever else I think might pique your interest. 

We're finally starting to get some spring-like weather here in southern Maine and not a moment too soon! After what I termed a bimodal winter (winter-like December/January followed by a spring-like February followed by a very winter-like March), I think are finally start to be actually past the second peak. This Sunday, April 1st is the traditional opening day for freshwater fishing in Maine and I can't wait for this weekend! Hopefully the warm weather and little bit of rain will get rid of some of the snow in the woods.

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This week I'll get the tarp off the Sarah Jeanne, charge the battery, and tackle any spring maintenance with the hope of putting her in "The Big Lake" (Sebago) sometime in mid-April for a shakedown cruise and hopefully find a salmon or two. In addition to striper flies, a few smelt imitating flies have been coming off the bench recently for springtime.

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In the meantime before getting the boat out, the maple syrup season is in full swing and sugaring has been my primary hobby in March. It's my first year and has been a fun activity after the ice has been too poor for fishing.

Boiling down sap.

Boiling down sap.

First batch!

First batch!

Well that's all for now, please check back soon!