Trips – Page 2 – Monsters Of Fishing

Smeltapolooza 2012. The myth revealed….

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Feb 162012

There are no smelts in Maine. It’s all a big fat lie.

Ok, Ok, that’s not true. Reports indicate that there has been some action this year with the best seemingly on the larger Kennebec River. However the overwhelming response this year, so far as I’ve seen from those fishing the smaller tributaries where the bulk of the smelt camp operations are, is that… this year is bad. In fact, over the course of the last 7 or 8 years we’ve been doing Smeltapolooza, it seems the catch rate has steadily dwindled.

..."not a creature was stirring, not even a smelt"...

Some claim that, at least this year, the warmer winter and late ice is the cause, while others say that the tides have been running too big or that freezing then thawing ice is creating weird currents that are clouding up the water. None of this though would explain why some I talk to say that the smelt fishing just isn’t what it was a few years ago. Perhaps it some cyclical thing that happens every number of years and coincides with the New England Patriots draft picks or something. Or, maybe it’s best to leave it to the biologists to figure it out and we’ll scour the internets for any news from them.

In the mean time, we carried on the tradition again this year and tackled the Abagadasset River in Bowdoinham, Maine. MOF members equaled four, smelt caught equaled zero. And the dozen or so camps along the river bank with us were coming up empty handed as well on the five hour, night time, outgoing tide. We did eat well, except that the lack of a menu coordinator meant that somehow each of us brought sausages….lots of sausage,…sausage 6 ways sausage. We will review menu planning procedures for future trips.

Dean brought his bear repellant pink flamingo (see First Big Spring Trip Roundup) to guard the shack and, although black bears are hibernating in Maine in the winter, Dean’s from down south originally and probably thinks where there is frozen water there has to be polar bears wandering around.

I’m seeing and hearing of guys using Sabiki rigs that they bring themselves and jig with instead of relying on the single lines provided with the camps. Next year we’ll rig up a few of these with little glow in the dark krill-like jigs and work them with handheld jigging rods… you can see an early attempt we did with a single rig from the post in Monster Tech Tips called the Smeltslayer Model 2010 prototype..

Between now and then though, the MOF will be preparing for First Flys Out in early spring…. and anything else that comes up before then…

First Big Spring Trip Roundup…

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Jul 082011

Well, the mid June trip turned off pretty well overall I’d say. Four of the Monsters crew, and special guest Karen all hooked up with either salmon, brookies or both. We hit three rivers including the Rapid. The Rapid River was running at a nice 400 cfs which made it easier to get to more good pockets. It seemed like nymphs, streamers, and dry flies all produced hits depending on, what was going on…

We tried the Rangeley River for the first time after being told it was producing, but it was already late morning by the time we got to it and past prime time. There were quite a few people up and down it when we got there, but they were heading out as we were coming in. This one will be revisited next time, early. We will return to this whole area for the Labor Day weekend, which should provide even better salmon counts that time of year.

Some related topics on this first trip. Karen demonstrated a well known but little understood law of fishing, by catching the best fish of the trip having never really done any kind of fishing before in her life. Just a few times practicing casting in the yard, and tying on a fly or two at home, and she jumped in. There is no rational explanation for this; it’s just the way it is. Jimmy and Kristen scored a bunch of good stuff from the FFIM raffle one night. I discovered on the last day that, at about mid thigh level, the right leg of my waders would completely fill with water. I collected a dent in the hood of the Jeep from a tree branch falling on it at some point, and Dean successfully field tested his new bear deterrent system for his tent (see pink plastic birds guarding the entrance in photo).

So, all in all I guess we lived the dream once again……. right?… And between now and the next trip to this area we’ll hit some additional places for sure. I’m looking to get something together next for a run up to our river spots around the Moosehead Lake area,… and then the West Branch of the Penobscot,…oh, and striper fishing along the coast here,…and then…….

The Crew all lined up...

Spring Fling 2011: And an overdue update…

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May 192011

Yes, there has been a lull in the updating of this site but not for lack of lines being in the water. There was of course Smeltapolooza 2011, and some early spring lines in (mostly by Dean) with success on Sebago Lake for some early lakers and recently on Tricky Pond with a half dozen brooks in the boat. I hit the Presumpscott River a month ago and, I don’t know where the 200 or so stocked brookies went that were dumped in there the weekend before but, they went either up to the lake or got swept way down by the fast spring runoff. I only gave it an hour though but got the chance to brief someone new to the addiction that is fly fishing.

My friend Karen came with me and has decided to drink the cool-aid, and will come to our first big foray in June for her first time fly fishing. We’ll hook up with FFIM for the Spring Conclave and make Cusuptic Lake the base camp for exploring the legendary rivers of western Maine. Karen has been very impressive with her ability to beg, borrow, and steal all the equipment necessary. In fact, we may all be out equipped by her before it’s all said and done. If we get out fished by her…..then we will have some explaining to do.

So, as you know this site is not always about the technical side of fishing, but often more a reflection of the fishing adventures we go on….with all the side stuff that goes along with it. We may get to the flies, the hatches, the knots, the river flow CFMs and the catch statistics when we can. Now, the Monsters Of Fishing are just packing it all up, and getting ready to yank (and release) what we can from the Cusuptic, Kennebego, Magalloway, and Rapid Rivers.

Noteworthy developments for this year’s first trip: Jimmy will attempt to use a little red wagon to pull a week’s load of food, beverages, and beverages the mile or so walk into Middle Dam for one day. Dean is brewing up a couple of cases of commemorative nut brown ale for the trip. And I’ll be guiding aforementioned Karen on her maiden fly fishing outing—where she will observe the MOF crew in a wilderness setting where it’s too far to run away anywhere. More to come…

Jimmy at Middle Dam-Rapid River

Smeltapolooza 2011. “Where’s the smelts?”

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Feb 212011

The Monsters Of Fishing got out later than usual this year for what we figured was our 7^th annual pilgrimage to extract small little fish through frozen river ice in the hopes of filling buckets with them. We settled into a six and a half hour outgoing tide with fierce wind gusts buffeting the 20 odd shacks along the Catance River. Not a line stirred. In fact, with every shack booked, we saw no one produce a smelt. There was a single 14 inch carp caught by a group a few doors down, but that was it. This is smelting. And we know it going in. If they are running, you can haul lines all night. When they are not, then it’s time to relax, break out the food, and start cooking.

This year’s menu started with a melted Velveeta with jarred salsa dumped in for chip dipping. Shrimp scampi followed, then, Italian sausages and rib eye steaks. Vegetables as usual were strictly forbidden. We agreed that onions and green peppers sautéed with meat are considered aromatics instead of vegetables here, and so are allowed. The feast was paired with a lager that rang in at $2.99 a six pack and worked well with the delicate flavors. One member enjoyed gin and tonics with the entrees. Beef jerky and Slim Jims rounded out the service.

This year I had a re-match with my cooler. We had a scuffle last year going up the steep ramp off the river at the end of the night and, review of a previous Smeltapolooza post will indicate that it kicked my butt. This year I trained hard in anticipation of the grudge match and it paid off. I dominated the cooler the whole way up the ramp without incident. In fact, aside from Dean loosing his sunglasses down the race hole in the first three minutes, and someone who will remain nameless exploring the culinary possibilities of eating a live bloodworm and making Troy nearly loose lunch at the sight of that, the whole trip seemed to go pretty smoothly for the most part.

We did some rough number crunching to determine the price per pound we’ve paid for fresh smelts on average for the past seven trips and we figured it comes out to approximately $437 a pound. Now, smelts are $2.99 a pound at the local supermarkets all day long this time of year, we realize that. But, paying a slight premium to ensure absolute freshness in this case seems to make sense to all of us so, the tradition will continue. Next year we will move to another location and have set a goal to double this year’s catch… which will only take one fish but, it can only go up from there…. Cheers from the MOF.

Smeltapolooza 2011. Tradition, Adventure, and The Impending Chaos to come….

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Jan 032011

It’s time. The Monsters had a good open water season. There were the two fly fishing expeditions to ply Rapid , Cusuptic, and Magalloway Rivers in the Rangely area, and Monster Dean’s work on Sebago Lake,…all of which provided productive fishing this spring and summer. Heavy work schedules kept postings to this site a bit on the sparse side but rest assured…. The Monsters Of Fishing were vigilant in keeping lines in the water.

But now the chill is in the air, and even though Maine has extended open water season to year round on most bodies of water,.. the river edges are crisping up with ice that’s moving outward and the annual tradition of Smeltapolooza has hit first gear. Normally the overnight event is planned for Valentines Day weekend… a logistical stroke of genius from years ago that has been staunchly defended despite subsequent marriages and significant others. This year however, business travel constraints of one of us has meant the date has been set for January 29th. Ground Zero is again Jim’s Smelts Camps on the Catance River. We may find additional people to join in this year, and the food and beverage selections are currently in the final stages of planning. Dean has a batch of something brewing for The Monsters Of Fishing Brewing Company’s suds offering this year–maybe a smelt-jalapeno-corn liquor infused IPA or something…gawd knows. All I know is Jimmy and I talked food menus at Conference “G” last night and there will be plenty of smoke rolling out of the smelt shack from various meat based products again this year ( vegetables, are as usual, strictly forbidden again this year).

This year we’ll be fishing a 4:00pm to 10pm tide–a later tide and a longer stretch of darkness with the lights over the race hole shining to attract the smelts so,.. I’m anticipating perhaps a greater catch than ever this year… and even stranger looks from the hotel desk back where we’re staying when a half dozen of us come through the lobby at 11pm a little rough around the edges from all the fishing, and dragging coolers, packs, and propane stoves up to our rooms… eh, they remember us by now.

Season’s End as we know it

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Oct 172010

MOF Dude

MOf board of directors for the most part had a fair year in the waters of Maine. I (Dean) Personally had to travel for work begining from the End of May until the first of September. So needless to say, I couldnt get enough water time as I would have liked. What will be interesting is the “new laws” pertaining to fishing beyond what used to be Season’s end and what that may bring.

I did hit the Pleasant River a few times as well as the usual Sebago foray with associate MOF memeber Wayne. Did OK with the usual Wobbler and “Harry” on Sebago. Also did a couple of trips with junior MOF associate Emma to the Presumscott, under the bridge at North Gorham Pond. Was’nt bad there with worms. A few bass came out of there as well as a trout or two. If some one wanted to, further down the Presumscott, all the way to Covered Bridge, was a hot place. I used not only flies, but brought out a variety of little Panther Martin’s. One day, I think I got everything from Trout and Bass, to a nice….I mean nice Brookie…..

On this particular day, I headed out to the bay with a great friend and saltwater mentor, Tim and his boat. We used a “Christmas tree” rig to hook up with some Mack’s for bait. Then headed out around a few of the islands. At one location,(super secret) we tossed lines off spinning gear and in a few seconds, hooked up doubles. Great day there Just being out on the water.

Most river fishing for me was successful with my favorite Grey or Blue Dun. I did grab a few with a Grasshopper pattern. Spinners, Nymphs, and streamers failed me. I’ll attribute that to me not paying attention.

With the new rules and regulations it is going to be interesting as to what we can do in Maine with some longer weeks going in to the freezining waters. I believe that I will try it out. I mean, let’s look at the Sebago Ice Fishing Derby. If it was anything like last year, some folks were drilling holes and dropping lines…..What’s to stop me from launching a boat and cruising the edges of the ice?….

Plans are being made for SMELTAPALOOZA 2011.

Stay in touch and keep on tossing lines.

Flys Out-End Of June cont…

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Mar 132010

J&K tag-teaming a pool

Spring fever has officially set in for this Monster, and the First Flys Out expedition comming this June in Rangeley dangles like T-bone steak over a pack of Dingos…. A few almost 60 degree days in March here have me tossing shovels and skis aside, dragging fishing gear into the house, and spooling new line on reels in my living room while watching fishing shows on weekend mornings.

At his point the base camp logistics are set. Three nights, large site, on the shore of Rangeley Lake with access to both lakes and streams producing some of the best salmon and native trout fishing anywhere. It hardly seems like three nights will scratch the surface…..and it wont. Strategy and tactics will be debated,… Troll the lakes with streamers?, bang the rivers with flies, nymphs and emergers?… The bottom line is everything gets taken up —boats, waders, lead core, tippet… Ok, so next weekend is Spring Fling at Shawnee Peak. Sking in a sweater, people “pond” skimming on skis wearing bathing suits… maybe there’s one more day on the snow for me… but thats it! I’m turning the clocks ahead this weekend, checkin tackle….

E=Mc2

Flies out. Spring 2010

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Feb 282010

This will be the base camp for “First Flys Out” for the Monsters. End of June. Cold nights,.mild days,…mosquitos and black flys only starting to awaken. The legendary watershed of the Rangely Lakes region ground zero for spring salmon and native trout.

SMK Kristen came through as usual with the spring accommodations logistics—-extra large site suitable for three tents, on the shore of Rangeley Lake. Bonus feature: Boat launch… leaving multiple fishing platforms possible. Hike into the legendary boundery water rivers of native trout and salmon fishing?… troll the clear lakes?. I say both… with four days to kill….all options are on the table.

The Rapid River. Rangeley Maine

Oh,…now that’s fishy. Comming end of June 2010

Smeltapolooza

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Jan 042010

Every winter some of us Monsters tackle the grueling expedition we’ve come to call Smeltapolooza. The idea is to cram as many of us as possible into a small shack along the banks of a frozen river, along with enough food and beverages to survive for five or six hours, and attempt to pull 4-6 inch little fish through the ice. Now, this involves a keen understanding of tide times, moon sets, water temperatures and bait depths, which probobly explains why we tend to catch very little, but then, who really wants to catch the hundred or more of these little things it would take to make a decent meal for the whole bunch. So,…Smeltapolooza lessons learned?…bring lots of food, and a pain reliever of your choice to supplement breakfast at the hotel the next morning.

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