Maine Striper Fishing Reports

Maine Striper Fishing 2012

2012-01-23T15:03:00.001-08:00

What are the best tides is one of the most asked questions we get here at Coastal Fly Angler.It is that time of year anglers start to make plans for there travels, Tarpon, Permit Bonefish,Redfish and yes Striped Bass on the flats, tides play an important role in a successful trip, look at it this way we can not predict the weather 6 months out but we can predict what tides will fish well. Feel free to drop us a email or a Ph call anytime to discuss the prime striped bass tides for the upcoming 2012 striper season here in Maine. 207-671-4330

Maine Striper Fishing Reports 2012

2012-01-10T16:17:00.000-08:00

Finally getting around to offering a fly tying class/talk on shallow water striped bass tactics,When- Febuary 17th 2012 7 pm Where- Host LL Bean Freeport ME, look forward to seeing you there and hering some fun fish stories from the past season.Focus will be teaching hollow tied decivers and merkin style crabs, talk will be fishing these patterns in the shallows.Also mark your calender for early March as the Fly Fishing Flim Tour is back in Maine more info later in the week..

Maine Striper Fishing 2012 Product Reviews

2011-12-23T14:27:00.000-08:00

New Weapon!!! Airflo's Ridge Clear family is just that, the ultimate stealth line that won't spook fish, shoots well and handles superbly while remaining supple even in cold water,from the FL Keys to Casco Bay Maine Airflow has some great lines to cover all the salt anglers needs..

Capt.Eric Wallace

Maine Striper Fishing 2012

2011-12-01T04:06:00.000-08:00

207-671-4330 call to order..

Blitz $49.95

From Casco Bay to The Outer Banks, they shot photographs, burned video footage, and interviewed an eclectic cast of anglers, guides, merchants, and fly tiers. They filled rent cars with sand, they fought ill-mannered dogs in cheap motels, and they boosted convenience store profits in nine different states.

Departure Publishing is proud to present The Blitz, Fly Fishing the Atlantic Migration. Through McDonald’s turn of phrase, and Brown’s eye for imagery, they have created an engaging and comprehensive view of the beaches, tidal rips, birds, bait, and gamefish of the Eastern Seaboard. This is not a how-to-where-to guidebook; it’s an offbeat celebration of the unique and vibrant fly-fishing culture of striped bass, bluefish, tuna, bonito, false albacore, redfish, and other nearshore pelagics.

Reviews of Blitz
The fishermen profiled here are fascinating, and if you fly fish the Northeast salt, you’ll love this book. Given all the great photos, this would make a nice coffee-table book, assuming that you have a coffee table. Something tells me that many of the anglers profiled in the book may not have one; in that case, a tying bench will do. – MidCurrent

Connect by Confluence films

CONNECT introduces a number of new locations, exotic species, and compelling characters that epitomize and exemplify the sport of fly fishing. Shot on location in Japan, Yellowstone National Park, the Yukon Drainage of Alaska, the flats of Cuba, the coast of Maine, and in the wilds of Tanzania, Africa, this feature-length movie will once again transport viewers around the world in search of new waters and exhilarating travel experiences. CONNECT features well-known anglers Greg Vincent, Jeff Currier, Jimmy Bartschi, Craig Mathews, Masa Katsumata, Brian Porter, and Captain Eric Wallace, more than a dozen different fish species, both freshwater and saltwater.
As with DRIFT and RISE before, the cinematography, sound, and feel of CONNECT come together in a visual masterpiece that promises to re-set the bar for fly fishing films.

Hat and T-shirts with the Coastal Fly Angler Logo...Price 12.00-20.00 call in your order 207-671-4330.

Maine Striper Fishing

2011-10-15T05:13:00.001-07:00

Photo. From the new movie by Confluence Films called "Connect" by Jim Klug and Chris Patterson of confluence films-- Join Fly Fishing in Maine and CCA Maine for a advanced fundraising showing on Oct 28 at the Frontier Cafe and Theater in Brunswick Maine, all proceeds will be split between Stripers Forever Myco Research Project and Alewife population project here in Maine. For more info see www.flyfishinginmaine.com

Mid - Late October fishing report <)))<
October has brought a mixed bag of weather and fishing,I have seen the best surface action in years and also some down right great sight fishing in near record heat and a 8 lb bluefish after scraping ice from the poling platform and casting deck, there has been some windy days and some glassy evening sessions. After all its mid October now in the northern range and what fish you find day to day- enjoy- the colors on the island are beautiful and you pretty much have the water to yourself I did 6 guide trips in a row without seeing a single angler at any point during the trip, just how I like it!!! Overall you have to be on there spot they are no longer spread out and are in full on schooled up mode and on the move, the fish we found sight fishing where ultra skittish and swimming very tight head to tail, dark backed and when they decided to eat the group would jump in on it as a team effort- aka mini blitz, there is plenty of bait and water temps are reasonable to keep fish around but as we all know our population up here is not that big and when they feel it time to leave our
season becomes day to day and thats where we are at.. enjoy the search!!!

Maine Striper Fishing Reports

2011-09-19T03:31:00.001-07:00

9-20-11
We got this nice fish off a draining Mud flat in Casco Bay this morning on a windy flat the fish was sitting in about 2 ft of water:) there are lots of fish around and they seem to be getting snappier by the day!!!! The big bass on the outer island sand are still doing there thing lots of sand sand eels as-well spike macs and 8-10 inch pollack around who are all on the striper menu at this point, inner islands and mud flats have just food drifting everywhere from small dropouts to peanuts and even a few big schools of pogies left around that did not get netted up yet,,,One thing that is very different from this time the past few years is there are fish still really spread out allowing us to contuine to fish the flats the why we like by ourselves,With these warmer humid nights the water temps has been really stable should contuine to see some pretty darn good fishing for three more weeks maybe longer? Bottom line get on the water as much as you can right now if you hit it when they are snappy you are in for some outstanding fishing.......

Maine Striper Fishing Mid Sept 2011

2011-09-15T17:09:00.001-07:00

Capt Justin Rea

The first cloudy night during this big bright moon offered a little better fishing here on the flats of Casco Bay also having one of the top FL keys guides on the bow doesn't hurt one bit. Capt Justin Rea who just came away with two of the biggest wins a fly guide can the RedBone S-Fly and the Del Brown, we found some feeding fishing in some skinny water in fog and it held up until we where kicked off the water due to a lighting storm that came pushing thru, and that was a good thing I don't know what was foggier the weather or us from a little over done evening..Today was a blow out and a time to catch up..Looking forward not sure what this cold front will do to the fishing but my experience is it can shut it down for a tide or two, but we do have a few degrees of water temp to work with, also plenty of bait and with the fading bright moon we should see some good fishing again real soon, if not by Sunday we will start to see those night lows coming back up next week and should help.I will say this at about 1.5 on the tide change yesterday we had a ton of fish around us so they are total schooled up now is some areas and feeding as a group ton of fun to see and it helped us get our heads out of the fog..

Maine Striper Fishing Reports

2011-09-11T14:26:00.003-07:00

The feeling of fall hit me on my bald head this AM running out, wishing I had a knit beanie on instead of a baseball cap, but like yesterday the cool morning made for some pretty hot fishing between the last two trips we have boated nearly 30 fish, these are all coming on a incoming tides in some pretty skinny water, the fish are feeding and staying near the small dropouts and the peanut bunker that is spread out into a few pockets in Casco Bay for about 2 week now!!! mixed in are some nice size blue fish and a good but wish was it was better population of smaller striped bass, good to see!!!! I also wonder if the influx small stripers are native Kennebec fish pushed out due to poor water quality from last weeks storm and inland rains??? In both cases over the past two-days our window has been kinda short but very active and very willing fish if you don't put them down, Fly wise we have been able the last few days to get away without really matching the size of the bait or profile for that matter and just a hollow pattern in the 4-6 inch range has worked very well,with the set up of tides and bright moon the next few nights they might become a little more picky and more dialed into shape and profile?although I don't offer Bait fishing trips, but the 8 year old kid next door boated a 39 and 44 on live bait today with a little inside info on a outer island beach that is holding a very large amount of big fish right now!!! It was fun to see him run over with his photos and how excited he was to tell me he released them both!!!! a few high fives and a promise to teach him to fly cast this fall we have the next generation angler on our hands!!

On the fly our best this week was 36 inch fat and spitting up peanut bunker boat side, lots of 20-30 inch fish and a few fish near 16,

I truly feel our best fishing of the year is still ahead of us and water temps and bait are all on our side, the only real slow period we have had came with very bouncy winds changing direction and flow daily, combined with the normal lull as fish start to school up and are more worried about being social than feeding I think we are both going into a bit more stable weather pattern and the fish are already showing sighs of feeding as a group... and as always you can not catch them unless your on the water, enjoy the search.....

Maine Striper Fishing

2011-08-23T14:03:00.001-07:00

Fly Fishing in Maine

Maine Striper Fishing Reports

2011-08-21T08:12:00.000-07:00

Joe Herbert with a nice striped bass, caught on the mud flats of Casco Bay Late August, 2011 in less than 2 ft of water!!!!

Another comes to a small crab pattern, sight fishing the sand flats !!!!

Maine Striper Fishing

2011-08-04T12:39:00.000-07:00

Well the skinny water fishing in Casco Bay has remained strong all season long!!! even through the hottest weather we had fish in the shallows eating flies!!! we also boated a few large fish in the shallows on sluggos, Fishing the tide has trumped chasing the low light and has turned some bright sunny days into darn right outstanding sight fishing!!!!! with that said there are times the fish are much snappier than than others and experienced flats anglers have been able to just make them eat, while others struggle, olive colored hollow style patterns with very little flash crabs,crabs,crabs have be working for us very well for awhile now, even with a ton of fin bait around a quite boat and a well fished crab get eats!!! some small sand eel patterns and for the spin caster in the shallows soft plastics white sluggos and olive over gray seemed to be working well match it up to low light to bright light..Water temps are pretty warm for maine but compared to 76 down on the Cape Cod you understand why we contuine to see more and more fresh fish in Casco Bay area or could it be something we have not seen for years??? Penut bunker !!! yes a little early but we will take it they are spread out in a particular area in the bay and came in after a few days of hard southwest winds last week. Hope like hell more come and bring more and more fish setting us up for some great fall fishing, August should continue to fish pretty good everyone for the most part is finding fish and enjoying one of the better striper fishing season in Maine in years!! I have 2 or 3 open dates for august as of today so if you are interested in getting on the flats for stripers here in Maine either Casco Bay or the sand flats south of Portland give a call also remember the tidal carp fishing is still holding up well again tides and weather patterns are key to get them in the shallows...

I want to say congratulation to my buddy Capt Justin Rea for winning his second Del Brown Permit Tournament, for all you who have taken on the ultimate challenge of lower keys permit fishing on the flats with a fly you understand the angling and guiding level involved!!! Justin has a video out called Black Tail Devils I have copies for sale so let me know and we can get you set up..

Other cool stuff is the new book by Tosh Brown and Pete McDonald call the Blitz over two hundred pages of arguably the best photos to bring to life our passion for these fish. The blitz start here in Casco Bay and works it way to Cape lookout with essay on guides and just plane fishy people, I gave my wife a copy she thumb threw it and said WOW now I understand!!
Buy a copy leave it on the coffee table I am sure it will buy you some water time with a new understanding for your passion...

Maine Striper Fishing Reports

2011-07-23T11:26:00.001-07:00

Well don't need to explain the weather to any of you, it's hot and the water temps on the mud flats near the river where 74 this morning at 4 AM, sure you can find cooler water and fish on the outer islands and the sand flats have not been to bad on the incoming tide, but a big majority of the larger bait is near the rivers and larger coves and flats. This amount of bait has kept the interest of the bass and we are finding them in some pretty warm water. The bite has a pretty short window, either first light or the first hour or so of the tide change. We broke a fish of yesterday morning that ate my anglers fly is some pretty skinny water that was in that 35-40 inch range and next fish was a bright sea lice cover 14inch striper so mixed bag of sizes, fish seem to be pretty spread-out just not always feeding heavy and if you miss the short window you may think it a dead sea out there..Blue fish have showed there toothy self throughout the Casco Bay area so have some wire with you plenty of little mackerel around. Some areas really took in a lot of floating eel grass after the stronger afternoon sw winds the past few days making some of the area with cooler water holding some active fish pretty tough to get any clean retrieve's, Today my angler came down from his house on the Kennebec for a change of pace and a little skinny water fishing, he was on a pretty long drought getting a striper to eat his fly on the big river and was sick of his kids heckling him for out fishing him with live bait. Having the bow to himself he was treated to a unreal amount of fish high in the water showing themselves but also showing us there tail-using it as there middle finger!!! we where able to move a few and hit a quick photos for his kids.... Release un Quickly this warm water is not easy on them!!!!!

Maine Striper Fishing Reports

2011-07-12T18:30:00.001-07:00

With the amount of fish around we continue to have some fun days on the flats with the fly!!! There is plenty of bait around maybe too much but that most likely will change with the BlueFish that have also keyed into it in parts of the bay, The past three days have had a weird timing but have also produced some snappy action in skinny water in the bright sun... Overall I am seeing a lot fish grouped up as if a early June migration most likely water temps and food have pushed another layer of fish into our waters We often see this in Late July and August on the outer islands of Casco Bay during long periods of heat to the south, this make for some great dark fresh targets on the sand flats, and this week I had an angler who just hit it right, snappy fish good sky and good enough tide to give some shots and boy did he take advantage of it!! going 13 fish on probably 20 or so cast the fish where on our crab but also the angler had a hell of a skill set and after getting to know a little history I learned he got his 83rd Permit in the keys this past April and when I asked who he fished with down there, it answered a lot of questions he has fished with who most guides feel is the best salt guide for over 25 years, I enjoyed my day and learned a ton, we spent hours discussing crab patterns how they drop to leaders used in currents with crabs that might throw of the drop to casting angles and it also reminded me some anglers can just read fish and the eats better than most...but also smart angling is not just pounding the water!!!!!

Maine Striper Fishing with Capt. Eric Wallace

2011-07-09T16:31:00.000-07:00

Stripers on Crab Patterns,Tidal Ravine Carp in less then a foot of water and a Big Blue Fish on a Casco Bay mud flat, A NEW KIND OF SKINNY WATER SLAM. With a few hrs between tides of Casco Bay and Merrymeeting under 20 minute car ride we can target a goofy slam without missing out on the best tides for the other speices....

Maine Striper Fishing

2011-06-29T07:34:00.001-07:00

Maine Striper Fishing Report, smaller tides and very well feed fish creating a good but shorter bite on the bay over the past weekend,we still found plenty of surface feeds at most spots we fished but with a clearing sky at the beginning of the week we went looking for a change up! My angler and I took the little skiff out for some sight fishing! It sure is fun guiding well traveled fly anglers who are up to challenging themselves and sight fishing sand flats for striped bass or tidal Carp in skinny water will do just that! On Monday and Tuesday we spent a day Carp fishing in the MerryMeeting bay area and Had a blast!!! I think we will both loose sleep over the eats we got in less than a foot of water!!! on Tuesday we headed out for some sight fishing on the flats south of Portland, The light was trying for us but never lit up the sand that great, but we still found plenty of fish and shots, there are some very large groups of small fish mixed in with that upper slot to mid 30 inch fish.

Bait wise, kinda the same as last week just more of it, sand eels in the Saco area and not only bringing bass but also some bigger Mackerel and I heard my first reports of Bluefish in Maine waters also a email report from Jim Berstein down at the Eldredge Fly Shop in Cape Neddic of a over 50 inch fish caught on a local charter, lets hope that big girl made it quickly back into the water. Every thing from 9 inch long hollow to 1.5 inch sand eel patterns have produced and so have the crab patterns. There is a mixed bag out there and you can choose the style of fishing you want by weather and tides there are plenty of fish both on the mud flats and fishy structure of Casco Bay and the sand flats to the south for the sight anglers.

Also I would like to apologize to anglers who have been trying to contact me or book tips, My response time has been slowed by the quality of fishing we are seeing here in Maine and I
hope I got back to you all and did not miss anyone..I have one or two AM opening in July a handful of evening / Striper or Carp tides open as well..Coming up when we have a little down time, I will be doing a bio on Coastal Fly Anglers new Guide, Capt. Mike Roy.I have seen him over the years poling the flats on his own getting to really know the water and when he approached me to buy a push pole a few ago I felt he had a understanding of how to approach
guiding light tackle anglers on Casco Bay so by adding Mike and working with a group of full-time guides throughout Maine's coast we offer one of the best connections for Guided Maine Striper Fishing 207-671-4330

Maine Striper Fishing Reports by Coastal Fly Angler Guide Service and Capt.Eric Wallace

2011-06-23T06:14:00.000-07:00

See our Website http://www.coastalflyangler.com/

The good stable weather of the past few days broke to the coldest high temperature reordered for Portland Maine on a June 22, East- North East Winds filled the bay and pushed some floating eel grass around from this past weeks big tides.With not quite as active of a bite as yesterday the fishing on the moving tides was not to bad at all and a few fish showed them selfs with small surface feeds. Looking forward we have other day of wind and cooler temps, then after the weekend looking pretty good for awhile 4-5 days in a row of 80 degree temps and we move into some early AM incoming tides, tons of fun on Casco Bay and later next week if we get a clean sky, great tides for sight fishing the sand flats.

Bait -- we have it, south of Portland there are areas covered with sand eels both Mackerel and a range of striped bass from small schoolies to some very large targets cruising the sand flats. UP in Casco Bay near the rivers are large schools of Blueback Herring that have staged in the rivers of the Presumpscot, Royal and Harraseeket, water temps along the coast are ranging from 55- 62 degrees, so the fish have not only plenty of food but also great water temps keeping them pretty happy.

Yesterday at the dock my anglers where sharing notes with another group of anglers who struggled on what we found to be a pretty active morning, we got into fish at all of our stops and got treated with some great surface feeds in some pretty skinny water,even with a brighter sky by the time water had drained of the flats the fish kept at it.. What these guys where doing was fishing plugs and banging some larger lures around some happy fish - even with the active surface feeds these anglers where also running into, fish can be put down very
quickly! remember that they really don't need to chase down something, they have plenty of food right now and stealth can be key even on the flooded deeper flats. What was working for us 4-6 inch olive and chartreuse hollow style patterns on clear intermediate lines, some longer pauses on the strip was working yesterday and kept us tight and active for about 4 hours of outgoing tide, The flats of Casco Bay will often do this, treat the fly anglers much better than the spin guys.Todays wind and rain was a much different story we where banging black large gurglers that moved a few fish and 5-7 inch hollows in olive and black where a
useful weapon.

For the Spin guys the river systems have a been a totally different story and there are lots of great catch reports coming from those systems throughout out the bay and state wide from the Saco to the Kennebec River. I have not been fishing them much with the flats holding so many fish already so a first hand report this is not, but some honest anglers have shared some great reports and good catch photos. So if the only days you have open to fish are windy and raining go do it!!! there are lots of fish around if you can trade time this upcoming week is looking to be pretty stable and some fun tides I'm betting we are going to see and here about some very good fishing here in Maine...

Maine Striper Fishing Reports

2011-06-21T17:36:00.001-07:00

Sorry for the lack or reports this week, the fishing has been great and combining filming with Chris Paterson for there new project to be released in the fall, featuring sight fishing for striper here in Maine, Permit and Tarpon in Cuba, Japan Alaska, Montana and Tiger fishing in Tanzania,the new feature film is called "Connect" we got some really cool footage on the sand flats the past few days and look forward to seeing the finished product. Chris has been the lead guy at Warren Miller ski films for the past 19 years and worked on the block buster hit in 2010 Inception, this is there third film and a follow up to Drift and Rise http://www.confluencefilms.tv/

We have had some outstanding guide trips this past week, even with the bouncy cool winds on Sunday we had clear sky and some great tides for sight fishing the sand we found some great eats in skinny water, Bait wise we have it all sand eels little spike macs, big macs, juvie herring and bluebacks, but our best fish in the past 5 days was on a crab pattern sight casting.Overall the fishing has been very fun, and with any stable weather a very active bite. I am doing a early AM striper tomorrow and back to the carp flats in the evening for more of that mental beating that a few of us find additive and keeps us coming back. Then most of this week will be in Casco Bay witch is fishing the best I have seen in the past five or more years... Open dates are getting pretty thin through mid Aug but a handful of good tide are open, I also have a few guides working with me, so if you are looking to fly or light tackle fish for stripers here in Maine give us a call at 207-671-4330

Maine Striper Fishing Guide Reports

2011-06-14T18:39:00.001-07:00

With only a two hour casting class from Lelands Fly Fishing in SF California this happy angler enjoyed sweet success here in Casco Bay, even with the crappy weather we found our way out of the wind but one of those spooky landmarks was still lurking in the back ground...Had to dig pretty deep today and search for some protection from the winds with a pretty big tide and wind from the get go, the cool thing is how spread out the fish are around the bay, from Harpswell to Portland there are not to many spots not holding fish,plenty of bait and some big groups of fish moving along the outer islands as well, Looking forward to some nicer weather but finding it hard to complain about the fishing.. RELEASE UM QUICKLY !!!!

Maine Striper Fishing - Guide Report

2011-06-12T05:50:00.001-07:00

6-12-2011
This past week we got a short glimpse of the quality of fishing that is at our door steps, with a few days of light southwesterly flow a few warm humid nights the fishing on Thursday the hottest day of the year so far brought the hottest fishing I have seen in years!!!! The fish in the morning where pretty snappy and very willing to eat, the afternoon tide even in the bright hot sun provided some very good sight fishing conditions with willing fish tons of fun.. The amount of fish we saw swimming in big schools swimming near the inner island beaches was crazy, big fish swimming high in the water column,looked like groups of tarpon swimming up a backcountry channel edge during the migration... Well they did not swim to Maines water for exercise they followed the bait and it's here!!!! there is plenty of small juvenile sea herring spread out in the Casco Bay- Saco Bay Area, but the big fish are looking for the Blue Back Herring and they have found it in the Freeport to Portland area rivers in pretty good numbers and I'm sure that area spreads farther north and south just given a first hand report here.. So we have lots of fish, lots of bait and good tides, but one of the big links is missing, stable weather!!!! The past few days the temps have dropped 25 degrees and the wind is bouncing NW- NE putting a little hiccup in the fishing, we are still boating a few nice fish on each trip but working hard for each, weather wise we are looking to be a little bouncy next few days, the fish are going to want to eat again so stay after it and you will be rewarded... RELEASE UM QUICKLY!!!!!!!

Maine Striper Fishing - Guide Report

2011-06-07T04:49:00.001-07:00

Photo.. Lefty Kreh Carp Fishing Maine..

Diversity, It blows me away the diversity of angling styles and opportunities we have in the Portland Maine area!!! This Past week was a great example as we started of with a hot humid memorial day and we treated Lefty Kreh to some skinny water Carp fishing in a tidal ravine, as the week cooled down the wind went nuts for a few days, blowing out the striper fishing so we took the flats skiffs to some ponds/lake to sight fish small mouths on beds, Lefty loves those dam smallies and I heckled him about that pretty hard.. As we approached this weekend the sun was in full brightness lighting up the sand flats in the Portland area for some great sight fishing, the dark backs coming across the sand reminds me so much of fishing tarpon during the migration, The water temps held up pretty good from the 48 hr of hard northwest wind, it did move the bait around in Casco Bay but the bass foundit and are pretty happy and willing to eat. There is a lot of guys still struggling trying to chase around brids and what not,slow down and fish the tides so far we are off to a pretty good start, and by the sound of it plenty of big fish still working there way up into our water... release um quickly!!!!!

Maine Striper Fishing - Guide Reports

2011-06-03T06:52:00.000-07:00

Maine Striper Fishing Report June 3 2011

The past week has been interesting for me a mixed bag of fishing carp in a tidal ravine and chasing Stripers on Casco Bay,I was blessed with good casters this past week one a guide from Emerald Water Guide Service in Washington state the other a man many of you know Lefty Kreh. Lefty Showed up late morning on a hot humid day, and by early afternoon we set off fishing carp had some great shots and a few come to the fly but no eats,throughout the rest of the week he repeated, this was the first time in years he had been introduced to a new style fishing that he enjoyed so much and is looking forward to doing it again next year.

Stripers in the Portland area are changing daily we have had a few tides that have been real producers and others that just not working as well but still found fish just real light bite.
Fish size a week ago found some small fish the last few days avoiding the wind found some very large fish in areas I just did not expect. Although the water temp is not bad it is still pretty fickle once you get away from the flats or estuaries, I have been fishing some smaller 3-4 inch patterns tight to the bank in the estuaries and inshore islands when the tide is swamped out, on the sand flats, the groups of fish we are finding have been pretty schooled up and moving,have been able to move a few off the pack but there are moving and searching for bait as a group. There is some bigger fin bait moving into the rivers of Casco Bay and the lower Kennebec yesterday there where 6 or 7 ospreys working a condensed area out of the crazy wind and few scored and the bait look to be in that 5-7 inch range herring, dew point the next few mornings is a little lower than I like and I would not be afraid to fish the afternoon if you have to miss the early am fish these night time lower temp are dropping the water temp 3-4 degrees and we are still in the first week of june and that can be just enough to kill the bite. Hope for some stable weather and southwest flow to the winds, every report to the south is lot's of big fish we are already seeing a few up here and look for that to improve... Release Um Quickly!!!!!!

Maine Striper Fishing with Capt. Eric Wallace

2011-05-23T06:40:00.001-07:00

A hand full of boats fishing Casco Bay in the Yarmouth area had a little early season success this past weekend, weather wise if you are traveling to the region in the next week be hopefull that the patterns changes soon, just unstable crap!! Water temp, things are in good shape lots of small bait around and reports of some nicer fish being caught in the Saco Bay area and we will continue to see more and more fish daily spreading out in the area.Tide wise the afternoon highs have been fishing better for us the past few days, we have few milder night coming up with a south wind and might be worth a go for a early am session but try to beat the forecasted 15- 25 mph wind now through Tuesday night.Water temps in the Royal- Portland Falmouth shoreline are around 52-54 once you get out past Cousin Island it drops to the 48 degree range.

Give any of the small rivers a shot at incoming high tides and on the turn around, tight to the grass banks smaller flies with active materials not only have produced stripers in the 16-26 range but also a few Shad in the 19-20 inch range. Nothing gang busters yet and you will have to work to stay on the groups of fish that are around but why not get your casting arm in-shape and as we all know this time year the fishing changes daily and you can only hit it right if you are out on the water.

Looking ahead I have a pretty cool guest coming up, we fished a few days last year together
and he is coming back next week to fish the tidal Carp, Stripers and we have also put together a float with a few freshwater guides, Lefty Kreh many of you or most of you have heard of this guy and what a ton of fun this 85 year old weapon of a caster is to fish with. My ears go wide open when he is on my skiff I learn a ton and have a ton of fun, hoping the weather turns around and we can get him a few shot at tailing carp or at least a taste of Casco Bay striper fishing, I have not oared much in the past ten years but in my past life as a western river trout and steelhead guide between Colorado and Oregon it made up for about 200 days a year, so will see if it's like riding a bike or not.

Other Maine Saltwater Fishing News

Mandatory saltwater registry stays afloat

An effort to repeal the state's mandatory saltwater fishing registry was defeated Monday, May 23, in the Maine House.

The House voted 73-69 to kill LD 308, which sought to replace the mandatory saltwater registry with a voluntary registry in which people could register online for free. The current registry was approved last year by the Maine Legislature. The federal government was directing states to create the registry, saying it wanted the information to determine the number of people who are fishing and the impact on the resources.

State law requires annual registration, which is $1 if done online through the Maine Department of Marine Resources or $2 if done at the resident's municipal government office. People fishing for striped bass also pay an annual fee under the law approved last year.

Residents will pay $5; nonresidents will pay $15. Maine residents 70 years old or older may pay a one-time $10 fee. There will be no charge for people younger than 16 years old, disabled residents and people who are passengers on a licensed commercial vessel carrying people who are recreational fishing. All saltwater fishermen may also fish without registering if they fish on Memorial Day weekend, the Fourth of July and Labor Day weekend. People violating the law will be fined $100.

LD 308 would have replaced that system with a voluntary one in which people could register online with the state Marine Resources and Inland Fisheries and Wildlife departments at no cost. The bill would prohibit a fee to be charged.

Anna Blodgett, D-Augusta, and Maeghan Maloney, D-Augusta, voted to kill the bill. Karen Foster, R-Augusta, voted to keep the bill alive.

The state Senate has not voted on the bill. The Legislature's Marine Resources Committee had recommended defeat of the repeal legislation.

Maine Striper Fishing with Coastal Fly Angler

2011-05-10T18:32:00.000-07:00

THERE HERE!!!!

A few Stripers are now being caught here in Maine, the reports are fresh small schoolies this is good news and lets hope more of these smaller guys keep rolling in followed by the bigger fish. Some good shad fishing as well and the photos I have been seeing the shad have out sized the stripers that will change soon!!. Weather wise my windsurfing gear is getting more use then my fishing It has been blowing the past few days in the 20-30 knots range but looking ahead - Thrus is calling for light winds and temps in the 70's question chase big carp on the flats or Stripers in the rivers.....

Maine Striper Fishing Coastal Fly Angler

2011-05-07T06:02:00.003-07:00

Maine Striper season getting closer!!!!!!I got a great fishing report last night !! a couple of Cape Cod guides went out after hearing rumors of a good bite the day before, and by the sound of it they hit it just right!!! between them over 50 fish in 25-32 inch range mixed in a bunch of 3-5 pound Bluefish - water temps in the 53 degree range in Buzzard Bay and more fish should be heading that way daily. On this side of the Cape there have been some bass taken in the Boston Harbor and all the way up to the Joppa flats area, look for that to improve daily. Here in Maine the amount of bait in the Royal River I saw yesterday while working on the Action Craft at the Yarmouth Boat Yard is any indication, Maine's waters should be pretty good shape on the food side and support some happy stripers once the fish push up this way. Im not a betting man but I will not be surprised to here about a bright Striper caught here on Maine's coast any day now..

Check out May/June Eastern Fly Fishing Magazine Cover and photo essay,Taken while we where filming Conflunace Films new movie "Connect" trailer and more info soon...

CCA Maine

I have never really been accused of being a tree hugger, but fish hugger yes!! I have always run my guide service, witch is now closing in on 20 years as a catch and release experience, I also understand there is times when the release is heading straight to the bottom for crab bait.. and this is something I think we can improve on as anglers, choosing proper hooks, timely landing of the fish, and what good is catch and release if we are not PREPARED to take our photos QUICKLY and release the fish..So why CCA Maine now?? I have followed this group for years was on the board years ago and at one point just got frustrated in it's direction they seemed to be more concerned with it's annual banquet then fishery issues, I know longer gave them my money, time or a guide trip for fund raising. Lately I have seen a new energy there, and put simply I like what I am seeing!!! They have taken on issues and more importantly a stance that was not popular with all of there members, and I truly believe if they lost a few from those stances they deserved to get many more in return for taking the stance that would benefit the fishery at the cost of a few dollars to the users. They are also best chance of having a open line of communication with the new DMR and it's commissioner Olson, I will say this,we have our work cut out with this guy, he has NO history or by the sounds of it not much interest in recreational angling here in Maine,the madding stance he took voting with Virginia has pissed off about every saltwater angler in Maine!! I will give him that he has only been at the job for a few months, and may not have been up to speed on the Menhaden stocks but for what ever reasons, action like this need need to be explained to the angling community here in Maine and we need a group to open the door and ask them, consider joining CCA-Maine, I truly feel a growth spurt in a group heading in the right direction could be that voice we need while we don't have the voice that states with saltwater license have. Any anglers doing trips with me can deduct the 25.00 CCA- Maine membership from the guide fee to of set the cost....

Maine Striper Fishing Spring 2011

2011-04-20T19:26:00.000-07:00

Well here we go, it's May and this to me is a indicator month on how the Striper fishing here in Maine will shape up for the 2011 season.The reports south are spotty, everything from very good fishing to big blown out rivers and cooler water water than average equaling slow fishing, but this looks to be a opportunity for us, we already have bait and the water temps are shaping up to be in our favor!!! It has been awhile sense we have been so equal with the states to the south, just a few years ago we had a 9 degree difference with Rhode Island in mid May and the season had a real slow start!! This year it goes like this as of now- Long Island 51.6 Block Island 48.0 Newport RI 50.3 Boston 47.3 Western Maine Self 46 Portland 47.7, that being said we also had a ton of northeast winds that spring and I hope that we don't get into that pattern again. So as of now there really is not a big temperature wall that may trun them away from following the bait that is starting to move throughout Maine's coast.. Would I stop everything I am doing as soon as the water hits 50 maybe,maybe not I would start looking for reports around the cape to improve and hope the crew that does a little pre season searching contuine to report there efforts, I will continue to chase around skinny water Carp I love challenging fish on the fly and we are already getting some good shots but weather and wind has to match a perfect tide is still giving us a very short window but should improve over then next few weeks..Give a call if you would like to give Tidal Carp fishing a try...207-671-4330

Mid April Report, Connect

Maine Striper Fishing check out May-June 2011 Eastern Fly Fishing Magazine,cover shot of Maine's Casco Bay, and the photo essay taken by Jim Klug,fishing the flats here in Maine while working on Confluance films follow up to Drift and Rise The Movie is called Connect
coming out this fall,,Sorry for the lack of reports for Maine striper fishing, Permit and Tarpon have taken up most of my time and now my wives on book tour for her new book (This Life is in your Hands by Melissa Coleman) sorry for the plug!!!
So I am here in Maine for a few weeks getting the little skiff ready for chasing carp on Merrymeeting bay and early season Striper on Cape Cod and here in Maine,as well finishing up a feature story for Fly Fishing in Saltwater on flats fishing in the Portland Maine area coming out this summer.

The reports I have been getting from the Cape Cod area are Herring are moving and Bass are moving with them so let hope for some warm southwest winds soon!!!until then if you are looking for a little skinny water fix, give a call and try the tidal carp, weather and tides are key, so is the vehicle to join the quit chase these fish will often take you on, like Permit, Carp in tidal waters can give you a mental beating that you will like most want more.
Check out the little Skiff we added for this fishery this past season, after years of fishing from my 17 action craft, the new skiff is half the weight and poles in 5 inches of water perfect for this fishery!!!!

Maine Striper Fishing April 2011

2011-04-19T06:05:00.000-07:00

About Photo- Capt John Ford and I both cancelled trips due to wind gust up to 30kts.
But decided to give it a go anyhow, in 2 ft water 25 mph winds, John had all the fun while I poled the the boat, fall 2010 will be remembered for it's wind,but I guess it did not bother this fish,,

If you Spend anytime Striper Fishing in Maine, Please Try to make it to the CCA- Maine annual Meeting, over the last year or so I have watched CCA Maine take what seems to me a new direction, and what I see I like!!! We are going to need a voice or a least try to be our own voice with the new DMR commisoner not really showing any understanding of the Recerational Striped Bass fishing here in Maine, Do I have to remind you that He made Maine the only state to vote with Virgina on the Poggie issue, just last month!!! Add into the proposed backwards fishery management on the kennebec - opening it up to more pressure during spawning season
And you can see we are going have to dig in our heels over the next few years!!! Hope to See you There!!!!!

CCA-Maine Annual Meeting
April 28, 5:30-7:30pm
Harraseeket Inn
Freeport, Maine

Please plan on attending the Coastal Conservation Association of Maine's Annual Meeting on Thursday, April 28, 2011 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at the Harraseeket Inn in Freeport. This free event will feature the Harraseeket Inn's award-winning food, a cash bar, plus raffles to win some great prizes.

Pat Keliher, Acting Deputy Commissioner with the Maine Department of Marine Resources will be the featured speaker, discussing a variety of topics. Mac McKeever, CCA-Maine President will also be giving an update on some work CCA-Maine has accomplished recently, as well as projects CCA-Maine will be embarking on in the coming year.

The event is free and is open to everyone, members and non-members alike. Donations are welcomed and much appreciated! There will also be opportunities to sign up for a CCA-Maine membership. Please RSVP by April 21st to: carolgay@gwi.net. For more information, please contact Mac McKeever, emckeever@llbean.com.

Please help spread the word. Thanks! We look forward to seeing you on the 28th.

Maine Saltwater Fishing

2011-04-09T05:20:00.000-07:00

First Light Anglers will once again be hosting the Fly Fishing Film Tour at Chunky's Cinema in Haverhill on April 17th at 7pm. Please call or email the shop to purchase tickets. Tickets are $15.00. All proceeds will go to the Parker River Sea Run Trout Stocking Program!!!

Many of you drove up for the sold-out show here in Maine last month, and help raised money for the Mycobacteriosis Research fund that Striper Forever has put together..It a good time and Nat and Derek are doing good stuff working on the Sea Run Trout program get out and support there show...By the way as a saltwater fisherman this years film tour is heavy, with good saltwater footage!!! We have already booked next year showing for Maine so look forward to seeing you then or hopefully sooner doing a little Maine Striper Fishing..

info@firstlightanglers.com
978-948-7004
BUY TICKETS HERE:
https://shop.firstlightanglers.com/cgi- ... &key=25786

Fly Fishing Film Tour Website and Trailers:
http://www.flyfishingfilmtour.com/

Chunky's Directions:
http://www.chunkys.com/contact.asp

Maine Striper Fishing Reports

2011-04-06T14:38:00.000-07:00

Here is a Cape Cod report from Capt Bob Paccia of shoreline guides service, Stripers are on the Move!!!!!

Alewives (river herring) and blueback herring are moving into Buzzards Bay via the Cape Cod Canal on their way to local herring runs. You can be sure that the stripers are right on their tails. Now, it is illegal to fish with or even be in possession of river herring in Massachusetts. In years past, live-lining herring was the "way to go” for catching jumbo stripers in the canal and the banks of the canal were lined shoulder to shoulder with anglers fishing with live herring. Today, savvy saltwater fly fishermen have a definite advantage over their plug and plastic bait casters, as nothing looks and behaves like a live herring then a well tied large herring fly. We tie up a lot of alewives and blueback herrings patterns each year to "match the hatch" when the river herring are the "food of choice" for big stripers bulking-up during their spring migration through Buzzards Bay and the Cape Cod Canal. The flies that we tie are weighted and sometimes rattled in sizes from 6 to 14 inches. These flies are tied mostly with synthetic materials to prevent "water-logging" which used to be a problem when we were forced to use only natural materials such as buck-tail, feathers, etc.
Casting these large weighted flies is a learning process and each year we get on the water early in the spring showing clients how to use these large flies so that they will be prepared when the season gets into full swing.
Peek water temperature for great striper fishing in the Cape Cod Canal is when the canal water temperature reaches 55 degrees. Remember one of the old saying: "Cape Cod Canal striper fishing is at its best when the lilac leaves are the size of a mouse’s ears." Guess what? That's just about the time that the canal water temperature is right around 55 degrees. You’ve got too love the old timer's way of using nature’s calendar for predicting fishing conditions...
Keep in mind that water temperatures in the Cape Cod Canal vary throughout the day due to tide changes and current direction. Also, there’s plenty of good fishing when the water temperature is below that 55 degree mark. The best time to be on the water is whenever you can get there.

Maine Striper Fishing Reports

2011-03-31T17:44:00.000-07:00

Changes on the Kennebec River could threaten these young striped bass I have found in some of the areas I do a little Tidal Carp fishing over the years, I would highly recommend you come to the meeting this Monday the 4 of April in Bath and show your support for the fish!!!

Department of Marine Resources

NOTICE OF RULEMAKING

Chapter 42.03 Striped Bass – Closed Area and Closed Season

(Kennebec River and Sheepscot river areas)

The proposed rulemaking would remove the marine bait prohibition and replace it with the requirement to use circle hooks while using marine bait when fishing in the Kennebec River closed area during the established May 1 to June 30th season. The closed area is also proposed to change from upstream and inside the line drawn from Cape Small to Cape Newagen to a line upstream and inside from Fort Popham, Phippsburg to Kennebec Point to Indian Point, Georgetown, and upstream from a line in the area called Robinhood between Lowe Point, Phippsburg to Newdick Point, Westport and downstream of the Route 144 Westport Island Bridge therefore removing the Sheepscot River from the Kennebec rules and placing it under the statewide regulations.

This request was made by the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) - Barry Bibson of Boothbay Harbor who is the rep. for RFA in Maine.

PUBLIC HEARING: April 4, 2011, 6pm, Bath City Hall, 1st Floor Auditorium, 55 Front Street, Bath

DEADLINE FOR WRITTEN COMMENTS: April 14, 2011

CONTACT PERSONS: Bruce Joule (207-633-9505) or Pat Keliher (207-287-9973)

For more information:

Online the web link for a copy of the proposed rules is: http://www.maine.gov/dmr/rulemaking/

Or, to obtain a hardcopy by US mail write: Dept. of Marine Resources, attn: L. Churchill, PO Box 8, West Boothbay Harbor, Maine 04575-0008 TEL: 207-633-9584, or

EMAIL: laurice.churchill@maine.gov, FAX: (207) 633-9579 or TTY: (207) 633-9500

To receive future rulemaking notices by email please use contact info above.

Maine Striper Fishing Reports

2011-03-25T04:22:00.001-07:00

Looks like some needed changes coming to this fishery soon!!Not only does the Maine saltwater fishing community but Striped bass fishing men and women from Maine to North Carolina win IF this passes!!! But this just the beginning lots of work ahead get ready to dig your heels in the games are about to begin!!!!!!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 24, 2011
> PRESS CONTACT, TINA BERGER, 703/842-0740
>
> ASMFC Atlantic Striped Bass Board Initiates Addendum to Reduce Fishing
> Mortality
>
> Alexandria, VA – The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s
> Atlantic
> Striped Bass Management Board has initiated development of Draft Addendum
> III with the goals of reducing striped bass fishing mortality (F) up to
> 40%
> and further protecting spawning stock when it is concentrated and
> vulnerable. The addendum was initiated in order to allow managers to
> promptly respond to the results of the stock assessment update in the fall
> if necessary. Provisions of the addendum, if passed, could be implemented
> prior to the start of the 2012 fishing year.
>
> The Board’s action responds to recent trends in the fishery and resource,
> including a 66% decline in estimated recreational catch from 2006 to 2009;
> a 25% decline in estimated striped bass abundance from 2004 to 2008; and
> lowered recruitment in recent years. Additionally, states in the northern
> extent of the fishery have expressed concern over decreased availability
> of
> striped bass as a result of the diminished water quality in the Chesapeake
> Bay during the summer months that may also contribute to increased
> prevalence of mycobacteriosis in striped bass.
>
> Draft Addendum III will propose a range of fishing management measures
> including, but not limited to, adjustments to commercial and recreational
> minimum size (for jurisdictions outside Chesapeake Bay and Albemarle
> Sound/Roanoke River), reductions in annual coastal commercial allocation,
> reductions in recreational bag limits, revisions to the target F rate (for
> Chesapeake Bay and Albemarle Sound/Roanoke River), and reductions on
> fishing for striped bass in known spawning areas during the spawning
> season
> by at least 50% (for jurisdictions bordering the Hudson River, Delaware
> River, Chesapeake Bay and Albemarle Sound/Roanoke River).
>
> The commercial and recreational fishery is currently managed through
> Amendment 6 to the Striped Bass Fishery Management Plan. The Amendment,
> passed in 2003, allocates the coastal commercial quota and set a two fish
> bag limit and a 28 inch size minimum for the recreational fishery, with
> the
> exception of the Chesapeake Bay fisheries, Albemarle Sound/Roanoke River
> fisheries, and states with approved alternative regulations.
>
> The Draft Addendum will be developed for preliminary review by the
> Atlantic
> Striped Bass Management Board in August. For more information, please
> contact Kate Taylor, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at
> ktaylor@asmfc.org or 703.842.0740.
>

Maine Striper Fishing Reports

2011-03-23T04:18:00.000-07:00

Up early this morning putting the finishing touches on a story for Fly Fishing in Saltwater
that will be out this summer on Flats Fishing for Striped Bass and fitting in a blog update from the lower FL Keys, in about a hour I will be heading out Permit fishing for the day and most likely a little Tarpon as well. Had a few customers emailing about getting together at the Fly fishing expo at the Eldridge shop in a few weeks and thought, I would pass along that info...

I have not made to the Eldridge Bros fly Shop Fishing Expo for about six years the year my twin girls where born, I am usually down in the keys during this great event that to many is there Jump start for the upcoming Maine Striper fishing season and inland fishing as well. It's also a great way to test out some rods and hang out with a bunch fly fishing weirdoes or like minded people for the day, I highly recommend this event... Also There is a great movie night coming up by the crew at FLy Fishing in Maine again the venue is the Frontier in Brunswick on April 12 7pm
Check there website for more info my guess like the Fly Fishing Film Tour this will be another sold out event!!!!

Eldridge Bros. Fly Shop 8th Annual Fly Fishing Expo
SATURDAY, APRIL 2nd 9:00 TO 4:00

The Annual Fly Fishing Expo is a celebration of the sport of fly fishing. This event attracts fly fishermen from all over New England who come to share in the camaraderie and festive atmosphere. Every year this event gets bigger and everyone comes away from it ready for the beginning of a new fishing season.

TEST CAST 100'S OF FLY RODS!!

MANUFACTURER REPS FROM:
SAGE • WINSTON • SCOTT • HARDY / GREYS • HATCH . TIBOR • ROSS REELS • FISHPOND • SIMMS • RIO . ECHO AND MORE!!

REGISTER TO WIN PRIZES BY CASTING A FLY ROD SAGE, WINSTON, SCOTT, ROSS, HARDY / GREYS, ECHO
If you test cast a fly rod, the representatives from that company will give you ticket to put in that company's bucket. At the end of the day we will be drawing winner from each company's bucket for the following items.

HARDY / GREYS: Your choice of any size Hardy Cascapedia Fly Reel - $549.00 value.

SCOTT: Scott A3 Single Handed Fly Rod (your choice of length and line weight) - $335.00 value.

SAGE: Sage Vantage 4pc Fly Rod (your choice of length and line weight) $225.00

WINSTON: Passport 4pc Fly rod (your choice of length and line weight) - $225.00 value.

ECHO: Pete Erickson Nymph Rod (your choice of length and line weight) & Echo Ion Fly Reel - $410.00 value.

ROSS: Kids under 16 years old: Choice of Journey Youth Outfit or Essence Fly Rod with Flystart Reel Outfit (up to 6wt) $214.00 value. 16 years of age and older: Fly Cast Reel Outfit (your choice of size) $120.00 value.

DOOR PRIZES
Dyna King Kingfisher Vise - $135.00 value.

1of 2 $50.00 gift certificates for Eldredge Bros. Fly Shop

All of the flies tied by Joe Calcavecchia during the Expo in an Eldredge Bros. Fly Box

All of the flies tied by Peter Smith during the Expo in an Eldredge Bros Fly Box

RAFFLE

A Four Hour Guided Fishing Trip w / Capt. Mark Drummond $300.00 value

FRED KRETCHMAN ~ BAMBOO ROD CRAFTSMAN
Fred has been handcrafting bamboo fly rods since 1993 and still crafts his cane rods one-at-a-time in the classic tradition of master craftsman from generations past. At our Expo he will be demonstrating splitting and planing cane, preparing nodes and strips, tapering and gluing strips, straightening sections and mounting guides and other hardware. Fred will also have his completed rods on display with some vintage rods also. Some of the antique rods will be for sale.

PROFESSIONAL FLY TYING DEMO
Joe Calcavecchia - Saltwater Custom Flies • Peter Smith - SSFlies
Both Joe and Peter tie flies for our shop. They are both extraordinary production fly tier
who tie thousands of flies a year. Their attention to detail is evident in their flies and a
testament to their skills. Joe and Peter will be tying in our shop during the entire day and will be willing to help you with any fly tying questions that you may have. Every fly that Joe and Peter tie during the Expo will be put into two Eldredge Bros. fly boxes and given away as a door prize.

FREE AQUATIC ENTOMOLOGY SEMINARS
by Dick Babine
Dick is a registered Maine guide who has spent a life time studying our aquatic insects and imitating them with a no nonsense and practical approach to fly design. Dick will be doing 4 - one hour long power point seminars on three species of insects commonly found in Maine waters

FREE FLY LINE AND BACKING

Purchase any fly rod and reel outfit that totals over $300.00 and receive a free fly line and backing of your choice (versitips not included) Purchase any two handed rod and reel outfit and receive a free spey line of your choice.

FREE FOOD!!
CCA New Hampshire past president Jeff Barnum and CCANH board member Gordon Thompson will be the chefs on hand. They will have the grills fired up and be serving free hot dogs, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, vegie burgers, soda, and coffee all day long to anyone with an appetite. There will be doughnuts for those who get here early.

STRIPERS FOREVER will have a representative here to answer any questions that you might have for them and to help you sign up for a free membership.

This is a "RAIN OR SHINE OR SLEET OR SNOW OR HAIL OR WICKED NASTY NOREASTER" event. As we've see from previous events there is no weather that can stop a hardy New Englander from following their passion and we will not let it stop us from holding this event. Don't forget to bring your foul weather gear so you can still cast rods comfortably if it's sleeting sideways. April 2nd, 2011 from 9:00am till 4:00pm here at our Fly Shop.

Maine Striper Fishing Reports

2011-03-17T17:52:00.000-07:00

Guys here is a Rule change I don't think we want to support ????
This could have a negative impact on Maine Striper Fishing and the few resident fish we have in the Kennebec River system, I could be wrong I will be back in town from the keys for that week and plan on being at the meeting...update after the meeting...

Chapter 42.03 Striped Bass – Closed Area and Closed Season

(Kennebec River and Sheepscot river areas)

The proposed rulemaking would remove the marine bait prohibition and replace it with the requirement to use circle hooks while using marine bait when fishing in the Kennebec River closed area during the established May 1 to June 30th season. The closed area is also proposed to change from upstream and inside the line drawn from Cape Small to Cape Newagen to a line upstream and inside from Fort Popham, Phippsburg to Kennebec Point to Indian Point, Georgetown, and upstream from a line in the area called Robinhood between Lowe Point, Phippsburg to Newdick Point, Westport and downstream of the Route 144 Westport Island Bridge therefore removing the Sheepscot River from the Kennebec rules and placing it under the statewide regulations.

This request was made by the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) - Barry Bibson of Boothbay Harbor who is the rep. for RFA in Maine.

PUBLIC HEARING: April 4, 2011, 6pm, Bath City Hall, 1st Floor Auditorium, 55 Front Street, Bath

DEADLINE FOR WRITTEN COMMENTS: April 14, 2011

CONTACT PERSONS: Bruce Joule (207-633-9505) or Pat Keliher (207-287-9973)

For more information:

Online the web link for a copy of the proposed rules is: http://www.maine.gov/dmr/rulemaking/

Or, to obtain a hardcopy by US mail write: Dept. of Marine Resources, attn: L. Churchill, PO Box 8, West Boothbay Harbor, Maine 04575-0008 TEL: 207-633-9584, or

EMAIL: laurice.churchill@maine.gov, FAX: (207) 633-9579 or TTY: (207) 633-9500

To receive future rulemaking notices by email please use contact info above.

Maine Striper Fishing Reports

2011-03-09T06:42:00.000-08:00

I first off want to thank CCA Maine for not supporting the changes to the Saltwater fishing bill, but it looks like a 11 hour bill has support and the anglers and fish loose, but what the hell would a group of full time guides and hardcore salt anglers know about the benefits a well funded DMR would bring to the table????a big WTF to you guys!!!!!

Some March fun wish I could check this out out But Permit Tarpon and Bones are calling and I will be in the FL Keys...

The Drake Magazine will be at L.L.Bean on Friday, March 18th at 6pm and Saturday, March 19th at 4pm to show the best films from the past five years of The Drake's Fly Fishing Film Awards, which are only shown to large audiences at the International Fly Tackle Dealer Show in Denver (and on the Drake's web site). These are completely different than the movies that are shown during the Fly Fishing Film Tour that recently came through. The films that we'll be showing at Bean are much shorter, around 5 minutes or so and are comprised of some amazing footage shot all over the world.

This is a great opportunity to see watch some rarely seen films...probably some of the best that are out there, so please mark your calendar and post this and/or forward along to anyone you think might be interested in coming to see these very unique films that have not yet been shown to a general audience.

Maine Striper Fishing Reports

2011-03-02T15:14:00.001-08:00

Clear Floating Fly Line for Spooky Stripers on the flats???
Here in Maine the Striped Bass that set up shop for the summer can become very Picky and spooky, fishing the skiiny water in the sun can challenge the most seasoned flats angler,over the years some fly line companies have tried but just did not get it right, the (clear floating line)has often been to soft, tangeled like spagetti or just cast like crap..Until now!!!
New Must Have Product

The Airflo Ridge Clear core optimises the clarity for ultimate stealth.
When the Ridges fill with water the clarity is incredible and this also helps effectively lubricate the fly line on each and every cast. Unlike some coating techniques, the ridges run along the lines full length and flow well through the rod guides with a minimum of noise, this indicates how little friction is being produced.

The lines come in a Floating, Slow Inter with a sink rate of 0.5” and a Fast inter with a sink rate of 1.5”. The lines are 35yds long and come in our favourite Delta Taper profile for the ultimate combination of distance and presentation.

Density Colour Taper Size Core Code RRP

Floating Clear WF5/6-8/9 Low Memory Co-Poly RP-DL-WF(+SIZE)F-CL
Slow Inter Clear WF5/6-8/9 Low Memory Co-Poly RP-DL-WF(+SIZE)SI-CL
Fast Inter Clear WF5/6-8/9 Low Memory Co-Poly RP-DL-WF(+SIZE)FI-CL

***********************************************************************************************
Maine Saltwater Fishing News *****Watch-out!!!!!!!we could learn from Florida!!!!.

A Florida state senator has introduced a bill — S.B. 744 — which would eliminate the saltwater fishing license and the critical funding that is needed to protect and manage Florida's $18 billion dollar recreational fishery and the thousands of jobs that it supports. His reason was that he did not believe that a license should be required to fish.

This bill would seek to dismantle the "user-pay, user-benefit" fisheries management system, which is inarguably the best fisheries management program in the world. Florida, like all states, receives a substantial portion of its funding for fisheries management and conservation through a combination of state fishing license sales and the federal manufacturers' excise tax on fishing tackle.

For more than a hundred years, conservation-minded sportsmen, fishermen and hunters have actively supported and promoted license fees to manage public natural resources. As the original proponent of the saltwater fishing license in 1988, CCA Florida (Coastal Conservation Association) has worked to protect and improve the license for more than 20 years.

Since then, the saltwater fishing license has provided more than 250 million dollars in revenues specifically dedicated to marine research, management and law enforcement. The funding provides critical information for the management of fisheries like snook, redfish, spotted sea trout and grouper.

Eliminating saltwater licenses would simply funnel anglers' license fees to the federal government instead of the state. Federal law requires all anglers fishing in saltwater or for anadromous species to enroll in a federal registry program and pay a federal fee. A Florida saltwater license eliminates that requirement. Revenue from the federal registry would go directly into the national treasury. In this system, users pay but do not benefit.

If S.B. 744 passes, Florida's entire fisheries management system and the recreational fishing economy would be devastated.

Maine Striper Fishing Reports

2011-02-17T13:11:00.000-08:00

While you wait for the start of the 2011 Maine Striper Season, here is a fun Video to checkout!!! We will be showing this at the FFFT this March!!
I will Have these for sale along with Coastal Fly Angler Hats and T-Shirts

BLACK TAILED DEVILS By 406 Productions
A decade in the making, Black Tailed Devils is a one of a kind fly fishing movie; the first dedicated to capturing the pursuit of permit on film. The producers of Getting Guided and Into the Backing, the only company hardcore and hellbent enough to target this befuddling species full time, travel to the outer regions of the Florida Keys with tournament-winning guides and their clients to score never before seen footage of the flats' most elusive fish. With an array of reel-searing runs, cursing anglers, pole-throwing guides, and a lifetime's worth of tailing permit, Black Tailed Devils, like no film before it, captures the insanity and exhilieration of chasing permit on the fly. Some of the films sponsor include SIMMS, HATCH fly Reels and Many More....

2011 Fly Fishing Film Tour is back in Maine! This event is sure to rock your fishing world, inspire you to life beyond your most amazing fishing dreams, and surely get you pumped for the 2011 season ahead that is just around the corner. The event will be held on March 4 and 5, 2011 at the Frontier Cafe theater in Brunswick, ME. The Frontier is a stunning intimate venue with great eats and awesome beer. This is the fishing event of the winter in Maine not to be missed!

Striper Fishing Maine

2011-02-12T15:22:00.000-08:00

FUNDING INITIATIVE FOR RESEARCH ON DEADLY STRIPED BASS DISEASE

Stripers Forever, the conservation organization advocating for responsible stewardship of wild striped bass along the Atlantic Coast, has announced an outreach initiative to raise money for research on mycobacteriosis, a deadly fish disease that is increasingly prevalent in the Chesapeake Bay where the bulk of stripers that migrate up and down the Atlantic Coast are spawned.

“Myco” is believed to be nearly always fatal to infected striped bass and can create serious health problems for anglers and anyone else handling those fish before they are cooked. Fishery scientists estimate that more than 75 percent of all striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay system are infected with myco. There is at present no known cure for this insidious disease which represents a major threat to the well-being of stripers and thus the future of recreational and commercial striped bass fishing from Maine to North Carolina.

The fund raising appeal being administered by Stripers Forever is called The Mycobacteriosis Research Initiative (MRI). Donations to MRI will benefit Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), the leading authority on myco. Checks should be made payable to “VIMS Foundation” (write “For Myco Research” on the memo line) and mailed to VIMS Foundation, P.O. Box 1693, Williamsburg, VA 23187-8779.

A link to a secure site for credit card donations appears along with more information about myco under featured links on the left side of the Stripers Forever home page (www.stripersforever.org). All contributions are tax deductible and will go into a dedicated myco research account.

Visitors to the site can sign up for membership in Stripers Forever at no charge.

For more information contact:
Ed Mitchell E-mail e.mitchell6@ yahoo.com Tel. 860-529-0685

Maine Striper Fishing Reports

2011-02-04T16:00:00.001-08:00

For you Maine Striper fisherman looking fish outside of Maine this might help?? feel free to contact me if I missed anything here and it would be helpful for others..

New Hampshire Saltwater Fishing Licence......

Go online to the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department website (see Resources) and clink on the link to purchase a New Hampshire Saltwater Recreational Fishing License. As of January 1, 2011, the cost of the license is $16 and to fish on the New Hampshire coastline. The New Hampshire Saltwater Recreational Fishing License acts as a registry and does not require any additional action.
Massachusetts
Go online to the Massachusetts Marine Fisheries website (see Resources) to obtain a Massachusetts Recreational Saltwater Fishing Permit, if you plan on fishing in Massachusetts. Clink on the link to get a permit, enter your name, date of birth, phone number, email address (optional) and pay the $10 fee. Note: as of January 01, 2011, you do not need to apply for a Massachusetts fishing permit if you have already obtained a New Hampshire or Rhode Island Saltwater Recreational Fishing License, owing to a reciprocity agreement between the two states.
Rhode Island
Go to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management website (see Resources) to verify if you need a license to saltwater-fish in Rhode Island. If you have already registered federally with the NOAA, you do not need to take further action. If you have not yet registered, click on the link and enter your name, driver's license number, date of birth and phone number. Pay the $7 fee (for RI residents) or $10 fee (non RI residents) with a credit card. Your Rhode Island Saltwater License will automatically register you federally, and will allow you to fish in Massachusetts and Connecticut, as they are reciprocal states.
Connecticut
Register to saltwater-fish in Connecticut by going online to the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection website (see Resources). If you have already registered federally with the NOAA, you still must obtain a Connecticut Marine Waters Fishing License, unless you have a current Rhode Island or New York Salt Water Fishing License (reciprocal states). Click on the link to enter you driver's license number and name. You will also be required to pay a $10 fee if you are a resident aged 16 to 64. Licenses are free for residents over the age of 65 and $15 for non-residents aged 16 and above.

Maine Striper Fishing Reports 2011

2011-02-02T09:16:00.000-08:00

Crabby Weather???
Feb 2nd and snowing hard, I got a bunch of emails today and qustion about Maine striper fishing and crab patterns, some from anglers who fished with me from the North-East others from outside the region but all effected by today massive weather system, they where at home spinning bugs, kinda cool I thought.Most qustions had to do trips, Flies a few about flylines and leader setups for tossing heavier crabs. So I decide Why not have a crab tying contest summit your photos to win a Coastal Fly Angler hat and Tshirt!!!!I post the winner after the weekend..

Maine Striper Fishing Reports and Guides 2011

2011-01-27T15:28:00.001-08:00

Striper Fishing Maine 2011

2011-01-21T04:57:00.001-08:00

It s small change from the winter solstice meaning (sun standing still) But it's large enough for me to start thinking of the flats of the lower keys and getting my flies in order!!! while I do my permit crabs in groups I find myself throwing in a few color and size changes for the Stripers here in Maine, but last night working on some Permit/Bone-fish Shrimp patterns I turned my thought to the Tidal carp here in Maine and finally made it to bed around 2 AM filling the bath tub to watch the drop and sink rate in about 15 inch of water and how they move.

We are now a month past winter solstice and I'll have to wait to see how the fish re-act to these patterns!! But we all need to be stoked up and outside of traveling somewhere to fish maybe the best thing is some good freinds, food, drinks and the Fly Fishing Film tour -

FlyFishing In Maine is very excited to be partnering with FliesandFins.com, Coastal Fly Angler and Maine River Guides to again bring the Fly Fishing Film Tour to Maine! This event is sure to rock your fishing world, inspire you to life beyond your most amazing fishing dreams, and surely get you pumped for the 2011 season ahead that is just around the corner. The event will be held on March 4 and 5, 2010 at the Frontier Cafe theater in Brunswick, ME. The Frontier is a stunning intimate venue with great eats and awesome beer. This is the fishing event of the winter in Maine not to be missed!

Due to limited capacity (we sold out all three screenings last year), we strongly recommend ordering your tickets in advance, by either purchasing online with a credit card using the link below, or calling the theater at (207)-725-5222

All proceeds from this event will go to the FFIM Grassroots Grant fund. Past recipients of FFIM Grassroots Grants have included Trout Unlimited, Casting For Recovery, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, and many more.

Buy Tickets
When: Friday, March 4th (7pm showtime) and Saturday, March 5th (4pm and 7pm showtimes)
Where: Frontier Cafe, 14 Maine St., Brunswick
Cost: $12.00 per ticket

Maine Striper Fishing Reports 2011

2011-01-02T12:44:00.000-08:00

Maine Saltwater anglers no longer have to sign up with the National Angler Registry because the saltwater license replaces the requirement. Remember to get your license early for the state you fish, and remember if you are on a guided trips with a licensed Capt/Guide you are covered !!!!!!! Unless that guide has not payed up? Also Remember the early worms gets the best tides!!! I have periods that are booked for a few weeks straight out, so if you are looking for some Tides for either Maine Stripers or skinny water Tidal Carp contact me ASAP.

Some UpDates from the DMR.........
Anyone (Maine resident or non-resident) who wishes to fish recreationally in saltwater needs to register in Maine. However, everyone will be able to register to fish for all species, except striped bass, for free.*
Maine residents who purchase a Maine freshwater fishing license will have the option of checking off a box indicating that they intend to fish in saltwater and for striped bass without having to pay a registry fee.
Maine residents who do not purchase a Maine freshwater fishing license who wish to fish for or catch striped bass will need to purchase the Striped Bass Endorsement for $5.
Non-residents who wish to fish for or catch striped bass will need to purchase the Striped Bass Endorsement for $15.
Residents 70 years or older can buy a Striped Bass Endorsement for $10, which they may annually renew free of charge.
Operators of commercial saltwater recreational fishing businesses (head boats, charter boats, smelt camps) will purchase the Commercial Operator’s License for $50.
A member of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation, the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, or the Aroostook Band of Micmacs may register to fish for striped bass without a fee.
All revenues collected through the sale of Striped Bass Endorsements and Commercial Operators Licenses will be deposited in the Marine Recreational Fishing Conservation and Management Fund for the implementation, administration and enforcement of the saltwater recreational fishing registry.
Exemptions: The following individuals are exempted from providing information to the saltwater registry:
Individuals under the age of 16
Passengers on board vessels captained by an individual who holds a commercial operators permit.
Persons renting a smelt camp from an individual who holds a commercial operators permit
A person with a disability
A disabled veteran
A person with a valid New Hampshire saltwater recreational fishing license, fishing up to Cape Neddick
A Maine resident fishing on July 4th, Memorial Day weekend, or Labor Day weekend
*Please note that an agent fee of either $1 or $2 will apply, depending on where an individual registers (online, at an appointed agent, or through DMR licensing).

Maine Striper Fishing Reports

2010-12-15T12:48:00.000-08:00

Some Maine Skinny Water Striper Fishing on Film coming Soon!!

BOZEMAN, MONTANA — Following on the heels of two successful movie projects in two years, Confluence Films, LLC has begun work on a third movie to be released in 2011. In creating the follow-up to 2008’s Drift and 2009’s Rise, the filmmakers at Confluence Films will once again be travelling the globe in search of unique locations, great fishing, and the stories and characters that epitomize the spirit and sport of fly fishing. While the name of the new movie project has yet to be released, the project — Confluence’s largest and most ambitious to date — will be based on the same multi-segment formula that made Drift andRise two of the top-selling fishing DVDs of all time.

Confluence Films’ new project is once again the result of a partnership between director Chris Patterson of Warren Miller Entertainment and executive producer and writer Jim Klug of Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures. Patterson has been the director and head cinematographer for Warren Miller Ski Films for the past 19 years, and — as he did with Drift and Rise — he brings extensive experience and film-industry knowledge to the project. Chris recently completed work as director of photography for the action unit on the new Leonardo DiCaprio movie, Inception...

Klug’s role with Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures and his long-time involvement in the fly fishing industry will once again result in an international line-up for the new movie that includes interesting characters, captivating locales, and a series of stories that together provide a fantastic look at the industry, the sport, and the places that fishing can take us.

One of the strongest attributes of Confluence Films’ movies is that they have effectively and successfully introduced a multi-segmented, documentary style of filmmaking to the fly fishing community. Rather than a single story or an hour-long movie featuring the same anglers chasing fish on one river for the entire length of the film, this style of filmmaking instead offers viewers a variety of segments and stories: each a profile of different anglers, species, and locations shot around the globe. The new film will continue with this variety, travelling this year to Japan, Maine, Africa, Alaska, and two yet-to-be-announced Caribbean and saltwater locations. The new movie will feature anglers Jeff Currier, Masa Katsumata, Jimmy Bartschi, Vaughn Driessel, Capt. Eric Wallace, Mac McKeever, and several others. Filming begins mid-June 2010 in Tokyo, Japan. Sponsors for the new movie include Simms Fishing Products, Costa Sunglasses, Hatch Fly Reels, and Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures.

Here Is a awsome Gift for any FLY ANGLER!!!!

This book is the most technical and up-to-date book about how to catch giant tarpon with a fly rod. It is a master class with no short cuts. Andy’s knowledge, enthusiasm and passion for the sport shine brilliantly.”
—Lefty Kreh

See our online store to purchase logo gear or to Book your 2011 Maine Striper Fishing or Tidal Carp trip...

Some Maine Striper Fishing Reports and Updates for 2011 see below.

Maine Striper Fishing Guides and Reports 2011

2010-12-15T04:37:00.000-08:00

REMEMBER **While Striper Fishing Here in Maine in 2011, Most Maine Stripers Guides
Will have you covered on there Boat.....

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT MAINE’S PARTICIPATION
IN THE NATIONAL SALTWATER ANGLER REGISTRY
1. Why is the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) creating a registry of saltwater recreational anglers? In 2007, the US Congress reauthorized the Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act. In
the reauthorization, they included a requirement that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA) develop a comprehensive list of everyone who fishes recreationally in marine waters. This is necessary
to improve the surveys of saltwater anglers, which generate the information used to help manage and rebuild fish stocks. Congress gave the states the option to either develop their own registry system, or have their
citizens be subject to federal registry requirements. In 2010, the Maine Legislature passed a Maine saltwater registry, thereby exempting Maine from the federal requirement. The registry is administered by the Maine
Department of Marine Resources, and goes into effect January 1, 2011.

2. What “marine waters” are included, for the purposes of requiring registration for saltwater angling? If you will be fishing anywhere within the rise and fall of the tide (up the rivers to head of tide), or from a Maine
port out to the limits of the Exclusive Economic Zone (200 miles), you must have a valid saltwater fishing registration.

3. Who needs to register? How much does it cost?
A Maine saltwater recreational fishing registration is required for individuals 16years of age and older fishing in Maine’s coastal waters. However, individuals that possess a valid Maine freshwater fishing license are not
required to register separately with the Maine Department of Marine Resources. When purchasing their Maine freshwater fishing license, individuals will be asked, “Did you fish in the tidal waters of the State of Maine last
year?” By answering this question, they will meet the basic registry requirement. Freshwater license holders
must possess their license when they are engaging in saltwater fishing, to prove compliance.There is no cost for the registration, for either residents or nonresidents. However, a $1 agent fee applies if
you register directly through ME DMR, and a $2 agent fee applies if you register online or through a DMR designated agent.

4. Who needs to purchase the Striped Bass Endorsement? How much does it cost?
You must purchase a Striped Bass Endorsement if you are:
• a Maine resident who has not purchased a valid freshwater fishing license, and you intend to fish for or catch striped bass in the coastal waters of the state, OR
• a non-resident who intends to fish for or catch striped bass in the coastal waters of the state “Fishing for or catching” striped bass includes any incidental catch or bycatch of striped bass, as well as the landing of striped bass for the purposes of a “catch and release” fishery. The Striped Bass Endorsement is $5 for Maine residents, and $15 for non-residents. Maine residents age 70 or
older can pay a one-time fee of $10, and then renew that endorsement annually free of charge.

5. Where can I register, and where can I purchase the Striped Bass Endorsement?
You can register, as well as purchase a Striped Bass Endorsement:
• online at www.maine.gov/saltwater, OR
• at an agent appointed by DMR (list available www.maine.gov/dmr/recreational), OR
• in person at the DMR licensing office in Hallowell
(directions: http://www.maine.gov/dmr/headquarters.htm)

6. Why do you need my phone number?
The purpose of creating a Registry of saltwater recreational fishermen is so that these anglers can be accurately
surveyed by phone, to assess their level of activity. The Registry will make it much more efficient to find anglers to survey, and it will include a broader representation of anglers. Instead of asking a random sample of
coastal U.S. residents if they’ve gone fishing (which is what is currently done), the registry will allow surveyors to call upon those who have already identified themselves as saltwater fishermen. The surveys collect information about who is fishing, when they fish, and what species and how many fish they catch.
For some species of fish, the recreational catch far outpaces the commercial harvest. In addition, in many communities, recreational fishing is a major economic driver, affecting everything from the hospitality industry
to fuel sales to outfitters and small businesses. Accurately capturing the many contributions of recreational fishermen will help to ensure that these interests are properly considered in resource allocation and other policy
matters.

7. Are there any exceptions to the registration requirement?
You do not need to register in order to participate in saltwater fishing in the following situations:
• When fishing as a passenger on a party/charter or head boat operated by an individual who holds a
valid Commercial Operator’s license
• When fishing for smelt from a smelt camp rented from an individual who holds valid Commercial Operator’s licenseIn addition, you may be eligible for a waiver from the registry requirement if you can provide documentation
from a physician that you:
• Are blind
• Are a paraplegic
• Have an acquired brain injury
• Are mentally handicapped
You are also eligible for a waiver if you can provide documentation from the Veteran’s Administration that you
are a disabled veteran.
Eligibility requirements to obtain a waiver are available at: http://www.maine.gov/dmr/recreational
8. Where do the revenues from the Striped Bass Endorsement go?
A dedicated fund was established with the passage of the bill that created Maine’s saltwater registry. All
revenues from the sales of the Striped Bass Endorsement may be used only for the implementation, and administration of the registry, enforcement, and research and conservation efforts related to the saltwater recreational fishery.

9. Are there any free fishing days?
Yes. Maine residents need not register in order to fish legally on July 4th, Labor Day weekend or Memorial Day weekend.

10. Is there any reciprocity for other states?
Yes. A person that possesses a valid New Hampshire saltwater recreational fishing license may engage in recreational saltwater fishing from Maine's southern border to Cape Neddick, without registering with ME DMR

Maine Striper Fishing Reports

2010-12-08T05:05:00.000-08:00

Looking For Holiday Gift Ideas? Checkout the Coastal Fly Angler Store Webstore!!! Free Shipping on all Hats and T-Shirts Thru Dec 22, Also see our Guided Maine Striper Fishing and Tidal Carp Fishing Trips, DVDs and More...

Maine Striper Fishing Reports

2010-11-24T17:20:00.001-08:00

Welcome to the Coastal Fly Anglers Striper fishing reports for Maine and Cape Cod and customer updates.First off I want to wish you and your family a happy holidays but remember when you are eating all that gingerbread and pumpkin pie there someone on the poling platform that has to push you around - all joking aside have a great holiday!

Book A day of Striper or Tidal Carp for 2011 Before Dec 15, and Pick out or T-Shirt or Hat now on me!! And pick your tides at a later date!!!

A big Thanks to you the ANGLER!!!!!!
Some big changes here at CFA first off many of you know about this ridicules addiction I have for chasing fish in skinny water, and if you are reading this email most likely you share that addiction! Well a few of you got a chance to fish from the new skiff this past season and realize the added benefits a ultra light technical poling skiff bring to our flats.

Not too many other guides in northeast have made this type of investment and I want to thank you for playing a huge part in it!!! and along the way we have had a ton of fun!! Thank you again for working so hard on this challenging fishery with me over the years, we could have spent our days doing the same old thing! but when we had the tides our time and shared ideas payed off!!, and I'm so glad we have basically opened up our own fishery on the sand flats south of Portland where we can work the angles instead drift them. Being able to pole into the current for a very extended time that was not possible on the 17 ft Action Craft- Then there is the mud flats on MerryMeeting Bay for tailing carp. lefty Kreh just booked dates for this fishery in Late may if you have not given this a shot, book early these are becoming sought after tides early May- Nov and we can combo it with striper fishing on Casco Bay

Coastal Fly Angler web store is live and a great place to pickup a last minute holiday gifts for your fly angler friends and family, we just restocked and should be in good shape for most items at this time. Also this is a new portal for pre paying for trips by credit card Amex-Visa is now excepted.There are some used fly rods for sale there as well, feel free to contact me if you have something to sell as I will be happy to post it. Also there is a dirtbag payment option, and I say that in the kindest of ways! you know who you are, the young hardcore fly angler that has expired inspection sticker on his rusty Toyota truck held together by fly fishing stickers. This is to help you pay for that tailing carp or sight fishing fix overtime, no more dropping off you bag of crushed PBR cans/returnables for payment...

New Must Have Product
The Airflo Ridge Clear core optimises the clarity for ultimate stealth.
When the Ridges fill with water the clarity is incredible and this also helps effectively lubricate the fly line on each and every cast. Unlike some coating techniques, the ridges run along the lines full length and flow well through the rod guides with a minimum of noise, this indicates how little friction is being produced.
The lines come in a Floating, Slow Inter with a sink rate of 0.5” and a Fast inter with a sink rate of 1.5”. The lines are 35yds long and come in our favourite Delta Taper profile for the ultimate combination of distance and presentation.

Density Colour Taper Size Core Code RRP Offer Price
Floating Clear WF5/6-8/9 Low Memory Co-Poly RP-DL-WF(+SIZE)F-CL
Slow Inter Clear WF5/6-8/9 Low Memory Co-Poly RP-DL-WF(+SIZE)SI-CL
Fast Inter Clear WF5/6-8/9 Low Memory Co-Poly RP-DL-WF(+SIZE)FI-CL

Other Projects I worked on this past summer.Check out the new issue of Grays Sporting Journal, Nov-Dec 2010, there's a fun feature story on Maine Sight fishing for Striped Bass on Casco Bay called Vision Quest by James Babb and Fly Rod and Reels Joe Healy, Dave Klausmeyer and Mac McKeever joined me as we all set out on a bright sunny and hot afternoon? I think one of the lines that sums up the day best for first timers at this challaging fishing is- (isn't a way to run numbers. For the day , we each boated one fish and lost a few others. With a dawn assaault on the bay or a big tidal river,that would be an official defeat.But for flats fishing in Maine it was a success-and possibly an addiction.)

Some upcoming events is the Fly Fishing Film Tour, we are working with FFIM and the Frontier to confirm dates, This fun and very succesful event as it raised money for some great causes last year and we are looking forward to it again in 2011...

Stayed tuned for the release dates of two of the films that feature Flats fishing here in Maine, one is called Between the Lines see the flyer below.The other is Confluence Films follow up to Drift and Rise as well Tosh Browns has a greatcoffee table style photo book coming out in 2011 featuring Stripe Bass anglers and our crazy early morning life style.

Casco Bay One Fly-- ok maybe two, this is a event I have had my eyes on for some time now, the dates with be comfirmed ASAP we are getting great support from the big fly tackle and clothing companies, working on bringing in a few special quest anglers So more soon.

Last Minute Fly Fishing Vacations & Packages!

GREAT 2010-2011 FLY FISHING VACATION SPECIALS & DISCOUNTS FROM YELLOW DOG!
For those of you looking for a quick and easy fly fishing vacation escape or a last-minute vacation package, we have a number of fantastic vacation specials and discounts - fly fishing trips for winter, and fly fishing vacation packages in the spring and summer. Below is a quick look at some of the amazing deals and discounts currently being offered. For more information, please contact Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures at (888) 777-5060. We'll be happy to talk with you about availability, dates and details.

*** SPECIALS UPDATED AS OF NOVEMBER 24, 2010 ***

CROCODILE BAY RESORT (Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica)

Take 20% off any fishing package taken at Crocodile Bay between November 1st and December 22nd! Please call Yellow Dog for a full breakdown on package rates, fishing package options, and details.

AGUA BOA AMAZON LODGE (Amazon Region, Brazil)

Book a trip for 4 people to travel between November 1, 2010 and December 31, 2010 to Agua Boa Lodge, and the 5th person comes absolutely free! A 7 night / 7 fly fishing day trip costs $5,300.00 per person based on double occupancy. If you decided to split the free spot, this brings the cost down to only $4,240.00 per person. (If you travel any other time of the year and book 5 people, the 6th comes free). Call Yellow Dog for details and availability.

CHIME LODGE (Junin / San Martin Area - Patagonia, Argentina)
Chime Lodge is offering an amazing special for November 1 - December 18, 2010 and March 19 - April 31, 2011. For the low price of $3,995.00 per person (based on double occupancy), you will stay for 7 nights and fish 6 days. The best part is that your international flight from Miami to Buenos Aires to Bariloche on Aerolineas Argentinas is INCLUDED! Also included are all meals and alcohol, flies, fishing, and lodging. This is a GREAT deal! Space is limited, so please call us quickly to secure your reservation. You also have the option to upgrade to business class for $1,200.00 per person.

We also have a great fly fishing vacation package deal that we are offering for the week of February 12-19, 2011 at Patagonia's Chime Lodge. One of the nicest fishing lodges in the entire region during one of THE PEAK WEEKS of the Argentine fly fishing season! World-class trout fly fishing on some of the best rivers in all of Patagonia. Call Yellow Dog today for details and special rates on this particular week.

COSTA DE COCOS LODGE (Chetumal Bay - Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico)
Costa De Cocos Lodge in Xcalak, Mexico is again offering their 2-for-1 summer special, good on all trips taken now through November 30, 2010. Buy a single occupancy standard fishing package for one person, and the second person comes free! Based on double occupancy, the special rate for a 7 night / 6 fishing day package is only $1,985.00 per person! (Normally $2,995.00). This is a great way to save $1,000.00 on a week-long package. Contact Yellow Dog today for details.

BIGHORN RIVER LODGE (Montana)
PRIME OPENINGS DURING DRY FLY AND STREAMER SEASON ON THE BIGHORN! Bighorn River Lodge will be offering a 15% discount off fishing packages booked now through November 21st with a minimum 3 night stay.

3 Night/2 Day Package (usually $1,315.00 per person) reduced to $1,118.00

4 Night/3 Day Package (usually $1,935.00 per person) reduced to $1,645.00

5 Night/4 Day Package (usually $2,540.00 per person) reduced to $2,160.00

Rates include all meals, guided fishing days and flies. Due to three years in a row of high water flows in the spring and early summer, we are expecting a phenomenal dry fly season this fall. We are hoping for great caddis hatches and possibly, a return of the tricos. Streamer fishing is always productive mid-September through November. Come fish the Bighorn River and take advantage of this great fall special! Book now.

BAIR'S BONEFISH LODGE (South Andros - Bahamas)
During the months of January and February, book a 6 or 7 night fishing vacation and your private air charter to the lodge is FREE! Price for a 7 night, 6 fishing day package is $4,550.00 per person, and price for a 6 night, 5 fishing day package is $3,950.00 per person (prices based on double occupancy fishing and lodging).

KAMALAME CAY RESORT (Andros Island, Bahamas)

Experience the Bahamas’ most private, exclusive and deluxe bonefish property at a price far below the usual rate. Book a 5-night/4-day flats fishing package at Kamalame during February 2011 and receive a discount of $815.00 per person, bringing the cost down to only $2,955.00 per person (based on double occupancy). North Andros has some of the island’s best wading flats, and February frequently produces the year’s largest bonefish. This February special includes five nights shared Beach Room accommodations, four days guided bonefish flats fishing (2 days at the Joulter Cays and two full days on local waters), breakfast basket and coffee delivered to your room each morning, daily lunch on the skiff, golf cart to navigate the 3-mile-long private island, $50 per person per night credit toward the purchase of your evening dinner, room tax and wait staff gratuities, round-trip auto transfer from Andros Town airport to Kamalame Cay, and use of all kayak and snorkeling equipment

EL PESCADOR LODGE 2-for-1 SUMMER SPECIAL (Ambergris Caye, Belize)
NOW through December 18, 2010, El Pescador Lodge in Belize is offering an incredible 2-for-1 special. Buy a single occupancy standard fishing package for one person, and the second person comes free! Based on double occupancy, the special rate is only $2,510.00 per person! (Normally $3,295.00). This is a great way to save $800.00 on a week-long package. This special also applies to single anglers, with a reduction in price from $5,020.00 for a solo angler to only $3,514.00 now through December 18. Contact Yellow Dog today for details.

TURNEFFE FLATS SUMMER / FALL SPECIAL FOR 2010 (Turneffe Atoll, Belize)

Turneffe's 2-for-1 Fishing Special is in effect NOW through December 22, 2010. Two anglers sharing room, boat and guide visiting for the weeklong stay (Saturday-Saturday) can visit for the same price as one Single Supplement Angler ($5,342.40). The price per double occupancy angler during this special comes out to a cost of only $2,671.20 per angler. Contact Yellow Dog for details.

CAMPECHE TARPON FALL SPECIAL (Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico)
The best juvenile tarpon fishing program that we know of anywhere in the world! For the dates of September 15 through December 31, 2010, Yellow Dog is offering 30% off of all packages to Campeche Tarpon. Prices for the fall season for EITHER one or two anglers are as follows:

6 Nights / 5 Fishing Days = $3,220.00 ($1,610.00 per person based on dbl. occ.)

5 Nights / 4 Fishing Days = $2,632.00 ($1,316.00 per person based on dbl. occ.)

4 Nights / 3 Fishing Days = $2,100.00 ($1,050.00 per person based on dbl. occ.)

The fall months offer some of the best tarpon action of the year. Contact Yellow Dog for details.

CASA BLANCA LODGE (Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico)

The fall season at Casa Blanca Lodge has traditionally yielded some the finest fly fishing for snook, permit and tarpon fishing the region has ever seen. JUST ANNOUNCED: The cost for all remaining spots in October and November 2010 has been reduced to the following:
Boat In (From Punta Allen to Casa Blanca) ........ $2,845.00 per person
Drive In (From Cancun to Punta Allen to Casa Blanca) ........ $2,995.00 per person
Fly In (From Cancun to Casa Blanca) ........ $3,225.00 per person
Contact Yellow Dog for available dates and details for October and November.

BELIZE RIVER LODGE (Olde Belize River, Belize)
Belize River Lodge is once again offering their 2-for-1 special for the fall months. With this special, two anglers fish for the price of one single supplement angler - a total cost of $4,639.00, or $2,319.50 per person for a 7 night / 6 fishing day, all-inclusive package. This special applies for select weeks in October, November and December 2010. Trips of any length are available! Contact Yellow Dog for details and available weeks.

ALPHONSE ISLAND RESORT (Alphonse Island and St. Francis Atoll, Seychelles)
Between December 18th, 2010 and January 8th, 2011, save $600.00 on a weeklong fishing package at Alphonse Island Resort. The fishery of Alphonse Island and St. Francois Lagoon is truly world-class for bonefish, giant trevally, triggerfish, parrotfish, milkfish, permit, and more. We are offering a reduced rate of only $5,600.00 per person. Call Yellow Dog for dates and details.

INN AT ROBERT'S GROVE (Placencia, Belize)

Between now and December 15, 2010, for every 5 nights you book at the Inn at Robert's Grove, you get 1 night free! Call Yellow Dog for more details.

PESCA MAYA (Ascension Bay, Mexico)

Enjoy some fall fishing at Pesca Maya Lodge! Take 10% off packages at Pesca Maya taken between November 1, 2010 and January 31, 2011 (excluding the Christmas seaon of December 18, 2010 to January 4, 2011). Call us today!

The number and type of these "last-minute" trips can change on very short notice, so please feel free to give us a call at (888) 777-5060 to check on recent additions and new specials. We will be happy to send you more information and details on any packages being offered

Maine Striper Fishing Reports

2010-11-11T05:12:00.000-08:00

Check out the new issue of Grays Sporting Journal, Nov-Dec 2010, there's a fun little feature story on Maine Sight fishing for Striped Bass with Capt. Eric Wallace on Casco Bay called Vision Quest by James Babb and Fly Rod and Reels Joe Healy, Dave Klausmeyer and Mac McKeever joined us, as we all set out on a bright sunny and hot afternoon? I think one of the lines that sums up the day best for first timers at this challaging fishing is- isn't a way to run numbers. For the day , we each boated one fish and lost a few others. With a dawn assaault on the bay or a big tidal river,that would be an official defeat.But for flats fishing in Maine it was a success-and possibly an addiction.

Some upcoming events is the Fly Fishing Film Tour, we are working with FFIM and the Frontier to confirm dates, This fun and very succesful event as it raised money for some great causes last year and we are looking forward to it again in 2011...

Casco Bay One Fly-- ok maybe two, this is a event I have had my eyes on for some time now, the dates with be comfirmed ASAP we are getting great support from the big fly tackle and clothing companies, working on bringing in a few special quest anglers So more soon.

Winter Travel

I will be leaving for the Keys in Mid March and looking forward to a little permit and tarpon fishing. If you looking to travel out side the US for a little bone fishing checkout some of these deals.

BAIR'S BONEFISH LODGE (South Andros - Bahamas)
During the months of January and February, book a 6 or 7 night trip and your private air charter to the lodge is FREE! Price for a 7 night, 6 fishing day package is $4,550.00 per person, and price for a 6 night, 5 fishing day package is $3,950.00 per person (prices based on double occupancy fishing and lodging).

KAMALAME CAY RESORT (Andros Island, Bahamas)

Experience the Bahamas’ most private, exclusive and deluxe bonefish property at a price far below the usual rate. Book a 5-night/4-day flats fishing package at Kamalame during February 2011 and receive a discount of $815.00 per person, bringing the cost down to only $2,955.00 per person (based on double occupancy). North Andros has some of the island’s best wading flats, and February frequently produces the year’s largest bonefish. This February special includes five nights shared Beach Room accommodations, four days guided flats fishing (2 days at the Joulter Cays and two full days on local waters), breakfast basket and coffee delivered to your room each morning, daily lunch on the skiff, golf cart to navigate the 3-mile-long private island, $50 per person per night credit toward the purchase of your evening dinner, room tax and wait staff gratuities, round-trip auto transfer from Andros Town airport to Kamalame Cay, and use of all kayak and snorkeling equipment

EL PESCADOR LODGE 2-for-1 SUMMER SPECIAL (Ambergris Caye, Belize)
NOW through December 18, 2010, El Pescador Lodge in Belize is offering an incredible 2-for-1 special. Buy a single occupancy standard fishing package for one person, and the second person comes free! Based on double occupancy, the special rate is only $2,510.00 per person! (Normally $3,295.00). This is a great way to save $800.00 on a week-long package. This special also applies to single anglers, with a reduction in price from $5,020.00 for a solo angler to only $3,514.00 now through December 18.

TURNEFFE FLATS SUMMER / FALL SPECIAL FOR 2010 (Turneffe Atoll, Belize)

Turneffe's 2-for-1 Fishing Special is in effect NOW through December 22, 2010. Two anglers sharing room, boat and guide visiting for the weeklong stay (Saturday-Saturday) can visit for the same price as one Single Supplement Angler ($5,342.40). The price per double occupancy angler during this special comes out to a cost of only $2,671.20 per angler.

Contact Me with any qustion on these great fly fishing locations and for a contact info. Eric -207-671-4330

Maine Striper Fishing Reports

2010-10-18T17:32:00.000-07:00

Photo--Talking Flies with Lefty Kreh, Casco Bay Maine, 2010

Atlantic Coast Striped Bass Population Remains Healthy
Annapolis, Md. (October 18, 2010) — The Maryland Department of Natural
Resources (DNR) today announced that the 2010 Young of the Year Striped Bass
Survey is 5.6, below the long-term average of 11.6. While this is the third consecutive
year of below average striped bass production in Maryland’s portion of the
Chesapeake Bay, the population remains above the management action trigger set by
the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). Likewise, the number of
adults in the Atlantic coast population and levels of fishing are well within healthy
limits as set by the ASMFC management framework.
DNR biologists point out that variation in annual spawning success is normal because
striped bass reproduction is influenced by many factors including water temperature,
winter snowfall, spring flow rates, and prevailing weather conditions.
”We are carefully monitoring the juvenile striped bass situation,” said Thomas
O’Connell, Director of DNR’s Fisheries Service. “As stewards of the primary nursery
area for Atlantic striped bass, it is our responsibility to protect this essential habitat
and work with our state and federal partners along the Atlantic coast to ensure that
spawning striped bass are adequately protected, and ASMFC management
benchmarks continue to be achieved.”

Looks like I will keep fishing the style I do, finding hard to feed fish on the flats, those bird chasers will have one hell of a gas bill over the next few years until we get a good spawn and some little fish back in to the system!!!

Maine Striper Fishing Reports

2010-10-10T08:36:00.000-07:00

Maine Striper Fishing Reports -- Oct 5 th 2010

2010-10-04T07:04:00.000-07:00

About the photo- I moved my anglers for a day with a better wind forcast, with Small Craft warnings out of the North East- normal these are tough days on Casco Bays flats. I ran into Capt John Ford and we decided to take a look round some of the flats at dead low to see how skinny the fish where holding, this fish came today Monday the 4 of October in about 2 ft of water.. I am really looking forward to some light wind days, there are plenty of fish still around!!!

A first light run and 36 degree air was a shock to my system!!! and you could feel the bass are starting to really feel the migratory motivation, but there a few tricks mother nature is playing here on the fish, the water temps are about 3-5 degree up from average around the bay and second is the dropout of the small Blue Back Herring that entered the river 3-4 weeks late this year. The fish that have stayed around are pretty happy they have Lot's of food but whats a little more impressive is that fresh fish are still showing into the lower kennebec stopping by there and Casco Bay for a look around, for some reason we have had a bunch of 17-20 inch bass show up over the last few weeks, is it the winds from the storms that pushed them from offshore are they dropout from the Kennebec? I did not here of many small bass up there this year either, anyhow it has been good to see and gives you hope if we team up as anglers, the fish want to overcome the shitty management of this fishery!!!

Overall I think we have some of the best fishing in front of us over the next ten days or so, some big tides are coming this weekend and the weather is forcast to be a little more stable for the long range. Temps at night are going to come up a little and that should hold the water temp with the sunny days ahead, the bait really moved on Fridays rain event and the fish we are finding are pretty snappy, On a afternoon incoming tides we where able to find some sun yesterday and feed some nice fish on the sand flats on the outer islands, hoping for the same today!!!! I have some great tide open for striper fishing that I was heisted on booking due to not knowing how well the fishing and weather was going to hold. On the carp front we have some real good shots and have come tight to a few large fish over the last few weeks, winds have slowed our efforts
but I am really looking forward to a few tides coming up for some more tidal carp, also have to let the duck hunter blast the first few days of there season away- I guided the Kennebec Pro AM and their was only two stripers caught for the total tournament but we saw 8 carp roll go figure.. Call for opening if you are looking to give this a try or to get in on some pretty good fall stripers fishing....207-671-4330

2010-09-11T10:40:00.000-07:00

Casco Bay still has fish holding in mid summer spots with average Aug like water temps,on Sept 10?? but there mind set has changed and become much snappier, now if the bait will start to move after this new moon little bait does not like to move on new moons so we are moving out of that phase and into what should become a very good fall fishing season!!!The last two morning have been very solid and a few boats at the dock today where proud of there striper thumbs and story's of 20 fish outings yesterday and today on light tackle we had a real active trips on flies in some strong winds, Reports from John Ford's trips this week where good aswell and the crew on the Kennebec had a hell of a day yesterday, sound like those fish are starting to drop and that means good things for us down coast of them, Carp Have been fun on these tides for the area I'm fishing a 7 ft tide change on the Carp flats is huge, the window was short as the water swamped it out quickly but had some great shots and only got a boat with a 4 inch draft stuck twice, On the sand we are seeing a good number of fish coming up and little bit easier to get the eat then last week but short window on sight fishing with the big tides, but the holding fish on the mud flats are chasing down your fly and acting like a stripers and if you are into numbers that might be the spot, don't chase around birds fish the same waters you have been working the last few weeks,the fish where there then and are still there just ready to eat now!! Fish size both John Ford and I fishing a good 15 miles apart ran in some good number of little fish mixed into the groups great to see 14-17 inch striper clean and in good shape. We where suppose to be working on a film with Confluence films starting the 19 th, The film crew who also does Warren Miller ski filming is stuck in Europe and this has opened up a few prime dates for both John and I so give a call. @207-671-4330

Maine Striper Fishing Reports

2010-09-04T07:08:00.000-07:00

****FAll Special**** After work Special, Stripers or Tidal Carp 300.00 for one or two anglers. Call 207-671-4330

The fall striper run has been the lore of anglers for years and for us in Maine it's been somewhat a miss the last few years, a active day here and there if you are out every day you might get into a good surface feed, but for the most part spotty. But there seems to be a few things in place this year, setting up for some strong fall fishing, first off there is a lot of Bass around right now and even with a crazy heat wave, we have had a good first light bite, It would slow quickly after the sun got high and or the tide swamped out, but a good short window. A black tabory snake style fly 4-5 inch long striped slow would pull them of the mud flats in the AM low light. But for me I have been really Lucky with my anglers the last few weeks from Keys guides of 30 plus years to Left Krey there has been some experience on the boat at with the bright sun and incoming tides on the sand flats why not go striper fishing 95 degree heat, we have been seeing fishing on the sand in very very large numbers mostly schooling up on the outer island beaches, your first few casts are key they don't really want you there and they are pretty well feed, some flash along the bottom rubbing sea lice but many are just playing follow the leader, food wise for us there was a pretty big sand shrimp hatch during the last full moon, there is pogies just off the flats for a low light feast there tinkers macs and juvies starting to fall out, But what did we get them to eat? a crab!!! I have a feeling this will be changing as the mind set of fall starts to finally make a presences here in New England,

Fall = Find the bait,Find the fish

Bait stages in coves during half and moves on full moons so look at points and bars on full and new moons and check holding coves during the quarter moons. this is a pretty basic formula but seems to hold pretty true here in Casco Bay if the winds are average but remember the schools of fish move move into the wind or tide witch ever is stronger so check your spots with that in mind, here in the bay it might be the next island over after a good breeze.

If the Idea of a striper moon holds true the first big push is on the first full moon of Sept This year that the 23 rd
and by what I'm seeing it's going to be worth the wait

Also We have been hitting the Carp on the flats with some pretty active fish tailing on the hot evening, I have some dates open in Sept for Both Stripers or Carp.
Give a call 207-671-4330 For trips or to order any logo gear!!!

Maine Striper Fishing Reports

2010-08-22T06:29:00.000-07:00

Spent the last few days fishing Lefty Krey, what a hoot!!! the passion this 84 year old man has for fishing mixed in the casting skill and wow what a great opportunity for learning!!! I took full advantage of it!!! we put some more days on the books for next year and some good photos to follow soon...

Trucker Hats,Flex Fit,Knit Beenies and long sleeve t's are in,

A mixed bag of good fishing has continued the last few weeks, tides and sun have been key to choosing what you like and where to fish, I have been lucky to have some anglers with a solid back ground in sight-fishing one just moved up from Islamarda to Maine full time and we are having a blast!!! he went 11 cast 9 fish on the sand flats with a small crab pattern this week, So if it's sunny we are on the sand, many trips this week started of first light on the mud flats on Casco Bay and then we are jumping in my car with a smaller skiff in tow to chase the sun on the sand flats or a couple of tides we hit the carp flats,any way you look at we are having fun!!! but anglers who are into numbers the first light bite on Casco Bay has been a good producer for most, I really like the tides the next few days for the mud flats but the wind forecast sucks let's hope they are wrong!!!! Fly wise on mud first light small black hollows or Tabory snake style in the 3-5 inch have work well, on the sand we have had a some luck with some small white or lighter color hollows for smaller fish, but most anglers I am fishing can throw a crab on the longer leader so that's been the weapon of choice,
Lot's of bait every where other then a few spots where the big blues came in a did a job on it real quick, that was some fast pace fishing and we had our first 3 doz fish day years but 65% where blues and not all on the flats tons of fun anyhow,There are some large schools of little 14-18 inch bass around but not as many as we would like. The Bait is here, fish are here, we will start to see them schooling up over the next few weeks before the real surface show starts to go in mid Sept, I have a feeling we are in for a good fall, I will post some photos from this up coming week I have a feeling most all of you will recognize the angler I'm fishing with unless you live in a cave. long sleeve T-shirts and hats are in stock drop a email if your interested.

Maine Striper fishing Reports

2010-08-09T18:39:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I spent the day sight fishing the sand flats with the Ryan Davey founding Partner of Angling exploration Group who brought us the trout fishing cult classic Trout bum Diaries, he has a new team working on a film called (In-between the lines), the story of striped bass. Together with Justin Durance these fish heads not only have an eye for filming but they can fish!!!the sun came out for us and we where able to feed some nice fish a few crab patterns and get it on film http://www.striperfilm.com/ others featured in the movie include Lefty Kreh, Lou Tabory, Brad Burns Dave Skok and many more, I'll update with a trailer later in the fall with info on the release of the film.Today was spent on the mud flats with an angler in his mid 80's and still casting 60 plus ft on command we boated a nice fish off the mud in about 2 ft of water and the smile and thanks he give every fish is contagious!!!. The fish have been much more snappy the last few days and I'm looking forward to getting past such a quick tide swing as the flats swap out quickly on these new moon tides! Bait wise welcome the peanut bunker back it's has been fun to see some bigger Blue fish around as well some huge Bass witch comes to a large dead bass left at the boat ramp last week I took a tape to her and it was 51 inches cleaned and the real shit was across the channel, I came across a bunch more we decided to measure those to kill our curiosity they went 32 36 and 37 WTF!!!!

Average size crab eating bass off the sand flats this past week,

Well get out and enjoy yourself there are plenty to catch and looking forward I have a feeling we just might see some good fall fishing!!! and check out this great event happening in a few week a way to win some cash fishing and raise some money for a great cause.

See the link on the top of the page for more detail on the 2010 Catch and Release tournament....

Coastal Fly Angler
T-Shirts and Hats are In!!!!!!!

Maine Striper Fishing Reports

2010-08-05T14:45:00.000-07:00

A few years back I ran into the Eldredge fly shop on my way to Cape Cod, I left my fly box on the counter after showing some patterns I had been working on, continued to do some tying material shopping and after a conversation of different bait that had been showing in the waters I checked out. Well I open the box on my skiff to find a bunch of shelled peanuts to fall to the deck,Ha Ha?? the was point was don't forget about peanut bunker, well after a few years of a no shows they came into Casco Bay thick this week and with them some bigger bass and blues!!! the problem is they are holding to one hell of a weed line and the area that we are getting shots at surface feeding fish you catch more floating eel grass than anything Else, witch has me hoping for bright sun so I can fish the sand flats and stop worrying about those fish in the weed area until it cleans up with a good wind or a bigger tides like ones coming up next week,the weeds have been a issue in parts of the bay sense the last new moon tides. Bait wise we have plenty as well there are lots of well fed bass around the bay and for the first time in about a month got into some small bass for a few days, good to see! got our first small group of blues about two weeks ago so be ready with bite tippet and some small peanut patterns thing could become very fun around here even in this heat!!!

Maine Striper Fishing Reports and Trips

2010-07-30T16:59:00.000-07:00

The last few days I have been doing some work with Confluence films and there Follow up to the movies Drift and Rise,A quick fishing report the fish have been coming to a black snake or hollow pattern on the mud and the EP Fiber crab still wins on the sand flats,Leader or tippet must go down on the sand we have been fishing pretty light to get the eat, The fish seem to be getting a little more snappy on the cooler mornings, seeing lots of fish in all sizes but getting the eat was a little tough during the up and down weather, and shifty winds,The weather seems a little bit more stable so we might have a better bite this weekend and there has been some small blitzs happening around the area, have fun out there!!!!

Maine Striper Fishing Reports and Guided Trips

2010-07-21T15:34:00.000-07:00

Thing are really turning back around in Casco Bay, it's was not a lack of fish that had us frustrated it was a combination of really warm humid nights keeping the water temps high on the mud flats and with the big tides and a good swell the grass lines on the outside islands was almost impossible to get a clean retrieve, the real frustrations was we where and still are seeing lots of fish on the sand flats, we just could not get a clean shot until the last few tides, it looks like some of the grass got push onto shore and will be staying there for a few days at this point hopefully more. Fish wise, i'm herng some good report coast-wide other than the beach angler they are having a real tough time, fishing these water temps and with the big tides last week the beach guys had a real short window on the incoming tide, witch hands down is fish much better then a dropping. Boats anglers in Casco Bay had some good reports, the fly guys that where using there fly line to get under the weeds seemed to be happier than the spin who just took a few days of due to the floating grass mess!!, Started getting broke off by blues this past weekend and some came to the boat with some size, 10 lb range.

I also fished the sand flats S of Portland with the little skiff had a few tides that the weeds where just as bad, but saw lots of fish moving over the sand we had a few hr period with tons of shots at 30 inch plus fish on the sand we boated a few
on a small olive crab,There is plenty of ait and fish around work the bottom of the outgoing and the first 5 ft of incoming tides hard, thing really slow down when the tide starts to swamp out. The Kennebec guys are reporting some good angling a few have turned over to fishing deeper with live bait if that your thing you will most likely do well, a few guys have reported some good fishing on the flats, but like ours being there at the right tide is key!!! Just got areport fro J Ford who was tuna fishing today saw lot of fish mostly large but the guys are reporting catching lots!!!!! of bass in there trolling rigs 3-7 miles offshore and mostly big 20 plus pound fish .

Long Sleeve T shirt are ready please call or email if your are interested Hats will be next week!!!

The rest of the week, I will be working with confluence films on there follow up to Rise and Drift, hope to represent our fishing well but also provide a voice for some of the issue we face with the fishery!!! On that note while we where running in today I saw a buddy poling a flat that been pretty warm up until the last day or two, with water temps in the lower to mid sixties the fishing really turned on for him, but he came off while i was washing down my skiff to show a few photos of a fish that concerned him, It look like Mycobacteriosis by what i understand the fish who have this witch is many can really flare up in the warm waters, please take note of the water temps and if you feel it safe for the fish for quick photo please send it to Bruce Joule at Maine's DMR

bruce.joule@maine.gov

Maine Striper Fishing Reports and Guided Trips

2010-07-07T07:52:00.000-07:00

Worm Hatch Has started!!!!!

Here is our new skiff!! 750 lb with power floats skinny and poles great, Perfect for the Sand Flats and chasing tailing Carp on the mud, Just had a few days open up July 10 and 12 also the 18-21,And a few opening for Aug left as well. 207-671-4330

Warm water and high tides. Just the right combination for a worm "hatch" in the Nor'east. before you know it, the water rushing out of estuaries and off the mud flats is in the high 60-70 degree range. That's warm enough to give marine worms a nudge.

""Worm Next To a size 4 Merkin Crab""
Next New Moon July 11
Water Temp 68 This could be good!!!!

There not much that can pull bass away from so much food they have in the cool water on the outter island of Casco Bay other than when the water temperatures around Casco Bay push into the mid and high 60s, and we have moon tides, the worm "hatch" season is in full swing for us.
Worm "hatch" is really a misnomer. These wigglers aren't morphing the way insects do. In fact, the event isn't a "hatch" at all, but a spawn when sexually active sea worms do, indeed, change shape and coloration.

When Nature comes a knockin' on the worm hole door, spring tides are like Bolero for the worms, but spawning swarms need not be confined to those days just before, during and after a full or new moon. It can happen at almost any time, so Nor'east Saltwater fly rodders should make it a point to carry at least a few cinderworm patterns from now through September.

In general, the worms are red with one light-colored end, but colors can shift from location to location.

I'm not a biologist, so I'm not even going to try to identify all of these varieties, but in his book, A Fly-Fisher's Guide to Saltwater Naturals and their Imitations,George V. Roberts, Jr. classifies them as the genus Nereis. He says the species include all of our names for marine worms: cinderworms, mussel worms, pileworms, sandworms and bloodworms. Whether or not cinderworm is an actual species or simply a nickname still escapes me. If anyone has a definitive answer, please let me know.

For most fly rodders, it's enough to know that the worms are there and when they are, striped bass usually aren't far away.

A worm swarm to a school of stripers is like a Free Lunch sign to a Hockey team. Stripers gather at the mouth of an estuary or any outflow where worms are active and start to binge.

The worms are fairly easy pickin's as they are swept along by the outgoing tide, but they are not at the total mercy of the current. Part of the spawning transformation is the growth of paddle-like appendages, again along the rear of the worm. It helps to help propel them toward the surface, so they're actually coming at us tail first in an effort to create more worms. This is why we mistakenly refer to the "tail" as the "head," if, indeed, the distinction has any significance, except to another worm. Though the worms may appear to be trapped in a current, they are actually wiggling their way up and your presentation should try to duplicate this movement.

True. The stripers are feeding on the surface. That much is evident from all the slurping that goes on during a swarm, but you need not rely solely on a floating line. Actually, an Intermediate line is can be a better choice, mostly because of its significantly smaller diameter which is less likely to be effected by the current. Clear fly lines may also be a plus,On the mud flat in Casco Bay I use Floating lines 90 % of the time but what seems to work best is a slightly longer leader than what Nor'east Saltwater fly rodders might normally use, a twitching presentation and a little bit of luck. Don't overburden the presentation with a heavy pound-test tippet, either. Keep it at 12 and under.

Bear in mind, too, that these worms don't have the power to propel themselves home again. After the worms spawn, they die and the incoming water gently delivers next year's worm swarm home, so fly fishing on the outgoing beach side of an outflow can often be productive, too.

It is not uncommon to find a worm swarm in the somewhat gentler currents of a harbor, particularly one that has rich wetlands at its head. In this case, plan on working the shoreline all the way to the mouth of the harbor, keeping in mind that it will take a little longer for the worms to be swept to your location. Such situations may also send somewhat of a warm swarm along an adjacent, open-water beach front.

Have fun and tell them you might be late for work on Monday and Tuesday next week.

Maine Striper Fishing Reports and Guided Trips

2010-07-06T06:01:00.001-07:00

Crab Size that has been working for us, 12 ft leader down to 10 lb!!

Well, if you judge a fishery on opportunities this is nuts how many nice fish are in Casco Bay or all Maine's striper waters right now!!!! But getting the eat has been a little bit of chasing an early start, tides and reading the fish. The later being the most difficult if you are fishing from shore or a noisy boat, simply the fish don't need to eat our flies they really don't need to waste energy chasing our flies, they have all they need and can eat when ever they want. But they are stripers and there are always a few who are a little more snappy, one thing that has been consistent for us is not to throw a the big groups, I know it hard to reframe from doing so, but those fish are social and read off any nervous energy from the group, Read my last post on the Green merkin crab it has been our best producer for the last 2 weeks followed by a small olive sand eel pattern I tie with Finish Racoon. WE are targeting tides and sun angles for sight fishing and missed a few of the early starts exchanging them for the sand on the incoming tides,and it paid off!!

Couple of things happening in Casco Bay that was frustrating anglers last week was the weed/grass floating everywhere, I here you, it took a few places holding tons of fish out of the picture, as you got very few clean retrieves - well the bait stuck to those weed lines during that period of nw wind and cooler nights and we found some real active feeds on the opposite shoreline, and had the place to ourselves for a few days So pay attention to the winds if it blows hard for a few days you may want to check out the down wind islands shoreline even if doesn't have structure your looking to fish, check it out it may hold fish for a few tides then go back to to there normal summer holding spots,

South - North
Reports from Dave Skok fishing Cape Ann area, like our lots of well feed Bass using the flats to lay up, his eats are coming on small patterns as well. he also reports there are tons of fish feeding a few miles off on large sand eel and the word is the fish seemed to be moving our way,When we talked today by PH he was stoked on the past great sight fishing days last week,,

The Kennebec guides are reporting some real good fishing, and it sounds like it holding up well in the evening as well, If you are looking to fish the Kennebec flats give Peter Fallon Call or if you are looking to fish the structure and rips try Capt Gorge Harris.

And finally the tidal Carp fishing has had a few moments for us as well, they like warm humid days, good timing on the tides has had us casting to tailing fish for a few hrs and 4 fish over 12 lbs to boat, Our new skiff is floating and poling well in 5 inches of water, is a dream for fishing the sand flats as well,

Casco Bay Striper Tournament
19th Annual Catch and Release Striper Tournament to be held on August 20-21st 2010. Yarmouth Baot Yard will also be hosting a Captains Dinner on Friday night before the tournament. This year YBY is proud to announce that L.L. Bean will be the corporate sponsor.
Tournament Prizes (For 2010)
Stripers/Bluefish

• 1st Place .......... $1,000 Cash
• 2nd Place ......... $500 Cash
• 3rd Place .......... $250 Cash
• 10th Place ........ $125
• 15th Place ........ $125
• 1st Place .......... $1,000 Cash
• 2nd Place ......... $500 Cash
• 3rd Place .......... $250 Cash
• 10th Place ........ $125
• 15th Place ........ $125
Fly Fishing-Stripers Only
• 1st Place .......... $750 Cash
• 2nd Place ......... $500 Cash
• 3rd Place .......... $250 Cash
• Slam ........ $250
• CCA Member Raffle

After years of customers asking for hats with my fly logo on it, we are now selling Hats T-Shirts and Buffs, and the fall blitz beenie, we should be all set for online orders in the next few weeks, drop us an email if your interested.

Open AM trips for July 18,19,20,21 Evening trips call 207-671-4330
Aug AM 4-7 13,14 19-20

Maine Striper Fishing Reports and Guided Fishing

2010-06-19T05:44:00.001-07:00

The fish are really starting to spread out, and some are moving into there summer patterns, while others are still heading to the rivers for the bigger bait. There is lots of Blue Back Herring in the rivers now and the Juvi Herring and sand eels are making for some fun surface feeds around the bay if you hit it right!!!! timing has been key most of the week we have been meeting at the dock by 345-4 am the first light bite has been Best then the low incoming has been good. Thursday it just seemed as the fish just took the day off for us? goofy winds and big tides Fri was much much better. Post trip on Friday my wife and kids met me at the dock for a trip out to the beaches on the outer islands (See Photo above), I personally have not been able to fish much with my guide schedule, so when your wife says lets go and you have incoming tide, I was stoked to say the least!!!I was looking forward to trying out some crab patterns I have been working on and was hoping for some shots on the sand flats. The fish above was caught mid day in the bright sun on an olive EP fiber striper merkin a 12 ft leader and floating line my favorite setup for this style of fishing, I'm glad the crab has become more popular with anglers in the NE but it seems many have a hard time fishing it from a boat they just want to cast at every fish they see and strip away, for the most part that just spooks them while some of the beach anglers are doing well with bigger crab patterns fished real slow!!! hoping the fish comes to it. What we have been doing is a little more permit style and I'm lucky to have so many customer who also fish permit and Bonefish what we look for is a small group of fish on the sand that have seperated from the bigger 10 plus fish groups you spook one you may shut down your flat but 2-4 fish moving along they are not being so social with the others and are not playing follow the leader,often these are the one's we can get to eat, We are placing a small crab near that small group they will twitch and spook a little bit but as soon as they see a small crab droping one or more will come back, read the eat from there and good luck!! Being able to fish sand flats this way when you have the right tides and sun angles really makes Casco Bay such a cool fishery!!!!!There's only a hand full of polling skiffs in the bay that can really take advantage of fishing the sand flats the right way here in Maine so please remember guys and I see all the time a center counsel pulls in on the flat two anglers start pounding the water then then they start there motors up and leave without coming tight, just to screw up the flat for the walk wade anglers and the few skiffs guys that have spent the time dialing this style of fishing in Not Cool!!!! and Keep those trolling motor at slow speed on the sand they really do spook fish!!! PS start having wire with you those toothy guys are starting to show in the 6-8 lb size!!!

Some of the afterwork crew at the dock, where saying they had some slow fishing on Friday afternoon fishing near the flats on the incoming, Guys the mud was exposed to air temps up 85 and bright sun, hell yes the mud flats are going to be slow with those temps,even on a strong incoming tide.

Rumors have it the kennebec is holding up and fishing well into the mid day give it a try there are some guides up there with some open dates that can show you some great water befor the catch and kill season starts up there in July.

Open AM trips Thru July 15 th
June 27
July 3rd Half tide AM only
July 12
July 15

Maine Striper Fishing Reports and Guided Trips

2010-06-16T16:20:00.000-07:00

Fish the tides!!!! It's been a first light or low incoming all week, this morning we changed it up from plugging away on the flats on the outgoing and it worked!!! we found some real bright fresh fish on the outer islands then we moved onto a big mud flat for the incoming and found fish waking and working the flat for a few hours and we where done around 11am with fish still showing. My angler today was Capt Robert Walczak from www.tarpontails.com it was the first time I met Rob who was up visiting his son at Camp Sunshine, I have herd a lot about his skills and his Tournament wins prove his guiding skills, Winning Guide FL keys Red Bone -Back-country Classic the list go on. If you are fishing out of Naples area look him up.

More Soon!!! I have only had few days off in the last three weeks and really need to spend some time at the tying bench,looking forward to the new skiff to show in the next 10 days, Suzki motor shortage put it behind about a month.

Open Days for June the 27th

Maine Striper Fishing Reports and Guided Trips

2010-06-10T05:46:00.000-07:00

Bouncy weather and some soft tides slowed it down for a couple of days, but it's back on!!! the last few Mornings thing are kicking back into gear at full speed, there are tons of good reports coast wide!!!! Also with a swell in the water for a few days I was able to get a few standup paddle surf sessions in, post guide trips and areas just east of Casco Bay had a ton of fish on the surface in bright sun not and angler insight.so I would think the Kennebec crew will be in for some real hot fishing the next few days aswell. Fly wise 5-7 inch hollow purple was the fly of the day the last few mornings for us, there is a ton of Blue Back Herring in Casco Bay and with the rain and wind they are still out of the rivers in big schools, there is plenty in the rivers but the water quality is taking it's time from the weekends rains, the steeper tides that are setting in should speed that up over the next few days and we should be in for a good weekend of fishing, Fish the low sun angles and the tides (slack high has been slow!!

Bait wise have it all Small Juvi, Spike Mac. Adult herring sand eels and lot of Green crabs floating around to play with on the flats during slack high a slow strip might find an eat. Size wise the there still good groups of small fish but I would say most fish to the boat are in the 24-29 range with a few lower 30 mixed in. The aces fishing the rocks and beaches South of Portland report a few near 40 on the fly the last few days good job guys!!!! we still have not broke the 37 inch fish we got during the heat wave on a crab pattern but we are having a ton of fun working on it....

Hey Check out www.flyfishjeff.blogspot.com for some S Maine updates

Upen Dates for June 19th and 27th These are some good tides!!

Maine Striper fishing Reports and Guided Trips

2010-06-01T18:01:00.000-07:00

THE FLATS COME ALIVE

Since last Wednesday it's been darn good. A nice body of fish moved into Casco Bay and they are up on the flats in some pretty shallow stuff. And we're encountering on a regular bases some groups well over the slot range. And they are taking poppers, hollows and even got a fish just over 32 on a crab pattern this weekend, without-a-doubt one my favorite way to fish -- sun, incoming tide and feeding nice size Stripe Bass a crab pattern, and wait it's only late May- early June ??? are we not suppose to be fishing big pattern in the rivers??

The local rivers are loaded with bait and where busy with boats this weekend and the reports at the docks are good the guys I see out often are all smiles!!! they have it dialed and are just stoked on the quality of the fishing we are having so early in the season, But guys lets have a little etiquette out there!!! I had a few boats jump us on the flats!! it put down the fish, that’s fine I can move quickly and find other fish. But for the shore anglers they work hard to find a spots and can not get to good water quickly and it's just f@#kin rude to pressure shore angler if you are in a boat!!!!

The reports to the south are very good and many saying the best they have seen in years, we should keep seeing new fish showing and with stable weather outstanding fish. But not always easy the fish have a ton of food and as we saw with the big winds on Sunday afternoon they are still getting tweaked by water temps we had a 3-4 degree drop around the bay and had to work harder for the eats on Monday and today but every flat we went to we spooked laid up fish, Stealth is always good in skinny water.

I got a call from a friend from the Keys Jon Ain, I fish Permit with him often and have learned a ton, why wouldn't I, he has won the Del brown and the March Merkin and is in the top 5 permit anglers in the world with 304 caught on the fly, with so many toury wins I will give him another, the smallest fish of the week, sorry Jon

A few Open Dates for June 2010 pH: 207-671-4330

Maine Striper Fishing Reports and Guided Trips

2010-05-26T16:00:00.001-07:00

Wow what great weather!!!! and a real good start to the striper season here in Maine, with solid catch reports up and down the coast!! The last few days I tried a few different Tides, yesterday Capt. John ford and I went out with floating lines and worm patterns in search of leftovers at first light. What we found was a few fish on the surface but really no solid hookups until the tide filled in, once again found our fish on the flats not in the river?? But I'm sure there are some large fish to be had in the rivers!!! I finish my day yesterday stand up paddle surfing in the OOB area with my wife, and holly cow did we see some schools of bass moving around, not feeding, head down and swimming hard. Today I started my day surfing once again in OOB at sunrise lot's of terns working the water around 7 or so. Spent the late morning fishing with a Fly rod reel rep, casting a prototype one piece 9 wt real cool rod!! today was a scout day for my trips over the week, so we went to places just wondering if there was bait there, well not only was there bait but bass as well, these are outer island spots, I don't fish until late June or early July, there is a ton of bait and we landed fish from 14-28 in the bright sun. The water quality is still clean with these big moon tides, temps great. In some of the flats you might run into a lot of pollen on the surface fish it any ways you can still get hook ups !! I have had a few email about worm patterns, yes the Casco Bay anglers really need to dial this in, it is a treat!!! and even in off years I could count on good fishing during these tides. I am in the final planning stages of doing a fly tying night in June the focus will be worms and crabs email me if you want to be on the list.

Enjoy the weekend and fish hard.
Open June dates I have a few scattered good tides the first two weeks so call for tides, also June 17, 18 and 19 just opened up. Also openings for evening trips

Capt Eric Wallace
207-671-4330

Maine Striper Fishing Reports

2010-05-23T16:20:00.000-07:00

Weather forecast HOT near 90 on Tuesday, Fishing to the south of us Hot!!!! I have my hopes up that is going to be a good year!!! I can tell you this, we are off to a good start here in Casco Bay. We hit a fat 31 inch off a island flat near a river mouth followed up by a 14 inch striper two cast later a mixed bag and that seems to be the word on the water from Long Island NY to Casco Bay.

A few days ago on Maine Striper Fishing Reports blog, I recommended to stay near the rivers, and yes they are holding lots of fish and bait, well the fog had everyone staying in the river today, I hate crowds!! so I ran off to some flats in the hope to pick up a few more before calling it a day, well we found fish scattered and feeding 3-4 miles away from any river system with plenty of small fin bait to keep them here for a few days. I have a feeling there going to just keep moving into our waters pretty thick over the next few weeks, we have the bait!!!! but something we have not had in 3 years is water temps pretty equal to other area in the migration zone.
Long Island 55.0 Block Island 54.0 Buzzard 54.3 Portland 52.0 last year we where 7-9 degrees off in water temps in early June,

A few days just opened up that are prime time and tides June 16-19
I also have few day open in early June. Call for July Dates 207-671-4330
Also I have some angler looking to trade in there rods and reels for the latest greatest, if you ae looking for a used 7-12 wt there are some great deals to be had!! drop a line and I can get in touch with the seller.

Maine Striper Fishing Reports& Guides

2010-05-12T15:13:00.001-07:00

Quick update going into the weekend, found a few nice fish this morning in Casco Bay, some good reports to the south, wind direction and temps look good and getting better. things could bust open in the next few days!!! Did get a couple of fish near 30 today, the real story was a group of little punks that where full of it at 14-17 inches, great to see!!! Stay near the river systems!! and things turned on about 2.5 hr into the outgoing. I just had some June dates open up due to a angler who had to change his travel plan till Aug they are great tides!!!June 16-19 I also have few days in the first and second week of June For either Maine tidal Carp or striped Bass, Give a call for more info 207-671-4330

May 18, 2010
Here we go, my first Maine fishing report for 2010, Stripers are showing from Portland South and in some area's in good numbers!!!for mid May, and that's the word Cape Cod North. Water temps are not to bad even with a few chilly nights we had this past week. Looking forward with the amount of baitfish that have moved into Maine's water we should here about some big fish being caught in the bigger rivers, I've fished the sand flats near Portland a couple of times on the few sunny days we have had, and have seen some nice groups of fish moving around, they where playing follow the leader and not stoping by for any thing we casted at them, have had good luck around Plum Island and Kittery area last week. Fished the Carp flats had five shots one day to some real large fish but really need a spike in the water temp for that to turn on!!! It's still early but off to a good start!!!!

Cathy Beck hitting her target, skinny water striped bass on Casco Bay.

Lodging Deals!!!!
We have some great lodging deals for the anglers coming from out of state. When you book a trip with Coastal Fly Angler You Can add a room at the Applewood Inn B&B for $125/night (and they pack you a lobster roll lunch).

Harraseeket Inn Discount
A member of the Conde Nast Gold List of the top 50 resorts in the United States, the Harraseeket has offered special pricing for anglers fishing with Coastal Fly Angler.

Lodging Package: Applewood Inn B&B
Fish for stripers and bluefish on Casco Bay by day, relax at the charming Applewood Inn B&B in the Freeport village by night. Delicious lobster roll lunch and fishing gear included.
LODGING PACKAGE PRICING
$550 - one day guided fishing, one night
$1050 - two days guided fishing, two nights
(Add 40.00 a night on weekends)
$200 deposit required at time of booking.

If you're gearing up for your next trip, then we strongly recommend that you support your local fly shop and buy through a specialty retailer! If you need assistance locating the right retailer, we will be happy to help. However, if you are thinking that you do not want to buy a new rod and reel set-up (or multiple rod and reel set-ups), then we can also help.

Coastal Fly Angler has an equipment demo and rental program that we offer as a service to our customers. You can rent high-end, top-of-the-line rod and reel set-ups that include Scott Rods,Sage and Winston , Hatch Reels,Tibor and Able and Air-Flow fly lines. For approximately $100.00 per rod/reel set-up, we will ship you what you need for your upcoming trip. Rod and reels combos from 6 wt. through 12 wt. are available. Please feel free to contact CFA by phone at (207) 671-4330 or via email for more information. Note Any trip you are fishing on our skiffs there is no Fee this use.

Maine Stiper Fishing Reports & Guides

2010-05-08T12:24:00.000-07:00

Here it is, our new skinny water skiff at CFA, adding to our 17 Action Craft with a 115, the IPB is half the weight allowing us to enter the flat earlier with the tide and stay longer,Power will be a 40 4 stroke Suzuki tiler, Can't wait for it to get here!!!

Reports of Stripers being caught in Southern Maine today May 8 th- here we go!!!!!

ASMFC Striped Bass Board Approves Draft Addendum II for Public Comment
Alexandria, VA – The Commission’s Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board has approved Draft Addendum II to Amendment 6 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Striped Bass for public comment. The Draft Addendum proposes two changes to the striped bass management program: (1) an increase in the coastal commercial quota, and (2) revising the definition of recruitment failure based on Technical Committee advice.

***** A big WTF!! we really need to make it a GAME FISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The proposal to increase the coastal commercial quota is intended to improve equality between the commercial and recreational fishery sectors. Although Amendment 6 established management programs for both fisheries based on the same target fishing mortality rate, the implementation of state-specific quotas for coastal commercial harvest (and not for recreational harvest) has prevented the commercial and recreational fisheries from responding equally to changes in striped bass population size. Since 2004, coastal commercial harvest has decreased by 3.6 percent, while recreational harvest has increased by 13.7 percent. Under the option, the Board would select a percent increase to be applied to the coastal commercial allocations assigned in Amendment 6.

The Management Board voted to include a second issue in the Draft Addendum based on information presented at the meeting. As part of its review of the juvenile abundance indices, the Striped Bass Technical Committee recommended to the Management Board a revision to how striped bass recruitment failure is defined. Juvenile abundance indices are an important component of the striped bass monitoring program and are used to determine periods of recruitment failure which can trigger management action under Amendment 6. Adopting the proposed recommendation would result in a fixed value to determine recruitment failure in each surveyed area rather than a value that changes from year to year. Use of either the Amendment 6 definition or the Technical Committee recommendation for recruitment failure does not result in any necessary changes to the current management program.

It is anticipated that the majority of states will be conducting public hearings on the Draft Addendum. A press release will be issued once the details of the hearings have been finalized and the Draft Addendum is available for public comment. For more information, please contact Nichola Meserve, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator at (202) 289-6400 or nmeserve@asmfc.org.

Please Support this fishery by calling or emailing and asking them to not approve Addendum II and Join the Maine based stripers forever or your local CCA make some noise on this one.

Maine Striper Fishing Reports

2010-04-23T04:22:00.000-07:00

Hope you all are well and are getting excited for another Striper season in the Northeast. Thank you to all who have booked trips and sent in deposits, I'm looking forward to fishing with you. Today I heard reports of anglers catching striped bass in the 15-32 inch range in Boston Harbor so the good news is fish are starting to make it around the Cape. The bait reports here in Maine are looking good with ospreys and seals moving in to feed on the alewives and herring working the way into Maine rivers. Stripers will follow soon!!!!

Last year I started fishing in Maine on May 18 with good success despite the muddy water from 27 days of rain June and July. In the end 2009 proved to fish better than 2008 and we may see an even better season this year. Water temps in Rhode Island are 7 degrees up from a year ago and the amount of fish that have made it to CT and RI sounds promising as in the past they often stopped in New Jersey. Fish size will continue to be on the bigger side the next few years as we wait for the low recruitment of juvenal fish in 2005-06 to be replaced. There are some signs of improvement, with a better spawn the last few years, but for a year or two we will be chasing bigger, smarter fish and I'm enjoying that challenge.

Many of you have asked about carp fishing in Maine, and have booked trips in the next few weeks. The carp came up on the grass flats for a few days then some cold nights put them back down, but by the beginning of May we will be in good shape, so anyone looking for the challenge of the tidal ravine carp let me know ASAP. Also for early season, the sand flats south of Portland have been producing the last few years. These are shorter window trips due to the tide swamping us out, but we usually get a good 4-5 hrs of fun.

It amazes me how cool of a fishery Casco Bay is when you hit the right tides, and I really can't think of prettier place to chase striped bass on the flats and I look forward to seeing you soon.

Capt Eric Wallace
207-671-4330
www.coastalflyangler.com

Maine Striper Fishing Reports

2010-03-28T05:54:00.000-07:00

Tarpon and Permit Fishing in the Keys, I'll be Striper Fishing Between Maine and Cape Cod in May, I will try to post some Maine Fishing updates and reports!!! The Keys are turning on!!!! we are seeing lots of Permit and the Tarpon moving back in!!!

Reports that stripers are entering the Chessy in full swing for the spawn, post spawn they drop out and start moving north looking for food, not long now guys let's hope for a good season and some better weather than last summer.

Maine Striper Fishing Reports 2010

2010-03-06T17:22:00.001-08:00

GET OUT And Cast Some Rods!!!!!!!

Eldredge Bros. Fly Shop
7th Annual Flyfishing Expo

April 3, 2010 from 9:00am till 4:00pm here at the Fly Shop. This is a "RAIN OR SHINE" event.

This event is always a big hit and a very festive gathering of fly fishermen who are getting ready for the start of a new fishing season. There will be hundreds of rods to test cast, manufacturer's reps from Sage, Winston, Scott, Ross, Hatch, Tibor, Simms, Fishpond, Rio, and much more. We'll have door prizes, raffles, professional tying demos, free aquatic entomology seminars, free antique tackle appraisals, and all of the free food you can eat.

Maine Striper Fishing Reports

2010-02-25T05:11:00.000-08:00

I'm going to start throwing out some patterns I'm tying for my upcoming time in the Florida Keys, as well as for Maine and Cape Cod striper fishing.

Bruja Crab: This is an interesting pattern from the tying vice of Lex Hochner that has all the right ingredients to be an awesome Permit Bonefish and Striper pattern. First of all it looks very crabby, especially when wet in saltwater. The buoyant synthetic body material gathers light and ungulates giving the creature life. The knotted rubber legs are swept back for maximum wiggleness during the initial dive. Last the four color schemes are all well suited for the various bottom colors you will encounter. All in all, a good new pattern to try on Mr. I-don't-eat-many-flies. Permit, or the those big cow bass hanging around the sandy bottom flats. The fly should be fished with more of a permit style stripe or casting the fly real close to the fish, the fly drop into the water colum nicely. It's an Umpqua pattern, tie your own or grab some from your local shop.

Striped Bass fishing the flats of Casco Bay

2009-12-25T12:19:00.000-08:00

In 2008 John Frazier of Saltwater Sportsman Magazine did an article called the Maine Event- Fish for stripers the unconventional way- on the flats. This Past fall, during one of the strongest cold fronts of the season, we set out with Sportfish TV to do a follow up for there TV show on Versus- Check it out.
VERSUS -MAINE EVENT – SKINNY WATER STRIPERS Date 2/13/10 and 2/19/10 airtime 12:30 and 6:30 pm
*** Thanks for all the positive feedback on the show <"))))><

I watched the forecast for the week, and I wonder is this going to be worth it, the Host of the show Dean Travis Clarke was driving up towing a 17 ft Yellow Fin flats skiff one of the shows sponsors, so there was no way we where going to be using my flats skiff, a new skiff, temp drop of 25 degrees, wind gusting to 30 out of the northeast and some frozen Floridian boys trying to film, I thought shit, I would love to take this day off - we stuck it out and found fish in areas I have not fished in years, had one of the most incredible sun-sets and met some new friends. In the end it proved what permit guides already knows, working hard long days in the wind to picky bigger fish, often pay-off!!!!!

Maine Striper Fishing Reports

2009-12-10T17:16:00.000-08:00

It sure was very refreshing to be at a party last week talking about some great days on the mud and sand flats and how important learning to fish crab patterns has become to get a few of the bigger fish to eat.If you are spending anytime looking around the chats boards, there sure is a lot of doom and gloom, and even starting an thread about anything good get's crushed by a few who had a tough go. Capt John ford and i went out scouting for some early season fish and we Scored, it was May 18 then On June 3 rd had one of the best trips I've had in 3 years. A week later I was chasing clean water and lee's to get out of the wind, and muddy waters,and the kennebec guides had to do the same, for the most part we had the area to ourselfs never a boat at the ramp, parking lot at the boat yard was empty, Still we manage a few fish in the high 30's on the flats. Then came some stable weather and WOW we had some real good fishing, The season continued to be that way for me, fishing areas that I had not fished in 4 or 5 years to run from the wind and a change of scenery and we found fish in places that i did not in 2008 every now and then we would get some stable weather, warm humid light wind and good tide and it all came together and that's what I'm looking forward to in the 2010.

Maine Striper Fishing Reports

2009-11-10T03:55:00.001-08:00

The 2009 Atlantic striped stock assessment update indicates that the resource remains in good condition with female spawning stock biomass (SSB) percent of the SSB target and 185 percent of the SSB threshold (see Figure 1). Estimated fishing mortality rates (F) in 2008 are equal to or less than 0.21 and below the target (0.30) and threshold (0.34) rates. The assessment provides stock status for the combination of the three primary stocks (Hudson River, Delaware River, and Chesapeake and tributaries). The striped bass stock complex is determined to be not overfished with overfishing not occurring.

Although spawning stock and total biomass have remained relatively stable over the last several years, stock abundance declined from 2004 to 2007 with a small increase in 2008. The decrease in abundance is reflected in a decline in coastwide landings in 2007 and 2008. The decline is more prevalent in areas largely dependent on contributions from the Chesapeake stocks (such as Maine) than areas that are dominated by the Hudson stock (such as New York). The spawning stock has remained relatively stable due to the growth and maturation of the 2003 year class and the accumulation of spawning biomass from year classes prior to 1996. The latest results of the statistical catch-at-age model also exhibit an increasing retrospective bias where F is overestimated and abundance and biomass underestimated. Retrospective bias may be the result of error in catch estimates, natural mortality, unequal stock mixing, and changes in catchability or selectivity. Analysis of tag data also suggests an increasing natural mortality in Chesapeake Bay, likely the result of the mycobacteriosis.

Recruitment estimates have averaged 12.5 million fish since 1995 when the stock complex was declared restored. The 2006 and 2007 estimates were the lowest in recent years at 7.4 million and 5.8 million fish, respectively. The 2003 cohort remains the largest since 1982 at 22.8 million fish. Recruitment in 2008 of 13.3 million fish was slightly above the recent average.

Striped bass are one of the most sought after species by recreational anglers along the Atlantic coast. In 2008, recreational anglers landed over 2.2 million striped bass weighing 12,310 metric tons (mt) (see Figure 2). Recreational landings have ranged from a low of 336 mt in 1989 to a high of 13,814 mt in 2006. The coastwide landings in 2008 reflect a 17 percent decline from a high of 2.7 million fish in 2006. Changes in landings have varied by state, with MA, CT, and NY showing an increase in landings and the remaining states showing a 32% decrease on average. Recreational discard mortalities (assuming an 8 percent mortality of releases) in 2008 were 950,000 fish, a 64 percent decrease from a high of 2.1 million fish in 2006.

Landings from the commercial striped bass fishery have been consistently lower than the recreational catch. Commercial landings increased from 63 mt in 1987 to 2,679 mt in 1997 and have remained steady due to quota restrictions. Landings in 2008 were 3,281 mt. Gill nets are the dominant commercial gear used to target striped bass. Other commercial fishing gears include hook and line, pound nets, seines, and trawls.

Copies of the stock assessment update will be available via the Commission’s website at www.asmfc.org under Breaking News. For more information, please contact Nichola Meserve, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator at (202) 289-6400 or nmeserve@asmfc.org.

Maine Striper Fishing Reports Oct 6 th 2009

2009-10-06T10:37:00.000-07:00

Steve Straq with a nice fish off the sand flats on Oct 6 th 2009

Maine Striper fishing reports
Poling a shoreline flat on the outer islands of Casco Bay Maine and looking for a dark back to run up on the sand and hoping the sun stays out of the clouds long enough to get a shot, is something I look forward to in say Late June - August?? but sight fishing to stripes in the low sun angles of Oct in Maine come-on this is cool!!!! With a lack of little fish showing the last few years, and few and far in-between blitzes on the outgoing tides, we really started working the incoming tides and taking shots at the bigger fish we see on the sand, this has become standard way for us to fish, along with chasing waking fish on the mud flats, So quite chasing birds and start working the flats the fish are still around!!!!!!!!! On the Kennebec there has been reports of some good surface action between Richmond and Bath, the lower river should produce good for another week or so. Give one of the local guides up there a call, October can be some great fishing here in Maine and so far this is holding true once again.

On the beaches there are some reports from the guys at Eldrige Bro fly shop in Cape Nedic of some very good fishing there as well, the beach guys around OOB are still struggling??? Tuna bite with the on and off weather seems to be holding the light tackle boats from the chase. Overall the reports I've got from the boats guys for the season have been much better than last year with high hopes for a real good season early on with good catches reported in late may and early June than the rain just kept coming killing the Kennebec and the Saco area, Casco Bay held it's own but you had to search for clean water then you found plenty of fish, and for the most part you had the place to yourself!!!! On the beaches my friends who fish crab patterns and have been for years and do it well had a good season, but others had a tough year, Lets hope the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission can get there shit together and manage this fishery!!!! because the lack of small fish in the system is very worrisome, these jokers are actually voting on rolling over the uncaught commercial harvest from the year past this is a shame and total BS, many of you live in Mass call write or what you can!! and ask them to manage this fishery, not just bend over for the commercial guys.

Maine Striper fishing Reports Sept 2009

2009-09-11T06:39:00.001-07:00

Nice Flats fish Casco Bay 2009

The stripers have been schooling up here in Maine for the past few weeks, and now the feed south has started!!! we are seeing days ranging from close to 35 fish in 4 hrs to working our but off for a few eats. The one thing that has not changed there is tons of bait around, and lots of fish to feed on them, there are area that are holding micros as far as the eye can see, everywhere little 15-19 inch bass, They have shown us some early blitzes as well!!! Great to see this throughout Casco Bay, also reports that the Kennebec is fishing pretty well and that good news for us, as those fish will be coming through Casco Bay soon. The story for us this week was a 41 inch out of less then 3 feet of water sigh casting over a sand flat, I'm working on posting the photo after I do some Photoshop work to kill the landmarks. The bait is holding in the grass so the lower parts of the tide have been key higher tides have fish pretty slow and the last few days of NE winds suck!!!! the tides will change around and thing should light up again real soon pray for some warm south winds.

Open days for AM trips= Sept are the 26 th and 29 th
Call about PM Blitz trips after the 15 th of Sept

This weekend is the Royal River Striper Tournament Sept 12 and 13 -2009, this is the first year in 18 that it's a catch and release tournament so get out and show your support and there is some good money to be won for the the fly angler. My next report will include a rod review of the 2010 Scott s4s Sage Xi3 and Winston MX2 all three have been brought on my boat over the last few weeks and some have stayed with us to play with, we have the same line on all three, there is some good stuff out there, save your nickels These rods really have improved over the last three years Good stuff.

Maine Striper Fishing Reports

2009-08-21T11:47:00.000-07:00

Maine Striper Fishing reports-- Aug 22 2009

Is it post heat wave or pre storm or Just better tides? I'm betting all three but would place my favorite crab pattern on the tides, if I was a betting man. What ever the reason the fish have been much more snappy the last few trips for us, after a period where our water hit 74 degrees and it just seemed that every fish would just follow, for the beach anglers or folks throwing off a lower casting deck it would seem the fish had moved out deep but, Guiding from and poling platform and having a casting platform on my flats skiff we where seeing things that drove us nuts, changing flies, fishing 12 ft 8 lb leaders to 35 inch fish- on and on- just follows then we hit on area that we found some fish that where snappy and would eat anything we threw at them much more fun for my anglers. Then came better tides and the fish have been a little easier every where fish the last few days but still a very short A.M window, and looking forward the weather will cool and with the big tides 11 plus ft the next few days we will get the water cooled a bit as well. There is tons of bait hanging near the shore line flats and the outer island sand flats have sand eels all over them, Fish early and get your fly to any swirl quickly and for you guys that have not figured it out yet??? stealth is key!!!!! you can not run you motor all over the flats in Casco Bay or any where right now, and expect to catch fish these fish are so well feed the last thing they need to do is eat our artificials, pole use a trolling motor or drift but if other anglers are up on the mud or sand flats give them tons of space and turn your !@#*ing motors off!!!!

Maine Striper Fishing Reports

2009-08-10T11:30:00.001-07:00

First off sorry for missing last weeks report, we had some outstanding fishing on the flats then a worm hatch turned on late this week, that kept me going full on .There are tons of nice fish hanging around Maine's waters and reports of big fish taken on Live bait, plugs and fly are reported daily. Night fisherman have scored reel big this last week as we flats guys have had a ton of large fish roaming the sand flats on the incoming tide it's just finding the right fish to eat your fly in the sun, something new here in Maine this summer of fog and rain - weather is been perfect the last few days and with the nice weather and southerly flow to the winds the fishing been much better, Tuna are showing off Portland and bluefish moved into Saco and Casco Bay, helping crew up some of the bait and hopefully make the stripers act a little more predator then just lazy feeders they have been with so much food in the system. The beach anglers are still having a tough go, But the boat anglers are finding ways to feed the fish witch we have plenty, just they have tons of food so if you are fishing flies bring your A game the rewards are out there.

Maine Striper Fly Fishing Reports- Sight Fishing

2009-08-01T07:54:00.000-07:00

Tim Yomans picking up an nice fish off the sand flats today Aug 1 the fish ate the fly in less than 2 ft of water, good job Tim!!

Also Check out the Trailer for this January 2010 ESPN 2 Flats fishing show.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVVA9yT07G0

Overall it's been a good week,the weather was not too bad and we even had some sun to do my favorite thing, (sight fish) add to the mix, the quality of fly anglers I had this week- we got some nice fish in the shallows to move on the fly, in the 11 o'clock sun, One angler has been a back country guide in the FL keys for 25 plus years and what a joy to fish an angler with his skill set from casting 15 ft leaders with crab patterns to putting a hollow fly down in front of a high and happy big bass with out spooking it- to result in an eat!! I just had a blast the last few days!!!! Today was clear again and had some nice fish with dark backs ripping over the sand flats on the outer island beaches,

The morning Incomings have had some good feeds on Juvenile Herring and the fish have been pretty friendly to our flies, Hollows, Poppers, Juvie Herring fished tandem and Pollack patters have been good for us until we move to sight fishing, where crab pattern on floating lines and long leaders have worked well with the right anglers also white flats deceivers- hollows,

People often ask what spots do you like in Casco Bay? my answer- I fish tides not spots-Casco Bay is a tide chasers dream the fish eat and layup in different spots on each tide, not as easy to learn like fishing the beach and rocks or a big river system like the kennebec, Casco Bay, has a ton of flats and mussle bars you can fish skinny water all tide if you move at the right time to the right place, The tides have been key!!!! Many anglers go back to the same spot two days later different stage of the tide and are convince the fish have left, No they have not there is tons of fish and bait all over Casco Bay the tides have been key!!!! water temp is great the stable weather has turned on the fish. They are boat,leader and fly shy, change up a little- fish 10-12 pond floroand don't get stuck in your old ways if there not working otherwise these fish will drive you crazy with follows,

Maine Fishing Reports from the Kennebec have been good and the Tuna reports near Portland are looking up as well.

The web boards have been full of negative Maine Striper Reports- I had sent an e-mail to one angler hoping for him to hit it again instead of posting a doomsday report From www.flyfishinginmaine.com here is his fourum posting.

With some renewed confidence, courtesy of Capt. Eric Wallace -- I had the best Striper outing this morning in 2+ years, easy. I must have seen a hundred fish on this one particular flat...multiple pods of 25-30 slot-sized fish, and larger. Surface activity -- lots of feeding....just plain fun. Caught fish from 22" - 30" -- largest came on a gurgler! I also lost several on gurglers that broke off, and was worried that there were blues in the mix, but I didn't land any. The biggest Striper was fresh and mean, and had me WAY into my backing on an old Battenkill reel with a loose drag. Get out there and have at it -- turns out there are fish around -- they have just been hiding from me.

Maine Striper Fly Fishing Reports- July 2009

2009-07-26T14:18:00.000-07:00

Maine Striper Fishing reports = Recharged!!!!!!!!!!
07-22-09
We saw so many fish on the sand flats this day it was unreal!!!!! hard to feed a fly to them, but angler Pete Maher got it done!!

07-20-09
Some Big bright Fish have moved into the bay this last week, they are hanging in the areas we found them last year, just tons more, they are loaded with sea lice and have been fly and leader picky, i'm loving this type of fishing!!!! today we had very bright skies and where able to do some of the best sightfishing we have had this year. We Moved lots of fish in the low light and landed 3 fish 28 inch or bigger on the sight in the sun and less then 3 ft of water on the sand flats, Ive added a new casting platform with a leaning bar to my flats boat and my anglers are very stoked, A few fish came on the hollow stinger set up we have been using the past few years when the fish are picky,but the ugly muppet crab pattern was the winner again today!!! My angler today has fished the Fl Keys and Cape Cod with me and today we saw more fish in less then 2 ft water then our 20 plus trips combine, Just one of the tides I never wanted to end. Maine striper fishing is re-charged!!!!

07-26-09
Maine Striper Fishing Report.
Us shallow water guys waited all winter for these tides that we have this week! and boy was Mon and Tues to too much fun, then a wind change on thrus and it shut it down for a day or two- Sat was back on!! and Casco bay handled the 2 inch of rain pretty well, and this morning we nailed a 31 inch fish in about 2 ft water, Black hollow in the low light and dirty water have been working, just get the fly quickly to the last feed you see , they still have so much food around they are not chasing far at all, Looking ahead the tides are going to be deep in the AM not my favoriot at all- let's hope for some OK weather and light winds, the sun might come out mid week and offer some late AM sight fishing.

Next open Dates
Aug 9 and 17*18

Maine Striper Fishing Reports- July 2009

2009-07-26T14:16:00.000-07:00

Photo of Maine trout fishing bum, David K with his first Striper on the fly 7-16-2009

We have had some weird fishing the last week or so, weather and tides are a part of it as-well there just a ton of food for them, on Monday we hit the mud flats at first light to find fish marking the surface all around they where keyed into tiny grass shrimp, once again a hollow pattern with a stinger about 25 inches of the back- a small size 4-6 white bait fish pattern and using 12 lb or lighter leaders - we also used this rig to fish the sand flats on the incoming tide in the bright sun, found it was our ticket there untill we switch to a crab pattern the fish came to the crab but we missed a few eats. Today I fished an area I have not fish with a client in over 3 weeks and it produced see pic above. I'm feeling hopfull that the weather stays somewhat humid and stable also I'm looking forward to these tides coming into the new moon.

July 17 2009- Casco Bay fishing report update, It felt like the start of a new Striper season here in Maine today, as we picked up fish at every stop and for the most part all where very bright and loaded with sea lice, looks like we just got another big group of fish into the bay, let's hope for some stable weather.

Maine Striper Fishing Reports July 6

2009-07-06T16:21:00.000-07:00

Angler: Lanier Woodrum with a nice bass caught on a Casco Bay mud flat in the endless northest winds and rain of June and early July 2009!!

If you where on the water today you know how outstanding the fishing and weather was,
every where we went we found lot's fish and tons of bait to keep them happy for a while.With all the bait the bass where not just jumping at the first thing you throw at them, we did well fishing a hollow pattern with a tiny droper of a craft-fur type baitfish pattern size 4-6 with 95% of fish eating the droper as well laid up tarpon bunnys striped slow on a floating line or any popper wakeing the water. Looking forward we have some bumpy weather for a day or two but otherwise it's looking good, with tons of fish and bait it really looking to be and outstanding July, the water is cleaning up quickly and we took advantage of the sun by running to some of the outer island beaches for some sight fishing, after a great incoming tide on the mud flats. The fish are spread out, mixed in are some big schools of small and big bluefish, so have some bite guard with you.

Open AM days for July is the 19 and 29 th PM call about tides.

Capt Eric Wallace
207-671-4330

June 26, 2009 Maine Striper Fishing Report,

2009-06-26T12:45:00.000-07:00

Let's hope the weathers worst is behind us, and we can get on with summer!!!! that said with all the big rain's ugly water and NE winds- the fish did not leave!!!! some moved to the outer islands some move away from the rivers, but they are here. For us we have seen and moved the most fish at the bottom of these big tides and just after the turn, Poling the mud flat yesterday we would come up on schools of laid up fish at slack tide in less then two feet of water, some fish would be wondering around feeding, our problem was getting a clean cast where the fish where we had lot's of floating weeds from some of the biggest tides of the year and the big wind from the past few days, So yes the fish and bait are around- work the bottom of the tides and be freaking stealthy as you can, and even if you line a fish strip like hell- sometimes they will turn and pounce on it. Look for some stable weather SW winds and average tides to really turn things back on !!!

Open Dates for July 2009
AM 14, ,19, 29 PM call for fishy tides
Capt Eric Wallace
207-671-4330

Maine Striper Fishing Report, June 19, 2009

2009-06-19T04:31:00.000-07:00

June 19 Striper fishing report, Maine's Casco Bay
After a couple just outstanding trips this week, the weather is looking to go to S@#t for a few days.If this past week is an indicator, we are really in for one hell of a striper fishing season in Maine this year,it's seems like every where we go we see fish, very full happy fish not always wanting to eat the first fly you throw at them, but they are here!!!! and you can work out a few fish in each area.

Cracking the no blitz code

We had some small tides this week, witch was good and bad, first off it aloud the flats to hold enough water to fish real good right through the peak sun, for some great sight fishing on wednesday,the down side was the fish stayed up for a shorter time during the lower light surface action. Most likly due to the small tides I'll take the good on that any-day.

The guys who are poling or working the flats real slow, guides and non guides are so stoked on how many fish they are seeing,but some are getting frustrated getting the fish the eat, well first off the fish are so dam full they are going to be a little more suspect of your offering. A few thing to try even thought there are some very large fish to target, drop your leader down to 10-12 lb, and really try to limit your boat noise, these fish have no reason to stay up on the flat they can go anywhere and find food right now, as well the water temps are good throughout the bay, so be freakin quite and stay away from other anglers no need to crowd each other this year, there lots fish from the Kennebec to the cape,

The Eat

White and pink Hollows in the sun have done well, so have Black in the post rain water, 5-7 inch long, even when there just ton's of food - standing out a little often get's it done, there's ton's of mac's blitzing on small bait and striper feeding on the same small bait, often leaving the mac's alone, small olive and white mush mouth style flies have pick up a few nice fish, and two of the largest fish I herd of the week, one from the beach and one from a flats skiff where both taken on olive crabs,so as stripers do - they eat it all,just give them the right presentation!!

If your looking to fish give a call, some good tides are open in July and Aug
Capt.Eric Wallace
207-671-4330

Maine Striper fishing reports

2009-06-13T08:08:00.000-07:00

Maine Stripers on a Casco Bay flat.

From Soggy weather blitzes to sunny weather sight fishing the last two week have just been a ton of fun for us here in Maine, I started my Maine striper fishing season sight fishing sand flats in late May? this is a first for me.I have scouted these flats the last 8 years from a poling platform and this year was the first I have seen them there this early!! when some cloudy weather killed the sun we started fishing Casco Bay, witch was already having very good reports from other Capt's and fishy locals.

My first guide day on Casco Bay was June 3 and in our first hour we land over ten slot size fish, it turned off quickly after the sun pop out mid morning. The Bay has really continue to fish very well, there is a ton of big bait in the rivers, the alewife run was good ,now the Blue Back Herring have poured into the rivers as well, Mackerels are blitzing all over the place on the small atlantic herring juvies-and swarms of sand eels are drifting in as well,water temp is 57 and warming into the lower 60 's on the flats,pretty much perfect conditions and just a ton better than the last few years, Fish size is a mixed bag I had Crosby Bean of Hardy rods and reels out on Thurs, within fifty feet and 5 cast we landed a 9 inch striper and a 34 this was 15th fish over 30 landed this year on flies so far on my boat and the reports from Capt John Ford of Portland Guide Service he is seeing similar fish sizes as well, we are excited to have so many big fish around but really excited to see the little guys for the first time in a few season in any numbers. Some other reports from the area has the kennebec coming alive, Peter Fallon of Maine Stripers, reports having some good fishing when the weather was stable and is looking forward to a good season on the Kennebec as some beach angler have already caught fish off of Popham.

The Portland Area south has plenty of fish, I have a passion for Stand up Paddle surfing and not only do I use it for surfing but also for scouting and chasing tailing fish while i'm in the Keys in the winter, Well I just got off the water at Higgins beach there was tons of Micro Bait and we had bass all over under neath us. It should be a good one!!!!!!

Capt Eric Wallace

207-671-4330

www.coastalflyangler.com

Maine - Cape Cod - FL Keys

Maine Striper Fishing Reports

2009-06-05T18:05:00.000-07:00

Well-Wow thing are off to a great start here in Maine!!! the fish are showing and we are having a great early season for us,
Ive been doing trips in Maine and Mass from May 21 on and it's just getting better by the day!!! so get out there and look forward to an much better season the last year. I'm keeping this report short, I helped with the flyfishing film tour in Portland last night and had a trip this Morning. A few emails came in today, looking for June dates- I have the 13 of June open then the next open date is July 11 th. drop a line if your looking to fish I can hook you up with some great guides or fish an evening half day if the tides are right.

Also check out the comments on last week Blog from anglers fishing the New Meadows

Capt.Eric Wallace
207-671-4330

Maine Striper Fishing Reports, June 1, 2009

2009-05-31T16:04:00.001-07:00

Water Temps
Buzzard Bay 56--Mass Bay--53---Casco Bay--53-- Kennebec--47

Open Dates Call 207-671-4330

Things are starting to move along in southern Maine,, area’s in Casco Bay are holding fish, but the best fishing in Maine this past week was on the Piscataqua where reports of 25-30 inch stripers surface feeding on the small juvi herring, On the sunny days I've done 4 trips on the sand flats, yes sight fishing in May in Maine ? lovin it !!! a week ago we where seeing lot's of fish on the incoming tides on the sand flats, Casco Bay had reports of a few fish caught, now the sand flats are showing fewer fish but we did get some shots at a few very large bass in the skinny on saturday, mean while anglers in Casco Bay are starting to picking up more fish, some nice fish in the Saco also the shad fishing has been hot at times!! Looking forward I'm hoping for a big push of fish in the next few days we have the bait and the water temps.

Maine Striper Fishing Reports 2009

2009-05-23T16:41:00.000-07:00

Cathy Beck casting to skinny water Stripers on Maine's Casco Bay

Stripers are Here
Many of you have asked me to drop a line when something good is happening on the water, well here it is. Yes, Cape Cod and Rhode Island are fishing well, but the real story is the Merrimack River to the estuaries near Portland, Maine! After a few scouting runs, I was willing to fish one of my repeat anglers and after what we experienced he's coming back for more the first week of June. Give me a call if you want to get out there, (207) 671-4330.

We started on an incoming tide but the fish were on the move and even with a quick cast and a good angle they just ripped past. No leans or love on the incoming. After the tide turned it got bright around 11am and we saw some pushes along the banks and in the deeper channels. I poled up-current in about 3 feet of water on a sandy bottom so my angler could cast into the deeper channels. Then we started to see fish right under us on the sand flat in the sun in Maine in May! I was in heaven! We worked on these fish about and hour or so, bringing in some nice ones. There’s something special about this after what we’ve seen the last two years----keep um coming!

The Fly Fishing Film Tour
This national festival is playing in Portland, Maine at the Asylum on Thursday, June 4, at 7pm. Hosted by Flies and Fins and sponsored by The Drake magazine, Sage Fly Rods, Patagonia, Scientific Anglers and others, The Fly Fishing Film Tour showcases some of the best cutting edge fly fishing films to date. There will be a pre- and post-show party with appetizers, beer from local brewing companies and outstanding shorts from 406 Productions, World Angling and Flies and Fins, to midnight.

Striper Tournament
Looking ahead, the Royal River Catch and Release Striper Tournament is set for Sept 12-13, 2009 with cash prizes for fly and a Captain/Angler pre-party at the Royal River Grill House. See www.royalriverstriper.com and feel free to e-mail if you’re looking for guides for the tournament.

Maine Striper Fishing Reports 2009

2009-05-22T19:30:00.000-07:00

Food and Warm Flats, 2009 is off to a very good Striper Season!!!!!

Portland Maine Fly Fishing Reports 2009

2009-05-05T21:55:00.000-07:00

A perfect way to start off the 2009 Striper fly Fishing Season in Maine.

Rhode Island and Cape Cod are turning on!!!! some great reports and some not so, it seems the guy's in the know have been finding the warmer water and have had some active days. Looking ahead if water warms the Late May worm hatches could be fun we all know how silly the bass get over these sworms,Maine's water temp's are not to far off from the cape's we are ahead in temp they are behind so let's hope the fish move through the bait and move up in better number than last year.

Open Dates as of May 2009
Call For Late May Date 207-671-4330
Dates Casco Bay June 6 10,11,13, =
Dates Casco Bay July 6 11,12,15-18
Dates Casco Bay August 8,9 13.14 Call for Mid -Late August openings
Dates Casco Bay Sept Update Soon
Dates Maine/ Cape Cod Oct 4-10 and 16-20 open

The Fly Fishing Film Tour, Hosted by, www.fliesandfins.com sponsored by The Drake magazine, Sage Fly Rods, Scientific Anglers, Patagonia, among others, is touring the country this spring and early summer, showcasing some of the most cutting edge fly fishing films to date. The festival is playing in Portland, Maine at the Asylum on Thursday, June 4, at 7pm. There will also be a pre- and post-show party with appetizers, beer from local brewing companies and some outstanding shorts from 406 Productions, World Angling and Flies and Fins, 7pm to midnight.

Tickets for the festival are $15 for adults (21 and over only). For more info on the Fly Fishing Film Tour, and to see trailers of the films that will be showing, check out the website: www.flyfishingfilmtour.com or contact Eric Wallace by email, eric@coastalflyangler.com, or phone, 207-671-4330.

"The focus of this tour is to showcase the talent of these filmmakers, raise some money for various conservation groups and provide fly-fishers an evening of entertainment," says organizer Tom Bie. "It may also be the only legitimate chance for thousands of lonely fly-tyers to actually get a date."

Film Lineup

. "Drift" -- Sweeps across the flats of Belize and the Bahamas to spey
casting on Oregon's Deschutes River and exotic rivers in Kashmir, India.
10-minute and 18-minute segments.

. "Nervous Water" -- Four groups of anglers, each obsessed with the fish
they love, chase brown trout, rainbows, redfish and marlin. 18 minutes.

. "Eastern Rising" -- Felt Soul Media founders Ben Knight and Travis Rummel,
who did the Bristol Bay documentary "Red Gold," offer a fly-fishing
excursion from Bristol Bay to the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia. 9 minutes.

. "Red Gold" -- A fishing segment from the "Red Gold" documentary. 9 minutes.

. "Bass: The Movie" By Jamie Howard-- Pits a fly-rod angler versus a
conventional angler in a bass hotspot. Who will win? 5 minutes.

. "Rivers of a Lost Coast" -- Led by fly-fishing gypsy Bill Schaadt, a cult
of California coastal fly-fishermen revolutionized their sport and redefined
their lives. 5 minutes.

. "Great White North" -- An MTV-style video that uses creative camera angles
to highlight steelhead and trout fishing in the Northwest and British
Columbia. 10 minutes.

. "Soul Fish" -- A teaser from a recently released film by California
filmmaker Mikey Weir features footage from Mongolia, Brazil, Florida Keys,
Christmas Island, Louisiana and Belize. 5 minutes.

. "Drum" -- Filmmakers take you inside the mind of the Holeman Brothers and
their relentless quest for big redfish in the character-filled community of
Hopedale, La. 9 minutes.

. "Raising the Ghost" -- Finding steelhead in a remote stretch of British
Columbia is hard enough. But finding ones that will chase a dead-drifted dry
fly? Nearly impossible. 5 minutes.

Fly Fishing Film Tour Summary
When: 7 p.m. June 4th., doors open a half-hour before the show.
Where: Asylum, 121 Center St Portland ME Cost: $15, 21+
Length: 90 minutes plus shorts and live music
Prizes: Among the many door prizes is entry in a grand prize drawing for a trip to Belize, Fly Rods and Patagonia gear.
Tickets/More Info: Go to www.flyfishingfilmtour.com or follow the buzz at www.fliesandfins.com

Maine Striper Fishing Reports, Summer 2009

2009-04-23T12:32:00.000-07:00

Early Season Blitz Casco Bay Maine

Capt. Greg Snow just sent in this report for Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island, thought I would pass it along. Full Northeast fishing reports coming next week.
———
Thank the Lord, Spring is here! Easter is gone and Mother’s Day is fast approaching. The dogwoods are in full bloom and the Forsythias are dropping theirs. The water temps have skyrocketed into the fifties and Ospreys have set up shop on their marshy perches. These are the signs we look for this time of year to tell us that the Stripers are making their way up beautiful Narragansett Bay. Oh and guess what… They’re here! The upper bay is full of fat, healthy, fresh bass in the 20″ to 30″ range with some 35″ being caught as well. The bay is stuffed with hearing, bunker, squid, and spawning Mantis Shrimp. The fish are aggressively blasting small topwater plugs, small soft plastics, shrimp and squid flies. The next 3 weeks should be something special. It will only get better as the water gets a little warmer and the bait continues to funnel in. I am so looking forward to a stellar spring run before I relocate Snowfly Charters out to Block Island come mid June. Until next time. Screaming reels and roaring tides.

Maine Striper Fishing 2009 reports

2009-03-25T06:34:00.000-07:00

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Maine Shallow Water Striped Bass fishing Feature.April 2009

Check out the April 2009 Saltwater Sportsman- Inshore Issue, There is a featured article on Maine Striper Fishing on the flats of lower-western Casco Bay
Pages 34-39

Fish for stripers the unconventional way — on the flats of Casco Bay.
April 14, 2009
By John Frazier (More of the article at (saltwatersportsman.com)

Stealth
As any flats-fishing junkie knows, a stealthy boat is a successful boat. Striper fishing in Maine is no different, and that goes for everything from poling to presentation. The water temperature averages about 60 to 65 degrees, which is perfect to keep fish happy and active. When we encountered the big fish on the sand, Wallace instructed me to put a sock in it — I was so excited to see those big fish in only a foot of water, I was rambling like a child. Such skinny water also means you need to pay special attention to your baits. When fly-fishing, long leaders (up to 12 feet) are in order, as are unweighted flies. Spinning tackle calls for the same — light leaders with either live crabs or soft-plastic jerk baits to minimize the splashdown and increase your odds. When you make your presentation, try to lead fish as much as possible, and make your cast in front of and beyond the fish. When you think you are leading the fish too far, lead it a couple more feet. The fish are less likely to spook if the drift of your offering has a more natural appearance and time to get down to the fish's eye level.

I'll Be Back
I'll never forget the first time I ever threw a fly at a tarpon — my knees were wobbling something fierce. That was a long time ago, and I never thought I'd be able to recreate that sensation until I found myself on the deck with four 30-pound-plus stripers lazily cruising by in 2 feet of water. Just like that first tarpon, these fish didn't eat, either. But they left me with a void that I'll need to fill. And the only way to do that is to return to the shallow flats of Casco Bay, Maine.

SWS PLANNER

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WHAT: While stripers are the main draw, fishing for laid-up bluefish is another scenario anglers might witness on the flats of Casco Bay. Throwing poppers to these voracious feeders when they are stationary is a blast and quite different from fishing for them when they are schooling.

WHERE: Although there are several airports that are in close proximity to Casco Bay, the most convenient is Portland. Rent a car at the airport and head north to Freeport, which is a great spot for couples. Bed-and-breakfast type inns are aplenty and are well suited for anglers and shoppers alike.

Applewood Inn
207.865.9705
www.applewoodusa.com

Chebeague Island Inn
207.846.5155
www.chebeagueislandinn.com

Coastal Fly Angler
Capt. Eric Wallace
207.671.4330
www.coastalflyangler.com

Don't forget to Save the Date June 4 for Fly Fishing Film Fest in Portland.This is the perfect way to start off the Maine Striper Fishing Season. Some Great raffle Items are coming in, from High end rods to Guide trips and endless swag!!

Fl Keys Reports

2009-03-22T15:42:00.000-07:00

Key West Fishing Report
Updated fishing reports for the flats and offshore

May 7, 2009

The weather is just getting better every day here in the Lower Keys. Sunshine and lighter winds are starting to prevail which means the tarpon should start moving on the flats a little better in the coming days. Last week was tough with high winds and some cloud cover but we managed to get a few fish to the boat and jump a couple others.

Bonefishing is phenominal right now. The bonefish range from 5- to 8- pounds in our back yard on Sugarloaf Key. They are a great fighting fish and are a lot of fun if you just want to take a break from the mighty tarpon.

There are still some permit on the flats but they are smaller right now because the majority of permit are still offshore on the wrecks and rock piles spawning. There are some bigger permit around but few and far between.

I still have some available dates around July 4 weekend for tarpon, bonefish and permit. July is a perfect time to target the slam. August and September are also great months for relaxed fishing as the boating pressure diminishes greatly by then.

You can reach Captain Justin Rea at 305-744-0903 or email justin@flyfishingthekeys.com

Maine Striper Fishing / FL Keys

2009-03-11T12:03:00.000-07:00

Maine Striper Fishing Date 2009

I'm in the FL Keys until Late April then it's off to Cape Cod, There is a few days left open between the 15-30 of May for fishing the Cape. As for Maine here is what is open as of today thru July 4, Will update April 1st, The best bet is to Call for bookings 207-671-4330 and I will return your call as soon as I'm of the water.

Remember June 4th for the Fly Fishing film tour in Portland Maine,Hosted by Flies and fins.
More Info Soon, PS fishing in the keys has been real good.

**********Cinder Worm Workshop ‘09**********
Kettle Pond Visitor Center and Ninigret Refuge, RI

Observe one of nature’s fascinating spring rituals. Witness thousands of cinder worms as they wiggle their way to the surface performing their spring mating dance. Quietly wade the protected coves of Ninigret Pond on a warm spring evening. See the beauty of a sunset over tranquil water. Now listen to the sound of silence as it is interrupted by dozens of surface feeding stripers. Finally, fish for those stripers using the tiny cinder worm flies you tied yourself. This isn’t some kind of fisherman’s dream? It’s reality and it can happen to you.

The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service in partnership with RI D.E.M. is organizing a Cinder Worm Workshop. There will be two weekday evening classes in fly tying instruction on cinder worm patterns and one weekend evening of fly fishing. We would like to have everyone attend both workshops, but you also have the option to pick just one.

Fly Tying Instruction - Kettle Pond Visitor Center on May 5th, and 19th between the hours of 6:30 – 8:30 pm.

Fly Fishing - Ninigret Refuge (entrance through Ninigret Park) on May 30 begins at 4:00 pm and we will fish the worm swarm till dark. Introduction to practical rigging and casting instruction will be covered for those that need additional assistance. Fly Fishers will then fish the coves of Grassy Point area of Ninigret Refuge. (We don’t guarantee the weather or the fish but past experiences have shown that this is prime time for the worm mating season.)

This program is open to any adult or child over the age of 15 regardless of skill level. Instruction and guidance will be provided by some of the area’s most knowledgeable worm fishermen. All fly tying materials will be provided. We encourage the use of personal equipment, but RIDEM Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Aquatic Resource Education program will also provide the necessary fishing and fly tying equipment (other than waders)) for beginners and entry level registrants. Pre-registration is required.

For further information and registration contact:
Chuck Bullington – (401) 364-9124, ext. 44 or Charles_bullington@fws.gov

Maine Striper Fishing Reports. 2009

2009-02-24T11:23:00.000-08:00

Another nice 2008 skinny water bass that ate a crab pattern,fishing the mud and eel grass flats on Maine's Casco Bay.

More Bull S#!T from the Commercial Striped Bass Crowd.

Representative Richard Roy of Milford, CT has introduced
HB #5506 which would overturn CT’s long-standing game fish law and make it legal to commercially fish for striped bass in CT! This would certainly be a blow that striped bass don’t need, and it would make it much more difficult to finally achieve the coast-wide game fish status for striped bass that Stripers Forever is working towards with its Massachusetts game fish bill.

We understand this bill has been introduced largely to reduce the number of striped bass in CT waters so that they will not eat all the lobsters. According to a 1999 study by the Univ. of Conn. the lobster population crashed from record high numbers – that coincided with record numbers of striped bass – because the waters of the Sound became too warm.

We urge all CT anglers to do their utmost to defeat this bill. Send Representative Roy both an e-mail, a postal letter, and make a phone call to his office today. His name in paragraph one above is a link that will provide complete contact information. Let him know that you live in CT, that this bill will be very harmful to the sport that you love and to the recreational industry in CT that depends on good striped bass fishing. Tell him that you want him to withdraw this legislation today.

Here are some talking points if you want to say or write more:
1. The striped bass are already under too much pressure. Fishing quality is already substantially worse than it was 5 or especially 10 years ago. This is reducing fishing participation and harming the guiding and tackle industry.
2. Commercial fishing has been shown to create an illegal market in addition to the legal one that puts far more pressure on the resource than planned.
3. The State of Connecticut has no commercial quota for striped bass and any such quota would have to therefore come by reducing the current recreational season and/or bag limits which are already very restrictive by historical standards. In 2003 CT had 473,000 marine anglers, 212,000 of whom primarily targeted striped bass. This legislation would be unfair to them since it would give a very few people a disproportionate share of a scarce public resource.
4. Professionally produced socio-economic studies have shown that recreational use of this resource is many times more valuable than commercial sale in terms of economic activity, taxes generated, and jobs created.
5. The State of Connecticut has a strong warning against regularly consuming striped bass taken from Long Island Sound. These fish should not be sold to consumers.
6. The University of Connecticut has determined that the lobster problem is due to water temperature issues and not predation by striped bass. Before warming temperatures in the late 1990s record numbers of both lobsters and striped bass coexisted in the Sound.
7. Since 1980 Maine, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and New Jersey have made striped bass a game fish protected from the pressures of commercial fishing. Legislation is now pending in MA to accomplish the same thing in that state because of the points made here. CT should not overturn years of positive precedent in the conservation of striped bass.

Remember: E-mail, and Write, and Phone Call!

What else can you do in addition? If you are as upset with this as we are, take the same steps above with your local legislator – and if you know them by all means go see them – explain your concerns, and ask them to help you convince Rep. Richard Roy to withdraw this legislation as soon as possible. You can find your CT legislator at this link.

Also, forward this e-mail to all of your fishing friends. Ask them to do the same thing and to go to the Stripers Forever website and become a member – free as always – so that we can help them stay on top of this issue too.

While we urge you to use your own words, please…do not be insulting or negative towards commercial fishing or to Representative Roy. Dwell on the facts above and the benefits of a robust recreational fishery for striped bass.

Richard.Roy@cga.ct.gov

Link to the bill:
http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=HB05506&which_year=2009
Reply to LoganReport
Reply

(Maine Striper Fishing on the Mud Flats of Casco Bay near Freeport) (Photo Becks)

FREEPORT, ME. March 2009--Some of the biggest names in the history of fishing will be at L.L.Bean on March 21-22 for L.L.Bean's annual Spring Fishing Expo. These "Legends of Fishing" will be available at the store from 10:00am to 4:00pm Saturday and Sunday to visit with customers, share stories, sign autographs, books and more.

"We are thrilled to have talent of this caliber in one place at one time," said Ken Kacere, Senior VP and General Manager of Retail. "And we're excited to be giving our customers, especially the little ones, the opportunity to talk face-to-face with some of the biggest names the fishing world has ever seen."

In addition, during the weekend, 5% of all fishing gear and apparel sales will go to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Hooked on Fishing, Not Drugs program.

Featured celebrity fly tyers include David Klausmeyer, Bob Popovics, Mike Martinek and Ted Rogowski. Other weekend highlights include free fly-casting lessons, kids' activities, and a variety of demonstrations, clinics and seminars including presentations by Harry Vanderweide, as well as several L.L.Bean experts. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife will also be conducting a special panel discussion on all things related to fishing in Maine. Special promotions include 20% off all rods, reels, outfits and waders. All event activities are free. For more information, please visit www.llbean.com/events, or call 800-559-0747, ext. 37222.

L.L.Bean, Inc. is a leading retailer of quality outdoor gear and apparel. Founded in 1912 by Leon Leonwood Bean, the company began as a one-room operation selling a single product, the Maine Hunting Shoe. While its business has grown substantially, L.L.Bean still upholds the values of its founder and continues his dedication to quality, customer service and a love of the outdoors.

# # #
Contact: Mac McKeever, 207-552-6078, emckeever@llbean.com

Maine Striper fishing Reports. 2009

2009-02-17T18:51:00.000-08:00

A customer of mine emailed me this facebook chat, I thought it was good.
Check out www.fliesandfins.com Great website

'm not lettin' "The Guides" .. Get away with this one, "Dealing With Difficult Guests" too easy! (http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=45200683261&topic=6504) ... No way! How about the FISHERMAN? The guys who PAY the BILL? We deserve a voice! I've been on many guided trips (and for the sake of discussion, i will exclude all of the occassions of fishing with my friends that are guides .. and am just referring to guides that have been hired for money) ... I'd like to hear honest input from other fly fisherman as to what they see as being a GOOD guided experience and a BAD guided experience. I'll kick it off with my thoughts.

THE GOOD Vs. BAD GUIDE EXPERIENCE

1. No complaining by the guide, I don't want to pay for someone to tell me "oh boy its windy, cold, hot, too this, too that, its gonna be touch, shoulda been here last week, i'm not sure about today, etc" .. I know when times are tough, THE USUALLY ARE, so a good guide is positive and doesn't guarantee fish .. but at the same time doesn't make me feel like I am at a funeral.

2. WORKS hard to get me fish. You can't fake it ..you either have the passion or you don't. no inbetween. period. I've been with guides that seem to want to catch me fish more than i want to myself .. and i have been out with guides who are looking at their wrist watch every 45 minutes just waiting for the end of the day so they can get paid. I didn't sign up or pay for a BOAT RIDE and let's take florida for example .. I have been out in the everglades (without mentioning names) with many professional guides .. one of them will literally CUT DOWN MANGROVES to get us to spots .. and another will literally pole around a cove that's within a rocks throw from the dock because he doesn't want to burn the fuel. And even when he's poling around .. i feel like i am on some sort of scenic tour with my wife .. definately NOT fishing. So, a good guide .. in my opinion .. either has the passion or doesn't .. period.

3. Talks about himself and all of his accomplishments. If I wanted to pay to listen to someone blow hot air over their lips about all that they know and all the awards they have won and all of their big accomplishments and tournaments that they have won etc... I could just watch ESPN on saturday morning. In my opinion the best guides do very little talking and if they talk the ask questions .. It sounds crazy .. but the BEST guide I have ever been with (the same dude who CUTS DOWN MANGROVES) is the ONLY guide who ever ASKED me questions about myself .. rather than told me all about themselves ... I will never forget that .. and it stood out to me because that's how rare it is.

4. Cheap vs. Expensive - All guided trips are expensive .. NOBODY WANTS to pay 550 for a day of guiding in florida .. but that's roughly the price .. and if you want to catch some nice fish in let's say the marquesses .. you ain't wading out there .. so you gotta pay .. and you get what you pay for .. So, If a HIGHER PRICE by 100 bucks or whatever ensures me being in the hands of a FISHING GUIDE and not a tour guide .. than i will gladly pay .. because at this point .. what's the difference? .. Conversely .. if some dude is $300 bucks .. you gotta wonder why ... does his boat suck? does he suck? does he not know the fishery? why would he be so cheap? .. Point being THE PRICE IS THE PRICE and as long as the price is within reason (and maybe even a few bucks higher rather than lower) and i feel as though i am getting a true FISHING guide ... than I'll pay it .. and i will tip well.

5. It's not my HONOR to fish with you. I don't know any other business where there is this unsaid thing about .. you feel indebted to "THE GUIDE" .. I am PAYING .. granted I am not expected to be pampered to .. infact, i don't want your silly sandwich and chips or whatever .. let's face it .. I am PAYING TO FISH .. not eat balogne on the side of the river .. I could do that myself .. And in no other service orientated business .. is there this kind of ever present somewhat "arrogance" about the CUSTOMER PAYS and then FEELS like its an honor for him to do so .. F* that!! ... Its mutual respect ... its not a priveledge for you to guide me and not a priveledge for me to have you as my guide ... its a simple matter of good business .. a good guide is able to work beyond his ego .. and recognize that he might be the "master" of his domain in his part of the world and THAT IS very commendable and very respected usually by the guy on the bow .. but the guide needs to realize that the guy on the bow is not some sort of clown just because he doesn't know the one little region of the world in which the guided trip is taking place .. put a tarpon guide on a steelhead river and visa versa ..and all of a sudden the guide is a bozo ... so, a good guide and a good customer both recognize that how much/little each respectively know .. and that ultimately, what they both collectively know .. in the big scheme of things .. adds up to .. NOT MUCH AT ALL.

Finally - A good guide .. feels like a friend .. and works with you like a team .. and when the trip is over .. you feel GOOD .. and that is something that can't be trained or learned or taught in guide school .. at the end of the trip .. did the guide make you feel GOOD. if so, its a good guide .. if not .. find another.
Reply to FliesReport

Maine Striper Fishing Reports. Capt Eric Wallace

2009-02-15T06:44:00.000-08:00

*** SPECIALS UPDATED FEBRUARY 12, 2009 *** Contact Capt.Eric Wallace for more info 207-671-4330

JUST ANNOUNCED! TURNEFFE FLATS 2-FOR-1 PROMOTION FEB. 21-28 (Turneffe Atoll, Belize)
Just announced! Turneffe will be offering an unheard of prime season 2-anglers-for-the-price-of-one-single-angler deal for the week of February 21-28, 2009. Instead of a cost of $4,114.00 per angler, two anglers can now book for the low price of $2,573.00 per person. This is a savings of more than $1500.00 per person! Contact Coastal Fly Angler today for available dates and details.207-671-4330

50% DISCOUNT ON NOMADS OF THE SEAS TRIPS (Puerto Montt, Chile)
An unheard of discount with the most high-end, unique outfitter in all of South America. We are offering HALF OFF of week-long, all-inclusive packages, and the overall prices for the trip have been reduced from $8000-$10,000 per person! This specials is good for the departure dates of:
March 14, 2009
April 4, 2009
Visit our Nomads of the Seas page on our website for more details and information, or contact Yellow Dog's Jim Klug for more details.

PESCA MAYA LODGE (Ascension Bay - Yucatan, Mexico)
NEW SPECIALS JUST ADDED! Pesca Maya - already one of the best values in the Caribbean - is offering an additional discount of $585.00 per person for the following week:
March 7 - 14, 2009
Rates have been reduced from $3085.00 per person for a 7 night / 6 fishing day, all-inclusive package to $2500.00 per person! (Double occupancy).This is PRIME TIME in Ascension Bay and considered peak season for bonefish, permit, tarpon and more. Contact Yellow Dog's Bob Meade for more information.

BAIR'S BONEFISH LODGE (South Andros Island, Bahamas)
Just announced! A reduction of $750.00 per person for the week of February 15-20, 2009. One of the finest lodges on all of Andros Island. Prices have been reduced from $3250.00 to only $2500.00 per person! Contact Ian Davis at Yellow Dog for details.

CASA BLANCA & PLAYA BLANCA LODGES (Yucatan, Mexico)
NEW SPECIALS JUST ANNOUNCED! Casa Blanca Lodge and Playa Blanca Lodge, two of the finest fishing operations in the Caribbean, are offering an unheard of prime season special in February. For the week of February 28 - March 7, 2009 at BOTH Casa Blanca AND Playa Blanca, rates have been reduced to $2945.00 per person, including the in-country private air charter! (Normal List Price: $3545.00 per person). SAVE $600.00! Contact Yellow Dog's Bob Meade for more information.

Maine and Cape Cod Striper Fishing and Lodging Packages Call Capt Eric Wallace 207-671-4330

CROOKED ISLAND LODGE (Crooked Island, Bahamas)
Crooked Island Lodge - one of the most remote operations in the Bahamas - is offering a $500.00 Discount off the cost of a full week of fishing for the entire 2009 season! Prices have been reduced for the already low rate of $2995.00 per person to only $2500.00 per person! This discount applies to all prime-season fishing weeks for 2009. SAVE $500! Contact Ian Davis at Yellow Dog for details.

TURNEFFE FLATS LODGE FREE* AIRFARE PROMOTION (Turneffe Atoll, Belize)
Just announced! Turneffe is offering a "fishing package rebate" of $500.00 for all trips booked for the dates of January 31 - June 27, 2009. Book a standard fishing package and receive a $500.00 discount, which can be applied to the cost of your airfare to Belize City! (We've found a lot of round trip tickets lately from major U.S. cities to Belize for $500.00 or less). Normal price of a full week of fishing (including taxes) is $4114.00 per person. With this special, the price has been reduced to $3614.00 per person - a savings of $500.00! Additional rebates are being offered for dive packages ($300.00 per person) and Atoll Adventrues packages ($200.00 per person). These dive and A.A. rebates are available through December 19, 2009. Contact Coastal Fly Angler today for available dates and details. (207-671-4330)

STAFFORD CREEK LODGE (Andros Island, Bahamas)
For the first time in history, Stafford Creek Lodge is offering a $750.00 Discount off the cost of a full week of fishing. This is a discount on fall-season fishing slots. Normal week-long fishing packages have been reduced by $750.00. Applicable for all dates in September 2009. Good for groups of 4 anglers only.
Our Price: $3999.00 per person (Normal List Price: $4749.00 per person) SAVE $750! Contact Capt.Eric Wallace 207-671-4330

ALASKA'S NO SEE UM LODGE (Kvichak - Bristol Bay Region, Alaska)
One of the top fishing lodges in all of Alaska, with a standard price of $8000 per week. Fantastic disounts of $3000.00 per person for the following weeks:
June 8 -15, 2009 (Currently 8 spots available @ $5000 per person)
September 21-28, 2009 (Currently 7 spots available @ $5000 per person)
Never have we seen these kinds of discounts for prime fishing weeks at at a lodge this good. Similar disounts are available for four additional weeks (listed below). Please contact Yellow Dog's Robert Boyce for exact pricing and details. Additional weeks are:
June 15- 22, July 13- 20, July 27- August 3 and September 7- 14, 2009

ANDROS ISLAND BONEFISH CLUB REDUCES RATES FOR 2009 SEASON!
Andros Island Bonefish Lodge has just announced that they will be slashing their 2009 rates and returning all rates for the 2009 to last year's 2008 rates! This will result in a saving of $600.00 per person for a full week of fishing! New Price: $3145.00 per person. (Normal List Price: $3745.00 per person). SAVE $600.00! Contact Yellow Dog's Ian Davis for details.

EL PESCADOR LODGE SUMMER 2-FOR-1 PROMOTION BEGINS JUNE 1 (Ambergris Caye, Belize)
Belize's El Pescador Lodge in Ambergris Caye will once again be offering their 2-anglers-for-the-price-of-one-single-angler deal beginning June 1, 2009 and good for all trips June 1 - December 15, 2009. Instead of a cost of $3,295.00 per angler, two anglers can now book for the low price of $2,500.00 per person based on double occupancy. This is a savings of $800.00 per person! Book today to reserve prime dates and the best guides. Contact Yellow Dog today for available dates and details.

THE INN AT ROBERT'S GROVE (Placencia, Belize)
The Inn at Robert's Grove, one of the nicest full-service resorts in all of Belize, is offering a $300.00 disount per couple on all packages of five days or more booked before February 28, 2009 for travel at any time in the coming year. Whatever your package ends up being (for five or more days,) take $150.00 per person off the total cost. Contact Yellow Dog today for available dates and details.

ALASKA'S RAINBOW POINT LODGE (Illiamna Region, Alaska)
One of top lodges in all of Alaska is currently offering a major special for all trips booked in August of 2009. Price for a 6 night / 5 fishing day package has been reduced from $6995.00 to $4995.00 per person for the week. A SAVINGS OF $2000.00! The best deal that we've seen so far for anything in Alaska for 2009. Our Price: $4995.00 per person (Normal List Price: $6995.00 per person). SAVE $2000! Contact Robert Boyce at Yellow Dog for details.

TURNEFFE FLATS LODGE SUMMER 2-FOR-1 PROMOTION BEGINS JUNE 27 (Turneffe Atoll, Belize)
Just announced! Turneffe will once again be offering their 2-anglers-for-the-price-of-one-single-angler deal beginning June 27, 2009. Instead of a cost of $4,114.00 per angler, two anglers can now book for the low price of $2,573.00 per person. This is a savings of more than $1500.00! Offer is good on all trips taken between June 27 and December 19, 2009. Contact Yellow Dog today for available dates and details.
Posted by fish and ski at 6:59 PM 0 comments

Maine Striper Fishing Reports

2009-01-09T05:18:00.000-08:00

Bright Sky- Bright Stripes, off the sand flats.

Photo By Dave Skok

About The photo: About 4 years ago Dave Skok (many of you use his flies) and Steve Straq, Patagonia fishing product designer, and I spent a day chasing fish on the flats of Casco Bay often getting out of the boat and wading, and one of the comments that Steve said that day, that is so true!!: (A Crab Pattern is a special tool for flats Fishing for Striped Bass in Maine)

Crabs GET THEM!!!

Fishing a crab pattern requires some changes to the normal habits of the New England Striper angler. First off floating lines and longer leader are a must to do this right, the angler needs to be able to pick up the line quickly and re cast, I like a 8wt rod the Sage z axis and Scott x2s are great rods that load quick and tight .

Unless your in a crab hatch where the bass are feeding like nuts on tiny crabs drifting in the current. The name of the game is feeding the fish, here is where angling from a boat is a team effort, the fish you are casting too need to be spotted early!! the fish are often bigger and well fed using the warmer flats to digest.

Stripers on the flats spook very easy so the caster really needs to keep a low casting stroke and get the fly light and tight to the fish. Some fish will react to the fly quickly and some you need to work them with a very slow strips, Casting is key here and some flats are better fished from foot or as low a you can get down on the bow of the boat. Rod movement and fly lines whipping around, just spooks fish and all you will be casting at, are tails swimming away.
Trolling motors should be off well before you get on hard bottom clear water flats, and a good poler will set up the best shot for the angler working with the sun and tide movement.
Flies have come a long way quickly for shallow water striped bass fishing, there's a big crew of shore anglers from Portland to Cape Cod fishing the sand flats that have developed some great Crab and sand eel patterns that moved some large fish this past year. Over all Steve's Comments that day really held true this summer where you had to learn how to feed well fed happy fish.

Maine Striper Fishing Reports: Capt Eric Wallace

2008-12-21T18:59:00.000-08:00

Maine Striper Fishing Reports : Capt Eric Wallace

2008-11-25T20:19:00.001-08:00

(Damm A crowed day Striper Fishing Maine's Casco Bay)

Updated 1/5/09

Shallow Water Striped Bass flies: Fly tying class for Feb 28 is full Give Jim a call 207-363-9269 for waiting list.
See you there, Capt Eric

Well After a strange, but I would call it a fun Striper season From Cape Cod to Casco Bay , It's time to start looking forward to Spring fishing in the FL Keys early season Striper fishing on Cape Cod, and Summer on Maine’s Casco Bay, But meanwhile We have Tradeshows, Fly-tying classes and a Movie premiere,to keep you going until the next cast.

So first thing first , Happy holidays and hope you all have a safe and enjoyable holiday season, Enjoy your friends and family, and I know in the back of your mind your hoping for a new rod.
If you live in a place to cold to try rods at your local shop check out all the latest greatest at the following
Fly Fishing trade shows listed below. But be for-warned if your looking to try the New SAGE or SCOTT rods, these are just a few of the high-end venders who will NOT be at the Marlborough Mass show in 2009,

For the fly tiers out there I’ll be doing a Class on Shallow Water Striper flies for all you flat's anglers at the Eldredge fly shop in Cape Neddick on Feb 28, a few days before I leave for the keys so you may have to help keep me on tract and not wondering off tying tarpon and permit flies. Also take a look at the line up at Eldredge Fly Shop there is some great tiers and anglers tying down there once again this year and any class that fit’s your angling style would be worth the trip, remember these class have filled months ahead of time and often have waiting list, call the guys a Eldredge asap.(207-363-9269

January 9, 10, 11
Denver Merchandise Mart
Marlborough, MA
January 16, 17, 18
Royal Plaza
Somerset, NJ
January 23, 24, 25
Garden State Convention Center
Charlotte, NC

Maine Striper Fishing Reports:

2008-10-22T19:20:00.001-07:00

Striper fishing in Maine
A stunning visual journey, DRIFT combines the highest quality film production, world class flyfishing and an eclectic group of anglers to create the most definitive film about the sport to date
.
Please Drop us an E-mail if your interest in joining us for a Movie Night featuring Drift and other shorts, we are putting togeather the final dates and venues. This film-fest is for anglers by anglers we a looking to raise money for some local striper fishing issues here in Maine
Capt Eric Wallace 207-671-4330