The Fishin’ Hole BlogFish

The Blues are definately in the bay, but not in heavy numbers. The stripers have moved into the river and are FEASTING on herring. Just look for gulls hitting the water to gobble what the stripers are pushing up. In any of these bursts of feeding activity top water chug bugs are the thing to use. Otherwise, anything that looks like a fleeing herring will do.

It is with a heavy heart that I also report our friend Joey Carpenter passed away last weekend in a fly fishing accident off the rocks by basket and wood island. A quick slip on some rocks can turn a great day into a terrible one. Please, everyone be careful out there, take no chances and go back home to your family when the day of fishing is done. Even better, bring a friend for added safety and good company.

My appologies for not updating this sooner, we have ust been very busy. STRIPERS are definately in, Macks and possibly the blues are here as well. I have one report of a fisherman getting a hard hit and pulling in no terminal tackle.

I have also heard a rumor of a school or two of Pogies, if they are in, the blues are right after them for sure.

Saco river water levels are down and great for trout fly fishing. Tie anything that looks like a dragonfly for those bass, and some of the rainbows.

The water in most places is open, although a few have stubborn ice clinging on. Fishing is still slow however with chilly waters. Patience is key this time of year, and paying close attention to what is happening in and on the water.

Sebago should have salmon at all depths right now, so trolling flies will land a few.

The water in most places is open, although a few have stubborn ice clinging on. Fishing is still slow however with chilly waters. Patience is key this time of year, and paying close attention to what is happening in and on the water.

Sebago should have salmon at all depths right now, so trolling flies will land a few.

April first was open water fishing for Maine. The top of the dam has been broken out in Bar Mills and the water is high all down through the Saco River. Many of the brooks were still at a reasonable level, and most of the ponds and lakes are still blocked up with ice. 

Even though the lakes and ponds have this ice, none of it is in any condition to set foot on, and much of it is breaking up quickly. There are a few places here and there to stick a hook in, but the water is cold and fast, and the fish are slow. 

Skelton dam is a thundering torrent of water and just no place can be found to fish at all. Hang in there everyone, one or two weeks from now, you should be able to launch your boats, and cast your lines with some real hopes of seeing fish. 

The shop is now officially expanded and updated!!! New gear will be in on Saturday all ready for spring fishing.

The Fridge is loaded up with worms for only $2.60 per cup of 25, Saturday new Penn, Shimano, Rapala, Gary Yamamoto and more gear will be in and on the pegs.

The Fishin’ Hole also has its own T.V. Show on public access local channel 2! We will be filming weekly, the first of our episodes will be on tying ealry spring flies, and #2 should prove more exciting with some fly fishing on the Saco.

We still have some general cleaning up to do, and a little more organizing, but after many long hours, early mornings and late nights, we will be ready for spring this weekend!

As the season is closing, no local waters are completely safe for Ice fishing. Some have been hitting the ice at Lake Arrowhead, but these are locals, who know the waters very well, and stick to the shallow parts of the lake. 

April 1^st is officially opening day and the best and safest use of time would be to grease and oil reels, tie flies, and generally get ready for open water season. 

Spooling up fresh line and organizing tackle boxes will go a long way to satisfy that spring fishing itch. 

If the itch is simply too much to handle, the Saco river has plenty of open water now, but great care needs to be taken as snow is clinging to the banks, and over hanging the water. This can make for some nasty cold spills into fast moving waters. The best bet when approaching banks in the spring is to make sure your feet are on solid dry ground. That great spot will be there in a few weeks when all the snow has gone and can be approached safely. 

Good luck and tight lines. 

This week, Wednesday saw temps approaching 60 degrees, and well above 40 before that. That means Ice is melting. Even on local ponds and lakes with thick ice, the ice may not be of solid quality. Great care should be exercised when approaching ANY body of ice this time of year with temps like we have seen.

Most of the locals are thinking spring, and spring is well underway. April 1^st is officially open water season, but the Saco can be fished open water, year round. The biggest question everyone seems to be asking is what is the first fly to tie on?
Before the mayfly hatch expect to pull in trout on some of the classic nymph patterns, like Brassies, and pheasant tail nymphs. However, the best flies before the mayfly hatch in the past couple of years have been black foam beetles as soon as water beetles start swimming around and tiny black Midge dry flies in the 18 to 22 size range.

The river is finicky, and water levels can change quickly this time of year. The water temps are still cold and if you fall in hypothermia is a real threat. Tell someone where you are going and when you will return. Even better is to bring a friend with you!

Felt soles on the bottom of waders add great traction on slippery rocks, and a good wader belt can save your life.

As soon as water opens up on Sebago streamer flies trolled at all depths will bring in hungry Salmon warming up from the cold winter.

Good luck

And tight lines.

The Fishin’ Hole is going through some rennovations this week. Things might get a little messy, but we will still be open and have bait. Small-Med Shiners, and Suckers is about all we have left for live bait.

We are getting the shop ready for spering/summer season. We will be expanding the shop, having more hours, worms, crawlers. A WHOLE BUNCH of new gear, rods, reels, lures, everything!

There isn’t too much to report this week on the fishing front.

Warm temps and rain have made for some thinning ice, and very slushy conditions. The state wide tournament just about marks the end of the ice fishing season. Ice fishing carries on until March 31 though, so there is still some fishing to be done. Extreme caution should be used on the ice now however, as late season ice can be much less solid than early season ice.

The Saco River is starting to break up, and we have already seen a couple of fly rods out, getting dusted off, lubed up and prepared. Spring is not too far away and we will be waving a fond farewell to the 2008/2009 Ice season.

The Saco River can be fished year round, but approaching the river can be dangerous with slippery rocks, and moving ice. Some common sense and safety procedures will make sure you don’t fall in.