In all seriousness, regional rivers, brooks, and many small ponds are higher than spring run-off levels and brown as a Hershey bar. All remain unfishable and most will stay that way for a little while. Heavy topsoil erosion during torrential rains isn’t just tough on farm fields, the silty influx of dirt and various agricultural chemicals cloying the waterway is tough on the fish.
Persistent sportsmen still have a couple of angling options available however. Larger lakes, especially those surrounded by forest rather than agri-fields, remain high, but fairly clear and fishable. Since the warm water conditions cause trout and salmon to seek deep water and cooler thermoclines, lead-core line or downriggers are the only options to enjoy any regular action.
Since both styles of deep-dredging require special rods, lines, and of course a boat set to accommodate downrigger units, most anglers aren’t set up for this type of fishing. It’s not that difficult to buy the gear and equipment locally, but it’s not inexpensive. On the bright side, each and every summer when warm weather arrives, you will be all set up for deep water trolling.
Now I’ve done a good deal of downrigger fishing over the years, and it’s not my cup of tea. I’ll grant you it’s better than no fishing at all and some big trout, salmon, and togue are boated, but gear is heavy, cumbersome and the fight of the fish greatly reduced. Given the choice, I’ll stick to lighter equipment and top-water fishing whenever possible.
Having made that choice and considering current high water conditions, the only option is bass fishing. While the closest smallmouth waters require at least an hour’s drive, most aren’t affected by mud and debris, and high water conditions don’t slow down the smallie action. Also, area fishermen who spring troll or bait fish already have on hand all the spinning or bait casting rods and lures or plugs necessary.
Smallmouth bass fishing just continues to improve as the weather becomes warmer, unlike most other game fish, and even novice anglers and youngsters enjoy success. Casting Rapalas, plastic worm rigs, grubs and spinners, or even flys guarantees lots of acrobatic and aerobatic bronzeback battles. There’s something special about watching a three or four pound smallie explode on and engulf a topwater plug or popper.
Excellent waterways for smallmouth bass include Pleasant Lake in Island Falls and nearby Mattawamkeag Lake, where feisty pickerel longer than your forearm take baits as well. Baskahegan Lake smallies run 1- to 2-lbs. average, but it’s not uncommon to boat and release a couple of dozen during a half day outing. Crooked Brook Flowage and Upper and Lower Hot Brook Lakes near Danforth are easy to reach, require only a canoe or small boat to fish, and are plum full of bronzebacks.
If rivers are more to your liking, the Penobscot River in Medway and the St. John River in Fort Kent hold large populations of bass, offer multiple boat launch sites with plenty of parking and are simple to fish. Newcomers to either waterway need only drift or motor along the shoreline and cast baits to any rocks or other cover. Give special attention to coves and around creek inlets and especially along banks where reeds, rushes, or floating lily pads offer cover.
As much as I enjoy fly fishing for trout and salmon, hot, muggy weather yields slow results, add torrential rain leading to high, muddy water and a full week of fishing is lost. Bass casting is the perfect supplement when Mother Nature interferes. Multi, fairly close locations, cooperative quarry, simple gear and techniques, and fish that fight as if they were twice their actual size. Smallmouth bass are a blast.
