Aroostook anglers are still allotting a fair amount of time to trolling regional lakes, but action seems to be dwindling down on many waterways. On the bright side, regional rivers are receding to levels conducive to excellent trolling. There are only a handful of flowing waterways large enough for medium-size boats and large, stable canoes to troll along, and the perfect water levels last only about two weeks without some rain to prolong the effort.
The Aroostook River meanders from Masardis through roughly a dozen other towns and villages before exiting into Canada and it’s a trout paradise for anglers. Currently the water levels are perfect for trolling small lures and streamer flies and the brook trout are well spread out so action remains high along the entire waterway. Cool nighttime temperatures and moderate days help keep water temperatures reduced, making fish more aggressive and keeping water levels from ebbing too quickly.
Once warm weather depletes the river to wading depth, fish will begin to school up and head for deep holes and pools with spring seeps or cold brook inlets. The reduced water levels will also make it difficult to operate motors on many stretches of the river without banging bottom or dinging up expensive propellers on sub-surface rocks. Now is the time to visit regional rivers and enjoy fast fishing on the brook trout averaging eight to 15 inches and once in awhile a trophy in the 18-inch range.
Although most sportsmen troll both upriver and downriver, I seem to have the most consistent luck when I’m motoring with the current. When you do troll upriver, against the flow, go slowly to allow lures and flies to maintain realistic motion. Too fast and the baits lose their lifelike wobble and swimming motion. Another effective tactic is to troll in a serpentine route, slow, wide S-curves change fly path, depth and motion producing far more strikes than trolling in a straight line.
I favor size eight, six, and four, 3X long shank streamers for current water conditions, and I alternate between colorful attractor patterns and more drab baitfish imitations. Every outing is different and may require you to experiment with fly size and color to find just the right pattern. Next trip it will likely be altogether different. To cover all the bases, have a red and white bucktail, red gray ghost, Mickey Finn, Colonel Bates and Magog smelt for color, and a black nose dace, gray ghost, nine-three and supervisor to imitate minnows.
Effective lures and plugs include size seven floating Rapalas in orange, blue/black, and silver/black, copper Mooselook wobblers, Al’s goldfish, red and white Dardevles and Sutton spoons in silver and copper/silver colors. To ensure proper action from each lures and to avoid line twist, I employ a barrel swivel midway up my leader. Also, while I do use a spinning rod for lures, I’ll often troll plugs with my fly rod to enjoy a trout tug of war on lighter gear.
There are several maintained boat launch sites along the Aroostook; Ashland, Washburn, Presque Isle, Caribou and Fort Fairfield for example and promising trolling stretches within a five to 10 minute run up or down river. There are also dozens of launch locations for canoes from farm field roads, gravel pits and along ATV trails on old railroad beds for anglers seeking more seclusion.
Meduxnekeag Stream’s main branch from Houlton to Monticello also offers some excellent trolling along certain stretches. The exciting part of fishing this waterway is the opportunity to hook bragging size brown trout and smallmouth bass as well as brook trout. The Meduxnekeag tends to shrink in depth and width fairly rapidly without regular rain so late May and early June are prime time weeks.
The St. John River between Van Buren and Fort Kent offers more great trolling locations for trout, salmon and bass, but there’s also the chance of hooking a big musky. The waterway maintains a fairly good flow of water throughout the summer and a few stretches can actually be trolled in July and August. Sportsmen visiting the St. John need to remember to upgrade gear, especially line strength, reel drag, and use shock leaders to attach baits. More than one angler after bass has lost lure, line, and their dignity to an unexpected toothy, double-digit water wolf.
River trolling often offers an even shorter season than lake trolling, so being prepared is crucial. The season is just beginning and should last at least two weeks so plan on getting out soon and often. Also, take along a dry fly casting outfit because there are random hatches throughout the day and evening that may yield fabulous surface action. Rivers are still swift and chilly, don’t forget to wear you floatation vest.
