Greetings from the Maine Advanced Expedition! As we continue our adventure up to Maine after wrapping up the Massachusetts Pike floats, everyone is getting excited for the trophy Brook trout fishing and reminiscing about monster pike fought, caught, and lost.
Over the last three days, we have been floating the housatonic river for pike and smallmouth from drift boats. Despite the challenge presented from such an apex predator, everyone had fish eat their flies, and some monster number of pike were landed. These fish are extremely challenging to land on a fly rod, so even getting them to eat your fly is quite the accomplishment.
In conjunction with pike floats, we had a multitude of rivers, lakes, and species to fish, and as a group landed countless pickerel, Bass (both large and smallmouth), trout, and crappie.
We worked on a variety of fly fishing skills, including casting, fly selection, line management, and reading the water - all of which will be necessary in order to chase the wary trout and salmon of Maine. The group also practiced their canoe skills for the upcoming backcountry trip to the Kennebec River, where we will be traversing rapids and lakes in pursuit of native brook trout and trophy smallmouth.
Aside from fishing, everyone is settling into camp life, with early morning fishing and evening campfires and s’mores becoming the daily routine. As well, the competitive atmosphere procured from Kan Jam / Spikeball tournaments have everyone honing their frisbee skills for some upcoming Ultimate games.
Once we arrive at Moosehead Family Campground, we will be doing laundry and prepping for the first backcountry trip of the expedition, and resting up for tomorrow's canoe trip into the remote north-woods of Maine. We will exit the backcountry on the 26th, so start getting excited for another update coming soon.
Tight Lines,
Dayton, Alex, Andrew, and crew.
