For many Crown of Maine anglers, the most enjoyable type of fly fishing each season arrives in late July and August when brook trout school up. Warm weather and low water levels combine to cause brookies to seek relief at brook mouths, spring holes, and cold-water ledge seeps. At dawn and dusk, or on the occasional overcast day with light drizzle, floating the right size, shape, and color dry fly can produce tremendous action.
This summer has not been particularly conducive to schooling trout or floating dry flies. On two occasions a series of three or four hot, humid days offered hope and a few fish began grouping up, but as has been the case all year, heavy rains arrived. Brooks and streams rise, topsoil muddies the water and washes in plenty of natural food, and the trout disseminate throughout the waterway as if spring arrived all over again.
Have faith however, there will be dry fly fishing this month and perhaps even in early September. With that in mind, it’s good to have tackle ready and a fly box full of dependable patterns. A 4- or 5-weight rod and a medium-arbor reel loaded with a weight forward floating line to match the rod weight casts well and yields an enjoyable tussle with even the smaller 7- to 8-inch trout. For small, narrow, tree-shrouded creeks I prefer a 7- to 7 1/2 – foot long fly rod while for large streams and rivers an 8 1/2 to 9-foot graphite stick does the trick.
Regarding dry flies; my boxes house literally dozens of different patterns in several hook sizes. On any particular outing however, I’ll use only half a dozen specific patterns, and for the most part I have 10 favorite proven flies. Unless there are unique weather or water conditions, these 10 flies will regularly catch trout, and when they won’t it’s unlikely other dry flies will be effective.
This dependable and potent line up of fake feathered food includes the mosquito, gray slim Jim, Hendrickson, light Cahill, blue dun, green drake, Henryville special, hare’s ear, royal Wulff, and grasshopper. Rarely do I use other sizes than a 14, 16, or 18 in any of these patterns other than the grasshoppers which are 2X or 3X long shank hooks in size 6, 8, or 10.
My hopper selection includes wool, chenille, and foam-bodied versions in green, yellow, and orange colors. These are killer patterns even during mid-day in the hottest weather during July and August. Unlike smaller dry flies that require a dead float, grasshopper patterns work best when wiggled across the surface using rod tip action to simulate a struggling insect. Big trout enjoy big meals and ‘hoppers really work.
I have a few size 20 and 22 dry flies, mostly ant and gnat patterns in black, olive, and deep purple. Occasionally, these tiny imitations are all trout will strike, but they require hair thin leaders, are tough to tie on, and even tougher to see during the drift. Generally I lose more flies trying to hook a trout during the strike than the effort’s worth!
When fish are schooled up, be sure to cast around the edges first, and then add line length working inward. Hooking and playing thrashing trout from the center of the group quickly causes the others to get lockjaw. I’ve also found that regularly using a bit of liquid or powder dry fly floatant to assure a high, fluffy float initiates more strikes. If a fly becomes waterlogged or chewed up after playing a few brookies and even floatant won’t restore its shape and ability to float well, it’s time to change flies.
When water levels are low and clear, trout become more selective and often just tying on a fresh fly can jumpstart the action. Also, after a half a dozen trout are hooked, played, and released stop fishing and rest the pool for ten minutes or so, and allow the trout to relax. The fun and activity won’t shut down nearly as quickly if you give the quarry breaks.
Other basic tenants for successful dry fly outings include wading slowly and quietly, and not too close to schooled fish. Noise and stirred-up dirt and debris put trout on alert. Long, precision casts that present the fly lightly onto the surface, followed by a dead drift with no ripples assure a realistic float and more strikes.
Warm, humid weather lowers stream levels and brings trout together in groups. Some of the most exciting and challenging surface fishing with lightweight gear becomes available for a few weeks. Visit the St. Croix, Little Madawaska, Meduxnekeag, Prestile, Aroostook, Little Machias, Little Black and Presque Isle waterways to name a few Crown of Maine brook trout hot spots. Oh, and say a prayer or two that the frequent rainstorms take a break before the dry fly season passes by!
