Relocation Update

Hey Guys and Girls:

Long time no post. Here's a quick update.

My wife and I are considering a move to Machias, Maine, which is far down
east, and close to New Brunswick. Move is a year and a half away.

Any specific information about the area fishingwise and otherwise is greatly
appreciated.

Memphis Jim

There is a lot of fishing in the area. I spent summer vacations on a lake
outside Machias as a boy and spent plenty of time on the local brooks,
ponds, and "great ponds" (lakes). Northfield and Wesley both have a couple
of nice lakes, and while I can't speak to the current situation, it used to
be that you could pretty much fish anywhere you wanted without needing to
get permission. The barrens have a number of little brooks running through,
and while the fish are not big, they are fun. Course, they may get fished
out pretty quick by the worm dunkers, as this is an insanely effective
method, speaking from past experience (long before I knew anything about
bugs that trout ate versus bugs that ate people). That area used to have
some pretty fair landlock salmon fishing, but my cousin that grew up in
Machias says the ice fisherman have wiped them out to a great degree. Can't
tell you anything about the sal****er fishing, and last time I was in
Machias I don't recall seeing a local fly shop. (Pretty small town, as you
know).

I'm envious... had some great times in Machias, but my wife says we need to
stay in Virginia where its warm in the winter.

Jim Ray
"Memphis Jim" wrote in message
...
Hey Guys and Girls:

Long time no post. Here's a quick update.

My wife and I are considering a move to Machias, Maine, which is far down
east, and close to New Brunswick. Move is a year and a half away.

Any specific information about the area fishingwise and otherwise is
greatly
appreciated.

Memphis Jim

Hey Jim Ray:

Thanks for the memories and the overview. Moving to Machias, if it happens,
will likely be a very different experience; but the variety of cold water
fishing (and other fishing) should be quite exhilarating. Of course, I'll
have to get used to no river fishing from November to April.

Thanks much,

Memphis Jim


"Jim" wrote in message
...
There is a lot of fishing in the area. I spent summer vacations on a lake
outside Machias as a boy and spent plenty of time on the local brooks,
ponds, and "great ponds" (lakes). Northfield and Wesley both have a couple
of nice lakes, and while I can't speak to the current situation, it used
to
be that you could pretty much fish anywhere you wanted without needing to
get permission. The barrens have a number of little brooks running
through,
and while the fish are not big, they are fun. Course, they may get fished
out pretty quick by the worm dunkers, as this is an insanely effective
method, speaking from past experience (long before I knew anything about
bugs that trout ate versus bugs that ate people). That area used to have
some pretty fair landlock salmon fishing, but my cousin that grew up in
Machias says the ice fisherman have wiped them out to a great degree.
Can't
tell you anything about the sal****er fishing, and last time I was in
Machias I don't recall seeing a local fly shop. (Pretty small town, as you
know).

I'm envious... had some great times in Machias, but my wife says we need
to
stay in Virginia where its warm in the winter.

Jim Ray
"Memphis Jim" wrote in message
...
Hey Guys and Girls:

Long time no post. Here's a quick update.

My wife and I are considering a move to Machias, Maine, which is far
down
east, and close to New Brunswick. Move is a year and a half away.

Any specific information about the area fishingwise and otherwise is
greatly
appreciated.

Memphis Jim

"Memphis Jim" wrote in message
...
Hey Guys and Girls:

Long time no post. Here's a quick update.

My wife and I are considering a move to Machias, Maine, which is far down
east, and close to New Brunswick. Move is a year and a half away.

Any specific information about the area fishingwise and otherwise is
greatly
appreciated.

Memphis Jim



There is some exceptional Landlocked Salmon fishing in the town of Grand
Lake Stream. A nice river in that town there that has salmon, brookies and
rainbows. Also, you will probably end up fishing for Lake Trout and
Landlocked Salmon the "Maine" way. Trolling streamer flies. Use an 8wt rod
w/ level sinking line (L-8-S) and troll the shore lines of the lakes up
there(West Grand Lake, Grand Lake, and East Grand Lake, there are plenty of
others, but W. Grand is the best) . The action is superb. A friend of mine
has a wilderness camp there and a bunch of us go up every spring for this.
We spend a couple of days fly fishing the river, and a few more days
trolling. It is my favorite spot.

Also, W. Grand has a heavy population of salmon, as the State of Maine
harvests salmon eggs, and broodstock salmon for re-stocking the rest of the
state from this lake.

Streamers to use are Red Gray Ghosts, Grey Ghosts, Red Joes Smelt, Mickey
Finns, and Black Ghosts. They are the most popular as the locals will tell
you.

Don't get injured, because the area is so remote, there is never anyone
around for miles, and no-one to hear you yell "Help" if your in trouble
(think about a satellite phone if your really going far, cell phones have
spotty coverage and cannot be relied upon).

I can tell you that it takes a special breed to live in Machias, and I would
strongly suggest that you take a "long" trip there first, and see how you
like it (of course get in some fishing while you are there). I've been to
Memphis, and I can tell you that they are worlds apart. I live in rural New
Hampshire, and I don't think I could live in Machias without some heavy
alcohol consumption to help pass the winters by.

Good luck

Maine is a helluva lot bigger than it looks. Machias is not the end of the
world, but on a clear day, you can see it.

Lots of ponds with bass in them. Some very good bass fishing in the ponds
close to the coast. Going inland, you have Grand Lake Stream with landlocks
and brookies. It is heavily fished.

Head northwest and you have Moosehead Lake, with the Roach River flowing into
Moosehead, and the East Outlet (the beginning of the Kennebec River). Both are
excellent trout and salmon rivers. West is the North Branch of the Penobscot
and the West Branch.

Farther west and a little south and you have the Rangelies and the world class
fishery known as the Rapid River.

Keep in mind that Maine is a huge state. Bangor to Machias is about 100 miles,
Bangor to Mooshead is another hundred or so. The Rapid is another 100 or so.
So, if you are after big landlock/brookie waters, you will probably have to
travel a couple of hours.

Be prepared for a long winter with lots of snow. If you have a fur lined jock,
bring it.

Dave

Dave,

I've already gotten a feel for the size of Maine. Or rather, I've already
learned to not think of Maine in the same spatial terms as the other New
England states. For example, driving across my current state of Tennessee
east to west take 8-9 hours (which I have done on several occasions). This
is a distance any Mainer would respect. To deal with Maine one needs to put
the other puny New England states out of one's mind. Maine is the only New
England state that can stand geographicly on its own terms compared to the
rest of the country, at least in terms of size.

About the fishing, you and the previous responders have laid-out the well
known blue ribbon streams. But is down east Maine the sort of place where
many smaller rivers (particularly the coastal rivers, and especially the
East Machias and Machias River (south of the Machias lakes) will contain
brookies and stocked trout; or is driving back country a requirement?

I know that there is an absolute prohibition on fishing for nonlandlocked
salmon in these rivers.

If I'm going to move this far out of the main stream, will I be able to fish
rivers real close to town? This is what I want to do.

Thanks again.

Memphis Jim


"Dave LaCourse" wrote in message
...
Maine is a helluva lot bigger than it looks. Machias is not the end of
the
world, but on a clear day, you can see it.

Lots of ponds with bass in them. Some very good bass fishing in the ponds
close to the coast. Going inland, you have Grand Lake Stream with
landlocks
and brookies. It is heavily fished.

Head northwest and you have Moosehead Lake, with the Roach River flowing
into
Moosehead, and the East Outlet (the beginning of the Kennebec River).
Both are
excellent trout and salmon rivers. West is the North Branch of the
Penobscot
and the West Branch.

Farther west and a little south and you have the Rangelies and the world
class
fishery known as the Rapid River.

Keep in mind that Maine is a huge state. Bangor to Machias is about 100
miles,
Bangor to Mooshead is another hundred or so. The Rapid is another 100 or
so.
So, if you are after big landlock/brookie waters, you will probably have
to
travel a couple of hours.

Be prepared for a long winter with lots of snow. If you have a fur lined
jock,
bring it.

Dave

Jim writes:

If I'm going to move this far out of the main stream, will I be able to fish
rivers real close to town? This is what I want to do.


I believe if you want good cold water streams, you are gonna hafta drive at
least an hour. Grand Lake Stream would be your closest. There may be small
streams in the area containing brookies, but usually coastal Maine contains
lots of small ponds and lakes loaded with warm water (bass, pickeral, perch)
fish. The Great North Woods, above Houlton and west of Ashland contain more
ponds that you could count on all your fingers and toes, each with a healthy
population of brook trout.

Is there something that draws you to Machias? If nothing special, I would
seriously think of somewhere else in the state. Lots of lovely small isolated
towns to choose from, and lots with fishing almost at your front door. But,
Machias? I think you are gonna hafta travel at least an hour to get into some
decent trout water.

Joanne and I are building a summer home in the Rangeley Area. Another area to
consider would be around Bethel. Also, Greenville on Moosehead Lake. And if
ya really want to get out of the way, consider Fort Kent. brrrrr

Dave

Dave:

We're considering Machias because my wife is a physician and she is being
recruited there. The position in Machias has some interesting features for
her; so we are not specifically looking at other areas of Maine.

I was up in Bethel in November. It's a neat area, but I don't know if I
would want to live that far inland. I grew up on Long Island, and the idea
of living on the coast again has some real appeal.

Memphis Jim

"Dave LaCourse" wrote in message
...
Jim writes:

If I'm going to move this far out of the main stream, will I be able to
fish
rivers real close to town? This is what I want to do.


I believe if you want good cold water streams, you are gonna hafta drive
at
least an hour. Grand Lake Stream would be your closest. There may be
small
streams in the area containing brookies, but usually coastal Maine
contains
lots of small ponds and lakes loaded with warm water (bass, pickeral,
perch)
fish. The Great North Woods, above Houlton and west of Ashland contain
more
ponds that you could count on all your fingers and toes, each with a
healthy
population of brook trout.

Is there something that draws you to Machias? If nothing special, I would
seriously think of somewhere else in the state. Lots of lovely small
isolated
towns to choose from, and lots with fishing almost at your front door.
But,
Machias? I think you are gonna hafta travel at least an hour to get into
some
decent trout water.

Joanne and I are building a summer home in the Rangeley Area. Another
area to
consider would be around Bethel. Also, Greenville on Moosehead Lake. And
if
ya really want to get out of the way, consider Fort Kent. brrrrr

Dave

Dave,

I've already gotten a feel for the size of Maine. Or rather, I've already
learned to not think of Maine in the same spatial terms as the other New
England states. For example, driving across my current state of Tennessee
east to west take 8-9 hours (which I have done on several occasions). This
is a distance any Mainer would respect. To deal with Maine one needs to put
the other puny New England states out of one's mind. Maine is the only New
England state that can stand geographicly on its own terms compared to the
rest of the country, at least in terms of size.

About the fishing, you and the previous responders have laid-out the well
known blue ribbon streams. But is down east Maine the sort of place where
many smaller rivers (particularly the coastal rivers, and especially the
East Machias and Machias River (south of the Machias lakes) will contain
brookies and stocked trout; or is driving back country a requirement?

I know that there is an absolute prohibition on fishing for nonlandlocked
salmon in these rivers.

If I'm going to move this far out of the main stream, will I be able to fish
rivers real close to town? This is what I want to do.

Thanks again.

Memphis Jim


"Dave LaCourse" wrote in message
...
Maine is a helluva lot bigger than it looks. Machias is not the end of
the
world, but on a clear day, you can see it.

Lots of ponds with bass in them. Some very good bass fishing in the ponds
close to the coast. Going inland, you have Grand Lake Stream with
landlocks
and brookies. It is heavily fished.

Head northwest and you have Moosehead Lake, with the Roach River flowing
into
Moosehead, and the East Outlet (the beginning of the Kennebec River).
Both are
excellent trout and salmon rivers. West is the North Branch of the
Penobscot
and the West Branch.

Farther west and a little south and you have the Rangelies and the world
class
fishery known as the Rapid River.

Keep in mind that Maine is a huge state. Bangor to Machias is about 100
miles,
Bangor to Mooshead is another hundred or so. The Rapid is another 100 or
so.
So, if you are after big landlock/brookie waters, you will probably have
to
travel a couple of hours.

Be prepared for a long winter with lots of snow. If you have a fur lined
jock,
bring it.

Dave

Jim writes:

If I'm going to move this far out of the main stream, will I be able to fish
rivers real close to town? This is what I want to do.


I believe if you want good cold water streams, you are gonna hafta drive at
least an hour. Grand Lake Stream would be your closest. There may be small
streams in the area containing brookies, but usually coastal Maine contains
lots of small ponds and lakes loaded with warm water (bass, pickeral, perch)
fish. The Great North Woods, above Houlton and west of Ashland contain more
ponds that you could count on all your fingers and toes, each with a healthy
population of brook trout.

Is there something that draws you to Machias? If nothing special, I would
seriously think of somewhere else in the state. Lots of lovely small isolated
towns to choose from, and lots with fishing almost at your front door. But,
Machias? I think you are gonna hafta travel at least an hour to get into some
decent trout water.

Joanne and I are building a summer home in the Rangeley Area. Another area to
consider would be around Bethel. Also, Greenville on Moosehead Lake. And if
ya really want to get out of the way, consider Fort Kent. brrrrr

Dave