Amazing Rangeley

The Rangeley Lakes Region is one of Maine’s true wilderness zones, located in the secluded western mountains of Maine, near the New Hampshire border. It is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. Skiing, hiking, hunting and kayaking are just a few activities to try in Rangeley, but fly-fishing is one of the most popular.

Rangeley offers the angler the best chance at catching a 5 pound brook trout anywhere in the eastern United States. Rangeley has several lakes and ponds that offer great fishing and a few rivers that also offer superb fly-fishing. The near perfect regulations imposed by the State on some bodies of water, such as fly-fishing only, barbless hooks only and catch and release only, have proven successful. The brook trout are not the only cold water species available here. Landlocked salmon stocked in the late 19th century, have a solid population as well.

Fabled waters such as Rapid River, Kennebago River, Cupsuptic River, Upper Dam, Rangeley Lake and Quimby Pond offer world class fly-fishing. These waters are all easily accessed from Rangeley.

There is an abundance of fly-fishing lore that is associated with the Rangeley region. Several traditional streamers like Carrie Stevens’ Grey Ghost and Herb Welch’s Black Ghost were developed here. Louise Dickinson Rich wrote several books while living along the Rapid River. Her most famous, We Took to the Woods, was written at Lower Dam, a once working log drive dam, now torn down and presently memorialized. It is some of the best brook trout-holding water on the river.
The fishing season runs from April 1st to September 30th, with prime time being May-June and September. The summer offers plenty of opportunities for anglers willing to get out and explore. From small ponds to big lakes, small streams to large tail-waters and high mountain ponds , Rangeley has something for every fly-fisher.

Kash J. Haley, Registered Master Maine Guide co-owns and operates Pond in the River Guide Service. He can be reached at (207) 864-2147 or kashhaley@hotmail.com.

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