smallmouth bass fishing

Megunticook Lake

donkleiner — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 20:20:57 -0400

I have been on Megunticook Lake in Camden much more this year. Partly due to Ken Bailey having some health problems and filling in for him and another guide. Partly due to clients requesting to go there and finally liking what I saw. First let me state up front that in the high summer on a nice day it is way too busy for my taste. But on a September day with only a couple of other boats it was an absoulte delight. Even in the gale we had today it was still possible to find places to get out of the wind and cast a fly to bass.

The Stripers are Gone!

donkleiner — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 15:43:43 -0400

This morning was most likely my last striper fishing trip of the season. The river is still running brown fresh water and even the mackerel did not want to cooperate. We fished our way back up river just ahead of the wind rain and fog without so much as a follow from a striper or bluefish. This has been at best a disappointing season on stripers, I hope that next summer provides more fish.

The best time of year!

donkleiner — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:54:45 -0400

I think that September is without a doubt the best time of the year. The weather is settled and warm during the day with cool nights. This morning I took advantage of a day off and went fishing. No big expedition just an hour on Seven Tree Pond to try and catch a few perch on a fly. I have been trying all summer to find the fly that really works on perch without much luck. Because it was still and sunny I could watch the fish even if they did not take the fly making ideal conditions to see what they were interested in.

The End of Summer

donkleiner — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 14:49:26 -0400

The weather has definitely changed now, the wind is blowing pretty strongly out of the northwest and the angle of the sun is getting low in the sky. I can tell because it gets hard to see down into the water making my job just a little more difficult. The sky is that crystal clear blue that we get in clear cool air. The crickets are chirping steadily in the warm afternoons and getting in the house at every opportunity.

Early summer bass fishing

donkleiner — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:07:06 -0400

I spent the last few days fishing bass fishing on freshwater. The last two with a couple of repeat clients who are not only good fisherman but great fun to be around. The fishing was better than I can remember for the post spawn time period in June. Over the two days they caught a bunch of nice fish like this largemouth bass.

Fall Transition

donkleiner — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 08:10:12 -0400

This is one of the times of year when change is very noticeable to me. I have guided my last striper fishing party for the season and no longer need to get up and out by 5:15 AM, which makes it possible for Argy and I to walk each morning. Our morning walks are now in the near darkness marking the noticeable shortening of the day. I still have fishing parties at the end of the month and into November but the focus changes to mid day to take advantage of slightly warmer water temperatures.

Wading the Saint George

donkleiner — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 06:18:00 -0400

Yesterday afternoon was spent scouting the Saint George River here in Union. I have a learn to fly fish trip on Monday and the ladies are very interested in wading the river. I usually recommend against it because wading and moving water add additional elements to fly fishing that are a lot for a beginner to grasp all at once. I also find it easier to coach when we are all standing in the boat. But the river is very low since it has been so dry and I though I might check out the possibilities.

A few red leaves

donkleiner — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 05:17:22 -0400

When I pulled out of the driveway earlier this week I was surprised to see one of the red maples across the street has started to change color. Then I had to go to Augusta this week and drove past the marsh near Traveller Pond in Coopers Mills where all of the maples are already completely red. Autumn is here for sure and fall is not far off.

Big changes in the fishing during one day.

donkleiner — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 14:00:17 -0400

It is amazing how the fishing can change over only a few hours. Yesterday I fished a pond for smallmouth bass on my morning trip. Fish were biting very well and I would conservatively guess that a couple dozen came to the boat. I came home had lunch and go ready for my afternoon perch fishing trip thinking it would be no problem. We would catch a bunch of fish and have a great time. Wrong again!

Summer in an instant

donkleiner — Fri, 25 May 2007 15:36:23 -0400

Today is a summer day that is for sure, the humidity is hanging in the air holding down the visibility and the temperature is in the low 90’s. Quite a change from last week when I was wondering if I should put in some more firewood to carry us through until summer arrived. If you don’t like the weather in New England just wait a minute.