Maine Brook Trout: Fly Fishing in the Rangeley Region

A trip to Maine for brook trout is a visit to some of the most famous streams in the Eastern United States. In June 2024, Ralph Scherder and Justin Leidy joined Maine natives Michael Burchianti and Ira Gross for an adventure in the Northwoods. Although the trip started slow, it quickly got "epic" once weather conditions started to cooperate. Dry fly fishing in the morning, dry dropper all afternoon, and plenty of beautiful native brook trout to the net...it doesn't get any better than that!
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Ralph Scherder
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#mainebrooktrout #brooktrout #conservation #flyfishing #nativetrout #flyfishingadventures #flyfishinglife ##nativebrooktrout #troutfishing #trout

[@MarkBumgardner]

Beautiful Brook Trout. Enjoyed the video, Ralph!

[@darkskiesflyfishing]

Thank you, Mark!

[@brians.7997]

awesome fish man!

[@darkskiesflyfishing]

Thank you!

[@Old-Blue]

That was an awesome show to watch, I liked the fact you showed the small ones, it really was good to see them too. I’m up here in New Brunswick just on the boarder of Maine, I’ve been watching so many videos of brook trout fly fishing in Maine these past few weeks not much trout fishing online here in NB. I’m getting ready to go into Trouser Lake next week to fish the lake and outflow brook hoping to catch a few big ones. That was awesome that you coached your friend to catch that nice trout. 👍🏻

[@darkskiesflyfishing]

Thank you so much for watching and for your kind words! I can’t wait to get back to Maine again next spring. It’s truly a brook trout paradise. Best of luck on your upcoming trip.

[@stevephilbrick1237]

I was born and raised in Rumford, Maine, and our "fishing cabin" is in Eustis-just up the road a piece from Rangeley.. I'm happy for you that you got to experience the type of fishing that I grew up with...and still chase. Kudos for NOT naming the rivers and streams that you fished. "Yawl come back now, you hear". :)

[@darkskiesflyfishing]

Thank you so much for dropping a line! You live and fish in one heck of a beautiful part of the country. Looking forward to a return trip hopefully next year. Best of luck to you!

[@WildBlueDiscovery]

That was an awesome "Trip Brookie" and you got lots more! For me Maine is one of my favorite places to fly fish and I have only fly fished on one trip there. Mr Rapidian and the rainbow dubbed walts are both wonderful flies. Glad the waters receeded enough for you to get on a bunch of brookies. Also great to see 2 #jenningsnets!

[@darkskiesflyfishing]

Thank you! I’m not sure how it couldn’t become somebody’s favorite place to fish! Your video about the Baxter area was great, by the way. I’d like to get to that region next. The only thing better than brookies is seeing those brookies in a Jennings Net!

[@hughcook6959]

That was a great video. welcome to Maine. Good job.

[@darkskiesflyfishing]

Thank you! It’s a beautiful state with gorgeous rivers. I hope to be back sinner rather than later!

[@daveklimtzak4487]

Thanks for the video. I really enjoy your open giving style in a sport of many secrets. You have a strong cult following here in western ny's southern tier. It's great having a helpful resource not to far from home.

[@darkskiesflyfishing]

Thank you so much. I really appreciate that! I enjoy seeing people succeed in their passions, so your comment means a great deal to me!

[@derickgarman6502]

I'm york Co PA and loved your video. Planning a trip to maine this year and would love to talk to you more about maine!

[@darkskiesflyfishing]

Thanks! And sure, I’d be happy to talk to you about our experiences there. Just drop me a line. [e-mail]

[@tootnguyen2001]

Can you show us the rainbow walts fly pattern? I enjoyed your video and had the chance to catch numerous small brookies in northern Maine's small streams. I kind stranger showed me exact instructions on how to catch my first brookie.

[@darkskiesflyfishing]

I did a Sexy Walt fly tying video here that also includes the rainbow variation, but I can definitely do a video dedicated to the rainbow one on its own. Look for that in the next week or so. Thanks!

[@Fishon22]

Nice! Now you have to try and catch a Maine blue back trout, aka Char. Fish on, keep your rod in the air!

[@darkskiesflyfishing]

I would love to return and catch a Maine char! From what I understand, they are only found in a few waterways. Have you caught them before?

[@Fishon22]

@@darkskiesflyfishing Yes sir, Penobscot Lake. I trolled a blue weeping willow with a single hook instead of the treble. Also trolling a muddler minnow fly. Most fish were 10 to 14 inches, one 18, all released. Best time to fish is just after ice out. Good luck!

[@philipklug7784]

I love fishing the Rangeley area. I’ve only fished there in September though. I was wondering how the black flies are in June. Were they a problem?

[@darkskiesflyfishing]

Thank you for watching!

[@darkskiesflyfishing]

The black flies weren’t bad but the mosquitoes were bad in some places, mainly while getting ready around the vehicles. Once on the water, they weren’t too horrible, but we definitely lathered up with repellent!

[@MrTenkara]

What time of year did you make this trip?

[@darkskiesflyfishing]

We were there in early June, which is typically the best time of year to go.

[@greaserbubtheoriginal7923]

i love brook trout wild stocked it dont matter BROOKIES RULE in pa the rainbow mafia has taken our brookies away from us just seem wierd pulling rainbows out of southwoods instead of brookies

[@darkskiesflyfishing]

Thank you for watching! I agree. Brookies are the best! And they often don't get the respect they deserve.