WHISPERS OF THE ALLAGASH | Fly Fishing Northern Maine's Wild Brook Trout & Arctic Charr Paradise

In the summer of 2022, Friends and Family set off to Maine's North Woods on a three day fly fishing trip in search of plentiful wild native brook trout in their wild places. What they didn't know was that Bob Johnson, registered Maine guide and lodge owner, had a few unique surprises for them that not many anglers have the chance to experience. But what came from catching these fish turned into far more than just another fly fishing story.
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Filmed / Photographed / Cut / Narrated By Devin Sawtelle
Additional Footage By Tate Yoder
Additional Photography By Aidan Yoder
Original Soundtrack Composer Andrew Williams
Original Soundtrack Producer Aaron Bonneau
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Follow along:
Instagram: / reel.tales
Facebook: / reeltalesne
Website: www.reeltalesne.com
Email: [e-mail]
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To learn more about Maine's Native Fish Advocacy and Their Wild Places:
Nativefishcoalition.org
Samofmaine.org
Nature.org
Maine.gov/ifw
0:00 Intro Credits
1:25 Chapter 1 (Brief History of "The Allagash")
3:59 Chapter 2 (A Journey Into The Modern Allagash)
5:18 Chapter 3 (A Brook Trout Paradise)
9:25 Chapter 4 (The Hidden Gems Of Maine)
14:05 Chapter 5 (How Do We Get People To Care)
16:15 Chapter 6 (Time to Reflect)
17:36 Closing Credits

[@ReelTales]

Hey All! Thanks for watching, It's so great to hear from you all! If you enjoyed watching, please think about liking and subscribing, it's free! Comment your thoughts below!

[@paulpezza4160]

1990 Flew into camp with Bob. Everything was new. Now I'm old just like Bob. Had a great time in there with him.

[@ReelTales]

It is truly an amazing place!

[@WillyBeanz]

Holy smokes that was an experience just to watch. Amazing cinematography and storytelling. This should be at a film festival, not just KZbin. More people need to see this masterpiece!!

[@ReelTales]

Thanks Willy!

[@tateyoder]

Amazing work, Devin. Background on the Allagash was incredible, and the whole film flowed so nicely I forgot I wasn't right there with you all.

[@ReelTales]

Thanks again for your help Tate!

[@henrysimpson9469]

I have traveled, fished and camped allover the US. The two placesI could never get enough of are the North Maine Woods and Denali NP in Alaska. Thanks for the film.

[@ReelTales]

That is so awesome to hear. Denali is certainly on the bucket list. I can only imagine how unique they are from one another, yet similar in many ways of remoteness!

[@justinstimpson8223]

Love this and couldn’t agree more. I live and guide in Northern Maine, and was forever changed by my back country hike in Denali.

[@mhm8222]

Im from southwest Pennsylvania and spend 2 weeks camping then 2 weeks snowmobiling around Millenocket..love it !!!!

[@ReelTales]

So glad you get to experience this neck of the woods! I get down to PA every now and then... There are special places everywhere!

[@donhenigan]

This video is pure genious! Bob Johnson and his Lodge are a true legend in The North Woods. I have great hunting memories staying in one of his cabins.

[@ReelTales]

Thanks for watching, Don! Always awesome to reconnect with those memories. I bet Bob remembers those trips just as much as you do.

[@richardmay1961]

Great video, very well done. I floated the Allagash from start to finish back in the mid-eighties. It truly is a magical place. Thanks for reminding me.

[@ReelTales]

Thank you for watching! I'm happy it brought back some good memories. A magical place it is!

[@tim81212]

I hunted with Bob 30 years ago. Glad to see he is still going strong. I think ill make a other trip up there.

[@ReelTales]

Well worth it!

[@HookAndAnvil]

Yes! YES! This was such a great watch, gets me hyped for the fishing season ahead. Thanks for the great film!

[@ReelTales]

Thanks for watching man!

[@dennispaine1624]

Have enjoyed the Allagash many times. Great fishing and a release from the everyday hectic life most of us endure. Retired in the Greenville, ME area and living the dream. We spend a week in the AWW every year fly fishing with friends.

[@ReelTales]

Thanks for watching Dennis! That sounds like a fun time to look forward to each year… It sure is a special place.

[@cathypetrosky6177]

Thank you for doing this! We spend a lot of time in Northern Maine. There is such a mystique about the Allagash. Our Eagle Scout son had 2 opportunities to spend a week on the Allagash. Such a special place. I learned a lot too👍

[@ReelTales]

Thank you for tuning in! It is certainly a special place that generations to come should be able to experience it's beauty and resources.

[@hookandreel2211]

BEAUTIFUL video man! Been up to Baxter area a few times, and Allagash is definitely next on the list. Thanks for sharing such a beautiful spot and highlighting the importance of keeping these areas natural!!

[@ReelTales]

Thank you! I hope you can get up there and appreciate it's raw beauty.

[@angelokomis1604]

Hi I'm based in Johannesburg, South Africa. I fish your waters vicariously through your films. You and Bluff Line Media really get the depth of flyfishing. Wishing you all the best

[@ReelTales]

Thank you so much for watching! I’m glad we could take you along for the journey!

[@4amwaj]

amazing

[@ReelTales]

Thank you!

[@ZGADOW]

I moved from Bangor to Salt Lake City. The trout fishing is great here , but MAN do I miss the big woods and the ocean. Maine is a special place.

[@ReelTales]

It sure is! When are you paying a visit back to vacationland!?

[@alexireland8334]

Truly moving footage

[@ReelTales]

Thanks for tuning in Alex!

[@Bidenshandler]

I appreciate you not saying where those certain spots you were brought to were

[@ReelTales]

Certainly. We aren’t in it to exploit a fishery, or even show people how or where to catch these. I think that also takes away from the fun of finding it! Thats part of the angling experience, right?

[@katherinevitello2331]

makes me wanna get out there 🎣

[@ReelTales]

Do it!

[@genevalangley7199]

Beautifully done!

[@ReelTales]

Thank you very much!

[@BendItFishing]

Love love love this!! Great work!

[@ReelTales]

Much appreciated! Thanks for watching!

[@OscarOverlanding]

Thank you!

[@ReelTales]

Thank you for watching!

[@jackfranzino]

This is incredible, such a great film!🔥

[@ReelTales]

Thanks so much Jack!

[@allagashman69]

Excellent work. The arctic char is obviously at the extreme southern edge of its range, so naturally they will exist in sparse numbers here; like any species at the edge of its range

[@ReelTales]

Thanks for watching! Likely due to never having a huge population here in the first place certainly factors into people not seeing just how fragile these populations truly are!

[@georgehirsch9152]

Well done! Thank you!

[@ReelTales]

Our pleasure! I’m glad you enjoyed watching!

[@user-li6rt4vt8o]

Well done! One of my favorite places.

[@ReelTales]

Thanks for watching! One of mine as well...

[@brooktrout44]

Great video. Great message. Don’t stop creating!

[@ReelTales]

Thank you so much for the kind words! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. More to come in the near future!

[@davidbole8574]

This is the first video I have seen of yours and really enjoyed it. I like the history lesson at the beginning as you showed how the ecosystem was damaged and why.

[@ReelTales]

Thank you David! I hope you stick around for our future videos!

[@RomeoEdward]

Great video and narration. I love going to the Allagash

[@ReelTales]

Thanks for watching!

[@michaeldowns388]

I've known Bob for quite a few years, met him when he was building a cabin at Chandler Lake...great guy!

[@ReelTales]

Hey Michael, he sure is! Thanks for watching along!

[@AllagashGuideService]

Great video! Thank you for sharing.. 👏🏼👏🏼

[@ReelTales]

Thank you for watching!

[@nicholaskelly2946]

This is awesome! Love the work

[@ReelTales]

Thanks for always supporting Nick!

[@NorthernFreighterCanoe]

Very well done!

[@ReelTales]

Thank you very much!

[@lukemajors5775]

Incredible film! Thanks for the great footage, soundtrack, and history. Is the music on any streaming platforms?

[@ReelTales]

Thank you for the kind words.The original soundtrack isn't on any streaming platforms... yet!

[@Notyourmothersmeatloaf]

This video is off the hook! Still waters run deep!!

[@ReelTales]

Hard to beat! Thanks for watching!

[@oldsmugglerflyfishing]

Fantastic video mate!

[@ReelTales]

Thank you! Cheers

[@benfinnigan7011]

Amazing editing!

[@ReelTales]

Thanks for watching Ben!

[@BluffLINEMedia]

Great work! Subscribed. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@ReelTales]

Means a lot coming from you! Thanks for checking it out!

[@johnporter9597]

Grew up on the Allagash and many of those waterways around it. Great place to fish and also canoe the waterway, thanks for making me homesick.😂

[@ReelTales]

Well we didn't mean to make you homesick! I hope it brought back fond memories of the area. I guess you will just have to visit soon again... Thanks for watching!

[@johnporter9597]

@@ReelTales I go home every 2 years for 2 months, this spring I will be there again.

[@williamemmons8816]

I had the good fortune to paddle the Allagash waterway ten years ago. Started at Telos Thoroughfare, down to Telos Dam . Then the complete trip to Allagash village. It was the best solo trip I’ve ever done. Started fishing the ponds you mentioned twenty years ago. Haven’t been back to the reclaimed pond since it was reclaimed. I moved North for retirement, this area is close to home now.

[@ReelTales]

That is so great to hear. Sounds like a really special trip! The pond is definitely alive and well, but not exactly sure the current regulations are exactly sufficient to protect the fishery forever. Though, when we all do our part in being mindful and educated on the places and species we fish for, good does follow!

[@williamemmons8816]

@@ReelTales I’m sure I will spend some time there this June. I rarely keep any fish. Fly fish, barbless, C&R. I have been fortunate too have caught Artic Char in 8 different ponds so far.. If you haven’t planned an AWW trip yet I highly recommend it. Hopefully I can take my grandson this year , depends on how my left shoulder responds to paddling. . Had a bad rotator cuff injury and a partial repair was all they could do.

[@ReelTales]

@@williamemmons8816 Well that's awesome, you're getting close to all 12 (one of those 12 being on the brink), ponds they are known to be found in! It is certainly on the radar, as with the 100 mile wilderness. You might even see a future film on those adventures, time will tell! Wishing a healthy year ahead and hope you get to enjoy that experience with your grandson!

[@MossyFir_Official]

What camera do you run? Great video!

[@ReelTales]

There are a few different cameras that were used throughout but the majority was filmed on an a7siii and an a7iii. Thanks for watching!