Outdoor Report

With recent warm weather slowing down the lake fishing, it’s a good time to pursue some easily overlooked small trout ponds. Whether you’re spending the night at Macannamac Camps on Haymock Lake or a nearby campsite, there are plenty in short striking distance around T8, R11. To mention a few, there’s Little Pillsbury, Mathews Pond, Ragged Pond and Soper Pond. Any one holds a good supply of brookies.

If Little Pillsbury is your choice, it also offers a few campsites. Plan on returning to camp late. Sharon McPhee on Haymock Lake reports that late afternoon has been the best time to keep fishermen busy. Also plan on using a fly rod; they’ve proven very effective lately. And remember, some of these waters may be fly fishing only. Don’t forget some brooks and small streams are still producing well, according to recent reports. Travel on the Telos Road has improved, and the black flies are easing off throughout the area

If you’ve got a canoe and a vehicle to carry it and want a chance to catch a few trout or bass, check out Prong Pond near Beaver Cove, reported Dan Legere of the Maine Guide Fly Shop in Greenville. Number 8 green drake dry flies have been producing trout in the 10- to 16-inch range and bass 10-18 inches. Warmer temperatures have brought surface water temperature up to 70 degrees and with it good evening catches. The best time for hooking up has been in the last hour of daylight. It’s an “easy drive up the access and all you need is a canoe,” Legere said.

Brad Viles veered off the Appalachian Trail this holiday weekend to hike with his son up Beech Mountain in Acadia National Park. Beech is located on the backside of Mount Desert Island. Hikers found light traffic on their journey along the South Ridge Trail, which is accessed from either the Lurvey Spring or the Pumping Station Road in Southwest Harbor. The trail is rated moderate, with a couple of steep spots. The milelong hike takes you through the forested south slope and up a couple of switchbacks before breaking out on the Ledgy summit.

Viles said there is a a new Web site for keeping up with Appalachian Trail thru-hikers. Its hosted by nine-time thru-hiker Dan “Wingfoot” Bruce of Hot Springs, N.C. Thru-hikers post journal entries electronically when they get to town. You can access it at www.trailplace.com.

Peter Pray at the Big Eddy on the West Branch of the Penobscot reports warm weather and plenty of hatches making for some good fishing. Five-pound landlocks can still be caught on the surface. Last week, dark caddis or red wing olive imitations were producing fish. Morning and evening remain the best times of day. The surface water temperature is 63 degrees with the water level normal. White-water rafting is good and Pray said there have been no conflicts with fishermen.

Answer to last week’s question: When do Maine’s landlocked salmon spawn?

Spawning of Maine’s salmon takes place usually between mid-October and late November.

Question: Where in Maine were brown trout first introduced?