Walls finally nets fish with ‘some meat on its bones’

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Echo Lake on Mount Desert Island created an unforgettable moment just a few days following ice-out this spring, and Bar Harbor native Robin Walls was on the receiving end.

Five years ago, Walls put his brook fishing career on hold and invested in a small fishing boat, “hoping to catch a fish with some meat on its bones,” said Walls. In his quest for success, he asked a lot of questions. He came up empty-handed on several occasions, but last spring prosperity started moving his way.

Concentrating the majority of his time fishing Echo Lake, last year Walls latched onto a 4-pound, 12-ounce landlocked salmon, which was soon outdone by a 51/2-pound salmon, which was the heaviest salmon he’d caught.

That was, until this year.

On a day when Echo Lake was flat calm, a routine fishing trip became something unusual. His rod took a hit that required immediate attention, and he had latched onto a fish that was not coming in without a fight. For the majority of the battle it had all the makings of an overweight brook trout. The entire fight, it never once broke water, it simply stripped off line at will and took Walls’ lure to depths he hadn’t yet fished.

However, after 15 minutes of heart-stopping action, its game plan was brought to a screeching halt with one pass of the net, and the fish was forced to break surface against its will. When the water cleared and the figures were in, there was a record holder in his young career of lake fishing, said Walls. First place now belonged to a 7-pound, 251/2-inch-long salmon that’s presently in the hands of a taxidermist.

Square is ‘cool’

In the past couple of weeks, Long Lake in Aroostook County has been rather stingy with the fish it has given up to anglers.

The unseasonably warm water temperature for this time of year seems to be the culprit because immediately after ice-out, Long Lake was releasing some hefty landlocked salmon.

One angler reported surface water temperatures between 61 and 63 degrees in Sinclair Cove. Ken Martin, owner of The Long Lake Sporting Club and Restaurant, backed up that statement. He reported surface water temperatures at 67 degrees when taking readings just off shore at the mouth of Sinclair cove.

Nonetheless, many fishermen are optimists hoping the recent windy conditions, backed up by some cooler days and last Monday night’s rain, could chill surface temperatures, bringing salmon back into action.

While Long Lake fishermen are experiencing a lull in the action, Square Lake is picking up the slack. A couple of weeks after ice-out, Square Lake usually comes to the front, and this year it has done just that, said Jules St. Peter, owner of St. Peter’s Country Store in Cross Lake.

Fishermen are simply witnessing Square Lake at its best, from hard-hitting landlocked salmon to brook trout, said St. Peter. Trolling flies works well, but don’t overlook the white Cecil’s Smelt or Mooselook Wobblers, he added. A fishing party recently put both lures to the test on Square Lake and came back with impressive results.

Hooked on landlocks

At the Big Eddy on the West Branch of the Penobscot River, fishermen are hooking into landlocked salmon, mainly during the a.m. and p.m., according to Peter Pray, owner of the Big Eddy Campground.

The Quill Gordon accompanied with some Blue Wing Olives should be the first flies attached to your fishing vest, said Pray, but don’t rule out a Muddler Minnow. A 5-pound, 22-inch salmon was recently caught below the Big Eddy by a fisherman working this fly. Another good choice is the Ray’s Smelt.

As of Wednesday, Pray reports normal water levels with a 54-degree surface water temperature, with a flow of between 2,200 and 2,400 cubic feet per-second.

’round Maine

A current fishing report provided from the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife shows the salmon fishing has perked up again at Grand Lake Stream, according to fisheries biologist Rick Jordan.

In the Penobscot Region, fisheries biologist Brian Campbell mentions East Grand Lake, Pleasant Lake (Island Falls), Upper Jo Mary Lake, and Scraggly in T7 R8 are producing salmon of 2-5 pounds.

Bass fishermen shouldn’t overlook the Penobscot and lower Piscataquis Rivers, he adds, as both water flow and temperatures are inviting.

Outdoor calendar

If you’re looking to fine-tune your wing-shooting skills, then Hermon Skeet Club on the Black Stream Road in Hermon is the place to visit. On Friday, at 9 a.m., they’re sponsoring a state shoot tune-up, which offers a 100-target main event with lunch included for the $45. For more information, call Henry or Joan Trial at 394-2655.

On June 16, the Greater Lincoln Bass Masters are sponsoring a bass tournament on the Penobscot River. Entry fee is $45, and starting time is 6:40 a.m. until 3 p.m. First prize is $500. Participants will meet at the Medway public boat landing.

For more information, call David Whalen at 794-6532 or Brent Olivier at 794-6540.

Question of the week

Is the blue back trout native to Maine?

Answer to last week’s question: Where was the Cecil’s Smelt fishing lure developed? In the Basement of Cecil Garcelon’s home in Houlton.

Terry Farren’s Outdoor Report is published each Friday. He can be reached at 990-8067 or by e-mail at outdoor report@bangordailynews.net