Landlocked salmon are still tipping the scales at Long Lake

Just when I thought Long Lake in Aroostook County had exhausted all its inventory of trophy landlocked salmon for another season, the phone rang to inform me about another success story. The lake’s been releasing hefty fish all season with familiar stories of five to six salmon funneling in on a weekly basis. But last Friday morning’s news of a salmon far from routine was called in by Frank Bycenski, owner of The Naborhood Store in Saint Agatha.

Saint Agatha resident Wilfred Chasse has been parting Long Lake with his fishing line for nearly 40 years, boating his share of prize salmon, which included a few that tipped the scales past the seven-pound mark. However, on a breezy morning in July those numbers were quickly surpassed as one of Long’s feisty salmon was on the take.

“I fought it about 20 minutes,” mentioned Chasse, and I’m sure every moment was memorable as a disagreeable salmon fought out his fate.

However, I’ll bet the moment Chasse will cherish the most was when his fishing partner Joel Plourde, also of Saint Agatha, brought the battle to a close with a swift pass of the net. After all, catching a 10-pound landlocked salmon is far from an everyday event and I’m sure Chasse would be the first to confirm it. He’d stockpiled some 40 years worth of fishing trips before putting such a fish on ice. He said it measured 24 inches and displayed a 19-inch girth.

Mackerel invade Searsport

On Tuesday afternoon, mackerel fishing was at a high in Searsport for anglers fishing in the harbor. There were approximately 25 anglers casting from the pier and nearly everyone involved was on the receiving end. Sterling Gomm and daughters Stacey and Jamie, assisted by their cousin Korey Grant – all of Old Town – landed about 20 mackerel during a two-hour fishing session. Sterling said, “It’s not as good as I’ve seen it in the past, but we’ll still walk away with a good feed.”

Anglers fishing the bay were successful as well. However, I didn’t observe any five-gallon pails spilling over with fish. A few miles down the trail in Belfast, the mackerel were also striking although not quite as fast as the action back in Searsport. Patrick Brown of Bangor managed to land 8-10 fish during two hours of fishing from the walking bridge, which extends across the harbor. Out in the bay, the fishing remains spotty according to Rick Cowles of Belfast. He invested a good portion of the morning only to come home with a couple feeds of mackerel.

Moosehead salmon run

In Greenville, fisheries biologists are monitoring the annual run of salmon from the East Outlet into Moosehead Lake, according to fisheries biologist Paul Johnson. Since June 15, 1,963 salmon have passed through the fishway, said Johnson, who added that the information is used to determine the number of young wild salmon that enter Moosehead Lake from the East Outlet. The information also aids suggestions for the appropriate river flows, said Johnson. If you’re interested in a close-up view of plenty of salmon, or are just looking to fire a few questions in the biologists’ direction, Johnson urges you to join in on the event. They’re usually at the fishway Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 9 and 10 a.m. and expect to continue working at the dam until at least July 20.

Getting a line on togue

Togue fishing has come to the forefront at East Grand Lake, according to fisheries biologist Nels Kramer. Someone recently boated 14 togue during a two-day fishing trip. The fish averaged between five pounds and included one 11-pounder, said Kramer.

That’s good bass!

Bass fishermen have been quite successful on the Penobscot River as of late, according to Bill Osbourne, owner of Burr’s General Store in Costigan.Recently anglers have been most successful fishing around the islands upstream from the store. Although Osbourne didn’t see it, there’s been mention of a bass just shy of six pounds being boated this summer. The water level is very low, he added, so be alert navigating boats on the river.

On June 16, the Greater Lincoln Bass Masters hosted their 2nd bass fishing tournament on the Penobscot River in Lincoln. The $500 first prize was given to Chris Francis of Old Town and Victor Lindguist of Lincoln, who boated five bass that totaled 10 pounds, 10 ounces. Michael McDaniel of Millinocket and Peter McPhail of Howland took the $250 second-place prize with five fish weighing 9 pounds, 10 ounces. Mark and Gail Harris of Winn placed third for $100 as their limit of bass came to nine pounds. The lunker pool was won by Wayne Loring of Alton, who landed the single heaviest bass (2 pounds, 7ounces).

Question of the week

True or false, the rainbow trout is the only trout in Maine that spawns during the spring.

Answer to last week’s question: What is possibly the most common dry fly for brook trout? Adams

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