A fishing story from the good old days is quick to surface whenever fishermen gather. It often seems anglers believe the fishing success from years past just doesn’t exist today. However, I’ve recently seen and heard evidence that the good old days are still here.

At West Grand Lake in Washington County nearly two weeks ago today, I noticed the bow of a familiar boat splitting the water for shore. I held my ground before launching off my own fishing boat. The craft occupied a couple of my friends who just finished a workout from a handsome number of West Grand’s togue. Now their success wasn’t surprising because they hold a multitude of togue fishing outings beneath their belts. They’ve been haunting the Maine waters for years, seeking to battle with these oversized bottom dwellers. However, the size in which their day’s catch of togue measured up caught my attention.

“They were all 20-24 inches,” said one of the veteran fisherman, who was quick to mention the lake was back on his list of favorite fishing spots.

Now that news alone tells me the good old days are still here and there’s more proof to follow. My own trip up lake was successful. Although I’m not going on record as saying I did as well as my friends. The trip was packed with some decent rod-bending action, and nearly every togue I latched on to measured lengths comparable to the ones my friends battled. I was also surprised to see none of the catch showed any signs of missing meals.

Across the cove, the story was the same. A pair of anglers had discovered a pretty rewarding pocket of togue. As I reeled in my line to close out my day on the water, I viewed their fish net once again called on to perform its duty with a fish that easily meet the minimum length requirements.

After carving a path back up lake for the boat landing at Grand Lake Stream, I made a pit stop to the Pine Tree Store. It sets almost in view of West Grand Lake, so you can bet its doors are swung open frequently from scores of anglers with stories as fresh as the coffee.

The floor occupied a 5 o’clock crowd gearing up for a trip for the Dam Pool, at the head of Grand Lake Stream. It’s created from the water of West Grand Lake, and like West Grand, it’s been just as generous to fishermen as of late.

The Beaded Head Olive Wooly Bugger has been a choice fly all season for stream fishermen, said Kurt Cressey, the store owner. Although don’t be caught without an Elk Hair Caddis tied on a size 16 hook, he added. Over the past four or five days, this fly pattern had been a real breadwinner during the closing moments of the day.

Fishing the stream got off to a slow start compared to last year, but things are looking up, Cressey said. Between the first and second week of June, a fresh wave of landlocked salmon made the three-mile swim upstream from Big Lake, and fishermen armed with the appreciate fly patterns are reaping the benefits. The majority of this new arrival are measuring between 18-20 inches. On a single fishing session in the stream, serious fishermen are battling up to five fish.

On Tuesday, the Elk Hair Caddis was still producing fish in the stream. Also, the Adams has been luring fish if it’s tied on a small hook, said Cressey. With a few tied on a number 16 or 18 hook, the odds are with you for a productive outing, he added.

Some Maine lakes and ponds have been overfished in past years, but I’m seeing the tide of success turn back in the favor of the fishermen. It’s reaching far beyond the shores the West Grand Lake area.

These success stories are filtering from all four corners of this state, such as Long Lake in Aroostook County. It has been a year or so now since a pair of landlocked salmon just a few ounces shy of 10 pounds were taken there.

Or how about the Kennebec River? The Shawmut section of this River, which flows through Fairfield, holds a good inventory of and brown and rainbow trout. They average between 14-16 inches, but it’s not unusual to hook one 18 or even 20 inches, said Mike Holt, owner of the Fly Fishing Only in Fairfield.

But don’t take my word for all this fishing action. Hit the water with a fresh outlook because there’s still history in the makings. When you look back over your shoulder in a few short years, don’t be surprised if this trip becomes a story from the good old days.