Grand Lake Stream still awaiting fishermen

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One of the best things about an early ice-out, which we certainly had this spring, is that there are plenty of spots available for April fishing.

Unfortunately for some business owners, the traveling angler often sticks to the same schedule that has worked in years past … even if the fish are working a bit ahead of schedule.

And that’s certainly the case in the town of Grand Lake Stream, according to Charles Driza, the owner of Leen’s Lodge.

“The town is basically sitting here, waiting for people to show up,” Driza said on Tuesday.

West Grand Lake has been ice-free for about a month – the earliest ice-out on record – and Driza said many sporting camps are more than ready for a sport or two to show up.

“Very typically the mill [in Baileyville] has a shutdown [at this time of year] which is what prompts me to open,” Driza said. “I’m always open on May 1, and the ice typically goes out that first week in May.”

Not this year, however.

“This year the ice went out the first week in April, so we’re literally a month ahead, and right now we’ve got a fantastic bite going on, both on the stream and on the lake,” Driza said.

Plenty of information about the Grand Lake Stream region – including guides and outfitters – can be found at www.grandlakestream.com.

In addition, Driza said sports can contact him at 1-800-995-3367 if they’re interested in a May trip, and said he’s got plenty of room available through most of the month. And if Leen’s American plan accommodations aren’t what you’re looking for, he’ll gladly put you in contact with some other sporting camp owners in town – all of who are eager to meet you.

Getting some visitors to change their traditional plans and bring their business to town is his goal, Driza said, whether anglers stay at his establishment or not.

“The town’s ready to go. Everybody’s all ready to go,” he said.

The fish are there … and they’re biting.

All he and his fellow camp-owners need is a few eager anglers.

Veazie salmon breakfast set

There won’t be any salmon fishing on the Penobscot this spring, but that won’t stop Veazie Salmon Club members from commemorating traditional opening day activities with a breakfast on Saturday.

According to club president Jeff LaBree, the event will run 6-9 a.m. at the clubhouse.

Those affairs are always informative, and with the possibility of a fall season on the river this year, the breakfast promises to be well attended.

Fly-tying class worthwhile

Since I was bitten by the peculiar bug several years ago, I’ve found all parts of fly fishing intriguing … and more than one part downright intimidating.

Some fly fishers, it always seemed (back when I was solely a smelt-dragging or tackle-chucking angler, at least), made the sport out to be part mysticism, part secret society, and part … well … impossible.

Luckily, friends showed me a few things, and I was willing to absorb valuable tips cast my way by other veterans of the sport.

The sport, I found, wasn’t intimidating, though it was as complex as an angler wants to make it.

A few years later, I took another step in my development and began tying flies.

They were ugly, ragged, unprofessional flies. But I tied them. And they caught fish.

On Sunday, after spending a few years as a sporadic tier, I caught that bug again.

And in the course of one day, I became much better at the craft.

At least that’s what I tell myself.

The secret: I took another class. This one, an all-day affair, was offered by the Penobscot Fly Fishers and taught by Dan Legere of the Maine Guide Fly Shop.

The veteran tiers I know have always told me that the more you tie, the better you’ll get, and that’s surely true.

Another key, they insisted – also correctly, it turns out – is that the more different people you watch tie, the easier things will seem.

Legere is simply a master, as both a tier and a teacher. Though my gray ghosts and muddler minnows are still far from perfect, they’re better. And (this might be the biggest sign of improvement) I’m not ashamed to show them to other fishermen.

Thanks to the PFF gang and Legere for a fantastic day, and for showing me (again) that the secrets of fly fishing (and tying) are easily learned, if never completely mastered. All you have to do is ask … and listen.

Salmon hearing scheduled

It’s official: The Maine Atlantic Salmon Commision’s “tentative” hearing date to discuss a proposed fall fishing season on the Penobscot is tentative no more.

The hearing is scheduled for May 25 at 6:30 p.m. at Holden Elementary School on Route 1A in Holden.

The proposed rule would create a fall catch-and-release season on the Penobscot River, which (along with all of Maine’s other rivers) has been closed to fishing for Atlantic salmon since 1999.

If you’ve got an opinion to share, mark the date and make plans to attend.

Or if you prefer, you can submit written comments to the Maine Atlantic Salmon Commission. Those comments must be received by the close of business on June 4.

To submit comments, write to the commission at 161 Capital Street, 172 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333.

The complete text of the proposed rule is available at www.maine.gov/asc.

John Holyoke can be reached at jholyoke@bangordailynews.net or by calling 990-8214 or 1-800-310-8600.