Maine Vacation Day 3

Day 3

This would be my remote pond in the Rangeley area expedition. I would hike and gain 800 feet vertically during this entire hike. So, looking like a sherpa getting ready to ascend the mountain I headed out.

The trail had all the common elements of a good trail. It was well marked, well defined, and one needed to be mindful of the route through some sections.  This hike was also done to prove that my sarcoidosis does not define who I am.  I survived it and got a yearly CT scan to ensure it does not come back.

So, after a few short breaks I finally reached the pond. I have a friend whom I owe a lot of praise to, and the reason is that he has another friend that has allowed me to use is stashed canoe.

The canoe would allow me to fish more of the pond and give me greater access to the entire body of water.

 I loaded up the canoe with what I had carried and headed to an area of the pond that looked good to me. I fished a 6wt with a 1.5”/sec sinking leader with a typical orange over white bucktail streamer size #8.

A gust of wind ate my back cast and tried again. This time I sent out a dart from the canoe. I counted to 12 and started to hand strip and was rewarded with this bone jarring take. Here is I am guessing over 12” but under 14”.

His color was unbelievable, and the memory will always be with me.  

To know that I looked at a map and knew nothing about the pond. I picked just the general Brookie patterns that are Maine staple and to know that the brookie I caught was wild on a fly that I tied was an incredible feat.

The winds picked up and I heard a clap of thunder, and it was time to leave.

I also did hear a moose bugle at me while at the pond. I think I interrupted him getting a piece cause he was bugling and running lol