50 Best Places Fly Fishing the Northeast. Bob Mallard

      generally May through June, and again in September. The Rapid can fish well in the early spring, even with ice on the lakes, very cold water in the river, and snow on the ground. Summers can be warm, and fishing slows as the fish seek thermal refuge.

      Brook trout in the Rapid River average between 12 and 15 inches long. There are a good number of fish in the 16- to 20-inch range, with brookies over 20 inches always a possibility. Landlocked salmon run slightly smaller, averaging 12 to 14 inches. There are many salmon in the 15- to 20-inch range. This combination of two uniquely New England species and the number of fish over 20 inches makes the Rapid a true trophy river.

      Trout and salmon in the Rapid take advantage of a variety of food sources. These include smelt, dace, sculpins, crayfish, insects, and fish eggs. Insects include stoneflies, caddis, may-flies, and dragonflies. Brook trout and salmon feed heavily on sucker eggs in the early spring, starting when the water temperatures reach roughly 50 degrees. Smelt are also a very important spring food source. Smelt spawn in the Rapid before the suckers do, drawing large trout into the river to feed.

       Hatches: Hatches on the Rapid are rarely epic, but they are consistent and predictable. In spring, Blue-winged Olives and Hendricksons dominate. Caddis show up later in the spring, and hatch periodically until fall. Stoneflies will hatch from spring to early fall. Dragonflies can be seen crawling out of the water in the late spring to hatch. This triggers large fish to feed voraciously while they are available.

      Many different methods of fly fishing are effective on the Rapid River. Among the most productive is nymphing. This provides consistent action throughout the season. Streamer fishing is a great way to catch large fish in the spring when smelt are abundant. During the fall spawning period, trout and salmon become territorial, and attractor streamers work well. Trout and salmon will feed on the surface when there is a hatch.

      By most definitions, the Rapid River is the premier brook trout river in the country. The brook trout here also represent a rare wild and native fishery. If catching a trophy wild native Eastern brook trout is on your list of things to do, there is no better place to do it than the Rapid River in Rangeley, Maine.

      Kris Thompson with landlocked salmon.

       Tackle: A 9-foot 5-weight rod with a floating line is the best all-around choice for most sections of the Rapid River. A sink-tip can be helpful if you wish to fish streamers. Fluorocarbon leaders and tippet are important, as fish see a lot of flies. Large strike indicators are needed to fish a pair of flies and sufficient weight to get the flies down quickly in the fast-moving water. Flies should include smelt, minnow, and sculpin streamer patterns; mayfly and stonefly dries and nymphs; all stages of caddis in varying sizes and colors; as well as eggs and worm patterns.

      KASH J. HALEY resides in Rangeley, Maine. He is co-owner of Pond In The River Guide Service in Rangeley. Kash is a Registered Maine Guide and has guided the Rapid River for almost 15 years. He also owns Parkside & Main Restaurant in downtown Rangeley. He can be reached at 207-864-2147, [email protected], or www.rangeleyflyfishing.com.

      Closest fly shops

      Rangeley Region Sport Shop

      2529 Main Street

      Rangeley, Maine 04970

      207-864-5615

      www.rangeleysportshop.com [email protected]

      Closest guides/outfitters

      Pond in the River Guide Service

      Rangeley, Maine 04970

      207-864-2147

      www.rangeleyflyfishing.com [email protected]

      Closest lodging

      The Rangeley Inn

      Rooms

      2443 Main Street

      Rangeley, Maine 04970

      207-864-3341

      www.therangeleyinn.com [email protected]

      Country Club Inn

      56 Country Club Road

      P.O. Box 680

      Rangeley, Maine 04970

      207-864-3831

      www.countryclubinnrangeley.com [email protected]

      Pleasant Street Inn B&B

      104 Pleasant Street

      Rangeley, Maine 04970

      207-864-5916

      www.pleasantstreetinnbb.com [email protected]

      Pond in the River Apartment & Cabin

      Rangeley, Maine 04970

      207-864-2147

      www.rangeleyflyfishing.com [email protected]

      Closest restaurants

      Parkside & Main

      (lunch and dinner menu, full bar)

      2520 Main Street

      Rangeley, Maine 04970

      207-864-3774

      Loon Lodge Inn (gourmet dining)

      16 Pickford Road

      Rangeley, Maine 04970

      207-864-5666

      [email protected] www.loonlodgeme.com

      The Rangeley Tavern

      Rustic Cuisine & Light Fare

      2443 Main Street

      Rangeley, Maine 04970

      207-864-3341

      www.therangeleyinn.com [email protected]

      Thai Blossom Express (eat-in/takeout)

      2473 Main Street

      Rangeley, Maine 04970

      207-864-9035

      Moosely Bagels/Scoops

      (breakfast, lunch, ice cream, and food

      and coffee to go)

      2588 Main Street

      Rangeley, Maine 04970

      207-864-5955

      9 . Kennebago River