Ok guys read this one……..
Maine vs USA

This is too important to all Mainers not to be made known from all four corners of this house we call Maine. Read the story over at the BBBlog and see for yourself how on judge is trying to play king of the kingdom. This has got to stop!!!! Judges must be held to the highest standard of impartiality…or be replaced. Our very freedoms are at stake if we allow these characters to think they can push their own opolitical agendas upon the law. Or in this case..the state of Maine. Our trapping traditions and freedoms are at risk. Look beyond the basic issue of trapping and see that this is also about politics and whether judges can try cases that they have previously declared their intentions to rule on. Judges must be impartial!!!!! Or we are doomed.

It is now late September and the rivers are lower than I have ever seen them. Like the river I await the coming of the fall rains. Potatoes are being dug and the grains are all in. Season is coming to an end.

But for a few short days the waters of Aroostook are still open under general privision and the fishing is still doable. “Cast and blast” is the order of the day. Flyrod sheathed on my back and shotgun in my hand. I venture forth into the wilderness to hunt and fish all at the same time. I scout for small game and cast the fly for trout. Bag a few squirrels to tye with and try to get a few trout for the freezer.

In some cases catch and release will continue into November. These waters will be open during the cooler seasons of birds, deer amd bunnies. So Cast and Blast trips can continue into the late fall. They are usually restricted to nymphs and streamers. Since aquatic life up here goes to a minimum rather early. The small game and regular hunting is a fun offshoot. I hunt first thing each trip, fish the middle and hunt the last. Making the best use of all of each day afield. On one trip I shot my four birds by 8:00, caught and released a dozen fat brookies in full mating color, and shot a couple rabbits and another 4 squirrels by 4:00 in the afternoon.

The cast and blast trip is just a simple way to get it all. Fishing and hunting all in one trip. We all do things are own way. This is just one of the ways I try to make my fishing last longer. If you have other ways to do it share them here. I appreciate your comments.

The North Fork Beetle

Materials:
1. Brown Antron Yarn for body
2. Black 2mm Foam for carapice
3. Dark Elk Hair for Wing
4. black 3/0 thread

Start this fly by tying in the antron, (cactus chenille or estez can be used for more sparkle)now also tie in the foam strip for the carapice (shell) and wrap the yarn forward to about 1/3 of the body. Tie it off and run the foam over it to the the tie off point. Leave a short length extending out over hook eye. Now tie in the Elk hair and be sure to allow it to just go beyond the hook bend. Keep it arcing high as possible as you tie it down. But keep it tight together for good floatation. Once wrapped pull the foam back over the elk hair tips and tie off. Form a tiny head at the eye then tie it off. Soak the windings with super glue and let dry.

How to fish It:

My preferrred beetle imitation the North Fork rides very naturally. The dark colors look very real for Northern Miane and catch all species. I cast to shore from midstream this time of year. Water is low and the fish are hanging close to the shore in deep pockets. Look for shade trees over the water and float this fly through that shaded cover all you can.

Don’t be afraid to cast to midstream boulders as you wade, but most fish will be along the shore. Like hopper imitations these flies look best near shore cover and trout know the difference. They fall from trees all the time especially if there is a breeze. A fly like this once caught a really smart trout that refused all I could cast to it. That little black beetle saved the day and netted me several 12″ plus brook trout along the Meduxnekeag that day. If this fly works here in the great white North…. it will work for you where you fish.