Life was a little hectic after returning from Rangeley two weeks ago so hence the late report. I had knee surgery this past Friday so I needed to get some things in order since I'll be on crutches till the holidays. Since I was having issues with my knee I only stream fished one day and trolled and still water fished the other 3.

Trolled Upper Richardson on Saturday and had the lake to ourselves. It's my favorite lake in the Rangeley's because it gets very little pressure and has a great boat ramp. It wasn't the best day for trolling. No wind and bright blue bird skies but we picked up a couple small brookies out side the outlet to Upper Dam on green cecil smelts. In fact the fish finder was picking up a LOT of fish outside the outlet. These fish must have been getting ready to move up into the fast water in the spillways.

On Sunday we trolled Rangeley Lake. It started out looking like a good trolling day. A little wind and over cast. By mid morning the wind died out and the sun came out. A beautiful fall day for looking at leaves but not for fishing. We had decent action before the weather switched but all the fish were big yellow perch. A couple went 3lbs. I think all the game fish were up in the rivers. We decided to bag it at noon and go back and watch the Pats get beat on by the Bills.

Monday was the day I was looking forward too. We went out with guide Bill Stevens on Kennebago Lake. We had a quick greeting and got out on the water right away. We found rises right away but the fish didn't cooperate. We moved around the lake and went up into the Kennebago River and picked up some small brookies on dries and streamers before lunch.  After lunch we went out on the lower part of the lake and found some more brookies in the rocky ledges along the shore. I worked as a caretaker for private estate back in 92 on the lake so it was great to see the area again. The highlight of the trip was going for a visit to the estate where I worked at the end of the day. Bill and I have deep roots in the Rangeley area so it was fun swapping stories and sharing our histories. If you ever want to go out on Kennebago I'd highly recommend Bill.

My knee was feeling OK so we decide to do some river fishing before we left for home after lunch on Monday. We knew all the local haunts around Rangeley would be crowded so we headed north to #10 bridge on the Magalloway River. However after we got there I didn't feel up for climbing down the bank. That was OK since I have just as much fun watching my buddies catch fish. One of my buddies got into a nice salmon on a black ghost right of the bat out in the main current. Unfortunately he didn't have a net so he broke his rod tip while trying to land it. It was a huge male. We didn't have a tape but I'd estimate him at 24inches. I watched from the bridge while my buddies hooked into a couple more salmon before we headed back home after lunch.

 Nice report Mr Carva . Them were some big perch .  Hope the knee gets better . Must have been hard watching your buds hooking into salmon. Did you happen to take any photos' ?  Dave V

Thanks for sharing.  I have never been to that region of Maine but I'm thinking it is in my future. 

Too bad about the knee, but at least you'll only be laid up for the winter months.  Just be careful not to slip with those crutches in the snow and ice.  That can really mess up and delay estimated recovery times.

Theron