I love foggy mornings on the Kennebec River, though I could do without the rain...  Eric and Janet Teske and Eric’s Brother Chris Braved the wet conditions and wind to catch a bunch of striped bass while on vacation here in Maine.  

Capt. Forrest Faulkingham, Capt. Hank DeRuiter and I were blessed by spending the morning with eight American Armed Forces Veterans today. Though the weather was less than perfect the fishing was good and everyone had a great time. For three years Capt Faulkingham and House in the Woods from Lee, Maine have coordinated this outing.  These eight men were so grateful for the time donated to take them fishing but it does not compare to the gratitude I have for them and their sacrifices.
Thank you to Poulin Bros Lobster, Bath Hampton Inn and The Monsweag Roadhouse who donated rooms and food to round out this two day outing.
House in the Woods is an outdoor retreat program that “honors our veterans and their families' sacrifices and assists them in their journey towards healing the mental and physical pain of loss.”
FMI: www.houseinthewoods.org

Capt. Duane Harris from St. Simons Island, GA joined me for a morning of striped bass fly fishing on the Kennebec River this week. The stripers have settled into their summer habits in that; top water feeds have become less comon and the fish are staging on structure and in the rips. Both poppers and baitfish patterns are producing stripers up to 26". Safe travels home Duane, great getting to know you and I hope to see you again the next time you are in Maine.

Kennebec River and Casco Bay Fishing Conditions: Stripers are spread throughout the River right now. No big schools or sustained top water feeds now that the water temps have reached the high 60s and low 70s. The river is full of river herring, alewives, sea herring and sand eels. The stripers are all fat and happy. Mid day fishing is tuff so go early and late.

Best Striped Bass Fly Fishing Technics: Surface activity is becoming less common with the rise in water temp. Use your best small mouth bass technics; blind cast structure and rips. Cover lots of water and you'll find them. Go early, by mid morning the stripers have full bellies and are hard to entice.

Best Striper Light Tackle / Spin Fishing Technics: Stripers are settling in on their summer ledges hangouts. Heavy bucktails and shad bodies are working great. Carolina rigged bait is beginning to produce and will be the hot set up over the next several weeks.

My Fly Fishing Tip of the Week: Water surface temps are now in the mid 70s. The stripers will be holding in deeper water. Use Depthcharge lines and weighted flies.

7 Day Outlook: Big tides are causing strong currents throughout the river, Water clarity is improving. There are lots of stripers in the River but the bite is early and late in the day due to warm water and full bellies.

Doug Bear from Orvis doing it in fine style on the Kennebec River with the Helios2. Always a pleasure Doug, enjoy the rest of your time in Maine and wishing you safe travels home to PA. See you next year!