Trolling on Rangeley this spring has been great with many large salmon and some decent trout caught. Talking with some early fisherman at Sam-o-set camps in May at ice out they reported days with 30 fish caught and released on streamers and sewn bait. After the fast action at ice out there were some tough days with a lot of rain and easterly winds that slowed the fishing some but that’s fishing and you have to play with the weather your dealt. Paying attention to details and getting out early and staying late produces fish through tough conditions.

I have had the opportunity to catch and release several salmon over 22” and a few trout over 18”with the average trout being 16” and the average salmon being 18”. Many of these fish show evidence of being caught and released which says everyone knows there are big fish in Rangeley and they are willing to wait for the right one.

The spring stocking this year amounts to slightly less fish to keep the ratio between forage and adult fish right where it needs to be. Smelt egg drop was good in the tributaries insuring the quality of fish caught and will result in a good number of fat salmon and trout this summer.

See you out there,
Shaun

Thanks for taking the time to work up the recap of the recent past. I come here often to see what's happening up north. Bob