The sign on the door says Gone Fishin’!
The West Outlet of the Kennebec River has long been known for its amazing fishing, but without ease of access. Sure, a brave canoeist or kayaker or two, have run the beautiful waters-some even successful. Folks also fish the banks and some wade a bit. But putting a big boat in was never an option because of the low water flow. Unlike the East Outlet of the Kennebec River, the West Outlet stays constant generally at a low flow at around 150 CFS. This isn’t enough water to float a drift boat, and the rapids are tricky to say the least.
We had a row frame raft, and thought this would be an amazing adventure to offer our guests and other visitors to Moosehead Lake. It was more then we ever imagined! The fishing is EPIC, the scenery is gorgeous, and you are out in the middle of the wilderness enjoying the peace and beauty like nowhere else. The trips took off and soon we were getting calls for more than 2 people wanting to go on this incredible wilderness adventure. We decided it was time to offer 2 boat fishing trips on the West Outlet.
The raft came, and needed to be assembled and accessorized. I’m starting to get a little nervous about the costs associated with equipping yet another guide boat. Scott finally talked me into taking an afternoon off, so I could see for myself what the rave was all about. Boy, am I glad I did!
I’ve run the shuttle several times and always been in awe of the peace and quiet, along with the beauty of the area between Wilsons on Moosehead Lake and the numerous take-outs on the West Outlet. I had yet to fully understand what made this such a unique fishing expedition, until I was able to experience it for myself.
Yea, the fishing is great. We caught a lot of HUGE bass, and I did well and even caught bottom and branches and laughed a lot! You are deep in the woods on the calm river away from traffic, away from other fisher people, and the feeling is indescribable. You feel such a sense of peace while floating along enjoying your surroundings, that it really doesn’t matter how many fish you catch. Once you’ve ridden for a bit on the mirrored waters, you start to hear some sounds. Not traffic, not people, but water moving over the rocks. There are some great little rapids (compared to large rapids when whitewater rafting) that take you down the river to another beautiful spot where you can fish some more.
The guides have encountered moose in the river, deer in the river, ospreys and eagles souring overhead, and did I mention the HUGE small mouth bass that can be taken with either spinning equipment or a fly rod? The pictures don’t do it justice. This is a trip you need to see for yourself!