The Androscoggin (Andro) River is a favorite of ours. It is a truly unique fishery in the Western Mountains of Maine. Though it has a warming trend in the summer it boast wild and stocked trout. Rainbow, Brook, and Brown Trout can all be caught in these waters. The Andro has abundant bug and bait life and lends itself to dries, nymphing, and streamer fishing. This river has a wild population of rainbow trout that was established in the 1930s. Though they may take more effort to catch, these gems are worth the effort! May-June and September-October are the best times to fish for trout in these waters. The gradient of the river is gradual. There are many riffles and runs with pool habitat mixed in. Though the Andro is a series of mostly top spilling tailwaters, the 45 mile stretch we guide upon is void of dams. It fishes and feels more like western freestone stream. On most trips you will witness eagles fishing and lounging riverside. Some of their favorite perches are amongst of the large arching silver maples and tall white pines that line the rivers edge. There are many gravel bars for stretching the legs and lunches. It is just a great river to guide on and to enjoy with others!

     Below Rumford the Androscoggin (Andro) RIver becomes a smallmouth haven. From Rumford to Dixfield you experience some of the water characteristics of a large trout river but instead of trout, there are smallmouth ready to ambush your fly. Streamers are the most productive but poppers can produce in the right water conditions. Once below Dixfield the river widens and slows some but is prime smallmouth habitat. The same eagles frequent these sections as they do in the upper river and the banks are edged with silver maples and other hardwoods. The sections we guide on, fish well from June-September. This is a straight out fun float to do in the heat of summer. No one leaves unhappy after battling with a smallmouth. Their vigor and ability to fight all the way to the boat is admirable!

      Though Pike are not native to Maine and are considered invasive they are found through the mid to lower sections of the river. Established through illegal introductions in Belgrade Lakes area, they spread. In the Androscoggin river they have the ideal river habitat to grow to true trophy size. They are not prolific, however this contributes to their ability to grow large in this river system. It is like Musky fishing in many respects. Lots of casting with their always being a chance for a 40 incher! Ideal times to chase them is around the spawn in the spring and in the fall starting in mid September till ice forms. Most trips are run out of Alex’s jet boat and it is a fun way to just spend a day on the river. Alex’s focus is on targeting them with a fly. You can expect to cast 8-10 weight rods. For those who struggle with 10 weights and large flies? Don’t worry more castable flies and 8 weights can get the job done as well. This is a great trip if you are wanting an exhilarating fly fishing experience closer to the coastline.