RAKGELEY LAKES, MAINE: FISHES, ANGUNG, AND FISH CULTURE. 555 



Generally, from the 15th to the 20th of May trout are abundant at the mouths 

 of brooks and rivers, as well as in eddies at the foot of all rapid waters where there 

 is a deep hole, and later in the white water. By the latter part of May, according 

 to Mr. Rich, trout are distributed all over the lakes, and any novice could easily secure 

 a good string. Particular mention was made of the narrows and the rapids of Kenne- 

 bago and Rangeley Streams for large trout. He named Indian Rock and above on 

 Rangeley and Kennebago Streams as good pools with plenty of trout. These places 

 were stated to be particularly good in September. 



It was said that in August and about the ist of September large trout are found 

 ofif the long sand beach near Bemis, where all fishing was done from boats. Excellent 

 fishing in June and the last of September, of about i -pound trout with occasionally 

 larger ones, among the islands 5 miles down the lake was mentioned. Eight miles down 

 the lake and about 2 miles above Upper Dam, at Brandy Point, the largest trout were 

 found. Bugle Cove and Trout Cove in Mooselucmaguntic Lake afford many records 

 of large trout. 



The pool at Upper Dam is famous for the large trout, numbers of them, and fly 

 fishing. This pool is estimated to be 300 feet long and 200 feet or more in width, with 

 a strong current through the middle, making two strong whirlpools, one on the right 

 and one on the left. The fishing is done mostly from boats either at the mouth of the 

 pool or on the back waters. It is probably this pool that was referred to by Mr. Rich 

 as the inlet of Richardson Lake, where, he says, good fishing may be had almost any 

 time, but especially in June and September. 



Mosquito Brook is stated to have been a famous place. 



Off Metallak Brook, where the water deepens, was favorably mentioned as a good 

 place. In the vicinity of this brook is a continuous sand beach, and some distance out 

 from shore the shallow water makes suddenly off into deep water, forming a steep bank. 

 Near this bank, in an area of perhaps one-half a square mile, was a good fishing ground, 

 where trout congregated and stayed winter and summer. This location, being at the 

 upper end of the narrows connecting upper and lower Richardson Lakes, where there 

 is supposed to be more or less current, forms a natural fishing point, which was not 

 generally known to the people or the guides but was known to the Indians in old times. 



Down the narrows, i mile from Metallak Brook grounds just mentioned, was the 

 famous Cedar Tree Point, mentioned as an October, November, and winter fishing 

 ground. These months are now out of season. But still farther down the narrows, 

 where the lower lake begins, was a famous place for large trout in the spring. Some 

 days they would rise to a fly, but usually, as in most deep water in June, the method 

 was baiting and sinking. 



Next in order mentioned by Mr. Rich was Middle Dam, at the head of the outlet 

 into Rapid River, where the largest trout were taken. 



As already stated, in the general fishing season trout are caught in some way almost 

 anywhere — from wharves, oS' points at mouths of streams, and about shoals. Certain 

 special places mentioned are resorted to when the fishing is not so widespread and the 

 fish are more or less congregated for one reason or another. Sometimes such grounds, 

 perhaps through some of the previously mentioned changes of conditions, are unpro- 

 ductive. Then it is that the complaints of poor fishing arise. Even then, according to 

 the experienced, good fishing is possible to those recognizing the cause by searching for 



