Rocky met six Mainers fishing the Lower Fly Zone a couple of springs ago. As is his style, he queried them about where to go for great Brook Trout fishing. After a cigar, Mike Duni, chef and guide extraordinaire, highly recommended “Fish River Lodge”, a dozen miles from Fort Kent on the Canadian Border.
Well, Rocky and Mike were finally able to make contact the first week of June and visit Fish River Lodge on Eagle Lake and experience life in a…n old-time Maine fish camp. It’s run by two guides, Wayne and Tenley Bennett (master guide) and the most welcoming and delightful couple we’ve ever met. The camp perches on Eagle Lake and is basically the last set of buildings as you travel east on the lake. It’s everything you’d expect; the camp is a mixture of old and new. Our cabin dated to the 1920s and previously had been the company quarters of an old logging mill. Thirty feet from the dock, the view was spectacular with pines, high hills and mountains in the distance. We had our choice of canoes or a small boat equipped with a 5 horsepower motor.
There were diverse options before us. There was a small brook trout creek that we followed for about a half mile to the Fish River and its Falls, offering us Brook Trout and Landlock Salmon. We came across a spot at the bridge below Soldier Pond as well as numerous river spots near Fort Kent, a beautiful and unique village. We took a canoe trip starting about 3 miles from camp down the river into Eagle lake with a short half mile paddle back to camp.
We took to Eagle Lake for trolling and casting for Brookies, Landlocks, and Lakers (Tongue), along with numerous perch, some quite large. Also, with many ponds in the area, Wayne took us to a remote one, a venture that took an hour in 4 wheel drive. Our reward were brookies to 3 pounds but Wayne says they get bigger. It was truly a treat to visit this spot.
Wayne, Tenley and Mike Duni are all deer, moose, and bear guides and we spent several great evenings discussing hunts. We saw many moose and Mike caught the disease! We had two wonderful meals with our new friends that included fresh lobster, clams and Maine clam chowder; to die for! We relaxed there and had a new adventure every day. It was excellent companionship with people dedicated to ensuring enjoyment!
See you on the River!
“Rock” Rockwell, USA Ret.
Zero Limit Adventures
NYS Licensed Guide
Douglaston Salmon Run Approved Guide & River Walker
