Magalloway River - Lower River
The Magalloway River below Aziscohos Dam is one of the finest and most popular fly fishing destinations in Western Maine. The river here is a tailwater that feeds from the bottom of Lake Aziscohos. The river plunges steeply for over a mile, before flattening out and meandering it’s way to Lake Umbagog. The cold water from the bottom of the dam provides good growing conditions and ample hatches of insects for the native brook trout and wild landlocked salmon that call the river home. Much of the trout fishing is confined to the upper pocket water, as the lower flat-water warms in the summer and is full of smallmouth bass. Fishing kicks off in April and remains good through late July. Midsummer fishing slows a bit, but early and late can still provide good fishing. The fishing picks up again in September and remains good until the river closes September 30th. The lower Magalloway is located in close proximity to Rt 16, and is easily accessible to anglers traveling a short distance from Errol, New Hampshire or Rangeley, Maine. Fishing pressure can be heavy at times and can make the Magalloway a more “technical” fishery, but not to worry, as this is the water your guide grew up on, and he knows it as well as anyone in the region.
The Magalloway River - Upper/Middle River
The Magalloway River begins its life deep in the woods of Western Maine, near the border with New Hampshire and Quebec. The river starts as a twisting, turning, tanic stained freestone river emerging from Moose Bog. The river widens over its course and features deep, wide pools and intermittent stretches of shallow riffles, before tumbling over Little Boy Falls and emptying into Parmachenee Lake. Below Parmachenee, the Middle Magalloway exits as a wide flat river before falling over the remnants of the old Keenans Dam, and dropping swiftly for a mile and emptying into Aziscohos Lake. Both the Upper and Middle River are home to a healthy population of native brook trout and wild landlocked salmon. Spring and Fall see runs of big, lake-dwelling trout and salmon into the system. Spring and Fall are the preferable times to fish. Summer can provide opportunities as well if cool wet weather keeps water temps favorable. Access to the Upper River is limited because of locked gates, and anglers seeking to fish this stretch need to reserve a stay at Bosebuck Mountain Camps. Starting in 2018, Top Notch Fly Fishing LLC is the principal guide service utilized by Bosebuck Mountain Camps. Anglers staying at the camp can expect the traditional Maine sporting camp experience, and will be allowed drive-in access to the Upper and Middle Magalloway with their guide. To book a stay at Bosebuck Mountain Camps you can click here.
