Dead River Maine Fishing Report & Options for Selecting Flies: Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations. We can get flies and gear to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Your can also call us at 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide what flies and gear to use. All orders are shipped free in the U.S. If under a $100 order requiring Priority mail is a charge of only $8.10. Orders over a $100 are shipped free via Priority Mail.
We also have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes. They make excellent gifts. Click Here To Order or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at sales@perfectflystore.com.
Type of Stream
Freestone and Tailwaters
Species
Brook Trout (wild and stocked)
Landlocked Salmon
Rainbows (wild)
Size
Medium to Large
Location
Western and Central Maine
Nearest Towns
Bingham
Rangeley
Season
Check current regulations and
seasons
Access:
Mostly Plentiful but some sections
must be fished from a canoe
Non-Resident License
State of Maine
Weather
National Weather Service Link
Seasons:
The Dead River seasons are subject to change from year to year. Check the current regulations
Spring:
Late Spring is probably the best time to fish the Dead River. .
Summer:
Summertime is okay, but the water can get a little on the warm side in some areas and the brook trout fishing usually slows down.
Fall:
Early Fall can provide good fishing opportunities
Recommended Tackle & Gear
Fly Line:
4, 5 or 6 weight
Leaders:
Dry fly: 9 to 12 ft., 5 or 6X Nymphing:
71/2 ft., 3 or 4X, Streamers 0-2X
Tippets:
Dry fly: 5 or 6X, Nymphing: 3 or 4X,
Streamer 0-2X
Best Fly Rods:
Perfect Fly Supreme Four, Superb Five
or Ultimate Six
Fly Reels:
For 4/5/6 fly line
Fly Floatants and Misc Items:
Floatants, KISS Strike Indicators
Tools & Accessories:
Nippers, forceps, retractors, etc.
Copyright 2016 James Marsh
Fly Fishing The Dead River Maine
Fly Fishing the Dead River in Maine is quite different from fishing most other streams in Maine. It is a system of rivers, lakes and ponds that varies greatly depending on where you fish it. The North Branch of the Dead River and the South Branch of the Dead River flow
into Flagstaff Lake. The main stem of the Dead River, sometimes called the West Branch of the Dead River, is a twenty-four mile long river that flows from Flagstaff Lake into the Kennebec River.. Each of the two branches and the main stem provide different opportunities for the fly angler.
The South Branch of the Dead River flows from Saddleback Lake near Rangeley Maine, a very popular fly fishing destination for the Rapid River. From there it flows into Stratton Lake and then into Flagstaff lake. It’s fairly accessible since much of its length flows along
state Route #27. The lower section of the North Branch is about seven miles long and can be fished from a canoe. It has both stocked and wild brook trout.
The North Branch of the Dead River flows from a chain of ponds from near the Canadian/U.S. border. From there the river flows through Eustis Lake and into Flagstaff Lake. It too, has both wild and stocked brook trout. State Route #27 follows the North Branch for most of its upper section length. It has very good access until it reaches its lower section about ten miles above Flagstaff Lake where It is usually fished from a canoe.
Like the two branches, both stocked and wild brook trout are plentiful in the main stem, but it has an added attraction – landlocked salmon. There’s even a few wild rainbow trout. The area just below Flagstaff Lake is a popular destination because of its varied fly fishing opportunities. Unlike much of the other sections of the Dead River, wading is possible in this section. The section of the Dead River above Grand Falls must be fished from a canoe or larger boat.
Below Grand Falls, much of the main stem of the Dead River flows through very remote country. Only the area just below the falls is accessible by vehicle. Fly fishing the Dead River below the Falls provides some good brook trout and landlocked salmon opportunities. You can access the lowermost part of the stream above its confluence with the Kennebec River near the Forks from Route #201. This is also a popular destination for landlocked salmon, brook trout and wild rainbows.