Maine Fishing Adventures

July 4th 2009 at Grant’s Camps

Journal Date: July 15th, 2009 | Filed Under: Fishing Reports, Reviews

I had the rare weekend off from guiding and it happened to be the 4th of July weekend and my wedding anniversary. I knew I wanted to get the family fishing, but where? I remembered I had met Bob Blunt, the son of the owner of Grant’s Camps in Rangeley, and he had invited me to come up, so I gave him a call and booked a couple of nights.

I have been very skeptical about all the gates in Rangeley and that you need to stay at a lodge or know the right person, but I have to say there was something very special about the idea of hooking a fish that might not have ever seen a fly or have been hooked.

I wasn’t there ten minutes and Bob was convincing me to go hit the river. My wife, being the best wife ever, unpacked the truck and got us settled. Bob, his dad, and I, hit the Kennebago river and within minutes I was onto my first Kennebago salmon.

I am not sure what it was, but there was a different look to this fish from other salmon I have caught.The spots seemed bigger and blacker and the cheek color was unique.

While the weather was cool and rainy, we were able to hike into a remote pond where canoes and boats are stashed. They packed us a lunch and we had a shore side lunch after our hike in. Jen and the boys got a bunch of small brook trout but Bob’s wife got a 19 inch brook trout right up to the boat before it got away.

Jen also had the opportunity to get out with the boys and I and fished for wild brook trout in the Logans, which is part of Kennebago lake. As far as we could see there were rising fish, I sat there and watched them catch brook trout, it was very special to watch my wife and kids have fun catch trout on dries and laughing when they missed one and giggling like kids when they were able to hook one.

When we weren’t out fishing the lake, the boys were casting off the dock or lazing in the hammock.

Grant’s is a real special place. The owners, the food, the fish, the location and the guests really make it a great place to experience. You can truly sense the history of the cabins and the lake. You can only imagine all the fishing tales that unfolded once upon a time, on those cool Rangely boats. Not to mention the happy hours spent on each dock in front of the quaint cabins while guests shared times past and thoughts for the day. Perhaps generations of anglers pay this place a visit. We can’t wait to return!

Jim has been coming to Grant’s for 22 years.