Equipment List

The following is a list of recommended equipment for full and half day trips. Items marked with an asterisks (*) are required by law, or by Kennebec Drifters for safety reasons. Some items may be provided by Kennebec Drifters with prior notice. Maine fishing licenses (absolutely required for clients 16 years of age and older) may be purchased on-line by visiting the MOSES website of Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife at: https://www5.informe.org/online/moses/.
  • * Valid Maine Fishing license
  • * Any and all necessary medications for known conditions such as blood pressure medication, Nitro tabs, allergy medications (i.e. Eppi-pens), etc.
  • * Spare eyeglasses (if possible)
     
  • Fly rod – 9’ recommended in 4-7wt depending on personal preference ( a 9’ 5wt is great for most situations, windy conditions may be best conquered by a 6wt)
  • Reels & Spare spools in appropriate line weights (Floating and sink tip or full sink lines recommended)

Non fly fishermen should bring their favorite rod, spooled with 10-15 pound test line and lures.

  • Waders and seasonally appropriate wader liners (Heavy in spring, light in summer, etc.)
  • Wading boots (No studded boot on float trips)
  • Wading staff (HIGHLY recommended for Float and wade trips)
  • Flies (see below)
  • Wading jacket or rain gear
  • Visored hat
  • Polarized sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellant
  • Cold weather jacket (spring and fall)

Flies

A wide variety of insect life inhabits the waters of central Maine, from mayflies and caddis to stoneflies and a myriad of other aquatic life. Different types of insects hatch at various times throughout the year. A well-stocked fly box can be the difference between a good day, and a great day. The following is an abbreviated listing of recommended flies all seasons:

Nymphs –

  • Copper John’s (red, copper and prince are some of my favorite – sizes 16-20)
  • Bead Head Hares Ear (sizes 12-18)
  • Black Stone (sizes 4-6)
  • Caddis nymphs or pupa
  • Gold Ribbed Hares Ear (sizes 10-14)
  • Prince Nymphs (sizes 10-14)
  • Zug Bugs (sizes 10-14)

Streamers –

  • Black Ghost
  • Colonial Bates
  • Conehead Muddler
  • Double Bunnies
  • Gray Ghost
  • Leaches (brown, black, wine)
  • Muddler Minnow
  • Wooly-Buggers (black, insect green, yellow, brown)
  • Yellow Muddler
  • Zonkers
  • Zuddler

Dry Flies –

  • Adams
  • Blue Dun
  • Blue Winged Olive
  • Caddis Emergers (green, dark green, tan)
  • CDC Caddis
  • Dark Cahill
  • Dave’s Hopper
  • Elk Hair Caddis
  • Fluttering Stone
  • Hendrickson
  • Hexagenia Mayflies (July)
  • Joe’s Hopper
  • Light Cahill
  • Mayfly Emergers (green, gray, brown)
  • Red Quill
  • Royal Coachman
  • Royal Wulff
  • Spotlight Caddis
  • Stimulators

As you can see, the variety of flies that can be used to fish the waters of Central Maine can fill multiple fly boxes. A selection of a dozen or so proven flies can greatly enhance ones fishing adventure. However, this list is only a recommendation. Feel free to contact Kennebec Drifters for a more accurate recommendation for the specific time of your trip.

Lures

As Kennebec Drifters specializes in fly fishing trips, we are somewhat less knowledgeable in regards to the selection of artificial lures as compared to the selection of flies. A well stocked tackle box for fishing the upper Kennebec River should include lures and spoons designed to fish the entire water column from top to bottom.

Recommended colors run the gamut from silver and gold to yellow, red and orange. Small, brightly colored top water lures can provide exciting action throughout the late spring and summer.

The lower Kennebec provides opportunity for Small Mouth and Stripped Bass, and scaling up of lures may be necessary. Larger Rapalas and Shad can be the lures of choice in these murkier sections. Please note, however, that Inland Fisheries and Wildlife regulations require that only “single hooked artificial lures” be used below Waterville. This means that only lures with one set of hooks is permissible. Treble hooks are legal, provided only one set is attached to each lure.

For a printable version of this equipment list, please click here.