Governor Janet Mills and Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Judy Camuso recently enjoyed a fly fishing experience north of Rangeley.
I assume that many people do not realize that Janet loves to fly fish. And while Judy enjoys fishing, this was the first time that she has ever fly fished. My friend Bruce Verrill, took them to his place on Rump Pond, alongside the northern end of the Magalloway River.
Bruce’s camp is a long drive after you go through the Parmachenee gate, so fishing pressure up there is not a problem.
I enjoyed several amazing trips up there with Bruce. Before he built a beautiful house there, we stayed in one of two old cabins that were originally part of a sporting camp. LL Bean once owned those cabins, and sold them to Bruce.
Janet and Judy enjoyed two days of fishing with Bruce and another friend of mine, Dr. Jay Naliboff.
I won’t disclose Bruce’s favorite places to fish up there but I will tell you that both ladies caught a lot of brook trout. Bruce told me that Judy very quickly became a good caster, and on her first day caught 30 brook trout.
In fact, when Bruce suggested to Judy that first day that they move to a new location she refused because she was catching fish!
In the fall, large fish swim up the Magalloway River to spawn, and one fall, Bruce and I each caught a gorgeous five-pound brookie.
If Janet and Judy weren’t so busy, I’ll bet they’d be asking Bruce to get them back up there sometime soon!