The Forks/Long Falls Areaon Kennebec River (Bingham to The Forks)
Conditions right now
No USGS gauge is linked to this water yet, so we can't chart flows.
What's working on Kennebec River
- 01Cool 53°F temperatures and foggy mornings indicate stable yet chilly flows on the Kennebec River.
- 02Blue-Winged Olives, Isonychia mayflies, and October Caddis are active, providing dry fly and emerger opportunities.
- 03Egg patterns are highly effective as trout and salmon begin fall spawning.
- 04Midges remain a consistent subsurface food source.
- 05Concentrate efforts in deeper pools, eddies, and long runs, especially around Bingham Access and The Forks/Long Falls Area.
- 06Emphasize slow, deep presentations with nymphs and streamers, and watch for subtle takes.
What to tie on at The Forks/Long Falls Area
Picked from recent reports for this stretch.
Isonychia Dun
Isonychia mayflies are still actively hatching on freestone rivers, providing a prime pattern for rising trout and salmon.
Zebra Midge
Midges are the most prolific and consistent food source available to Kennebec trout and salmon in February. Black or red patterns in sizes 18-22 are essential.
Buy at AmazonZebra Midge
Midges are a primary and consistent food source year-round, effective as a subsurface searching pattern in cooling fall water.
Buy at AmazonPine Squirrel Leech
Small leech patterns effectively mimic sluggish baitfish and annelids in cold water, enticing strikes from larger, lethargic trout and salmon.
Buy at AmazonOctober Caddis (Dry)
The October Caddis is a significant fall emergence, providing a substantial meal for opportunistic trout and salmon.
Buy at AmazonBead Head Prince
A locally recommended general searching nymph, effective subsurface in the fall as insects are active in the current.
Hendrickson Nymph
Hendricksons are a key early spring hatch, with nymphs actively subsurface before emergence.
Little Black Stonefly nymph
Winter stoneflies (Capniidae) begin to move toward the banks for emergence in late February. This is one of the few large protein sources active right now.
Flashback Hare's Ear Nymph
An excellent general searching nymph for early spring, mimicking various active mayfly nymphs.
Maine season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Fly shops nearby
Local flies, current advice and guided trips.