Join us for a memorable fly-fishing group trip during Orvis Week at Maine's Libby Camps, catering to fly fishermen in the North Maine Woods region since 1890. Libbys is sandwiched between Baxter State Park and the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, at the headwaters of three of the finest fly-fishing rivers in Maine: the Allagash, Aroostook, and the Penobscot. Orvis and Libbys have worked together to create this unique trip to highlight this special region during a particularly productive time of the season. Late spring offers an abundance of fishing opportunities on the rivers and lakes nearby. In addition to the nearby fishing, this package includes two fly-out fishing days to more remote water for each angler. You'll have the opportunity to target native brook trout and landlocked salmon with dry flies, nymphs, and streamers.
May 22nd - 28th, 2021
6 nights/5 days
Shared room/shared guide = $3,695*
*Call Orvis Adventures for additional pricing: 800-547-4322
You can arrive at Libby Camps anytime after 3 PM. If you are flying, Presque Isle (PQI) and Bangor (BGR) are the two closest airports. From the airport you can rent a car, or you can elect for a more scenic experience: Libby’s will pick you up via float plane. After you settle into your cabin, you can fish around the property on Millinocket Lake or relax until dinner with the rest of the group.
Each morning breakfast is served in the main lodge at 7:00 AM. After you are done eating, you’ll gather your things and head out with your guide. Whether you are fishing a local river, lake, or heading off on one of your fly-outs (each angler package includes two fly-out days), you are sure to have a full day of adventure. Your guide will carry your lunch and any snacks you would like to have. Fishing days are typically from 8-5 PM so you can return to the lodge before dinner. Dinner is served family-style around 6:00 PM.
On your departure day, you will enjoy one final breakfast with the rest of the group before heading home or on to your next adventure. Check out is at 9:00 AM.
Each package includes lodging in one of the log cabins at Libby’s. Each cabin has at least one queen bed and a private bathroom. Larger cabins can sleep up to six. Meals are served family-style in the historic, rustic lodge overlooking the lake. The walls and rafters of the lodge are filled with Libby Camps’ history and exploring it provides a wonderful window into the past. Camp flyers and pamphlets from the turn of the century, images of fish and wildlife from clients of the distant and not-so-distant past, and a plethora of relics from a more simple time. Moose horn chandeliers and furniture are scattered throughout the lodge, all adding to the rustic wilderness charm. The ever-present smell of fresh-baked bread, cookies, and home-cooked meals only heighten the experience.
Fishing in May will be primarily for brook trout with mostly dry flies on the ponds and dries and nymphs on the rivers. Dark Hendrickson, BWOs, March browns, and Caddis flies will be the primary hatches as the spring turns to summer. When the water warms up, and the sun is bright, you will have to go sub-surface for the fish. A good sinking line is highly recommended. For landlocked salmon in the rivers, fishing small streamer patterns will be the main technique.
Swimming: fine sand beach, ledges, islands, and pure water.
Hiking: wilderness hiking near camp or fly into Baxter State Park only 5 minutes away!
Canoeing: trips start right from camp: Millinocket, Munsungan, Mooseleuk, and Machias Streams, Aroostook, and Allagash Rivers. Guides available upon request for additional fees.
Wildlife: Wildlife spotting in the North Maine Woods! Moose by the dozens, deer, bear, lynx, fisher, marten, eagles, osprey, loons, and so much more!
Orchid Hunts: Come discover the dozens of native orchids in some of the neatest places. Ribbon bog, fens, cedar swamps, hardwood ridges, black spruce timber, or big pine over 200 years old.
Learn how to fly cast: Don’t know one end from another? We can teach you to cast and to catch fish. We supply everything, even the laughs.
Learn how to shoot: We provide the guns for kids or adults. Shoot skeet and sporting clays. Plink away with pistols. Safety and proper techniques are taught and stressed. The instructor will be with you constantly. (Additional frees applicable for ammunition & instructor.)
Scenic flights: Scenic Fly-outs are available upon request for an additional fee! Soar above the North Maine Woods – 3.5 million acres of pristine forest and natural beauty. Moose and wildlife are spotted frequently, and you get views of Mt. Katahdin as soon as you lift off from camp!
12
All skill levels are welcome.
Not strenuous.
All meals are included with your package. Meals are served family-style in the main lodge, overlooking the lake. Wine and beer are available.
Brook trout and landlocked salmon.
Daytime highs range from 40°-70°F in May. Springtime in Maine often sees weather that changes rapidly. Anglers should always be prepared for variable conditions throughout the day and week. It is best to dress in layers and always carry a raincoat or wading jacket to adapt adequately.
Fly rods: The most common are 9 foot, 5- or 6-wt. We always recommend bringing extra rods, 5-, 6-, or 7-wt. You could be using a 5-wt. on a river one day and a 7-wt. on a lake the next.
Fly Lines: Weight forward floating and sinking lines to match the rod.
Leaders: 9 ft. 3X and 4X. For tippet materials, use 2X, 3X, 4X, and 5X.
Flies: Dark Hendrickson, BWOs, March browns, and Caddis will be the primary families of flies you’ll use in both nymphs and dries. Streamers in various sizes will also be useful. Classic, smaller streamers like grey ghosts and hair-wing patterns are effective.
Orvis will provide a full packing list following booking. Some essential items include:
Closest airports are Bangor (BGR) and Presque Isle (PQI). Seaplane shuttle from these airports or from any lake in Maine is available. If driving from the south, the last available services including gas, groceries, and cell service is in Patten, Maine.
A 10% non-refundable deposit is required to hold your space. The balance will be due 90-days before the trip. Please see Orvis Adventures Terms & Conditions to read the full Terms & Conditions for this trip.