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WhatsMyFly › Penobscot River (West Branch), ME

What Fly to Use on the Penobscot River (West Branch)

Freestone Northern Maine ME

Legendary Maine river for brook trout and landlocked salmon. Remote, cold, and later season than southern rivers.

Current Conditions

Live USGS water data — updated every 30 minutes

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River conditions
Data: USGS Water Services

Today's Top Flies

Conditions-adjusted recommendations for right now

Matching the hatch...

Seasonal Hatch Chart

Complete hatch calendar with peak windows and matching fly patterns

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Blue Wing Olive Baetis spp.
Parachute BWO, Pheasant Tail Nymph
Hendrickson Ephemerella subvaria
Hendrickson Dry, Hendrickson Nymph
Caddis Hydropsyche spp.
Elk Hair Caddis, Caddis Emerger
March Brown Stenonema vicarium
March Brown Dry, March Brown Nymph
Green Drake Ephemera guttulata
Green Drake Dry, Green Drake Emerger
Sulfur Ephemerella dorothea
Sulfur Comparadun, Sulfur Emerger
Isonychia Isonychia bicolor
Isonychia Comparadun, Isonychia Nymph
Blue Wing Olive Baetis spp.
Parachute BWO, RS2 Emerger
Active season Peak activity

Complete Hatch Guide

8 documented hatches with peak timing and matching fly patterns

Insect Season Peak Time Patterns
Blue Wing Olive (Baetis) Apr 20 - Jun 10 May 5 - May 30 Afternoon dry Parachute BWO #18/20nymph Pheasant Tail Nymph #18/20
Hendrickson May 10 - Jun 5 May 18 - May 30 Afternoon dry Hendrickson Dry #12/14nymph Hendrickson Nymph #12/14
Caddis May 15 - Jul 31 Jun 1 - Jul 1 Evening dry Elk Hair Caddis #12/14emerger Caddis Emerger #14/16
March Brown May 20 - Jun 20 Jun 1 - Jun 15 Afternoon dry March Brown Dry #10/12nymph March Brown Nymph #10/12
Green Drake Jun 10 - Jul 5 Jun 18 - Jun 28 Late afternoon to evening dry Green Drake Dry #8/10emerger Green Drake Emerger #10
Sulfur Jun 10 - Jul 25 Jun 20 - Jul 10 Evening dry Sulfur Comparadun #16/18emerger Sulfur Emerger #16/18
Isonychia (Slate Drake) Jun 20 - Sep 25 Jul 10 - Aug 20 Evening dry Isonychia Comparadun #10/12nymph Isonychia Nymph #10/12
Blue Wing Olive (Fall) Sep 10 - Oct 31 Sep 20 - Oct 20 Afternoon dry Parachute BWO #18/20emerger RS2 Emerger #20/22
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