AMC offering guided fly fishing excursions

GREENVILLE — Experienced fly fishing anglers and beginners alike can enjoy guided fly fishing excursions and improve a variety of angling skills at the Appalachian Mountain Club’s (AMC’s) Maine Wilderness Lodges in the Moosehead/100-Mile Wilderness region this spring.

Fly fishing workshops for beginners and guided fly fishing excursions to backcountry ponds on AMC’s 70,000 miles of conservation and recreation land are slated for May and June, some of the peak times for brook trout fishing in the region. AMC’s land hosts more than two dozen backcountry ponds, many of which are home to wild brook trout. These programs are led by Registered Maine Guides.

The “Fly Fishing Workshop for Beginners” is being offered on May 20-22 and June 17-19. Build fly fishing proficiency with indoor lessons on flies, rods and knots, and outdoor sessions on casting, along with guided fly fishing on both pond and river. This workshop also works well as a refresher course for those who have been away from fly fishing for some time. Accommodations are provided at Little Lyford Lodge and Cabins.

“Guided Remote Ponds Fly Fishing Excursion” is being offered from May 27-29 and June 24-26. Saturday morning before breakfast, early risers will head down to Long Pond in search of squaretails, lake trout and landlocked salmon. After breakfast, participants will be shuttled to remote ponds where they will spend the day with AMC guides in search of colorful, native brookies.

Accommodations for the May session are provided at Gorman Chairback Lodge and Cabins. Accommodations for the June session are provided at Little Lyford Lodge and Cabins. All programs include guiding and leadership; a box of fishing flies; Friday and Saturday night lodging; dinner on Friday night; breakfast, a trail lunch, and dinner on Saturday; and breakfast and a trail lunch on Sunday.

Participants can take advantage of discounted member rates while supporting AMC’s mission with the annual membership. For additional details or to register , visit www.outdoors.org/lodging/mainelodges/maine-fly-fishing.cfm.

Reservations can also be requested by emailing amclodging@outdoors.org, or by calling 358-5187, Monday through Saturday.

These programs and AMC’s Maine Wilderness Lodges are components of AMC’s broader Maine Woods Initiative, an innovative approach to conservation that combines outdoor recreation, resource protection, sustainable forestry, and community partnerships. To date, AMC has purchased and permanently conserved 70,000 acres of forest land, created more than 120 miles of recreational trails, opened three sporting camps to the public, established a Forest Stewardship Council-certified sustainable forestry operation, and developed partnerships with local Piscataquis County schools. Learn more at www.outdoors.org/mwi. AMC’s Maine Wilderness Lodges are proud members of Trout Unlimited’s Business Program.

Founded in 1876, the AMC promotes the protection, enjoyment, and understanding of the mountains, forests, waters and trails of America’s northeast. AMC helps people of all ages and abilities to explore and develop a deep appreciation of the natural world. With chapters from Maine to Washington, D.C., guidebooks and maps, and unique lodges and huts, AMC helps people get outdoors on their own, with family and friends, and through activities close to home and beyond. AMC invites the public to support its conservation advocacy and research, youth programming and care of 1,800 miles of trails.