4 . East Outlet

       Location: Central Maine, about a 1½-hour ride from Bangor, a 3-hour ride from Portland; a 4½-hour ride from Boston, Massachusetts; and a 4-hour ride from Manchester, New Hampshire. Full-service airports are available in all four cities.

      The East Outlet is a branch of the fabled Kennebec River. It is located 15 minutes northwest of the historic town of Greenville. The “Outlet,” as it is called locally, originates at Moosehead Lake—the largest lake in Maine.

      Moosehead is a rare example of a body of water with two outlets. After exiting the big lake at a low dam, the Outlet travels roughly 3½ miles before emptying into Indian Pond. Dropping an average 25 feet per mile, the East Outlet is the polar opposite of its sluggish sibling to the west. Its swift current flows over large rocks, providing an ideal, oxygen-rich habitat favored by landlocked salmon. The East Outlet is considered one of the finest landlocked salmon fisheries in Maine.

      Most of the land surrounding the East Outlet is designated Maine Public Preserved Land. This protects it from development and allows it to retain its wild character. It is home to one of the larger white-tailed deer wintering areas in the state. Moose and black bears are common. The East Outlet typifies northern Maine’s (and the southern boreal forest’s) ruggedly beautiful scenery and large-river angling for landlocked Atlantic salmon and eastern brook trout amid the musical sound of falling water. Conifers, ferns, and large granite rocks line its banks and river bottom.

      Most anglers typically wade the first mile of river, fishing from the dam to what is known as the Spawning Beds. These areas can be reached from the highway and a dirt road that parallels the river to the north. The dirt road is best left to vehicles with good clearance and four-wheel drive. There is parking on either side of the river at the Route 6/15 bridge. There are several pull-outs along the dirt road. One ends at the Beach Pool. Below here access becomes more difficult, requiring a walk to reach the more remote sections down to the lake.

      The best way to experience the East Outlet and cover the entire 3½ miles of river is by drift boat. Unlike many rivers where fish hold near the banks, in the Outlet salmon and trout can be just about anywhere. Midriver runs inaccessible to wading anglers often hold fish. Drift boats can be maneuvered into position and anchored in the river’s swift current, giving access to fish that wading anglers never reach. When the water is high, driftboat anglers can continue to fish productively, while wading anglers have few options. It is, however, important to

      note that the East Outlet is not easy to float. It is a technical river with Class II and III rapids. As a result, it is best floated by expert rowers with an intimate knowledge of the river and its flow regime. This is a river where hiring a guide is always a good idea.

      Sluice