First of all, HAPPY ICE OUT DAY! That’s right, the ice went out last night on the lake and that makes me a very happy man. Ice out day should be a national holiday don’t you think?
Yesterday my kids, the dog and I took a hike along the Messalonskee Stream Trail here in Oakland, Maine. The trail skirts the edge of the steam and is really quite nice. I put a number of photos on our facebook page, including pics of the burned out Cascade Woolen Mill and the waterfall/gorge. The water really moves through this one area.
I’ve fished different parts of this stream in the past but want to focus on it more this year and really explore it. I have a new 14-foot PolarKraft Jon Boat which is a perfect craft for this section of river. The boat has a 6 hp Yamaha and an electric trolling motor, so it’s exactly what you want for this type of water. There’s also a boat launch on the stream, so it’s easy in and easy out.
There’s plenty of fishing opportunities from the bank also, but I think a boat is the way to go. There are trout in this section of the stream, along with bass, yellow perch, a few black crappie and northern pike that have dropped down from Messalonskee Lake. I certainly plan on running 1/2 day trips here this year, especially in the fall. The foliage around the stream is beautiful!
Here’s a website with more information
Messalonskee Stream Trail, Oakland
Distance and Difficulty: 3 miles down and 3 miles back. This is a hiking trail. There are many hills to climb.
Status: Trail was planned in 2005, constructed in 2006, and opened in 2007.
Description: Walk through a gap in a chain link fence, checking out the penstock pipe leading to CMP’s first hydroelectric power station. Proceed into the woods and see the site of the former Cascade Woolen Mill from across the Messalonskee Stream gorge. Cross the power line easement (which has a nice mountain bike trail), and keep on the path. It is mostly single track, crosses several footbridges and passes through beautiful hemlock woods to where the Stream broadens out into a lake. Keep going down, around a peninsula, then up to the power line and along it until you reach the dam access road. Turn left, and proceed towards steel steps which take you over the wood and creosote penstock and along an access road to Rice Rips Road.
Parking: Within a chain link fence on the Waterville side of Messalonskee Stream opposite from the Oakland Town Office (about a dozen cars). There is also limited parking at the other end, north of Rice Rips Road close to the penstock.
Connections: This trail will be extended across Rice Rips Road along a power line easement to the County Road, and from there around to Quarry Road and North Street. Or turn right on Rice Rips Road to reach the Colby College campus trails.
Maintained by: Trail users and the Town of Oakland.
Special Thanks to: Town of Oakland, FPL, Synergics Energy Services, Maine Recreational Trail Program and Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund. The trail was constructed by the Maine Conservation Corps.
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