First Roach Pond
Fly fishing in Maine · Intermediate · Best seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall
Target Species
Brook Trout, Landlocked Salmon
About This Water
Piscataquis County pond with brook trout and salmon. Roach River system.
Fishing Recommendations
Welcome to the Maine North Woods. As your guide, I’m excited to break down First Roach Pond. Located in the legendary Kokadjo region (just north of Greenville), this water is the crown jewel of the Roach River chain. It serves as a critical habitat for wild fish and acts as the "refrigerator" for the famous Roach River.
Here is your comprehensive guide to fly fishing First Roach Pond.
🎣 Location Overview
First Roach Pond is a 3,200-acre gem nestled in the shadows of White Cap Mountain. What makes it special is its transition from a deep-water basin to a series of shallow, rocky coves and thoroughfares. It is the headwaters of the Roach River, one of the most famous fly-fishing-only rivers in the Eastern US.
Anglers love First Roach because it offers a "big water" experience with a "small water" feel in its many coves. It’s wild, remote, and the gateway to the true Maine wilderness. The water is exceptionally clear and cold, supported by a network of springs and mountain runoff.
🐟 Target Species & Behavior
- Landlocked Atlantic Salmon: These are the "silver bullets" of the pond. They are aggressive, acrobatic, and highly mobile. In the spring, they follow the smelt into the shallows and river mouths. In the fall, they congregate near the outlet (the dam) and the inlet for their spawning runs.
- Brook Trout: First Roach holds "square-tails" of impressive size. Unlike the salmon, Brookies are often found tighter to structure—sunken logs, boulders, and spring holes. They feed heavily on nymphs and terrestrial insects but will readily smash a streamer if presented with a "meat and potatoes" meal.
📅 Best Times to Fish
- Spring (Ice-out to Late June): The Prime Window. When the ice clears (usually early to mid-May), the fish are famished and cruising the surface and shorelines. This is the best time for Salmon.
- Summer (July – August): Fishing slows down on the main body as fish move to deep water or congregate in "spring holes" (colder thermal refuges). Focus your efforts on the early morning (4:00 AM – 7:00 AM) or late evening.
- Fall (September 1st – Sept 30th): The second peak. Brook Trout develop brilliant spawning colors, and Salmon move toward the river. This is the best time for trophy Brookies.
🪰 Recommended Flies & Techniques
Streamers (The Maine Tradition)
Since smelt are the primary forage, long-shanked streamers are a must.
- Patterns: Gray Ghost, Black Ghost, Mickey Finn, and the Herb Johnson Special (a local favorite).
- Technique: Trolling with a sinking tip or full sinking line is highly effective. If casting from a boat, use a "strip-strip-pause" retrieve near rocky points.
Dry Flies (The Evening Hatch)
- Patterns: Elk Hair Caddis (Size 12-14), Adams (Size 14-16), and for late summer, Large Foam Ants or Beetles.
- Technique: Target the glassy coves at dusk. Look for the "rings of rise." Brook trout will often sip midges or caddis right against the shoreline brush.
Nymphing
- Patterns: Pheasant Tail (Size 14-18), Prince Nymph, and Copper Johns.
- Technique: Use a long leader (12ft+) with a strike indicator in the mouth of the inlets.
💡 Pro Tips & Local Knowledge
- The Kokadjo "Mouth": The area where the Roach River enters the pond and where the dam releases water are the two highest-percentage spots. If you aren't seeing action in the middle of the lake, head to the moving water.
- The Wind is Your Friend: A "chop" on the water breaks up the light and makes fish less spooky. If the pond is glass-calm, your presentation must be flawless. If there's a breeze, fish the windward shore where baitfish get pushed.
- The "Smelt Run": If you are there right after ice-out, look for small tributary streams. Smelt run up these to spawn, and the Salmon will be waiting at the base of these streams like a drive-through window.
- Spring Holes: In August, look for areas where small cold-water brooks enter the pond. The water temperature can be 10 degrees cooler there, holding 50+ fish in a very small area.
⚠️ Important Information
- Access: The primary access is in the village of Kokadjo. There is a solid public boat launch. While some shore fishing is possible near the dam, this pond is best fished from a canoe, kayak, or small motorboat.
- Regulations: Maine fishing laws are specific. First Roach has specific bag limits and length requirements to protect the wild fishery.
- Always check the current Maine Open Water Fishing Laws (IF&W) before casting.
- Safety: This is Moose country. Keep your eyes on the road when driving from Greenville. Also, the weather can change in minutes—if you see dark clouds over White Cap Mountain, get off the water immediately.
- Permits: A valid Maine Freshwater Fishing License is required. You can buy these online or at the Kokadjo Trading Post.
Guide’s Final Word: "Bring your camera, not just for the fish, but for the sunrise over the mountains. First Roach is a place where the experience is as big as the catch."
Bug Hatches & Matching Flies
| Hatch | Type | Peak months | Time of day | Hook sizes | Matching flies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hexagenia (The Hex) Hexagenia limbata | mayfly | June, July | Evening/Dusk | #6-10 | Hexagenia Dry #6-8, Hex Emerger #8-10, Hex Nymph #6-10 |
| Eastern Green Drake Ephemera guttulata | mayfly | June | Afternoon/Evening | #8-12 | Green Drake Cripple #10-12, Coffin Fly (Spinner) #8-10, Hairwing Green Drake #10 |
| Hendrickson Ephemerella subvaria | mayfly | May | Afternoon | #12-14 | Red Quill #12-14, Hendrickson Nymph #12-14, Hendrickson Emerger #14 |
| Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) Baetis spp. | mayfly | May, September, October | Afternoon | #16-22 | RS2 #18-20, Parachute BWO #16-22, Pheasant Tail #16-20 |
| Grannom Caddis Brachycentrus | caddis | May | Morning/Afternoon | #14-16 | Grannom Pupa #14-16, Elk Hair Caddis (Olive) #14-16 |
| Cinnamon Caddis Hydropsyche | caddis | June, July, August | Evening | #14-18 | Cinnamon Sedge #14-16, Soft Hackle Hare's Ear #14-18 |
| March Brown Maccaffertium vicarium | mayfly | May, June | Afternoon | #10-14 | March Brown Dry #10-12, Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear #10-14 |
| Flying Ants Formicidae | terrestrial | August, September | Afternoon | #16-20 | Black Flying Ant #16-18, Cinnamon Flying Ant #16-20 |
| American Golden Stonefly Hesperoperla pacifica | stonefly | June, July | Morning/Evening | #8-12 | Golden Stone Nymph #8-12, Stimulator (Yellow) #10-12 |