View of the falls on the Presumpscot River from Bridge Street in downtown Westbrook
The Presumpscot River is the outlet of Sebago Lake. It flows for about 25 winding miles through the towns of Standish, Windham, Gorham, Westbrook, Falmouth, and Portland before emptying out in Casco Bay. The river drops an impressive 270 feet between Sebago Lake and the ocean through a series of falls. Many of these falls lay submerged behind the dams that dot the river. However, one of those falls, located in Westbrook, is easily accessible and makes for a great fishing site. That’s where I’m heading this morning with my 10-year old nephew Christian, who has developed into an eager fisherman this year. The Saccarappa Falls are located just upstream of Bridge Street, off Maine Street in downtown Westbrook. Ample parking is available across from a small municipal park. We walk towards the river, squeeze through a railing, and scamper down the rocks towards the water.
Close-up view of the Saccarappa Falls on the Presumpscot River in downtown Westbrook
This location on the Presumpscot River is a choice spot: the waterfall upstream of where we stand creates a strong current which flows right up against the shoreline; across from that fast-flowing water lays a large quiet pool. The substrate consists of large boulders and bedrock. The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife stocks this section of the river flowing through Westbrook with around 400 9” brown trout every spring. Click here for more information. This water also contains smallmouth bass and several other fish species.
View of the Presumpscot River in the direction of the Bridge Street bridge
Christian has been mainly bobber fishing this spring, but also discovered spinner fishing recently. The only problem is that his aim is still awful and that the lure can end up anywhere in a 180° area in front of him. The beauty of this spot is that no matter how he casts the lure, it’ll fall somewhere in the pool and will be ready to catch a fish. Unfortunately, the fish don’t want to play this morning. He gets two hits but no hook-ups.
Christian working on his cast and retrieve skills
Regardless, I’m having a good time teaching Christian about “reading the water” in terms of focusing his casts on the seam that runs between the flowing water and the pool next to it, or on the areas located on either side of the falls. I also show him how to unhook a lure which is stuck to the bottom by walking downstream from it and releasing it from a different angle. He’s impressed by that trick, twice! He’s learning quickly and will soon be a competent fisherman.
The results: Christian didn’t catch a fish in 1.5 hours of fishing.
Was the information in this blog useful? I invite you to share your thoughts and opinions. Also, feel free to discuss your fishing experiences at this location.
When do they stock in westbrook ? I have been fishing almost everyday for the last two weeks. Not even a bite. When do the trout run in the presumcot. It’s mid April and I thought they would be running by know.
The Presumpscot River in Westbrook usually gets stocked with brown trout in early May of each spring. Personally, I don’t bother with stream/river fishing for trout until after the snow melt is over, the water levels have come down, and the water temperature has risen, i.e., early May. Also, you can keep track of the trout stocking activities throughout Maine by clicking on this link http://www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing/reports/stocking/index.htm. The State updates this report on a daily basis in the spring. It’s a great resource to help you decide when and where to drop a line. Tight lines. Stan