In 1972 Congress enacted the Clean Water Act which would begin the process of restoring polluted rivers across America by enforcing pollution controls on industries taking advantage of our nation’s river ways.  The Androscoggin River in New Hampshire and Maine was Exhibit A on Capital Hill.  It has been 37 years since the Clean Water Act was signed into law.  Could one generation restore a river? 

After four hours on this river I would offer a resounding “YES”.  Had I not known that the Androscoggin River was once virtually dead with regard to fish, I would have never known.  The fish are now thriving in these waters.

Taylor and I caught the Androscoggin SLAM of fish today (6 species of fish on one float).  Atlantic “Landlocked” Salmon; Brooke Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Smallmouth Bass, and a fish we have yet to identify that we are calling a Suk-Chub.

We caught 22 fish this morning which brings our grand total to 540.  Taylor is 46 fish behind me and vows that he will catch me by the time we finish in Hawaii - and I am starting to believe he will.  He did have a good day today besting me 15 to 7.  He caught a beautiful 2 lb Atlantic Salmon; 3 lb Suk-Chub; and a 3 lb smallmouth bass.  My best fish of the day was a nice 16” brown.  Most of my day was spent fly fishing while Taylor mostly spincast.

Our guide, Rick Gerber, guided us today in a handmade wooden drift boat – which was without question the most beautiful boat we’ve been in so far.

We left Errol, NH around 1pm and chartered our course for eastern Maine where tomorrow morning we will fish the Penobscot River just above Old Town.

On the drive we passed 3 hikers who looked like they could really use a lift.  They were two guys and a girl hiking the Appalachia Trail.  They began their journey in March and were just 250 miles and 2 weeks from completing their journey.  They were in need of restocking their supplies so we drove them to the nearest grocery store 10 miles away.  Between our journey and theirs it was a entertaining drive of swapping stories.  Not that they could help it - but they left a little of themselves behind in the RV when they departed - if you know what I mean.

Our miles driven now stands at 12,800.