I’ve fished this remote Maine trout pond for more than 50 years. This trip was unlike the rest.

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • July 20, 2026

Back in early June my sons and I made our annual pilgrimage to Timbuktu and “the pond” for our trout fix. There was no disappointment. The brookies were as accommodating as they have always been this time of year over the more than half a century that I have fished this Heritage Water. This year, for the first time ever, Scotty and I decided to try the pond in early July. Of course, we realized that the fishing might be slow due to warming waters. We got on the pond with fly rods just before dark, but no matter how much you gink up your fly, it’s not easy to get a good float in a steady drizzle. That special pond near Timbuktu is not going anywhere, and one fishless July day there does not dampen our passion. ~ V. Paul Reynolds