The Kennebec Explorer 2018 Visitor's Guide to Maine's Kennebec Valley | Page 6

On the
Water
A million ways
to get soaked
this summer.
Bring your canoes, kayaks, or even
your pontoon boat. Get ready for the
plunge of a lifetime. Millions of gallons
of fresh, clean, watery fun pour from
every corner of the Kennebec Valley
ready made for you to enjoy.
Boating
Multiple ramps along the Kennebec
River and lakes in every direction are
the reason you’ll spot sport, fishing,
and pontoon boats here. The water calls
boaters back for more fun all summer
long. All you need to do is open a map
and find any spot with a boat launch,
then head out.
No boat? No problem! Use your wits
and the web to find a guide or a nearby
rental. Take an early evening cruise on
the Kennebec River around Augusta—
and enjoy a chance glimpse of one of
the massive sturgeon found in the river.
simply grab a tube a float along with a
group of friends.
More than simply dipping the paddle,
time spent on the water also offers ways
to do what you love; Go birding in the
Belgrades, spot moose on Big Moose
Pond, troll for salmon in Seboomook, or
paddle to Webber Pond for bass fishing
perfection. Endless ideas are bound
only by your imagination and a good
(waterproof) map.
White water
With two wicked-good rafting rivers
converging at The Forks in the northern
Kennebec Valley, we are the undisputed
King of Maine White Water.
Experienced rafters can take a pound-
ing on the Dead River during one of the
special water releases (offering Class
IV rapids), getting soaked through each
drop or thrilling eddy along the way.
Want to build confidence on white
water? Then take a run at the Kennebec
River. Paddling the Kennebec River
Gorge is a beauty of a ride and a ton of
fun for riders of every skill level.
Get ready, because there are hundreds
of trips available May through October,
so find a company that fits your group
size and needs. The special releases
(schedule at right) are for “supersized”
rides. Plan the second half of your day
with a visit to Moxie Falls or relive your
adventure over a couple of local brews.
Fishing
Rest assured that there is no bad time
to go fishing in the Kennebec Valley.
Hardwater fishing offers a chill kind
of thrill in the wintertime, with huge
catches being pulled through holes in
the ice. But it’s the fly anglers of spring
and fall and the bass fishermen of
summer that really get the most out of
time spent on the water here. The fly
anglers love the northern Kennebec
River for its springtime hatches and the
chance to read the whirls and eddies.
And when warmer days arrive, the
ponds and lakes up and down the river
offer one of the finest bass fisheries in
the country.
Grab a paddle
Do you envision a day spent gliding
across a pristine lake? Looking at scenic
landscapes or gone fishing? Maybe you
are geared up for a multi-day adventure
(we suggest the Bow Trip). Like boaters,
paddlers come here for so many
reasons. What’s yours?
Perhaps a morning stretch or yoga atop
a Stand Up Paddleboard followed by
an enjoyable trek across the lake. Or
4 Make a Plan: KennebecValley.org
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