Bold Coast Guide Co

  • Home
  • Bold Coast Guide Co

Bold Coast Guide Co Join Mike Webber, Registered Maine Guide, for handcrafted Maine Adventures - from the woods to the waves.

Today was a Learn to Fly Fish day, and it was a good reminder that success isn't always measured by fish brought to hand...
16/06/2026

Today was a Learn to Fly Fish day, and it was a good reminder that success isn't always measured by fish brought to hand.

We started with the fundamentals—how to hold the rod, make a cast, manage line, and read the water. Along the way, we talked about seams, riffles, and eddies, and where fish can rest while food drifts by.

By the afternoon, the pieces were starting to come together.

The casts became smoother. The fly was landing where it was supposed to. More importantly, she was beginning to see the river differently.

We hooked fish. None made it all the way to the net, but that's fishing. Every missed fish teaches a lesson, and every hookup builds confidence.

The best part of the day wasn't a photo opportunity. It was watching someone realize that fly fishing isn't nearly as intimidating as it first appears.

That's a pretty good day on the water.

Interested in learning to fly fish? Whether you've never picked up a fly rod or you're looking to build confidence on the water, I'd be happy to help.

I enjoy building things that I wish existed.This spring, I started putting together a simple map of Grand Lake Stream fo...
15/06/2026

I enjoy building things that I wish existed.

This spring, I started putting together a simple map of Grand Lake Stream for my own use. As I kept adding notes, it turned into a pocket-sized field guide.

The front shows many of the Stream's well-known pools and landmarks. The back includes seasonal fly recommendations and a few quick references that I've found helpful.

It's not intended to be the definitive guide to Grand Lake Stream. There are anglers here with decades more experience than I have. But if you're visiting the Stream for the first time, I think you'll find it useful.

I'd love to hear what you'd add.

— Mike
Bold Coast Guide Co.
boldcoastguides.com

One of the fun parts of building Bold Coast Guide Co. is creating things I'd actually wear myself.I just ordered a sampl...
13/06/2026

One of the fun parts of building Bold Coast Guide Co. is creating things I'd actually wear myself.

I just ordered a sample hat featuring a new leather patch design inspired by the waters, forests, and fly fishing traditions of Downeast Maine. The other two were recent orders from the same company - the quality is great.

I've always believed good gear should tell a story. This design brings together a classic streamer fly, Maine's silhouette, and the spruce-lined rivers that make this corner of the state so special.

Now comes the hard part: waiting for the sample to arrive.

If it looks as good in person as it does on the screen, these may find their way into the truck, onto the river, and eventually into the hands of clients who want a reminder of their time exploring Maine's Bold Coast.

What do you think? Is this something you'd wear?

One of the things I love most about exploring Downeast Maine is that you never know what the day is going to bring.Today...
11/06/2026

One of the things I love most about exploring Downeast Maine is that you never know what the day is going to bring.

Today started on a small stream I'd never fished before. The water was shallow, and while a pickerel did take my fly, the fishing was slow. The biggest surprise was a turtle that swam between my legs while I stood in the current. It wasn't the kind of place I'd bring clients, but it satisfied that curiosity every angler understands—the need to see what's around the next bend.

Later, I found myself on a larger river.

The difference was immediate.

Brook trout and smallmouth bass were willing to play, and before long the rod was bent and fish were coming to hand. The kind of afternoon that reminds you why you keep a fly rod in the truck.

What struck me wasn't the fish. It was how quickly the day changed.

That's Downeast Maine.

One hour you're standing alone on a forgotten stream. The next you're watching a trout rise in a river bordered by spruce trees and wondering why more people don't explore beyond the usual destinations.

Those are the days I love sharing with clients.

Not just catching fish, but discovering places, learning something new, and ending the day with a story worth telling.

That's what a handcrafted Maine adventure is all about.

Some days the fish cooperate. Some days they don't.Today was one of those days when the fish seemed to have signed a non...
09/06/2026

Some days the fish cooperate. Some days they don't.

Today was one of those days when the fish seemed to have signed a non-aggression pact. I spent the early evening paddling a quiet pond tucked away in Maine's blueberry barrens. The water was calm, the scenery was beautiful, and the fish apparently had other plans.

Fortunately, the wildlife made up for it.

Three beavers had taken up residence on the pond, and judging by their reactions, they were not impressed with my visit. Every time I got within sight of one, a tail would slap the water with authority. Move down the shoreline? Another slap. Drift into a cove? Slap. At one point I felt less like an angler and more like an unwanted guest who had overstayed his welcome.

The fish may not have been feeding, but the beavers were definitely sending a message.

That's one of the things I love about exploring these remote waters. Some days it's about catching fish. Other days it's about watching wildlife, listening to the wind move through the barrens, and being reminded that we're visitors in their world.

The fish won today.

The beavers made sure I knew it.

Looking for a quieter side of Maine? These hidden ponds, remote waters, and unexpected wildlife encounters are exactly why I spend so much time exploring Downeast Maine. If you'd like to experience them for yourself, send me a message and let's plan an adventure.

It’s funny how a day off for a fishing guide usually involves… fishing.I spent this morning on Grand Lake Stream with ev...
08/06/2026

It’s funny how a day off for a fishing guide usually involves… fishing.

I spent this morning on Grand Lake Stream with every intention of fishing streamers and nymphs. After all, roughly 80% of a fish’s diet is subsurface, and I was determined to stick to the plan.

The fish had a different plan.

Shortly after hitting the water, a hatch started coming off. Before long, salmon were rising, feeding confidently on the surface. I stood there for a minute trying to convince myself to stay the course, but eventually common sense won out. Right in the middle of the stream, I re-rigged and tied on a caddis fly.

Game on.

The salmon absolutely loved it.

For the next hour, I enjoyed one of those days that reminds you why fly fishing becomes an obsession. Fish were rising, takes were visible, and salmon were putting on aerial displays all over the stream. I landed numerous fish.

Well… almost.

The biggest fish of the day did exactly what big fish do. After a strong run and a brief battle, it broke me off and disappeared, leaving me standing there with nothing but a slack leader and a story.

Honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

The fish that get away are the ones that keep us coming back.

Today was a reminder that while knowledge, strategy, and planning all matter, we should be willing to adapt. The stream told me what was happening, I listened, and the salmon rewarded me for it.

Not a bad way to spend a day off. 🎣

Did a little clam digging with my neighbor this morning.  The white ones were dug in sandy areas while the darker ones w...
06/06/2026

Did a little clam digging with my neighbor this morning. The white ones were dug in sandy areas while the darker ones were in the mud.

What bird dogs do in the off season on the Bold Coast.  Yesterday, he was wading at the local beach searching for fish, ...
05/06/2026

What bird dogs do in the off season on the Bold Coast. Yesterday, he was wading at the local beach searching for fish, a habit he picked up when we lived on a sailboat in Key West. He loved watching the marina Tarpon at night when we had the underwater lights on. This is Nemo by the way, our 10 year old Llewelyn Setter.

I’ve been fortunate to fish a lot of beautiful places, but the St. Croix River is quickly becoming one of my favorites. ...
04/06/2026

I’ve been fortunate to fish a lot of beautiful places, but the St. Croix River is quickly becoming one of my favorites.

The scenery feels more like something you'd expect to find out West than in Maine. Towering banks, rushing water, endless current seams, and a wildness that makes you feel like you're a long way from everything. Canada on one side, the U.S. on the other.

So far I've caught both largemouth and smallmouth bass today on streamers, watched a deer quietly grazing along the water's edge, and spotted eagles soaring overhead.

It's truly one of the most beautiful places I've fished anywhere in New England.

For anyone looking to learn to fly fish, it's a fantastic classroom with a variety of water types and plenty of opportunities to practice reading current and presenting flies. For experienced anglers, it's a destination fishery that deserves a spot on your bucket list.

One idea I'm especially excited about is combining a day on the St. Croix with a day on Grand Lake Stream. In two days, you can experience two completely different but equally iconic Maine fisheries—one known for its wild river setting and bass fishing opportunities, the other famous for its landlocked salmon, brook trout, and fly-fishing heritage.

Have you fished the St. Croix River? Tell me your favorite section in the comments.

Interested in experiencing it for yourself? Send me a message or submit a Trip Inquiry to learn more about guided trips on the St. Croix River and Grand Lake Stream.

One company I've been keeping an eye on lately is Maine Fly Company.  I always appreciate seeing Maine owned businesses ...
03/06/2026

One company I've been keeping an eye on lately is Maine Fly Company. I always appreciate seeing Maine owned businesses building products for anglers who love our waters as much as we do.

One rod that has really caught my attention is the Little River 7'6" 3-weight. It looks like the kind of rod that would be right at home on our small Downeast streams, where accurate casts, tight quarters, and brook trout are often the name of the game.

I recently listened to an interview with founder Jeff Davis on Fly Line Podcast and enjoyed hearing the story behind the company. It's always interesting to hear from people who took a leap of faith to build something rooted in Maine's outdoor heritage. The emphasis on craftsmanship, community, and Maine's fishing culture came through loud and clear.

I'm not affiliated with them in any way, just a guide who appreciates good gear and enjoys supporting Maine businesses when I can. This Little River may eventually find its way into my rod rack.

Anyone fishing one already? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Address


04637

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Bold Coast Guide Co posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

  • Want your business to be the top-listed Gym/sports Facility?

Share