Guests can enjoy wireless Internet access throughout the cabins and grounds of Wheaton's Lodge as of May, 2010. We have installed satellite communications which are transmitted to a wireless hub and antenna, allowing users unencrypted wireless internet service. Most cell phone services work at the lodge, with Verizon being the most reliable.

Learn to Fly-Cast!

   If you have ever thought about learning to fly fish, here is a great opportunity. We are dedicating two week-ends this summer to basic instruction with the fly rod—for women, beginners and young folks. It will be lots of fun!!

   Fly casting is not difficult to learn. It requires neither brute strength, nor superior intelligence. A little coordination and an understanding of fundamentals will enable you to get started on angling’s loftiest tradition.

   Around here, we view fly fishing as an effective and enjoyable way to catch a fish. And that is what we want you to experience—hooking and landing a nice landlocked salmon, smallmouth, or brookie on a cast you presented yourself. Once you do it, you will quickly figure out why generations of anglers have taken to the fly rod. It is outfoxing a fish in its purest form.

   Accordingly, your introduction to fly-casting will be geared to catching fish, not to casting for its own sake. It will be casual and fun, not at some cramped and pretentious clinic where you have to dress in tweeds and act like nobility. You’ll develop the basic skills for a lifetime of enjoyment and inner reward. And you won’t break the bank.

   Our Fly-Casting Week-ends are May 21-23 and June 25-27. Both times are excellent for fishing, with the option for either lake or stream, and opportunities regardless of weather.

   Here is how it works: Book a normal trip to the lodge that includes these dates, and stay as long as you wish. Hire a guide for Saturday and Sunday, at least. We will do the rest free of charge. We’ll even provide the equipment.

   On Friday evening, there will be an introductory presentation to get you acquainted with basic technique. On Saturday and Sunday, get hands-on fly-casting instruction at the lakeshore right after breakfast. Then, go fishing with the guide. You will have a wonderful shore lunch at mid-day—maybe with a fish you caught. In the evening, practice your cast from a dock, or just chill out. After dinner, there will be some short presentations on technique, equipment, matching-the-hatch, and fly-tying, with a chance to ask any questions.

   The idea is to mingle fly-casting instruction with actual field experience on local streams and lakes. Each person will receive individual help from their guide while on the water—in small doses, without pressure—to catch fish and have fun. You’ll see lots of neat stuff. If you have some fly fishing experience, we can help to improve your presentation and distance casting.

   Please call to reserve your dates with fly-casting and fish catching. You may need waders, but we can discuss that.

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   Our rates are the same as last year. This includes food and lodging, boat rentals, and guide fees. An increase of the meals and lodging tax was approved by the Maine Legislature, but this is being challenged in a June referendum.

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2010 Show Schedule

Come see us!

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   In 2007, Field and Stream ranked Wheaton’s among North America’s Top 25 fishing lodges, tied for #2. Sports Afield did the same in North America’s Greatest Fishing Lodges. It is mainly due to a loyal clientele. We want to continue to earn your patronage and friendship. Thank you.

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   Request a new brochure and the latest issue of the Backlash for an update on Wheaton's Lodge. Our annual newsletter records last year's big fish, reports news, tells a few stories (some true,) and is fun to read. Just email us at wheatons1@hotmail.com and we'll send it to you.

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   Last season saw incredible numbers of robust salmon in the nearby stream, the most in thirty years. In May they took an assortment of conventional streamers and nymphs, such as the Hare’s Ear, Pheasant Tail, and Prince. In June they chased dries, such as Cayhills, Adams, Elk-hair Caddis, and Humpies. There were significant hatches nearly every day, and the fish accommodated if you found the right pattern. The gates were opened in early July to relieve water levels on East Grand, and the landlocks abandoned the stream in just a few days to find colder water. The stream gets little attention, and you can usually have the pools and runs all to yourself!

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   The beautiful Woodie Wheaton Land Trust Center became a reality last summer, a vibrant addition to the village of Forest City and the lakes community. The building provides office space and the organizational base to embark on significant conservation projects and programs. As a meeting facility, the building has already created a sense of community, as demonstrated by the popularity of last summer’s guest speaker series. It also served various group meetings.

   The assembly hall was named in honor of Burt Gwirtzman, who served many years on the Board of Directors. Burt was instrumental with conservation successes on Spednic Lake, and a staunch supporter of the WWLT mission.

   The land trust is presently pursuing an ambitious project in the East Grand Lake watershed. We express our thanks to many lodge guests for your gracious support.

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   Winners of the Woodie Wheaton Land Trust raffle, to benefit the Center: Kevin McNierney (Kinnelon, NJ) wins the 3-day trip to Wheatons, with two days free guiding! Also: Susan Brooks (Milford, ME): Pip’s Wonder bronze sculpture by David Hentosh; Terri Pipines (Cresskill, NJ): "Evening on the Water," original acrylic by Judith Saunders; Phil McClellan (Lebanon, CT): Otter Kayak from Old Town Canoe Co.; Don Beardsley (Essex, MA) and Tom Wasmund (King George, VA): $100 each. Congratulations!!

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   You do not need a passport to stay at Wheaton’s, or to fish here. After all, we are in the U.S. Nevertheless, beginning in June, 2009, it may be a handy thing to have.
   The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will require passports for anyone entering or re-entering the U.S., including American citizens. Because we are on the border and fish international waters, having a passport might be useful to persons fly fishing the stream, those who wish to fish distant lakes with a guide, or families interested in an excursion into Canada. More details are in the Backlash.

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   If you intend to fish "wacky worms" for smallmouths (aka Senco, Wacko Worm, Yamamoto,) go to the hardware store and buy a package of #6 O-rings. Slide these over the worm and slide the hook beneath the O-ring, catching part of the worm. You cut off very few worms this way, saving you money and keeping the plastic out of the lakes. The O-rings sold at places like Bass Pro work fine, but they are small and you need the tube gadget to slide them over the worm. Use a hook no larger than #4, so you can clip it off if swallowed. Also consider biodegradable worms such as Food Source brand.

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   You can now purchase your Maine fishing license on-line, by going to www.mefishwildlife.com. This can save time upon arrival if you are itchy to get fishing. Wheaton's continues to vend both Maine and New Brunswick fishing licenses.

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   An excellent map of the boundary lakes and St. Croix River published by the St. Croix International Waterway Commission is available at $6.95 US. It details the five Chiputneticook Lakes and the disposition of lands around them in both Maine and New Brunswick. We have them at camp, or you can order one directly from the Commission at www.stscroix.org.

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   You call them lake trout, we call them togue. May and early June continue to provide exciting togue fishing. Although most guests chase salmon or pre-spawn smallmouths in this early part of our season, the togue fishing can be hard to ignore them. The average laker runs 7 to 10 pounds, with serious upside potential. Together with the growing brook trout fishery in East Grand Lake, spring anglers have some terrific gamefish options. If the intended quarry is being finicky, you can shift gears in just minutes.

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   The correct address of Wheaton’s Lodge is now 22 Grove Road, Forest City Twp., ME 04413. No, we didn’t move. The folks at the post office were just getting bored with the old address.