Once in the spring and once in the fall, this has been my ritual for the past 12 years. Touted as one of the top 50 places to fish before you die, Grand Lake Stream is a treasured gem in the state of Maine.

The area got its start in the early 1800s with lumbering and tanbark its primary resource. By the 1850s the region became well known for its salmon fishery. Its gin clear water runs three miles between West Grand Lake and Big Lake, and provides habitat for the famed land locked salmon. This fly-fishing-only stream provides opportunity for the novice fly-fisher as well as the most seasoned veteran of the sport.

GLS is a freestone stream that flows from pool to pool, each with its own unique features offering the angler an experience found only here. It starts at the Dam Pool and flows downstream to the Hatchery Pool, Evening Pool, The Glide, Cable Pool, Big Falls, The Corporation, The Picnic Area, Little Falls and then through The Meadow before exiting into Big Lake.

Here, streamers reign supreme for me. My favorite is the Barnes Special closely followed by the Grey Ghost and Black Ghost tied in sizes 2 and 4. My favorite nymphs used in trying to fool these majestic fish are the Waydowner (a caddis imitation), the classic Pheasant Tail and small black and silver midge pattern. I'll admit I have never had the experience to fish during dry fly season, but anglers I know say the experience can be legendary.

GLS has carved out a special place in my heart and I would not trade the experience for anything. The scent of pine and the sound of moving water coupled with its rustic character fuel me. The company I keep provides me with many a story to tell (and embellish upon). The taste of a great single malt after a wet day fishing, warming by the cast iron stove, melts all else away. The landing of a 24" salmon on a size 22 nymph replays over and over as I make each presentation to my quarry quickening my pulse.

Yes, Grand Lake Stream is special indeed and worth a visit; at least once by everyone.

Related stories:

• Brook trout by Don Abbott

• Catch and release — Kill or conserve? by Roy Hitchings

Jeff Space is president of the Georges River chapter of Trout Unlimited, georgesrivertu.org

The Georges River chapter of Trout Unlimited is a local chapter of a national nonprofit organization whose mission is "to conserve, protect and restore North America's coldwater fisheries and their watersheds. Trout Unlimited has 147,000 members across the country. This is the third in a series of articles written by members of GRTU.