Brook Trout Heaven or Hype? Maine's Rapid, Kennebago, and Magalloway Rivers

Episode 161 of the Destination Angler Fly Fishing Podcast – January 1, 2026. Our destination is the Rangeley region of Maine — home to three world-famous rivers steeped in history and known for giant brook trout: the Rapid, the Kennebago, and the Magalloway.  But how are they actually fishing today? And do they still live up to the hype? Joining me is fisheries ecologist and lifelong Mainer Greg LaBonte, owner of Maine Fly Guys.  Today we talk brook trout and landlocked salmon, muskies and black flies, head nets and Maine culture, and what not to do in moose country. Plus, Greg's five must-have fly patterns and the mind blowing truth about leaders, fly lines, and tippets.    With host Steve Haigh Be the first to know about new episodes.  Become a subscriber  Message Greg on Instagram @maineflyguys or visit his website: https://maineflyguys.com/    Destination Angler Podcast:   Website YouTube Instagram & Facebook  @DestinationAnglerPodcast  Please check out our Sponsors: TroutRoutes  The #1 Mapping Resource for Trout Anglers.  Podcast listeners can try one month of TroutRoutes PRO for FREE by clicking the link in the episode description. Explore 50,000 trout streams with TroutRoutes today.   Get 1 Month Free   Facebook @troutinsights Instagram @TroutRoutes    High N Dry Fishing Where science and performance meet.  Check out the full lineup of floatants, line dressings, and sighter waxes at www.highndryfishingproducts.com    Facebook @highndryfishingproducts  Instagram @highndryfishing Got Fishing  Crafting world-class fly-fishing adventures specially designed to your level of experience and budget.    Facebook @GotFishingAdventures Instagram @GotFishing  Redd's Flies Premium flies, tied with purpose.  Redd's is a family-run company built around premium, hand-tied flies that actually hold up and flat-out catch fish, delivered to your doorstep in days, not weeks.   A portion of every order goes directly to organizations protecting trout habitat and restoring rivers.  Facebook @ReddsFlies      Instagram @ReddsFlies  *** Comments & Suggestions:  host, Steve Haigh, email [email protected] Available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Recorded Oct 31, 2025