Summer 2026 Smallmouth bass trips on the Androscoggin River and the kennebec River

My name is Brandon Bichrest, and I’m a Master Maine Guide. During the summer months, I focus my guiding on smallmouth bass throughout some of Maine’s big rivers.

I’ve been fishing the Androscoggin River since I was a child. Over the years, I’ve watched the river change and have been fortunate enough to see the progress it has made as the water continues to clean itself up year after year.

I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to share these rivers with people from across the country and around the world.

This season brought dry weather and very little rain, keeping water levels unusually low. Those conditions made finding larger bass in numbers more challenging. We had some great days and some tougher days throughout the summer, but everyone caught fish—and some really big smallmouth were landed along the way!

Now, as we look toward fall and water temperatures begin to drop, I’m excited for what’s coming. Pike should be returning to the list of options very soon, while the larger smallmouth will begin keying in on bigger baits as they prepare for winter.

Fall on Maine’s rivers can be an incredible time to be on the water. I’m looking forward to getting out there and seeing what the changing season brings!