Bob Leeman from Brewer, one of Maine’s most experienced stream anglers, has just released his second fishing book: “Fly Fishing Maine Rivers, Brooks and Streams” (Maine Outdoor Publications, $19.95). For any serious Maine angler, this is a must-have book that is as practical, useful and fact-filled as any 125-page angling manual could be! Bob’s timing could not be better either. His book hits the streets just as the maple buds burst forth and the trout start to stir.

Although Bob has been writing about fishing for the Northwoods Sporting Journal for a decade, I didn’t really get to know him as a friend until a few years ago. Prior to that, I had edited his monthly columns and bumped into him at the supermarket once in a while. We never fished together. He was, and is today, a pleasure to read. His prose flows like the rivers and streams he writes about. As his editor, who happens also to enjoy fly fishing, I always look forward to his monthly fishing column.

Since his teen years, Bob has been an outdoors guy. A Master Maine Guide, former Game Warden and trapper, his main passion has always been fly fishing for salmon and trout. This is his second book about how to seduce Maine trout and salmon. The first one sold out.

When Bob became part of our family, marrying my son Scotty’s mother-in-law, Alice Drinkwater, Bob and Scotty started fishing a lot together. Bob has shown Scotty some great Honey Holes for fat brookies. I mean, they catch fish! The word filtered back to me. “Dad,” Scotty said, “Bob knows some great fishin’ spots, I’m tellin’ you!” Suddenly, I was no longer the family fishing guide. Scotty, who has been my fishing and hunting buddy for nearly 40 years, was spending more fishing time with Bob than with the Old Man. So, I took matters into my own hands. I wormed (figure of speech) an invitation to fish with Bob one day, at his beloved Grand Lake Stream.

It was an eye-opener. Bob knows the Stream like the back of his hand. He knows the pools. He knows which side of the rocks the fish like, and what fly turns them on. His knowledge of the Stream, his good humor, easy-going manner, and willingness to share his angling savvy, makes for a memorable day of fishing. I began to see why Scotty, an addicted fly fisherman, was spending so much time with Bob. Bob and I became friends and fishing buddies, too. Since there is only room for two in Bob’s canoe, Scotty and I share Bob.

This book, “Fly Fishing Maine Rivers, Brooks and Streams,” is your chance to share Bob, too. From Grand Lake Stream to the Mattawamkeag, the Mopang, or the Roach River, Bob will take you chapter-by-chapter to all of his favorite Maine rivers, brooks, and streams. With words and pictures, he will show you how to fish, where to fish, and what fly to use. There’s a lot of history here, too, as Bob recounts those halcyon days at the Bangor Salmon Pool and other Downeast salmon rivers.

Here’s a promotional excerpt from the book:

“Bob Leeman, a Master Maine Guide and ardent fly fisherman, has written a book whose chapters capture the experiences of a lifetime of fishing places in Maine that he has personally visited. The book not only tells where to go to catch brook trout and landlocked salmon in rivers, brooks, and streams, but locates wadeable waters and canoeable waters, or both, where possible. Certain pools, secretive springs, slow water, beaver ponds, and fast water pocket-holding places are located – in words and on his map illustrations. He even suggests the best times of the year to visit these spots.”

No other book published before has named and delved into all of this information. And a real bonus in this book, the right imitation flies to use at each location is given, including many of the author’s own creations, with printed descriptions and color plates and recipes for making the popular flies.

I am proud to call Bob Leeman my friend, and to have the opportunity to help him produce this special book. I also feel blessed to have shared some wonderful angling days with him, especially on Grand Lake Stream. There will be more Stream visits to come: I’m sure of it.

Like Bob’s first book, this book is destined to become a mainstay in Maine angling literature. Again, you can purchase this book for the month of May for $19.95, which covers the cost of the book, postage and handling. You will be seeing it soon at retail outlets and book stores around the state. The fastest way to get a copy is to mail a check for $19.95 to Bob Leeman, along with your mailing address, to 22 Alan-A-Dale Rd., Brewer, Me 04412.

V. Paul Reynolds is editor of the Northwoods Sporting Journal. He is also a Maine Guide, co-host of a weekly radio program “Maine Outdoors” heard Sundays at 7 p.m. on The Voice of Maine News-Talk Network (WVOM-FM 103.9, WQVM 101.3) and former information officer for the Maine Dept. of Fish and Wildlife. His e-mail address is [email protected].