Deep in the Moosehead Backcountry
First Roach Pond lies in the unorganized territory of Frenchtown Township, about 20 miles north of Greenville and a few miles past the tiny crossroads settlement of Kokadjo. This is the Moosehead backcountry at its most authentic: gravel roads, no cell service, moose standing in the shallows at dusk, and the kind of quiet that takes a full day to settle into.
The pond covers roughly 500 acres and sits at an elevation of about 1,180 feet, fed by cold springs and small tributaries that keep water temperatures favorable for brook trout throughout the summer. First Roach is one of a chain of Roach ponds, First, Second, Third, and several smaller unnamed waters. That drain into the Roach River, which flows into the north end of Moosehead Lake. The entire watershed is wild country, with spruce-fir forest stretching unbroken in every direction.
What draws people to First Roach Pond is the fishing. This is a brook trout pond in the traditional Maine sense: cold, clear water, minimal development, and wild fish that have never seen a hatchery truck. The surrounding landscape is managed primarily for timber and recreation, with no permanent settlements on the shoreline.
Fly Fishing First Roach Pond
First Roach Pond is brook trout water, and the fishing here rewards patience and presentation over hardware and horsepower. The trout are wild, stream-bred fish that feed on the pond’s insect hatches, and they respond best to traditional fly-fishing methods.
Mayfly and caddis hatches begin in late May and continue through June, with the best dry-fly fishing often occurring in the evening hours when the wind drops and the surface goes still. Summer brings terrestrial patterns, ants, beetles, hoppers, into play, especially along the shoreline where overhanging alders and spruce drop insects onto the water. Fall fishing is about streamers and nymphs as the trout feed aggressively before winter.
Evening is the prime hour on First Roach Pond. Paddle to a sheltered cove, let the canoe drift, and watch for rising fish. A size 14 Adams or Elk Hair Caddis on a long, fine leader will fool these trout. Keep your false casts to a minimum, wild brook trout are wary of motion overhead.
The pond has special fishing regulations. Check the current Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife rule book for slot limits and gear restrictions, as they can change year to year. Catch-and-release is strongly encouraged to maintain the wild population.
First Roach Pond is remote. There is no cell service, no nearby medical facilities, and the access roads are gravel. File a trip plan with someone who knows where you are going. Carry a first aid kit, extra food, and water purification.
Getting on the Water
Access to First Roach Pond is via a rough boat launch at the south end, reachable from the gravel road system that runs north from Kokadjo. The launch is unimproved, a gravel clearing where you can back a trailer to the water’s edge or slide a canoe or kayak in by hand. There are no docks, no restrooms, and no attendants.
A canoe or kayak is the ideal craft for First Roach Pond. The pond is small enough to paddle across in under an hour, and a motorless boat lets you work the shoreline quietly and reach the coves where trout hold. Small motors are permitted, but the character of this water rewards the slower approach.
AMC’s Medawisla Lodge and Cabins sit near the Roach Ponds and offer comfortable backcountry lodging with meals included. If you want to fish First Roach Pond for multiple days without roughing it in a tent, Medawisla is the best base. Book well in advance for summer dates.
Wildlife and Scenery
The First Roach Pond watershed is moose country. The boggy shoreline, shallow coves, and aquatic vegetation provide ideal moose habitat, and sightings are common at dawn and dusk. Loons nest on the pond and their calls are a constant backdrop during summer evenings. Bald eagles patrol the shoreline, osprey dive for fish, and the surrounding forest harbors black bear, white-tailed deer, snowshoe hare, and a full suite of boreal songbirds.
The scenery is quintessential northern Maine: dark spruce and fir crowding the waterline, granite boulders breaking the surface in the shallows, and a sky that feels enormous once you are out in the middle of the pond with no buildings or roads in sight. On a calm evening, the reflections on the water are flawless.
Planning Your Visit
Spring
Ice-out typically early to mid-May. Fishing picks up immediately. Roads may be muddy. Blackflies arrive late May and peak in June.
Summer
Best fishing and weather conditions. Long evenings for fly fishing. Moose sightings frequent. Mosquitoes and deerflies present.
Fall
Brook trout feed aggressively before winter. Foliage peaks mid-September. Fewer visitors. Cool nights, warm days.
Winter
Access roads may not be plowed. Ice fishing possible with snowmobile access. Extreme cold. For experienced winter adventurers only.
First Roach Pond Trip Packing List
- Fly rod and reel with floating line
- Selection of dry flies, nymphs, and small streamers
- Canoe or kayak with paddles and PFDs
- Maine fishing license (required for age 16+)
- Bug spray and head net (blackflies and mosquitoes are relentless)
- Water purification or extra drinking water
- Rain gear and warm layers (weather changes fast)
- First aid kit
- Topographic map or GPS (no cell service for navigation)
- Camera for wildlife and scenery
Getting There
From Greenville, head north on Lily Bay Road for about 18 miles to Kokadjo. From Kokadjo, continue north on the gravel road system toward the Roach Ponds. The turnoff to First Roach Pond is well known to locals but not always clearly signed, ask at the Kokadjo Trading Post for current road conditions and directions. The drive from Greenville to the pond is roughly 45 minutes on gravel. From Bangor, allow about 2 hours and 25 minutes. From Portland, plan on 4.5 hours.
There is no cell service at First Roach Pond or along the access roads. Download maps and directions before leaving Greenville.
FAQ
What fish are in First Roach Pond?
First Roach Pond holds wild brook trout. These are native, stream-bred fish, not stocked. The pond's cold, spring-fed water maintains good trout habitat year-round.
Do I need a boat to fish First Roach Pond?
A canoe, kayak, or small boat is strongly recommended. Shore fishing is possible in a few spots, but the best fishing is along the shoreline coves and structure that are most easily reached from the water.
Is there lodging near First Roach Pond?
AMC's Medawisla Lodge and Cabins is the closest comfortable lodging, offering rooms and meals in a backcountry setting. Primitive camping is available in the area. The nearest motel-style lodging is in Greenville, about 45 minutes south.
Is there cell service at First Roach Pond?
No. There is no cell service at the pond or along the access roads north of Kokadjo. Carry a satellite communicator or PLB if you want emergency communication.
When is the best time to fish First Roach Pond?
Late May through mid-October. The best dry-fly fishing is in June during the mayfly and caddis hatches. September and early October offer excellent streamer fishing as trout feed before winter.
