Chick Hill Guide Service

Making memories for a lifetime!

Note: we are fully booked for 2021 hunting and fishing trips - book today for 2022.

​Welcome to Chick Hill Guide Service, a family friendly fishing, upland hunting, and canoeing guide service located in central Maine just east of Bangor. Our job is to make lifetime memories for you and your family. Fish for smallmouth and largemouth bass, brook trout or salmon, or hunt ruffed grouse and woodcock with dogs. Guided canoe trips on the Allagash Wilderness Waterway. ​We are within a 45 minute drive of Bar Harbor and Acadia national park which is perfect for a full or half day trip, and are close to beautiful Grand Lake Stream. Open Memorial day - October. Pricing and reviews below. We are fully vaccinated. 

Spring and fall trolling

We troll after ice-out in early May when the smelt are spawning and the Landlock salmon come out of the deep water to gorge on them. We fish the traditional Maine way with fly rods and tandem streamers. We also troll in the fall, usually October or early November. We fish the lakes in Grand Lake Stream and Down East Maine.  

Bass fishing from a boat

Smallmouth bass are ferocious fighters, and will readily take any fly or lure. The nearby Penobscot river and local lakes are full of them. Many of these lakes also contain largemouth bass. Fishing starts to heat up around Memorial day and we fish until bird hunting season the last weekend of September. Fly fish or spin cast, we use flies, poppers, and lures of all sorts. We fish out of our 21 ft Freighter canoe. Packed cold lunch included. We primarily fish the Grand Lake Stream area,  and down east maine. . 

Wade fish Grand Lake Stream for landlock salmon and brook trout

We wade fish three mile long Grand Lake Stream, located in the town of Grand Lake Stream in down east Maine, and listed in Trout Unlimited's  "America's 100 best Trout Streams".  Known for it's landlocked salmon and brook trout, the stream fishes best in late May - end of June, and then starts up again in late September. The stream has a special 1-25 October catch and release season. You can also opt for a "cast and Blast", hunt grouse in the morning, and fish in the afternoon. We also fish the West Branch of the Penobscot, with stunning views of Mt Katahdin, Ripogenous Gorge, and the crib works. The West Branch is dam release allowing fishing for landlock salmon and brook trout late into the summer. It is a two and half hour drive from Bangor. 

Remote pond fishing for wild brook trout

Fish the North Maine Woods for wild brook trout. This is a minimum three day trip. Requires camping or staying at a remote Maine Sporting Camp. We fish Nesowdnehunk Lake, Debouille area, and Little Lyford Ponds. Call for details. 

Upland hunting with dogs

​Chase ruffed grouse and woodcock in over 4 million acres of logging trails and endless areas to hunt. We are in the direct flight path of migrating woodcock which can make for some great shooting days. We hunt with our dogs or yours, or a combination. We hunt the areas of Rockwood, Jackman, the North Maine Woods, Grand Lake Stream, and Danforth. In the fall we also do "cast and blasts" at beautiful Grand Lake Stream which has a special season 1-25 October, when the Landlock salmon come out of the lake to spawn in the stream. Bird hunt a half day, fish the other half, or hunt one day and fish the next. Packed lunch included. See rates below.

Guided canoe trips on the Allagash 

We do private, small group trips, canoeing the 53 mile stretch from Umsaskis ranger station to Allagash village and average 10 miles a day as the river flows north at 3 MPH, which takes 5 days and 4 nights. Includes meals, camping fees, shuttle fees, North Maine Woods fees, canoes and tents. Bring your own sleeping bags and personal gear. We start at Allagash village and take a shuttle to the put-in spot, leaving our vehicles in a designated area. Call for details. Need to book EARLY in the year.   

Your Guide

Mike Hegarty is the owner/guide of Chick Hill Guide Service. Retiring as a Navy Captain after 40 years of active service including several ship commands, Mike now guides full time in the beautiful state of Maine. An avid bird hunter, bird dog lover, fly fisherman and canoeist, he came to Maine 10 years ago and started his own outdoor adventure guide service. He loves making memories for folks. Fully insured and licensed for hunting, fishing, and recreation. Active member of the Grand Lake Stream Guide's Association and the Maine Professional Guide's Association. Vice president of the Penobscot salmon club and former president of the Penobscot Fly Fishers. See customer reviews below, and check out our Facebook and Instagram Pages.

Reviews

What a pleasure it was spending a day on the Penobscot River. The river’s tranquil beauty and excitement of catching fish with friend Nancy C. made for a great day! Our expert guide Mike Hegarty provided all the equipment necessary, a boat load of enthusiasm, encouragement and helpful tips. There wasn’t a care in the world except to enjoy the picnic lunch, company, conversation and laughs! Thanks Mike for making the day fun and memorable! I highly recommend Chick Hill Guide Service for its attention and commitment to provide clients with an exceptional experience!"

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When I decided to travel 1500 miles to fish Grand Lake Stream for Landlocked Salmon, a trip that had been on my “bucket list”, I wanted to do more than just fish it…I wanted to have a Maine Experience and make memories. Mike Hegarty helped me do just that. More than simply accommodating, he actively partnered with me to craft the trip I had envisioned. From providing the knowledge to put me on fish, the equipment to use, reserving the cabin, furnishing and preparing the food, providing great conversation/entertainment and taking the pictures to remember it all, I could not be more pleased with my trip and with Mike as my guide! After showing the pictures to my family, my adult children asked if they could join me the next time I book a trip. It doesn’t get better than that! Yes, there will be a next time…with my adult children…and it will most definitely be with Mike! I recommend him without hesitation! Lou Forbringer St Louis, MO

"Retired Navy Captain Mike Hegarty was just the guide to safely orient me and my 3 sons 21, 19 and 14 to upland bird hunting. Good basic gun safety and awesome bird dogs Duke, Jake, Kaleigh and puppy Sam worked the covers in different but complimentary styles at Mike's command. Despite being late in the season and rainy, Mike helped the boys bag their first Woodcock and Grouse. We will be back for birds next Fall and the boys want to have Mike introduce them to fly fishing next Spring!"

My husband and I spent a wonderful day bass fishing with Mike as our guide on Big Lake. Mike knew the lake well. He was acutely aware of the best spots to fish for the time of year we were fishing. He was at our service to change a lure, untangle a line, or give us tips on best practices. I was using a spinning rod, while my husband used a fly rod (both from the boat). It worked well for both of us with Mike's guidance. However, the best part was, Mike was personable and enjoyable to be around. I highly recommend this guide! Kerrie and Malcolm 

Yesterday I teamed up with PSC Member Don Foster to do a float trip down the Penobscot River with PSC VP Mike Hegarty...We were not disappointed!  Fly fishing for bronze backs is hard to beat, especially when they are so cooperative!    We had a ball fishing, and Mike threw in a few eagles to boot!  I would highly recommend a trip with Mike and Chick Hill Guide Service on the Penobby!  

Rates

​We request a $100 deposit to hold your trip. We also do VENMO. Call/email for mailing address.
Boat fishing- $400 day (2 people). Lunch and gear provided. $300 half day.
Wade fishing - $450 a day for up to two people. Third person $50 extra.
​Upland bird hunting for grouse and woodcock - $475 day, lunch included.
Hot shore lunch - $15 per person. Available when fishing the Grand Lake Stream area. Choice of Steak, burgers, hot dogs, or pork chops.
Allagash Canoe trip. - call for pricing. Book EARLY in the year!

Note - A Maine fishing or hunting license is required for the days you hunt/fish. Purchase online at Maine IF&W and keep on your phone. ​