Fisherman Willie Grenier, 75, nets a shad caught with a fly while fishing Thursday from his boat near Ticonic Bay on the Kennebec River in Waterville. Grenier estimates the fish to be about 16 inches and weighing over 2 pounds. Grenier says his largest shad caught on the Kennebec was 24 inches and 6 pounds. Waterville Morning Sentinel reporter Amy Calder is shown in the background.

Fisherman Willie Grenier, 75, casts his line Thursday while fly-fishing for shad near Ticonic Bay on the Kennebec River in Waterville.

Willie Grenier, 75, nets a shad caught with a fly Thursday while fishing from his boat near Ticonic Bay on the Kennebec River in Waterville. Grenier estimates the fish to be about 16 inches and weighing more than 2 pounds. Grenier says his largest shad caught on the Kennebec was 24 inches and 6 pounds.

Shad fisherman Willie Grenier, 75, returns his boat to its trailer Thursday after fishing near Ticonic Bay on the Kennebec River in Waterville.

Fisherman Willie Grenier, 75, chats with a passing fisherman Thursday near Ticonic Bay on the Kennebec River in Waterville. Grenier caught and released a shad during his trip on the river.

Willie Grenier, 75, clutches a shad he caught with a fly Thursday while fishing from his boat near Ticonic Bay on the Kennebec River in Waterville. Grenier estimates the fish, which he released back into the river, to be about 16 inches and weighing more than 2 pounds. Grenier says his largest shad caught on the Kennebec was 24 inches and 6 pounds.

Shad fisherman Willie Grenier, 75, returns his boat to its trailer Thursday after fishing near Ticonic Bay on the Kennebec River in Waterville. Grenier said he made the sign reading "Fish Control My Brain," and mounted it on his boat.

Shad fisherman Willie Grenier keeps a selection of his handmade flies stuck to the side wall of his fishing boat. Grenier, a 75-year-old retired China Elementary School teacher, passes the Carter Memorial Bridge, shown in the background, on Thursday while boating on the Kennebec River to fish for shad near Ticonic Bay in Waterville. Grenier said the oversized fly in the center was a gag gift sent to him by a fellow fisherman.

A bald eagle flies above fisherman Willie Grenier, 75, while he fishes Thursday from his boat near Ticonic Bay on the Kennebec River in Waterville.