The Maine Sportsman - April 2017

The Maine

April 2017 • $4.99

Maine’s Annual

FISH STOCKING REPORT

Page 20

How to Choose the Right ATV Page 37

How to Make

FLYLessFISHING Complicated Page 64

Barbecued Beaver Tail

Page 19

Early-season Trolling Tips

Page 34

2 • April 2017 • The Maine Sportsman

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A True Maine Tradition...

Sporting Camps Guide service and Seaplane fly outs BrookTrout & Salmon Fishing Wild ruffed grouse, bear, deer and moose Hunts

Trophy Fishing, Hunting & Four-Season Recreation!

Allagash Lakes Region Quality Cabins and Lodge on Haymock, Spider and Cliff Lakes American Plan Lodge • Housekeeping Cabins • Year Round

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P.O. Box 598, Millinocket, ME 04462 Mailing Address Only

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Belgrade Lakes Region of Maine

Whisperwood Lodge & Cottages Open May-September

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GRAND LAKE LODGE Located on West Grand Lake

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Housekeeping Cabins Guide Service • Fishing • Hunting Family Vacations • Boat Rentals Located in the Rangeley/Errol Area

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The Pines Lodge & Camps “A step back in time”

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Matagamon Wilderness ~ T6-R8 ~ The Matagamon Families 207-446-4635 ~ mainebearhunts.com ~ matagamonwilderness.com

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— The Maine Sportsman’s Featured Maine Sporting Camps —

Libby Camps

Libby Camps is located in the vast North Maine Woods region of Maine. They specialize in fly fishing for native brook trout and landlocked salmon in small ponds and rivers; wingshooting for ruffed grouse and woodcock, trophy big-game hunting for black bear, moose and whitetail deer, as well as catering to snowmobile riders in the winter months.

Libby is an award winning Orvis-endorsed lodge in both fly fishing and wingshooting – the only lodge in the east that’s endorsed for both activities. This endorsement is maintained by combining world-class fishing and hunting and exceptional service.

Libby Camps’ commitment to service and conservation has been recognized, with the

camp receiving the 2006-2007 Orvis Endorsed Lodge of the year, and the 2010 Maine Tourism Hall of Fame award. Libby has also been referenced in numerous books and magazine as one of the greatest fishing and hunting lodges in North America.

Libby is unique in the Eastern U.S. in that it has two Cessna seaplanes on site to access remote regions as well as their ten outpost cabins. This allows sportsmen to fish for trophy native brook trout or hunt a much broader region than at a typical lodge.

Libby has ten guest cabins spread out around the historic main lodge where everyone congregates for meals. Each cabin is rustic, but offers all modern conveniences. Heat

is provided by wood stoves; illumination is from propane lights; and each cabin has a full bathroom. Homemade quilts and Amishmade rocking chairs put the finishing touches on these century-old cabins.

Libby has been known for generations for providing their guests with food that is second to none. The Libby girls’ homecooked breads, pies and treats have people coming back for more year after year. The Libbys pride themselves on creating a family atmosphere, and guests will feel like part of the family as soon as they walk through the door.

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Discover Macannamac Camps In the northern region of Piscataquis County, one finds the headwaters of a grand and unique Maine river. The pristine water that flows from the lakes and ponds travels north into the Allagash River. It is on the shores of the outermost headwaters of the Allagash watershed where one will discover Macannamac Camps.

For nearly thirty-five years, Macannamac Camps has been the host of sportsmen and vacationers at its camps and lodge on Haymock, Spider and Cliff lakes. This four-season facility offers high quality lodging with several levels of accommodation services.

Each housekeeping camp is tucked away on a wooded shoreline, having its own private dock and pathway to the lake. They have fully-equipped kitchens, comfortable sleeping rooms and covered lakeside porches. The Haymock Lake camps are plumbed with full water-service bathrooms. All the camps are well built and winterized, and have woodstove

heaters and an ample supply of seasoned firewood.

Summertime in the heart of this beautiful and remote landscape is serene and quiet, providing the opportunity for families to enjoy a quality backwoods camp with the potential of existing on an entire northern Maine lake all by themselves.

On Haymock Lake one will also find a full-service lodge. This two-story, three-bedroom, three-bathroom log home provides American Plan, Modified American Plan, and an outstanding summer rental.

Sportsmen can enjoy hunting deer, moose, grouse and coyote, or fishing for lake trout, brook trout, whitefish and cusk. Naturalists can explore and seek out rare orchids and wildflowers, search for mushrooms, and observe a wide variety of wildlife species. Best of all, everyone can rest and relax in a wonderful natural arena with no cell phone or Internet service.

The North Maine Woods is a true treasure of privately owned land made available for public use. So whether you are a hunter, fisherman or vacationer, Macannamac Camps can give you the experience of backcountry living within millions of acres of forestland encompassing countless lakes, ponds, streams and rivers. Come and discover it for yourself!

To get to Macannamac Camps, just follow Interstate 95 to Medway and take Exit 244.

Turn left onto Route 157 to Millinocket. Follow the signs to Baxter State Park through town. This turns into the Golden Road. At mile 28, take Telos Road to the north and follow the signs to Macannamac Camps. Call for more info or to make a reservation for your next vacation- 863-203-0529, website: www. macannamac.com, Facebook, or send snail mail to: P.O. Box 598, Millinocket, ME 04462.

¶

www.MaineSportsman.com

4 • April 2017 • The Maine Sportsman

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New England’s Largest Outdoor Publication Readership The Maine

Two Thumbs Up for the New Fishing Law Booklet

ISSN 0199-036 — Issue No. 535 • www.mainesportsman.com

When anglers pick up their 2017 Open Water & Ice Fishing law booklets this year, they will be in for a surprise. No more trying to figure out whether the water in question is in a southern and eastern county, or a northern and western county, or in Piscataquis or Penobscot county, or in any county at all.

Presto-change-o! All the ponds, rivers and streams are listed alphabetically. This is a revolutionary improvement that all anglers should welcome.

Not only that, but the law booklet does not include any print advertisements, making the presentation more compact and accessible, and ending the practice by which the DIF&W competed with private publications for hard-to-come-by advertising dollars.

Two thumbs up and a tip of The Maine Sportsman cap to the Department.

The listing highlights the lack of originality in the naming of waters in Maine.

Seventeen “Mud Ponds,” sixteen “Moose” waters and six “Mud Lakes” are listed, but that is not the fault of the Department. This may touch off a “naming frenzy” by local Chambers of Commerce seeking more imaginative names for local waters, but those decisions will be up to the Legislature.

The laws are in the familiar magazine format that won’t fit in an angler’s pocket, but perhaps the old style booklet size will also return some day. Meanwhile, these changes are a vast improvement.

MANAGING EDITOR: Will Lund will@mainesportsman.com

Court’s Decision on Lynx and Trapping is the Right Result The decision of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service to grant an incidental take permit to the state, setting an overall limit of three Canada lynx to be inadvertently taken in traps over the next 15 years, was upheld in the recent ruling by the US District Court. The District Court made the right decision.

This ruling is great news for the federal regulators, as well as for groups like Maine’s DIF&W and the Maine Trappers Association, which intervened in the case and supported the granting of the permit.

In Maine, more Canada lynx are killed by cars each year than are caught in traps. In fact, the rising number killed on the roads each year (five in 2014, eight in 2015 and 10 in 2016, according to Assistant AG Christopher Taub, who helped argue the state’s case in court) means the lynx population is increasing nicely in this state.

The plaintiffs in this case, organizations such as the Animal Welfare Institute, were trying to use the lynx issue to leverage what they really wanted – a ban on trapping. They likely felt empowered when trapping was stopped for a month in December, 2014 shortly after the incidental take permit was issued, when two lynx were caught in traps. New rules were quickly issued regarding trap sizes and setting practices, and the season re-opened.

The plaintiffs argued that federal wildlife regulators, in issuing the incidental take permit, exceeded their authority and acted in an “arbitrary and capricious” way.

But the court disagreed, determining that regulators had complied with the provisions of the Endangered Species Act. It’s tempting for the winning side to feel wronged that they had to go to court and expend resources to defend the careful actions of state and federal regulators. Perhaps citizens and groups should be restricted from filing lawsuits to enforce federal laws?

However, each case must be decided on its merits. For example, as David Van Wie explains in his “Sporting Environment” column in this issue, the Clean Water Act has been an important tool of change that has made rivers, ponds and lakes usable again. If massive rollbacks in clear-water protections are proposed in Washington, especially if they arise through unilateral executive action rather than though a deliberative Congress, it may become important for Maine sportsmen to use the litigation tools in that law to challenge actions that could reverse decades of environmental progress.

Unlike anti-hunting and anti-trapping, the goal of clean water is not a simple issue. Outdoorsmen don’t just drink water – we fish in it, hunt ducks over it, paddle canoes though it and swim in it.

In the Canada lynx decision, the system worked. In future cases if the stakes are different, it may be important for sportsmen’s groups to be the ones challenging federal actions.

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PUBLISHER: Jon Lund

CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Kristina Roderick kristina@mainesportsman.com ADVERTISING DIRECTOR: Nancy Carpenter nancy@mainesportsman.com ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGER:Mike Moreau mike@mainesportsman.com ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGER:Chris Brawn chris@mainesportsman.com Second class postage paid at Scarborough, ME 04074 and additional entry offices.

All editorial inquiries should be emailed to will@mainesportsman.com Advertising and business information: Phone: 207-622-4242 Fax: 207-622-4255 Postmaster: Send address changes to: The Maine Sportsman, 183 State Street, Suite 101, Augusta, ME 04330 12-Month Subscription: $30 • 24-Month Subscription: $49

TABLE OF CONTENTS Allagash by Don Eno ........................................................ 60 Almanac by Will Lund ....................................................... 12 Aroostook - “The County” by Bill Graves ........................ 58 Big Game Hunting by Joe Saltalamachia ..................... 42 Bird of the Month, by Erika Zambello .............................. 14 Bowhunting by Chris “Bubba” Johnson ......................... 44 Capitol Report by George Smith .................................... 17 Editorial ................................................................................. 4 Freshwater Fly Fishing by Lou Zambello .......................... 32 Greater Penobscot Bay by Jim Lemieux ........................ 66 Jackman by William Sheldon .......................................... 53 Jottings by Jon Lund ........................................................... 8 Katahdin Country by William Sheldon ............................ 62 Kate's Wild Kitchen by Kate Krukowski Gooding ........... 19 Letters to the Editor ............................................................. 5 Maine Wildlife by Tom Seymour ...................................... 45 Maine Wildlife Quiz by Steve Vose .................................. 50 Midcoast Report by Tom Seymour .................................. 67 Mid-Kennebec Valley by Shawn Simpson ..................... 72 Moosehead by Tom Seymour ......................................... 56 New Hampshire by Ethan Emerson ................................. 48 Quotable Sportsman by George Smith .......................... 19 Rangeley Region by William Clunie ................................ 49 Riding Shotgun by Robert Summers ................................ 39 Saltwater by Barry Gibson ................................................ 35 Sebago to Auburn Region by Tom Roth ........................ 51 Self-Propelled Sportsman by Jim Andrews ..................... 70 Shooter’s Bench by Col. J.C. Allard ................................ 40 Smilin’ Sportsman by Will Lund ......................................... 39 Smilin' Sportsman - Kids Edition by Will Lund ................... 52 Sporting Environment by David Van Wie ....................... 71 Sportsman’s Journal by King Montgomery .................... 10 Southern Maine by Val Marquez..................................... 68 Trapping The Silent Places by David Miller ..................... 69 Trading Post (Classifieds) .................................................. 73 Trout Fishing by Tom Seymour .......................................... 34 Washington County by Steve Vose ................................ 64 Western Maine Mountains by William Clunie................. 46 Young Maine Sportsman by Luke Giampetruzzi ........... 55 Young Maine Sportswoman by Alyssa Sansoucy .......... 65

SPECIAL SECTIONS ATV: Selecting an ATV by William Clunie ....................... 37 Fish Stocking List................................................................. 20 On the Cover: Jonathan Wheaton casts into the waters of Baker Lake, where the St. John River originates. © Jonathan Wheaton, Norridgewock

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To The Editor

numbers of all species of wildlife. Years ago when I was deer hunting in Maine’s northwestern mountains, a flock of chickadees gathered around me, landing on my rifle barrel, my shoulder and my hat.

Hunting the same area now, I seldom see a chickadee. Red squirrels are rare, and no longer do I have the company of Canada Jays dropping by when I have lunch.

Landowners should not have the right to cut every tree on their land.

Maine’s wildlife and fish are public resources, held in trust.

Dick Arsenault Buxton

This Winter – Much Better than the Last Ones!

To the Editor: Thank you for the Sportsman’s coverage of outdoor sports this past winter. In my opinion, after a couple of winter seasons of less-than-stellar ice fishing conditions, 2017 provided vastly improved conditions.

Over the last few years, central Maine has been plagued with subpar winters, for a number of reasons. Thin or spongy ice conditions led to safety concerns. Warm (Continued on next page)

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To the Editor: I am writing out of a concern for the northern deer herd. In my opinion, because of timber cutting practices over the past 50 years, the last of our bigwoods deer have no deer yards in which to take refuge, and they are in a desperate struggle for survival.

I believe we need to take action now with respect to our state’s administration and legislators. We need to research, gather together, vote, call and write to express our concerns about cutting practices in our unorganized townships.

Laws that allow wilderness landowners to do what they have done to the environments of unorganized townships are wrong.

Landowners cut 5% of their timber each year.

The public never noticed the change, but in 20 years it was all clearcut.

Hunters see and understand the changes, but many non-hunters simply don’t get it. When steps are taken to save and manage just the wilderness deer herd, which is an indicator of the health of the woods, the “outside” is saved for everyone to enjoy. The “outside” is for camping, canoeing, brook fishing, hiking, snowmobiling, ice fishing, bird watching, gold panning, swimming, roasting s’mores, and just getting some fresh air.

Take care of our “outside,” and many more people will flock to it. Our state’s economy will ben-

efit from tourist and vacationers’ money.

I just read the “DIF&W Research and Management Report” for 2015. Right there on the cover it asks, “Are Maine bumble bees declining?”

Wow – someone noticed some missing bumble bees, yet they seemingly did not notice that a few hundred thousand deer were missing, along with thousands of moose, and

L

Clearcutting’s Drastic Impact on Wildlife

millions of north woods winter birds and small mammals.

Have any biologist ever officially estimated the abundance of native birds and animals in clearcuts during the winter months? The answer is – wildlife is sparse.

Other states are doing better than we are. In 2016, well over 300,000 deer were harvested in from Wisconsin’s estimated 1.4 million deer herd.

Maine does not even have close to that many deer in the whole state, and hunters struggle to harvest 20,000 deer. There aren’t even enough deer here for poachers.

Clearcuts reduce the

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6 • April 2017 • The Maine Sportsman

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Letters to the Editor (Continued from page 5)

temperatures and a barrage of rain shortened the length of the past few fishing seasons. Some anglers in the southern part of the state never experience a freeze on certain larger local bodies of water.

However, the winter of 2016-2017 has provided more than sufficient amounts of ice for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy.

With cold temperatures early in the season and the right mixture of snow and rain, lakes and ponds in central Maine showed upwards of two feet of ice in February and March, with at least one foot of good clear ice at the bottom.

The fishing was much better this winter, too.

After a couple of seasons of average-to-poor results due to a lack of rain in the fall and low, unaerated water levels, this past autumn we received a late surge of rain, which led to a favorable turnaround in water quality. Those anglers who ventured out on the ice this season brought some quality fish

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out through the holes.

And with the three or four feet of February snowfalls keeping snowmobile owners happy, Maine’s 2016-2017 winter was excellent on all fronts.

Jonathan Wheaton, Norridgewock

the years – may they ALL rest in peace – and they are never forgotten. We dedicate plaques in their honor to the winners of the largemouth and smallmouth bass champions each year. The winners keep the plaques until the following year’s contest.

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Likes Salty’s Ideas for Bigger Deer

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Celebrating Big Bass in Maine and Florida To the Editor: This Year will be my 20th straight Memorial Day week-end annual fishing trip to Maine in the Sebago Lakes Region.

My fishing buddies and I rent five cabins on Brandy Pond. We call ourselves the Brandy Pond Fishing Crew.

My brother in-law Joe Higginbottom, and trip organizer Jimmy Hurley, have both been going for over 40 straight years.

There have been about 30 of us over the years faithfully fishing in what I call “God’s Country” – Maine.

We have lost some members of the crew over

that day he caught a 9.9 and a huge 10.10-lb bass.

He even has his own YouTube channel called DZOLDNUTS, and Trophy Catch Florida has recorded many of his bass over 8 pounds.

See you in Maine over Memorial Day weekend!

Richard (“Dickie”) Keane

Tom Korinis is garnering a lot of attention in Florida for reeling in beasts like this 13-lb., 5-oz. largemouth, caught February 12, 2017.

On the positive side, the biggest catch in 40 years was my brother inlaw Joe Higginbottom’s lunker in 2002. What a catch! Joe caught an 8.13lb. largemouth bass.

I will never forget what Joe said to me when he weighed it in. He said “I have been waiting 30 years to catch that fish.”

The Maine Sportsman had him on the cover of your website that year.

I am writing in the hopes you will recognize Joe Higgy again and also my good friend Tom Korinis from New York.

Tommy has fished with the Brandy Pond Crew the past five years in Maine, as Tommy and I are now neighbors. We both moved to Weeki Wachee, Florida a few years ago.

The past few months, Tom has been about the hottest fisherman in all of Florida, with another friend, Lunker Lou, not too far behind him. Tom caught a 10.5-lb and a 12.8-lb. bass in late 2016, and on February 12th, 2017 he caught a Hall of Fame-rated bass weighing 13.5 lbs.

I fished with Tom again on Feb 19th and

To the Editor: Regarding Joe Saltalamachia’s ideas about how to increase the average size of Maine deer, I am in favor with what he’s proposing. I hunted Pennsylvania for twenty years and didn’t start seeing larger antlered bucks until after they implemented AR (antler-point restrictions).

I now hunt Connecticut regularly, and the size of the deer rival any Maine animal along with great antler growth. My son was the first big game guide in that state.

My point is that both of these states made changes to their hunting seasons and regulations that resulted in awesome opportunities for hunters.

The number of 200-lb. bucks harvested in Maine continues to decline. This state is in need of help.

I have and will continue to promote Joe’s ideas concerning the deer seasons. I’m a bow hunting safety instructor and a 1973 graduate of Unity College.

David St. Andre ————————

Unfinished Melody To the Editor: While re-reading Jim Andrews’ January “Self-Propelled Sportsman,” I realized he left us hanging. The deer was approaching his stand, and he was going to attempt a shot twisting

his head around to see through the scope with his left eye because of a temporarily bad right eye. But he never told us what happened.

What gives?

Bart Schairer Hammonton, NJ Jim Andrews responds: I laughed when I got this note, since I’ve had several inquiries about this.

The answer is that my rifle set-up worked fine for using my left eye, but I never got a chance to test my right trigger finger – the scope clearly showed two does running through the hardwoods.

And I’m still not sure if that Marlin will break my nose when I finally fire it from that position.

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Cougar Sighting #1 To the Editor: I just finished filling out the survey form which asks for cougar reports.

My neighbor and I were just back from hunting at our family farm in Bowdoinham in 1959.

We washed our hands at the old slate sink and looked out the window to see what we believe to be a cougar jump from the road bank to the middle of the road. The animal swished its long tail a few times, looked up and down the road, and then walked away.

My mother also saw this cat. It was about 4 feet in length, and weighed about 80-90 lbs., in our opinion. We never saw it again.

Ben Brown West Ossipee, NH ————————

Cougar Sighting #2 To the Editor: I just read your reader survey and wanted to let you know about a cou(Continued on next page)

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gar sighting.

She was tall and pretty, with dark curly hair.

I spotted her in the Freeport area...

That’s the most legit sighting you’ll get!

Name withheld by request Durham, ME ————————

Hunter’s Good Luck Charm To the Editor: I have been pleased to see sportswomen of Maine on the cover of The Maine Sportsman, including the trophy deer photo for your Big Bucks issue.

I am writing to voice my opinion on nail polish and hunting. They go together fine.

I have taken a lot of ribbing for my red nails

The letter-writer, and her red nail polish, have found hunting both with whitetail deer (10 points; 175 lbs.) and with moose (710 lbs.; 41-inch spread).

while hunting, but I just explain that the polish doesn’t interrupt the skills I have learned.

On Wednesday Nov. 25, 2015 I shot my first deer, 10 points and 175 lbs. dressed. While I didn’t field dress the deer, I was the leg-holder and studied the technique as my husband explained the process.

If I had to say, the red nail polish was good luck.

In June 2016 I found out that on my 3rd submission to the Moose hunt, my name was drawn which put the planning for October ahead of summer activities.

October arrived and my hunting party was ready to go Monday morning. Again, the red polish stands out.

At 7:50 am after only being in the woods for an hour and a half, my moose caller had drawn in a bull. The first one of the morning. With my gloves off and my Moose whisperer coaching me, I fired from 75 yards and dropped him, one shot.

So all I have to say about anyone razzing me for wearing nail polish while hunting, maybe they should try it. I think it had much to do with that 710-lb., 41� spread.

Great-looking (and great-tasting) moose!

Rhonda Small Cumberland Center

Ice Fishing Derby Winner To the Editor: I wanted to share the most exciting fish story that has ever happened to me, and perhaps the best one that ever will.

Earlier this winter, I won the Long Lake Fish Derby with a 33-inch togue that weighed 15 lbs., 4.4 oz.

When we entered it they said it was the heaviest fish they had seen in the 12-year history of the derby. The other members of our fishing party included David Welch, David Heath, Aaron, Josh and William Cowing.

We were fishing Eagle Lake the first day of the derby where we caught this fish. I caught the fish jigging in 12 feet of water, about a foot off bottom. I played the fish for what seemed like 10 minutes until it tired enough for us to get it through the ice, at which point Aaron Cowing grabbed the fish by the jaw and pulled it out.

During the derby we stayed at Camel Brook camps in Fort Kent – a very comfortable spot

Harold McKenna and his prize-winning 15-lb. 4.4-oz togue. Photo courtesy Long Lake Ice Fishing Derby

with great hosts.

First prize for salmon and togue was $1,500.

There were over 1,000 competitors in the derby this year, so to take first place in a category was a real honor.

Harold McKenna

shotgun made it too far to shoot. I saw two other deer that morning, but one was too small to shoot and the other too far away.

Luckily the buck came back two hours later and headed right toward me.

When it came in 15 yards, a tree was blocking my shot. My heart was in my throat, I could tell it had a huge rack.

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15-Year-Old Bags Big Buck Dear Editor: I hope you’ll let me share my deer story from last fall with your readers, especially your younger readers.

On November 5, 2016 I knew it would be a good morning to hunt in South Berwick. The temperature was only 28 degrees, so I felt the deer would be moving.

At 7:20 a.m. I saw a big buck walking parallel to the swamp I was watching, but having my

15-year old hunter Ryan Schoff dropped this 205-lb. buck in early November, 2016 in South Berwick.

The buck walked straight back 30 yards away turned broadside and I took my shot.

The result it what you see in the photo – 205 pounds; 9 points; 17.7inch inside spread.

Ryan Schoff, age 15 South Berwick

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8 • April 2017 • The Maine Sportsman

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Unleashed Pets in Wildlife Areas – An Unhealthy Mix? The b-r-r-r-r! sound of an explosive partridge takeoff greeted my ears as I walked along an old tote road this past autumn at the “Res” in Hallowell.

The Res is a piece of land surrounding a pond that once served as a water source for the city – a reservoir – where hunting is allowed. It was not a serious hunting expedition, but more of a casual afternoon walk. I carried a 20-gauge over-and under shotgun in case the unexpected happened and I encountered a bird.

When I grew up in

Researchers have found a 40% reduction in bird numbers in areas frequented by dog-walkers.

When an area is being managed for wildlife, does it make sense to allow unlimited canine access? nearby Augusta, as soon as you went beyond the built-up part of the city and entered a thicket, you might encounter partridge or woodcock. But that is no longer the case.

The abandoned and overgrown farms of yesteryear are gone, replaced by housing subdivisions.

But I wanted some exercise, and the Res

seemed like a good place to hike. The trail I followed was once used for hauling granite to a shed close to the river for cutting and finishing. It was an easy, pleasant walk where I could admire the fall colors.

Explanation for Flush I puzzled over the cause of the partridge flushing. It seemed too

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far away for my quiet steps to have caused the bird to fly.

The reason soon became apparent. A pleasant, middle-aged lady came down the trail toward me. Had she spooked the bird?

It appeared not.

Soon, a small, white longhaired dog appeared, bobbing along some distance off the trail, the sort of pet a non-dog fancier might refer to as a “dustmop.”

When I’d first seen the lady, I’d broken open the shotgun and put the barrels over my shoulder, not wanting to give her cause for alarm. I greeted her pleasantly and asked if she had heard a partridge take off. She didn’t respond directly, but said “Fluffy does so like to chase birds.”

I wished her a good day and continued along the trail. Now I understood why the partridge had flushed.

Acquisition of Jamies Pond WMA Only a mile or two west of the Res is Jamies Pond Wildlife Management Area. Jamies Pond also used to be the public

Should dogs be allowed to roam throughout Maine’s Wildlife Management Areas?

water supply for Hallowell.

When Federal regulations mandated costly water treatments for any open air public water supply, the Hallowell Water District drilled wells in Chelsea, across the Kennebec River.

Jamies Pond became surplus, to be used only if the wells failed. Jamies Pond shoreline was largely undeveloped and folks in Hallowell wanted to keep it that way.

Although most of the land was located in Manchester, Hallowell appropriated $100,000, and a local fund-raising effort, coupled with a grant from the Land For Maine’s Future program, enabled (Continued on next page)

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———————————————————————————————————————————————————————The Maine Sportsman • April 2017 • 9 (Continued from page 8)

the purchase of most of the land around Jamies Pond from the Water District.

The former Meadow Hill Road bordered the pond to the northwest, and runoff from this gravel road carried sand into Jamies pond, creating a large delta. Perhaps to address this problem, the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife took title to the land, and it was designated Jamies Pond Wildlife Management area.

Meadow Hill Road has been closed. The former roadbed is covered with grass and vegetation, and the siltation problem has been resolved.

Active Management During this past year, DIF&W has undertaken a habitat management project for the following stated objectives: • Promote and enhance softwood cover where present, to maintain and improve deer wintering area habitat.

• Increase hard mast production to benefit wildlife.

• Create a limited amount of early successional habitat, to provide

for the wildlife needs of early successional species such as snowshoe hare.

• Do some patch cuts in order to create a variety of forest age classes, with the goal of promoting habitat for ruffed grouse and woodcock.

As the project has unfolded and progressed, numerous Hallowell residents have vociferously objected that the project is spoiling what has become a popular local recreation area.

More Dogs; Fewer Deer Late this past fall, during the muzzleloader deer season, I drove out to Jamies Pond WMA, parked the car and walked one of the new, wide haul roads the logging contractors had built.

It was a Saturday, and the huge harvesting machines were parked.

It was easy walking the frozen ground. Wholetree harvesting was being practiced, and no slash, treetops or branches were in sight.

As I returned to my car, I met a man walking one dog on a leash, with at least three additional dogs milling about the road and roadside.

My thoughts were: “Here is Fluffy again.”

I have noted an absence of deer sign on trails at JPWMA that are heavily used by hikers, who are occasionally accompanied by their dogs.

Recent research indicates it’s a bad idea to let even leashed dogs near birds. Wildlife ecologists at the University of New South Wales in Australia report in the journal Biology Letters that dog-walking led to a 41 percent decline in the number of birds present.

(See Scientific American www.scientificamerican. com/article/dog-walking-irks-birds/) Also, see Proceedings of the Royal Academy of Sciences. http://rsbl.royalsocietypublishing.org/) The question is, when the forest management program is completed, and the tote roads put to bed and seeded, what will DIF&W do to see that wildlife flourishes in the areas around the old tote roads? Will some trails be designated as OK for dog walkers, while other trails are posted “No Pet Dogs?”

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10 • April 2017 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————————————

All that Glitters is Gold The venerable Al’s Goldfish company is now headquartered in Biddeford, Maine, and owner Mike Lee has expanded offerings to include a wide variety of large, colorful lures and angling accessories.

One or two Al’s Goldfish spoons always had a place of honor in the old, red metal, one-tray tackle box I bought at the local hardware store with my saved-up allowance and money earned from gathering discarded roadside bottles and getting the deposits. The allowance was $1 per week, and each bottle brought 2 cents. A gunny sack of bottles, mostly Coca Cola and beer, was heavy; beverages didn’t come in light aluminum cans in those days.

Several other fishing lures – we called them “plugs” – also graced the top shelf of the tackle box. There were one or two Fred Arbogast Hawaiian Wigglers, Hula Poppers, and Jitterbugs; several Mepps Spinners from France; and, brightest of them all, Al’s Goldfish. And yes, back then

the latter only came in a gold finish.

The Gold Standard One of the many good things I liked about the Goldfish was that I could cast it a mile using either bait-casting or open-face spinning gear. (Another digression – the casting reel did not have a side-to-side line guide on retrieve, and the double-grip handle spun with the spool on the cast. No anti-backlash device so your thumb was the only control.)

The casting reel sat atop a 5-foot metal rod with the action of a broom handle!

The spinning reel was the original French Mitchell 300, and it was a gem paired with the whippy gold, Wright & McGill Eagle Claw fiberglass spinning rod.

Al’s Goldfish also

caught fish of many species including large- and smallmouth black basses, trout and char, walleye and Northern pike. I was mostly a bass guy then, since my Air Force pilot father was stationed in the south at the time. He had brought the Mitchell 300 and the Mepps Spinners back from France in the mid-1950s.

I also inadvertently once foul-hooked (snagged) a nice common carp with the spoon, and it was then I realized how strong and wily this “trash” fish was, and why it someday could become a more respected game fish – which it did.

Other facts on the Goldfish are that from 1953 to 1973, over a million spoons were sold annually; the lure always has been “made in America”; in 2006, Al’s original Goldfish was named in Field and Stream magazine as one of the “50 Greatest Lures of All Time,” and in 2007 as one of the “Top Ten Trout Lures” ever. That’s pretty good testimony.

Who was Al? Al Stuart, owner of Stuart’s Sport Shop in Indian Orchard, Massachusetts, originated the Goldfish in 1952, and the company stayed in the family for another generation until sold in the latter part of the 1990s.

Stuart heavily marketed his lures, and at one time had the infamous Gadabout Gaddis endors-

www.MaineSportsman.com

Al’s Goldfish Lure Co. owner Mike Lee on right with employee Tom Marston at the Biddeford headquarters.

Tom was putting together an order for Bass Pro Shops.

The original Al’s Goldfish has been around since 1952.

ing the products. Gaddis was a 1950s/1960s early version of Bill Dance or Jimmy Houston, and was billed as “The Flying Fisherman” on black & white television.

Roscoe Vernon “Gadabout” Gaddis lived in Bingham, Maine, and today the town’s airport is named after him. Bingham was home base for Gaddis and his Piper Cherokee airplane, and many of his adventures originated from there. He always loved Maine for its great and varied fishing opportunities. And he really liked the Goldfish.

Al’s daughter and son-in-law ran the business until their retirement, then sold it to John Occhialini, also from Massachusetts. Occhialini modernized the machinery, computerized business operations, and expanded catalog and marketing aspects of the concern, thereby bringing Al’s into the 21st century.

As a result sales began to rise and the iconic lure manufacturer was back in business. It was on Occhialini’s retirement that Mainer Mike Lee purchased the company, and

moved corporate headquarters to Biddeford, Maine.

The Maine Connection Mike Lee is an enthusiastic, energetic and smart person in his early 40s, married to Lindsay, a Phoenix, Arizona native (she’s trying to learn to appreciate our winters), and with two children: Harper, a girl 3, and a boy Brady, an 11-year old who loves to fish. In December the youngster caught a nice brook trout in Little Ossipee Lake with an Al’s Goldfish.

The Goldfish and all the other of Al’s lures always have been American-made, and that will continue under Lee’s aegis. He also wants the brand to become firmly associated with the Pine Tree State. The new corporate headquarters are in the Pepperell Mill Center in Biddeford, not far from the Saco River.

The old red brick mill stood derelict for many decades before a vigorous revitalization program began. Now the mill and many other similar mills are becoming desirable, (Continued on next page)

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—————————————————————————————————————————————————————— The Maine Sportsman • April 2017 • 11 (Continued from page 10)

affordable sites for Maine businesses in Biddeford and Saco.

Mike Lee already has expanded the product line with the Bob Christopher Series of meticulously-made attractor and imitator spoons. Christopher has been a wellknown painter of lures for over a half-century, and his creations have been admired by fishes and successful anglers for a very long time.

Lee has amped up Al’s capability to produce promotional fishing lures that are printed with company or organization names and logos. While at the Biddeford facility where the imprinting is done, I saw nippers (line cutters), bobbers and other such accessories with names and/or logos printed on them.

The latest development is bringing out a new saltwater version of the venerable Goldfish, with a target release date of April 1. The spoon is 1 1/4-oz, 2 3/4-inches long, and measures 4 1/2-inches from nose to end of dressed, custom-tied 3/0 VMC hook. A 100-pound test split-ring rounds out the assembly. There initially will be four colors: bunker, Neon Blue, Green Pearl, and Black Pearl; and all are fishy-sounding paint jobs.

Pre-release on-thewater testing shows that the big Goldfish is a true striper catcher, and bluefish like it, too. The spoon imitates many of the

The color patterns on Al’s Goldfish are designed to generally mimic bait-fishes or are painted in proven attractor raiment. Mike Lee constantly looks for new and innovative patterns and materials. All photos © King Montgomery

bait-fishes that swim our waters, and it is apt to catch any number of different gamefishes.

I have high hopes for the new super Goldfish, and plan trying it out from the beach, the rock jetty on the Kennebunk River, and from a boat when the striped bass come up from the south with the tourists this summer.

Al’s Lineup The “Classics” are the flutter/wobbler spoons that started the company, and once graced my tackle boxes. The lures flutter enticingly on the drop, and wobble seductively on the retrieve, however slow or fast that might be.

I remember fishing Goldfish (and other spoons) by making a long cast, counting down the lure to the desired depth – it falls roughly one foot per second in still water – then retrieving it back to the shore, dock, or boat.

A selection of Al’s Goldfish lures packaged and ready to go.

The jig at the 11-o’clock position is a Goldfish for ice fishing.

Beginning with a steady retrieve, I’d eventually vary the rate, and add subtle then firmer jerks and pops until the fish told me what they wanted. Sometimes they didn’t want anything, but it still was fun and kept me more or less out of trouble.

The Classics once were offered only in gold, but now are available in a variety of sizes and colors, including the Christopher patterns in Smelt, Chub, Green Perch, Spotted Flame, Rainbow Smelt, and Brazil – and they look absolutely deadly.

Other offerings include Al’s 49er, a 5/16 oz, 2 1/4-inch long offering for larger fish such as big trout, togue, pike, pickerel, and others. It comes through the water on its back, with a 3/4-inch rotation, bobbling and vibrating on the way. It either can be trolled, or you can cast it a mile.

Al’s Helgy mimics a

hellgrammite, which is the larval stage of the Dobsonfly. It is a killer on trout and the basses, particularly smallmouth bass. The Water Witch once was a staple in tackle boxes, but faded away.

Now it resurfaces in a stainless steel body in either nickel or gold plating.

Al’s accessories offerings have been expanded.

Some of the items available include Fly Line Eyelets and Kwik Klips; plastic Hook Bonnets; stainless steel wire Minnow Rigs; Baiting Needles, and a Precision Oiler for keeping reels humming along. Al’s is the only source in the USA for plastic hook bonnets, and I’m going to outfit all of my lures, both freshwater and saltwater, with them.

One more shout-out on Al’s products: The Sebago Trolling Rigs look like dynamite! The 25inch wire trolling assembly with differing blade

In this early Al’s catalog, Dana DeBlois of Sterling Junction, MA poses with his state record brown trout of 19 pounds, 10 ounces caught in Wachusett Reservoir in May 1966.

The record still stands today, and the lunker was caught on a Fluorescent Orange Al’s Goldfish.

configurations including a large blade with the clevis at the large, instead of the traditional small end. This Al’s unique setup creates huge vibration and flash as it courses its way through the water.

It’s nice to have a good size and very reputable lure-maker in Maine, employing Mainers, and ensuring all parts are made in the USA. The lures produced and sold perfectly fit our fish species and water types, and should help anyone score on more and larger fish.

I can’t wait to try all this stuff out as we emerge from late-winter snow and cold weather.

For more information, contact Mike Lee and his folks at Al’s Goldfish Lure Co. in Biddeford at 413543-1524, www.alsgoldfish.com.

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12 • April 2017 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Compiled and Edited by Will Lund This Month Perusing the 1971 Maine Outdoorsman’s Guide and Almanac

by Bill Sheldon Since acquiring a 1971 Maine Outdoorsman’s Guide and Almanac, the forerunner to today’s The Maine Sportsman, I’ve scoured the 46-year-old publication to see how “the good old days” compare to the here and now.

The L.L.Bean advertisement immediately caught my attention. It touted fall and spring catalogs, free for the asking no less.

It also mentions that its “Freeport Factory Salesroom is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”

It seems that after all these years, L.L.Bean never wavered from that 1971 claim. In fact, they’ve only improved dramatically since then. Consider that they have

added to their catalog count with many specialty publications, not to mention the convenience of internet-based shopping that today allows us that same 24/7 shopping without driving to Freeport.

A 1970 resident fishing license sold for $4. That’s approximately $25, adjusted for inflation, in 2017 money. Amazingly enough, a 2017 resident fishing license costs $25 – a statistical dead heat.

Of course the regulations have changed a lot over the years. The bag and possession limit in 1970 was 8 fish (12 in Aroostook County) “OR” 7 ½ pounds aggregate. I guess that’s why every old tackle box I’ve looked in has one of those Zebco “De-Liar” scales tucked away in a compartment.

So far, I’d say the good old days just might be here and now.

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Remarkable Tungsten With growing restrictions on the use of

Some things have changed since 1971, but others have remained constant.

lead, both for fishing and hunting, attention is turning to replacement metals – including tungsten.

The most remarkable quality of tungsten is its weight – in fact, it is reportedly 1.7 times denser than lead. Its name derives from that quality, since tungsten translates from Swedish as “heavy stone.”

Tungsten is currently used for fishing sinkers and jigs. It is also available as the basis for “nymphing mud,” which you can read more about in Tom Seymour’s “Trout Fishing” column in this issue.

(Continued on next page)

Extraordinary Firearms Auction April 11, 12 & 13, 2017 | Fairfield, Maine Our spectacular April auction will include a broad array of the most prestigious Investment Quality firearms in the world. This sale will feature renowned Private Collections and Estates including The Extraordinary Warren Buxton Estate Collection of Important and Rare Walther Arms; Collection of Rare Mauser Broomhandles from Noted German Industrialist Friedrich-Wilhelm Dauphin; The Fantastic Semi-Auto Pistol Collection of Frank H. Wheaton, III; The Dr. Zack Catterton Collection of Rare Confederate Arms; The Second Session of The Allen Hallock Schuetzen Rifle Collection; The Doug Buhler Collection of Rare and Spectacular German Imperial Headgear and Pickelhauben; Outstanding Winchesters; Fine Colts including fully documented Historic Single Action Army turned in as “unserviceable” by Captain Benteen after the Battle of The Little Bighorn; Best Quality English and American Sporting Shotguns and Rifles; Class-3 Machine Guns and other Fine Military Arms; Rare Antique Martial Arms and Civil War items and much, much more. Online bidding through Invaluable.com and Proxibid.com. Below is a small sampling of the fine items in this upcoming sale.

Rarest and Most Historically Important Firearm Ever Found Associated with The Battle of Little Bighorn

Rare Henry Rifles

Offerings From the Sporting & Collector Session Walther Sporting Rifles From m The Warren Buxton Collection n

Colt SAA SN 5773 used by one of Custer’s Troopers at the Battle of The Little Big Horn.

Parker A1 Special 20 ga w/Extraordina w/Extraordinary Engr. and Gold Inlay In Orig. Untouched Condition.

Possibly the Finest of Its Type!

A sampling li off rare Henry rifles to be offered incl. a fine Hoggson Engr. Mod.1860, Very Rare Mod. 1860 Iron Frame, Fine Eng. Eng Henry Mod. Mod 1860 Lever Action, Action Rare Early Mod. 1860 Lever Action SN 110

A Sampling of American, English and European Sporting Shotguns For All Occasions

Colt 1911s in a Myriad of Configurations From Privateers

Full Color Catalogs Available | $39 Each or Both for $75

firearms@jamesdjulia.com | Tel: (207) 453-7125 | Fax: (207) 453-2502 | 203 Skowhegan Rd., Fairfield, ME www.jamesdjulia.com | Auctioneer: James D. Julia | Lic#: ME:AR83 | MA: AU1406 | NH 2511 www.MaineSportsman.com

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—————————————————————————————————————————————————————— The Maine Sportsman • April 2017 • 13 (Continued from page 12)

There are very few other elements anywhere close to the density of tungsten, putting it on par with rare materials such as gold and uranium. And speaking of gold, the weight of tungsten is so close to that of gold that in the 1980s, some investors invested in “gold bars,” only to find out later that they purchased gold-plated tungsten bars.

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What Kinds of Fishing to Sportsman Readers Do? Here are our readers’ angling methods of choice, according to our most recent surveys. Many of us, it’s clear, engage is more than one method of fishing.

Percent of readers

Type of angling

63%

Stream fishing for brook trout

60%

Trolling for trout or salmon

58%

Ice fishing for salmonids

51%

Fly casting for trout or salmon

49%

Still-fishing for trout, togue or slamon

47%

Casting for bass

44%

Spincasting

39%

Fishing for perch

27%

Saltwater fishing from private boat

19%

Flycasting for bass

13%

Saltwater fishing from charter boat

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Taxidermy Championships Scheduled for August Our friend Tim Sansoucy (who is also the father of our outstanding “Young Maine Sportswoman” columnist Alyssa Sansoucy) wrote recently to remind us that, in August, the Maine Association of Taxidermists will be hosting the Northern New England Taxidermy Championships at Sunday River Resort in Newry, Maine.

Tim said the association plans to bring in experts to judge, offer suggestions and give workshops to benefit taxidermists and wildlife artists. More information will be available at www.

MaineTaxidermy.org.

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Fishing Kayaks Getting Fancier According to OutDoors Unlimited (ODU) online magazine, fishing kayaks are becoming more and more specialized.

Current “Hobie”-brand models, for example, feature “deck plans with space to mount rod holders and electronics, hatches big enough to stash extra tackle, and spacious above-deck cargo areas

in the stern, the ideal place for a storage system or livewell.”

And if you opt for models from Hobie or Old Town that offer pedal-power and propulsion that’s in a hull tunnel or otherwise protected from rocks and weeds, you’ve got a fishing machine that provides an added thrill if a lunker begins towing you all around the lake or pond.

This is not your grandparents’ kayak!

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How to Annoy an Outdoorswoman The Maine Sportsman enjoys a strong readership from female hunters.

Writing for the “Project Upland” newsletter based on her own experiences as a bird hunter and likely from discussions with other sportswomen, Meadow Kouffeld compiled and analyzed questions frequently fielded by sportswomen from men.

Gentlemen – be forewarned! Here are the three questions not to ask: 1. “So, who trained your dog?” (The women’s’ response frequently is, “I did.”)

2. “Where’s your boyfriend?” (The assumption being that a woman cannot hunt alone.)

3. “Here, let me do that.” (Assist if requested, as would be the case with any hunter you encounter.

Kouffeld concludes, “I love men, but sometimes they need to think a little before they say something to a woman hunting whom they know nothing about. … We are all on the same team; we are hunters.”

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Maine High Schools Have Hockey Teams; Florida’s Have Fishing Teams Maine is a great place to grow up and live. Our state offers many outdoor opportunities that other states cannot match.

However, some southern states, especially Florida, have developed one activity that has not yet made it to the colder climates of Maine – high school fishing teams.

Local papers print team results much as publications in our state list hockey scores.

Commercial sponsors have also taken notice, and their support has ramped up the scope and scale of the competition. Consider this excerpt, reprinted from HighSchoolFishing.org in a recent issue of “Fishing Wire” newsletter: The 2017 TBF High School Fishing Florida State champions … will each receive a $5,000 college scholarship to the school of their choice.

In addition … anglers nationwide automatically qualify for the world’s (Continued on next page) www.MaineSportsman.com

14 • April 2017 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Almanac

(Continued from page 12)

largest high school bass tournament, the 2017 High School Fishing World Finals …. At the 2016 World Finals, more than $60,000 in scholarships and prizes were awarded.

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Polar-Grizz Hybrid Jim Martell, a big game hunter from Idaho, paid $45,450 for a license to hunt for a polar bear on Banks Island in the Beaufort Sea in the Northwest Territories of Canada.

His Inuit tracker, Roger Kuptana, thought there was something unusual about the white- bodied bear Martell shot: its eyes were ringed with black, the face somewhat indented and the body had a slight hump and it had long claws.

A DNA test was performed and the results confirmed that the trophy was a hybrid with a polar bear mother and a grizzly father, the first time such a hybrid has been known in the wild.

This was good news for Martel, who faced a possible $909 fine and up to a year in jail if he’d shot a grizzly.

Ian Stirling, a biologist with the Canadian Wildlife Service, said that the Canadian polar bear hunt is done on a sustainable ba-

sis. Polar bear and grizzly habitats overlap somewhat.

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Tracking Ice-Out The Bureau of Parks and Lands’ Boating Division tracks ice out on Maine’s lakes each springtime.

The division even defines ice out, as follows: We consider “ice-out” to be when you can navigate unimpeded from one end of the water body to the other. There may still be ice in coves or along the shoreline in some areas, but when a person can traverse the entire water body without being stopped by ice floes, we will consider the ice to be out.

Thirteen of Maine’s biggest lakes, including Moosehead, Sebago and Rangeley, are tracked by webcam, but in other instances the state agency relies on informants. Observers are asked to contact “Navigational Aids Supervisor Timothy Thurston (timothy. thurston@maine.gov) to report ice-outs.

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Ice Roads Truckers Dave Small takes excellent photos, and shares them with a select group of friends and fans. Many of them have appeared in the pages of The Maine Sportsman over the

Stud Mill Road logging trucks always have the right of way. Photo © Dave Small

years.

Most of the images he takes, which are sent out under the heading “NatureShots,” are of Maine flora and fauna.

He made an exception recently, when he found himself on Stud Mill Road, east of Old Town and north of Alligator Lake.

The image he took was of a fast-moving logging truck coming down the middle of the icy road.

“Logging trucks working along the Stud Mill Road own the road,” said Small. “They have the right away at all times.”

He added that if conditions are slippery, “it’s prudent [for the rest of us] to stay off the road completely.”

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New Hampshire Becomes the 11th Constitutional Carry State in the Country On Wednesday, February 22, New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu signed Senate Bill 12, otherwise known as “Constitutional Carry,” into law, making New Hampshire the eleventh state to remove the permit requirement for concealed carry.

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Bird of the Month – Horned Lark

by Erika Zambello I know what you’re thinking: “Wait – birds have horns?” Fear not, this is not some monstrous bird-goat hybrid, but an optical illusion. While the Horned Lark males do appear to have two horns protruding from their heads, the “horns” are really just upturned (Continued on next page)

www.MaineSportsman.com

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—————————————————————————————————————————————————————— The Maine Sportsman • April 2017 • 15 (Continued from page 12)

feathers. Still, they give this lark an interesting appearance!

In addition to their “horns,” the males of this songbird species have black masks, black neck bands, yellow faces, white chests and bellies, and rusty backs. Females have similar coloring, but their plumage appears more faded, less distinct. Medium-sized songbirds, both sexes are about seven inches long, with a wingspan that stretches 12 inches.

Horned Larks can be found throughout Maine in the winter months. Some migrate north to summer breeding grounds, while others remain along the Maine coastline.

To find one, look for bare ground where the grass is less than a few inches high; this habitat is perfect for their preferred seed and insect meals. In Maine, that means beaches, shoreline, and short-cropped fields.

In the winter, Horned Larks can also be spotted along roads and in snowy-covered meadows, mixing with other species like Dark-eyed Juncos, Tree Sparrows and Snow Buntings. My personal experience fits perfectly with these habitat-types: the first male lark I ever identified was resting on the rocky edge of Back Cove, Portland.

While there are still an estimated 120 million breeding Horned Larks throughout the world, the North American Breeding Bird Survey has estimated that their numbers have decreased about 2% every year since measurement began in 1966. That’s a drop

of over 70%! Though researchers think that loss of habitat – including fields that are reforested or developed – plays a role, they are unsure if other factors are also influencing the Horned Lark’s decline.

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Ten Maine Moose Permits Sell for a Stunning $150,000!

Submitted by George Smith In 2017, ten nonresidents will hunt moose in Maine, paying between $14,444 and $16,510 for their permits. Most will also hire guides, some priced at $6500 or more. Yes, Maine’s moose hunt is valuable!

The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife auction offers ten moose hunting permits every year. The average bid for permits this year was $15,023, and the total paid for the ten permits was $150,234.50.

All of the money goes to youth conservation education scholarships. More than 600 Maine boys and girls received scholarships to several of the state’s conservation camps last year.

Conservation camp programs are designed to teach Maine boys and girls the importance of conservation, a respect for the environment and a working knowledge of a variety of outdoor skills.

Subjects taught at camp include wildlife identification, fishing, boating safety,

archery, firearms handling, hunter safety, forest conservation, and map and compass work.

The Maine Legislature created the auction, which began in 1995. Applicants must submit bids through a written process. Winning bids are selected each February.

DIF&W has submitted a bill to increase the auction to 20 permits next year. As of this writing, the bill has not been scheduled for a public hearing, but it’ll be hard to turn it down, given the significant amount of money the agency can raise from this auction. The next ten bids in this year’s auction would have paid $133,995 for their permits.

The draft of the agency’s new moose management plan also calls for increased permits for raffles and auctions, to provide needed funding for moose research and management.

The 2017 Moose Auction Winners • $16,510: Lawrence Costa, Nottingham, NH • $16,001: Tracy Hauck, New London, NH • $15,151.51: Claude Warren Jr, Champions Gate, FL • $15,001: Dustin Parent, Laconia, NH • $14,900: Michael Gleason, Berlin, MA • $14,601: Howard Ludington, Portsmouth, NH • $14,599.99: Carl Baker, Hyde Park, VT • $14,526: Craig Willis, Hico, Texas • $14,500: David Thayer, Farmington, NH • $14,444: John Lovetere, Greenland, NH

¶

www.MaineSportsman.com

16 • April 2017 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————————————

April 2017 Hunting & Fishing Information Hunting Seasons and Rules Youth Spring Wild Turkey Hunting Day – April 29, 2017. Youth hunters may take up to 2 bearded turkeys from WMDs that have 2-bird limits.

Spring Turkey Season runs May 1 through June 3, 2017 in WMDs 7 – 29. Limit 1 bearded turkey in WMD 8*; 2 bearded turkeys in WMDs 7, 9 – 29.

Hunters may use a bow & arrow, crossbow or shotgun.

In WMDs 1 – 6, hunters born in an “odd” year can hunt in Season A (May 1 – May 6, 2017 and May 15 – May 20, 2017), while hunters born in an “even” year can hunt in Season B (May 8 – May 13, 2017 and May 22 – May 27, 2017). All hunters can hunt May 29 – June 3, 2017. One bearded turkey limit in WMDs 1 – 6*. *Hunters may take a second turkey during the season, but the second turkey must come from a WMD that permits the taking of two birds.

Note: Turkeys must have a securely-attached tag containing the hunter’s name, address and hunting license number. Hunters must then proceed to a registration location and pay a $2 fee for registration.

Snowshoe Hare season ends March 31, 2017 (ended February 28 on Vinalhaven) Crow season in WMDs 7 through 29 started January 20, 2017 and runs through March 31, 2017. In WMDs 1 – 6, the season started February 4, 2017 and runs through April 15, 2017. No bag limit.

Night Hunting for Coyote: Night hunting started December 16 and runs

through August 31, 2017. To avoid violating Maine’s prohibition on Sunday hunting, night hunting for coyotes must cease at midnight each Saturday, and can resume at 12:01 a.m. on Monday.

Others: There is no closed season for coyotes (daytime hunting), red squirrels, porcupines and woodchucks.

Hunting is prohibited at all times for cottontail rabbits, lynx, spruce grouse and ravens.

HOURS: 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset, except for migratory game birds (1/2 hour before sunrise, to sunset) and raccoons (night hunting allowed in season).

See “Night Hunting for Coyotes” section above for applicable coyote rules.

Ammunition: Non-toxic shot only for migratory game birds.

Dog Training: Dogs may be trained on fox, snowshoe hare and raccoons, but only through March 31. Firearms with live ammo may be used during the open seasons on the game being pursued; otherwise, only dog trainers may use only pistols or shotguns loaded with blanks.

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Fishing Seasons and Rules If you are 16 years old or older, don’t forget to purchase your new 2017 license before going out fishing for the first time this year.

Go to www.eregulations.com/maine/fishing/general-law-information/ , find the lake, pond, river or stream you want to fish, and interpret the codes that apply.

Look up the “S” (special rules) Codes.

Sunrise / Sunset

Learn the open-water season, the ice fishing season (if any), whether you are limited to artificial lures, or catch-and-release, and whether there’s a slot limit.

SOUTHERN & EASTERN COUNTIES (Androscoggin, Cumberland, Hancock, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Oxford south of the Androscoggin River, Penobscot, Sagadahoc, Waldo, Washington, and York) – Unless indicated by special rule, Lakes and Ponds can be fished year-round, either open water or ice fishing.

NORTHERN & WESTERN COUNTIES (Aroostook, Franklin, Oxford north of the Androscoggin River, Piscataquis, and Somerset) – Lakes and Ponds: Unless otherwise indicated under the appropriate county in the rule book, closed to open water fishing from October 1 to March 31. Opening Day: April 1. Unless otherwise indicated under the appropriate county, rivers, streams and brooks are closed to ice fishing. Waters open to ice fishing are listed with an A or a B code, which defines the winter fishing season. All other waters are closed to ice fishing. ***** Atlantic Salmon can’t be targeted, and if caught they must be released immediately.

Current saltwater fishing regulations are found at www.Maine.gov/dmr/recreational-fishing/regs-tips/index.html.

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Tidal Chart

APRIL 2017

APRIL 2017

Portland, ME

Portland, ME

DATE 1 Sat 2 Sun 3 Mon 4 Tue 5 Wed 6 Thu 7 Fri 8 Sat 9 Sun 10 Mon 11 Tue 12 Wed 13 Thu 14 Fri 15 Sat

RISE 6:19 6:17 6:15 6:13 6:11 6:10 6:08 6:06 6:04 6:03 6:01 5:59 5:58 5:56 5:54

SET 7:10 7:11 7:12 7:13 7:14 7:16 7:17 7:18 7:19 7:20 7:21 7:23 7:24 7:25 7:26

DATE 16 Sun 17 Mon 18 Tue 19 Wed 20 Thu 21 Fri 22 Sat 23 Sun 24 Mon 25 Tue 26 Wed 27 Thu 28 Fri 29 Sat

RISE 5:53 5:51 5:49 5:48 5:46 5:45 5:43 5:41 5:40 5:38 5:37 5:35 5:34 5:32 30 Sun 5:31

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SET 7:27 7:29 7:30 7:31 7:32 7:33 7:35 7:36 7:37 7:38 7:39 7:41 7:42 7:43 7:44

DATE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

HIGH AM PM 2:43 3:21 3:38 4:21 4:38 5:27 5:44 6:36

LOW AM PM 9:04 9:22 10:03 10:21

7:59

7:32 8:08

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29

8:37

8:46

30

11:06 11:26 -

6:55

7:45 12:36

8:05

8:48

9:08 9:44 10:04 10:33 10:53 11:16

11:37 11:55 12:18 12:32 12:56 1:06 1:34 1:41 2:12 2:17 2:51

1:47 2:51 3:49 4:39 5:25 6:06 6:45 7:22

12:14 1:23 2:28 3:26 4:17 5:02

5:43 6:21

6:57

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

HIGH AM PM 2:55 3:34 3:38 4:19 4:25 5:10 5:17 6:04 6:13 6:59 7:12 7:54 8:09 8:45 9:04 9:34 9:56 10:20 10:46 11:07 11:36 11:53 12:27 12:42 1:18 1:32 2:13

Sun

2:25

DATE

3:10

LOW AM PM 9:18 9:27 10:02 10:13 10:50 11:04 11:43 12:00 12:39 12:59 1:34 1:57 2:27 2:52 3:18 3:44 4:06 4:34 4:53 5:23 5:40 6:12 6:28 7:03 7:18 7:56 8:11

8:51

9:08

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—————————————————————————————————————————————————————— The Maine Sportsman • April 2017 • 17

George Frustrated with Lack of Fisheries Management Plan Progress Members of DIF&W’s Fisheries Steering Committee are frustrated with the lack of progress in preparation of new fisheries management plans. While the new big game management plans are nearing completion, the Fisheries Division staff has not even completed the initial assessments of each species, never mind the new 15year management plans.

From my point of view, the fisheries planning process is deeply flawed. For each big game animal, a special steering committee of individuals representing a variety of groups was organized to work with the Wildlife Division staff in preparation of draft management plans. Both the initial assessments and the draft management plans then went to a larger Steering Committee, which has been actively engaged in the preparation of the final plans.

For the new fisheries management plans, the Fisheries Division staff members are preparing the assessments and plans, with no steering committees to work with them, and those plans will then go to a Steering Committee for comment.

As you can see, there is a much bigger commitment to work with interested groups and individuals in the Wildlife Division then the Fisheries Division.

Brautigam Well-Respected Please do not consider this an attack on the new Fisheries Division Director, Francis Brautigam. Francis was one of the best regional fisheries biologists, working in southern Maine, before he took this position, and I am hopeful that he will make significant changes

in the organization of and ways the division works as time goes on.

But there is no better place to make those decisions than in the new plans. And that’s where the Fisheries Steering Committee comes in.

At the group’s January meeting, there were no assessments to review, no plans to discuss. Brautigam and Joe Overlock provided updates about the department’s work on the assessments and plans, and spent quite a bit of time explaining the differences in the planning processes for fisheries and game animals and reviewing the “key components” of the planning process. Francis did say that most species assessments are drafted, but not finalized. He said the agency still needs to determine their research needs for each species.

And he reported that they are turning away from a statewide management approach to focus on regional plans, hoping to solicit more public input on the regional level. “In the fish world, we manage water by water,” he said, “in thousands of waters.”

George Urges Statewide Approach Many of us see that regional approach as a mistake. Thank goodness we don’t manage game animals that way! And that kind of management and thinking has created a terribly complex and confusing set of fishing rules. There is actually a bill in the Legislature this session to reorganize the fisheries division so that it matches the organizational structure of the wildlife division.

Francis said it has been difficult to determine the public’s desires

and needs when it comes to fisheries management.

And he also noted, “We don’t have any way to manage data.” He’s hoping to upgrade a position in his division to focus more effort on this. “The old plan was loaded with data but wasn’t used.

The plans lacked specific guidance for regions,” he reported.

In particular, Francis hopes to make the plans more responsive to and useful for anglers. I must say they’ve got a long way

to go to achieve that goal.

We did give him some advice on how to reach out to more anglers – including using the department’s list of licensed anglers. I also suggested a survey of nonresident anglers who no longer fish in Maine.

And we suggested engaging local, regional, and state groups representing sportsmen and women.

That’s when we were told that Brittany Humphrey is working on a plan to bring back those nonresidents who have given up

fishing here.

Steering Committee member Sherry Oldham, a member of the Fish and Wildlife Advisory Council and President of the Rangeley Region Guides and Sportsmen’s Association, emphasized that “conservation is most important” and this should be emphasized in the plans. She also noted we should have a separate assessment for the Heritage Waters where brook trout and char are pro(Continued on next page)

www.MaineSportsman.com

18 • April 2017 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Capitol Report (Continued from page 17)

tected.

Conservation is Key A lot of discussion centered on the concept of turning most of the decisions, and focusing the plans, on a regional level. “I am very reluctant to turn over planning for resources of state and national significance to regions,” said Don Kleiner, a Steering Committee members and lobbyist for the Maine Professional Guides Association. Don cited sea run trout, Bluebacks, Sebago salmon and Heritage fish as particular concerns.

I noted that we’ve made lots of stocking mistakes over the last 150

years, and our highest priority must be to protect our remaining native fisheries. Twice as many bass, introduced both legally and illegally, are now caught by anglers than brook trout. “Bass are the second most important (fishery) resource in our state,” said Francis.

I’ve been bothered for years that almost all of the Fisheries Division funding is spent on stocked fish, growing, stocking, and managing them. I see that as a major problem, and would like to have the budget more evenly balanced between stocked and na-

tive/wild fish.

On Stocking, Are We Asking the Right Question?

The division’s current standard for stocking a water is to respond to the following hypothetical question: Does the native fishery there meet angler demands and desires?

That’s the wrong way to approach, protect and manage our remaining native fish, in my opinion. Yes, the fish should come first!

Francis talked a bit about his successful effort to restore wild landlocked salmon in Sebago Lake, and he deserves great credit for that achievement, which was not easy. He actually faced strong opposition to his decision to reduce

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stocking.

I told the group that Maine needs to step up and protect our native fish in the Allagash Waterway, but Francis said he’d rely on regional fisheries biologists for advice on that. These are the same biologists who have opted not to protect those fish.

As the meeting was nearing an end, Francis said, “I’m shooting for a process and plan people will feel comfortable about, and not a plan that’s put on the shelf and ignored for the next 15 years.” We can only hope he is successful in achieving this important goal.

Turkeys Turkey bag limits and seasons are set in law, but that may change. My turkey bill, LD 98, was amended by the Legislature’s Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee, at my request, to give the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife full authority to set bag limits and seasons, including the opportunity to schedule special hunts where turkeys are causing problems. Currently bag limits and seasons are set in law, giving the agency no opportunity to make any changes.

The three sections of my turkey bill were removed. One called for elimination of the turkey hunting permit and fee, to encourage more hunters to try turkey hunting. The department and several IFW Committee members were skeptical that this would actually attract a lot more turkey hunters, and the committee felt that DIF&W needed the money for turkey research and other purposes.

Another part of the bill would have allowed turkeys to be registered online or by phone. I think a lot of turkey hunters don’t bother to register their birds, because there is no tagging station nearby. But DIF&W objected strongly, stating that they thought online tagging would actually result in fewer turkeys being tagged. The bill did

not eliminate tagging stations. It just gave hunters another option for tagging their turkeys.

A third section of the bill would have expanded the bag limit to three toms in the spring and three turkeys of either sex in the fall. This would not have worked statewide, but it did give us a chance to talk about the need to increase bag limits in some areas.

Big Amendments Adopted at Work Session At the IFW Committee work session on my bill, I urged the committee to use my bill to give the department the authority to set bag limits and seasons, something they called for in their new draft turkey management plan. If the committee hadn’t used the bill to achieve this change, it would not have been possible until next year. Both Wildlife Division Director Judy Camuso and IFW Deputy Commissioner Tim Peabody joined me in asking the committee to give their agency this authority.

The amended bill won a unanimous vote by IFW Committee members. If it is enacted by the House and Senate and signed into law by the Governor, the department will have all the authority it needs to make significant changes in the turkey hunt and their management of turkeys throughout the state.

At the end of the long afternoon, there were some discussions focused on complaints about turkeys from farmers, landowners, and others. Peabody reported that the agency got fewer than 60 complaints last year.

Several IFW Committee members said they got lots of complaints, but haven’t been forwarding them to DIF&W. Both Peabody and Camuso urged anyone with a complaint about turkeys to call their agency at 207-287-8000. And they promised to respond to all complaints.

¶

—

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————— The Maine Sportsman • April 2017 • 19

Apricot Barbecued Beaver Tails All Maine Sportsman recipes can be found online at www.blackflystew.com I have researched many beaver tail recipes, and have talked with people who eat them. They love it. If you are a pork rind fan, like the pork fat in baked beans or just love the fat dripping off of a big prime rib steak, this dish may be for you!

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Ingredients: • 1 large beaver tail • 1 onion, chopped • 1 tablespoon bacon grease • 2 tablespoons Ray’s White Lightning Mustard • 1 cup sherry • 1 tablespoon hot sauce • 1 cup apricot preserves • Grated Parmesan cheese ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Preheat gas grill on high. Preheat oven at 450°F. Place whole beaver tails on grill until scaly skin blisters. Cool and

remove cold-blistered skin and discard. Set white meat/fat aside.

In a shallow roasting pan sauté onion in butter until translucent, about

Quotable

by George Smith It’s like a sinister, evil horror movie.

Lee Kantar, the Maine state moose biologist, about the impact of ticks on moose.

Brian MacQuarrie story, Boston Globe, January 13, 2017 — It’s fun. And the animals taste good.

Brycen Waugh, an 8-year-old Mainer who shot a turkey, bear, moose, and deer in his first year of hunting. The Maine Legislature repealed the hunting age limit last session. John Holyoke story, Bangor Daily News, January 13, 2017.

— They can devastate an orchard in an afternoon. And they are hard to kill. They are smart. Bringing them to the State of Maine was a terrible mistake.

Rep. Jeff Timberlake, an orchard owner, testifying at a legislative hearing on a bill designed to expand turkey hunting opportunities. January 31, 2017.

3 minutes. Stir in mustard, sherry, hot sauce, apricot preserves and 1 cup barbecue sauce, to cover bottom of the pan.

Spread white bea-

ver meat (fat) on top of sauce and cover with remaining barbecue sauce, sprinkle with cheese, cover with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes.

Maine has some of the best places to fish in the world. We have a high percentage of the best trout habitat left in the eastern United States and we are a destination for world-class fly fishing experiences. I can’t tell you how many anglers I meet across the country who light up when I tell them I live in Maine. We are the iconic home, the last stronghold of wild brook trout the in U.S. Maine is the gateway to brook trout heaven.

McCauley Lord, fly fishing instructor, speaking at a State House press conference in opposition to mining in Maine. January 17, 2017.

— This is not about gun rights or the Second Amendment. It’s about hunting with environmentally responsible ammunition.

Diane Winn of Avian Haven, a bird rehabilitation center in Freedom, on a proposal to require non-lead ammunition when hunting.

— I’m worried about deer becoming hated by people.

Don Kleiner of the Maine Professional Guides Association, at a Big Game Steering Committee discussion about Lyme disease.

January 10, 2017.

Serve hot with noodles topped with remaining sauce.

¶

The Maine Forest Service, Public Lands and the Natural Areas Program have joined with the Bureau of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources to locate and eradicate invasive plant and animal species.

Doug Denico, Maine State Forester.

(Don’t worry: They’re not going after the nine invasive fish in Belgrade’s Long Pond , including northern pike, or smallmouth bass all over the state, or even exotic turtles that are now established in the wilds of Camden. But maybe they should!) Dept. of Agriculture press release, January 25, 2017.

— There is no single issue that would fundamentally change the relationship between Maine landowners and hunters, between hunters and the general public – and among hunters themselves – than Sunday hunting. No single new law would result in more loss of access to private land, for all purposes, than Sunday hunting. Those who keep bringing this up don’t understand how many landowners count on that day to fully enjoy their property. One day out of seven to take full measure of their land is not too much to ask.

Tom Doak, Maine Woodland Owners, in the group’s February 2017 newsletter.

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www.MaineSportsman.com

20 • April 2017 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————————————

CITY/TOWN

WATER

SPECIES

QTY.

SIZE (IN.) DATE

ANDROSCOGGIN AUBURN AUBURN AUBURN AUBURN AUBURN AUBURN AUBURN AUBURN AUBURN AUBURN DURHAM DURHAM DURHAM DURHAM LEWISTON LEWISTON LEWISTON LEWISTON LISBON LISBON LISBON LISBON LISBON LISBON LISBON LIVERMORE LIVERMORE LIVERMORE LIVERMORE LIVERMORE LIVERMORE LIVERMORE LIVERMORE LIVERMORE LIVERMORE LIVERMORE LIVERMORE LIVERMORE LIVERMORE LIVERMORE LIVERMORE LIVERMORE LIVERMORE LIVERMORE LIVERMORE MECHANIC FALLS MECHANIC FALLS MECHANIC FALLS MECHANIC FALLS MECHANIC FALLS MINOT MINOT MINOT MINOT POLAND POLAND POLAND POLAND POLAND POLAND POLAND POLAND POLAND POLAND POLAND POLAND POLAND POLAND POLAND POLAND POLAND POLAND POLAND POLAND POLAND POLAND POLAND POLAND POLAND

ANDROSCOGGIN R (LITTLE) ANDROSCOGGIN R (LITTLE) ANDROSCOGGIN R (LITTLE) ANDROSCOGGIN R (LITTLE) AUBURN L AUBURN L BASIN B PETTINGILL PARK P ROYAL R ROYAL R MEADOW B MEADOW B NEWELL B NEWELL B STETSON B STETSON B STETSON B STETSON B ANDROSCOGGIN R ANDROSCOGGIN R BEAVER PARK P #2 BEAVER PARK P #3 BEAVER PARK P #3 LITTLE R LITTLE R BARTLETT P BARTLETT P BRETTUNS P BRETTUNS P BRETTUNS P BRETTUNS P BRETTUNS P BRETTUNS P BRETTUNS P BRETTUNS P LONG P LONG P LONG P ROUND P ROUND P ROUND P ROUND P ROUND P ROUND P ROUND P ANDROSCOGGIN R (LITTLE) ANDROSCOGGIN R (LITTLE) ANDROSCOGGIN R (LITTLE) ANDROSCOGGIN R (LITTLE) ANDROSCOGGIN R (LITTLE) ANDROSCOGGIN R (LITTLE) ANDROSCOGGIN R (LITTLE) ANDROSCOGGIN R (LITTLE) ANDROSCOGGIN R (LITTLE) RANGE P (LOWER) RANGE P (LOWER) RANGE P (LOWER) RANGE P (LOWER) RANGE P (LOWER) RANGE P (MIDDLE) RANGE P (MIDDLE) RANGE P (MIDDLE) RANGE P (MIDDLE) RANGE P (MIDDLE) RANGE P (MIDDLE) RANGE P (UPPER) RANGE P (UPPER) RANGE P (UPPER) RANGE P (UPPER) RANGE P (UPPER) THOMPSON L TRIPP P TRIPP P TRIPP P WORTHLEY P WORTHLEY P WORTHLEY P WORTHLEY P WORTHLEY P

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BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT RAINBOW TROUT RAINBOW TROUT L.L. SALMON LAKE TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT RAINBOW TROUT RAINBOW TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT RAINBOW TROUT RAINBOW TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT RAINBOW TROUT RAINBOW TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT RAINBOW TROUT L.L. SALMON BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT

200 200 176 176 500 1150 345 230 230 230 115 115 175 175 175 300 300 200 345 230 115 115 200 350 500 250 150 300 300 500 350 250 25 100 25 400 500 100 500 600 400 250 20 100 25 300 300 200 264 264 525 725 462 462 380 120 210 75 225 370 14 162 162 90 572 420 9 75 75 264 750 400 50 40 230 185 100 750 500

9 10 9 9 8 7 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 8 8 9 10 10 10 10 7 10 8 10 10 10 13 7 14 9 18 11 18 10 13 11 10 13 7 9 18 11 18 9 10 10 9 9 9 10 9 9 14 11 13 12 12 13 17 10 10 24 15 13 17 10 10 16 8 12 18 24 10 13 12 9 7

4/25/2016 5/9/2016 4/25/2016 5/9/2016 5/17/2016 4/22/2016 5/5/2016 5/18/2016 4/19/2016 5/11/2016 4/27/2016 5/18/2016 4/27/2016 5/18/2016 5/18/2016 6/7/2016 4/21/2016 5/17/2016 4/20/2016 5/18/2016 4/6/2016 4/6/2016 10/26/2016 5/18/2016 4/21/2016 4/14/2016 5/5/2016 4/14/2016 10/19/2016 10/26/2016 11/2/2016 11/10/2016 11/15/2016 9/29/2016 9/29/2016 4/7/2016 10/19/2016 9/29/2016 4/7/2016 10/19/2016 10/26/2016 11/10/2016 11/15/2016 9/29/2016 9/29/2016 4/25/2016 5/9/2016 6/17/2016 4/25/2016 5/9/2016 4/25/2016 5/9/2016 4/25/2016 5/9/2016 3/3/2016 3/3/2016 10/21/2016 10/20/2016 10/31/2016 10/21/2016 12/8/2016 6/13/2016 6/13/2016 6/21/2016 10/18/2016 10/21/2016 12/8/2016 6/13/2016 6/13/2016 10/20/2016 5/16/2016 10/6/2016 10/17/2016 6/9/2016 4/21/2016 10/25/2016 11/3/2016 11/3/2016 11/18/2016

CITY/TOWN

WATER

SPECIES

QTY.

SIZE (IN.) DATE

POLAND POLAND TURNER TURNER TURNER TURNER TURNER TURNER TURNER TURNER TURNER TURNER TURNER TURNER TURNER TURNER TURNER TURNER TURNER TURNER TURNER

WORTHLEY P WORTHLEY P CRYSTAL (BEALS) P CRYSTAL (BEALS) P CRYSTAL (BEALS) P CRYSTAL (BEALS) P CRYSTAL (BEALS) P CRYSTAL (BEALS) P NEZINSCOT R NEZINSCOT R NEZINSCOT R NEZINSCOT R NEZINSCOT R NEZINSCOT R NEZINSCOT R NEZINSCOT R PLEASANT P PLEASANT P PLEASANT P PLEASANT P PLEASANT P

BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON L.L. SALMON

15 75 200 400 250 25 50 25 100 650 100 500 1000 275 20 20 250 400 250 20 50

15 12 10 13 7 18 11 18 14 10 13 9 8 12 18 18 10 13 7 18 8

11/18/2016 10/5/2016 4/6/2016 10/19/2016 10/26/2016 11/15/2016 9/29/2016 10/26/2016 4/27/2016 5/5/2016 4/27/2016 4/27/2016 4/28/2016 10/25/2016 10/25/2016 10/26/2016 5/5/2016 10/19/2016 10/26/2016 6/9/2016 6/9/2016

DYER BROOK DYER BROOK EAGLE LAKE

STILES P STILES P DICKWOOD L MATTAWAMKEAG R (EAST BRANCH) MONSON P MONSON P FISH RIVER FISH RIVER FISH RIVER CORBIN P MATTAWAMKEAG R HODGDON DEADWATER STEWART P BROWN P LOGAN L PLEASANT L PLEASANT L ROCK CRUSHER P ROCK CRUSHER P ROCK CRUSHER P DUREPO L DUREPO L LIMESTONE STREAM TRAFTON L TRAFTON L DREWS (MEDUXNEKEAG) L DREWS (MEDUXNEKEAG) L DREWS (MEDUXNEKEAG) L DREWS (MEDUXNEKEAG) L DREWS (MEDUXNEKEAG) L MUD P CARRY L DEEP L #1 DAIGLE P (MADAWASKA) LONG L HANSON BROOK L HANSON BROOK L SCOPAN STREAM MOLUNKUS L MOLUNKUS L CONROY L MEDUXNEKEAG R (NORTH BRANCH) HALE P ROCKABEMA L DAIGLE P SLY BROOK L (THIRD) COCHRANE L NICKERSON L NICKERSON L NICKERSON L NICKERSON L MATTAWAMKEAG R (EAST BRANCH) SPAULDING L SPAULDING L TIMONEY L GRAND L (EAST)

250 150 2500

10 8 6

4/27/2016 10/27/2016 9/28/2016

AROOSTOOK FORKSTOWN TWP FORT FAIRFIELD FORT FAIRFIELD FORT KENT FORT KENT FORT KENT GRAND ISLE HAYNESVILLE HODGDON HODGDON HOULTON HOULTON ISLAND FALLS ISLAND FALLS ISLAND FALLS ISLAND FALLS ISLAND FALLS LIMESTONE LIMESTONE LIMESTONE LIMESTONE LIMESTONE LINNEUS LINNEUS LINNEUS LINNEUS LINNEUS LINNEUS LITTLETON LITTLETON MADAWASKA MADAWASKA MAPLETON MAPLETON MASARDIS MOLUNKUS TWP MOLUNKUS TWP MONTICELLO MONTICELLO MORO PLT MORO PLT NEW CANADA NEW CANADA NEW LIMERICK NEW LIMERICK NEW LIMERICK NEW LIMERICK NEW LIMERICK OAKFIELD OAKFIELD OAKFIELD OAKFIELD ORIENT

BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT

1000

10

5/9/2016

BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT SPLAKE BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT

2000 25 1100 500 650 200 1500 250 250 200 250 2000 900 300 200 15 2000 500 220 550 2500 400 200 50 450 500 600 1500 600 200 625 550 2500 350 800 350 1000

10 17 12 8 13 10 10 12 10 10 10 10 8 10 13 17 7 13 11 11 7 12 14 17 12 13 10 8 8 10 8 11 8 13 13 13 10

5/5/2016 11/15/2016 10/12/2016 5/25/2016 10/5/2016 5/13/2016 5/9/2016 9/28/2016 5/5/2016 4/25/2016 4/27/2016 4/27/2016 5/24/2016 4/27/2016 10/27/2016 11/17/2016 10/18/2016 10/18/2016 5/24/2016 5/24/2016 10/20/2016 10/20/2016 11/14/2016 11/23/2016 9/28/2016 10/19/2016 4/25/2016 10/27/2016 10/19/2016 5/13/2016 5/25/2016 5/24/2016 10/20/2016 9/28/2016 10/12/2016 10/12/2016 4/27/2016

BROOK TROUT

250

10

4/28/2016

BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON SPLAKE BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT

700 800 500 150 220 900 800 400 200 600 400 190 3000 1000

6 10 7 8 14 10 13 14 12 10 13 14 7 10

9/28/2016 5/18/2016 10/5/2016 5/18/2016 10/25/2016 4/25/2016 10/7/2016 11/14/2016 9/28/2016 4/28/2016 10/6/2016 11/23/2016 10/6/2016 4/12/2016

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S S S T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T V

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————— The Maine Sportsman • April 2017 • 21

Maine Fish Stocking Report CITY/TOWN

WATER

ORIENT ORIENT ORIENT ORIENT ORIENT PRESQUE ISLE PRESQUE ISLE PRESQUE ISLE PRESQUE ISLE PRESQUE ISLE REED PLT SAINT AGATHA SAINT JOHN PLT SQUAPAN TWP T11 R10 WELS T11 R10 WELS T11 R4 WELS T11 R4 WELS T11 R4 WELS T11 R8 WELS T11 R8 WELS T11 R8 WELS T11 R8 WELS T12 R14 WELS T14 R8 WELS T14 R8 WELS T14 R9 WELS T15 R9 WELS T15 R9 WELS T16 R4 WELS T16 R4 WELS T16 R5 WELS T17 R3 WELS T17 R4 WELS T19 R11 WELS T4 R3 WELS T7 R5 WELS T9 R3 WELS T9 R3 WELS TC R2 WELS VAN BUREN WALLAGRASS WESTON WESTON WESTON WESTON WESTON WESTON WESTON WESTON WESTON

GRAND L (EAST) BROOK TROUT GRAND L (EAST) BROOK TROUT GRAND L (EAST) BROOK TROUT GRAND L (EAST) BROOK TROUT GRAND L (EAST) L.L. SALMON ARNOLD BROOK L BROOK TROUT ARNOLD BROOK L BROOK TROUT ECHO L BROOK TROUT ECHO L BROOK TROUT MANTLE L BROOK TROUT HANNINGTON P BROOK TROUT LONG L L.L. SALMON BLACK P BROOK TROUT SCOPAN L SPLAKE MCNALLY P (UPPER) BROOK TROUT MCNALLY P (UPPER) BROOK TROUT SCOPAN L BROOK TROUT SCOPAN L BROOK TROUT SCOPAN L SPLAKE ROUND MOUNTAIN P BROOK TROUT ROUND MOUNTAIN P SPLAKE ROWE L BROOK TROUT ROWE L SPLAKE UGH L BROOK TROUT ISLAND P BROOK TROUT MOCCASIN P BROOK TROUT BEAVER TAIL P BROOK TROUT BLACK P (LITTLE SO) BROOK TROUT TOGUE P L.L. SALMON MADAWASKA L BROOK TROUT MADAWASKA L BROOK TROUT CROSS L L.L. SALMON LONG L L.L. SALMON LONG L L.L. SALMON BEAU L LAKE TROUT MATTAWAMKEAG L L.L. SALMON UMCOLCUS L BROOK TROUT NUMBER NINE L BROOK TROUT NUMBER NINE L BROOK TROUT MEDUXNEKEAG R (NORTH BRANCH) BROOK TROUT SAINT JOHN R BROOK TROUT BEN L BROOK TROUT DEERING L BROOK TROUT DEERING L L.L. SALMON FAULKNER L BROOK TROUT FAULKNER L BROOK TROUT GRAND L (EAST) BROOK TROUT GRAND L (EAST) BROOK TROUT GRAND L (EAST) BROOK TROUT GRAND L (EAST) BROOK TROUT GRAND L (EAST) L.L. SALMON

SPECIES

QTY.

SIZE (IN.) DATE

1000 835 265 400 1500 288 1300 6000 300 500 300 625 400 500 1000 25 1000 75 500 500 300 250 300 1000 500 100 325 50 100 75 1650 500 625 625 300 2000 500 500 500 250 1300 300 1000 300 250 10 1000 2000 200 400 2350

10 11 11 13 8 10 13 7 14 11 10 8 6 13 10 17 12 17 13 10 10 14 10 6 7 10 10 7 8 17 13 8 8 8 8 13 14 10 7 10 12 6 10 8 13 17 10 10 11 13 8

TRADITIONAL MAINE SPORTING CAMP

4/12/2016 5/17/2016 5/23/2016 10/19/2016 5/16/2016 4/10/2016 11/2/2016 10/17/2016 11/14/2016 6/2/2016 5/4/2016 5/25/2016 9/28/2016 10/24/2016 5/19/2016 11/28/2016 10/20/2016 11/28/2016 10/24/2016 5/18/2016 5/18/2016 10/24/2016 5/16/2016 9/28/2016 10/31/2016 5/18/2016 5/18/2016 10/31/2016 5/13/2016 11/15/2016 11/15/2016 5/25/2016 5/25/2016 5/25/2016 5/18/2016 10/19/2016 10/24/2016 4/28/2016 10/19/2016 4/28/2016 10/12/2016 9/28/2016 5/4/2016 5/16/2016 10/19/2016 11/23/2016 4/1/2016 4/28/2016 5/26/2016 10/14/2016 5/16/2016

CITY/TOWN

WATER

SPECIES

BALDWIN BALDWIN BALDWIN BRIDGTON BRIDGTON BRIDGTON BRIDGTON BRIDGTON BRIDGTON BRIDGTON BRIDGTON BRIDGTON BRUNSWICK BRUNSWICK CASCO CASCO CASCO CASCO CASCO CASCO CASCO CASCO CASCO CUMBERLAND CUMBERLAND FALMOUTH FALMOUTH GORHAM GORHAM GORHAM GORHAM GORHAM GORHAM GORHAM GORHAM GORHAM GORHAM GORHAM GRAY GRAY GRAY GRAY GRAY GRAY GRAY GRAY GRAY GRAY GRAY

SACO R SAND P SAND P ADAMS P HIGHLAND L LONG L STEVENS B STEVENS B STEVENS B WILLETT B WOOD P WOOD P COFFIN P COFFIN P COFFEE P PARKER P PARKER P SONGO R SONGO R SONGO R THOMAS P THOMAS P THOMAS P PISCATAQUA R PISCATAQUA R PISCATAQUA R PISCATAQUA R ALDEN'S P ALDEN'S P ALDEN'S P LITTLE R LITTLE R LITTLE R LITTLE R LITTLE R LITTLE R (NORTH BRANCH) LITTLE R (NORTH BRANCH) LITTLE R (NORTH BRANCH) COLLYER B COLLYER B COLLYER B COLLYER B COLLYER B COLLYER B CRYSTAL L (DRY P) CRYSTAL L (DRY P) CRYSTAL L (DRY P) CRYSTAL L (DRY P) CRYSTAL L (DRY P)

QTY.

SIZE (IN.) DATE

300 15 210 460 600 625 460 460 1050 400 325 325 230 230 100 210 200 350 350 50 315 14 40 175 250 175 900 115 110 17 640 640 3000 8870 1000 115 115 300 345 690 345 900 200 800 9 300 25 25 100

12 15 13 9 12 8 9 9 9 9 10 10 10 10 10 13 12 9 9 9 13 17 18 10 8 10 8 10 10 10 10 10 3 3 8 10 10 8 10 10 10 8 9 9 18 14 16 16 13

CUMBERLAND

★★★

BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT SPLAKE BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT

10/12/2016 10/12/2016 10/12/2016 5/20/2016 10/13/2016 6/9/2016 4/20/2016 5/4/2016 5/2/2016 5/2/2016 6/13/2016 6/13/2016 5/4/2016 5/26/2016 4/19/2016 10/25/2016 11/3/2016 4/20/2016 5/5/2016 5/26/2016 10/18/2016 12/8/2016 6/9/2016 5/5/2016 4/22/2016 5/5/2016 5/4/2016 4/11/2016 6/3/2016 6/4/2016 4/20/2016 5/10/2016 6/7/2016 6/9/2016 4/21/2016 4/20/2016 5/10/2016 4/21/2016 4/19/2016 5/11/2016 5/18/2016 6/10/2016 4/25/2016 4/26/2016 3/3/2016 3/3/2016 4/8/2016 4/28/2016 6/24/2016

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22 • April 2017 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Maine Fish Stocking Report CITY/TOWN

WATER

SPECIES

QTY.

SIZE (IN.) DATE

CITY/TOWN

WATER

SPECIES

QTY.

SIZE (IN.) DATE

GRAY GRAY GRAY GRAY GRAY GRAY GRAY HARRISON HARRISON HARRISON HARRISON HARRISON HARRISON HARRISON HARRISON HARRISON NAPLES NAPLES NAPLES NAPLES NAPLES NAPLES NAPLES NAPLES NAPLES NAPLES NAPLES NEW GLOUCESTER NEW GLOUCESTER NEW GLOUCESTER NEW GLOUCESTER NEW GLOUCESTER NEW GLOUCESTER NEW GLOUCESTER NEW GLOUCESTER NEW GLOUCESTER NEW GLOUCESTER NEW GLOUCESTER NEW GLOUCESTER NEW GLOUCESTER NEW GLOUCESTER NEW GLOUCESTER NEW GLOUCESTER NORTH YARMOUTH NORTH YARMOUTH NORTH YARMOUTH NORTH YARMOUTH NORTH YARMOUTH POWNAL POWNAL POWNAL POWNAL POWNAL POWNAL RAYMOND RAYMOND RAYMOND RAYMOND RAYMOND RAYMOND SCARBOROUGH SEBAGO SEBAGO SEBAGO SEBAGO SEBAGO SOUTH PORTLAND SOUTH PORTLAND SOUTH PORTLAND SOUTH PORTLAND STANDISH STANDISH STANDISH STANDISH STANDISH STANDISH STANDISH STANDISH STANDISH STANDISH STANDISH STANDISH STANDISH STANDISH STANDISH STANDISH WESTBROOK WESTBROOK WESTBROOK WESTBROOK WESTBROOK WESTBROOK WINDHAM WINDHAM WINDHAM WINDHAM

CRYSTAL L (DRY P) CRYSTAL L (DRY P) CRYSTAL L (DRY P) CRYSTAL L (DRY P) CRYSTAL L (DRY P) CRYSTAL L (DRY P) CRYSTAL L (DRY P) CRYSTAL (ANONYMOUS) P LONG L LONG L LONG L LONG L LONG L LONG L LONG L LONG L COLD RAIN P COLD RAIN P COLD RAIN P MUDDY R MUDDY R MUDDY R MUDDY R TRICKEY P TRICKEY P TRICKEY P TRICKEY P BRANDY B LILY P PINELAND P PINELAND P ROYAL R ROYAL R ROYAL R ROYAL R SABBATHDAY L SABBATHDAY L SABBATHDAY L SABBATHDAY L STEVENS B STEVENS B STEVENS B STEVENS B CHANDLER B CHANDLER B CHANDLER B ROYAL R ROYAL R CHANDLER B CHANDLER B CHANDLER B CHANDLER B CHANDLER B (EAST BRANCH) CHANDLER B (EAST BRANCH) CRESCENT L JORDAN R JORDAN R PANTHER P SEBAGO L SEBAGO L NONESUCH R BARKER P NORTHWEST R NORTHWEST R PEABODY P SEBAGO L HINKLEY P (LOWER) HINKLEY P (LOWER) HINKLEY P (UPPER) HINKLEY P (UPPER) OTTER P #2 OTTER P #2 OTTER P #2 OTTER P #2 OTTER P #2 OTTER P #2 OTTER P #2 OTTER P #4 OTTER P #4 OTTER P #4 OTTER P #4 OTTER P #4 SACO R SACO R SACO R SEBAGO L BEAVER P MILL B MILL B MILL B MILL B PRESUMPSCOT R CHAFFIN P PETTINGILL P PLEASANT R PLEASANT R

BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT RAINBOW TROUT L.L. SALMON BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT L.L. SALMON L.L. SALMON L.L. SALMON LAKE TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON SPLAKE BROOK TROUT RAINBOW TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON L.L. SALMON L.L. SALMON BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT

300 15 300 10 125 125 220 75 500 200 75 95 500 625 22 1150 350 105 500 175 350 350 300 925 55 100 800 115 264 230 175 230 345 350 4000 575 420 14 350 115 230 230 50 115 3000 150 300 2000 460 6000 150 150 580 9911 200 350 350 450 924 200 450 150 245 215 350 500 55 200 200 55 30 230 130 50 600 15 500 115 80 300 150 10 230 223 300 375 230 175 175 250 100 400 230 80 580 580

13 14 13 17 10 10 16 8 10 10 26 18 8 8 18 7 9 13 9 9 9 9 8 9 13 8 10 10 9 10 10 10 10 8 2 10 13 17 12 10 10 10 8 10 4 8 8 2 10 4 8 8 10 4 8 9 9 8 8 8 8 12 9 9 8 8 13 9 9 13 16 10 13 12 9 14 7 10 13 9 12 14 10 10 12 8 10 10 10 8 10 8 9 10 10 10

WINDHAM WINDHAM WINDHAM WINDHAM WINDHAM WINDHAM WINDHAM WINDHAM WINDHAM WINDHAM WINDHAM WINDHAM WINDHAM WINDHAM WINDHAM WINDHAM WINDHAM WINDHAM WINDHAM WINDHAM WINDHAM WINDHAM WINDHAM WINDHAM WINDHAM WINDHAM WINDHAM WINDHAM WINDHAM WINDHAM WINDHAM WINDHAM WINDHAM WINDHAM WINDHAM WINDHAM WINDHAM WINDHAM WINDHAM WINDHAM WINDHAM YARMOUTH YARMOUTH YARMOUTH YARMOUTH YARMOUTH YARMOUTH YARMOUTH

PLEASANT R PLEASANT R PLEASANT R PLEASANT R PLEASANT R PLEASANT R PRESUMPSCOT R PRESUMPSCOT R PRESUMPSCOT R PRESUMPSCOT R PRESUMPSCOT R PRESUMPSCOT R PRESUMPSCOT R PRESUMPSCOT R PRESUMPSCOT R PRESUMPSCOT R PRESUMPSCOT R PRESUMPSCOT R PRESUMPSCOT R PRESUMPSCOT R PRESUMPSCOT R PRESUMPSCOT R PRESUMPSCOT R PRESUMPSCOT R PRESUMPSCOT R PRESUMPSCOT R PRESUMPSCOT R PRESUMPSCOT R PRESUMPSCOT R PRESUMPSCOT R PRESUMPSCOT R PRESUMPSCOT R PRESUMPSCOT R PRESUMPSCOT R PRESUMPSCOT R PRESUMPSCOT R PRESUMPSCOT R PRESUMPSCOT R PRESUMPSCOT R SEBAGO L (LITTLE) SEBAGO L (LITTLE) ROYAL R ROYAL R ROYAL R ROYAL R ROYAL R ROYAL R ROYAL R

BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT L.L. SALMON L.L. SALMON L.L. SALMON BROWN TROUT RAINBOW TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT

300 1250 7056 200 1661 2061 230 115 115 230 50 690 230 50 50 100 245 150 380 50 200 110 275 110 110 110 15 110 400 400 1300 250 400 60 50 25 120 400 30 1000 500 230 230 105 400 600 50 175

9 8 2 10 3 3 10 10 10 10 16 10 10 17 17 10 10 8 10 16 13 13 13 13 13 13 14 13 9 9 8 10 10 26 18 18 18 8 20 12 9 10 10 13 9 9 18 12

4/25/2016 5/4/2016 5/31/2016 6/13/2016 6/21/2016 6/21/2016 4/6/2016 4/11/2016 4/12/2016 4/27/2016 4/27/2016 5/5/2016 5/13/2016 5/13/2016 5/26/2016 5/26/2016 5/26/2016 6/10/2016 6/15/2016 6/15/2016 6/24/2016 9/29/2016 10/4/2016 10/21/2016 11/1/2016 11/18/2016 11/18/2016 11/30/2016 4/25/2016 4/25/2016 5/2/2016 6/13/2016 6/21/2016 6/22/2016 10/14/2016 10/19/2016 6/9/2016 6/9/2016 6/22/2016 10/13/2016 6/11/2016 4/20/2016 5/11/2016 10/31/2016 4/22/2016 5/21/2016 10/24/2016 10/24/2016

ALDER STREAM TWP ALDER STREAM TWP ALDER STREAM TWP ALDER STREAM TWP ALDER STREAM TWP AVON AVON BEATTIE TWP CARRABASSET VALLEY CARTHAGE CARTHAGE CARTHAGE CHAIN OF PONDS TWP CHAIN OF PONDS TWP CHAIN OF PONDS TWP CHAIN OF PONDS TWP CHAIN OF PONDS TWP CHESTERVILLE CHESTERVILLE CHESTERVILLE CHESTERVILLE COPLIN PLT COPLIN PLT COPLIN PLT COPLIN PLT DALLAS PLT DALLAS PLT DALLAS PLT DALLAS PLT DALLAS PLT DALLAS PLT DALLAS PLT DALLAS PLT DALLAS PLT EUSTIS FARMINGTON FARMINGTON FARMINGTON FARMINGTON FARMINGTON FARMINGTON FARMINGTON FARMINGTON FARMINGTON FARMINGTON FARMINGTON

BLANCHARD P DEAD R (NORTH BRANCH) DEAD R (NORTH BRANCH) DEAD R (NORTH BRANCH) DEAD R (NORTH BRANCH) MOUNT BLUE P SCHOOLHOUSE P BOUNDARY P

BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT SPLAKE BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT

450 500 500 500 11000 500 250 700

6 10 10 4 4 14 7 10

10/6/2016 4/25/2016 5/25/2016 6/14/2016 6/15/2016 11/2/2016 11/4/2016 6/3/2016

CARRABASSETT R

BROOK TROUT

250

10

4/14/2016

PODUNK P WEBB R WEBB R BUG EYE P CARIBOU BOG CHAIN OF PONDS CHAIN OF PONDS OTTER P EGYPT P NORCROSS P NORCROSS P NORCROSS P DEAD R (SOUTH BRANCH) DEAD R (SOUTH BRANCH) DEAD R (SOUTH BRANCH) DEAD R (SOUTH BRANCH) DEAD R (SOUTH BRANCH) DEAD R (SOUTH BRANCH) DEAD R (SOUTH BRANCH) DEAD R (SOUTH BRANCH) DEAD R (SOUTH BRANCH) GREELY P (LITTLE) GULL P LOON L SADDLEBACK L BARNARD P MT BLUE HIGH SCHOOL P SANDY R SANDY R SANDY R SANDY R SANDY R SANDY R SANDY R SANDY R SANDY R TEMPLE STREAM

BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT

300 500 500 200 100 1200 850 150 600 300 850 75 250 175 47 203 500 140 500 250 250 700 1000 3500 800 1250 50 500 500 500 150 100 100 1000 2000 450 200

10 10 10 10 10 10 13 10 10 10 13 13 10 8 10 10 10 8 10 13 13 6 10 7 10 8 10 10 10 10 9 13 13 8 8 12 10

5/19/2016 4/26/2016 4/27/2016 5/12/2016 5/12/2016 5/12/2016 10/19/2016 5/19/2016 4/27/2016 4/6/2016 10/21/2016 11/15/2016 4/25/2016 5/10/2016 5/25/2016 5/25/2016 4/25/2016 5/10/2016 5/25/2016 10/24/2016 10/24/2016 10/6/2016 5/24/2016 10/14/2016 5/25/2016 11/1/2016 4/29/2016 4/11/2016 4/11/2016 4/11/2016 6/14/2016 10/24/2016 10/24/2016 4/27/2016 5/2/2016 10/18/2016 4/14/2016

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10/21/2016 11/17/2016 12/8/2016 12/8/2016 6/12/2016 6/12/2016 10/20/2016 5/13/2016 6/12/2016 6/21/2016 6/21/2016 10/13/2016 5/13/2016 6/9/2016 6/19/2016 4/22/2016 5/31/2016 10/24/2016 10/24/2016 4/25/2016 5/19/2016 6/1/2016 6/8/2016 4/23/2016 10/18/2016 5/14/2016 4/19/2016 4/27/2016 4/22/2016 4/11/2016 5/20/2016 4/20/2016 5/11/2016 4/21/2016 5/31/2016 4/8/2016 10/20/2016 12/8/2016 10/13/2016 4/11/2016 4/28/2016 5/18/2016 6/7/2016 5/4/2016 6/7/2016 4/22/2016 4/25/2016 5/31/2016 5/4/2016 6/7/2016 4/22/2016 4/25/2016 5/4/2016 6/7/2016 5/16/2016 4/16/2016 5/5/2016 5/17/2016 5/24/2016 6/9/2016 4/21/2016 10/5/2016 4/20/2016 5/4/2016 5/13/2016 5/16/2016 11/30/2016 11/30/2016 11/30/2016 11/30/2016 4/12/2016 4/12/2016 11/3/2016 11/3/2016 11/3/2016 11/17/2016 11/17/2016 4/12/2016 11/3/2016 11/3/2016 11/3/2016 11/17/2016 4/28/2016 5/17/2016 10/12/2016 5/16/2016 4/13/2016 4/11/2016 4/28/2016 5/4/2016 5/5/2016 5/2/2016 4/27/2016 6/13/2016 4/20/2016 5/9/2016

FRANKLIN

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—————————————————————————————————————————————————————— The Maine Sportsman • April 2017 • 23

Maine Fish Stocking Report CITY/TOWN

WATER

SPECIES

QTY.

SIZE (IN.) DATE

CITY/TOWN

WATER

SPECIES

QTY.

SIZE (IN.) DATE

FARMINGTON FARMINGTON FARMINGTON INDUSTRY INDUSTRY INDUSTRY INDUSTRY INDUSTRY INDUSTRY INDUSTRY INDUSTRY INDUSTRY INDUSTRY INDUSTRY JIM POND TWP JIM POND TWP JIM POND TWP JIM POND TWP JIM POND TWP JIM POND TWP KIBBY TWP KINGFIELD KINGFIELD KINGFIELD KINGFIELD KINGFIELD KINGFIELD KINGFIELD KINGFIELD LANG TWP LANG TWP LANG TWP LOWELLTOWN TWP MADRID MADRID MADRID MADRID MADRID MADRID MADRID NEW SHARON NEW SHARON NEW SHARON NEW SHARON NEW SHARON NEW SHARON NEW SHARON PERKINS TWP PHILLIPS PHILLIPS PHILLIPS PHILLIPS PHILLIPS PHILLIPS PHILLIPS PHILLIPS

TEMPLE STREAM TEMPLE STREAM TEMPLE STREAM CLEARWATER P CLEARWATER P CLEARWATER P CLEARWATER P CLEARWATER P CLEARWATER P CLEARWATER P MUDDY B MUDDY B MUDDY B MUDDY B JIM P (BIG) JIM P (LITTLE) TEA P TEA P TEA P (LITTLE) VILES P (LITTLE) HURRICANE P CARRABASSETT R CARRABASSETT R CARRABASSETT R CARRABASSETT R CARRABASSETT R DUTTON (SHILOH) P GRINDSTONE P PINNACLE P DEAD R (SOUTH BRANCH) DEAD R (SOUTH BRANCH) DEAD R (SOUTH BRANCH) INDIAN P (BIG) BEAL (TROUT) P HARVEY P HARVEY P HARVEY P HARVEY P SANDY R SANDY R CROWELL P CROWELL P CROWELL P SANDY R SANDY R SANDY R SANDY R HILLS P LONG COVE P LUFKIN P LUFKIN P SANDY R SANDY R SANDY R SANDY R STETSON P

BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT RAINBOW TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT SPLAKE BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT

300 125 200 1800 100 750 100 100 23 400 50 50 50 100 550 1000 800 150 300 100 1000 450 150 200 100 400 1200 200 300 250 165 250 1950 1900 250 150 10 180 150 50 1100 20 50 500 100 1000 150 2000 100 100 350 500 175 150 50 1000

10 8 10 10 9 13 13 12 17 14 10 10 10 10 10 7 10 8 3 3 7 10 8 10 13 9 7 10 7 10 8 10 7 6 10 9 18 14 8 13 13 18 12 10 13 8 12 7 10 11 14 10 8 9 13 6

PHILLIPS PHILLIPS PHILLIPS PHILLIPS PHILLIPS RANGELEY RANGELEY RANGELEY RANGELEY RANGELEY RANGELEY RANGELEY RANGELEY RANGELEY RANGELEY SANDY RIVER PLT SANDY RIVER PLT SANDY RIVER PLT SANDY RIVER PLT SANDY RIVER PLT SANDY RIVER PLT SANDY RIVER PLT STRONG STRONG STRONG STRONG STRONG STRONG STRONG STRONG STRONG STRONG STRONG TEMPLE TEMPLE TEMPLE TOWNSHIP 6 NORTH OF TOWNSHIP 6 NORTH OF TOWNSHIP D TOWNSHIP D TOWNSHIP D TOWNSHIP E TOWNSHIP E TOWNSHIP E WELD WELD WELD WELD WELD WELD WILTON WILTON WILTON WILTON WILTON WILTON

TOOTHAKER P TOOTHAKER P TOOTHAKER P TOOTHAKER P TOOTHAKER P DODGE P HALEY B HALEY B HALEY P HALEY P QUIMBY P RANGELEY GUIDES P RANGELEY L RANGELEY L ROUND P EDDY P LEDGE P MIDWAY P ROCK P SANDY RIVER P (MIDDLE) SANDY RIVER P (MIDDLE) SOUTH (PINE TREE) P PORTER L PORTER L PORTER L PORTER L PORTER L PORTER L PORTER L SANDY R SANDY R SANDY R SANDY R STAPLES P TEMPLE STREAM TEMPLE STREAM MUD POND TUMBLEDOWN P BEAVER P MOXIE P SPENCER P LONG P ROUND P SWIFT RIVER P WEBB L WEBB L WEBB L WEBB L WEBB L WEBB L VARNUM P VARNUM P WILSON P WILSON P WILSON P WILSON P

BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT

150 100 100 100 350 750 150 150 600 628 2000 100 500 900 500 700 250 400 500 4000 550 600 1150 100 1250 100 100 23 300 500 175 150 100 100 200 125 500 600 2000 300 900 650 1600 450 2000 23 100 1100 70 200 400 200 1000 1100 100 37

10 8 10 13 9 10 10 10 10 14 7 11 9 8 10 6 7 7 6 7 6 6 10 9 13 13 12 17 14 10 8 9 13 11 10 8 4 6 7 7 6 10 7 6 13 17 12 10 18 14 10 8 10 13 12 17

4/14/2016 5/10/2016 6/8/2016 5/4/2016 6/14/2016 10/11/2016 11/8/2016 11/30/2016 12/8/2016 10/25/2016 4/15/2016 4/27/2016 5/19/2016 6/8/2016 5/26/2016 10/13/2016 5/26/2016 5/26/2016 6/13/2016 6/13/2016 10/5/2016 4/14/2016 5/9/2016 5/25/2016 10/24/2016 5/17/2016 10/4/2016 5/5/2016 10/11/2016 4/25/2016 5/10/2016 5/25/2016 10/5/2016 10/6/2016 4/25/2016 11/23/2016 11/23/2016 11/30/2016 5/10/2016 10/24/2016 10/19/2016 11/15/2016 11/30/2016 4/11/2016 10/24/2016 5/2/2016 10/18/2016 9/29/2016 5/5/2016 9/29/2016 10/27/2016 4/11/2016 5/10/2016 6/14/2016 10/24/2016 10/6/2016

4/25/2016 5/10/2016 6/8/2016 10/11/2016 11/23/2016 5/24/2016 5/19/2016 5/24/2016 5/19/2016 11/30/2016 10/14/2016 8/1/2016 5/12/2016 5/12/2016 5/24/2016 10/6/2016 10/6/2016 10/6/2016 10/6/2016 9/29/2016 11/23/2016 10/6/2016 4/12/2016 6/14/2016 9/30/2016 11/8/2016 11/30/2016 12/8/2016 10/25/2016 4/11/2016 5/10/2016 6/14/2016 10/24/2016 9/29/2016 4/14/2016 5/10/2016 6/14/2016 10/6/2016 9/29/2016 10/6/2016 10/6/2016 5/19/2016 10/6/2016 10/6/2016 10/12/2016 11/23/2016 11/23/2016 6/13/2016 9/30/2016 10/25/2016 4/29/2016 5/2/2016 5/6/2016 10/11/2016 11/23/2016 11/30/2016

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Maine Fish Stocking Report CITY/TOWN

WATER

SPECIES

QTY.

SIZE (IN.) DATE

CITY/TOWN

WATER

SPECIES

QTY.

SIZE (IN.) DATE

WILTON WILTON WILTON WILTON WILTON WYMAN TWP

WILSON P WILSON STREAM WILSON STREAM WILSON STREAM WILSON STREAM THE HORNS P

L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT

300 500 250 250 500 400

14 10 10 8 10 3

10/25/2016 4/15/2016 5/6/2016 5/10/2016 5/19/2016 6/15/2016

AMHERST AMHERST AMHERST AURORA BAR HARBOR BAR HARBOR BAR HARBOR BAR HARBOR BAR HARBOR BAR HARBOR BAR HARBOR BAR HARBOR BAR HARBOR BAR HARBOR BAR HARBOR BAR HARBOR BAR HARBOR BAR HARBOR BROOKSVILLE BROOKSVILLE BROOKSVILLE BUCKSPORT BUCKSPORT BUCKSPORT DEDHAM DEDHAM DEDHAM DEDHAM DEER ISLE DEER ISLE EASTBROOK EASTBROOK EASTBROOK ELLSWORTH FRANKLIN GOULDSBORO GOULDSBORO GREAT POND GREAT POND GREAT POND HANCOCK HANCOCK MARIAVILLE MOUNT DESERT MOUNT DESERT MOUNT DESERT MOUNT DESERT MOUNT DESERT MOUNT DESERT MOUNT DESERT MOUNT DESERT MOUNT DESERT MOUNT DESERT MOUNT DESERT OQITON TWP OQITON TWP OQITON TWP ORLAND ORLAND ORLAND ORLAND ORLAND ORLAND ORLAND OSBORN OSBORN OTIS OTIS OTIS OTIS SOUTHWEST HARBOR SULLIVAN SULLIVAN SULLIVAN SULLIVAN SURRY SURRY SURRY SURRY T10 SD T10 SD T10 SD T10 SD T10 SD T10 SD T10 SD T10 SD T10 SD T10 SD

DUCKTAIL P PARTRIDGE P TROUT P BRANCH P (UPPER MIDDLE) BREAKNECK P (LOWER) BREAKNECK P (UPPER) BUBBLE P BUBBLE P BUBBLE P EAGLE L EAGLE L EAGLE L EAGLE L EAGLE L HALFMOON P LAKE WOOD WITCH HOLE P WITCH HOLE P WALKER P WALKER P WALKER P HANCOCK P JACOB BUCK P JACOB BUCK P GREEN L GREEN L PHILLIPS (LUCERNE) L PHILLIPS (LUCERNE) L LILY P LILY P MOLASSES P MOLASSES P MOLASSES P BRANCH L LITTLE P JONES P JONES P GREAT P KING P LONG P SIMMONS P SIMMONS P HOPKINS P ECHO L ECHO L ECHO L HADLOCK P (LOWER) HADLOCK P (LOWER) HADLOCK P (LOWER) HADLOCK P (UPPER) HADLOCK P (UPPER) JORDAN P LONG (GREAT) P ROUND P DUCK L DUCK L SELMORE (KILLMAN) P CRAIG P CRAIG P CRAIG P HEART P ORLAND R ORLAND R TODDY P SPECTACLE (SPEC) P SPECTACLE (SPEC) P BEECH HILL P SPRINGY P (LOWER) SPRINGY P (LOWER) YOUNGS P LONG (GREAT) P FLANDERS P LONG P QUARRY P TUNK P (LITTLE) PATTEN P (LOWER) PATTEN P (LOWER) TODDY P TODDY P ANDERSON P FOX P FOX P FOX P LONG P LONG P LONG P (LITTLE) RAINBOW P SALMON P SPRING RIVER L

260 550 250 75 250 275 175 50 600 400 3375 60 125 50 125 600 1125 50 400 350 350 60 100 350 900 1350 700 400 1100 50 300 150 50 1000 100 100 500 350 200 550 75 200 500 800 300 75 600 75 20 875 50 50 500 100 2000 450 300 1100 100 125 200 400 150 500 700 335 350 300 25 250 200 525 900 150 2500 100 200 1000 1000 250 400 3000 50 50 206 250 700 300 400

7 7 7 8 7 7 10 14 7 14 7 18 8 16 7 7 7 14 13 12 12 12 14 10 8 8 14 8 7 12 12 8 16 8 10 12 15 12 12 14 10 7 13 7 14 8 7 14 18 7 14 8 14 14 8 8 8 7 14 8 10 10 14 8 10 12 8 14 18 8 8 12 7 7 7 12 8 12 10 9 10 7 12 13 12 7 7 7 13

10/11/2016 10/11/2016 10/11/2016 5/12/2016 10/20/2016 10/20/2016 4/21/2016 11/2/2016 11/16/2016 11/2/2016 11/16/2016 11/22/2016 5/18/2016 12/7/2016 10/20/2016 10/20/2016 10/20/2016 10/20/2016 10/6/2016 10/6/2016 10/6/2016 10/14/2016 10/19/2016 4/26/2016 5/12/2016 5/6/2016 10/19/2016 5/12/2016 10/11/2016 10/26/2016 10/24/2016 5/11/2016 12/7/2016 5/12/2016 5/9/2016 10/26/2016 10/20/2016 9/30/2016 10/24/2016 10/18/2016 4/21/2016 10/14/2016 10/19/2016 11/16/2016 11/16/2016 5/18/2016 10/20/2016 11/2/2016 11/22/2016 10/20/2016 11/2/2016 5/18/2016 10/12/2016 10/12/2016 10/24/2016 5/5/2016 10/24/2016 10/12/2016 10/14/2016 5/12/2016 4/20/2016 4/21/2016 10/19/2016 5/12/2016 6/13/2016 10/5/2016 5/11/2016 10/28/2016 11/16/2016 10/28/2016 5/18/2016 10/25/2016 10/11/2016 10/26/2016 10/25/2016 10/14/2016 5/12/2016 10/5/2016 4/20/2016 10/11/2016 5/9/2016 10/12/2016 10/12/2016 11/15/2016 10/21/2016 10/11/2016 10/11/2016 10/11/2016 11/15/2016

T10 SD T10 SD T10 SD T10 SD T28 MD T28 MD T28 MD T28 MD T3 ND T3 ND T3 ND T3 ND T3 ND T3 ND T3 ND T32 MD T32 MD T32 MD T32 MD T32 MD T34 MD T35 MD T40 MD T40 MD T40 MD T40 MD T40 MD T40 MD T40 MD T40 MD T40 MD T9 SD T9 SD TREMONT WINTER HARBOR WINTER HARBOR

SPRING RIVER L TILDEN P TUNK L TUNK L LEAD MTN P (LO & MD) LEAD MTN P (LO & MD) LEAD MTN P (UPPER) LEAD MTN P (UPPER) NICATOUS STREAM SIDE PISTOL L SPRING L SPRING L WEST L WEST L WEST L PICKEREL P PICKEREL P PICKEREL P PICKEREL P TITCOMB P LOVEJOY P BURNT LAND L CRYSTAL P LOON P NICATOUS L NICATOUS L NICATOUS L OXHEAD P (MIDDLE) OXHEAD P (MIDDLE) OXHEAD P (UPPER) TROUT P DONNELL P DONNELL P SEAL COVE P BIRCH HARBOR P BIRCH HARBOR P

BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT SPLAKE BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON SPLAKE SPLAKE BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON LAKE TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT

700 1250 800 700 150 150 550 75 30321 400 1000 250 1000 330 750 500 500 40 185 350 800 350 700 300 500 1500 1100 150 20 600 300 450 150 100 200 400

12 7 10 8 12 12 12 8 2 11 7 8 10 10 8 10 13 17 13 11 7 10 7 7 13 10 14 13 17 7 5 8 8 12 10 7

11/15/2016 10/11/2016 5/9/2016 5/11/2016 9/30/2016 9/30/2016 9/30/2016 5/11/2016 6/2/2016 5/24/2016 9/29/2016 5/23/2016 4/25/2016 5/19/2016 5/5/2016 4/27/2016 10/20/2016 11/4/2016 12/1/2016 5/23/2016 9/29/2016 4/28/2016 10/11/2016 10/11/2016 10/11/2016 4/26/2016 10/25/2016 10/11/2016 11/17/2016 9/29/2016 10/11/2016 5/11/2016 5/6/2016 10/26/2016 4/21/2016 10/12/2016

AUGUSTA AUGUSTA AUGUSTA AUGUSTA BELGRADE BELGRADE BELGRADE BELGRADE BELGRADE BELGRADE BELGRADE BELGRADE BELGRADE BELGRADE BELGRADE BELGRADE BELGRADE BELGRADE CHINA CHINA CHINA CHINA CHINA CLINTON FAYETTE FAYETTE FAYETTE FAYETTE FAYETTE FAYETTE GARDINER LITCHFIELD LITCHFIELD LITCHFIELD LITCHFIELD LITCHFIELD LITCHFIELD LITCHFIELD LITCHFIELD MANCHESTER MANCHESTER MANCHESTER MANCHESTER MANCHESTER MANCHESTER MANCHESTER MANCHESTER MANCHESTER MANCHESTER MANCHESTER MONMOUTH MONMOUTH MONMOUTH MONMOUTH MONMOUTH MONMOUTH MONMOUTH MONMOUTH MONMOUTH

TOGUS P BROOK TROUT TOGUS P BROOK TROUT TOGUS P BROWN TROUT TOGUS VA HOSPITAL BROOK TROUT BELGRADE STREAM BROOK TROUT BELGRADE STREAM BROOK TROUT GREAT P BROWN TROUT GREAT P BROWN TROUT LONG P BROOK TROUT LONG P BROOK TROUT LONG P BROOK TROUT LONG P RAINBOW TROUT SALMON L (ELLIS P) BROOK TROUT SALMON L (ELLIS P) BROOK TROUT SALMON L (ELLIS P) BROOK TROUT SALMON L (ELLIS P) BROWN TROUT SANFORD B BROOK TROUT UNNAMED B BROOK TROUT CHINA L BROOK TROUT CHINA L BROOK TROUT CHINA L BROWN TROUT THREEMILE P BROOK TROUT THREEMILE P BROWN TROUT SEBASTICOOK R BROOK TROUT BASIN P BROOK TROUT BASIN P SPLAKE ECHO L (CROTCHED P) BROOK TROUT ECHO L (CROTCHED P) BROOK TROUT ECHO L (CROTCHED P) BROOK TROUT ECHO L (CROTCHED P) SPLAKE COBBOSSEECONTEE STREAM BROOK TROUT DENNIS B BROOK TROUT DENNIS B BROOK TROUT LITCHFIELD SPORTSMAN CLUB PBROOK TROUT POTTERS B BROOK TROUT POTTERS B BROOK TROUT WOODBURY P BROOK TROUT WOODBURY P BROOK TROUT WOODBURY P BROWN TROUT COBBOSSEECONTEE L BROWN TROUT FAIRBANKS P BROOK TROUT FAIRBANKS P BROWN TROUT JAMIES (JIMMIE) P BROOK TROUT JAMIES (JIMMIE) P BROOK TROUT JAMIES (JIMMIE) P BROOK TROUT JAMIES (JIMMIE) P BROOK TROUT JAMIES (JIMMIE) P BROOK TROUT JAMIES (JIMMIE) P SPLAKE TYLER P BROOK TROUT TYLER P BROOK TROUT COBBOSSEECONTEE L BROWN TROUT COBBOSSEECONTEE L BROWN TROUT COCHNEWAGON P BROOK TROUT COCHNEWAGON P BROOK TROUT COCHNEWAGON P BROOK TROUT COCHNEWAGON P BROOK TROUT COCHNEWAGON P BROOK TROUT COCHNEWAGON P BROWN TROUT COCHNEWAGON P BROWN TROUT

200 550 550 200 250 150 1224 1276 350 200 150 2000 650 500 1000 500 5000 2000 200 200 1250 300 600 250 100 100 300 300 300 200 1000 4500 5000 200 4500 5000 400 300 250 900 50 50 400 300 300 400 20 100 600 50 450 1150 300 500 500 500 35 300 40

10 14 12 10 10 10 12 12 10 10 10 16 10 13 7 11 4 3 10 14 11 14 11 10 13 10 10 10 13 13 10 3 4 10 3 4 10 13 10 12 13 11 10 10 10 13 18 13 7 13 12 12 14 10 13 7 18 11 18

4/7/2016 10/20/2016 11/3/2016 4/7/2016 4/12/2016 4/27/2016 10/17/2016 10/18/2016 4/6/2016 4/20/2016 4/27/2016 10/25/2016 4/6/2016 11/8/2016 11/10/2016 10/3/2016 5/9/2016 5/9/2016 4/7/2016 10/18/2016 10/3/2016 10/18/2016 10/4/2016 4/14/2016 11/8/2016 5/11/2016 4/6/2016 4/20/2016 10/28/2016 10/31/2016 4/20/2016 4/14/2016 5/9/2016 5/12/2016 4/13/2016 5/9/2016 4/20/2016 10/21/2016 6/12/2016 10/6/2016 11/8/2016 10/3/2016 4/6/2016 4/29/2016 5/9/2016 11/8/2016 11/21/2016 10/31/2016 10/26/2016 11/8/2016 10/6/2016 10/7/2016 2/19/2016 3/31/2016 10/21/2016 11/10/2016 11/21/2016 10/3/2016 10/17/2016

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BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT SPLAKE L.L. SALMON LAKE TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT L.L. SALMON L.L. SALMON L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT RAINBOW TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON SPLAKE BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT L.L. SALMON BROWN TROUT SPLAKE BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT

KENNEBEC

S S S S S S S S S V V V V V V V V V V V

A A A

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————— The Maine Sportsman • April 2017 • 25

Maine Fish Stocking Report CITY/TOWN

WATER

SPECIES

QTY.

SIZE (IN.) DATE

CITY/TOWN

WATER

SPECIES

QTY.

SIZE (IN.) DATE

MONMOUTH MONMOUTH

BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT

25 30

18 18

MONMOUTH MONMOUTH MONMOUTH MONMOUTH MONMOUTH MONMOUTH MONMOUTH MOUNT VERNON MOUNT VERNON MOUNT VERNON MOUNT VERNON MOUNT VERNON MOUNT VERNON MOUNT VERNON MOUNT VERNON MOUNT VERNON OAKLAND OAKLAND OAKLAND OAKLAND OAKLAND OAKLAND OAKLAND OAKLAND OAKLAND OAKLAND OAKLAND SIDNEY SIDNEY SIDNEY SIDNEY SIDNEY SIDNEY SIDNEY SIDNEY SIDNEY VASSALBORO VASSALBORO VASSALBORO VASSALBORO VASSALBORO VIENNA VIENNA VIENNA VIENNA VIENNA VIENNA WATERVILLE WATERVILLE WATERVILLE WATERVILLE WATERVILLE WAYNE WAYNE WINDSOR WINDSOR WINTHROP WINTHROP WINTHROP WINTHROP WINTHROP WINTHROP WINTHROP WINTHROP WINTHROP WINTHROP WINTHROP WINTHROP WINTHROP

COCHNEWAGON P JUG STREAM MONMOUTH SPORTSMAN CLUB P SAND P (TACOMA LKS) SAND P (TACOMA LKS) SAND P (TACOMA LKS) WILSON P WILSON P WILSON STREAM WILSON STREAM DESERT P MINNEHONK L MINNEHONK L MINNEHONK L MINNEHONK L MINNEHONK L PARKER P PARKER P TORSEY L MCGRATH P MCGRATH P MCGRATH P MCGRATH P MESSALONSKEE L MESSALONSKEE L MESSALONSKEE L MESSALONSKEE L MESSALONSKEE STREAM MESSALONSKEE STREAM MESSALONSKEE STREAM GOULD P GOULD P GOULD P MESSALONSKEE L MESSALONSKEE L MESSALONSKEE L MESSALONSKEE L SILVER L SILVER L CHINA L SPECTACLE P SPECTACLE P WEBBER P WEBBER P FLYING P FLYING P FLYING P FLYING P FLYING P KIMBALL P KENNEBEC R KENNEBEC R KENNEBEC R MESSALONSKEE STREAM MESSALONSKEE STREAM ANDROSCOGGIN L ANDROSCOGGIN L SAVADE P SAVADE P MARANACOOK L MARANACOOK L MARANACOOK L NARROWS P (LOWER) NARROWS P (LOWER) NARROWS P (LOWER) NARROWS P (UPPER) NARROWS P (UPPER) NARROWS P (UPPER) NARROWS P (UPPER) NARROWS P (UPPER) NARROWS P (UPPER) WAYNE F&G CLUB P

ROCKLAND ROCKLAND ROCKLAND ROCKLAND ROCKPORT ROCKPORT ROCKPORT ROCKPORT ROCKPORT ROCKPORT ROCKPORT ROCKPORT UNION UNION UNION UNION UNION VINALHAVEN WARREN WARREN WASHINGTON WASHINGTON WASHINGTON WASHINGTON

CHICKAWAUKIE P CHICKAWAUKIE P CHICKAWAUKIE P CHICKAWAUKIE P MACES P MACES P MACES P MACES P ROCKY P ROCKY P ROCKY P ROCKY P SAINT GEORGE R SAINT GEORGE R SAINT GEORGE R SAINT GEORGE R SEVEN TREE P QUARRY PDS SAINT GEORGE R SAINT GEORGE R CRYSTAL P CRYSTAL P CRYSTAL P WASHINGTON P

BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT

250 350 1000 200 300 150 20 500 250 50 15 500 150 450 150 500 350 250 150 500 350 20 100 600

10 14 8 11 9 14 18 8 7 14 18 8 13 10 13 9 14 10 13 9 14 18 9 10

4/19/2016 11/17/2016 12/1/2016 10/4/2016 10/26/2016 11/3/2016 11/17/2016 12/1/2016 10/26/2016 11/3/2016 11/17/2016 12/1/2016 3/31/2016 4/12/2016 3/31/2016 4/28/2016 10/27/2016 5/7/2016 3/31/2016 4/28/2016 10/17/2016 11/9/2016 6/11/2016 4/19/2016

ALNA BOOTHBAY BOOTHBAY BOOTHBAY BOOTHBAY BOOTHBAY BOOTHBAY BREMEN BREMEN BREMEN BREMEN BREMEN BREMEN BRISTOL BRISTOL BRISTOL BRISTOL BRISTOL BRISTOL BRISTOL DAMARISCOTTA DAMARISCOTTA DAMARISCOTTA JEFFERSON JEFFERSON NOBLEBORO NOBLEBORO SOUTH BRISTOL SOUTH BRISTOL SOUTH BRISTOL WALDOBORO WALDOBORO WALDOBORO WALDOBORO WALDOBORO WALDOBORO WALDOBORO WALDOBORO WALDOBORO WALDOBORO WISCASSET WISCASSET

PINKHAM P ADAMS P KNICKERBOCKER P KNICKERBOCKER P WILEY P WILEY P WILEY P BISCAY P BISCAY P BISCAY P BISCAY P BISCAY P MCCURDY P PEMAQUID R PEMAQUID R PEMAQUID R PEMAQUID R PEMAQUID R ROSS P UPPER P LITTLE P PEMAQUID P PEMAQUID P DAMARISCOTTA L DAMARISCOTTA L PEMAQUID P PEMAQUID P THOMPSON'S ICE P THOMPSON'S ICE P THOMPSON'S ICE P KALERS P MEDOMAK P (LITTLE) MEDOMAK P (LITTLE) MEDOMAK P (LITTLE) MEDOMAK R MEDOMAK R MEDOMAK R MEDOMAK R PETERS (GROSS) P WALDOBORO QUARRY P MONTSWEAG B POLY CLARK B

200 250 200 300 350 600 100 250 400 25 300 150 250 100 400 400 100 300 250 100 600 200 750 1000 500 250 200 200 250 100 100 200 100 100 1000 600 400 500 200 200 300 100

10 10 10 14 10 7 14 10 14 18 9 13 9 13 10 10 13 9 10 10 10 14 11 11 8 10 14 10 9 14 9 10 14 9 10 10 13 9 10 10 10 10

4/13/2016 4/6/2016 4/13/2016 11/4/2016 4/13/2016 10/26/2016 11/4/2016 4/14/2016 11/8/2016 11/11/2016 6/11/2016 10/28/2016 6/11/2016 3/31/2016 4/14/2016 5/6/2016 3/31/2016 4/28/2016 4/29/2016 4/29/2016 4/20/2016 11/8/2016 10/4/2016 10/4/2016 5/16/2016 4/14/2016 11/8/2016 4/14/2016 10/26/2016 11/4/2016 6/11/2016 4/7/2016 11/4/2016 6/11/2016 4/7/2016 5/6/2016 3/31/2016 4/28/2016 5/11/2016 5/19/2016 4/13/2016 4/13/2016

APPLETON APPLETON APPLETON CAMDEN CAMDEN CAMDEN CAMDEN CAMDEN CAMDEN CAMDEN HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE ISLE AU HAUT NORTH HAVEN

SAINT GEORGE R SENNEBEC P SENNEBEC P GOOSE R HOSMER P HOSMER P HOSMER P HOSMER P MEGUNTICOOK R MEGUNTICOOK R ALFORD L ALFORD L ALFORD L ALFORD L ALFORD L ALFORD L HOBBS P HOBBS P HOBBS P HOBBS P LONG P (TURNERS L) FRESH P

200 300 2000 750 400 200 210 200 100 75 350 160 40 70 500 250 250 500 500 350 395 600 600 150 250 616 350

7 10 7 10 5 5 13 10 6 11 6 13 18 8 9 10 9 10 10 9 13 10 10 13 12 9 10

10/6/2016 5/19/2016 10/6/2016 5/24/2016 10/28/2016 10/28/2016 10/21/2016 6/12/2016 10/7/2016 5/9/2016 10/7/2016 10/21/2016 6/9/2016 6/9/2016 4/28/2016 4/26/2016 4/28/2016 5/9/2016 6/2/2016 4/28/2016 10/5/2016 5/2/2016 5/11/2016 5/12/2016 10/14/2016 5/26/2016 4/13/2016

MONMOUTH

10/26/2016 10/17/2016

BROOK TROUT

100

10

5/17/2016

BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT SPLAKE BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT SPLAKE SPLAKE BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT L.L. SALMON L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON L.L. SALMON L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT

600 300 200 300 200 250 450 250 400 300 250 20 100 200 350 350 600 200 450 18 250 250 200 200 600 400 250 150 150 150 7500 1000 1500 400 200 50 250 500 150 500 600 300 350 100 22 125 800 600 1000 22 400 400 900 1000 400 25 400 200 350 200 200 150 200 200 400 250 22 250 200

10 13 12 13 11 10 10 10 10 13 7 18 13 10 13 10 10 14 13 18 10 10 9 13 10 10 9 10 10 10 3 11 14 14 10 12 10 10 9 14 10 10 13 9 18 8 7 8 8 18 10 10 12 12 14 18 13 9 8 10 10 13 10 10 13 7 18 8 10

3/31/2016 10/21/2016 11/2/2016 10/31/2016 10/9/2016 4/12/2016 4/13/2016 4/14/2016 4/7/2016 10/21/2016 11/10/2016 11/15/2016 10/31/2016 4/7/2016 10/28/2016 6/13/2016 4/20/2016 10/18/2016 11/7/2016 11/23/2016 4/6/2016 4/20/2016 6/14/2016 11/7/2016 4/15/2016 4/20/2016 6/14/2016 3/31/2016 4/11/2016 5/9/2016 5/24/2016 10/3/2016 11/1/2016 11/3/2016 3/31/2016 11/3/2016 4/7/2016 4/20/2016 6/11/2016 10/18/2016 6/11/2016 4/7/2016 10/28/2016 6/11/2016 6/9/2016 6/9/2016 10/12/2016 5/17/2016 6/9/2016 6/9/2016 4/15/2016 4/20/2016 10/4/2016 10/6/2016 10/17/2016 11/9/2016 10/31/2016 6/11/2016 5/18/2016 3/31/2016 4/27/2016 11/8/2016 3/31/2016 4/27/2016 10/31/2016 11/10/2016 6/9/2016 6/9/2016 5/12/2016

300 250 500 200 250 250 500 50 400 150 200 500 100 100 22 100 250 100 20 500 1800 50

10 14 8 10 10 14 8 12 10 14 10 13 12 12 18 8 10 14 18 8 7 13

4/12/2016 10/27/2016 12/1/2016 4/19/2016 4/19/2016 11/3/2016 12/1/2016 11/3/2016 4/12/2016 4/12/2016 4/19/2016 11/17/2016 11/15/2016 11/15/2016 6/11/2016 6/11/2016 4/19/2016 11/3/2016 11/17/2016 12/1/2016 10/11/2016 11/19/2016

KNOX BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT L.L. SALMON L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT

LINCOLN BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT SPLAKE BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT

OXFORD ADAMSTOWN TWP GOODWIN P ADAMSTOWN TWP RICHARDSON P (LOWER EAST) ADAMSTOWN TWP RICHARDSON P (UPPER EAST) ADAMSTOWN TWP RICHARDSON P (WEST) ALBANY TWP BROKEN BRIDGE P ALBANY TWP CROCKER P ALBANY TWP HUTCHINSON P ALBANY TWP HUTCHINSON P ALBANY TWP MOSQUITO P ALBANY TWP ROUND P ALBANY TWP ROUND P ALBANY TWP SONGO P ALBANY TWP SONGO P ALBANY TWP SONGO P ANDOVER ELLIS R ANDOVER ELLIS R (WEST BRANCH) ANDOVER ELLIS R (WEST BRANCH) BATCHELDERS GRANT T WILD R BATCHELDERS GRANT T WILD R BETHEL ANDROSCOGGIN R BETHEL ANDROSCOGGIN R BETHEL ANDROSCOGGIN R BETHEL ANDROSCOGGIN R BETHEL ANDROSCOGGIN R BETHEL ANDROSCOGGIN R BETHEL ANDROSCOGGIN R BROWNFIELD BURNT MEADOW P

BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT RAINBOW TROUT BROOK TROUT

www.MaineSportsman.com

26 • April 2017 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————————————

—

Maine Fish Stocking Report CITY/TOWN

WATER

SPECIES

QTY.

SIZE (IN.) DATE

CITY/TOWN

WATER

SPECIES

QTY.

SIZE (IN.) DATE

BROWNFIELD BROWNFIELD BUCKFIELD BUCKFIELD BUCKFIELD BUCKFIELD BUCKFIELD BYRON BYRON BYRON BYRON BYRON BYRON CANTON CANTON CANTON CANTON DENMARK DENMARK DENMARK DENMARK DENMARK DENMARK DIXFIELD DIXFIELD DIXFIELD FRYEBURG FRYEBURG FRYEBURG FRYEBURG FRYEBURG FRYEBURG FRYEBURG FRYEBURG FRYEBURG GILEAD GILEAD GILEAD GILEAD GILEAD GILEAD GILEAD GILEAD GILEAD GILEAD GRAFTON TWP GREENWOOD GREENWOOD GREENWOOD GREENWOOD GREENWOOD GREENWOOD GREENWOOD GREENWOOD GREENWOOD GREENWOOD GREENWOOD HANOVER HANOVER HARTFORD HARTFORD HARTFORD HIRAM HIRAM HIRAM HIRAM HIRAM HIRAM HIRAM HIRAM HIRAM HIRAM HIRAM HIRAM HIRAM HIRAM HIRAM LOVELL LOVELL LOVELL LOVELL LOVELL MAGALLOWAY PLT MAGALLOWAY PLT MAGALLOWAY PLT MASON TWP MEXICO MEXICO MEXICO MEXICO MEXICO MILTON TWP NEWRY NORWAY NORWAY NORWAY

BURNT MEADOW P BURNT MEADOW P NEZINSCOT R (EAST BRANCH) NEZINSCOT R (EAST BRANCH) NEZINSCOT R (WEST BRANCH) NEZINSCOT R (WEST BRANCH) NEZINSCOT R (WEST BRANCH) ELLIS P (LITTLE) ELLIS P (LITTLE) ELLIS P (LITTLE) SWIFT R SWIFT R SWIFT R ANASAGUNTICOOK L ANASAGUNTICOOK L FOREST P WHITNEY B HANCOCK P HANCOCK P LONG P MOOSE P SAND (WALDEN) P SAND (WALDEN) P AUNT HANNAH B AUNT HANNAH B AUNT HANNAH B CLAYS P CLAYS P CLAYS P OUTLET CLAYS P OUTLET LOVEWELL P ROUND P ROUND P SACO R SACO R ANDROSCOGGIN R ANDROSCOGGIN R ANDROSCOGGIN R ANDROSCOGGIN R ANDROSCOGGIN R ANDROSCOGGIN R ANDROSCOGGIN R ANDROSCOGGIN R WILD R WILD R SPECK P ANDROSCOGGIN R (LITTLE) ANDROSCOGGIN R (LITTLE) ANDROSCOGGIN R (LITTLE) INDIAN P INDIAN P OVERSET P SOUTH & ROUND PDS SOUTH & ROUND PDS TWITCHELL B TWITCHELL P TWITCHELL P ANDROSCOGGIN R ANDROSCOGGIN R BUNGANOCK B NEZINSCOT R (EAST BRANCH) NEZINSCOT R (EAST BRANCH) CLEMONS P (BIG) CLEMONS P (BIG) CLEMONS P (LITTLE) CLEMONS P (LITTLE) CLEMONS P (LITTLE) HANCOCK B OSSIPEE R OSSIPEE R OSSIPEE R OSSIPEE R SACO R SACO R SACO R STANLEY P STANLEY P BRADLEY P CUSHMAN P HORSESHOE P HORSESHOE P KEZAR L AZISCOHOS P BEAVER P (LITTLE) STURTEVANT P TROUT P ANDROSCOGGIN R ANDROSCOGGIN R ANDROSCOGGIN R SWIFT R SWIFT R CONCORD R SUNDAY R PENNESSEEWASSEE L PENNESSEEWASSEE L PENNESSEEWASSEE L

BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT RAINBOW TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT RAINBOW TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT RAINBOW TROUT L.L. SALMON BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT RAINBOW TROUT RAINBOW TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT SPLAKE BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT RAINBOW TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT RAINBOW TROUT BROWN TROUT RAINBOW TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON L.L. SALMON

160 100 500 2500 1000 1000 10000 4500 550 200 500 200 125 500 25 176 115 500 500 88 650 150 150 150 150 150 300 100 290 300 1100 90 85 175 169 805 500 395 300 200 250 300 880 500 500 300 460 446 600 500 300 300 210 100 600 155 150 1150 2000 500 1500 7500 230 160 175 105 400 145 540 540 1340 300 230 223 300 9 836 100 350 230 150 400 500 1750 200 400 260 250 1188 150 125 500 1000 90 200 20

13 10 8 2 8 8 2 7 6 8 10 8 9 11 18 9 9 12 12 16 8 12 12 10 10 10 10 10 10 8 10 10 10 10 10 10 13 13 10 13 12 23 9 10 10 7 10 10 8 11 10 6 13 8 8 13 12 9 10 8 8 2 10 13 10 13 9 10 10 10 8 12 10 10 12 17 9 10 9 9 10 8 7 7 14 6 13 10 9 8 9 8 9 9 8 18

NORWAY NORWAY NORWAY NORWAY NORWAY NORWAY NORWAY NORWAY NORWAY OTISFIELD OTISFIELD OTISFIELD OXFORD OXFORD OXFORD OXFORD OXFORD OXFORD PARIS PARIS PARIS PARIS PARIS PARIS PARIS PARKERTOWN TWP PERU PERU PERU PERU PERU PERU PERU PERU PORTER PORTER PORTER PORTER PORTER PORTER RICHARDSONTOWN TW RICHARDSONTOWN TW RICHARDSONTOWN TW RICHARDSONTOWN TW RICHARDSONTOWN TW ROXBURY ROXBURY ROXBURY RUMFORD RUMFORD STONEHAM STONEHAM STONEHAM STONEHAM STONEHAM STONEHAM STOW STOW SUMNER SUMNER SUMNER SUMNER SUMNER SWEDEN SWEDEN UPTON WATERFORD WATERFORD WATERFORD WATERFORD WATERFORD WATERFORD WATERFORD WATERFORD WEST PARIS WEST PARIS WEST PARIS WOODSTOCK WOODSTOCK WOODSTOCK WOODSTOCK WOODSTOCK WOODSTOCK WOODSTOCK WOODSTOCK WOODSTOCK WOODSTOCK WOODSTOCK

PENNESSEEWASSEE L PENNESSEEWASSEE L PENNESSEEWASSEE L OUTLET PENNESSEEWASSEE L OUTLET PENNESSEEWASSEE P (LITTLE) PENNESSEEWASSEE P (LITTLE) PENNESSEEWASSEE P (LITTLE) PENNESSEEWASSEE P (LITTLE) SPECK P #2 GREELEY B PLEASANT L THOMPSON L ANDROSCOGGIN R (LITTLE) ANDROSCOGGIN R (LITTLE) ANDROSCOGGIN R (LITTLE) ANDROSCOGGIN R (LITTLE) ANDROSCOGGIN R (LITTLE) GREELEY B ANDROSCOGGIN R (LITTLE) HALLS P HALLS P HALLS P HALLS P HALLS P HALLS P LINCOLN P NEZINSCOT R (EAST BRANCH) SPEARS STREAM SPEARS STREAM SPEARS STREAM WORTHLEY P WORTHLEY P WORTHLEY P WORTHLEY P BICKFORD P BICKFORD P BICKFORD P BICKFORD P CHAPMAN P COLCORD P RICHARDSON LAKES RICHARDSON LAKES RICHARDSON LAKES RICHARDSON LAKES RICHARDSON LAKES ELLIS (ROXBURY) P SWIFT R SWIFT R CONCORD R ELLIS R BACK P (5 KEZARS) KEEWAYDIN L KEEWAYDIN L KEEWAYDIN L KEEWAYDIN L VIRGINIA L COLD R COLD R ABBOTTS P CUSHMAN P NEZINSCOT R (EAST BRANCH) NORTH P WASHBURN P KEYS P STEARNS P B POND BEAR P BEAR P BEAR P ISLAND P KEOKA L KEOKA L KEOKA L MOOSE P ANDROSCOGGIN R (LITTLE) ANDROSCOGGIN R (LITTLE) ANDROSCOGGIN R (LITTLE) BRYANT P BRYANT P BRYANT P BRYANT P CONCORD P (LITTLE) CONSERVATION CAMP P CONSERVATION CAMP P CONSERVATION CAMP P NORTH P SHAGG P SHAGG P

L.L. SALMON RAINBOW TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON L.L. SALMON BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT RAINBOW TROUT RAINBOW TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT RAINBOW TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON L.L. SALMON L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT RAINBOW TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON SPLAKE BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON SPLAKE BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT SPLAKE

20 1628 230 230 350 210 700 100 150 175 400 750 300 300 300 176 176 175 300 350 105 750 14 50 50 700 290 230 300 300 315 23 400 792 55 14 150 150 150 100 2600 2600 20 1800 1243 1000 150 125 1000 500 230 460 260 100 30 315 520 400 650 600 580 265 250 315 250 350 460 50 215 350 740 30 120 575 690 669 750 575 315 100 325 600 100 50 50 275 500 150

24 16 9 9 9 13 9 10 6 9 8 8 9 8 10 9 9 9 8 10 13 9 17 12 18 10 10 9 8 8 13 17 12 9 13 17 10 10 11 8 10 10 18 8 14 13 8 9 8 10 9 9 13 8 18 13 10 9 6 6 10 13 5 13 12 8 9 8 14 9 13 18 8 9 10 10 8 10 13 8 10 6 10 10 12 10 11 10

BANGOR

BANGOR MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE P BROOK TROUT

5

17

10/20/2016

BANGOR BANGOR BREWER BREWER BREWER

BANGOR MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE P KENDUSKEAG STREAM PENOBSCOT CLUB P PENOBSCOT CLUB P PENOBSCOT CLUB P

75 500 150 425 50

13 10 10 8 13

10/20/2016 4/19/2016 4/19/2016 10/20/2016 10/20/2016

www.MaineSportsman.com

10/20/2016 6/12/2016 4/22/2016 5/13/2016 4/22/2016 4/28/2016 5/13/2016 9/29/2016 11/23/2016 5/2/2016 4/26/2016 5/2/2016 4/29/2016 9/29/2016 9/29/2016 6/6/2016 4/29/2016 10/14/2016 10/14/2016 10/19/2016 5/13/2016 10/14/2016 10/14/2016 4/14/2016 4/26/2016 5/19/2016 4/29/2016 6/12/2016 4/29/2016 6/8/2016 6/12/2016 4/29/2016 5/4/2016 5/4/2016 5/17/2016 4/27/2016 6/24/2016 10/5/2016 5/11/2016 5/12/2016 10/14/2016 5/16/2016 5/26/2016 5/9/2016 6/2/2016 10/6/2016 4/27/2016 5/16/2016 4/27/2016 4/14/2016 4/12/2016 10/7/2016 10/18/2016 5/16/2016 4/27/2016 10/18/2016 10/5/2016 4/28/2016 5/11/2016 4/28/2016 4/22/2016 5/13/2016 4/13/2016 10/20/2016 4/13/2016 10/20/2016 10/20/2016 4/28/2016 4/20/2016 5/9/2016 4/28/2016 10/19/2016 4/28/2016 5/17/2016 10/11/2016 12/8/2016 5/25/2016 6/12/2016 5/4/2016 5/24/2016 6/12/2016 5/19/2016 10/6/2016 10/6/2016 11/1/2016 10/7/2016 10/5/2016 6/13/2016 5/2/2016 5/2/2016 4/29/2016 5/2/2016 5/4/2016 6/1/2016 6/9/2016 6/9/2016

6/9/2016 10/19/2016 4/20/2016 5/2/2016 5/2/2016 10/18/2016 10/25/2016 6/13/2016 10/7/2016 5/2/2016 5/16/2016 5/16/2016 4/25/2016 4/27/2016 5/9/2016 4/25/2016 5/9/2016 5/2/2016 4/27/2016 4/14/2016 10/25/2016 10/25/2016 11/23/2016 10/21/2016 10/21/2016 5/19/2016 5/5/2016 4/29/2016 5/2/2016 5/4/2016 10/19/2016 11/23/2016 10/17/2016 5/11/2016 10/20/2016 12/8/2016 6/14/2016 6/14/2016 4/13/2016 5/13/2016 5/12/2016 5/23/2016 6/9/2016 6/9/2016 11/1/2016 10/20/2016 5/2/2016 4/29/2016 5/2/2016 4/26/2016 4/20/2016 5/4/2016 10/21/2016 6/9/2016 6/9/2016 10/21/2016 5/4/2016 5/17/2016 10/7/2016 10/7/2016 5/5/2016 10/7/2016 10/28/2016 10/18/2016 10/14/2016 5/19/2016 4/20/2016 5/13/2016 11/1/2016 4/28/2016 10/18/2016 6/9/2016 6/9/2016 4/29/2016 4/27/2016 5/16/2016 4/27/2016 4/14/2016 10/18/2016 5/16/2016 4/19/2016 10/7/2016 6/2/2016 7/15/2016 7/29/2016 6/13/2016 4/19/2016 4/19/2016

PENOBSCOT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT

S S S S T T T T T T T

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————— The Maine Sportsman • April 2017 • 27

Maine Fish Stocking Report CITY/TOWN

WATER

SPECIES

QTY.

SIZE (IN.) DATE

CITY/TOWN

WATER

SPECIES

QTY.

SIZE (IN.) DATE

BURLINGTON BURLINGTON BURLINGTON CHARLESTON CLIFTON CLIFTON CORINNA DEXTER DEXTER DEXTER DEXTER DEXTER DEXTER ENFIELD ENFIELD ENFIELD ENFIELD ENFIELD ENFIELD ENFIELD ENFIELD ENFIELD ENFIELD ENFIELD ENFIELD ENFIELD ENFIELD ETNA GRAND FALLS TWP GRAND FALLS TWP HAMPDEN HERMON HERMON LAKEVILLE LAKEVILLE LEE LEE LEE LEE LINCOLN LINCOLN LINCOLN LINCOLN LINCOLN LINCOLN LINCOLN LINCOLN LINCOLN LINCOLN LINCOLN LINCOLN LINCOLN LINCOLN LINCOLN LINCOLN LINCOLN LINCOLN LINCOLN LOWELL LOWELL LOWELL LOWELL MILLINOCKET MILLINOCKET MILLINOCKET MILLINOCKET MILLINOCKET MOUNT CHASE MOUNT CHASE MOUNT CHASE MOUNT CHASE MOUNT CHASE MOUNT CHASE MOUNT CHASE MOUNT CHASE NEWPORT NEWPORT OLD TOWN OLD TOWN ORONO ORRINGTON PATTEN PATTEN PATTEN PUKAKON TWP SEBOEIS PLT SEBOEIS PLT SOLDIERTOWN TWP T2 SPRINGFIELD T1 R8 WELS T1 R8 WELS T1 R8 WELS T1 R8 WELS T1 R8 WELS T3 INDIAN PURCHASE T T3 INDIAN PURCHASE T

BURLINGTON FIRE P BURLINGTON FIRE P BURLINGTON FIRE P MOUNTAIN VIEW YDC P FITTS P FITTS P SEBASTICOOK R (EAST BRANCH) PUFFERS P (ECHO L) SEBASTICOOK R (EAST BRANCH) WASSOOKEAG L WASSOOKEAG L WASSOOKEAG L WASSOOKEAG L COLD STREAM COLD STREAM COLD STREAM COLD STREAM COLD STREAM COLD STREAM COLD STREAM COLD STREAM P COLD STREAM P COLD STREAM P COLD STREAM P COLD STREAM P COLD STREAM P COLD STREAM P ETNA P PASSADUMKEAG R PASSADUMKEAG R SOUADABSCOOK STREAM HERMON P HERMON P SYSLADOBSIS L (LO) SYSLADOBSIS L (UP) SILVER (MATTAKEUNK) L SILVER (MATTAKEUNK) L SILVER (MATTAKEUNK) L WEIR P CARIBOU,EGG,LONG P CARIBOU,EGG,LONG P COLD STREAM P (UPPER) COLD STREAM P (UPPER) COLD STREAM P (UPPER) COLD STREAM P (UPPER) EDWARDS FAMILY KIDS FISHING P EDWARDS FAMILY KIDS FISHING P EDWARDS FAMILY KIDS FISHING P EDWARDS FAMILY KIDS FISHING P EDWARDS FAMILY KIDS FISHING P EDWARDS FAMILY KIDS FISHING P ROCKY B ROCKY B ROUND P (LITTLE) ROUND P (LITTLE) ROUND P (LITTLE) UPPER P UPPER P PASSADUMKEAG R TROUT P TROUT P TROUT P JERRY P JERRY P JERRY P JERRY P JERRY P SHIN P (LOWER) SHIN P (LOWER) SHIN P (LOWER) SHIN P (LOWER) SHIN P (UPPER) SHIN P (UPPER) SHIN P (UPPER) SHIN P (UPPER) SEBASTICOOK R (EAST BRANCH) SEBASTICOOK R (EAST BRANCH) MUD P MUD P STILLWATER R BREWER L GILES P WILEY P WILEY P JUNIOR L SEBOEIS STREAM SEBOEIS STREAM TROUT P MATTAGODUS STREAM MILLINOCKET L MILLINOCKET L MILLINOCKET STREAM MILLINOCKET STREAM MILLINOCKET STREAM SMITH P SMITH P

BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT SPLAKE BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON LAKE TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT

55 55 50 100 25 400 250 200 100 500 500 330 500 100 100 100 100 100 43000 100 500 1000 400 600 463 400 1350 350 17100 8864 200 500 30 2000 250 240 400 26 150 300 25 500 400 1200 250 150 150 100 125 125 20 150 150 500 20 250 400 25 16300 300 10 200 550 500 150 40 100 500 300 40 250 500 300 40 250 100 500 500 20 500 400 400 150 20 1400 250 250 350 250 2300 400 30226 400 50 250 20

10 10 10 10 18 10 10 13 10 10 10 13 8 10 10 10 10 10 1 11 10 11 13 13 13 8 8 14 2 2 10 13 18 8 8 11 13 17 14 13 17 10 13 8 8 10 10 10 13 13 17 10 10 11 17 14 13 17 2 11 17 14 10 13 13 17 14 10 13 17 8 10 13 17 8 13 10 13 17 10 8 11 13 17 8 10 10 11 10 8 8 2 13 13 13 17

T3 INDIAN PURCHASE T T3 INDIAN PURCHASE T T3 R9 NWP T3 R9 NWP T3 R9 NWP T3 R9 NWP T3 R9 NWP T3 R9 NWP T4 INDIAN PURCHASE T T4 INDIAN PURCHASE T T4 INDIAN PURCHASE T T4 R7 WELS T5 R7 WELS T6 R6 WELS T6 R8 WELS T6 R8 WELS T6 R8 WELS T6 R8 WELS T7 R8 WELS T7 R8 WELS T7 R8 WELS T7 R8 WELS T8 R7 WELS

SMITH P SMITH P CEDAR L CEDAR L ENDLESS L ENDLESS L FLATIRON P FLATIRON P PEMADUMCOOK CHAIN L PEMADUMCOOK CHAIN L PEMADUMCOOK CHAIN L LUNKSOOS L DAVIS (WAPITI) P GREEN MOUNTAIN P HAY L HAY L HAY L HAY L IRELAND P MILLIMAGASSETT L SCRAGGLY L SCRAGGLY L CARRY P

BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON SPLAKE L.L. SALMON SPLAKE BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT LAKE TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT

100 75 250 300 500 500 20 294 400 1000 1200 1200 600 200 400 200 22 200 150 200 1200 300 200

13 14 8 13 8 13 17 13 9 13 8 7 10 5 10 13 17 13 5 8 10 8 6

11/17/2016 11/29/2016 5/11/2016 10/20/2016 5/17/2016 10/18/2016 11/21/2016 11/21/2016 5/12/2016 10/6/2016 11/29/2016 9/28/2016 5/31/2016 9/28/2016 5/11/2016 10/12/2016 11/16/2016 10/12/2016 9/28/2016 5/18/2016 5/10/2016 5/10/2016 9/28/2016

250 250 250 250 25 1000 100 600 250 2100 2100 1100 50 2700 2700 1050 350 50 1000 400 400 1300 500 200 100 50 300 250 250 10 100 1000 300 1450 75 400 400 440 200 1300 300 750 750 750 750 750 750 500 1600 250 250 100 300 100 100 3300 1000 500 1500 700 700 350 500 600 150 700 200 250 600 150 2250 750

10 11 10 13 17 10 8 10 10 10 10 13 17 10 8 13 13 17 8 10 10 10 8 10 8 8 10 11 8 17 13 10 8 13 17 10 11 11 13 7 7 10 10 10 10 10 10 13 8 10 10 13 7 7 7 10 8 8 8 10 10 13 8 10 10 13 8 10 10 10 10 10

4/20/2016 5/26/2016 6/1/2016 10/21/2016 11/2/2016 4/27/2016 5/17/2016 4/20/2016 5/17/2016 4/28/2016 5/17/2016 11/2/2016 11/30/2016 4/22/2016 5/9/2016 10/27/2016 11/2/2016 11/30/2016 5/11/2016 4/22/2016 5/16/2016 4/27/2016 5/9/2016 6/8/2016 5/17/2016 5/18/2016 5/23/2016 4/26/2016 5/10/2016 11/17/2016 11/17/2016 4/22/2016 5/10/2016 10/5/2016 11/2/2016 5/19/2016 6/6/2016 6/23/2016 10/4/2016 10/5/2016 10/20/2016 4/26/2016 4/26/2016 4/26/2016 5/16/2016 5/26/2016 5/26/2016 10/4/2016 4/25/2016 4/6/2016 5/16/2016 10/13/2016 10/7/2016 10/7/2016 10/7/2016 5/3/2016 5/3/2016 5/11/2016 5/21/2016 5/4/2016 5/26/2016 11/1/2016 5/17/2016 5/6/2016 4/27/2016 10/5/2016 5/17/2016 4/27/2016 4/6/2016 4/22/2016 4/26/2016 4/26/2016

3/31/2016 4/28/2016 5/19/2016 5/17/2016 11/16/2016 4/26/2016 4/14/2016 10/13/2016 4/14/2016 4/13/2016 5/3/2016 11/18/2016 5/18/2016 4/20/2016 4/28/2016 5/10/2016 5/19/2016 5/19/2016 5/23/2016 6/2/2016 3/31/2016 4/4/2016 10/4/2016 11/9/2016 11/10/2016 11/16/2016 4/15/2016 11/1/2016 6/1/2016 6/2/2016 4/25/2016 11/3/2016 11/18/2016 5/3/2016 5/5/2016 6/1/2016 10/11/2016 11/14/2016 11/14/2016 10/7/2016 11/14/2016 4/25/2016 10/4/2016 11/29/2016 4/15/2016 4/20/2016 5/10/2016 5/19/2016 10/6/2016 10/27/2016 11/4/2016 4/20/2016 5/10/2016 5/23/2016 11/14/2016 11/14/2016 10/11/2016 11/14/2016 6/1/2016 5/23/2016 11/15/2016 11/15/2016 5/10/2016 10/6/2016 11/17/2016 11/17/2016 11/29/2016 5/11/2016 10/11/2016 11/16/2016 5/11/2016 5/11/2016 10/11/2016 11/16/2016 5/11/2016 4/14/2016 4/14/2016 10/20/2016 11/4/2016 4/19/2016 5/12/2016 5/31/2016 11/17/2016 11/17/2016 5/23/2016 4/20/2016 5/10/2016 5/18/2016 5/4/2016 5/10/2016 5/10/2016 6/2/2016 10/6/2016 11/17/2016 10/7/2016 11/17/2016

PISCATAQUIS ABBOT DRUMMOND P ABBOT DRUMMOND P ABBOT DRUMMOND P ABBOT DRUMMOND P ABBOT DRUMMOND P ABBOT PIPER P ABBOT PIPER P ABBOT PIPER P ATKINSON ALDER STREAM BEAVER COVE PRONG P BEAVER COVE PRONG P BEAVER COVE PRONG P BEAVER COVE PRONG P BIG MOOSE TWP FITZGERALD P BIG MOOSE TWP FITZGERALD P BIG MOOSE TWP FITZGERALD P BIG MOOSE TWP FITZGERALD P BIG MOOSE TWP FITZGERALD P BIG MOOSE TWP INDIAN P BLANCHARD TWP PISCATAQUIS R BLANCHARD TWP PISCATAQUIS R BLANCHARD TWP WHETSTONE P BLANCHARD TWP WHETSTONE P BLANCHARD TWP WHETSTONE P BLANCHARD TWP WHETSTONE P BOWDOIN COLLEGE GR WILSON P (UPPER) BOWERBANK BEAR P BOWERBANK MILL B BOWERBANK MILL B BROWNVILLE NORTON P BROWNVILLE NORTON P BROWNVILLE PLEASANT R DOVER-FOXCROFT BRANNS MILL P DOVER-FOXCROFT BRANNS MILL P DOVER-FOXCROFT BRANNS MILL P DOVER-FOXCROFT DUNHAM B DOVER-FOXCROFT DUNHAM B DOVER-FOXCROFT DUNHAM B DOVER-FOXCROFT DUNHAM B DOVER-FOXCROFT GARLAND P DOVER-FOXCROFT GARLAND P DOVER-FOXCROFT PISCATAQUIS R DOVER-FOXCROFT PISCATAQUIS R DOVER-FOXCROFT PISCATAQUIS R DOVER-FOXCROFT PISCATAQUIS R DOVER-FOXCROFT PISCATAQUIS R DOVER-FOXCROFT PISCATAQUIS R DOVER-FOXCROFT PISCATAQUIS R DOVER-FOXCROFT SEBEC L DOVER-FOXCROFT SNOWS P DOVER-FOXCROFT SNOWS P DOVER-FOXCROFT SNOWS P ELLIOTTSVILLE TWP MCLELLAN P ELLIOTTSVILLE TWP RABBIT P ELLIOTTSVILLE TWP SMITH P FRENCHTOWN TWP ROACH P (FIRST) FRENCHTOWN TWP ROACH P (FIRST) GREENVILLE MOOSEHEAD L GREENVILLE MOOSEHEAD L GREENVILLE SAWYER P GREENVILLE SAWYER P GREENVILLE SAWYER P GREENVILLE WILSON P (LOWER) GUILFORD BENNETT P (BIG) GUILFORD BENNETT P (BIG) GUILFORD DAVIS P (FIRST) GUILFORD DAVIS P (FIRST) GUILFORD DAVIS P (FIRST) GUILFORD PISCATAQUIS R GUILFORD PISCATAQUIS R GUILFORD PISCATAQUIS R GUILFORD PISCATAQUIS R

BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON SPLAKE BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON L.L. SALMON SPLAKE BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT SPLAKE BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT LAKE TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON L.L. SALMON L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT SPLAKE BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON SPLAKE BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT

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28 • April 2017 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————————————

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Maine Fish Stocking Report CITY/TOWN

WATER

SPECIES

QTY.

SIZE (IN.) DATE

CITY/TOWN

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SPECIES

QTY.

SIZE (IN.) DATE

GUILFORD GUILFORD GUILFORD GUILFORD KINGSBURY PLT KINGSBURY PLT KINGSBURY PLT LAKE VIEW PLT LAKE VIEW PLT LAKE VIEW PLT LAKE VIEW PLT LAKE VIEW PLT LILY BAY TWP MEDFORD MEDFORD MILO MILO MILO MILO MILO MILO MILO MILO MILO MONSON MONSON MONSON MONSON MONSON MONSON MONSON MONSON MONSON MONSON MONSON MONSON MONSON MONSON MONSON MONSON MONSON MOOSEHEAD JUNCTION MOOSEHEAD JUNCTION MOOSEHEAD JUNCTION MOOSEHEAD JUNCTION MOOSEHEAD JUNCTION MOOSEHEAD JUNCTION MOOSEHEAD JUNCTION MOOSEHEAD JUNCTION MOOSEHEAD JUNCTION PARKMAN PARKMAN PARKMAN PARKMAN PARKMAN RAINBOW TWP RAINBOW TWP RAINBOW TWP RAINBOW TWP RAINBOW TWP RAINBOW TWP RAINBOW TWP SANGERVILLE SANGERVILLE SANGERVILLE SANGERVILLE SANGERVILLE SANGERVILLE SANGERVILLE SANGERVILLE SANGERVILLE SEBEC SEBEC SEBEC SEBEC SEBEC SHAWTOWN TWP SHIRLEY SHIRLEY SHIRLEY SHIRLEY T1 R11 WELS T1 R11 WELS T1 R13 WELS T1 R9 WELS T1 R9 WELS T1 R9 WELS T1 R9 WELS T1 R9 WELS T10 R10 WELS T10 R10 WELS T10 R11 WELS T2 R10 WELS T2 R12 WELS T2 R12 WELS T2 R13 WELS

PISCATAQUIS R PISCATAQUIS R PISCATAQUIS R PISCATAQUIS R KINGSBURY P KINGSBURY P KINGSBURY P SCHOODIC L SCHOODIC L SCHOODIC L SCHOODIC L TURTLE P MOOSEHEAD L SCHOODIC STREAM SCHOODIC STREAM MILO FARM (HARRIS) P MILO FARM (HARRIS) P MILO FARM (HARRIS) P MILO FARM (HARRIS) P MILO FARM (HARRIS) P MILO FARM (HARRIS) P SEBEC R SEBEC R SEBEC R BELL P DOE P DOE P DOE P HEBRON L HEBRON L HEBRON L HEBRON L HEBRON L HEBRON L LILY P PISCATAQUIS R PISCATAQUIS R SOUTH P SPECTACLE P SPECTACLE P SPECTACLE P GRAVEL PIT P GRAVEL PIT P GRAVEL PIT P GRAVEL PIT P POWER TROUT P POWER TROUT P SHADOW P SHADOW P SHADOW P BENNETT P BENNETT P HARLOW P HARLOW P HARLOW P BEAN P (LOWER) BEAN P (UPPER) CLIFFORD P CRESCENT P DEBSCONEAG L (5TH) HOLBROOK P MURPHY P (BIG) BLACK STREAM BLACK STREAM BLACK STREAM CENTER P CENTER P CENTER P CENTER P MANHANOCK P MANHANOCK P BEAR B BEAR B SEBEC R SEBEC R SEBEC R LONG BOG BUNKER P (BIG) SHIRLEY P SHIRLEY P SHIRLEY P DEBSCONEAG L (6TH) LEAVITT P LAZY TOM P PEMADUMCOOK CHAIN L PEMADUMCOOK CHAIN L PEMADUMCOOK CHAIN L PEMADUMCOOK CHAIN L PEMADUMCOOK CHAIN L ISLAND (CHASE) P MOUNTAIN P ELBOW P (UPPER) HALE P BEAN P TEN-FORTY P RAGGED L

BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON L.L. SALMON SPLAKE BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT SPLAKE BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT SPLAKE BROOK TROUT SPLAKE BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT SPLAKE BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON LAKE TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT SPLAKE

1500 750 1500 1000 113 637 250 1600 400 1000 600 500 1500 24532 2064 100 50 110 78 10 75 400 350 89 350 585 550 200 1300 850 400 6000 2600 205 100 400 400 360 900 900 150 260 250 250 250 250 250 185 175 200 350 200 250 450 25 600 250 250 225 1600 2150 525 250 250 250 300 200 1000 1200 1050 75 250 250 500 500 250 300 200 600 300 220 600 500 350 400 400 525 821 5400 750 200 400 700 150 450 2000

10 10 10 13 8 8 10 11 11 13 8 5 8 2 2 10 10 11 13 17 14 10 10 10 7 10 10 13 10 10 9 7 8 13 6 10 10 6 10 10 10 10 10 10 13 10 10 10 10 7 10 10 8 13 17 7 7 7 8 7 7 7 10 8 10 8 10 13 10 13 17 8 10 10 10 13 8 10 10 13 9 7 7 7 10 13 13 13 8 10 6 10 7 7 7 10

T2 R9 WELS T2 R9 WELS T2 R9 WELS T2 R9 WELS T3 R10 WELS T3 R10 WELS T3 R11 WELS T3 R11 WELS T3 R11 WELS T3 R11 WELS T3 R11 WELS T3 R11 WELS T3 R13 WELS T3 R13 WELS T4 R13 WELS T4 R9 NWP T4 R9 NWP T5 R11 WELS T7 R10 WELS T7 R10 WELS T7 R10 WELS T7 R9 NWP T7 R9 NWP T7 R9 WELS T7 R9 WELS T8 R10 WELS T8 R11 WELS T9 R11 WELS TA R10 WELS TA R10 WELS TA R11 WELS TB R10 WELS TROUT BROOK TWP TROUT BROOK TWP WILLIMANTIC WILLIMANTIC WILLIMANTIC

ABOL P ROCKY P ROUND P TOGUE P (LOWER) CELIA P DRAPER P CARRY P CHESUNCOOK P FOWLER P FROST P MCKENNA P ROCKY P DEER P PINE P (BIG) SALMON P SEBOEIS L SEBOEIS L THISSELL P CARIBOU P (BIG) CARIBOU P (LITTLE) THIRD (MATAGAMON) L HOUSTON P INDIAN & DAM PONDS BEAVER P (BIG) MITCHELL P MATTHEWS P PILLSBURY P (LITTLE) CURRIER P (FIRST) JO-MARY L (UPPER) JO-MARY L (UPPER) LONG P JO-MARY P BILLFISH P FROST P GRINDSTONE P GRINDSTONE P HORSESHOE P

BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT SPLAKE BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT SPLAKE BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT SPLAKE BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON SPLAKE BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON SPLAKE BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT SPLAKE BROOK TROUT

825 220 258 500 125 300 500 700 400 1500 735 150 500 1490 900 1500 1500 1500 200 100 1500 1400 1000 500 300 200 1500 150 2000 600 100 300 300 350 775 200 1300

7 7 7 10 5 5 8 7 6 8 8 8 10 8 8 8 10 5 10 10 5 7 7 10 5 6 8 6 11 8 7 5 5 5 7 7 7

5/12/2016 5/12/2016 5/12/2016 5/10/2016 10/3/2016 10/3/2016 10/3/2016 10/3/2016 10/3/2016 10/17/2016 10/3/2016 10/3/2016 5/20/2016 10/3/2016 10/3/2016 5/11/2016 5/11/2016 10/17/2016 5/18/2016 5/18/2016 9/28/2016 10/7/2016 10/7/2016 5/18/2016 10/11/2016 9/28/2016 11/8/2016 9/28/2016 5/12/2016 5/12/2016 10/3/2016 10/17/2016 9/28/2016 9/28/2016 10/7/2016 10/7/2016 10/7/2016

ARROWSIC ARROWSIC GEORGETOWN GEORGETOWN PHIPPSBURG PHIPPSBURG PHIPPSBURG PHIPPSBURG PHIPPSBURG PHIPPSBURG PHIPPSBURG RICHMOND WOOLWICH

SEWALL P SEWALL P CHARLES P CHARLES P CENTER P CENTER P CENTER P SILVER L SILVER L SILVER L SPRAGUE P BIG P (SWAN ISLAND) NEQUASSET L

450 20 200 10 100 15 105 55 10 620 200 200 300

14 18 14 18 14 17 13 13 17 9 9 10 12

11/9/2016 11/18/2016 11/9/2016 11/18/2016 2/17/2016 12/9/2016 12/9/2016 12/9/2016 12/9/2016 12/9/2016 10/7/2016 5/17/2016 11/1/2016

ALDER BROOK TWP ALDER BROOK TWP ANSON ANSON ANSON ATHENS ATTEAN TWP ATTEAN TWP ATTEAN TWP ATTEAN TWP ATTEAN TWP ATTEAN TWP ATTEAN TWP ATTEAN TWP BALD MOUNTAIN TWP T BALD MOUNTAIN TWP T BALD MOUNTAIN TWP T BALD MOUNTAIN TWP T BOWTOWN TWP BOWTOWN TWP BOWTOWN TWP BOWTOWN TWP BRIGHTON PLT BRIGHTON PLT CANAAN CANAAN CANAAN CANAAN CANAAN CARATUNK CARATUNK CARATUNK CARATUNK CARATUNK CONCORD TWP CONCORD TWP CONCORD TWP DEAD RIVER TWP DEAD RIVER TWP DENNISTOWN PLT DENNISTOWN PLT DENNISTOWN PLT DENNISTOWN PLT

HALE P TRICKEY P KENNEBEC R KENNEBEC R KENNEBEC R WESSERUNSETT STREAM CLEARWATER P LOON P WOOD P (BIG) WOOD P (BIG) WOOD P (BIG) WOOD P (BIG) WOOD P (BIG) WOOD P (BIG) AUSTIN P AUSTIN P AUSTIN P (LITTLE) AUSTIN P (LITTLE) KING P MOOSE P OTTER P OTTER P (NORTH) SMITH (WEEKS) P SMITH (WEEKS) P CARRABASSETT STREAM LAKE GEORGE LAKE GEORGE LAKE GEORGE LAKE GEORGE DIMMICK P (BIG) DIMMICK P (LITTLE) MACDOUGALL P MACDOUGALL P MOUNTAIN DIMMICK P TIBBETTS P TIBBETTS P TIBBETTS P FLAGSTAFF L FLAGSTAFF L CROCKER P RANCOURT P SUGAR BERTH P WOOD P (LITTLE BIG)

800 450 500 2000 2250 500 350 750 2150 500 400 97 500 1000 1000 250 3800 250 450 750 5000 4000 300 400 300 200 400 100 500 2600 2500 100 100 1600 100 100 150 2000 300 2200 450 900 500

7 7 13 9 10 8 7 7 10 9 13 17 8 13 10 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 13 12 10 10 13 13 9 7 7 10 13 3 10 10 13 8 8 10 7 7 10

10/5/2016 10/5/2016 10/26/2016 5/4/2016 6/14/2016 5/2/2016 10/5/2016 10/5/2016 4/27/2016 6/14/2016 11/9/2016 11/30/2016 5/2/2016 10/20/2016 5/13/2016 11/30/2016 10/18/2016 11/30/2016 10/4/2016 10/4/2016 10/4/2016 10/4/2016 10/13/2016 10/13/2016 4/22/2016 4/22/2016 11/3/2016 4/22/2016 6/11/2016 10/4/2016 10/4/2016 4/26/2016 10/12/2016 5/24/2016 4/12/2016 5/27/2016 10/12/2016 5/2/2016 6/1/2016 5/11/2016 10/5/2016 10/5/2016 4/29/2016

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5/16/2016 5/16/2016 5/26/2016 10/4/2016 5/3/2016 5/12/2016 4/21/2016 4/5/2016 4/6/2016 10/25/2016 4/15/2016 9/29/2016 5/3/2016 6/9/2016 6/16/2016 4/6/2016 5/19/2016 6/9/2016 9/22/2016 11/7/2016 11/7/2016 4/26/2016 5/16/2016 5/19/2016 10/7/2016 4/28/2016 5/18/2016 10/21/2016 4/28/2016 5/17/2016 6/14/2016 10/13/2016 11/1/2016 11/18/2016 10/7/2016 4/22/2016 5/16/2016 10/7/2016 4/28/2016 5/17/2016 4/21/2016 4/28/2016 5/18/2016 6/1/2016 11/1/2016 5/11/2016 5/26/2016 4/28/2016 5/18/2016 10/21/2016 4/20/2016 4/27/2016 5/10/2016 10/13/2016 11/2/2016 10/3/2016 10/3/2016 10/3/2016 10/3/2016 10/3/2016 10/3/2016 10/3/2016 4/22/2016 5/10/2016 5/16/2016 5/10/2016 6/8/2016 10/4/2016 6/12/2016 10/25/2016 11/2/2016 5/10/2016 5/17/2016 4/26/2016 5/16/2016 10/5/2016 10/3/2016 5/18/2016 4/28/2016 11/2/2016 12/6/2016 10/3/2016 10/3/2016 10/3/2016 5/12/2016 10/6/2016 10/6/2016 10/21/2016 5/10/2016 5/18/2016 9/28/2016 5/18/2016 10/3/2016 10/3/2016 10/3/2016 5/20/2016

SAGADAHOC BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT

SOMERSET BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON SPLAKE BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT RAINBOW TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT SPLAKE

J J J J

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————— The Maine Sportsman • April 2017 • 29

Maine Fish Stocking Report CITY/TOWN

WATER

DOLE BROOK TWP SPAULDING P EMBDEN BLACK HILL P EMBDEN EMBDEN P EMBDEN EMBDEN P EMBDEN EMBDEN P EMBDEN EMBDEN P EMBDEN EMBDEN P EMBDEN EMBDEN P EMBDEN EMBDEN P EMBDEN FAHI P EMBDEN FAHI P EMBDEN FAHI P EMBDEN HANCOCK P EMBDEN HANCOCK P EMBDEN HANCOCK P EMBDEN KENNEBEC R EMBDEN MILL STREAM EMBDEN MILL STREAM EMBDEN MILL STREAM EMBDEN SANDY P EMBDEN SANDY P FAIRFIELD FAIRFIELD REC (PAL) P FAIRFIELD FAIRFIELD REC (PAL) P FAIRFIELD FAIRFIELD REC (PAL) P FAIRFIELD FAIRFIELD REC (PAL) P FAIRFIELD FAIRFIELD REC (PAL) P FAIRFIELD KENNEBEC R FORSYTH TWP BEAVER P FORSYTH TWP LONG P HAMMOND TWP LANE P (LITTLE) HARMONY HARMONY FIRE P HARMONY HIGGINS B HARTLAND GREAT MOOSE L HARTLAND MORRILL P HARTLAND MORRILL P HARTLAND MORRILL P HOBBSTOWN TWP CHUB P HOBBSTOWN TWP SPENCER L HOLEB TWP HOLEB P HOLEB TWP HOLEB P HOLEB TWP HOLEB P HOLEB TWP MCKENNEY P JACKMAN HEALD STREAM JACKMAN HEALD STREAM JACKMAN SANDY STREAM JACKMAN SANDY STREAM LEXINGTON TWP INDIAN P LEXINGTON TWP MOORES P LEXINGTON TWP MOORES P LEXINGTON TWP SPRUCE P LONG POND TWP LONG P LONG POND TWP LONG P LONG POND TWP LONG P MADISON WESSERUNSETT L MADISON WESSERUNSETT L MADISON WESSERUNSETT L MADISON WESSERUNSETT L MADISON WESSERUNSETT L MADISON WESSERUNSETT L MADISON WESSERUNSETT L MADISON WESSERUNSETT L MADISON WESSERUNSETT L MAYFIELD TWP PALMER P MISERY TWP CHASE STREAM P (LITTLE) MOOSE RIVER DAYMOND P MOOSE RIVER SUPPLY P MOSCOW CHASE P MOSCOW CHASE P MOSCOW WYMAN L MOSCOW WYMAN L MOSCOW WYMAN L MOSCOW WYMAN L MOXIE GORE FISH P NEW PORTLAND CARRABASSETT R NEW PORTLAND CARRABASSETT R NEW PORTLAND CARRABASSETT R NEW PORTLAND CARRABASSETT R NEW PORTLAND CARRABASSETT R NEW PORTLAND CARRABASSETT R NORRIDGEWOCK SANDY R PARLIN POND TWP PARADISE P (UPPER) PARLIN POND TWP PARLIN P PARLIN POND TWP SMITH P PIERCE POND TWP BASIN P PIERCE POND TWP HORSESHOE P PIERCE POND TWP KILGORE P PIERCE POND TWP KILGORE P (UPPER) PIERCE POND TWP PIERCE P PITTSFIELD SEBASTICOOK R PITTSFIELD SEBASTICOOK R PITTSFIELD SEBASTICOOK R PLEASANT RIDGE PLT BEAN P PLEASANT RIDGE PLT LOST P PLEASANT RIDGE PLT ROWE P PRENTISS TWP T4 R4 N CLEARWATER P ROCKWOOD STRIP T1 R MOOSEHEAD L

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QTY.

SIZE (IN.) DATE

BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON SPLAKE BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON SPLAKE SPLAKE BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT RAINBOW TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON

550 1250 1000 750 100 100 23 550 750 300 10 100 250 700 250 650 70 65 65 200 200 200 150 150 100 250 2000 150 1000 300 100 200 800 250 250 150 250 500 1000 375 500 1000 250 500 250 500 200 100 50 2000 700 2000 300 250 1000 1000 75 23 100 550 2200 70 1400 575 425 400 3500 500 1500 500 1000 1000 750 300 350 300 75 75 400 1000 75 2700 650 1750 100 500 200 900 100 500 250 1000 750 1000 120 1500

7 7 10 13 13 12 17 9 8 13 18 12 10 9 8 9 10 10 10 13 10 10 9 9 14 7 12 7 7 7 10 10 11 10 13 11 10 8 10 8 10 7 10 10 10 10 13 10 8 7 10 10 10 8 13 13 13 17 12 9 10 18 7 8 7 10 7 7 13 13 10 13 7 10 8 10 13 13 9 8 7 10 7 7 10 10 7 8 13 10 10 7 7 10 7 8

ROCKWOOD STRIP T2 R ROCKWOOD STRIP T2 R SAINT ALBANS SAINT ALBANS SANDWICH ACADEMY G SANDWICH ACADEMY G SANDWICH ACADEMY G SAPLING TWP SAPLING TWP SKOWHEGAN SKOWHEGAN SKOWHEGAN SMITHFIELD SMITHFIELD SOLON SOLON SOLON SOLON SOLON SOLON SOLON SOLON SOLON SOLON SQUARETOWN TWP SQUARETOWN TWP T3 R4 BKP WKR T3 R4 BKP WKR T3 R4 BKP WKR T3 R4 BKP WKR T3 R4 BKP WKR T3 R4 BKP WKR T3 R5 BKP WKR TAUNTON & RAYNHAM A TAUNTON & RAYNHAM A TAUNTON & RAYNHAM A TAUNTON & RAYNHAM A TAUNTON & RAYNHAM A TAUNTON & RAYNHAM A TAUNTON & RAYNHAM A TAUNTON & RAYNHAM A TAUNTON & RAYNHAM A THE FORKS PLT THE FORKS PLT THE FORKS PLT THE FORKS PLT THE FORKS PLT THORNDIKE TWP THORNDIKE TWP TOMHEGAN TWP

DEMO P RODERIQUE P INDIAN P (BIG) INDIAN STREAM MOOSE R OTTER P OTTER P (LITTLE) KENNEBEC R KENNEBEC R HIGHT P HIGHT P KENNEBEC R EAST P EAST P BAKER P BAKER P KENNEBEC R KENNEBEC R KENNEBEC R KENNEBEC R WENTWORTH P WENTWORTH P WENTWORTH P WENTWORTH P INDIAN P (LITTLE) KNIGHTS P DEAD R DEAD R DEAD R DEAD R SPRING L SPRING L BILL MORRIS P BRASSUA L LONG P LONG P WEST OUTLET (MOOSEHEAD L) WEST OUTLET (MOOSEHEAD L) WEST OUTLET (MOOSEHEAD L) WEST OUTLET (MOOSEHEAD L) WEST OUTLET (MOOSEHEAD L) WEST OUTLET (MOOSEHEAD L) LONG (MARTIN) P MOSQUITO P MOXIE P MOXIE P MOXIE P FISH P LUTHER P BAKER P

BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT SPLAKE BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT

3800 450 500 500 50 475 200 1500 825 200 200 2000 350 800 400 100 200 500 750 700 400 450 16 450 1250 400 1000 250 100 100 1000 350 500 500 1800 100 600 600 600 250 400 500 500 3000 500 2200 300 3050 1500 750

7 7 13 10 8 7 7 10 14 10 10 9 13 11 10 13 10 13 9 12 10 13 18 14 8 10 10 13 8 14 10 13 7 8 10 8 10 10 10 10 14 8 10 7 10 10 10 7 7 10

10/5/2016 10/5/2016 11/3/2016 4/12/2016 5/11/2016 10/5/2016 10/5/2016 5/18/2016 10/26/2016 4/6/2016 4/29/2016 5/11/2016 11/7/2016 10/9/2016 5/19/2016 10/11/2016 6/27/2016 10/7/2016 5/4/2016 10/13/2016 4/25/2016 10/7/2016 11/23/2016 10/26/2016 10/25/2016 5/16/2016 4/22/2016 10/25/2016 5/9/2016 10/25/2016 5/26/2016 10/24/2016 10/4/2016 5/2/2016 5/11/2016 5/2/2016 4/19/2016 5/2/2016 5/18/2016 6/8/2016 10/26/2016 5/2/2016 4/26/2016 10/4/2016 5/16/2016 5/26/2016 6/2/2016 10/5/2016 10/5/2016 5/18/2016

BROOKS BROOKS BROOKS BURNHAM KNOX KNOX KNOX KNOX KNOX KNOX LIBERTY LIBERTY LIBERTY LINCOLNVILLE LINCOLNVILLE LINCOLNVILLE LINCOLNVILLE LINCOLNVILLE LINCOLNVILLE LINCOLNVILLE PALERMO PALERMO PALERMO PALERMO PROSPECT PROSPECT PROSPECT SEARSMONT SEARSMONT SEARSMONT SEARSMONT SEARSMONT SEARSMONT SEARSMONT SEARSMONT SEARSMONT SEARSMONT SWANVILLE SWANVILLE SWANVILLE SWANVILLE UNITY UNITY

SANBORN P SANBORN P SANBORN P SEBASTICOOK R DUTTON P DUTTON P DUTTON P DUTTON P DUTTON P MIXER P SAINT GEORGE L SAINT GEORGE L SAINT GEORGE L MEGUNTICOOK L MEGUNTICOOK L MEGUNTICOOK L MOODY P MOODY P NORTON P NORTON P BOWLER (BELTON) P SHEEPSCOT P SHEEPSCOT P SHEEPSCOT P HALFMOON P HALFMOON P HALFMOON P LEVENSELLER P LEVENSELLER P LEVENSELLER P LEVENSELLER P LEVENSELLER P QUANTABACOOK L QUANTABACOOK L SAINT GEORGE R SAINT GEORGE R SAINT GEORGE R GOOSE RIVER GOOSE RIVER SWAN L SWAN L SANDY STREAM SANDY STREAM

500 200 100 250 100 350 250 20 50 150 700 2000 1000 700 200 300 250 200 450 100 400 1000 1000 550 500 300 20 100 400 250 25 500 450 400 450 200 500 300 500 500 500 100 500

10 14 12 10 10 7 14 18 12 10 10 5 8 9 12 16 10 14 14 12 10 10 10 13 10 14 18 10 9 14 18 8 14 12 10 13 9 10 8 10 14 13 10

4/8/2016 11/1/2016 11/1/2016 4/14/2016 4/8/2016 10/26/2016 11/1/2016 11/16/2016 11/1/2016 4/8/2016 4/8/2016 10/26/2016 5/18/2016 4/28/2016 10/21/2016 10/20/2016 4/19/2016 11/4/2016 11/8/2016 11/17/2016 4/1/2016 4/1/2016 5/3/2016 11/17/2016 4/11/2016 11/1/2016 11/18/2016 4/19/2016 10/26/2016 11/8/2016 11/16/2016 12/1/2016 11/8/2016 11/17/2016 4/12/2016 3/31/2016 4/28/2016 4/11/2016 12/1/2016 4/11/2016 11/1/2016 4/1/2016 4/25/2016

10/5/2016 10/4/2016 4/25/2016 10/7/2016 11/8/2016 11/30/2016 11/30/2016 12/6/2016 5/2/2016 10/17/2016 11/23/2016 11/30/2016 6/8/2016 6/14/2016 6/1/2016 5/4/2016 4/15/2016 4/29/2016 5/27/2016 10/27/2016 6/13/2016 4/22/2016 4/26/2016 5/10/2016 10/27/2016 10/27/2016 10/27/2016 10/5/2016 10/20/2016 10/5/2016 5/4/2016 4/12/2016 9/29/2016 4/12/2016 11/3/2016 9/29/2016 5/25/2016 5/25/2016 5/20/2016 5/20/2016 5/20/2016 10/20/2016 4/26/2016 5/12/2016 4/26/2016 5/12/2016 10/17/2016 4/29/2016 5/9/2016 10/4/2016 5/12/2016 5/25/2016 6/2/2016 5/9/2016 10/18/2016 10/26/2016 11/15/2016 11/30/2016 11/30/2016 12/6/2016 6/14/2016 10/17/2016 10/4/2016 10/25/2016 10/5/2016 5/20/2016 10/18/2016 11/30/2016 10/3/2016 10/3/2016 4/20/2016 10/19/2016 10/4/2016 4/14/2016 5/9/2016 5/25/2016 10/24/2016 10/24/2016 5/17/2016 4/25/2016 10/5/2016 5/4/2016 10/5/2016 10/4/2016 5/19/2016 5/19/2016 10/4/2016 5/19/2016 4/14/2016 4/14/2016 4/25/2016 10/4/2016 10/4/2016 5/13/2016 10/5/2016 5/2/2016

WALDO BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT RAINBOW TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT

www.MaineSportsman.com

30 • April 2017 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Maine Fish Stocking Report CITY/TOWN

WATER

SPECIES

QTY.

SIZE (IN.) DATE

WASHINGTON ALEXANDER BAILEYVILLE BEDDINGTON BEDDINGTON BEDDINGTON CALAIS CALAIS CALAIS CALAIS CALAIS CHARLOTTE CHARLOTTE CHARLOTTE CHARLOTTE CHARLOTTE CHARLOTTE CHERRYFIELD CHERRYFIELD CHERRYFIELD CHERRYFIELD COLUMBIA COLUMBIA COLUMBIA COOPER COOPER CUTLER CUTLER DANFORTH DANFORTH DANFORTH DANFORTH DANFORTH DANFORTH DANFORTH DEBLOIS DEBLOIS DEBLOIS DEBLOIS DEBLOIS DEBLOIS DEBLOIS DEVEREAUX TWP DEVEREAUX TWP EAST MACHIAS EDMUNDS TWP FOREST CITY TWP FOREST CITY TWP FOREST CITY TWP GRAND LAKE STREAM P GRAND LAKE STREAM P GRAND LAKE STREAM P GRAND LAKE STREAM P INDIAN TWP RES KOSSUTH TWP KOSSUTH TWP KOSSUTH TWP KOSSUTH TWP LAMBERT LAKE TWP LAMBERT LAKE TWP MARION TWP MARSHFIELD MARSHFIELD MARSHFIELD MARSHFIELD MARSHFIELD MARSHFIELD MARSHFIELD NO 14 TWP CATHANCE NORTHFIELD NORTHFIELD NORTHFIELD PERRY ROBBINSTON ROBBINSTON ROBBINSTON ROBBINSTON ROQUE BLUFFS ROQUE BLUFFS T18 MD BPP T18 MD BPP T18 MD BPP T19 ED BPP T19 MD BPP T19 MD BPP T26 ED BPP T26 ED BPP T30 MD BPP T30 MD BPP T31 MD BPP - DAY BLOC T31 MD BPP - DAY BLOC T37 MD BPP T43 MD BPP T43 MD BPP T6 ND BPP

PLEASANT L L.L. SALMON MEDDYBEMPS L L.L. SALMON PLEASANT RIVER L L.L. SALMON PLEASANT RIVER L SPLAKE SOUTHWEST P SPLAKE CLARK B (MAGURREWOCK S) BROOK TROUT KEENE L BROOK TROUT KEENE L BROOK TROUT NASHS L L.L. SALMON NASHS L L.L. SALMON JAMES P BROOK TROUT LEDGE (BALD LEDGE) P BROOK TROUT PENNAMAQUAN L BROWN TROUT PENNAMAQUAN L BROWN TROUT ROUND L BROWN TROUT ROUND L BROWN TROUT SCHOODIC L BROOK TROUT SCHOODIC L BROOK TROUT SCHOODIC L BROOK TROUT SCHOODIC L L.L. SALMON MEYERS P (NORTH) BROOK TROUT MEYERS P (NORTH) BROOK TROUT MEYERS P (SOUTH) BROOK TROUT VINING L BROOK TROUT VINING L BROOK TROUT ACKLEY P BROOK TROUT NORSE P BROOK TROUT GRAND L (EAST) BROOK TROUT GRAND L (EAST) BROOK TROUT GRAND L (EAST) BROOK TROUT GRAND L (EAST) BROOK TROUT GRAND L (EAST) BROOK TROUT GRAND L (EAST) L.L. SALMON GREENLAND P (LITTLE) BROOK TROUT FOXHOLE P BROOK TROUT FOXHOLE P BROOK TROUT FOXHOLE P BROOK TROUT FOXHOLE P BROOK TROUT MIC-MAC P BROOK TROUT PINEO P BROOK TROUT SPECTACLE P (EAST) BROOK TROUT MOPANG L L.L. SALMON MOPANG L SPLAKE GARDNER L L.L. SALMON COBSCOOK BAY STATE PARK P BROOK TROUT GRAND L (EAST) BROOK TROUT SPEDNIC L L.L. SALMON TOMAH L BROOK TROUT BIG L L.L. SALMON GRAND LAKE STREAM BROOK TROUT GRAND LAKE STREAM CANAL BROOK TROUT GRAND LAKE STREAM CANAL BROOK TROUT GEORGE BROOK BROOK TROUT PLEASANT L BROOK TROUT PLEASANT L BROOK TROUT PLEASANT L BROOK TROUT PLEASANT L L.L. SALMON LAMBERT L BROOK TROUT LAMBERT L L.L. SALMON LONG L SPLAKE KEELEY L BROOK TROUT KEELEY L BROOK TROUT KEELEY L SPLAKE MIDDLE R BROOK TROUT SIX MILE L BROOK TROUT SIX MILE L BROOK TROUT SIX MILE L BROOK TROUT

175 600 25 700 125 150 4000 150 450 25 1250 675 605 605 280 280 1000 400 50 275 150 300 100 850 50 400 350 1000 2000 700 200 400 2350 300 150 250 75 15 1000 300 200 300 600 1500 400 1000 1500 330 1500 400 400 40 220 1200 20 100 700 1000 350 200 1000 100 100 450 300 60 1950

8 8 16 10 10 10 7 13 8 16 7 7 12 12 12 12 10 14 17 8 10 8 10 7 13 7 7 10 10 10 11 13 8 11 10 8 13 17 8 8 8 13 10 8 10 10 8 7 7 10 10 11 11 10 11 11 8 7 8 10 7 13 10 10 10 14 7

5/10/2016 5/10/2016 12/7/2016 5/5/2016 4/28/2016 4/20/2016 10/13/2016 10/27/2016 5/10/2016 12/7/2016 10/11/2016 10/11/2016 9/29/2016 9/29/2016 9/29/2016 9/29/2016 4/21/2016 10/21/2016 11/18/2016 5/11/2016 4/21/2016 10/25/2016 4/21/2016 10/11/2016 10/27/2016 10/11/2016 10/11/2016 4/1/2016 4/28/2016 5/5/2016 5/26/2016 10/14/2016 5/4/2016 5/23/2016 4/21/2016 10/25/2016 10/25/2016 11/18/2016 10/25/2016 10/25/2016 10/25/2016 10/13/2016 5/5/2016 5/10/2016 4/20/2016 5/4/2016 5/4/2016 5/23/2016 4/25/2016 4/20/2016 4/26/2016 5/26/2016 5/23/2016 4/27/2016 5/25/2016 5/26/2016 5/3/2016 10/19/2016 5/23/2016 5/23/2016 10/17/2016 11/3/2016 5/5/2016 4/21/2016 4/27/2016 10/13/2016 10/17/2016

CATHANCE L

L.L. SALMON

850

8

5/10/2016

BOG L BOG L PEAKED MOUNTAIN P BOYDEN L GOULDING L GOULDING L MONEYMAKER L SHATTUCK L SIMPSON P SIMPSON P PIKE BROOK P (EAST) PIKE BROOK P (WEST) PIKE BROOK P (WEST) LOVE L MONTEGAIL P MONTEGAIL P HOSEA PUG L PENMAN P PEEP L SALMON P BERRYPATCH P BERRYPATCH P SECOND L (OLD STREAM) MONROE L MONROE P (EAST) GRAND L (WEST)

BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON SPLAKE L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT SPLAKE BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT SPLAKE BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON

50 400 450 300 50 1210 880 125 300 50 475 1200 75 200 175 2500 150 50 1300 400 250 25 350 3150 500 10000

17 13 10 13 13 6 7 10 10 12 8 8 13 13 13 8 10 13 8 8 8 13 10 8 7 8

11/18/2016 10/13/2016 5/23/2016 10/13/2016 10/27/2016 11/9/2016 11/9/2016 4/27/2016 4/27/2016 10/13/2016 10/25/2016 10/25/2016 10/25/2016 10/13/2016 10/21/2016 10/21/2016 4/28/2016 10/26/2016 10/26/2016 10/26/2016 10/26/2016 10/26/2016 4/28/2016 10/14/2016 10/11/2016 5/19/2016

www.MaineSportsman.com

CITY/TOWN

WATER

SPECIES

QTY.

SIZE (IN.) DATE

T6 ND BPP T6 R1 NBPP TOPSFIELD TOPSFIELD TOPSFIELD TOPSFIELD TOPSFIELD TOPSFIELD TOPSFIELD TOPSFIELD TRESCOTT TWP TRESCOTT TWP TRESCOTT TWP VANCEBORO WHITING WHITING WHITING WHITING

POCUMCUS L PORK BARREL L FARROW L FARROW L FARROW L MUSQUASH L (EAST) MUSQUASH L (EAST) MUSQUASH L (EAST) MUSQUASH L (EAST) MUSQUASH L (EAST) LILY L LILY L LILY L SPEDNIC L INDIAN L INDIAN L INDIAN L INDIAN L

L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT

800 650 1200 120 784 1200 120 750 694 350 150 900 1100 1350 600 5750 200 35

8 7 11 11 10 10 11 11 5 8 10 11 8 8 10 7 13 17

5/19/2016 10/11/2016 5/17/2016 5/26/2016 6/1/2016 4/26/2016 5/26/2016 6/1/2016 10/21/2016 5/5/2016 4/20/2016 6/1/2016 10/27/2016 5/3/2016 4/20/2016 10/6/2016 10/27/2016 11/18/2016

ACTON ACTON ACTON ACTON ACTON ACTON ACTON ACTON ACTON ACTON ACTON ACTON ACTON BERWICK BERWICK BERWICK BERWICK BERWICK BERWICK BERWICK BIDDEFORD BIDDEFORD BIDDEFORD BIDDEFORD BUXTON BUXTON BUXTON BUXTON BUXTON BUXTON BUXTON DAYTON DAYTON DAYTON DAYTON DAYTON DAYTON DAYTON DAYTON DAYTON ELIOT ELIOT ELIOT HOLLIS HOLLIS HOLLIS HOLLIS HOLLIS KENNEBUNK KENNEBUNK KENNEBUNK KENNEBUNK KENNEBUNK KENNEBUNK KENNEBUNK KENNEBUNK KENNEBUNK KENNEBUNK KENNEBUNK KENNEBUNK KENNEBUNKPORT KENNEBUNKPORT KITTERY LEBANON LEBANON LEBANON LEBANON LEBANON LIMERICK LIMERICK LIMERICK LIMERICK LIMERICK LIMERICK LIMINGTON LIMINGTON LIMINGTON

MOOSE P MOOSE P MOUSAM L MOUSAM L MOUSAM L MOUSAM L MOUSAM L MOUSAM L SQUARE P WILSON L WILSON L WILSON L WILSON L KEAY B LITTLE R LITTLE R LITTLE R MATHEW'S MILL P WORSTER B WORSTER B THACHER B WILCOX P WILCOX P WILCOX P LITTLE R SACO R SACO R SACO R SACO R SACO R SACO R COOKS B COOKS B SACO R SACO R SACO R SACO R SACO R SWAN POND B SWAN POND B YORK P YORK R YORK R DEER P DEER P DEER P TOWN OFFICE (MEMORIAL) P TOWN OFFICE (MEMORIAL) P ALEWIFE P ALEWIFE P KENNEBUNK R KENNEBUNK R KENNEBUNK R MOUSAM R MOUSAM R MOUSAM R MOUSAM R MOUSAM R WARD B WARD B BATSON R GOFF MILL B KITTERY CLUB P GREAT B GREAT B LITTLE R LITTLE R LITTLE R BROWN B LEAVITT B LEAVITT B OSSIPEE R (LITTLE) OSSIPEE R (LITTLE) OSSIPEE R (LITTLE) HORNE (PEQUAWKET) P HORNE (PEQUAWKET) P HORNE (PEQUAWKET) P

55 50 395 20 585 585 200 50 500 265 15 25 300 230 350 580 400 230 230 230 115 230 115 115 1095 781 55 105 250 400 100 230 222 230 223 155 200 500 345 333 210 30 200 105 600 100 115 115 55 10 580 580 800 350 105 500 1200 50 175 168 230 350 115 115 115 115 405 700 200 115 111 320 309 600 100 460 55

13 12 13 14 10 10 8 24 12 13 14 18 12 10 10 10 8 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 13 13 8 12 12 10 10 10 10 13 9 12 10 10 13 10 10 13 9 12 10 10 13 14 10 10 8 10 13 8 9 18 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 8 8 10 10 10 10 8 14 10 13

10/20/2016 11/3/2016 10/20/2016 11/17/2016 6/13/2016 6/13/2016 6/9/2016 6/9/2016 10/5/2016 10/20/2016 11/17/2016 10/14/2016 10/14/2016 5/11/2016 4/20/2016 5/11/2016 5/4/2016 4/13/2016 4/20/2016 5/11/2016 5/5/2016 4/11/2016 5/5/2016 5/20/2016 5/10/2016 5/17/2016 9/30/2016 10/31/2016 5/2/2016 10/11/2016 10/26/2016 4/19/2016 5/17/2016 4/28/2016 5/17/2016 9/30/2016 4/27/2016 10/11/2016 4/19/2016 5/17/2016 12/9/2016 5/12/2016 5/12/2016 10/24/2016 10/24/2016 10/5/2016 4/11/2016 5/20/2016 10/24/2016 11/17/2016 4/19/2016 5/10/2016 5/4/2016 5/12/2016 10/31/2016 4/25/2016 6/13/2016 10/26/2016 4/19/2016 5/17/2016 5/10/2016 5/10/2016 5/11/2016 4/20/2016 5/11/2016 4/20/2016 5/11/2016 5/4/2016 4/25/2016 4/11/2016 5/17/2016 4/28/2016 5/17/2016 4/25/2016 1/27/2016 4/12/2016 10/21/2016

YORK BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT L.L. SALMON L.L. SALMON BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT

—

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————— The Maine Sportsman • April 2017 • 31

Maine Fish Stocking Report CITY/TOWN

WATER

LIMINGTON HORNE (PEQUAWKET) P LIMINGTON HORNE (PEQUAWKET) P LIMINGTON SACO R LYMAN KENNEBUNK P LYMAN KENNEBUNK P LYMAN KENNEBUNK P LYMAN KENNEBUNK P LYMAN KENNEBUNK P LYMAN PARKER (BARKER) P LYMAN PARKER (BARKER) P LYMAN PARKER (BARKER) P LYMAN PARKER (BARKER) P LYMAN PARKER (BARKER) P LYMAN ROUND P LYMAN ROUND P LYMAN ROUND P LYMAN ROUND P LYMAN ROUND P NEWFIELD ADAMS P (ROCK HAVEN) NEWFIELD OSSIPEE R (LITTLE) NEWFIELD OSSIPEE R (LITTLE) NEWFIELD OSSIPEE R (LITTLE) NEWFIELD SYMMES P NEWFIELD SYMMES P NORTH BERWICK GREAT WORKS R NORTH BERWICK GREAT WORKS R NORTH BERWICK GREAT WORKS R NORTH BERWICK GREAT WORKS R NORTH BERWICK GREAT WORKS R NORTH BERWICK NEOUTAQUET R NORTH BERWICK NEOUTAQUET R OLD ORCHARD BEACH MILLIKEN MILLS P PARSONSFIELD LONG P PARSONSFIELD LONG P PARSONSFIELD LONG P PARSONSFIELD PENDEXTER B PARSONSFIELD SOUTH R PARSONSFIELD SOUTH R PARSONSFIELD SOUTH R SACO CASCADE FALLS B SACO NONESUCH R SANFORD GREAT WORKS R SANFORD GREAT WORKS R SANFORD LITTLEFIELD P SANFORD LITTLEFIELD P SANFORD LITTLEFIELD P SANFORD LITTLEFIELD P SANFORD LITTLEFIELD P SANFORD MOUSAM R SANFORD MOUSAM R SANFORD MOUSAM R SANFORD MOUSAM R SANFORD MOUSAM R SANFORD MOUSAM R SHAPLEIGH MOUSAM R SHAPLEIGH MOUSAM R SHAPLEIGH MOUSAM R SHAPLEIGH MOUSAM R SHAPLEIGH MOUSAM R SHAPLEIGH OSSIPEE R (LITTLE) SHAPLEIGH OSSIPEE R (LITTLE) SHAPLEIGH OSSIPEE R (LITTLE) SHAPLEIGH OSSIPEE R (LITTLE) SOUTH BERWICK GREAT WORKS R SOUTH BERWICK GREAT WORKS R SOUTH BERWICK GREAT WORKS R SOUTH BERWICK GREAT WORKS R SOUTH BERWICK KNIGHT P SOUTH BERWICK KNIGHT P SOUTH BERWICK KNIGHT P SOUTH BERWICK KNIGHT P SOUTH BERWICK LEIGH'S MILL P SOUTH BERWICK WARREN P WATERBORO ISINGLASS P WATERBORO OSSIPEE L (LITTLE) WATERBORO OSSIPEE L (LITTLE) WATERBORO OSSIPEE L (LITTLE) WATERBORO OSSIPEE L (LITTLE) WATERBORO OSSIPEE L (LITTLE) WATERBORO OSSIPEE L (LITTLE) WELLS ELL (L) P WELLS GREEN B WELLS MERRILAND R WELLS MERRILAND R WELLS MERRILAND R WELLS OGUNQUIT R WELLS OGUNQUIT R WELLS OGUNQUIT R WELLS OGUNQUIT R WELLS OGUNQUIT R WELLS STEVENS B WELLS WEST B YORK CAPE NEDDICK R YORK JOSIAS R YORK JOSIAS R YORK SMELT B YORK SMELT B YORK UNNAMED B

SPECIES

QTY.

SIZE (IN.) DATE

BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT RAINBOW TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT RAINBOW TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT L.L. SALMON L.L. SALMON L.L. SALMON RAINBOW TROUT RAINBOW TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROWN TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT BROOK TROUT

150 50 300 575 315 15 150 176 750 105 100 500 15 115 112 300 55 50 260 115 111 350 105 15 465 465 193 600 800 290 350 230 265 14 300 175 175 24 145 230 115 230 222 350 80 550 50 500 15 390 333 165 900 40 175 111 55 300 20 100 15 111 700 115 111 200 300 175 800 210 15 175 308 230 420 25 200 20 50 2464 264 115 350 350 1150 345 345 600 400 20 800 170 230 255 15 15 100 115

12 18 8 10 13 14 12 15 9 13 12 7 14 10 10 9 13 12 13 10 10 8 13 14 10 10 10 9 8 10 10 10 13 17 12 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 11 13 9 12 7 10 10 10 13 8 18 10 10 13 8 18 10 10 10 8 10 10 9 8 10 9 13 17 10 9 10 13 14 8 24 20 9 15 10 10 10 8 10 10 8 12 18 12 10 10 10 10 10 10 10

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10/11/2016 10/13/2016 5/2/2016 4/12/2016 10/24/2016 11/17/2016 10/13/2016 10/18/2016 10/24/2016 10/24/2016 11/3/2016 11/17/2016 11/17/2016 4/11/2016 5/17/2016 10/24/2016 10/24/2016 11/3/2016 10/21/2016 4/28/2016 5/17/2016 4/25/2016 10/21/2016 11/17/2016 4/19/2016 5/11/2016 6/10/2016 4/27/2016 5/4/2016 4/20/2016 5/11/2016 5/12/2016 10/20/2016 12/8/2016 10/13/2016 5/9/2016 4/28/2016 5/17/2016 5/17/2016 5/12/2016 5/5/2016 4/19/2016 5/17/2016 4/13/2016 10/20/2016 10/20/2016 11/3/2016 11/17/2016 4/28/2016 4/28/2016 5/17/2016 10/31/2016 4/25/2016 10/26/2016 4/28/2016 5/17/2016 10/31/2016 4/25/2016 10/26/2016 4/28/2016 4/28/2016 5/17/2016 4/25/2016 4/19/2016 5/17/2016 4/27/2016 5/4/2016 4/13/2016 12/9/2016 12/9/2016 12/9/2016 5/12/2016 5/9/2016 4/13/2016 10/21/2016 11/17/2016 6/9/2016 6/9/2016 6/23/2016 5/31/2016 10/25/2016 5/10/2016 4/19/2016 5/10/2016 4/21/2016 4/19/2016 5/10/2016 4/21/2016 10/13/2016 10/13/2016 10/13/2016 5/17/2016 5/12/2016 5/12/2016 5/12/2016 5/12/2016 5/12/2016 5/12/2016

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32 • April 2017 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Memorable Opening Days The first of April is the traditional opening day for fly fishing in Maine, although many waters are now open all year, particularly in the southern and eastern parts of the state. Many Mainers don’t actually cast a line at the beginning of April anyway – most of Maine is still locked up in ice and snow.

I am sure you have heard the old joke about April fly fishing in Maine – you have to be a really accurate caster to land a fly in a small hole augured into the ice!

It hard for me to believe that I have seen 35 fly-fishing opening days

come and go. The exact dates of mine have varied from April 1st to early May, depending on the weather and what kidssports commitments I had. Most weren’t particularly exciting and could be summarized in one short statement: “Got cold and wet; no fish; went home.” But a few stand out as memorable.

Rainbow Trout Just last year, my fellow columnist Dave Van Wie and I took our first trip of year to fish the Little Androscoggin River, right by Route 26. It was a little late for an opening day excursion – late April

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– but I had been working almost around-the-clock to finish the last edits and layouts for my latest book, Fly Fishers Guide to New England.

I enjoy fishing the Little Andro at the beginning of the season because it’s one of just a few Maine rivers that are stocked with rainbow trout. Dave thinks I am a little silly because he would much rather come up to Rangeley and catch wild landlocked salmon.

But I guide and fish up there every summer and see plenty of salmon, so I enjoy catching different trout species once in a while.

When we arrived, we spotted an angler netting a rainbow trout. Dave also started catching rainbows almost immediately by casting a small streamer, but not me – I was nymphing, and getting skunked.

Finally, out of frustration, I muttered, “How can there be hundreds of rainbows in this pool, and despite my changing fly patterns continuously,

Fish on, at the Little Androscoggin River. Lou Zambello photo

I’m not even getting one strike?”

I changed to a marabou streamer and tried the faster water by the dam. On the first cast, a powerful fish took my fly. A holdover brown? A good-sized smallmouth bass? Dave and I were quite surprised when I finally netted a 3-pound landlocked salmon, apparently a drop-down from an upstream lake.

What are the odds?

I guess the fishing gods just want me to catch landlocks. Not the worst fate.

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Ice Out Three years ago, opening day was impacted by the warmest winter of my lifetime. Some lakes in Maine didn’t freeze over all winter, and iceout was the earliest ever across most of the state.

I was at Kennebago Lake checking on my camp in mid-April, when to my surprise the ice went out – 5 days earlier than any time in recorded history.

I jumped into my canoe with a fly rod, put on a Wood Special pattern and started casting.

The water temperature couldn’t have been above 40 degrees, and a cold wind was blowing. Not surprisingly, I had the lake to myself.

After an hour without a strike, I was ready to quit when a 12-inch brookie sluggishly took my fly. As I hoisted the fish aboard, it seemed to have a surprised look on its face that probably matched mine.

I believe it’s possible this trout was the earliest trout ever caught fishing on Kennebago Lake – ever, going back hundreds of years – unless native Americans or early American anglers ice-fished.

(Continued on next page)

—

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————— The Maine Sportsman • April 2017 • 33 (Continued from page 32)

Father – Son My favorite opening day memory was a trip to my local stream, Collyer Brook (in Gray), some 18 years ago with my son, Gwynn, who was 3 years old at the time.

Collyer is a frequent opening day destination because it’s a small stream that warms up quickly and is stocked relatively early. This day was the first time my son was old enough to walk along a stream with me unassisted and willing to try this adventure. Of course, I had also promised him that when the day was done, we could eat out together at Cole Farms, enjoying his favorite fried chicken.

I have to say I was excited to be on my first father-son fishing trip.

It was a typical late-afternoon April day, with cloudy skies, a good breeze and temps in the 40s. I noticed that my son’s cheeks quickly reddened.

No one else was fishing and the stream looked dead, so I figured no stocking had yet taken place. But it was fun to flip the line out and test my favorite pools. My young son was content to explore streamside.

We arrived at the last pool on this particular stretch of stream and I got ready to call it quits.

I’d wanted to catch a fish so my son could see what fishing was all, about but it didn’t seem like it was in the cards.

Then my son said eagerly, “Dad, I see a fish at the bottom of this pool!”

I knew it was impossible to see to the bottom, but I liked his earnest enthusiasm. So I cast where he pointed, gave a few strips of my mini-muddler wet fly, and was shocked to feel a solid take.

After a few breathless moments, I netted a chucky holdover brook trout – as shiny as a new quarter, but with prominent red spots with a blue halo. Gwynn was very excited, but not more than I

was.

As we walked to the car, ready for a warm meal, just looking at his proud face (he had spotted the fish, after all) caused me to get a tear

in my eye, just as I am tearing up now as I write about it. That day was the first of many days exploring the outdoors and fly fishing with my son – all of them special to me.

It’s Great

Opening day isn’t about fishing really – it’s about sharing a passion with a good friend or a loved one for yet another year.

¶

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34 • April 2017 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Early-Season Trolling Tips That Put Trout in the Net Tungsten-based “nymphing mud,” held in place on your line by a strategically-arranged swivel, will help get your lure down to slow-moving trout.

Wherever in Maine anglers can find open water this April, they will begin trolling for trout and salmon. But early-season trolling comes with a slightly different set of requirements than those employed later.

Specifically, while salmon remain near top and willingly smash a trolled streamer fly or a live smelt, trout require a slow and methodical approach. Both species, though share one thing in common – they bite best on large offerings.

The reason for this has to do with the average size of smelt. Late last summer and into early fall, smelt-of-theyear, which are quite short, outnumbered larger, adult smelt. But now these same fish have grown to maturity. Consequently, the inch-long offerings of the late summer season no longer “match the hatch,” as it were.

Instead, fish now target spawning smelt, and these are best matched with full-sized lures. In order to really get specific, try to locate a dead smelt left behind from the previous night’s spawning run. Then, match your

lure size to it and prepare for action. Barring that, pick up a few smelt from a local dealer and match your lure’s size to them.

Slo-Mo When trolling with lures, slow motion is your key to success. Lethargic because of cold water (water on newly ice-free ponds is just slightly colder than water beneath the winter’s ice pack), trout simply don’t have a burning desire to chase and attack what they perceive to be a live smelt.

But they will condescend to bite a slowly-fished artificial that passes within their circle of movement.

Acting upon this simple bit of knowledge can put fish in the net, while ignoring it usually leads to a fishless outing. So again, just to clarify my point, salmon now stay near to the surface because that’s where they find smelt. And since smelt can swim quite fast, salmon are quick to seize a fast-trolled streamer fly. Trout, on the other hand, remain near bottom and won’t go far out of their way to take a lure.

Fishing slowly near bottom requires that the

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angler pay close attention to what is going on down below. This kind of trolling dictates that every once in a while, a lure will get hung on bottom.

That’s the price we must pay to take trout from the ice-cold water of very early spring.

In fact, if the lure doesn’t at least bump bottom occasionally, it means it is riding too high, and the cure for that is to decrease boat speed.

Slower speed allows the lure to sink deeper.

But can we accomplish this slow and deliberate task with standard spinning tackle? Probably not – at least without some modification to the terminal setup.

A standard spinning line won’t allow the lure to sink deep enough without weight. But by adding weight and trolling at a crawl, the lure will go down where it can entice trout.

However, most of the new, nontoxic sinkers are nowhere near heavy enough to achieve our goal. But so-called “nymphing mud,” a tungsten-based, clay-like substance, has a heavier specific gravity than an equal amount of lead.

However, it is near impossible to keep a blob of nymphing mud from sliding down the slippery monofilament line and stopping at the lure, thus impeding the lure’s action. To counteract this, tie a small barrel swivel to the line.

Do this by cutting an 18-inch length of line

Tom holds brown and brook trout taken in early April.

The brown was anadromous, having escaped from an upstream pond in fall, migrated to sea and returned to the stream in April.

and tying a swivel to one end. Then tie the other end of the swivel to the line from your rod. Attach the leader to your lure, and squeeze a dab of nymphing mud on the line just above the swivel.

The mud will slide down the line only as far as the swivel, which will impede any farther downward progress.

No Holders In most cases, rather than using spinning gear, early-season trollers employ fly rods and sinking lines. Since fish are usually in no more than 12-15 feet of water, a slowly-trolled sinking fly line will take the lure down near bottom. Also, a downrigger rod rigged with lead-core line does a good job as well. Strikes now are so light that downriggers aren’t a viable choice, since fish won’t trip the downrigger.

But no matter what type of rod, reel and line we use, it is imperative that we hold the rod in our hands. During this relatively short season

when slow and deep holds reign, we need to have everything in our favor in order to detect a bite.

Later, come May, trout will slash lures as if their lives depended upon it. But now, a fish may take a lure in the gentlest manner. And if we don’t set the hook, and set it hard, the trout will spit out the lure as fast as it took it.

Rod holders, handy items when trolling with two rods later in spring, are not useful now. In fact, many a trout has gained its freedom because the angler placed the rod in a rod holder rather than holding it by hand.

This point was driven home to me many years ago on a perfectly still, late April day. Trolling at a snail’s pace on a small pond known for its big brown trout, I placed my rod in a rod holder, as was my usual practice. A fish hit that bent the rod into a pretzel. I grabbed the rod from the holder, (Continued on page 36)

—

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————— The Maine Sportsman • April 2017 • 35

Groundfish Regs Tighten; Striper Rules May Be Relaxed There’s never a dull moment in fishery management, and this past winter proved to be no exception.

At a meeting of the New England Fishery Management Council’s Recreational Advisory Panel (RAP) in Freeport back on January 18th, panel members (including this writer) were delivered some sobering news about last season’s cod and haddock catches.

It appears that the recreational sector exceeded its allocation of cod by 192%, and haddock by 115%, in 2016.

The cod overage included not only the fish caught and retained by anglers (one fish per person was allowed in August and September), but also the number of fish that were calculated to die after being released. It is assumed by fishery managers that 15% of cod die after release, so even though there weren’t a

For the 2017 season, the bag limit for cod is likely to be zero, and the haddock limit is expected to drop from 15 fish per person to 12, with a couple of closure periods as well. whole lot of cod actually kept and taken home, the recreational quota was quickly surpassed by the “release mortality.�

The haddock picture was similar, but in this case the liberal 15-fishper-person bag limit was largely responsible for the recreational overage (although there’s a 30% mortality figure assigned to released haddock). The haddock situation isn’t quite as dire, however, because stocks in the Gulf of Maine are now rebuilt and the recreational haddock quota will bump up from 928 metric tons (mt) in 2016 to 1,160 mt this year.

The small recreational cod quota, however, is scheduled to stay the same (157 mt) as it was

last year, as stocks are still considered to be in relatively tough shape.

So, after much discussion with federal fishery analysts, and a careful review of the options for 2017 that would keep sport fishermen under their quotas, RAP members voted to recommend zero retention of cod for 2017, since the small quota will pretty much get eaten up anyway just in release mortality.

For haddock, the RAP chose a 12-fish-per-person bag limit (17� minimum), with a fall closed season of September 17 through October 31st, and a spring 2018 closed season of March 1st to April 15th. The combination of the reduced bag limit and closure periods is project-

ed to result in the recreational catch reaching the quota but not exceeding it.

The full Council accepted the RAP’s recommendations and has forwarded them on to the National Marine Fish-

eries Service, which will make the final decision.

We should know one way or the other in April, but my guess is that the proposed new rules will be approved and implemented.

Striper Regs May Become More Liberal The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), the consortium of East Coast states that collectively (Continued on next page)

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36 • April 2017 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Saltwater (Continued from page 35)

manage our inshore salt water species, is consid-

ering liberalizing commercial and recreational

Fishery managers anticipate a bag limit of zero for recreationally-caught cod this coming season, so all cod such as this nice one taken by Dennis Blackman of Boothbay last summer, will have to be released. Barry Gibson photo

Trout Fishing (Continued from page 34)

but it was too late. The fish had managed to shake off the lure.

Were the rod held in hand, I could have set the fish immediately, and very likely would have had a solid hookup.

Sunny Side One of my favorite old Carter Family songs, Keep On the Sunny Side, can easily apply to early season trolling for trout. Hav-

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regulations for striped bass.

The request to do so came from fishermen in the Chesapeake Bay area who have concerns over the negative economic impacts the cutbacks enacted in 2015 have had on their businesses. The fishermen point out that an updated assessment of striped bass stocks conducted in 2016 shows that stripers are not being overfished.

Reportedly, the ASMFC will draft new rules, which are expected to be released in May. It is likely that there will be public hearings on the issue shortly thereafter.

As of this writing, there is no indication of what the draft rules might look like, or what effect they may have on recreational fishermen.

Possibilities for Maine anglers could include a return to the old slot limit (or a similar slot), a two-

fish-per-day bag limit, or a reduction in the current minimum size of 28”.

Regardless, I’m sure the testimony one way or the other will be more than spirited at any hearings held here in Maine.

It always is when it comes to striped bass! I’ll keep readers updated.

Terrific Tackle & Boat Gear Flea Market The Northeast Charterboat Captains Association will be holding its 18th Annual Fishing & Boating Flea Market on Saturday, April 8th, at the Elks Hall at 25 Low St. in Newburyport, MA, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. The event will be held rain or shine, and admission is just $1.

Yup, I know it’s a bit of a poke to drive down there, but here’s your opportunity to browse through a hall full of tables loaded with new and used rods and reels, lures, terminal tackle, boating

ing already established that cold, post iceout water makes trout sluggish, it should be readily apparent that warmer water makes trout a bit livelier. So the question of which side of the lake works best for early season trolling almost answers itself – keep on the sunny side.

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equipment, electronics, and all sorts of other fishing and nautical odds and ends, at great prices.

You’ll also have a chance to talk with some charter captains. Coffee, donuts, soda and hot dogs will be available.

I had a table at this event for many years, and in some cases lugged as much purchased gear home to Boothbay as I brought down to sell! It’s a lot of fun, and there are some real bargains to be found, especially if you don’t mind haggling a bit. And, the NCCA is a great organization of professional captains – I’ve been a member since its inception in 1988.

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¶

Remember too, that it takes a while for the sun to work its magic on cold, logy trout. So for now, hitting the water at sunrise makes little sense. Better to wait a few hours before heading out. This also explains why late afternoon, rather than early afternoon, brings the most strikes.

All these points may seem little and perhaps unimportant. But ignoring any one of them can ruin a fishing trip. So for trout, go slow and deep. And remember: Keep on the sunny side.

¶

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Selecting the ATV Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Right for You

by William Clunie

Hunters or fishermen purchasing an ATV should first determine their ideal combination of maneuverability, power and ground clearance â&#x20AC;&#x201C; then take some test drives before making a final decision.

Some folks consider riding an ATV a pleasure sport, while others use a four-wheeler like a tool to extend their hunting and fishing capabilities. ATV manufacturers, aware of sportsmenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s needs, have purposefully designed models to fit these utilitarian requirements.

Recently, the companies have produced new models that fit a niche neatly between the extremes of both utility and pleasure vehicles. These models unique features

that satisfy the wishes of ATV enthusiasts at each end of the spectrum.

Preliminary Considerations Manufacturers have done their research so well that nearly all of them now produce models with features that match a multitude of needs, and this can make choosing a specific ATV difficult.

In the long run, it comes down to a matter of personal choice, but not until we make some preliminary decisions to winnow

down the choices a bit.

Most sportsmen and sportswomen prefer fourwheel-drive rather than two-wheel drive, so begin the search with this in mind. The turf-gripping power of four-wheel-drive makes it so much easier to get through the tough stuff, especially when carrying bulky gear or a heavy trophy.

Hunters and fishers can eliminate racing ATVs right up front, too.

ATV magazines and dealer brochures show folks

Selecting the most suitable ATV for each rider requires matching the size and maneuverability of the machine to the user, and evaluating the expected need for towing power, load capacity and ground clearance. Photo: William Clunie

on four-wheelers flying through the air, jumping over hills, and doing stunts most sportsmen

find unnecessary. These ATVs, made for highspeed racing and trick (Continued on next page)

REBATES UP TO $2,000 AND FINANCING AS LOW AS 2.99% FOR 36 MONTHS

GORHAM Wescott & Sons, Inc. 500 Ossipee Trail 207-839-4500 wescotts.com

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GORHAM, NH Absolute Power Sports 471 Main St. 603-466-5454 absolutepowersportsnh.com

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See Your Polaris ATV Dealer for Details!

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**Offer available on approved purchases of new 2014-2017 Yamaha Motorcycles, Scooters, ATVs & Side-by-Sides made on the Yamaha Credit Card issued by WebBank, member FDIC. Subject to credit approval as determined by WebBank. Offer valid through 6/30/17. Available to existing cardholders of the WebBank Yamaha Card. Account must be open and current to be eligible for this offer. Eligible purchases will be charge no interest for 6 months from the transaction date. Thereafter, you will be charged your standard APR 15.99%-23.99%. Minimum Interest Charge $2.

Purchase a new 2017 Yamaha Wolverine or Viking between 11/28/16 - 6/30/17 and receive a Free 18 month Y.E.S. (Yamaha Extended Service) Contract for a total of 2 years Genuine Yamaha Coverage. Includes 6 month Factory Warranty + 18 month Y.E.S. - Or- 2000 lb. Vantage Winch with mounting kit offer available through participating Yamaha dealers only. Dealer participation may affect this offer. Installation not included.

Offers vary by model. Valid on select 2013-2017 new and unregistered models purchased between 3/1/17- 4/30/17. See your dealer for details. Rates as low as 2.99% APR for 36 months. Examples of monthly SD\PHQWV UHTXLUHG RYHU D PRQWK WHUP DW D UDWH SHU ¿QDQFHG DQG DW DQ UDWH SHU ¿QDQFHG $Q H[DPSOH RI D PRQWKO\ SD\PHQW ZLWK GRZQ QR UHEDWH DQ $35 RI IRU PRQWKV DW D 0653 RI LV WRWDO FRVW RI ERUURZLQJ RI ZLWK D WRWDO REOLJDWLRQ RI 'RZQ SD\PHQW PD\ EH UHTXLUHG 2WKHU ¿QDQFLQJ RIIHUV DUH DYDLODEOH 6HH \RXU ORFDO GHDOHU IRU GHWDLOV 0LQLPXP $PRXQW )LQDQFHG 0D[LPXP $PRXQW )LQDQFHG 2WKHU TXDOL¿FDWLRQV DQG UHVWULFWLRQV PD\ DSSO\ )LQDQFLQJ SURPRWLRQV YRLG ZKHUH SURKLELWHG 2IIHU VXEMHFW WR FKDQJH ZLWKRXW QRWLFH

*Customer Cash offer good on select models between 2/1/2017 to 6/30/17.

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Professional driver on closed course. Always protect the environment and wear your seat belt, helmet, eye protection and protective clothing. Read the ownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s manual and product warning ODEHOV EHIRUH RSHUDWLRQ 0RGHO VKRZQ ZLWK RSWLRQDO DFFHVVRULHV 9HKLFOH VSHFL¿FDWLRQV VXEMHFW WR FKDQJH

5DWH RI RU ZLOO EH DVVLJQHG ([DPSOHV RI PRQWKO\ SD\PHQWV RYHU D PRQWK WHUP DW D UDWH SHU ¿QDQFHG DQG DW D UDWH SHU ¿QDQFHG 3URJUDP PLQLPXP DPRXQW ¿QDQFHG LV DQG PLQLPXP GRZQ SD\PHQW UHTXLUHG 5DWH DQG GRZQ SD\PHQW EDVHG RQ FUHGLW DSSURYDO FULWHULD 2IIHU LV VXEMHFW to credit approval by Synchrony Bank.

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38 â&#x20AC;˘ April 2017 â&#x20AC;˘ The Maine Sportsman â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

capacity; and 3) pulling power. This is where the decision-making begins.

ATV Special (Continued from page 37)

riding, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t offer the practical features outdoors folks find useful.

So with these first few choices out of the

way, purchasing an ATV requires careful consideration of a few basic areas: 1) ride or suspension/maneuverability; 2) carrying

Maneuverability and Ground Clearance Anyone considering an ATV purchase must remember to match the rider to the machine, to

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Riding an ATV can be dangerous. To ensure your safety proper protective gear should always be worn. Remember to always wear a helmet, eye protection and protective clothing. Never ride on paved surfaces or public roads. Never FDUU\ SDVVHQJHUV XQOHVV WKH $79 LV VSHFLÂżFDOO\ HQJLQHHUHG WR DFFRPPRGDWH WKHP 5LGLQJ DW H[FHVVLYH VSHHGV RU HQJDJLQJ LQ VWXQW ULGLQJ LV H[WUHPHO\ GDQJHURXV %H H[WUHPHO\ FDUHIXO RQ GLIÂżFXOW RU XQNQRZQ WHUUDLQ 1HYHU ULGH ZKLOH XQGHU WKH LQĂ&#x20AC;XHQFH RI GUXJV RU DOFRKRO 0DQ\ $79ÂśV DUH UHFRPPHQGHG RQO\ IRU KLJKO\ H[SHULHQFHG ULGHUV \HDUV DQG ROGHU 3OHDVH PDNH VXUH WKDW \RX DUH ULGLQJ DQ $79 WKDW LV DJH DSSURSULDWH 5LGHUV \RXQJHU WKDQ \HDUV RI DJH VKRXOG DOZD\V EH VXSHUYLVHG E\ DQ DGXOW :H UHFRPPHQG WKDW DOO $79 ULGHUV WDNH DQ DSSURYHG $79 WUDLQLQJ FRXUVH DQG UHDG WKHLU YHKLFOH RZQHUÂśV PDQXDO WKRURXJKO\ :KHQ ULGLQJ \RXU $79 DOZD\V VWD\ RQ HVWDEOLVKHG WUDLOV LQ DSSURYHG areas. Keep your riding areas clean and respect the rights of others. Always obtain permission before riding on private lands, and obey all the laws and regulations governing your riding areas.

ensure that the rider can handle the machine safely and easily. A strong, heavy rider can handle a big ATV with a lot of power, while someone a little lighter and less rugged might want to look at a four-wheeler with less power and weight.

Steering a four-wheeler in and out of trees requires a bit of muscle, especially if this twisting and turning lasts for more than a few miles.

Riding an ATV off-road can be a physically demanding activity, and matching the machine to the rider makes a lot of sense.

Maneuverability also includes ground clearance. An ATV without enough clearance to make it over logs or through big mud holes is a problem.

For off-trail use, look for the highest ground clearance available when sifting through the features each manufacturer offers.

At one time, Polaris held the ground clearance record, because they were the only company that used four-wheel, independent suspension.

Now, however, most manufacturers offer mod-

els with this feature.

Good ground clearance is an added benefit for bear-hunting riders, because independent suspension also creates a more comfortable ride.

However, this extra measure of comfort and ground clearance doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t come without its drawbacks.

Constant velocity (CV) joints are part of the independent suspension, and they require a little extra maintenance. A rubber boot covers the CV joint and protects it from debris, and this boot can get punctured, causing damage to the joint.

After-market Kevlar and steel CV boots (called stick stoppers), now available for all makes and models, solve this problem. This might be the answer for sportsmen looking for a comfortable-riding ATV that also requires a minimum of maintenance.

Load & Towing Capacities Towing and carrying capacities are a major concern for hunters because, at times, heavy loads are encountered. A (Continued on next page)

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—————————————————————————————————————————————————————— The Maine Sportsman • April 2017 • 39 (Continued from page 38)

few years back, I needed to drag a 650-pound heavy load, in the form of a cow moose, over a huge slashing. A client had dropped the moose 150 yards from a logging road, and the closest path to the truck was over the top of the brush pile.

A 600cc machine did the trick neatly. An ATV with a smaller engine might’ve worked fine, but the power of the big machine seemed to “float” the moose over the tangle of branches.

Smaller ATVs are geared down and can drag just as much of a load as bigger machines, but they lack the brute power to keep a heavy

Smilin’

load continually moving over rough terrain. The bigger ATV powers its way through obstacles that may stop smaller machines.

This becomes even more apparent when carrying a heavy load on top of an ATV, like a huge, 200-plus-pound deer or bear tied to the front or rear rack. A four-wheeler loaded to the maximum-carrying capacity does just fine on flat ground. Add a few bumps and hills, and an unprepared rider might find himself in an unsafe predicament. A bigger machine definitely has its place in the big-game woods.

The increased power of a bigger ATV can be

utilized in other outdoors activities too. Much of ice fishing involves dragging heavy loads over ice-covered ponds and lakes.

Heavy sleds and ice shacks are easily moved with the help of a big four-wheeler.

Towing capacity also becomes a factor when handling heavy tasks around the yard such as plowing snow, moving sod and dirt, tilling a garden or hauling firewood.

An ATV with the power of a bigger engine will make quick work of these chores.

Why risk wearing out a smaller four-wheeler, and then wishing that the original purchase had been the “big boy”? Engines in the 400cc range

and above are a good starting point for power, but keep in mind the rider-to-machine ratio discussed earlier in the article.

Test Drive Reading about the various ATVs produced and contemplating which features best fill a need is a good first step. Visiting a few dealers, sitting on several machines, and taking them for test drives completes the next step.

Renting an ATV, another great way to get a hands-on experience, really helps when it comes to making the final decision. When a rider actually gets out there and drives the ATV, they’ll

get a feel for the right machine. Take a rental out for a ride and relax; it will help make the decision easier.

There are so many great machines out there, all waiting to handle a big-game hunter’s specific needs. Each ATV manufacturer has gone all out to fulfill the needs of hunters and fishers looking for just the right machine. After all the small decisions, the choice becomes clear, and the ATV carrying you and your trophy animal out of the woods will be the one that fits your needs perfectly.

¶

=

Send your best hunting & fishing stories, and your favorite jokes, to the editor at will@mainesportsman.com

Harbormaster: “Hey, you, in the boat – what’s in that canteen?”

Boater: “Just water, Officer.”

Harbormaster: Let me see that – hey, there’s wine in here!”

Boater (looking skyward): “Praise the Almighty – another miracle!”

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Doctor: “You can’t take my license away! I not the first doctor to fall in love with, and get married to, a patient!”

Licensing board lawyer: “But, you’re a veterinarian!

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Q: What’s it called when Greenville women go out with unemployed guys?

A: “Unfunded man date.”

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Clueless boyfriend’s credo: “My girlfriend says that I am snoopy. I’ll ask her to explain – maybe she meant it differently when she wrote it in her diary.”

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Tough-luck bachelor’s optimistic credo: “If I had a dollar for every girl who found me unattractive, eventually they would find me attractive.”

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Title of the next sure-fire Country hit: She was only a whiskey-maker, but he loved her still.

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40 â&#x20AC;˘ April 2017 â&#x20AC;˘ The Maine Sportsman â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

The Long and Short of It Despite the recent focus on flat-shooting .17 and .204 caliber ammo, the tried-and-true .22 rimfires â&#x20AC;&#x201C; especially the Long Rifle â&#x20AC;&#x201C; remain popular with a majority of small-game hunters, target shooters and youngsters.

In the past 50 years the ballistics world has seen a burst of innovation and development at the small end of the charts.

In 1969, Remington Arms introduced the 5mm Remington Rimfire Magnum cartridge. A couple of years later, they came out with the center-fire .17 Remington for their 700 series bolt-action rifles.

There is the P.O. Ackley-designed .17 Remington Fireball, and the very successful joint Hornady and Ruger production of the .204 Ruger. Hornady and Ruger also partnered to produce the diminutive .17 Hornet.

In 2002, Hornady launched the .17 Horna-

dy Magnum Rimfire, and two years later brought out the .17 Mach 2 in conjunction with Cascade Cartridges, Inc. (CCI) of Lewiston, Idaho. A partnership between the firearms company High Standard and the Mexican ammunition maker Aguila launched the .17 Aguila, also in 2004.

A leap ahead to 2013 finds Winchester climbing on the small-caliber bandwagon by partnering with Savage Arms to create the .17 Winchester Super Magnum. This little round sends a bullet downrange at 3,000 feet per second, replicating the performance of the more expensive center-fire cartridges.

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Despite all of the improved performance, modern bullet designs and marketing hype, these recent developments have not displaced the veteran .22 rimfire from its place in the shooting world.

The .17 caliber cartridges are faster, more accurate, better penetrating and have a flatter trajectory, but they are still less popular than the much older .22 rimfire. .22 Short Designed an astounding 160 years ago as a self-defense round, the .22 Short lives on in small-bore competitions, including the Olympics, and as a round for casual plinking. Author Frank C. Barnes wrote in his ALWAYS BUYING, SELLING & TRADING QUALITY FIREARMS ŕ Ž 3L-L]LY 5P[YV :WLJPHS :_: .H\NL =LY` .VVK ŕ Ž )YV^UPUN .H\NL :LTP (\[V =LY` .VVK ŕ Ž 9LTPUN[VU *HYIPUL =LY` .VVK ŕ Ž 5,- :) <S[YH ;HZJV _ 3PRL 5L^ ŕ Ž *=( (WL_ )\ZOULSS _ ,_JLSSLU[ ŕ Ž (;0 *H]HSY` .H\NL V \ *; 5,> 5PJL ŕ Ž :H] :[L]LUZ .H\NL V \ 5,> ŕ Ž :WVY[LYPaLK 2YHN )LH\[PM\S *OLJRLYPUN ŕ Ž 9LTPUN[VU :WVY[ZTHU .H\NL 9L )S\LK 5PJL ŕ Ž 9LTPUN[VU 4VK .H\NL =LY` .VVK 5PJL ŕ Ž )YV^UPUN ); .H\NL 4VK *; ,_JLSSLU[ ŕ Ž 9LTPUN[VU .H\NL ;V\YUHTLU[ :RLL[ (50)

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The versatile .22 rimfire cartridge remains a vital part of the shooting experience, even 160 years since it was invented. Allard photo

Cartridges of the World, â&#x20AC;&#x153;[t]he .22 Short is the oldest American, commercial, self-contained metallic cartridge.â&#x20AC;?

Barnes goes on to state, â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was introduced in 1857 for the Smith & Wesson First Model revolver, and is still widely used all over the world.â&#x20AC;?

Soon after 1887 it survived the changeover to smokeless powder. In 1927 was again modified and upgraded when Remington converted to non-corrosive priming.

1930 saw Remington add a high-velocity load to its .22 Short line-up.

Barnes says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;In high-velocity loading, the Short is quite adequate for small game or bird hunting.â&#x20AC;? However, he cautions that â&#x20AC;&#x153;killing power declines rapidly beyond 50 yards [and] hunting should be confined to animals not more than two pounds in weight.â&#x20AC;?

The ammunition and component maker CCI offers a high-velocity .22 Short round with a 27-grain hollow-point bullet. This would make an effective round for Maine squirrels, with the added (Continued on next page)

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—————————————————————————————————————————————————————— The Maine Sportsman • April 2017 • 41 (Continued from page 40)

benefit of a low report.

Although overshadowed today by its cousin the .22 Long Rifle, the .22 Short remains a viable multi-purpose cartridge costing far less than any of the newer .17 caliber rounds. As Frank Barnes says, “When fired from a rifle, it can penetrate two inches of soft pine board, and has an extreme range of almost one full mile.” .22 Long Jump ahead 16 years to 1871, when the .22 Long first appeared as a round for a seven-shot revolver made by Great Western Gun Works.

A few years later, both Remington and Stevens developed rifles for it.

The original .22 Long, loaded with five grains of black powder and a 29-grain bullet, could achieve a higher velocity than the .22 Short or the later-arriving .22 Long Rifle. The advent of smokeless propellant cut into the .22 Long’s speed advantages. Velocities for contemporary .22 Long cartridges fall between the modern .22 Short and the .22 Long Rifle.

Barnes somewhat dismissively calls it “strictly a small-game, shortrange cartridge.” But how many of us learned to hunt with a single-shot rifle and a pocket full of .22 Long cartridges?

Sometimes we even tried the shot load that was once a part of the regular offerings.

Modern interest in coated and jacketed bullets and increased velocity turned attention away from the middling .22 Long. As developments shifted toward heavier bullets and ever speedier propellant mixes, the .22 Long Rifle eclipsed the senior .22 Long.

Fast headed toward complete obsolescence, the .22 Long clings to a small corner of the market. Of all the ammunition makers, only CCI continues to offer the .22 Long. .22 Long Rifle The chapter titled

“American Rimfire Cartridges” from Cartridges of the World reports, “The .22 Long Rifle is the most popular match cartridge in existence, and also the most widely used smallgame and varmint cartridge.” The chapter also calls it “the most accurate and highly developed of any Rimfire cartridge ever.”

First available in 1887 or 1888, the cartridge employed a .22 Long case fitted with a 40-grain bullet rather than the 29-grain. By the 1930s, high velocity variants arrived, as well as 36- and 38-grain hollowpoint bullets. Today, the .22 Long Rifle is the round most people think of when they consider the .22 caliber.

Good for squirrel and rabbit-sized small game out to about 75 yards, the .22 Long Rifle remains the starting point for most hunters and target shooters. Used in every shooting sports program from the Boy Scouts and 4H to Inter-collegiate match-ups and the Olympics, the .22 Long Rifle remains the standard, including backyard training under the watchful eye of Grandad.

Some outstanding .17 and .20 caliber rounds exist, and they are gaining popularity every day. The .17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire leaps to mind, as does the center-fire .17 Hornet, but neither will replace the .22 Long Rifle as King-of-the-Mountain any time soon. The expense of guns and ammunition is just not something many want to take on, given the abundance of .22 caliber availability at modest cost. Prices of .22 ammunition have shot up in the past couple of years and availability has sometimes been a problem, but neither fact has led anyone to replace their .22 caliber firearms.

With millions of .22 caliber firearms in use around the world, the dominance of the cartridge remains assured.

Another generation or more will learn the fun-

damentals of shooting and hunting with a .22 rimfire. With 160 years of

uninterrupted success behind it, the future of the cartridge also appears se-

cure.

¶

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42 • April 2017 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————————————

April – The Time to Prepare for Turkeys and Deer April is a busy month for me.

First is the State of Maine Sportsman’s Show at the Augusta Civic Center, March 31 – April 2.

And after that, I’ll be in the woods every chance I get!

Since turkey season won’t be open until the end of the month, and deer season doesn’t arrive for six months, some folks just don’t understand why April excites me so much.

It’s all about preparation! The time I spend prepping this month will play a huge role in my success for turkeys and deer this year. How much of a role? Nearly all of my

turkey prep is done this month. April prep often determines the quality of a shot opportunity come deer season. April often dictates which property I spend most of my time on come October and November.

So Much to Do; So Little Time to Do it.

Warm days come more frequently this month. Most of the snow is gone by month’s end in this neck of the woods, and many trees begin to leaf out. It’s that leaf-out I’m racing against.

When I’m deer hunting in late October and all of November, there are few if any leaves on the hardwood trees and

shrubs. Therefore, April is a great time to cut shooting lanes that’ll look very similar come fall.

Sure, a few perennials will grow up and fill in the lanes a bit. A few new branches might even end up filling back in. It’ll be far easier and much less invasive to remove a few branches in September rather than doing all the work then. Did I mention it’ll be cooler too?

If I wait too long to trim shooting lanes, leaves will be present.

With leaves out, there’s a risk that I will cut too much in an effort to see well. Cutting lanes with the leaves off definitely reduces the tendency to

The author with a shed antler he found while cutting shooting lanes in April for the fall season. Cutting lanes before branches leaf out allows a hunter to see what the woods will look like in the fall, after the leaves have fallen.

overcut.

Another great reason to be in the woods before the leaves and perennials grow too much is that shed antlers are easier to find now. Early in the

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month, the woods are far more open than they’ll be in May. When shed hunting, I often utilize a good set of binoculars to increase the area being (Continued on next page)

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After being snowed in all winter, spring hunting for shed antlers is a great time to let the dogs out! Here, the authorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s old bird dog Luca shows that she was also skilled at locating and retrieving sheds.

(Continued from page 42)

searched.

As soon as leaves and new green growth pops up, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s less likely a fresh set of sheds will be seen from even close distances.

In early April, I often find sheds lying on top of the last few inches of snow.

When the snow is gone, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy to spot rubs and scrapes from last fall. This time of year itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s perfectly fine to roam the woods and visit places that might be off limits during the fall. On two of the properties my friends and I hunt, we try to keep sanctuaries for the deer.

These five to ten acres parcels of woods are very thick and tough to travel through. This is the perfect month to invade those areas and look for sign from the fall.

Large rubs and clusters of large scrapes can mean we had a good buck spending time in the area.

Knowing where it spent its time last fall could help put the buck in front of one of us this year.

Finding these scrapes in the same place year after year or even two years in a row also helps me choose the best places to start mock scrapes in late August. After cataloging scrape clusters and rub lines each year, setting stands becomes more purposeful rather than an act of chance.

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Forget to Prep for Turkeys!

Turkey season will be here by monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s end.

Many people forget to scout. I know lots of turkey hunters who donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t scout at all. The popularity of run and gun hunting hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t lost its appeal.

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been told many times that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m wasting my time by scouting.

Folks say things like, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Those birds do the same thing and travel the same places every year.â&#x20AC;?

Part of that statement is true. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve even killed multiple turkeys from the same piece of woods two and three years in a row. A big reason I hunt those woods and not other places is that through scouting, I confirmed there were toms I wanted to kill who were spending time there.

Scouting really comes in handy if Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be taking new hunters or youth hunters into the woods.

After I locate a great roost site or a field birds are frequenting, my main goal becomes setting up a brush blind. If I had a dollar for every hunt a newbie messed up because they got caught moving, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d have enough for a turkey hunt in Texas.

In all seriousness, we rarely get caught these days because the brush blinds provide just enough cover to raise a gun, turn toward an approaching bird or adjust a seat to return blood flow to legs that have fallen asleep from sitting motionless so long.

Turkey hunters who havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been caught by the sharp eyes of a spring tom or hen, havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hunted long enough. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been spotted by birds from over 100 yards away in open hardwoods. Their eyesight is better than that of any other species we hunt in Maine. ***** In my opinion, April is an overlooked month.

Cameron Scores Again!

Big bucks are becoming a habit with young Cameron Skomars, who in 2015 dropped on of the largest deer taken in Maine. 2016 was not much different, as shown by the accompanying photo.

Hey, Cam, how about leaving some deer in the woods for us old guys? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even want to take him hunting with me any more,â&#x20AC;? jokes his Dad, Jeff Skomar. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been sitting on the stand all season, and then he goes to the same stand and the big ones show up.â&#x20AC;?

This one was â&#x20AC;&#x153;onlyâ&#x20AC;? 180 pounds, 50 pounds lighter than Camâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2015 whitetail. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When I go into the woods, I might see a buck in the 120-pound range,â&#x20AC;? complains his Dad, â&#x20AC;&#x153;but nothing close to the bucks Cam sees.â&#x20AC;?

I know, because Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m often one of the only hunters out early in the morning or late in the evening in my area.

I often get up early and stay out late listening for birds and searching fields. By combining deer work with turkey work, I effectively kill two birds with one stone â&#x20AC;&#x201C; pun intended!

Combining two passions not only makes

sense in an ever-busier life, but it can also increase satisfaction and success rates.

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nothing I enjoy more than finding a shed near a frequent roosting spot and killing a big tom there in May. And killing the buck that dropped that antler would be icing on the cake!

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44 • April 2017 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————————————

A Bowhunter’s Choice – It’s Turkey Time Soon My wife believes in signs, meaning she thinks Event A is an omen that Event B should and will happen. For example, we recently contemplated the purchase of a local, rundown building to possibly open a coffee bar.

One day while she was skimming magazine pictures for ideas, she came across the exact same picture of a charming coffee house in three very different magazines. That was her “sign” that we should go ahead with the project.

“It was meant to be,” she concluded.

I’ve always believed in the philosophy of choice.

Meaning everything that happens isn’t “meant to be,” but instead is the result of a choice, or a sequence of choices, I made in the past.

I choose to go into the woods to harvest an animal. It’s my choice that offers me the chance at my goal. It’s why hunters often say we can’t harvest an animal if we don’t choose to put our time in. Hunters don’t shoot a buck and say it was meant to be. We shoot a buck and analyze every choice we made that day leading up to getting it.

Fast forward to this morning. As I reviewed this column, I received Cabela’s “Spring Turkey” catalog, an incongruous title given the umpteen

inches of snow currently on the ground outside.

“Hmmm,” I thought, “is this a ‘sign’ that I made the right choice by writing about bowhunting turkeys, even though the season is still a month away?”

Wife: 1; Husband: 0.

Yes, turkey season doesn’t start until May 1, but for bowhunters, now is the time to dust off the basement- or garage-kept bows and get them and our bodies ready for the upcoming season. Much of the state allows hunters allowed two bearded birds, so why not aim to shoot the second one with a bow or crossbow?

Check Bow Safety!

I understand hunters usually spend the most time getting ready for deer season, but there are a few things folks should do when preparing a turkey bowhunt.

For example, I can’t stress enough the importance of checking a bow after it’s been sitting for some time. Many of us practice in autumn in our yards, then hunt, then store the bow away for winter. That’s completely fine, but it’s imperative to check certain things in the springtime prior to drawing back and shooting—especially in older bows—and the strings and cables are the first.

Even lightly stretched

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strings can result in rotated cams, de-flexed limbs and nocking points that have adjusted over time–not good when trying to shoot consistently.

Folks should visit the local pro shop to determine if the strings are still good. Even if they are, the nock should be checked for correct positioning, and cams for any warping or if they need rotating for timing.

The peep sight should also be checked to ensure it’s in the right location.

Stretched strings can affect all of these over time.

Drawing a bow back without having checked basic regularities is an accident waiting to happen. Modern compounds are complex engineering systems, and like many such systems, they are only as good as their weakest link. Once something goes, so goes the entire bow.

I mentioned in a previous article a while back that bows can literally “blow-up” if strings break or become dislodged off warped cams. It’s akin to shooting a slug out of a shotgun with a full choke.

It’s not pretty and potentially a very expensive mistake. Think of Elmer Fudd blowing up the end of his barrel.

Practice, Practice, Practice There are dozens of details that go into a successful hunt, and the shot is the last of them all, so it’s important to be physically prepared. This is more important, I believe, when turkey hunting than with other species of game. There are challenges to shooting Toms that aren’t present when deer hunting.

The first and most obvious difference is the size of the target we’re shoot-

This diagram illustrates the proper and improper methods and angles to use when gripping the bow.

ing. Turkeys are smaller, and it takes more practice to consistently hit a smaller target. But more importantly, shooting Toms sometimes require the hunter to hold at full draw much longer than when deer hunting, due to a bird’s movement.

I’ve drawn back, let down and drawn back again when deer hunting, but doing so when surrounded by turkeys is a clear way to get busted.

It’s important to be in bow shape to hunt turkeys successfully, and part of that is the ability to hold full draw for a longer period than normal.

When folks pull out and dust off theirs bows (assuming it’s been checked and properly tuned), they should eliminate all results-orientated shooting. Don’t worry about accuracy in the beginning. Rather, focus on “basic” form, which for me is drawing back to the same anchor points and keeping my bow hand loose at all times.

Proper placement of

the bow hand is another often-seen weakness in a lot of archers’ forms. The hand should be placed at a 45-degree angle grip to reduce left or right torque on the bow, which could cause errant shots.

Generally speaking, folks should shoot as much as possible the first couple of weeks, focusing only on form and getting arrows into a target. Muscle strength will develop, while accuracy will naturally come later.

Around the Corner Yes, I’m aware it was a long winter and many readers will likely still have snow on the ground as they read this April issue. But time goes by fast, and turkey season will soon be upon us.

Preparation is a choice we can accept or ignore.

As the saying goes, “Success happens when preparation meets opportunity.” The time for preparation is now, since the opportunities are just around the corner.

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—————————————————————————————————————————————————————— The Maine Sportsman • April 2017 • 45

Maine Wildlife: White Suckers

by Tom Seymour

Maine has both white suckers, Catostomus commersoni, and longnose suckers, Catostomus Catostomus. But for the average angler, a sucker is a sucker is a sucker.

Suckers don’t figure into anyone’s list of favorite fish species. Few, if any, even bother fishing for them, and fewer still eat them.

But this wasn’t always so.

My grandparents, who raised me, survived the Great Depression. And while I didn’t arrive until just after the Second World War, the Depression was very real to me. People who lived through it were slow to change, even when economic times improved.

And thus it was for my folks. So for all practical intents and purposes, my growing-up years were much the same as for those who grew up during the Depression.

In the Depression, people were often obliged to forage for foods they wouldn’t ordinarily eat. And for my grandpa, this included suckers. Grandpa had a long-handled spear, made by a blacksmith, and with this tool he would go roving on moonless nights, spearing suckers.

Typically, the old man would select a small brook that entered a pond or lake.

There, in spring, suckers would run at night and even during the day. His spear and a burlap feed sack were all he needed to harvest a huge supply of suckers. And believe it or not, we ate not only the suckers but also the roe.

As with a number of saltwater fish, including rainbow smelt and flounder, sucker roe was a prized treat. The roe sacs comprise a good portion of a sucker’s weight, and so only a few roe-bearing suckers gave enough for many meals. Grandma parboiled the egg sacs, and after allowing them to cool, rolled them in flour and fried them to a golden brown. They were, and are, delicious.

Fun Fishing While trout rate as my favorite fish, with white perch and black crappie coming in a close second, I have never turned my nose up at a chance to catch spawning suckers on light tackle. In fact, a small pond near my Waldo home once held not only sea-run brook trout, but also sea-run suckers.

If this sounds fanciful, it is not. The pond was a flow-through pond on a river system that only a mile or so downstream entered

brackish water. The trout ran about 8 inches long and were feisty, putting up a battle that made them feel much larger than their true size. When trout were in, it was possible to take a day’s limit in short order.

But every once in a while something bit that acted like a trout, but once landed turned out to be a very pale, silvery-shining sucker. When this happened, the suckers would go into my old wicker creel along with the trout. Both were destined for the frying pan.

But anadromous suckers are a rarity.

However, many streams and brooks have what locals call “the sucker hole.” Suckers remain in these deeper pools all summer and when trout refuse to cooperate, it is usually possible to catch a few suckers.

Suckers have sensitive mouths and are reluctant to bite on anything larger than an average-sized earthworm. Because of that, hooking them comes as an acquired touch.

Suckers have the maddening habit of taking a worm in their mouth, spitting it out, picking it up again and so on. To set the hook too soon means to put the fish down. Maybe suckers aren’t so stupid after all.

Unknown Biomass Most all of our Maine lakes and ponds contain suckers. But what percentage of the total biomass, or fish of all species, do suckers comprise? In speaking with a retired fisheries biologist friend, I learned that while it is near-impossible to find a definitive answer, most people in the know believe that the bulk of suckers in any lake or pond is enormous – far more than anyone might think.

Sometimes suckers in lakes grow big – over 20 inches long. These oversized bottom feeders often act in a very non-bottom feeder way. Once, while fishing for brook trout in a Midcoast lake, something heavy bit my earthworm. As the fish drew closer to the net, it flashed a golden side, convincing me it was a brown trout. But upon sliding the net under the fish, it was nothing but a big, old sucker. Talk about a letdown.

Once, while I was walking up a small stream connecting two Washington County lakes, fish began taking tiny flies from the surface. Fortunately, I carried a fly rod and a decent selection of dry flies. Selecting a pattern similar to what was hatching, I cautiously cast out to the nearest rise. The fish hit, but somehow didn’t get hooked.

This continued for some time. Eventually I hooked one of these elusive “trout,” only to find that instead of a trout it was a sucker.

Who says suckers aren’t opportunistic feeders?

I’ve mentioned this in past columns but it bears repeating. Summertime anglers fishing deep with downriggers or lead-core lines, often see huge fish icons on their fish locator screens. These behemoths usually lie flat on bottom in the deepest water. Trolling

over these fish never results in a hookup because they aren’t huge brown trout, nor are they salmon. They are suckers. And suckers are the only fish that can exist in the oxygen-depleted water on the very bottom of deep lakes.

Sucker Uses In addition to providing sucker roe and fried – or better, smoked – sucker fillets, suckers have several more beneficial uses.

First, it’s hard to beat a two-inch sucker for slowly trolling in a salmon or trout lake.

Long-lived when hooked and lively as can be, small suckers figure prominently in many angler’s baitfish selection.

Even those big individuals from the sucker hole have uses. Just scale the fish and cut long, narrow strips of flesh from the side or belly. Suckers being legal bait, strip bait from larger suckers is legal, too. And when hooked on to a single-hooked Wood Special, the resulting “fly bait” becomes something no self-respecting salmonid can resist.

In addition to the above uses, suckers are viable commercially. With a decline in availability of herring, traditional lobster bait, lobster fishermen often substitute suckers. A 50-gallon drum layered with salt and suckers is a common sight around places where people stow lobster gear.

Despite their great utility, most anglers continue to scorn suckers. But for me, a few hours spent sucker fishing with a tiny rod, hair-thin line and some earthworms rates high on my list of summer activities. And while others might malign the ubiquitous sucker, that’s something you will never hear me do.

¶

Tom holds the old blacksmith-made sucker spear that helped provide food to get his grandfather’s family through the Great Depression. www.MaineSportsman.com

46 • April 2017 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————————————

The Mountains Offer Fabulous Fly Fishing and Turkey Hunting Winter’s freeze sometimes holds a steady and lasting grip on lakes and ponds in this region, keeping early-season anglers at bay by locking them out of open water.

Warmer parts of the state might find anglers haunting open water in April, but around here, the increased elevation sometimes keeps the hard water hanging on.

Even if the lakes or ponds remain frozen up, I find myself so anxious in April that I just have to get out and try some kind of fishing. I look to the moving water of rivers and small tributaries – moving water tends to freeze last and open up first.

I have always envied the early-season exploits of fellow writer Tom Seymour. His April columns and articles often show photos of him with a meal of trout during this month, while my own writing only includes a dream of the upcoming fishing season.

This year again, I’ll be attempting to fling a few flies on a local stream or two in the month of April. Of course, I’ll also be dreaming of the upcoming fishing season – tying flies and preparing

fishing equipment for battling all sorts of this region’s game fish.

Tribute to Tributaries The Swift River, one of the larger tributaries to the big Androscoggin River, will certainly be getting some of my attention this April. Check out the mouth of the tributary where it starts in Mexico on Map 19, E-1 of the DeLorme Atlas.

This big tributary pours fresh water into the Androscoggin River from the mountains to the north. The Swift River itself has several smaller tributaries that are also worth testing with a selection of flies or lures.

Another favorite in this region, the Webb River, empties into the Androscoggin River in the town of Dixfield (Map 19, E-2). Notice the smaller brooks that fill Webb River from higher elevations as it flows from its source, Webb Lake (Map 19, C-2).

Both of these rivers have plenty of open banks to fish from, but as you near town, be sure to ask permission to access the water from the residents who have built their homes along the waterway.

The author is anxiously awaiting the return of warm-weather angling for chunky game fish in the Western Maine Mountains. William Clunie photo www.MaineSportsman.com

These two tributaries of the Androscoggin River also receive plenty of stocked fish later in April, as well as in May. Check out the fish stocking report in this issue of The Maine Sportsman to find out how many fish and what types of fish will be stocked in these two beautiful, cold-water tributaries.

Ice-out Fishing Sometime during the month of April, the ice moves out on the still waters that dot the land around the Western Maine Mountains (WMM). Once the ice starts clearing from the ponds and lakes, there’s a good chance trolling anglers will catch hungry salmon and trout.

Anglers looking for big brown trout, brook trout and rod-shaking rainbow trout need to look no further than the cold, clear water of Worthley Pond (Map 11, A-3) in Peru.

In addition to great fishing, the peaceful pond offers sportsmen and their families a campground, a sandy beach with a playground, and miles of hiking trails in the nearby mountains.

Good fishing at Worthley starts at the south shore public-access site,

William Clunie took this big gobbler (22.14 lbs., 10inch beard and one-inch spurs) on May 2, 2016.

William Clunie photo

and continues along the east shore, all the way to the north end of the lake.

Howard Pond (Map 18, E-4) also holds big brookies and salmon that can be taken near the surface after ice out.

“Carry-in” access is available near the southeast shore, off Howard Pond Road.

As a side benefit, a short hike up nearby Mount Dimmock gives anglers an awesome view of the pond and surrounding mountains. The trailhead starts in the parking site near the beach area.

Wilson Pond in Wilton (Map 19, D-5) is another favorite when trolling for early-season salmonid. Biologists from the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (DIF&W) have done a good job of keeping this pond full of brookies, salmon and togue. A n glers can access the Wilson from a smaller site at the east shore off Pond Road or the paved launch, right in town near the old Bass Shoe factory.

Turkey Gobbles Many of the farms that follow the course of the Androscoggin River in Oxford and Androscoggin counties contain excellent turkey-hunting habitat. Leftovers from grain production and undigested seeds in manure pits on dairy farms that line the river offer a rich diet for hungry gobblers.

The Androscoggin River and its feeder streams provide more than an adequate water supply for these big, farm-loving game birds.

Over the years, wildlife biologists trapped and transplanted turkeys in and around local farms to maintain healthy turkey populations. The huge

birds do quite well in the WMM, and hunters owe a lot of this success not only to the hard-working biologists, but also to the helpful, local farmers for giving the turkeys a place to survive rugged Maine winters.

Certain sections of the natural gas pipeline that runs through the WMM remain open to hunting, providing turkeys with a lush habitat. The open areas grow tender grasses, and surrounding woods offer mast crops and roosting trees. Mountain run-off provides fresh water for thirsty birds, and the proximity to residential homes keeps a large coyote population at bay.

The pipeline starts near Route 108, across from the Catalyst Paper Mill in Rumford (Map 19, E-1), and scores an easterly path all the way through East Peru (Map 11, A-3). Then it curves northward across the Androscoggin River, to the Canton Mountain Road near Jay (Map 19, E-4). Make sure to ask abutting landowners for permission before hunting on the pipeline or the surrounding privately-owned acreage.

When searching for places to find turkeys, locate areas with some old-growth forests for roosting, food (acorns, beechnuts, agricultural leftovers) and access to drinking water. Obtain landowner permission to these turkey havens, and do a little evening calling to locate roosting sites. Then sit between the roosting birds and their feeding grounds, and get ready for some heart-thumping, gamebird action.

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48 • April 2017 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Stalking the Stockers A couple of years ago, I had an opportunity to work alongside Conservation Officers, fisheries biologists and hatchery staff, stocking trout in the beautiful waters of northern New Hampshire.

Although the public (myself previously included) believes there is some big secret to what gets stocked where and when, this is not the case at all. In fact, the Fish and Game personnel I worked willingly answered any and all questions local fisherman and curious bystanders posed. I also asked my fair share while helping out, and was amazed at how much goes into the stocking process.

New Hampshire stocks three types of trout in its northern waters: brook, rainbow and brown. They are all “hatched” and raised in the hatchery, by nurturing backwoods brutes.

The hatchery staff are much like overprotective momma bears, warding off predators – such as otter, mink, osprey, and heron – that are looking to do harm to their babies (baby fish, that is).

The Process The trout usually become mature enough for stocking when they’re around eight to ten inches long. Fisheries biologists will prescribe how many of each kind of trout should be stocked in each waterbody, based on testing of healthiness of the current population and fisherman feedback.

To get the right number of fish into each waterbody is quite a process.

First, you have to get the fish into the truck.

The trout are corralled to one end of the raceway,

www.MaineSportsman.com

where they can be easily scooped with a large net.

Then a netfull is dipped and weighed. The fish are counted as they are dumped into the holding tank on the truck.

After utilizing everyone’s fingers and toes to do the math (in all seriousness, I was very much impressed with the mental math skills of some of the hatchery staff), they can figure out approximately how many pounds of fish they need to put in the truck to get their quota.

Net after net is scooped and weighed until the math works itself out and the truck is off for delivery. (This isn’t an easy job, as a full net can be as much as fifty pounds, which then needs to be lifted up onto the truck.)

Like SEALs Fish stockers are much like the Navy SEALs – they attack from Sea, Air, and Land. They stock by boat, by helicopter, and by truck and nets.

Stocking by truck is the easiest—and probably the most enjoyable for the fish. The truck is parked alongside or backed into the water; large hoses are attached to the tank; the valves are opened; and the fish get their own personal waterslide to jet them into the river or pond. It is quite entertaining to watch them rocketing out of the chute like little torpedoes.

In places where the waterslide tubes can’t reach the water (for example, in most rivers and streams), stocking has to be done by net. One employee on the truck fills the net with fish and

hands it off to another on the ground to run it to the water. Typically, the water is just a short dash away, in a fairly open area and the thirty-pound net isn’t too much difficulty. However, this can be a torturous job if the nearest water is 200 yards down a grownin and rooty hiking trail and you are wearing 18” rubber boots in the 90-degree June heat. On several occasions, this pretty fit writer wasn’t sure he wasn’t going to make it to the water in time in a full-on sprint.

Technique, Enthusiasm and Stamina I’ll never forget the time we were in a location and situation like this. I had just run two consecutive nets downhill to a gorgeous waterfall and pool. The hatchery guy I was working with, who is also a houndsman who chases after his bear dogs tens of miles per day in the fall, sprinted right past me on the trail and had already had his whole net dumped by the time I showed up at the water.

Gasping for air and arms trembling, I almost fell in with my net, when dumping the fish. As soon as I looked up, he said, “Alright, let’s go grab some more.” He then proceeded to unnecessarily sprint back uphill to the truck, with an empty net!

Getting a good fling when stocking by net takes technique – actually, it’s more of an art form. One hand has to swing the handle of the net, while the other holds onto the slime-filled mesh and snaps it tight, to get a good sling-shot action.

Informal contests are held among stockers for

Fisheries biologist Andy Schafermeyer scoops some magnificent trophy trout to transfer to the hatchery truck for stocking in the local waterbodies of northern New Hampshire. Courtesy NH Fish & Game

the cleanest (no stragglers stuck in net) and farthest net releases. This may seem like it’s all just for the amusement of the stockers, but it actually serves a legitimate purpose – many of the river/ stream banks stocked are steep and have shallow, boulder-lined edges. If the fish do not get flung out into the deeper water, they are likely to fall on the rocks and suffer injury.

Stocking by Boat and Copter Some larger lakes are stocked by boat, to spread the fish out a bit. Huge buckets/totes in the boat are filled with water and trout, and the boat makes a few small laps.

As the boat motors along, the fish are slowly dumped over the side.

Many go belly-up initially, given the change in water temperature, the lack of oxygen in the cramped tote, and rough waters caused by the motor. However, within seconds most adjust and swim away.

Lastly, the coolest way trout in northern New Hampshire are

stocked is by float helicopter. These trout are “fingerlings” – about three- or four-inches long – and are delivered to forty-eight different remote waterbodies in New Hampshire.

Though this writer wasn’t lucky enough to go on the helicopter himself, I was fortunate to have witnessed a helicopter-stocking several years ago, while fly fishing a remote mountain pond.

Stocking in northern New Hampshire usually starts in early April and is completed by early July. However, with the long, cold winter we had this year, a late thaw and cold water temperatures could delay things a bit.

Contact New Hampshire Fish and Game for more specific details on stocking reports and schedules. And remember, just because they were stocked there, doesn’t mean you are guaranteed to catch them there—fish move upstream, down river and to the quiet, far ends of lakes and ponds!

¶

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—————————————————————————————————————————————————————— The Maine Sportsman • April 2017 • 49

As Ice Melts, April Anglers Fish Moving Water for Trout and Salmon If lakes and ponds in this region remain covered with solid ice, savvy anglers search for fish locations in moving water. Several spots in the Rangeley Region offer brooks, streams and rivers that rival the best salmonid fishing in the state.

Anglers looking for water with a real traditional feel and historic ties to fishing’s past have a couple of great options.

The Upper Magalloway

River offers an excellent choice for fishing for native wild brook trout and landlocked salmon on the moving water that feeds into Aziscohos Lake (DeLorme Atlas, Map 28, E-1).

Fishing up into some of the smaller tributaries that fill the bigger sections of the Upper Magalloway River can be fruitful later in the year, but early-season anglers do their best this time of year in the main body of

this pretty river.

The Kennebago River (Map 28, C-3 and D-3) also offers exceptional fishing for native wild brook trout and landlocked salmon. The same tip for fishing the main body holds true on this river, too – even when the water gets boiling with spring floods, anglers can find good fishing on the slower, flat sections of the river.

The Sandy River fol(Continued on next page)

Nice little brookie released back into the cold water below the Upper Dam. William Clunie photo

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50 • April 2017 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Rangeley Region (Continued from page 49)

lows Route 4 from the Sandy River Ponds (Map 19, A-1) to Farmington (Map 20, C-1 and D-1), and then flows all the way to the Kennebec River near Anson/Madison (Map 20, B-4). Anglers laying a line in these waters have a chance at landing some of the big brook trout or huge brown trout that were stocked there over the years. No doubt many Sandy River trout have grown to impressive sizes since their introduction there in past years.

Aziscohos Lake Dam Fishing below the dam at Aziscohos Lake (Map, 28, E-1) would always be a good choice for early April. The big lake feeds the headwaters of the lower section of the Magalloway River and provides anglers an excellent location to start an early-season search for brook trout and landlocked salmon.

After fishing right at the dam, anglers can move downstream and find numerous holes just waiting to be fished.

Many of these holes have banks lined with well-

worn paths from years of searching anglers.

Pennsylvania angler Bill Cope, an excellent fisherman I’ve had the privilege of guiding, once told me while knee-deep in the river, “I’ve never caught more brook trout in one spot in my life.”

This statement, coming from an angler who has extensively fished in some of the most famous waters around the world, certainly impressed me.

It excites me to think that Maine offers well-traveled anglers some of the best fishing in the world.

Now, plenty of experienced anglers will automatically complain there are plenty of places where they would be sure to catch bigger brook trout than in the Pine Tree State, but the sheer number of native, wild brook trout in Maine excites this writer – and a large following of like-minded anglers.

Upper Dam Upper Dam (Map 18, A-2) ranks as an extremely worthy fishing location, with early-season possibilities. The dam controls the amount of water that

flows from Mooselookmeguntic Lake to Upper Richardson Lake.

Famous fly tiers Carrie Stevens and Herb Welch made history at this highly-celebrated dam by routinely catching huge brook trout with streamers they created and tied themselves.

Last year, I fished below the dam as construction crews finished replacing the historical structure of the old dam.

Construction activity did not hinder the high-quality fishing at this beautiful stretch of water, and hopefully the new dam will continue to provide anglers with superb fishing by maintaining more consistent water levels between the lakes.

Extreme fluctuation in water levels associated with heavy spring run-off can be controlled more efficiently with modern dam technology. The watery path between the big lakes acts as a huge river, and keeping a more consistent flow of water there maintains a more habitable fishery.

Although a lot of folks disagreed with removing the old structure, just as many think building the new dam was a correct move in maintaining a

MAINE WILDLIFE QUIZ White Sucker The White Sucker (Catostomus commersonii) is a freshwater species native to the North American Midwest and Northeast, and is found as far south as New Mexico.

The Catostomidae (sucker) family is closely related to minnows.

Also known by the names mullet, white horse or just plain sucker, White Suckers were originally so named because of their odd toothless mouth and distinctively fat lips. White suckers use these fleshy lips to suck up bottom sediments and consume organisms hidden there.

White Suckers will eat almost anything, including small invertebrates, algae and a

top-quality environment for the landlocked salmon and wild brook trout that inhabit this fragile aquatic ecosystem.

In years past, when walking on and wading below the old wooden and cement dam, I wondered about long-gone anglers who fished in this location before me. Did they take the construction of the original dam in stride and simply continue fishing – or were they thinking of the new wave of anglers who might encounter this massive structure in the future, and how the dam might affect the fish that stirred beneath the turbulent water?

Big Fish Hangouts Both Upper and Lower Richardson Lakes (Map 18, A-2 and B-2) have been closely monitored and carefully stocked for several years.

The population numbers and size of landlocked salmon and brook trout here have rebounded in recent years, so let’s give the fisheries biologists from the Department of Inland Fisheries &Wildlife (DIF&W) a well-deserved round of applause.

DIF&W’s decision years ago to stop smelt dipping in Richardson’s tributaries may have

¶

by Steve Vose

wide array of plant matter. These fish are also food for predators – species such as togue, bass and northern pike prey on the White Sucker.

While there exists a growing interest in serving up White Sucker as table fare, more commonly they serve as fish bait for anglers targeting large and more desirable fish species. For those interested in eating the White Sucker, their flesh is described as white, flaky and moist. It’s highly prized when deep-fat fried or served in fish chowders.

In Maine, the White Sucker spawns throughout April and May, usually in great numbers, in the shallow water of streams.

Questions

something to do with this comeback, too.

Anglers looking for big salmonid would do well to fish near the plentiful inlets that surround the big lakes. Access either lake from South Arm Campground on the south end of Lower Richardson Lake, or the northern end of Upper Richardson Lake off the Mill Brook Road.

Rangeley Lake (Map 28, E-3, E-4, and E-5) always attracts early-season anglers. Typically, sewn smelt or streamers trolled behind a slow-moving boat catch fish just after ice-out.

Working the south shoreline produces big fish, as do the waters around the Rangeley River near Oquossoc.

Anglers can access Rangeley Lake at the marina in Oquossoc, the Rangeley Lake State Park at the point that juts out from the southern shoreline, or right in the town of Rangeley at the public launch. Fishing information can be gained by speaking with the guides at River’s Edge Sports in Oquossoc, or the Rangeley Region Sports Shop in Rangeley.

During the spring spawn, females release thousands of eggs that are fertilized by awaiting males.

White Suckers reach sexual maturity at three to eight years. Those hatchlings and juveniles that are fortunate enough to evade predators can live up to 17 years, and can grow 15 to 20 inches long.

1. What is the native range of the White Sucker?

5. What fish feed on White Suckers?

2. What are other names for the White Sucker?

6. When do White Suckers spawn?

3. Why are White Suckers called “suckers”?

7. When do White Suckers reach sexual maturity?

4. What do White Suckers eat?

8. How long can White Suckers live?

www.MaineSportsman.com

Answers on Page 59

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—————————————————————————————————————————————————————— The Maine Sportsman • April 2017 • 51

Tom Targets Salmon and Togue at Ice-Out Spring came early in 2016 to Sebago Lake (DeLorme Atlas, Map 5, C-1), and I was on the water on March 18.

As is typical at iceout, Sebago produced some beautiful salmon and the occasional togue.

Other lakes followed suit, and I was on the water much earlier than in past years. An early spring prompted me to get my boat ready, and I’m glad I tended to that chore. Starting the open-water season with a freshly-serviced boat ensures your days are spent on the water, and not in the repair shop.

This winter was much colder.

Sebago Lake didn’t freeze completely, but most other area lakes and ponds froze solid, and we saw some great ice fishing action.

Now that’s behind us as we turn our attention to springtime ice-out angling for salmon and togue.

The author thinks back fondly to last spring, when mild weather and an early ice-out led to productive trolling with smelt for salmon and togue.

Early Out Thinking back about 12 months ago ….

I called my longtime angling partner Rene Lavoie that March day in 2016 when I heard the news. “The IF&W Commissioner is opening the season today, and Sebago is ice-free,” I informed him.

With that, we made plans to fish the following morning. State Park staff had opened the gate to the launch, and we were the first boat in the parking lot at 5:00 a.m.

It was a calm but cool morning as we got the boat started and wound our way out of the Songo River and into the big lake. No sooner had we gotten our lines out, baited with live smelt on an adjustable harness, than I had a fish on.

Despite the cold water, the salmon shook hard – I could feel the rapid pulsing on the other end of the line. Rene manned the net, and a fat, football-shaped salmon of about 2 pounds was quickly caught and released. This was going to be a good year!

We trolled the mouth of the Songo River in depths ranging from 8 to 30 feet, marking fish throughout the water column. More hook-ups and lost fish rounded out the morning until the wind picked up and essentially blew us off the water – a typical morning on Sebago.

Anglers targeting Sebago Lake at ice-out always do best fishing the mouth of the Songo River. I’ve fished Jordan Bay and caught fish, but

the lion’s share of the action is at the Songo where smelt course in and out of the lake as they make their run.

Adjustable Smelt Harness Trolling methods are

FE

as varied as the anglers themselves, but at iceout, you can’t beat a live smelt.

The old-timers would spend their time painstakingly sewing their bait on with a bait needle.

Many adjustments were made to ensure the bait rode true through the water and had that “deathroll’ so crucial at eliciting (Continued on next page)

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52 • April 2017 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Sebago to Auburn (Continued from page 51)

a strike.

Modern anglers, myself included, prefer the speed and ease of an adjustable bait harness.

The sliding-hook models allow you to adjust the rig to the bait length and put a slight bend in the smelt to cause it to roll.

Nothing could be quicker and easier.

Salmon are the sought-after quarry at ice-out, but lake trout also make regular appearances as they search for schools of smelt. No change in bait or tactics is required to net these monsters – you will find them right alongside the salmon, at least during ice-out.

Later in the spring as the smelt runs dies off, salmon move out into deeper water and spread

out about the lake. Anglers with leadcore line or downriggers do better, after using fish-finders to point out where the lunkers are. Togue drop down to the bottom and are targeted there.

Lake Auburn That following week after my first 2016 venture on Sebago, Lake Auburn (Map 11, E-4) opened up, and I made my annual trip to my “home” water.

With surface temperatures at around 41 degrees, it was still cold, but the salmon were hot on the bite. I caught and released several salmon and lakers. I kept busy that morning, catching almost a dozen long, thin salmon and some togue.

That’s not a typical

day on Lake Auburn, but it is characteristic of iceout. In years past, when we caught long, slim “racers” one season, the following year it was all big, fat fish. We will see if my prognostication holds true this spring.

Ice-out anglers on Lake Auburn do well running along the buoys separating the “open” from the “closed” portion of the lake. Areas where the water depth is between 30 and 40 feet are the sweet spots on the lake, and running a fly line just under the surface grabs the salmon and togue.

Anglers also do well trolling the shoreline along Salmon Point, or where the brooks enter the lake on Lake Shore Drive or Spring Road.

Bait tops this angler’s choice, but flies and lures also do well on Lake Auburn.

The Lake Auburn boat launch on Route 4 – which is the sole public access – can get busy, so early anglers get on the water much quicker than later-arrivals.

Thompson Lake April 1st of 2016 found me on Thompson Lake (Map 11, E-4) with an unseasonable temperature of 60 degrees at sun-up.

I had received reports of some really nice salmon being caught, and I wanted in on the action.

As I entered the lake, I was marking fish all through the water column. No sooner had I gotten my line in the water with a smelt on the harness, when the action was on and I was into a spirited salmon.

I trolled along Agassiz Village and then into Potash Cove, getting hits and catching salmon and togue. That morning the

The Smilin' Sportsman Angler: “All my life, I wanted to be a fly fisherman in the worst way!”

Guide: Well, you’ve succeeded!

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Q: Why do penguins walk softly?

A: Because they can’t walk hardly.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Husband: “Has anything happened while I’ve been away this week?”

Wife: “Yeah, on Sunday your hunting dog ate all the Scrabble tiles.”

Husband: “And?” Wife: “And he’s been leaving messages all around the house since Monday.”

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Knock knock.

Who’s there?

Dwayne.

Dwayne who?

Dwayne the bathtub, willya? I’m dwowning!

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Young student: “Hey, Dad, math at school is easy!”

Dad: “How easy is it?”

Young student: “If I’d received 50 cents every time I got an answer right, I’d have, umm, $6.30 now!” www.MaineSportsman.com

wind picked up as it typically does in early spring, so I was off the water by 9:00 a.m. I could have switched to flies or lures, but I’d had a good morning and called it a day.

Depending on where you want to fish, Thompson Lake has two boat launches to get you there.

Anglers on the northern side of the lake can access the water just off Route 121 in Oxford.

This quickly puts anglers into deep water. I launch at the Heath in Casco so I can quickly get to my favorite spots, like Megquier Island and Potash Cove.

With winter behind us, this looks like it will shape up to be a great spring. Ice-out fishing brings out the best our salmon and togue lakes have to offer, so be sure to get out early and often.

¶

Youth Edition

Kids! Send your best hunting & fishing stories, and your favorite jokes, to the editor at will@mainesportsman.com

—

on

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Jackman Overflowing with â&#x20AC;&#x153;Special Placesâ&#x20AC;?

For many of us â&#x20AC;&#x153;baby boomers,â&#x20AC;? the opening day of trout season traditionally had all the trappings of a national holiday. My wind-up alarm would shatter the morning silence long before the sun peeked over the horizon, after having signaled the coming morning all night long, one agonizing tick at a time.

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d jump out of bed and chase the dancing bell across the bureau

The writer gets off the beaten path to find the special places where his family has found earlyseason brook trout for generations. Nearly every brook and tributary in the region holds brookies, if you know where to look. for a chance to silence the clattering annoyance and get ready for this long-awaited event.

Time has a way of changing everything â&#x20AC;&#x201C; sometimes for the better, sometimes less so. When

I think of my father and grandfather standing in cold moving water with those horribly stiff rubber hip boots, I chuckle a bit with nostalgia.

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not sure what they would say today if

they saw my assortment of waders. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s face it â&#x20AC;&#x201C; breathable Gore-Tex and neoprene have added a new dimension of fishing comfort.

Anglers looking to take advantage of the

Jackman Regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s April 1st opening day might do well to consider a warm set of neoprene with some insulated undergarments. Fishing the early part of the new season up here requires dressing warmly, in combination with having a strong motivation and desire to break out of the winter doldrums.

Not So Fast Many of the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (Continued on next page)

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54 • April 2017 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Jackman Region (Continued from page 53)

lakes and ponds sport ice for the majority of this month. That leaves moving water for those of us foolish enough to fish with ice in the guides or our rod.

Back in the day, weather played no part in the Sheldon family’s opening day rituals. After

dressing up as warmly as our “low-tech” gear would allow, we usually headed to the nearest bridge that featured a stream sloshing below.

However, it wasn’t time to fish yet. Down came the tailgates of a few locals’ pick-up trucks, and out came the propane

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High-calorie foods were not a concern then, since we knew we’d be using lots of energy fishing – or just staying warm.

After breakfast, we separated ourselves from the tailgaters and started fishing in earnest. Both my dad and grandfather had a knack for finding “special places” that, at least for me, have stood

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I’m honestly not sure what makes a “special place” so appealing, and, it undoubtedly varies from person to person.

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My own spots include locations far off the beaten trail that consistently produce the native brook trout that define the pinnacle of cold-water fishing in Maine. Another important factor, a noticeable lack of crowds, goes hand-in-hand with early season fishing up here in the north woods.

An old wooden bridge, long since replaced by concrete and steel, still comes to mind along with the pools below it that I fished with my grandfather just shy of 50 years ago. I don’t leave until I’ve caught and released at least one trout from that special place.

The Jackman Region teems with “special places” throughout its vast range of fishable waters.

Department of Inland (Continued on next page)

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—————————————————————————————————————————————————————— The Maine Sportsman • April 2017 • 55

The Young Maine Sportsman with Luke Giampetruzzi My Favorite Spring HomeStreamer Away from for Home Salmon This is my favorite spring trolling fly for salmon – the Grey Ghost.

This is the fly I tied and demonstrated at the Maine Sportsman Show last year.

I will be at the show again this year (March 31 – April 2; Augusta Civic Center) tying these flies and doing demonstrations of other flies as well.

This fly, the Grey Ghost, catches fish. I have also caught lake trout and brook trout on this pattern.

183 State Street, Suite 101 Augusta, ME 04330 Twitter: @LuckyLukesFlies LuckLukesFlies@juno.com

• Hook: TMC #6 for front; #4 for back; #2 single hook tandem wire • Thread: Danville Black 6/0 • Rib: Flat Silver Tinsel • Body: Burnt Orange Floss • Throat: White Bucktail • Topwing: 2-4 Medium Dun Saddle Hackles with Golden Pheasant Crest • Underwing: Peacock Herl • Cheek: Silver Pheasant Body Feathers, Jungle Cock optional

¶

Jackman Region (Continued from page 54)

Fisheries and Wildlife (DIF&W) biologist Tim Obrey once told me that just about every brook and tributary in the Jackman Region holds brookies.

Chasing brook trout has turned into a passion of mine. I’m long past looking for size. A few of my “special places” give up brook trout measured in inches, not pounds.

A three-weight fly rod wrestles these native beauties to hand where I admire them for a few brief seconds and gently slip them back into their pool.

By perusing pages 39 and 40 of the DeLorme Atlas, one can easily distinguish brooks and tributaries that cross under roads and highways. These crossings are excellent places to start the search for Maine’s prized square tails.

Usually, finding that perfect spot requires getting far away from the road.

During the high water of spring, it’s often advantageous to travel upstream, because the higher elevations have less run-off from the snow pack. This usually equates to more fishing-friendly water levels. Later in the season you can extend your search to areas that appear “blown-out” at lower elevations.

Overlooked Waters Also, it’s a big mistake to overlook small pools. One stream I frequent every spring religiously yields two brookies from a small pool the size of a bushel basket. Maybe that’s what makes it so special. In fact, I’m sure other fishermen pass right by this opportunity.

Grey Ghost, tied by Luke Giampetruzzi

The recent purchase of the Cold Stream drainage opens up lots of options to anglers who are willing to do some leg-work. With multiple ponds giving up brook trout, just about every tributary that either feeds the ponds or Cold Stream itself warrants a well-presented fly. Again, the trek in often represents a challenge, but rewards those who like to multi-task and combine a little hiking with their fishing pursuits.

As previously stated, these fish often tip the scales in inches, not pounds. Preserving this fragile area requires responsible angling. Barbless hooks, and careful fish handling and releasing skills, will help to keep many of these “special places” yielding fish and memories for generations.

Those who consider venturing out opening day up here in the Jackman Region will have plenty of incentives to turn off the alarm clock, go back to sleep and wait for more favorable weather conditions. However, years of challenging travels have taught me that my best memories often seem to come from difficult journeys.

When I look back, I remember old wooden bridges, stiff rubber waders, ice in the guides and the smell of bacon drifting downstream. Somewhere along the way I must have caught enough fish to keep me casting a line all these years – but that’s not what stands out.

The time spent in special places with special people – now that’s the catch of a lifetime, for sure.

¶

Bill Sheldon prepares to release a native brook trout at one of his “special places” where square tails are measured in inches, while memories are weighed in pounds.

Skilled angler Joe Schuttert takes a short break while fishing along the Moose River.

Bill Sheldon photo www.MaineSportsman.com

56 • April 2017 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————————————

How to Find Fish Now While Waiting for “Real” Spring to Arrive While other parts of Maine revel in the developing spring, early April in Maine’s Moosehead region sees a continuation of winter. But by month’s end, spring gains a solid foothold, much to everyone’s delight.

Open-water fishing, the big – and really, the only – game in town, begins in rivers, streams and brooks sometime in mid- or late April. This is especially true for the southern section of the region. From Monson to Sangerville, and Dover-Foxcroft to Guilford, winter-weary anglers try their luck on the Piscataquis River.

As soon as conditions permit, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries

and Wildlife (DIF&W) begins stocking the Piscataquis and other waters with catchable-size brook trout at regular intervals throughout the spring season.

Bear in mind that folks operating rearing stations (a rearing station just grows existing fish, as opposed to a hatchery, where fish are bred) want nothing more than to relieve themselves of all fish slated for spring stocking as soon as possible. This is to make room for the next batch of fish.

So if it seems that DIF&W is slow to stock some favorite spot, it isn’t because of any purposeful tardiness on their part – it is simply that some physical reason (high wa-

ter being a primary one) prevents them from doing so.

And finally, boaters begin trolling for trout, salmon and togue in the lower reaches of Moose River. This, of course, is a prelude to the sizzling action to come once ice clears out of Moosehead Lake. But for many, some limited trolling is far better than no trolling. And Moose River fills the bill.

Early Hotspots Once DIF&W plants brook trout in the Piscataquis River, anglers hit their favorite sites. For me, two spots hold my interest year-in and yearout. These are the bridge over Route 23 near its intersection with Route

Brook trout from Lowes Covered Bridge Pool on Piscataquis River. Seymour photo

15 in Sangerville, and that section of river just below Lowes Covered Bridge just off Route 15 between Sangerville and Dover-Foxcroft.

The trick to taking fish here is to hit the river during a medium flow,

neither high water nor low water. For those living out of the area, the best thing to do is watch television news for up-todate weather forecasts.

A week after the last big rain can make a big dif(Continued on next page)

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—————————————————————————————————————————————————————— The Maine Sportsman • April 2017 • 57 (Continued from page 56)

ference, since water levels drop quickly on this rocky section of river.

Lures It’s artificial lures only here, with a 2-fish daily bag limit. A majority of anglers, excepting for fly-fishers, use spinners and small spoons, such as the ever-popular Dardevle. But other offerings may work better.

Now that Al’s Goldfish is back in production from its Biddeford location, try a small version of their standard gold model. For brook trout, it’s hard to find a better piece of metal hardware.

As for me, nothing yet suits my form of ultralight spin fishing better than Trout Magnets, specifically Magnets with a black body and silver jighead. These are legal to use in Maine because the jighead is not only painted, it is coated with a durable silver (or gold) finish that does not wear off.

But no matter the lure, finding the right depth can mean the difference between a fishfilled – or a fishless – day.

No amount of casting and retrieving will make fish bite if the lure doesn’t

get down to where fish are holding. And here’s where ultralight gear with its spider web-thin lines really shines.

I’ve watched people fish for a half hour with not a single bite while at the same time, trout are biting my little trout jigs on nearly every cast.

That’s because my thin line allows the lure to sink quicker and deeper than heavier lines.

Three-pound test line has little water resistance, and thus sinks much more easily than heavier lines.

Sometimes it’s necessary to add a size b.b. split shot or two about 15 inches above the jig. I prefer the painted, rather than the shiny, variety.

These are more expensive, but to my mind, worth the extra money. And if split shot still don’t take that lure down to waiting trout, a small bit of tungsten-based nymphing “mud” will do the trick.

Look for both these sections of Piscataquis River on the DeLorme Atlas, Map 31, C-5 and Map 32, B-1.

Early Ponds Again bearing in mind that DIF&W pre-

fers to get out and stock as soon in spring as possible, early ice-out means that such places as Lake Wassookeag in Dexter, Branns Mill Pond in Dover-Foxcroft and Center Pond in Sangerville can see freshly-stocked brook trout rising and splashing in late April.

Indeed, one afternoon on my way home from fishing the Piscataquis in Sangerville, I drove past Lake Wassookeag.

To my amazement, I watched brook trout eagerly smacking floating insects on the glass-slick surface of the lake. But I’d had my action already and kept driving, hoping that soon someone else would spot this fishy opportunity, stop and try their luck.

All the ponds mentioned here and more get stocked as soon as possible each spring. It mostly depends upon when ice melts, and that can happen as soon as the third week or fourth week of April during an early spring.

Again, it pays to watch the weather forecast. Also, a call to the fisheries division of the DIF&W Region E office in Greenville, (207) 6953756, might pay off. Bi-

ologists there are usually up on current open-water fishing spots and can provide good information.

While catching these 8- to 10-inch stocked brook trout isn’t quite the same as going out on Moosehead Lake and catching wild trout, togue and salmon, it beats sitting home and waiting for the ice to melt.

In fact I must admit to getting a thrill when trout start biting one after another. Stocked or not, trout are trout, and after a long, hard winter, these lovely fish are the perfect antidote to an enforced period of sitting in front of the stove and throwing in sticks of wood.

Look for Lake Wassookeag on Map 32, D-1, Branns Mill Pond on Map 32, C-2 and Center Pond on Map 32, C-1. Note that this is only a sampling

of stocked waters in the Moosehead area. A look at the stocking information found in this issue of The Maine Sportsman, as updated later online at the DIF&W website, will reveal many more.

This early-season fishing has an ethereal quality. Water temperatures are as cold as they ever get due to melting ice and snow; bits of halfburned wood float on the surface, residue from the previous winter’s ice fishing efforts; and trout, when located, bite in a frenzied manner. Smoke from 2-cycle outboard motors hangs in lazy trails over the still water and all is right with the world.

Come and see for yourself this spring in the Moosehead region.

¶

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58 • April 2017 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————————————

In Aroosook, It’s More Frozen Mud Season Than Fishing Season The April 1 start to the open-water season is really an April Fool’s joke to anglers in Aroostook County, since lakes, ponds and even most streams still sport a solid coating of impenetrable ice.

April has finally arrived – green grass spears poke through the brown, matted yards; buds bloom; birds perch on awakening tree limbs; and effervescent anglers gather gear and head to favorite rivers and lakes now open for the season.

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layers of clothing, not to mention true desire, devotion and perseverance!

Why, there have been many years in mid-May after a few lakes have shed their icy coats to allow spring trolling, that I’ve endured snow storms, sleet and hail, high winds with frigid rain and floating ice.

That’s a picnic compared to April outings.

Prestile Potholes Prestile Stream is arguably Aroostook’s premier limestone treasure trove of wild trout. Even under the most dire conditions, some Prestile fishing holes are available from opening to closing day.

Two sure bets are the twin pools at the foot of Mars Hill and Robinson dams. Each will expand a bit more each day as melting ice in the upstream ponds increases water flow. Thanks to the style of dam and sluiceways, seldom does the spring freshet make the pools unfishable.

Early April open water at either site accommodates 1 or 2 bait cast-

Only a handful of small ponds shed their icy coats by mid-April, but trolling can be very productive on spots like Conroy Lake. Here, Mike Wallace of Freeport displays a hefty trout.

ers or one worm slinger and one fly flailer. Moderate temperatures and a bit of rain or wind slowly expand each pool toward the nearby bridges, allowing four to six anglers as the month progresses.

Trout move upstream below the barricade blocking their path. Although the cold, debris-filled water yields slow results, there are plenty of brookies, including hefty 12- to 18-inch speckled beauties.

Hip waders are a must – even chest waders for early on – both for

getting over and through the snow banks lining the pools and for dealing with the high water.

Wear long, insulated underwear and heavy pants – for those with improper layering, the April water is leg-numbing after only a few minutes.

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Bait; Methods To catch the most fish under April conditions, employ a lively bundle of fresh angleworms with just enough (non-lead) sinker weight on the leader to allow bottom-bumping and bouncing.

(Continued on next page)

THE CROWN OF MAINE Central Aroostook Chamber 207-764-656 centralaroostookchamber.com www.MaineSportsman.com

Fort Fairfield Chamber 207-472-3802 fortfairfield.org

Greater Fort Kent Chamber 800-733-3563 fortkentchamber.com

—

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————— The Maine Sportsman • April 2017 • 59 (Continued from page 58)

The correct amount of ballast changes daily with the stream height and speed in each pool, but will quickly be evident with the first couple of casts. If your worm is floating, add weight, while if your bait is bottom-dragging and catching on rocks, lighten things up.

Most trout won’t chase bait, so the tasty morsel needs to be presented right into their set feeding lane. It takes patience and a lot of casts, but eventually a fish will feed.

As the water recedes a bit and the sun works its magic, fly casters should elicit some action during Week Two on these dam

pools. Low and slow needs to be your mantra – use at least a sinking tip fly line with no more than a 7-foot leader and a heavy fly to hug the bottom.

My success comes from leech patterns, sculpins and Matukas in black, purple, and olive green using a slow line swing and light rod tip twitch. Alternate a bright

size 6-8, 3X streamer such as a Mickey Finn, Miss Sharon or Herb Johnson special as the water clears and warms.

Peruse Delorme’s Atlas, Map 56, A-3 for Mars Hill dam right beside Route 1 with a large parking area and simple approach route from either shoreline – albeit snowy and muddy!

Map 56, B-3 will overview the Robinson pool, and the Robinson Road off Route 1 in Blaine will guide newcomers to the Prestile and ample parking on both sides of the dam.

Early conditions are tough – both approaching and fishing – but there are a lot of schooled trout (Continued on page 61)

MAINE WILDLIFE QUIZ ANSWERS from page 50

The Prestile Steam runs fast and dirty at freshet. For brook trout during the first week in April, the pools below the Mars Hill and Robinson dams are the only game in town.

When the water is running heavy like in this photo, work the eddies, backwaters and shorelines. Graves photo

1. The native range of the White Sucker stretches from the North American Midwest and Northeast to as far south as New Mexico.

2. The White Sucker is also known by the names mullet, white horse and just plain sucker.

3. White Suckers are called “suckers” because of their odd toothless mouth and distinctively fat lips.

4. White Suckers will eat almost anything, including small invertebrates, algae and a wide array of plant matter.

5. White Suckers are fed upon by larger predatory fish species such as togue, bass and northern pike.

6. In Maine, White Suckers spawn in the shallow water of streams throughout April and May. 7. White Suckers reach sexual maturity at three to eight years.

8. White Suckers can live for 17 years.

www.MaineSportsman.com

60 â&#x20AC;˘ April 2017 â&#x20AC;˘ The Maine Sportsman â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

Spring, and Open Water at Last!

Spring is in the air!

Following a winter that more than made up for last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s snow-drought, many people are looking forward to the melt-water and warm days April regularly delivers. Not that this month is incapable of throwing us curveballs.

We can always count on a few really cold mornings, and April showers in northern Maine have often arrived in the form of snowstorms.

Still, April is time for sorting through all of our fishing gear and dreaming of sunny warm days. Opening day for me has often meant a cup of warm coffee in one hand and an ice scraper in the other, getting the car ready for a short trip to a

Springtime provides a relaxing opportunity to stretch your legs and find some good fishing, while avoiding the rushed, competitive atmosphere that develops later in the summer. nearby pond. Early season fish are still waking up and may not always put up a big fight, but they are generally hungry, so anglers are sure to get some action.

Small ponds and beaver flowages are fickle in how they melt. Depending on how the snow fell in one place and whether or not the morning or afternoon sun hits it, one pond can open in early April, while another just a mile or two away will be locked up until Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day. Patience and

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lowered expectations are required, as is a sense of adventure and excitement at having another crack at some open water.

Fish River, and St. John Anglers in the St. John Valley area can try their luck in the water above and below Fish River Falls (DeLorme Atlas, Map 67, D-4) for some early season salmon. The falls are accessible via a public access trail over private land on the east side, off Strip Road. The trail leads directly to the impressive falls and gorge, with a side trail to the large pool at the bottom.

The St. John River itself is home to large muskie. These impressive predators are eagerly sought-after by fishermen, and the sooner the better up north. There

are several public boat launches on the river, from St. Francis to Fort Kent and down to Van Buren. With the deeper and colder water of spring, these large fish are more active than they will be after the weather warms.

Looking for Trout Several years ago, a friend and I made our way to Chase Ponds (Map 62, B-5) for some spring fishing. These deep ponds are nestled into a valley off the St. Francis Road.

Closed to ice fishing, these ponds hold trout and togue. Current open water regulations limit anglers to two brook trout and three togue, which must be at least 14 inches long to keep, and only one can exceed 18 inches.

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the roads, and then hiked in the rest of the way.

Patches of sun-softened snow gave way with our steps, and at other times, the shaded woods held fast to hard-packed piles of the white stuff. These sorts of excursions are part of traipsing around the woods in April.

Eventually we found some open water and proceeded to prepare our kit.

Fish this time of year are less likely to chase after fast moving prey, preferring to be lazy and scoop up whatever tasty bits are floating by.

With no live bait allowed at Chase Ponds, we set out sinking bugs and worm lures, and tried some early season nymphs. Ideally we would have set up near a freshet, but our options were limited.

As the sun swept past noon, we each had a small trout to take back and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d had our fair share of action. Neither of us bothered to fish very deep that day, although we knew the togue would be there when we returned later in the summer.

Rather than make a fire for a late lunch, we opted to take the trout back to town, chatting about recipes on the ride back. His version of apples, onions and thyme trout won, which I was not complaining about after dinner that night.

Low Stress These sorts of lowstress fishing trips are another thing I enjoy about spring fishing.

By the time June rolls around, many anglers are in full swing and getting competitive, even if is just with themselves.

April and May, however, are a time when we (Continued on next page)

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—————————————————————————————————————————————————————— The Maine Sportsman • April 2017 • 61 (Continued from page 60)

can ease out of winter and back into casting with a long rod, rather than being hunkered in a small hut staring at a hole in the ice.

We can stretch our legs, taking relaxing walks in the woods or around the pond. Seeking out some good spots on an ice-free brook, we can enjoy the spring sun as it finds its way through branches not yet full of leaves.

Signs of Spring Overall, spring is a great time to simply explore the big woods, or the forests and fields around your home. This time of year, life is trying desperately to push through the thawing ground and reach beyond the patches of snow. That means spring flowers in unexpected places, bright green growth mingled with spring mud, and other signs of spring.

Lots of migrating birds are also returning.

What had been a nearly

silent winter forest turns into a noisy woodland of sparrows, finches, jays and crows. Throwing a birding guide book into the pack on a spring fishing trip can help pass some time.

It is also a good time to be on the lookout for returning hawks and waterfowl. The plethora of large lakes and long waterways in the north woods can pull in everything from sea ducks to mallards and snow geese.

And, the agricultural fields of Aroostook County always attract black ducks, Canada geese and various teal species.

There is never a dull moment with spring birding in Maine.

Note: Starting next month, Don will be taking a break from writing the Allagash regional column while he completes his paramedic clinicals. Bill Graves, our Aroostook contributor, will expand his column’s coverage area on an interim basis.

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The County (Continued from page 59)

and you can’t catch any from your living room recliner!

Convenient Conroy Each mud season varies year to year, but at some point in mid-April a few small lakes and ponds begin to open up, first allowing casting from shore and finally the use of boats.

At only 25 acres, Conroy Lake in Monticello actually has a deep area of 109 feet, and yields some very productive early-season action on brook trout and splake. Experience has proven that the first couple of weeks of ice-out yield the most consistent action, especially when the smelt are running.

Early-bird anglers will be fighting snow drifts and mud holes to reach the shoreline and may have only 40 feet or so of open water to cast into where the ice has pulled away from the bank.

Toss worms on bobber rigs and play the watch-and-wait game, or if you just need to keep busy, bottom-bounce a nightcrawler or throw and retrieve a lure.

I’ve enjoyed great luck with an Al’s goldfish, small bronze Mooselook wobbler, and size 5 or 6 silver Sutton spoons, sometimes casting out onto the ice shelf, then tugging the lure into the water and using a stop-

The St. John River is home to some lunker muskies. Photo courtesy of Ben Dominguez-Benner and Gina/Flickrr

and-go retrieve to make sure the lures dive and rise.

Once all ice dissipates, a small boat or stable canoe offers full access and the opportunity to troll lures and streamer flies for improved action.

Splake stocked in the fall may be in the 16-inch class by spring, and older brookies and splake occasionally exceed 18 inches.

Use Route 1 and turn onto the Lake Road for a mile then onto Wilde Road to the boat launch. Current snow bank levels will dictate parking space and how far and muddy your trek to Conroy’s open water. Map 59, D-3 offers guidance.

Advice from Dear Old Dad Open-water fishing spots prove scarce during mud month in Aroostook, and it’s a battle to visit the few options available. The upcoming month of May proves a far better option with extensive lake and river opportunities.

But it’s been a long winter, and if you’re like me, the call of any April open water is too much.

As my Dear Old Dad was fond of saying, “You can’t catch ’em in the living room.”

I’ll see you out there.

Ice out freshet conditions can be tough in pools below Prestile dams. Here Tom Tardiff of Robinson avoids the fast current coming over the dam to bottom-bounce worms through the back eddies and calm pools where the trout hold to avoid the cold, swift runs.

Occasionally, warm temperatures and some rain will clear a longer stretch of the Prestile Stream near Robinson. If that happens, writer Bill Graves -- dressed in layers and using neoprene waders for April comfort -- casts colorful streamers and coaxes brookies to strike.

¶

www.MaineSportsman.com

62 • April 2017 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————————————

April: A Tale of Two Seasons in Katahdin Country Outdoor opportunities abound this month as winter slowly releases its icy grip and lets some warmer weather sports peak out from the winter doldrums. This tug of war between winter and spring leaves astute sportsmen licking their chops.

The snowmobile crowd gets a mixed bag – warming temperatures and melting snow. This means beautiful sledding weather on a rapidly disappearing trail system.

Rest assured that diehard trail runners will eke out every last mile before the trail system melts into the forest.

Before heading out during the early portion of April, check the local riding conditions to make sure the targeted trail hasn’t deteriorated to the point of closing. Also, water crossings of any kind can range from tricky to life-threatening.

The local snowmobile clubs and lodges do a real good job of posting current trail conditions.

Both the JoMary Riders Snowmobile Club (www. jomaryriders.com) and New England Outdoor

Bundle up for early season salmon fishing. This silverside fell for a Black Nose Dace.

Bill Sheldon Photo

Center (www.neoc.com) have their fingers on the pulse of just how long spring trail riding will last.

The trails, especially those in the higher elevations, usually hold

snow long enough to put spring snowmobiling on the yearly “must-do” list. Warm days and cool nights mixed just right keep trails navigable much longer than the trails used by our friends

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Self Propelled Travel Earlier this season I spent a windy afternoon snowshoeing the Bait Hole Trail. This well-maintained trail,

(Continued on next page)

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While plodding along with my snowshoes, I encountered an interesting gentleman traveling along on cross-country skis. In our conversation I told him of my upcoming appointment at the LLBean Outdoor Discovery program to take an introductory cross-country skiing lesson.

“Ahh,” he mumbled.

“If you can walk, you can cross-country ski,” he insisted.

“I’ve been doing it for 70-years – I’m just shy of 80,” he concluded.

While canceling the upcoming lesson never really crossed my mind, this older gentlemen inspired me to continue my interest in learning to navigate using a mixture of ski, pole, snow and muscle.

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Trail, take a moment to read the excellent signage at the trail head located three miles south of Millinocket on Route 11.

They also had some complimentary maps which this old map guy thought was a good idea. All of this information supports a well-planned outing.

Spring Fishing The April 1st start of the open water fishing season has die-hard anglers searching for open water. It’s often problematic finding open water during the early portion of this month.

In some ways it’s a painful opening day, because realistically the weather needs to break enough to open up some lakes and ponds. If I understand the laws correctly, it’s illegal to stand on ice and cast into open water. Even if I don’t have that one technically correct, it’s probably very dangerous.

Anglers who insist on fishing regardless of the conditions need to look for moving water. One early season favorite, the Nesowadnehunk Deadwater – a wide section of the West Branch of the Penobscot River – attracts cabin-bound fishermen looking to brave the early-season elements.

Colloquially referred to as “Sourdnahunk” and located below Ripogenus Dam and above the Nesowadnehunk Falls, this water attracts anglers looking to hook into some of the prized salmonids that tail in this oversized pool.

Canoes and drift boats rule the day, launching at the Horserace Cove boat ramp located along the Golden Road (DeLorme Atlas Map 50, D-4). Plan on launching with cold weather gear fully deployed to deal with spring conditions in the Katahdin Region.

Fishermen connect with brook trout and

Snowmobiling, cross country skiing and spring fishing – each activity dependent on the fickle nature of spring weather – are available to outdoor enthusiasts in Katahdin Country. landlocked salmon by trolling flies that imitate the smelt that tumble down the river from Lake Chesuncook.

Hungry salmonids lay in wait at “Sourdnahunk” and gorge on these easy meals.

The ever-popular Grey Ghost, Jerry’s Smelt and Ballou Special head the long list of streamers that copy the true-to-life smelt. Many guides tie on a dropper fly, usually a nymph, to try to “double” their clients’ chances of success.

Also, if they hit on a nymph that works well, they then eliminate the streamer and fish just the nymph. Although a bit more difficult to cast, this set-up has proven very effective.

When trolling specifically for salmon, I’ve had luck trolling two flies,

spaced 18 inches apart.

In essence, the first fly – a big gaudy fly with lots of sparkle – acts as an attractant, while I use a small, sparsely-tied trailing fly like a Black Nose Dace to connect with the fish.

The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (DIF&W) regulations limit the number of flies to three hooked to one line.

Always check the DIF&W regulations when dreaming up fish-catching strategies.

Made from ash, I routed them out in two halves on a CNC machine, filled the handle section with six pounds of lead, put a piece of carbon fiber between the two halves, and glued them together.

Next came a little bit of sanding.

The advantage of the counterbalance comes in when pushing down on the oars. The weighted handles push down effortlessly – a big energy saver, especially after a day of rowing.

The next step involved learning to ropewrap the oars, which went extremely well. After wrapping an 18-inch section, I installed a set of “oar-rights.” Oar rights keep the blade perpendicular to the water at all times. Opinions vary on the use of oar rights, but my fishing raft has them and I guess I’ve gotten comfortable with the arrangement.

The Katahdin Region offers a mixed bag of winter and summer sporting opportunities this month – come take advantage of two seasons.

¶

Anxious Oars And of course, I’m especially anxious to try out a new set of counter-balanced oars I built over the winter. After running my homemade wood drift boat with “bought” oars, I decided to build a pair for myself.

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www.MaineSportsman.com

64 • April 2017 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Fly Fishing Need Not Be Complicated Fly fishing certainly is an art form. Over the course of their lifetimes, many anglers become proficient at the sport.

However, one need not cast 60 yards, know the name of every nymph in the fly box at LL Bean and dress like they stepped out of an Orvis catalog to have fun catching fish on the fly.

For many of us, the most difficult step to becoming a fly fisher is picking up rod, reel and line and attempting that first tentative cast. Well, don’t be an anxious angler – just do it!

Fly fishing is not

Beginners can learn fly-fishing basics quickly, and casting a long line is not critical – in fact, 90% of fish are caught within 25 feet of the boat. nearly as complicated as it is frequently made out to be, and a person can learn all they need to achieve casting success and catch fish in as little as an hour.

Now I am not saying that your form will be perfect or that you will be able to cast like a pro, but what most newbie fly casters don’t realize is that 90% of the fish caught on the fly are done so with casts distancing

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less than 25 feet.

Therefore, fly fishing is more about understanding specifically where the fish are hiding and targeting them with short, well-placed casts.

Get Quality Fishing Gear Another issue I see frequently when instructing new fly fishers is poor gear selection. They buy expensive waders, sun glasses, fly jackets and nets, but purchase their fly rod, reel and line at big-box discount stores.

Avoid frustration, maximize available funds and shorten the amount of time it will take to master the art of fly fishing by first investing in these three critical items.

This isn’t to say big money need be spent, but

$100 on a rod, $80 on a good weight-forward tapered floating line and $50 on a reel will go a LONG way in shortening the learning curve. Better gear simply casts easier, allowing beginners to become less frustrated when trying to learn.

Protect Peepers When fly fishing, always wear eye protection.

Beginners and experts should all heed this warning, and when instructing I cannot stress this enough. Wind, branches, other fly casters, fish spitting the hook, misplaced casts – there are simply too many uncontrollable variables for an angler to make a perfect cast every time.

Even experts casting in perfect situations

make mistakes. A hook in the ear or head is an inconvenience; a hook in the eye is potentially tragic. Full wrap-around polarized sunglasses on bright days and cheap $10 clear safety glasses on those days that are overcast are what I call simple preventative measures.

Read a book, watch YouTube videos, take an adult education class, hire a Maine guide, take a class at LL Bean – whatever the final choice, there are lots of instructional options to help anglers fly cast proficiently.

Grand Lake Stream After long months of inactivity, “anglers anxious” wishing to fly fish open waters would be well-served to make a pilgrimage to Grand Lake Stream (DeLorme’s Atlas Map 35, B-4). It’s open April 1st to fly fishing only.

(Continued on page 66)

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The Young Maine Sportswoman with Alyssa Sansoucy

183 State Street Suite 101 Augusta, ME 04330

Fishing, Shed-Hunting and ATV-ing, Home Away from Home While Prepping for Turkeys Now that it’s coming into early spring, there are a lot more fun activities you can do.

Preparing for Turkeys Turkey hunters such as me are getting ready for the spring turkey hunt coming up in the next few weeks. I find the spring hunt easier than the fall, because the turkeys are more vocal and are more likely to come to a call.

I find morning turkey hunts are the best. As it gets later in the day, it gets harder to call them because they tend to not communicate as much during the afternoon.

Turkey hunting is one of my favorite things to do during the spring.

Trout Fishing Now that the ice and snow have melted, it’s easy to get to the edge of the water for fishing.

Open water fishing allows you to catch brook trout that were stocked not long ago in the water.

You can use a spinning rod, which I use, or you can fly fish. I have never fly fished, but it looks really fun and I plan to learn how.

Shed Antlers Another activity you can do is shed hunting.

You can either do this with trained dogs, or just go out yourself and look.

Sheds are easier to find when there is little to no snow on the ground – this way, they aren’t covered up.

When I’m hunting for deer in the fall, I usually find a few sheds. They are quite common if you know what to look for, but they blend into the branches on the ground so they are easy to pass by.

Sometimes you will find two sheds right near

Washington County (Continued from page 64)

Hoards of anglers descend upon the stream, intoxicated with the prospects of pulling fat silversides from the stream’s turbulent, ice-cold waters.

Fishing is often fast and furious during the first three weeks of April, with hungry salmon eager to bite hard on any imitation smelt patterns, such as Black Ghost and Gray Ghost. Those new to the sport of fly fishing and confused by the overwhelming selection of flies can stop at the Grand Lake Stream store and simply ask the clerk what the fish are biting.

Widely considered one of the top landlocked salmon rivers in the state, Grand Lake Stream regularly produces salmon of between 16 and 20 inches in length, with larger fish always an exciting possibility.

Regulations set a length minimum for salmon at 14 inches, and a one fish bag limit on salmon.

The dam pool is by far the most popular – and also most crowded – location, so those

each other, and other times they can be a few hundred yards apart.

It’s harder to find a set, because you don’t know where the second one is or in what direction.

ATVs The last thing you can do is go ATV riding. This is especially fun because you can go down trails and get to fishing spots easier. Sometimes I take my four-wheeler up the river behind my house to fish near the dam and brook. There are lots of trails near my house and I love going down them on warm sunny days.

These are some of my favorite things to do, but there are a lot more activities to choose from.

Now that it’s warmer, it’s easier to get where you want to go without having to worry about being blocked by ice and snow.

¶

This is the river behind my house and it’s my favorite place to fish. Can’t wait until the snow is gone!

Here are a few of the deer and moose sheds I’ve found in the woods.

wishing for a quieter and more pristine experience should explore other areas of the stream, such as the hatchery pool.

Stream Side Salmon Sushi Those anglers remaining overnight in the Grand Lake Stream area usually stay in lodges with three fully prepared and served meals a day (American plan). However, those with more budget-conscious considerations choose to cook our own meals (housekeeping plan).

For those choosing the latter option, I can think of no better lunchtime meal than freshly caught salmon. This meal can be easily prepped ahead of time and assembled on-site with little more time commitment than making a sandwich.

Start by making the sushi rice the evening before. I prefer “Rice Select,” but there are many other brands equally good.

Cook rice according to the directions on the package. After the rice has cooled, add approximately 3 tablespoons of rice vinegar per cup of rice made. Rice can then be place in a large Ziploc bag.

In the morning, pack up the sushi rice

along with, roasted seaweed wraps, pickled ginger, soy sauce, wasabi and avocado.

Once a legal-length salmon is caught it can be filleted and the flesh cut into thin strips.

To assemble the rolls, place a seaweed wrap on a plate and press a thin layer of cool rice on the seaweed. Leave at least 1/2 inch top and bottom edge of the seaweed uncovered for easier rolling later.

Dot some wasabi down the center of the rice so that it is spread evenly through the entire roll. Arrange avocado and salmon on the rice about 1 inch away from the bottom edge of the seaweed.

Slightly dampen the top edge of the seaweed, and then roll from bottom to the top edge. While some people prefer to accomplish this step with the help of a bamboo mat, it isn’t absolutely necessary.

Cut roll into 8 equal pieces, top with a thin slice of pickled ginger and serve sprinkled with soy sauce to taste. (And remember – in areas with a one-fish limit, this was your one fish for the day!)

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66 • April 2017 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————————————

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Hancock County Anglers Focus on Small Waters and Salters The author advises anglers to gather valuable information from the fish stocking report found in the pages of this magazine, concentrating on ponds that were not heavily ice-fished this winter.

My ultra-lite Mitchell 230 open-face spinning reel was loaded with 4-pound test monofilament connected to a small, number 8-snelled hook, and graced with an ample amount of worm.

After a 30-foot cast, my line disappeared almost instantly into the crystal-clear pond. As soon as I began trolling the line behind my kayak, I felt the unmistakable tug of a fish trying to inhale the bait. I was about to land my first fish of the 2016 season!

The fish made several dives trying to free itself; however, the 10inch brookie finally swam close to the boat. I slid my rubber-meshed net under its milky-white belly.

Freeing the trout from my line, I realized how lucky I was to live near dozens of well-stocked Hancock County waters.

After admiring the fish one last time, I carefully released the beautifully-speckled brookie back into the mirror-calm water.

Exhilarated by the warmth of the April sun, the budding green leaves sprouting along the shoreline, and the lush, musty smells of a returning spring, I paddled around the pond for several more hours. I was fortunate enough in the next two hours to catch and release four more 8to- 10 inch trout.

Sea Run Salters In addition to fresh-water fish, the Down East area also prowww.MaineSportsman.com

vides anglers with a great opportunity to catch searun trout. Sea-run brookies, also known as “salters,” have on many occasions provided sufficient action for my wife Donna and me to hook and release our first catch of trout.

One of the best bets to find open water and to catch that first speckled beauty of the season can be found by fishing some of the small tributaries that run into Penobscot Bay. Locate these tiny waterways by reviewing Maps 16 and 23 in the DeLorme Atlas.

Particular hotspots are family secrets, and because the streams can handle only one angler per stretch, the better-known locations quickly become crowded.

So find your own, and keep the exact location to yourself. My list of sea-run trout streams includes more than a dozen streams that run into the Atlantic Ocean.

Spring Fishing Tips Getting back to fresh water – An excellent way to find heavily-stocked, fresh-water lakes and ponds in Hancock County, like the one described in the opening paragraphs, is to peruse the “2016 Fish-Stocking Report,” published on the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IF&W) website or in this issue of The Maine Sportsman. This list shows the name of the water, the size, the species and number of fish stocked in each water

last fall.

Region C Fisheries biologist Greg Burr offered the following additional suggestions for anglers: “I have found that the waters to concentrate on are the small ponds, especially those trout ponds that were not open to ice fishing or were under fished during the winter and were stocked heavily in the fall. These small ponds warm up quickly, and the trout become active soon after ice out.

At some small ponds, as soon as the cover ice starts coming off the water, the trout will move into the open-water areas even before it goes totally ice free, making for good fishing in the open holes along the shore.”

Small Ponds; Big Action One pond that encompasses many of the elements mentioned by Mr. Burr is 36-acre Tilden Pond in T10 SD. Refer to Atlas, Map 25, D-1. Because of its remoteness, Tilden is lightly fished by ice anglers, so open-water anglers can expect some good catches of attractive-size brookies this spring.

Fishery personnel released 1,200 6- to 8-inch brook trout there last October.

A 35-foot deep hole lies along the southeast shoreline; however, early-April anglers are usually more successful by concentrating their efforts in the shallower, warmer water.

Folks gain access to

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c This typical Downeast sea-run brookie displays silvery sides and healthy heft.

this water by traveling on a trail from the north end of the sand beach on the west end of Spring River Lake, and then bearing a little northeast after passing Mud Pond.

Simmons Pond Another prime producer of brook trout in April is Simmons Pond in Hancock (Map 24, E-2).

This small 7-acre pond received 222 7-inch trout last year. The fall stocking, combined with the release of spring brookies – often by the end of April – should allow anglers additional opportunities to catch fish. Anglers here consider a 10- to -12inch trout a nice fish.

My fishing buddy Jim Sohns of Bucksport and I plan to fish here several times each spring. Jim is usually fortunate enough to catch-and-release several 10- to 12 -inch brookies.

I seem to catch as many branches off bottom as I do fish. Fishing a nymph, especially a Pheasant-tail nymph, allows me to entice enough brookies to justify scheduling numerous outings each year.

Access to Simmons can be gained by tak-

ing the Eastern Road to Washington Junction. A gate was installed several years ago to curtail the careless actions caused by 4-wheel-drive vehicle owners. The road gate will be unlocked as soon as road conditions permit.

Additional Productive Waters Another excellent water, recommended by Jim Sohns, is Salmon Pond (Map 24, D-5). This 10acre pond was stocked with 1,200 7-inch brook trout last October.

Salmon Pond is open to general-law-fishing regulations.

Hiking into this honey hole takes only about 10 minutes on the trail from Route 182. The trail is clear and wide enough to allow anglers to carry in a canoe or kayak.

There are no camps on the pond. The scenic view of Tunk Mountain enhances the wilderness experience for anglers.

Brook trout in the 6-inch range are the norm, with a few 10- to 11- inch trout taken by persistent anglers.

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Waiting to See How Last Year’s Drought Affects This Year’s Trout The first week of April brings out throngs of eager anglers trying for brook trout in our small streams and brooks.

Typically, water levels in early April are conducive to fishing. High water comes later, when the real spring warmup begins.

And in the case of those countless small streams up and down the coast that host runs of anadromous brook trout, cloudy water, the result of snowmelt, signals some of the best fishing of the year. And it is those fish that went out to sea during last season’s severe drought on which we now pin our hopes.

My concern for the wild, native trout population in general is well founded. The drought dried up many streams, and even some smaller Midcoast rivers barely held enough water to float a matchstick. This low water meant trout that didn’t migrate to the estuarine environs and were relegated to what pools remained.

Therefore, they fell prey to minks, raccoons, cormorants, herons and goodness knows what else. I’ve read that even owls will take fish when the opportunity presents itself.

So it seems quite possible that most of our stream-run trout are gone. Of course the very smallest fry probably escaped predators’ notice and survived. But it will take several years before we see anything like a robust, wild brook trout population.

In the meantime, hope for taking trout from our streams and brooks centers upon re-

turning anadromous trout. If sufficient numbers went to sea, which is entirely possible, then we may well encounter good fishing this April. So let us all hope that more trout than usual went to sea, there to wax fat and sassy. Any way we view it, early spring fishing this year will come as a learning experience.

Early Trolling Often, small ponds in Midcoast Maine become ice-free in late April. It’s slow fishing, though, in more ways than one.

Trout metabolism has yet to rev up, which means they won’t venture far to take a lure or bait. Also, trout stay near bottom now, at least until water warms, at which point they begin actively feeding.

So fishing near top or even at mid-range will not result in many hookups. A fast-trolled offering won’t work either. In order to connect, trollers are obliged to troll slow and deep. A fast-sinking fly line or a lead-core line works best now.

Where, then, might anglers look for a place to launch the boat and do some early-season trolling? Well, I’ll now offer several locations where prospects are good for picking up some early-season trout.

Before listing my chosen trout waters, let me add that even if ice has gone out, some boat landings are reached via dirt roads, and these may not be passable until frost has entirely left the ground.

In this instance, try walking down the road before driving on it. If the surface seems soft and mushy, wait until conditions improve. Failure to

observe this caveat may result in a stuck vehicle and trailer, and a torn-up road.

Quantabacook Pond Quantabacook Pond in Searsmont should afford both brook trout and brown trout this spring.

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries And Wildlife (DIF&W) recently discontinued their brown-trout stocking program at “Quonny,” citing poor angler return. This was a real letdown for me, since I always did well on browns there, especially during the springtime trolling season.

The reason that others didn’t enjoy the same results was that, as cited above, they trolled too fast. I have had 6- and 8-trout mornings at Quantabacook, times when other anglers watched me landing brown trout as they sped by. But few others took the cue to slow down.

So while the brown trout program remains inactive at Quantabacook, DIF&W did stock 400 surplus 12-inch brown trout there in late 2016. This means that these fish should stay around for several years and, as in the past, grow to respectable sizes.

Around the same time as the brown trout stocking, DIF&W also released 450 14-inch brook trout in Quantabacook.

Many of these brook trout were taken during the first week or so of ice fishing. But the hot streak soon dissipated, likely because the fish dispersed from the area where they were released. This leaves us lots of bragging-sized brookies, plus those “bonus” browns.

Look for Quantaba-

Note the iridescent bodies on these anadromous (sea run) brook trout. Seymour photo

cook on the DeLorme Atlas, Map 14, B-2.

Hosmer Pond Hosmer Pond, site of the famous bobsled championships and home to the ski area Snow Bowl, has more going for it than just winter sports.

Hosmer Pond holds some big brown trout.

Fisheries biologist Wes Ashe told me that he sampled the trout population last year. While the pond does not contain an abundance of cold, deep water, it still yielded some “respectable” brown trout, according to Ashe.

So while Hosmer stands as primarily a put-and-take water, it also has potential as a put-grow-and-take water. Some local anglers are well aware of this fact. Accordingly, they hit the pond in early spring, where they sometimes take brown trout 3- to 4-pound range.

One angler I met there was sold on Rapalas as trout-killers. But wobbling spoons such as Mooselook Wobblers and others will certainly get results too. Another Hosmer Pond angler told me that trolled streamer flies worked well there.

And since the pond contains some smelts, trolled smelts should bring lots of hits.

One reason Hosmer

Pond goes begging while anglers hit other nearby waters is that the boat landing lacks much of a pitch, which makes it difficult for people to launch large, heavy boats. But for those with small, easily-maneuvered boats or even canoes, Hosmer makes a good bet for taking April trout.

Back in late 2016, DIF&W stocked 250 14inch brook trout, 500 8-inch brook trout and 50 12-inch brown trout. Add to that whatever holdover brown trout may remain, and we have a remarkable, 65-acre springtime trout hotspot. Look for Hosmer Pond on Map 14, D-3.

Swan Lake While anglers take early-season salmon at Swan Lake, those who concentrate solely upon salmon are missing a bet.

Togue bite well during the first few weeks after ice-out. And surprisingly, togue bite best in nearshore areas. Smelt run up tributaries to spawn now, and togue as well as salmon often make forays into shallow water in order to feast on smelt.

So go slow, use smelt for bait if possible, and stick to areas of perhaps 20 feet deep or less. See Swan Lake on Map 22, E-5.

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April Float Trips for Trout; and Shad are Running Too! Water levels and temperatures have a major effect on trout fishing this month. To help find active trout, anglers should watch weather reports, since weather patterns will dictate the depth, temperature and clarity of the water.

April is always a splendid time for anglers to consider a float trip.

Waters depths and flow levels are generally fast, offering perfect whitewater action.

Later, during midsummer heat waves, water levels become low, requiring more portages and paddling. Many of our rivers become small streams here in southern Maine. Low water exposes rocks and log jams.

One river system that offers excellent float trips all summer long is the Ossipee River.

Big “O” River Ossipee River is a large, dam-controlled waterway that flows from Porter to Cornish. This 18-mile long river offers perfect conditions for cold water species like salmon and trout.

The lower section, from Kezar Falls to the Saco River in Cornish, is a freestone river that can be waded or fished from shore easily.

Islands in the river offer good fishing. In fact, I’ve had luck fishing pools just downstream of mid-stream islands. I’ve caught brookies, browns, smallmouth bass and even salmon all on the same outing – it’s my goto spot.

The upper section, from the Berry Bay dam in Effingham, New Hampshire to Kezar Falls is mostly slow-moving water with some fast, www.MaineSportsman.com

rocky sections. Tail water at a dam at Berry Bay offers quality year-round fishing for rainbow trout, along with landlocked salmon and browns.

Brown trout hold in rock walls along the dam’s outlet, making a living preying on disoriented bait fish. Anglers should fish the eddies and whirlpools formed at the outlet with bait – either nightcrawlers or baitfish. One time I caught a 20-inch rainbow while fishing at the outlet using a size-8, black-stonefly nymph – swimming it with a dead drift in a whirlpool downstream from the dam.

Float Trip Slower sections hold both large and smallmouth bass as well as other typical warm-water fish. Stretches of slow water with weed-choked shores below the Route 25 bridge in Effingham, N.H. are often overlooked, but these are great locations for some whopper largemouth bass.

I can’t think of a better angler/canoe trip in southern Maine. Anglers avoid encountering the sometimes-rowdy recreational paddlers like those who often frequent the upper sections of the Saco River.

Put in at the boat access ramp in Effingham N.H. and then float and fish to Kezar Falls. Route 25 follows the full length of the river, and has many put-in and take-out locations.

While in the area, check out the historic covered bridge in Porter on Route 160. This section runs slow and deep with some swimming holes, Tarzan ropes and sandbars. Large brown trout cruise these waters feed-

ing on minnows, frogs and smaller fish. Dead drifting bait near bottom at night can produce Jurassic-size trout.

Part of the Ossipee River is in New Hampshire, so both Maine and New Hampshire fishing licenses are required to fish the entire length of the river. There are special rules involved, so always study both law books before fishing. DeLorme’s Atlas, Map 3 will show you the state boundary lines.

Little “O” River Little Ossippee River, from Bridge Street in Newfield to Lake Arrowhead in Waterboro, is another good spring float trip. The slow sections combined with large boulders create the perfect environment for bass; some back-waters with pads and weeds also harbor largemouth; and trout hang out in rapids.

These slow water stretches and deep pools hold brown trout that have dropped down from rapids. Once brown trout outgrow available food sources in swift water habitat – which generally offers aquatic insects and small minnows – then these larger trout move to slower deep water where larger prey are found. These food sources include frogs, shiners, and larger bugs such as grasshoppers.

Canoeing during spring runoff can hold dangers around each bend in the river, so stay safe, study the river system and talk with locals about water conditions.

Shad Run American Shad are anadromous fish that travel hundreds of miles

The author releases an early-season brook trout on the Ossippee River in Porter. The trout gobbled up a stone fly nymph in the deep pool below rapids. Doris Marquez photo

upstream to spawn. They are the largest of the herring family, averaging 4 to 7 pounds. Their range extends from New Brunswick to Florida. They can be found in southern Maine coastal rivers like the Saco and Mousam Rivers.

Shad, much like salmon, don’t feed once they enter rivers to spawn.

They can be caught, however – anglers can entice them to attack with small, bright, buck- tailed jigs or Shad darts.

Migrating shad generally hold in deep pools resting, or they stack up downstream of dams. Anglers need to add weight to flies or use weighted jigs to reach bottom where the fish hang out.

American shad are listed as a “Federal Trust Fish,” and for that reason, the Feds have responsibilities for their recovery. Conservation efforts are underway in coastal rivers from Maine to Virginia. The Mousam River dams are of particular interest to federal regulators because dams on the Mousam have no fishways, so they can’t re-

ceive a federal relicense without modifications.

Shad runs take place in several of Maine’s larger rivers, including Androscoggin, Kennebec, Penobscot and Saco; and also in smaller rivers such as the Mousam. According to Maine Department of Marine Resources (MDMR), there are two fishways that allow shad passage – one on the Penobscot, the other on the Saco.

MDMR records show that over the last 23 years, the fishway located at the Skelton Dam in Biddeford and Saco has had a total count of 42,000 shad entering the river.

There were 881 shad in 1993, while in 2015 5,720 passed through.

The fishway at the dam on the Penobscot has only operated two years.

The shad count there was 812 in 2014 and 1,506 in 2015. Maine’s shad fisheries is currently on the rebound, and as anglers start taking advantage of this hard-fighting, acrobatic fish it will become the fish of choice for many.

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Trapping’s Best Management Practices Best Management Practices (BMPs) as they pertain to trapping are intended to provide information about traps and trapping systems considered state-of-theart in animal welfare and efficiency. With the use of BMPs, trappers can continue to maintain an important role in furbearer trapping and other wildlife management programs such as the removal or the relocation of problem animals. Trappers also capture animals for research or for reintroduction into other locations.

These BMPs serve as a reference guide to wildlife management agencies, conservation organizations, researchers, tribal nations, trapper organizations, individual trappers and others interested in the continued improvement of traps and trapping systems.

As such, the BMPs are used as a practical tool for trappers, wildlife biologists, wildlife agencies and anyone else interested in improved traps and trapping systems.

The standards include technical recommendations from expert trappers and biologists, and a list of specifications of traps that meet or exceed the BMP criteria that have been established.

BMPs also provide the trapper options, allowing for discretion and decision-making in the field when trapping furbearers in the various regions of the United States. They do not present a single choice that can or must be applied in all cases. The suggestions contained in BMPs include practices, equipment, and techniques that continue to ensure the welfare of trapped

animals, avoid unintended captures of other animals, improve public confidence in trappers and wildlife managers, and maintain public support for trapping and wildlife management.

Written by Government Regulatory Association The BMPs for the United States were written by the Furbearer Conservation Technical Work Group of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies.

This work group is composed of wildlife biologists from various state fish and wildlife agencies throughout the United States, with regional representation provided from the Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, West, and Alaska. Their mission is to maintain the regulated use of trapping as a safe, efficient and acceptable means of managing and harvesting wildlife for the benefits it provides to the public, while improving the welfare of trapped animals.

The development of the document would not have been possible without the cooperation and participation of many state wildlife agencies, trappers and trapper organizations.

Various state agencies provided on-the-ground coordination and supervision in the states where BMP trap-testing occurred.

Wildlife veterinarians at the University of Georgia, the University of Wyoming, and Wildlife Health Associates accomplished evaluations of captured animals during the testing to ensure the welfare of the captured animals by the trapping devices evaluated as suitable for capturing the different species.

The manpower to ac-

Detail from introduction to “Best Management Practices for Trapping in the United States.”

complish the evaluations was provided through the efforts of the members of various state trapper associations, individual trappers and technicians who took part in the extensive field-testing that supported the development of the BMPs. Their efforts and commitment to the continued improvement of trapping in the United States was an essential contribution to the success of the project.

The support and involvement of the National Trappers Association was there from the start, and the association continues to be an important contributor in the continued efforts to make improvements to our trapping equipment for the welfare of the various species to be captured.

The Fur Institute of Canada (FIC) also provided extensive input into the development process.

The introduction to the United States BMPs may be found online at:

www.fishwildlife.org/ files/Introduction_BMPs. pdf. This 13-page, extensively-illustrated document provides a thorough review of the science of trapping, equipment, and the goals of the Best Management Practices.

Big Project to Develop Standards The BMPs developed in both the United States and Canada have been implemented, and that allows North American Trappers (both Canadian and American) to sell their furs on the worldwide market. The wealth of information developed

by Fur Institute of Canada (FIC) from the inception of the United States BMP process provided much-needed information for the inclusion of many important trapping devices, which would have been nearly impossible to obtain otherwise.

Maine trappers owe the FIC much for the information they provided from their program, which was

started some time before the United States’ effort.

That act saved much time and money in getting the US program in place.

In addition, the landowners who allowed testing on their properties made a significant contribution to the future of wildlife management in the United States. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provided funding for the trapping BMP research and development. The International Fur Trade Federation provided additional funding, and many state agencies made substantial inkind contributions.

The Goals of the BMPs The development of BMPs remains an ongoing process. The purpose of the process is to scientifically evaluate traps and trapping systems used for capturing furbearers in the United States. The evaluations are based on animal welfare, efficiency, selectiv(Continued on next page) www.MaineSportsman.com

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Bikers Fear Close Encounters of the Motorized-Vehicle Kind Maine consistently ranks near the top of national studies that gauge the most bicycle-friendly states. But as we enter the biking season, experienced riders in Maine have a growing concern about road safety in the wake of rising crash rates.

When I see articles touting Maine’s safe roads, it always astounds me that there could be so many other states where roads are actually more dangerous for bikers. Nationwide percentages of both bicycle and pedestrian deaths rose by double digits in 2015.

A fellow bicyclist mentioned recently that he was considering a switch from road biking to mountain biking because of worsening traffic and safety issues. This guy raced bicycles competitively in college and still logs hundreds of hours training on local roads. He clearly did not vote in the latest survey touting the “bike-friendly” roads in Maine.

The Most Dangerous Part In the summer of 2012 I completed a month-long self-propelled

trip from Kittery to Fort Kent. I biked, hiked and canoed the entire length of Maine in one of the greatest experiences of my life. During months of preparation for that journey I received all kinds of questions and unsolicited advice.

Folks asked me if was afraid of drowning, or falling, or bears or outlaws. A sizeable group suggested I carry a handgun. But I wasn’t worried about any of those things.

Close encounters with motorized vehicles are the most dangerous part of any self-propelled trip.

It’s not paranoid thinking. This is a healthy fear that has evolved through long experience. I gained it by road biking, Nordic skiing on snowmobile trails, swimming across boat-infested lakes, running on city streets, canoeing in the wake of speed boats and mountain biking on ATV trails.

The only frightening encounters on that entire 2012 trip were several narrow misses with motorized vehicles.

Surviving Through Submission My goal in these situations is always to be

Trapping Silent Places (Continued from page 69)

ity, practicality and safety. Results of this research are provided to state and federal wildlife agencies and trappers.

The goals of the BMP document are to: • Promote regulated trapping as a modern wildlife management tool.

• Identify practical traps and trapping techniques that improve efficiency, selectivity, and the welfare of trapped animals.

• Provide specifications for traps that meet BMP criteria for individual species in various regions of the United States.

• Provide wildlife management professionals with information to evaluate trapping systems in the United States.

• Instill public confidence in and mainwww.MaineSportsman.com

the submissive, cowering, low-down dog in the pack. If I can pull completely off the road, or trail, or river I will do so in a heartbeat. And while I may mutter and swear under my breath as the motor-heads speed by in a cloud of exhaust, I always smile and wave.

I consider urban bicycling groups whose members intentionally challenge motorists by blocking public streets and demanding equal status with motorized users to be suicidal. They have failed to understand a prevailing human trait.

Motorized human beings who are otherwise perfectly fine individuals have a universal, thinly-veiled contempt for muscle-powered travelers. It happens to everyone who gets behind the wheel — even people who have previously experienced the other side of the equation. Among a certain population, this low-grade disdain can erupt into road rage in a flash – especially if the guy without the motor has the audacity to make eye contact.

A few years ago, I was riding in the American

Lung Association’s Trek Across Maine. Fifteen hundred bike riders were on their way from Farmington to Waterville on a picture-perfect summer day. There is safety in numbers, and some of the bikers even dared to ride side-by-side in the paved break-down lane of the roadway.

Maybe it was this transgression that enraged the passing truck driver. Or maybe it was just the sheer number of smiling, helmeted, Lycra-clad bike riders on his roadway. But for five miles the same dumptruck passed back and forth a half-dozen times.

Honking his horn and screaming obscenities, the driver swerved menacingly toward bikers until he was pulled over by police escorting the ride.

I’ll take my chances with the bears any day.

Canoe Symposium Coming to Bridgton If you have lived in Maine for any length of time there has almost certainly been a canoe in your life at some point.

It might have been a battered aluminum fishing canoe that your grandparents kept at

tain public support for wildlife management and trapping through distribution of science-based information.

Welfare of Animals is #1 Criterion All types of traps used on land to hold live animals were evaluated using five performance criteria: animal welfare, efficiency, selectivity, practicality and safety. Testing and evaluations were accomplished on these live restraining devices, which included foothold traps, cage traps, enclosed foothold devices, and powered and non-powered cable devices.

The number one concern, “animal welfare,” includes the use of trauma scales to determine a level of animal welfare performance for the restraining traps. They are guidelines that are presented in ISO (International Organization for Standardization)

their camp. Or maybe it was a summer camp encounter with a sun-faded polyethylene veteran of many years on the waterfront. If you were very lucky, you got to experience a classic wood & canvas model somewhere along the way.

The Pine Tree State has been closely associated with both the manufacture and historic use of the open canoe for more than 200 years. And for the past 30 years, the folks at the Maine Canoe Symposium have been celebrating that tradition.

Canoe-lovers flock to the annual event, held at Winona Camps on Moose Pond in Bridgton. This year’s festivities will be held over the weekend of June 9-11.

Come learn to solo paddle that big Old Town that your grandfather passed down to you. Or learn the art of canoe poling from the best competitors and guides in the business.

Information and online reservations are available at MaineCanoeSymposium.org.

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Document 10990-5. One of the scales allocates points to specific injuries, including a zero score for uninjured animals. The other scale groups specific injuries into classes ranging from none too severe. A combination of both systems is used in the evaluation process.

The primary species captured in the traps that meet BMP performance criteria must have an average cumulative score of 55 points or fewer according to one scale.

According to the other scale, 70% or more must have no injuries or only have trauma described as mild or moderate.

More information related to the BPM process and its use will be the subject for next month’s “The Silent Places” column.

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How the Clean Water Act Protects the Biological Integrity of Maine Waters When the Clean Water Act was passed in 1972, its objective was “to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation’s waters.” Here in Maine, 45 years later, we have restored many of our major rivers from the worst insults. We certainly have good reason to celebrate the benefits that the Clean Water Act has provided those of us who enjoy fishing, boating, swimming, and drinking clean water.

Even with worldwide recognition that Maine is a land of clean water, a rocky coast and the great north woods, we are still fighting the battle to “maintain” the improved water quality we have achieved over the last four decades.

It’s a fight that will never end.

Sadly, we still have too many water bodies that do not meet minimum water quality standards as established by the Legislature. We need the Clean Water Act as much today as we did in 1972.

More Work to Do In our more developed towns, Maine has over 30 streams listed as “urban impaired streams” due to polluted stormwater runoff. We have over 200 lakes listed as “most at risk from development” thus requiring stricter standards for development in the lake watersheds to prevent phosphorus and nutrients from causing harmful algae blooms and turning the lakes green.

We still have places like the lower Penobscot River where mercury pollution has shut down large areas to fishing and shellfish production.

Every summer, we hear

about a town or state beach that is closed due to bacteria after a rain.

And red tide, often made worse by pollution, periodically shuts down shellfishing along our coasts.

Progress Made By and large, though, we have made great progress. Even our most heavily developed rivers and streams – our “Class C” waters – like the Androscoggin River and the Salmon Falls River, support healthy fish populations and are a pleasure to paddle in a canoe most of the time. That is because the federal and state agencies that enforce the Clean Water Act have done what our citizens have asked: they have restored the chemical, physical and biological integrity of our waters.

The Bad Old Days Over half the Maine population today was born after 1972, so most of our citizens are too young to remember the bad old days when raw sewage flowed into our rivers, and massive fish kills from pollution were regularly reported on the evening news.

In response to the public outcry, the Clean Water Act was passed.

(Actually President Nixon vetoed it, but Congress overrode the veto.) The law required industries, cities and towns to install cost-effective treatment, rather than simply dumping toxic chemicals and untreated wastes into our rivers, as was usually the practice at the time.

To begin the clean up, the U.S. Congress and the state legislatures also joined forces to provide funding for municipal wastewater treatment plants to treat domestic sewage and wastewater

from smaller businesses.

Early Types of Treatment The first types of required treatment – primary and secondary treatment – were designed to get most of the worst gunk out of the rivers to be sure there was enough oxygen for fish.

The law mandated that industries install treatment technology specific to their type of discharge.

Power plants had to install cooling towers so fish and other aquatic life would not be harmed by high temperatures.

In the early days of the Clean Water Act, the traditional way to measure water quality was to use chemical and physical data, like the concentration of dissolved oxygen, suspended solids, temperature, pH (acidity) and other pollutants like oil and grease or copper and aluminum.

This was a good start, but as the worst pollution was halted, and fish and aquatic life started to come back, we needed better ways to determine how clean is clean enough. The way to do that was to assess the biological communities downstream of the discharge.

Biological Integrity Today, we have sophisticated methods to monitor the “biological integrity” of a water body, including the overall diversity and abundance of fish, plants, insects and other aquatic life.

Biologists at the Maine Department of Environmental Protection were pioneers in developing effective methods for measuring how aquatic organisms, both plants and animals, respond to pollution and other human activities. These

The Presumpscot River in Westbrook supports a healthier biological community today than in 1972, thanks to the Clean Water Act.

methods are critical to restoring and maintaining our waters as “fishable and swimmable.” Many other states adopted the approach developed here in Maine.

Monitoring Macroinvertebrates By taking samples of the “benthic macroinvertebrates,” biologists can determine whether a water body is meeting the designated water quality standards established by the Maine legislature.

Macroinvertebrates are those species that 1) are large enough to see without a microscope (macro) and 2) don’t have a backbone (invertebrates). These include insect larvae, worms, mollusks, leeches and water beetles. Benthic organisms live on the bottom of a stream or pond in the gravel, sand, and mud, or on rocks and plants growing on the bottom.

Any who casts a dry fly or dead drifts a nymph is pretty familiar with many of the critters that live in our rivers, streams and ponds. But to most people, the underwater organisms are invisible and unknown.

Some of these aquatic species are sensitive to pollution, temperature, flow and other water conditions. Species like caddis flies and mayflies require clean, highly ox-

ygenated water and a diversity of bottom conditions, including rocks and pebbles.

Other species of bugs and worms will tolerate low oxygen conditions, heavily silted bottoms, or high concentrations of toxic compounds like copper or chromium.

The types of invertebrates that are living in the water give a good indication of how the entire ecosystem responds to pollution over a period of months and years, rather than just on a given day.

Water Quality Classification The biologists collect samples by leaving mesh bags or baskets filled with rocks and stones on the bottom long enough for the resident critters to colonize the rocks as if it were the natural substrate. The baskets are then collected and the bugs, worms or other invertebrates are carefully counted.

Using statistical ratios, Maine DEP biologists compare the rock basket samples to the diversity and abundance they would expect to find in a river, stream, pond or wetland that is known to meet water quality standards. If the bugs are alright, then the rest of the ecosystem is likely to be alright.

(Continued on page 73) www.MaineSportsman.com

72 • April 2017 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————————————

—

Dawn of a New Era on Belgrade’s Long Pond?

Long Pond in Belgrade (Delorme Atlas, Map 20, E-4) holds a special place in this writer’s memories, and very likely for plenty of other folks as well.

As very young anglers in the 1970s, we ventured to Long Pond every spring to fish for white perch at the inlet from Great Pond. While large perch were the main focus of our fishing efforts, many trips produced a few brook trout or even more special, a landlocked salmon or two. Salmon represented a real thrill for an el-

Clark

ementary-school-aged angler with little experience, but with a growing passion for catching these exciting salmonids.

Little did we know at such a tender young age, but Long Pond already held a century-old reputation as an outstanding trout and salmon lake, one that attracted anglers from far and wide.

However, as the years progressed and our angling skills grew, we came to understand and appreciate just what a jewel we had in this 2,714-acre lake. During the early 1980s, Long Pond routinely produced 10- to 20-salmon days for us. About the only knock on the experience was that the fish rarely topped 16 inches, thanks to stocking rates that were much too high, crimping growth rates.

But biologists soon adjusted stocking levels, and as a result the

growth rates of the salmon skyrocketed. Starting in the mid-1980s and for the next decade, Long Pond produced such amazing fishing that it easily ranked among the top five salmon waters in all of Maine. Twenty-inch salmon weighing three pounds became commonplace, and the lake gave up several 6- to 8-pound specimens each year.

While less common, 2- to 3-pound brookies showed up as well.

Northern Pike Appear, Thrive Unfortunately, during this amazing decade for the salmonid fishery, a major threat quietly grew. Northern pike were illegally stocked elsewhere in the Belgrade Chain of Lakes, most likely Great Pond or North Pond. The pike populations in both those lakes exploded, and specimens found their way downstream into Long

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A growing population of illegally-introduced Northern pike, in combination with an increase in alewife numbers, doomed Great Pond’s salmon fishery. However, rainbows and browns are tougher fish that may provide new options for anglers.

Pond, where their numbers took off as well. By the mid-1990s, Long Pond held a massive number of pike, and regularly produced northerns weighing in the 15- to 25-pound range.

These monster pike not only fed heavily on smelts, the primary food source for salmon, but also devoured the salmon themselves.

And we’re not talking small salmon either. On one memorable trip to Long Pond in April 1995, we caught seven salmon that all weighed in the 3- to 5-pound range, but five of those seven fish bore massive injuries on their sides from encounters with pike.

All across the lake at that time, anglers reported fewer salmon catches, and many of those caught showed such signs of attacks by pike. Within a few more years, the salmon fishery had completely collapsed.

It hasn’t recovered in the two decades since, despite a variety of efforts by biologists to turn things around.

On top of the pike issue, a second major problem developed for the salmon, again thanks to illegal stocking. Somebody illicitly stocked alewives in the Belgrades, and they’ve

thrived. While the huge alewife population has benefitted growth rates for many species, they’ve done more harm than good when it comes to the salmon. Not only will the salmon not feed on them much, but also the alewives have devastated Long Pond’s smelt population on which the salmon relied so heavily.

A New Day Last fall, biologists threw in the towel on the salmon fishery, and instead stocked 2,000 16inch rainbow trout. While it’s extremely sad to give up on the once-heralded salmon fishery in Long Pond, the move to rainbow trout has many hopeful aspects that should leave anglers giddy with excitement and anticipation.

First, the rainbows are far less fussy than salmon when it comes to food sources and should make excellent use of Long Pond’s heavy alewife numbers. So look for tremendous growth rates in the rainbows. This writer fully expects to begin receiving reports of 5-pound and larger rainbows coming from Long Pond within just two to three years.

Second, while the salmon struggled mightily with pike in the lake, (Continued on next page)

G

C e h D D p b p c 0

R o n h v

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————— The Maine Sportsman • April 2017 • 73 (Continued from page 72)

brown trout have competed reasonably well with the pike in nearby Great Pond and in Long Pond itself. Long Pond isn’t stocked with browns, but a fair number of specimens migrate into the lake from Great Pond and have provided anglers with a decent, albeit small, fishery that has included some real whoppers over the last decade or so.

Rainbows are far more similar to brown trout in their habits, sizes and shape, so should also compete more effectively against the voracious

pike than did the salmon.

This April will be the first crack that anglers have at the new rainbows, given that all trout, salmon and bass were off limits to ice anglers this past winter.

Besides the rainbows, anglers can expect some stocking of brook trout this spring. Last year, 700 brookies were stocked during the month of April, although most years see a smaller stocking of 100 to 200 brookies in April and a similar planting in May. Smallmouth bass provide a surprisingly good fishing each spring on Long Pond as well.

Sporting Environment (Continued from page 71)

This type of biological sampling has been very effective in bringing our rivers back up to clean water standards. And, these meth-

Look for them near bottom in 10- to 25-foot depths this month. They move into shallower water as the water temperatures rise, but given the cold and snow of this past winter, don’t expect to see the bass start moving until May this year.

Likewise, don’t look for Long Pond’s vaunted perch runs to begin until May this year as well. In some years, it starts in April, but based on the cold, snowy winter we experienced, the perch runs will be on the later side this spring.

Early Perch Speaking of perch,

Long Pond doesn’t have a lock on that fishery (although it is one of the best places in the Mid-Kennebec Valley Region to catch 2-pound perch!). Many local waters offer excellent fishing for perch, as the schools swarm shallow water on a feeding binge prior to spawning.

With the cold and heavy snow of this past winter, most of those perch runs won’t start until May this year, but the runs on China Lake in China and Vassalboro (Map 13, A-3) typically start far earlier than on most local waters.

The “Breakwater” at the northern end of the lake

ods will be used to monitor changes in water quality, so we can keep our rivers, ponds and streams clean for future generations.

Just as it was in 1972, the Clean Water Act’s objective today is “to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biolog-

in China (where the road abuts the lake just west of the boat landing) should produce perch starting around the third week of April this year.

While enormously popular, the Breakwater doesn’t actually offer the best fishing, as the perch tend to run smaller there, even by China’s standard.

Most of the shoreline offers decent angling, but we’ve enjoyed good action for larger perch along the eastern shore a mile or so south of the boat landing in China.

¶

ical integrity of the Nation’s waters.” For 45 years, we have been making good progress.

But that is something we can’t ever take for granted.

¶

The Maine

CLASSIFIED RATES Subscribers may place one free 20-word classified ad per month, limited to three months. Items for sale must include a price. Real estate ads must include an address or location.

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DOGS GERMAN SHORTHAIR POINTER PUPPIES Cape Newagen Kennel expecting German Shorthair Pointer puppies.

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FOR RENT PARKMAN, ME BUCKS CROSSING WMD 17 Rental Cabins.

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ROCKWOOD, ME ON MOOSE RIVER Two well equipped, 2

bdrm camps with access to ATV & snowmobile trails, and boating into Moosehead Lake depending on the season. Please check us out on TripAdvisor or call Rose or Dave 207-534-0222.

LAKEFRONT CABIN Lakefront cabin on the Little Narrows Basin of Upper Cold Stream Ponds in Lincoln, 4-season cabin w/cable, internet, kayaks, canoe, access to ATV & snowmobile trails. Depending on season, can be rented nightly, weekly or monthly. More info & pictures on Craigslist under Vacation Rentals/ Lincoln. Call Tate 207794-4208.

(Continued on next page) www.MaineSportsman.com

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1286545 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; LAGRANGE: 3 ACRES WITH 2 CAR GARAGE 24â&#x20AC;&#x2122;X24â&#x20AC;&#x2122;, MOBILE HOME SLAB, WELL AND SEPTIC. NICE COUNTRY SETTING. JUST A SHORT DRIVE TO I-95. $35,000 1287040 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; GUILFORD: 2+/-ACRES WITH 180â&#x20AC;&#x2122;+/- FRONTAGE ON THE PISCATAQUIS RIVER. 36â&#x20AC;&#x2122;X22â&#x20AC;&#x2122; BUILDING W/POWER ON PROPERTY. PUBLIC WATER AT ROADSIDE. $37,900 1287148 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; MONSON: 21+/-RECREATIONAL ACRES. LOCATED NEXT TO THE ITS TRAIL SYSTEMS. PIPER & WHETSTONE PONDS NEARBY & MOOSEHEAD LAKE. NOT ON A MAINTAINED ROAD. $29,000 1294134 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; SEBEC: 5.48+/-ACRES LOCATED ON A MAINTAINED ROAD. SHORT DRIVE TO PUBLIC LANDING ON SEBEC LAKE. ITS AND ATV TRAILS RIGHT OUT THE DOOR. $25,900

1295262 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; HARMONY: 4.8+/-ACRES, COUNTRY STYLE CUSTOM KITCHEN, FIELDSTONE FIREPLACE, 3 BEDROOMS & 2 BATHS. ATV/ITS TRAILS ALL CLOSEBY. $159,900 1286627 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; GARLAND: 2.08+/-ACRES W/2 BEDROOM CAMP. DRILLED WELL, PIT PRIVY, GAS LIGHTS & SAUNA. POWER AT ROADSIDE. ATV/ITS TRAILS & STATE LAND ALL CLOSEBY. $35,900

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget to come see us at the State of Maine Sportsmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Show!

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MONSON: Abutting Appalachian Trail 15 miles south of Moosehead Lake, start of 100 miles Wilderness. 40 acre lots, 35 mile panoramic views of lakes and mountains.

Gated gravel road 5 miles to village. Just 3/8 mile on local snowmobile trails to Lake HeIYVU MVY NYLH[ PJL Ă&#x201E;ZOPUN TPSLZ I` [YHPSZ [V the Village, 1 mile to ITS 85. Starting at $1250 WLY HJYL ^P[O V^ULY Ă&#x201E;UHUJPUN KV^U

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35 Sites including 3 RV and 2 large Town-permitted for 80 sites. 45+/- acres. cabin rentals. Also a large adirondack Large, beautiful 5 bedroom, 2 bath VW\OH URRP FDELQ VXPPHU RIĂ&#x20AC;FH KRPH ZLWK VWRUH RIĂ&#x20AC;FH DUHD SRVVLEOH DQG DSDUWPHQW $OPRVW DOO VLWHV % % 2QO\ FDPSJURXQG LQ *UHHQYLOOH RYHUORRN WKH DFUH SRQG ZLWK HOHFWULFLW\ /RVV RI VSRXVH *UHDW Ă&#x20AC;VKLQJ 1HDU VQRZPRELOH QHFHVVLWDWHV SULFH UHGXFWLRQ WUDLOV 9LHZ RI HQWLUH SRQG DQG Was $495,000. NOW only $439,900.

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207-265-4000 â&#x20AC;˘ e-mail janet@csmrealestate.com 259 Main Street, Kingfield, ME â&#x20AC;˘ www.csmrealestate.com PARLIN POND TOWNSHIP. PARLIN POND! ONE-OF-AKIND WATERFRONT PROPERTY! Enjoy peace and quiet on one of Maineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most pristine trout ponds with this 3 bedroom contemporary home. Built in 2012, home features a wellappointed kitchen with granite counters, spacious dining & OLYLQJ DUHD ODUJH Ă&#x20AC;HOG VWRQH Ă&#x20AC;UHSODFH WZR PDVWHU VXLWHV ZLWK walk-in closets, gorgeous 3-season porch. Full bath in each bedroom. Also features an over-sized 2-car detached heated garage with full bathroom. More acreage and pond frontage available. Much more! $495,000 SOLON. Looking for an easy access camp you can use all year? Close to trails, close to the river and close to town. Tucked back from the road giving you nice privacy, the camp offers 2 bedrooms, bathroom with compost toilet and shower, and privy for outdoor use. Open kitchen/dining/living room area. Insulated with wood stove for heat and AC unit to keep you cool. Enclosed porch makes nice sunroom. Electricity hooked up, dug well on property but not piped to camp, town approved grey water system. $49,900 EMBDEN. All contents included!!!! This is a perfect opportunity to own a very nice 2 bedroom camp on more than 8 acres. Various recreation opportunities including the ITS snowmobile trail that runs along the driveway and being near Sugarloaf and Diadema Golf Course. Long road frontage offers the possibility of additional lot or lots! Now is the time to get that get-away camp you have always dreamed of. $109,000 CANAAN. Great camp!! Wired for generator, gas stove for cooking, wood stove for heat, privy on property. It does need a OLWWOH PRUH Ă&#x20AC;QLVKLQJ RII RQ WKH LQVLGH %XLOW LQ EXQNV :DON WR 6LEOH\ 3RQG IRU ERDWLQJ RU Ă&#x20AC;VKLQJ 6QRZPRELOH WUDLO FORVH E\ This is a nice little getaway spot and priced to sell. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait. $23,000 SKOWHEGAN. Beautiful 5.7 acre lot with about 400 feet frontage on the Kennebec River to build on and enjoy. New circular driveway in place with culverts. Property is located on a seasonal dead end road. A little piece of paradise. $39,900 MADISON. Wooded 40.50 acre lot on a paved road that has Harvest Plan on File. No restrictions in the deed for future structures. Property is currently in Tree Growth Tax Program. Continue harvesting the wood per the harvest plan or remove a portion for that camp or home in the country. Property has gravel driveway and culvert in place with interior logging roads throughout. Pooler Brook runs through a portion of this property. $39,900 SOLON. Nice parcel of approximately 118 acres on U.S. Route 201. Great place for a house or camp. Enjoy the area ZLWK WKH .HQQHEHF 5LYHU FORVH DW KDQG +XQW Ă&#x20AC;VK VQRZPRELOH IURP WKLV ORFDWLRQ (QWUDQFH GULYHZD\ DOUHDG\ H[LVWLQJ Currently in tree growth for tax purposes. (Hb355) $136,300 MOSCOW. Approximately 23 acres with about 400 feet frontage on Chase Stream. Nice quiet country setting close to the .HQQHEHF 5LYHU DQG :\PDQ /DNH 3HUIHFW IRU EXLOG \RXU FDPS DQG JR Ă&#x20AC;VKLQJ KXQWLQJ RU WUDLO ZDONLQJ 3URSHUW\ LV LQ WUHH growth for tax purposes. (Hb348). $32,500 BINGHAM. A fantastic opportunity to own a private waterfront 5.5acre lot on the Kennebec River. The old RAILBED UXQV DFURVV WKLV ORW VR \RX FDQ MXPS ULJKW RQ DQG ZKHHO VQRZPRELOH SXW RXW D GRFN Ă&#x20AC;VK VZLP RU ND\DN 7KLV LV D sports personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dream property!! Year-round road, power at the road and driveway in. Build a camp/home or just park a camper. A must see. $39,900

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Caryn Dreyfuss, Broker 207-233-8275 â&#x20AC;˘ 207-864-2500 caryn@citycoverealty.com www.realestateinrangeley.com â&#x20AC;&#x153;Your Real Estate Source for the Rangeley Regionâ&#x20AC;? #7171 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; OQUOSSOC VILLAGE: Super campy camp is ready for your immediate enjoyment! This cozy 2 bedroom camp is handy to sled trails, public boat ramps, village amenities. Being sold fully furnished. Plus detached garage for your toys. $89,900 #1156 - KENNEBAGO RIVER: Sportsmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s paradise behind the gate offering 4 private acres with 400â&#x20AC;&#x2122; of river frontage.

Rehab or replace older cabins on property. Year round road access, Gated entry.

Seven Islands Land Co - leased land. $85,000 #1146 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; DODGE POND: Traditional 3 bedroom log cabin brimming with Rangeley charm is just steps from 700â&#x20AC;&#x2122; shared waterfrontage, dock, storage barn. Relax to the sound of Round Pond Stream, explore miles of back roads from your door. $219,000

(Continued from page 73)

GUIDES ALLAGASH BEAR HUNTS Self-Guided, $995. 500 sq. mi. exclusive area.

Also, earliest deer-tracking snow in the east. Dan Wagner - 207-398-3330 MaineTrophyOutfitters.com.

TOP-WATER SMALLIES Remote waters, day trips and overnights. Shore lunches. Fly, Spin, Bait.

May-Oct. Eastern Maine.

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LAND FOR SALE

GOFF BROOK ROAD, RUMFORD, ME 367 +/- acre wooded lot.

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REAL ESTATE

CAMP FOR SALE Great Pond Road, Aurora, ME. 322 Acres on Beaver Pond. Well, septic, generator, sleeps 8,fully furnished, full bathroom & kitchen. Trout & Wild Game. $250,000 FMI 207-584-2004.

3 BEDROOM HOUSE, ROCKWOOD, ME WATERFRONT Deer backyard, Fishing frontyard, Moose backyard, Boating frontyard, Bear backyard, Airplane frontyard. Price $229,000. Call Del 908797-8202. â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;

WANTED

DEER/MOOSE ANTLERS Buying any size deer & moose shed antlers/ racks or antlered skulls.

All grades bought by the pound. 802-875-3206.

VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE Looking for pre-1980 vintage motorcycle, scrambler, enduro, or off-road motorcycle. Have cash will travel. Text 207-7124303.

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Want to See Your Trophy Photo Published in The Maine Sportsman?

Send it to us along with all the details and you might see it in an upcoming issue!

Email production@mainesportsman.com or Mail to 183 State Street, Suite 101, Augusta, ME 04330 Photos to be published at Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s discretion. Not all photos may be published.

Grantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kennebago Camps.

RARE FIND! Famous sporting camp with main lodge, commercial kitchen and dining room overlooking docks and Kennebago Lake. Several well kept cabins, boats, motor & most furnishings LQFOXGHG &RQVLGHUHG WR EH D UDUH FROG ZDWHU ÂżVKHU\ $1,950,000 Very successful and wellestablished Bear Hunting business with lodge and 6 cabins. 140 leased bait sites, tree stands, buckets, barrels, etc. included! Best bear huntLQJ LQ 0DLQH $FFHVVLEOH E\ ODQG RU Ă&#x20AC;\ LQ RQ 3RUWDJH Lake. $289,900 BETTER HOMES & GARDENS MASIELLO GROUP

GLORIA A. HEWEY, REALTOR gloriahewey@masiello.com www.gloriahewey.masiello.com Cell 207-399-8553 â&#x20AC;˘ Direct Line 207-795-9671

COMMERCIAL ASSOCIATES

7.6 acres with lots of privacy, driveway installed, thinning & limbing complete, gorgeous site for a getaway, RZQHU Ă&#x20AC;QDQFLQJ ¡ IURQWDJH DORQJ Eskutassis Pond

Lee- 5XUDO UHVLGHQWLDO DFUH ORW DF cess to snowmobile & ATV trails right next door, electricity available, year round access, outdoor recreation in every di UHFWLRQ Âś RQ Skunk Hill Road

Burlington- :HDWKHU WLJKW FDPS VKHOO UHDG\ WR EH Ă&#x20AC;QLVKHG VXQVHW YLHZV acre lot, long private driveway, ATV & VQRZPRELOH WUDLOV JUHDW Ă&#x20AC;VKLQJ ¡ DORQJ Madagascal Pond

Lincoln- DFUH FOHDUHG FRPPHUFLDO lot, hydro geologic assessment complet ed, place a business or gas station closer WR , WUDIĂ&#x20AC;F WKDQ FRPSHWLWLRQ HOHFWULFLW\ DYDLODEOH ¡ RQ River Road

Lincoln- DFUH ORW ZLWK FOHDULQJ JUDY el pad & driveway already done. Snow mobile & ATV trails, private location, own HU Ă&#x20AC;QDQFLQJ TXLHW SRQG ZLWK IHZ FDPSV ¡ IURQWDJH RQ Upper Pond

Lincoln- Beautiful Mt. Katahdin views from WKLV DFUHV ORQJ GULYHZD\ RSHQ Ă&#x20AC;HOG close to surrounding lakes, electricity DYDLODEOH ¡ \HDU URXQG IURQWDJH RQ Phinney Farm Road

Lee- Wooded 4.1 acres, year round road, electricity available, easy access to ATV VQRZPRELOH WUDLOV SRVVLEOH RZQHU Ă&#x20AC; QDQFLQJ EURNHU RZQHG ¡ DORQJ Old Steamboat Road Lincoln- 6XUYH\HG DFUH ORW GULYHZD\ already in place, electricity available.

Plenty of room for a small home or mo ELOH KRPH VLWHG RQ KLJK VLGH RI URDG ¡ along Route 6 Lincoln- 6QRZPRELOH $79 WUDLOV Ă&#x20AC;VKLQJ ERDWLQJ IURP WKHVH DFUH ORWV boat access to Egg & Caribou Ponds, HOHFWULFLW\ DYDLODEOH RZQHU Ă&#x20AC;QDQFLQJ frontage on Long Pond HDFK Lee- DFUH ORWV RQ KDUGZRRG ridge, nice views, snowmobile & ATV WUDLOV Ă&#x20AC;VKLQJ VNLLQJ QHDUE\ HOHFWULFL W\ DYDLODEOH RZQHU Ă&#x20AC;QDQFLQJ VLWHG RQ Skunk Hill Road HDFK

R E A L

E S T A T E

5 LAKE STREET, P.O. BOX 66, LINCOLN 207-794-2460 www.cwalakestreet.com E-mail: cwa@cwalakestreet.com om

1-800-675-2460 Call any of our brokers to work for you!

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tateâ&#x20AC;? Aylward ................ 794-2460 Peter Phinney.................. 794-5466 Kirk Ritchie...................... 290-1554

FOR COMPLETE INFORMATION FORMATION ON OUR PROPERTIES VISIT OUR WEB SITE AT CWALAKESTREET.COM

www.MaineSportsman.com

76 • April 2017 • The Maine Sportsman —————————————————————————————————————————————————————

www.MaineSportsman.com