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2 • July 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————————

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�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2022 • 3

Grant’s Kennebago Camps If you travel to any destination in Delorme’s Maine Atlas & Gazetteer this year, let it be to Map 28, C-4. You’re looking at Kennebago Lake and the Kennebago River – places you want to be for some fine landlocked salmon, brook trout, and brown trout fishing; and the Rangeley Lakes Region, where fall brings wonderful ruffed grouse and American woodcock hunting. And it’s at Grant’s Camps that you should stay. The 18 cabins range in size to accommodate large groups or single anglers. Each lakeside cabin has electric baseboard heat and/or a wood-burning stove. All have hot and cold running water, showers and flush toilets, and are con-

nected to the electrical power grid. Wi-Fi is available in the dining room, at the office, and in the comfortable lounge next door. Every cabin has a vintage 16-foot Rangeley boat with a 6-hp outboard motor available. Quiet, comfortable and stable, the boats are good platforms for fly fishing or just tooling around the lake checking out the history and watching – perhaps photographing – the wildlife. Angling and upland bird hunting guides with gundogs are available to help you maximize your time fishing and or hunting in this beautiful area of the Western Maine Mountains. In October, guests may fly fish in the lake and hunt

woodcock and grouse in the nearby covers –a true cast-and-blast experience. Three meals a day are served in the comfortable dining hall, and bag lunches are available on request to take fishing, hunting or exploring. The food is excellent, and the table service is friendly and efficient. And the view of the lake and mountains through the large windows is photo-worthy. Grant’s Kennebago Camps: 1-800633-4815, grantscamps@gmail.com, www.grantscamps.com – a very fine historic and iconic Maine sporting camp, run by John and Carolyn Blunt.

Maine Sporting Camps – A Tradition Since the 1800s The Maine sporting camp tradition began a century-and-a-half ago, in the mid-1800s, long before Leon Leonwood Bean opened his first store in 1912. In the late nineteenth century and the early twentieth century, sporting camps were destinations for wealthy sportsmen and women from all over Maine, Boston, New England, and the world. Sporting camps have hosted presidents and dignitaries. Guests typically traveled by railroad, steamboat, horsedrawn wagon, canoe, or a combination of transportation methods, to reach sporting camps. Because the journey could take days or even weeks, once they arrived guests often put down roots at a camp for weeks or months at a time. Sporting camp guests were quite refined, often wearing their finest clothes while staying at camps – the men opting for woolen trousers, vests, jackets, and caps, while the women chose flowing outdoor skirts, blouses, and fine Sunday hats. The fishing and hunting opportunities offered at Maine camps have not changed significantly over the years, although the circumstances surround-

ing them have. It was not uncommon in the early years of sporting camps for an individual fisherman to catch and keep fifteen or more fish every day, or for a game pole to be strung with deer that outnumbered the hunters in camp. Nowadays, regulations prevent sportsmen from taking such high numbers of fish and game, and many sportsmen and women enjoy the practice of catch-and-release fishing. Younger sportsmen are also stepping outside the bounds of “typical” sports to enjoy hiking, bird- and animal-watching, snowmobiling, four-wheeling, and a host of other outdoor activities. Although regulations have changed and we wear moisture-wicking, fast-dry fishing garments, and although we travel by four-wheel-drive truck rather than train to reach Maine sporting camps, the hospitality and variety of experiences offered to the outdoor enthusiast remain world-class. Camps in Maine vary, from sites in very remote areas to locations just outside of town; from rustic log cabins without electricity to updated camps with all the amenities of home. The traditional American Plan still

provides three hearty, home-cooked meals served in an attractive and comfortable main lodge, and many camps also offer housekeeping plans for guests who want to do their own cooking. Nearly all camps still provide canoe and motor boat rentals, and many provide the services of knowledgeable Maine guides. Seeing the Maine sporting tradition getting caught up – and lost – in the hustle and bustle of modern day, a group of concerned camp owners founded the Maine Sporting Camp Association (MSCA) in 1987, with the vision of preserving that unique part of the state’s heritage. By working closely with allied groups from the tourism, hospitality and sporting industries, and by exchanging ideas and information both within and outside the MSCA, the association helps continue the tradition of providing the highest quality recreational experience to individuals and their families, a quality experience visitors will remember long after they return home. To start your sporting tradition, visit www.mainesportingcamps.com.

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4 • July 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————————

Editorial

Maine’s New Boater Safety Law is a Necessary Measure

Here’s a quick true-or-false quiz for all you experienced boaters: 1) True or false: Other than when picking up or dropping off water skiers, boaters must maintain no more than headway speed within the so-called “water safety zone,” which is defined as 100 feet from the shore of the mainland or any Starting in 2024, Maine’s island. new boating law will require 2) True or false: While in a boat, anyone born after January 1, children 10 years old or younger must wear 1999 to pass an online or ina Coast Guard approved Type I, II or III life vest unless they are inside the enclosed person safety course before operating a boat greater than helm area, cockpit or cabin of a boat. 3) True or false: An adult paddling a 25 hp. Photo: National Marine canoe is in compliance with Maine law if Manufacturers Association he or she is in possession of a Coast Guardapproved Type IV (throwable cushion) personal flotation device (PFD). ***** The answers? False, false and false. 1) Maine’s water safety zone is 200 feet from any shore, not 100 feet. 2) Children 10 years old and younger must wear a life jacket if they are onboard a boat, even if they are below decks, such as in a cuddy cabin. 3) Adult canoers must possess a wearable life jacket, and it must be serviceable, the right size, and within reach. ***** On April 23, 2022, the Maine Legislature enacted LD 1663, “An Act To Improve Boating Safety on Maine Waters,” as Public Law, Chapter (PL Ch.) 656. The law takes effect in a little less than 18 months, on January 1, 2024. As of that date, before operating a boat with an engine greater than 25 horsepower, boaters must be at least 12 years old, and those who are born after January 1, 1999 must have passed a safety course covering the laws and regulations applicable to boating, including understanding different lake buoys and navigational aids, PFD requirements, the laws relating to displaying nighttime lights on a boat, preventing the spread of invasive water plants, prudent speed and operation, and the impact of excessive wakes on small boats and shore-nesting wildlife. Lawmakers negotiated the final language over two separate legislative sessions, and the measure received support from shoreline owners, lake associations, environmentalists and the state’s Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife. Most of the courses will be offered online, and we have reviewed the content of the four currently-approved courses, including free instruction offered through the nonprofit organization Boat Owners of the United States (BoatUS). In our years spent on Maine’s inland waters, we have seen many instances in which young boaters would have benefited from increased education, awareness and supervision. On occasion, Maine lakes and ponds can resemble highways without any speed limits, directional signs, lane markers or guardrails. We are confident the new law will result in boaters gaining a better understanding of the responsibilities inherent in operating a large, powerful and fast craft on waterways shared with swimmers, kayakers, sailors and wildlife, and for those reasons we fully support the new law.

On the Cover: Lunker Striper Caught and Released Last July, Damian Thorne of Westbrook caught and released this 41-inch, 30-lb. striper off the rocky shore in Biddeford. He was fishing at low tide using a live mackerel for bait. This month, The Maine Sportsman launches the “Saltwater Angler Patch Club”; go to www.MaineSportsman.com and click on “Patch Club Forms” for details. Photo: Matt Laughton www.MaineSportsman.com

New England’s Largest Outdoor Publication

Sportsman The Maine

ISSN 0199-036 — Issue No. 596 • www.mainesportsman.com PUBLISHER: Jon Lund MANAGING EDITOR: Will Lund will@mainesportsman.com OFFICE MANAGER: Carol Lund carol@mainesportsman.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Kristina Roderick kristina@mainesportsman.com ADVERTISING DIRECTOR: Nancy Carpenter nancy@mainesportsman.com DISTRIBUTION DIRECTOR: Deb Lund Carter distribution@mainesportsman.com Second class postage paid at Scarborough, ME 04074 and additional entry offices. All editorial inquiries should be emailed to will@mainesportsman.com Phone: 207-622-4242 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

Almanac by Will Lund.................................................... 14 A Ranger on the Allagash by Tim Caverly.................. 57 Aroostook - “The County” by Bill Graves..................... 39 Big Game Hunting by Joe Saltalamachia.................. 51 Big Woods World by Logan Rackliff............................. 50 Central Maine by Steve Vose....................................... 67 Cooking Wildly by Kate Krukowski Gooding............... 54 Downeast Region by Jim Lemieux............................... 64 Editorial.............................................................................. 4 Jackman Region by William Sheldon.......................... 48 Jottings by Jon Lund........................................................ 9 Katahdin Country by William Sheldon......................... 45 Letters to the Editor.......................................................... 6 Maine Sportswoman by Christi Holmes....................... 42 Maine Wildlife by Tom Seymour................................... 18 Maine Wildlife Quiz by Steve Vose............................... 23 Midcoast by Tom Seymour........................................... 65 Moosehead Region by Tom Seymour......................... 55 New Hampshire by Ethan Emerson.............................. 76 Nolan’s Outdoor World by Nolan Raymond............... 53 Off-Road Traveler by William Clunie............................ 43 Outdoors & Other Mistakes by Al Diamon.................. 79 Quotable Sportsman by Will Lund................................ 10 Rangeley Region by William Clunie............................. 72 Riding Shotgun by Robert Summers............................. 80 Sebago to Auburn Region by Tom Roth..................... 68 Self-Propelled Sportsman by Jim Andrews.................. 59 Shooter’s Bench by Col. J.C. Allard............................. 70 Smilin’ Sportsman by Will Lund...................................... 80 Snapshots in Time by Bill Pierce.................................... 13 Southern Maine by Val Marquez................................. 69 Sporting Environment by David Van Wie.................... 63 Sportsman’s Journal by King Montgomery................. 11 Tidewater Tales by Randy Randall............................... 58 Trapping The Silent Places by David Miller.................. 60 Trading Post (Classifieds)............................................... 81 True Tales from the Warden Service by Ret. Lt. Doug Tibbetts.62 Vermont by Matt Breton............................................... 78 Western Maine Mountains by William Clunie.............. 75 Young Maine Guide by Luke Giampetruzzi................ 74

GUEST COLUMNS & SPECIAL SECTIONS

ATVing in Maine by Steve Carpenteri......................... 19 Bear Hunting in Maine by Stacey Warren................... 24 Moose Hunting by Bill Graves....................................... 26 Saltwater Fishing: Southern Maine Fishing Charters by Sam Wheeler. 28 Saltwater Fishing by Capt. Ron Dupuis Jr................. 32 Saltwater Fishing for Visitors by Capt. Ron Dupuis Jr..34 Small Stream Fishing – a Double Feature Collaboration by Tom Seymour & Lou Zambello............................... 36 Sporting Dogs by Michael Browning............................ 22 Guest: A Change of Luck by Spencer Belson............ 47

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2022 • 5

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6 • July 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————————

Letters To The Editor

If Ever a Wiz

To the Editor: Please tell Bill Sheldon that we are still chuckling about his column describing that important fishing boat accessory, the Whizzer!! [see “Who gets the Whizzer?” – Jackman Region column, June]. Great article. Love his ingenuity. Leighton Wass Adamant, VT The columnist responds: Leighton: The “Whizzer” has been great for lots of laughs. Every boat should have one, if only for the entertainment value! Thanks for reading. Bill Sheldon —

Ethics and the Lost Bear To the Editor: I am writing regarding Staci Warren’s excellent hunting ethics column in the May issue [see “Hunter Ethics and

the Lost Bear – a True Case Study”]. In her column she describes a situation in which two hunters both shoot the same bear. Having enjoyed a lifetime of success in Africa, Alaska, and many other places, I would readily grant possession to the first hunter—even in the case of a non-lethal shot by the first hunter, while the second hunter provided the mortal round. And certainly if the first shot is a kill shot, I am a believer in the “unwritten rule of first blood,” in which the hunter who first inflicts what will be a mortal wound, should be able to claim the animal. Were I 16 years old again, I would wish the first hunter to be an old-timer who’d give up possession to a younger hunter because he’d understand how the first big-game kill is such a big deal— and the interaction would serve as a great introduction to the brotherhood of outdoorsmen. Joseph N. Weiss, Ph.D. – Clarence, NY

Club. I believe the more attention that’s paid to the important industries of charter boats, headboats and recreational anglers out in their own boats fishing for saltwater species, the better. However, I do have one request – could you add sea raven and longhorn sculpin to the list of species eligible for the saltwater anglers club?

—

Beauty’s in the Eye of the Beholder To the Editor: Thanks to the Maine Sportsman for developing a Maine Saltwater Anglers

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Nine year old Eli Thibodeau hoists his 18.5 pound tom out of the woods of York County on May 7, 2022. Eli and his Mossberg Mini 20-gauge have taken five birds since he began hunting at age 5. When he is a little older, Eli hopes to be a Maine State Game Warden. Justin Thibodeau photo

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2022 • 7 (Continued from page 6)

As you see from the photo accompanying this letter, there’s a group of us who target these fish. Jason Turcotte – Durham, ME The Editor responds: Consider it done, Jason. One of the most enlightening aspects of rolling out the new program is realizing the sheer numbers of recreational fish, and that each species has its enthusiasts and advocates. —

Ban on Sunday Hunting is Not a Noise Ordinance To the Editor: I read recently that one of the reasons Maine does not allow hunting on Sundays is because people need a break from hearing gunshots. It seems to me this reasoning falls short. This might make sense if gun owners weren’t allowed to shoot at

all on Sundays, but that’s not the case. So hunters, for the most part sitting, quietly waiting for game, with an occasional shot fired, constitute more of a nuisance to landowners than gun owners in general going out and repeatedly shooting targets? Seems to me this is flawed policy-making. Dennis Taylor – Appleton, ME —

Homemade Spoons Behind Door #1 To the Editor: In Bill Sheldon’s June 2022 “Jackman Region” column, he described homemade lures he fashioned from the brass kick-plate off an old door. He cut, shaped and hammered them. The guides in Canada nicknamed them the “Door Hinge” spoons, and they out-fished more established lures.

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Restoration of Early David A. Footer Mount by David A. Footer First mounted in 1953 after having met Herb Welch in October 1952. During the time span of 6-12-2009, when Julie downloaded photos of the mount Cathie Cooper had brought in to have Dave (Dad) look at and 2-22011 when the finished photos of the piece were downloaded, Dave’s wife, Polly had passed away on July 24, 2010. They had been married for fifty-nine years and nearly four months. Dave was her primary care-giver during the last five years of her life. Dave, now 79 years of age, finished this piece with his near 70 years continual practice of the art of Taxidermy. This piece is one of the only pieces that we have been able to document that Dave worked on within the first year after he met Herbie Welch most probably before Dave gave out tag numbers.

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8 • July 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————————

Letters to the Editor (Continued from page 7)

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It was a great article. Would you mind asking him to provide a photograph of the “Door Hinge” spoons, so that I might make some for myself? Erik Warren, Columbus, OH The columnist responds: Erik: Nothing too fancy, as you can see. Hand-hammered dull finish. If I’m practicing catch-and-release I put a single hook on. I usually add a bite-guard leader with a swivel bearing. You will especially need a swivel on the model with the forked tail. Let me know how you make out. They are relatively easy to fabricate using a ball peen hammer.

William Sheldon’s handmade hammered “door hinge” spoons. W. Sheldon photo

Thanks for reading.

Bill Sheldon

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�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2022 • 9

Memories of an Impressionable Young Hunter Whatever the situation, Harry M. was a man who could be counted on to take decisive – and sometimes difficult – action. Witnessing those episodes firsthand made long-lasting impressions on the author – the youngest member of the hunting party. Someone took a look around camp in the afternoon sun and spoke softly: “A deer in the back field.” Instantly, there was a silent scramble. First out of the front door was Harry M. His favorite rifle was a bolt action Winchester 30-30 with iron sights. And he was a crack shot with it. Whenever Harry was low on cash, he was reported to take his Winchester to the pawn shop for a loan, but he always paid back the loan in time to redeem his favorite rifle. He took a shot. Perhaps he was hurried, because he knocked the whitetail down but did not kill it. Harry moved quick-

ly over to the front of the deer, his sheath knife in his right hand. With a skillful movement with the blade across the animal’s jugular vein, he dispatched the deer in a matter of seconds. This young hunter had never before seen such a deft action with a knife, nor had I seen a wounded deer finished off so quickly. Raccoons in the Fall Harry was one of a number of Augusta hunters who pursued rabbits and raccoons in the fall. Ordinarily, night hunting was against the law, as was hunting with a light, but an exception allowed the night-hunting of

raccoons with a twocell flashlight and a .22 rimfire pistol, because the coons when pressed would often climb a tree. Shooting them out of the tree with a .22 handgun was accepted practice. This was a time when a number of local farmers grew corn, which ripened in the fall. A lively population of raccoons feasted on the ripe corn in the fields. Most farmers welcomed anyone who would reduce the number of masked marauders consuming their corn. Sometimes the farmer tipped off the local hunter that

As the corn ripened in the fall and raccoons began destroying the sweet-tasting ears, farmers would tip off hunters, who could legally pursue the animals at night with flashlights and .22 pistols for their hides. Photo: Missouri Botanical Gardens

coons were hitting his corn. Coon Hounds There was a ready

market for coon hides, and some local hunters specialized in rac(Continued on next page)

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We issue twelve printed catalogs per year, each with a different selection of approximately 350 books. We welcome requests for specific books not listed in our catalogs. We have a very large stock, and if we don’t have the book you want, we will let you know when we get a copy. Send us your mailing address, and we will send you a copy of our current catalog.

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10 • July 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

Jottings (Continued from page 10)

coons, earned a modest income to offset some of the cost of dog food. A few hunters learned to cruise the rural roads with a coon hound riding in a cage on the front of the truck. The hounds could scent where a coon had recently crossed the road and would give voice. If the indications were that it was a fresh track, the hunter released the dog or dogs. This process assured the hunter that he probably had a fresh track rather than wasting the night cold-trailing a raccoon that might be miles away. Some wily raccoons would take to the water to escape the hounds. If the hounds could not find where the coon climbed ashore, it made good its escape.

Nope – Not a Raccoon! On one occasion, Augusta coon hunters treed a coon near town in a large tree with a dense growth of leaves. With their two-cell flashlights, the hunters could not see the raccoon to get a decent shot, so Harry volunteered to climb the tree. As he neared the treed critter, Harry was hit with a shower of urine, after which he scrambled back to the ground as quickly as he could. A more careful investigation revealed that what the dog had treed was not a raccoon, but a bobcat, which was not on their target list. They made a strategic retreat, leaving the frightened bobcat in the tree, and sent Harry to the shower.

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Quotable

Sportsman “Sea Ravens are edible, but few are kept because of their ugly appearance. Distinctive tabs of flesh hang from their head and lower jaw, and a curious ragged layer of skin is also present on the first dorsal fin.”

Maine Department of Marine Resources’ description of the Sea Raven. Despite this dubious review, there are those in Maine [see Letters to the Editor, page 6] who have successfully advocated to add sea ravens and longhorn sculpin to the Maine Sportsman’s new “Saltwater Angler Patch Club.” — “We all know there are a lot of knuckleheads in this world, and

by Will Lund

you usually know one when you speak with one …. Better to know who you are dealing with ahead of time, before they end up sitting in your boat, so you can prepare yourself and adapt accordingly.” Josh Lantz, Wisconsin fishing guide, on the importance of guides sizing up their clients on the telephone and when meeting them for the first time. June 3, 2022 “Fishing News,” distributed by Traditions Media. — “Trout streams can be divided into five distinct sections: riffles, runs, pools, eddies and tailouts.” Kristine Ostertag, “Achieve Drift Perfection,” distributed by King Eider Communications — “Unfortunately, due to irresponsible behavior, the Summerhaven Pit Play area and trail system is officially closed. No ATV, or motorcycle use allowed. It is gated off, and enforcement will be occurring.” Bureau of Parks and Lands; May 18, 2022

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�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2022 • 11

The Man Can Cast – and Blast! The only thing young about this bunch was the boundless enthusiasm exuded by the three gunners standing around, some more leaning on, the pickup trucks on a rolling hilltop field at Setter’s Point hunting preserve outside of Bethel in Albany Township. Combined age of the assemblage was about 240 years. The dogs had been around a while too, with both Lexe the Gordon Setter, and Duke the Brittany, each at 9 years of age. When Dennis Jellison, owner of Setter’s Point, pulled up in his ATV, the age figure jumped over the three century mark, and he’s the youngest! That’s a lot of cumulative bird hunting, fly fishing, and bull-slinging experience for sure. Rod McGarry The most senior gentleman was Rod McGarry, Maine’s well-known fly angler

A master fly-fishing guide and seasoned instructor, and he’s an expert with a vintage 20-gauge? That, according to the author, describes Rod McGarry – once of those rare individuals who would rather share his skills and information with others, rather than just putting them on display. and fly casting instructor who has taught hundreds of folks to fly cast and fish. And tie flies, too. I often query him about his vast knowledge of angling in Maine and elsewhere when I write articles, and now I can add upland bird hunting to his extensive résumé. Our mutual friend and registered Maine guide Frank Lepore, currently working bird hunting at Grant’s Kennebago Camps (see write-up, page 3), had been trying to get all of us together at Setter’s Point for some time now, and we finally made it happen on this cool but pleasant late April day. The dogs were raring to go, and the birds were somewhere in the rel-

The only thing young about this bunch was the boundless enthusiasm exuded by the three gunners standing around the pickup trucks at Setter’s Point hunting preserve. From left: Frank Lepore, Rod McGarry and SP owner Dennis Jellison. The third hunter, the author, is behind the camera.

ning as usual, even before they acquired their green summer coats.

Rod McGarry is a well-known Maine fly angler and fly casting instructor who has taught hundreds of folks, mostly through the L.L.Bean outdoor programs, to fly cast and fish. And to tie flies, too. Photos: King Montgomery

atively sparse cover of the hilltop habitat. The scenic vistas of the surrounding hills and mountains were stun-

Master Everything Frank took some fly casting lessons from Rod several years ago, and I met them at the Kennebunk Inn for lunch after one such session. Frank’s an old fishing and hunting friend. I’d never met Rod, but knew him some through others. His sterling reputation preceded him. Rod became a pro fly casting teacher in 1991, and much of his instruction was through the fabulous L.L.Bean Outdoor Discovery School at Freeport’s flagship store, and just down the road at the Fogg Farm facility, with its classrooms

Duke’s story is interesting and I was very taken by his appearance, gait, and personality. A mostly brown and some white Brittany with a full tail is not something you see every day.

and concrete casting pools. Rod began his fly fishing journey as a Boy Scout, and now is an International Federation of Fly Fishers (IFFF) Board Certified Master Fly Casting Instructor. Like all good teachers, Rod found the better he got at fly casting, the better fly fisherman he became, and the more fun he had on the water. He developed a strong desire to share those techniques with others, so that they might become better, too. And, like my late good friend Lefty Kreh, Rod prefers to share his knowledge with others, rather than just display it. In 2009, the IFFF honored Rod with its Lifetime Achievement Award for his many contributions to fly fishing through his superb instruction to others from rank beginners to experts. Rod also is a Registered Master Maine (Continued on next page)

Lexe points a bird. He will hold long enough for some old men to position for the rise and shoot. www.MaineSportsman.com

12 • July 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

Dang! One of us is on the wrong side of the tree! Frank Lepore made the shot with my FABARM Autumn 20-ga.

Frank and Rod admire a Chukar. It and others would become dinner for Rod and his wife that evening.

Sportsman’s Journal (Continued from page 11)

Fishing Guide, and not only is he superb at teaching casting and fly tying – he also excels at showing you how to put it all together to be more successful on the water. And, yes, have more fun. Man, Dog & Gun Rod McGarry, Duke the Brittany, and the 20-ga overand-under shotgun form a cohesive, agreeable, and most interesting unit on the upland bird grounds. The synergy of the three – with supporting appearances by a beautiful setting in the foothills of the White Mountains, a crisp, lightly cloudy Maine spring day, fast-flying Chukar partridge scattered about – is palpable. (I’d list more stuff, but the editor limits my words.) Duke’s story is in-

teresting, and I was very taken by his appearance, gait, and personality. A mostly brown and some white Brittany with a full tail is not something you see every day. I’ve hunted with Brits over the years, and they all were white with brown markings and bobbed tails. Does Duke have it backwards? Or do all the other Brits have it so? All I know is that Duke is cool, and he can hunt. Rod’s almost halfcentury old Weatherby Orion 20-gauge weighs in at a little over 6 pounds and looks broken in, too. Weatherby began making shotguns in 1967 and the Orion-line is still extant in several models of 12 and 20-gauge. I showed Rod my fairly new FABARM Autumn, a sweet 20-gauge and we both

Rod McGarry tells a tale or two during a lean-on-the-vehicles break. www.MaineSportsman.com

admired the other’s gun. Perhaps next time we’ll use each other’s shotgun for a bird or two so I can show that I can miss equally with anyone’s scatter-gun! Rod has hunted birds all over Maine, and through the years he’s developed a particular affinity for hunting up and around Beaver Mountain in Rangeley Plantation, and for woodcock he likes the boggy areas around the river and streams in Lower Cupsuptic. Rod is a true gentleman, and all those folks that have said what a fine teacher and person he is, are absolutely right. We haven’t fished together yet, but I sure hope we can work in a trip or two this season. Since both of my shoulders are metal and plastic, I do have built-in excuses not to cast as well as perhaps once I did.

Old guys need frequent breaks from trudging up and down the rolling hilltop. This often is when the best stories and jokes are told.

The Almost Fearsome Threesome Frank’s Gordons, Lexe and Sophia, were sterling on the ground as usual and I’ve been fortunate to hunt over them for years. Frank’s knowledgeable, affable, and humorous manner is always fun to be around, and the three of us made quite a sight both at Setter’s Point and at AJ’s Everything bar and restaurant in East Stoneham after our hunt. (I very highly recommend the superb mac ’n’ cheese with red hots! Delicious.) That evening after our fun morning at Setter’s Point, Rod sent us an email reporting that his wife Priscilla was roasting whole Chukars and preparing an Apple Brandy Sauce to go with them. That sounded so good I had to go eat something to stop my stomach from growling.

Setter’s Point owner Dennis Jellison drives up to check on us at the end of our hunt. SP is perfect for the dogs and the gunners to stretch legs after the long winter months.

We’ve already made plans to do it again soon, before the weather gets too warm for the dogs (and us) to work. I also hope to get on the water with Rod somewhere in Maine this season, hopefully for brook trout, his favorite fish for the fly rod. I bet his wife has a wonderful recipe for those, too. References: • Setter’s Point Bird Hunting, Albany Township, Maine 04217, Dennis Jellison 207-357-1687, dennis@setterdpoint.com. Open year round and with a small, seasonal lodge. Fly fishing pond. Clays. • Grant’s Kennebago Camps, 1-800-6334815, grantscamps@ gmail.com, www. grantscamps.com. • AJ’s Everything, 409 Maine Street, Stoneham, ME 04231, 207-928-2454.

Rod and Frank at hunt’s end make their way back to the vehicles.

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2022 • 13

“Snapshots in Time”

Historical Glimpses from Maine’s Sporting Past Compiled by Bill Pierce, Former Executive Director, Outdoor Heritage Museum

Gigging [Spearing] Rare Trout in 1896, and Hands-On Fish & Game Commissioners The short articles below were found in the October 22, 1896, edition of the RANGELEY LAKES. The first shares a practice that even in 1896, was a bygone annual rite of fall just 50 years before. Blueback trout were once so numer-

ous in the Rangeley Lakes (known as the Androscoggin Lakes at the time) that Native Americans and early pioneers fertilized their crops with them. The semi-oily flesh was smoked or dried and then stored as an important winter

food source. Currently there are just 14 waterbodies here in Maine that contain Bluebacks. Maine and Alaska are the only two states that have populations of this rare species of landlocked artic char.

BLUEBACKING The Sport Not What It Used to Be in Days of Long Ago

sation with Mr. A. L. Oakes, it was learned that they were found here fifteen years prior to the arrival of Mr. Rangeley. Mr. Oakes says they look like the Loch Leven trout of Scotland. Take a dozen brook trout and as many bluebacks of equal size and to the untrained eye one could not tell the difference. And the difference is slight, it being in the form of the tail, the former having square tails and the latter more of a forked tail. But they are not so plenty as in former days. An incident was related recently by a person who was present at the time it occurred. It was several years ago. A frequenter of this region used to set a net across the brook and take

them from the net, putting them into a box that was made for the purpose and placed in the brook. This fisherman had an idea that he owned the brook and would not let the natives get a fish. Time went on, and the lovers of bluebacks stood it as long as they could. One night, several congregated at the bridge and waited. While they were waiting, someone smashed the box containing the much-cherished fish, letting them go downstream, and on the arrival of the owner gave him, they said, the worst thrashing he ever got before or since. There was no more trouble after that, and everyone who wished could get all the fish they wanted.

Bluebacks have begun to run up the frequented brooks, and many of the lovers of this old-time sport have made a gig, purchased a long-legged pair of rubber boots, filled up the old lantern, and proceeded to the haunts of this species of trout that come up the brooks in the fall of the year. The bluebacks begin to run about October 10, and, if the weather is cold, fair sport can be had. The method of catching them is somewhat different from that used in ordinary fishing. Take one, two or three good-sized hooks, and fasten them onto a piece of iron rod about two feet long. This is all that is necessary, until you get to the brook. Cut a stiff alder about three or four feet in length, fasten the gig on to this stick and you are ready for the fray. With the gig, lantern and pail to put what you catch in, you start down the brook. You get a sight at one, you make a jab, and nine chances out of 10 you miss, that is, if you are an uneducated gigger. But if you are an old hand at the business, an hour’s work will give you all you want for a meal. For a year or two bluebacks, have been larger than ever, some even weighing half a pound. The ordinary blueback is about the size of a brook trout. The origin of the blueback in this region is unknown. Some claim that Squire Rangeley brought them from England, but in a recent conver-

Sketch from the 1898 Report of the Maine Commissioners.

***** And from the time of true “in the trenches” leadership, the two Fish and Game Commissioners at the time led in the actual capture of a notorious poacher… Charles Morris, the outlaw who assaulted Game Warden Collins on the Allagash river nearly a year ago, was captured Monday morning at his camp on Moosehead Lake. Commissioners Carlton and Oak, Deputy Sheriff Martin of Guilford, and Capt. Pollard of Foxcroft, were the capturing party. Morris made little resistance. The new commissioners evidently mean business. ***** Now be sure to get outside and create some great Maine outdoor history of your own!

www.MaineSportsman.com

14 • July 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

Almanac Two Minutes with a Maine Guide

How to Dress for Success on the River by Lisa DeHart

First step – put some clothes on. Leave the shorts, tank tops and sandals for the beach. Long sleeves you can push to any length are the most versatile, and long pants offer protection from all forms of bugs, thorns, poison ivy and scrapes. Footwear As for proper footwear, canoeists could write something the size of the Bible on why they wear what’s on their feet, but wear whatever works for you, so long as it CANNOT come off your feet in a capsize. If you’re canoeing a river overnight, you will probably experience every season in a single day. And I’m not talking just the spring and fall, but most of the entire summer. Mornings will start cool and misty – you’ve just crawled out of a warm sleeping bag; trust me – it will feel cold. By the time you’ve eaten breakfast

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and are packing up, light jackets are off, and you’d better be putting on sunscreen for the afternoon or you’ll be sorry. By the afternoon, the winds have picked up and if you’ve been paddling hard, you’ve worked up a sweat and you’ll need to eat lunch with your life jacket on, or else you’ll get cold. Wool = Good By evening, as usual, you’ll welcome the warmth of the fire. If you’re wearing wool, you will appreciate the fact that it has a huge temperature range, and after a little sun and wind evaporate the spray, you will be warm and dry. Millennials have now “discovered” wool, and the Merino wool blends as a result are outstanding and not a lot of money. Get a Decent Hat, Pair of Gloves Wear a decent hat, to fend off the sun, wind and rain. It is demoralizing to have rain running down your face as you paddle. I always soak the brim of my hat with bug dope when they are out because I never put that stuff on me. I

Lisa DeHart dresses for success in her job as a river guide.

spilled some in my car many years ago, and it melted the upholstery. I haven’t worn it since. (Continued on next page)

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�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2022 • 15 (Continued from page 14)

Finally, get a good pair of leather gloves. Your hands take a beating. Canoeists move essentially on their hands, with that paddle, so protect your hands and you’ll protect your means of transportation. —

Have a Great 4th of July!

use the phrases “charter boat,” “head boat” and “party boat” interchangeably. So what’s the proper usage, and what are the origins of the names? Here’s the straight info, so you don’t come off as a landlubber. • Maine sportfishing charter boats can accommodate up to six anglers. • Maine sportfishing head boats can accommodate seven or more anglers. • Another name for charter boats is party boats. • Charter boats are usually rented by a single group, such as a family or friends. Head boats accommodate different groups, and charge “by the head” – hence the name. • And while it’s true that one can sometimes have a really good time on a party boat, that’s not where it gets its name. Rather, the name refers to the fact that different unrelated groups or “parties” of individuals can gather aboard and go fishing together. —

Zen and the Art of Tracking

What better way to celebrate Independence Day this July 4th than by enjoying this photograph by David Small (PhotosByChance) of our national symbol, an American Bald Eagle, which posed for Dave on a tree branch in Ellsworth, Maine. —

Charter Boat? Head Boat? Party Boat? What’s the Difference?

We asked Jonathan Shapiro, who is preparing to teach tracking classes at the upcoming 4th Annual Moose Ridge Gathering in Upton (see the complete listing on page 8), to discuss the psychology and mindset that makes for effective tracking. Jonathan is a hunter and tracker who founded the Fox Paw School in Vermont. Here are some of his guiding principles.

Jonathan Shapiro

1) We humans are never alone. All around us are other mammals— the otter hunting along the river, the meadow vole scurrying through the grass, the red foxes denning in the farm field—yet few of us really understand their lives. Our world becomes richer and more connected when we have relationships with these other mammals, and wildlife tracking is a great place to start. 2) At its core, tracking means learning how to pay attention. Clues to animals’ habits are all around us, if you are taught to see them. What made this hole in the rotten stump? What do these teeth marks on this branch mean? Which way is the wind blowing, and what does that mean for where the deer are bedded right now? (Continued on next page)

When referring to boats that take anglers out fishing for a fee, some folks

www.MaineSportsman.com

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Almanac

July 2022 Sunrise/Sunset

(Continued from page 15)

Portland, ME

DATE 1 Fri 2 Sat 3 Sun 4 Mon 5 Tue 6 Wed 7 Thu 8 Fri 9 Sat 10 Sun 11 Mon 12 Tue 13 Wed 14 Thu 15 Fri 16 Sat

RISE 5:01 5:02 5:02 5:03 5:04 5:04 5:05 5:06 5:06 5:07 5:08 5:09 5:10 5:11 5:11 5:12

SET 8:28 8:27 8:27 8:27 8:27 8:26 8:26 8:26 8:25 8:25 8:24 8:24 8:23 8:22 8:22 8:21

DATE 17 Sun 18 Mon 19 Tue 20 Wed 21 Thu 22 Fri 23 Sat 24 Sun 25 Mon 26 Tue 27 Wed 28 Thu 29 Fri 30 Sat 31 Sun

RISE 5:13 5:14 5:15 5:16 5:17 5:18 5:19 5:20 5:21 5:22 5:23 5:24 5:25 5:26 5:27

SET 8:20 8:19 8:19 8:18 8:17 8:16 8:15 8:14 8:13 8:12 8:11 8:10 8:09 8:08 8:07

July 2022 Tides Portland, ME

DATE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

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

HIGH AM PM 1:06 1:49 1:43 2:25 2:21 3:03 3:00 3:42 3:44 4:24 4:31 5:07 5:21 5:53 6:16 6:44 7:16 7:38 8:18 8:35 9:19 9:32 10:18 10:29 11:16 11:26 — 12:13 12:23 1:08 1:19 2:02 2:14 2:56 3:10 3:51 4:08 4:46 5:07 5:40 6:07 6:35 7:08 7:30 8:09 8:24 9:06 9:16 9:58 10:03 10:44 10:47 11:28 11:28 — 12:08 12:07 12:45 12:44 1:21 1:20 1:55

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LOW AM PM 7:33 7:31 8:09 8:09 8:45 8:50 9:23 9:35 10:04 10:23 10:47 11:14 11:33 — 12:08 12:23 1:06 1:18 2:07 2:16 3:07 3:14 4:05 4:11 5:01 5:08 5:57 6:05 6:52 7:01 7:45 7:57 8:38 8:55 9:31 9:54 10:24 10:55 11:18 11:56 — 12:12 12:58 1:08 2:00 2:05 2:58 2:59 3:49 3:48 4:35 4:33 5:18 5:14 5:57 5:52 6:33 6:30 7:07 7:07 7:40 7:44

Learning to ask these questions, and then to answer them—learning to be aware of what is happening around us—provide deep insight into the rest of the natural world. 3) Tracking is hard to learn by yourself. Teaching yourself to track is reinventing the wheel—learning from someone who has experience is far faster, easier, and much more fun. Although you can learn much by sitting quietly by a beaver pond and observing, if you have somebody who can answer your questions, and help you find new ones, you’ll progress much more quickly, and the rewards will be far greater. ***** Jonathan Shapiro will be among the many presenters at the upcoming 4th Annual Moose Ridge Gathering, in Upton, Maine, August 4 - 7. Email contact@mooseridgewild.com for more information. —

waters, size records are not maintained, since both the Atlantic and Short-nose sturgeon are protected in this state. —

A Bent Fishing Rod? Why Not? It Works for Snow Shovels For many winters, we here at the Maine Sportsman shoveled the sidewalk outside our Augusta offices the old-fashioned way – leaning way over to get the blade of a straight-handled shovel parallel with the ground, then lifting up wet snow from that low position, to the detriment of our lower backs. Then, someone invented a shovel with a bent and curved handle that lets the user adopt a more upright and stronger position from which to toss the snow off to the side of the walk. So why not use the same concept with a fishing rod? Turns out, a California inventor already has.

Biggest Fish Found in Fresh Water? If you want to put the size of your big landlocked salmon, togue or Northern pike into perspective, try fishing for white sturgeon in the Fraser River in British Columbia, about 75 miles east of Vancouver. On a regular basis, the river gives up white sturgeon that are 8, 9 or 10 feet long. Here’s a photo (below) of one that was caught – and released – last July. It is among the largest caught in recent history, at 11’ 5” from nose to fork in the tail. Prehistoric animals, sturgeons’ bodies are protected with five rows of bony shields. An 11-foot sturgeon weighs about 800 pounds, and may be 100 years old. Although two species of these anadromous fish are found in Maine

The DavinChi rod’s unique shape offers advantages for anglers hauling in big fish, claims the manufacturer.

The result is called a DavinChi rod (DavinChiRod.com), and according to the promotional material, the combination of the curved handle and the carefully-positioned forearm pad gives the angler at least six

Fraser River Lodge; www.fraserriverlodge.com

(Continued on next page)

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2022 • 17 (Continued from page 16)

times the leverage that can be applied by the wrist alone with a conventional straight rod. Features of the carbon fiber Cobra DavinChi rod include: • Detachable tip • Total Length: 8.5 feet • Handle length: 30 inches • Tip length: 72 inches • Tip weight: 8 - 12 lbs. (medium action) • Arm support • Guide: Alconite ring and stainless steel frame • Built-in knife in the handle: Damascus steel with wood handle The cost? Quite spendy – about $450, minus any discounts for helping to promote the new product. — Maine Wilderness First Aid by Stacey Wheeler, RN;

Stacey Wheeler, RN

Bowdoin, ME

Cuts Like a Knife – Dealing with Lacerations The slip of a knife, a blunder with a hatchet, falling on a sharp rock, or getting pierced by a razor-sharp broadhead while bowhunting, are all potential sources of laceration in the Maine woods. I have seen patients with many of these injuries walk through the hospital doors, yet most can be treated effectively without the need for urgent care. Having the essentials in your first aid kit and some basic first aid knowledge will ensure successful treatment. First Aid Supplies: • Sterile gauze • Steri-strips, butterfly closures,

or thin sections of tape • Water • Antibiotic cream • Tourniquet • Ace wrap or cloth dressing

If you have the right medical supplies along, and treat a wound quickly and carefully, you should be able to avoid a trip to the ER. Photo: Stacey Wheeler, RN

First of all, Stop the Bleeding. Apply direct, firm pressure with gauze, and hold for a minimum of 5 minutes. Elevating the injured area above the level of the heart will also help stop the bleeding. A temporary tourniquet can be placed 2-3 inches above the laceration if you are unable to stop the bleeding after 10 minutes. When using a tourniquet, make note of the time it’s tightened into place. A tourniquet should be left on as short a time as possible, and the affected limb should be monitored closely. Once the bleeding has stopped: 1) Clean with water to remove bacteria and debris. 2) Pull skin together at edges and apply closures or tape every 1/8”. (Deep wounds may require stitches.) 3) Apply antibiotic cream 4) Cover with clean gauze and an Ace wrap 5) Keep clean and dry for 12-24 hours, then remove gauze dressing. Leave closures in place until healed. Monitor for infection, redness, swelling, drainage, intense pain, fever or chills. If any of these occur, call your doctor. There are certain instances in which you should call 911 right away; specifically, if blood is spraying out of the wound. Also call 911 if you are unable to stop the bleeding after 10 minutes of direct, constant pressure. Carry on, and stay safe!

www.MaineSportsman.com

18 • July 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

Maine Wildlife:

Earthworms & Nightcrawlers by Tom Seymour

People who would never knowingly spread invasive plant or fish species, often distribute a certain invasive creature with impunity. These invasive creatures are, believe it or not, worms – earthworms and nightcrawlers. You see, Maine has no remaining native earthworm species. The last ice age saw to that, with glaciers sweeping the earth clean of everything that lived in or on the soil, including earthworms. Even after the glaciers melted and soil began building up, native earthworms never returned. And then came the age of sail. Sailors at Fault European ships, perhaps quite by accident, transported earthworms and European nightcrawlers to Maine. The worms quickly established themselves and became naturalized to the extent that most people are surprised to learn that worms are non-native invaders. Interestingly, while there are bans on buying, selling, distributing and possessing other non-natives, including some lovely plants that probably don’t deserve to be considered invasives, there is no such ban in place on worms. In fact, earthworms and nightcrawlers are the foundation of a widespread industry. Almost every variety store in Maine sells those familiar round, plastic containers of earthworms or nightcrawlers for use as fish bait. Worm Frontier Worms come in a number of types. The common garden worm, the kind we dig up in the backyard, are the most familiar, but other types live here too. Commercial producers raise a certain kind of ringed earthworm for use as trout bait. In years past, almost every youngster dreamed of raising worms for profit. You could mail order “red wiggler” worms from Jimmie Carter’s worm farm in Georgia, and there was your grubstake. Despite the profusion of worm varieties and their near-universal acceptance as established wildlife species, worms never made their way to northern Maine. But now, small populations www.MaineSportsman.com

of European earthworms are showing up in the far north. This comes as bad news, because earthworms can change the nature of the forest soil – something that can upset an entire ecosystem. By burrowing, worms help to aerate the soil, good for gardens but not so great for forests, because looser soil allows invasive plant species to establish themselves quickly and easily once they are illegally or accidentally introduced. There are several other negative aspects to worms arriving in our northern forests, but suffice it to say, their presence isn’t wanted. Once established, earthworms cannot be eradicated. You can’t dig up the whole forest, looking for worms. The answer, then, is to not allow them to spread in the first place. Earthworms get transported from place to place by several means, the first being discarded worms that were used for bait. Just as we mustn’t empty our live minnow containers in the water, we shouldn’t dump our worm containers, because that could well result in a new population of worms in a place where they shouldn’t exist. Also, worms in soil of potted plants can easily find their way to their new homes. Natural Food Earthworms and nightcrawlers have existed in Maine long enough that trout and other fish species have accepted them as a natural food source. However, I am convinced that trout take worms as much out of instinct as anything else. Consider this. Hatchery-reared trout will readily inhale a lightly hooked worm, even though such fish have never seen a worm in their life. Worms simply look appealing to

fish, and also, worms exude a natural scent, which undoubtedly adds to their fish appeal. Worms also have considerable angler appeal, being a universal bait and effective almost everywhere. Also, worms can be fished in a number of different ways. Let me give some examples. Ever consider trolling with worms? It’s very effective, even for hard-to-catch brown trout in summer. It helps to use a snelled hook with some red beads and one or two small spinners ahead of the hook. Hook the worm so that it looks like it is swimming along when pulled through the water. Above all, don’t bunch the worm up on the hook. Fish this outfit slowly, and trout of all types and dispositions will respond. Next, we have the classic wormand-bobber approach. The bobber is like the fly-fisher’s strike indicator. It also keeps the hook from getting hung on bottom. Bobbers can present a worm at any depth – another plus. Avoid large bobbers. The larger the bobber, the more resistance it will offer when a trout bites, and the more likely the trout will be to drop the bait. Stick with the smallest bobber that will hold your bait up. I prefer the little Styrofoam bobbers – lightweight, and very sensitive to the tiniest nibble. Finally, still-fishing on bottom can take trout when other methods fail. Worms have their place in trout fishing. But remember – worms aren’t welcome in the northern forests, so never dump your unused bait container.

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2022 • 19

Customize Your ATV by Steve Carpenteri

ATVs can even be used like small tractors for creating food plots for wildlife. Available speciallydesigned implements include plows, discs, seeders, spreaders and harrows. Most all-terrain vehicles are marketed for the purpose of transporting passengers over rough landscape in relative comfort and safety. These machines perform well for this function, providing many hours of enjoyable sight-seeing for users of all ages. “Riding” is a sport and exercise in itself, but sooner or later the

time comes when the ATV becomes a means to an end, and this is where aftermarket add-ons come into play. What’s Your Pleasure? Maine’s 85,000 ATV owners have far more options available to them than merely getting from Point A to Point B over backwoods trails

ATVing, Fishing, Hunting, Hiking & Wildlife Viewing!

and roads. ATVs can be used as transports for other uses, ranging from hunting, fishing and camping, to boating and hiking, as well as many “I’ll decide when I get there” opportunities. Some riders reserve their rig for specific uses and find other ways to get where they need to go, but creative ATV owners can adapt and ad-

Aftermarket items such as a trailer and hitch can transform a basic ATV into a gear-hauling machine. Photo: Aftermarket ATV

just their machines to fit their travel needs. Hunting The options for transforming a basic ATV into a hunting vehicle are many and

Moose Trail ATV System

varied. Options include internal and external gun racks, ammunition boxes, clothing bins, winches (for getting yourself out of (Continued on next page)

Check ATV club listings for ATV trail opening dates at www.atvmaine.com Open Year Round

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ATVing (Continued from page 20)

SPORT ADVENTURE LEVELED UP 2022 Wolverine RMAX2 1000 Sport The sportiest RMAX ever with race‑team‑inspired styling, highly adjustable sport‑tuned suspension, and Yamaha‑ exclusive off‑road ready wheels and tires. Visit Your Local Yamaha ATV Dealer for Current Offers Today! JACKMAN Jackman Power Sports 549 Main Street 207-668-4442 www.jackmanpowersports.com

LEWISTON Central Maine Powersports 845 Main Street 207-689-2345 www.centralmainepowersports.com

SKOWHEGAN Whittemore & Sons 257 Waterville Road 207-474-2591 www.whittemoreandsons.com

Side-by-Side (SxS) models are recommended for use only by operators 16 years and older with a valid driver’s license. Always wear your seat belt, helmet, eye protection and protective clothing. Yamaha recommends that all Side-by-Side riders take an approved training course. For Side-by-Side safety and training information, see your dealer or call the ROHVA at 1-866-267-2751. Read the Owner’s Manual and the product warning labels before operation. Avoid excessive speeds and never engage in stunt riding. Always avoid paved surfaces and never ride on public roads. And be particularly careful on difficult terrain. Never ride under the influence of alcohol or other drugs; it is illegal and dangerous. Models shown with optional accessories. ©2022 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved • YamahaMotorsports.com

Built to Break a Sweat 2022 PROWLER PRO Wherever there’s a job to be done, Prowler’s ready to dig in. These vehicles are made to work hard with next-level storage and towing. And they go the extra mile, with whisper-quiet components in Prowler™ Pro, and fuel-efficiency that reduces emissions in Prowler 500. Plenty of power, countless ways to customize, and a trail-taming design — all at your service.

See Your Local Arctic Cat® ATV Dealer For Current Promotions! GORHAM White Rock Outboard 351 Sebago Lake Road 207-892-9606 www.whiterockoutboard.com

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LEBANON Northeast Motorsports 451 Carl Broggi Hwy. 207-457-2225 www.nemotorsportsofmaine.com WARNING: Arctic Cat® vehicles can be hazardous to operate. For your safety, all riders should always wear a seat belt (Side-by-Sides), helmet, eye protection, and protective clothing. Riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix. Arctic Cat recommends that all operators take a safety training course. For safety and training information, please see your dealer or call 1-800-887-2887 (ATVs) or visit www.ROHVA.org (Side-by-Sides). Arctic Cat vehicles are for operators age 16 years and older with a valid driver’s license, except the Alterra 90, which is intended for operators 10 years of age and older. ©2022 Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc. All rights reserved.

www.MaineSportsman.com

Customize your ATV for hunting, fishing, boating and sporting uses. Consult the manufacturer or aftermarket supplier for the best options for your machine. Photo: Aftermarket ATV

gunkholes, as well as for hauling or hoisting game), gun rests, gun boxes, and many other helpful items designed to make maximum use of the ATV and its hauling capabilities. Fishing ATV fishing customizations include rod and tackle racks and holders, boxes for your gear, net holders and even kayak and canoe racks. There are any number of add-on containers in which hooks, line, sinkers, bobbers, lures and flies can be stored. Some retail outlets offer specially-designed boxes with built-in clamps that can be attached to any rail or flat surface as needed, and these can be changed at will as destinations and tackle needs demand. For example, a day of fly-fishing will require different boxes and gear compared to a day of surf fishing, bass casting or trolling. A few minutes of switching boxes and equipment can turn an ATV into a specialty unit that fits every angler’s needs. Camping Camp-bound riders know that the list

of necessities is long, these items can be bulky. Tents, tarps, sleeping bags, air mattresses, chairs, cooking supplies and other needs can easily be boxed up or attached to an ATV for ease of transport and convenience. Boating ATV adaptations for boating include hooks and racks for paddles, oars and life jackets, tubing or skiing gear, paddle boards, sails and poles. Whatever you bring, be certain it’s small and lightweight enough to be hand-carried upon arrival. In some situations, an ATV may be used to haul a small boat and trailer with motor, but in most cases the off-roader will be limited to what he can fit tightly and securely inside and on the vehicle. Quasi-Tractor ATVs are sometimes adapted for use in creating food plots for wildlife. Available implements include plows, discs, seeders, spreaders and harrows, all of which are designed for small vehicles and small proj(Continued on next page)

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2022 • 21 (Continued from page 20)

ects that deer, bird and even waterfowl hunters can appreciate. Some items are offered by the ATV manufacturer, while others may be purchased from outdoor specialty outlets, farm and garden stores and similar suppliers. A few minutes spent online can result in a list of wants and needs that will keep agriculturally-minded ATV owners busy for years to come. Pack Safely When adding aftermarket gear and equipment to an ATV, it is important to decide where each item will go, how it will fit best on the vehicle, and how it can be po-

sitioned and used safely. Any add-on that protrudes from the machine more than a few inches should be avoided, as should items or containers featuring sharp edges that could injure operators or bystanders while the machine is in operation. Cover or secure wires, chains and straps so they don’t catch on brush, limbs, stumps or other obstacles. Check all fasteners and fittings at the beginning of the season and before long rides to ensure that all parts and pieces are solid, stable and working properly.

the sky is the limit as long as all safety considerations are met. Creative users often incorporate PVC piping, boxes, crates and other containers that can be attached

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ping and boating can tailor their add-ons to a variety of needs depending on the season, trail conditions and destinations.

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to the machine, filled with the appropriate gear and then securely sealed for safe, dependable transport. Riders with multiple interests such as hunting, fishing, trap-

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LEWISTON Central Maine Powersports 845 Main Street 207-689-2345 www.centralmainepowersports.com *Offers vary by model. Financing available on 2016 – 2022 new and unregistered Polaris® RZR®, RANGER®, Sportsman®, GENERAL®, and ACE® models purchased between 6/1/2022 – 7/31/2022. †Rates as low as 4.99% APR for 36 months. Examples of monthly payments required over a 36‑month term at a 4.99% APR rate: $29.97 per $1,000 financed; and with a 60‑month term at a 7.49% APR rate: $20.03 per $1,000 financed. An example of a monthly payment with $0 down, no rebate, an APR of 4.99% APR for 36 months at an MSRP of $13,999 is $419.50/mo. total cost of borrowing of $1,102.99 with a total obligation of $15,101.99. Down payment may be required. Other financing offers may be available. See your local dealer for details. Minimum Amount Financed $1,500; Maximum Amount Financed $50,000. Other qualifications and restrictions may apply. Financing promotions void where prohibited. Tax, title, license, and registration are separate and may not be financed. Promotion may be modified or discontinued without notice at any time in Polaris’ sole discretion. WARNING: Polaris® off‑road vehicles can be hazardous to operate and are not intended for on‑road use. Driver must be at least 16 years old with a valid driver’s license to operate. Passengers, if permitted, must be at least 12 years old. All riders should always wear helmets, eye protection, and protective clothing. Always use seat belts and cab nets or doors (as equipped). Never engage in stunt driving and avoid excessive speeds and sharp turns. Riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix. All riders should take a safety training course. Call 800‑342‑3764 for additional information. Check local laws before riding on trails. ©2022 Polaris Industries Inc. WARNING: Polaris® off‑road vehicles can be hazardous to operate and are not intended for on‑road use. Driver must be at least 16 years old with a valid driver’s license to operate. Passengers, if permitted, must be at least 12 years old. All riders should always wear helmets, eye protection, and protective clothing. Always use seat belts and cab nets or doors (as equipped). Never engage in stunt driving, and avoid excessive speeds and sharp turns. Riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix. All riders should take a safety training course. Call 800‑342‑3764 for additional information. Check local laws before riding on trails. ©2022 Polaris Industries Inc.

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©2022 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserved. ®, ™ and the BRP logo are trademarks of BRP or its affiliates. In the U.S.A., products are distributed by BRP US Inc. Some vehicles depicted may include optional equipment. BRP highly recommends that all ATV drivers take a training course. For safety and training information, see your dealer or, in USA, call the ATV Safety Institute at 1-800-887-2887. In Canada, call the Canadian Safety Council at (6131 739-1535 ext 227. Read the Operators Guide and watch the Safety DVD before riding. Wear appropriate protective clothing and helmet. For side-by-side vehicles, fasten lateral net and seat belt at all times. Never engage in stunt driving and avoid excessive speed. Always observe applicable local laws and regulations. Side-by-side vehicles and ATVs are recommended for drivers aged 16 and older, and passengers aged 12 and older only. For off-road use only. Never ride on paved surfaces or public roads. Always ride responsibly and remember that riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix.

www.MaineSportsman.com

22 • July 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

Training Your Bird Dog –

Don’t Rush the Gun by Michael Browning

One of my biggest concerns when I started training dogs was whether they would be gun-shy. I would engross myself in training books, trying to figure out the best way to break a dog to the gun. I remember reading one article that was published in 1950, about people taking their dogs to the trap shooting range, tying them to a pole and shooting several boxes of shells right by the dog. Of course this was a crude way to expose a dog to gunfire, and probably ended with the dog being terrified of gunshots. Other books and articles offered different and innovative ways to break a dog to the gun, and like all people who indulge in any interest, I tried to

Turns out the hardest part of training a hunting dog to become accustomed to the sound of a gun is exercising discipline – not disciplining the young dog, but rather the exercise of self-discipline by the trainer! learn by listening to other individuals who have trained gun dogs, or reading until my head was crammed full of so many methods, I didn’t know which was right. And when I started training dogs, I was apprehensive about shooting a .22 blank pistol, even at 100 yards. I would stress myself out by obsessing that I wouldn’t have much of a gundog if the dog was scared of gunfire. You Relax; the Dog Relaxes Rule #1 in any dog training is this: if you are stressed, the dog

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will be stressed. It’s easier said than done, but believe me, especially of you are a highstrung person like myself, you want to keep as calm with training as you can. Especially when it comes to introducing gunfire. In my opinion, that’s one lesson during which you should be as calm and aloof as you can be. The steps described below will hopefully give you confidence in breaking your dog to the gun. Using a Blank .22 I usually wait until a pup is at least 16 weeks old. Of course, it depends on the pup’s personality. A .22 blank pistol is all that’s needed for now. Take the pup out for a walk in a field, let the pup get at least 100 yards out, and wait until the pup’s attention is on some-

thing other than you. When the pup is occupied with something, fire the pistol. Reactions will vary, depending on the pup’s personality. A pup might instantly look up at you, wondering where the noise came from, or the pup might go back to playing and not pay attention to you. Walk a little closer and fire a blank again. Even if the dog seems fine, don’t rush it. If you get as close as 50 yards, fire once more, and that will suffice for one day ... remember – do not rush the gun! Don’t Show Concern Now, if you have a pup who is sensitive and you fire at 100 yards and the pup comes running back to you scared, DO NOT SHOW ANY CONCERN! The pup

is running back to you for comfort and protection. If you show concern for the scared pup after the gunshot, the pup will associate the noise as BAD! All you have to do is act like nothing happened. I won’t even speak to, or make eye contact with, the pup if it comes running back to me and is right by my leg. I just keep walking around until the pup is comfortable and runs off again. Once the pup is at a good distance and paying attention to something else, I’ll fire again. This process could take several days, a week or maybe two. When I’m breaking a dog to the gun, I’ll bring my .22 blank pistol and go for a leisurely walk around the field with the pup. I’ll occasionally fire the pistol and see how the pup reacts. As soon as the pup is not showing any concern for the .22 pistol and you can shoot right beside him, you’re on your way to (Continued on next page)

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2022 • 23 (Continued from page 22)

breaking the pup to the gun. .410 Shotgun This next step is the same as the first, but only proceed to the 2nd step if you can shoot the .22 blank at least 5 feet from the pup with no reaction from the pup at all. This time, you’ll be using a .410 shotgun. It’s going to be a lot louder to the pup. So as before, wait until the pup is 100 yards out, and paying no attention to you. Once you fire and get the same results as you did with the .22, move closer. If the pup seems a little nervous and comes running

back to you, don’t worry. Just make sure not to show any concern for the pup. You can try it again once the pup is running around and at least 100 yards away. In my experience, once you pass the first stage with the .22 blank, the .410 shotgun often won’t bother the pup at all. But still don’t shoot the .410 the first time until the young dog is 100 yards away – you don’t want to reverse progress by firing the .410 too close to the pup the first time. Finally – the 20 Ga. or 12 Ga. The process is repeated with the 20 gauge or 12 gauge,

which are louder than the .410. As you can now see, it’s a gradual process all the way to the 12 or 20 gauge. You use the same principles from the .22 blank to the 12 gauge. Most gun dogs aren’t a problem when breaking them to the gun, but you could have a very skittish and shy dog. So don’t rush the gun, be calm and aloof, and show NO concern to the pup if it comes running back for reassurance. It will take some discipline on the part of the trainer, but it’s the best way to express and convey confidence to the pup.

Be patient, introduce your pup to the sound of gunfire at its own pace, and soon you will have a skilled, confident gun dog like Argos. See more of Argon on page 42. Melissa Goodwin photo

MAINE WILDLIFE QUIZ: Earthworms & Nightcrawlers by Steve Vose

Earthworms are terrestrial invertebrates that belong to the phylum Annelida. They occur worldwide where soil, water, and temperature allow. Due to our history of glaciation, there are no native earthworms in Maine. Non-native earthworms from Europe have become well established here, introduced as a byproduct of early colonial agricultural trading. Earthworms eat a wide variety of organic matter, including plants, bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms. Nightcrawlers are a type of earthworm. When you examine a Nightcrawler up close, note its ring-shaped segments, called annuli. Tiny bristles called setae cover each annulus. These setae allow Nightcrawlers to move and burrow up to several feet below the surface of the ground. Nightcrawlers lack true “eyes,” and they sense motion only through vibrations. Earthworms are hermaphrodites, each carrying male and female repro-

ductive organs. When mating, two individual earthworms will exchange sperm and fertilize each other’s eggs. Contrary to popular opinion, night crawlers do not emerge from their tunnels after a heavy evening rain for fear of drowning. Instead, rain and high humidity allow earthworms of all species to move above the ground at night without fear of drying out and dying. Above the surface, worms can move about more freely than underground to explore new territory and find food. While there is nothing wrong with buying worms from the local conve-

Questions

3. What do earthworms eat?

1. To what phylum do earthworms belong?

4. What are the ring-shaped segments called that comprise an earthworm’s body?

2. Are there native earthworms in Maine?

5. Do Nightcrawlers have eyes?

nience store, those who do not at least understand how to harvest their own worms for fishing bait are missing a vital part of the entire angling experience. While finding Nightcrawlers is a relatively easy task, extracting them from their burrows requires practice. When threatened, Nightcrawlers use their tiny setae to anchor themselves firmly in their burrows. To pull a night crawler out of its burrow, a person must apply gentle but constant pulling pressure. Too little and the worm slips away, too much, and the worm breaks in half. A quick search of the internet will yield many other interesting ways to catch worms, including using dish soap, car batteries and even chainsaws. While I like technology just as much as the next person, I have to say that in this case, I am just going to stick to the old methods, leaving the “high tech” worm-catching methods to the professionals.

6. Nightcrawlers have special hairlike tiny bristles that help them move and burrow. What are they called?

Answers on Page 30 www.MaineSportsman.com

24 • July 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

Tips for Successful Bear Baiting by Stacy Warren

When my husband and I began managing our own bear bait sites, we spent a lot of time and money learning what does and doesn’t work. While bear baiting seems pretty simple, it’s taken us eight years of rookie mistakes and tweaking to get it just right. Here are the key things you need to know when setting up a bait site: 1. Location is critical. Nearby water

Here, the author shares the results of her eight years of experience bringing big bears to her site. She offers concise instructions on what baits to use, and how to deploy them. and natural food bring bear in. The more remote, the better. Before placing your bait, make sure you have a good spot to put your stand so that you’ll be concealed and will be able to get a good shot. Make sure you’re not facing the setting sun,

and pay attention to the prevailing wind direction to avoid scent travel to the barrel. 2. Barrel. A good sturdy barrel is necessary to stand up to the wrestling a bear will do with it. The plastic ones with removable top covers fill more

easily. A square 10x10 inch hole cut between the first and second section and large enough to get a paw in (but not a big head) will help you size up a bear. This method keeps the bait from the elements, and also prevents it from being

eaten up too quickly. 3. Bait. Although everyone finds their favorite, donut bait has always been the most successful for us. Estimate one or two barrels per site. The barrel is initially filled with three 5-gallon buckets of bait. A secondary sweet, such as frosting or jelly, is secured in a separate bucket near the barrel. 4. Grease. An adequate amount is (Continued on next page)

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�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2022 • 25 (Continued from page 24)

sometimes hard to find. Check early with restaurants or stores that fry food, and request about ten gallons to start. The key to good grease is a scent enhancer, such as Wilderness Freaks’ Bait Starter, or Northwoods’ Gold Rush. A five-gallon bucket is attached to a tree and filled with grease. You’ll also use the grease to spray around the site. A kid’s water squirter works great. Pour some in front of the barrel so that any critter that comes to the barrel will subsequently track scent throughout the woods. Hang a soaked rag high in a tall, skinny sapling, or create a drag and walk the area beyond the site. Every time you bait, freshen the area with a few squirts. 5. Beaver Castor. Bear love beaver anything. Use dried, grated beaver castor and scent-free petroleum jelly to create a mixture to apply to a tree at head height. Bear will rub themselves all over the tree as part of their visit ritual. You can find similar products on the market to purchase. 6. Bear Spray Scent: Again, scent is essential, and a good bear spray adds another layer. Blueberry, Bacon, Cherry, or Caramel are good ones. Stream spray into the undersides of tree leaves above the bait. It’ll last longer, and the scent will disperse better. 7. Anise. The pure oil is key for scent on a bait site. Dip a tiki wick in bottle, and hang high. Re-dip each week.

This bear came in regularly during daylight hours all baiting season. Baiting mid-morning was the key to keeping this bear coming in during prime hunting hours. You can judge its size by its height next to the barrel.

8. Game Camera. I recommend two. Cellular is great, but not a necessity. For best results, use blackout, infrared, or no-glow cameras. To help prevent destruction of cameras, avoid regular flash.

Place one so you get a good angle on the barrel, but not too close. Place the second one farther back so that it catches the barrel, but also the background to see which direction the bear is coming into

This bear can’t resist rubbing its face on the beaver castor jelly that was placed in the crook of the tree. Beaver castor works to draw bear into new sites, and it keeps them returning. Even after they’re done eating, they don’t leave until they’ve visited the castor tree.

the site. 9. Lastly, stay away. We bait once a week unless we see the bait being eaten too fast. We only bait during mid-morning, and we avoid prime hunting hours to prevent

daytime bear being jumped off the bait. And if they do, there’s always the trapping option!

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26 • July 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

Preparations Pay off for Moose Hunters by Bill Graves

Lucky moose lottery winners should anticipate success in the woods, and should plan accordingly. That means long gloves, sharp knives, plastic bags, coolers, a way to move the moose, and a plan to keep the meat clean and cool. Since 1982, moose hunting lotteries have taken place each year here in Maine, and those lucky winners have enjoyed an exciting hunt and – for most – a freezer full of delicious game meat. For many sportsmen, especially those of retirement age, the hunt may be a once-ina-lifetime experience, so proper preparation is a must for success and enjoyment. Once the shot is fired, the prized animal is down and the initial celebration winds down, the real work begins. Without

the proper gear and equipment, cleaning, moving, loading, and transporting a moose that can weigh a thousand pounds goes beyond challenging. Educate Yourself First and foremost, novice hunters who have never gutted a big game animal need to read an article, watch a video or seek guidance from an experienced outdoorsman about the task. Better still, take a friend with game-cleaning experience on the hunt. He or she gets some tasty steaks; the neophyte gets hands-on guid-

Sometimes a hunter just has to be lucky! This big moose was in a huge brushy field and fell on the spot at the shot rather than getting into the woods. A nearby farmer was doing field ditching next door, and made the dragging and loading a cinch. www.MaineSportsman.com

ance; and many hands make light work. It’s a proven fact that the level of enjoyment of the rest of the day is inversely proportional to the distance a large moose is from the truck and trailer, the swampiness of the ground, and the thickness of the surrounding trees and brush. Tools The most important set of tools for field-dressing any game animal is sharp cutlery. At least two keen-edged knives are a must, and since they are likely to lose their

This is a trophy bull that every hunter hopes for, but it’s already in heavy timber and a ways from the nearest road, so you’d better have the right retrieval gear along. Bill Graves photos

edge during the job, a whetstone, file, and sharpening steel will be needed for resharpening. If it turns out the moose has to be skinned, quartered, and deboned in order to be carried out of the woods, the knives and sharpening utensils become even more important.

You can make all the plans you want and take along all essential gear for taking care of a downed moose, but sometimes the hunting gods smile down and provide a nearby old-style woodcutter to ease the burden.

In addition, a sharp, wide-bladed skinning knife, a meat saw, and a hatchet will be very useful, depending on the size of the job. A set of elbow-length field-dressing rubber gloves, or at least a set of wristlength latex gloves, will certainly cut down on the fuss and mess, (Continued on next page)

Greg Palm and his father Bob of Presque Isle planned ahead and carried a portable ramp and gas-operated come-along to load their moose into the pickup bed.

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2022 • 27 (Continued from page 26)

and will help avoid ruined clothes. I personally carry a five gallon plastic bucket with a few other sundry items inside that make cleaning game and cleaning up afterwards a simple chore. In the pail are a couple of sets of plastic gloves, a roll of paper towels, plastic bags, cloth meat bags, the cutlery and sharpening utensils, and a small first aid kit – just in case the knife slips. The bucket can

be used to carry water from any nearby brook or pond to rinse out the body cavity once the cleaning is over. Washing away as much blood and debris from any exposed meat reduces the chance of meat spoilage, and keeps flies at bay during field processing and travel. In short, clean and cool are the two main objectives when caring for game animals – take care of your meat in the field, and you will be rewarded at the dinner table.

Moving the Animal Have lots of ropes or cable, and a sturdy come-along or winch to drag the game from the woods to the edge of the road, and then to pull it onto a truck or trailer. A set of heavy tree shears and a chain saw for swamping a trail can be a big help. Many hunters have had to winch a moose from stump to stump for several hundred yards, and without a saw and ax to move deadfalls the work would have doubled.

An ATV or UTV with all-wheel drive can save a lot of time and trouble during the hauling chore; and if there’s an electric winch, so much the better, but even these mechanical workhorses may need some sort of trail swamped for travel. Keeping Things Cool It’s wise to bring along a couple of goodsized ice chests with several frozen milk jugs inside. The icefilled containers can be placed inside the body

cavity of the dressedout moose to cool the animal and keep the meat from spoiling on hot fall days. The heart and liver can be placed in one of the coolers for travel out of the woods. Moose hunts are rare experiences, so take full advantage of the opportunity, and be prepared. It’s better to have it and not need it, than vice versa. Congratulations to the lucky lottery winners, and hunt safe.

~ Congratulations ~

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28 • July 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

Southern Maine Fishing Charters by Sam Wheeler

York and Southern Cumberland Counties have large resident populations of potential saltwater charter customers. In addition, those regions are the first places tourists arrive if they are traveling north into Maine. Here are three of the saltwater fishing outfits that are helping to meet that demand. Shoals Fly Fishing and Light Tackle (Portsmouth)

In the first of several upcoming regional charter and head-boat (party boat) profiles, reporter Sam Wheeler checks out three options for guided saltwater adventures along the Southern Maine coast. Like many captains, Peter Whelan has been fishing most of his life. His love for the sport began on the shores of Long Beach Island, N.J., where his parents owned a house. Now, decades late, he finds himself farther north-

east ,where he runs his business, Shoals Fly Fishing and Light Tackle, a charter that targets primarily stripers, but will also go after bluefish. Although his business is based out of Portsmouth, N.H., Whelan spends much

of his time fishing the Maine coast, as well as along the Piscataqua River, which serves as a boundary between Maine and New Hampshire. Whelan started out offering only fly fishing trips for stripers, but expanded to spinning

rods and bait in order to respond to customer requests. For beginners, he recommends starting with spinning rods, but is more than willing to teach people the craft of casting and potentially hooking a fish on a fly rod, which he says is an exhilarating experience. “It’s unbelievable,” he says. “Once you start, you are hooked.” For him, an ideal morning is approach(Continued on next page)

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�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2022 • 29 (Continued from page 28)

ing a section of water where fish are surface-feeding, and directing his clients to take full advantage of the opportunity. “During the course of a good morning, you can get a total of 20 to 30 fish on the line,” Whelan said. When a client does reel in a striper, Whelan shares what knowledge he can discern about the particular fish, including the approximate age, and how far the fish traveled to get to Maine. At a client’s request, he will clean fish that make the tight slot limit, but he also emphasizes the importance of returning them to the water. “Catch and release is key if we want to continue to enjoy the fishery,” he explains. Anglers can secure their trip online at shoalsflyfishing.com, or by phone or email. Whelan guides about

120 days each year, from the end of May to mid-October, and many 2022 dates have already been booked. Bunny Clark Deep Sea Fishing (Ogunquit) Located in Ogunquit, the 40-foot long (and 40-year-old) “Bunny Clark” deep sea fishing boat is ideal for anglers looking to venture far offshore to target several species of groundfish. Whether the skipper is Captain and Owner Tim Tower, or Captain Ian Keniston, you will be in experienced hands. Capt. Tower has been party fishing on Bunny Clark (which means fishing with more than six people) since the boat was new. Capt. Keniston had 14 years of party boat experience under his belt before even joining Bunny Clark, and now leads many of the ship’s trips out of Perkins Cove.

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30 • July 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

This young man traveled from Pennsylvania to get in on the striper action. Photo: Shoals Fly Fishing and Light Tackle

You don’t have to travel too far offshore to catch striped bass – even the larger specimens, like the one pictured here. Photo: Go Fish! Charters

Southern Maine Fishing Charters (Continued from page 29)

Once Captain Ian or Captain Tim guides you to one of their spots, the fishing begins. Some of the most frequently caught and sought-after fish are haddock, which many people opt to keep. Others fish frequently caught include cusk and cod; however, cod can be kept only between September 8 and October 7 of this year. Other common catches include redfish, dogfish, whiting, mackerel and even porbeagle sharks. Since several of the more regularly-caught fish species have liberal or no bag limits and very easy to make size limits, the fish can pile up in a hurry, and that’s where the deckhand comes in. Although it’s not

a deckhand’s only responsibility while on ship, the hand will clean and bag each customer’s fish. A $10 tip is suggested, but not required. Folks interested in a Bunny Clark adventure can book their trip online, over the phone and even by mail. Many different trip packages are offered, including halfday trips (4 hours), full-day trips (8 hours), extreme trips (10 hours) and marathon trips (12 hours). Visit bunnyclark.com for more information. Go Fish! Charters (South Portland) This summer marks the 26th year of business for Go Fish! Charters, with Captain Ben Garfield at the helm for another

season on the water. When the lifelong fisherman takes his 22-foot EdgeWater boat from the Spring Point Marina in South Portland and begins to drift into lower Casco Bay, one of the top things on his mind is putting his clients on striped bass – something he’s excelled at for many years. His charter service runs seven days a week from early June to the end of September, and he offers 4-, 6- and 8-hour trips for customers. He’ll also plan custom trips upon request. Of the available options, Garfield reports that 4-hour excursions suffice for most customers. For tackle, customers use spinning rods, and have choices of cut bait, live bait or lures. People interested in a guided trip must book it over the phone or through email. His website, gofishmaine.

Fishing in deep water, anglers on charter boats like the Bunny Clark can catch groundfish including whiting, wolffish and, as shown here, halibut. This halibut weighed 27 pounds, and was released immediately after the photo was taken. Photo: Bunny Clark

com, provides general information, and also includes a photo gallery of past catches. If an angler is lucky enough to land a striper that falls between the 28 to 35 inch slot limit, he will filet and ice the fish upon request. Garfield is interested in the future of the sport; specifically, getting the next generation out onto the water. “If you get kids into

fishing early, they’re going to fish the rest of their lives,” he said. In fact, one of his favorite parts of the job is seeing multiple generations of anglers in his boat. “I’ve been in the business so long that I’ve had kids in my boat who used to be in life jackets who are now grown up and are bringing their own kids in life jackets,” he said, proudly.

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(Quiz on Page 23)

organic matter including plants, bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms.

5. Nightcrawlers lack true “eyes” and sense motion only through vibrations.

4. The ring-shaped segments are called annuli.

6. The special hair like tiny bristles that help Nightcrawlers move and burrow are called setae.

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2022 • 31

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32 • July 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

— Saltwater Fishing Special Feature — A Summer of Saltwater Fishing by Capt. Ron Dupuis, Jr. – Yarmouth, ME

Maine’s warm-weather months provide plenty of opportunities for near-shore and off-shore anglers. However, it’s important to understand that ocean fishing is subject to state and federal regulations. So learn the rules, and then get out there to join the action. Maine is a destination for many saltwater anglers. As the water starts warming up in late May and early June, gamefish in Casco Bay and Saco Bay start moving in toward the coastline. During the course of the summer, recreational fisherman and charter captains pursue striped bass, Atlantic bluefin tuna, and shark. These fish show up at different times, and their activities peak at different times. Here are several species of fish found off the Maine coast, and their peak months.

can stay through September. Mackerel in Maine can be both bait and table fare for fisherman. They can be caught by spinning, jigging, or trolling. Macks are fun to fish for with children, because two or three mackerel can be caught at one time when trolling on Sabiki rigs. If you are not using your mackerel for bait, you can bake or grill the fish. These fish are very oily, so care must be taken in their preparation and cooking, but they are very tasty when cooked correctly.

Mackerel in May Mackerel show up in late May, and

Schoolies in May and June Striped Bass are

among Maine’s most popular gamefish. Schoolie stripers show up in late May and early June in the state’s southern coastal rivers, and move up to the Downeast regions and into deeper waters in July. Fishermen love striped bass, and they wait all winter for the fishes’ annual migration up the coast of Maine. Striped bass can be fished using lures, bait or flies, and can be fished from a boat, in the surf, or from shore. Fisherman should become familiar with special Federal and State regulations and locations for this highly sought-after game

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The author holds a “schoolie” striped bass. Dupuis photo

fish. For example, there’s a bag limit of 1 fish/day; kept fish must be greater than 28 inches and less than 35 inches; circle hooks are generally required when using bait; and be certain to check the rule book for special “Kennebec River” rules, including catch & release – and no use of bait – through June 30. Striped bass can stay in Maine waters into October. August and September Best for Tuna Atlantic Bluefin Tuna have become of very popular big game fish in Maine as well. To find these giants, anglers must spend some time off-shore. Tuna fishing can start as early as June, but the best months for these beasts are August into September.

Appropriate gear and knowledge will enhance the fisherman’s catch rate, but when a bluefin tuna is caught, it’s a memory for a lifetime. Many whale- watching tours start at dawn, and these boats will sometimes encounter pods of tuna surfacing. It’s an unforgettable experience to see these large fish feeding. Atlantic Bluefin Tuna is also a fish that is managed by special Federal and State regulations. For example, according to the Maine Department of Marine Resources, a federal “Highly Migratory Species” permit is required to fish for tuna. The department recommends visiting the site HMSPermits. noaa.gov for information on permits and current fishing regulations. (Continued on next page)

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2022 • 33 (Continued from page 32)

Shark Angling Also Best in August and September Sharks are an exceptional fish to catch. Their aggressive manner and acrobatics can provide the fisherman the fight of a lifetime. They are also a fish that require the fisherman to spend some time off-shore around the ledges in Casco and Saco Bay. The four major types of sharks that are fished for in Maine are Blue shark, Mako, Porbeagle, and Thresher. Shark fishing takes place between July and October, with August and September being the most productive times. Sharks also benefit from special Federal and State regulations.

Bluefish; Winter Flounder Other notable fish that warrant discussion include bluefish and winter flounder. Bluefish show up in Maine at different times during the summer, depending on water temperature. In some years they can be plentiful, while they can be scarce in others. Generally, bluefish show up in late July and August. Winter flounder is also fished in Maine, with peak times in late May into June and July. Both of these fish are included in the recreational sport fishing regulations. Reminder to Check the Rules As mentioned above, special regulations apply to fishing

for striped bass, tuna, shark, and other large species. The best place to find up-to-date information is to review the State of Maine Department of Marine Resources website at www.maine.gov/dmr/ recreational-fishing/ regs-tips/index.html. The site provides printable summaries of recreational fishing regulations, and also offers tips on catch-and-release techniques as well as using circle hooks. The Maine Sportsman staff highly recommends that you review these regulations before taking your trip. Once you know the rules, enjoy your trip and fishing experience, and please – be safe on the water.

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34 • July 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

— Saltwater Fishing Special Feature — “Hi, I’m from Away. How Can I Catch Some Saltwater Fish?” by Bob Humphrey “We’re planning to visit Maine this summer, and I was hoping to do a little fishing while we are there. Can anyone offer some tips on where we can fish from shore or in a small boat, what we might catch, and what we should use for bait?” It’s a common post on social media sites like the Maine Saltwater Fishing Facebook and Instagram groups. After all, Maine is “Vacationland.” Each summer, throngs of visitors inundate the State, predominantly in coastal areas where they’ll rent a cozy cottage and, after obligatory visits to L.L. Bean and downtown Portland, strike out in search of adventure. Some may be familiar with general fishing techniques and their home waters, but lack the local intel. Others are rank amateurs, merely hoping to wet a line and perhaps bring home

Your college buddies are visiting from Ohio, your sister-in-law is staying in the guest room, and everyone wants you to take them out on the salt water to catch some fish. Here’s the primer from Capt. Bob Humphrey that will make you a hero.

Mackerel can be caught from shore and inshore, most often by casting diamond jigs or Sabiki rigs. Bob Humphrey photos

something for dinner. Whether you’re from away and visiting Maine for the first time, hosting friends or family from out-ofstate, or are a life-long

Small schoolie stripers are more commonly caught from shore during the day, but bigger fish can sometimes be had by fishing at night.

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shore waters this summer. Inshore The first thing most newbies want to know is what can be

caught, and the list is fairly short. Pollock – While these cousins of the cod can weigh up to 35 pounds, inshore schools consist mostly of juveniles, referred to as harbor pollock. They average around 10-12 inches, and there is no size or bag limit in State waters. Though they don’t quite rival cod and haddock, they do make decent table fare. They’re most often caught on jigs, Sabiki rigs or small hooks baited with clams or sea worms. Target areas with shore access to deeper waters. Cunner – Despite being among the most common bottom fish in inshore waters, this member of the wrasse family is not even listed in State recreational fishing guidelines, which presumably means there are no size or bag limits. They’re caught most often on bait, but sometimes on (Continued on next page)

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2022 • 35 (Continued from page 34)

small jigs, primarily in areas of rocky bottom. Though relatively small – 6-10 inches – the larger ones are worth the time and effort to catch and cook. Mackerel – Unlike the relatively sedentary pollock and cunner, the mackerel is a pelagic species with schools constantly on the move, most often at the surface or in the upper water column. Popular fishing methods include casting diamond jigs or sabiki rigs. The best locations are jetties adjacent to deeper water or around docks, piers and pilings. Currently, there are no size or bag limits, but that’s likely to change in the near future. For those who prefer oily fish, mackerel are quite tasty when grilled or smoked. Striped Bass – While perhaps a better choice for more serious or experienced anglers, stripers can be obliging to the novice as well. They represent something of a middle ground between the

above species, being relatively mobile, but feeding everywhere from the rocky bottom to the sandy shallows. Anglers employ an array of bait and tackle. Plugs, spoons, bucktail jigs and streamer flies work well on blitzing surface schools. A surf or high-low rig with sinker on the bottom and two hooks above baited with clams, sea worms or chunk mackerel work well on the sandy flats, especially around river mouths, and from the rocky shore where weeds aren’t too thick. However, nothing beats live bait, and if you can catch or snag pollock, mackerel or pogies, then live-line them you have a better shot at bigger fish. The current limit is one fish per day greater than 20 inches and less than 35 inches total length.

cluding cod, haddock, cusk, larger pollock and possibly even a halibut. The best option for boat-less anglers is a headboat or private charter. The former is less expensive, but the latter gives you a more personal experience. Either way, you can rely on seasoned captains and mates to provide all the bait and tackle, put you on the fish, and teach you how to catch them. They’ll even clean them for you. Just remember, mates work for tips, so don’t be

stingy. For the truly adventurous, the offshore waters also host sharks and bluefin tuna. For this, you’ll definitely want to hire a charter, as it requires a seaworthy, federally-permitted vessel with specialized safety equipment and tackle, and an intimate knowledge of the quarry. If you are a recreational saltwater fisherman, Maine law may require you to register with the Maine Saltwater Recreational Fishing

Registry. To learn more or to register, visit: www.maine.gov/dmr/ recreational-fishing/ licenses/registry.html, or call 207-624-9550. For more information, including the Maine Saltwater Angler’s Guide, visit www.maine.gov/dmr Bob Humphrey is a registered Maine Guide and U.S.C.G. licensed captain. He runs both inshore and offshore charters; see www.sportventures.net

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36 • July 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

Two of our expert trout anglers team up to share their decades of experience and enthusiasm for fishing small streams, and in the process, they reveal many secrets of their success! The two of us (Tom Seymour and Lou Zambello) were on the phone the other day talking about our love of small stream fishing, and sharing some of the lessons we had learned in our combined 110 years (yes, you read that right!) of tramping the banks of small waters. Here are some of those lessons learned. Explore the Entire Stream Small streams are full of surprises. They can change their character several times over a distance best

measured in acres, not miles. It is not uncommon for a stream to border a field with a mud bank and relatively mild flows, then take a sharp turn and cascade down a wooded hillside over granite boulders, only to become a swampy alder tangle until an old dam creates a tailwater section. Depending on the season, trout may only inhabit one part of the stream. That’s why you need to explore all of a small stream, and not assume that just

because the water in front of you looks more like frog water than trout habitat, it isn’t worth fishing. Around the bend, its character could be totally different and be trout-city. Embrace the Changes Success when fishing small streams requires an awareness of the fish’s response to constantly changing conditions. Depth, flow speed and water temperature may all change suddenly and without warning. Winter is the only time when conditions

The ideal stream. Seymour photo

on small streams remain unchanged for lengthy stretches of time. However, most streams are closed to fishing in winter. In spring, summer and early fall, though, small streams are subject to rapid changes, going from clear,

low-water conditions to high-water conditions, sometimes overnight. Also, the changing seasons affect streams and the trout living in them, and sometimes small streams are at their best only during (Continued on next page)

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�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2022 • 37 (Continued from page 36)

times of high water during spring runoff. These are the tiny brooks that hold trout only in early spring. After that, as water levels drop, trout move to more comfortable environments. Many coastal streams that hold anadromous – “searun” – trout, see those trout running primarily in spring. However, no two streams share the same calendar, with some seeing runs beginning in very early spring, and others with runs beginning after water temperatures have risen and water levels have dropped. Keep Trying, and Keep Records Given all these fluctuating conditions, how does an angler know when to fish small streams? We have several answers. The first is to simply keep trying. If trout are not active today, or perhaps not even present, wait a few days and try again. Each stream has its own general “calendar,” and you can ferret these out by keeping records of when trout begin to bite and when the bite slows down. That’s another answer, then – keep a record book. Tom often just jots such information down on his wall calendar. He saves calendars from year-toyear, making it easy to look back through past records and then form a ballpark estimate of when a certain stream is at its best. Lou is lazier. He always takes a few photos of the streams he fishes, the fly pat-

Fat stocked trout and a wicker creel. Seymour photo

tern he is trying, and a fish or two if he is lucky enough to catch them. He can then go back through his cell phone photos (automatically saved with both date and location) to see when each stream fished well over the years. He recommends periodically backing up cell phone photos to a computer or “the cloud.”

bottom and rocky shorelines? Most mountain streams and streams that run down hillsides are of this nature. And since such streams drain faster in spring because of increased flow due to steeper pitch, they are usually the earliest places to find willing trout. Or might the stream be slow-moving, gently winding

A limit of wild trout enticed from a tiny stream in early spring. Seymour photo

warms and blackflies become a burden. Even with slow-moving, deeper streams, it is possible to take fish fairly early, but this requires fishing with bait, preferably earthworms, directly on bottom. This sedentary fishing method often takes some of the larger trout of the season. Of course, if a stream changes char-

It’s important to keep records. Tom jots such information down on his wall calendar. Lou is lazier – he takes a few photos of the streams he fishes, and his smartphone automatically notes the date and the location. Stream Types We must also identify the stream type when familiarizing ourselves with a stream. Is it a freestone stream – that is, does it have a stony

its way through level country? If so, then the timetable can probably be moved back. These places don’t usually become productive until midspring, when water

acter over its length, treat each section almost as its own unique water. One section may fish better earlier than another part, or under lesser (or higher) flows.

Worms, Lures, or Flies? Our choice of terminal gear has much to do with our success rate. For small streams, light tackle and thin, light lines are a must. Also, addons such as swivels and shiny tin sinkers have no place here. The idea is to give a lifelike presentation, so the less peripheral gear, the better. The same goes for fly fishers: Two- to four-weight rods with lighter lines work best. Shorter rod lengths (8 ½ foot or less) make it easier to navigate bushy growth streamside. Next comes the perennial choice between bait and lures. Here’s our take on it – Why use bait, when artificials will work as well (Continued on next page)

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38 • July 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

Small Stream Fishing (Continued from page 37)

or better? Artificials are just easier to deal with. However, there are times when bait hands-down outperforms artificials. That time is in early spring, when super-chilled water slows trout metabolisms, and fish refuse to expend much energy chasing a lure or a fly. Dunk ’Em If You’ve Got ’Em During the first week or two of open season on streams, Tom doesn’t even think of using anything but lightly hooked earthworms. Winter is long, spring short and he wants to catch trout, not fool around with something that won’t perform. But as soon as the change occurs, that being when water temperatures warm and water levels drop, Tom’s worm-dunking days end. Tom adds, “From that time on, my only consideration concerns lure choice, size and color. I find that smaller artificials work best in small streams. The only dictate here is that a lure shouldn’t be so tiny that it won’t cast. Other than that, go small.” Lure Choices Recent years have found Tom paring down his small-stream lure selection. He says, “I’ll always keep a few C.P. Swing spinners on hand, because these simple, light spinners have a well-deserved reputation for taking www.MaineSportsman.com

A wild small-stream brookie in fall colors fell for a caddis imitation. Zambello photo

The log jam pool in the photo is a typical small-stream brookie hideout. Zambello photo

trout day in and day out. Go online and type in ‘C.P. Swing.’ “Other than that, I like to carry a few Mooselook Midgets, tiny versions of the famed Mooselook Wobbler. These shiny spoons attract trout in murky water. “My go-to offering, Trout Magnets, come in a variety of body

tic fly container in my shirt pocket and not carry bulky fly boxes. Early in the season, particularly in stocked streams where the new additions haven’t figured out yet what natural food is, I fish attractor patterns the trout will hit out of reflex or curiosity. I prefer patterns with a bit of sparkle or col-

Small stream flies. From top left to bottom right: Wood Special, White Crystal Bugger, Zig Hook Marabou, Adams, Hornberg, Muddler, Prince Nymph. Zambello photo

or an Adams. For you nymphers, a Beadhead Prince Nymph or Pheasant Tail usu-

Identify the type of stream, since, for example, freestone stream, with a stony bottom and rocky shorelines, will drain faster in spring, and are, therefore, prime locations to find willing trout early in the season. colors and several jighead colors. Begin with silver head and black body, and if fish don’t bite, change body color. Sometimes gold jigheads work best, but it takes testing to find out.”

or, such as the Wood Special subsurface pattern, a small white Marabou Streamer, or a Crystal Bugger. I don’t usually deviate from those three. “As bug life becomes more active and

ally gets the job done. Small-stream wild or native trout also hit these patterns well.” Trout Lies While trout can be aggressive; darting out of their holding lie after your offering and

Nobody wants to lose lures, flies, and terminal tackle to snags, but if you don’t hang up once in a while, you are not being bold enough. Lou adds that he has narrowed down his small stream fly pattern selection also. “I just find it freeing to tuck a small plas-

the stockers start acclimating, I will switch to insect imitations that have general appeal, such as the Hornberg, small Muddler,

hooking themselves, sometimes pinpoint casting is required. Small-water trout hold where (1) a concentrated tongue of

current brings them a drift of food; and (2) where they have a bit of cover from predators. This cover can be in the form of a rock, sunken wood, an overgrown bank, or simply deeper water. Sometimes, a cast just two feet closer to cover or a current seam will yield a fish when a less precise cast will not. Nobody wants to lose lures, flies, and terminal tackle to snags, but if you don’t hang up once in a while, you are probably missing fish that are reticent to move too far from their chosen lie. It is a trade-off for sure. For us – the authors – the joy of small stream fishing hasn’t diminished one bit over the decades.

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2022 • 39

It’s Time to Visit Backwoods Brooks July is the month for flies in Northern Maine – literally. Fly fishing on small brooks and creeks offers fulfilling and wonderfully consistent action, and the hordes of biting, sucking and stinging species of flying insects provide an altogether different challenge and Aroostook experience. Even as styles and types of repellents and bite-proof clothing improve, the bugs seem to mutate to increased immunity and greater determination and aggression. I swear last summer the mosquitoes doubled in size, and some were carrying fireflies to illuminate their human targets. Big Woods Brookies If you get tired of fishing the same old haunts, like to explore new waterways and don’t mind a bit of travel, visit Estcourt in the tip-top Crown of Maine. My first visit to this region was in the early 60s. Largescale lumbering was just coming to the region, and there were deer everywhere. The hunting for big bucks superb. To get to Estcourt in those days, most Maine sportsmen crossed into New Brunswick at Fort Kent/Clair, then traveled northwest to Estcourt Station and back into Maine. The area around Little Black River, especially Boat Landing and Rocky Brook

Drive a bit, get away from the beaten paths, and the reward will be shaded brooks with cold, pristine pools full of aggressive trout, says the author.

Pick a secluded spot in the remote “Big Woods” of Aroostook, set up a tent for the weekend, float your canoe along several streams like Jerod Young of Mars Hill does, and the fishing can be fabulous. All photos by Bill Graves

Roads, were prime whitetail woods, and it soon became apparent that partridge hunting and trout fishing were added benefits to this area. A long and winding waterway through thick woodland, Little Black River offers a vast number of access sites via logging roads, and it can be wade-fished along most stretches, while also offering casting from canoes and small

boats on wider, deeper runs. Estcourt and Rocky Brooks Roads offer the simplest streamside access from large, gravel- surfaced hauling roads and two-track side roads. Launch sites are primitive and short-distance carry-in is necessary along most stretches for folks who want to float. Hip waders work well on most pools, as the water is down this month, but

chest waders are even better if you can stand the heat. The farther anglers can walk through the streamside forest from the road, the better the fishing will become.

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Pocwock Pocket Waters Another nearby creek that gets far less pressure and offers an old style traditional woods-lined wading atmosphere is Pocwock Stream, both East and West branches. Stream beds are precariously uneven and rocky. Felt soles or metal lugs will aid balance, and some casters eschew boots altogether for sneakers and jeans on hot, humid days. Although a detriment to fly casters, bankside brush and trees offer a shade canopy, but bugs are brutal, so bring lots of repellent and sunscreen. Bait casters will have the best of it as far as ease of casting and most consistent action – even on the warm, sunny days the 8- to 10-inch trout will pounce on a fresh “garden hackle.” A colorful wet-fly

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Fly casting can be a real challenge along North Woods small brooks. Because of tight foliage, a roll cast or slingshot cast may be required to get a good presentation.

Jay Peavey of Mars Hill travels north a few times each summer to cast flies onto wide spots and deadwaters along small rivers and streams off the beaten path in the Crown of Maine, which feature few people and lots of fish.

Tom Tardiff of Robinson hiked a couple of hundred yards from a log hauling rod in the woods beyond Ashland and enjoyed the remote scenery while waiting for trout to begin rising.

The County (Continued from page 39)

Cory Bouchard of New Hampshire spent some time casting worms and spinners from a carry-in boat along a handful of North Woods streams, and enjoyed steady action.

Allagash Lakes Region

pattern like a Trout Fin, Royal Coachman or Parmachene Belle are proven favorites subsurface offerings, while a Mosquito, Light Cahill, Hendrickson or Henryville Special work when fished dry or wet. While it’s shorter to reach these waterways traveling through Canada, border crossing hassles with boats and gear as well as recent COVID considerations have most fishermen keeping to Maine roads. Drive Route 161 north to Fort Kent and then onto Allagash and Dickey Villages

and the Little Black Checkpoint, then onward north on Haffey Road. Dig out your Delorme Gazetteer and peruse Map 66, grid C-1 and Map 70, Sector D-5. Rocky Brook Drive to Ashland by the most convenient road from your location, go to 6-Mile Checkpoint, and then bump along about 35 miles on the Realty and there’s Rocky Brook Bridge. Deep into the North Maine Woods is the azure gem of a trout stream that – just like the Estcourt waterways –

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stays cool all summer, thanks to creek inlets, ledge seeps and spring holes. Shrouding and shadowing by big trees and heavy brush help keep fish and fishermen cool as well. While the bridge area yields quick access to the stream, it’s also most fished, so a five-minute woodswalk up or downstream along the brook will find you improved action. Also, if you check a map or GPS phone app, it will show that Rocky Brook flows closely to the road for long stretches, clear back to Pratt Lake, although not always visible, a short jaunt will put you on many less(Continued on next page)

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�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2022 • 41 (Continued from page 40)

fished runs. Scan Delorme’s Map 62, E-5 for a close-up view, then check Map 63, D-1 for 20 Mile Brook and 25 Mile Brook. Crowding and overfishing are unlikely, but it’s always good

to have another nearby option in case your first choice is occupied. If you have a few hours, it’s always fun and rewarding to visit all three locations. As usual, worms are a sure bet, and rather than a small sinker for bottom-bouncing, try

a silver or pearl spinner. A Slim Jim Gray, Mosquito, Blue Dun or Grasshopper are floating favorites, and perhaps a March Brown, red Slim Jim or Silver Doctor for wet flies. There are any number of remote, semi-secluded back-

woods brooks available for exploration, including Easton’s Gizoquit, Rocky Brook in Mars Hill, Whitney in Bridgewater, and B Stream in Houlton. Drive a bit, get away from the beaten paths, and the reward will be cold, pristine

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Tips for Backpacking with Your Dog Dogs make great hiking companions, but doing overnight backpacking trips with your four-legged friend requires extra preparation and planning. When I hiked the Appalachian Trail, I was jealous of the hikers sharing the experience with their dogs, although I recognized the extra work required. I’ve done multiple overnight trips with my brittany, Argos, most recently the 100-Mile Wilderness. Here are some tips and considerations if you want to backpack with your dog. Planning First, check the regulations to confirm that dogs are permitted in the area you plan to hike. Then honestly ask yourself if your dog is a good candidate for a multiple-night trip. Ask yourself: • Is my dog healthy, fit, and obedient enough for the trip? • Will bringing my

Dogs, like humans, thrive in the outdoors, says the author. With a little extra planning, you and your canine companion can have a great time backpacking together in Maine’s wilderness.

The author recently hiked the 100-Mile Wilderness with her friend Amy, and the author’s dog, Argos. Christi Holmes photo

dog negatively affect the experience of other hikers? I’ve learned that Argos does not care much for winter hikes because he gets cold easily, and I don’t care for congested trails, where I must keep him on leash the entire time. Once you’ve found a good trip for you and Fido, then

Dogs make great backpacking companions, with a little extra planning. Travis Elliott photo www.MaineSportsman.com

consider the issue of obedience. Obedience It’s critical that your dog is welltrained from a safety standpoint. Sometimes it’s safer to have your dog hike off leash, for example when you’re boulder-hopping across a stream or hiking up

or down steep boulder scrambles. Having a dog that responds to voice commands is crucial. How will your dog react to seeing a bounding deer or rabbit? What about other dogs and strangers on the trail? Training The best way to prepare for an over-

The author tried having Argos wear a backpack on their trial hike, but he overheated quickly. Christi Holmes photo

night hiking trip is to go hiking. Your dog needs to get in shape for the hike, just like you do. Notice how your dog handles heat or cold temperatures, and choose a time of year to hike that isn’t too hot or too cold for him. You’ll also want to test gear, and get your dog accustomed to the gear he’ll be using on the trip. Have him wear his backpack or harness and confirm that it fits well. If he’s leashed, are you holding the end of the leash in your hand the whole time, or can you attach it to your back? Pitch your tent in your yard and get your dog used to it. Is it big enough? Gear Doggy backpack, or no backpack – that is the question. If you do opt for a backpack, a general rule of thumb is that dogs should not carry more than 25% of their body weight. On our trial hikes, (Maine Sportswoman continued on page 44)

Sleeping accommodations for your pup is a big consideration in the backcountry. Amy Dowley photo

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2022 • 43

Towable Camper for the Off-Road Traveler The author’s most recent dream is to acquire a pull-behind camper trailer. No more worrying about finding shelter along the back roads, and no more concern that a motels won’t allow his dog Ginger. Readers who have followed this column for any length of time are familiar with the scrambled way I think when I’m making decisions about the future. For instance, I have waffled back and forth for several months (OK – years) about getting a camping van, or a slide-in truck camper, or a simple camper shell for the back of the Tacoma.

Now, with prices on everything skyrocketing, any new vehicle purchase has been put on hold. I’ll wait until the economy settles down before I make my move … but that doesn’t stop me from thinking about what I’ll do when the time comes. Lately, I’ve been looking at some of the lightweight, pull-behind campers that

could be towed by my Tacoma or an SUV. They are small and light and would be a breeze towing … I’ve even seen one behind an ATV on a remote trail. I didn’t know these smaller campers could be pulled behind an SUV or my Tacoma. I knew I could easily pull the pop-up kind of campers, but never realized companies

Plenty of amenities can be packed into a towable camper trailer that’s still considered “lightweight.” Photo credit: Venture Sonic Lite

made a larger, but still lightweight, towable camper for SUVs and smaller trucks like the Tacoma.

Selection A simple Internet search revealed plenty of campers that would (Continued on next page)

www.MaineSportsman.com

44 • July 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

Off-Road Traveler (Continued from page 43)

fit the bill. I typed in “best camping trailers under 4,000 pounds” and got several campers at $19K, and many more well above that mark. The average ran around $28K. Like I said earlier in this column, “I’ll be waiting for the economy to settle down before any kind of purchase.” I imagine if someone looked long and hard, they could find a used camper in this line for under the $19K mark. They might be hard to find, and I bet you’d have to travel quite a distance to pick it up. The model I really liked, the Venture Sonic Lite, offered everything I’d ever need in a camping trailer, including shower, sink, awning, and a kitchen with a table.

Whenever I think of camping, I always have to ask myself, “What does the shelter provide if I have to sit it out for a few days of heavy rain?” Picture yourself in a tent for two days of rain … or under a camper shell in the bed of a truck. Not fun. For comfort in this exceptional situation, I would opt for one of these towable camping trailers that offered at least a seating area for waiting out a two-day storm. Even a oneday storm would be difficult under other less-accommodating shelters. The awning feature on these roomier camping trailers also appeals to me. At least you’d be able to get up and walk around during a day-long

storm. You could also store larger items out there under the awning, and maybe even have a small table set up for dining out. Another thing I really like about these lightweight, towable campers is the fact that I could keep all my camping gear in one place – safely secured inside the locked trailer. At a moment’s notice, I could simply hook the trailer to the truck and take off for the willy-whacks without having to do a search for all my camping supplies. Any Negatives? Of course, the huge, glaring negative is the high cost of these lightweight campers. Most folks with a family don’t want to strap themselves with a $20K to $40K investment like this. There are payment options available, but $20K is

still a good chunk of money for the average person. The way I look at it though, each van or truck I purchase in the future will have to be outfitted with the camping features I need to do what I do, so why not get a lightweight camper that I can tow behind any vehicle that I own in the future? Some of these small campers can even be towed behind a regular sedan. Storage is another concern – where do you keep this camper during the snowy, winter months we have here in Maine? I’d probably get it wrapped with that blue plastic and tuck it away in the yard somewhere. If someone has limited space for storage, a camper might pose a challenge. For me, this lightweight camper idea might just be the tick-

Maine Sportswoman

Trail Etiquette When Argos and I encounter other hikers, I put his leash on, and move off trail allowing the hikers to pass. Some www.MaineSportsman.com

A note on poop: According to the “Leave No Trace” principles, dog poop should be carried out or buried.

(Continued from page 42)

I noticed Argos’ backpack chaffed his armpits and made him way too hot, so I decided to carry his food myself. He wore a lightweight harness with a handle, in case I needed to carry him over anything. I attached Argo’s leash to a hip belt, leaving my hands free for my hiking poles. Other gear to consider include a tick collar, Musher’s Secret for paws, and a few medical items specific for your pup. Getting your dog to the vet could be days away if you’re in a remote area. I like to bring: benadryl, forceps for removing porcupine quills, Q-tips to remove debris from eyes, tweezers to remove ticks, and vet wrap. A note on food: I fed Argos 50% more than what he normally eats, and he still lost weight during our 100-Mile Wilderness hike.

et. I could pick up and go anywhere in the continent and not have to worry about whether there will be a motel available, whether the motel will charge too much, whether the motel will allow my dog, or whether there will there be a motel way out in the wilderness. This is a sure deal for me, especially if they come in camo. This towable camper will serve two purposes for me … remote, outdoor quarters for hunting and fishing trips, and extensive travel (in comfort) all across the nation for me, my wife, and the dog. I also like the idea of still being able to own my Tacoma. I can load the kayaks or canoe in the bed of the truck, hook the camper to the hitch, and away we go.

Sometimes hiking off leash with your dog is safer than on leash. Having a welltrained dog is a must for backpacking. Amy Dowley photo

people are uncomfortable around dogs, and it’s just easier than asking. If you plan to spend the night in a shelter, choose a spot along the wall so your dog can be between you and the wall. This will avoid a stranger sleeping next to your dog. If shelters are popular and usually fill up, be prepared to sleep in your tent, since it’s poor etiquette for your dog to take up the spot of a hiker in a shelter.

Attention to Details Your dog can’t tell you when his ankle feels sore, when he’s hot or thirsty, or when he needs a rest day, so you need to pay close attention. Dogs of any size and breed can easily overheat while hiking in summer. Luckily here in Maine, there is no shortage of water on most hikes, so I don’t carry water for Argos. I did learn that if I don’t make a point of stopping at a stream crossing, Argos will blow by it and keep hiking without drinking. Look for clues like heavy panting or a dry nose as signs that your dog is too hot. If you’re hungry, thirsty, hot, cold or tired, chances are your dog is, too. Take a break together, and while you’re stopped, check your dog’s paws, check for chafing and check for ticks. Dogs, like humans, thrive in the outdoors. With a little extra planning, you and your four-legged friend can have a great time backpacking in Maine’s wilderness.

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2022 • 45

July Perfect Month to Paddle Katahdin’s Waterways For some reason, I’m always the slowest guy on the water. I’m thinking of taking steps to fix that. Quite honestly, my various self-propelled boats have made me look like an old guy in army boots. Last year’s trek from the boat ramp at Lake Matagamon to the Little East backcountry campsite in Baxter State Park (BSP) brought this phenomenon to full light. My two paddling partners, Hannah Sheldon and Ken Stamp, could do donuts around ol’ slowstroke. In my defense, the problem was not physical. My folding kayak weighed in at 70 pounds empty, exactly twice the weight of Hannah’s custom built 35-pound kayak. Stamp had a state-ofthe-art Kevlar kayak that tipped the scales similar to Hannah’s rig. At 3 feet longer and 14 inches wider, my old wood and canvas folding kayak just

couldn’t keep up. Of course, it’s a freighter that was carrying plenty of camping gear. Patient Paddling Partners Nonetheless, my two partners were more than patient, running off on side trips to check out the various islands dotting the lake while I put paddle to water stroke after stroke. They would glide by me after hardly getting their paddles wet. Yup, just kept getting lapped. I guess it’s time to modernize. Having plenty of time on the water to think, I plotted my future moves and took mental notes as we closed in on Baxter’s northern-most campsite. The Katahdin Region has plenty of waterways for canoeist and kayakers of all speeds. The trip to Matagamon was hatched a few years earlier by Steve Carter and me. The idea of paddling to a remote site for some camping has really taken off

Discover the

Katahdin Region

here at the Sheldon house. Campsite Search While navigating Grand Lake Matagamon, I made it a point to visit the various BSP campsites located along the shoreline. A modified campsite-to-campsite trip is currently in the planning stages. It’s fun to get creative. Most all the lakes in the Katahdin Region have some type of camping available. A better, more spouse-friendly approach involves putting in at one location, and then paddling to a lodge or rented cabin. The Katahdin Region Chamber of Commerce does an excellent job referencing the many lodges, cabins and outfitters that would love to assist those arriving by water. Some of those same folks advertise here in the pages of The Maine Sportsman. I’ve learned that just a short trip in a kayak loaded with gear turns a routine canoe or kayak jaunt

into an expedition. For me, a big part of any trip is the planning, preparation and packing. Nothing wrong with arriving at a well-appointed lodge needing a little less gear. After landing at Little East, our motley kayak group spent a couple of days doing some hiking and navigating the kayaks to various islands and the previously men-

tioned campsites. Pemadumcook Chain of Lakes The Pemadumcook Chain of Lakes (Delorme’s Maps 42 and 43) has all the ingredients for a mid-summer expedition. With five lakes (Ambajejus, Pemadumcook, North and South Twin, and Elbow Lake) all connected, there’s plenty of shoreline to explore, (Continued on next page)

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Katahdin Country

gion Chamber of Commerce’s website.

(Continued from page 45)

The author’s son, Matt, daughter Hannah, and wife Denise, pose for a photo deep in Baxter State Park. For the uninitiated, bug nets can occasionally be put to good use, and should considered as standard gear for any summertime backcountry expedition. Bill Sheldon photo

as well as countless islands to keep even the most ardent island-hopper satisfied. Visiting 5-Lakes Lodge on South Twin Lake makes the perfect nightcap. Another good summertime paddle, Millinocket Lake, sits just to the north of the Pemadumcook Chain of Lakes. Its easy ac-

cess boat ramp gets explorers on the water quickly. With a little bit of imagination and some help from Dr. Google, would-be paddlers can easily make the transformation from day-trippers to expedition-grade adventurers. It’s also worthwhile to visit the helpful Katahdin Re-

New Ride Before I can keep up with my kayak paddling crew, a few changes have to happen. First, I finally tried out Hannah’s Chesapeake 14, which I built for her before the trip to Matagamon. I couldn’t believe how stable and fast (Katahdin continued on next page)

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�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2022 • 47

— Guest Column —

A Change of Luck by Spencer Belson, Age 16 My grandfather and I had prepared for our trip to Rangeley for months. However, the early stages of the trip itself could be described – at best – as dismal. When we arrived at camp, we were greeted by a cloud of mosquitoes that enveloped our car so thickly that we could hear them buzzing through the windows. That night we went on a brief fishing excursion along the river. However, black fly bites caused my neck to turn red and swell as if I’d blown up like a balloon and then suffered a sunburn. To make matters worse, temperatures that rose to nearly 100 degrees made it impossible to find relief, and a steady stream of salty sweat stung my bug-battle wounds. The next morning, I hooked my first trout of the trip – a beautiful 14-inch Magalloway hen. However, it broke me off as I was reaching to scoop it up with my net, and quickly disappeared back into the depths of the river. To say my spirits were low would have been an understatement. Change for the Better That all changed, though, when the two

Hordes of mosquitoes and black flies greeted the author and his grandfather the first night they arrived in the Rangeley region. Clearly things had to get better, and – to the author’s relief – they did. of us took a side trip to Little Kennebago Lake. A flashy “Native Fish Coalition” sign posted at the primitive boat ramp informed us that the lake is a State Heritage Fish Water, one of 585 stillwaters in Maine so designated. These waters have a healthy self-sustaining population of brook trout or arctic charr, and have never been stocked, or haven’t been stocked in over 25 years. With the summer heat driving the Kennebago River’s cold-blooded salmonid inhabitants into the cooler, deeper waters of the lake, the evening promised to be a special one. Tension Gone Once we loaded the canoe and got underway, my stress and tension began to melt away like a Pine Tree Frosty ice cream cone on a hot summer day. The black flies, apparently deterred by either the open water or my improved mood, halted their seemingly incessant chase. As the sun dipped below the towering spruce and birch, the scorch-

Katahdin (Continued from page 46)

it was. It tracked incredibly well. Of course, the Chesapeake 14 design is engineered for 5’1” tall Hannah types. I fit, but it was a little short. I’m ordering a set of plans for the Chesapeake 16, which is convenient-

hen I’d hooked and lost earlier. As I released the fish back to the cool waters of the lake, I couldn’t help but hope it would be the first of many that evening.

The author fly-fishing off the ledges.

ing temperatures became slightly more tolerable, making paddling less of a chore and more of a pleasant, relaxing pursuit. My grandfather and I paused momentarily to take a couple of casts along the sandy shoreline. As I slowly stripped the Maple Syrup nymph fished on a sink-tip line, a small fish took, and it was soon brought to the net. My first trout of the trip was a stunning seven-inch brookie, no less picturesque than the Magalloway

Feeding Frenzy When we once again began paddling, we noticed a commotion on the distant surface of the water. It was as if the powers-that-be had raised the already crankedup temperature on the natural thermostat a notch, causing the lake to vigorously boil. I quickly noticed that it wasn’t bubbles rising to the surface – rather, it was trout beaks. I set down my rod rigged with sinking line, and picked up my 5-weight with a small foam ant tied to the end of the tippet. I began hauling my line out to the feeding fish, but it was my grandfather who struck first, tempting another palm-sized trout to take his dry fly. I soon followed with a voracious take on my ant pattern. Flying ants can take Western Maine anglers seeking ham-

ly designed for someone my size and weight. It’s important to get a correctly-sized kayak. Okay, I fully realize anyone with average intelligence would just stroll down to a local outfitter and buy a prebuilt unit. However, for me at least, part of the journey involves building my own kayak to go paddling with my

burger-sized green drakes in late June by surprise, but the sheer numbers of fish these terrestrials bring to the surface is unmatched. Mr. Moose After catching numerous squaretails, and with the “hatch” waning, my grandfather and I headed to shore for dinner. As we paddled, a soft bleating emanated from the forest, getting louder as we approached. Suddenly, a large doe poked her head through the spruce and gave us a good, long once-over before she was gone as fast as the trout we had released earlier. When we finished dinner, we agreed that we had caught our fair share of fish, and headed back to the car to load up the canoe. I couldn’t believe the incredible change of luck I had experienced that day! The only way it could get better would be seeing my first-ever moose, the king of the Maine woods. And wouldn’t you know it, there came Mr. Moose, ambling across Route 16 on our way back to camp. It was the perfect ending to the perfect adventure, and one that I will not soon forget.

daughter. I admit, it’s not the short route. While the destination remains undetermined at this point, the journey has clearly started. It started three strokes into test riding Hannah’s rig. I’ll keep readers abreast of my progress in the months ahead.

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48 • July 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

Never Give Up on a Fishing Trip Life threw seemingly insurmountable obstacles in the author’s path. A stubborn hospital clerk. A tall doctor. Buddies with Covid. Small cupholders in his boat. But when the going got tough, the author decided that it was time for the tough to get going. All fishing trips come to an end. Good, bad or indifferent, we pack up our memories and head home. This year’s first boating/fishing trip happened amongst multiple obstacles. The lesson? Never give up. “Any chance we could push it off a week?” I asked the scheduling depart-

ment of Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. “Not a chance,” came the reply on the other end. “We absolutely need both surgeons, and getting them together is difficult.” Okay, just to set the priorities straight, I’ll put the cards on the table. These hot shot surgeons want-

ed to schedule me for open heart surgery the same week I planned my annual spring fishing trip. “But I’m planning to go fishing that week.” I explained. Surely they would get the point. Heck, if they were playing golf that week, I’d be in the clear. I clicked the pen open, ready to write a new surgery date on

Parker Capwell broke the ice and successfully brought the first salmon aboard the author’s newto-him 49-year-old boat. The author traded a week in the hospital for one memorable fishing trip, proving the time-tested theory on the importance of never giving up on a fishing trip. Bill Sheldon photo

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�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2022 • 49 (Continued from page 48)

By now I knew this person had never trolled for salmon in Maine’s pristine waters. Probably thought “ice-out” had something to do with the overpriced vending machines lining the hospital’s rear entrance. “I only need the surgery pushed off for a week,” came my last desperate plea. “Sorry, be here three days before surgery, and expect to stay 10 days after,” said the non-budging hospital. Next Generation Fishermen I had spent six months getting my new-to-me boat ready for the trip, and I was

really – no, really – looking forward to captaining my first vessel to have more than four horsepower. Turns out my longtime fishing buddy, Gerry Gauvin, couldn’t go either. Well, we had reservations, so I kicked in Plan B. Plan B involved taking my new rig, hooking it up to the next gener-

ation’s truck, and letting my son Matt and his buddies use the boat and rented lodge. “Make sure you send me some pictures,” was the only stipulation attached. I dumped 17 gallons of gas in the boat before I boarded a train for the Big Apple, and wished them luck.

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battery of tests. The gaggle of wires and tubes looked like the diagram I left Matt on (Jackman Region continued on page 52)

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50 • July 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

Hunting is a Process by Logan Rackliff

The moment a big buck gets up from its bed, the author is transformed. He is connected with nature, and he’s fully “in the moment.” In his mind, he’s fast, confident, accurate and fearless. Think Rooster Cogburn. Wyatt Earp. Outlaw Josey Wales. Davy Crockett. A Close Encounter It was Thanksgiving morning, and I spotted my dad walking toward my tree stand. When he was about 40 yards from me, I heard a twig snap behind me. When I turned my head to see what it was, a huge, 11-point buck was walking right toward me with his head down, grunting. The buck got within 20 yards abreast of me, and I pulled the trigger. To my surprise, my

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gun didn’t fire. I tried a few more times, to no avail. I lowered my rifle to signal to dad that he should shoot. Not wanting to shoot his son’s buck, dad left his gun on his shoulder. The buck caught Dad’s wind, stopped dead in his tracks, and looked right up at Dad’s face about 25 yards away. It’s an old Western high-noon showdown. Then, Dad decided to shoot, and went for the quick-draw off his

shoulder. He fired off a quick shot. By that time, the buck had gone 40 yards with two massive leaps and then disappeared. Dad didn’t hit him that day, but it was awesome to see a gunslinger at work. Shooting Lessons My dad hunted a lot growing up, when the law was either-sex deer in Maine. He is a great shot when it comes to game in motion, and with the exception of that buck at the tree stand, I

Each successful hunt brings the author closer to his goa. of becoming the consummate whitetail tracker. Photo: Logan Rackliff

don’t ever remember him missing a running shot. Dad does not want to wound a deer, but he is supremely confident, and takes great shots as they come. I remember when he first said: “Hey, Bud – Let’s stop shooting partridge in the road and let them get in the air.” I remember being frustrated and saying: “I can’t hit anything,” and Dad responded with, “Well first of all, you’re not going to hit anything if you don’t shoot. Put your bead on them and pull the trigger – don’t be scared.” Even Wayne Gretzky said: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” The Bible says it best – “Don’t fear; be strong and courageous” and as trackers, that’s what we need to be. Practice mentally by visualizing swinging with and shooting at jumping bucks in the woods, and then physically with moving targets in a pit. Learn to shoot fast. Make sure you know with every ounce of your being that you’re

shooting at your buck and not something else, and if you can’t see the deer clearly, then don’t shoot. On The Track Do your best to get close to your buck when tracking, but don’t be afraid to jump him, and embrace the hunt. At the beginning of my tracking career, I spent a ton of time going slow on a track, and I got sick of seeing nothing. The day I decided I preferred to jump a buck up rather than track all day and never getting close to him, was the day I started shooting at bucks. I look forward to someday seeing a mature buck in his bed, but I just love when they get up and go. There is never another time in the world that I am more “in moment” than when a buck takes off. My total focus in on the deer. I don’t remember pumping my gun, I hardly hear the shots – it’s pure adrenaline and a pure high that is the great gift (Big Woods World continued on page 52)

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2022 • 51

Showing Folks “From Away” How We Hunt Turkeys Here in Maine When you are turkey hunting with friends and family, and the big birds cooperate, it’s a wonderful thing. I’ve made the statement before – Maine has world-class turkey hunting. Well, my 2022 season provides clear proof that the statement is accurate. As supporting evidence, I now have two hunting buddies who’ll vouch for the stellar turkey hunting in Maine. My brother has been coming to Maine for an annual panfishing trip for at least 15 years. During that time, we’ve likely caught, cleaned and frozen well over 10,000 perch and crappie – maybe more. While fishing on local lakes and ponds, we’d often hear turkeys gobbling in the distance. I’d comment to my friends, “We should be hunting early and fishing later in the day.” Until last year, none of them would take me up on the offer. That ended in 2021, when my brother killed his first Maine turkey and then told all his buddies in NY about his awesome hunt. Ready for All Maine Has to Offer Because of my brother’s success, his good friend and fishing buddy Zach Eason, of Oswego, NY, decided he’d try his luck in Maine and place more of an emphasis on turkey hunting rather than fishing. On Saturday, May 7, the pair arrived at my place

around noon. Zach, completely thrilled with Maine’s law allowing hunters to pursue turkeys all day, was eager to hit the woods. My brother, in typical fashion, decided to take a nap. At first, Zach and I found the afternoon birds to be tightlipped. Though we saw a couple good birds, they weren’t interested in our calls. After hunting a few hours, we ran into a group

of gobblers who liked what we had to say. As the birds walked within eight yards of us, we realized they were just jakes. I figured Zach would shoot one, but he declined, instead, asking me if I wanted to shoot one with his .410 and TSS loads. At first, I declined. However, the thought of doing something different got the best of me. Eason passed me the gun slowly, as the

Four toms taken in one morning. These NY hunters were spoiled by Maine’s world class turkey hunting. Joe Saltalamachia photo

birds began to walk away. At 35 yards, I took aim at a bird and fired. There was no recoil, and almost no audible report compared to the noise of

my 12-gauge. The bird dropped in its tracks, and I now want to buy one of these little guns. It was an awesome experience. (Continued on next page)

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52 • July 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

Big Game Hunting (Continued from page 51)

We returned home, and set up a plan to fish Sunday and hunt again Monday morning. New Hunting Location On Monday, I decided to hunt the boys at a new farm. There were plenty of birds there, and I figured we’d have an opportunity. Before daybreak, we had eight to ten birds gobbling within earshot. Both Zach and I called sparingly until 6 a.m. The birds were moving to a field behind us and as they passed a hole in

a hedgerow, they saw our decoys. Two good toms came running into our spread, ready to take on our strutter. My brother fired first. Kaboom! His bird fell, and the other tom began to walk in circles. Next was Zach’s turn. POP! Another quiet report from the .410, and we had two mature birds on the ground. We were pumped up, to say the least. “Bob” the Jake Decoy Scores Again We set off to Dow’s Store to check in the birds and have breakfast. On our way to

Jackman Region (Continued from page 49)

how to tie up some tandem streamers. As surgery day and fishing trip departure day loomed closer, Matt took to tying a few loose ends on the boat. He was really concerned about the size of the cup holders, so I had some larger holders sent home as a parting gift. Pinch Me The night before surgery, a tall gentleman strolled into my room. Yup, one of my surgeons. My last shot at running that boat hinged on offering to take this guy fishing. Otherwise, a painful operation with a long recovery would deep-six me for the rest of the season. He folded his arms and started to talk before I could beg for a stay. “Mr. Sheldon, I’ve looked at the tests we’ve run the last few days,” he

Big Woods World (Continued from page 50)

from God in this world. In that moment I know what I was made for, and that what I’m doing is good. Think Rooster Cogburn, Wyatt Earp, Outlaw Josey Wales or maybe Davy Crockett – they were accurate, but more important, they were fast, confident, wise, and fearless. Enjoy the jump, and Godspeed. Hal’s Thoughts Logan describes the process of what I call the evolution of a hunter. Everyone starts in one place, and then grows into a more experienced and better www.MaineSportsman.com

the store, we passed a farm where we’d seen a great bird on Saturday. We stopped to see if the tom was there. Long story short, it was! Zach and I sneaked to a knoll in a wideopen field and began calling. As the big bird lifted his head to look for his lady, I showed him “Bob,” my jake decoy. Let’s just say that tom didn’t like what he saw. This big boy wanted to fight, and literally ran all the way to us. At just 15 yards, Eason took his second bird of the day. What a morning we were having! After tagging the birds and having a de-

licious breakfast, we were greeted by a local landowner. “Have you been over to my place yet?” he asked. “There were 10 birds in my back field yesterday.” We decided to check that field before we went fishing. We pulled down the farm road to the edge of the field. Part of the field was hidden by trees. We exited the vehicle and walked toward that area. As we approached the jog in the field, we nearly walked into a hen that was already walking our way. We ducked down, but she’d seen us. As I peered over the grass, I saw a gi-

ant tom strutting behind her. Again, I raised my decoy Bob so the big boy would see him. He dropped out of strut and walked right toward us. Pop! – the little .410 reported again, and my brother was tagged out. We were done less than 10 minutes from leaving the tagging station. Five total birds, and four in one morning. My brother and his friend Zach are now hooked on Maine turkey hunting. Will our future hunts be this easy? Likely not, but we know they’ll be fun!

said, matter-of-factly. “Looks better than we originally thought. No surgery for you. I think the risk outweighs the reward. We’re sending you home in the morning.” “You mean tomorrow, instead of getting sliced open, I’ll be on a train headed home?” I said in disbelief. “Yes,” he replied before engaging in some small talk and heading out the door. I looked out my window, which overlooked Central Park, gave myself a pinch, and reached for my cell phone. The text to Matt: MAKE ROOM FOR ONE MORE ... SURGERY CANCELLED! On the ride home, I felt like the luckiest guy alive. I’d be home just in time to head north and troll for ice-out salmon. Never expected that. I forgot to ask the surgeon if he knew what ice-out meant. Maybe he understood.

Covid Troubles Of course, as soon as I got home, I hooked up the boat to my Jeep and loaded all my gear with an ear-to-ear smile. As the news spread, a few folks suggested I buy a lottery ticket. However, all was not well with Matt and his buddies. An upswing in Covid 19 bit him, his wife and his fishing buddy. Another guy we had lined up had a contact with Covid and was out. That left just me and Parker Capwell to test the new boat and see if we could bring its first salmon aboard. We did just that. I can report the old motor ran flawlessly, and fishing from an 18foot boat beats the 14-foot rental by a country mile. Some questioned going directly from a hospital bed to trolling for salmon, but life is short so I jumped at the opportunity. Never give up.

hunter as the years go by. Through this process, you learn more and experience more. You practice shooting enough to get better at it. You learn how to navigate the woods and become part of it. You learn about the game you’re after. You figure out what they eat, where they travel and their habits. If you pay attention to all of it, you’ll end up becoming better at hunting. When you get better at hunting, more success will come. As you become more successful, you may naturally transform into a more selective hunter. That may mean you are more choosey about the size of a buck to shoot. It may mean that you choose to hunt in a

certain way. Everybody has their own reasons to evolve in hunting. My reason has always been to challenge myself to get better. As I got older, killing a buck became less important than the hunt. I’ve passed up a lot of good bucks over the years for as many reasons. Sometimes I was rewarded with a bigger one later on, and sometimes I wasn’t. It never mattered to me, as it kept me in the woods to have more experiences to look back on and remember. Everyone has their reasons to hunt, and the only thing that matters is that you cherish the memories made in the woods.

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2022 • 53

Summer Fishing Options on a Tight Budget A lot of people switch over from targeting coldwater species to warmwater this month. Salmon, trout, and togue will all push down deep to the thermocline and the cold water below. Warmwater fish are still catchable; although they find cooler water of their own, they’re rarely deeper than 20 feet down. Depending on the body of water, you’re able to target bass, pickerel, pike, and more by simply using diving lures. It’s still possible to catch coldwater fish all summer; however, online experts and outof-state retailers will often try to sell you state-of-the-art equipment such as electric downriggers, side scan fishfinders, and GPS trolling motors. These pieces of equipment are awesome, and they’ll add some comfort to a trip, but you can still be productive without putting that kind of money into a fishing setup. Getting Down to the Fish You can target salmon and togue in two ways during the heat of summer. First – the more popular way – trolling. Using equipment to get your lure down to depth, you drag it behind your boat in hopes of a strike. A lot of people will use downriggers for this. That’s a viable

The trick is to get your lure down deep into the cool water layers where the togue, salmon and trout are holding. The fish won’t know or care whether you spent a lot of money to get your lure within their reach.

Although these two boats are set up differently, both catch fish. Nolan Raymond photos

option, and you can often get good deals on used downriggers. If you do go this route, you can run two lines on the same downrigger, using a stacker. This device clips midway along the downrigger cable, and acts as a second downrigger release. Other Ingenious Devices You can also troll deep with inline diving devices. Items such as the Dipsy Diver, as well as saltwater-style divers, tie to your fishing line, and pull it down using the force of water while you’re trolling. You tie a rig behind the diver, and when a fish bites, a release trips on the device and releases the downward tension. With the larger divers, you can attain depths of over 100 feet – more than far

Two of the author’s lead core trolling rods, complete with vintage Pfleuger Pakron reels.

A basic fishfinder. It’s all you need to find structure and depth, as well as locating schools of baitfish.

enough down to catch any coldwater fish in Maine. Most divers are inexpensive and easy to find at a tackle shop. I’ve had a lot of luck with these divers. Lead Core Line My favorite method of trolling is with lead core line. This is simply heavily-weighted line that sinks as you troll. An interesting aspect of trolling lead core line is the action. Rather than dragging

straight, it snakes through the water. I’ve had more luck with lead core than any other trolling technique, and I’ll chalk that up to the action. You can also drag lead core along the bottom without snagging – a killer technique for togue. All you need to troll lead core is a large reel of any sort (I use the old Pfleuger Pakrons, which you can find online or at antique shops), although a lot of people use modern trolling reels or even large spinning reels. Try Jigging Trolling isn’t the only way to catch deep fish. I have a lot of luck jigging, as well. This is easily the simplest, most affordable technique. It’s also very effective! For togue, find a shelf or drop-off in the 80-foot range. Get a

boat over it, and use either an anchor or sea anchor to stay in place. (If you don’t have a sea anchor, tying a bucket to the bow and tossing it in will hold any small boat in place quite well.) Tie a large jig, such as a white 1-ounce bucktail, to your line, and send it all the way to the bottom. You can also use spoons. I’m experimenting with the spoons made by Dream Chaser lures, and they seem to be effective so far. Once the lure has hit bottom, jig it using large, fast strokes of the rod. Allow it to settle back on to the bottom and do it again. I jig with around 1 to 3 second pauses between strokes. This technique is bound to pick up some bottom-feeders. When Trolling, Go Slow When trolling, remember to keep your boat speed slow. I troll around 1-½ miles per hour. When trolling, run a large line of flashy spinners ahead of a brightly colored lure with a heavy leader. If you’re jigging, a chunk of meat on the hook, whether bait or simply deli meat, will sometimes get out scents that may entice a bite. Remember – even when it’s hot out, the coldwater fish are still around!

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54 • July 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

Venison Tacos and Espresso Strawberries Hot summers keep you grilling outside, and cooking as little as possible in the kitchen. So in this entrée, you keep the heat in the dish! For Christmas this past year, I bought gift certificates to an online

Zoom cooking class for all of my nieces and nephews and their spouses so we could all cook together from across the states. We had such a blast, we cooked tacos together with a Chef in Mexico City, and from Levant, Moose River, and

Bridgton, ME to Leesburg, VA and Myrtle Beach FL! When we were done, several nieces said I should teach a class for them next time. Stay tuned! Enjoy, and Bon Appetit!

Grilled Venison, Charred Corn, and Maine Mushroom Tacos My family enjoyed our taco class together, yet I always love to create my own. I love that we have so many Maine resources for cheese, mushrooms and vegetables at our local Bridgton Farmers Market! I hope you do, too! Ingredients: • 1 pound venison steak, grilled then thinly sliced • 2 ripe peeled avocados, smashed • ¼ cup cilantro, chopped • ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped • 1 ½ tablespoons fresh lime juice • ¼ teaspoon Chili Lime salt (or Kosher) • ¼ cup Mexican crema* (or just sour cream) • 1 tablespoon adobo sauce (from canned chipotle chiles) • 3 ears corn, charred on grill • 2 tablespoons LeRoux Kitchen Olive Wood Smoked Olive Oil (or regular olive oil) • 1 cup poblano peppers, stemmed, seeded, finely chopped • 8 ounces Mousam Valley Lion’s Mane Mushrooms, sliced thin and slightly chopped • 4 garlic cloves, minced • ½ teaspoon salt • 12 Tortillas, warmed • 6 tablespoons crumbled Rams Farm, Denmark Goat Feta Chevre • Fresh cilantro leaves garnish *Mexican Style Cream Directions: Mash avocados in bowl. Add cilantro, onion, juice, and Chili salt; set aside.

Stir crema and adobo in small bowl until well blended; set aside. Heat grill on high heat. Grill venison steak strips and corn. Strip corn off ears. Keep grill on medium, Add oil to cast-iron pan in center of grill. Add poblanos; sauté 4 minutes. Add mushrooms, garlic and salt; sauté 3 minutes or until liquid evaporates. Add corn; stir to combine. Place 2 warm tortillas on each of 6 plates. Spread 1½ tablespoons avocado mixture in center of each tortilla. Top with venison steak strips, mushroom mixture, cheese, crema and cilantro leaves. SERVE and ENJOY!

Chocolate Espresso Balsamic Strawberries Fresh picked strawberries are delicious, and adding a twist can be downright delightful. Here I added Chocolate-Espresso Balsamic which brings out the sweetness of fresh strawberries and adds such a depth to your palate! And the longer these berries sit, the juicier they are. ENJOY! Ingredients: • 16 oz strawberries, sliced • 3 tablespoons Chocolate Espresso Balsamic Vinegar* • 1 tablespoon sugar www.MaineSportsman.com

• •

Whipping Cream Hazelnut Extract (or Vanilla extract)

Directions: Combine strawberries, vinegar, and

sugar to bowl. Toss well. Place in fridge for 20 minutes for flavors to meld. Meanwhile, whip cream adding a little sugar and extract. Or have ice cream! Remove strawberries from fridge, stir strawberries twice until they are evenly coated, and top with fresh whipped cream. *You can order Chocolate Espresso Balsamic Vinegar from Tasteful Things at www.tastefulthingsme.com – A Maine company!

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2022 • 55

Summertime on The Big Lake After years of shying away from green-colored trolling spoons – he thought fish would equate the color with weeds – the author has now changed his mind. He and his fellow anglers are having good luck using Mooselook Wobblers and other spoons finished in various shades of green. “We must never stop learning,” he concludes. As far as I’m concerned, any time is a good time to be out on Moosehead Lake, trolling for togue, trout and salmon. However, July ranks among the most comfortable times. Gone are the chill, gray days of spring, replaced with salubrious temperatures and clear skies. Just because summer has arrived in full doesn’t mean that fish won’t cooperate. In fact, July can produce as well or better than any other month. Some of my best days on the big lake were in the month of July. Fish may have gone down deeper, but not as deep as they’ll be in August. Besides, that all depends upon temperatures in June. If June stands true to tradition, much of the month can see cloudy skies with frequent rain. This tends to keep water temperatures low. If this is the case, then July can roll in with the fish-holding zone – the thermocline – at very reasonable depths. Of course no matter the depth, downriggers allow anglers to reach down to where fish hold.

The only difference is that trolling at depths nearing 60 feet makes it harder to manage the equipment. Also, the longer the cable needed to get down to the prescribed depth, the more belly it develops due to friction with the water. To counter this, we must resort to slower trolling speeds. But this can work against us, because slower speeds make boat handling more difficult, especially on windy days. Even if the thermocline drops precipitously by late July, most of the month usually offers prime-time fishing. So trade in the cold-weather clothing for a windbreaker and sunscreen, and head out for a day of summer fun on Maine’s largest lake. The Fish In summer, togue make up the bulk of

the catch on Moosehead Lake. Even so, salmon figure prominently in the mix. Brook trout by now are widespread and hold at varying depths, making them unpredictable. Brookies may or may not show up on any given day. Here’s a tip regarding brook trout in summer in Moosehead Lake. If you catch one today in a certain place, mark the spot and return to it on another day, since trout now tend to congregate in small groups. As for how to locate trout, all you can do is continue prospecting and keep note of where you find fish. You will find both togue and salmon at the same depth, so the important thing is first to locate where fish are holding. To do this, set your rods out at varying depths, and when

The author and a Moosehead togue – a typical catch in summer. Holbrook photo

one rod gets starts getting hits, set the other line or lines at the same depth. If you are fishing with two people and four lines, it often pays to set one rod deeper than the rest, for a chance at a monster togue. Regarding speed, here’s a rule of thumb. When trolling on a small lake or pond, headway speed (I cannot give definite miles-

per-hour, since that depends upon lots of variable factors) is best. In places like that, fish hold in deep holes and around the edge of deep holes, and by slow-trolling, you can present your offering to more fish. But on a vast water such as Moosehead, you are best served by striving to cover the maximum amount of (Continued on next page)

Holbrooks Guide Service Fishing • Moose Watching • Bird Hunting Eric Holbrook, Master Maine Guide

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Moosehead Region (Continued from page 55)

water, thereby presenting your lure or bait to more fish. This dictates a faster – but not too fast – speed. This also helps fish to hook themselves when fishing from a downrigger. Terminal Tackle The old adage, “You catch more fish

on artificials, and larger fish with bait” holds true on Moosehead Lake. However, successful trolling with live or preserved smelt or minnows requires slow trolling, and bigger motors often can’t troll down to a proper speed. Besides, just because we catch more fish on artificials

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doesn’t mean we won’t catch big ones as well. And trolling with artificials is infinitely easier than dealing with bait. The choice, however, is yours. That said, wobbling spoons lead the pack as far as trolling lures. These come in a wide array of colors and patterns. While various manufacturers offer wobbling spoons, the venerable

Mooselook Wobbler, in its various color combinations, continues as a prime producer on Moosehead Lake and other waters in the Moosehead Region. Speaking of color combinations, a recent trend – as dictated by the fish, not fishermen – is toward various shades of green. For years, I shied away from anything green, equating it with aquat-

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�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2022 • 57

New Book Details Exploits of a Now-Retired Game Warden I love to read books about the Maine out-of-doors. And there are many authors who publish great works based on research. However, the ones I appreciate the most are those exploits by folks who have “walked the ground.” Such is a new biographical volume written by William Livezey, titled Let’s Go for a Ride. This publication details Mr. Livezey’s 30-year career as Maine’s longest-tenured employee in DIF&W’s Special Investigative Unit. Through Bill’s stories, readers will learn of our state’s most sinister wildlife offenders, and their propensities for alcohol-fueled night-hunting getaways involving high-speed chases along winding roads. And when the smoke clears from those incidents, officers often learned of the commissions of additional crimes, such as drug deals, arson, and attempted murders.

This intriguing book about Bill’s undercover work will capture the reader’s interest and attention – the very definition of a “page-turner.” While the poaching crimes are troubling, equally disturbing are the tales of politicians who defended felonious activities, using positions of power to coerce agencies, and to strong-arm District

Court judges and prosecutors. Livezey portrays a shady political world in which elected officials sitting on the state legislature’s Appropriations Committee take steps to hinder law enforcement agencies from investigating their constituents, and even encouraging reporters to write misleading columns and articles, even though court records were available that would have allowed accurate reporting. Livezey lays out his evidence that unethical legislators were appointed to positions of power, and used that power to threaten departmental budgets and punish state employees. These allegations are well-documented in Bill’s book. Of particular importance is an uncover operation titled Operation Red Meat that occurred in the Allagash. I have many friends in the Allagash woods and surrounding towns who are very kind, always helping others. Yet, as in all communities, there are those in the minority who seem to take pleasure in defying Maine law. One instance, found in Chapter 15, readers will learn of an assistant Allagash Ranger who habitually violated laws. For years, Allagash Rangers were commissioned law enforcement offices, charged with ensuring public safety and environmental protection. It is disappointing to read that a Waterway employee violated that trust. The person, fictionally named Rory, reportedly pleaded guilty to 39 charges, spent 90 days in jail and was assessed $27,240 in fines. Yet a Maine representative wrote the following note to the judge in an effort to influence the sentencing process: “[Rory] is as nice a guy as you can find, always wanting to help people. To me [the case against him] was entrapment.” Prior to and during my tenure as Supervisor for the Allagash, politics was never a stranger. In my own writings, readers will find descriptions of arson, preferential treatment, vandalism, easing of regulations, threats of budgets cuts, intimidating legislation, contractual overcharges and legislative demands directing agencies to change rules legally promulgated.

After I retired, partisan politics became such a force that in 2002 a national environmental organization, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (www.peer.org) released a white paper detailing the impact of political directives. The name of that well-researched white paper is Losing Paradise – The Allagash Wilderness Waterway Under Attack.

I have covered some of the incidents in a couple of my books. While the stories in my books are labeled fictional, due to changing names of characters, the events are based on real-life examples. Released on June 1st, William Livezey “Let’s go for a Ride,” is available on Amazon, or ask for it at your local bookstore; you won’t be disappointed. Enjoy “walking the ground” with Undercover Game Warden William Livezey. As I tell people, when it comes to the Maine woods, challenges don’t have to be made up. Note: Both books are available at Longfellow Books in Portland, and on Amazon.

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Bat in the Girls’ Dorm by Grant Connors, as told by Randy Randall The following story was told to me by Grant Connors (19432022). Connors served as DIFW’s “Human/ Wildlife Conflict Manager.” This is one of his first-person accounts describing the interesting situations he encountered in his job trapping nuisance animals. *** The phone was loud. Ringing. Insistent. Urgent. “Answer me!” it demanded. I rolled over and cuffed the clock. It read 2 a.m. I had an idea who might be on the other end of the line. “’Lo,” I said. “Grant, this is Mark, calling from College Security.” Mark was employed by an exclusive private college with a campus not far from my home. “Yes, Mark.” “There’s a bat in the girls’ dorm. The girls are frantic. Can you help?” “I’ll be there in half an hour.” Getting called out at all hours of the night is just one of the perks of being the only nuisance animal trapper in the area. People think they have a right to call any time of any day of the week. “Are You the Bat-man?” The dorms on campus are always locked, but when I pulled up with my truck, there was a welcoming party of young women crowded in the doorwww.MaineSportsman.com

I looked among the pleats of the window curtain in the girls’ dorm room, and sure enough – there was a very scared little brown bat, clinging to the fabric.

way. “Are you the batman?” one of them asked. “Well I guess so,” I said, and flashed my college vendor’s badge. “I heard there’s a bat.” “Oh yes,” another girl said. “In Sherri’s room.” I glanced around the lobby and saw a dozen or more young women wearing every type of pajama, nightie, robe, and nightshirt you could imagine. Flip-flops and bunny slippers predominated. “And where is Sherri’s room?” I asked. “I’m Sherri – I’ll show you,” Sherri said. “On the second floor. 2-C.” “Well, let’s not keep the little rascal waiting,” I said, heading toward the elevator. A dozen co-eds crammed into the elevator with me, and we all rode to the second floor. Every one of them was clutching their smart phone. I presume some were texting to their boyfriends or parents,

providing the exciting details of an impending bat invasion. “Here’s my room,” Sherri said as she unlocked the door. “It’s inside. “Thanks,” I said. I stepped into the dorm room and looked around. Sometimes, bats like to hide and are not all that easy to find. I scanned the ceiling and the corners and the lampshades, but no bat. I heard the door squeak open, and a couple of faces streaked with cold cream peeked around the edge of the door. “It’s in the curtain,” one of them whispered. “Thanks,” I said. I walked over to the window and began to gently pick through the pleats. Sure enough – there was a very scared little brown bat clinging to the fabric. “Well, little guy,” I said, “Time to get you out of here.” I slid my fishing net down over the bat.

No Time for a Nature Lesson I cupped the tiny animal in my gloved hand and held it carefully. The wing membrane is thin and easily torn. I carried my little charge toward the door and showed him to the girls. “Nice little bat,” I said. “You know, these guys will eat their weight in mosquitos every night.” I love animals and I enjoy learning about their habits and behaviors. I also have a compulsion to share this knowledge with other people, many of whom are not always as interested as I am. When I mentioned the insects, I heard one girl say “Eww – gross.” I decided that 2 o’clock in the morning might not be the best time to conduct a natural history lesson, so I headed for the elevator and my truck. Bambi Effect As I walked through the hallway filled with sleepy girls, they asked, “Is it going

to be OK? Will it live? Are you going to kill it?” I find it interesting that people are very eager to be rid of their bat, raccoon, squirrel, snake or skunk, but even as I pop the animals into a cage and haul them off, those same people also express concern for the animal’s well-being. I call it the Disney effect, and blame it on “Bambi.” As the door clicked shut behind me, I heard the girls going up the stairs and back to their rooms, and I’m sure a degree of calm and normalcy returned to the dormitory. A half hour later, I talked to the little bat as I sat parked beside the Cathance River in Bowdoinham. There had been no contact between the scared little bat and the scared girls, so it was okay to set it free. Before opening the cage and shooing the bat out, I said, “Next time, choose some other demographic to terrorize. Those college girls don’t know the important natural history lesson they missed. “Choose one of the grade schools next time,” I thought. Those little kids are full of curiosity, and they are much more fun.” Then I watched as the little bat fluttered off into the grey dawn.

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2022 • 59

Canoe Packing for Minimalists “We’re gonna need a bigger boat!!” That iconic line from the 1976 summer blockbuster “Jaws” has also been uttered by nearly every paddler on Maine’s Allagash Wilderness Waterway. Not because they were worried about man-eating sharks, but because they were sizing up the inevitably huge pile of gear that needed to be packed into the confines of a canoe at the start of their trip. Unlike backpacking, where ounces count – and some extremists cut their toothbrush in half to save on weight – canoe camping is quite luxurious. It seems like almost all the comforts of home should be able to come along. Coolers full of beer, duffels stuffed with clothes for all occasions, camp cooking gear that aspires to a professional chef’s kitchen – I’ve brought all of this and more over the years. And then I carried it all on portage trails. Over time, I’ve been able to reduce and refine the load, at least for small groups, to four manageable packs that fit in one bay of a tripping canoe. Indigenous Solution to Eternal Issues Packbaskets were used for canoe travel over thousands of years by the Indigenous tribes of Maine.

Nobody should have to sacrifice comfort on a canoecamping trip, but getting a bigger boat is not always the answer. Here’s how to maximize what space is found inside a canoe.

By bringing only what’s necessary, and then packing it carefully, all gear can be stowed within a single bay of the canoe. Jim Andrews photo

They are an ingenious solution for confining bulky items in a rigid, open-topped pack that holds its contents above any bilge water inside the boat, and then can be easily portaged when necessary. A camping axe and saw are essential

for any canoe traveler who needs or wants a campfire each night. Many would argue that a 4-piece flyrod packed, in its case, is equally necessary. A tightly-rolled air-mattress fits nicely next to these items. Into the packbas-

ket also goes the filter and Nalgene bottles for drinking water, cookware for open-fire cooking, spare footwear, extra rope, a backpacking stove and fuel, a fly-fishing vest, the first-aid kit, a lantern, and a collapsible bucket. It’s also handy

to keep the tarp here in its own bag, with stakes and guy lines. A warm shirt, rain jacket or sun hat often get crammed into any remaining space on top. I defy anybody to find a modern-day, commercially-made pack that holds all of these items at the ready, carries easily, and doesn’t roll around in the bilge water all day. I bought mine at Packbaskets of Maine – ask about their Legacy Collection by emailing pbm@ packbasketsofmaine. com. Keeping Dry Stuff Dry Lots of things can get damp on a canoe trip and still be perfectly serviceable (see above). But others are non-negotiable. Thirty years ago, big-river rafters from out West developed heavy-duty water-proof duffels with roll-top closures to meet this challenge. Made from flexible PVC/polyester material, these dry bags come in all sizes and have attached backpacking harnesses for portaging. Most big retailers carry these bags. I bought my 60-liter model from L.L.Bean in Freeport years ago, and it has never failed me. Size is important. A medium-sized model will easily hold a (Self-Propelled continued on page 61) www.MaineSportsman.com

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The Then and Now and How of Trapping Trapping takes one down many paths over the years. As a youngster or new adult trapper, you’ll find that the wonders of nature unroll before you. First is the excitement of learning a new craft that has traditions traceable back to the beginning of mankind. Not that many years ago, folks had to learn on their own by trial and error most everything there was to learn about the animals and methods used to trap them. Most experienced trappers did not willingly reveal the skills it had taken them years to learn. The only exceptions were if you grew up in a trapping family, or if a close family friend who trapped took you under their wing. Yes, there were a few books available back then, but looking at them compared to today’s world where there is much information

www.MaineSportsman.com

While it may be easier to get answers to trappingrelated questions these days than in years past, nothing beats learning from experienced trappers. So take your training, get your license, and get out there scouting and on the trap line. And remember – trapping is a life-long learning process. available, makes clear that today’s sources of information are game changers for the new trapper. Those books were mostly stories about how the author discovered the best ways to trap a certain animal. They were limited in scope and subject matter, and many of them were not effective at teaching necessary trapping skills. All Different Now In today’s world, there are detailed books, videos, educational classes put on by state wildlife departments, and multiple trapping demonstrations presented by experienced trappers at state and nation-

al trapper association gatherings. Finding the answer to a specific question is far easier and quicker today than in years past. This training starts as a result of the mandatory certification required by states, including Maine, to obtain a trapping license. Courses that prepare candidates for licensing include information on furbearers and other trapping-related information, such as first aid, trapping ethics, best practices, and compliance with the many state and federal laws. A great deal of information is packed into these courses,

which are usually presented over two days. Many states give students the option of receiving this instruction in person, or online, but many online classes still require an in-person “hands-on” day at the end. Write Down Your Questions For students preparing to attend their “hands-on” day, I recommend you compile and write down all the trapping-related questions you can think of, and bring those questions with you on the scheduled day. This also applies if you are planning to attend any of the other types of trapper training events mentioned earlier. These days, unlike in the past, you will find that experienced trappers are generally willing to share their knowledge of trapping with you. At a trapper gathering featuring demonstrations, you can be taught the skills and techniques that took us older trappers years to learn. There are also many good videos and books available today on trapping; most of the better ones are available through

trapping supply dealers. You will have many questions at the start and while gaining experience in the early years of trapping. Many of those questions will be the result of your own thoughts and reflections that occur to you in the late stages of instruction and in your early days on the trap line. Again, write them down so you will remember them when subsequently seeking answers. Some Likely Early Questions Your first few scouting trips afield looking for sign will constitute an education in themselves, and will lead to questions in some of the following areas. 1) What track belongs to which animal? One of the first questions is what track belongs to which species of animal. 2) I d e n t i f i c a t i o n through eating habits. Many animals reveal their local eating habits by what can be found in its body waste, which maybe either its stool or regurgitated food. Obvious things such as beaver cuttings or a dead deer in the snow with tracks of the predators that took its life are the easy ones to unravel. The tiny faint tracks of a mink in sand along a stream (Continued on next page)

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2022 • 61 (Continued from page 60)

are harder to read, and what they are actively feeding on may be told in their tiny stool deposits on a rock or log at the water’s edge. 3) Which animal ate here? How do you tell what ate the recently opened freshwater clam shells that you just found – was an otter, a mink, or even a muskrat? What ate the fish that you discovered had been consumed by all the scales found piled up on the shore of the pond? 4) Searching for other clues. How do you look for or find sign of marten when there is no snow on the ground? What can a muskrat feed bed or toilet tell you? How do you tell what is an

How does a beginner trapper know what animal opened and ate freshwater clams (mussels) along a stream? Was it an otter, a mink or even a muskrat? Credit: Missouri Dept. of Conservation

actual otter cross-over and how do you locate them? What are the different varieties of food that a fisher may eat during the various times of the year? What sign can a weasel (ermine) that only weighs several ounces leave, and where would you be most

likely to find it? 5) Traps and lures. How do you know what style, size, and configuration of trap is best for the conditions you trap in? The commercial baits and lures available that are utilized for most every species of furbearer are many in number

and selection, so how do you discover what best suits your trapping environment? 6) Where are the animals? In what type of landscapes would one expect the majority of a species of furbearer to be found? These are only a few questions that

Self-Propelled

L.L.Bean and most other large outdoor retailers carry the Boulder, as well as the much larger “Canyon” model – appropriate for super-sized kitchen endeavors.

(Continued from page 59)

sleeping bag, a tent and a separate waterproof bag for clothing – or not, depending on the packer. A lightweight, compressible sleeping bag is all one needs for summer camping We also don’t need a stylish, clean paddling ensemble to wear for each day of our trip. And we can leave the cabin-tent at home – for multi-day canoe trips, a much smaller back-packing model will do. Food Boxes Fit for Kings I have long-envied hand-made, wooden wanigan boxes for canoe travel. Someday, I’ll own one – carefully shaped to fit the specific curvature of my canoe’s hull. It will speak to generations of woodcraft and ingenious storage for food and cooking items. Until then, I have a really ugly plastic kitchen box that works better than anything else I have found. The Boulder Dry Box is made in Canada and marketed by NRS. It features a deep, tight-fitting, overlapping cover that includes a gasket around the inside edge. Short canoe straps can be ratcheted down to hold the cover tightly in place, even if disaster strikes. The box is molded from very thick,

will cross your mind. There are hundreds of more questions that will come to you over the years. This is what makes trapping such a great activity – there is just no end to the learning process.

A packbasket -- an Indigenous solution to canoe storage and portage capabilities. Jim Andrews photo

tough poly material – you can easily sit or stand on it without worry. I built wooden dividers for the otherwise featureless interior. Spices, oils and small items stand along the outside edges; plates and bowls go on bottom. And a separate waterproof bag containing all cooking ingredients, vegetables, dried meats and powdered milk, fills the rest of the box.

Pockets Only Go So Far Paddling is one of those activities where immediate access to a lot of small stuff is critical. Maps, camping permits, fishing license, boat registration, bug dope, sunglasses, binoculars, sunscreen, a camp knife, GPS or phone for navigation, sometimes short-wave radios, writing materials, reading glasses, fire-starting materials, compasses, batteries, and a headlamp – all these items in a plastic storage box designed to mimic military metal ammo cans. The box slides under my seat, and the lid flips up for quick access. My PFD vest has its own knife, navigation and fire-starting devices, in case I ever get separated from the ammo box. But no PFD in the world could hold everything that I stuff into this catch-all bin which seems to contain my life. I often think it’s the first thing I would grab in a capsize. Nobody has to sacrifice comfort on a canoe camping trip, but getting a bigger boat is not always the answer.

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I Can Now Admit It It was the middle of June 1971, and despite the fact that I had applied “Ole Time Woodsman” fly dope, the black flies were almost unbearable. It was about noontime when I discovered a set of vehicle tracks going down into the old, abandoned Cash Austin lumber camp in T9R3. I followed them as far as I could with my two-wheeled drive Ford truck, until just beyond the site of the old lumber camp. There, the road became passable only by a four-wheel drive vehicle, and it was clear the vehicle was heading down to an area on the West Branch of the Presque Isle Stream, most likely to fish a dead water section of the stream. For a time, I thought I would just wait there for whomever the people were to come back. It was a hot, sunny day, and after an hour or so of being eaten by black flies, I decided to follow the vehicle tracks on foot. It must have been close to a mile to where I found an International Scout vehicle parked next to the stream. Wait, or Go Find Them? Once there, I had to decide whether to try to locate the fishermen, or wait for them to return to their vehicle. That’s always a crap shoot – not knowing how many people there are, where they are, or how many trout each one had before www.MaineSportsman.com

they had a chance to divide them up. At any rate, I decided to wait near their vehicle, and it turned into a long all-afternoon wait, with the black flies feasting unmercifully on me. Late in the afternoon, I could finally tell someone was approaching. In circumstances such as this, I would always wait until I was sure everyone was at the vehicle and they were in the process of leaving before I made my appearance. This was because sometimes fishermen would leave one person behind with a bunch of fish to make sure there was no warden waiting for them, and when the coast was clear give them the signal to join them. Counting Fish So at the appropriate time, I appeared, and encountered three men in the vehicle with all their gear. At that time, the limit on trout was twelve, and each one of them had a creel with exactly twelve fish. While I was checking their licenses and counting the fish, the leader of the group (a rather large and robust individual) seemed to be taking some pleasure in the fact that I was finding them all legal. He inquired as to how long I’d had to wait for them, and he asked how thick the black flies were. When they were all set to leave, the guy told me I might as well ride out with them, since it was a long

walk. I didn’t want to, but I knew how much worse this story would play out back at the Bridgewater Barber Shop if I came across like a sulking poor loser. So I graciously accepted, and endured the subtle humiliation during the trip. I knew they would all have a big laugh, at my expense, as soon as I was dropped off but that was the way the game was played and the only thing to do was just lick my wounds and move on. No Need to Wait Long Moving on, later in the summer, on the morning of August 12th, I was again scouting for fishermen in the area of Hovey Brook in T8R3. There, I found some fresh vehicle tracks through mud puddles from a recent rain. I followed them until I spotted a vehicle parked before a washed-out bridge on Hovey Brook. I spied a woman by the brook. She didn’t look my way, so I backed up around a corner out of sight, and approached by foot. I could make out a woman and a young girl by the washedout bridge, and could see that they were not fishing. Believing that whoever was fishing might be upstream, I worked my way in that direction. Soon, I heard some voices and glimpsed a man and a teenager fishing above a beaver dam. They were having good luck. Almost immediate-

During his second encounter with the large, robust fisherman, the author looked into the angler’s creel. It appeared the number of trout contained therein equaled or exceeded the legal limit. So he began to count the fish.

ly, I realized the man was the same large gentleman who had given me the ride out from the West Branch of the Presque Isle Stream back in June. The Pinch I wasn’t in my semi-concealed spot very long when the man started coming downstream, right toward my direction, as if he were on a mission. I had no place to relocate, so I just waited until he came right to me. This caused him to be quite startled and surprised. We exchanged a few words, and I asked how many trout he had in his creel. He said that he didn’t know, so we counted them up and discovered he had three fish over the limit. His son was still upstream fishing, so I asked the man where

was headed, and he replied, “Down to check on my wife.” I questioned him, asking “You weren’t heading down to give your wife some of these fish, were you?” He said, “Oh, no – I didn’t even know how many I had.” I told him I was going to have to charge him with being over his limit. He rather unhappy with me, and as I was doing the paperwork he stated, “I know what this is about – it’s about that day you spent all afternoon waiting for us in the black flies, isn’t it?” I sincerely assured him that episode had nothing to do with it, but I must now admit that it did have a “little something” to do with it.

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2022 • 63

Ode to an Ovenbird The Ovenbird that struck our window will sing no more. The last sound it made was not its distinctive staccato song: “teacher, teacher, teacher.” Instead, we heard a clunk of beak on glass, loud enough to startle the dog. It lay there, motionless in the grass. I went outside, hoping it was just stunned, like the tree sparrow that hit the same window a while back. In that previous incident, the sparrow was only silenced for a few minutes before it flew off. When I picked up the Ovenbird, I admired its olive-brown back, speckled white chest, and orange crown bordered with black stripes. It was the first Ovenbird I had ever seen and identified. I wish that instead of holding it lifeless in my hand, I had spotted it hopping in the leaf litter. “This odd warbler walks with deliberate steps on the forest floor, holding its short tail cocked up higher than its back.” (Audubon Field Guide app). Robert Frost called it “a mid-summer and a mid-wood bird” in his 1916 poem, The Oven Bird. They get their name from the shape of their nests. Good Habitat? The Ovenbird was probably feeding on insects in the woods near our lawn. Scat-

Researchers estimate that birds strike a typical house more than 25 times a year. With 500,000 housing units in Maine, that’s a lot of windows, and a lot of dead birds. The good news is there are inexpensive steps homeowners can take to prevent window strikes.

Although this Ovenbird did not survive an encounter with the author’s picture window, its death did result in the author taking steps to prevent future bird strikes. Leaf pattern decals on the window (right) are virtually transparent, but appear opaque to birds. Van Wie photos

tered heavily with dandelions, bugleweed and violets, it’s heaven for bumblebees, hoverflies, moths and butterflies. We also have feeders, suet and lots of flowers that attract an abundance of other species, including goldfinches, woodpeckers, nuthatches, hummingbirds, juncos, chickadees and cardinals. Surrounded by mature deciduous woods and wild apple scrub, next to a river and marshlands, our yard is prime bird habitat. Except for the windows. One (Billion) Too Many Daniel Klem (J Field Ornithology 1990) estimated that a typical house is struck 25 to 35 times a year, with half of those

birds killed. With 500,000 housing units in Maine, that’s a lot of windows, and a lot of dead birds. Other studies show higher mortality rates at rural residences and camps compared with urban residences (although there are more of those), and at residences with bird feeders compared with those without feeders. Somewhere between 300 million and 1 billion birds die each year in the US from window collisions (Loss et al, The Condor, 2014). That’s right up there with mortality from domestic and feral cats, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. About 44% of window strikes occur at residences, and 56% at commercial build-

ings. Other human causes of bird mortality are, in order, vehicle collisions, towers and powerlines, pesticides and poison, hunting, oil spills and waste pits, and (currently way down on the list) wind turbines. Windows are struck during migration, day or night, and at all other times of year, due to behaviors such as defending territory, nesting, fleeing from predators, or simply confusing a reflection for open sky or trees. I’d been meaning to find a way to stop the window strikes. The death of that beautiful Ovenbird finally moved me to do something. What To Do The thing about

window strikes is that we can do something about them, easily and cheaply. The American Bird Conservancy has plenty of information on strategies and products to prevent window strikes at your home, camp or office. A good place to start is with information from the American Bird Conservancy (ABC; www.abcbirds. org/glass-collisions/ stop-birds-hittingwindows). One of the most effective solutions is exterior screens. Fortunately, most of my windows have those. Screens are visible or reduce reflection, so generally birds don’t hit them. If they do, the screen softens the impact. But like many homes, ours has three large windows without screens that do a perfect job of reflecting the sky or the trees across the yard. They are the major culprits for crashes. The best solution is to apply visible patterns to the outside of the glass: stripes, a dot grid, or decals. We ordered stickers in various shapes of leaves and butterflies that we arranged on the outside of the glass. For a bird in flight, the pattern must appear to be solid objects with spaces that are too small to fly through. You should (Sporting Environment continued on page 66) www.MaineSportsman.com

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Fresh and Saltwater Fishing Opportunities Downeast Smallmouth bass action in Meddybemps Lake is fast, even if the fish themselves are small due to overpopulation. Anglers at times catch bass on nearly every cast, and may finish the day having landed 80 or more fish. Anglers can enjoy outstanding fishing by choosing among a multitude of fresh or salt-water opportunities in Hancock or Washington County. Freshwater bass or saltwater mackerel fishing in the Downeast area can be explosive this month. Bass, white perch and pickerel fishing in the summer can produce thrilling results.

As July’s temperatures warm up, smallmouth bass and white perch action also heats up. Warm-water fish become more active as the surface-water temperature cools in the evening. Many of these waters produce bronzebacks of the 2to 4-pound range and white perch in the 8to 12-inch range.

Washington County Bass One Washington County lake that has a notable bass population is Rocky Lake; see DeLorme’s Atlas, Map 26, A-3. A 1,555-acre water, Rocky abounds with 11- to 13-inch smallmouth bass, and 12- to 14-inch largemouths. This lake is located west of Route 19 in T18ED. According to

Mackerel show up in large numbers along the Downeast coastline this month.

DIF&W fisheries biologist Greg Burr, “Bass of over three pounds are often caught here during the summer.” A boat landing is located at the south

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end of the lake. Public lands nearly surround the lake. Rocky Lake has a multitude of rocks and boulders hidden just below the murky, brownish water. Canoes or other small carry-in boats are often used in the lake, since the rocks could damage larger powered watercraft. Rocky Lake also provides good fishing (Downeast Region continued on page 66)

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Mackerel, Squid Delight Midcoast Anglers The pollock caught from shore are typically harbor pollock, smaller versions of the larger pollock taken well offshore. Streamlined and fast, harbor pollock fight well, and respond to the same baits and lures used for mackerel. Fastest action comes at a nearlow tide, or one that is just turning. Whether or not you own a boat doesn’t matter. You can still have fun saltwater fishing. You can find plenty of action by fishing from shore, whether from ledges, floats or even a mile-long breakwater. For me, a guy who loves all kinds of fishing, saltwater fishing stands as a seasonal delight, no more or no less important than any other seasonal activity. And when temperatures soar in July, I feel drawn to the sea for that first mess of mackerel or perhaps even a few squid. Midcoast Maine abounds in saltwater fishing opportunities, and almost every coastal town offers at least one public access point. SO the next questions become: 1) What species to fish for; and 2) How to fish for them. While striped bass and bluefish swim in Maine waters, I tend to spend more time chasing less-exotic species, such as mackerel and pollock. For me, these fish – “panfish of the sea” – give hours of great action and some good eating. Additionally, we can pretty much count on these fish to bite, as

long as we pay attention to tides and local conditions. Mackerel You don’t need lots of expensive gear to fish for mackerel. However, better quality rods and reels make any kind of fishing more enjoyable. One thing you don’t need is heavy tackle. Mackerel and pollock are sporty fish, and they deserve to be taken on equipment that allows them to display their sporting qualities to the fullest extent. Light to medium spinning gear works fine for mackerel as well as pollock. I have taken plenty of fish on my ultralight gear with 4-pound test line, but that’s going a bit too light. Probably 6-pound test line is as light as you should go, and 8-pound test is better. After all, with this kind of fishing, it is often necessary to lift your fish straight out of the water and over rocks or onto a float. So find a light-to medium rod and reel, fill it with 8-pound test line (I use Rikimaru monofilament, a thin, limp line with little stretch), and you are good to go. For terminal gear,

mackerel respond to both bait and lures. For bait, it is important to think “natural.” That is, allow the baited hook to float freely with the tide. If you need extra weight, don’t overdo it, or else your bait will sink too quickly. You will get twice the number of bites using free-floating bait than with bait that simply sinks to bottom. Mackerel lures vary widely. I often use the same wobbling spoons that I use for trolling for trout and salmon. Also, heavier lures such as Kastmaster and Al’s Goldfish work wonders on mackerel. But for day-in and day-out mackerel fishing, the venerable Diamond Jig is really all anyone needs. Swedish Pimple ice-fishing jigs work well too, but they cost more than Diamond Jigs. Pollock The pollock caught by fishing from shore are typically harbor pollock, smaller versions of the larger pollock taken well offshore. Streamlined and fast, harbor pollock fight well, and respond to the same baits and lures used

Tom and typical-size harbor pollock.

for mackerel. While mackerel bite best on an incoming tide beginning at about the halfway point, pollock prefer a near-low tide, or one that is just turning. There’s a trick to taking harbor pollock from shore, and here it is. At or near low tide, cast a mackerel jig or spoon as far out as possible, and let it sink to bottom, allowing the lure to flutter down toward bottom in a seductive manner. Watch the line for any indication of a take.

The line may even stop sinking for a moment, meaning that a pollock has grabbed the lure. Set the hook at anything you think may be a bite. It takes a few tries to become adept at this, since knowing when to strike is partly intuitive. Sometimes, schools of harbor pollock come quite close to shore, so no long-distance casting needed. Lighter lures are indicated in this case, and panfish jigs work very well here. My two favorites (Continued on next page)

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Midcoast Report (Continued from page 65)

Squid display dazzling colors.

Sporting Environment (Continued from page 63)

be able to see the pattern clearly from ten feet away. Patterns on the inside are much less effective, because of the window’s exterior reflection. And those silhouettes of falcons or owls? Studies show

Downeast Region (Continued from page 64)

for pickerel, as well as 9- to 11-inch white perch. Meddybemps Lake Another favorite bass water in July is Meddybemps Lake; Map, 36, D-4. Some of the best fishing spots on this water are found around the many small islands. Meddybemps is often considered one of the best smallmouth bass lakes in Eastern Maine. Numerous coves, rocky shoreline and gravel beds create ideal bass-spawning habitat. However, even though bass are abundant, their average size is limited due to over-population. Smallmouths average around 10 inches; however, a few trophies up to four pounds are caught each summer. Anglers at times catch bass on nearly every cast, and may finish the day having landed 80 or more fish. Most anglers use either crank bait or worms. This water also contains a lot of 10to 12-inch white perch. Pickerel are also present in the lake. The boat launch is off Route 214 in Meddybemps. Hancock County Bass, and More Another water that features blistering bronzeback action is Chemo Pond www.MaineSportsman.com

are Squirmin’ Squirts and Crappie Magnets. Just cast out and let the lure settle toward bottom, all the while watching the line, and then begin a slow, erratic retrieve. Bait works well too, the same as with mackerel. A bit of shrimp stands as my

go-to bait for both pollock and mackerel. Squid Often, schools of squid accompany mackerel and harbor pollock to their nearshore locations. These are usually taken by accident, when using bait. For better action

they are almost completely ineffective. According to ABC, most birds will avoid glass with vertical or horizontal stripes or other markings spaced 2” to 5” apart. Vertical stripes at least 1/8” wide are best. Stick-on stripes or decals are available from a variety of vendors. Bird Savers Another elegant solution is called Acopian Bird Savers (www.birdsavers.

in Eddington; Map 23, B-5. This medium-sized pond contains quite a few smallies for summer anglers to battle. Even though other warm-water fish thrive in this water, smallmouths are the number one species sought after by July anglers. Bronzebacks in the 2to 3-pound range are often landed by summer fishers; however, many smaller bass are taken from this water. The boat-launching facility at Chemo Pond is located off Route 9, between East Eddington and Clifton. Another bass pond that offers solitude and great bass fishing is Swett’s Pond in South Orrington; Map 23, C-2. Even though this is a relatively small body of water, it contains excellent smallmouth bass habitat, and it holds a respectable number of fish for anglers to catch. This pond provides a great number of bass in the 1- to 2- pound category. Mackerel: Past & Present Mackerel-seekers from Lubec to Searsport will be casting lines from area bridges, docks and ledges, or by trolling the bay for these hard-hitting fish. Saltwater fishing gets exhilarating during the month of July in the Downeast Region. Anglers all along the seaside encounter schools of mackerel. My older brother Mike was a biology teacher at Lubec High School in the 1960s. He and I would often fish for

on squid, use a commercially made squid jig, a fish-like lure with reverse barbs. Squid latch on to the lure and can’t let go. Cast a jig out and let it slowly settle to bottom, all the while watching the line. So grab your gear, bring a cooler, and enjoy saltwater fishing.

com). These are parachute chords that hang 3-4” apart across the outside of your windows, swaying gently in the breeze without disrupting your view. You can purchase them or make them yourself following the easy DIY videos on the website. We’re going to try those too, in honor of that unfortunate Ovenbird.

mackerel along the Bold Coast ledges. Ravenous mackerel would hit our plastic-coated hooks, one after another, until we had as many as five fighting trophies on the ends of our lines. This feeding frenzy would continue for about five minutes at a time. Then the bites would stop. After we’d cast for a half hour with no fish in sight, the mackerel would usually come back up to the ledges, and the explosive fishing action would start all over again. We’d often finish the day at West Quoddy Head Light (Map 27; B-4) with a healthy catch of nice-sized mackerel. Presently, I fish from the dock at Fort Point State Park on Cape Jellison (Map 15, A-1). It also has high concentrations of mackerel during the summer. The area has a large recreational picnic facility, surrounded by the historic remains of Fort Pownall. The 200-foot dock affords excellent opportunities for mackerel enthusiasts to catch enough fish to keep most excursions exciting. Shoreline fishers often catch good numbers of fish by using spinning gear and a # 6 hook baited with clams, mussels or marine worms. A boat launch is located off the West Cape Road for folks who prefer to troll the shoreline. Anglers often troll for mackerel with trolling rods or fly rods. Bucktail flies, streamers and small jigs are very effective.

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2022 • 67

Bass Action Heats Up in Central Maine China Lake is situated in the towns of China and Vassalboro, and it ranks as one of the region’s mustvisit summer bass fishing destinations. In addition to large- and smallmouth bass, the lake also holds white perch, yellow perch, and chain pickerel. As water temperatures begin to rise, bass become increasingly active. This leads to great fishing, with activity remaining steady up to the end of the summer. The combination of abundant forage and jacked metabolisms make bass exceedingly voracious, and they attack lures seemingly with contempt, then struggle against lines with every ounce of their being. Angling excitement runs high as aggressive strikes create liquid explosions, and hooked fish fly high into the air in displays of astounding acrobatics. Fishing for bass is all about location – find underwater structure, and the bass will be there. While many waters may be fished from shore with success, reaching the best fishing spots requires breaking free from the crowded boat launches, and accessing areas that see limited fishing pressure. All manner of large and small watercraft can be used to bass fish effectively, as long as care is taken to respect the anticipated weather conditions. Maine lakes are notoriously fickle, and a beautiful day on the

water can quickly turn uncomfortable and even dangerous. Depth maps and fish finders help anglers study bottom structure and locate fish, but nothing quite compares to having firsthand knowledge of a lake or pond. Bright sunshine, calm water and polarized sunglasses greatly facilitate the process of finding areas containing ambush cover for hungry bass. Locating beaver lodges, underwater weed beds, sunken logs and stumps, rocks, shoals, ledges, drop offs and submerged islands, will give you a great advantage over other fishermen. China Lake China Lake ranks as one of the summer’s must-visit bass fishing destinations. Located northeast of Augusta, China Lake is situated in the towns of China and Vassalboro. China Lake has two large basins connected by a narrow neck. The elongated eastern basin has an average depth of less than 30 feet, while the nearly circular western basin is as deep as 85 feet. Two public boat launches are available

– one in Vassalboro, and a second one at the north end of the lake in the town of China. Summer water temperatures in China Lake range from 72°F near the surface to 48°F in the deepest pools. Nutrient-loading from shoreline development causes annual algal blooms that have made the lake unsuitable for historic populations of salmon and lake trout. The first recorded algal bloom on China Lake occurred in 1983. China Lake typically blooms three times per year, during the spring, summer and fall. The spring and fall blooms are most likely the result of the annual turnover redistributing phosphorus and dissolved oxygen within the lake. Fishing The principal warm water fisheries in China Lake are largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, white perch, yellow perch, and chain pickerel. The eastern basin contains great summer fishing around the many small rocky islands, docks, floats and moored boats that offer the perfect spots for large bass to hang

Fishing for bass is all about location.

out, waiting to ambush an easy meal. Bass for Dinner Fishing without keeping a few of these delectable trophies to me is a lot like chewing and not being allowed to swallow … there is simply an enjoyable component of the fishing experience that is inherently missing. If you’re planning to try hauling in a few hogs for the deep fat fryer, the perfect size bass is in the 2- to 3-pound range. This size makes for a goodsized filet for the exerted effort, and also provides a younger fish less likely to have accumulated harmful levels of chemicals. Though many will brag about their award-winning frying batters, I prefer an easy-to-prepare batter made from whole milk, egg, and flour. Simply put each of the three ingredients in a separate bowl, and dip the filets into each bowl, completely covering them with each of the ingredients. Once the pieces are completely covered with batter, they can be lightly dropped into the deep fat fryer

where they sputter in the hot oil until they reach a golden-brown color. Once removed, pat dry with a paper towel, salt heavily, and drop on a plate with a side of garlic smashed potatoes and a couple ears of corn on the cob, lightly sprinkled with chili powder. DELICIOUS! The Landing Restaurant I’d be doing anglers a disservice if I did not mention the Landing Restaurant, located next to the boat landing on the north end of the lake in China. The menu contains all kinds of tasty fried foods, wonderful pizza, and ice cream. The restaurant maintains a substantial dock that boaters can use, so food can be easily picked up without even leaving the lake. Anglers can then eat on their boats or at one of the many picnic tables. The fine food and the cool breeze from the lake make it truly the perfect place to relax after a long early evening of fishing.

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68 • July 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

July Anglers Fish Deep for Big Lakers I motored out on a cool July morning to fish alone. Sebago Lake (DeLorme Atlas, Map 5, C-1) was just waking up, and mine was the first boat on the big bay. I motored over to a sandy stretch just off of Harmon’s Beach and set my boat to cruise the 60-foot contour line. I decided to drag a flatfish on bottom, as I had been having good luck with this technique. I rigged up a large lure in fluorescent orange, and played the line out until I could feel the lure dig into and release from the sand. This method is deadly for lakers. You need to hold the rod when fishing this way, as you will instantly feel when a laker bites. You can also likely snag a rock, so that’s why I concentrate on sandy spots for this method of angling. Flatfish Facts I had been dragging the flatfish for about ten minutes

The author provides a tutorial on how to catch large togue on Sebago Lake – downriggers or leadcore line, lures or bait, the proper trolling speeds, and the most productive depths and techniques. when I felt that distinctive tug and pump. I reeled the fish in and was pleased with a plump six-pound laker. Dragging a flatfish behind lead-core line is productive, and I always keep two rods rigged up for clients if the fishing is slow. Nothing spoils a day like no strikes, so if the fish aren’t cooperating, I’ll pull out the flatfish rigs. This way my clients get to feel the rod action and experience the bite – something they don’t get when I use the downriggers. At first, the natural shaking action from the lure will confuse some neophytes into thinking they have a fish on, but once they get used to the rhythmic pumping of the flatfish as it contacts the bottom, they’ll know it when a

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A young angler shows off a lunker lake trout taken while fishing with the author on Sebago Lake last July. The fish was subsequently released. Tom Roth photo

fish latches on! Downrigger 101 Another top tactic for lakers is employing a downrigger. I run a pair of electronic downriggers that have their own transducer and will keep your lure or bait at a constant distance off the bottom. Isn’t technology grand? I generally set my rig to run two feet off the bottom, using my electronic trolling motor to follow a specific contour line on the lake. This keeps my offering at a fairly constant depth, and it’s very productive. When trolling with the downrigger, I’ll use live or frozen bait or lures. I troll smelt and shiners when available, using frozen

or brined bait as my stock dwindles. Last year I found shiners worked well, and used them on most every outing. There are so many togue lures out there, but I stick to a few known winners. You can’t beat the Northeast Troller spoons made to replicate the old Sutton spoons. I find the copper/nickel pattern works best. Some guides do well with the hot pink models and some prefer orange crush patterns. Another top laker producer is the Mooselook Wobbler. Again, I gravitate toward the patterns with orange in them. Speed Freak When trolling bait, I try to keep the boat at 1.2 MPH. This seems to be the magical speed. I use a sliding bait harness and put a very slight bend in the bait so it slowrolls. Lures themselves dictate the speed they prefer. Watch the lure over the side of the boat, and troll the speed that give you the best action from the lure. I find between 2 and 2.5 MPH works for most lures. Many anglers are jigging for lakers. When you’re watching

your fish finder and you come across a big concentration of fish on bottom, stop the boat, toss out the anchor (gently) and take out a spinning rod with a jig. I’ve been having good luck with olive- or brown-colored tube jigs. I hear others tell of using neon green or white. Bump the bottom often, and keep fishing if you catch one laker, there are likely others down there, as well. The Depths I catch togue in water from 40 to 160 feet deep. I’ve heard from others who catch them as shallow as 30 feet. The key to finding Sebago lakers is to try new depths. I generally fish deeper this time of the year as the water warms. My go-to depth is typically 80 feet. Having a great network of guide buddies on the lake helps me adjust accordingly. We also share lure patterns and locations, after all, it’s all about giving your client the best trip you can. Living on – and having my boat docked on – Sebago Lake forces me to concentrate on the big lake for both my guiding and personal fishing. It’s easy to head out for a quick trip at the end of the day when the boat is rigged and in the water.

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2022 • 69

Old Stone Walls Create Whitetail Hunting Opportunities If deer have a choice between leaping high over a rock wall, or passing quietly through an opening made more than a century ago for a wooden gate, the animals will usually opt for the quiet, low passage. Hunters, including bowhunters, with knowledge of this natural tendency can take positions that afford them a clear shot at the game. I have never met a stone wall that I didn’t want to follow to its end. Each stone wall has a story, and I’m mesmerized by them – who made them, when were they built, and why. I have been following them all my life – admiring and analyzing them, studying how they were constructed. Each wall had a purpose – either to keep livestock in, or to guide them from the barn to pastures. All walls had barways (openings in the walls for gates, usually made of poles) to hold cattle, while still allowing wagons, hay rakes and other equipment to pass through. Southern Maine is laced with old stone walls. If you stretched them end-to-end, they would run hundreds of miles. One-hundred and fifty years ago, 90% of southern Maine was open fields, with only a few woodlands left. Today, in contrast, there’s more woodlands than fields. Bucks and Bar-Ways My interest in these moss-covered rock walls that run through most of our

forest is not simply the result of never-ending quest for history. In fact, these openings also lead to good deer-hunting ambush sites. I killed my first deer with a bow in the late ’70s as it walked through an opening in a massive rock wall, deep in the woods here in Shapleigh. That deer could have easily jumped the wall, but deer prefer to follow the easiest path, conserving their energy. Jumping makes noise, and it exposes their white flanks and tails – something they try to avoid. I have killed other deer near bar-ways, as well. Whenever I’m asked where to scout for deer here in southern Maine, I generally tell the person to follow brooks and stone walls, looking for deer activity. Deer, generally, cross streams and brooks in the same spots, and their crossings are easy to find – they are well defined in mud along the stream banks. Also, deer like to use barways; these openings serve to funnel deer for good ambush sites during deer season.

Family Outings Stripers are feeding in coastal rivers and along beaches. Warm-water fisheries also come alive this month for bass and crappie. But kids only enjoy fishing when they are catching fish – otherwise, they will soon return to their cell phones. However, off-trail hiking is also a great way to spend a warm summer day. Kids will enjoy exploring old, abandoned homesteads, stone walls and graveyards deep in forests. A little research about who lived there and then locating old cellar holes, gravestones and wells, is both educational and enjoyable if parents handle the outing with a little forethought. So where can you go? Williams Town Park This 300-acre park is located in Shapleigh on the County Road. It’s one of the most diverse public lands in the region. We are not talking about your typical town park; in fact, Williams Town Park (WTP) is comprised of rock walls, old cel-

Val enjoys hunting nearby and exploring every wall he finds deep in the woods. Each wall has a story. Val Marquez photo

lar rock foundations, ponds and brooks, with wild brookies – and even a fire tower! This park has over 3 miles of hiking trails with park benches along some of the trails, offering views of fields and mountain tops. But Williams isn’t just for sight-seeing – it offers good hunting and fishing, as well. Deer, bear and moose, as well as small game, are in the area, and the ponds offer warm-water fishing. Norton Brook, which flows from Fort Ridge into lowland swamps, contains wild bookies. The park is well maintained, with signs to each trailhead. The trails are mostly old dirt roads that are handicap-accessible as well as travelable with baby carriages; however, the fire-tower trail has some steep sections. There is a

parking lot ,and the area from that point is gated, so hikers and explorers will not encounter vehicles. It’s important to remember that WTP is only a park by name; in fact, this is a wild section of forest with maintained and marked trails, but once you step off the trails you are surrounded by forest with thriving wildlife. Visitors can create an adventure anywhere from a leisurely walk in the woods to a great, wild outing of fishing and even hunting during the fall hunting season. If you want to see 100-yearold stone architecture, then WTP is the place to go There is a new generation of outdoor folks who aren’t just about hunting and fishing, and to them outdoor (Southern Maine continued on page 71) www.MaineSportsman.com

70 • July 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

Choosing the Right Bullet Saves Heartache Bullet shape and composition have changed dramatically over the years, from the lead ball to the Minié ball; from Spitzer to Nosler; and now to non-lead composite materials. But, says the author, the most important step in the process is for hunters to find a powder load and bullet shape and weight that’s a good match for their firearm, and then to practice with that ammunition until shots are fired with accuracy and confidence. Whether shooting paper targets from a benchrest, ringing steel silhouettes at maximum range, or hunting large or small game, the projectile does the work. The combination of case, primer and powder charge may launch the shot on its way, but bullet behavior determines success. And every shooter needs to pay close attention to ballistic performance. Longtime friend and mentor Jim Cox often speaks about his experiences work-

ing in the Cabela’s Gun Library. With some frequency, he found the buying habits of the shooting public stunning. On numerous occasions, he would assist someone preparing for the hunting trip of a lifetime. After spending hundreds and perhaps thousands of dollars on a rifle and then spending additional hundreds for a topof-the-line scope from the likes of Leupold, Swarovski, or Leica, these erstwhile Nimrods would ask for the

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cheapest ammunition available. Betting the success of a once-in-a-lifetime hunt on the cheapest cartridges available is folly by any name. Instead, anyone in this situation ought to know the answer to a pair of questions: 1) How do they want the chosen bullet to perform once it reaches the target? and 2) What cartridge does their rifle especially “like”? Firearms perform differently with the variations in cartridges of the same caliber. Distinctions between bullet weights, propellant charges, bullet shapes and composition will alter the performance of any firearm. Even different brands of ammunition will achieve a variety

Modern bullets offer a host of improvements over old cast lead projectiles used by earlier generations. Col. Allard photo

of results in the same gun. By asking what cartridge a given firearm particularly “likes,” I mean does it perform with dependable accuracy at the anticipated ranges and strike with the desired effects? A .270 may perform best overall with a 130-grain bullet, but a .30-’06 using the same brand of ammunition and bullet style may do better with a 150-grain bullet. That same .270 rifle may not be accurate at all with a different bullet weight or other design variance. Evolutionary Designs Hardcore traditionalists among muzzleloader fans and the cowboy action crowd

may still use handcast lead spheres to meet their ballistic needs, but most of the rest of us often shoot something from a little further down the ballistics evolutionary trail. As far back as the Crimean War of 1854, the more aerodynamic, conical-shaped and hollow-based Minié Ball began to replace the round lead musket ball that had been in use since the 15th century. During the U.S. Civil War, breech-loading and fixed cartridges began to replace the single-shot muzzle loader. As the 19th century progressed, cartridges gained more velocity, and even soft lead bullets were designed in more streamlined shapes. By century’s end, copper and brass “jackets” were added to pure lead bullets to reduce lead fowling in the rifle barrel and to brace up the soft lead core for better penetration. The advent of the box-shaped magazine (Continued on next page)

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2022 • 71 (Continued from page 70)

in bolt-action rifles of the 1880s and 1890s spearheaded the design of even more aerodynamic bullet shapes. Military rifles of the Spanish-American War era spawned a rapid outpouring of new designs that were soon adopted by sportsmen. The Spire Point or Spitzer bullet, from the German Spitzgeschoss, meaning a “pointed projectile,” increased both velocity and maximum effective range. Later developments at the

very tip of the projectile added a soft dab of lead to facilitate expansion, or in some cases a hollowed-out tip to achieve a similar effect. Today cartridges may carry a polymer “ballistic” tip for the same reasons. In 1948, Oregon’s John Nosler marketed his now famous “partition” bullet designed to expand quicker because of an H shape to its interior design. Contemporary ammunition companies around the world load this type of bullet, as they do a widening array of technologically

Southern Maine (Continued from page 69) activities like hiking; camping, exploring and watching wildlife are exciting. Sitting around in the cold waiting for a deer to pass by or a fish to bite will soon bore them, and they will retreat back

advanced projectiles, and with increasing frequency, non-lead alternatives. Abundant Array Currently, alternatives to lead-based bullets are garnering greater and greater market share. The shooting public and many legal jurisdictions want alternatives to lead in the environment. Bullets of solid copper are one way to go, and most of the major ammunition makers offer cartridges and components to meet this shift in purchasing. Here, in the mid-

dle of a Maine summer when we still have several weeks before the hunting seasons return, a wise course of action revolves around investing in some dedicated practice. Ammunition is expensive right now. Inflation has hit every aspect of the sporting world. However, an investment now of time and alternative loads for that most favored firearm will pay great dividends come the fall. Invest now in an array of different bullet types, weights, and brands, and commit

into their electronic worlds. I just love to walk along an old stone wall deep in the forest with a longbow and quiver full of arrows – always have enjoyed it; always will. My ancestors, James Patch and Henry L. Patch, built these walls – their blood and sweet is imbedded in them.

a block of time to the range to both sight-in for expected ranges, but also to find the most accurate round for that anticipated distance. Hunt with the round that performs the best on the range. Shoot it enough in practice to gain and maintain confidence. There is no better preparation for any shooter than regular and sustained practice. A wise shooter will always choose the round his firearm “likes” best.

They settled where the Simon Ricker Road and the Hopper Road meet in Shapleigh. If you want to see their work, then check out the old cattle impoundment at the intersection. Their old homesteads are also nearby.

www.MaineSportsman.com

72 • July 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

Fishing Ethics Clash with Our Overly-Competetive Culture What we anglers do and how we behave on Maine’s waters, says the author, are controlled by our own sets of ethics. Many “unwritten rules” apply, such as not keeping a big trout out of water in the hot sun for multiple photographs and then releasing the fish. When the weather gets hot and the water warms, rather than stressing cold-water species, turn your attention to warm-water fish, including bass and panfish. Recently, a friend and I were discussing the upcoming hot weather and how it can sometimes shut down fishing. We decided, right there and then, that we would fish early in the morning and late in the evening – leaving the hot, midday heat for an extended lunch hour, nap, and maybe a cool swim. I’ve fished from sunup to sundown (and beyond) plenty of times, and it does wear you down … but in a pleasant way. Each ache, pain, or blister reminds you of a moment in that glorious day of fishing. The joy of those impressive moments of fish-

ing eases the physical suffering and brings a refreshing sense of mental well-being. Personally speaking, it renews my soul to the core. The extended lunches mentioned above might not simply involve a longer meal with a nap. There could be a visit to town for a real “sit-down” lunch at a restaurant, or a trip to the local fly shop. More than likely, the lunch will be shoreside or even on the water – I hate leaving a fishing spot, and relish my time on the water. Heated Fishing By the end of July, the warming waters in

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most of the places I fish get too hot, forcing me to go elsewhere. I don’t want to put pressure on trout and salmon when they are in this vulnerable, hot-water situation. Excessively warm water temperatures will kill fish, especially if they get hooked, played hard, photographed, measured, and then flopped back into the hot water. Most anglers know the rules for successful “catchand-release” angling. During hot weather, these rules are even more important. Certain unwritten rules should also be observed; moral obligations anglers should keep in mind. Do you really want to risk killing a trout or salmon by fishing in excessively warm weather? I’ve seen some guys who don’t care … flailing away at cool spring holes where salmonid congregate. For these greedy anglers, the lack of challenge inherent in “catching fish in a barrel” doesn’t bother them. Most real anglers understand the ethics of the sport, and they won’t let greed be

Sparkling moments of fishing enjoyment can be appreciated with or without a fishing buddy. Consistent with the unwritten rules of catch-andrelease, this trout was unhooked and back in the water swimming away within seconds of being lifted into the boat. William Clunie photo

any part of their fishing life. On the other hand, it doesn’t take much searching for an angler to find water that’s fine to fish during warmer weather. When it gets hot, I gear up for warm water species like smallmouth bass or panfish. I keep some to eat occasionally, but return most back to the water. Some of the bigger warm water species do take a little longer to play, so I simply take longer to revive them before releasing. I hold the tired fish in the water to release them, just waiting until they

kick their tails and exit on their own power – that tells me they have regained their strength and are ready to re-enter the water. I’ve seen other places where smaller trout and salmon are abundant, and the warmer water temperatures don’t seem to affect the smaller fish as much. Warm water contains less oxygen than cool water, and bigger fish require more of this oxygenated water than smaller fish. With this in mind, I don’t feel bad about catching and releasing smaller fish during (Continued on next page)

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2022 • 73 (Continued from page 72)

warm weather spells – so I fish where I know the maximum size of the trout will never exceed six to eight inches. I have several small brooks that only hold little trout, and this is where I’ll concentrate my warm weather fishing. Fishing waters where I know I’ll be keeping the fish for

a meal can also be a great place to fish during hot weather. An angler knows the fish will be taken home and won’t worry about putting a hurt on the over-heated trout or salmon. Self-Control Most of what we anglers do in the woods and on the waters is controlled by our own set of ethics.

Yes, there are rules and regulations we must abide by, but the ethical choices we make throughout the day guide us and define us. If we choose wisely, we can proudly claim moral victory – if we make poor choices, we will be counted as fishing slobs without a conscience. A lot of pride and ego get in the way of ethical fishing. We

have all seen those that feel the need to one-up others … or the guy that doesn’t get out much but feels the need to “beat” everyone at the game. Some of these types are very good at hiding their selfish intentions, too. I’ve narrowed my close fishing buddies down to a few solid anglers who are like me … they usually fish alone, prefer to fish

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74 • July 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

Florida is Home to Monsters Part 1 of 2

Before I fished in Florida, I never had much interest in spending time in that state. I always thought nothing could come close to the experience of fishing in Alaska, but the Florida Keys did not disappoint whatsoever! While Alaska is cool in its own way, so is Florida – both places are home to so many different species of monster fish, and a lot of them. Because this was the first time I’d fished the Keys, I didn’t know what to expect. I’ve only seen a few pictures and videos of people fishing down there, and granted, everything they were catching was huge. I couldn’t seem to wrap my head around the whole thing and really understand what the fishing was all about until I found out I was tagging along with my girlfriend’s family to the Keys, and that we’d be spending time with her uncle who was already down there with his sport-fishing boat. Amazing Fishing After seeing what

it was crazy how much energy everything seemed to have.

The author holds a blacktip reef shark.

the fishing had been like for them in previous years, it was hard not to be excited to get out and go fishing. And fishing we did! We went out almost every day (which I had no problem with at all), and all I can say is: What an amazing place to fish! We went down the third week in April, which is from what I understand is the week the fishing really turns on down there

A happy barracuda-catching crew aboard the boat used by the author. Front row: Capt. John, Aunt Mary; back row: Mitch, Ellie. www.MaineSportsman.com

for tarpon and some other spices. The tarpon one of the coolest fish I’ve ever seen. It kind of reminds me of a 200-pound shad, if you can picture that, and fights like one, too. The first day we got down there, we explored the saltwater canal we were staying on, and we saw a great deal of marine life right there. We saw manatees, tarpon, little barracuda, iguanas, and all sorts of things – so much life right there in the canal, it was amazing. I couldn’t wait to get out and go fishing the next day. Only Aluminum Boat in FL? The boat we were fishing out of was a 21foot camo Polar Kraft, and to say the least, we did not blend in at all – I don’t think

I saw even one other aluminum boat down there the whole week. It was nice to have a set-up that doesn’t come with limitations like you would encounter renting a boat. We could go fishing wherever and whenever we wanted, and in shallow water, too, which is a huge advantage down there. We could work the boat through these huge sand flats and catch barracuda, and that had to be one of my favorite things to fish for. You took a lure that’s nothing but a tube with a little curve to it and a swivel, and you reeled it in as fast as you could across the surface, and like a rocket, those fish exploded on your lure and the fight was on, and what a hard fight, too! Everything down there fought so hard,

Bait is Best We fished for all kinds of stuff; the ocean was teeming with life. We saw many different species of fish that I’ve only ever heard of before. We saw tarpon, snook, bonefish, redfish, barracuda, jacks, snapper, and countless species of sharks. One thing I found down there is this – while lures work well, bait works even better. If we caught mullet in the morning, it was going to be a good day. Every large fish down there loved mullet hooked in the lips. The baitfish would swim back and forth against the tide while we anchored up under a bridge, and it wouldn’t take long for something to come from the depths and explode on your bait, oftentimes sending the bait flying through the air. I don’t think there’s anyone who wouldn’t get an adrenaline rush from it, or maybe I’m just crazy about fishing … but man, wasn’t it cool to watch! And you never knew what you might catch on a mullet where we were fishing under bridges. It was mostly barracuda, tarpon and sharks, and sometimes a grouper. Next month – bull sharks, tarpon, blacktip sharks, and a spicy blackened fish recipe!

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2022 • 75

For Trout Anglers, Canoes and Kayaks Each Offer Advantages I quietly lowered the small anchor into the water and tied it off with a temporary knot to the base of the seat of my 17’ Old Town canoe. When I fish for brook trout on small ponds like this, I change positions on the pond and tie or retie the anchor line quite often, so I make sure to keep the knot simple. The trick is to drop anchor close enough to the rising brookies to be able to get in a good cast, but not too close to spook them … and it all must be done with as much stealth as possible. I also make sure not to drop things on the bottom of the canoe or make too much noise with a paddle or anchor. As I tossed out my first cast, I realized I was not close enough to the rising fish, so I

The author has a kayak for fishing small ponds. He also has a canoe. Some folks might wonder, he says, why he needs both. Here, he explains that while each watercraft does a wonderful job, they have distinct roles to play in different situations.

What’s the best choice today for trout fishing on a small, quiet pond – the canoe, or the kayak? The author provides the definitive answer: “It depends.”

held the rod with one hand and slightly lifted the anchor with the other hand. The wind pushed the canoe slowly toward the group of rising brook trout, and finally got me into a better position, where I dropped the anchor again. I gently lifted the fly line off the water and laid it down again, directly in the middle of several ris-

ing fish. When one of the feeding fish hit my fly, I lifted the rod, and the fight was on. With all the splashing, you would have thought it might shut down the feeding activity, but other fish continued rising as I netted and released their frisky friend. This was a glorious day of brook trout fish-

ing in the scenic Western Maine Mountains (WMM). Watercraft for Brookies Fly fishing for brook trout on small ponds around this region, or anywhere for that matter, is one of my favorite ways to catch fish. I really love the quiet tranquility of small, remote ponds, and catching these

strikingly colored trout always takes my breath away and gets my heart racing. I have a kayak and a canoe for fishing small ponds … some folks might wonder why I would need both. Each does a wonderful job, but they do have their specific jobs. The kayak, an Old Town “Salty” PDL (pedal) 120, works as my river or flat-water fishing craft. The sea-worthy kayak doesn’t tip easily, and gets me into great fishing faster than paddling. I also like the workout I get from pedaling the kayak around on the water … it makes me feel like my fishing is some kind of athletic event. The Old Town canoe mentioned above serves as my small(Western Maine continued on page 77)

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Neat Gun, Useless Ammo? It all started with some old ammo. I was in search of a shotgun that I could use to get into waterfowl hunting. I saw an ad on Uncle Henry’s for a Remington semi-auto 10 gauge. I am a Remington enthusiast who loves odd calibers and rare models, but I wasn’t familiar the SP-10. I consulted my dad, who told me that he owned a couple of the Ithacas,

It was a real challenge to find good uses for his 10ga. shotshells loaded with #2 shot, but the author finally discovered something to crow about. from which Remington copied this design. I thought the price was fair, especially when considering that the ad said it came with a bunch of ammo, so I took a ride east on Route 2 to buy it. Alternative Uses I was pleasantly

surprised when the guy set a crate of 10 boxes of ammo on my tailgate! Among the various steel waterfowl loads, though, were 2 boxes of Remington lead #2s. I was a bit befuddled, as I knew I couldn’t use lead on waterfowl, so considered them use-

less. When I found a turkey choke in the box, I thought I’d solved the #2 riddle…Nope! I did some research and found that the State of New Hampshire (and Maine) says you can’t use pellets larger than #4 on turkeys. (Not sure what the reason-

ing is?) So again, the #2s were useless to me. A few months later, after deer season, I had an epiphany. I could use #2 lead on coyotes at close-range calling setups! I did some research and determined that they weren’t ideal, but they patterned well, so figured it was worth a shot until I found a better option. (Continued on next page)

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�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2022 • 77 (Continued from page 76)

The better option appeared just a couple of weeks later when I found several vintage boxes of Federal 10 gauge at a local gun shop: copper-plated lead BBs, and #4 Buck. So now I was back to having no use for these #2s, again! (All three of these loads were discontinued years ago, sadly). One morning early this spring, I had been calling coyotes, with no luck. Bored, I scrolled through my FoxPro (electronic call) to see what other noises I could throw out there that might entice a wily canine more than the age-old rabbit cry. Among the recorded sounds was a crow fight. I let it rip, to imitate the situation of the crows finding a carcass and fighting over it. But instead of a coyote coming charging in, in came a flock of crows! It finally hit me! I could use my Fox Pro to call in crows and then shoot them with my 10 gauge lead #2s!

Will it Work? I’d “hunted” crows once or twice before: i.e., driving/walking around fields with my .204 Ruger in hopes of sniping one on the ground at long distance. But even a couple hundred yards away, a crow has the innate ability to determine suspicious behavior, and take to the sky. (Safety Note: Don’t shoot a rifle at flying birds.) Their wits match those of a coyote, in my opinion. So, I knew the calling setup had to be a little more convincing. I scrounged around my dad’s basement and garage, and found three plastic crow decoys. Then I called my friend Daniel, and recruited him to bring a rifle in case we had a long-range opportunity at one on the ground. The wind was howling, and the crows flying overhead could see us walk along the edge of the field. I tried to wait until they were a ways off before I shuffled out to set the decoys up. Then, with-

Western Maine (Continued from page 75)

pond fishing craft. It holds all my fishing gear better than the kayak, with room for a large pillow for my dog if she happens to be with me that day. Although I like pedaling the kayak better, the canoe is a workhorse, affording extra space for a luxurious day on the water. I routinely carry a large cooler, a medium-sized backpack, the anchor, a paddle, me, and my dog … without cramping my fly casting. Rigged for Fishing My canoe has been set up for fly fishing in a very basic manner. I have purposefully kept it simple to avoid the complications of snagging a fly line on an excessive number of canoeing accessories.

out much optimism, we stood half-hearted in the hedgerow, not very well hidden. I blew a few times on a crow call, ramping things up, then hit the electronic crow fight recording. Almost immediately, we started seeing crows coming our way. A couple of wide passes, and then we had three coming in hot behind us. I had to step out from under the tree branches to get a shot. I was a bit premature. They were still 40-50 yards away and started to put the brakes on to change course, but I unloaded on them, anyway. It was a fun experience, but we were convinced that it was a one-chance ordeal and now our setup was blown. Surprisingly, with the call still running, five minutes later, I got a couple more shots. (I don’t like to publicly admit how much I miss, so I’ll just let the reader imagine the result…) We tried one more setup in a new location, with Daniel manning

The writer bought his Remington 10-gauge with the intent of it being a goose gun. But the first bird he ended up taking with it was this NH tom turkey.

the shotgun. Again, within five minutes, we had three birds on top of us. More bangs, but no birds. But loads of fun! Exercising the Gun Unfortunately, NH has a very short spring crow season (March 16 through March 30). (Reasoning? Are there really that many people killing enough crows to make a dent in the population?) So

I place my dog up front on a large pad … she acts as ballast, keeping the front end of the canoe low in the water. Between me and my dog, I place my cooler and backpack full of fishing gear. This keeps my overly friendly dog from getting too close to me and interfering with my casting. I keep the anchor line directly behind my seat to keep the space at my feet cleared for stripping extra fly line. I can also net a fish and take the hook out in this space without having the dog all over me. She gets a little excited when I catch a fish, so I give her a little sniff to satisfy her, and she lies back down on the pad while I remove the hook and release the fish. Fishing out of the kayak is a different story. I usually don’t take my dog when I fish out of the kayak … the 12’

that was our only day of crow hunting this spring. But we plan to be back at it this August for a more finetuned second season! In the meantime, I hope to storm up new ideas on uses for my Remington SP-10. It was christened on an opening day turkey this spring, and I hope to keep the good luck rolling!

model just doesn’t give me the room to carry my gear and the dog. I might try to build a platform for the dog that keeps her at the rear of the kayak, but I’m not sure if Ginger will go along with this plan. The kayak really shines on the river. I have a great anchor system that doesn’t slam the kayak to a stop on moving water; instead, it simply slows the craft down enough to thoroughly cover all the good fishing spots I want to hit. Between the canoe and the kayak, I have a lot of fishing water covered. I like the quiet stealth of both the kayak and canoe, and slipping them in and out of the truck bed hardly breaks a sweat on this old fisherman.

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78 • July 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

Fun on the Connecticut River My buddy Conrad is an adventurous soul. He bought a McKenzie-style drift boat and decided he wanted to figure out some float trips on the Connecticut River where we could catch some fish. To learn, we made connections with a local guide who operates a drift boat on the northern reaches of the river, and spent a day with him. Ken has about 40 years of experience drifting the CT, and he was willing to teach us. I suspect he knew we wouldn’t master either the fishing or the floating; plus he is about to retire, so sharing his knowledge with us wasn’t a threat. “Feels Almost Western” We had a great day on the river and caught brookies, rainbows and browns while dead drifting small wet flies. I swear

The Connecticut River is the longest river in New England, running south more than 400 miles from Canada to Long Island Sound. It defines much of the state boundary between Vermont and New Hampshire. And although it has been greatly affected by the hand of mankind, it still offers many recreational opportunities, including fishing. Ken knew some of those fish by name, by the way he set us up ahead of a run or pool. Needless to say, we got some of the basics down, and thought we had it figured out. Drifting down parts of the CT river feels almost western. The portions I have floated are tucked down between the roads that parallel this historic travel-way on the NH and VT sides – Routes 3 and 102 up north, 5 and 10 south of there, and finally adding a big chunk of 12 on the NH side as the river approaches MA. The river variously winds through woods

and farm fields, broken up by the long reservoirs created by dams. It is a boon to sporting types through all four states through which the mainstem flows. The River The Connecticut River is a chameleon. Its appearance changes many times as it travels from the tip of NH to the Atlantic. Dammed and altered along the more than 400 miles that it courses, there is an unescapable history of use since the last glacier covering our region retreated. Agriculture, hunting and fishing first attracted people some

10,000 years ago, and the use of this fertile valley and river system has only expanded since that time. Its role as a corridor for commerce grew tremendously as immigrants settled through the 1800s, with boat trade up and down the river connecting to the Atlantic. Once the railroads came to prominence, logging and river drives were the river’s main use. Dams, industry, and waste disposal degraded the woods and waters until the 1960s, when protections began to help clean up the watershed, improving habitat along much of

its length. The river is a landlocked salmon and trout fishery in its northernmost reaches, transitions to stocked trout as it enters VT, and then slowly becomes populated with warm water species as it meanders south. Downstream of the dam in Holyoke, MA, the river hosts a number of anadromous and catadromous fish species, including eel, shad, and stripers. Native Atlantic Salmon disappeared from the river in the mid-1800s because of the loss of spawning grounds due to the thousands of dams upstream throughout the 11,000 square mile watershed. The first main stem dam was completed in 1798. Now there are 16 dams spanning the main river, 12 of which are hydropower projects. (Vermont continued on page 81)

The Connecticut River flows nearly due south from Canada, and touches five states on its way to Long Island (NY) Sound. www.MaineSportsman.com

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2022 • 79

Take Me Out to the...Outdoors But, says our columnist, only if there are certain amenities

In a shocking departure from my normal routine, I suddenly found myself outside. No roof over my head. Exposed to the elements. A target for any predator that might happen along. If I hadn’t been able to order a beer and a hot dog delivered to my seat, I’d have been in desperate straits. When it comes to experiencing nature without the comforting filter of walls, screens and air conditioning, there’s no place like a ballpark, such as Hadlock Field, home of the Portland Sea Dogs, the Double-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. The stadium offers the open air, the sun, the wind and what do you call that green stuff – oh, grass – all with convenient access to bathrooms, pizza and a hideous selection of team sportswear. And unlike the woods, which just sit there waiting for the poison ivy to grow, a baseball stadium provides ample diversions from the cares and worries of being unsheltered from meteors and bird poop. Abundant Wildlife for the Astute Observer Of course, there’s a game going on. But it’s baseball, so there’s plenty of time to look around at other stuff. Such as the abundant wildlife. Just this season, I watched an owl glide across Hadlock’s outfield, located in the overdeveloped heart of downtown Portland, and settle in the cheap seats near the left-field wall. The bird rested there about as long as it would take to down a steak-and-cheese sub and a can of suds, then flew off in the direction of City Hall. During a night game, I witnessed bats swooping down to devour the insects attracted to the park’s powerful lights. These flying critters also check out every pop fly, but then back off, apparently realizing baseballs are inedible. Or maybe they notice the ascending balls have recently been rejected by that other kind of bat. Squirrels scoot along the outfield fence, occasionally dodging home runs. For a time, there was a big toad that lived near the third-base line, interrupting play a couple of times. Every now and then, a bird flies into one of the dugouts, leaving behind feathers and a

Not that Slugger does much fishstalking. Unlike real sea dogs, he stays clear of the ocean, instead arriving in the bottom of the first inning on a four-wheeler, after which he hangs around the ballpark, attends store openings and terrifies children at their birthday parties. Overall, Slugger strikes me as a questionable representative of the state’s wildlife. Good Food? There are also questions about the team’s signature snack, the Sea Dog Biscuit. After careful, scientific inspection, it doesn’t appear to contain any trace of seal meat, being composed mostly of ice cream, cookies and plastic wrappers that inattentive fans allow to blow onto the field. The lack of seal meat has to be a severe disappointment for any killer whales who happen to take in a game.

Sometimes Slugger drives his ATV; other times he is chauffeured around the field. Photo: Paul McLaughlin; New England Bound

greater appreciation of nature. Team Names from Wildlife A quick perusal of team names would lead an observer to conclude minor league baseball is overrun with wildlife of both the prosaic (Buffalo Bisons, Richmond Flying Squirrels, Down East Wood Ducks) and the fanciful (Binghamton Rumble Ponies, Amarillo Sod Poodles, Rocket City Trash Pandas, Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs). Sadly, few of these teams are as interesting as their nicknames. Nevertheless, this is the outdoor experience in all its glory. And that’s before you even meet Slugger the Sea Dog. Meet Slugger Slugger is the Portland team’s mascot, a bizarre mutation of something that might once have been a seal. Unlike real seals, he has arms and legs instead of fins. Also, there are those huge, cartoon-like eyes that would scare away any fish he was stalking.

Plug for DU That’s not to say Hadlock has nothing else to offer the outdoor enthusiast. Every time a batter hits a foul ball, the video board in center field displays the words “FOWL BALL,” and the announcer offers up a plug for Ducks Unlimited. “That’s another foul ball,” he says, “off to preserve wetlands.” It’s not clear how an errant baseball can protect swamps and marshes, unless it clunks a developer on the head just before he attempts to bulldoze a vernal pool. Temporary Re-Brands The Sea Dogs occasionally rebrand themselves for a single game to commemorate some Maine icon, such as the Whoopie Pies, the Red Snappers or the Bean Suppahs. Although the team has yet to convey a similar honor on the black fly, this year’s team roster does feature a pitcher named Mosqueda. Appropriately enough, he’s been hard to swat. Al Diamon (aldiamon@herniahill.net) writes for the Maine Sportsman, the Daily Bulldog and the Portland Phoenix.

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80 • July 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

Smilin’ Sportsman

Losing at the Track

A wife came upstairs from doing laundry and hit her husband on the head with a fry pan. “What was that for?” he asked. “It was for this note in your back pocket, on which you’d written the name ‘Phoebe’.” “I can explain,” he protested. “Remember when I went to the horse track the other day? ‘Phoebe’ was one of the horses I bet on.” She was satisfied with the explanation. The husband went out for the day. When he returned, his wife hit him again with the fry pan. “What was that for?” he asked. “While you were out,” said his wife, “your horse called.” —

Not Mr. Right

“Why so glum, Pal?” “Well, my wife gave me a book the other day that she said would enhance

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our relationship.” “What’s the name of the book?” “Women are from Venus; Men are Wrong.” —

Can’t Miss Opening Day

A hunter was by herself in her turkey blind on the morning of opening day. A friend, walking across the field, saw her and stopped by to chat. “How are things, Marge?” “Not too good. My husband was supposed to be here hunting with me, but he died earlier this week.” “I am so sorry! But couldn’t you find a friend or family member to hunt with you?” “No – they’re all at the funeral.” —

Talking Spuds

Three convicts escaped from the Aroostook County jail and were pursued down an alley. There was no way out, but three potato sacks lay on the ground.

They each got into a sack. The sheriff saw the three sacks, and kicked the first one. “Meow, meow, meow!” said the convict. “Well, that’s nothing but a bag of cats,” declared the sheriff. He kicked the second sack. “Bow-wow-wow!” yelled the convict inside. “And that’s nothing but a bag of dogs,” said the sheriff. He kicked the third bag. “Potatoes! Potatoes! Potatoes!” shouted the third convict.

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2022 • 81

— TRADING POST — • Subscribers may place one free 20-word • The regular rates are $15 for up to 20 line classified ad per month (2-month limit) words and 50¢ for each additional word • Items for sale must include a price • Check, money order, MasterCard or VISA (Credit or Debit) are accepted • Real estate ads must include an address or location

• You may submit your ads by: Phone: 207-357-2702 E-mail: classifieds@mainesportsman.com Mail: 183 State Street, Suite 101 Augusta ME 04330

SUBMIT AD AND PAYMENT BY THE 30TH OF EACH MONTH AND YOUR AD WILL APPEAR IN THE NEXT ISSUE. BOATS FOR SALE GRAND LAKE STREAM GUIDES SPRAGUE CANOE Boat, motor (Honda 4 stroke), trailer, canvas cover, paddles, seats. Asking $6,500 firm. Located at Indian Rock Camps in Grand Lake Stream. 207-7962822 20 FT. GRAND LAKER CANOE Nearly new with seats and trailer $3500. Call 570-275-8746 — COMMERCIAL PROPERTY DEVELOPER’S DREAM: 6.6 ACRES 370 ft. road frontage on Whittier Road in

Farmington, Maine, just off Routes 2 & 4. Electricity on site, four water hookups and four sewer hookups, tax Incentives possible. 207-474-0778 THREE-STORY COMMERCIAL BUILDING IN WESTERN ME US Route 2, balcony and stage, full basement, paved parking. Restaurant equipment, furniture, etc. Wedding venue, fishing lodge. Grassy boat launch on Androscoggin. Top action smallmouth bass! $139,500. 207-562-7564 —

Vermont (Continued from page 78)

Attempts were made to restore the Atlantic Salmon starting in the late 1960s without much success, and the effort stopped in 2012. Still, there are fish to be caught. The river has many options for anglers. It is wadable in sections, floatable in others, and provides a lake-like experience from shore near the reservoirs. Floating Along There are several ways to experience the water of the CT River. Canoes and kayaks are most popular, with some folks starting to use stand -paddleboards (SUPs) in slow-moving sections. There are quiet paddles on the many reservoirs, as well as motor boating options at some locations like Moore Reservoir, with a boat launch and picnic area located at the end of

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Old County Rd in Waterford, VT. These places are great for day trips – just be aware that water levels can fluctuate significantly. For more adventurous self-propelled folks, the river is home to a part of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, connecting VT’s Nulhegan River with NH’s Ammonoosuc River. Additionally, the CT River Paddler’s Trail extends from the source of the river at Fourth Connecticut Lake in NH at 2,670 feet, all the way down to sea level in Long Island Sound, where the last 60 or so miles are tidal. There are about 50 campsites along the trail, hosted by generous private landowners. With 150 access points, finding your way onto the river shouldn’t be too challenging. With that many put-in and take-out options, getting out for an overnight trip or a long weekend is well within your grasp. Fast forward a year from our guid-

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— MISCELLANEOUS LINE-CLASSIFIED FOR SALE AD Place a 20 word TEXT AD in The Maine Sportsman for a boat, rod, bow, car, truck or truck cap, firearm, ammo, or other personal item at $10/ month. Offer good through November 2022. Send your ad to: ads@mainesportsman.com — WANTED SKI DOO, ELAN OR TUNDRA Any Condition. Have Cash. Will Travel. Call Or Text 207-522-6940

ed float. My uncle joined us in Conrad’s boat for several hours of fishing. After a solid launch, we were drifting along, tossing flies and feeling good for about 15 minutes. Feeling good, that is, until we were all looking elsewhere and ran the drift boat aground onto a submerged boulder. After a deft maneuver, the boat swung around, and Conrad heaved us off. We floated the rest of the day without incident … and without fish. We knew they were there; we just didn’t know them by name. If you’re looking for any kind of watery adventure, explore the Connecticut River. You won’t regret it. For more information, check out www.ctriver.org, and for stream flow information on the northern section, check https://waterdata.usgs.gov/vt/ nwis/rt.

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82 • July 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

Beautifully Rebuilt Ranch in Embden, ME #3435 – Embden: Beautifully rebuilt ranch with new foundation, new garage and all freshly renovated. Three bedrooms, one bath, large living room, open design kitchen/dining and new appliances. Spacious basement to finish off to your liking. Stream frontage. 1.25 acres with more land available. $270,000

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AZISCOHOS LAKE – Beautiful, remote, pristine! Three-season, two bedroom lakeside gem with knotty pine interior. Off-grid with gas lights and appliances, indoor shower/toilet. Lovely setting with elevated lake, mountain, and sunset views. $249,900 SANDY RIVER PLT - Looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, check out this large acreage parcel located behind the gate on Red Moose Lane! The 31.77 acre wooded timber tract offers seclusion and privacy on semi-remote road not plowed in winter. Live off the grid, get back to nature! Deeded access to association waterfront on Beaver Mt. Lake, super spot in the heart of recreation heaven, snowmobile friendly. MLS #1530298 – $100,000 PHILLIPS - Custom-built chalet on 14 acres with 4 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. This home features an open floor plan with custom chef ’s kitchen, living area with gas fireplace, large loft overlooking the spring fed pond, several bonus rooms, spacious workshop area with overhead door, multi-level decks, mudroom entry with storage for your gear. Easy access to ATV/snowmobile trails. MLS #1528422 – $699,000

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Six year old Sammy Dodd of Bangor caught this 12-inch brookie while fishing with his grandfather, Jim Sohns of Bucksport, at the Orland River in May, 2022. Photo courtesy Jim Lemieux

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2022 • 83

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Springfield – From this lot on Moores Road, you have direct access to ATV and sled trails. Situated in a beautiful part of Northeastern Maine. $59,000 Benedicta – Big acreage, year round access and electricity available at Benedicta Road. Low taxes. Small beaver flowage and high ground just behind it, wonderful locations for a cabin/ home. $169,000 Lee – Well wooded. Remote. Critters everywhere. Add in the good, clean air of Northern Maine and you’ve got yourself a “keeper”. This smashin’ little lot right off Mallet’s Mill Road shouldn’t last long. $69,900

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84 • July 2022 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

— THE MAINE SPORTSMAN —

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WE FISH ON OUR DAYS OFF!

KEY:

Sea Ventures Charters

KEY:

Call 207-841-1444

— Captain Todd Jackson —

Captain Peter A. Whelan

SALMON & TROUT

Full & Half Day Trips • Tackle Provided • Family Friendly Stripers and Bluefish • Light tackle sportfishing at it’s best!

Capt. Dave Pecci

Orvis Guide of the Year Award Recipient Quality Fishing Experience Since 1991

SHOALS FLY FISHING & LIGHT TACKLE

PORTLAND/SOUTH PORTLAND Fishing the way it should be...FUN!

Captain John L. Nowinski 207-831-2922 • ncreek@comcast.net

YORK/KITTERY/PORTSMOUTH, NH

(315) 387-1000 • (203) 912-9915 www.PrayingMantisSportFishing.com KEY: How Many Anglers Per Trip

1 or 2

Up to 4