The Maine Sportsman June 2023 Digital Edition

Bassin’ Season is Here!

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Sportsman The Maine

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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 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.

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Editorial

Turkey Patterning at Augusta’s Summerhaven Range – A Positive Experience

“Come pattern your turkey gun at the state-owned Summerhaven Shooting Range, located at 211 Sanford Road in Augusta,” read the bulletin issued by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife. Why not? We’d shot plenty of turkeys over the years, but had not had the opportunity to formally pattern one of our new-to-us over and under shotguns, or compare the effects of different choke selections. We were met by Shooting Range Coordinator Craig Gerry, and found him to be safety-oriented, but also helpful and informative. When we showed him the new 12-ga, he The Summerhaven Shooting Range in expertly disassembled the shot- Augusta is a large facility, offering rifle, pistol and shotgun target practice, as well gun in a few seconds, pointing as a bowhunting range. Soon, they’ll offer out where the choke setting accommodations for crossbow shooters. symbols were stamped on the hidden underside of the barrel. Source: DIF&W Marvel of Engineering The multi-million dollar range itself is a marvel of engineering, with a series of precisely angled precast concrete beams overhead to dissipate shock and sound waves. The rifle and pistol ranges are constructed with concrete walls and side-berms, structural steel framing, and precast baffles. (For our readers who are construction engineers, the project materials included 1,500 cubic yards of cast-inplace concrete.) An adjacent archery range The range design is a marvel of engineering, is made with heavy lumber and with baffled concrete overhead panels, steel roofing. Range officials are and concrete side-berms. Source: DIF&W working to obtain denser targets that will absorb the impact of high-powered crossbow bolts, and expect the range to offer target practice to crossbow hunters in the near future. Range Coordinator Gerry provided life-size turkey-head targets, and participants fired one shotshell at a time. After each series of shots, shotguns were cleared, the range was cleared, and shooters walked down to the target area to observe and compare results. All the while, Gerry told turkey hunting stories – including those on which he served as guide – and provided hints for a successful hunt, from decoy placement to the best color of lens for your headlamp. He reviewed the laws applicable to the hunt, including permitted ammo, the length of the required beard for legal game in the spring season, and the availability of the state’s new online registration process for wild turkeys. A tip of The Maine Sportsman’s hunting cap to DIF&W, including its employees and volunteers who are associated with operating the Summerhaven facility.

On the Cover: “My Wife’s Big Bass,” by Andy Nabreski. Andy fishes and hunts from a camp in Bridgton, Maine and he’s the design manager for On the Water magazine, in E. Falmouth, MA. www.MaineSportsman.com

New England’s Largest Outdoor Publication

Sportsman The Maine

ISSN 0199-036 — Issue No. 607 • 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 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.................................................... 13 Aroostook - “The County” by Bill Graves..................... 36 Big Game Hunting by Joe Saltalamachia.................. 34 Big Woods World by Rick Labbe & Hal Blood............. 33 Central Maine by Steve Vose....................................... 63 Downeast Region by Jim Lemieux............................... 58 Editorial.............................................................................. 4 Freshwater Fly Fishing by Lou Zambello....................... 54 Get Out There by Staci Warren.................................... 62 Jackman Region by William Sheldon.......................... 47 Jottings by Jon Lund........................................................ 8 Katahdin Country by William Sheldon......................... 40 Letters to the Editor.......................................................... 6 Maine Sportswoman by Christi Holmes....................... 44 Maine Wildlife by Tom Seymour................................... 18 Maine Wildlife Quiz by Steve Vose............................... 23 Midcoast by Tom Seymour........................................... 61 Moosehead Region by Tom Seymour......................... 49 New Hampshire by Ethan Emerson.............................. 75 Nolan’s Outdoor World by Nolan Raymond............... 80 Off-Road Traveler by William Clunie............................ 59 Outdoors & Other Mistakes by Al Diamon.................. 79 Quotable Sportsman by Will Lund................................ 17 Rangeley Region by William Clunie............................. 69 Ranger on the Allagash by Tim Caverly...................... 39 Riding Shotgun by Robert Summers............................. 78 Saltwater Fishing by Bob Humphrey............................ 28 Sebago to Auburn Region by Tom Roth..................... 65 Self-Propelled Sportsman by Jim Andrews.................. 64 Shooter’s Bench by Col. J.C. Allard............................. 45 Smilin’ Sportsman by Will Lund...................................... 78 Snapshots in Time by Bill Pierce.................................... 12 Southern Maine by Val Marquez................................. 68 Sporting Environment by David Van Wie.................... 43 Sportsman’s Journal by King Montgomery................. 10 Tales from the Warden Service by Ret. Lt. Doug Tibbetts. 67 Tidewater Tales by Randy Randall............................... 71 Trapping The Silent Places by David Miller.................. 72 Trading Post (Classifieds)............................................... 81 Trout Fishing by Tom Seymour....................................... 52 Vermont by Matt Breton............................................... 77 Western Maine Mountains by William Clunie.............. 73

GUEST COLUMNS & SPECIAL SECTIONS

ATVing by Steve Carpenteri......................................... 19 Bear Hunting by Staci Warren...................................... 22 Boating by Bob Humphrey............................................ 24 Moose Hunting by Dale Stevens.................................. 30 GUEST: Total Archery Challenge by Jessica Cobb.... 32 GUEST: The Goober Bug by Robert McLaughlin......... 51

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Letters To The Editor

Challenges of Mounting a Scope on a Combo Gun

To the Editor: In the past, your columnist Bill Sheldon has written about his purchase of a .410/22 mag over-and-under. Can you find out for me how he likes it? Does he have a scope on it, and if so, what type? I bought a 20 ga/22 mag, but I’ve learned the manufacturer doesn’t recommend addition of a scope. I’d like to add a scope for longer distances for the .22 mag, but I’m being told a .410 would better accommodate a scope. Thanks for any help Bill can provide. Roger Codere, North Yarmouth ME ***** Our columnist responds: Roger: When I first bought my 410/22 mag, it had an old, inexpensive Weaver scope. I didn’t like it. Off it came, and with quite a bit of help from my machinist brother,

Over-and-under “combo” guns have been manufactured in a wide range of calibers and gauges. This Savage Model 24V features a .357 rifle barrel over a .410 shotgun barrel. Photo: iCollector online collectibles

we modified a Williams peep sight and mounted it. Worked well, with two problems. One, my eyes have aged and I had trouble with the focus. Two, with the device installed, the sight line was too high to make it an automatic point-and-shoot. Off it came in favor of a red dot reflex sight. Again, because of the 3/8” dovetail on the top of the barrel, I needed my brother to help get a picatinny base mounted up to accept the reflex sight. It

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works well and I like it...but, by the time it’s all mounted up it sits too high on the barrel for point-and-shoot. Brad Varney recently asked me rhetorically, “You don’t put a sight on your hammer, do you?” He’s got me rethinking my sight problem. These guns have quite a bit of drop. I think any scope or glass sight will end up too high, at least for my liking. But before I go back to original sights that fit close to the barrel, I am adding a comb to the stock to raise my cheek. I don’t think it will solve the problem, but I am giving it a try. In the end, it seems like a battle between comfortable point-and-shoot ... which is different for everybody, and our individual eyesight issues. A scope may work better for you than it did for me. So far, I like the reflex sight the best. As you can tell, I’ve spent a great deal of time and resources trying to get this gun the way I want, and it is still a work in progress. Again, the quick point-andshoot without fiddling around adjusting my sight line is important to me. Hope these thoughts help. Thanks for reading my columns. Bill Sheldon — (Continued on next page)

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Great Show To the Editor: Great job on the 2023 State of Maine Sportsman’s Show! This was our first year having a booth of our own, and it was a very positive experience. The show’s management team was wonderful, responding to questions and handling issues quickly and professionally. I was pleased to see the team interacting with vendors throughout the weekend and asking if we needed anything. Donna Brookings, Quilts of Valor, (QoVF.org), Gorham ME —

Great Show II To the Editor: Thank you and congratulations to the Maine Sportsman magazine and to your co-producers at Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine for an outstanding 2023 State of Maine Sportsman’s Show in Augusta. I heard you had record atten-

dance, and I know the vendors were very pleased with the results. The state’s surplus firearms auction on Sunday morning was a big success, as were the seminars and the kids’ activities. We are looking forward to the April 19 to April 21 2024 show! Sandi, Susan and Tim Caverly Allagash Tails, Millinocket —

A Rare Double To the Editor: I was wondering if you would be kind enough to recognize my 14-year-old daughter Jackie Sassé for her accomplishment in shooting two good-sized jakes with one shot from her 20 gauge. I had never witnessed a double before, but was pleasantly surprised, and very proud for her on her first hunt. (See photo below) I would also like to give a shoutout to Peter Fiori for some outstanding turkey calling. Thank you Peter – Jackie and I are very grateful. Daniel Sassé, Windsor, ME

Jackie Sassé had a productive Youth Turkey Day. Photo by Daniel Sassé, Windsor ME

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Learning to Fly Fish in a Rangeley Boat In 1935, my family, consisting of my parents, my older brother Mort, younger brother Erik, and me, moved to Maine. Mort and I were anglers, and we spent the first summer at a rented cottage on Lake Cobbossee fishing for smallmouth bass and perch. Soon after coming here, likely in 1938, we were introduced to trout fishing during a visit to Tim Pond. It was an adventure and a new experience. A pot-holed gravel road led from the gate to Tim Pond Camps. But the road was so bad that guests were not allowed to drive it. Our cars were parked at the gate, where a

The author will never forget a scene from the early 1940s, watching A.B. Sargent, former owner of Tim Pond camps, standing in his Rangeley Boat, dressed in a vest, tie and felt hat, casting in the classic style – and catching really big trout.

The stability and versatility of Rangeley boats make them perfect for fishing remote trout ponds. The classic design is still being crafted in New England, as shown this model built by Newfound Boat Works of Bristol NH.

private phone line was installed. Guests called the camp, and a driver in an old fash-

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ioned Ford wood-bodied station wagon was dispatched to the gate – a trip of something like twelve miles. The Ford creaked and groaned as only a wooden bodied vehicle could. Parts of the road were so rough

that the vehicle had to come to a full stop before making careful forward progress. It was a long, slow trip. As we neared our destination, we saw a large Guernsey cow, grazing in a meadow beside the road. She

was the source of fresh milk and cream for the camp. A large lodge overlooked a wide cleared area between two rows of log cabins extending toward the pond. Rangeley Boats Double-ended Rangeley rowboats were stored in a large boathouse and on a half-submerged float on the shore of the pond. The Rangeley Boat is a lapstrake design developed in Maine to afford safe and comfortable fishing opportunities for two anglers and a guide. These boats used to be equipped with special sets of oars featuring unusual oarlocks that allowed the oars to be feathered, but which kept the oars from slipping away if the operator released his (Continued on next page)

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�� The Maine Sportsman • June 2023 • 9 (Continued from page 8)

catch a few trout.

grip on them to tend to his fishing rod. In short, a Rangeley is a perfect, safe craft for a couple of youngsters to row about in and fish for trout.

Heading Back to Camp When we came back for meals, we would row the boat fast toward the float. The boat would slide halfway onto the float so we could get out. Mort and I were accustomed to cleaning our own fish, and were somewhat put off when the dock attendant took away our fish box. Later, we might be served a meal of trout, fried and ready to eat. However, we wanted to eat OUR trout.

Flies and Gear Our flies were the popular wet fly patterns of the day – Royal Coachman, Parmachene Belle, Gray Hackle, Dark Montreal, and Wickham’s Fancy. Snelled flies tied on a hook with no eye. The snell was a short length of silkworm gut. Before use, it was necessary to soak the gut leader for a time, because if dry, the gut was brittle and would snap off. Our fly boxes featured a felt pad to keep the gut wet. But you had to let it dry when you were done, or the hook would rust. We were outfitted with long Bristol steel telescoping rods. The chief utility of those rods was that they were adjustable in length . We flailed around with them and somehow managed to

Improved Gear, Technique Several years later, when we again visited Tim Pond, Mort and I had Montague Flash bamboo fly rods. We learned the basics of fly casting by watching other anglers. The new rods were a big improvement over the steel rods. My Dad Dad was not a fancy caster, but he had a powerful build, and was tireless and systematic. If anyone

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in our party caught trout, it would be him. He would bring in each cast until it was almost to the gunwale of the boat. His favorite rod was a nine foot, seven ounce Thomas. He would set the hook vigorously when he had a strike. He usually used a dropper fly. On occasions when I rowed him, and he had a strike, his “set” could send two trout flying to the other side of the boat. A.B. Sargent Tim Pond was known for having lots of trout, mostly of modest size. On one of our trips to Tim Pond, we met A.B. Sargent, who we understood owned the Camps. He was always neatly dressed in a vest, tie and felt hat. He would sometimes

go out on the pond after supper. I can see him in my mind’s eye standing tall in his boat, fly casting in the classic style, using only his wrist, his elbow locked to his hip. When he came in, we would peek in his fish box, and we’d see trout, most of them larger than what we’d been catching. Baxter’s Remote Ponds In later years, when I became familiar with Baxter State Park, I backpacked in and fished some of the remote ponds early in the season. I introduced my sons and other family members to remote-pond fly fishing. In casting with a wet fly, I avoid trying to make the extra-long casts to a far-off rise because it is often un-

productive. If I did reach the trout I was straining for, too often I would not be able to successfully set the hook. Keep Your Trout Fly in the Water My own technique probably copied what Dad had employed, retrieving each cast as close to hand as possible, skipping the long-distance casts, and limiting the false casts as being tiring and unproductive. I recommend that fashion to my readers. If fly fishing while wading, is exciting to see where one can land the fly, but if the angler is mobile, as when in a canoe or boat, I recommend maximizing the time the time the fly is in the water. You can’t catch a trout if the fly is in the air.

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Tossing Fish Recently, while going through a collection of 35 mm slides I’d had digitized, I came across a bunch of transparencies that showed anglers bending, tossing, clutching and dropping fish. Further examination revealed all of the images were from the same fishing trip – a weeklong remote summer venture in Alaska that produced a lot of fish from the Aniak River, a major tributary of the larger Kuskokwim River. Before we discuss the fish tossing techniques, those of you born in the digital age need a short primer on cameras that used film, particularly those that produced 35mm slides. Film yields negatives that can have prints made therefrom, but a slide is a positive, not a negative. That is, it is a transparent image that reflects what the eye sees. Negatives reverse the image turning it sort of inside out. Now you can see why we’ve pretty much

It’s what happens when “Grip and Grin” becomes “Slip and Grin”!

Three anglers, including the remarkable 85-year old gent standing, managed to hold their silver salmon okay for the photo, except for the one with the pained expression. All photos by King Montgomery

done away with film for images, and have moved to digital applications. As an outdoor writer and photographer 20 years ago, my mission then was the same as it is now – to gather information for magazine articles and take photos to illustrate the written words; to bring them visually to life. So I took 30 rolls of 35mm slide film with 36 photos per roll on a wilderness Alaska visit to the Aniak River Lodge, about 300 or so

The 90-degree Fish Bend has a high scoring degree of difficulty, and is hard to achieve. I liken it to a quadruple Axel jump in figure skating. www.MaineSportsman.com

miles west-southwest of Anchorage. I recently found those old slides, and once digitized, I went through them on the computer screen. Oh, my goodness…. A Thousand Photos for a Thousand Fish It seems 1,080 photographs was not enough for that trip – for a couple of reasons. The eight of us caught hundreds of fish – each! And, of course, I felt obligated to take several photos of each angler with his fish.

The fish species we pursued were primarily anadromous salmons fresh from the sea, and they are incredibly strong and durable. The sports I was with often couldn’t hold their catch properly for the camera, and I was stunned to see the antics the camera caught and preserved. The guides presented the captured fish somewhat better, but still were prone to dropping, bending, hugging, and tossing fish – and my photographs showed it

The Disappearing Fish that lands in one’s lap is a difficult maneuver that usually results from wet hands and an even wetter fish – and a oversized lap helps.

all.

So it is my pleasure to share with you some of the many (many) photos I have of fish acrobatics, just from this one weeklong trip in 2002. Oh, and I did manage to get a few pictures of good fish-holding and posing. Now, I’m letting the photographs do the talking. You’ll see most of the variations of fish tossing while someone is trying to take a picture. All that was needed on this trip was a panel of judges that could rate and hold up scores printed on a piece of paper. A 9 or 10 score was really good, while a 1 or 2 – not so much. Please feel free to do your own judging. Note that no fish were injured during this fishing adventure, except the ones that graced the hot coals for either lunch or dinner. We should all try to take photos quickly so we can put the fish back in the water as soon as possible. (Continued on next page)

The almost 90-degree Blurred Bend is even tougher for a guide (right) than a sport to accomplish. Extra points are given for having a nice smile about the whole thing.

�� The Maine Sportsman • June 2023 • 11 (Continued from page 10)

Extra points can be earned by replacing your own face with one of a fish, particularly if it’s smiling.

A 270-degree+ Bend showing the fish’s belly is very, very tough to do, particularly one-handed. A grimace also helps. This small Silver was fine.

A good save from the vertical Toss that preceded this high-scoring Hug.

This really nice Rainbow achieved a graceful vertical Toss followed by a resounding Hug by the angler, as seen in the next photo (upper right). The Rainbows follow the salmon upstream and feed on the eggs when mating occurs.

This Silver achieved a good Bend before it morphed into the Toss shown in the next photo. Even seasoned guides such as Josh here, have trouble holding fish for the camera. He’s convinced the sight of the camera causes the fish to react.

The 270-degree Bend can yield an interesting photo, as this Arctic Grayling demonstrates. Its fetching dorsal and nice color show well.

The Toss following the Bend. A classic move – but I couldn’t sell this photo to any magazine editor (until now).

A nice blurred Bend on this Dolly Varden resulted in a high-scoring Toss followed by a string of expletives from the angler and the photographer.

Josh with a pretty good Bend

The guide tried the Fish Kiss move to placate the Coho, so it would properly pose for the photo. True fish tossing aficionados do not approve of this move.

This angler got tired of trying to hold fish steady for the camera and devised a sure-fire method to pose without worrying about style or degree of difficulty. Boring ….

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12 • June 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

“Snapshots in Time”

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

Life these days is way too busy. Who among us spends enough time getting out on the water or afield? I find myself living vicariously through the outdoor adventures of my friends. That is my fault. I do enjoy reading these old stories about a bygone era, and I hope you enjoy

my sharing them with you. So let’s take a moment or two to spur the imagination as to what Maine’s great outdoors was once like. The two snippets below were found in the June 13, 1895, edition of the RANGELEY LAKES newspaper.

An Old Time Ba’rr Story

as heroes; but a good deacon of the church had grave misgivings as to the truthfulness of the tale, and after a long examination, it was admitted that the bear was in a trap. Hero worship never had a greater fall. Note: Can you imagine … young men of just 14 years of age were once allowed by their parents to travel twenty miles from home on a trail through the big woods by themselves? They were also allowed to carry guns (egads!). Think of it, and just to fish a remote pond on their own! Today, sadly, this would be considered irresponsible parenting. And the biggest “issue” was that they had to be coerced into telling the truth about the bear. Many believe that unfortunately, here in a woke, soft America, we are no longer raising as many independent, intrepid and resourceful young people as we once did. Hopefully we will wake up.

From Rangeley Lakes newspaper; June 13, 1895

Nearly fifty-five years ago when the road to Rangeley was being built, Mr. O. W. Russell, of Phillips, and his brother Ephraim, came into Long Pond to go fishing. They built a raft, as there were no boats, and poled out on the water. When near the spot that the late Mr. Haley used for a boat landing, they heard a bear call. The raft was pushed to the shore and O. W., taking the old smooth bore rifle, started in the direction of the sound, while his brother retreated with the raft to a safe distance from the expected battle. Cautiously the brave hunter—then but about fourteen years old— crept up till the bear could be seen; a steady aim was taken, and the ball went crashing through the skull, and the bear was dead. With a shout of victory, O.W. sprang forward. There lay the bear, but to one of its feet was securely fastened a trap, and the trap belonged to Owen Hewey. When they returned to Phillips, they only took the story, and for some time they were both looked upon

Old Time Fish Story

Speaking of the fishing of other days, Mr. C. T. Richardson tells of the catch made by a party of four, including old Eli Edmunds and Fish Commissioner Stanley’s father, thirty years ago (1865, as the Civil War was end-

Enjoy, and be sure you get outside as often as you can to make some great outdoor history of your own. (Bill Pierce’s comments are in italics; otherwise, the copy has been reprinted just as it appeared in 1895).

Fifty-four pounds of brook trout (see story)! The outlet of Oquossoc Lake provided spectacular fishing in 1865.

ing). They fished near the foot of Oquossoc Lake (Rangeley Lake’s former name), and when ready to go out, had in a pen below where the bridge now is, fifty-four fish which would weigh from 4 lbs. to 10 lbs. each. Note: Salmon had yet to be introduced to Rangeley Lake, so these were all brook trout. If we err on the conservative side, this puts the average weight per fish at 6.5 lbs. That would put the total weight of the entire catch at a staggering … THREE HUNDRED and FIFTY-ONE POUNDS! Today, how many lodges in Labrador, or anywhere else, could boast of such a brook trout fishery? I would say that these anglers’ bamboo rods had been put to the test!

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Almanac

�� The Maine Sportsman • June 2023 • 13

Three Minutes with a Maine Guide

Compiled and Edited by — Will Lund —

Tips For Contacting Help On Your Electronic Device by Lisa DeHart

You were smart – you brought an emergency device you can use to get help if you need it. Here are some tips for when, and if, you ever use it. Tip #1: Include as much information in the first message as you are able. It may be the only one you get out. Here is what to include: 1. Your location, and how many are in the group. Is your current situation stable, or is the need for help immediate? 2. Can you get yourself to a nearby bridge or road – an access point to meet? 3. Is it an injury, or equipment failure? If it’s an injury, be prepared to give a SOAP (Subjective, Objective, Assessment and Plan) note. Include the injured party’s age, risk factors,

Devices such as the Garmin inReach enable communications via satellites. Lisa DeHart photo

Built to last Built to enjoy Built for you.

description of the injury or problem, complaints, current medications, food and water consumption for that

day. 4. If it’s late in the day, are you able to camp that night and get help first thing in the morning? Don’t make the tremendous individuals who make up Search & Rescue come after you in the dark, unless it’s a risk to life to stay there until morning. Meaning, be prepared enough to bring the basics to stay overnight. It’s as simple as a tarp, lighter, food and water. Don’t be the person who jumps in a boat or onto an ATV and heads into the wilds wearing shorts and flip flops, and carrying only a cell phone …what could possibly go wrong? Tip #2: If you are communicating back and forth with help, answer one question at a time, and repeat the question in the answer. ***** (Continued on next page)

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14 • June 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

Almanac (Continued from page 13)

Example: Person providing help: Can you meet at St. Laurant Bridge downstream of your location? Can we meet there tomorrow at noon, and can we bring you a new canoe? You: Yes, St. Laurant Bridge. Yes, noon. Yes, bring canoe. ***** In other words, don’t just say “Yes.” Be as clear as possible. Here’s to a great summer – have fun, stay safe, wash up when you’re through. —

Boating Safety by the Numbers The US Coast Guard gathers and distributes information on boating accidents, including compiling lists of “contributing factors,” as well as “types of accidents.” It’s important to keep this information in mind as the boating season gets underway in Maine and New England. Here are the top ten contributing factors in boating accidents: • Inattention

• • • • • • • • •

Inexperience Improper lookout Machinery failure Excessive speed Alcohol use Force of waves Navigation rules violations Hazardous waters Weather

Types of Boating Accidents The most common types of boating accidents that result in serious injury are as follows: • Collision with another recreational boat • Collision with a fixed object • Water intrusion • Grounding • Falling overboard • Capsizing • Water skier/wakeboarder mishap • Collision with a submerged object • Departing the vessel • Being ejected from the vessel According to the multi-state Brown & Crouppen Law Firm, which gathers this information, more than three-quarters of all serious accidents involve boats less than 21 feet long, and of those boaters who do not survive being immersed in the water, 83% were not wearing life jackets.

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These statistics, as they say, speak for themselves, and provide guidance for the captain and crew of recreational boats. —

The Land of Plenty by John Lamarca

When I started hunting a decade ago, I cut my teeth with rifle whitetail deer hunting. I felt an overwhelming sense of pressure as I thought to myself, “I only get the month of November in the woods?” It just didn’t seem like enough time. And after deer season was over, I mourned the loss of the bygone month and thought “Man … now I have to wait a whole year to get back in the woods.” I have talked to many others who have also felt this way, as though they don’t have enough time. Simple Fix I have a simple fix – don’t leave the woods! There is plenty more to do. After that first year, I knew I had to do something to stay in the game longer. By participating in other seasons, you also embark on a never-ending journey to obtain wilderness knowledge that makes you an all-around better woods(Continued on next page)

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�� The Maine Sportsman • June 2023 • 15

Once the author realized there was more to Maine’s outdoor adventures than just the November rifle season on whitetails, he began enjoying hunting and fishing opportunities each and every month of the year. (Continued from page 14)

man/woodswoman. Ten years later, this is how my 2022 – 2023 seasons have gone. In September and October, I hit the woods for regular and expanded archery seasons. Then in November I guided and hunted during the rifle season for whitetail. Come December, we didn’t have much ice, so I was able to capitalize on the end of the waterfowl season. From January through February, I guided and hunted coyotes, as well as participating in some through-ice beaver trapping. I also ice fished. In March and April, I was able to find success in the spring beaver season. In May, I pursued big-bearded toms during the spring turkey hunt.

Now, of course, comes summertime! June through August yield some amazing fishing, both fly and casting! And wouldn’t you know it – that leads us back to September, hitting the woods for those expanded-season whitetails. Those are just the seasons in which I participated. There are far more seasons and opportunities that allow you to get out there and hit the woods. Don’t live a life thinking there is not enough time. Instead, live one where you feel like there is too much adventure to be had! — (Continued on next page)

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16 • June 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

June 2023 Sunrise/Sunset

June Tides Portland, ME

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

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

RISE

SET

4:50 4:50 4:49 4:49 4:48 4:48 4:48 4:47 4:47 4:47 4:47 4:46 4:46 4:46 4:46

8:15 8:16 8:16 8:17 8:18 8:19 8:19 8:20 8:21 8:21 8:22 8:22 8:23 8:23 8:24

DATE 16 Fri 17 Sat 18 Sun 19 Mon 20 Tue 21 Wed 22 Thu 23 Fri 24 Sat 25 Sun 26 Mon 27 Tue 28 Wed 29 Thu 30 Fri

RISE

SET

4:46 4:46 4:46 4:47 4:47 4:47 4:47 4:47 4:48 4:48 4:48 4:49 4:49 4:50 4:50

8:24 8:25 8:25 8:25 8:26 8:26 8:26 8:26 8:26 8:26 8:26 8:26 8:26 8:26 8:26

Almanac (Continued from page 15)

Wilderness First Aid:

The Maine Outdoors Improves Physical and Mental Wellness by Stacey Wheeler, RN

Hunting and fishing are not the only attractions found in the Maine outdoors.

HIGH LOW AM PM AM PM Thu 9:40 9:51 3:30 3:34 Fri 10:27 10:32 4:15 4:18 Sat 11:13 11:16 4:59 5:02 Sun — 12:01 5:45 5:49 Mon 12:03 12:49 6:33 6:38 Tue 12:52 1:39 7:22 7:29 Wed 1:43 2:32 8:14 8:23 Thu 2:38 3:29 9:08 9:21 Fri 3:37 4:28 10:05 10:24 Sat 4:39 5:28 11:04 11:30 Sun 5:44 6:28 — 12:02 Mon 6:49 7:26 12:36 1:02 Tue 7:54 8:23 1:43 2:00 Wed 8:56 9:16 2:46 2:56 Thu 9:53 10:05 3:42 3:48

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

Sportsmen and -women, as well as nature enthusiasts and tourists, reap rewards from the physical and mental health benefits the outdoors has to offer. Maine is abundant with serene waterways, open green spaces, and clean fresh air. Spending time outside in these areas has proven to improve mood, decrease stress, and reduce health risks. And if you can catch a brook trout in the process, you are steps ahead of the game! I often take a paddle in my kayak

HIGH LOW AM PM AM PM Fri 10:45 10:51 4:33 4:36 Sat 11:34 11:36 5:21 5:22 Sun — 12:20 6:06 6:05 Mon 12:19 1:03 6:49 6:47 Tue 1:00 1:44 7:29 7:28 Wed 1:40 2:24 8:09 8:09 Thu 2:21 3:05 8:48 8:52 Fri 3:03 3:48 9:28 9:37 Sat 3:47 4:31 10:10 10:25 Sun 4:34 5:15 10:52 11:14 Mon 5:23 5:59 11:35 — Tue 6:14 6:44 12:05 12:20 Wed 7:08 7:31 12:59 1:08 Thu 8:05 8:20 1:54 2:00 Fri 9:00 9:10 2:49 2:52

DATE 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

or a walk through the woods for exercise to reduce stress at the end of a busy workday. When you consistently (at least once or twice a week) spend time in the Maine woods and waterway, you will experience the following benefits: • Decreased depression • Better sleep • Lower stress levels • Better cognitive functioning (Continued on next page)

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�� The Maine Sportsman • June 2023 • 17 (Continued from page 16)

The author near the summit of Pleasant Mountain in Denmark, Maine.

Quotable

Sportsman

Improved relationships Increased life expectancy Reduced cancer risk Overall increased happiness Decreased cardiac risk The above list is a small sampling of the mental and physical improvements derived from spending time outdoors. Humans were meant to be an integral part of nature. As technology advances, we spend more time inside and on screens – frequently as much as 10 hours per day. So step outside, take a deep breath, and reconnect with the outdoors. Your body, you brain, your family and your co-workers will thank you. • • • • •

2020 by Octopus Publishing Group (Great Britain); published in the US by Harper Design.

by Will Lund

“Not to be Used for Navigation.” Cautionary notice printed on bar napkins at the Dolphin Marina Restaurant in Harpswell. The napkins feature a reprint of a portion of the NOAA navigational chart for inner Casco Bay. —

— “What time is the auction? Our grandfather donated one of the rifles, and we’d like to buy it back for him.” A call to the offices of The Maine Sportsman a few days before auction of surplus and confiscated guns at the State of Maine Sportsman’s Show. The grandfather’s “donation” of the firearm was likely not voluntary, but rather the result of confiscation by the Maine Warden Service. — “Taxidermy Gone Wrong” Title of 95-page photo book of very bad taxidermy, some examples of which date back to the 1850s. Author: Rob Colson. Copyright

“Just when you think we might have more than enough to worry about, something else appears – super pigs, bred by farmers to thrive in the extreme winters of the Canadian prairies. According to Dr. Ryan Brook of the Wild Pig Research Project, wild hogs feed on anything, gobbling up goslings and ducklings in the spring, and even taking down white-tailed deer ….” Scott Simon, National Public Radio, April 8, 2023 episode of “Simon Says.” Dr. Brook’s comments about these giant pigs, which are roaming free following escapes from enclosures, were made to Field & Stream magazine. — “Skowhegan Aims to Position Itself as Outdoors Destination.” Headline in story by Zara Norman in the April 6, 2023 Portland Press Herald. Local officials plan a river park along the Kennebec, a free outdoor gear rental program offering skis, snowshoes, bicycles, canoes, camping gear and winter clothing, and construction of a 50mile trail system that will include single-track paths for mountain biking. www.MaineSportsman.com

18 • June 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

Maine Wildlife:

Blue Heron

by Tom Seymour

It’s for good reason the author calls them “Old Fuss and Feathers.” Blue herons have one-track minds. Their one and only occupation is eating, and they are good at it. Wherever you see a heron slowly shuffling along, you can bet there are either baitfish or frogs present. Of course, herons would never turn up their bills at the thought of taking small mammals, insects, crustaceans, or even small birds. Herons can stand motionless for the longest times, focusing those big, round eyes on some nearby critter. When the time is right, the bird strikes, swiftly and silently. Herons seldom miss. At least during all the times I have observed them hunting, I never saw a heron lift its head up without some kind of fish or amphibian caught between the tips of its sharp bill. Herons sometimes use their dagger-like bills to impale prey, too. I once watched as a heron stabbed a huge, feral goldfish right in the middle. The goldfish must have measured ten inches long, and it was almost that much around. Herons must not have much of a sense of taste, because goldfish taste terrible. I know, because of a long-ago experiment. My grandpa and I once found and caught some huge goldfish out of a small pond. We couldn’t help but wonder what they tasted like, so we brought them home, where grandpa cleaned them and grandma cooked them. The stench that soon filled the kitchen completely disabused us of the thought that goldfish might be edible. It took a while to get that awful smell out of the house. Cranky Bird Former president James Buchannan, for various reasons, was known as “Old Fuss and Feathers.” Well, the former president has long since passed on, but the title remains, transferred to the blue heron. Herons may measure up to fifty-two www.MaineSportsman.com

inches long, but it’s mostly feathers. And boy, are they fussy. Blue herons greatly dislike interruptions. A person approaching them when they are hunting, which is most of the time, will first get the evil eye, and then hear a series of loud, angry-sounding croaks as the heron takes to the air and flies away. I interpret the croaks as an admonishment for interfering with the heron’s hunting. Anyone who has ever canoed or motored through a long, twisting thorofare, has probably experienced a similar scenario. Just rounding a bend, a heron – angry at being disturbed – bursts into the air, all the while scolding the intruder with its deep-throated croaks. And then, the scene gets played out again with the same heron. Here’s why. A startled heron, instead of flying far away, goes only far enough – as in around the next bend – to put distance between itself and the person in the boat. Depending upon the length of the thorofare and the number of sharp turns and oxbows, the scene may get repeated many times. Nightmarish Rookery Blue herons traditionally nest in the top of tall trees at the north end of one particular island in Penobscot Bay. The place has rocky cliffs, and the tops are full of mostly dead spruce trees. Toward the very top of each ancient tree, usually lodged in crotches, may be one or several heron nests, made of large sticks and twigs. This site is best viewed from the water, and that is how I always saw

it. The grayish rock cliffs, with these tall, dead trees on top and those horror-movie nests in their tops, combined with blue herons flying about – prehistoric-looking, with long necks bent in “S” shapes, bills sticking out in front, and long legs trailing – look like something out of a Tim Burton production. I cannot presume to say how old this rookery is. As far as I know, it’s always been there. I don’t know anyone who can remember a time when it wasn’t there. How many generations of blue herons have sprung from this place, no one knows. The answer would probably be quite startling. Presumably, other offshore islands play host to other heron rookeries. The reader may wonder why herons would build their nests where there are no shallow-water ponds or streams to hunt in. But to herons, distance makes little difference. They are willing to fly however far it might be to feeding locations, as long as they can use their preferred nesting sites. Home Bird A tiny trout stream flows past my backyard and further downstream, enters the brackish water of a tidal river. Anadromous trout swim up by my place in early spring and later, baitfish populate the deeper pools. One summer day, while sitting on my back porch, I saw a grey head bobbing up and down just over the plants of the riparian habitat. It was a blue heron, slowly plodding upstream, taking baitfish at every turn. An unexpected but welcome visitor. Herons are like that.

�� The Maine Sportsman • June 2023 • 19

Basic Maintenance and Planning will Keep Your ATV on the Trail by Steve Carpenteri Ahhh...there’s nothing like being on the open trail on your ATV, wind in your face, and Maine’s natural beauty all around you. All is good with the world as you navigate up and down steep slopes, across lush bogs and through brushy hillsides, with gorgeous mountains shining in the distance. But then, halfway through your idyllic trip, the ATV suddenly shudders and stops, or – even worse – you hear an ominous

clunk, thump, crack or snap that brings your reverie to a halt. You’re miles back in

the woods, and there are no other riders around – now what?

prevented by performing standard, routine maintenance on your rig before you leave the house. Spring riding can be rough on any machine, especially one that may have been sitting idle all winter. The rain and mud that typifies spring trail-riding can also bring a unique set of problems. While some maintenance chores are best performed by a trained professional at a certified shop, there

Pre-Trip Maintenance Most routine ATV breakdowns can be

(Continued on next page)

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20 • June 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

ATVing (Continued from page 19)

are several options available to the do-ityourselfer.

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1 - Offer available on approved purchases of new 2021-2023 Yamaha Wolverine RMAX Side by Side models made on the Yamaha Credit Card issued by WebBank. Offer valid 4/1/2023-6/30/2023. Account must be open and current to be eligible for this offer. Promotional 5.99%, 7.49%, 11.99%,17.99% APR with minimum payments of 3.05%, 3.12%, 3.33%,or 3.62% respectively of the purchase price balance, based on your creditworthiness, are effective until the purchase is paid in full. Minimum interest charge $2 per month. Standard APR 15.99%-23.99%. t - Customer Cash offer good on select Wolverine Rmax models between April 1, 2023 through June 30, 2023. See dealer for additional details.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

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©2023 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.

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Do It Yourself First, change the air filter each spring. Follow up with an oil and filter change, and check all other engine and operating fluids (including transmission fluid) to ensure they are at the proper levels. Check brake pads often for tightness, damage, and wear. Check throttle pedal and cable free-play and lubrication. Steering components should be checked frequently, because on a typical ride, the wheels and tires come into contact with thousands of rocks, stumps, and ruts. Call in the Professionals Certain procedures are beyond the expertise levels for most of us riders, For example, since specialized tools are often required, in most cases it’s advisable to have professionals look at components such as: • Spindles • Wheel hub bearings • Driveline shafts or universal joints, and • Couplers. After the Ride Post-trip, take the time to clean your rig from top to bottom using a hose or pressure-washer. Dirt, mud and debris can work their way into the machine’s moving parts, resulting in operating issues down the road. Rocks and grit can impact the suspension’s performance, ground clear-

ance, acceleration and braking capability. In addition, if mud is caked onto an engine’s cooling system, that mud can reduce the engine’s capability of transferring heat away through its aluminum cases or cylinder head. Plan Ahead, Travel Right While some folks head out alone for a trip into Maine’s forests, wiser heads (such as the Maine Warden Service) suggest that a planned trip is much safer than an impromptu, unannounced run. For starters, wardens encourage riders to conduct a pre-ride safety checklist, checking the mechanical condition of the machine and making sure you have the necessary tools, spare parts, survival items and personal items needed to ensure a safe and comfortable ride. Riders should also leave a trip plan with a reliable person, listing their destination, route, travel times, contact information and other details to aid in finding a rider who gets lost or injured. Also, consider joining an ATV club. Experienced club members know the area’s trails inside and out, and they’ll often step in to provide equipment, personnel, and guidance for first responders. They also help to identify and locate riders whose machines have broken down. Currently, Maine’s ATV clubs are working on a universal (Continued on next page)

�� The Maine Sportsman • June 2023 • 21 (Continued from page 20)

GPS system that can help identify trails and make it easier to find lost riders. For this reason, at least one person in the group should have access to (and know how to use) a GPS unit, or a cell phone that is equipped with GPS capabilities. While solo riding has its own benefits and attractions, the most prudent course of action is to ride in small groups. This will ensure that help will be nearby should something go wrong. Know Your Machine’s Fuel Economy One of the most critical aspects of long-range riding is refueling. Most riders carry at least one 5-gallon fuel can, but in some cases it’s best

to plan trips to include frequent fueling stops where riders can rest, eat and refuel at known waypoints along the route. It is important to know your vehicle’s fuel efficiency, because some rigs get only 10 miles per gallon, while others may get 40 miles to the gallon. This information should be included in the owner’s manual, or can be acquired from the dealer or manufacturer. Knowing your vehicle’s fuel consumption rate will go a long way toward helping you to plan extended trips. Carrying even a 2-gallon container of fuel can make all the difference when your tank gets near empty miles away from the nearest gas station. Now, let’s ride!

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22 • June 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

Preventing Bear Harvest Losses by Staci Warren

Got your bear? Take only enough time for a photo or two before getting the meat cooled off, either by packing ice into the bear, or by skinning and processing it on-site before moving the meat, hide and gall bladder quickly to a cooler. Bear hunting is among the most stressful of all hunts due to the potential loss of bear meat and hide if your game is not quickly and properly managed. Once you harvest a bear, you are on the time clock to protect that harvest from spoiling. If you’re like us and do your own field dressing and processing, it’s that much more important to be sure you do it right. Here are my top must-do’s for preventing bear meat spoilage and hide slippage.

• Early season bear harvest can mean high temps; the hotter it is, the faster you need to work. If it’s sunny or over 40 degrees, take to the shade, take a couple photos, and then it’s time to get to work. • Always carry your field dressing kit in your backpack so you’re ready to field dress immediately. Don’t forget a string and baggy for the gall bladder. • Bring a jet sled to transport the bear. It’s much easier than trying to lift the bear onto

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a four-wheeler, and it reduces the time spent getting the bear out of the woods. • As with any game, avoid piercing the intestines when field dressing. Be sure to turn the bear over and allow the body cavity to drain adequately, once the organs are removed. This will help prevent bacteria growth. Two Options • At this point, you have two options: 1) Get some ice into the bear cavity at the first store you come to; or 2) consider skinning your bear on site, and packing out the meat and hide in coolers over ice. It would be hard to plan for packing out if you’re hunting over bait, but if you’re a trapper, then you probably know you have a bear and can

The author’s husband, John Warren, with a bowhunted bear. The trophy was transported to the cool shade for a quick photo before being skinned, processed and moved to the couple’s walk-in cooler in their barn.

plan accordingly. • If you opt to skin the bear later and process the game yourself, your best option is to put it into a refrigerated space. I recommend every DIY bear hunter have a walk-in cooler. More on how to build your own cooler room, next month. Pack It In Ice • If you can’t refrigerate, then make sure

to put ice around the outside of the bear as well as in the cavity along with the gall bladder. Pack ice around the quarters. This will help cool the hide as well as the meat. If you plan to take it to a butcher for processing, go straight there, once the animal has been registered. • Freeze the gall bladder immediately. This will not only preserve it, but also make transporting it for sale easier. • Once you skin the bear, do not roll up the hide to put it in the freezer. This could cause the hide to deteriorate, causing “slippage,” before it cools (Continued on next page)

�� The Maine Sportsman • June 2023 • 23

In the couple’s DIY cooler room, which they built inside their horse barn, a CoolBot device keeps the cold air flowing by fooling the AC’s sensor into thinking it’s still warm in the enclosure. The 8’ x 10’ heavily-insulated room can accommodate a total of three bear or deer.

The author holds a flashlight while her husband field-dresses the author’s trapcaught bear. “Even a nighttime bear harvest,” says the author, “requires quick processing.” (Continued from page 22)

to the center. Instead, allow the hide to lay

open in the freezer so it all cools prior to freezing.

Freezing the Hide? Don’t Use Salt • Be sure to remove as much fat as possi-

ble when preparing the hide. If you plan to freeze the hide, do not salt it. Doing so may prevent freezing, resulting in hair slippage. Only salt the hide if you plan to board and dry it. • Immediately process, package and freeze, or pressure can, the bear meat. Be sure to cut off as much fat as possible, so it won’t taint the meat.

Make sure the meat is spread out in the freezer, so all of it can cool equally and not spoil. ***** Bear meat is delicious, and these steps will help ensure that you get the most out of your hunt. Next month: Build Your Own Game Cooler, by Staci Warren

Maine Wildlife Quiz: GREAT BLUE HERON by Steve Vose

With a wingspan of nearly six feet and a body weight of eight pounds, the Great Blue Heron (Ardea horodias) is the largest heron in North American, and one of the largest birds in Maine. These big birds migrate south each fall, some as far as Mexico and the West Indies. Herons return in early spring, often nesting in colonies. Nests are built in high treetops (sometimes well above 100 feet!), usually near bodies of water. The nest – built mostly by the female, with material gathered mostly by the males – consists of a platform of sticks, sometimes quite large. Widespread throughout Maine, herons can frequently be seen in the state’s many marshes and coastal areas. These shallow bodies of water are perfect feedQuestions

1. True or False – the Great Blue Heron is the largest heron in North America? 2. What is the wingspan of the Great Blue Heron?

ing areas, since the bird’s primary prey consists of frogs and small fish. Herons are patient hunters, and can often be seen standing still or walking very slowly in shallow water, waiting for fish to swim nearby. Once their prey enters striking distance, herons strike

with rapid thrust of their bill, capturing their prey and then eating it whole. Herons’ breeding season runs from March to May in the northern hemisphere. The female heron lays between three and seven eggs which are incubated by both parents for a period of 25 to 30 days. Both birds actively hunt to feed the hatched young until they are ready to leave the nest at between 65 and 90 days. In the United States, the destruction of wetland habitat has caused a decline in the population of the Great Blue Heron. Though they are not yet considered endangered, habitat loss is harming this species. The herons’ survival depends on the preservation of wetlands, as well as continued study of its biology and behavior.

3. What is the body weight of the Great Blue Heron?

6. When is breeding season for the Great Blue Heron?

4. Do Great Blue Herons migrate from Maine?

7. How many eggs does the female heron typically lay? 8. How long after hatching can the juvenile herons leave the nest?

5. What is the primary prey of the Great Blue Heron?

Answers on Page 35 www.MaineSportsman.com

24 • June 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

A Boating Operator’s Nightmare – Things That Go Bump by Bob Humphrey After an unsuccessful but otherwise gorgeous day of tuna fishing outside Casco Bay, we were heading back to port. The surface was as flat as a mill pond. We had a good five miles to go before the gauntlet of lobster gear, so

I felt comfortable with a cruising speed of 18 knots. All was well until the quiescent mood was suddenly interrupted by a violent thump, as the Falcon IV struck something solid and the port engine stalled.

Instinctively, I yanked back on both throttles, put the boat in neutral, and then shut the starboard engine down. After a quick bilge inspection showed no damage or leakage, I tentatively turned the keys, and both engines

fired up without hesitation. Then I held my breath as I eased each one into gear. No further problems. We made it back home without issue, but I had a sneaky suspicion what the problem was. I later learned that two oth-

er vessels had struck giant ocean sunfish that day, one of which had to be towed in and hauled out to replace a bent shaft. We were lucky. That incident was unexpected completely, and while I go to (Continued on next page)

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�� The Maine Sportsman • June 2023 • 25 (Continued from page 24)

great lengths to ensure the safety of my passengers, it goes to show that you can never be too careful. Hits happen, but there are some steps you can take to reduce the likelihood. Avoiding Problems One preventative step is to respect the Aids to Navigation (ATONs). No matter how long you’ve been boating in a particular area and how well you know it, stay in the channel and don’t take shortcuts. Things change. Sand bars and channels shift with the seasons and sometimes the tides. Shortcuts might save a few seconds or even minutes, but they leave you less margin for error should something go wrong. What if you’re temporarily

blinded by the sun, lose your location in dense fog, or your engine stalls and the wind is blowing toward shore? Other skippers might be able to lend assistance if you’re in the channel, but they’ll be less likely to risk going outside it. Get good electronics, and use them. I absolutely won’t leave the dock without a chart plotter and depth sounder. Even navigational aids (including buoys and daymarks) can be confusing. There’s a spot in Harpswell where, in mid-channel and the worst possible location, the navigational direction suddenly changes from entering to leaving port; in other words, red and green buoys have opposite meanings. Without electronics, you could very quickly

and easily end up on the rocks. Lobster Pot Warp is Hazardous Take nothing for granted. One of the spots I regularly fish for bait is littered with lobster buoys, so I pay particular attention

to their location as we drift over the structure. Even that wasn’t enough one day, when we encountered a string of pots where, inexplicably, the buoys were connected with 100 feet of floating line. As we drifted be-

tween the buoys, the line fetched in my running gear. Fortunately I had a deck hand willing to go over the side and work us loose. Lobster Buoys Underwater Look for subtle(Continued on next page)

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26 • June 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

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ties. My usual inbound afternoon route is through Broad Sound. On an outgoing tide, water is funneled through a narrow channel, and sometimes the local lobstermen don’t use enough line to compensate for that. I learned, at first the hard way, to watch out for “no see ums” – buoys submerged by the current. Therefore, you must learn to read the water. A wake, a boil, or any odd or unusual looking surface water usually indicates something underneath. It may be well below the surface, but it’s best to steer a wide berth just the same. Storms Bring Hazards Be extra cautious after bad weather. A period of heavy rain will wash trees, limbs and debris downriver and out into the bays, and heavy surf can re-float flotsam and jetsam that’s been washed up along shore. A nearly submerged telephone pole might be barely visible, but it could ruin your hull and your day. Always operate in a safe and responsible

manner. Most accidents occur as a result of negligence, inattention or complacency. You should drive a boat the same way you drive a car – eyes forward, and constantly on alert for any potential danger. It should go without saying, but avoid abusing alcohol or other stupefying substances while operating a boat. There are already enough water weekend warriors out there to worry about as it is. First Steps You hope it never happens, but as the opening passage shows, even the most conscientious captains sometimes make unexpected contact with things that go “bump.” If you hit something, shut down power immediately. Check all passengers for injury. Then inspect the bilge for leaks or damage. If your vessel is disabled, have everyone put on a life jacket, and then summon help, either by signaling nearby vessels, or by phone or radio.

�� The Maine Sportsman • June 2023 • 27

— THE MAINE SPORTSMAN —

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28 • June 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

June is Striper Month If you see schoolie-size stripers engaged in a feeding frenzy on the surface, resist the temptation to motor right over them in an effort to get close. Instead, shut the engine off and approach from upwind or up-tide, drifting toward the school and casting as you get near. The arrival of migrating striped bass starts as a trickle in mid-May; sometimes a few random holdovers are caught earlier. Schoolies show up first, following anadromous shad and herring making their way into estuaries and rivers to spawn. As the vanguard advances northeastward toward the Kennebec and beyond, the armada follows, and fish increase in size and number. By mid-June, the action is truly underway, and there’s a legitimate fishery regardless of what size fish you’re targeting. However, different tactics work better for different size classes.

Schoolies One of the more popular ways to fish schoolies is sight fishing. As the name implies, you simply look for evidence of fish feeding on the surface, such as birds and splashing. It’s often hard to resist, especially for the novice, but don’t drive over the school. Approach from upwind or uptide, cut the motor, and drift into the school. Otherwise you’ll only drive them down, and then you’ll have to search for another school. You can use a variety of baits, my favorites being soft rubber minnows with a leadhead jig, flies, or small surface poppers like

the Atom. When the fish are really blitzing, it’s not unusual to experience a hit on every cast. Don’t be too hasty to move on if the surface action diminishes. A fish finder will show they’re still there. Just let your baits sink a little lower. The basic technique for soft baits and jigs is to alternate between reeling and sinking. Take a few quick turns on the reel, then let it drop. Stripers more often hit on the drop, so get accustomed to the feel – it takes time, but it will come. Flies are also popular, and we’ve had days when they outfished hard baits by

Whether using bait, plugs or flies, one of the biggest mistakes beach anglers make is casting over the fish. The temptation is strong to try and get your rig out as far as possible. However, stripers are most often feeding where the waves break. Bob Humphrey photos

an impressive margin. Here, it’s a simple matter of casting far enough away, then

ripping and stripping. Slot Fish For larger fish, ab(Continued on next page)

SPIN • FLY • BAIT • FRESH • SALT • GUIDES WE'VE MOVED to 200 Veranda Street, Portland, ME • (207) 773-FISH www.MaineSportsman.com

�� The Maine Sportsman • June 2023 • 29

solutely nothing beats live bait, and little if anything will out-fish a mackerel. The basic technique involves hooking them in the nose, because stripers attack their prey head-on. Hooking them through the eyes or nostrils works, but bridling gives baits a more natural look and will increase your hook-ups on circle hooks. You can simply cast free-spool the macks, or use balloons as bobbers. Regardless, they need to be able to swim freely with little or no tension on the line, which makes a baitrunner reel (a reel that allows the fish to “run” with the bait) a very good option. The toughest part, especially for novices,

is patience. You have to let the fish run for between 5 and 10 seconds. Then, slowly take up the slack and let the circle hook do its job. Trying to set the hook only results in missed fish. Lively bait is also key. Like a cat chasing a mouse, stripers will attack a fast-swimming bait, but will often turn their noses up at a lethargic one. I don’t do a lot of chunking because it’s less interactive, but it is a very effective technique, especially when live bait is hard to find, or when fishing from shore. Terminal tackle consists of a basic hi-lo rig with two hooks spaced above a sinker. Some rigs use small floats to lift the bait off the bottom. Cast it out and

wait. Pogies and mackerel work well as cut bait, as do clams and squid strips. I prefer the latter, as they’ll hold up better and longer. Cows You can’t keep them, but catching and releasing fish over 40 inches – sometimes well over – is still thrilling; and there were enough around last year to make it worth the effort. Live macks and chunking work. Live eels work better for bigger fish, and everything works better between sunset and sunrise. Big fish aren’t lazy, but they seem so because they’ve learned not to expend energy unnecessarily. Rather than smashing the surface, they’ll lie in wait behind structure as the

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current washes forage past them. This is also one area where shore anglers can sometimes do as well as – or even better than – boat fishermen. Whether on the rocks or on the beach, look for places where crashing surf creates turmoil and confused baitfish. Plugs and spoons are a viable option for night fishing as well, especially those that create surface commotion. Space constraints prevent me from pro-

viding more detail, but the above should at least get you started. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Try different tactics or tackle in different situations until you find what works best. And please handle fish with care. Bob Humphrey is a registered Maine guide and charter captain with Sport-Ventures Charters who does limited striper charters in Casco Bay until the tuna arrive.

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(Continued from page 28)

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The “Swamp Donkey” – My Moose Hunting Adventure by Dale Stevens, Bethel, ME Several years ago, after 30 years of applying, my name was finally selected for a moose permit. I was pleased to see that my tag was for WMD 5, southwest of Ashland in Aroostook County. That also meant I could accept the offer of my friend Tom to join him at his camp on Pratt Lake, along the Realty Road, aka the American “Reality” Road. On September 25, my subpermittee Matt and I headed north. After five hours we

The 2023 moose permit lottery drawing will be held Saturday, June 10 at Mill Park in Augusta. After you’ve visited The Maine Sportsman’s booth and while you are waiting for your name to be drawn, take a few minutes to read this hunter’s tale of adventure and misadventure. arrived at the North Maine Woods gate at Six Mile. The affable attendant asked me if I was 70 years old or older. “I’m 65,” I replied. “Are you sure you’re not 70, and entitled to the discounted entry fee?” “Oh yes, I forgot – I

just turned 70,” I said. “You don’t look 70, so I’m going to have to charge you. What about that fellow in the truck?” He gestured toward Matt, who was also 65 “That’s my Dad,” I replied. After commending me for bringing

my father hunting, he charged me the entry fee, and let Daddy Matt in for free. Arrival at Camp When we got to Tom’s camp, Tom told me he had my moose all picked out for me. This made me uneasy, since it seemed Tom wanted the hunt to be over with quickly so he could get home. My concerns were confirmed when Tom mentioned he’d only brought enough of his medications to last until Wednesday. Then he started making sandwiches for me for the following day, so I would not have to make my own or take the time to return to camp. I told my subpermittee Matt I had the feeling I was losing control of my moose hunt. Day 1 After a restless night, we were on the road at 4:45 a.m. Our host Tom followed us in his truck to the first hunting spot. At le-

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gal hunting time, we slowed way down and started studying the chopping. I noticed Tom still had his headlights on. I asked him to turn them off so we would not get stopped for jacking. We were approaching a clearing where a fellow who re-supplies bear bait stations had told Tom he’d seen numerous moose. But when we arrived at the opening in the trees, other trucks and multiple hunters were already there. Apparently the fellow who told Tom about the moose, had also told everyone else he’d seen. After a while, Tom pulled his truck alongside ours, and told us he was going to do some coyote hunting. I was relieved, since finally I would regain control of my hunt. In one location, I gave my best moose call. I got a response, but it was from other hunters, using their moose call. We saw no moose that day, the only excitement being when I couldn’t find my GPS, but later saw it on the truck’s roof, where it had somehow remained for miles of travel along the bumpy roads. (Continued on next page)

�� The Maine Sportsman • June 2023 • 31 (Continued from page 30)

Day 2 – Big Day Tom was sleeping, so Matt and I headed out early the next morning. We found a good spot, called, and got responses from two bulls. Matt began waving frantic hand signals at me, partly to tell me a moose was heading our way, and partly out of frustration, since I had packed his ammo but I had not told him where it was packed. He was flailing his arms like a member of the deck crew on an aircraft carrier. A moose appeared briefly on the road, and worked its way closer to us. I gave the sexiest

cow call I could muster. The bull reappeared, quartering toward me. I fired twice, and the big animal dropped. After field dressing the bull moose, we headed back to camp to get the trailer. On the way back, Matt began experiencing sharp stomach pains. We had to stop several times so he could walk around. On one such stop, a truck with three hunters pulled up. The three were drinking beer. We told them we had a bull down about a mile up the road. We asked if they had seen anything. “No,” said one, “but I believe I should be able to find one, about a mile up the

road.” They smiled, and offered us a beer, which we declined. We retrieved the trailer and loaded up the moose. Matt’s stomach was feeling worse and worse. Seeking Medical Assistance At 4:30 p.m., I told Matt to pack his things; I did not want to be responsible if his gut blew up at midnight. We left a note apologizing to Tom for not sweeping the camp floors before we left. Once through the Ashland checkpoint, I asked Tom which hospital he preferred. He said Presque Isle was too far for his family to

travel to visit him. He was bent over like an Egyptian laborer who’d just built a pyramid. To make matters worse, while we were driving down the already-dangerous Route 11 in the dark, the lights on my moose trailer flickered and died. In Millinocket, Matt said he thought he could make it to Bangor, and when we got there, he said in a whispered tone he’d like to try for Waterville or Augusta. While we were refueling in Waterville, a young man from South Carolina asked if he could take some photos. “What is that, anyway?” he asked, having come from a state that

has no moose. “A Northern Maine Swamp Donkey,” I replied. The man took more photos. At the VA hospital in Togus, Matt was diagnosed with either a kidney stone or diverticulitis. Turns out he had both, as well as a hernia, but Vicoden and Cipro allowed him to survive the ride back home. Later, he passed the stone, and got the rest of himself patched up. The hunt, filled as it was with drama, stories and a medical near-emergency, also made for lasting memories.

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— Guest Column —

Total Archery Challenge by Jessica Cobb In 2021 and 2022, my husband and I participated in an outstanding event called the Total Archery Challenge. Held at Pico Mountain, at Killington Ski Resort in Vermont, the Challenge is a weekend event for more than 1,500 archers of various skill levels, offering over 100 3-D targets across multiple archery courses. These courses have been professionally designed to test the archer’s skills at long distances (some greater than 100 yards) and steep angles. Many targets are partially obscured by natural obstacles such as trees or rocks. The organizers run groups at half-hour intervals, starting early in the morning. Shooting locations are marked with numbered road cones. All arrows have field tips; no broadheads are allowed. Targets are often hard to pinpoint in the woods or shade. Getting my Start I’ve been obsessed with archery since I first picked up a compound bow in 2018. Something about the

The author says that competitive shooting on a mountainous course with realistic 3-D targets has helped improve her white-tail deer bowhunting skills. “The courses taught me to focus on my shooting form as if I were practicing an easy shot,” she writes. “They taught me to acknowledge distractions, but not let them get in the way of executing the shot.”

Targets were placed partially behind natural obstructions. All the targets along the course had at least a few broken or lost arrows near them. This one is pretty extreme, likely because the shooting distance was 50 yards. Jessica Cobb photo

self-challenge and single-minded focus required to shoot archery gives me immense satisfaction. I am also a bowhunter. In fact, bowhunting is my preferred method of whitetail hunting. Since 2018, I have upgraded bows and accessories, and spent

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countless hours practicing. In 2020, I met my future husband, and we instantly bonded over archery. He later told me he knew I was the one when he discovered we both shot Bow Techs. How the Challenge Works Each course has 25 targets with a marked location from which the archer is to shoot. We selected a course with targets placed 60 yards away. Participants are chairlifted to the top of the mountain, where event staff direct them to their courses. While a total of 25

Shooting on uneven terrain is a great way for the author (shown here) to train for real-life hunting situation, reinforcing the importance of leveling her bow before taking the shot. Jaysen Cobb photo

targets doesn’t sound like a lot, when spread throughout trails snaking down a mountainside, it felt more like 100 targets. The terrain is rugged. Luckily, we brought lots of water and there were stations to refill water bottles. In 2022, we returned to TAC, together with a group of friends. This time, I had a better idea of what to expect and what gear to bring. Shooting TAC the year before had improved my confidence and skills, so I was successful on more technical shots and lost few-

er arrows. I was consistently shooting better at longer distances and tricky angles. Makes You a Better Bowhunter This event has changed my approach to archery. Not only have my skills improved, but so has my mindset. I used to get frustrated with myself for not shooting perfectly. Shooting the TAC courses made me realize the importance of taking things lighter and having fun. It also reminded me to evaluate my shooting form if I am not performing well. The TAC course presents realistic shooting situations. It is inevitable that there will be distractions while deer hunting, not the least of which is buck fever. The TAC courses taught me to focus on my shooting form as if I were practicing an easy shot. They taught me to acknowledge distractions, but not let them get in the way of executing the shot. TAC made me realize I needed to challenge myself in different ways to improve. I am looking forward to the beauty of the mountainside, camaraderie with friends, the challenge of advancing my archery skills, and the opportunity to spend two whole days doing something I am passionate about with like-minded people.

�� The Maine Sportsman • June 2023 • 33

Buck Tracker’s Summer Checklist by Rick Labbe & Hal Blood

Sharpen your accuracy, get yourself in shape, learn how to walk quietly in the woods, and figure out where the deer are located – that regimen has certainly paid big dividends for successful tracker Rick Labbe! Have you ever gotten to the first day of hunting season and felt that you are out of shape or out of tune with the woods? We all have, at one time or another. One of the most important things a buck tracker can do is stay in tune with your wood senses in the off-season i.e., remain wood-wise. Here are a few tips I live by to keep myself in tune throughout the off-season. Shooting One thing that I do is practice my shooting. I practice this 1-2 times a month using a 22-caliber rifle, mainly because it is inexpensive with no recoil. One way I practice that I feel is most valuable is getting together with a hunting partner and rolling small car tires down an old gravel pit bank. As the tire bounces and picks up speed, the exercise resembles shooting at a running deer. This trains your muscle memory, closes in on your reaction time, and improves your accuracy. This can be a fun way for a tracker to practice, by turning it into a monthly ritual. If you don’t have access or permission

to use a gravel pit, you can also skeet shoot with a buddy at a local gun club. Either of these methods is great practice for when you close the distance on the buck of a lifetime. When that happens, you’ll feel confident to make the shot. Prepare your Body Next, take the time to go for a hike. There is nothing better than hiking in the woods to get your body coordinated. I do a lot of walking in the woods, either brook fishing, looking for antlers, or just hiking. Remember – a buck rarely follows a beaten path. Walking in the woods trains you to look not at the ground, but rather to look in the distance. For example, basketball players don’t look at the ball as they are bouncing it down the court. They’re looking up for their next play. You will find with practice you will be looking through the woods spotting game that you would have never seen while looking at the ground as you walk. Toes First Another tactic I use is stepping in the wood is toes first before my heel touches.

This way, I can feel what I am stepping on. I use this method when I am closing in on a buck. This takes a lot of practice, but the more you do it, the better you become. You can practice this with any game in the off-season. The next thing is to get your legs and lungs in shape. I take short hikes up small mountains. These are usually 200 to 500 feet in elevation. You don’t have to hike a long way – short hikes will gain lung capacity and build leg muscles. This will help tremendously. Scouting Become familiar with the area you want to hunt. If it is within driving distance, scout it out with your 4-wheel drive or on foot. Get to know every logging road and trail in the area. This way, when you are on a buck track all day, you have a good sense of where you are and where your truck is, and you won’t be worried about getting out. I have killed some of my biggest bucks in the last half-hour of the day. If you live too far away from an area to

When Rick Labbe offers advice on how to prepare for whitetail season, it’s best to listen carefully. After all, he consistently brings home big bucks like this one. Photo courtesy Rick Labbe

scout it, get yourself a Gazetteer, topo map, or OnX application, and study the entire area until you are familiar with every mountain, stream, and tote road. Lastly, I go through my gear and make a checklist. Some gear is hard to get these days. Don’t wait until the last minute, and end up with faulty gear or

not being able to get it at all. I guarantee that if you practice some of these tips, it will make you a better tracker, and you will have a more successful, enjoyable hunt, and maybe kill one of the biggest bucks! (Big Woods World continued on page 35)

www.MaineSportsman.com

34 • June 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

The Heart of a Deer Hunter The big doe had been hit by a car, and she did not have long to live. The author went over to her and began talking to her, trying to comfort her. I’m not usually out driving the roads of Waldo County between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m., unless it’s August and I’m spotlighting deer. However, I recently found myself driving my wife to the airport on a Saturday morning at 3:30 a.m. As we came to an intersection near our home, the car’s headlights shined into a cornfield. There must have been 50 deer in the field, and that was a surprise to us. There’s no good winter cover close

by, but the deer were feeding heavily on the green winter rye. It was a treat to see so many deer after a long winter. On my way back from the airport, near that same intersection, my heart sank. As I came over a small hill, I noticed a deer flailing around on the side of the road. It had been hit by a car. I pulled my car over, my lights shining on the frightened animal. As I exited the vehicle, I noticed the driver of the car

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that hit the deer had parked in a neighbor’s driveway. There were two or three people talking quietly about 100 yards from the deer. I approached the deer cautiously, as the people continued their conversation. Compassion is a Passion with a Heart As I approached the wounded deer, I could see it had two broken legs – one front, one rear. From a few feet away, I noticed it was a doe. Her wounds were also internal, and she was likely pregnant with

The author exited his vehicle, and cautiously approached the wounded deer. Photo: Joe Saltalamachia

at least one fawn. She was a big girl – a mature doe who’d just made it through the winter. Unfortunately, she wouldn’t be seeing another spring,

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nor would she be raising a fawn during the summer. As I got closer, I spoke to her. “Easy, girl. Easy, girl. It’s okay.” I got closer. She couldn’t get up, but she never attempted to strike out with her hooves. I eased my hand toward the top of her head. As I touched her, she moved wildly at first, then slowly accepted my touch. I began petting her head, stroking her ears and rubbing the bottom of her jaw, similar to how a person would pet a dog. I spoke softly to her. It was a tough thing to do. As I stroked her head, she slowly relaxed her body and laid her head down on the ground. A calmness set in. Honestly, I believed she was about (Continued on next page)

�� The Maine Sportsman • June 2023 • 35 (Continued from page 34)

to pass, but that didn’t happen. She slowed her breathing and just relaxed. I could tell the stroke of my hand was soothing to her. I felt like a friend by the bedside of a dying person. Surreal It was surreal. I am a hunter, after all. I kill deer regularly. Aren’t deer hunters supposed to be bloodthirsty killers? I remained there for about 20 minutes, waiting for the sheriff to arrive. I had no interest in staying for the end; however, I found it difficult to leave. As hunters, we don’t normally have the opportunity to touch a live deer. Perhaps that was one reason I wanted to continue giving the old girl some comfort. I felt a sort of connection with her. I knew she had just made it through a difficult time. With warming weather and green growth in the woods and fields, things were about to get easier for the herd. Unfortunately, her time with them was over. As I stood to leave, the old doe lifted her head a bit. Our eyes met briefly, and I walked away. What might have been going through her mind? Their Toughness Has Always Amazed Me My love for whitetailed deer is what brought me to Maine and Unity College. The toughness of these animals has always amazed me. I hunt them because I like

to eat them and because I am obsessed with adult bucks. I love these animals so much, I feel obligated to ease their pain when I see one suffering. This is something I often find difficult to explain to non-hunters. Because I’m a

sportsman, I appreciate the resources we have. A kind hand in a moment of need is the least I can do. The good news is most sportsmen would do the same thing I did, and can relate to the feelings I had that morning. Though non-hunters may not

directly witness displays of compassion like this, in my opinion, it’s important they understand we care. The compassion of sportsmen is on display in many ways not realized by non-hunters. The efforts of myriad clubs and organizations that raise

money and awareness for wildlife and conservation projects are on display daily. Sportsmen are number one in conservation, and we should be. Since we use these resources the most, we should also care the most.

Wildlife Quiz Answers: GREAT BLUE HERON (Quiz on Page 23)

1. True, the Great Blue Heron is the largest heron in North America.

5. The primary prey of the Great Blue Heron consists of frogs and fish.

2. The wingspan of the Great Blue Heron is six feet.

6. Breeding season for the Great Blue Heron occurs from March to May.

3. The body weight of the Great Blue Heron is eight pounds.

7. The female heron typically lays between three and seven eggs.

4. Yes, Great Blue Heron migrate from Maine in the fall, some traveling as far as Mexico.

8. Juvenile heron typically leave the nest 65 to 90 days after hatching.

Big Woods World (Continued from page 33)

Hal Blood’s Thoughts Rick is one of the great deer tracks who consistently kills big bucks. All the best deer trackers I know share the same philosophy as Rick, and that is practice. There are no shortcuts to being good at anything in life, and there is no substitute for practice. Rick’s advice on getting in the woods to prac-

tice a woods walk is spot on. Too many hunters stumble through the woods, unaware of what things make noise and how to navigate them. I have written and spoken about the three P’s – practice, patience and persistence. Those three things are the key to being successful at deer hunting, or anything in life, for that matter. Take some time to practice this summer, and you’ll see a significant difference in your hunts this fall.

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Aroostook Fishing Options Abound Winding its way from its roots in the Munsungan area through more than a dozen towns and villages before exiting Maine into New Brunswick, the Aroostook River offers tremendous trout fishing. You can launch below the Caribou Bridge, or at a more spacious public landing above the Caribou Dam. When Aroostook’s larger lakes don’t clear of ice until near Mother’s Day most springs, there’s still some decent trolling to be enjoyed through at least the first half of June. It’s difficult to determine how ongoing climate change will alter Crown of Maine

early season fishing, but if you don’t go, you don’t know! Long Lake I always make a couple of trips to Long Lake this month, launch at Sinclair Cove and head for the eastern shoreline to work my way past Barn Brook and around Van

Buren Cove. I trail two fly lines – a braided trolling line, and a sinking tip fly line, each with a pair of tandem streamers offering either flash or food. When I have a boat buddy, the extra eyes and hands allow us to also set out a spinning rod with

Tom Tardiff of Robinson poses for a quick photo before releasing a hefty brookie. As you might guess from the clothing, it’s a chilly June morning in the Crown of Maine. All photos by Bill Graves

Rapalas, lures or Sutton spoons to plumb different depths.

It’s been my experience that during (Continued on next page)

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When trolling on the Fish River lakes, the author always uses a set of tandem streamers featuring a dropper rig of his own invention On this rare occasion, he hooked and caught two salmon – one hit a bait fish pattern, while the other struck an attractor pattern . (Continued from page 36)

most of June, the salmon and trout in Long Lake still cruise the top 10 feet of the water column. My chosen line and lures combos will cover that depth, coaxing regular strikes most outings. An added plus to visiting the renowned gem in the Fish River crown this month is the reduced number of anglers. Decades of sojourns on this great waterway have convinced me that visits in the late afternoon and evening yield the most consistent streamer action. If I spot more than half a dozen trucks and empty trailers at the Sinclair beach, I will continue north on Route 162 for about five miles and launch at the spacious St. Agatha ramp area near Pelletier Island. A Pleasant Option It takes me about the same amount of time to trailer my 20-foot Lund Alaskan south to Pleasant Lake in Island Falls as to drive north to Long Lake from my home in Presque Isle. The half hour or so on I95 is smooth, easy hauling. Of my hundreds of trips to Pleasant,

Trolling Long Lake early and late in the day can be chilly even in June, so wear layers of clothing. Tom Woltors of Madawaska Lake offers proof why June is not to late for trolling Van Buren Cove.

I have to admit most were for winter smelt jigging, as I kept a fish shanty there for over 20 years. It was actually Joe Edwards who advised me to visit for June landlock salmon and trout trolling. For decades, several generations of the Edwards family have owned and operat-

ed Birch Point Lodge and campground, and they keep close tabs on current casting conditions. Visiting sportsmen can rent a cabin right on the water, or lease a spot for trailer or tent right by the lodge. There’s fine food at the restaurant, bowling alleys downstairs for

Senko 5” worms are very effective for bottom-hopping baits near bass nests in June on Pleasant Pond in Island Falls.

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current advice on fishing is free! Along with dependable early sea(Continued on next page)

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The long, winding Aroostook River remains high enough to allow trolling most of June. Roger Shaw of Mars Hill uses Sutton spoons with consistent success.

Toward the end of the June, a few sections of the Aroostook River become shallow enough to wade-fish. There are even a few insect hatches offering big trout action on small dry flies.

The County

parking area at the westernmost tip of the lake.

(Continued from page 37)

son trolling, the piece of information that Joe offered all those years ago that keeps me making June visits is the opportunity to sight-cast smallmouths in the gemclear shoreline shallows. Trolling trips can be accomplished during most weather conditions this month, but when I’m bringing along a couple of bass casting outfits, sun and a calm surface are crucial to spot-andcast opportunities. Pleasant Pond, as the locals call it, proves simple to fish due to moderate size and few terrain irregularities. Using my electric motor, quietly cruising the rock-strewn shoreline from Birch Point to Dinsmore Cove and up past Whitney Point offers great locations

to spot spawning smallies. Toss a 5” green, purple or black Senko worm with red or silver sparkles or a weighted crawfish, lizard or hellgrammite soft bait near a bass bed, then watch for the defensive attack and hang on! I released all my spring bass quickly, so they’ll return to guarding the nest and propagating future generations. Trolling for a couple of hours, then taking a break for an hour of sight casting for bronzebacks offers a very enjoyable outing. Check DeLorme’s Gazetteer, Map 52, B-4 and B-5 for Pleasant Pond. I95 or Route 2 will take you to Island Falls and then onto Pond Road. In addition to Birch Point, there’s also a public ramp and

Both of these trout struck streamer flies trolled by the author and a boat buddy last June while canoe-trolling in early June. There were actually three doubles within a one-week period, on three different waterways. www.MaineSportsman.com

Aroostook River Winding its way from its roots in the Munsungan area through more than a dozen towns and villages before exiting Maine into New Brunswick, the Aroostook River offers tremendous trout fishing. June generally yields the most diverse options, as the water levels remain high and chilly, so anglers can enjoy action casting from shore, trolling and even casting dry flies to sporadic hatches on warmer days. Depending on spring weather and water levels, islands and shorelines away from easy access abound with the last patches of tasty seasonal fiddleheads – a perfect side dish for fresh trout.

Small, out-of-the-way ponds abound throughout Aroostook, and often garner only light fishing pressure this month. Bill Graves trolls and casts small streamers with great success for brook trout.

A cramped but adequate launch site below the Caribou Bridge on Rt. 161 offers productive trolling for much of June (depending on rain), from below the dam clear up to the inlet of Little Madawaska River at Grimes Mill. Size 8 and 81 Silver Sutton spoons, size 7 perch Rapalas or a red and white Dardevle are proven lures while a Magog smelt, black and white bucktail or Miss Sharon prove perfect feathered options. There’s a second, more spacious ramp area above the Caribou Dam, allowing anglers to troll toward Presque Isle. This section tends to be wider and deeper, accommodating larger boats, whereas 17- to 20-foot canoes are a better choice on the lower segment. Always have a

You hear stories about fish as big as a canoe paddle blade, but here is the real deal, with a smallmouth bass caught in early June. Anglers targeting only trout and salmon are missing out on some excellent bronzeback action.

dry fly rod rigged and ready, since short but intense insect hatches may occur any place, any time this month. While most brookies average 10 to 14 inches, plenty in the 18-inch length are hooked. DeLorme’s Map 65, grid B-2 will guide newcomers to this area of the Aroostook River As a parting thought, while fishing seems to be the main attraction this month and will only become more prevalent as the stream levels drop to allow wading, there are still a few days of spring turkey hunting – through Saturday June 3. There are far fewer hunters in the fields as the season winds down. Plan it right, and there can be a cast-and-blast day on your agenda.

A couple of years ago, the author learned about a bass presentation called a Ned Rig. Shown here, it’s great for bottombouncing around bass nests in June and shoreline fishing all year around.

�� The Maine Sportsman • June 2023 • 39

Reporter in the Wilderness Because Maine’s Allagash Wilderness is unlike any other area of the state, correspondents sometimes visit the Waterway to investigate environmental issues such as clear cuts, aerial application of weedkiller, or other threats to the wilderness. One summer, two reporters from the Maine Times flew over the river, to observe large clearcuts and examine areas where herbicides had been sprayed. After the flight, they joined me at Churchill Dam to discuss their findings. While eating lunch, we heard the startling whop, whop of an approaching helicopter. The three of us jumped up to determine the cause of the ruckus. Before we could rush outside, a Maine Forest Service whirlybird hovered in front of the cabin’s picture window, from which a grinning aviator – a personal friend of mine – waved hello. The journalists immediately asked “Who is that? What is he doing? Is this house being sprayed with poison?” Not wishing to cause trouble for my friend at the controls, I suggested the chopper might be part of the Canadian Air Force on routine maneuvers. This explanation was accepted, and eased the tension as my aviator friend flew away. Another experience with a reporter occurred just after ice-out. Spring on the Allagash is a time of rebirth, as the lakes shed their icy coverings. Once word about open water spreads, anglers quickly arrive to navigate their boats around chunks of ice, while seeking five-pound brookies. In May of that year, a reporter from the Bangor Daily News asked to be taken up to Chamberlain Lake. She wanted to interview fishermen for the paper’s outdoor section. Motoring a Boston Whaler up Chamberlain Thoroughfare, we soon entered the large lake. To our right, a northwest wind had blown ice chunks deep into a cove known as the Arm. Spring Fishing Arriving at Ellis Brook Campsite in T7R13, we found three boats tied to the shore, with a bevy of men moving about the campground. Floating wood smoke drifting from a breakfast fire carried the

The warden and the reporter encountered two separate groups of anglers, with very different results. pleasing smell of frying bacon. It was a picturesque scene, but one that lasted only a few minutes before the tone changed dramatically. First, we heard barking, and then watched as a dog chased a deer through the woods. Landing our craft, I shut off the outboard of the Whaler, and tied the boat to a nearby tree. After we disembarked, two of the men moved toward us, making their way through a scattering of empty liquor bottles and beer cans. My passenger introduced herself to the anglers, and requested permission to conduct interviews. They offered her some coffee, and invited her to sit at their picnic table. I stayed behind to remove my life jacket. When the journalist asked about fishing, one man raised the lid of a cooler full of trout and proclaimed, “This is only part of this morning’s catch, and we’ve already eaten breakfast. We are getting ready to go after more.” About that time, I walked onto the site. When they saw my ranger badge, their eyes opened wide, and things became noticeably quiet. I ordered the leader to capture and secure the roaming dog. Then I opened the Igloo chest, only to find a legal limit of fish. While the reporter took notes, a man, awakened by the noise, exited from a nearby tent. Staggering among the tree roots, he nearly tripped over the litter spread about the rough ground. Through bloodshot eyes, the camper saw my guest and, waving a dirty right hand, issued an invitation: “You look cold,” he said. “Why don’t you come and lay down in my tent?” Graciously the woman refused, saying, “No, thank you. I’ll stay out here with the ranger.” The fisherman started to walk away, then stopped, not ready to give up. Looking over his shoulder, he said, “If you change your mind, I’m in the last tent.”

Whitetail swimming in Chamberlain Lake.

With that, the group’s leader, attempting to calm the situation, announced, “Come on, guys – it’s time to pack up and head home.” After the reporter finished her interview, we continued boating north, passing a deer swimming some distance offshore. Once out of sight of Ellis Brook, I used my two-way radio to inform the warden downriver of the group headed his way. Three hours later, the game warden was at the Chamberlain boat launch when the three boatloads of fisherman pulled in. Afterwards, I learned the warden had issued summonses for too many fish, allowing a dog to chase deer, and OUI while operating a watercraft.

Photo courtesy of Nugent’s Camps

Continuing up the lake, we encountered another group of fishermen. They were much different from the first anglers. They were happy to speak with the reporter, and even offered to teach her how to fish. The reporter got her story. Tim Caverly has authored twelve books about Maine’s northern forest.

www.MaineSportsman.com

40 • June 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

Touring Katahdin on Two Wheels While at the State of Maine Sportsman’s Show this spring, I received the sad news that former Maine Sportsman editor and friend Ken Allen had passed away. Allen wrote thousands of outdoor related columns in most all of Maine’s major newspapers, not to mention countless magazine articles and two published books. Many Mainers knew Allen through his writings. I was fortunate enough to know him personally and professionally. When I got home from the show, I looked at my two bikes – one roadie, and one mountain bike – and my thoughts turned to the miles Ken and I logged. Allen was an avid bicyclist, and we spent some time pumping the pedals

The author quickly realized he had greatly overloaded the rear rack on his bicycle with heavy camping gear, because every time he pushed down on the pedals, the front tire lifted off the ground. That made steering problematic.

The author’s two bicycles have very different purposes. His “roadie” on the left has an aluminum frame, narrow road tires and high ratio gears. It’s a rocket ship on Maine’s paved highways. The bike to the right, nicknamed “Trekky,” has low granny gears, fat all terrain tires and is very, very heavy. Trekky is the bike of choice for Maine’s gravel roads and off-grid trails. “Roadie” is the bike that opened the late Maine Sportsman editor Ken Allen’s eyes to the advantage of a road-specific set of wheels. Bill Sheldon photo

together. Gravel Roads In another Sportsman’s Show conversation, I talked with the folks at Gravel Road Guide Service. They

specialize in bike riding, combined with camping. They also do hiking and backpacking trips. At my age, bike camping shouldn’t show up on

my radar, but it piqued my interest. If I could do 25 miles with Allen, I could do this, right? Like everything else, bikes have come a long way. For back-

woods enthusiasts, mountain bikes with fat tires and granny gears have rocketed in popularity. Traditional mountain bikes still roll the trails. Ultra-lite road bikes effortlessly cruise the paved roadways. “Roadie” I thought the installation of a defibrillator would end my biking career. Then I found out they wanted me to do some exercise. Game on! I have two bikes. My “roadie” weighs in at just 15 pounds, and its skinny tires require an asphalt roadway. It’s geared high, and goes like a rocket. When I first showed up at Allen’s house with “roadie,” he looked it over hard. He was doing his daily 25 miles on an old commuter bike that was as heavy (Continued on page 42)

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Katahdin Country (Continued from page 40)

as a tank. After Roadie flew past him on some long hills, he set his sights on getting a bike designed for the paved roads that he traversed regularly. Allen’s 25-mile loop had some long – I mean, long – gradual hills that stretched into the skyline. “Bill, it’s not as bad as it looks,” he would routinely inform me at the foot of each mountain. This lightweight road bike has the Katahdin Woods and

Waters Scenic Byway written all over it. It’s safer to travel in numbers, because the byway roads have little or no shoulder. Ken and I dealt with that when biking the highways around Augusta. However, the car count in the north country pales in comparison to the traffic heavy Capital City. An LED blinking light and bright reflective clothing help motorists who may be relevant to share the road at least see what it is they’re running over.

Ken Allen was adamant concerning bicyclists having the right of way. He was clearly correct, but alas – two wheels are no match for four wheels. Bike defensively. “Trekky” My second bike, an inexpensive, heavy Trek, feels like biking in army boots compared to roadie. But alas, roadie can’t get off the pavement – but Trekky can. For biking the Katahdin Region’s gravel roads, Trekky gets the nod. I have contemplated spending a little money and upgrading to something light-

er with disc brakes and some fatter tires. Of course, this would leave me lighter in the wallet, too. Overloaded! Trekky also has a sizable rear rack that will hold a reasonable amount of gear. I’m cautious about overloading the rear rack, because on one bike camping trip it caused a problem. It was an overnighter, so I loaded up my tent, sleeping bag and assorted gear, and all seemed fine. I never weighed it and thought I could travel a little heavy because, well, I had wheels un-

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der all that weight. No sooner than a ferry dropped me off on an island than I realized I had a major problem. The bike was so heavily back-loaded that every time I pushed down on the pedal, the front tire lifted off the ground. That made steering problematic. Ultimately, I strapped some of my gear to the front handlebars to balance the load out a bit. A pretrip ride fully loaded would have identified that problem before I got to the island. BSP Touring Folks typically think of Baxter State Park for hiking, backpacking and remote pond fishing. However, BSP does allow bicycles on the park Tote Road. This 41mile route starts at the south gate, and ends at the Matagamon Gate to the north. BSP does not allow bicycles on the hiking trails. If 41 miles is too much in one day, riders would need to rely on camping at the Abol, Katahdin Stream or Nesowadnehunk campgrounds. On the north end, the privately owned Matagamon Wilderness Campground serves as an excellent option. One of the park rangers told me folks typically park at Nesowadnehunk and ride the less congested northern half of the Tote Road. So for the second time, Ken Allen has ignited my interest in bike touring. Thank You, and Rest in Peace, Ken.

www.MaineSportsman.com

�� The Maine Sportsman • June 2023 • 43

Alice in Vacationland

Maine has many qualities that keep us here or attract us to the state. Can our economy grow and prosper, while retaining the environmental qualities for which Maine is famous? David Van Wie photo

In Through the Looking Glass, Alice and the Red Queen run and run and run. When they stop to rest, Alice realizes they are still under the same tree. Explaining to Alice, the Red Queen says: “Now, here, you see, it takes all the running you can do, to keep in the same place. If you want to get somewhere, you must run at least twice as fast as that!” Advocating for protection of the environment is a bit like running the Red Queen’s race. As our state grows and prospers, we must work hard to continuously improve our environmental quality so that we can enjoy “the way life should be.” Imagine a small city or a group of towns in Maine. The town council and local chamber of commerce would like to see the existing businesses

Is it inevitable that economic growth will result in environmental degradation? The author believes there’s a way to grow, while at the same time maintaining the qualities that make Maine a great place to live. grow and prosper, as well as attract some new businesses and increase the tax base. The citizens of the town want to maintain the quality of life as they know it. Let’s work the numbers. Say the existing businesses grow by 5% per year, and the town is successful in attracting new businesses that account for an additional 3% in economic growth. What town wouldn’t be thrilled with 8% growth in a year? The new and growing businesses create jobs. New people move to the area, build homes and shop locally, adding to the good economic times.

Impact to the Environment Sounds great. But growth doesn’t come without an impact on the environment. The citizens want to maintain their quality of life, but they find that growth leads to the building of new roads, the filling of wetlands, and the need to expand the sewage treatment facility. Development around lakes near the town adds sediments and nutrients that cause algae growth, robbing the lakes of their beauty. As the local economy grows, pollution also grows – at about 8% per year! That means pollution and other environmental problems will double every 9 years.

What to Do? What can be done? Well, we don’t have to stop economic growth, nor do we have to accept a degraded environment. The community can meet its economic and environmental goals by making a commitment to continuous environmental improvement. In order to maintain the quality of life in their town, every business and every citizen must do their part to “make room” for economic growth. In my example, businesses must find ways to reduce their waste and emissions – by 5 or 10% per year – just to keep up, just to keep the quality of life and the local environment the way it is today. The town must

find ways to use infrastructure more efficiently, and to reduce erosion entering the water from the roads and driveways. Citizens must learn how to create buffers around lakes and ponds to reduce polluted runoff from entering the water from their property. They can convert to renewable energy, and reduce our dependence on internal combustion engines. Pollution is not someone else’s fault anymore. We all contribute. Environmental protection is everyone’s responsibility. When it comes to protecting our environment, think about Alice and the Red Queen. It takes all we can do just to stay in the same place. If we want to actually improve the quality of our environment, we must work at least twice as hard as that.

www.MaineSportsman.com

44 • June 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

Three Tips for Canoeing the Allagash with a Senior Paddler “I’ve always wanted to do that,” my 74-year-old mom responded when I told her that canoeing the Allagash River was on my bucket list. “Really?” I was surprised. My mom is not very outdoorsy. She gardens and goes for walks on the flat railroad bed-turned-path in town, and that’s it. She doesn’t canoe. She doesn’t camp. Before she could change her mind, we began planning, with the result that we were both able to successfully check this adventure off our lists in 2022! Here are three major tips I learned from spending a week canoe camping with an older adult paddler. Hire a Guide Hiring a guide takes two major responsibilities off your plate: 1) planning; and 2) camp chores. 1) Planning – Mak-

With proper preparation and planning, and by adjusting goals and expectations, paddlers of all ages can enjoy a trip through the Allagash Wilderness Waterway.

Mother (Carlene) and daughter (Christi) paddling through some whitewater. Photo: Dave Conley

ing plans for a weeklong canoe trip in the remote Allagash Wilderness is daunting to first-time Allagash paddlers, regardless of age. The trip is not a loop, so you need to figure out transportation at one end or the other. The river itself includes large lake crossings, whitewater, and portages. Camping

Tenting at a designated site. Holmes photo www.MaineSportsman.com

is permitted only at designated campsites. Then there’s gear – canoes, dry bags, kitchen gear, camping supplies, first aid, and food for a week. To complicate things, it’s very remote, with no cell phone service, so safety is a major concern. 2) Chores. Many clients help the guides with camp chores, but

View from the stern. Holmes photo

it’s optional. My mom could rest and relax after a day’s paddle, instead of gathering firewood, filtering water, and cooking. At portages, she carried light items, while the rest of us carried heavier loads. This was hard on her ego, and she felt like she wasn’t pulling her own weight, but I reminded her that that’s why we chose to

hire a guide in the first place – so she wouldn’t have to pull her own weight. Communicate Expectations Communicating clear expectations, and checking in on them frequently, are important while canoeing. Be honest with yourself and your canoe partner about your limitations and concerns. My mom is not a strong paddler, so I accepted that we would go slower than I was used to. After we discussed the options, my mom decided to skip Chase Rapids, the trip’s biggest whitewater, not wanting to risk injury. Consider the weather and wind when deciding if you want to traverse the large headwater lakes that require strong paddling skills. Also try splitting up, so the senior paddler has an (Maine Sportswoman continued on page 46)

Still smiling at the end of a day’s run – a very good sign. Holmes photo

�� The Maine Sportsman • June 2023 • 45

Will the Winchester Model 1200 Ever Really Replace the Model 12? In this column a few months ago, I described Uncle George’s old Springfield Arms single-shot 20-gauge that he left behind when he went off to World War I. That antique got me started with the basics of upland bird hunting. Moving to a “grown-up” repeating shotgun and more serious wing shooting was another memorable experience, which was also made possible by a wartime departure. Freshman year, a group of locals who lived around Great Bay swept me into their sphere. They introduced me to waterfowling on the bay, and stalking partridge and pheasant on the farmlands radiating inland from the estuary. Halfway through the semester and well before hunting season ended, one of the group, Dan Mooney, dropped out of school and joined the Army to answer the call for helicopter crew chiefs. Home on leave that spring with orders to Vietnam, Mooney interrupted the usual Saturday night game of Hearts to conduct a solemn ceremony. He handed each of us a firearm, saying “Keep these until I get back. If I don’t make it, they’re yours.” I was entrusted with a nearly new 12-gauge Winchester field grade Model

In 1964, Winchester replaced the venerable Model 12 with the less-expensive-to-manufacture Model 1200. Despite innovations in the Model 1200 – including the WinChoke interchangeable choke system, a wide selection of gauges, and a magnum model – aficionados to this day debate the merits of pre-1964 milled and hand-fitted parts, to the subsequent stamped alloy receivers. 1200. As soon as I could, I purchased an inexpensive zippered case to store the gun in, and stashed it under the bed in my dorm room. The wait until next hunting season seemed interminable. That 12-gauge slide-action repeater took my shooting to a higher level. Able to get off a second and even a third shot in quick succession was a thrill. The plain 28inch barrel also contained a radical new creation—the WinChoke system. For the first time, inter-

changeable screw-in chokes made the Model 1200 perform as three shotguns, rather than just one. An industry standard today under all sorts of proprietary names, interchangeable chokes were an exciting new possibility in 1970. New Deal Launched in 1964 during the reorganization of the Winchester-Western Division of the Olin Corporation, the Model 1200 replaced the venerable and classic Winchester Model 12, which had

been around since 1912. With milled and hand-fitted parts, the Model 12 became too expensive to manufacture and compete with Remington’s extremely successful Model 870 shotgun. With a stamped alloy receiver, Winchester’s Model 1200 proved cheaper to make and cheaper to sell. Initially, the innovation of the WinChoke system gave Winchester a significant advantage in the

market. Eventually, Remington came out with RemChoke, while Browning offered the Invector Choke. Others, including after-market manufacturers such as Jess Briley of Houston, Texas, hit the market with interchangeable choke tubes of their own. As with Winchester’s Model 70 and Model 94 rifles, the moves to find cheaper ways to manufacture the Model 12 resulted in significant controversy among the fan base. To this day, Winchester products are caught in on-going debates about the merits of those made before 1964 versus those made since. At least with the Mod(Continued on next page)

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Shooter’s Bench (Continued from page 45) el 12 shotgun, they ceased making it and replaced it outright with a newer and less expensive facsimile. The rifles, by comparison, remain in a quagmire of before and after 1964 versions. Winchester offered the Model 1200 in 16 gauge and 20 gauge, in addition to the 12 gauge. They also offered three choices of barrel length: 26, 28, and 30 inches. The field grade version could be upgraded with a ventilated rib – something my

roommate did when he convinced his parents to buy him the Model 1200. And he most often did better than I on the Trap & Skeet Team at our school. Other variants included a Model 1200 Magnum with a 3-inch chamber, actual skeet and trap versions, and a slug version for deer hunting that uses a 22-inch barrel and rifle sights, as well as guns for military and police work. The Model 1200 remained in production until 1981, when

As a less expensive alternative to the classic Winchester Model 12, the Model 1200 proved controversial among Winchester fans throughout its 16-year production.

Winchester replaced it with a nearly identical Model 1300, which was produced until 2006. Soldier’s Return Mooney survived his tour in Southeast Asia. Germany was his follow-on assignment. Eventually, he

returned stateside, and left the Army some months later. Once my friends and I returned his firearms to their rightful owner, Mooney faded from view. Once I heard he was a helicopter maintenance contractor for the Shah of Iran, but the Ayatollah’s revolu-

Trophy Gallery

Five-year-old Nolan Wardwell (on the left, with his little brother Sawyer) initially found success on Youth Wild Turkey Day with a jake. He was determined to fill his second tag with nothing but a big tom. He was successful in that quest. The photo was taken by their father Forrest, who said of Nolan: “His patience, desire, determination, and willingness to learn at such a young age is a joy to me as a parent and avid outdoorsman.”

Maine Sportswoman (Continued from page 44)

opportunity to spend time with others in your party. You’re usually more patient with people who aren’t members of your family! www.MaineSportsman.com

Jake Gagne of Hiram caught and released this 7-lb. landlocked salmon while fishing in Thompson Lake in Otisfield on April 18, 2023, thereby earning Jake membership in the Maine’s Sportsman’s C&R Patch Club. He caught the 27-inch fish on a sewn smelt.

Stay Active and Comfortable It is especially important as we age to stay active, stretch, and strengthtrain. Learn proper paddling techniques by watching videos, and practice them before the trip. Bring a few items to make the trip more comfortable for seniors – a second sleeping pad, a backrest for the canoe seat, a lightweight

tion likely ended that term of employment. Where he went after Iran, I do not know. Wherever he is, I remain grateful for the loan of his Model 1200. I put a lot of rounds through that plain barrel at the now defunct Kittery Klaybirders shooting facility, learning to be a better shooter in the field and in competition. I learned that a ventilated rib on top of any shotgun barrel is a key to more consistent hits. I also learned that there is nothing easy about shooting skeet doubles with a slide-action shotgun. Today, the Model 12 Winchester is an admired and sought-after classic. The Model 1200 successor, not so much. In 100 percent condition, a Model 1200 will bring $200 to $300 today. The WinChoke will add $40 to the transaction, and a ventilated rib perhaps $20. But it will still bring down the birds, about 60 years after its initial introduction.

paddle, and extra strength Tylenol. If you or the senior paddler in your life wants to paddle the Allagash, try a weekend canoe trip first and see how that goes. Canoeing is a relaxing, low impact activity, and spending time in nature is good for all ages.

�� The Maine Sportsman • June 2023 • 47

The Kennebec River – Something for Everyone! After a long day, one that started with a 5:00 a.m. launch at the Take Out Road below the Harris Dam in Moxie Gore, we slid our drift raft on the trailer at the Route 201 ramp. Fishing the Kennebec River Gorge requires an early start in order to beat the dam release, which changes the gorge from very fishable to a whitewater thrill seeker’s paradise. Reminds me of the “Share the Road” signs on the highway. The river rafting season kicks into full throttle this time of

Suddenly, I saw a smallmouth bass making a beeline for my waiting fly. I gave the fly a little twitch. The bass hit the fly with reckless abandon, and doubled my rod into such a bend that I could have reached out and touched the tip. year. I’ll leave that white-knuckled trip to younger folks. It’s clear that the rafting industry has created a great niche catering to families, and to the camaraderie of friends and co-workers. Many companies use these river runs for team building. For me it’s low tide and a fly rod at 5:00 a.m. The early start

meant an afternoon conclusion to our Kennebec River Gorge fishing experience. Our guide, Chris Russell, suggested we kill the remaining daylight by fishing for smallmouth bass. Multi Use Kennebec It amazes me how many faces the Kennebec River has. Literally something for everyone. In what seemed a

blink, we were sliding a bass boat into the mighty river’s soft side at the boat ramp located along Route 201 in Caratunk. As of my last visit, the boat ramp was in excellent shape. However, I noticed no signage on the short road leading to the ramp. A little map work or a visit to Google Earth will remedy that small

problem. In fact, while we were at the ramp this summer, an older couple was launching a brand new raft. Coincidently, they had purchased Super Puma 13, the exact raft I own. Needless to say, we got into a serious rafting discussion. Not looking to do any serious whitewater, they simply slipped their raft in at the Caratunk ramp, and planned to do a leisurely float and take out at one of the ramps on Wyman Lake. They had their dog and a (Continued on next page)

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48 • June 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

Jackman Region (Continued from page 47)

cooler riding shotgun. Kennebec River Smallmouth On that day, Russell powered his bass boat north toward where the Appalachian Trail crosses the Kennebec River. We drifted back, working the shoreline with black Wooly Buggers. Anglers in the region have solid options when targeting smallmouth bass this month. Bronzebacks thrive in many of Maine’s lakes and rivers. Male bass, guarding spawning beds, aggressively strike both lures and flies. First Smallie My first smallmouth, caught de-

cades ago on a lower portion of the Kennebec, still rates as one of my most memorable catches. Bob Fuller and I were fishing the shoreline. He was slinging a spinning outfit and I was trying out my first fly rod, an entry level L.L.Bean 4 weight. The fly, recommended by the clerk at Bean, was a floating slider. Basically, it had a small body with long thin legs. Regardless, and not knowing what I was doing, I let the fly sit along the bank. Suddenly I saw a smallie making a beeline for my waiting fly. Fuller saw it, too, and encouraged me to hold

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tight. For some reason, I decided not to listen, a lifelong problem. I gave the fly a little twitch. The bass hit that fly with reckless abandon, and doubled that beginner special, so the tip was within arm’s reach. To this day, I can see that bass stalking that fly. For me bronzeback fishing includes a few poppers, some sliders, and the timeless, classic, black Wooly Bugger. Bronze Back Waters Opportunities abound for anglers and others looking to create their own life memories. The Kennebec River, from Solon to Caratunk, offers multiple launch sites.

Good access allows water sport enthusiasts the opportunity to individually tailor most any adventure. Any list of smallmouth bass waters must include Indian Pond (DeLorme Atlas, Map 40, D-4). Access from boat ramps located on Harris Station Road or the more northerly Burnham Pond Road make visiting this bass haven a true bucket-list endeavor. Likely hotspots include the northern tip of the lake that receives flows from both the East and West outlet. Fishermen also work the shallow eastern shoreline, looking to target the mouth of multiple tributaries. While I tend to fo-

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Salmon, Togue Fishing Heats Up This Month Throughout the Moosehead Region, anglers find great action on salmon and togue, and the spring brook trout bite lingers on during morning and evening hours. Although June can come as a rainy month, the winds are often calmer than they were in May. Best of all, temperatures have become about as comfortable as they will get – not yet summer-type heat, but far warmer than the frigid days of ice-out fishing a month earlier. My fondest hope this month is to find myself someplace out on Moosehead Lake, trolling for togue and salmon, while secretly hoping to hook one of those 4-pound brook trout that have put Moosehead on the map. That’s a simple wish, and one I hope will be granted. Unless you stay in a motel – and even there, you may have access to fire pits – June nights in the region just call for a campfire. One of my greatest pleasures, beginning in June, is to sit at the edge of Moosehead Lake in front of a fire, along with my friends Bob Lawrence, and Jamie and Sandy Cooper. If it’s possible to become any more relaxed, I have yet to hear of it. Besides all that, stargazers can enjoy this fabulous dark-sky

While this month’s column extolls the virtues of angling in the Moosehead Region, it also contains the author’s sobering first-person account of why it’s always important to carry your compass when you’re in unfamiliar territory. area in shirtsleeves, or at the most, in a thin jacket or sweater. I have read that there are people in this country who have never seen the Milky Way, because of light pollution. Well, there is absolutely no light pollution here, and the summer Milky Way looms clear and bright, as does every other planetary and deep-sky sight. If you have a telescope, bring it, or at least grab a set of binoculars. You’ll be glad you did. Compass Points Lots of visitors enjoy hiking in the Moosehead Region, and they have countless places to do it. But no matter where you go, one item is absolutely necessary, and that is a compass. Even though I authored a popular hiking book, I no longer hike just for the sake of hiking. Rather, I hike with fishing rod or shotgun in hand. And still, I

Tom Seymour photo

carry my compass. It is a lifesaver. In fall, when I ride the paper company roads with Bob Lawrence, eyes peeled for gravel-pecking partridge, I often realize that I have no idea where we are. It’s easy getting “turned around” when you are a passenger. But in this case, Bob is my compass. He knows every road, open and

closed, in the entire region. So I feel safe. Recently, though, I ventured into unfamiliar territory and didn’t have my compass – I had nothing to guide me. It was the worstcase scenario. I lost my bearings, panicked, and ran. That, of course, is the last thing anyone should do upon realizing they are lost. I should have known better, and I did know better. But something came over me – an irresistible impulse to run, and that is what I did. It was with a sigh of relief that I found the door and stepped outside. You see, I wasn’t lost in the woods, but in a big-box store in Bangor – the biggest building I was ever in in my whole life. The

store was across the road from my eye doctor’s office, and I decided to look for an item I hadn’t been able to find elsewhere. But when I entered the space, all I could see were aisles and shelves, and lots of people all going every which way. The distant horizon was like a parallax, as if I were looking down a railroad track where the tracks merge. It was daunting. Unable to find the department I was looking for, and getting pushed and shoved, I decided to get out. But I had forgotten my compass, and there was no sun, moon, or prevailing wind to help me get my bearings. So take my advice. No matter where you go, always carry your compass. Hidden Brooks Here’s something I have always wanted to do, but haven’t yet. (Continued on next page)

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50 • June 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

Moosehead Region (Continued from page 49)

Countless unnamed trout streams dot the Moosehead Region. Tom Seymour photo

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Each fall, while riding the back country looking for game, we pass countless streams and brooks. The perennial question always arises, “Does that hold trout?” Most likely it does. Also consider that the water table is often low in October, and any stream or brook

that has sufficient water that month, probably has a good, year-round flow. And that’s what trout need – fresh, cold, well-oxygenated water. Many of these barely-known streams look too good to be true. But there they are. A person could spend countless hours, cruising pa-

per company roads and prospecting for trout. Sure, bigger fish are biting in Moosehead and other area lakes, but the opportunity to fish a nearly untapped resource thrills me. If you act upon my suggestion and go out exploring, please remember to carry your compass.

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�� The Maine Sportsman • June 2023 • 51

— Guest Column —

The Goober Bug by Robert “Bobby” McLaughlin

The Goober Bug in three proven colors – rusty red, fluorescent chartreuse, and black. Photos by the author

I believe fly tying was invented to give fly fishers an activity for the off-season. The fly-tyer has a yearround hobby that the non-tyer misses. Having devoted part of this past winter to tying flies, I head out to the water in the spring and early summer to learn the only opinion that matters – that of the fish. That’s when I learn whether a new design will become a long-term part of the fly box, or will be forgotten. I have fished the Wooly Bugger for bass for decades. I tie them in all colors, sizes and weights. I fish them under overhanging trees and riverbanks. I fish them deep on sinking lines, banging them off rocks and dragging them through weeds. That means I lose A LOT of them, and must tie them all year round. The rub is that Buggers are tedious and time-consuming to tie. Is there something better? Gospel According to John When faced with

For the fly angler seeking early-season bass, the Goober Bug – made very simply with chenille and rubber legs – may be just the ticket! a question like this, I go to John, the best fly fisher and tyer I know. I seek out John at gatherings to talk fly fishing, annoy our spouses, and bore those who don’t fish. If you don’t have a John in your life, you need to find one. John told me to

look at the Goober Bug. Developed by Bruce Sublett out of Arkansas, the Goober uses only two materials – chenille and rubber legs – to make a very simple design. Modern chenille with longer fibers replaces both the palmered

hackle and collar of the Bugger. What you have is a very buggy, plump and rounded appearance, with thin legs that provide bulk to the fly as you strip, and movement when at rest between strips or on the drift. This creates the overall impression of a stonefly

Winding the chenille just forward of the first set of legs.

nymph – at least that’s what it looks like to me. Tying the Goober Bug Note – You can find a video of Bruce Sublett tying his fly on YouTube. Search on “Bruce Sublett” or “Goober Bug.” • Hook: Size 2-6 Streamer hook 4X - 6X long (Daiichi 2340, Stockard #245) • Weight: 10-15 wraps of .020 Lead Free wire • Thread: Black, (Danville flat waxed nylon or use any stout 3/0, 210 denier) • Tail: Rubber Legs black barred/green (Hareline Silicone legs, sili legs, etc.) • Body: Black Krystal Flash Chenille (size medium or large depending on hook size) • Legs: Same as tails Note – All of the above are suggestions on color. It’s your right as a fly tyer to make any changes you see fit. See “Variations” section, below. (Goober Bug continued on page 53) www.MaineSportsman.com

52 • June 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

On a Still June Morning Come June, most of us head to a lake or pond to do some trolling for brown or rainbow trout, or perhaps landlocked salmon. The fish have gone a bit deeper now, but barring exceptionally early hot weather, still mornings usually see fish near the top, opportunistically feeding on whatever they may find, be it insects or baitfish. Quiet mornings in June bring to mind James Russell Lowell’s timeless line, “What is so rare as a day in June?” June, not yet summer, and barely hanging on to spring, certainly does stand as a rare time. Early mornings bring calm and hope for the best trout fishing the calendar has to offer. Such times don’t come often, so Russell’s thinking has plenty of merit. Now, trolling from a motorboat or even a canoe can bring great things to those who dare. Sometimes we can see swirls on the still surface – a sure sign of feeding trout or salmon. I have been on Moosehead Lake on early June mornings

The author says if you can figure out the right times, the most productive places and the most effective techniques, the month of June can offer the best fishing of the year.

In the early morning, an angler can spot fish feeding on the surface. Tom Seymour photo

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Slow trolling works best at this time. A fly rod and sinking line usually suffice for pulling bucktails, wob-

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with little red beads atop the hook and a dangling earthworm, works well now. Hold your rod in hand in order to properly set the hook because of the low trolling speed. Also, silence is a must – no scuffling or banging in the boat, because that will send fish back down to the depths. Spot-Casting In early June, May beetles or “June bugs” come out at night in droves. Attracted to the lights of lakeside cottages, these clumsy beetles often fall in the water and remain there until early morning. This behavior attracts hungry trout, which often take the floating bugs in a splashy fashion. By sitting still in a boat or canoe, or just slowly paddling along, an angler can spotcast to rises. And you needn’t use a fly rod and June bug imitation, either. This isn’t like a mayfly hatch, where fish become temporarily attuned to one species of insect. Instead, the June bug “hatch” elicits a hunger response toward any edible-looking creature on the water. That includes lures. I like small wobbling spoons for this. If you can manage to drop your spoon into a rise ring, the trout will likely respond out of instinct and slam your lure. Use dark-colored (Continued on next page)

�� The Maine Sportsman • June 2023 • 53 (Continued from page 52)

spoons the approximate length of a June bug. You might also try casting a minnow or even a dead smelt, natural baits that will stimulate the strike mechanism in hungry trout. You can experiment using small floating plugs or other June bug-size offerings. Shady Pools Those deep holes in brooks and streams – the ones that get heavily fished in spring – see little or no traffic in June. Most people have quit brook fishing and have gone on to bigger waters and bigger fish. But for those who persevere, these trout-filled sanctuaries offer a special kind of fishing. Even if an early heat wave strikes, these places will continue to produce trout. To qualify, a pool must

have sufficient depth of water so that fish can find cool temperatures near bottom. In addition, the pool must be protected from the direct rays of the sun by streamside trees and overhanging limbs. When approaching one of these pools, use extreme stealth, especially regarding footfalls. Tread lightly, so that no vibrations are transmitted to the fish. And don’t allow your shadow, if there is one, to fall across the water. I have sometimes crawled on hands-andknees to the side of a pool, just to keep from alerting the trout. And when in position, it pays to wait a bit, because the fish may give themselves away. Look for flashes in the water, or bulges on the surface – all sure evidence of trout activity. Then, after getting the lay of the water, carefully cast your offering, and pre-

Goober Bug (Continued from page 51)

Variations I’ve used every color of chenille and legs available, but varying the color of the chenille provides interesting possibilities. I’ll tie one color up to the second set of legs, tie off, whip finish, and then use a contrasting or complementary color forward. I also use Estaz for one- to one-and-a-half turns at the head of the fly (forward of the second legs) to form a larger collar. Good color combinations include red/white, black/olive, green/ olive, rusty brown/white, black/ white, black/tan, tan/brown and red/orange. Fishing the Goober Bug On the water, I fish the Goober as I fish a Bugger. I cast the Goober as close to structure as I can, using both floating and sinking lines. I use short strips and longish pauses to allow the Goober to change depth and allow the che-

pare for an immediate strike. Try to land your fish without alerting other fish in the pool. You might even want to wait a few minutes after landing a fish, to let the pool settle. Anadromous Trout Many streams leading to the sea host populations of anadromous, or sea-run, trout. These might even be stocked fish that have gone out to sea and returned. One thing to remember is that each stream has its own individual calendar, whereby fish ascend to a certain point by a certain time. By June, the migration has peaked, and these trout have gone as far upstream as they are ever going to go. The month of June has its own special rewards. Try it.

nille fibers and legs to flair and provide movement. On moving water, I allow the current to impart action to the chenille and the legs. I often drift the fly more, and strip less. Don’t hesitate to use two Goobers, or a different fly in a dropper configuration. Two flies are often better than one. Not at all new, the Goober Bug has been around for a while, but this fly has been a revelation at the tying bench and a good bass producer for me. I still have plenty of Buggers in my fly boxes, but the Goober Bug has become my go-to choice for bass. Note – I’m experimenting with the Goober in smaller sizes for trout and salmon. I’m also using the Goober Bug body to tie imitations of other common bass foods, like crayfish and minnows. Bobby McLaughlin of Smithfield is a longtime Maine Sportsman reader.

www.MaineSportsman.com

54 • June 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

Lou Has Too Many Fly-Fishing Options in June My cast headed toward the bank, with my offering alighting on the surface with a slight ripple. Instantly, it disappeared in a swirl, and my 5-weight bent over as a strong fish ran briefly and then catapulted into the air. It was early June, the best fishing time of the year. Water temperatures were ideal, and prolific hatches and young-of-the-year minnows keep fish feeding. My quarry made several strong runs with three more leaps before it grudgingly gave ground. Finally, I was able to slide the net underneath. His red eyes and greenish-bronze body identified him as a healthy smallmouth bass. Did I surprise you? I’m sure you anticipated I was going to write about trout and salmon, since I have done so for the last

The author’s key to topwater smallmouth bass fishing is casting a popper of the correct size. His experience is the fish prefer a smaller size rather than the usual “bass-size” ones offered for sale. He purchases a size in the middle – larger than a panfish popper, but smaller than a bass popper.

The author’s favorite size and color of popper for smallies. All photos by Zambello

half dozen columns, and since June is such a productive month for fly-fishing cold-water fisheries. But the sixth

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month is also a great time to cast for warm-water game fish as well – smallmouth and largemouth bass, the genus Esox (pick-

erel, pike, and muskie), the hard-fighting panfish (crappie, white perch, and mature sunfish), and the migratory stripers and

shad. For those of you fond of chasing trout, I recommend making time for other species. Smallie Fishing I believe Maine has the best smallmouth bass fishing in the country. Maine lakes and rivers that we consider average bass waters would be labeled exceptional in mid-Atlantic states such as Pennsylvania, where people chase smallies with a passion. I taught myself to fly fish by casting to the red-eyes on Damariscotta Lake, and I have returned to my family’s cabin every June for fifty years to hook smallmouth (and now largemouth) bass. I fish topwater exclusively, since it’s just so much fun. If the bass aren’t in the mood to attack a surface popper, I quit fishing. My key to topwater smallmouth bass fishing is casting a popper of the correct size. My experience is they prefer a smaller size than the usual ones offered for sale. I prefer a size in the middle between a panfish and a bass popper. When I find them, I buy a bunch. I prefer surface bass bugs that give an audible pop when I give it a strip. I think it attracts bass from farther away or up from (Continued on page 56)

�� The Maine Sportsman • June 2023 • 55

23SPAD7092_JuneJuly_MaineSportsman.indd 1

5/3/23 6:05 PM

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56 • June 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

Freshwater Fly Fishing (Continued from page 54)

deeper water. We all have our preferences, but the colors I prefer for smallmouth bass are chartreuse, yellow, or green (with a red belly). These colors rarely fail me. I would be interested to hear what color combinations work for you. Drop me an email! Pike Fishing This year, I will also spend more time fly-fishing for pike. They are spreading to more Maine waters and are growing to larger sizes. I plan to take advantage. For most of June, pike should still be found in shallow, castable wa-

www.MaineSportsman.com

ter. The key to pike fishing is using suitable gear and leader set-up. You will want a six-weight to eightweight rod with a clear intermediate fly line, and a bite tippet. The teeth of pickerel, pike, and muskies will slice a standard leader instantly, as you find out bass fishing when a pickerel surgically removes your popper from your line. You can now purchase pike leaders with fine wire or heavy mono end-sections that solve the problem. Once properly outfitted, try pike fishing this summer. But if you don’t, Maine

The coloring of male pumpkinseed sunfish might rival brook trout.

has plenty of other warm-water options to go after, including the overlooked sunfish species.

Bull Sunfish I am confessing right away – I enjoy catching big sunfish. We don’t consider any

sunfish species a game fish, but big males (some call them bull sunfish) fight like cra(Continued on next page)

�� The Maine Sportsman • June 2023 • 57 (Continued from page 56)

zy against my threeweight. Find a shallow, sandy or gravelly bottom, and cast to the edges of lily pads or other aquatic vegetation. I prefer panfish poppers in black or green. After it lands, wait thirty seconds, and then give it the slightest quiver. Time yourself if you must. The largest bluegills are the most cautious, and you need to wait them out. A great pattern for sunfish is the red Squirmy Wormy. The first time I tried it, I pulled up a yellow-bellied bull sunfish the size of a small plate, the red worm pattern dangling from his lip. The key to this San Juan worm adaptation is the rubbery material from which it’s made that feels close to a real worm. I tie it with a bead head for weight, and to give it a jigging motion when retrieved. I tested this pattern versus a live

A nice largemouth bass slammed the author’s green popper last year in early June on Damariscotta Lake.

worm, and it catches just as many fish. Now, when I fish with my grandson and his trusty Zebco, we don’t bother with live bait. This pattern works no

matter how you fish it. I guarantee that fly-fishing for sunfish will put a smile on your face.

In my August column, I’ll delve into fly-fishing patterns for stripers along the Maine coast and

its tidal rivers. Stay tuned.

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58 • June 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

Washington and Hancock Counties Offer Fast Fishing Action I glided the 17-foot Sea Nymph aluminum boat close to the shoreline, until I was nearly underneath the branches of majestic towering pines growing along the edge of the lake. My 9-foot L.L. Bean 7-wt. trolling rod held its flexible arc, as I edged my way in toward the water’s edge on one of Downeast Maine’s prime gamefish waters. Suddenly, the rod bowed sharply, almost to the water’s surface. Several yards of line peeled off my Double L fly reel as the fish

30 feet – sometimes even deeper. When salmon are deep, the best method to catch them is trolling with lead core line or with a downrigger, using copper, gold or silver lures, or live smelts. Recent years have seen Washington County hatchery personnel stock East Grand with 1,730, 7-inch salmon. Aroostook County hatchery workers also stock 3,460 salmon in Orient. Salmon anglers are often successful by fishing in the vicinity of Meeting House Point, Five Islands, Caribou Point and Little River Cove.

The author reveals how to catch fish in larger lakes that have produced for generations (East Grand and Cathance Lakes), as well as in smaller and also lesser-known stocked treasures, such as Jones Pond and Williams Pond. tried to free itself from the tandem hooks of a Magog Smelt. After a stimulating five-minute battle, most of my fly line was again rewound onto my reel. The salmon broke the water’s surface several times before I was able to slip my net under the 17inch beauty and carefully release it back

into the lake. After an hour more of trolling and three more passes along this same shoreline I was able to net three more fish, including two 18inch salmon and one 20-inch togue. This fast-and- furious fishing is possible on many Downeast waters in June. East Grand Lake

in Danforth is one of these prime game-fish waters (DeLorme Map 45, A-4). Region F fisheries biologist Kevin Dunham told me that while a few anglers catch landlocks as large as 5 or 6 pounds, 17- to 20-inch fish are more common. In June, salmon generally descend to depths of 20 or

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Summer Plans for ATV Side-by-Side Riding Adventure In the past, I have enjoyed putting many miles on the various ATVs I’ve owned. I have also learned to appreciate the luxury of comfort afforded by side-by-sides. Number one for me would be the difference between wrestling an ATV handlebar while riding over bumpy trails, compared to the ease of control with a comfortable steering wheel on a side-by-side. Maybe it’s just my advancing age, but the obvious choice for me will be to ride the sideby-side, for several

The side-by-side features a small bed behind the back seat to carry bulky items. The author can envision taking fishing trips to remote areas this summer, since he could carry all the gear he’d need. reasons. My grandson, Cody St. Germain, purchased a Yamaha Rhino and has graciously offered me the use of it whenever I get the urge. Well, let me tell you, the urge has hit me hard, and I’m ready to do some trail riding this summer and fall. Last year, Cody took me for a ride to see how I liked the machine, and WOW –

I fell in love. I couldn’t believe how smooth and comfortable the ride was, easily gliding over rocks, small, downed trees, and bumps in the trail – and at a good rate of speed. The comfy Rhino easily zoomed over the roughest places – places where I’d be wrestling with the handlebars on the ATV and slowing way down to maintain con-

trol. That one trip with my grandson convinced me to stick with the side-by-side, and opened my mind to thinking about further outdoor uses for this awesome machine. There are a few other factors that come into play when recreating with the side-by-side. Fantastic Features I also found anoth-

er reason I now prefer the side-by-side over the conventional ATV. When Cody and I took my bird dog, Ginger, hunting for grouse, the extra room of the rear seat provided a place for her to sit during transport. We buckled her in the back seat, and she did just fine. I used a shoulder harness and had her sit on a comfy pad, and she did great. The Rhino also has a small bed behind the seat to carry bulky items. I can envision some fishing (Continued on next page)

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Off-Road Traveler (Continued from page 59)

trips to remote areas this summer. Anglers could carry all the gear they’d ever need for fishing in remote locations. The same goes for hunting this fall … load up the Rhino, and head out to parts of the state that others overlook because of the remote locations. It would be easy to have enough food and gear with you on a side-by-side to last several days way out in the willywacks. I can’t think of a more pleasant way to spend a few days hunting. The possibilities are endless with a sideby-side – just think of taking the family out for a fun trail ride … this particular ma-

chine has enough room to comfortably carry four adults. A small family outing on the trails would be a great way to get everybody outdoors this summer and fall. Cody mentioned that his little twoyear-old son, Ashton, loves riding with him on the Rhino. He said that one day he was working on the machine in the garage and had Ashton with him. At one point he heard a noise and discovered that Ashton had climbed up into the seat like he was ready to ride. He’s got his own little helmet, and is always ready for a trail ride. I’m also going to check with Cody about

Downeast Region (Continued from page 58)

anglers fish along Greenland Cove. East Grand has a 1-fish daily limit on lake trout. In the summer, the best method of fishing for them is trolling with lead core line or downriggers using minnows or a copper, white, or silver lure. In June, you’ll typically catch lake trout at depths deeper than 45 feet. Smelts or worms are the usual bait to entice these beauties. Last year, East Grand received 4,500 10-inch brook trout and 1800 13inch brookies. Fishing near the shoreline in approximately 10 to 15 feet of water will result in the most brook trout strikes. Smelts or worms are the usual bait to entice these trout. East Grand is also well-known for its smallmouth bass fishing. While smallies can run as large as six pounds, it’s more common to encounter fish in the three-pound category. Ample parking is available at Butterfield Landing, Greenland Cove parking area, and several smaller parking place along the lake. Cathance Lake (Map 36, E-4) in www.MaineSportsman.com

upgrading the Rhino with some accessories. It’s got a roof and a great windshield … I don’t think it will require much more to really personalize this fine machine. I’m thinking about some gun racks and maybe a light bar … nothing too extravagant. Getting Started One of the first things I would recommend for anyone thinking about purchasing an ATV or side-by-side of their own for hunting, fishing, camping, or riding adventures would be to get a membership with ATV Maine (atvmaine.org). Join up with local ATV clubs, and support their efforts to maintain the awesome trail system in your area. Signing up with

The author’s great grandson, Ashton (center), with his riding buddies and sippy cup close at hand. Photo by Ambyr St. Germain

ATV Maine lets you join hands with other like-minded riders whose goal is to keep the trails open and in good shape. The clubs also maintain good working relationships with landowners, and offer maps of the local trail system. Local clubs also promote group rides to help new riders

Washington County is another popular water for landlocks. Its 2,905 acres and 75-foot depths provide excellent habitat for salmon. Cathance is one of the most consistent salmon fisheries in Washington County. According to fisheries biologist Greg Burr, “Cathance has a terrific salmon fishery.” Salmon caught by anglers typically range from 17 to 19 inches with average weights of 2 to 3 pounds. Occasionally, anglers catch fish weighing over 3 pounds. This lake is stocked annually with approximately 800 salmon. Brook trout are also a highly prized gamefish caught from this water. Folks often catch a few 14- to 15- inch brookies by fishing close to the shoreline. Summer anglers catch wild brookies that were produced from the lake’s inlets. Fish in the 10- to 12-inch range are typical of a day’s catch. Browns and More Jones Pond in Gouldsboro (Map 17, A-1) usually contains hold-over rainbow trout, and will provide excellent trolling for ’bows up to 22 inches. Hatchery personnel stocked 800 15-inch rainbow trout and 300 12-inch brown trout last fall. Jones Pond is a medium-size 467acre body of water with a maximum depth of 48 feet. The principal fishery

get used to their own system of trails … helpful for those just starting out as well as those experienced riders who want to learn more about various club trails. Club rides are a great way to meet new friends and learn about new trails around the state.

is for brown trout and rainbow trout. One of the best ways I know to entice rainbows is by trolling lures about 10 feet down and 50 to 60 feet behind the boat. Trolling an orange and copper Speedy Shiner often entices ’bows. Trolling sewn-on shiners often will get brown trout to take your offering. Another exciting possibility to try is to cast a dry fly, especially a size 12 White Wulff, close to the shoreline as dusk approaches, which is when browns normally feed. A good public boat-launching site is maintained by the town of Gouldsboro along the northeastern shore. Another new trout water is Williams Pond, T28MD. It is a small, 19acre pond in eastern Hancock County (Map 24, A-5). This was stocked in the fall of 2022 with 250 13” brook trout. Worms are the usual bait to entice these beauties; however, a jig stick and a gold or red lure has produced trout for me. Williams Pond provides fine water quality for brook trout, but pickerel are present and probably limit the fishery. To get there, take the Beddington CCC road from Rte. 9, the “Airline,” at Beddington, and bear left in the vicinity of Gould Brook.

�� The Maine Sportsman • June 2023 • 61

Red-Hot Salmon Action on Cool Mornings The author tells all about trolling in June – how far down to go, what makes the best down-rigger rods, and how to rig a bucktail and tiny baitfish. Now if only he can find someone tech-minded enough to help him set up his new split-screen fish locator! What can beat iceout trolling for salmon? Well, for me, trolling in June beats all. Let me explain. Sure, early season salmon fishing couldn’t be much more exciting. But often, chilly temperatures coupled with cold winds take much of the enjoyment from it. I often bring gloves for this kind of fishing, especially on misty or slightly rainy days. Sometimes, even a light wind will wick the heat from my previously frostbitten fingers, making this form of open-water fishing far colder and more uncomfortable than ice fishing. Come June, though, moderate temperatures make gloves and wool jackets unnecessary. June days, even June mornings, present perfect conditions coupled with excellent fishing. Salmon have not yet descended to deeper water for the summer and in the morning, they will bite at 20 – 30 feet down. By about 10 a.m., the fish go deeper, if only to avoid the piercing rays of the sun. To begin fishing on a June morning, remember that salmon have no compunctions about racing up 10 feet

or even more to grab a bait or spoon. So begin fishing at only a moderate depth, and go deeper only if the fish don’t cooperate. Fish Locator Fish locators are always a great help, but in June they become indispensable. That’s because the fish are not yet so far down that the response time from when you see them and when they bite is only brief. Later in summer, when trolling at depths of 50 feet or more, the line bellies, creating a lag time, and other factors kick in as well. But when fish are only 30 or so feet down, after seeing a fish icon on your screen, better hold the rod tight, because if the fish is going to bite, the bite should be almost instantaneous. Speaking of fish locators, mine recently conked out, so I decided it was time to purchase a new one. But the simple ones such as what I was used to are impossible to find, so I paid much more than I had intended and bought a super-duper, split-screen model. The trouble is, I can’t figure out how to set it up, nor how to

use it. Digital devices and Tom Seymour don’t interact too well. So it looks as if I shall need to enlist the help of one of my more digitally attuned buddies. Such is modern life for old-timers. Trolling Gear If you hit the water early enough in the morning, you might get by with a fly rod and sinking line. Even then, once the sun climbs higher, you will probably need to switch over to downriggers or lead-core line. When using downriggers, the type of rod is not nearly as important as its action. Toostiff a rod may result in a lost fish, as might too-soft an action. You need to achieve a certain balance between stiffness and softness. My friend and Maine guide Eric Holbrook uses St. Croix spinning rods, fitted with Ambassador baitcasting reels. These rods have plenty of strength at the butt end, and are soft at the tip. The perfect downrigger rod should resemble a parabola, once set in the rodholder and cranked down for trolling. Others use spinning rods and reels in

The author’s old, simple fish locator stopped working, so he purchased a new, fancy model. Now he says he needs to find a “digitally-attuned friend” to help him set it up. “Such is modern life for old-timers,” he concludes.

their downriggers, and they do just fine. It’s all a matter of preference. Personally, I tend more toward the Eric Holbrook method, but whatever works is fine. As long as you hook and land the majority of fish, they you have the right rod and reel. Terminal Gear You can never go wrong by trolling a live smelt. But in June, these become a rarity, so frozen smelt or preserved smelt take second place. If you are using just a lone baitfish, use some variety of smelt. Other than smelt, I have great luck with a live golden shiner trolled 18 inches, more or less, behind a chrome dodger. Dodgers come in all kinds of colors and patterns, but the plain silvery-looking chrome dodger is a reliable fish killer. For an even better

terminal setup, try hooking a very small shiner, or even a dace, on a small bucktail. Wood Special is my favorite pattern. Hook the bait between the membrane behind the lips, with the hook entering behind the bottom lip, and exiting above and behind the upper lip. A baitfish hooked this way should remain alive for many hours. Hopefully, it won’t take that long for a fish to grab it. Once again, when using this fly-baitfish combo, let me stress the importance of using the very smallest of baitfish. Larger bait – those as long as or longer than the fly – defeat the purpose. Goodness knows what a properly proportioned fly-baitfish setup looks like to salmon and trout. All I know is that it drives them crazy.

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62 • June 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

Prep Time Begins There’s a lot involved in the process of getting ready for firearms and bowhunting season, and trapping season. Make your list now, check it twice, and get to work in manageable steps. And when the seasons arrive, you’ll be in the woods rather than in the maintenance shed. Winter is a distant memory. Snowmobiles have been treated, snowshoes varnished, traps hung, and ice fishing gear tucked away. But are you ready for the upcoming hunting seasons? That’s right – June is preparation time for all of the hunting seasons that lie ahead. It seems the older I get, the faster the seasons come, and the last thing I want to be is stressed about hunting season. To reduce the stress, I have started using a calendar to plan 1) stuff to do, and 2) stuff to buy, in order to spread out expenses. As the bill-payer in the family, this is important. Before I hunted, it seemed like every time my husband wanted to buy something, it was never the right time. Now that we both hunt, I am much more aware of those upcoming expenses, so I build them into our budget. Everyone is happy, and that is one more reason why you should get your spouse involved in hunting. The List 1. If you need a hunter safety class, do it www.MaineSportsman.com

now. Don’t wait until just before the season starts. If you can’t find a course, give a shout out to Maine’s DIF&W. 2. Register your ATV/ UTV if it’s going to be used off your property ($70+). 3. Buy licenses and permits if needed – bear hunting, archery, trapping, bear trapping 4. Build a walk-in cooler for game using a CoolBot and an air conditioner. Estimated cost $400 if you have a building or space (more on this project in the next issue of The Maine Sportsman). 5. Do a trail camera inventory to see what you need, including buying batteries, extended antennas, solar chargers, or purchasing more cameras. 6. If you hunt with dogs, now is the time for their checkup to make sure they’re

protected from heartworm and ticks. 7. If you bow hunt, consider a bow tuneup. Waiting until just before you plan to hunt might mean a late start or a broken string. 8. Buy ammo, arrows and broadheads before the increase in seasonal demand ($35-$100). 9. Begin target practicing. Even a couple of times a month is better than not shooting until it’s time to sight your rifle in for the season. For bow hunting, we keep our targets in the backyard all summer. We shoot a few rounds each night. 10. Buy bear bait. We go on the rule of thumb of one barrel for each bait site ($85$100 each); extra if it’s a dry or low beechnut season, since bear will be hungry. 11. Buy bear scent spray. We usually

The author practicing with her bow after work – and while still in her work clothes.

have at least four 32oz. bottles ($20 each). 12. Inspect your bait barrel, and do a bucket inventory for bear bait. We use two 5-gallon pails per bait site, and we often need to replace them from year to year. 13. If you bear trap, inspect your trap, cables and cable swivels. Replace as needed. Buy a new snare cable each year, and have a spare on hand. Also buy a spare bait bag, as they often get ripped. 14. Assemble new tree stands, and maintain your existing ones. If they need to be painted, do that now, so the scent will be gone by

The author’s youngest son, shooting his rifle. In the Warren household, firearms practice is a family activity. Photo by Staci Warren

hunting season. Don’t forget to inspect existing tree stands for strap deterioration, and replace if needed. 15. Move or set ladder tree stands now. Hang-on tree stands and ladders shouldn’t be put up until a month before the season, to reduce the exposure time of tree straps. Trim branches for shooting lanes, if it’s your land or if you have permission. Don’t wait until the week before the season begins to go in to hack out a spot, since too much change will not go unnoticed. The best part about prep time is that it’s built around all the other adventures that June has to offer, so don’t fret. You’ll still have time to go boating, fishing, hiking and foraging, as well as sitting back and enjoying a good campfire under the stars. Here’s to hoping you have a stress-free prep season.

�� The Maine Sportsman • June 2023 • 63

A Summer Full of Fish Derbies in Maine After a long winter of delayed and cancelled ice fishing derbies, open water season is here, and with its arrival comes an extensive list of open water fishing derbies for adults and children alike. Late May • Auburn Recreation Department children’s-only derby, on Pettengill Pond in Auburn on May 20th, 2023. For more information, contact Sara Parker - 333-6611. • Standish Fish & Game Club derby, on Sebago Lake. Anglers can access the lake from Raymond, Windham, Standish, Naples, Frye Island, Sebago and Casco. Date: May 20th, 2023. For more information, contact Jamie Fickett 838-6337. June • Northern Maine Muskies Inc. derby on the Saint John River, from the confluence of the St. Francis River to the US/Canada border in Hamlin. Dates: June 23-25th, 2023. For more information, contact Henry Obrey 717-4836. July • Great Wayne Kids’ Fishing Derby, sponsored by the Wayne Community Church, on July 1, 2023 (see ad, page 9). Rain date: August 5th. For more information, contact Lloyd Irland at lcirland@gmail.com or 446-3682. • Island Falls Lakes

Our columnist lists some of the fishing derbies scheduled in Maine this summer. He also brings readers up to date on how technology is changing the weigh-in process, and emphasizes the dangers – including the risk of prosecution – for those who cheat in big-money fishing derbies. Association derby on Pleasant Lake, Mattawamkeag Lake and West Branch of Mattawamkeag River from Lake to route 2 bridge on July 8th, 2023. For more information contact: Robert Guerette - 852-2125. • Saint Albans Fire Department children-only derby, on Big Indian Lake and Little Indian, in Saint Albans on July 15th, 2023. For more information, contact Fred Cooper - 938-4462. August • Chesuncook Lake Derby, sponsored by the Chesuncook Village Association - August 4th, 2023. For more information, contact John Moore - 5730616. • Loons Haven Fishing Derby on Trickey Pond in Naples on August 18-20, 2023. For more information, contact Loons Haven Family Campground 346-4609. • Maineflyfish.com Derby, on August 26, 2023 on the Penobscot River from Winn to Bangor. For more information, contact Kevin McKay - 9441691. For additional information and the latest updates on fishing

derbies all across the State of Maine, go to www.maine.gov/ifw/, then click on “Fishing & Boating,” then “Fishing,” and then scroll down to find the “Fishing Derbies” link. Technology Has Transformed Derbies In March, the kids and I enjoyed our third winter trip to Cobbosseecontee Lake for the annual Cobbossee Ice Fishing Derby, hosted by Cony High School’s Project Graduation. What amazed me the most about this year’s derby was how well the hosts were able to keep participants updated on all of the latest fish on the trophy board, via Facebook. Many tournaments, like the popular Long Lake Derby in St. Agatha, are even using a specialized phone app to notify anglers as to what sizes of fish are in the winners’ circles. As more and more derbies and tournaments incorporate this type of innovation, I can see it solving a lot of problems with crowded weigh stations. Another really

cool idea, done during the Cobbossee tournament, was to livestream all of the prizes and giveaways. This allowed us to sit comfortably in our lakeside Vrbo rental, and watch the entire thing on our phones! Genius! Catch and Keep, or Catch and Release A number of fishing derbies have done away with weigh stations, instead requiring anglers to submit a photo of their catch measured against a specific ruler provided by the derby organizers. This allows fish to be caught, quickly measured and photographed, and returned to the water unharmed. Photos are then submitted to the derby organizers via email, and reviewed to ensure the correct species is identified and that no improper measurement has occurred. Derby prizes are then announced and mailed to participants, or provided for pickup at a predefined location. For tournaments that aren’t specifically targeting fish populations for control purposes (like popular pike fishing tourna-

ments), this seems like a great alternative. Cheaters Gonna Cheat In October of 2022, two pro anglers were publicly outed for cheating in an Ohio walleye tournament and charged with a litany of crimes. The two faced three felony charges each, including cheating, attempted grand theft and possessing criminal tools. After initially pleading not guilty, in late March 2023, the two negotiated a plea bargain in which their fishing licenses are suspended for three years, and one of the anglers will forfeit a bass boat worth a reported $100,000. Competitors suggested there had been bubbling suspicions surrounding the anglers’ lengthy history of tournament success, back to when the duo won a boat and a hefty cash prize at the Walleye Slam in 2021. The tournament prize for the October 2022 Ohio walleye tournament was $29,000. The negative effect of high stakes fishing tournaments is they have the prize winnings to attract a bad element that’s set on winning at all costs. Let’s all remember this season – tournaments are about having fun and winning fairly; otherwise, winning is meaningless.

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Where Are You on the Fishing Spectrum? If you fish in Maine, this month is like Christmas morning every day, wrapped up in a big ball of tinsel, and stapled to the calendar’s centerfold. There is perhaps no better place to be in June. While anglers tend to identify themselves by the type of fish they pursue – e.g., trout, bass, bluefish – a more accurate description might identify where they are on the fishing spectrum. Fishing is a lifelong pursuit that changes over time with the age and perspective of the sportsperson in question. Two anglers at opposite ends of the spectrum might not even recognize each other as the same species. Some stages in the life of an angler are more identifiable than others. Meat Fishermen If you’ve ever fished for food, you know the kind of satisfaction it brings. I don’t mean just occasionally eating what you happen to catch – I am talking about relying on fishing to supply the pro-

In an illuminating essay, the author tracks the evolving life phases of an angler.

The spectrum of an angler’s life starts with worm-fishing, moves through fancy gear, carbon-fiber rods, fish-finders, and catch-and-release, and then ends up ... where? Here, the author enjoys one phase of the continuum. Andrews photo

tein that will fuel your body. Some of us grew up this way. The childhood summers of fortunate Mainers from a certain place and time were filled with regular meals of brook trout, hornpout, white perch, or smelts. It wasn’t subsistence fishing. Our

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families wouldn’t have starved without the fresh fish meals once or twice a week. But the sense of accomplishment and pride from plunking down a half-dozen pansized brook trout on the kitchen counter was an ancient and powerful thing. Very different from that of catching and releasing bigger game. In fact, catch-and-release was a foreign concept to us meat fishermen – something we read about in outdoor magazines. We knew that to catch meat we needed to use meat. Gath-

ering bait was part of the game. Anyone with a spade and an empty coffee can could eventually find earthworms. But knowing the location of an abandoned pig pen or sheep shed was a ticket to plentiful and robust “garden hackles.” Lost in the nostalgia of that simpler time lies the darker side of viewing wild fish primarily as food. Setting out to catch and kill our limit on every outing had consequences. We killed short trout with barbed bait hooks, and over-fished native trout populations in ponds and

streams that featured little or no spawning habitat. And we followed stocking trucks to their destination without remorse. Sport Fishing At some point, tactics and gear began to take on a much larger role in our fishing life. It wasn’t enough to be a fisherman, or even a trout fisherman – we needed to be a fly-fisherman. In a kind of insult to the intelligence and wariness of our favorite species, we set out to prove that we could catch them with one hand effectively tied behind our back. I blame those national magazines again. Fair chase concepts dictated the type of rod we used, our terminal tackle – and, most important, our attitudes. Otherwise, it would be hard to buy in to the whole concept of casting tiny, weightless bits of hair and feathers to surface-feeding fish, while still being able to appreciate a bucketful of hornpout or white perch. This is a consumption-driven stage on the spectrum. We sports bought completely new tackle, designed to fit our new persona. We bought a boat to access the same fish we had deliberately made more difficult to catch from shore. Then we bought technology, to show us (Self-Propelled continued on page 66)

�� The Maine Sportsman • June 2023 • 65

Bass Angling Signals the Start of Summer in Southern Maine Rob Levine from Falmouth has brought his eager son, Trevor, on a few fishing trips with me, and I always enjoy their company. Trevor is an avid angler and also a turtle aficionado and – I dare say – expert. Trevor told his dad he wanted to do a bass fishing trip with me, so Rob reached out to inquire about the possibility. I typically guide anglers for salmon and lake trout, but who could deny a young neophyte angler his wish. It was late June and the spawn was over, but I had a few tricks up my sleeve. Namely, I had the phone number for fellow guide Dan Hillier of Songo River Guide Service, who often guides anglers for bass. Dan suggested I work the large rocks in deeper water off the Dingley Islands, one of Sebago Lake’s (DeLorme Atlas, Map 5, C-1) rockiest spots. He suggested Ned rigs and tube jigs, so I packed plenty of each. We did manage to catch a few small bass, but as I explained, the angling was nothing like targeting spawning bass. A quick trip into the Songo River also allowed Trevor to school me on the variety of turtles that inhabit Sebago Lake. I’m looking forward to taking out this enthu-

This month is a bass angler’s dream, says the author, thanks to spawning bass that are predictably attracted to ideal habitat – sandy patches, and structure like docks, retaining walls and old rock jetties. siastic father and son team again this season. Finding Bass This Month This month is a bass angler’s dream, thanks to spawning bass and their predictable ways. The shoreline of Sebago Lake is varied, but you don’t have to go far to find the ideal bass habitat – sandy patches and structure like docks, retaining walls and old rock jetties. Cast perpendicular to shore in these spots, and be ready! I like working the shoreline with a spinner or spinner bait. Another top lure of choice is the floating Rapala minnow. This old standard has netted many a bass for my dad and me over the years. I still have the

old ones we used and the boxes, to boot! As a youngster, I had great success on bass with a rubber worm with inline hooks and a propeller at the nose. I’m not sure what got me slinging this contraption, but it really paid off on bass. When the bass are guarding their nests, I’d say anything that invades the territory will be attacked, so my lure choice may not have mattered. As my dad always joked, “Most lures catch fishermen, not fish.” Sage words from a longtime angler. I was recently talking with Josh Wescott of Dock World, one of the region’s oldest dock companies. He lives on Little Sebago Lake (Map

5, C-2) and I remarked that Little Sebago is one of my favorite bass waters. Josh prefers wrestling with the many trout that cruise the shallows on his home water, but you can’t beat the lake for prime bass habitat. June is an optimum month to target bass AND trout on Little Sebago. The lake is (Continued on next page)

Nolan Raymond, a Maine Sportsman columnist who spends summers on Sebago Lake, shows off a nice smallmouth he caught while fishing with the author. Photo by Tom Roth

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Sebago to Auburn (Continued from page 65)

stocked heavily with rainbow and brown trout, and this month the water is the right temperature to troll the shoreline with flies and target trout cruising the shallows.

With bass on spawning beds, opportunistic trout seek out bass fry, so they will be where the bass are. After a few passes with flies, stop and cast with a spinning

rod along the shoreline, and compare the fight of a small or largemouth bass with that of a heavy-shouldered brown or rainbow trout. I’d lay odds on the bass, but all are worthy opponents. Little Sebago has great structure and rock piles to target bass

during both spawning and non-spawning periods. To the north, Lake Auburn (Map 11, E-4) is my prime bass pick this month. Virtually undeveloped, Lake Auburn has some great sandy stretches that are dotted with bass beds this time of

Trophy Gallery

Rex Doughty, age 2, of Otisfield, enjoys his new Zebco rod and reel during his first-ever day fishing for smallmouth bass on Pleasant Lake. With a firm grip on Rex’s sweatshirt is his dad, Steve Doughty. Photo by Arlene Doughty

Self-Propelled (Continued from page 64)

the invisible contours beneath the surface of the deeper water. And even the real-time location of our quarry – something that otherwise could be discerned only through years of first-hand, hit-ormiss experience. Sports fishermen still count fish, but not in terms of how many people they would feed. By releasing our catch, we could safely exceed the daily legal limits for the number of fish caught. Instead of meat, we brought home stories of 50-fish days – sometimes backed-up by digital photos or video. We were happy to fish elbow-to-elbow with other fishermen if it meant catching bigger fish or more fish. In the most extreme instances, we made www.MaineSportsman.com

Jim Hawkes and his daughter Mabel (age 12) were trolling for brown trout in early April on Great Pond in Belgrade, when Mabel reeled in this hefty 17” smallmouth bass. Congratulations! Photo by Jim Hawkes

fishing a competitive sport, with cash prizes and weigh-in ceremonies. Transcendental Fishing At some point, we moved on. The gear-buying slowed down – too late to save the vast forest of carbon-fiber saplings sacrificed for our overflowing rod-rack. We began to realize that fishing is more about the places we go and the company we keep. We professed to care less about catching fish at all. We wanted to experience wilderness places where beautiful fish lived. If we admitted any fishing ambition whatsoever, it was to catch and release trophy fish native to the remote waters we sought out. We went to ever greater lengths and expense to achieve fewer fish and less frequent fishing than in earlier days.

year. The shoreline on the north side of the lake along Lakeshore Drive is prime sandy bass spawning habitat. Once you get your fill of targeting bass, move out toward the middle of the lake, and watch your fish-finder. Clouds of fish are likely white perch and hovering above a school should bring great action. Drop a small shiner into the cloud and hold on! Lake Auburn white perch range in size from small to large, and make for a great fish fry or chowder. June is prime time for bass angling, and trout and other species like white perch likewise cooperate. Trout are also still on the bite in the shallows, susceptible to casting and trolling anglers. Be sure to release bass quickly and close to their nests to ensure angling opportunities continue for all of us. The lazy, hazy days of July will be upon us soon, so take time to enjoy what this month has to offer before it’s too late.

Fly two hundred miles in a floatplane – then catch and release? Our native guides were bemused by our split personality. Coming Full Circle While canoeing the St. John River two years ago, I had one of the best fishing experiences of my life. We were camped at Seminary Brook (DeLorme Maine Atlas & Gazetteer, Map 61, A-5), a tiny tributary that flows down from the Canadian border. I rose early, tipped my tiny streamer fly with a worm I found under a log, and caught four small trout in the brook. Using a cast iron pan, I cooked them for breakfast. I suddenly realized it had been years since I had eaten a trout.

�� The Maine Sportsman • June 2023 • 67

Our Search for the Lost Hunter During the deer season, it’s not unusual for the Maine Warden Service to receive a report of a lost hunter. In fact, it happens with some frequency. Each case presents its own challenges, as wardens attempt to locate the missing person. One particular case proved difficult and frustrating, both for the Warden Service and for the lost man’s family, and its outcome was not what anyone could have anticipated. Missing Hunter in Plymouth It was getting on toward the end of November, 1990, and we were very busy with all the usual hunting season activities. Personally, I was worn down from long hours and lack of sleep. But then, like clockwork, on a drab November day about two hours after dark, came the report of an overdue hunter in the Town of Plymouth. It happened that I was still at our Bangor headquarters with Warden John Ready, so together we headed out to Plymouth, hoping to resolve this in a short amount of time. Upon our arrival we met the complainant, a woman, who described how her husband had gone out hunting shortly after noon, just before she had left for work. When she arrived

The author was the supervisor of the search for the missing hunter. The warden was tired – it was a long two days after what had been a long deer season. But being physically tired is only one element that compounds the warden’s stress – there are distraught family members, the supervisor’s superiors, and the always-present burden that the decisions the supervisor makes could mean life or death for the missing person. And there’s also the local media, although what help could they provide in a case that offered no clues? back home around 5:00 p.m., there was no sign of him. There was no note, his rifle was not there, and he did not have another vehicle that he could have left in. There was a woods road near the back of the residence that she believed he normally utilized to access the wooded area he hunted in. With that information, we found we could drive my truck into that road, and proceeded to do so. We traveled a short distance, stopped, shut the truck off, and yelled out, hoping to get a response. When we got as far as we could drive, we got out and fired three shots, but still received no response. Another Route In We then drove back out to the town road and traveled easterly about a halfmile, where I knew we could access that area of woods from a different angle. There we repeated the same process we had done on the first road but, again, no luck.

I decided we would need some additional resources, and summoned other wardens and a tracking dog. We stayed at it until well after midnight with absolutely no progress, and made the decision to end it for the night and re-group first thing in the morning. Day #2 – Hopes Dim By the next morning, I had activated all our available resources, including our search & rescue team with the command post vehicle, our airplane, search & rescue volunteers, and more wardens. We also assigned an investigator to the case to work on any related angles that might give us more insight on how we should proceed. It was a long day. I and many others were very tired, as we continued to search and eliminate certain sections of woods during the day. Our search area was somewhat confined, as there was a paved road to the west and Interstate

95 to the south, and as the day wore on the process was becoming more and more frustrating. Local Media Take an Interest In the early afternoon, some food arrived that we had ordered from a Newport establishment, and we held a short meeting to discuss our situation. We were really at a loss, as not one clue had been discovered to give us any sort of encouragement. About that time, some members of the media arrived, inquiring about how the search was going. I supplied them with what information I had, which was not a whole lot, but they stated they would have something on the news late in the afternoon – not that we expected that to be of any great assistance in the case. For the supervisor on any of these searches, being physically tired is only one element of a multitude of issues that will compound the stress

involved. There are the family members of the missing, the media, the supervisor’s superiors, and the always-present burden that the decisions the supervisor makes could mean life or death for the missing person. Would There Be a Day #3? We continued on for the rest of the afternoon. As darkness approached, we had another meeting to formulate plans for the following day. Shortly after the late afternoon news aired on local television stations, I received a message from dispatch to call the Pittsfield Police Department regarding our search. I couldn’t imagine what information they might have, but I used the phone at the missing person’s residence to call the police station. When I was patched through to the police chief, he asked to confirm the name of the person we were looking for. When I did so, he responded, “I think I can help you out. “A man by that name just called here,” the chief continued, “and said that he was watching television at his girlfriend’s apartment in Pittsfield when he saw that the Warden Service was looking for him in Plymouth.”

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How and Where to Catch Warm-Weather Trout It was hot, and water levels were low – not great conditions for trout fishing. But the section of the Little Ossipee River that I planned to fish, in North Shapleigh and Newfield is covered with a canopy of alders, and maples; also, the many under-cut stream banks offer good holding waters for browns and brookies. I parked my beatup truck on the Mann Road that runs along the Little “O” River (actually a small stream in upper sections) and walked to a favorite secluded pool on the stream, a place I generally hook into a few trout. My first cast was a little short of the undercut and over-hanging exposed roots; my next did the trick. The size 12 Gray Ghost streamer sung close to the dark, shaded water under the bank, and a fish took the fly. It was a large fish, and I had to protect the fine fluorocarbon tippet on my fly line. This isn’t a trout,” I remember thinking. “If it is, it must be foul hooked.” I slowly maneuvered the sluggish fish to the center of the stream and landed the largest, ugly, pond shiner I’ve ever seen. It looked more like a carp than a shiner. The commotion www.MaineSportsman.com

I made a rookie mistake when fishing around the maple tree that had fallen into the stream. Fish face the current, and I was casting behind them. I set about to correct that error. caused by fighting and landing the fish would send every trout in the pool darting for cover – it was time to move downstream. I knew the location of a 75-yard long, straight riffle, where water levels averages about six inches, with no holding water for trout – I generally bypass this section during low water conditions, but there was a new player in the game. Trout Smorgasbord A maple tree had fallen across the stream, and its trunk had caused a slight waterfall and plunge pool on the downstream side. Any type of confused water flowing below logs and rocks is a great spot to fish; basically, you will be fishing in a trout’s kitchen. Trout hide under the structure, and as water flows over or around it, currents swirl around causing any bait fish or insects to spin around right in front or their noses – it’s a smorgasbord for them. However, as any seasoned trout angler knows, you still must fish these conditions cautiously. I made a rooky mistake – I cast a nymph directly be-

low the log –nothing. I then took a break, sat on a log and smoked a cigar (mosquito agent orange). I rethought my approach, and the light went on – Dummy, you fished it wrong. Trout face upstream while feeding in streams; I had been casting the hare’s ear nymph behind them, offering it un-naturally. I then cast my nymph above the log and let it flow over it into the plunge pool, and an energetic brook trout slammed it. After letting things calm down, I caught two more trout. Think Like Trout During mid-summer, trout fishing can become difficult. After 65 years of trout fishing streams and rivers here in southern Maine, I’ve learned a few things about locating trout in the summer heat. Also, fishing with experts like Dan Bonville from Porter and Bill Hutchins from Shapleigh surely enhanced my skills. However, I’m still not a trout whisper like a few other columnists in these pages. Here are a few hints I believe will help new fishermen find suc-

cess while trout fishing during summer months: • Ninety-five percent of the river system becomes devoid of brook trout. Browns and rainbows can tolerate higher water temperatures. Look for trout in deep, well oxygenated sections of the stream. As in the example above, plunge pools are generally good spots to fish. • Like vampires, trout hate the sun; they seek out shaded hideouts where they can wait in ambush for passing food. Fishing at dawn until the sun covers the water is best – overcast and rainy days are good times to fish, as well. • Be aware of your shadow and vibrations, and also sounds you make while fishing. Trout are extremely spooky during low water months. Windy days that move tree limbs over the water cause trout to retreat to their bomb shelters, too. • Trout face upstream while waiting for currents to bring food to them. Generally, fishing from downstream, to avoid them seeing you, is best. There are exceptions – Bill Hutchins

would fish his fly pattern from a distant upstream, letting his offering float downstream into feeding trout, with great success. • Trout can be a real “pain in the butt” to catch in the summer, especially browns. Rainbows and brookies are more aggressive feeders. As in my fishing experience above, you must always offer your fly, lure or bait in a natural way. • Trout can be bullies – larger trout will chase smaller trout from the best holding and feeding areas of the river. Many times, large trout will stage in front of large boulders where the currents adjust to flow around the boulder, while lesser trout stage in behind the rock. Anglers will spook the alpha trout trying to cast to the smaller trout. One good thing about summer trout fishing is it becomes easy to locate trout. They aren’t spread out throughout the entire river system like during springtime with its high water levels. Concentrating on deep, cooler, well oxygenated waters in a stream will help you locate trout honey holes – great news for you trout enthusiasts who love the solitude of a shaded mountain stream.

�� The Maine Sportsman • June 2023 • 69

Tricks to Lighten Up This Fishing Season I get totally amazed every single time I dig into my fly-fishing vest to find something and am forced to take five precious minutes to locate whatever it is I’m trying to find because I have so much junk in my vest. Well, maybe “amazed” isn’t the word I use. When I was guiding anglers, I bought an L.L.Bean “Rapid River Guide Vest,” be-

Rather than asking the question “What do I need to carry in my fishing vest?” the author is now exploring the flip side – “How much of what I’ve been lugging around in my fishing vest, can I leave in the truck?” cause I wanted to have a vest that could carry every possible fly-fishing item I would ever need to help my clients catch fish. Now that I’ve retired from guiding, I find that I don’t need half the stuff for

fishing on my own. I’ve adjusted my gear to accommodate my primary fishing targets, so I have one vest for fishing for smallmouth bass, and the other for salmonid. At least this splits up

the load a little, allowing me a lighter vest for each type of fishing. I bought a small waist pack and I use it for smallmouth fishing, and took the big L.L.Bean vest to use specifically for salmo-

nid. This year, I plan to go one step further and find a smaller vest for salmonid fishing – something that’s fairly lightweight and not so bulky. I’m not sure about the exact vest or system I’ll use. I’ve tried sling packs, super small vests, and fanny packs, but am still in the looking phase. I’m leaning toward a regular vest, (Continued on next page)

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Rangeley Region (Continued from page 69)

but one that’s smaller and lighter than the “Rapid River Guide Vest,” an awesome vest that has served me perfectly for many years. Gear Basics I definitely need to carry certain tools, like forceps (hemostat), nippers, a net, and my favorite knot-tying tool – the Tie-Fast Combo knot-tying tool (tie-fast.com). This tool includes nippers, and the tying tool for which they’ve rightfully become famous. I also carry some type of pocketknife. I like the multi-tool utility knife that has it all – blade, saw, pliers, file, and mini scissors. I like to have a good blade in case I want to clean a fish or two for supper. I also carry indicators (floats) and weights (sinkers) in one pocket, along with several sizes of tippet

material for nymph rigs. Another cool thing I have come to like is my dropper box, which holds a bunch of pre-tied droppers. The droppers have a Duncan Loop (sliding knot) on one end and the nymph on the other, all set to slide onto the lead fly … usually a highly-buoyant dry fly of some sort. One pocket carries a variety of leaders and my favorite flotant, “Fly Dip”, by LOON Outdoors (loonoutdoors.com). Several other companies make great flotants. I chose this one because it seems to keep my flies floating longer. The same pocket carries a similar product to sink flies, if that’s what I decide to use at the time. Vest Materials I must admit, I’m a slow learner. Over the last decade, I’ve

Here’s a dropper illustration, showing how to pre-rig them for easy and quick attachment to a lead fly. When you’re ready to fish, loop the Duncan Loop (a sliding knot) right over the bend in the hook of the dry fly, and tighten (slide) it onto the hook at the bend. William Clunie illustration

noticed that outdoor clothing manufacturers have started offering lighter-weight materials in their hunting and fishing vests. Rather than the traditional waxed-cotton material that lasts for years, the lightweight vests used a “softshell” kind of material. I never bought into the lightweight gear idea, because I wanted to stick with what always worked for me – good ol’ heavyweight, waxed cotton/ canvas. Then one day my friend, fish-carving artist Gene Bahr, arrived at our designated hunting location

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decked out in one of these fancy new vests made from this lightweight material. Over the years of hunting together, he still wears that vest, and enjoys its lack of heft. His vest has held up fine, and I am now thinking of purchasing both a hunting and fishing vest made from this lighter material. I do like a big pouch/pocket on the back of the fishing vest for carrying a sandwich and bulky items like a rain jacket and headlamp. A lot of the useless gear like heavy pliers, large rolls of extra tippet material, spare sunglasses, huge bottle of sun protection lotion, extra water, extra sandwiches, and extra bug repellent that I normally would have carried in case my clients forgot to bring it, can now be left back at the truck.

If anyone else tries to take this same path and reduce their fly-fishing gear to make the weight of the vest lighter, please understand this – if you are a gear hoarder like I am, you may have some difficulties. Empty the vest you now use, and lay everything out on the floor. Take a photo of all of that gear spread out in front of you. Thin out the number of duplicate items first, and then start working on the rest of the stuff. When was the last time you needed that two-pound pair of pliers? Work your way through all of your gear, and narrow it down to the bare minimum. Then fish it for a season. I think we all would be surprised to find out how much we don’t need.

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�� The Maine Sportsman • June 2023 • 71

Grandfather Was a Dowser Once he located the vein of water underground, Gramps began interrogating the dowsing rod for details. “Is this vein of water more than 10 feet down?” he asked. The rod dipped. Grandfather asked again, “Is the water more than 15 feet?” The rod dipped again. “Is the water more than 20 feet?” The rod did not dip. Grandfather was a dowser. He could find underground water by using a forked stick, or thought he could. The stick moved for him. He was friends with Henry Gross, the Maine game warden and dowser made famous by Kenneth Roberts. Roberts wrote a book about Mr. Gross in 1951 called “Henry Gross and His Dowsing Rod.” Grandfather was also a disciple of the forked stick. He carried at least two forks in the trunk of his car and was ready at any time to walk someone’s yard or garden plot searching for a vein of water. I have one of his sticks. It’s an apple branch, I think, and dried out to the point of brittleness. He also used witch hazel and willow. Grandfather was always willing to help a neighbor, and sometimes that meant dowsing for water. The dowser’s code of ethics prohibits taking any fees for their talent, and there are no guarantees. Humoring Gramps Gramps practiced in the backyard, and tried to show me how.

I was young and sort of a smartass and was skeptical. Grandfather was not deterred. He gave me one of his divining rods, and showed me how to turn my palms upward and outward and grab the tips of the fork. Lever the point of the fork up into the air in front of your chest, he’d say, and walk slowly across a hayfield. When you stand atop a water source, the tip will point downward. He said as hard as he gripped the ends of the fork, he could not prevent the fork from turning. He explained that sometimes the effect was so strong it would twist the bark off in his hands. I humored Gramps and held the stick and walked, thinking this was really stupid. How can a dry old stick find water? Grandfather walked alongside me giving advice. “Spread the tips a little more,” he said. “Hold your hands out in front.” A Happening Just then, the stick twisted. I felt the ends rotate in my hands and sure enough the fork dipped down and pointed to the ground. I couldn’t stop it. Grandfather took

note. He said, “The stick don’t work for just anyone.” I thought it was a trick. Perhaps my palms were sweaty, and the angle of the grip imparted a twist to the stick so that my own body pushed the stick and forced it to fall. Maybe. When Grandfather began dowsing, he’d walk a somewhat straight line across someone’s back forty, and in due time the stick dipped toward the ground. Grandfather dropped a stone or scuffed with his heel to mark where the stick had pointed. Then he’d walk away ten paces or so and lift his witching stick up again for another try as if he was fooling the stick into thinking it was in a different field. But the stick was not fooled. As Gramps approached the first spot, the stick would twist and point. Gramps nodded his head. Just to be sure he’d take another angle and walk away and try again, and if the stick still pointed to the same spot, that was proof. Gramp marked the place. Then he walked a series of ever widening circles around the spot, searching for the

direction of the underground stream. Eventually he was able to plot a route and declare, “The vein goes this way.” How Deep? That was half of the job. Gramps returned to the original location and now began to interrogate the stick to determine two very important facts – the depth of the vein, and the flow rate. This is when I learned that talking to a dowsing rod was a bit like playing “Jeopardy.” You had to ask your questions in the right way. Grandfather gripped his dowsing rod and asked, “Is this vein of water more than 10 feet down?” The rod dipped. Grandfather asked again, “Is the water more than 15 feet?” The rod dipped again. “Is the water more than 20 feet?” The rod did not dip. Grandfather said seriously, “The vein’s between 15 and 20 feet down.” Then he asked, “Is the water flow more than 10 gallons a minute?” The rod tilted. It became apparent that

there were no shortcuts, and the dowser had to show respect to the divining rod, patiently making it tell what he wanted to know. “Is the flow greater than 20 gallons?” No dip. “Is the flow greater than 15 gallons?” The rod quivered then dipped down one more time. Grandfather grunted, “Probably around 18 gallons a minute. Could be more, could be less, but that’s close. Drive your well point here, and you should get all the water you need.” Even though I sort of apprenticed to Gramps and his dowsing hobby, I don’t recall anyone actually digging a well or striking a gusher based on Gramps’ dowsing advice. That doesn’t mean they couldn’t have driven a well point and hit water 20 feet down and had 18 gallons a minute. As for me, I never caught on to dowsing, in spite of Grandfather’s coaching, but I’m sure that stick moved when I held it.

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72 • June 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

The Evolution of Raccoon Traps Thinking about the coming summer and fall gatherings of trappers at state rendezvous and the demonstrations, especially those geared for the beginner trappers, brings to mind the evolution of traps that I have seen over the past 70 years. A few years ago, I read an article on raccoon traps and how they had changed over time. I thought that kind of information would be of interest to new trappers. The raccoon currently is way down on the list of furbearers that are wanted in the fur industry. The long fur of raccoon was used primarily by the Russians. The war with Ukraine has put that market on hold. Many fur buyers currently won’t even buy raccoon pelts. That is a shame, as the raccoon is a “first trapped” furbearer for many new trappers. If you are mentoring a young trapper, this type of information is part of their learning about humane trapping, and

A review of the ways raccoon traps have evolved over the years reveals a microcosm of how trapping itself has evolved – changes in design to keep dogs and farm animals out of the traps, exclusionary devices to prevent the taking of lynx, and implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs). And even a lesson in international politics, as the Ukraine war has limited demand from Russia, which is the largest purchaser of raccoon pelts. how it evolved over the years prior to the implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs). The trap used for raccoons is a great example of how traps – and trapping – have evolved. Evolution of the Raccoon Trap Back in the day, the #2 double long spring and double under spring traps were the ones most commonly used for raccoons. The older under spring traps were starting to be phased out of use, as newer and better designs were being made available. At that time, if any of us kids had a handful of #2 long springs, we were on top of the

A #2 double long spring, and a #2 coil spring. All photos: David Miller www.MaineSportsman.com

world chasing coon. The #2 coil spring trap was at that time considered a great canine trap by many, but seldom used for coon because of the height of the jaws when the trap closed. Raccoon and skunks both have a habit of chewing their foot once it goes to sleep from the trap’s restricting blood flow. The #2 coil spring was rarely used because of that reason. Actually, all #2 traps allowed a raccoon to occasionally get its nose under the trap jaws and chew its foot, because of the trap’s wide jaws. The #2 double long spring is less wide than the coil spring trap, but still not enough to eliminate all chewing.

The same applies to the smaller #1½ trap, because it is basically a single spring version of the #2 double long spring, having the same jaw spread. The #1½ coil spring trap is by far a better raccoon trap, because the spring levers coming up inside the jaws reduce the inside area, helping to keep the raccoon’s nose away from its foot. Next one down was the smaller size #1 trap. It originally came in two versions – the single long spring, and the single jump version. They have a jaw spread of approximately 4 inches, which further reduced any chance of chewing, but they weren’t considered strong enough for

A #11 trap, and a #1 coil spring trap.

raccoon. #1 Coil Spring; #11 Foothold Later, the #1 coil spring came out, and it is a tough little trap. While mink trapping, I have taken several large raccoons in them with no sign of chewing, due to the small jaw spread and strength of the double coil springs. The mid-1960s brought the size #11 foothold trap, which was made for raccoon. It is a #1 long spring trap with double springs. It has the small jaw spread of 4 inches, with the holding power of two springs. It’s a strong trap, and has even held otter, which is a very powerful furbearer. Conibear Another trap that evolved at this time (1960s), the #220 Conibear, was and is a very humane trap, because it dispatches the animal when caught. It was an excellent raccoon trap, and Maine trappers also used it (Trapping continued on page 74)

A dog-proof (DP), coon cuff trap.

�� The Maine Sportsman • June 2023 • 73

Why I Love the Western Maine Mountains Water, water everywhere – so what’s the best way to access those small trout ponds? As I rise from a peaceful night’s sleep, the morning sun just starts to peek over the eastern horizon. Looking out my second-story bedroom window, I watch the endless flow of the Androscoggin River pass by a mere hundred yards away. The morning sounds increase with the new light of the day – the loud melody of the worm-chasing robins, the noisy chatter of ravens, and the early morning music of songbirds at the feeder. I am so blessed to live in this glorious place I call home. This little town of Dixfield sits right in the middle of some of the best hunting and fishing territory this state has to offer. From my home I can quickly get to premium hunting and fishing within minutes … as a matter of fact, I can simply grab my fly rod, walk down to the river, and immediately get into some of the best fly fishing for smallmouth bass I could ever desire. If I want to fish for brook trout, in less than a half-hour I can be flinging flies and hooking up with numerous brookies on any of the lakes, ponds, and streams running through this region. When I head north

from the Androscoggin River Valley on Route 142 or Route 17, I begin to climb in elevation and quickly lose any kind of concentration of residential homes. The woods take over, with expansive tracts of uninhabited land that offer abundant fishing and hunting possibilities. As many have proclaimed, “This is God’s Country.” Head West When I travel west on Route 2, I get into wonderful areas of the region in towns such as Bethel, Upton and Andover. While the towns contain plenty of residential homes and businesses, the outlying areas offer numerous acres of excellent hunting and fishing territory. The region between these towns and our border with New Hampshire gets pleasantly remote and wild, especially north of Andover towards Wilson’s Mills. With the sheer number of quality places for me to hunt or fish, I often overlook certain parts of the region. One location in particular is most of the area south of the Androscoggin River, from Gilead to the south. This year I’ve made a promise to myself to thoroughly increase my time hunting and fishing this

beautiful Southwest corner of the Western Maine Mountain Region. The wild area of land between Byron and Roxbury also contains a massive amount of remote acreage for hunting and fishing recreation. I’ve enjoyed many years in this section of the region, and will further expand my efforts by exploring deeper into the woods by following the numerous miles of ATV trails. My grandson, Cody St. Germain, bought a used Yamaha Rhino side-by-side, and we are starting to branch out farther each season. This area is on my

Compared to a float tube, a two-pontoon inflatable kick boat, like this one, gets the angler higher off the water, providing more clearance for the backcast. Photo: Rochester Tackle, ZA

summer schedule for side-by-side exploration. Inflatable Kick Boat Most every piece of water in this region can be fished with a small boat (12-footer) or by canoe or kay-

ak. I have a drift boat that makes fishing the Androscoggin River pleasant, a canoe and kayak for lakes and ponds, and waders for the smaller streams. This summer, I’m checking into a kick (Continued on next page)

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74 • June 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————

Western Maine (Continued from page 73)

boat for hiking into ponds. A kick boat features two parallel inflatable pontoons, with a seat in the middle. I want a small inflatable that I can easily carry on my back. I also want the craft to allow me to sit up on it, rather than a “float tube” type that has your lower body submerged. I believe my back cast will enjoy the extra space offered by sitting higher in the water. There are so many small ponds around this region that require a short hike for access, that I think the kick boat will come in handy. I’ve tried dragging canoes and kayaks in with wheeled

units in the past, but that takes more effort than I’m willing to expend at this point. A lightweight, inflatable kick boat that I can carry on my back should do the trick. I just bought a fishing PFD that will lighten up my load when I’m hiking in to fish these smaller ponds. The vest will serve a dual purpose by holding my fishing gear and keeping from sinking underwater if I happen to go overboard. I won’t need my heavy fishing vest, useful for fishing from a stationary position on the water. The lighter PFD vest helps me keep the hiking load down to a min-

Trapping (Continued from page 72)

for fisher, and otter. In Maine, its use is now history, because the Incidental Take Permit (ITP) eliminated the #220’s use on land except when placed in a lynx exclusion device. As a result, fewer fisher are taken. That’s because a majority of fisher won’t enter the exclusion device, and those that do are normally the smaller females. I haven’t heard of anyone having much success taking raccoon in the ex-

Gem of the Western Maine Mountains, the eastern brook trout. William Clunie photo

imum. Now I’ll just have to “thin out” my humongous selection of flies. I’m waffling on whether I will get a kick boat that uses

oars or foot power. I am not sure I want to be kicking flippers around while fishing, but I also know how those oars inhibit a good cast from a fly

clusion devices. The #220 is a lethal device, and its use has always been very restricted in Maine. The #220 used to have to be set a minimum of four feet or higher off the ground or snow surface. This kept domestic dogs from being taken. With few exceptions, the ITP is why all size Conibear traps today must be in exclusion devices if used on land. Dog Proof Next to come into use was the Dog Proof or Coon Cuff trap, which most trappers refer to it as a DP trap. It is designed for raccoon trapping, and may

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�� The Maine Sportsman • June 2023 • 75

Fish Quietly? After my March 2023 “Hunt Quietly” article, in which I urged readers to stop posting “grip and grin” big game trophy photos on public social media sites, I received several responses from readers telling me that many of the same online photo sharing trends have been affecting their enjoyment of fishing. Giving it more consideration, I can’t help but conclude that there is validity to their concerns. How many of us have had a secret honey hole blown up because some chatty Kathy let the cat out of the bag in their online photo caption? I know I have. But the extent of the damage surely doesn’t end there. Here are some things to consider: Tech Issues Much like how mapping software like OnX and Basemap has changed the hunting game, so have fish finders, underwater topographical maps, and structural sonar changed the fishing game. Now, anyone with fancy enough equipment can have the information that was once gained through years of experience, research, and trial and error. For example, Moore Reservoir is home to all kinds of hidden structure. When Moore Dam was built, the entire valley

New Age sonar devices have given rise to “virtual fishing,” in which anglers can watch on screen as fish markers swim up toward bait markers. “To each his own,” says the author, “but I don’t find that any more exciting than playing a video game – and I don’t find video games exciting at all.”

The writer fishes more for solitude and serenity than for the catching of fish. He and other readers feel that the search for peace in nature is being threatened by advancements in technology and trends toward overcrowding. Ethan Emerson photo

flooded, including two villages (Old Waterford, VT and Pattenville, NH). New-age sonar allows anglers the ability to see all those rock walls, roadways, and tree stumps. Previously, local fishermen found all those things by studying old maps, exploring the extended shoreline when the water had been drawn down for dam maintenance, or just by chance over a lifetime of fishing there. Additionally, the

accuracy of the newage sonar has also brought the practice of what I call “virtual fishing.” Whether drop-shotting for smallmouth, jigging through the ice for lakers, or trolling for salmon, quite a few anglers now watch their screens more than their line or their rod tip. One can watch in real time fish markers swimming up toward bait markers on their sonar. To each his own, but I don’t find that any more

exciting than playing a fishing video game. And I don’t find video games exciting at all. Grip and Grins Just like trophy poses with deer, social media is full of trophy photos with fish. And it seems like in every one of them, the fish is held as far from their body and as close to the camera as possible. I’ve written ad nauseum in past articles of the pitfalls of pursuing outdoor accomplishments for the

likes and shares, so no need to beat a dead horse again, here. The consequences of posting these photos, however, extend beyond just the morality of the person posting them. Even more so with fishing than hunting, these photos often lead to “spot burning.” From the background of the photo – or, more egregiously, from the comments or caption to the photo – other people can deduce where the photo and trophy fish were taken. Lake fishing photos tend to have more pinpointable landmarks than hunting photos in the woods. Some folks go to the extent of blurring or erasing the entire background of their trophy fish photo, lest a notable camp or hillside or boat launch be visible. I would argue, though, that if you are that concerned with others finding out your spot, perhaps you just shouldn’t post photos online to begin with, right? Peace, Interrupted I mentioned in my previous writings that I hunt to escape the rest of the world. If I run into another hunter in the woods, my day is all but ruined. Many people also use fishing as an escape, as well. They go more for the peace, solitude, and serenity, than for the fishing itself. (Continued on next page) www.MaineSportsman.com

76 • June 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ————————————————————————————————————————————————

New Hampshire (Continued from page 75)

I’ve heard from several of these people recently that they can no longer find those calming things in their traditional haunts.

The jet skis, party boats, million-dollar “camps,” and bass tournaments have ruined their local lakes. Even stream fisher-

men are seeing crowding like never before. Word has gotten out via social media and advertising by local businesses of where all the best pools are. Now, there are lines of fishermen competing

for a spot at what was once an obscure bend of the brook known only to locals. People now have to travel farther and farther to find peace and good fishing. One reader told me that he

Trophy Gallery

Emily Albright of Deansboro, NY traveled to West Paris, Maine and used an old box call to lure this huge 20-lb, 6-oz gobbler into range. The big bird, with its 9 1/2- inch beard, was registered at Doe’s Inc. in South Paris.

Clyde Fowler, Sr. of Randolph was recently awarded a Grand Slam patch for his big game accomplishments in 2019, including this huge tom turkey, shot in Chelsea, as well as an 840-lb. bull moose shot in Moscow; a black bear from E. Moxie Twp., and a whitetail shot in Chelsea. Clyde Sr. has raised a family of skilled and successful hunters, including Clyde, Jr. and Tiffany.

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lives in New Jersey, but because of crowds of anglers and other recreationalists, he only fishes 2-3 times a year now – and he travels to Maine to do it! Locally, in Northern NH, there has developed quite the rift between the residents and visitors over just this issue. Seeking a more rural experience, people from southern and populated parts of the state are traveling to the North Country. Those who have enjoyed a quiet and uncrowded life here may feel displaced from their own home woods and waters. I’m afraid it is a continuous domino effect, though, as some of those displaced North Country residents are now traveling to more rural places than their own (Out West, Adirondacks, northern Maine). And in doing so, they displace the next wave of people. Who knows how long this can continue, and what corner of the wilderness will be the next to be overtrodden?

�� The Maine Sportsman • June 2023 • 77

Judging the Junior Duck Stamp Contest Any reader who hunts for waterfowl knows that there is a Federal Duck Stamp, initiated through the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act of 1934. Waterfowl hunters over the age of 16 are required to have one of these cool stamps, and every hunter ought to buy one, since the money derived from their sale is deposited into a Treasury account known as the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund, which is not subject to the discretionary appropriations process. This means that the more than $1.1 billion dollars raised since the program started have gone directly to conserving over 6 million acres of land within the National Wildlife Refuge System. Artists submit illustrations that are judged, and it’s a challenge to win that stamp design in the only federally-run art competition. Did you know there is also a junior duck stamp contest? I didn’t. That was, until I got invited to be a judge for the 2023 Junior Duck Stamp Competition in Vermont, coordinated out of the local National Wildlife Refuge, the Nulhegan Basin Division of the Silvio O. Conte NWR. When asked, I readily agreed to take part, not thinking much of it. As a hunter, I appreciate nature, and am drawn to art reflecting my experiences. As a duck hunter, I have my favorite ducks, usually chosen for their beauty in the woods and on my plate. I would have to use some different qualifications for this experience. Judging The five of us who were asked to be judges gathered at Fairbanks Museum in St. Johnsbury, VT with USFWS staff to go over the competition rules and then judge the art. As you might expect, the rules seemed a little wacky to start, but like many federally-driven bureaucratic processes, there was a method to the madness that worked out in the end. There were rounds of judging involving tokens, and then a point system to determine first place positions, and finally we would declare a “best of show”

A behind-the-scenes look into the judging for Vermont’s Junior Duck Stamp contest. Would it be the merganser? The blue winged teal? The wood duck? The results showed outstanding artistic talent from many different school-age artists.

Here is Ezra Goss’ Best in Show winning piece from the VT Junior Duck Stamp Contest 2023.

winner that would move on to the nationals. We were to judge art from submissions of kids in four categories: pre-k to 3rd grade, 4th-6th, 7th-9th, and lastly 1012th grade. The mood was relaxed among the judges in the first categories, with the young kids’ art being well done, but resembling the sort of thing you might see on most refrigerators during duck season. The art in each subsequent category noticeably improved, with the waterfowl starting to look quite life-like. As the art got more serious, so did the judges. The artist in our ranks, who has submitted work to the adult competition in the past, really understood the work at hand. The rest of us seemed to appreciate the accuracy of each duck and its habitat. Our decisions had weight to them, and as pieces got whittled down to a final round, we were leaving out some beautiful work. One that got left behind was a beautiful rendition of a wood duck, one of my favorite critters, that just didn’t quite have the “it” factor. Picking One The annual Junior Duck Stamp is

both an art contest and a bit of wetland conservation education for school children. These stamps can be purchased for $5, with proceeds used to fund wetland education, as well as for awards and scholarships. The work begins in the fall of each school year, and submissions are gathered by March 15th (in VT) for spring judging, with a national winner announced in late April and the new stamp ready for purchase by early July. Each state has a coordinator who works with interested folks, often art teachers, to incorporate this program into the curriculum. Our judging process had cut the best in show selections down to five finalists, and the pressure mounted. I felt less drawn to the colored pencil works that had made it that far, though they were both beautifully done images of blue winged teal. There were two paintings of common mergansers that I thought were magnificent and I leaned toward them with my scoring. Picking just one to win felt hard. When the final tallies were done, Ezra Goss of Barnet, VT, won the Best of Show in the Vermont competition of the 2023 Federal Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest. The Vermont Best of Show artwork will now compete in the National Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest, and will tour the United States for the coming year. If you have a young artist at home, are an art teacher, or are just interested in the magic of this contest, I recommend reaching out to your state coordinator to find out more. The list of coordinators can be found at https://www.fws.gov/media/junior-duck-stamp-program-coordinators-and-receiving-sites-contact-list. I viewed as many of the New England Contest winners as I could find, and they were all amazing. With only a hint of bias, I think Vermont’s best in show piece by Mr. Goss might be the strongest entry from our region into the national contest!

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Smilin’ Sportsman

Woman #1: “What’s the best thing about dating a homeless guy?” Woman #2: “I don’t know – what?” Woman #1: “Afterwards, you can drop him off anywhere.” — A man was sitting at the doctor’s office. The doctor walked in and said, “I have some bad news. I’m afraid you’re going to have to stop tying trout flies.” “I don’t understand, Doc,” the patient said. “Why?” “Because,” the doctor said. “I’m trying to examine you.” — It was Game 7 of the World Series at Fenway Park, and a man made his way to his seat right behind home plate. He sat down, noticing that the seat next to him was empty. He leaned two seats over and asked the woman sitting there whether anyone would be occupying the empty seat. “No,” said the woman. “The seat is empty.” “That’s unbelievable,” said the man.

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“Who in their right mind would have a seat like this for Game 7 and not use it?” The woman said, “Well actually, the seat belongs to me. I was supposed to come with my husband, but he passed away on Friday. This is the first World Series game we haven’t been to together since we got married.” “Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that,” said the man. “That’s terrible … but couldn’t you find someone else – a friend, relative or even a neighbor – to take his seat?” The woman shook her head. “No,” she said. “They’re all at the funeral.” — A farmer’s elderly father passed away in his sleep. In the morning, the farmer called 9-11 to have someone come pick up the body. The 9-1-1 operator told him that she would send someone out right away. “Where do you live?” asked the operator. He replied, “At the end of Cobbosseecontee Boulevard.” The operator asked, “Can you spell that for me?

There was a long pause, and finally the farmer said, “How ’bout if I haul him over to Oak Street, and you pick him up there?”

�� The Maine Sportsman • June 2023 • 79

June Swoon

This is not our columnist’s favorite month June is upon us, the month that legend proclaims inspires more marriages than any other. Apparently, there are statistics that show that’s not true, but since few things in this column ever are, I’m not going to let it deter me from drawing conclusions based upon this particular falsehood. It’s not clear why anyone would want to get married in June (although I did just that for reasons that have something to do with grooms not having much say about wedding details). The June weather in Maine is, at best, uncertain. It doesn’t usually snow, but every other sort of meteorological havoc is in play: rain, wind, lightning, more rain, unseasonable heat, fog, another round of rain, hail, locusts, volcanic ash, and did I mention rain? Soggy with a Touch of Moldy According to weather experts I didn’t bother to consult, it rains an average of 38 days every June. That includes all weekends and any other date the caterer is available. Unless the bridal gear is made of Gore-Tex, a June wedding is bound to leave the wedding party with a feeling best described as soggy with a touch of moldy.

June weddings are fun for all involved. Source: Heimdal Tours

(In no way do I intend that as a metaphor for marriage. If that’s the way you took it, perhaps you and your spouse should consider counseling.) But if you’re not going to get married in June, what else is there to do? It’s too cold to swim in the ocean. It’s too warm to go skiing. It’s too early to hunt bear. After June 3rd, it’s too late to hunt turkey. It’s too buggy to garden. It’s too much work to mow the lawn. It gets light too early to sleep late. It gets dark too late to do anything you don’t want

the neighbors to notice. You could go fishing – if all your June weekends weren’t already committed to attending weddings. You could go to a baseball game – if you enjoy watching sports in the aforementioned rain. You could take a vacation out of state – if you could afford it after paying for all those wedding gifts. Just Watch the Red Sox You could stream all the Oscar-nominated movies you haven’t watched, but I can tell you from sad experience you will be either sorry, angry or dismayed. If you wanted to experience those emotions, you could just watch the Red Sox. There are those who’ll tell you June is a fine time to drink gin and tonics. But so are May and July, both of which have better weather and fewer annoying weddings. Pot is no more enjoyable in June than any other month. You won’t be any more successful at gambling in June than you were the last time you felt lucky. Pickleball? Why not just hang a sign around your neck saying, “I Am Old and Crotchety”? Also, there are no pickles. Croquet? See previous admonition about Pickleball. Also, there are no croquettes. Mixed martial arts? Did you forget you are old and crotchety? For all the fun to be had in the grim 30 days of June, you might as well be married. Wonders of Nature I suppose there are those among you who can, with a bit of willpower, set aside all these negative factors, and glory in the wonders of nature that June affords us. Such as: • Blister beetles. As you bend down to sniff a fragrant flower, your nose may inadvertently come in contact with one of the five species of this pest that live in Maine and become quite active in June. If you get any of the scum they secrete from the joints of their legs on your schnozolla, you’ll suffer a painful skin burn that will leave you looking particularly repellant at the next wedding reception. And the blister beetle’s other common name is Spanish fly. I would have more to say about that, but there’s

no way the editor is going to allow it. Anyway, it doesn’t work. • Bedstraw hawk-moth caterpillars. I did not make that name up. They have a bright red or green horn on their heads that can shoot laser beams. OK, I may have made that up. Scientists insist this weird looking creature is harmless, but that’s also what they say about kale, and we all know that isn’t true. • Kale. It grows in June and tastes terrible. I’d rather eat a blister beetle. • Love songs. You know the ones that rhyme June with moon, spoon and bassoon. Unlistenable. These are just a few of the many things that are wrong with June. I had a list of suggestions for improving this wretched month, but it got washed away in the rain. Al Diamon writes the weekly column Politics & Other Mistakes, for the Portland Phoenix. *** Editor’s note: Due to an error in the editing process, several paragraphs in Al Diamon’s May, 2023 column, titled “Do Trees Make Good Pets?”, were printed out of their proper sequence. A corrected version can be found on The Maine Sportsman’s website, www.MaineSportsman.com/blog.

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Is Your Small Boat Lake-Worthy? There’s also a big difference, says the author, between what a small boat can handle, and what you (the operator) can handle. While a 14-footer may be able to conquer 5-foot waves with some finesse, it takes an experienced operator and some nerves of steel. I’ve never been allowed to go too far from camp in the fishing boat. Sebago is a big, often rough and busy lake. The Rig, my fishing boat, doesn’t fit in. It’s a 14-footer, equipped with a mind-boggling, head-turning 8 horsepower powerhouse. Topping out at an incredible 26 miles an hour (when there’s nobody else on board), it isn’t much of a boat compared to others on the lake. There are a lot of big boats on Sebago, some pushing 30 feet or more, and some serious motors. I can see why my parents would be reluctant to let me go out among those boats. But how capable is your little boat? I know plenty of people who take their 14-foot boats on day trips to Sebago and Moosehead, and other large

lakes. For a trailerable boat, my little craft is perfect. It’s so much easier to deal with than a big aluminum or heavy fiberglass boat. Beyond that, they’re a lot more forgiving as far as maintenance goes, and they’re quite rugged. Plus, The Rig is a really wide, deep 14-footer, and takes chop better than most of its size. So what can you take your little boat out in? Flat water? Ripples? Heavy chop? Open ocean? Well, I think a lot of it comes down to not just water conditions, but the general environment. Are there a lot of other boats? If so, are they big ones that churn a hazardous wake? In my experience, that’s the big deciding factor. Believe it or not, a flat-bottom 12 footer really doesn’t handle wake from a 37’

cabin cruiser too well. Shocking, I know. A day with rough waves and no boat traffic is often easier to handle than a calm day with a lot of big boats. At least with rough waves, you can predict them – they’re always the same size from the same direction. As far as what kind of wind or chop your boat can handle, there’s a lot to consider. Aluminum boats like mine aren’t good in the wind, and there’s no denying it. They’re light, so they get pushed around easily. There’s also a big difference between what the boat can handle, and what you (the operator) can handle. While a 14-footer may be able to conquer 5-foot waves with some finesse, it takes an experienced operator and some nerves

Small boat; big lake. In the author’s opinion, wakes from large powerboats can be trickier to handle in a lightweight aluminum boat than a storm chop. Nolan Raymond photo

of steel. You’re also signing up for a spinal realignment and a lifetime supply of chiropractor appointments, because it gets ROUGH. A big help with these boats is adding weight in the bow, in front of the front seat. It makes it slower, because it can’t lift onto a plane as easily. However, it lets the bow sit lower down, preventing it from blowing around. You can also bring someone with you and have them sit up front.

Especially when you’re trolling, this is a big help. When you’re looking to go fast, try putting them on the middle seat to let the boat plane. I’ve long considered the idea of a small center console setup behind the middle seat, to get the center of gravity farther forward when I’m alone. Whatever your boat setup, don’t be afraid to try to get the most use out of it, as long as you take some precautions.

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�� The Maine Sportsman • June 2023 • 81

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T4 R7 – Looking for remote pristine waterfront? Enjoy seeing a perfect starry night sky? Do you enjoy hunting and fishing? This leased camp on Seboeis River could be just what you are looking for. Call today for your appointment to see. $49,000

Lakeville – Large, private waterfront property on Lombard Lake & Stream, with cheap taxes. Cabin needs some love, but appears solid and square. Post and beam construction, on a full concrete foundation, offers plenty of potential. $229,000

Winn – This cute cabin is insulated with a knotty interior. The lot is heavily wooded and gorgeous. Situated on North Road; a paved, year round, secondary road. With a little fire pit sitting just off the cabin’s screen porch. $49,900

Lakeville – Gorgeous piece of land, heavily wooded and near the end of the Spaulding Pond Road with lakes all around. The cabin is small but sturdy. The privy and fire pit make it comfortable. Definitely well worth a look. $49,000

Prentiss TWP – Brand new home situated in the small, northern Maine Township. Cute, modern, located 1.5 hours from Bangor and Baxter State Park. Some of the finest outdoor recreational activities at your fingertips right on Park Street. Call today. $99,000

Bangor / Millinocket (207) 738-5315 Dexter (207) 270-2312 edwardl@edssheds-cabins.com

www.EdsSheds-Cabins.com

SCREEN PRINTING & EMBROIDERY T-Shirts $6.00 Heavyweight 100% Cotton Pre-shrunk

FREE set-up on orders of 72 pieces or more! Prices on 36 pieces ($20 set-up) Price includes garment and 1 color 1 location screen print Rush Service Available ~ Call for free catalog

Hats $7.00

T-Shirts-Jackets-Sweatshirts-Sweatpants Hats-Aprons-Totes and more

BERG ACTIVEWEAR 852 DEXTER ROAD • CORINNA, MAINE

1-800-242-2374 • 207-278-7740 WWW.BERGACTIVEWEAR.COM

www.MaineSportsman.com

T3 R1 – Remote, private, wooded and beautiful, with deeded access to Bill Green Pond. Right off Engstrom Road. POSSIBLE OWNER FINANCING. $22,900 Enfield – This large lot is part of a larger parcel, owner would consider selling larger piece. Not far from Cold Stream Pond and Cold Stream. Public road of Caribou Road and short distance to electricity. $34,000 Carroll PLT – Quiet and rural with year-round road – town maintained, North Road. Four bedroom septic, drilled well and driveway already in. Half open space and half woodland. $80,000 Lincoln – Nice lot on year round Half Township Road. Great lot for that year round home or cottage. This lot is located in a rural area close to ATV trails. Explore the Maine woods from this lot. Enjoy a look today. $29,500

R E A L

E S T A T E

5 LAKE STREET, P.O. BOX 66, LINCOLN 207-794-2460 www.cwalakestreet.com E-mail: cwa@cwalakestreet.com

1-800-675-2460 Call any of our brokers to work for you! “Tate” Aylward ............. 794-2460 Peter Phinney............... 794-5466 Kirk Ritchie................... 290-1554

FOR COMPLETE INFORMATION ON OUR PROPERTIES VISIT OUR WEB SITE AT CWALAKESTREET.COM

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www.MaineSportsman.com

84 • June 2023 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————