The Maine Sportsman - May 2018 by The Maine Sportsman - Digital Edition

Sportsman The Maine

Fowler Floats His Reed Boat

— in Camden Harbor! Page 34

May 2018 • $4.99

Bowhunt Your Turkey —Without a Blind!

Page 19

Improve Your Fly Fishing Technique – and Fly Selection Pages 21 & 24

Springtime is for TROLLING Pages 60 & 63

2 • May 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Get out and enjoy the lakes, mountains, rivers & woods in Western Maine!

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�� The Maine Sportsman • May 2018 • 3

Skowhegan Moose Festival — June 8–10, 2018 — Skowhegan Fairgrounds • 33 Constitution Avenue, Skowhegan, ME MOOSE LOTTERY DRAWING JUNE 9TH AT 2PM BY DIFW IN THE GRANDSTAND! Exhibits • Demonstrations • Kids’ Activities • Local Food • Live Music • Moose Calling Contest • And Much More! Saturday Night Grandstand Concert featuring Country Stars, Phil Vassar & Bryan White — For concert tickets or Moose Calling Contest info, go to www.skowheganmoosefest.com or visit Main Street Skowhegan at 48 Court Street, Skowhegan —

Jody Zeisloft and his wife of Bar Harbor spotted this pair of young bull moose near Spencer Pond Camps in the Moosehead Lake region last year. Jody Zeisloft photo

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Editorial

4 • May 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Oh, What a Show!

Over the three-day Easter 2018 weekend, thousands and thousands of sportsmen and sportswomen visited the State of Maine Sportsman’s Show at the Augusta Civic Center. The event was an unqualified success, with every exhibitor booth space filled. Boats (including exceedingly-popular pontoon boats), firearms, knives, freshwater guides, saltwater guides, nonprofit sporting clubs, huge retailers like L.L.Bean, and purveyors of elk jerky and chocolate fudge, all welcomed the crowds and marketed their goods and services. Government agencies, such as DIF&W (wardens and biologists) and the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (tick disease prevention experts) educated and informed attendees. Experts on tracking, hunting and trapping held numerous seminars. And Zachary Fowler exhibited his “Maine reed boat” (see more about that in this issue) in the main lobby. Nothing says “Spring is here!” like the annual show. Thanks to our own Maine Sportsman volunteers, and to Becky Morrell of our Show partners, Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine (SAM), for her organizational skills and endless energy. It was a Show to remember. See you next year!

Fishing Secrets and Social Media

There’s an old Maine joke, that starts with an angler showing a friend a huge trophy fish. “Where’s you hook him?” asks the friend. “Right about here,” replies the angler, bending his finger and “hooking” it into the inside of his own cheek. There’s a tradition among fishermen that’s as old as the sport itself, and that’s the principle that you keep as a closely-held secret the locations of the most productive spots. When your editor was growing up, for example, the family found a place where largemouth bass would strike on nearly every cast. It became (and remains today) “No-Name Pond,” even though ice-anglers have since discovered it and the fishing action has slowed. So along comes social media – Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, YouTube and other methods of taking photos and videos and sharing them with the world. Suddenly, your secret spot isn’t a secret any more. There’s even a phrase to describe what happens when a formerly-secret place gets heavily used because of a social media post – “spot burning.” DIF&W recently put out a post discussing this phenomenon. However, they had an interesting spin, in that they touted the positive aspects of social media; namely, it provides an avenue for the department’s biologists to draw attention to a pond as a way of increasing fishing opportunities, such as when the state has stocked fish expressly for that purpose. We aren’t going to stop social media, but we can apply common sense. Consider the capacity of a lake, pond or stream before announcing it to the world. Are the fish stocked and replaceable, or are they native, and therefore likely unable to withstand an onslaught of pressure? It’s not worth the extra “Likes” you may receive, if your postings subject fragile waters to a thundering herd of anglers. www.MaineSportsman.com

New England’s Largest Outdoor Publication Readership

Sportsman The Maine

ISSN 0199-036 — Issue No. 548 • www.mainesportsman.com PUBLISHER: Jon Lund MANAGING EDITOR: Will Lund will@mainesportsman.com OFFICE MANAGER: Linda Lapointe linda@mainesportsman.com OFFICE ASSISTANT: Victoria Peckham victoria@mainesportsman.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Kristina Roderick kristina@mainesportsman.com ADVERTISING DIRECTOR: Nancy Carpenter nancy@mainesportsman.com ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGER: Brent Basso brent@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 Fax: 207-622-4255 Postmaster: Send address changes to: The Maine Sportsman, 183 State Street, Suite 101, Augusta, ME 04330 12-Month Subscription: $30 • 24-Month Subscription: $49

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Almanac by Will Lund........................................................ 10 Aroostook - “The County” by Bill Graves......................... 40 Big Game Hunting by Joe Saltalamachia...................... 44 Bird of the Month, by Erika Zambello............................... 13 Capitol Report by George Smith..................................... 16 Central Maine by Steve Vose........................................... 61 Danger in the Outdoors by David Van Wie.................... 66 Downeast Region by Jim Lemieux................................... 58 Editorial.................................................................................. 4 Freshwater Fly Fishing by Lou Zambello........................... 24 Jackman by William Sheldon........................................... 49 Jottings by Jon Lund............................................................ 6 Katahdin Country by William Sheldon............................. 46 Kate’s Wild Kitchen by Kate Krukowski Gooding........... 51 Letters to the Editor.............................................................. 5 Maine Wildlife by Tom Seymour....................................... 18 Maine Wildlife Quiz by Steve Vose................................... 20 Midcoast Report by Tom Seymour................................... 60 Moosehead by Tom Seymour.......................................... 52 New Hampshire by Ethan Emerson.................................. 72 Off-Road Traveler by William Clunie................................ 35 Quotable Sportsman by George Smith........................... 17 Rangeley Region by William Clunie................................. 69 Riding Shotgun by Robert Summers................................. 48 Saltwater by Barry Gibson................................................. 32 Sebago to Auburn Region by Tom Roth......................... 63 Self-Propelled Sportsman by Jim Andrews...................... 42 Shooter’s Bench by Col. J.C. Allard................................. 56 Smilin’ Sportsman: Adults by Will Lund............................. 48 Smilin’ Sportsman: Kids by Will Lund................................. 59 Sportsman’s Journal by King Montgomery....................... 8 Southern Maine by Val Marquez..................................... 65 Trapping The Silent Places by David Miller...................... 68 Trading Post (Classifieds)................................................... 73 Trout Fishing by Tom Seymour........................................... 54 Western Maine Mountains by William Clunie.................. 71 Young Maine Sportsman by Luke Giampetruzzi............ 36

SPECIAL SECTIONS

ATVing in Maine - Shared Family Time by Shane Brown.26 ATVing in Maine – Law Violations by JP Falzone............ 28 Bowunting in Maine by Chris “Bubba” Johnson............. 19 Fly Fishing in Maine by Michael Browning....................... 21 Saltwater Fishing in Maine by Benny Holloway............... 30

GUEST COLUMNS

My Maine Boat Made of Reeds by Zachary Fowler...... 34

On the Cover: May is spring turkey hunting month in Maine, and this issue is jam-packed with turkey hunting tips!

Letters

�� The Maine Sportsman • May 2018 • 5

To The Editor

A Fan of Kate and Her Cookbooks

To the Editor: I subscribe to the Maine Sportsman magazine and live in Columbus Ohio. I just read that Kate Krukowski Gooding helped staff the magazine’s booth at the just-completed State of Maine Sportsman Show in Augusta. I have three of her cookbooks. They are fabulous publications, written by a true outdoors sportsperson who has obviously been there and done that. Her cookbooks are easy to use. I have a number of wild game cookbooks that contain overly-complicated recipes, and I will never use them. It is truly a treat to read Kate’s books and use her recipes. My trapping friends and I are looking forward to preparing some beaver meat next season. Maybe we’ll break even on the hides and meat. Thanks to Kate, there will be much less to waste of this great natural renewable resource. Also, I liked her fiddlehead, bacon, and mushroom recipe. Erik Warren - Columbus, Ohio —

From Flowers to Fishing

bucks, and he fished religiously the waters of Southern Maine, including saltwater. I thought, “What would he do with flowers?” So, I went to our Director of Human Resources and explained that it would be a better option to give the sportsmen and -women in our company a two-year subscription to the Maine Sportsman. She agreed that the cost was about the same and that it would make sense to change the policy and go from “Flowers to Fishing” with the Maine Sportsman. I enjoy the Maine Sportsman every month, and I’ve have been advertising with you for 3 years now. Capt Scott Bartlett Snug Harbor Guide Service - Sebago Lake, ME —

A Happy Birthday To the Editor: My name is Leia Durrell, and I’m 16 years old. I completed my grand slam last fall, with a bear, a moose, a turkey, and a deer. I had fun hunting, especially because it allowed me to spend time with my father and my grandfather (“Bumpy”). It seemed like it was bad weather for several of my hunts. I got my bear during a rainstorm, and also got my fall turkey during a cold, driving rain. I did not get a deer during the regular firearms season, but managed to

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complete the slam using a 50 caliber muzzleloader with a 250-grain slug while hunting with my Dad during the December blackpowder season. The most memorable hunt was my moose hunt. It was on my 16th birthday. We returned to camp after an unsuccessful morning hunting. My father and grandfather suggested I go visit the main lodge, so I went down there for a little while. When I came back, I found everyone had decorated the whole camp, and they were all singing “Happy Birthday.” I had a feeling This fall turkey was that day was going part of 16-year old to end well, and it Leia Durrell’s 2017 did, as my Dad and Grand Slam. I found a nice bull moose five miles down a logging road that afternoon. Leia Durrell - Farmington, ME

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6 • May 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Teaching Kids to Fish Pays Big Dividends Take it from Governor Percival Baxter’s father – encouraging a youngster to learn how to fish is like putting money in the bank. In late May of 1884, Percival Baxter’s dad, James P. Baxter, took his son, age seven, on a six-day fishing trip in the Rangeley region. They took lodgings at the Oquossoc Angling Association, where the senior Baxter was a member. According to the records of the Association, in the course of six days, they caught a total of fifty-two fish, four of which weighed a total of twenty-four pounds – a spectacular catch by today’s standards. On Cupsuptic Lake on the last day of their trip, the log read that it was “cold and rainy, but we fished just the same.” The fish were not biting. After a while, young Percival became restless. In order to inject a bit of excitement into the activity, Percy’s dad promised him that if he caught a trout over six pounds, he would give Percy $10 per pound for the fish. Young Percy did hook a fish – a good one – and after a lengthy battle, the guide netted the

large brook trout. When brought ashore later in the day, the trout weighed 7-3/4 pounds. With the uncanny skill characteristic of his profession, the guide pronounced it to have weighed eight pounds when caught. The Prize That evening, as they were sitting around the fire at the Anglers club, in a small ceremony James P. Baxter handed his son eight ten-dollar bills. Another angler asked young Percy what he was going to do with all that money. The boy replied, “I am going to put it in the bank.” Everyone was amused. He did just that, and left it in the bank in an account labeled “Percival P. Baxter Fish Account,” where it remained until his death. When the estate was probated, in 1969, the Fish Account amounted to a sum in excess of $1,000, which was donated to the Department of Fish and Game for fisheries research, in accordance with the Gover-

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nor’s wishes. Percival continued to accompany his father on his fishing trips almost without interruption until the father’s death in 1921. Stick Rod or Zebco Anglers are often urged to introduce youngsters to fishing, and I support the principle, but the days of catching trout in Maine weighing an average of six pounds are history. Some of our friends who are keen fishermen have passed on their enthusiasm for angling to their children. Some have not. How are we most likely to succeed? I would not start off with fly-fishing. Fly-casting technique can be difficult to learn. It can be a challenging and frustrating way to try to catch fish. One answer is to start with a Zebco outfit, or a similar basic rig. If the beginning angler is mature enough to deal with the reel, then it may be a good answer. However, for the

Seven-year old future Governor Percival Baxter with his $1,000 trout. Photo used by permission of the Baxter Park Authority

younger angler, my favorite is a stick rod. A small straight four or five foot-

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three or four feet of nylon line tied to the tip of the stick and a short piece of monofilament leader attached to a barbless hook tied to the monofilament. The rod will be lighter and stiffer if you cut it and leave it under cover to dry for a while, but that is not critical. A stick rod is cheap, easily available, nearly foolproof, and it floats. No reel to break or get full of sand. If it falls in the water, if doesn’t sink. A stick rod is not intimidating. The kid will instinctively learn how to use it. He or she will flip the hook out, drag it in, dap it up and down, sink it and raise it slowly. No need for instruction or

•

close supervision. Sometimes, a small nontoxic split shot may be needed to get it to sink a bit. Flattening the barb makes it easier to unhook a fish or a snagged piece of clothing. Almost anything will do for bait or lure – a piece of hotdog, freshwater mussel, a bit of rubber worm or even a real worm. The disadvantages are: limited range and limited depth. If the fishing is done off a float or watercraft, it is a good time to teach the importance of wearing a PFD. (If you can, provide a comfortable vest- type PFD. Kids don’t like the horsecollar type. Neither would you or I.) If the young angler is

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Did You Bag a Turkey? Become a Member of The Maine Sportsman

MAINE WILD TURKEY PATCH CLUB! You’ve been successful at the hunt, now wear your pride by entering The Maine Sportsman’s exclusive Maine Wild Turkey Patch Club! To enter, go to

www.mainesportsman.com and click “Patch Clubs” to download, print and mail your application with $10 to: The Maine Sportsman 183 State Street, Suite 101 • Augusta, ME 04330 Don’t have a computer or printer? No problem! Give us a call at (207) 622-4242 and we’ll mail you an application. Other Maine Sportsman Patch Clubs Include: Biggest Bucks in Maine, The One That Didn’t Get Away, Maine Black Bear, Maine Moose, Maine Big Game Grand Slam, and Maine Bowhunters.

anxious to reach out farther than the stick rod outfit will reach, it may be time to try the Zebco, or similar simple spincasting outfit. Check it to make sure the drag is adjusted so the monofilament line can be pulled out without breaking. You may be surprised to find the neophyte has hooked a bass. For beginners, probably a floating lure will be easiest to handle, but a sinking lure like an Al’s Goldfish or small Moose-

look wobbler or red-andwhite spoon may be more productive. Be prepared to assist in unhooking snagged lures, but don’t overdo the coaching. Always take the time to admire any catch, and point out the dorsal and other spines to watch out for. Kids often like to feel the scales and slime. If a small boat or canoe is available, it may be time to move onto open water for casting, still fishing or trolling. You may rediscover the fun

you had when you first started to fish. Encouraging a youngster to learn how to fish is like putting money in the bank. Thank you to Howard R. Whitcomb, author of Governor Baxter’s Magnificent Obsession (2008) for his generous assistance, and to the Baxter Park Authority for permission to use the photo.

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Mac and Me Mac could usually catch fish, often in spite of himself. He moved to Florida, probably so he could fish in saltwater, and I moved to Maine, so we don’t get together for time on the water any more. Perhaps I’ll visit him there someday, and we can take up where we left off. To Mac, fishing was only part of a total outdoor adventure package that included sleeping late instead of catching the early morning bite, and taking long naps in the cabin by the lake even when the fish were hitting. It included cooking copious quantities of heavily-spiced, saturated fat-filled food instead of taking advantage of the evening angling action. And it involved playing poker late into the night and drinking plenty of brew and or bourbon instead of sleeping to be fresh for the next morning’s buzzbait and popper time.

Mac is a large gentleman, and you could always tell Mac’s boat from far across the lake -- with Mac in back and an ice chest loaded with Bud Lite by his feet, the bow pointed up about 45 degrees. Somehow it was easy to forget his ability to catch fish in the face of these other impressive talents.

the trees. “All right! Whatta Hawg! Damn nice fish!” The blue h e r o n s along the shore would squawk disapproval and Big Guy take rapid Mac is a flight. Oslarge gentleprey, drifting man: a six on the overfoot casting head therrod in his hand looks Fishing camp with Mac involved playing poker late into mals, would and like a bug- the night and drinking plenty of brew and or bourbon duck instead of sleeping to be fresh for the next morning’s weave as if gy whip. On buzzbait and popper time. (Illustration by Mort Cohen.) avoiding a our periodbald eagle or in back and a loaded ice ic weekend shotgun pellets. Beaver chest by his feet, the bow outings, both of us were wouldn’t come out for pointed up about 45 deArmy officers in the Pendays. grees. tagon, we fished a small You always knew rural Virginia lake in “What Did You when Mac had a good johnboats powered by Get Her On?” fish, even when he was electric trolling motors. After Mac’s patentdown the other arm of the You could always ed fish calls, I’d motor lake. His loud, deep voice tell Mac’s boat from far over and take pictures of would reverberate over across the lake. With Mac him with his fish. A five the water and through

pound bass looked like a two-pounder hanging from his large hands. “What did you get her on, Mac?” He would answer either “Mac’s worm,” or “Mac’s crankbait.” These were essentially the only two lures he used, particularly since he was never around during top water times. “Mac’s worm” was a name we’d given to a six inch Mister Twister Phenom worm in earthworm brown with a bright orange tail. “Mac’s crankbait” was a Bomber 7A in firetiger color. Mac always nailed them on one or the other. You could tell when Mac lost a fish, too. The squirrels froze and then fled, as waves of expletives rolled over water and land. Mac didn’t lose many, but when he did, all nearby creatures knew it. The fish would be driven so deep by the vocal overpressure that (Continued on next page)

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�� The Maine Sportsman • May 2018 • 9 (Continued from page 8)

they wouldn’t bite for at least an hour or more. I wouldn’t bother to motor over to him after this type of outburst. Fine Dining? Most evenings after fishing, we dined on Mac’s famous deepfried panfish coated with flour, cornmeal, salt, garlic powder, and a ton of black pepper. The vegetable—Mac always insisted on balanced meals—was stewed tomatoes with onions and six or seven crushed cloves of fresh garlic. The sliced potatoes were heavily salted, peppered, paprika’ed, and garlic-powdered – to add to already copious quantities of that odoriferous spice. The pain was exquisite as the meal went down, and again when I reached for a handful of Tums in the middle of the night. It was even worth it the next morning when our fishing often was interrupted by frequent trips to the cabin’s bathroom or to the nearby shore. But we never went hungry when Mac was around. Mac’s Poker Face Mac could not only fish and cook, he could also play poker. During one game, he dozed at the head of the table in a Jim Beam haze while still clutching his five card draw hand. I put in his ante. Everyone took some cards on the draw, but Mac stood pat since he was still asleep, snoring by now. The bets grew heavier than usual, and I made sure Mac was in, even though I hadn’t a clue what he held. His chips dwindled in front of him as I slid them into the pot. At the final call, I laid Mac’s cards on the table. He won the relatively substantial sum with a straight flush. He slept on. Oblivious.

“All right! Whatta Hawg! Damn nice fish!” The blue herons along the shore would squawk disapproval and take rapid flight. Osprey, drifting on the overhead thermals, would duck and weave, and beaver wouldn’t come out for days. (Illustration by Mort Cohen.)

Rare Early Morning It was early morning, the magic time just before the sun rises. A low-flying mallard pair skimmed over the still water, and the night-talking insects and frogs fiddled and croaked their last chords of water music. Clouds of mosquitoes hovered, but didn’t land or bite – a body full of garlic apparently repels them as it does almost everything else. I was alone on the lake, not far from the old boat house, when I heard the cabin screen door slam shut. In the first dim light of the day I could discern a large silhouette moving down the hill to the boats—it had to be Mac. But this early? “Morning, Mac,” I said. “How’s fishing?” he answered.

“Two on a white buzzbait so far, about 3- and 4-pounds. “ H r r r u m mpf,” he mumbled. Mac always said that some of the lake’s old-timers told him the fish don’t bite here early in the morning. That was enough for Mac to justify sleeping in—he had done it for years. “I thought I’d see for myself if the early fishing is any good,” he said as he pushed his boat away from the shore. He slowly motored around the point and down the right arm of the L-shaped lake. The large, red ice chest held his brunch of country biscuits and smoked Virginia ham, and a six pack or two of Bud Lite—the latter to compensate for the calories and fat in the main course.

You could always tell Mac’s boat from far across the lake. With Mac in back and a loaded ice chest by his feet, the bow pointed up about 45 degrees. (Illustration by Mort Cohen.)

The dawn mist rose from the water and the day’s first flight of Canada geese honked overhead on their way to the local fields and ponds. Mac’s Big Fish I had just released a good fish when Mac’s loud “Nice fish!” outburst pierced the morning calm. “Hot damn, what a fish! Yahoo!”and similar cries became louder as I tried to coax the trolling motor to go faster. Rounding the point, I saw Mac standing in his boat holding a largemouth bass that looked big even in his hands. “At least 10 or 12 pounds!” he exclaimed. “About 7 ½ or 8,” I countered. We weighed it at a few ounces short of 8 pounds and, after a few photos, Mac gently lowered it back to its home. “Dang,”

“Mac’s worm” was a name we’d given to a six inch Mister Twister Phenom worm in earthworm brown with a bright orange tail. “Mac’s crankbait” was a Bomber 7A in firetiger color. Mac always nailed them on one or the other. (Photo by King Montgomery)

he said, “these fish do bite early in the morning.” He had two rods in the boat: one with Mac’s worm, the other with the firetiger crankbait. The worm was still neatly Texas-rigged, so I knew the crankbait had scored. No surprise, Mac became a devout morning angler after that experience, and eventually resorted to top-water lures too. He’s With Me, Even When He’s Not Before moving to Maine, I still went to the cabin by the lake for relaxation and fun fishing, for testing new products that tackle and fly companies send me, and to work on techniques and tactics that I can write about. I cherish the time alone on the little lake and sharing it with the lady I love, or with a few good friends. Mac was one of those friends, and while his mailing address was Florida then, I often sensed he still was there when I fished. Sometimes, particularly when the night slowly gives way to day, I think I can hear Mac’s belch, his rip-snorter passages of wind, his echoing profanity after losing a nice fish, or his bellow of enthusiasm and pride after boating a nice one. I miss him. But now, at least, the beavers are back.

www.MaineSportsman.com

Almanac

10 • May 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Compiled and Edited by — Will Lund —

“Snapshots in Time”

Excerpts from the Annals of Maine’s Sporting Past Submitted by the Outdoor Sporting Heritage Museum in Oquossoc, Maine

Trout So Thick You Have to Clear Them Away with a Paddle, and Deer as Plentiful as Sheep In the late 19th Century there were probably few Maine Guides who could match the Rangeley Region’s Ed Grant in spinning a good yarn. He was the founder of Grant’s Camps, which are still in operation today at Kennebago. Ed was known as the “Sage of Beaver Camp,” and was as superb a storyteller as any Maine Guide who ever lived. His stories were chronicled by Francis I. Maule of Philadelphia into a small book titled; “The Tame Trout and Other Backwoods Fairy Tales,” published by Maine Woods and Woodsman Print in 1904. The story was reprinted in 1939 by the Grabhorn Press as a little 8-page booklet that was given away to friends as a

New Year’s gift from Francis and Marjory Farquar of Berkeley CA. who were probably guests of his at one time. The originals are

hard to find, but reprints are available online. Ed shared other stories that were set down in book form. The 1904 edition included other stories like “Grant’s Partridge”, “A Remarkable Bear Skin”, “Rowing Extraordinary” and “The New Camp Stove”. The article below with quotes from Ed (most likely in a conversation with Fly Rod Crosby) for the June 6, 1900 edition of the Phillips Phonograph share Ed’s ability to “add color” to even a simple report from camp. Enjoy, and tight lines, everyone. Bill Pierce, Executive Director Rangeley Lakes Historical Society

Trout Taken with Dip Not Allowed to be Cooked Deer May Be Snowballed on July 4th

Special Correspondence to the (Phillips) Phonograph (Fly Rod Crosby) Rangeley, Me., June 6, 1900 Your correspondent this morning met “Eddie” Grant, who is home for a day or two from Seven Ponds. He said that the travel this year commenced earlier than usual, and they are now working to finish a new camp for Mr. C. M. Hapgood’s party of Easton, Pa., who are coming the middle of this month for a stay of six or eight weeks. The buckboard road now makes the Seven Ponds camps (Megantic) only half a day’s journey from Kennebago, and more people are coming than ever before.

Mr. A. E. Winter of New York, and his friend, Mr. H. Andrews of London, England, who were the first party to go in, have just returned for a two weeks’ stay, and they found the fishing fine. In fact, Ed declares the “fish are so thick one has to use a paddle to get them out of the way, and some lazy fellows want to dip them from the lake into the fry pan, but he has made a law of his own, that no one should catch more than three at a time at one cast, and fish taken with a dip net

should not be cooked in camp.” Ed says, “There are now snow banks in the woods not far from camp, and he is going to have a snowball celebration on July 4. Mr. Will Grant stays in camp looking after the wants of the guests. All parties who come, report seeing deer as plenty as sheep,” so Ed says. Think of daily mails way up at Ed Grant’s camp! But they have them, and everyone who goes to Seven Ponds, is happy and sure to want to stay all summer.

(And in the same issue is this little missive that shares one guide’s theory that salmon like their flies trolled faster, which is still true today.)

“Salmon Forgits It” Sportsman’s Guide Explains Why He Rows His Boat So Fast A well-known resident of Springfield, Mass., who has already made one fishing trip to the Rangeley lakes this spring, was out trolling a few days ago when he discovered that his sinkers were riding up on top of the water, the result of the very

fast rowing that the guide was indulging in. The sportsman naturally moderated and suggested that for the sake of landing a salmon, once in a while, would he be willing to row considerably slower? “Oh,” said the guide, “it’s better not to

go too slow. These fellers that go slow try to earn the’r money easy, ’em the salmon sees the bait, sees that he kin git it any time an’ goes off an’ forgits it.”

(Continued on next page) www.MaineSportsman.com

�� The Maine Sportsman • May 2018 • 11 (Continued from page 10)

Owl Attacks Submitted by Lou Zambello The following is something to keep in mind when you are hunting or hiking in woods where a Great Horned Owl might be nesting.

animal attack, and determined it was likely that a Great Horned Owl was responsible. Perhaps defending his nest, the bird had swooped down and collided with the unlucky sledder, talons extended with great force. A year later, the boy is fully recovered from his concussion and wounds. Great Horned Owls are the largest North American owl, weigh up to 4 pounds, and can fly silently at speeds up to forty miles an hour. In 2016, a 15-year old Canadian riding a motorcycle (with a Go-Pro attached to his helmet) video-recorded a Great Horned Owl attacking his helmet as he sped along a forest trail. Owl attacks on humans are reported every year. —

According to a recent article in the Boston Globe, a boy sledding in the woods in eastern Massachusetts was attacked by a Great Horned Owl in the winter of 2017. A passerby noticed a 12year old boy staggering near the road and attracted his mother’s attention. She found her son half-conscious with bad lacerations on one side of his face, which was also badly swollen. He had gone to a nearby hill to go sledding earlier in the afternoon. His mother asked him what happened, and although incoherent, he mumbled something about a bird attacking him. After doctors examined the boy’s facial wounds, and his father found of blood at the likely attack site, officials eventually ruled out any other kind of

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12 • May 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Almanac

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for the day on topics ranging from hiking and fly tying to wild game cooking and shooting sports. The cost to attend is $85 and includes lunch and all instruction, gear and equipment. For more information, go to: https:// extension.umaine.edu/bryantpond/adult-programs/

Blizzard Buster Cribbage Tournament 2018 Tournament Results

At the recent State of Maine Sportsman’s Show, several readers stopped by the Maine Sportsman booth to say they enjoyed the information about cribbage that was included in the April 2018 issue. The dates of the Show coincided with another important Maine event; namely, the finals of the “Blizzard Buster Cribbage Tour— nament,” which concluded play at the Maine Mall on March 31. More than 250 players participated in the elimination rounds. In the end, Delvern Emerson Lank of Arundel (who was sponsored by Portland Pie, of Biddeford) prevailed, winning an artistic cribbage board and a check for $1,500. A multi-way tie for second place included players Kelly Olsen of Lewiston, Owens Hicks of Minot and Everett Springer of Wells. Wilma Harmon and Gene Brown won the doubles tournament. PURCHASE A QUALIFYING KIOTI TRACTOR & RECEIVE A The charity event raises funds to support those dealing with dementia. For more information, visit http://cribbage.me. *Promotional Period: April 1, 2018 – June 30, 2018 Eligible Units: All DK10 models, all PX models, all NX

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(and buttressed by video of the incident), in late January two hunters from Harrington were looking for shed antlers in a large cedar swamp when they discovered a cow moose that apparently had stuck for about eight hours up to its neck in a mud- and root-filled spring hole. Assisted by Game Wardens, a strong strap and a come-along (hand winch), the rescuers were able to free the animal from its natural trap. The hole, which proved to be 10 feet deep, was full of roots that ensnared the moose’s rear legs. Once the men managed to get the cow’s front feet up and winch it forward, the moose regained its feet, whereupon the last of the lines were cut, and it trotted away. —

Emerald Ash Borer Coming Closer to Maine The emerald ash borer, a serious threat to all varieties our ash trees, is continuing its slow advance toward Maine.

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First found in Michigan in 2002, this invasive bug has infested 31 states and three Canadian provinces. Although not yet found in Maine, it has appeared in New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Quebec. Early detection is important in slowing (Continued on next page)

�� The Maine Sportsman • May 2018 • 13 (Continued from page 12)

the advance of this invasive pest. Infected ash trees are often recognized by “blonding of ash,” which consist of bright patches on ash trees caused when woodpeckers excavate overwintering larvae and prepupae. All of Maine is vulnerable due to the possibility of spreading through transportation of infested firewood. To report suspected borer presence, or for more information, visit www. maine.gov/eab, or call Patti Roberts (207) 287-2431. —

Bird of the Month: Razorbill by Erika Zambello

There are a lot of bird species out there with cool names, including Golden-crowned Kinglet, Cackling Goose, Brown Booby, and Parasitic Jaeger. But my favorite bird name is – and always will remain – one owned by a tuxedoed seabird: the Razorbill. Razorbills have black backs and heads along with white chests and stomachs. The inky darkness of their thick bills is broken only by a thin, pale line. Seen along the southern half of

Maine’s coast in the winter and the northern half year-round, these hardy seabirds breed in rocky, Canadian colonies. If birders are lucky enough to spot a Razorbill up close, they will find themselves both surprised and amused to discover that the bird’s inner mouth and throat is sunshine-yellow. Razorbills spend their entire lives in or near the ocean, diving from the surface for fish and crustaceans. Like their more famous relative, the Puffin, Razorbills use their wings to “fly” beneath the waves. Though this species can dive to 30 feet, they usually catch prey between 5 and 20 feet beneath the water, and can hold multiple fish in their bills simultaneously. Interestingly, Razorbills are the closest living relative to the now-extinct Great Auk, which once populated shorelines from here to Europe and reached over 30 inches long. Because Razorbills nest on cliffs, the young birds experience a dramatic entry into life on their own. Two to three weeks after hatching – before they have learned to fly – the birds waddle to the edge and step right off, falling through the air until they reach the ocean below. Today, the North American Waterbird Conservation Plan estimates the breeding population of Razorbills at over 75,000 individuals. They were once hunted for food, but since heavy exploitation halted in the 20th century, the birds’ population levels have rebounded. Because Razorbills live on the open ocean, they are vulnerable to pollution and oil spills.

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14 • May 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Almanac

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Book Review: The River King, by Robert J. Romano, Jr. Reviewed by George Smith

Great Novel Set in Rangeley Region Writing a novel set in the Rangeley region, including some of my favorite fishing spots, Robert J. Romano, Jr., has hit a homer-

un. Or, I guess you could say he “caught me.” The River King, billed as a fly-fishing novel, is certainly that. The story is intriguing, with interesting characters, but the many fishing outings in the book really hooked me. Kathy Scott, one of my favorite fly fishing enthusiasts and writers, said it well in her review when she wrote, “Romano so captures the essence of my favorite Maine haunts that I almost drove up to check. Highly recommended reading.” I agree, Kathy! And half way through the novel, I actually called a friend who has a camp on the Magalloway River and scheduled a fishing adventure there in June! I’ll save this novel and give it to my friend when we take that trip. I especially loved Romano’s old guys, who had camps behind the Parmachene gate, and knew all the great spots to fish. I have fished them all, and they are very special. Thankfully, Romano didn’t actually include some of my very favorite spots. I’m guessing he may know them, but like me, wants to keep them secret. The aggravation that some locals felt for anglers “from away” sounded familiar too. I gave up fishing the Kennebago River in the fall because it was jammed with nonresident anglers. You will really enjoy this novel, and as soon as you finish it, you’ll plan a fishing adventure in the Rangeley region. —

Leapin’ Deer! Among the highlights of the recent State of Maine Sportsman’s Show, co-produced by The Maine Sportsman magazine and Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine (SAM), was the first annual game camera photo contest. Look for some of the winning entries in future pages of this magazine, as well as in

May 2018 Sunrise/Sunset RISE 5:30 5:29 5:27 5:26 5:25 5:23 5:22 5:21 5:19 5:18 5:17 5:16 5:15 5:14 5:13 5:12

SET 7:45 7:46 7:47 7:49 7:50 7:51 7:52 7:53 7:54 7:55 7:57 7:58 7:59 8:00 8:01 8:02

www.MaineSportsman.com

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

Fri 5:11 5:10 5:09 5:08 5:07 5:06 5:05 5:05 5:04 5:03 5:02 5:02 5:01 5:01 5:00

SET 8:03 8:04 8:05 8:06 8:07 8:08 8:09 8:10 8:11 8:12 8:13 8:14 8:15 8:16 8:16

May 2018 Tidal Chart

Portland, ME

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

the SAM News, but to whet your appetite, here’s a submission from Wendell White of Hudson, Maine that won a prize for “honorable mention.” Those of us who have hunted deer in the Maine woods and fields have seen plenty of jumping deer -- but usually, they are jumping away from us, not toward us. This amazing photo is the result of skill in placing the camera, combined with the good fortune to have the shutter click at just the right split-second. Congratulations to Wendell and all the other prize winners as well as the sportsmen and -women who submitted a total of 2,500 game camera photos.

Portland, ME

DATE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

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

HIGH AM PM 12:33 1:05 1:11 1:47 1:50 2:28 2:30 3:12 3:13 3:57 3:59 4:46 4:49 5:38 5:43 6:31 6:40 7:24 7:36 8:13 8:30 8:59 9:20 9:43 10:08 10:26 10:55 11:08 11:41 11:52 12:29

LOW AM PM 6:52 7:01 7:33 7:41 8:14 8:21 8:56 9:03 9:40 9:49 10:27 10:39 11:17 11:33 12:09 12:30 1:02 1:27 1:53 2:20 2:41 3:10 3:27 3:57 4:11 4:43 4:55 5:28 5:39 6:15 6:26

DATE 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

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

HIGH AM PM 12:39 1:19 1:28 2:12 2:21 3:08 3:18 4:07 4:19 5:10 5:25 6:15 6:33 7:18 7:40 8:18 8:43 9:13 9:41 10:03 10:33 10:48 11:20 11:29 12:04 12:08 12:45 12:46 1:25

LOW AM PM 7:04 7:15 7:55 8:07 8:49 9:03 9:46 10:04 10:47 11:10 11:51 12:18 12:54 1:26 1:56 2:30 2:52 3:28 3:45 4:20 4:32 5:08 5:16 5:51 5:57 6:32 6:36 7:11 7:14

�� The Maine Sportsman • May 2018 • 15

— May 2018 Hunting & Fishing Information — Hunting Seasons and Rules Youth Spring Wild Turkey Hunting Day – April 28, 2018. Youth hunters may take up to 2 bearded turkeys from WMDs that have 2-bird limits. Spring Turkey Season runs April 30 through June 2, 2018 in WMDs 7 – 29. Limit 1 bearded turkey in WMD 8*; 2 bearded turkeys in WMDs 7, 9 – 29. Hunters may use a bow & arrow, crossbow or shotgun. In WMDs 1 – 6, hunters born in an “even” year can hunt in Season A (April 30 – May 5, 2017 and May 14 – May 19, 2018), while hunters born in an “odd” year can hunt in Season B (May 7 – May 12, 2018 and May 21 – May 26, 2018). All hunters can hunt May 28 – June 2, 2017. One bearded turkey limit in WMDs 1 – 6, 8*. *Hunters may take a second turkey during the season, but the second turkey must come from a WMD that permits the taking of two birds. Note: Turkeys must have a securely-attached tag containing the hunter’s name, address and hunting license number. Hunters must then proceed to a registration location and pay a $2 fee for registration. Moose Lottery: The application process is completely on-line this year – go to www20. maine.gov/online/moose for details. Application deadline is 11:59 p.m. on May 15, 2018. The lottery will be held June 9, as part of the three-day Skowhegan Moose Festival, which

runs June 8 – June 10 at the Skowhegan Fair Grounds. Night Hunting for Coyote: Night hunting started December 16 and runs through August 31, 2018. To avoid violating Maine’s prohibition on Sunday hunting, night hunting for coyotes must cease at midnight each Saturday, and can resume at 12:01 a.m. on Monday. Others: There is no closed season for coyotes (daytime hunting), red squirrels, porcupines and woodchucks. Hunting is prohibited at all times for cottontail rabbits, lynx, spruce grouse and ravens. HOURS: 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset, except for migratory game birds (1/2 hour before sunrise, to sunset) and raccoons (night hunting allowed in season). See “Night Hunting for Coyotes” section above for applicable coyote rules. Ammunition: Non-toxic shot only for migratory game birds. —

Look up the “S” (special rules) Codes. Learn the open-water season, the ice fishing season (if any), whether you are limited to artificial lures, or catch-and-release, and whether there’s a slot limit. SOUTHERN & EASTERN COUNTIES (Androscoggin, Cumberland, Hancock, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Oxford south of the Androscoggin River, Penobscot, Sagadahoc, Waldo, Washington, and York) – Unless indicated by special rule, Lakes and Ponds can be fished year-round, either open water or ice fishing. NORTHERN & WESTERN COUNTIES (Aroostook, Franklin, Oxford north of the Androscoggin River, Piscataquis, and Somerset) – Lakes and Ponds: Unless otherwise indicated under the appropriate county in the rule book, closed to open water fishing from October 1 to March 31. Opening Day was April 1. Unless otherwise indicated under the appropriate county, rivers, streams and brooks are closed to ice fishing. Waters open to ice fishing are listed with an A or a B code, which defines the winter fishing season. All other waters are closed to ice fishing.

Fishing Seasons and Rules

*****

If you are 16 years old or older, don’t forget to purchase your new 2018 license before going out fishing for the first time this year. Go to www.eregulations.com/maine/fishing/general-law-information/ , find the lake, pond, river or stream you want to fish, and interpret the codes that apply.

Atlantic Salmon can’t be targeted, and if caught they must be released immediately. Current saltwater fishing regulations are found at www.Maine.gov/dmr/recreational-fishing/regs-tips/index.html.

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16 • May 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Moose, Turkeys, Brookies, Laws and Land Trusts Moose Hunting Permits May Increase After a sharp decline last year from 4,085 to 2,080, moose permits may increase this year. DIFW is recommending an increase to 2,500, which the agency’s Advisory Council must endorse if it is to take effect. Judy Camuso, DIFW’s very capable Wildlife Division Director, told my friend Deidre Fleming of the Portland Press Herald that this 20% increase “is very conservative.” Essentially, fewer moose are being killed by ticks in northern Maine, because the moose population and density has

been substantially reduced. While that’s not exactly good news, the net effect in this case is positive. Most of the increase in permits, 420, would be in northern Maine in WMDs 1 – 6. Lee Kantar, DIFW’s moose biologist, told Deirdre that the average number of ticks is down 68 percent in the study area around Moosehead Lake, and down 67 percent in the study area in northern Aroostook County. Lee reported that just one collared calf of 33 in the study died in Wildlife Management District 8 around Moosehead Lake, and two of 35 col-

lared calves died in District 2 at the northern tip of Maine. Deirdre also reported that the proposed 2018 permit proposal includes a new measure that would allow hunters who win a permit in Wildlife Management Districts 27 or 28 in Down East Maine to use the permit in either district. Talking Turkey If you don’t hunt turkeys, you probably hate turkeys. One year, a week before Christmas, a friend got a call from a lady asking him to come to her house to kill the turkeys that had eaten all the Christmas decora-

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tions on her deck. Alas, we couldn’t do that, although we did hunt there when the season opened, and shot one turkey – not enough to help with her problem. Brad Allen, one of DIFW’s best wildlife biologists, reported in March that the agency’s “wild turkey reintroduction program throughout the state” has been “highly successful.” That’s an understatement! Brad said “there is now a need to improve our management program.” He is working with the University of Maine to improve and refine their turkey population estimates. Brad’s second objective is to “stabilize wild turkey populations in portions of southern and central Maine (to be identified at the Wildlife Management District level) were nuisance wildlife issues are the greatest. A recent survey revealed that 92% of Maine turkey hunters are satisfied with their wild turkey hunting experience in the state. However, increases in wild turkey abundance also inherently increase the potential for human-turkey conflicts, and the same survey revealed that approximately 30% of Maine residents believe the state’s wild turkey population should be reduced. With the results of the population dynamics work, the researchers will start addressing some of altering bag limits and season lengths.” I once proposed legis-

lation that resulted in an increase in the turkey bag limit and reduction in the permit fee, and most recently tried again to eliminate the fee and increase the bag limit further. Only 16,000 of us hunt turkeys. We need more turkey hunters, and we need those hunters to kill more turkeys. I’m sure that lady who lost her Christmas decorations would agree! Expanding Protection for Brookies After resisting requests that tributaries to our Heritage waters be protected, DIF&W Fisheries Director Francis Brautigam told members of a legislative committee in March that his agency will perform that task. This has been a long and sometimes ugly battle, but I am delighted that the department is now on board with those of us who have advocated for more protection for our native brook trout and arctic charr. This effort started with a bill in 2016 that Rep. Russell Black sponsored at my request, to protect those tributaries. DIF&W opposed the bill, but the legislative committee supported it, so the department eventually agreed to form a working group to assist them in getting the job done. This session, Francis delivered a written report, which among other things stated that the working group agreed not to protect tributaries – (Continued on next page)

�� The Maine Sportsman • May 2018 • 17 (Continued from page 16)

something two members of the group got up to tell the IFW Committee wasn’t accurate. The committee was preparing legislation to get this done, along with a letter directing DIF&W to do it, when Francis returned with a new written memo, promising to get this job done and to report back to the committee in October. The committee accepted that promise, and killed the resolve, although some committee members privately expressed skepticism that DIF&W will keep its promise. Legislation Here’s news about two interesting bills enacted into law this session. LD 1823 assures the continuation of the law that allows nonresident hunters who own more than 25 acres, and who allow hunters access to that land, to join us residents in hunting on the opening day of the firearms season on deer. Nonresident hunters are not allowed to hunt on the Residents-Only Saturday opening day, with the exception of these landowners. I told the Legislature’s IF&W Committee of my frustration that my son, who lives in Massachusetts, cannot hunt with me that day, and suggested that we ought to at least allow nonresident family members to hunt with us on opening day. The second bill, LD 1824, extends the authority of hunters who hold a special permit to use noise suppression devices. That opportunity was set to expire. Tim Peabody of DIF&W, supported the

bill, and told the committee that approximately 180 people have obtained permits to use suppressors while hunting. Tim also said they had received no complaints about the practice. Land Trusts As someone who has joyed the great Maine outdoors his entire life, I recognize the importance of information contained in a recent on conservation lands owned by land trusts. According to the 2017 MLTN (Maine Land Trust Network) report (found at legislature.maine.gov/ uploads/originals/landtrust-highlights-final. pdf), land trusts provide 1,260 miles of hiking/ walking trails; 275 miles of mountain biking trails; 570 miles of snowmobile trails; 345 miles of ATV trails; 203 boat launch sites (62 coastal and 141 freshwater); 210 beaches/swimming areas; and approximately 2.3 million acres of land open for hunting, which represents 90% of total acres conserved by land trusts via fee ownership or conservation easement. At a study meeting held to gather information for the report, the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine (SAM) spoke in support of the land trust community and land trusts’ efforts to conserve deer wintering areas, brook trout spawning grounds and other critical wildlife habitat. SAM members recognize that these conservation efforts are important for maintaining and improving opportunities for hunters and anglers throughout the State.

Quotable

Sportsman

by George Smith

Tunk is known for big togue as anglers catch fish between 10 and 16 pounds every year, with an occasional fish around 20 pounds. This 25-pound togue is the second-biggest togue I’ve ever encountered in my 31 years working in the region. Greg Burr, DIFW fisheries biologist, about a togue caught by Ryan Bridges of Gouldsboro. John Holyoke story, Bangor Daily News, February 21, 2018 — Pop quiz: What is the Number One game bird in North America? More than 20 million of these birds are shot every year, making it the most targeted critter in the country. And even though it’s probably hanging around your backyard right now, and is likely pilfering seeds from beneath your bird feeder, you can’t hunt it here. Bob Duchesne, legislator and birding guide, Maine Woodland Owners newsletter, March, 2018 — In about four seconds, Weidman placed one foot on the raccoon’s head and his other foot on the raccoon’s chest. He reached for the knife he keeps on his belt — but it wasn’t there. He sent his daughter into the house to grab a knife and she returned with a “dull serrated bread knife.” Not the ideal weapon, but it would do the trick. Charlie Weidman of Hope, who killed a rabid racoon that was fighting with his dog. Lauren Abbate story, Bangor Daily News, March 6, 2018 — Yet the grouse has chosen his covert well, for even a hunter with good hunting and shooting skills and excellent bird dogs in tow is often humbled by the elusive grouse and its skill to escape…. It takes a special kind of upland hunter to pursue the ruffed grouse on a regular basis day after day, year after year. Ernie Foster, in the Forward from “Wings of Thunder,” revised edition by Steven Mulak, as cited in the Spring 2018 edition of Ruffed Grouse Society magazine

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18 • May 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Maine Wildlife:

American Robin by Tom Seymour

Everyone, everywhere, considers America’s most iconic songbird, the American robin, a true harbinger of spring. Sometimes, though, the sight of a robin or robins in winter has nothing to do with an early spring. This especially holds true for coastal regions. Robins from mainland coastal areas often spend winters on Maine’s offshore islands, and during warm spells they visit the mainland for reasons known only to them. Later, when the next snowstorm hits, robins fly back to the islands. So when a small group of robins shows up well before the earliest hint of spring, people sometimes assume that the robins have migrated from points far south. But that simply isn’t true. Still, even when we know that the robins on our lawn are only visiting, it warms our hearts just to see them. That’s how much we love our robins. Much of the folklore we associate with American robins has its roots in European folklore and the European robin. Both male and female European robins have orange breasts, thus the name “redbreast.” That eventually changed to “robin redbreast.” The name robin redbreast transcends continents, and early colonists referred to the American robin as “robin redbreast.” And while European robins are now assigned to the genus Erithacus, a group of true flycatchers, American robins, Turdus migratorius, belong to a large family of birds collectively known as thrushes. Hoppin’ Robins We’ve all seen robins hopping along on lawns as they hunt for subsurface earthworms. But why do robins hop rather than just walk? The answer is that hopping is a method songbirds use to get from one branch to another when in trees. Back on the ground, hopping uses more energy than walking, so most birds reserve hopping for when in trees. Robins are one of the notable exceptions to this rule, hopping from branch to branch and also hopping when on the ground. Along with hopping, robins ofwww.MaineSportsman.com

ten stop and turn their heads one way then the other while seeking earthworms. They do so because their eyes, on either side of their head, function independently from one another. So if a robin stops and cocks its head to the left, it is using its left eye to watch for telltale movement as earthworms just barely under the soil impart slight movement to the grass. It was long thought that when robins turn their heads they do so in order to listen to subsurface vibrations. That notion is a sound one, since studies show that not only do robins hunt for prey with their eyes, they also use their hearing. Migrating Thrushes The second half of the scientific name for robins, migratorius, tells us that these birds are migratory. Yes, some robins spend winters in the north, as detailed above. But greater numbers of robins migrate south when winter comes. Some go farther south than others, but even so, the bulk of Maine robins migrate south each fall and return to their northern haunts each spring. In spring, often in very early spring, huge flocks of robins return to Maine and other northern states, and this marks the signal event that so many winter-weary souls have long hoped for. And when robins arrive here in spring, they are hungry after their long flight. Even if the ground remains frozen, making earthworms unattainable, robins find plenty to eat in the form of the wild fruits and berries that still cling to the vines or branches from last fall. Newly arrived robins find sustenance in a variety of wild offerings, including tiny varieties of crabapples and the wizened fruits of Canada mayflower. Insects, too, figure at least partially into a rob-

in’s diet, and even in early spring the birds are able to locate some insects. Sometimes robins find that they erred in returning too soon. Spring snowstorms see robins huddling beneath bushes and shrubbery, looking cold and forlorn. In years past when farmland was divided by hedgerows, these places were robin havens. Now, robins must find other means of solace when late Nor’easters pummel Maine. Seeing a robin huddled beneath a snow-covered bush always elicits a note of pity. I feel sorry for the poor birds. But on the other hand, nature knows best, and most of these early-bird robins come through late snowstorms unscathed. Truculent Robins In spring, male robins vie with each other for the affections of the opposite sex. Young males, especially, become quite combative, and that aspect of their personalities has a negative side, at least from a human perspective. A young male robin, upon seeing its reflection in a glass window or door, will repeatedly slam against it, believing that it is attacking a competitor. Despite getting bounced around by continual slamming into glass panes, the robin, rather than drawing back, becomes even more enraged, and continues the attack with renewed vengeance. This one-sided combat usually occurs around sunrise – a time when many people are still sound asleep. Robins exert such force when attacking their own reflections that it becomes impossible to sleep. So what’s the answer to this problem? Well, we have two choices. The first is just to grin and bear it. In time, perhaps a week or so, the robin will desist, and commit its time to more productive endeavors. The other option is to put something over the glass, such as screening or even large pieces of cardboard. But this doesn’t always work either. Once, when a robin began waking me up at daybreak, I decided to tape sheets of cardboard over the window. That stopped the attacks, but only on that window. The combative robin went around the house and found another window, which I soon covered. This went on until my house was enveloped in near-total darkness. So really, the wait-it-out option seems the best way to proceed. Earplugs help, too. Suburban Robins This may come as a surprise, but robins have become more numerous around human habitation than out in undeveloped woodlands. But for those who enjoy seeing ol’ robin redbreast, that’s a good thing.

�� The Maine Sportsman • May 2018 • 19

Hunting’s Ultimate Challenge: BWB Gobblers by Chris Johnson I’m sometimes asked what I feel is hunting’s ultimate challenge. The answer is subjective, so there’s no correct response. But regardless, it’s always a bow hunt. There’s no gun hunt that’s harder than doing the same with a bow. One hunt that comes to mind is bowhunting mountain goats simply due to the sheer danger posed by the terrain where they live. Back here in Maine, my choice for biggest challenge is taking a gobbler by “bow without blind” (BWB). I’ve been lucky enough to take turkeys BWB, but admittedly, it was from sheer luck, not because I did anything correctly. Terry Bombeke, however, Publisher & Director of Wingshooting, Shooting Sportsman, makes a habit of taking BWB tom turkeys, and he shared his techniques with me and with Maine Sportsman readers. Hunting BWB is similar to regular bowhunting turkeys, but doing so without concealment requires the utmost attention to details, especially those of which would normally bust us thanks to the birds’ sharp eyesight. After successfully calling in a tom, the

Hunters who want the excitement and challenge of extreme hunting should try “bowhunting without blind” (BWB) turkey hunting. According to noted authority Terry Bombeke, anyone who bags a bird this way will experience one of the greatest thrills of their sporting life. most difficult part of the process is the timing of drawback without being seen by the bird. Below is an account of the methods and opinions from Terry that make him consistently successful at BWB turkey hunting. In his own words, he became bored with regular gun hunting, and took a leap to “bow or bust.” The excitement of this extreme hunting method has made Terry a BWB turkey hunter for good. Decoys & Decoy Setup Without a blind, decoys are beyond essential. Even the best callers who lure birds in regularly without decoys would still require them to eventually distract the toms in order for an unseen draw-

back. Terry says if there were ever a time to invest in extremely life-like dekes, this is it. The longer a tom is fixated on a decoy, the better chances of success. As far as setup, Terry employs a “triangle” decoy placement. Generally, in my experience, I have found with triangles that a strutting tom, a standing hen and a hen on her belly work best. I set the gobbler 8 to 10 steps from my location, and place each of the hens about four steps in front of him to the left and right in a triangular position. This setup gives a Tom sufficient room to strut between the hens and the strutting decoy. When a single or

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group of toms sees the decoy trio with one hen waiting to be bred and the other standing in confidence of a fanned gobbler, generally a tom will run up and attack him and try to push him off the hens. As long as a gobbler believes the decoys are real, he’ll continue to strut around the trio, attack the fanned gobbler and perhaps mount the hens.

Calls, Calling & Concealment Mouth calls are important for all methods of bowhunting turkeys, and Terry says they’re imperative for BWB turkey hunting. Remember, although as BWB hunters we are nearly invisible to a tom, they still detect unrealistic movement, which is exactly what happens with hand calls. Mouth calls aren’t difficult to learn how to use and, fortunately, are cheap. With a little practice, folks can easily imitate the sounds of a hand call. Terry also said it’s important to stop calling when a bird clearly (Continued on next page)

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20 • May 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Bowhunting Special (Continued from page 19)

sees the decoys. At that point, it’s unnecessary to continue as a BWB hunter doesn’t want a tom to think the calling is coming from anything other than the three decoys it sees. From this point on, the decoys do the work. Of course, none of the above will work if a tom sees you or any unrealistic movement. I realize— as bowhunters—we live in camo, but hunting turkeys BWB requires near invisibility – not just the normal outerwear we’d use bowhunting deer. Terry utilizes a Ghillie suit to completely blend in, and tapes leaves and grasses to his bow limbs and a face mask or paint for near indiscreetness. This method minimizes anything a bird can see during drawback. Shooting Setup, Draw & Shot Placement Of all that Terry shared with me, the one thing that surprised me the most was how close he sets up to the decoys. Terry makes a habit of being fewer than 10 yards away, even though he can

make a much longer shot. Ultimately, this proximity, along with no blind, is what makes BWB turkey hunting the ultimate challenge. Terry sits with his back up against a tree, one preferably with a larger trunk than his profile. He holds his bow vertically, resting the bottom cam in his foot or ground until ready to draw, at which time he raises the bow to rest on his leg before a bird comes in, as the goal is to make as little movement as possible between full rest and drawback. Terry waits to draw until a tom is completely fixated on his decoys and its back is to him. Interestingly, he told me that in if his chances of success were 10% before the hunt, once a tom is fully engaged with his decoys, he feels chances increase to 70%. “Full engagement by the birds in the process without being seen is the entire key to success,” he said. Lastly, he believes a body shot is far more suc-

cessful than head shots. I’ve discussed in previous columns why I prefer head shots, but I can’t disagree with Terry. At the end of the day, the goal is to harvest cleanly and as quickly as possible, and at that range and with a kill zone of small grapefruit, body shots are irrefutably successful. Safety Finally, the issue of safety must be discussed. In any turkey hunting situation, and particularly BWB hunting, safety is a large concern. Modern decoys nowadays look just like real turkeys, outside of a stake holding them in the ground. Unsuspecting hunters listening and glassing for birds can easily be fooled. Considering BWB hunters are in full camo and so close to the decoy setups, utmost care must be given to any hunting situation. May is here, and if hunters want the thrill of extreme hunting, try BWB turkey hunting. According to Terry, “Anyone who bags a bird this way will be rewarded with one of the greatest thrills of their sporting life.”

Terry Bombeke is shown sitting in the middle of his recommended “triangle” formation of decoys — a strutting tom, a standing hen and a crouched hen, with room for the “live” tom to come between the decoy tom and the hens. In this case, it’s clear the ruse was successful. Bombeke photo

Terry Bombeke’s hunting partner, Mike Romano, took this nice bird after Terry called it in. Note the lifelike nature of the tom decoy. Bombeke photo

MAINE WILDLIFE QUIZ: The American Robin by Steve Vose

The American Robin (Turdus migratorius), a member of the “thrush” family of avians, inhabits an impressive range stretching across Alaska, Canada, the lower United States and Mexico. Most American Robins migrate south for the winter, returning to their native breeding areas shortly after the snow begins to melt. American Robins (or just plain “robins,” as they are more commonly called) possess a dark black head, back and wings, accentuated by a beautifully-colored reddish-orange breast that stretches from the rump to the base of their neck. In flight, a white patch under the rump can easily be seen, further assisting identifi-

cation. Robins can also be located by their song, a high, shrill, often sharp ki, ki, ki, ki, typically heard at the first light of dawn. In urban areas, robins are frequent lawn visitors, where their impressive hearing allows them to forage for subterranean earth

Questions 1. To what family of avians do robins belong? 2. Do robins migrate south for the winter? 3. What color is a robin’s breast? 4. In flight, what detail makes robins easy to identify? www.MaineSportsman.com

5. 6. 7. 8.

worms, beetle grubs, grasshoppers, caterpillars and other small invertebrates. In more forested areas, Robins also feed on wild nuts and berries. One of the earliest bird species to lay eggs, female robins build nests and begin breeding shortly after returning to their summer range. Females construct nests by forming dead grass, moss, paper and twigs into a cup shape, reinforced with soft mud. Females typically lay 3 - 5 unmarked blue-green eggs that hatch in approximately 13 days. If juveniles grow into healthy adults by avoiding predators including hawks, cats and large snakes, robins can live to be almost 14 years of age.

How many eggs do robins typically lay? How long after laying do eggs hatch? What are the natural predators of the robin? How long can robins live? Answers

on Page 66

�� The Maine Sportsman • May 2018 • 21

The Basics of Fly-Casting by Michael Browning The art of fly-casting is among the most interesting aspects of fly fishing. It’s a craft that intimidates beginners, but that’s before they understand there are only three basic principles: 1) holding the rod; 2) arm control; and 3) line control. If you stick to these rules, you’ll soon be on your way to better casting. Before we start, I’d like to give my personal opinion on the old adage that compares the rod to a clock’s hour hand, and dictates that anglers should cast from 10 o’clock to 2 o’clock, or 11 o’clock to 1 o’clock. My advice is to forget about that rule for the time being. In my experience, beginners will end up focusing more on the rod than on the line, which does not make their casts accurate and, for many, serves to confuse them. So let’s go through the steps, from holding the rod, to properly executing a cast. 1. Holding the rod. As you can see from the two photographs, the correct way to hold a fly rod is with the reel seat close to parallel with your wrist. Also, make sure your thumb is flat on the cork (the handle).

When first learning to keep the reel seat parallel to your wrist, it may help to place an elastic around the reel seat and wrist, to keep the reel seat as close to your wrist as possible. You’ll soon see why this is imperative for smooth, accurate casting.

2. Arm control. Next we’re going to cover “arm control.” Another misconception some people make is to be sure your casting arm is tight. Some people say if you put a book under your armpit, and you keep it tight under your arm without dropping it, you’ll cast correctly. Now, part of this theory is true, but it’s only half the story. The reason for the “book under the arm” tactic is to make sure your elbow stays level and does not move erratically up and down. If you keep your elbow locked and use your forearm to move the rod, you are essentially casting the line correctly, since your elbow remains the same height from the ground. This particular style works, but it leaves you with no range of motion. So I teach students they can move more freely, so long as their elbow remains on a plane parallel to the ground. As long as your elbow moves horizontal to the ground, you can move your whole arm as far back and forth as needed, which will make difficult casts easier and allows a more fluid range of motion. 3. Line control. The last important aspect is line control. The shape of your line will demonstrate whether or not you’re implementing the casting principles correctly. Shaping the Line You’re now going to bring all the steps into sync when casting. When executing a cast, as you can see in the picture, you need to make the line “unroll.”

(Continued on next page) www.MaineSportsman.com

22 • May 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Fly Fishing Special (Continued from page 21)

Ideally, the line should be parallel to itself and to the ground, with narrow loops.

Let’s break it down step by step. First, hold the rod with thumb on the cork. Hold the reel seat as close to the wrist as possible. Let out about 15 or 20 feet of line. Keeping your elbow tight by your side (for the time being), bring the rod back to start the line. As the line is moving through the air, try to visualize you’re unrolling the line. Try this trick to help you keep your elbow level while casting – find a flat surface parallel to the ground that will allow your elbow to slide back and forth but remain parallel with the ground. You can use anything that’s parallel to the ground, so long as it does not result in any obstructions while casting. I’ve used the bed rail of my truck when conducting fly casting lessons. It’s smooth, and allows my elbow to glide back and forth. To really get an understanding of a prop

like the truck rail, first try casting without any guide for your arm. You can see without the “elbow guide,” the line is erratically-shaped with big open loops. The loops in the line are what you’re going to focus on. The line will determine if you’re following the other rules correctly.

When you begin casting, if your wrist isn’t held correctly you’ll see your loops are too wide and not controlled. And if you’re elbow doesn’t stay level, the line will tangle – the result when the leader and fly cross over the fly line in the air. Some think when their leaders get tangled, they’re “wind knots.” However, 90% of the time, the result occurs because the angler’s elbow is moving erratically and not parallel to the ground. Remember, you’re essentially unrolling the line when casting, so if you drop your arm when casting, your smooth roll of line will tangle. As far as “loops” go when casting, the tighter the loops, the more energy in the cast. It’s basic physics, which is about as much as

I know about physics. Your rod is what “loads” the fly line, and the energy you exert when casting back and forth is the momentum you have built up when moving the rod and line. When you practice casting, you will see that if your loops are narrow, the line will cast farther and be more controlled. The wider the loops, the more energy is wasted, and you won’t be able to cast as far or with consistent control. When this happens, try to focus on the three principles. As far as distance and timing goes, it’s all about practice. These tips will help you on your way to better casting. After using these rules and tricks, casting won’t seem so awkward, and soon muscle memory will set in and it will all seem natural. Michael Browning (MichaelTBrowning81@ gmail.com), a Registered Maine Guide, operates Grouse Haven Wing Shooting out of the family farm in New Sharon.

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�� The Maine Sportsman • May 2018 • 23

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24 • May 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Simplifying the Mystery of May Hatches The month of May can bring us the heart-thumping sight of aquatic insects emerging onto the surface of lakes, ponds, and rivers, only to disappear in a swirl of water as salmon, trout, or even smallmouth bass rise to a ready meal. It should be a dream come true for anglers, yet for many, fishing during a hatch leads to frustration and anxiety. What exactly are the risers feeding on? How do I match the hatch? My chosen pattern is being ignored! I don’t think I have the correct flies with me! After all, there are literally hundreds of species of aquatic insects in Maine, and even the same species can vary in color and size from watershed to watershed. But we can make it overly complicated for ourselves. Trust me – I

After 20 years of fly fishing, I am older and wiser. I’ve simplified my approach to matching the hatch. Hatches should not cause an angler to become confused or uncertain. Let me share my experience with you.

Early-season riser caught on Puterbaugh Caddis pattern.

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pond was cloudy and still, and we spotted a variety of aquatic bugs; black mayflies, small dark caddis, and a smattering of brownish larger insects. I had no idea what they were, but every once in a while, an impressive boil would erupt on the lake surface and a bug would disappear. Action was slow, and I listened to my colleagues discussing esoteric match-the-hatch strategies that I didn’t understand as they kept changed from one pattern to another. I just kept fishing a size 14 gray Hornberg because the only fish I caught during my early fly-fishing days took that fly, so I had confidence in it. The first big salmon of the day to feel the sting of the hook and the net sliding underneath him took my Hornberg with authority. As I recall, I was “high rod” that weekend, even though I just fished the same Hornberg pattern every day. As I gained experience, pattern choices multiplied, scientific jargon increased, credit card statements lengthened, and fishing vest pockets bulged with fly boxes. Fast forward twenty years, and now that I am older and wiser – I have simplified my whole approach to matching the hatch, and I’m back closer to how I began. Let me share it with you. Hatches should not produce confusion or uncertainty. Often, less is more.

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�� The Maine Sportsman • May 2018 • 25 (Continued from page 24)

month-of-May hatches in Maine are either caddisflies or mayflies. So, we need reasonable imitations of each. (I am ignoring midges – too small for me to bother with – and stoneflies that emerge later in the year.) The usual size of emerging May insects is almost always best represented by patterns tied on size 14, 16, and 18 hooks, so let’s stick to those sizes. Let’s first focus on caddisflies. Caddis almost always have brown, black or grey wings with green, brown, or gray bodies. The Elk Hair Caddis pattern in black, brown, grey, or green is a good generic imitation of most species of caddis, particularly if you are fishing a river with turbulent or high water, or a lake with some ripples or wave action. The Elk Hair Caddis rides high in the water, and its deer hair and body hackles keep this baby afloat when other patterns would quickly sink. When fishing more tranquil waters, a fly pattern with a lower profile that sits closer to the water surface is more realistic and fools more fish. The Puterbaugh Caddis pattern fits the bill perfectly, because it uses a thin foam body to float the fly instead of hackled deer hair. To imitate caddisflies, the Elk Hair Caddis and Puterbaugh Caddis patterns in several sizes and a few colors are all you need. Let’s now turn our attention to mayflies. Please ignore their Latin scientific names (e.g. Epheorus pleuralis) and forget about their common names as well, (e.g. Hendrickson, March Brown, Gray Quill, and Quill Gordon). Early-season mayflies are mostly gray or brown winged, with yellow, dark gray or brown bodies. If you tuck into your fly vest a dozen

Lou’s early season go-to mayfly patterns (from left to right) Parachute Adams, Klinkhammer, traditional Adams, and Quill Gordon.

Lou’s early season go-to caddis patterns (from left to right) Hornberg, Elk Hair Caddis, and Puterbaugh Caddis.

size 14 to 18 mayfly patterns with gray or brown bodies and gray or brownish wings, they should be “close ’nuff” to match any hatch you might encounter. Classic Patterns Two classic high-riding mayfly patterns to carry are the traditional Adams and the Catskillstyle Quill Gordon (with its quill body). In several sizes, they will work for most early mayfly hatches. The Adams is a more impressionistic imitation of a mayfly, and the Quill Gordon pattern a more exact match. In calmer waters or with more sophisticated fish, a lower profile fly can be more effective, so try the parachute version of the Adams. It sits right on the water surface. Another favorite of mine is the Kinkhammer – an emerger-style pattern that sits in (or slightly below) the surface film. They are available in many colors, and

can be further altered with a color-proof marker to match any hatch. Of course, let’s not forget the Hornberg (tied as a dry fly) with a lightbrown or light-grey wing. Fish take it during almost any early-season caddis or mayfly hatch. Fly Box Often, I now venture out to fish with just one small fly box. It contains a few each of gray Hornbergs in size 14, Parachute Adams in size 12, black-foam-body Puterbaugh Caddis in size 16 and brown Kinkhammers in size 12. Maybe this year when the early hatches begin, I will fish an entire month with just these patterns and see what happens. I am convinced I will do quite well, and it may spur me on to simplify my fishing approach further. My problem will be: What the heck do I do with all of my flies?

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26 • May 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

ATVs are an Opportunity for Shared Family Time – Part 2 by Shane Brown Our story so far -- Last month, the author opined that teaching your kids and grandkids how to safely operate an ATV is a great way to get them off the couch and away from their smartphones, video games and digital music. In this final installment,

he describes the different worlds and activities that are opened up once a young person learns to operate an ATV safely and with confidence. And he recalls his grandfather, who gave of his time, and who taught Shane the importance of all adults

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�� The Maine Sportsman • May 2018 • 27

A FIERCE NEW FAMILY TREE

(Continued from page 26)

The new 2018 Textron Off Road lineup, now with the power of Arctic Cat®.

The author is now teaching the members of his own family the value of sharing Maine powersports activities. He says it’s important to teach kids that helmets are “cool,” and then lead by example. Here, Shane and his daughter prepare to hit the trails.

for grouse and woodcock, and coming back in November for big game – ATVs provide the access, and you take it from there. But is it enough for you to head out by yourself? No – it’s your obligation, and your opportunity, to take young people with you. You can serve as their introduction to the great Maine outdoors and all it offers. My Grandfather Gave of his Time I have been doing a lot of thinking about this subject in the last few weeks, ever since I lost my grandfather, Larry Gillespie. He was the one who opened my eyes, when I was a youngster, to the joys of getting outside and taking advantage of the resources of our great state. My grandfather was an avid hunter and fisherman. Now only was he enthusiastic, but he was also very successful – he had an enviable knowledge of the hills, valleys and ponds and swamps of Washington County, and of the fish and game each area held. But beyond anything else he was able to accomplish in his life, he was a family man, and his family always came first. When I was a kid, there were countless times he picked my brother and

me up from school and took us fishing or hunting for the weekend at the family camp in Tomah. Paying it Forward He introduced us to power sports and self-propelled sports. He spent innumerable hours teaching us to fend for ourselves in the Maine woods and on the trails. But there was an equally important lesson he taught us – namely, that it was our duty to pass on the knowledge and enjoyment of the outdoors to the next generation. So take a cue from my grandfather – bring your kids riding when they are little (and teach them that helmets are cool), and if they enjoy it, get then small machines as they get older. Supervise them well, and teach them safety on the trail. Consider a multi-passenger side-by-side, and make each trip a family adventure. Life will fly by. As busy as each day seems to be, spend time with your families – both the older and younger generations. My grandfather taught me the most important single gift we can give is our time. Now’s our opportunity to pass that lesson on to others.

See Your Local Arctic Cat® ATV Dealer For More Info! AUBURN Ames Sport Shop 84 Littlefield Road 207-782-4917 See Us on Facebook

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contract through Cornerstone. REBATES UP TO $1,000 valid on 2010–2014 models and varies by model purchased. Offer subject to change without notice. Excludes tax, freight and dealer setup. Only ride an ATV that is right for your age. Supervise riders younger than 16. Arctic Cat recommends that all riders take a training course and read and understand the owner’s manual operation. safety information, your dealer Safety Institute at eye (800) 887-2887. ©2015 Arctic Cat Sales Inc.,andThief River ROVs can before be hazardous to operate.For Improper use or cantraining cause severe injury or death.see For your safety, each or ridercall mustthe wearATV a seat belt, approved helmet, protection and protective gear. Avoid excessive speeds be particularly careful on difficult terrain. All ROV operators must be 16 years old and have a valid driver’s license. We recommend that all riders take a training course and read and understand the owner’s manual before operation. See your dealer for Falls, MN 56701. safety or training information or visit http://rohva.org. ©2017 Arctic Cat Sales Inc., Thief River Falls, MN 56701.

Contact Your Yamaha ATV Dealer for Details! JACKMAN Jackman Powersports 549 Main Street 207-668-4442 jackmanpowersports.com

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

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

TOPSHAM Woody’s Performance Ctr. 70 Topsham Fair Mall Road 207-729-1177 teamwoodys.com

GORHAM, NH Absolute Powersports 461 Main Street 603-466-5454 absolutepowersportsnh.com

‘Offer available on approved purchases of new 2015-2018 Yamaha Side-by-Sides made on the Yamaha Credit Card issued by WebBank, member FDIC. Subject to credit approval as determined by WebBank. Offer valid through 5/31/18. Available to cardholders of the WebBank Yamaha Card. Account must be open and current to be eligible for this offer. 2.99%, 6.99%, 9.99%, or 14.99% APR with Minimum Payments of 2.92%, 3.10%, 3.24%, or 3.48% 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%. ‘Purchase a new 2018 Yamaha Wolverine between 1/26/18 to 5/31/18 and receive a Free 18 month Y.E.S. [Yamaha Extended Service) Contract for a total of 2 years Genuine Yamaha Coverage. Includes 6 month Factory Warranty• 18 month Y.E.S. Or 3000 lb. Vantage Winch with mounting kit offer available through participating Yamaha dealers only. Dealer participation may affect this offer. Installation not included. Offer good only in the U.S., excluding the state of Hawaii. Dealer remains responsible for complying with all local and state advertising regulations and laws. Professional driver on closed course. Wear your seat belt, helmet, eye protection and protective clothing. Read the Owne(s Manual and the product warning labels before operation. Model shown with optional accessories. Vehicle specifications subject to change. ©2018 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved.• YamahaOutdoors.com

www.MaineSportsman.com

28 • May 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

— ATVing in Maine — (Continued)

The Most Common Law Violations for ATV Operators in Maine, and How to Avoid Them – Part 2 by JP Falzone Our story so far: In Part 1 last month, Corporal John MacDonald of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife revealed that the most common ATV violations in Maine result from operating an unregistered machine, driving an

ATV on private property without the owner’s permission, and operating on public ways. In this month’s conclusion, focus shifts to more serious offenses and what steps ATV operators can take to reduce the chances of a negative encounter with

law enforcement, as well as what to do in the case of an inadvertent violation. Jailable Offenses There are some jailable offenses associated with operation of an ATV. “A couple of examples of actions that can result

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TOPSHAM Woody’s Performance Ctr. 70 Topsham Fair Mall Rd. 207-729-1177 teamwoodys.com

JACKMAN Jackman Power Sports 549 Main Street 207-668-4442 jackmanpowersports.com

LINCOLN Richard’s Sport Shop 239 W Broadway 207-794-3363 richardssportshop.com

LANCASTER, NH MOMS of Lancaster 244 Main Street 603-788-2281 momslancaster.com.com

OQUOSSOC Oquossoc Marine Inc. 87 Carry Road 207-864-5477 oquossocmarine.com Warning: Polaris off-road vehicles can be hazardous to operate and are not intended for on-road use. Driver must be at least 16 years old with a valid driver’s license to operate. Passengers, if permitted, must be at least 12 years old. All riders should always wear helmets, eye protection, and protective clothing. Always use seat belts and cab nets or doors (as equipped). Never engage in stunt driving, and avoid excessive speeds and sharp turns. Riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix. All riders should take a safety training course. Call 800-342-3764 for additional information. Check local laws before riding on trails. ©2014 Polaris Industries Inc.

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in arrest are failure to stop for a law enforcement officer, or operating an ATV under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs, or a combination of liquor and drugs,” Corporal John MacDonald of MDIF&W said. “Failing to stop for a law enforcement officer is a serious infraction,” he continued. “Game wardens can and do engage in pursuit of someone on an ATV, but only if the wardens are themselves riding an ATV. Wardens do not pursue someone on an ATV while they are in their trucks, due to the dangers of the situations. However, when they eventually do find someone who has eluded a law enforcement officer, that person will be going to jail.” OUI “Operating an ATV under the influence is also something we do encounter at times,” said MacDonald. “ATV operators really must have all their faculties about them when riding their machines. Balance is so important, the terrain is typically uneven, and trails can be hot and dusty. It’s not like driving a car on a fairly consistent roadway. There is a much greater need to be able to react and adjust to changing conditions in order to safely operate an ATV.

“Operating an ATV under the influence is just not a safe choice,” MacDonald concluded, “and it is not legal.” Prosecution of Violations Game Wardens show up in court as result of summonses issued in the field, according to Corporal MacDonald. In serious cases or when a trial is scheduled, the warden who wrote the summons will appear. For less serious offenses, a representative of the department may appear to handle the case. The District Attorney’s Office prosecutes all cases on behalf of the MDIF&W, and works with wardens to collect and organize facts, photos and evidence for use in court. Advice to Riders So what is the best advice for operators who may find themselves in an encounter with a warden, especially if they may have inadvertently violated a law or regulation? As with any law enforcement official, one key is to be straight with the officer. “Game Wardens are hired based on their good common sense and ability to use proper discretion,” explained MacDonald. “They have the authority to determine what level of enforcement should be (Continued on next page)

�� The Maine Sportsman • May 2018 • 29

Complying with the rules of the road is especially important when ATV riders are part of a large crowd. Source: Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands (Continued from page 28)

applied on a case-by-case basis.” “During the course of their duties, they see many different levels of intent on the part of ATV operators. Their line of questioning, and the responses received, can help them determine what type of actions should be taken when enforcing laws and rules associated with ATV riding in Maine.” To avoid unpleasant

outcomes, therefore, it’s clear that ATV operators should 1) ride safe; 2) ride sober; 3) know the laws; 4) keep track of registration periods for their machines; 5) respect the rights of private landowners; and 6) during an encounter with law enforcement, be respectful of the wardens and recognize the difficult jobs they perform day in and day out.

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©2015 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. Offers valid in U.S.A. only, from February 1,

2015 to April 30, 2015. See an authorized Can-Am dealer for details. The conditions may vary from state to state and these offers are subject to termination or change at any time without notice.� Rebate up to $2,000 on select © 2015 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserve<!.™.®, andrebate the applicable BRP logo trademarks ofATVs Bombardier Recreational Products, Inc. onortheitsmodel affiliates. other trademarks arelast. the¥ Rebate property of their 2014 models: to neware and unused 2014 Can-Am and Can-Am side-by-side vehicles. Rebate amount depends purchased. 1AII Dealer may sell for less. While quantities up to $800 on select 2015 models: rebate applicable to new and unused 2015 Can-Am ATVs and Can-Am side-by-side vehicles. Rebate amount depends on the model purchased. Dealer may sell for less. While quantities last. � GREAT FINANCING : respective owners. In the USA, the products are distributed byLowBRP US Inc. BRP reserves the right, at any time, to discontinue or change specifications, prices, designs, features, models or equipment without incurring obligafinancing rates are available. Subject to credit approval. Approval and any rates and terms provided are based on credit worthiness. Multiple financing offers available. Other qualific ations and restrictions may apply. Financing promotion void where BRP is not recommends responsible for any errors, or actions related to the financing providedcourse. by the financial the right, at any time, to discontinue or change specifications, features, models or equipment without at tion. Some mcxlels depicted may include optional equipment.prohibited. BRP highly thatchanges all ATV drivers take a training Forinstitutions. safety BRP andreserves training information, see your dealer or, in prices, USA,designs, call the ATV Safety Institute incurring obligation. Some models 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 call the ATV Safety Institute at 1-800-887-2887. ATVs can hazardous to 739-1535 operate. For your wear the a helmet, eye protection, and other Never carry passengers on any ATV notWear specifically designed by theprotective manufacturer for such use. and All adult model CanFor Am ATVs are Category 1-800-887-2887. In Canada, call the Canadian Safety CouncilbeG ATVs at (6131 extsafety: 227.always Read Operators Guide andprotective watchclothing. the Safety DVD before riding. appropriate clothing helmet. side-by-side (General Use Models) intended for recreational and/or utility use by an operator age 16 or older. For side-by-side vehicles (SxS): Read the BRP side-by-side Operator’s Guide and watch the Safety DVD before driving. For your safety: wear a helmet, eye and other protective gear. Fasten lateral net andexcessive seat belt at all times. Operator must be at observe least 16 yearsapplicable old. Passenger must be at laws least 12 and years old and able to hold handgrips and plant feet while seatedand againstATVs the backrest. and SxS are for vehicles, fasten lateral net and seat belt at all times. Neverprotection engage in stunt driving and avoid speed. Always local regulations. Side-by-side vehicles areATVs recommended only; never ride on paved surfaces or public roads. Always remember that riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix. Never engage in stunt driving. Avoid excessive speed and be particularly careful on difficult terrain. Ride responsibly. 9100637 for drivers aged 16 and older, and passengers aged 12 and off-road older use 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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www.MaineSportsman.com

30 • May 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Striped Bass Cures Salt Water Fishing Fever – Part 2 by Benny Holloway Our story so far: Last month, Capt. Benny described symptoms of the onset of salt water fishing fever, revealing that the only cure is catching striped bass. He revealed the secrets of catching the favorite bait of striped bass – mackerel – as well as rod and reel choices. This month he provides additional information, focusing on line selection, leader material, and organizing your box of jigs, rigs, baits, clips,

weights, hooks, bobbers and lures. Line Selection I like 50- or 65-pound braid as my main line. It’s durable and easy to cast. For chunk baits, don’t forget to thread your plastic weight slider onto your main line before tying the swivel clasp. Having a clip or clasp on the end of your main line will make swapping out leaders a breeze.

The purpose of the plastic weight slider is to keep your bait down on bottom, and allow a fish to take the bait without feeling resistance of the weight as the main line passes freely through the slider. When fishing with live bait, remove the slider, and clip a bobber to the main line.

fluorocarbon leaders the night before your trip. You might find it therapeutic for your fever, and besides, it’s easier to do sitting at your work bench rather than trying to thread a hook while tossing around in a rolling swell. It will save some precious time when you can quickly replace a broken line from a snagged hook, by clipping on a pre-made leader. Tie a heavy swivel to one end, and hook to the

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other end of 30 inches of leader. Some people prefer a shorter length leader, so play around and see what works for you. However, it is speculated that too short a leader will allow the fish to see your swivel, and may cause you to miss a strike. Act Now There are a few months to go until this year’s striper season ramps up, so in the meantime, let’s get to prepping the tackle box for live bait fishing, and fever relief. Sunday mornings are a good choice of quiet time to organize hooks, weights and leaders, while making a list of anything in the box that’s running low: • 1-ounce mackerel jigs • Sabiki rigs (get lots of these and try different kinds and color combos) • Size 4 swivel with snap clips • #5 circle hooks for live or chunk bait • 2 oz, 3 oz, and 4 oz weights to keep those bait chunks near bottom (use larger weights depending on tide and current flow speeds) • Plastic sliding weight clips to attach the weight to the main line above the (Continued on next page)

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�� The Maine Sportsman • May 2018 • 31 (Continued from page 30)

After the drag whines, signalling a strike, the author recommends waiting for a few seconds before you start reeling. If an angler is patient and does not set the hook too soon, the result will be a nice fish like this on the line. Benny Holloway photo

leader • Large 50to 100-pound test swivels to attach leader material • 20 pound, 30 pound, and 50 pound fluorocarbon leader material (use the heavier test leaders when targeting bigger fish) • Small, medium and large bobbers (use with the appropriate size live bait; if the bait can easily pull the bobber under, then use a bigger bobber) I’d be lying if I told you I didn’t have a few rubber worms or white shads

in my box. Many feverridden anglers have great success with the artificial lures, and there’s nothing wrong with that. I just prefer the process of fishing with mackerel, live or dead. The biggest stripers landed on my boat have all come from live mackerel, but chunk baits usually result in more hookups by smaller fish. Give it a try this summer – see if it helps cure your fever!

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32 • May 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Will Emergency Restrictions on Recreational Anglers Help Mako Sharks? Stocks of shortfin mako sharks, the mako species we catch here off the Maine coast, have been designated as “overfished” by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna, known to most fishermen as “ICCAT.” This came as somewhat of a surprise to many of us, as it hasn’t appeared that catches of makos in the Gulf of Maine have tapered off in the past several years. And given the relatively small number of makos actually retained by sport fishermen in our area, it didn’t appear that recre-

A new emergency regulation for shortfin mako sharks, which are thought to be overfished, will increase the minimum size from 54 inches to 83 inches (fork-length) for those that are to be retained by sport fishermen. The shark pictured was just released with a satellite tag attached to its dorsal fin. Photo: NOAA

ational anglers in Maine were having much of an impact. However, as is usually the case, our sector is required to cut back, regardless of the real cause

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of the problem. Successful Pushback to Initial Proposal The mako stock assessment suggested that catches would have to be significantly reduced in order to prevent further population declines. Some of the more radical environmental groups at the ICCAT meeting this past November called for a prohibition on the retention of shortfin makos altogether, but ICCAT delegates representing U.S. recreational fisher-

men disagreed, and successfully pushed for a larger minimum size instead. So in order to jumpstart the goal of reducing landings, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) introduced emergency regulations that went into effect on March 2nd. Basically, for recreational shark fishermen, the new rule is that any mako shark retained must be at least 83 inches long fork-length (up from 54 inches last year), which means from the tip

of the snout to the fork in the tail (not overall length). This will mean that almost all male makos caught will have to be released, since males don’t grow as large as females. In addition, most females will have to be released as well – even though the females can grow to 108 inches in 8 years, fish of this size aren’t often landed by sport fishermen. The majority of makos taken north of Cape Cod are the smaller males, so don’t expect to see many brought to the dock. New Commercial Measures, Too The new minimum size will no doubt reduce the number of recreationally-caught makos that are retained to a trickle, thereby contributing to conservation. The rules for commercial fishermen who hook makos while pursuing (Continued on next page)

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�� The Maine Sportsman • May 2018 • 33 (Continued from page 32)

pelagic species (such as tuna and swordfish) are even stricter, since they are the real culprits in the decline of mako stocks. U.S. commercial fisherman will be required under the new measures to release any shortfin makos that are brought to boatside alive. It should be pointed out, though, that the U.S. commercial fleet is not the only fleet implicated in the stock decline. Makos are open-ocean sharks that can travel hundreds of miles. They are caught off the coasts of other countries – many of which don’t stringently enforce fishery laws. An international effort and a good deal of cooperation will be required to turn things around. The new rule also encourages any U.S. recreational fisherman who holds a federal permit for highly migratory species (HMS) to release all shortfin mako sharks. Although this isn’t a hardand-fast requirement at this point, the more makos released, the faster the stocks may recover. Any angler who wishes to fish for sharks needs to have a NMFS HMS Permit, easily obtainable online at hmspermits.noaa. gov. NMFS also has an app called the “Release Mako” app. It’s free for mobile devices, and allows fishermen to report mako releases and to

share information with others. You can download it from the NMFS web site by Googling “noaa mako shark app”. The emergency rule will remain in effect until at least early September, and could be extended for another six months. Bluefin Tuna in Good Shape Atlantic bluefin tuna stocks appear to be in good shape, according to ICCAT, so the annual quota for the Western Atlantic has been increased to 2,350 metric tons for 2018 through 2020. This results in a 17% quota increase for the U.S., with little chance of overfishing the stock, which is good news for both commercial and recreational bluefin fishermen. The big question now, primarily for the commercial (mostly rod & reel) General Category, is what the daily bag limit will be. Last year NMFS started the season with a five-fish bag limit, but this spurred increased landings that quickly began eating up the quota, with the end result of the fishery having to be shut down several times before the season finally ended. The prevailing opinion is that a more modest bag limit should be implemented at the start of the 2018 season on June 1st, which could be increased later if there was enough quota still available. No word as of this writing as to what the size and bag limits will

be for the smaller fish in the non-commercial bluefin Angling Category, but

they’re likely to be similar to those of last year. I’ll report to readers as

soon as I find out.

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34 • May 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

— Special Feature — by Zachary Fowler

My Maine Boat Made of Reeds — Would it Float? – Part 2

“It floated like a dream,” wrote the author, “and I paddled it out and made a good-sized loop of the Camden Harbor twice before I’d had enough.” Thousands of folks who attended the State of Maine Sportsman’s Show at the Augusta Civic Center over Easter weekend 2018 had an opportunity to talk with Fowler and see his reed watercraft, which was set up inside the main lobby area.

It took me all of the two weeks leading up to Christmas to build my boat. If I had built it in the summer, the job might have taken me only two days, but working outside with gloves on slows the process down. I managed to launch the finished boat two days before Christmas. As it turned out, it was a very easy build. I laid it out in the snow. I measured approximately 18 feet, staggering the reeds while I created two piles that would become the two main parts of the boat when tied up. I didn’t use any fancy measuring tools – I just made the piles big enough that I could barewww.MaineSportsman.com

My assistant and I packed up the reed boat and all the camera gear and headed down to Camden Harbor. It was raining, snowing and sleeting all at the same time, and just to put the boat in the water, I had to push giant chunks of floating ice out of the way with my double-ended shovel paddle. ly reach around them in the middle and tapering down to the ends. I removed the reeds’ seed heads as I laid it out so that mice and other rodents would not bother it during storage. Next, I proceeded to wrap the piles with bank line, working my way out from the center to the ends, where I turned the last 3 feet at a 90 degree angle. The majority of the

work came in when was taking all the slack out of the wraps. All of the wraps were about 4-inches apart, growing closer together towards the end to provide the strength to hold the ends turned up. I had to work the slack out of each of the lines several times, but when I was finished it was just as solid as an Old Town canoe. My assistant and I packed up all the camera gear and took the

boat down to the Camden Harbor. It was raining, snowing and sleeting all at the same time, and I had to push giant chunks of floating ice out of the way with my double ended shovel paddle. It was great!!! It floated like a dream, and I paddled it out and made a good-sized loop of the Camden Harbor twice before I’d had enough. It turned out we had a bit of an audience as

well up in the restaurants that looked out on the harbor, and someone brought us some of the best clam chowder I had ever had. I stayed up all night editing and releasing the YouTube video on Christmas Eve Day before I headed to Vermont for some much-needed downtime with my family. I put the reed boat in my sunroom and it looks like it will last a long time. I’m going to make a few minor tweaks, and then it will be ready for the St George River Race and many more adventures hopefully to come.

�� The Maine Sportsman • May 2018 • 35

Author Turning Pickup Truck Into Luxury Bed-and-Breakfast Some of the best fishing locations take dedicated anglers way back into the farthest parts of Maine’s humongous forest land. Whenever I find these remote fishing hot spots and get a chance to ply the seemingly-untouched waters, I certainly don’t want to pack up my gear at the end of the day and travel back home. Most of these wonderful places are far enough from home that I’d have to start loading things up around 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. to make it home before dark. What angler in their right mind would

I admit it – I’ve turned into a fair-weather camper. When in remote fishing locations with my pickup truck, I don’t skimp on delicious meals, a comfortable mattress, soft sheets and even my fluffy pillow. leave the perfect fishing location in the middle of the afternoon – just when the water warms enough to turn on a major hatch? Before this fishing season starts, I’m going to turn my 2010 Toyota Tacoma into a “Mobile Lodging Unit” (MLU) so I can stay overnight in comfort when I find myself into some excellent fishing way back in the willy-wacks. In the past, I used big

vans with carpeted walls and fold-out beds. Later, I outfitted an old Chevy truck with a yard sale cap that fit over the bed of the truck. The vans would get stuck too easily, and the truck didn’t have a comfortable bed. This time I’m doing it right. After too many uncomfortable nights of sleeping in these vans and the old Chevy pickup, I told myself I would never do it again. I vowed to

give up camping in general, preferring to only stay in comfy lodges or motels if I had to be away from home overnight. Modern Bedding I have an ongoing issue with my back, so sleeping outdoors has always bothered me ... so much so that I finally gave up on trying to find a comfortable mattress pad for camping. I really have tried them all.

Now, most folks would think that I could solve this by throwing an old box spring mattress in the back of the truck to get a good night’s sleep. Stop and think about it for a minute – remember the last time you slept on one of these old mattresses? Most folks don’t throw an $800 mattress into the back of their truck – you get the beat-up, bumpy mattress that someone doesn’t want anymore. I have a plan that may solve this dilemma, but first let me give you a little background information. My wife and I re(Continued on next page)

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36 • May 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Fly Fishing with Nymphs to Catch More Fish Fly fishing with nymphs can seem intimidating at first – at least it was for me – but once you figure it out, it’s not too hard at all. In fact, it’s a good skill to learn, because in some cases 80 percent of what a trout eats in a stream or river is nymphs (the real kind). One reason fish like real nymphs is that they are easy for the fish to catch. They are also a nutritional food source. Another good thing about nymph fishing is that you can fish these flies in the spring, summer, fall and early to late winter, which is good when there’s nothing hatching on the surface.

When I get to fish a river, I will sometimes flip over a rock and see what kinds of nymphs are there and see what fly in my box looks most similar to what’s in the river. Rigging Up Now to rig your fly rod for nymphing, you can use any weight rod with floating line, so long as it can cast the rig you are using. You will need a strike indicator, split shot and your preferred nymph. I like to start off with a pheasant tail or a hare’s ear. Then you add the smallest split shot you can get away with, and go bigger if necessary, depending on how fast the water is flowing.

Off-Road Traveler (Continued from page 35)

cently purchased one of those new memory foam mattresses, and it has really improved the comfort level, allowing me to get more quality sleep than I’ve had in a long time. I’m going to spend a little extra money and get one of the memory foam mattress pads, that are a little less expensive than a regular-sized mattress, and put it in the bed of the truck. I should be able to get a night of quality sleep, just like at home. A bad night’s sleep ruins a trip for anyone, not just those of us with bad backs. Waking up without quality sleep robs folks of getting the most out of the next day. Better Sleeping System Creating a more comfortable system for an overnight fishing trip requires more than good bedding, too. After spending plenty of time sleeping out in the back of my old Chevy pickup, I’ve determined that getting a night of quality sleep requires a complete “system.” The system starts with a good meal before bed. I like using a propane stove that incorporates a “Y” junction so I can run a lantern off the same propane tank. That way, even if it starts to get dark, I can cook www.MaineSportsman.com

For your strike indicator, you will want to rig it so the leader is 1-1/2 to 2 times the water depth you are fishing in. Sometimes instead of an indicator I use a bigger size 10 - 12 dry fly. I will tie the tippet on the bend of the hook. I don’t use split shot because it will sink the fly. When you are fishing a nymph you never want to take your eyes off the indicator, because that fish will soon drop that fly when it finds out it’s not real. Anything different that happens from the downstream flow of the fly and indicator could be a fish – for example, if it stops and goes to the

As is clear from studying this “all purpose” selection of 6 nymphs offered by L.L.Bean, the flies are designed to look like immature insects found under rocks in streams and rivers. Photo credit: L.L.Bean

side, it’s a fish. Not too often does the indicator go completely under water. When nothing else is working, nymphs can be

up a great meal and keep the campsite lit up enough to lounge around for a while before going to bed. I like to be able to carry a lot of gear with me on these overnight excursions if I want to – if I’m going to go to the trouble of spending a night in the woods I want to really thrive, rather than turn the night into a survival attempt. I use big, plastic utility totes to hold Teflon-coated pots and pans, the cook-stove, extra propane tanks, dishes, and a host of other gear for cooking great meals. I also have a huge cooler for storing perishables. I do all the cooking right at the tailgate under the cover of a big tarp strung out from the truck cap to a nearby tree in case of rain. Sleeping inside a sealed cap in the bed of the truck creates a lot of condensation, so I will make sure the chosen cap has plenty of ventilation. Also, I will make sure that the ventilation points are ones that can remain opened even during a downpour. I make sure the tarp I use is big enough to cover the whole cap, leaving me free to open the screened window for ventilation during even the most violent of rain showers. Finishing Touches As a young camper, I could wrap up in one of my dad’s old U.S. Army issue blankets and fall asleep anywhere, and then

a good choice. I highly recommend you try them next time on the water.

wake up completely refreshed. As age catches up with me, I really have to get a good, comfortable night of sleep, or else I’m not going anywhere. Rigging this truck up in such a comfortable fashion may sound a little “over-thetop” to some, but I know how I am...at my age I’m stubborn about the comfort factor. I’ll say it right here out loud, “I’ve become a fair-weather camper,” and that’s all there is to it. I don’t skimp on anything anymore; when I go camping I go in style. I used to get by on crackers and jerky, but now I make sure to fill a large cooler with frozen steaks, chicken breast, eggs, bacon, sausage, pies, milk, cream for the coffee, as well as real butter. This one is really going to throw some folks over the edge – I don’t go anywhere without my “My Pillow” anymore. I know, I’ve become a total pansy in my old age, but I don’t care. I’m going to keep going out there even if I feel the need for luxury items to make it more comfortable for me. When my old fishing buddies wake up sore and grouchy, I’ll just silently chuckle and tuck my head back under my silk sheets. and goose-down comforter.

�� The Maine Sportsman • May 2018 • 37

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38 • May 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Whisperwood Lodge & Cottages Located in the beautiful Belgrade Lakes Region of Maine, on resplendent Salmon Lake, Whisperwood has served as a relaxing seasonal getaway for countless family vacationers and fishermen since 1927. Eleven lakeside cottages are nestled on a wooded hillside overlooking picture-perfect Salmon Lake, a serene setting to enjoy wildlife sightings. Whisperwood offers a perfect mix of seclusion and peaceful surroundings, yet its easy access to I-95 allows for more time relaxing and less time traveling on the road. Traditional American Plan dining offers guests a generous home-cooked breakfast and

dinner served in the central dining room, plus a fully-packed, hearty picnic lunch for noontime enjoyment while out for a day of fishing or another outdoor adventures. Guests enjoy free use of canoes and kayaks and rowboats, as well as the swimming area, the recreation hall and nightly campfires. Rental motor boats are available to enhance the boating and fishing experience, or guests may bring their own boats. Whisperwood offers free launching service and a 20slip docking facility, with electricity supplied at each boat slip. The enjoyment of Salmon Lake draws guests to Whisperwood year after year, and

the superb fishing is a major part of the attraction. Experienced Maine guides are available to enhance the angling experience, while guests pursue trout, salmon, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass or northern pike on any of the lakes in the Belgrade Region. Open May through September, Whisperwood promises a great Maine experience for your next family vacation, fishing trip, or just a relaxing week or weekend. Join your hosts, Cameron & Renee McCafferty, at Whisperwood Lodge & Cottages, 103 Taylor Woods Rd., Belgrade, ME. 04917. Call 207-465-3983 or visit whisperwoodlodge.com.

Red River Camps The Red River Camps, built in 1886 and operating commercially since 1926, are nestled in Aroostook County’s famed Deboullie Township. The area is known for its short but rugged mountains, rock slides, and glacier-carved lakes. The township has been part of the Maine Public Reserve Land system since the early 1980s, and boasts seventeen wild or native trout waters, four arctic charr waters, and one lake that also supports landlocked salmon and togue. Approximately half of Deboullie’s ponds are restricted to fly-fishing only, while its larger lakes are suitable for trolling and have less-restrictive regulations. Deboullie hikers enjoy over 30 miles of well-maintained trails, taking visitors to sheer cliffs, granite talus slopes, ice caves,

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small beaches and waterfalls. Deboullie’s famous fire tower is on the national historic fire lookout registry and remains open to visitors brave enough to climb the 48-foot steel ladder to access its cab. Situated on Island Pond in Deboullie’s southeast corner, the Red River Camps caters to both American plan and housekeeping guests. Their nine charmingly rustic cabins are built from hand-hewn logs, and are private to a single party, with comfortable beds, an en-suite bathroom with pressurized shower, gas lights, and wood stove. Three cabins feature their own fully-equipped kitchen for guests who want to enjoy their own meal schedule. Red River’s main lodge was completely rebuilt after a lightning strike in 2008 – a comfortable space to enjoy a delicious meal

cooked by Red River chef Gloria Curtis, and swap fish tales with other guests. One of Red River’s most notable features is its island cabin, nestled on a 2-acre island on the far side of the pond. The island cabin, built in 1886, features a two-story fireplace and sleeps eight guests. Second-generation owner Jen Brophy wouldn’t trade Deboullie for the rest of the world on a silver platter, and everyone at Red River is committed to making sure their guests love the township as much as they do. It’s the perfect place for sportsmen, hikers, paddlers and families to leave the rat race behind and get back to the real world for a spell. For reservations, call Jen at 207-4356000 or visit redrivercamps.com.

�� The Maine Sportsman • May 2018 • 39

Libby Camps

Libby Camps is located in the vast North Maine Woods region of Maine. They specialize in fly fishing for native brook trout and landlocked salmon in small ponds and rivers; wingshooting for ruffed grouse and woodcock, trophy big-game hunting for black bear, moose and whitetail deer, as well as catering to snowmobile riders in the winter months. Libby is an award winning Orvis-endorsed lodge in both fly fishing and wingshooting – the only lodge in the east that’s endorsed for both activities. This endorsement is maintained by combining world-class fishing and hunting and exceptional service. Libby Camps’ commitment to service and conservation has been recognized, with the

camp receiving the 2006-2007 Orvis Endorsed Lodge of the year, and the 2010 Maine Tourism Hall of Fame award. Libby has also been referenced in numerous books and magazine as one of the greatest fishing and hunting lodges in North America. Libby is unique in the Eastern U.S. in that it has two Cessna seaplanes on site to access remote regions as well as their ten outpost cabins. This allows sportsmen to fish for trophy native brook trout or hunt a much broader region than at a typical lodge. Libby has ten guest cabins spread out around the historic main lodge where everyone congregates for meals. Each cabin is rustic, but offers all modern conveniences. Heat

is provided by wood stoves; illumination is from propane lights; and each cabin has a full bathroom. Homemade quilts and Amishmade rocking chairs put the finishing touches on these century-old cabins. Libby has been known for generations for providing their guests with food that is second to none. The Libby girls’ homecooked breads, pies and treats have people coming back for more year after year. The Libbys pride themselves on creating a family atmosphere, and guests will feel like part of the family as soon as they walk through the door. Go to libbycamps.com or call Matt and Jess Libby at (207) 435-8274.

Wilson’s on Moosehead Lake The dam at the East Outlet on Moosehead Lake creates a river flowage leading to Indian Pond, the headwaters of the Kennebec River. Well-informed anglers know the East Outlet as one the finest brook trout and landlocked salmon fisheries in Maine and New England. Wilsons on Moosehead Lake, situated at this “salmonid epicenter” called the East Outlet, puts anglers directly in touch with this premier flowage, and in contact with the folks who are most familiar with the awesome fish that inhabit the river connecting Moosehead Lake with Indian Pond – the Snell Family, owners of Wilsons on Moosehead Lake. The business has been continually operated since 1865, and earlier this year the camp and its owners, Alison and Scott Snell, were named the Small Business Administration’s 2017 Family-Owned Business of the Year. “We are truly honored to be the recipient of this award,” said Alison. “Small family-owned businesses are so important to the true Maine experience. We are blessed to be able to connect with our guests personally and help them relax the ‘Moosehead’ way.” The Snells report they have been steadily increasing their guide business over the last several years, and offer a first rate guide staff and state-of-the-art equipment. They have upgraded cabins and added more services for their guests.

Visitors to the Greenville/Moosehead region will continue to enjoy hunting, fishing, family vacations and four-season recreation at Wilsons, and relish the idea that this unique set of camps may be around for another 150 years. Visitors can wake up at one of their own personal cabins at Wilsons on Moosehead Lake, grab their fly rod and walk down to the East Outlet dam to fish the turbulent headwaters while the sun rises on Moosehead Lake. Or they can experience the ultimate fly-fishing adventure and book a drift boat trip with Scott, letting this highly-qualified Maine

guide show them the tactics and techniques to help them catch the fish of their dreams – over and over again. After catching landlocked salmon, brook trout or huge smallmouth bass, most anglers will agree – fishing at Wilsons on Moosehead Lake is a spectacular adventure driven by the whole Snell family. Scott, his wife Alison and their three children all get involved in offering their guests the most spectacular experience possible. Go to www.WilsonsOnMooseheadLake. com or call the Snells at (207) 695-2549.

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40 • May 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Finally! It’s Time for Trolling and Turkey Ice out trolling on Aroostook lakes may just be the most anticipated and appreciated angling of the entire year for many Crown of Maine sportsmen. When snow and ice arrive in mid-November and generally don’t completely disappear until Mother’s Day, it’s little wonder that any open water demands attention. While I enjoy most any style of fishing, dragging a classic tandem streamer fly behind the slow, gentle S-turn of a traditional square stern canoe may just top my fresh water fishing list. Get Out Early Best trolling results on most large, wellknown Crown of Maine lakes occur three days after full ice out and then for a 7- to 10-day stretch. If the weather stays cool and there’s a day of rain here or there, the action can easily extend two or even three weeks after open water arrives. Since various water-

The best trolling starts three days after ice-out, and lasts a week or 10 days. Since various waterways clear of ice randomly, it’s possible for trollers to travel a bit and experience peak streamer fly action on half a dozen Aroostook waterways this month.

Mike Wallace of Freeport nets a feisty brook trout from a small Aroostook lake in early May. The waters is frigid and the weather is still chilly, but the fish are hungry once the ice clears. All photos: Bill Graves

ways clear of ice randomly, it’s possible for trollers to travel a bit and expe-

rience peak streamer fly action on half a dozen waterways this month.

The Fish River Chain of Lakes has been a prime ice out destination for

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well over a century, and the area still produces exciting action for brookies and landlocks. Non-residents used to travel north by train for spring fishing. These days, automobiles have speeded and simplified the trip, and hoards of out-of-staters still head north for the great May trolling. Cross, Square, and Long Lakes get heavy attention for trout and salmon; Eagle draws togue fishermen; and musky enthusiasts visit Glazier Lake. Medium-sized, forest-encased lakes in the North Maine woods tend to clear of ice about a week later than more exposed waters, and a handful are well worth a long day trip hauling a boat over the bumpy, frost-heaved gravel roads. First and Second Musquacook Lakes are easiest to access and they yield steady brook trout and togue action. Most of the lake trout average 2 to 4 pounds, but there are a few twice that size. Third, Fourth, and Fifth Musquacook lakes require a bit more effort to reach, leading to less fishing pressure, consistent action, and a few larger fish. Upper McNally Pond and Clear Lake, far back in the deep woods, are also worth a May trolling foray. Fish East Despite so many productive Northern Aroostook lakes and ponds near my home in Presque Isle, May trolling ventures would never be complete without a couple of visits to Southern Aroostook. On my annual spring (Continued on next page)

�� The Maine Sportsman • May 2018 • 41 (Continued from page 41)

Scott Cantrell of Bath travels north for a week every spring to troll for salmon and trout. Surgery to remove part of a leg didn’t stop him last spring, and Long Lake provided some great action.

list are Drew’s Lake near Houlton, Pleasant Lake in Island Falls, and my favorite, East Grand Lake, a fabulously rewarding border waterway spreading from Orient to Danforth. This huge expanse of water holds brook trout, salmon, togue, smallmouth bass, pickerel and perch. Despite its popularity, hundreds of coves, brook inlets, springs and islands keep crowding to a minimum. Salmon remain the prize for spring streamer trollers, averaging 16 to 20 inches and 1 ½ to 2 ½ pounds, but 4- to 5-pound slabs of silver aerobatic muscle are hooked regularly. Most brookies run 10 to 16 inches, but 2-pound fish are boated daily, and the lake trout average 3 to 5 pounds with a few double-digit togue coming to the net throughout the month. Dual tandem streamers are my proven rig – a bait fish imitation on a dropper leader with a brightly colored attractor pattern at the terminal end. I like bucktail for the wings of bright flies, and feather for the smelt and minnow mimics.

East Grand Lake requires a bit of a drive from Northern Aroostook, but writer Bill Graves makes the trip each spring to enjoy some of the most consistent action on large trout and salmon of the entire season during May.

You won’t go wrong on any Aroostook spring trolling trip if your streamer wallet harbors vivid red and whites, Mickey Finns, Miss Sharon’s, a little brook trout, Magog smelt, and Jock Scott bucktail. Feather wing patterns to have along should include a Gray Ghost, Supervisor, black nose dace, Ouananiche sunset, Herb Johnson special, Colonel Bates, and a blue Devil. Some are drab fish colors, while others are very colorful for dingy water conditions. I tie my tandems with a size 2 front hook and a size 4 trailer hook facing

upward – this combo of opposite-direction barbs has proven to hook and hold fish better, especially wildly leaping salmon. There are dozens of good boat launch sites all along the American side of East Grand. Most will handle everything up to a 20-foot deep V hull and even medium-size pontoon boats. Some likely areas to troll include, MeetingHouse Point, Pete’s Cove and Norway Point for salmon. The islands and area of lake between Balm of Gilead Cove and Work Cove on the opposite shore are top rate for trout and salmon. The

Carl Sjoberg of Caribou defies the chilly May weather to troll just after ice out on various northern Aroostook lakes, and just one silver-sided trophy like this beauty makes an outing worthwhile.

deep water between Little River Cove toward the mouth of The Arm is excellent for togue trolling. There are camps, lodges, and outfitters by the day or the week located at various points on East Grand. They offer great food and guides to visiting anglers, or you can rent a cabin and feed and guide yourself. Use Route 1 between

Orient and Danforth, and then take any of the dozens of dirt side roads or two-tracks to the shoreline and launch sites. Delorme’s Atlas Map 53, E-4 and Map 45, A-4 and B-5 offer a great overview of this huge lake, and the name says it all – spring trolling is GRAND!

Let’s Talk Turkey My premier wild tur(Continued on page 43)

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42 • May 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Northern Forest Canoe Trail Shines Mooselookmeguntic Lake at sunrise appeared to be purposely laid out as a flat, calm mirror to reflect the rising sun (DeLorme Atlas, Map 18, A-3). My dog Tucker and I had been in the canoe since first light – traveling toward Oquossoc and the next portage to Rangeley Lake. A mist along the surface obscured the view at the waterline, but a bright blue vault of overhead sky slowly came to life with the sun. Up ahead in the mist, near the shore of Student’s Island, I could make out a figure moving toward us. In and out of the fog, the object was less than 30 yards away before I realized it was another solo canoeist. The paddler looked as surprised as I felt to find someone else stirring that early on a July morning. We both glided our boats to a standstill within easy chatting distance. I was in the first-half of a month-long, self-propelled trip from Kittery to Fort Kent. Over the previous ten days, I had rowed, paddled, hiked and biked northward more than 100 miles on a meandering course of my own creation. Ken, the other paddler, was from Hartford, Connecticut. He was heading west, completing the Rangeley Lakes section of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT). He laughed when I described my trip and the extensive prep work it had required. “Without these,” he said, waving a NFCT section map that detailed www.MaineSportsman.com

The Northern Forest Canoe Trail is the longest inland water trail in the country. It extends 740 miles, from Old Forge, NY to Fort Kent, Maine, following routes first paddled by Native Americans. In effect, it’s a watery version of the Appalachian Trail.

Along the trail -- the author’s dog Tucker, on Upper Richardson

the Rangeley Region, “I would still be home in Hartford. I’ve paddled and camped for years but never thought about extending shorter trips into a long trail.”

The Trail The Northern Forest

Canoe Trail (NorthernForestCanoeTrail.org) is the longest inland water trail in the country. It extends 740 miles from Old Forge, New York to Fort Kent, Maine – following routes first paddled by Native Americans.

The trail in Maine starts on Umbagog Lake, goes upstream on the Rapid River (a long portage), then through the Rangeley and Flagstaff Lakes to the Dead River and up the Spencer Stream drainage. Even-

NFCT Trail Marker found from the Adirondacks to Northern Maine

tually, it reaches the Moose River and Moosehead Lake – where after a traditional Northeast Carry it follows the West Branch of the Penobscot to the original Allagash route and then St. John River to Fort Kent at the rooftop of the state. NFCT, completed in 2006, was the brainchild of the former owners of the Mad River Canoe Company and a group of other dreamers from Vermont who saw value in linking watersheds, communities and all the crown jewel venues of Northeast paddling into a watery version of the Appalachian Trail. It’s a convoluted and winding route along more than 20 different rivers and across nearly 60 different lakes -- with 70 miles of portaging thrown in for good measure. Finding the way would be a nearly impossible task without the maps, books and online trip-planner created by the NFCT organization. These resources not only describe the route but also detail the location of accommodations, from tent sites to grand historic hotels, found along the way. Part of the mission pf the organization is to encourage tourism and patronage of the local economies. But as important as the maps and website might be, it’s the work NFCT has done improving portage trails, access points and campsites that’s had the greatest impact. This boots-onthe-ground work makes the trail a reality instead of just a concept. While (Continued on next page)

�� The Maine Sportsman • May 2018 • 43 (Continued from page 42)

maps are great, they pale in comparison to the importance of a well-marked portage trail between waterways. Thru-Paddlers Wanted I spent part of this past winter reading Upward, a book by Laurie Chandler of Bremen, in which she describes her journey as the first woman to solo thru-paddle the NFCT in 2015. Nothing makes those cold February nights pass more quickly than a modern tale of outdoor discovery. For Chandler, the discovery went well beyond the maze of lakes and rivers she followed from the Adirondacks to Northern Maine. Solo wilderness journeys over long dis-

Boots on the ground work at Great Falls Dam -- Flagstaff Lake

tances and extended periods of time have a transformative effect on the traveler. It’s hard to be alone in today’s modern world. You have to work at it – and even on the Appalachian Trail or NFCT, it’s rare to be alone for more than a few days at a time.

The County (Continued from page 41)

key hunt in Maine took place 25 years ago near Jefferson and Damariscotta Lake with guide Doug Teel of Northridge Outfitters. For three straight years we enjoyed success, and over recent years I’ve enjoyed random spring turkey outings in Coastal and southern Maine, New Hampshire, Florida and even Hawaii. Due to Aroostook’s long, frigid winters and deep snow cover, I never would have suspected a huntable population of turkey eventually residing in The County. Even when regional biologists began transplanting turkey in 2007 I was skeptical but pleasantly surprised and pleased when Aroostook’s first turkey season was declared in 2014. Last spring I actually had five gobblers visit the field behind my house to feed morning and evening for two days, and I live only a mile from Main Street in Presque Isle! This past fall while scouting for deer and Canada geese, I spotted a surprising number of flocks from 7 to 20 turkey. This spring’s hunting by local sportsmen should be more skill than luck – a pleasant trend from previous years due to increasing population. Thanks to a widening dispersal each year, hunters won’t be crowding each other scouting and pursuing the same flocks. A lifelike decoy, a good call (electronic units are fairly inexpensive and very effective) and a tightly-choked shotgun – preferably 12 gauge – are prime components of success. Small framed individuals and youngsters can enjoy success with a 3”, 20-gauge

Completing the 740-mile trail requires 70 miles of portaging.

But at some point, the occasional human contacts only serve to accentuate the solitude. Crossing long distances under your own power provides a sense of satisfaction that cannot be found anywhere else in the modern world. At its best, it allows a conversation with

yourself that most people never get a chance to enjoy. Shorter Trips Fewer than 200 people have thru-paddled the trail since its inception. And most users will never even seriously consider expending the time and effort necessary to

complete the entire route in one trip. With that in mind, NFCT has drafted its maps to break the 740mile trip down into 13 different, more manageable sections. Some paddlers will complete the sections over a period of time and can still qualify for recognition as Section Paddlers after having paddled the complete mileage. Having traveled almost all the Maine portion of the trail over the years, I wonder myself if there is a thru-paddle in my future. One thing is certain – on cold Maine nights, just the possibility of such a trip keeps a paddler warm.

if the range is moderately close. A few promising regional areas to pre-season scout would include fields along the Garfield and Frenchville Roads in Ashland. There are also some fields and pastures along Route 11 between Ashland and Portage where some residents put out winter feed for deer and also have attracted huge flocks of turkey to the free smorgasbord. Check Map 64, D-1 and D-2. Cross Road runs from Crouseville to the Caribou Lake Road, and sightings of several small bands of wild turkey feeding in roadside agri-fields were common last fall. Map Jack Shafer and his Dad, Mitch Wheeler, of Bridgewater took advan64, C-5 will guide tage of the growing population of wild turkey to fill their tag with a fine spring scouting ven- tom during the spring season last year. tures. hunters have spent more time and effort be There also seem to be several flocks of tween Houlton and Amity, but more recent6-12 birds wandering and scratching for ly turkeys are growing in numbers farther food between Bridgewater, Blaine and Mars north. Check your law book for Youth Day Hill – sightings have been common all winand split season hunting dates for Zones 1 ter. Peruse Map 59, B-3 for roads and scoutthrough 6 this month, then get out and gobing options. ble up some action. Over the past couple of years, regional

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44 • May 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

May...Time to Scout for Deer While Hunting for Turkeys With a little luck, I’ll hear my first spring gobble long before the season opens April 30. I’ll have called in and watched my friend’s son Travis kill his first turkey on April 28. Maine’s 2018 turkey season won’t be much different than previous years. I’ll scout hard the week prior to the opener. My permissions will have long been secured. I’ll hunt most every morning before work and on evenings when my schedule allows. I might be focused on

A little-known fact about deer is that throat patches can be used to identify specific deer. Each patch is a little different. And hunters can use a scope adapter and their cellphone to take detailed pictures and video of the deer they watch. turkeys, but my mind is never far from deer. WMD 23 is one of Maine’s premier destinations for deer and turkey hunters who crave high success rates and opportunity. In regards to turkey, it’s not uncommon to hear 5-10 different birds gobbling on a calm morning. Over the

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last 20 years, I’ve taken some great toms and guided some friends and family members to many more. Whether the birds came hard or easy, they all provided us with tremendous entertainment, great memories and some tasty meals. Why do I bring up deer when discussing turkeys? Any hunter lucky enough to pursue turkeys in WMD 23 will have many interactions with deer while pursuing gobblers. Field hunters will likely see lots of deer. Even though deer often leave a field when they see a hunter setting up in the dark, they’ll sometimes return quickly

when no immediate danger presents itself. Watching these deer provides great entertainment for anyone waiting for their feathered quarry to show. Over the last 10-15 years, I’ve paid lots of attention to these deer if they’re on a farm I’ll hunt in the fall. Even though deer season is still five months away, there’s much to learn now that could help increase my success then. Watching from a Distance In late April and early May, I’ll get a really good feel for how many deer made it through the winter. I’ve seen 50 or more

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deer in just one field on my favorite farm. Getting an idea of numbers is often a confidence booster, especially if numbers are high. I try to make note of the number of large does and fawns. When possible, this is a great time to identify adult bucks too. The best tool I have to closely examine a herd from a distance is my spotting scope. On a clear morning with the scope on 40 power, I can see Pedicle scars and even genitalia on adult bucks. However, there’s a short period of time to get a count on these big boys. As deer are coming out of their winter yards, the bucks in my area start to gather in bachelor groups. These groups of 3-10 adult bucks often stay together into October. Getting a feel for who’s who in their groups can be a trick. I used to bring a notepad with me for the next step. A little-known (or paid-attention-to) fact about deer is that throat patches can often be used to identify specific deer. Each patch is a little different. Today, a hunt(Continued on next page)

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�� The Maine Sportsman • May 2018 • 45 (Continued from page 44)

er won’t need to draw a picture of a patch. Cell phone scope adapters can be purchased for as little as $10 online. Attaching a phone to a scope allows a hunter to take detailed pictures and video of the deer they watch. Today’s free apps allow us to take notes right on a photo. These can be stored on a phone for future reference. I’m no technology geek, but a few of my friends are. I’m not ashamed to take lessons from them. Late in May when the does are getting really fat, I often observe them separating themselves from the larger groups of does and fawns. This signals a couple of things to me. These does are likely getting ready to give birth, and it’s likely these are the older, matriarchal does that came into estrous in October. Use the same throat patches to ID these does. Keeping tabs on who was bred earlier in the year can pay big dividends during archery season. Those older does will attract big bucks before the firearms season begins. By late May, adult bucks, especially those 4 ½ years old and older, will have plenty of antler on their heads. Use evenings to get a good idea of how many large racks

will be in the area come October. Walks in the Woods Of course, all turkey hunting isn’t done over green fields or corn fields. I often hunt birds in the woods or travel through the woods trying to close the distance on a roost site or a gobbling bird. Just like a big buck, I seek the path of least resistance when sneaking through the forest. On many of my farms, there are networks of logging and snowmobile trails. I’ve also cleared trails to my favorite deer stands from these primary trails. Often, after a particularly windy winter like the one we just had, woods trails are blocked by fallen trees and limbs. Sometimes after turkey hunts, I’ll work for an hour or two to clear trails. About four years ago, I was attempting to call a hot tom up a snowmobile trail one morning and he kept hanging up just out

of sight. I went back that afternoon to walk the trail and find a new ambush site, and discovered the reason the bird hung up. A large fir tree had fallen across the trail and blocked his way. I removed the tree with my hand saw and opened the trail. After that lesson, I often spend much of late April and May doing the same. This helps me with scouting later in the season, and assures me no other turkeys will be blocked when coming to calls on these trails. Even though I’m seriously hunting turkeys, there’s much to be done now that can increase success rates during deer season. Spend a little extra time watching deer this month and it might pay off in the fall.

This big doe already had a fawn when spotted in late May. Identifying her by the double throat patch and making note of the early fawn allows the hunter to keep tabs on her. She will likely come into estrous in October rather than November. That information might get a hunter onto a good buck sooner. Saltalamachia photo

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46 • May 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Gathering Intel at Baxter State Park With the snap of a buckle, I slid the 40-pound backpack off my tired shoulders and onto the ground next to my Jeep. After a shade over five miles of hiking, it felt good to flex my shoulders

without three days’ worth of camping gear on them. Steve Carter and I had just hiked from Frost Pond to the Trout Brook Farm Campground parking area. Whenever I do a

hiking trip, I always leave a cooler packed with ice in the Jeep, so when I return there’s a cold beverage and some assorted snacks waiting for me. It’s a minicelebration of sorts.

As I leaned against the front fender chugging down an ice-cold sweet tea, a scruffy-looking urbanite blasted out from Trout Brook, dragging an Alpacka Raft behind him. The small green raft really got my attention. He told me he had spent three days on the river, camping streamside along the way. His gear appeared minimal at best. He claimed this little oneman raft weighed in at less than eight pounds. Whenever I meet someone in the outdoors I always check out their gear – because, well, I’m kind of a gear-head myself. A few things stood

out with this guy that impressed me. First of all, he had a helmet on that sported a GoPro camera connected to the top. I also noticed his four piece fly rod, storage tube and all, attached to a rather small backpack. We chatted about carrying as little weight as possible while navigating the backcountry. I always roll my rod up in my tent to save the weight of the rod tube – in my case, a full pound. He saved weight by not having a tent. It was clear he was a minimalist. Based on his three days navigating some pretty turbulent water, (Continued on next page)

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�� The Maine Sportsman • May 2018 • 47 (Continued from page 46)

he gave the lightweight packable raft the thumbsup. As the air sizzled out of his raft, we shook hands, promising to meet again someday, and each loaded our gear and headed south. Pack Raft Dreams That encounter ignited a plan to at least look into a pack raft for myself. Many of the waters that I want to fish up here in Katahdin Country require bootson-the-ground and a boat of some type. Rarely do hike-in type ponds located in remote areas have much of a shoreline to fish from, especially for fly fishermen requiring some room for a back cast. Since that inflatable raft weighed in at less than eight pounds, I could carry it most anywhere. Of course, convincing Mrs. Sheldon that another specialty boat comes under the category of “need” as opposed to “want” might take some convincing. Perhaps my editor, Will Lund, could help out and issue an assignment for a pack raft article? Fishing Buddy Thoughts On a different foray in Baxter State Park, a chat with the ranger at the Matagamon Gate fueled another plan. Once again Steve Carter and I had hiked into Billfish Pond hoping for some fall action. Unfortunately, lingering summer heat kept our perfectly calculated timing from producing. It seems like it takes a lot of attempts to hit one of those magic moments that generate a fish on every cast. Readers of this column might note that Steve Carter and I partner up on these backcountry expeditions. Carter is second to none at outfitting, and he’s an excellent fly fisherman – everything you look for in a fishing buddy.

More importantly, Carter seems to go along with all my crazy fishing schemes without complaint. Yup, it’s nice to hike 10 miles, not catch a thing and not get questioned as to whether

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caught some respectable sized salmon working out of the campsites at Northwest Cove and Little East, located at the northwest tip of Second Lake (DeLorme Atlas, Map 56, E-5).

Three days earlier while traveling along the Grand Lake Road, I’d noticed a nice boat ramp located just a bit before the gatehouse. I asked the ranger if I could (Continued on next page)

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48 • May 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Smilin’

Sportsman Pete the Poacher was getting yet another citation from the long-time warden for keeping too many fish. Pete knew his only chance of beating the rap was to rile up the law enforcement officer and cause him to lose his temper. A gust of wind blew off the warden’s hat, revealing a bald head. Pete reached down and rubbed the top of the warden’s noggin. “You know,” he said, “that feels soft and silky, just like my girlfriend’s bottom.” Unfazed, the warden reached up and placed his hand on his own head. “You know,” he said, “I do believe you are right! (Thanks to Maine Sportsman reader Dan Beetz) ••••••••••••••••••• A salt-water biologist and a fresh-water biologist were arguing over who worked for the better Maine state department. “My department is much better,” said the fresh-water biologist. “We are given a great deal of freedom and discretion. Why, I can walk right in to the office of my big boss, the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, and I can pound on his desk and say, ‘I think you are doing a lousy job!’”

Katahdin Country (Continued from page 47)

launch a small motor boat (Bill Sheldon boat #7, for those keeping count) there and travel through Grand Lake Matagamon to the Second Lake and Webster Stream campsites? He replied, “Go for it.” While we could hike into the sites located along the Freezeout Trail, I’d really like to carry in some serious fishing gear like waders for Webster Stream. The boat would give me the option of setting up a comfortable campsite with a few extra amenities and easily accept the additional www.MaineSportsman.com

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

“Same here,” said the salt-water biologist. “I can walk right in to the office of my big boss, the Commissioner of Marine Resources, and I can pound on his desk and say, ‘I think the Commissioner of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is doing a lousy job!’” ••••••••••••••••••• Heading east from Mattawamkeag toward Danforth, a young couple from Massachusetts got lost and came to a sign that said, “Welcome to Wytopitlock.” They began arguing about how to pronounce the name of the town. They continued arguing as they stopped in the town to get some lunch. “Before we order,” the young woman tourist asked the server, “can you please settle an argument for us? Would you please pronounce the name of this place, very slowly?” The server leaned over the counter, and replied, “Burrrrr, gerrrrrr, Kiiiiing.” ••••••••••••••••••• Sven and Ole lost their jobs at the same time, and headed to Augusta to sign up for unemployment. The woman behind the counter explained

weight of the extra gear. We’d have the boat for fishing the lake and yet have the option of testing the waters of both Webster Stream and the East Branch Penobscot River. Add in some extra camping gear normally left at home for weight concerns, and the plan makes perfect sense. On the long ride home, Carter and I finetuned our plan, only leaving the date and time undecided. Once again, a good fishing buddy not only won’t stand in the way of a crazy fishing escapade, but will actually jump in. That same gatekeeper also mentioned that in the spring, anglers fish the small

that their checks would vary in size, depending on whether they’d had skilled or unskilled jobs. She asked Sven what he’d done for work. “Panty stitcher,” replied Sven. “I sew the elastic onto cotton panties.” The employee looked at her chart, saw that the occupation was listed under unskilled labor, and gave him his first check of $250. Then she asked Ole for his former occupation, and he said, “Diesel fitter.” Because that was listed under skilled labor, he got a check for $400. Outraged, Sven protested Ole’s categorization as a skilled laborer. “Skill?” he yelled. “I sew the elastics on the panties. Then Ole pulls them down on his head and says ‘Yah, diesel fitter.’” *** (For kids jokes, see page 59)

pond just before Billfish Pond and clean up on native brook trout. “You mean that little pond on the left we walked by?” I asked. “Yup, makes a nice day hike too,” he replied. I’ve spent my whole life gathering intel, trying to land in the right water at the right time. More often than not, I’m told “Shoulda been here yesterday.” Katahdin Country has a lifetime or two worth of fishing opportunities ready for those willing to look, ask or just plain start casting.

�� The Maine Sportsman • May 2018 • 49

Mayfly Hatch Distracts Bill All Month Long Like is the case with many trout fishermen, my first squaretail came ashore on the business end of a hand-me-down rod and reel. The Sheldons were Zebco 33 people. Yup, four – soon to be five – generations of Sheldons started their fishing careers using those silver line dispensers with the black buttons. While the reels’ exteriors have looked the same for years, the “older” reels had the better “guts,” at least according to my dad. And I do think he was right. Every fishing box in the house had a little wrench and a tube of grease for keeping those shiny beauties fish-

In my pocket-size fly box, I like to keep things simple – pheasant tail nymphs, hare’s ears, sidewinder no-hackle dun, blue-winged olives and elk-hair caddises. ing at top capacity. Woe to the angler who showed up streamside with a squeaky reel. I spent my formidable years chasing brook trout in little streams and tributaries with that “33” attached to a stiff fiberglass rod measuring all of six feet. Pulled from a corner in the garage, that dusty green stick soon found itself sporting chrome, some rather thick monofilament line, and a deadly-looking hook ready to do business.

And, with no apologies, I regularly globbed the largest earthworm my father’s garden produced unceremoniously on the pointy end of that hook. Life seemed so much simpler back then. Just an old rod, reel and a cup full of worms could make a youngster feel like Outdoor Life cover material. Flyfishing Newbie Somewhere over the course of 50 years, I managed to complicate life. About 20 years ago, a gen-

erous friend of mine gave me a $200 gift certificate to L.L.Bean. With no real agenda, I headed to the flagship store in Freeport and started browsing. Two hours later, I exited through those legendry doors and stepped into the world of fly fishing. I had purchased a pair of neoprene waders and a 4-weight fly rod. This starter kit came completely set up with rod, reel, line and even a leader. In hindsight, buying the complete “kit,” set

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up and ready to go, was a really great move for a newbie like myself. I was just excited enough to completely forget that I might need a fly or two to get rolling. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I started flailing away in the backyard. And, yeah, I got the “Watchya catchin’?” question from every wiseguy who came along. While I struggled to get the hang of the long rod, I refused to give up. My spinning gear developed a thin layer of dust. My best advice for anyone looking to take up casting the slender wand? Get help. That can come (Continued on next page)

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50 • May 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Jackman Region (Continued from page 49)

in the form of a fellow angler, or simply signing up for casting lessons offered through outfitters like L.L.Bean. Many folks can cast a fly rod, but not everyone can teach.

Lesson on the Sly I went to class on the sly. A sporting store in Winthrop advertised lessons, so I took my son Willie to see if he could learn to sling a fly. My

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plan was to watch from the sidelines. Ken Allen, the former editor of this magazine, was teaching the class. Allen, the consummate educator, saw me lurking in the shadows. At that point in time, I knew Allen only through his extensive writings in countless publications. Much to my surprise, he walked towards me,

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handed me a bamboo rod (no less), and asked me if I might like to try it out. It was an act of kindness I never forgot. Having long given up using worms, I’ll wade into Jackman waters sporting a small box of select flies that hopefully will interest the region’s healthy native brook trout population. Over the years I’ve run the

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gambit on flies. This year I’ve adopted the “KISS” method of fly selection… Keep It Simple, Stupid. Mayfly Hatch Mayflies represent an important part of a trout’s diet this month. Mayflies start their life underwater as nymphs. Most experts agree that salmonids do upwards of 80 percent of their dining underwater. I’m bringing along some bead head pheasant tail nymphs in sizes 12 through 16. Some 10 through 18 hare’s ear will round out my pocket-sized collection. When the nymph emerges, it basically hatches and swims to (Continued on next page)

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�� The Maine Sportsman • May 2018 • 51

Venison Portobello Mushroom Meatloaf Who doesn’t love a good meatloaf sandwich with leftovers? I love this meatloaf with Dijon or Smoky Horseradish Mustard. The new spice I am introducing here, Urfa Biber, is a pepper that I use more as a black than a red pepper in dishes. • • • • • • • • • •

If you are a pepper lover, this may become a new staple in your household! Urfa Biber is a dried Turkish chili pepper in the Urfa region of Turkey. It has a smoky, raisin-like taste. Urfa Biber is technically a red pepper, ripen-

ing to a dark maroon on the plant. The peppers go through a two-part process, where they are sun-dried during the day and wrapped tightly at night. The night process is called “sweating,” and works to infuse the dried flesh with the remaining moisture of the pepper.

The resulting color ranges from deep purple to a dark, purplish black. Urfa Biber is less spicy than many other chili peppers, but provides a more lasting build of heat. Note to readers – Save the date: JUNE 8th! Come try some of my best dish-

es, and new ones, at the wild game, wine and beer pairing at the Skowhegan Moose Festival! Moose lottery picks are June 9th! See the schedule at www. skowheganmoosefest. com/schedule

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Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Non-stick spray a stoneware bread or baking pan. Combine all ingredients in large bowl and mix well. Place meatloaf in bread pan and bake for 45 minutes. Remove meatloaf from oven and rest for 10 minutes before serving. *Urfa Biber- The peppers are picked when they ripen to a bright red, then cured for a week to develop their characteristic deep purple color and smoky, earthy flavor. Learn more at thespicehouse.com.

Jackman Region (Continued from page 50)

the surface. This action makes the emerging mayfly extremely vulnerable to cruising trout. Sign me up for a few “wet” flies similar to the Sidewinder No-hackle Dun. I’ll also try a few un-weighted pheasant tails and hare’s ears fished rising off the bottom. For surface action, a few blue-winged olives in the 14 to 18 range get the nod. It’s hard for me to see anything smaller than a size 18 fly. A few different colors of this mayfly imitation should help me keep it simple. While mayfly hatches interest me greatly this month, I’ll also keep an eye open for a caddis hatch. Some small – say, size 14 or 16 – elk hair caddises in cream, dark brown and tan should help match the hatch of the day. This limited (by some standards) fly se-

lection should easily fit into a pocket-sized fly box. A few leaders taped to the back cover along with some 4X and 5X tippet will round out my fishing gear for the month of May. Sometimes the trick to finding good fishing involves fishing deeper in the heart of the Jackman Region than most folks normally travel. Fewer crowds usually mean better fishing. Better fishing requires driving to the end of the road and putting boots on the ground for the final leg of the journey. Folks looking for native brook trout only need to view the area in the triangle that includes Route 201, Route 6/15, and the Capital Road on page 40 of The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer. This triangle of real estate has multiple streams, tributaries and ponds well worth exploring. Getting off the beaten path often leads to pockets of prime fishing. And, out their

A collection of gear from the author’s younger days includes a relatively modern Zebco “33,” a Zebco De-Liar fish scale and an “Umco” fishing box given to him by his grandfather in 1968. As with all quality fishing equipment, these products have stood the test of time. Note the dent in one corner of the fishing box, the result of the author falling off his bike on the way to a trout stream in the early 1970s. Bill Sheldon photo

somewhere, I hope to cross paths with that young boy with a shiny Zebco 33.

www.MaineSportsman.com

52 • May 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Hit Moosehead for Sizzling Action on Togue, Salmon, Brook Trout By early May, at least some open water will present itself in Moosehead Lake. The area of lake at the mouth of Moose River acquires a frenzied atmosphere now, with dozens of boats all trolling the same area. The greatest part about it? Almost everyone catches fish. Smelt are running, and salmon and togue pursue them with a vengeance. The most successful anglers, though, are those who hit the water at daybreak. Sure, people catch fish throughout the day. But for truly sizzling action, hit the water as early as possible. The public boat

Moosehead Lake brook trout are experiencing unparalleled growth rates, with 4- to 6-pound trout being taken with some regularity. launch site in Rockwood allows for easy access and almost unlimited parking. Better yet, the boat ramp sits within a stone’s throw of the best fishing. Most anglers use smelt – either fresh or frozen. Luckily, smelt are available in the local area, so acquiring enough for a day’s fishing shouldn’t pose a problem. Others, me included, favor artificial lures. And for fishing this area now, my go-to lure, a Li’l Jake, takes fish when others

fail. Rockwood Hotspot Rockwood really heats up in May, and local guides get busy with day trips. Also, people from around the state flock here for the fantastic fishing. And while salmon and togue are the #1 quarry, another species gives lots of action, along with delicious eating. Cusk, or burbot, flock to the mouth of Moose River in May. Don’t expect to catch these fresh-

water cod relatives while trolling, though. Instead, serious cusk anglers either anchor or drift, all the while bouncing a Swedish Pimple jig on bottom. It helps if you tip the jig hook with a bit of smelt or other baitfish. Ideally, an angler could chase togue and salmon in the early morning hours, and then load up on cusk for the rest of the day. Either way, it’s a win-win proposition. Here’s something else guaranteed to inspire tro-

phy hunters – Moosehead Lake brook trout are experiencing unparalleled growth rates, with 4- to 6-pound trout being taken with some regularity. To my knowledge, few anglers target Moosehead’s brook trout during the open-water season, preferring instead the fast action available from salmon and togue. But there’s a trophy brook trout waiting for the angler who takes this to heart and goes all out for brook trout. I plan to be one of those anglers. Slowly trolling a small yellow-and-orange Moose(Continued on next page)

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�� The Maine Sportsman • May 2018 • 53 (Continued from page 52)

look Wobbler or even an Edson Tiger Light bucktail along rocky shorelines should induce these leviathan brook trout to bite. Brookie Tactics It amazes me that more people haven’t taken up open-water fishing for trophy brook trout on Moosehead Lake. But in view of last winter’s spectacular results, it seems a safe bet that at least a few savvy anglers will try for a monster Moosehead brookie during this open-water season. According to Moosehead guide Larry Farrington, the two weeks after ice out offer us the best chance for brook trout. This doesn’t mean we can’t take fish later, but only that the first half of May represents the best fishing. Something else about brook trout fishing should encourage those who might like to try Mooseh-

ead but are concerned that their boat isn’t big enough for Maine’s largest lake. Since brook trout hug the shorelines now, it isn’t necessary to venture out very far. This means that the typical 14- to 16foot boat that would otherwise be a bit small for Moosehead will work fine for shoreline fishing. Trolling is the preferred method for brookies now. And as opposed

to salmon, brook trout willingly smash baits and lures trolled slowly. Use any of your favorite lures, always remembering that brook trout prefer bright colors. So stock up on lures, streamers and bucktails that feature red, yellow and orange. Brook trout fishing isn’t complicated, but it does take commitment. I truly hope that read-

ers will take advantage of this possibly once-ina-lifetime opportunity to land a wall-hanger brook trout. Family Fun Family groups have a perfect place to meet and recreate at Gravel Pit

•

Pond in Greenville Junction. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife stocks this small pond with spring yearling brook trout – fish that average around 10 inches long. Plus, (Continued on page 55)

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54 • May 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

May Top Month for Light-Tackle Trolling Trolling for brown trout with streamer flies in early May ranks as one of life’s more enjoyable pursuits. And while trolling takes many forms, springtime trolling with streamers rates as the most active and intense trolling method of all. Streamer flies, having no inherent action, require manipulation by the angler in order to fool trout and salmon into thinking they are looking at a live baitfish. We can accomplish this by several means. Streamers require a fast trolling speed. When trolled slowly, and this goes double for tandem streamers, fish have every opportunity to inspect the fly and conclude that it is a fraud. But when trolled at a fast clip, a streamer fly compresses in the water, and this streamlined effect makes for a very believable baitfish imitation. And while trolling, it pays to vary the speed. Real baitfish – smelt, in particular – frequently swim at varying speeds, and therefore so should our flies. Also, describing a zig-zag pattern while

Employ different early-season methods of trolling, depending on the water temperature. As a rule of thumb, go slow early in May, bumping bottom with bait or lures, and faster later in the month, when fish are more active and you are using streamers or bucktails. trolling gives an erratic action to streamer flies, increasing its effectiveness. And finally, holding the rod, pulling on the line and then releasing it makes the streamer dart forward and then slow down, something that any trout or salmon eyeing the fly cannot resist. Other Methods According to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, streamer fly fishing is not fly fishing, and therefore it’s banned on flies-only waters. The good news? That distinction leaves me free to write about the subject, since this column is not limited to discussions of fly fishing. Here’s another thing about trolling with streamer flies. The classic picture of an angler, fly rod in hand and sitting in the stern of a small boat or motorized canoe, has become imprinted on the

public mind. This instills the false notion that we must use a fly rod for streamer fishing. Nothing could be further from the truth. Any rod will work for trolling with streamers. In fact, I often use the same trolling rod I use in summer. The reel is loaded with ultra-thin leadcore line, and it works wonderfully for trolling streamers in May. Spinning gear works also, but it may require additional (non-lead) weight to keep the fly down where the fish are. Sinking fly lines or leadcore lines require no additional weight. Finally, I like to gauge the size of baitfish, smelt or otherwise, that live in the lake or pond where I like to troll. Generally, if smelt predominate, then it makes sense to use large streamer flies. And by large, I mean long, not necessarily thick or heavily tied.

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In this case, tandem streamers do a credible job of imitating a smelt. And where smelt are few and salmonids feed primarily on baitfish other than smelt, a smaller streamer works best. That includes bucktails, too. Other Offerings Metal lures accomplish pretty much the same thing that streamers do; that is, to imitate a baitfish. My favorite offerings, Mooselook Wobblers, sometimes take more fish than streamers. These, too, can be fished with almost any combination of rod and reel. Regarding speed when fishing with lures, it’s pretty much a question of how early in the season you are fishing. The first week or so of May might see fish that are still somewhat lethargic, and that means a slow trolling speed works best. But by mid-May, when things warm up and salmonids venture near the surface, a faster speed takes fish. Next, when fishing

solo, it pays to have two lines out. I like to hold one rod in hand and then place the other in a rodholder. The hand-held rod will fish a streamer fly or bucktail, because it is imperative to strike fast and hard when a fish strikes a fly. The rod in the holder usually has a wobbling lure on the end. Treble hooks on the wobbler ensure that even if it takes a few moments to sit the first rod down and then grab the other rod from the holder, the fish will likely remain hooked. And then we have trolling bucktails behind a dodger or flasher. The dodger twists and wobbles, imparting action to the trailing fly. For this kind of fishing, slow speed is recommended. All these methods have their place, and it’s up to us to determine which to employ at any different time or place. As a rule of thumb, go slow early in May, bumping bottom with bait or lures, and faster later on when fishing streamers or bucktails. Stream Fishing Just because May sees red-hot trolling doesn’t mean that brook and stream fishing should take a back seat. May (Continued on next page)

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�� The Maine Sportsman • May 2018 • 55 (Continued from page 54)

rates as the all-time best month for stream fishing. Warming temperatures make trout ravenous, and near-perfect water levels mean that trout will make themselves available throughout the stream – not just in the best pools and runs. For most of us, stream fishing means native brook trout. By mid-May, trout have become unbelievably fat, making them even more enjoyable to catch. Ultralight spinning lures have long ago displaced bait for my stream-fishing ventures.

Tiny spinners work well, as do scaled-down versions of most popular trout lures. But these have one thing in common and that is treble hooks. Releasing a fish taken on a spinner can cause damage to the fish’s mouth. That’s just another reason why I use Trout Magnets (which feature a single hook) when fishing brooks and streams. The hook always rides up on these tiny, jig-plastic body combinations. In all my years of fishing with Magnets, I cannot recall ever injuring a fish. In fact, fishing with tiny flies kills more trout than

Moosehead Region (Continued from page 53)

some carryover trout are available, and that always encourages folks to keep at it. Gravel Pit Pond makes no pretense of being a place for those interested in wild fish or even in overly large fish. But other factors make for a perfect morning or afternoon’s fishing. Picnic tables and fishing platforms, strategically placed around the pond, invite groups to sit, enjoy a picnic and fish for trout all at the same time. I visited Gravel Pit Pond last spring and was pleased to see that the place was packed. That, after all, is what such places

This happy couple spent a pleasant morning catching brook trout at Gravel Pit Pond.

fishing with Trout Magnets, because trout often take small flies deep down, causing harm to the gills. Conversely, nearly every trout hooked on a Trout Magnet gets hooked in the roof of the mouth, making hook removal simple. I’ve written about Trout Magnets in the past and refer to them again in hopes that others will not only catch more trout but also, that fewer trout will die from hooking injuries. So get out this May – it’s the best month of all.

The author displays an early-season brown trout that took a bait fished on bottom.

are all about. Groups – many consisting of families comprised of young, old and middle-aged people – were spread around the pond. All anglers had taken at least a few trout. It was refreshing to see the bright faces of young people as they held up their trout for my inspection. The crowds at Gravel Pit Pond remind me of the days of my youth, when large groups of people traveled some distance to partake of white perch spawning runs. The scene of action was always evident because of the numerous bobbers wound around overhanging power lines. But a more-traveled public, plus a renewed interest in trolling for salmon and

togue, have mostly done away with participation in perch runs. At Gravel Pit Pond, though, the scene is like something out of the 1960s. And that warms my heart. For success at Gravel Pit Pond, try a lightly hooked earthworm fished on bottom. Bobbers are not necessary, but they do add something extra, especially for children. While any month is a good month to visit the Moosehead region, May can be the best time of all. And if you are fortunate enough to catch a memorable fish, please send me a photo so I can run it in this column. Good luck.

A family group enjoys fishing at Gravel Pit Pond in Greenville Junction. www.MaineSportsman.com

56 • May 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

New Thoughts About an Old Cartridge In 1955, Winchester released to the market their now well-known .243 hunting cartridge. Originally fitted to the Winchester Model 70 bolt-action rifle and the Model 88 lever action, the .243 Winchester cartridge has become the bestselling, most popular 6mm cartridge anywhere in the world. Popular Sporting Rifle Cartridges, a 1984 book by Clay Harvey, calls the .243 Winchester “an overnight success . . . the perfect combination cartridge for varmint and deer.” Harvey goes on to say, “Virtually every sporting-rifle manufacturer in the free world tooled up for the sizzling new round. Its burgeoning popularity inundated the 257 Roberts and the antediluvian 250-3000 long rivals for the same

crown.” The 14th edition of Cartridges of the World by the late Frank C. Barnes and now edited by W. Todd Woodard, states, “The .243 was quickly adopted by Savage for its Model 99 lever- and Model 110 bolt-action rifles. All the British and European manufacturers soon began chambering bolt-action rifles for this round. In fact, even Remington, which developed its own 6mm, had to recognize the popularity of the .243 and start chambering its rifles for it.” Design credit for the .243 goes to Warren Page. A former editor at Field and Stream magazine, he created something he called the 240 Page by necking down the .308 Winchester case to accept a 6mm bullet. The extremely

successful and more modern 7mm-08 comes from the same .308 Winchester case also necked down, but is 1mm larger than the .243. Both the .243 and the 7mm08 offer outstanding accuracy with lighter recoil than most other hunting rounds. Dual Purpose According to Cartridges of the World, “The .243 Winchester represents a successful effort to develop a light deer rifle caliber that could hold its own with the high-velocity .22s for long-range use on small targets and still be adequate for larger animals. It eliminates the need to own two different rifles for anything from small game and pests up to and including deer and antelope.” Mentioned here numerous times over the

years, the .243 is most often cited for light recoil and suitability for young shooters, older shooters tired of punishing recoil, and those of smaller stature. It should be cited more often for its suitability against a broad spectrum of game. Here in Maine and throughout the northeast quadrant of the continent, the .243 works fine on everything from woodchucks to whitetails. However, most would consider it accurate enough but borderline for black bear, and too light for moose. Although things may be changing with regard to bear and moose due to the application of some modern technologies, W. Todd Woodard updated the 14th edition of Cartridges of the World with an addition to Barnes’ original entry

concerning the .243. Woodard said, “The recent introduction of all-copper, mono-metal bullets such as the Barnes Triple Shock and Tipped Triple Shock, the Hornady GMX, and Lapua Naturalis allow the .243 Winchester, as well as other 6mm cartridges that produce the same or higher velocities, to be very effective on big game.” In any case, the .243 throws an 85-grain Nosler boat-tail bullet at 4,058 feet per second, and has 2,010 foot-pounds of muzzle energy. A factoryloaded 105-grain bullet moves at 3,100 feet per second with 2,133 footpounds of energy – more than many other wellknown deer cartridges. Cabinet Queen A recent check of the gun cabinet here revealed (Continued on next page)

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�� The Maine Sportsman • May 2018 • 57 (Continued from page 56)

a neglected Winchester rifle tucked away in the back corner. Though ignored for a good while, the old Model 70 showed itself to be in impeccable condition. I purchased the rifle some time ago in order to own a pre-’64 Model 70 in great condition for not a lot of money. I wanted something other than .243, but the condition and price were too good to pass up. A check of serial number 366,XXX revealed that the year was 1956 when it left Winchester’s Hartford, Connecticut plant. Fully original, the rifle came with iron sights and a leather sling. The previous owner threw in some reloading dies, a box of soft-point .243 ammunition, and a 2¾ X Redfield scope from the 1960s to sweeten the deal. The word “Featherweight” on the barrel clinched it. Not so interested in the .243 caliber, I put the rifle away while deciding what to do with it. Now, turning it over in my hands, working the bolt ALWAYS BUYING, SELLING & TRADING QUALITY FIREARMS Ruger SR-.22 ...............................$565 w/ Box & Papers, Ex. Nova .12 Ga. ...............................$375 3 1/2” Camo Turkey Gun, Ex. Thompson Center R-55 .22 LR ...$575 2 Mags., Box & Papers, Ex. Browning A-Bolt .270 ..................$545 1 Mag, Like New! CZ Redhead 28 Ga. O/U .............$750 Excellent cond., 5 CT Mossberg 183D-B .410 ...............$225 Bolt Action, VG, Mod. Choke NEF Pardner Youth .410 ..............$195 VG, Mod. Choke Rem. 700 Mountain Rifle 7mm-08 .$595 Cabela’s Scope, Walnut, VG. Ruger 77 MK II .223 ....................$550 Stls/Synth, BSA Scope, Ex. T/C Encore, Stls/Synth .30-06.....$695 Buck Commander 3-12x50, Ex. Rem. Nylon 10-c .22 ...................$295 1 Mag., Very Good Rem. 521-T .22............................$335 Lyman Receiver Sight

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and sighting down the barrel at the pine trees across the pond, the idea came to me – Coyotes. Other than some heavy barreled special varmint rifle fired from a bipod, this must be the perfect coyote rifle. A coyote rifle that will drop a 200 pound deer with very little recoil – perfect indeed. I wanted to use the old scope for a vintage pairing even though the age on the scope does not quite match the age on the rifle. I carried both over to my friend Brad Marshal of Marshall’s Firearms in Boscawen,

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muzzle energy. Using a 140-grain bullet the 7mm achieves 2,542 foot pounds. By any measure, the 7mm-08 is a superb cartridge, but its performance would not justify anyone giving up on the .243. As the late Frank Barnes noted, “The .243 is probably chambered in more different rifles than any other cartridge, except

possibly the .30-06 Springfield.” That alone makes it a viable choice for decades to come. The old Model 70 here is moving from the back corner to the front row of the cabinet. The .243 opens up year round hunting opportunities. May is a fine time to pick up the rifle and a fly-rod and head on out there.

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58 • May 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Now is the Time to be Fishing and Turkey Hunting Downeast Brook trout will bend rod tips on many waters in the Downeast Region this month. Some of the most fertile fishing grounds in Hancock and Washington County can be found by referring to Delorme’s Maine Atlas. Spin-casters and fly-

rod anglers find plenty of red-bellied brook trout action on local waters. Two Hancock County ponds that offer fast brook-trout fishing are Little Tunk Pond in Sullivan, and Fox Pond in T10 SD. Little Tunk Pond, Map 24, E-5, has been

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stocked with brookies for many years. The Maine stocking report (see the April issue of The Maine Sportsman) revealed that 3,000 8-inch and 50 13inch brook trout were released into this pond last fall. These fall-stocked brookies should now be 10 to 14 inches. Little Tunk, because of stringent ice-fishing regulations, receives very few winter anglers. This 141acre pond is prime habi-

tat for squaretails. Spinning-gear and worms are permitted on this water. Another good bet to catch brookies in May is to fish a small Pickett Pin or a Grey Ghost streamer close to the northeast shoreline. T o w a r d the end of the month, when mayfly hatches begin, top-water action for trout can be exceptional. Small dry flies, especially an Adams in sizes no. 14 or no.16, can entice fish in

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the 13- to 14-inch range. Access to this water can be gained by following Route 183 in East Sullivan. A boat-launch exists; however, carry-in is usually required because the private access gate is often locked. Foxy Brook-Trout Water Another excellent bet to catch brook trout is Fox Pond. This water is found along Route 182 between Hancock and Cherryfield; Map 24, D-5. This small 77- acre brook-trout water was stocked last fall with 3,400 hatchery brookies of the 8- inch variety which should provide for plenty of excitement this spring. According to Region C fisheries biologists, if stocking numbers are equal to those of past years, then Fox Pond should receive another 750 brookies in the (Continued on next page)

�� The Maine Sportsman • May 2018 • 59 (Continued from page 58)

spring. This water is an excellent bet when trying to catch a few May trout. Experienced angler Rick Gray of Penobscot told me bait fishers often use a generous amount of garden-hackle or small smelts to fish for trout along the shorelines. Once Fox warms up, flyrod trollers use small streamers such as a Jerry’s smelt, a Nine-Three or a Gray Ghost to catch brookies. Wet flies such as the Mickey Finn or a wooly bugger, when fished slowly on a wet line, can produce fish in the 10- to 12-inch range. Fox Pond offers a boat launching site and an ample amount of offroad parking. Since the north side of the pond is bordered by Route 182, many anglers cast from the shore, while other sports prefer to fish the pond with a canoe. Washington County Fishing According to Region C biologist, Greg Burr, “Now is the time to be fishing in Washington County. Fishing is great, everything is coming alive. Streams have been

warmed and are producing brook trout. Salmon are still on top and biting in area lakes and ponds, and bass are beginning to move into shallower water.” One stream that comes alive in May is Grand Lake Stream (GLS). This stream is world-renowned to fly fisherman; see Map 35, B-4. Annual high flows of water often push salmon out of the dam pool down into the hatchery pool and below. High water also pulls some fish down from West Grand and others up from Big Lake. Crystal-clear water and over 2 ½ miles of stream offer fly casters great early-fishing opportunities for feisty brook trout or tail-walking salmon. Adult salmon are in the stream now. Holdover trout and salmon, as well as smallmouth bass, come down from the lake. The water flow is usually great for wading in May. My fly-fishing buddy, Don Lynch of East Orland, mentioned that his starter fly for GLS is a size 12 Hornberg with a tiny Pheasant-tail, beadhead as a dropper. He

also recommended stripping the streamer and the small nymph rapidly through the current. More Downeast Fishing Anglers have been enjoying the rainbow trout fishing on 467-acre Jones Pond in Gouldsboro Map 17, A-1. Reports from last year revealed that anglers had caught and released some rainbows over 21 inches. The pond provides marginal habitat for cold-water fish. Hatchery personnel stocked this water last fall with 100 12-inch brown trout and 600 11inch rainbows. Restrictions at Jones are: Artificial lures only, and all trout, landlocked salmon, or togue caught must be released alive at once. Competing populations of smallmouth bass and chain pickerel are well established. The bass fishery is fair, with most legal-size fish ranging from 11 to 13 inches long. Pickerel in the 14to 16-inch range are often part of a day’s catch. A good public boat launch site is maintained by the town of Gouldsboro along the northeast shoreline.

The Smilin' Sportsman Youth Edition

Downeast hunters can tag two bearded turkeys this spring in Hancock or Washington County. An estimated 60,000 of these birds now call Maine home, and the author says there’s prime turkey territory in Lincoln County from Stonington to Orrington.

It’s Turkey Time Maine’s turkey-hunting season runs from April 30 to June 2. Downeast hunters can tag two bearded turkeys in Hancock or Washington County. Some top-notch hunting areas to pursue a turkey lie within the boundaries of WMD 26, 27 and 28, especially along Route 1 between Bucksport and Calais. Refer to DeLorme’s Atlas, and study your copy of Maine’s turkey-hunting regulations for a detailed map of this district. Wild turkey populations have steadily increased in the state. The estimated turkey popula-

tion, according to DIF&W bird biologist Brad Allen, is approximately 60,000 birds scattered over the state. Hancock County, my home stomping grounds, offers prime turkey habitat from Stonington to Orrington. Top-notch hunting areas to pursue a turkey lie within the boundaries of Wildlife Management District (WMD) 26, especially along Route 15 between Blue Hill and Orrington. Maps 15 and 23, and a detailed map of this district from the state law book, are helpful in locating turkey habitat.

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

A young turtle slowly climbed a tree to the very top, jumped off and crashed to the forest floor. After recovering, he again climbed the tree, and again jumped off and fell straight down. A mother and father bird sadly watched the scene unfold. “My dear,” said the mother bird to the father bird, “Don’t you think it’s time to tell our son he’s adopted?” ••••••••••••••••••••••• Q: Why doesn’t a Pterodactyl make any noise in the bathroom? A: Because the P is silent. ••••••••••••••••••••••• Kid #1: “Hey, Doofus – why are you planting those Cheerios?” Kid #2: “Cheerios? I thought they were donut seeds!” ••••••••••••••••••••••• A kid called the fire department. “Come quick,” he said. “I was making popcorn, and the microwave is smoking!” “How do we get to your house?” asked the chief. “Well, duhhh!” replied the kid, “in your big red fire truck!” *** (For adult jokes, see page 48)

www.MaineSportsman.com

60 • May 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Megunticook, Alford, Hosmer and Unity Produce for Midcoast Anglers This Month If I were to select a month to have all to myself, with no obligations whatsoever, I would choose May. Fishing for both coldwater and warmwater species heats up to a fever pitch this month, which is a good enough reason to do nothing but fish every day. But few people can avail themselves of such a heavenly hiatus. All the same, it pays to hit the water as often as possible in May. For me, early-season trolling for brown and rainbow trout gets most of my attention. Fortunately, Midcoast Maine has a good supply of both species. Megunticook Lake in Lincolnville and Camden ranks as my first-of-theseason choice. My best results in early May come from slowly fishing close to shore. Because of icecold water, trout metabolisms haven’t revved up enough to inspire them to feed too actively. But they do bite now, and fishing slow and near bottom takes them. Many times I’ll watch others trolling at a fast clip in deep water – a waste of time until water temperatures warm and the water mixes to a constant temperature at all levels. Surprisingly, seeing my net flashing as it dips up and down, landing trout, doesn’t invite others to imitate my methods. A few savvy anglers do take fish by fishing near shore and going slow and deep. See Megunticook Lake on the DeLorme Atlas, Map 14, C-3. Alford Lake By mid-May, brown trout become active in www.MaineSportsman.com

Until recently, Hosmer Pond was not boater-friendly because of its shallow, gravel ramp. But a new highquality ramp allows for a safe and easy boat-launching experience, providing access to brookies and brown trout. this highly productive lake, and trolling with either downriggers or lead-core lines takes trout. Alford sees regular stockings of brown trout, brook trout and salmon. But fresh-stocked brook trout, as in so many other heavily-stocked lakes, are mostly caught within a few months of being stocked, and then fishing for brook trout drops off precipitously. And ice fishing accounts for most of the lake’s salmon, so by May it makes little sense to target salmon because so few remain in the lake. Also, while Alford saw two stockings of salmon in 2016, none were released there in 2017. But brown trout – that’s another story. A preponderance of browns taken are carryover fish – trout that we measure in pounds rather than inches. Last year, I fished Alford Lake with Allen Gallant, and found that deep trolling with live baitfish worked best. Allen’s bait outfished my lures handsdown. So when in Rome, I did as the Romans did – they being Allen in this case – and switched to bait. Deep-water running the length of the lake proved the most productive. By mid- to late-May, when we hit Alford, water temperatures have warmed, and trout are active. And while we used shiners, others have great success with smelt. But smelt, except for frozen ones, are hard

for big brown trout, while brook trout fishing, in my opinion, is poor at best. Look for Alford Lake on Map 14, D-2.

Allen Gallant holds brown trout from Alford Lake, taken mid-May. Tom Seymour photo

to come by in May, and shiners make a workable substitute. Our first trip saw Allen land a 16-inch brown. And while this was fairly small by comparison to what exists in Alford, it was fat and in excellent condition, probably from feeding on the lake’s plentiful smelt. A later trip produced a monster brown trout, but more on that in a future column. Alford has a fine boat launch, and deep water begins only 50 yards out, so instead of racing off to the other end of the lake immediately after launching, just begin trolling shortly after putting in. Finally, I find it interesting that brook trout make up the preponderance of trout stocked in Alford every year, while brown trout make up only a small percentage of fish stocked. And yet, Alford Lake ranks as one of the better Midcoast waters

Hosmer Pond Until recently, Hosmer Pond, located in West Rockport and Camden, was not boater-friendly because of the shallow, gravel launching ramp. But a new high-quality ramp allows for a safe and easy boat-launching experience. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (DIF&W) stocks 65-acre Hosmer Pond with a great many brook trout each year. Stocking brown trout seems more of an afterthought since they are so few in number. In 2017, DIF&W stocked 525 brook trout in Hosmer, along with only 50 brown trout. Anecdotal reports from chance meetings with local anglers revealed that as with Alford Lake, brown trout reach significant sizes in Hosmer Pond, while brook trout seemingly evaporate by midsummer. I did manage to take a 13-inch brookie last summer, but that was probably just luck. Hosmer, with a maximum depth of only 16 feet, is easily fished with a fly rod and sinking fly line. I use a lightweight trolling outfit outfitted with a super-lightweight, graphite body reel loaded with modern, ultra-thin lead-core line. But that’s just a matter of prefer-

ence. In May, trolling with streamer flies takes fish. Lures work well too, and I’m anxious to try out some of this year’s crop of UV-Mooselook Wobblers. A pink front with white spots and silver back has piqued my interest, and if I’m any judge of horseflesh (or “lure-flesh”), this should produce well this season. Find Hosmer Pond on Map 14, D-3. Crappie Time May also ushers in some of the year’s best fishing for crappies. Unity Pond, everyone’s favorite, always yields a good mess of crappies in May. I like to hit the lake in the early morning hours when crappies congregate around the lake’s many ledges and underwater rock piles. Usually by mid-May, these dangerous areas are marked by buoys. I slowly approach these hotspots, and when I’m within 20 feet of a marker, I turn off the motor and drift. While bait, either baitfish or earthworms, take crappie, it makes little sense to bother with messy bait when crappies so eagerly slam little plastic-bodied jigs. Fishing with two rods, one hand-held, the other resting in a rod holder, often results in two fish on at the same time. This presents problems for sure, but these are the kind of problems that most of us welcome. All the same, I usually dispense with the second rod when fish begin biting seriously. Look for Unity Pond on Map 22, D-1.

�� The Maine Sportsman • May 2018 • 61

Youth Turkey Day — Two Kids; Two Birds What sage advice did his Grampy whisper to 11-year old Wildman as a big tom turkey approached their blind? “Young man, please don’t shoot my $125 AvianX decoy!” Last turkey season, my sons Wildman (age 11) and Manimal (age 9), each harvested a tom turkey on youth day. Both birds were impressive specimens, with one bird sporting a 10.5 inch beard and the other 1.5 inch spurs. Each was just shy of 20 pounds – true trophies any sportsman would be happy to harvest. My youngest sat with me and shot his turkey in less than ten minutes, while my eldest sat with his Grampy, and had to wait an excruciating long hour and fifty minutes. These gifts from the heavens didn’t just happen – rather, the successful hunts were the result of the weeks I spent scouting and tracking turkey movements with game cameras to lock down a solid knowledge of their daily patterns. I noted that these particular toms were strutting through our woodlot about every other day approximately between 7 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. With young kids, two hours is about all their attention spans can handle – after that, they get restless, and the downward spiral to not having a good time begins. (Note: This timeframe can be stretched with chocolate and good reading materials.) Knowing that I had a small window of attention, I rolled the dice, got the kids up much later than on a normal turkey

hunt, and crossed my fingers. Lady Luck smiled on us, however, and my son and I managed to squeeze into the blind right just before a huge gobble erupted in the woods, only a dozen yard from where we were sitting. I clucked once on the slate call, and the gobbler ran into the small field where we were sitting. Manimal raised his shotgun and BANG – it was over. After the shot, Manimal turned, looked me in the eye and said, “Ummm, ummm – I do love me some smoked turkey.” I laughed so hard I nearly had an asthma attack. Wildman’s Experience Grampy and Wildman heard the shot, but due to faulty cell reception they didn’t know we’d shot a bird till 9 a.m., after Wildman had also harvested his bird. When I asked Wildman what he remembered about the excitement of that huge tom strutting into the decoys, he said it was Grampy saying repeatedly in a low whisper, “Please don’t shoot my decoy.” Grampy was apparently a little nervous that perhaps the young shooter would “smoke” his $125 AvianX decoy! Fortunately, Wildman’s shot rang true, the big tom dropped in his tracks and no decoys were harmed. The entire family

gathered to celebrate the boys’ turkeys, and another valuable hunting experience was added to their young lives that will hopefully foster their love of the sport and help to carry on the tradition of hunting into the future. My bird last season was a young jake that I harvested after about two weeks of dragging myself through the tick-infested wood. As “senior” hunters, sometimes it’s important to make sacrifices in order to ensure the next generation of hunters continues to carry the torch. Confessions of a Turkey Junkie I’ll admit it; I am a full blown turkey-hunting gear junkie. Every spring I anxiously await the arrival of the “Turkey” catalog from Cabela’s, and spend hours longingly thumbing through every page. While some of the items appear as gimmicks, like the Flextone “Funky Chicken,” other products such as the DSD Strutter Tom seem so real that I would be afraid to hunt in its proximity, for fear of someone shooting it and me! For those hunters

Turkey Time - The author, sons Wildman and Manimal, and Lenny Lloyd (Grampy) enjoyed a productive 2017 youth day turkey hunt.

who are looking for a bargain, let me just say that I have a $120 DSD Hen and a $39 Flextone Hen, and I sometimes have a hard time telling the difference between the two decoys. However, don’t be fooled by other companies that sell decoys in the same price range as Flextone – a great deal of what’s sold is of inferior quality. The level of real-

ism simply cannot complete with DSD, AvianX and (for the budget-minded) Flextone. Know Your Shotgun Every year, turkey hunters miss what should have been easy shots. These regrettable situations can be avoided by knowing well the operation, range and pattern (Continued on next page)

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Central Maine (Continued from page 61)

produced by their shotgun. To accomplish this task safely, first select a gun range or one of the many large open gravel pits that exist around the state. In Central Maine, finding a place to pattern

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set hours. These times of open operation can be found on the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IFW) website. Be sure to practice shooting from a sitting stance, as this will likely be the same position used while targeting turkeys in the field. Targets depicting a turkey’s head and neck are great for these prac-

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tice sessions (these targets can even be downloaded from the web and printed off). At the shooting range, pace off 40 yards and examine the number of pellets that hit the target in the “kill” zone. Multiple pellets mean dead bird. If this is not happening consistently, Google-search “Turkey Gun Patterning Made Easy by Realtree.” This article provides a lengthy listing of suggestions designed to help ensure that you and your shotgun are ready for turkey season. Pace it Out When in the field, pace off 40 yards and mark it with three sticks, making a half circle directly in front of you. Put decoys out at about 20 paces, or approximately in the center of this half-circle. This setup helps accurately calculate the distances and practically ensures that any turkey entering this defined space will be critically hit. Prime turkey hunting locations exist throughout Central Maine, but posted lands are making access harder and harder to find. Frye Mountain (DeLorme’s Atlas Map 14,

Flex vs. DSD -- Comparison of the Flextone (top) and DSD (bottom) hen turkey decoys.

A-2), Ruffingham Meadow (Map 14, B-2) and Alonzo Garcelon (Map 13, C-2) WMAs all provide to hunters who are willing to walk, healthy populations of birds. Once in the WMAs, do not limit hunting to the areas close to the road and the open fields at Frye Mountain, as these are heavily hunted. Instead, better hunting options exist on old skidder roads and trails that funnel birds into effective range. After locating that perfect hunting spot, try to hunt on weekdays, rather than Saturdays. Hunting pressure is lighter during the week, reducing potential conflicts with other hunters. Nobody wants to go through the heart-wrenching dilemma of arriving at their prime hunting location, only to find someone already parked there, so find multiple locations in which to hunt, should your first or even second choice be compromised.

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�� The Maine Sportsman • May 2018 • 63

Tom Targets Trout This Month Warmer weather and a slow-down in salmon action convinced me it was time to target trout. This region has dozens of great trout waters ripe for trolling this month, so it was hard to decide. I picked Casco’s Coffee Pond (DeLorme Atlas, Map 5, B-2) for its abundant and big splake, loaded up my square stern trolling canoe (Coffee Pond has a very shallow launch that can’t accommodate larger boats), and trucked on down to the quaint village of Casco. After launching, I motored for the western shore and got my trolling fly rod ready. When targeting trout, I like small lures like the Al’s Goldfish or a small Mooselook Wobbler in an orange or hot pink color, but I had some frozen smelts left over from salmon troll-

I tugged hard on the rod, but nothing moved. I knew I’d snagged bottom, so I shut off the outboard. Just then, the bottom began pulling back! ing, so dead smelts it was (you can’t use live bait on Coffee Pond). I stripped out about 75 feet of line, clamped the first rod on the port side, and fiddled with my other rod to get it ready. I was trolling in about 15 feet of water when my rod and began to scream. Surmising I had snagged a rock or submerged log, I pulled the rod out of the holder and tugged on it. Nothing moved, so I was right – I had caught bottom. As I shut off the motor, the bottom pulled back! I set the hook and again it felt solid like bottom, but a few tugs told me I had a decent fish on the line.

Excited by the size of the fish, I played him gently, not wanting to lose it. I’d take some line in and he’d take it all back, and then some. This went on for a few minutes; then the thumping started. He fought like a brookie, so I knew I had a splake. Finally I got him close to the canoe and I was able to net him with my almost-too-small trout net. A gorgeous splake, quickly released to give someone else a similar thrill. This is spring trout fishing in the Sebago to Auburn Region! More Trout Another of my favorite and most productive trout haunts is Little Se-

bago Lake in Windham (Map 5, C-3). Busy in the summer, this heavily-developed lake is dead quiet in May and is wellstocked with brown and rainbow trout. The shoreline varies in depth and is rocky and gravely, so you have to be on your game when trolling as you can quickly go from a depth of 20 feet, to 2 feet. Trust me on this. I concentrate on the shoreline near the boat launch (and catch a lot of juststocked fish) and also work the opposite shoreline and get some of the

larger hold-over trout. Streamer flies work great on Little Sebago, my favorites being the Barnes’ Special or the Gray Ghost. I prefer my flies tied tandem and have used the beaded models as of late, with good luck. Small lures like a Rapala floating minnow in bronze or a small spoon like the Thomas buoyant in their brown trout pattern work wonders. You can use bait, but I never have, preferring streamers on most trips. This season I have my boat rigged up with a jigging box to automatically work my fly rod back and forth. You can bet this is (Continued on next page)

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Sebago to Auburn (Continued from page 63)

going to see duty on Little Sebago! Sabbathday Lake One of the most quaint and bucolic spots in the State is Shaker Village in New Gloucester. This area is also home to Sabbathday Lake (Map 5, B-3), a great brook and brown trout fishery. Sabbathday Lake also has a

good smelt population, and I have jigged some whopper jack smelt up through the ice. Although shallow at its maximum 24 feet, Sabbathday Lake is fed with cold springs, and trout hold over well. Nothing is as relaxing as trolling the shoreline near the Shaker grounds and contemplating their quiet and

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peaceful existence. Of course all peace and quiet goes out the door when you latch onto a trout! Sabbathday is easily accessible from the boat launch located on Outlet Road. Range Pond Chain A little farther north is a true trout mecca – the Range (pronounced “rang”) Pond chain. Consisting of connected Upper, Middle and Lower Range Ponds, this chain is heavily stocked with brook, brown and rainbow trout, providing great sport and great variety to anglers. Additionally, Range Pond waters typically get brood stock fish upwards to 17 inches each spring. The Range Ponds are also well-developed, and are host to camps and Range Pond State Park, but like most waters in

The author prepares to release a lunker splake taken last spring. Photo by Tom Roth

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There are some lunker browns in here, and anglers after big fish often target this chain of ponds. Browns are stocked in all three waters, but I traditionally have better luck for browns on Upper Range Pond. Again, streamers and small lures work wonders when trolled behind a sinking fly line this time of year. Snake your way along the shoreline in 8 - 20 feet of water, and hold on! At the top of this region, Brettun’s Pond (Map 11, B-5) in Livermore is a top brook trout water and also has browns. Easily accessible from the launch located just off of Route 4, Brettun’s receives a liberal dose of brook trout and a few good brown trout each year. Any of the aforementioned lures and streamer flies will do well for you, but I’d also try a Cecil’s Smelt for variety. May ushers in the best of spring, and trolling for trout while the waters are still cool is tops in this writer’s book. Happy angling!

�� The Maine Sportsman • May 2018 • 65

Southern Maine Offers the Best Turkey Hunting in New England! Did you know that Maine helped New Hampshire establish a wild turkey population? The process was unintentional – many of the first birds placed in the York County towns of York and Eliot flew across the Salmon Falls River, landed in the Granite State and called it home. In the mid-1960s, I would jump off the school bus, grab a red wool coat and gun and go deer hunting on the mountain behind my home in Shapleigh. Deer were plentiful, and grouse exploded in flight every few hundred yards. I did kill a deer most years, but it was the wild turkey sighting on one such trip into the woods that I remember most vividly. It was a large, ugly bird standing in the middle of a small clearing. I shouldered the old rusty .38-55 Winchester lever action rifle, and my thumb cocked the hammer. But before taking aim, a voice in my head said “Don’t.” I then eased the hammer down. I didn’t know what kind of bird it was at the time; however, after I explained the encounter to Vern Walker, local game warden and a neighbor, he told me it was a turkey, most likely one that had been released by the Windham Fish & Game Club. Maine’s wild turkey restoration program is a prime example how hunters and wildlife management officials, working together, can reintroduce animals and fish for the benefit of all sportsmen. Maine Inland Fisheries & Wildlife Department, the National Wild Turkey Federation and Maine outdoorsmen worked for many years to reestablish

turkeys in this state. Longtime Effort During the early 1800s, wild turkeys existed in significant numbers in what is now York and Cumberland counties. However, reduction of forest lands because of farming (in the mid1800s, 90% of York County was farmland, leaving only 10% percent as forests), combined with unrestricted hunting, led to the demise of wild turkeys in this region. DIFW’s first attempt to reintroduce turkeys in Maine took place in 1942, when they released 24 birds on Swan Island. However, none survived. In the 1960s, Windham Fish & Game Club released turkeys – among them likely the bird I encountered – but this attempt again did not meet with success. In 1977, DIFW obtained 41 wild turkeys from Vermont, releasing then in Eliot and York. To increase populations, in 1988 70 birds were obtained from Connecticut and then released in York County. Our first turkey season was held in 1986. 500 permits were issued, and 605 folks applied. Nine turkeys were killed that year. Over the years southern Maine, turkeys were trapped and stocked in other locations around the Pine Tree State. Today, Maine has an estimated 60,000 - 70,000

wild turkeys – the largest population in New England. Hunters kill around 5,000 birds a year. Not only did Maine officials release the first wild turkey flocks in southern Maine – did you know we also helped New Hampshire with their turkey populations? The process was unintentional. You see, most of the first birds placed in towns of York and Eliot flew across the Salmon Falls River and landed in New Hampshire, where they dispersed in the Granite State. Today, both Maine and New Hampshire have large turkey populations, and offer some of the best hunting opportunities in New England. Turkey Hunting Locations Most hunters call to locate turkeys in or around fields. The method is both popular and effective, especially during the early season. However, birds soon grow wary and retreat deeper into the woods to escape hunting pressure. After breeding time is over, turkeys seem to disappear from their former haunts. This generally happens later in our season. When this occurs, hunters must move deeper onto hardwood ridges to locate birds. Agricultural farms with open fields surrounded with hardwood

Two toms that relocated away from fields to hardwood ridges in Shapleigh. Marquez photo

forests of oak and beech trees is prime habitat for supporting large flocks of birds. Towns like the Berwicks, Sanford, Acton, Alfred and Waterboro all have farmlands with apple orchards and fields laced with hardwoods. Dayton, Hollis and Lyman also offer good habitat for turkey.

Deep woods turkeys are constantly on the move, and are therefore more difficult to locate. But there are large tracks of countryside available to hunt with little hunting pressure. In the upper areas of southern Maine, areas such as Shapleigh, Acton, Newfield, Limerick, Lim(Continued on page 67)

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66 • May 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Getting Thrown in the “River Rodeo” Who doesn’t love paddling a canoe? Canoes are a delightful way to get out onto the water. They’re inexpensive, low-tech, easy to transport, and quick to launch. Gliding along in a canoe is peaceful and serene, allowing us to quietly approach wildlife, cast to rising fish, or to peer down into the depths of a clear lake. A gentle canoe ride at sunset is a perfect way to end a summer day. As fun as they are, it’s very easy to get into trouble in a canoe. When the wind picks up, even strong paddlers can be blown off course or swamped by whitecaps. On a river, a mistake negotiating around rocks, logs and even through easy rapids can put the paddlers into the drink in a heartbeat.

The bow of the canoe plowed into the third standing wave. I felt it sink underneath me, and grabbed for the stern handle. Billy, who had been in the bow, toppled into the icy water, and then scrambled onto the wet rocks. The following story demonstrates how quickly things can go wrong, even for experienced canoeists. It shows how important it is to have respect for everyday uncertainties. June Jaunt Billy was in the bow and I was in the stern. We had canoed this meandering river several times, usually at low flows. Today we had decided to take advantage of the overnight rain that had caused the water level in the river to rise six inches. We talked about how the two or three boney stretches would be more fun with higher water,

better than clunking over the rocks and dragging bottom in the wider shallow spots. On the flat water, there would be enough current for us to drift and cast without having to paddle all afternoon. We parked one vehicle near the take out and headed upriver to unload the boat. Soon after shoving off, we were cruising along at a pretty good clip. Standing Waves! Most of this river is meandering flat water with a few gentle drops – hardly enough to call rapids. There are several named pools where the river drops a foot or two

over ledge outcroppings. As we came around the bend to the first such ledge, we were shocked by what we saw. By then, it was too late to react. The rocks funneled the water into three big standing waves as high as our heads. The funnel effect caused the water to accelerate, so at the same moment we saw the waves, we were sucked down the chute. “Down the middle!” I yelled. “Keep it straight!” We zoomed toward the first wave. Maybe we could have steered around the shoulder, but I didn’t want to hang up on the rocks or capsize by glancing off the side

of the wave. The middle seemed like the best option. The canoe rode up the crest and crashed down into the second wave, then up started up that one. We felt like bull riders at a rodeo. As the bow plowed into the wave, water rushed into the open canoe. Suddenly, we had six inches of water sloshing our feet, upsetting our balance. With that much water in the boat, the ride up the second wave wasn’t as high, and our bow plowed into the third wave. This time, the canoe filled nearly to the gunwales and then tipped to the side. Billy flopped out into the cold water, struggling in his waders to swim to the alders, which were only a few yards away. (Continued on next page)

Wildlife Quiz Answers (Quiz on Page 20)

1. Robins belong to the thrush family of avians. 2. Yes, a majority of robins migrate south for the winter. 3. A robin’s breast features a beautiful reddish orange coloration. 4. In flight, robins can be easily identified by a white patch on their rump. 5. Robins typically lay 3 - 5 unmarked blue-green eggs. 6. Eggs hatch approximately 13 days after being laid. 7. Robins are preyed upon by hawks, cats and large snakes. 8. Robins can live up to almost 14 years of age. www.MaineSportsman.com

�� The Maine Sportsman • May 2018 • 67

swamp until the third wave. I think we can make it.” Billy was too numb to argue. And lucky for us, I was right. We took on a few inches of water but stayed afloat and made it to a sand bar where we dumped out the canoe, wrung out our wet clothes, and caught our breath.

(Continued from page 66)

Pretty Lucky I felt the canoe sink underneath me and reached down to grab the stern handle as it passed through my legs. At that same moment, my feet hit ledge, and somehow I stood up, leaned back into the current, and held onto the canoe with my left hand while I gripped the paddle in my right. We were lucky we didn’t lose the canoe. And that we weren’t swept down in the current. Billy flailed and scrambled over to the steep bank. As he clung to the alders and climbed onto the rocks, I guided the submerged canoe into the eddy beneath him. Looking up at Billy, I could see he was white as a sheet and already shivering heavily from the sudden dunk. I felt some water in my waders, but I hadn’t gone under. Taking Stock After a moment, we took stock of our situation. Somehow, we hadn’t lost anything except one seat cushion. Even our

A canoe adventure can go from serene to heart-stopping in a hurry.

fly rods survived, thanks in part to the hook embedded in Billy’s hand, which was still connected to his line and his rod. He bit the leader to separate himself from his bent rod. We were on the far side of the river, some distance from the road. To get back to the car and the cabin, we’d have to get back into the canoe, one way or another. “Let’s see if we can

Southern Maine (Continued from page 65)

ington and Parsonsfield feature hilly terrain with hardwood forests and fields. I prefer these areas, since they offer large tracks of land and few hunters. Very few things motivate wild turkeys, but one of them is food – in fact, their whole world revolves around it. So how turkeys use terrain and its food sources is key to locating birds and how to hunt them. Other Topics – Shad and Salmon Shad runs take place in several of Maine’s larger rivers, including the Androscoggin, Kennebec, Penobscot and Saco, as well as in smaller rivers like the Mousam. Currently, there are two fishways that allow shad passage – one on the Penobscot, and the other on the Saco. Over the last 23 years, the fishway located at the Skelton Dam in Biddeford has been the site of 42,000 shad accessing the river. And the number has increased dramatically over time – 881 shad entered in 1993, while in 2015, 5,720 passed through. The fishway at a dam on the Penobscot has only operated a few years. The shad

dump the water out of this canoe,” I said to Billy, who was still shivering. “I need your help.” The best thing was to keep moving. In a bit of a daze, Billy sloshed back into the water and found some footing so he could lift the bow of the canoe. I was still standing on ledge. We tilted the canoe, but couldn’t lift it clear of the water. We dumped

enough water out to climb back in and start paddling. “Now what?” Billy sputtered. “Let’s keep paddling,” I replied, “and we’ll warm up soon enough.” Only Two It wasn’t long until we came to the next ledge. The chute wasn’t as narrow, so there were only two smaller waves. “Well,” I said, “we didn’t

count there was 812 in 2014 and 1,506 in 2015. Maine’s shad fishery is currently on the rebound, and as more anglers take advantage of this hard-fighting, acrobatic fish, it will become the angling choice for many. Saco River Salmon Club is a sportsman/ conservation club here headquartered in Biddeford. What the members have accomplished in the past years – in conjunction and collaboration with Federal and State Fisheries agencies – to reestablish Atlantic salmon in the Saco is amazing. They built and operate a state-of-art hatchery on the Saco River, located at the boat access site in Biddeford. From this hatchery, they have nurtured 500,000 wild Atlantic salmon eggs, and stocked several million fry in the river over the years. These salmon fry are then trucked and stocked in headwaters of the Saco. This is another successful reintroduction, which will offer future generations many outdoor opportunities. Maine is a great state. We make mistakes, but then we work to recover and undo them. Maine’s wild turkey, shad and Atlantic salmon recovery projects are prime examples.

Back for Dinner We climbed back in and started paddling vigorously, which warmed us quickly. Billy commented that our dumping already seemed like a weird dream. On we went like nothing had happened, except for the fish hook in Billy’s hand. It was dusk as we loaded the canoe onto the car and dark when we pulled up to the cabin. The other guys were just starting to get worried. We were glad to be safe and warm. We had quite a story to tell over dinner. And we had a fishhook to remove from Billy’s hand.

Dean Knight with turkeys killed in Acton near fields and hardwoods. Marquez photo www.MaineSportsman.com

68 • May 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

A Visit to Maine’s Glacier Wear, and its Largest Fur Inventory in North America Many trappers who fur coats, jackets, vests, hats, have trapped for years Posters on the company’s walls show that its fur products scarves, blankets and mittens. have never actually seen have appeared in many popular films and television There were large bins and rows firsthand the many and of furs on racks ready to be shows, including The Revenant, Game of Thrones, Night made into garments. Some of varied products made today from their furs and at The Museum, and Cowboys & Aliens. them were dyed furs of various those of other trappers bold colors. Randy said that was east of the Mississippi. The move helped in worldwide. All they’ve seen are the trimmed the modern high-fashion craze, and trappers reducing the operational cost of business. hoods on parkas and other winter coats, picneed to embrace all uses of fur. They currently employ 8 people yeartures in magazines of high-fashion coats and There were beautiful commercially-raised round, and 10 during the peak season, which vests, and the well-worn fur coats from their furs of large size and consistent colors, and is November through February. grandmothers’ time in secondhand stores. wild furs that varied in color, size, and One of the neat things are all the framed One snowy morning this past winter, my prime. Many of the wild furs have movie and television show posters on their wife Linda and I headed out for Greenville been dyed to make the color of the pelts the office walls depicting some of the movies to see firsthand what many of those products same. This helps a manufacturer to produce that have utilized their fur products. These are. an article of clothing that is of consistent colincluded The Revenant, The Hateful Eight, or throughout. Sleepy Hollow, Revolution, Game of Thrones, Randy showed me a bundle of Russian Machete Kills, The Ridiculous 6, Night at Sable, and held one of our Pine Marten next The Museum, Night at The Museum – Secret to it for comparison. What a difference! The Tomb, and Cowboys & Aliens. sable were larger, darker, and more uniform in color, while our marten are smaller and have an orange coloration showing throughout their fur.

Glacier Wear, Greenville, Maine.

Tucked away on a side street in Greenville, Maine, one can find the largest inventory of fur and leather products in North America. This is Glacier Wear, maker of fine furs and leather products. This family-owned and -operated business belongs to Randy and Colleen Richard. They and two daughters Jessica and Beca run the day-to-day operations and actual manufacturing of items sold. The Richards moved here from Montana about three years ago, though they had lived both in Maine and in upstate New York in the past. Randy originally had an outfitter business in Darby, Montana, but the trapping bug never left him. Like most trappers, he started at a young age, and has been at it now for about 46 years. He told me his favorite animal to trap was marten, and that in Montana he had a trap line of 15 miles that he ran by snowshoes. I asked him what the first animal he trapped was and he said a raccoon. In 1991, he took the big step into the product side of the fur industry. They moved the business to Maine in 2014. One of the primary reasons they returned here is that about 70% of their business is www.MaineSportsman.com

Posters of movies that have used Glacier Wear products.

I did not expect to see the volume of furs that was in their inventory. There were over fifty thousand pieces, which included North America, European and Russian furs. They ranged from wild fur to commercially-raised furs. I asked Randy what was his primary source of furs. He said he got most through the big auction houses in North American and Finland. He also buys local fur as a Maine fur buyer.

Bins of dyed furs for high-fashion articles.

A bundle of Russian Sable and an American Marten shown for comparison.

Owner Randy Richard shows some of the different styles of hats they manufacture.

They had racks covered with beautiful

Glacier Wear does not do the tanning of the hides. They have that accomplished by a specialty company, Tubari Ltd. There are other products that are a result of the fur trade that also have value, including claws, teeth, tails, and even the clean skulls (Continued on next page)

�� The Maine Sportsman • May 2018 • 69

Rangeley Region Provides Bounty of Recreational Diversity Anyone driving through the Rangeley Region during the winter can easily understand why this area reigns as one of the top spots in New England for enjoying winter activities. On the other side of the calendar, take a drive around this same region during the spring and summer months, and you’ll see why the Rangeley Region also holds top honors as one of the finest locations in all of New England for enjoying spectacular warm weather fun. One of my favorite things to do during the fishing season is to grab my fly rod and fishing

vest, put a lunch in the cooler and head north to the Rangeley Region for a day of some of the best fishing around. I love the fact that I can hit a remote pond and fish for colorful brook trout, or slip into my waders and swing streamers for muscular landlocked salmon in any of the many streams. The region features big lakes and the tributaries that feed and drain them – and all of these wonderfully scenic waterways are surrounded by a horizon full of spectacularly dramatic views of gorgeous mountains. I prefer fly fishing ponds, brooks and rivers,

MCountain View &g s ottages

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Rangeley Lake • Oquossoc, ME

but some folks like the appeal of deep-water gear on big lakes. The system of lakes that makes this region famous offers up some huge trophies – each year, anglers seem to pull out bigger fish than the year before.

and a sea-worthy boat with a good motor offers anglers a chance to get back to shore quickly and safely. Richardson Lake (DeLorme Atlas, Maps

A-2 and B-2), both upper and lower sections, holds plenty of trout and salmon ready to test the tackle. Department of Inland Fisheries and Wild(Continued on next page)

Lake Fishing Big lakes and ponds in the Rangeley Lakes watershed require a good boat for the rough water that often kicks up at a moment’s notice. Huge mountains surrounding the lakes block out the view of the horizon, and boaters won’t see a storm coming until the last minute. Radios tuned to weather channels can help avoid this problem,

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70 • May 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Rangeley Region (Continued from page 69)

life (DIF&W) biologists have outlawed the taking of smelt on Richardson and its tributaries by any method, in an effort to increase the food resource for the ravenous salmonid in this big lake. The traditional trolling method dictates fishing close to the shoreline for brookies, and farther out for salmon or lake trout. During the early spring fishing, streamers or lures run from one foot to 30 feet under the surface, with most hits happening nearest to the top. Electronic gear helps locate feeding fish, and gives their positions in the water column so anglers can determine optimum trolling depths. Smelt congregate and run up the inlets of Richardson Lakes, offering anglers a premium trolling location. A concentration of baitfish like this puts hungry salmonid in a feeding frenzy. Anglers with the right combination of gear and techniques can get a good dose of heavy rod-bending near these inlets. These same searching and fishing methods often prove successful on any of the

other big waters in the Rangeley Lakes Region. Rivers Aplenty Anglers without a boat don’t need to worry, since plenty of river-fishing locations can be found throughout the area. Simply put the waders on and head out to fish some of the famous Rangeley Region fast water that winds its way from one end of this region to the other. One of my favorites, Rangeley River (Map 28, E-3), can be accessed right off from Route 16, a few miles north of Oquossoc. The roaring river connects Rangeley Lake and Mooselookmeguntic Lake, and it holds a healthy population of trout and salmon. Another great fishing location, the lower Magalloway River, pours out of the south end of Aziscohos Lake (Map 28, E-1), where it crosses Route 16. Access can be had directly below the huge twintubes of the dam, seen from the bridge on Route 16. The Sandy River, yet another great angling location in this region, follows Route 4 from the

The Maine Sportsman Digital Edition

This healthy, fat 16-inch brook trout from the Rangeley Region almost doesn’t fit into the net. William Clunie photo

Sandy River Ponds (Map 19, A-1) to Farmington (Map 20, C-1 and D-1), and then flows all the way to the Kennebec River near Anson/Madison (Map 20, B-4). Anglers laying a line in these waters have a chance at landing some of the thousands of trout DIF&W has stocked here over the years. The Sandy River often gets overlooked by those anglers intent on fishing some of the more popular rivers in the Rangeley Region. Plenty of Trails Most folks discover that riding Rangeley’s all-terrain-vehicle (ATV) trails makes for a pleasant kind of wilderness tour, and they cruise the scenic routes simply

for the sheer pleasure of riding. Anglers also find these trail systems provide an excellent way to get into some great back-country fishing locations. ATV trails in Rangeley start at Rev-It-Up Sports Shop on Route 4/16, just east of town. A small trail leads into town, while the main route offers a run to scenic Stratton (Map 29, C-2). At this same Rangeley junction, trail riders may also choose to head south to Phillips (Map 19, B-3), a small town with plenty of woodsy trails and excellent fishing locations. Sometimes ATV trails in this region won’t open in May because of a late

Trapping (Continued from page 68)

of fur bearers. Many of these are sold to be utilized in educational classes, as well as for the production of jewelry, ceremonial clothing and novelty items. Among these items are men’s wallets made from the leather of beaver tails. Other products made by Glacier Wear

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mud season, so check local ATV club websites for up-to-date trail reports. Interested ATV riders can get further information about the Rangeley ATV trail system by searching atvmaine. org. Click on the ATV club search, and type in “Camp-2 Trail Riders” for club phone numbers. While recreating in this area during May, it doesn’t really matter what you choose to do, as long as you get outdoors. So swing a fly rod, hit the trails on an ATV, or just take a boat ride on one of the many sections of water throughout the area – the Rangeley Region has it all.

are some unique and pretty rugs and covers made of cattle hide. Some are of beautiful mosaic designs. Maine has long and historical connections with the trapping and the fur trade. The tradition goes back through history, starting with the Native Americans and continuing with the earliest European explorers. Today the heritage is carried on by many Maine trappers and their families. Sportsmen in Maine should welcome Glacier Wear and the company’s contributions to the state, the people of Maine and the trapping community. You can check out the company’s products on their website (glacierwear. com). They are open 9am to 5pm, their phone number is (207) 695-0940 and their email is info@glacierwear.com.

Products of leather hides.

�� The Maine Sportsman • May 2018 • 71

Time for Last-Minute Fishing Season Preparations It was a long, cold winter. Winter always makes me realize how short our open-water fishing season really is. That’s why when it gets here, I try to make sure I’ve taken care of all the little things I put off during the summer months because I was focusing on getting all the fishing I could get in during the short season. Try as I might, certain chores fall through the cracks, and I wind up rushing it when warmer June weather arrives. Sometimes, I’ve had to suffer through the first few fishing trips with defective gear because I just didn’t have enough time to fix a problem, or worse yet, I simply forgot about the needed repair. Some years I’ve limped through the whole fishing season with under-performing gear. Just last year, I failed to replace or patch a pair of waders that had slight leaks in them. The leaks were so slight that sometimes I felt as if it was just excess perspiration rather than lake or river water slipping into my waders. I still don’t have a new pair of waders for this season, but I’m starting the search now. I don’t need anything fancy – I hardly wear waders, preferring wet-wading as soon as the water temperature is tolerable. However, in recent years I’ve pushed the boundaries on early- and late-season fishing, so a new pair of waders is a must before June gets here. Writing the Truth One of the greatest

board motor on the frame of the raft so I can putt around larger bodies of water. This kind of mount can be done – I just need to figure out the best kind of motor for the little raft.

The author prefers a canoe for fly fishing remote ponds, although he now hauls the craft using small wheels rather than lugging it on his shoulders. Here, noted fish carving artist Gene Bahr quietly drifts on the surface in search of big brook trout. William Clunie photo

benefits of writing an outdoor column like this is that it helps me be honest with myself – it keeps me in line. As I put into words all the things I think others should be doing to prepare for the upcoming fishing season, I realize that I have several chores that I have forgotten to do myself. The truth hurts sometimes, but it surely inspires me to take care of those needed repairs before the season starts. I fish on some of the clearest waters in the nation, but also some of the dirtiest section of rivers. During the season, my lines pick up layers of scum that need to be cleaned off before the new season arrives. I like to take a warm day in May and soak my line in a five-gallon pail of lukewarm, soapy water and the gentlest soap available (I use Johnson’s & Johnson’s baby sham-

poo). Then I stretch the line between two points and lightly scrub the line with one of those line-cleaning pads. After that, I take a wet washcloth and rinse the line as it hangs in the stretched position, dry it off, and then apply some fly line dressing. This year I’ll be trying out a new line dressing for all my floating lines called, “Endura” (malindasflyshop.business.site). This product not only causes the line to float higher in the water, but it also allows the line to glide through the ferrules with less drag. Boat Prep Although I wade a lot, I also use boats to get around to some fishing locations. So before the busy part of the season is here, I really need to take care of the trailer that transports my motor boat. Nothing major, just a loose ramp that needs

tightening. The problem is, I can’t repair it until I get the boat off the trailer. It’s a big enough boat that I just can’t drop onto the ground – I’ve got to launch the thing, and then I can work on the trailer. Other boat work I forgot about includes laying out some kind of flooring in my Hyde drift boat. I’m tired of setting down a dry duffle bag in the morning, and then at the end of the day finding that the little water that the boat has taken on during the day has now all soaked up into the duffle bag. I’ll get flooring squares that allow the water to pass through while keeping my equipment dry. I also have a “Dave Scaddon” raft that needs some attention. I just got the personal watercraft a few years ago, so it isn’t in need of repair, it just needs some tweaking. I’d like to mount a small out-

Small Ponds I have never liked fishing from one of those float tubes that have an angler’s feet in flippers hanging in the water. I do enjoy being eye-to-eye with the fish, but find that my back-cast constantly slaps the water because I’m so low to the surface. I have also fished from a kayak, and find it has certain applications for specific types of fishing. For me, when I fish small, remote ponds, I like the good old canoe. I have more room than a kayak, and since I acquired a lightweight folding seat with a comfortable back on it, I can fish all day without becoming cramped up. I want to finish rigging up my canoe for fishing small ponds where motors aren’t allowed. I’ve got an 18-foot Old Town canoe that I really like – one that I could easily carry on my shoulders when I was younger. I now have a set of wheels that can be attached for rolling it into remote waters rather than carrying it – that’s a good thing, because I cannot carry it on my shoulders any more, and I’m slowly adding more accessories to it as the years pass. The search for lighter, more efficient fishing equipment continues – and in the meantime, I’d better get to work!

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72 • May 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Bushwhacking, D.B. Cooper, and The Notebook One can find pictures online of many local places that outdoor enthusiasts would be interested in seeing, including mountain summits, ledges and waterfalls. Most have hiking trails or roads going right to them. However, the more developed the area is, and the more people who know about it, the less interesting I find it. So I have turned my search the past couple years to those areas that aren’t on the trail maps. I look at topo maps and satellite imagery to detect the steep ravines where I might find a waterfall with a swimming hole, or a granite-speckled mountaintop where I might discover a ledge with a view or a cave. Bushwhacking Five or six years ago, just out of high school, my friend Leif and I found ourselves bored. He suggested that we explore the mountain behind his house – Cape Horn. We had gazed upon Cape Horn just about every day of our lives. It looms over the town of Groveton, where we grew up. We learned in science class that it was the eroded remnants of an archaic volcano, which gave it its steep, ledgy half-moon shape. The only reason why we had never been on top of it was because there were no hiking trails traversing it. On this day, we didn’t care. We wanted to see the top of it, no matter how tough of a bushwhack it was going to be. Tough Climb Leaving his house on the southeast side, we tip-toed across sevwww.MaineSportsman.com

From the ledge near the caves, the only thing obscuring the view to the east of the Kilkenny Range is this one Ansel Adams-like dead treetop.

eral beaver dams, then sponged through a thick swamp, eventually finding ourselves at the inclined base of the mountain. About three-quarters of the way up the slope, we encountered a twenty-foot ledge. Now we began to understand why there were no trails up this particular mountain. We followed the ledge about a quarter mile north, until we came to a switchbacked channel of earth that interrupted the rock face. The ledge continued on to the north on the other side. As far as we were (and still are) concerned, this was the only place on the whole mountain that you could bypass that ledge. So we scrambled up. Once on the spine of the ridge, it was a different world. Huge pines spaced themselves out amidst an open needle-laden forest floor. Horizon could be seen in both directions. We trotted south, hoping to get to an area where we could look out upon Leif’s house. We discovered a most beautiful ledge on a large outcropping. It provided 180-degree views to

the east of the pristine Kilkenny Range. Not too far from the ledge, at the south end of the spine, there were a couple piles of boulders and outcroppings. Walking around them, we stumbled onto a few crawl spaces, and then Leif found a larger chasm deep enough for him to fully lower himself into (he is 6’ 3”). Treasure Hunt He shimmied right down out of sight. After a few seconds, he started yelling to me. I could hear the excitement in his voice. It was pitch black down there and he couldn’t see anything (neither of us had a light of any kind). He was yelling something about a chest and buried treasure! At first I thought it was just a lame attempt at humor, but there was true excitement in his voice. He said he couldn’t see exactly what it was down there, but through the darkness he could feel a large metal box with clasps! He crawled out of the horizontal cavern and lifted it up to me. My blood was pumping as I wiped the dirt off the top of the heavy

old metal box. I couldn’t see any writing on it. Leif quickly lifted himself out of the hole (which I don’t think he could have done so easily without the adrenaline). Before we opened it, we made a pact to split 50/50 whatever was inside. We undid the locking clasps and low and behold.....we had ourselves…a rusty old vintage Coleman stove.... How disappointing! I’ll never forget the excitement of the anticipation and thoughts of golden doubloons, though. I pity the poor fool who lugged that 20plus pound box up there. And why? I’ve had fun imagining D.B. Cooper-type figures camping out in that cave 50 years ago with that rusty Coleman stove. Needless to say, we didn’t carry it out with us, and it’s probably still lying there next to the boulder pile. Spelunking Leif and I returned with headlamps a few days later to explore the caves, which turned out to be quite expansive, with several tunnels and cavernous rooms – one which you could almost

stand up in! A few months later, I brought my then-girlfriend, now-wife, Maylynda, up there to show her the caves. Before getting to the caves, we stopped by the ledge with beautiful views. We had been dating for a couple months, and I had a strange feeling I’d never had before. I’d purchased a fancy pair of earrings for her a couple days before, and presented them to her on the ledge, telling her for the first time that I loved her. Treasure After All As if God burst out in laughter over the cliché moment, a severe thunderstorm roared upon us. In a scene straight out of The Notebook, we loped through the pouring rain holding hands. We reached the caves and shimmied our way down inside to wait out the storm. There, we waited for two hours while the rain came down in sheets outside the crawl space. Coincidentally, I happened to have my Kindle Fire tablet in my backpack to read when I sat down to take breaks on my other adventures. I had downloaded a few movies onto it. So while we waited in the cave, we watched 127 Hours – the story about the guy in Utah who stuck trapped in a cave when a boulder crushed his arm... Oh, the irony! Our cave adventure is a memory that my wife and I will cherish as long as we live. When you go off the trail, you never know what you’ll find. For me, there was treasure in that cave after all.

�� The Maine Sportsman • May 2018 • 73

— TRADING POST — • • •

Subscribers may place one free 20-word classified ad per month (two-month limit) Items for sale must include a price. Real estate ads must include an address or location.

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SUBMIT AD AND PAYMENT BY THE 30TH OF EACH MONTH AND YOUR AD WILL APPEAR IN THE NEXT ISSUE. sects. 11 proven essenby. Also, local hunting 5 Bdrm, sleeps up to 10, LAKEFRONT CABIN FOR SALE PENN 209M LEVEL WIND FISHING REELS 2 with lead core. 2 with fast-sinking fly line, all with backing. $50.00 ea. 207-400-6239 SPLIT-CANE BAMBOO FLY ROD Built by David Norwich, Peebles, Scotland for me in the 1980’s. 7’2”, 4/5 weight, swelled-butt construction. One tip. Includes Loomis East Fork reel, Rio WF-4 fly line. $750.00. brookielvr@gmail.com for pix and details. NORTHWOODS DEFENSE Powerful protection against ALL biting in-

tial oils in a long lasting concentrated formula for a bug shield you can trust! Available at www. MaineSimple.Etsy.com. Made in MAINE! ———————————

club 1/4 mi. away is actively looking for five new members. 207-636-3689 CAMP ON SNOW POND, OAKLAND, ME

log-cabin style. Great fishing & swimming. $1000/wk: May, June, Sept & Oct. $1400/wk July & Aug. 207-380-1952

on the Little Narrows Basin of Upper Cold Stream Ponds in Lincoln, 4-season cabin w/cable, internet, kayaks, canoe, (Continued on next page)

DOGS

STARTED BRITTANYS Worked on Woodcock. Prices from $1,800 to $3,000. Orvis Endorsed Breeder. Quail Hollow Kennel 856-935-3459 ———————————

CAMPS & CABINS FOR RENT

Hancock County - Private island 60 miles NE of Bangor on pristine & forev er wild Nicotous Lake. Several cabins included. Self-sufficient w/ generator & running water. $554,000. MOTIVATED!

Litchfield - Waterfront parcel with tons of diversity. Massive trees in pork like setting. Mile plus frontage on Horse shoe pond feeding into Cobbossee stream. Extensive wildlife. $215,000.

Kingfield - Camp on Tufts Pond. Mountain & water views, mature trees, 1,600' of elevation, brook & remote pond! Ski, snowmobile, hunt, fish, re lax! Sugarloaf close by. $599,000.

Lake View Pit - Tract located on Schoodic Lake and Birch Point w/200' of frontage, 180 degree views Best fishing & local on lake. Comp hos 3-4 beds, lorae living area w/full view of the lake. $249,000.

Bancroft Twp - Acreage on Mot tawawkeag R i ver. Camp just 200± feet from river w/ exceptional frontage. Mature trees, easy access & special protection designated for Salmon & deer habitat. $ 139,777

Calais - Scenic acreage lot on 627± acre 56' deep Nash's lake stocked w/ Salmon. Over 1,000' of unique shore front w/its own point of land extending into the lake with numerous coves & peninsulas. $75,000

CAMP ON SMALL POND IN SHIRLEY $500/wk. Great hunting, fishing & ATV trails near-

MERCER. Can you imagine sitting on the deck watching over your private pond and field? Approximately 11 acres of land plus snowmobile/recreation trails are nearby. This home has been immaculately maintained since being built in 2013. Open concept kitchen, dining area, living room and a bonus room-porch toward the water. Main floor bedroom and a finished loft for a second bedroom. This home is cozy, warm and inviting! MLS #1340147. $165,000 MADISON. Fabulous 4 bedroom, 2-1/2 bath home on 2.12 acres and 220 feet of frontage on beautiful Lake Wesserunsett! Home features granite counters, tile and hardwood floors, master bed with full bath, sauna room and stunning kitchen. 3 car detached garage with apartment above and separate 2 car garage/carport. Enjoy the game room, screened porch and luxury of on-demand generator. 3 season room with screened walls and tile floor and BBQ/food workstation and sink. Docks included. Beautiful lake views all year ‘round! MLS #1274174. $489,000 WELLINGTON. MOOSE AND BROOK TROUT! Nice, off-the-grid cabin on 21 acres with spectacular view and over 1,000 feet of frontage on Wellington Bog (Higgins Stream). Enjoy fantastic hunting and cast to brook trout from your own property. This cabin has gas lights, gas refrigerator and range, and large sleeping area. Kingsbury road also serves as an ATV trail and snowmobile access is close by. Also enjoy easy access to Kingsbury Pond. If you are looking for your own private, slice of heaven, this is it! MLS #1323247. $59,000 NORRIDGEWOCK. 229 feet of beautiful Kennebec River frontage and towering pines of this 1.20 surveyed acre double lot in the Norridgewock Countryside. Enjoy tons of privacy only minutes from town. Beautiful spot to build your dream home or your weekend getaway on a town maintained road. MLS #1324475. $32,500 KINGSBURY PLT. Outdoor opportunities galore await you with this beautiful, spacious camp on 5 private acres in the Kingsbury countryside. Just a short drive to Kingsbury pond with thousands of acres of wilderness at your doorstep. Enjoy many of the comforts of home in this three-bedroom camp with an indoor bathroom, drilled well, and solar powered lights. Call today to schedule a showing. MLS #1311417. $84,000 SKOWHEGAN. Maple syrup operation that includes evaporator, holding tanks, filter system and tubing. Electric stove included along with cut and split wood pile. 20 acres of land, 19 of which are in tree growth. There is quite a bit of hardwood on the property. Snowmobile trail meets up at the back of the property. 12 X 28 building on concrete slab, heated by a wood stove. MSL #1287409. $69,900 THE FORKS PLT. Cottage on Moxie Pond with approximately 0.83 acres of land. Three bedrooms with 2 lofts, kitchen/ living room. Public gravel road, direct vent heater with approximately 119 feet frontage on the pond. Enjoy fishing from your dock. The perfect “get-away” spot for you. MLS #1239553. $119,900 SOLON. Approximately 109 acres on an old county road. Approximately 2100 feet on Michael Stream. ITS snowmobile trail is very handy. Build a camp and enjoy the Maine seasons! MLS #1235957. $78,050 CORNVILLE. Approximately 235 acres spanning over 3 towns (Cornville, Canaan and Skowhegan) with loads of frontage on very nice West Branch Black Stream. Fair interior road and about 1200 feet to power hookup. MLS #1107097. $105,000

Passadumkeag- 433± acres of room to room. Hunt, snowmobile, ATV on this contiguous parcel. Good internal rood system. Lost major harvest 20+ years ago. Light harvests conducted more recently. $199,000 Dover/Foxcroft - Affordable lot w/

small stream, good access, internal rood system & 1,570' Parsons Land ing Rood frontage. Recently harvested. Great area for recreating. Lot con be split. $70,000

Roque Bluffs - Well-manicured 11.8± acres in pork like setting w/new grovel driveway in place just waiting for your home. Privacy & very quiet. Power at street. Close to Roque Bluffs State Pork. $ 19,900 Guilford - 192± acres w/views from Oak Hill (920' in elevation) & in the shadows of 1,326' Guilford Mt. overlooking First Davis Pond. Wildlife galore with evidence of moose & deer. Cut in 2011. $ 129,000

* -----'

Beauty runs deep. So does our land sales expertise.

AMERICAN FOREST MANAGEMENT

John Colannino - Broker & Forester American Forest Management, Inc.

40 Champion Lane

0: 207.817.9079

Milford, Maine

04461

C: 207.266.7355

John.Colannino@afmforest.com

For more information on available properties please visit:

AmericanforestManagement.com

ALUMINUM DOCKS, BOAT LIFTS AND SWIM RAFTS | COMPLETE INSTALLATION AVAILABLE | 15 YEAR WARRANTY | FACTORY DIRECT PRICING | FREE DELIVERY*

www.MaineSportsman.com

74 • May 2018 • The Maine Sportsman �� (Continued from page 73)

access to ATV & snowmobile trails. Depending on season, can be rented nightly, weekly or monthly. More info & pictures on Craigslist under Vacation Rentals/Lincoln. Call Tate 207-794-4208 EAST GRAND LAKE DANFORTH, ME

24x32 Camp- Greenland Cove, Sleeps 6-10. Deck, small dock/beach. Hunting, Fishing, Boating, ATV, $500/wk. 207-831-1447 PARKMAN, ME BUCKS CROSSING WMD 17 Rental Cabins. Turkey, deer, moose, upland game. All amenities included. Great ratesnightly, weekly, monthly.

ALLAGASH WILDERNESS LAND & CABINS FOR SALE 4.5 acres with 2 fully-furnished large log cabins, sleeps 14+, 750’ frontage on Spider Lake with great year-round fishing. Includes guest cottage, workshops, woodshed, outhouses, boats, motors, ice fishing shack, generator, docks, skylights, and gardens.

$395,000

Contact Fred & Linda Boucher Email allagash.linda@yahoo.com or leave a message at (207) 573-1541 or (207) 227-9769

Caryn Dreyfuss, Broker • (207) 233-8275 caryndreyfuss@morton-furbish.com www.realestateinrangeley.com

THE LAST FRONT ROW CABIN AVAILABLE! Year-round and offered furnished. Featuring single floor living, open kitchen/living area, spacious 3-season porch just steps from prime 2400’ frontage on the South Shore. Beautiful setting on 45 park-like acres with blend of woods, fields, walking trails. Direct ITS snowmobile trail access from your door. Once you arrive, you’ll never want to leave - get it before it’s gone! MLS #1337468 $269,500 JUST 56 FEET from TRANQUIL NO-MOTORS QUIMBY POND!! Completely gutted and renovated summer 2016 with all new insulation, electrical, plumbing, windows, doors, septic, drilled well. Enjoy the unobstructed pond, mountain, sunset views all 4-seasons, level lawn to the water with new aluminum dock, low maintenance siding and roofing. Easy snowmobile trail access, quiet end of the road location, plus 5 camera monitoring system to protect your investment. MLS #1342976 - $289,000 AZISCOHOS LAKE beautiful, remote, pristine! Fishing/hunting camp on OWNED LAND with 100’ sandy frontage. Off grid camp with knotty pine through out, gas appliances/lights, Empire wall heaters for heat, wired for generator. 10x12 storage shed, 12x12 deck, privy, hand carry water. Peaceful lakeside setting, level lawn to the beach, unobstructed lake/Mt views. What a spot to get a way from it all - listen to the loons sing, gaze at the stars, be one with nature - don’t miss it! MLS #1339003 - $234,500

Noyes Real Estate Agency 2388 Main Street • Rangeley, ME 207-864-9000 • info@noyesrealty.com www.noyesrealty.com

RANGELEY AREA – WATERFRONT & WATER ACCESS

$75/night for two people. 207-277-3183 ———————————

CAMPS & CABINS FOR SALE

HANDCRAFTED LOG CABIN IN EUSTIS On 100 Wooded Acres. View of Bigelows. On ITS 89. Barb, Several out buildings. $250,000.00 (207) 670-8313 HUNTING CAMP North Maine Woods T13R10 Great Moose hunting Zone 2, also bird, bear, deer. Furnished, sleeps 6, shower, propane fixtures, Finished in Cedar, P&C lease, $49K, 207-944-0873 CAMPS FOR SALE 2 camps on beautiful Fish River Lake, T14 R8, miles of shore front with no neighbors. Great fishing, hunting for deer, moose and birds. Camps are fully furnished..bring your toothbrush and move in!

$199,000. OBRO. For pictures and more info call 207-745-0191 GREAT POND ROAD AURORA, ME 322 Acres on Beaver Pond. Well, septic, generator, sleeps 8,fully furnished, full bathroom & kitchen. Trout & Wild Game. $250,000 FMI 207-584-2004 24’X20’ CABIN On 1/4 acre on Spruce St. in scenic Jackman, Me. Fully equipped bath & kitchen. 150 ft. from Big Wood Lake. $94,000. Built in 2004. 1-860-429-2425 ———————————

DEER/MOOSE ANTLERS Buying any size deer & moose shed antlers/ racks or antlered skulls. All grades bought by the pound. 802-875-3206 WANTED VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE Looking for pre-1980, vintage motorcycle scrambler, enduro, or off-road motorcycle. Have cash will travel. Call 207 522 6940 SEEKING SKILLED UPHOLSTERER at Covers It All Upholstery in Oakland, ME, to make, repair, & replace Tops, Covers & Interiors on Vehicles & Boats. Must be highly motivated, focused on excellence in all aspects of the work, capable of working as part of a team and the ability to complete work independently. Min. of 2 years’ experience required. Pay based on experience. Call 207-465-7847 or go to coversitallupholstery.com

REAL ESTATE

LAGRANGE 20 ACRES $20K, Hartland 25 acres$35K, Lakeville 40 acres & Cabin- 72K, Owner finance 20% Down. 207949-7501 ———————————

WANTED

Molunkus - Ready for immediate use! Nice 2 bedroom camp, sleeping loft, screen porch and electricity 300’ from Molunkus Lake with public boat landing, sited on leased lot on South Molunkus Road. Reduced to $19,900

Lakeville - Seasonal camp on 16.6+/acres. Drilled well and septic. Wooded except a lawn by the camp. Near ATV and snowsled trails, as well as the boat landing on Lower Sysladobsis. Priced to sell on Hilltop Road. $39,900

Macwahoc - Ready to use open floor plan camp, loft, generator included, sited next to little pond, fish or hunt Molunkus Stream, easily accessible, low taxes, 4.2+/- acres on Smith Road. $34,500 Reduced to $29,900

Winn - 2.8+/- acre riverfront lot, electricity available, year round access, outdoor recreation in every direction, minutes to Lincoln’s amenities, 265’+/- on the mighty Penobscot River. $23,500

Winn - Amazing recreational area, 5+/- acre lot, building site nestled amongst pine trees, more land and frontage available, 370’+/- along the clear, clean Mattawamkeag River. $32,000

T6 ND - Beautiful 1.32 acre lot, huge hemlock trees, little undergrowth, driveway, privy, electric onsite, nice views, deep cold water fishing with access to more, 224’+/- along West Grand Lake. Reduced to $104,900

Lee - Private location, ATV trail runs by this 7+/- acres with driveway, snowmobile trails nearby, great place for a camper to hunt and trap, located on McGinley Road. $19,000 #423 – Charming, vintage, 3 season camp with renovations on Haley Brook, Rangeley area. $99,000

#303 – Cabin and 41 acres, off-grid with all amenities. Quad and water access. Drilled well. Rangeley area. $120,000

#427 – Private lot with a camp in Avon. Over 255’ of water front on Mt. Blue Stream. Level lot, wooded, and more! $49,900

— GREAT FISHING LOCATIONS — List # 615 100 610 600 698 694 683 592

Amenities

Acres Price

WATER ACCESS Water Access, Trails 0.92 Wing Community, Eustis 0.2 Dodge Pond Access 1.1 Water Access, Quimby Pd,Rangeley 1.8 Mooselook Access, Dock, Driveway 1.2 ACREAGE AND WATER ACCESS On Nile Brk, Rangeley,Water Access 6.5 Beaver Mtn. Lake, Water Access 5 Small Camp, Anson 53

$19,500 $20,000 $36,000 $63,000 $69,000 $49,000 $49,999 $49,500

List # 606 611 923 900 967 903 916 914 965

Amenities Beaver Mtn. Lake Water Access Rangeley Plt, Water Access WATERFRONT LAND Rangeley Lake Aziscohos Lake, Driveway,Cabin Beaver Mt Lake -292 ft. Rangeley Loon Lake, Stream, Rangeley Lake, Commercial Mooselokmegntic, Richardson Lake, Middle Dam

Acres Price 10 $89,000 20 $89,000 0.92 1.2 2.28 4 14 6.1 5.7

$95,000 $160,000 $185,000 $300,000 $325,000 $375,000 $399,000

LOOKING FOR ACREAGE, CALL US OR CHECK OUR WEBSITE – 10 TO 500 ACRES AVAILABLE! www.MaineSportsman.com

Chester - 5.83+/- acre house lot. Cleared and ready for building. Close to both I-95 and Lincoln amenities on the South Chester Road. $22,900 Chester - 7.25+/- acre house lot. Cleared field area and driveway. Close to both I-95 and Lincoln amenities. Low tax area on the South Chester Road. $22,900 Lowell - Close to Cold Stream Pond waiting for a camp or home, beautiful 3.2 acre lot, owner financing, year round access, electricity available, 230‘ along Route 188. $17,900

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

�� The Maine Sportsman • May 2018 • 75

www.MaineSportsman.com

76 • May 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��