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

Sportsman The Maine

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Scouting Moose Page 17

Smallmouth Bass Bonanza Pages 61, 66, 70

Fowler Wrecks Reed Boat Page 31

Veterans Pursue Bear Page 24

ATVs Access Private Lands Page 21

Blue Sharks on Light Tackle Page 20 & 27

2 • July 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————

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4 • July 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Editorial Banks Should Not Be

“Warned Away” from the NRA We don’t often feel sorry for banks, but it happened two months ago when New York financial regulators sent a letter to state-chartered banks in that state telling them not to do business with the National Rifle Association or “similar gun promotional associations.” More than 1,900 financial institutions in that state received letters from New York State Department of Financial Services stating that continuing business relationships with groups like the NRA could pose “reputational risk” to the institutions. When your own state’s regulatory office, which has a staff of compliance examiners and auditors who review your bank’s operations for safety and soundness, raises questions about your bank’s potential “reputational risk,” what are you supposed to do? Fortunately, the response from federal regulators and lawmakers in Washington was swift and direct. According to The New York Times, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (Republican of Idaho) and Sen. John Kennedy (Republican of Louisiana) immediately asked Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Randal Quarles whether it was appropriate for state regulators to discourage banks from continuing to do business with companies or organizations involved in the firearm industry. The Times quoted Quarles as stating that those issues were “really outside of our remit” at the Federal Reserve. Mick Mulvaney, acting director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, was also asked about the letters from NY bank regulators. He reportedly responded that it should not be within regulators’ purview to direct banks whether to continue doing business with companies that are operating legally. We agree – companies and organizations operating in compliance with state and federal laws should be able to obtain banking services at financial institutions of their choice. And actions like those of New York’s regulators, acting at the direction of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, will have no effect other than to drive business away from state-chartered banks and onto the arms of federal banks, where the reception is much friendlier. State bank regulators should not be in the social engineering business. It was unfair of the New York Governor to put them in that position, and it was unfair to that state’s banks to receive vague warnings of “reputational risk” from regulators who can help them prosper or put them out of business.

DeLorme’s Atlas — Like an Old Friend In this era of satellite imagery, precise GPS units with integrated walkie-talkies, and sat-nav locator and communication units, it’s tempting to consider as obsolete the paper-based DeLorme Atlas, technically named The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer. In fact, your editor has been the subject of good-natured ribbing when the familiar red-bordered blue publication is spotted in his briefcase. (Little do the pokers-offun understand that the single set of maps they see is just one of three or four actively-used examples, the others being in the office, at camp and in each motor vehicle.) The columnists of the Maine Sportsman continue to provide map and coordinate information – it’s still the best way to direct readers to the best fishing, hunting, hiking and canoeing spots. Continually upgraded, and now sporting a tough, optional protective plastic outer cover, our Atlases get daily use and scrutiny as our writers and editorial staff continue to deliver where-to information each month. In our opinion, regardless of how advanced the world of electronics becomes, there will always be an important place for the DeLorme Atlas. Two thumbs up and a tip of the Maine Sportsman cap to this valuable resource. www.MaineSportsman.com

New England’s Largest Outdoor Publication Readership

Sportsman The Maine

ISSN 0199-036 — Issue No. 550 • 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......................... 66 Big Game Hunting by Joe Saltalamachia...................... 59 Bird of the Month, by Erika Zambello............................... 13 Bowhunting by Chris “Bubba” Johnson.......................... 65 Capitol Report by George Smith..................................... 15 Central Maine by Steve Vose........................................... 45 Downeast Region by Jim Lemieux................................... 49 Editorials................................................................................ 4 Freshwater Fly Fishing by Lou Zambello........................... 70 Jackman by William Sheldon........................................... 57 Jottings by Jon Lund............................................................ 6 Katahdin Country by William Sheldon............................. 61 Kate’s Wild Kitchen by Kate Krukowski Gooding........... 41 Letters to the Editor.............................................................. 5 Maine Wildlife by Tom Seymour....................................... 20 Maine Wildlife Quiz by Steve Vose................................... 37 Midcoast Report by Tom Seymour................................... 48 Moosehead by Tom Seymour.......................................... 53 New Hampshire by Ethan Emerson.................................. 32 Off-Road Traveler by William Clunie................................ 46 Quotable Sportsman by George Smith........................... 16 Rangeley Region by William Clunie................................. 38 Riding Shotgun by Robert Summers................................. 69 Saltwater Fishing by Barry Gibson.................................... 29 Sebago to Auburn Region by Tom Roth......................... 42 Self-Propelled Sportsman by Jim Andrews...................... 43 Shooter’s Bench by Col. J.C. Allard................................. 55 Smilin’ Sportsman: Adults & Kids by Will Lund.................. 69 Sportsman’s Journal by King Montgomery....................... 8 Southern Maine by Val Marquez..................................... 40 Trapping The Silent Places by David Miller...................... 36 Trading Post (Classifieds)................................................... 72 Trout Fishing by Tom Seymour........................................... 51 Western Maine Mountains by William Clunie.................. 34 Young Maine Sportsman by Luke Giampetruzzi............ 52 Young Maine Sportswoman by Alyssa Sansoucy........... 33

SPECIAL SECTIONS

ATVing in Maine by JP Falzone......................................... 21 Bear Hunting in Maine by Robert Kröger......................... 24 Moose Hunting in Maine by Ryan Gould........................ 17 Maine Sporting Camps....................................................... 2 Saltwater Fishing in Maine by Benny Holloway............... 26

GUEST COLUMNS

Fowler Gets a Sinking Feeling - Part 2 by Zachary Fowler.. 31 On the Cover: The smallmouth bass are biting! In this photo, by Joel Charron of South Berwick, the happy face of angler Greg MacDougal of Kennebunk radiates the joy and elation that results from successfully landing a big fish. The photo was taken in the JoMary region of the state, west of Millinocket.

Letters

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2018 • 5

To The Editor

One Writer to Another

To the Editor: I was happy to see “Shooter’s Bench” columnist Colonel JC Allard’s comments about the 250-3000 cartridge as a desired one for the Henry Long Ranger lever action rifle (see “A New Offering with a Legendary Name,” June issue). When I first saw the gun and its different chambers in an ad on the company’s website, I wrote them a letter expressing my desire to see it offered in 250-3000. I have used that round for many years in the great Savage 99 and in bolt actions. I have always hand-loaded the 250 Savage and found it to be a very capable round for deer out to 300 yards with 100 grain bullets. It makes a great varmint rifle when loaded with 75 grain bullets. So much so that I have, over time, replaced 22-250 and .243 rifles in favor of it. I remember some years ago in one of Col. Allard’s columns, he said he knew of no one who had shot a moose with a 41 magnum revolver.

I did in the 1990s, and had a hard time making the game warden at the check station understand it was a 41 mag, not a 44 mag. Apparently, he had never even heard of a 41. Dave Miller - Lexington, Maine —

New Maine Guides’ Classification? To the Editor: I am a Maine Guide. I was also, for a while, a Notary Public. This unusual combination of certifications resulted in my marrying people in the woods. That is to say, I pronounced them “man and wife” to the accompaniment of much cheering and jubilation. From that perspective, I’d like to propose the state expand the current Maine Guide classifications. I think we’re missing opportunities. I believe there’s a way for us Maine guides to cash in on the lucrative barn weddings and sunrise-on-the-mountaintop celebrations. Readers are familiar with the traditional hunting, fishing, recreation, and tidewater Guide classifications, but maybe there should be one called, for lack of a better category, “Social Honcho.” This Maine guide would specialize in weddings, bar mitzvahs, birthdays and family reunions held in the Maine woods. He or

she would be an expert in catering, transportation, flower arrangements, pig roasts and live dance bands. The guide’s exam could be administered by representatives from Matters of the Heart, Bucks Naked Bar B Q, Bridal Boutique and National Distributers. Instead of the “lost persons’ scenario,” the guide candidate would have to deal with “the missing ring,” “torrential rain” and “blackfly invasion.”

A happy couple, married outdoors by a Maine Guide.

One happy event at which I officiated was in the fall during Indian summer. As you can see in the photo, the bride wanted an autumn leaf arch to stand beneath. A little work with ax and knife made her dreams come true. The leaves were free. The loons calling on the lake only added to the ambiance, and they didn’t cost much either. My suggestion is that guides officiating (Continued on page 7)

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6 • July 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Memorable Scenes from a Lifetime of Hunting The young hunter hiked along a haul-road from the dense woods toward a clearing, an old yarding area where logs had once been stacked and sorted. As he walked toward the clearing, he bumped out a young buck that ran into the yard and stopped behind the cover of a clump of small evergreens. What to do? If the hunter tried to sneak his way around the clump of trees, he was sure the deer would bolt and run for it. Instead, the hunter imitated the whining sound a dog makes when it wants to be let out of the house, and then waited silently. The buck stepped out from behind its cover and stopped, apparently curious to see what was making the strange sound. The whitetail stood broadside perhaps fifty yards away in an open area – an easy shot. The hunter aimed quickly and fired. Too quickly, it turned out. A clean miss. “Maggie’s drawers” in the lingo of the military shooting range, refers to the ragged flag the target spotter in the pit waves when the shooter totally missed the target. But the buck didn’t

The young hunter slowly and quietly eased back the pump action on his Remington Model 141, then drew careful aim at the young buck and squeezed the trigger. Instead of the roar of ignited powder, all he heard was a sharp “click” as the firing pin fell on an empty chamber. Turns out he had not worked the action vigorously enough to elevate a round into the chamber. high-tail out of there. It stood stock still, affording the hunter a rare second shot. The hunter needed to chamber another round. He carried a Remington Model 141, a pump action rifle, the loud clackety-clack action of which could spook a jumpy deer. The hunter slowly eased the pump action back and slid it gently forward, making as little noise as possible. He drew careful aim and squeezed the trigger. Instead of the report of a deer rifle, he heard a sharp “click” as the firing pin fell on an empty chamber. In a flash, the hunter realized the cause of the problem. If the Remington’s action was not worked vigorously, his rifle had the nasty habit of not elevating the next round to send it into the chamber. He had not pulled back hard in the slide action, and had squeezed the trigger on

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an empty chamber. He slammed the action back and forward, and drew more careful aim this time. The Remington roared, and the buck dropped on the spot. Has Deer Behavior Changed? Two changes have taken place since that unusual deer hunting event many years ago. First, the young hunter has improved his marksmanship skills, including time spent target-shooting with .22 rimfire handguns. The broadside miss was probably the result of an excited youthful hunter pulling the trigger, rather than squeezing it. Second, at least in this hunter’s opinion, deer’s behavior has changed. It used to be that once bumped, a deer would frequently travel fast for a short distance, then slow down or stop, following a “J” course, and turn to try to identify by sight

or smell the nature of the creature that caused it to run. The presence of coyotes in our state has taught the deer to be to be less curious about what may be after them, and instead to put the maximum distance between the deer and any possible threat. Deer are Curious Unfamiliar sounds can cause deer to be curious, as I found out years later, while hunting turkeys in New York State. I was dressed in camo clothing, with my face hidden in a camo head-net. My back was up against a large oak, breaking my outline. A small deer was following a game trail that came down a slope to my right and continued back up to my left. As the deer climbed up the slope to my left, I made a soft cluck sound with my tongue. The deer stopped. I clucked again,

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and the deer started to retrace its steps. It took several steps in my direction. Then it stopped again. Perhaps it caught an unfamiliar scent. It turned around and continued its way up the slope to my left. Moose No Longer Stick Around We have seen a change in the behavior of moose after they became hunted. In the first years after the moose season started, a moose at some distance in the open might stop and watch as a car or truck traveled along the road. But soon, moose that liked to watch vehicles pass by did not get to pass their genes on to later generations, while the moose that associated vehicles with danger did pass on their genes. Turkey Antics Hallowell hosts some sizeable flocks of turkeys, and their presence has given us numerous opportunities to observe their behavior. We often hear the toms gobbling as they roost in tall pines in the evening or morning before they fly down. On occasions, we have seen them establishing (Continued on next page)

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�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2018 • 7 (Continued from page 6)

their pecking order, both hens and toms. In the early spring, we have watched a flock of hens as they fan out and operate much like a search team, each hen pecking at some morsel at least once every second. But if a younger hen crowds too close to an older bird, the senior bird flaps her wings as a warning.

On another occasion, a senior tom showed its displeasure at the antics of a jake, by marching around the younger bird at least three times, after which the dispute seemed to be settled. Another time we had a mixed flock of toms and hens, with five of the toms in full strut. No fighting, just a lot of parading around, as the hens appeared to pay no heed to

Letters to the Editor (Continued from page 5)

at these high-brow events leave the Bean boots and flannel shirts behind, and class things up by wearing a nice sport jacket, slacks and shined shoes. The new guide’s patch for this category might show a porta-potty, a campfire and a cupid. And they can hire Randy Spencer (“The Singing Maine Guide”) to provide the music. Randy Randall - Saco, ME Reg. Maine guide/former notary public The Editor replies: Thank you for writing, Mr. Randall. I would point out, however, that you are several months late for our annual “April Fool’s” issue. —

Cougar Sightings To the Editor: Thank you for sending out the annual Maine Sportsman Opinion Poll (see June, 2018 issue), and for including a question asking whether readers had seen a cougar in Maine. My wife and I have sighted two cougars in Maine in the past 10 years.

the parading toms. Then one tom showed his interest in one hen by shadowing her and circling her repeatedly. Eventually, the hen reciprocated by flattening to the ground, at which the tom mounted the hen. Then, the rest of the flock crowded around, providing a modesty screen that blocked the view of us humans.

The author believes the presence of coyotes in the Maine woods has resulted in deer that, when spooked, run a long way in a straight line without stopping, rather than doubling back to see what’s pursuing them.

The first was in Alna, ME. and the second in Hodgdon, ME. We also took pictures of cougar tracks in Jefferson last winter, and sent them to the Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife. The response from the department was that they couldn’t be sure the tracks were made by a cougar. The animal was spotted later that day by a homeowner, about 1/2-mile from where we took the photos. Mike Merwin - Jefferson, Maine

never look back. You’ve got plenty of places to get started up in Jackman for sure. My best advice is to find someone who casts a nice tight loop, and just study their casting stroke. Once you get the hang of it, the rest is just practice. Tight lines. Bill Sheldon

—

To the Editor: I greatly appreciated David Van Wie’s piece in the June issue of The Maine Sportsman (see Sporting Environment: “Structural Stream Restoration Improves Habitat for Trout and Salmon”). His excellent article provides a terrific historical perspective of what was lost during the log-driving era, and what can be regained by painstaking restoring our native brook waters—the finest in the U.S. David’s piece is a call-to-action to help enhance populations of Maine’s iconic native trout. This kind of writing is what elevates The Maine Sportsman above your competition. Ron Joseph - Central Maine

Young Angler Hopes to be a Fly Fisher To the Editor: Please tell writer William Sheldon that I very much enjoyed his May, 2018 “Jackman Region” column titled “Mayfly Hatch Distracts Bill All Month Long.” I have a camp in the Jackman region. I am 19 years old and would like to learn to fly fish A great article. Good luck to all anglers this season Nate, at camp in the Jackman Region The Columnist responds: Nate: Thanks for reading. Once you start fly fishing you’ll

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Our Backyard: Wildlife on Parade We are blessed living in a state where wildlife is prevalent and appreciated. Maine is known for its natural beauty from the coast to the mountains, and everywhere in-between, and that natural beauty surely includes our abundant and diverse fauna. Maine’s creatures are all around, not just in the “wilds,” but also in our villages and towns. And that includes at our home in the coastal village of Kennebunkport, where Elizabeth’s family traces its roots back to at least the 1740s. Not all the types of wild creatures from those times are present here today, but many are, albeit in often decreasing numbers as they struggle to maintain their homes in the presence of human interlopers. We couldn’t be in a better place, despite the heavy influx of tourists from May through October, but I lament the fact that our wildlife habitats are increasingly being destroyed by the presence and the pressure we humans cause. Almost four acres of forested rolling

Many mammals have visited our suburban home in Kennebunkport – deer, red foxes, gray foxes, coyotes, raccoons, opossum, porcupine, woodchucks, squirrels both red and gray, chipmunks, skunks, field mice, and even two black bears.

Mama turkey keeps watch while the younguns peck around for something to eat. Motherly protective instincts prevail throughout the animal world, human animal included. About two years ago, I counted 40 wild turkeys from our bedroom window, in the yard and more in the open woods.

hills behind our backand side-yard have fallen to the chainsaw, the excavator, the bulldozer, and dynamite, just in the last two years. It’s happening all around here; it’s happening everywhere. And just as we deal with more people, more construction, more noise, and more neighbors, so too do the animals. Despite the habitat destruction, and the

increasing presence of humans and their activities, we have been heartened occasionally to see many of the animals still around. I’ve managed to see and photograph many of them, mostly from our ground-floor master bedroom windows (nine of them), or from the back deck that is accessible from the bedroom. We’ve seen over 40 species of birds, includ-

This regal gray fox visited us for two years, along with his mate and four kits (later teenagers). We often saw them in the yard scavenging for bird/ squirrel- dropped birdseed, insects, and other tasty morsels. Grays are the size of a large domestic shorthair cat, seldom topping 16-18 pounds. www.MaineSportsman.com

ing wild turkeys, at our feeders, in the trees, or soaring overhead. Many mammals have visited our little piece of Maine, and most have captured by my camera: deer, red foxes, gray foxes, coyotes, raccoons, opossum, porcupine, woodchucks, squirrels both red and gray, chipmunks, skunks, field mice, and black bears – two of them over the past three years! Let’s look

at some of our backyard buddies. Wild Turkey These imposing birds almost were extirpated throughout much of the country, but concentrated conservation efforts, including restocking breeding birds from away, have sent their population numbers way up. Their visits to our backyard are prompted partially by birdseed spilled from our several feeders. We’ve seen them at all stages: fluffy poults, jakes, hens, and obnoxious toms strutting their stuff. This May, there was a huge tom 15 feet from our window, displaying magnificently to an oblivious hen. If you hunt turkeys, watch these backyard birds. You’ll learn how they react to their environment. Even when feeding, these birds are wary, and their hearing is excellent. Toms are wary and protective (though less so when distracted by mating maneuvers); hens with young are particularly on-point, and easily spooked. (Continued on next page)

A species distinct from the grays, the red fox is slightly larger and more prevalent. They grudgingly share habit with gray foxes, and seem more active (or at least more visible) in winter, with their red coats and big, bushy tails.

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2018 • 9

The sharp-shinned hawk ranges in body length from 10 -15 inches, wingspan from 17 - 27 inches, and weighs between 3 to 6 plus pounds. Females are quite a bit larger than males. Elegant birds, they are efficient predators of birds, small mammals, and insects. (Continued from page 8)

Raptors Sharp-shinned hawks and other raptors, including red-tail hawks and barred owls, pay us a visit occasionally, drawn by the songbirds, mourning doves, and others that flock to our yard. One sharp-shinned hawk availed itself of our freshly-filled birdbath and had a fine time snorkeling and preening. These small raptors are very efficient fliers in our forested terrain, and we’ve seen them pursuing prey, including a crow, artfully dodging tree branches and limbs. Several times we’ve seen birds fleeing hawks crash headlong into a window, falling stunned or dead to the ground, and then get swooped up by the raptor and carried away. It almost seems like the hawks are driving birds into the windows intentionally, and indeed, if so, I don’t think I would be surprised – we aren’t the only species to cultivate tactics for survival. Raccoons These ubiquitous, clever creatures range across most of the US, and they adapt well to urban and semi-urban environments. Usually nocturnal, the coon will feed any time the opportunity arises, often making its own opportunity – opening garbage can lids, for example; or the chest or box where you store bird-

These furry, plump, and loveable bandits eat just about anything, and are very engaging to watch. Like many mammals, they can carry rabies, so watch them through a window or blind, and be alert for aberrant, aggressive behavior.

seed. Most of the ones we’ve seen, and all that I’ve photographed, were under the outside lights at the corners of our home on the hill, totally unconcerned by being in the spotlight. Indeed, they are not easily fazed – several nights ago, I saw a skunk grubbing in the damp back yard, just on the edge of the illuminated part of the grass. A raccoon was rustling up some birdseed and other fare not 18 inches from the skunk’s nose. After about 10 minutes of this congeniality, they both slowly melted into the woods and were gone. It’s okay to be close to a skunk’s nose, but don’t mess with the other end! Foxes We have both gray and red foxes in Maine, and their territories often overlap. They co-exist, albeit grudgingly, in the man-modified habitats of the Kennebunks. One time, members of both species arrived in the side yard at the same spot at the same time. It was a Thursday night in the fall. I had just finished watching the Patriots win (whew!) and I moseyed off to bed. A male gray fox male was in the spotlight, about 8 to10 feet from my window vantage-point, when a red fox suddenly appeared, and the two startled animals stared

at each other in a quintessential “Oh, sh--” moment. They grappled, some red and some gray fur flew, and the gray chased the red toward the front yard. Both disappeared around the corner of the house. (I saw both the next day at different times, and they seemed fine.) Often the reds are the aggressors, though overall I think both try to unofficially work out times and patterns where they are not likely to cross

White-tailed deer are most numerous in southern Maine, and co-exist with people fairly well, though automobile encounters increase, to the benefit of no one. The DIF&W recently set higher harvest limits for the 2018 deer season in many parts of the state.

paths. Deer White-tailed deer, like foxes and raccoons, adapt well to changes in habitat, and have learned to co-exist with – and indeed, take advantage of – humans in suburban environments. Deer can eat a huge assortment of human plantings, including vegetables and garden flowers. They like sumptuous and scrumptious invasive ornamental shrubs and trees that people plant, and they seem to like

birdseed, as well. My suspicion is that they want the fat and protein in sunflower seeds – one of our feeders holds shelled and unshelled sunflower seeds. I believe our small patch of woods and surrounding modest forest serves as a mini-deer yard in winter for 6-8 deer, usually two or three does and offspring ranging from less than one to two years old. We could feed deer during the winter, though certainly not (Continued on next page)

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Almanac

10 • July 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Yet Another Award-Winning Trail Cam Photo

Fun events at the April, 2018 State of Maine Sportsman’s Show in Augusta included the First Annual Trail Camera Contest. Among the submissions was this one, from Darryl Wood of New Sharon, Maine.

This was a favorite among the Show’s attendees, and earned Darryl second place

Sportsman’s Journal (Continued from page 9)

in deer season, but we don’t. They seem fat, healthy, and get along just fine without us. It’s not nice to mess with Mother Nature. Bear Black bear have shown up twice in our yard in the last three years – once in June in the morning, and once in October in the evening. Both times Elizabeth spotted them at the birdfeeder just 20 or so feet from our bedroom windows on the north side of the house. The first time I was away hunting partridge and woodcock in Down East Maine, and the second I was fishing for brook trout and salmon in Aroostook County below Ft. Kent. On both trips I had eyes out for bear because I wanted photographs for my stock files. (At least I can borrow pictures from a girlfriend of Elizabeth’s who shot the photo accompanying this column with her smartphone! Who knew I should have been www.MaineSportsman.com

Compiled and Edited by — Will Lund —

overall of the many photos submitted. The Maine Sportsman, and our Show co-producers at the Sportsmans Alliance of Maine (SAM), are already looking forward to the second annual game camera contest, in 2019. —

Lead Replacements Have Risks of their Own? Sportsmen have been voluntarily and involuntarily reducing the amount of lead they use, both in fishing weights and sinkers, and in lead shot. Now there’s some news that the metals used as common replacements may carry risks as well. A recent study by the German university, Technische Universität München (Technical University of Munich), pointed out that ammunition manufacturers now offer a range of alternative hunting shot containing iron, copper, zinc, tungsten or bismuth as primary declared components. However, the university researchers concluded that a number of the alternatives are even more toxic than conventional lead shot, at least as tested on tiny water organisms. As part of the study, pellets made of each of the different materials were exposed to identical conditions in water. Subsequent measurements demonstrated that the amount of metal ions released into the solustalking them in York County?!) As we human animals continue to expand our range across the land, we arrange the wilder terrain to suit our habitat preferences, in a way that is problematic for the other animals whose habitat we are taking over. It’s sad to see these original denizens be considered vermin, just because they annoy us by their own activities on “our” premises: eating our flower and vegetable gardens and ornamental plantings, gnawing the sheaths around some wiring, and getting into basements and attics. Our feeling at our home is to let the critters do pretty much what they want to do. If bulbs get dug up and eaten, so be it. If deer browse the shrubs and trees, that’s okay, too. We plant things our furry and feathered neighbors don’t seem to bother much. We all get along. I don’t know what the wildlife “thinks” about us, but we totally enjoy them, and their visits to our little slice of Maine. They are most welcome.

tion varied greatly. While shot made of tungsten, bismuth, and a coated lead shot released almost no metal ions into the solution, alarmingly high concentrations were measured for shot made of copper and zinc. The researchers found that it was not always the declared main component of the shot that dominated ion release. For example, a sample of iron shot released large quantities of zinc, which came from a coating on the shot. The scientists then subjected water fleas to the solution with metal ions, and determined that even small quantities of copper and zinc caused the fleas to stop moving. In contrast, shot made of pure iron, bismuth and tungsten did not impact the mobility of the water fleas. The conclusion? That banning use of certain metals and substitution of others should be done only based on scientific research, and that if lead shot is to be banned for reasons of environmental protection, restrictions on copper and zinc for manufacturing of shot should also be considered. —

Maine Now Offers Free Boating Safety Course at Home Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries & (Continued on next page)

Young black bear -- probably those that have recently left their mothers -- are apt to raid birdfeeders, BBQ grills and trash cans in suburban and rural areas. After this bear’s visit, we now bring feeders in at night all year. (Photo courtesy of Kathleen Murphy)

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

Wildlife offers boaters many ways to take boating safety courses, but now there is a new option – a free online course offered through BoatUS. Maine does not follow the example of many other states by requiring that all boaters take a safety course. However, one such rule does exist: 16- and 17-year-old personal watercraft (PWC) (e.g., Jet Ski) operators must pass a course to legally operate their small, fast boats. The new internet offering allows those youngsters to satisfy that requirement. However, all boat owners should consider taking a course, either as an introduction to those who are new to the activity, or as a refresher opportunity for experienced boaters. National statistics demonstrate that only a small percentage of boating accidents involve operators who have completed boat safety courses.

boaters on how to get help in an emergency, how to prevent fires aboard a boat, and the best way to adjust a child’s life jacket for proper fit. The new course is available at the website www.boatus.org/maine/. Other courses are listed at DIF&W’s site, https://www.maine. gov/ifw/programs-resources/safety-courses/ boating-safety.html. Another online boating course approved by the state is called “America’s Boating Education Course.” In addition, traditional classroom-style classes are scheduled throughout the state, and are taught by experienced instructors. In eight separate locations around the state, over a total of six classroom hours, students are taught: • Proper Operation & Safety (Boat ing Handling-Equipment-Trail ring) = 3 Hours • Laws = 30 Minutes • Emergencies & Survival (cold water) = 40 Minutes • Self Help First Aid = 20 Minutes; and • Environment/Ethics = 1 1/2 Hours —

Maine Legislation Affecting Sportsmen Enacted this Past Session The new BoatUS course is intended to appeal to sportsmen and sportswomen who have limited time but who have reliable internet access. It features interactive animations, videos and photos. Videos demonstrate the use of safety devices such as visual distress signals, instruct

Here’s a list of some of the more significant outdoors-related legislative actions taken during the 2017 – 2018 session: Public Law (PL) Chapter (Ch.) 355: Hunting Deer Over Bait: Reduces the penalty for a second conviction of baiting deer,

from a lifetime hunting license ban, to a 2-year ban. The bill was vetoed by the Governor, but the Legislature overrode the veto and enacted the law. PL Ch. 366: Firearm Noise Suppression Devices: Extended the ability of the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to issue permits allowing hunters of wild animals or wild birds to possess and use noise suppression devices (commonly referred to as “silencers”). The bill became law without the Governor’s signature. PL Ch. 357: Bear Youth Hunting Day, and Carrying a Handgun during Archery-Only Season on Deer: This law 1) authorizes the Commissioner of IF&W to establish a youth hunting day for bear hunting; and 2) clarifies that an archer in the bowhunting-only deer hunt is not violating the law if he or she carries an otherwise-legal sidearm. PL Ch. 356: Nonresidents who Own 25 Acres or More and Open it to Maine Hunters Can Hunt on Residents-Only Day: This law makes permanent the law that has been on the books for the past three years allowing a nonresident of Maine who owns 25 or more acres in Maine and who opens that land for hunting, to hunt on the residents-only opening Saturday of deer season. The bill was vetoed by the Governor, but the Legislature overrode the veto and enacted the law. PL Ch. 379: Prohibits Facilitating Transfer of Moose Permits for Profit: This law makes it a Class E crime for someone to receive compensation for brokering (Continued on next page)

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Almanac (Continued from page 11)

(“facilitating”) the exchange of moose permits between hunters who want to switch zones, areas or seasons. The bill was vetoed by the Governor, but the Legislature overrode the veto and enacted the law. —

Still More on Cribbage When we ran a small item on cribbage in the Almanac four months ago, we had no idea it would generate feedback in every subsequent issue. This month, Maine Sportsman columnist Steve Vose (at whose fishing camp the editor saw his first 4-player cribbage board carved into a plank) provides some cribbage facts and trivia. According to Steve: 1. The first dealer in a game wins 55% to 60% of the time. 2. It is impossible to get point scores of 27, 26, 25 and 19 for a cribbage hand. There is no possible combination of 5 cards that will produce those point totals. 3. There are 12,994,800 possible cribbage hands, if the cut card variations are included. Mathematically, the average hand score is calculated as 4.77 points. 4. The dealer will always peg at least one point during the pegging stage. If the pone (the name for any player other than the dealer) can play at each turn, then the dealer must score at least one for “last card”; if not, then the dealer scores at least one for “go.” 5. The dealer can score up to 26 points pegging. The process is as follows: the dealer holds 4, 4, 4, 7; the pone holds 4, 8, 10, K; and the cut card is a Jack. The sequence of play

is 8, 7, 4, 4, “go,” 4, “go,” 4; K, 10. The dealer scores 2 for his heels (turning over the Jack), 2 for fifteen, 2 for pair, 6 for pair royal, 12 for double pair royal, and 2 for 31. The pone scores 1 for last. 6. The pone can score up to 18 points pegging. The first 7 cards played are in the order 2, A, 3, 5, 4, 7, 6, and dealer’s last card is 4 or larger for “go.” The pone scores for runs of 3, 5, and 7, plus 2 for fifteen and one for “go.” 7. Statistically, the dealer out-pegs the pone during the average hand. On average, the dealer pegs 3.5 points per hand, while pone pegs an average of only 2.1 points. 8. The origins of cribbage are uncertain, but the game dates back almost 500 years. Cribbage is based on an earlier game called Noddy. 9. About 3.0% of dealer’s hands are flushes, while the pone’s hand holds a flush about 3.3% of the time. 10. The most famous incident related to cribbage occurred in 1943 aboard one of the war’s most celebrated submarines, the USS Wahoo. For the Wahoo’s fourth war patrol, it was ordered to head to the extreme northern reaches of the Yellow Sea, an area where no sub had gone before. To take their minds off the tension, the sub’s commander, Dudley “Mush” Morton and his executive officer, Richard “Dick” O’Kane, began a game of cribbage. Morton dealt O’Kane a “Perfect 29” hand — four fives and a jack — the highest possible score for combinations in a single cribbage deal. Back-of-the-envelope calculations were done, and 216,000 to 1 were the odds computed as to the chances of that happening. The crew’s spirits were bolstered by what they felt was a very lucky omen. O’Kane had his fellow officers sign the five cards and he framed them.

O’Kane’s lucky cribbage board has become an important submariner tradition; since WWII it has been passed along to the oldest active submarine in the United States Pacific Fleet. —

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

A small trailer maker, Vestibule, recently started using ultra-thin, lightweight and flexible solar panels on the roofs of their trailers. The solar panels, made by Sunflare, can reportedly be cut to fit any shape, and are installed with just specialty double-sided tape. Camping has always been about finding a balance between “getting away from it all” and still maintaining certain creature comforts. With the popularity of small electronic devices, the ability to generate usable amounts of electricity even while “off the grid” is important, not only for youngsters but also for older campers. Products like these new solar panels and the campers on which they are installed should find a ready market in Maine and across the U.S. —

Bird of the Month – Red Knot by Erika Zambello

As summer heats up in Maine, vibrant shorebirds called Red Knots are beginning to stopover in our state on their way south from breeding grounds in the Arctic tundra.

Red Knots complete one of the longest migration routes in the avian world, traveling over 9,000 miles and treating birders across parts of the United States and Canada with views of colorful plumage. Red Knots gain their name from rusty, reddish tinge feathers on their stomach, chest, and face during breeding season. Their backs sport mottled gray and brown colors, though in the winter they become a much more uniform gray hue. Red Knots are one of the larger species in the sandpiper family, weighing nearly 5 ounces and standing over 9 inches in length. Invertebrates of all kinds make up most of the Red Knot’s diet, from snails, crabs, and bivalves, to insects on land. When not nesting and hatching chicks on the dry tundra, Red Knots stick to areas where food is plentiful, including bay habitats, estuaries, and other coastal areas. During migration, as much as 90% of the total number of Red Knots can be present in the same area in one single day. For example, nearly all the knots concentrate in Delaware Bay for a brief period, to feed on the eggs of horseshoe crabs. Because Red Knots range so widely across the globe, they are at risk from pollution, habitat loss, and declines in critical food sources. Researchers monitoring their numbers in South America noted a drop of nearly 50% just from the 1980s to the early 2000s. According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, “A 2012 study estimated the total number of all three North American subspecies at about 139,000 breeding birds.” Today, they are considered a Near Threatened species.

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14 • July 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

July 2018 Sunrise/Sunset & Tidal Charts July 2018 Sunrise/Sunset

July 2018 Tidal Chart

Portland, ME

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

RISE 5:02 5:02 5:03 5:03 5:04 5:05 5:05 5:06 5:07 5:08 5:09 5:09 5:10 5:11 5:12 5:13

SET 8:27 8:27 8:27 8:27 8:26 8:26 8:26 8:25 8:25 8:24 8:24 8:23 8:23 8:22 8:21 8:20

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

Fri 5:14 5:15 5:16 5:17 5:18 5:19 5:20 5:21 5:22 5:23 5:24 5:25 5:26 5:27 5:28

SET 8:20 8:19 8:18 8:17 8:16 8:15 8:14 8:13 8:12 8:11 8:10 8:09 8:08 8:07 8:06

STOVE CHANGE OUT

Portland, ME

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

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

HIGH AM PM 1:38 2:17 2:16 2:55 2:56 3:34 3:38 4:15 4:23 4:59 5:12 5:46 6:05 6:36 7:02 7:29 8:02 8:24 9:01 9:19 10:00 10:14 10:56 11:09 11:52 12:04 12:47 12:59 1:41 1:55 2:36

LOW AM PM 8:02 8:06 8:39 8:46 9:17 9:28 9:56 10:14 10:39 11:04 11:25 11:57 12:15 12:54 1:09 1:52 2:04 2:51 3:01 3:48 3:57 4:43 4:52 5:37 5:47 6:31 6:43 7:24 7:39 8:18 8:36

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

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New Big Game Management Plan Two years in the making, DIF&W’s new big game management plan will be of interest to everyone, even if they don’t hunt. And for hunters, your future will be determined by this plan. There is a ton of information in the plan that focuses on deer, moose, bear, and turkeys. This is the second of my continuing series of columns on the new big game management plan, which encompasses moose, deer, bear, and turkeys. DIF&W organized a group for each species, and a steering committee to assist with the overall plan which includes goals, objectives, and strategies. I went to a couple of those meetings and can tell you that some great people participated in these committees and had lots of influence over the final plan. For the first time, DIFW used scientific public surveys, contracting with Responsive Management. The goals and objectives address the full range of management issues, including habitat conservation, research priorities, disease, and public education. The management strategies also identify specific tasks that DIF&W and its partners should consider for

each species. And for the first time, all four species are included in a single plan. As the agency moves forward, new management systems will be created and updated as needed. This is a big improvement from the old system of 15 year-plans. The Wildlife Division’s species specialists developed the assessments including the status of each species, historic and current management practices, current rules, and management issues and threats. Some of us have been advocating for species specialists in the Fisheries Division, because this works well for the Wildlife Division. If you are wondering about the status of the new fisheries management plan, the working group and steering committees stopped meeting more than a year ago and, as far as we know, no work has been done on the new plans, which I was told recently would not be completed for at least two more years. Public Surveys Some of the results of the public surveys were interesting. Most hunters (77% to 96% depending on species) were satisfied with their hunting experiences. But I’m hoping the agency takes note that 35% of hunters said

the requirement to purchase separate permits for some species, in addition to the hunting license, prevent them from hunting those species. I tried twice to get rid of the turkey hunting permit, and DIF&W opposed that. We did succeed in reducing the fee. I was also intrigued that half the hunters supported antler-restrictions for deer, something DIF&W opposes and contends would do no good in Maine. Also interesting was this: 64% of hunters rated access to hunting lands in Maine as excellent or good. But 34% said a lack of access caused them to hunt less than they would like. The big game management plan includes lots of issues and strategies. Management of wildlife habitats is mostly left to the discretion of private landowners, which makes management of our big game animals a challenge for Maine’s Department of Inland Fish-

eries and Wildlife. The agency’s new big game management plan notes that white-tailed deer are the only species that receives habitat protection. 200,000 acres of Maine forest is zoned as deer wintering area. Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough to prevent the crash of our deer herd in northern and western sections of Maine during two severe winters. The plan reports “excellent habitat conditions for deer and turkey across much of southern and central Maine, and for moose and bear across northern, western, and Downeast portions of the state.” I found this to be alarming: “Over 20,000 collisions between vehicles and deer, moose, bear, and turkey occurred on Maine roadways from 2011-2015, with nine hu-

man fatalities and an estimated $137 million economic impact.” The plan also reports that “all four big game [species] can cause significant losses to agricultural crops and stored feed.” Of serious concern was this: “Surveys of small landowners conducted in 1991 and 2016 demonstrated a dramatic increase in the amount of posted land, from 14.9% in 1991 to as much as 72% in 2016.” Clearly, we need a better strategy and programs to keep land open to hunting. The plan notes that “MDIFW will need to take proactive steps to ensure that support for hunting does not erode over time.” I’d say that’s an understatement. But the plan offers a good suggestion for what needs to be done: (Continued on next page)

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16 • July 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Capitol Report (Continued from page 15)

“The Department must increase awareness by the general public on the ways that regulated hunting benefits local communities, such as maintaining healthy wildlife populations, limiting disease transmission, providing funding for wildlife conservation and public land acquisition, reducing human-wildlife conflicts, and providing a source of lean, nutritious protein.” DIF&W is already testing a new process to track conflicts with black bears, a good idea given the significant increase in the bear population and the lack of bear hunters. Management Strategies These strategies apply to all four species. Some are already underway, while others are part of DIF&W’s core work program. • Implement electronic data entry at big game stations to improve the availability and accuracy of harvest data • Develop a comprehensive public outreach program about MDIFW, wildlife management, and hunting, focused on non-consumptive users

• Implement a hunter recruitment, retention, and reactivation program • Identify options to simplify the hunter license and permit system to increase participation and maintain vital participation/effort data collection (I especially like this) • Improve tracking and recording of human-wildlife conflicts, and • Maintain the Landowner Relations Program to acknowledge the important contribution of landowners in maintaining wildlife habitat, to help ensure hunting access. Plan Calls for Killing More Turkeys With a turkey population estimated between 50,000 and 60,000, Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is searching for ways to kill more turkeys. The plan notes that “Beginning around 2010 and on a nearly annual basis, several legislative bills have been sponsored in response to abundant wild turkey populations. These efforts were designed to both reduce

Quotable

Sportsman

by George Smith

Odlin grew up in Maine, a microcosm of the country’s division over guns. In the northern, more rural parts of the state, hunting is more prevalent. But in the southern, more-populated part, she said, she wasn’t even allowed to wear her rifle team’s T-shirt in high school. Lydia Odlin, a 21-year-old member of the Georgia Southern University rifle club. Associated Press story, Kennebec Journal, April 9, 2018. — But now, things are much different. Overall, fewer people are fishing, and those that do practice catch and release at a much higher rate than in the 1980s. This has led to a number of cases where we now have too many fish in some waters. Tim Obrey, DIF&W Fisheries biologist, column, April 6, 2018 www.MaineSportsman.com

wild turkey conflicts and increase hunting opportunity. As a result of these legislative actions, wild turkey permit fees were reduced, bag limits were liberalized, and fall hunting seasons were extended.” What they failed to report was that those legislative bills were proposed by me. I recruited legislators to sponsor those bills for me. And DIF&W opposed the bills, initially, although I think today they recognize that the changes were all good. I tried to get rid of the permit fee, but was only able to reduce it, and we increased the bag limit and hunting time. In case you are not aware, various groups are not required to purchase turkey hunting permits, including some landowners, apprentice and junior hunting license holders, and lifetime license holders age 70 and older. After receiving some complaints about turkeys in gardens, I wrote a column letting farmers and home gardeners know that “a person may kill any wild turkey if the turkey is in the act of attacking, harassing, or wounding domestic animals or destroying property. In addition, the

owner of an orchard or crop (except grass, clover, or grain) may kill wild turkeys within the orchard or crop when substantial damage is occurring. You can even allow someone else to kill those turkeys, with permission from a game warden. And anyone killing a turkey under these provisions must notify a game warden within 12 hours and must salvage the meat for consumption.” DIF&W surveyed the public and hunters and found that hunters who had not hunted turkeys within the past 5 years were either not interested (29%), didn’t have enough time (24%), or were held back by complex regulations and/or permit requirements (14%). This is important information because DIFW has now decided we need to kill more turkeys. Along with other turkey hunters, I am skeptical that the agency can recruit more turkey hunters. The best solution is to let current turkey hunters shoot more turkeys. Only 16,000 hunt turkeys in the spring and 5,000 in the fall This is not a popular hunt. I did note that some hunters said the permit fee is a disincen-

Loss of Bald Mountain Pond Arctic charr …. would be (or has been) one of the worst native-fish disasters in Maine’s recent history. Ted Williams column for Native Fish Coalition. The Coalition had just received information that lake trout had been legally or illegally stocked in the pond, where invasive smelt are already causing serious problems for charr. Maine has all 12 of the Arctic charr populations left in the United States. April 18, 2018 — Our hunt plan for the restoration period was a very conservative one. In the very beginning we used to control the number of hunters. Then we realized we’d been too conservative there … We want more people hunting, and we want more birds shot.” Brad Allen, DIFW bird group leader, talking about turkeys. John Holyoke story, Bangor Daily News, April 26, 2018 — Surveys of small landowners conducted in 1991 and 2016 demonstrated a dramatic

tive to turkey hunting. I do think if we got rid of the permit and fee, some hunters might try turkey hunting for a day or two. Interestingly, DIF&W believes “a significant challenge going forward will be informing the public about the misconceptions of wild turkey impacts and behavior.” A major component of the new plan is to create “more rigorous methods to track population changes over time.” And here’s something that will drive the agency’s turkey hunting decisions in the future. “The Department feels that the wild turkey population can support additional harvest in both the spring and fall in certain WMDs and would like to increase hunter participation in both seasons… Increasing hunter participation will be required before harvest can be used as a tool to effectively control or reduce the wild turkey population in WMDs where that may be desirable.” Time to get rid of the permit and fee and increase the bag limit! In next month’s Capitol Report, we’ll report on the deer, moose, and bear plans.

increase in the amount of posted land, from 14.9% in 1991 to as much as 72% in 2016. DIFW’s new Big Game Management Plan — Over 20,000 collisions between vehicles and deer, moose, bear, and turkey occurred on Maine roadways from 2011-2015, with nine human fatalities and an estimated $137 million economic impact. DIFW’s new Big Game Management Plan — “Know the population is going to a place that we don’t want it to be. There’s the possibility that increasing populations increases the pioneering of new habitat [by bears] and movement of bears into new areas where people live. And once they kind of establish themselves in those places, it can be hard to move that line back. Once they’ve crossed the line, it’s probably more or less a permanent thing. Randy Cross, DIF&W bear biologist, John Holyoke column, Bangor Daily News, May 16, 2018

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2018 • 17

Pre-Season Scouting for Moose Pays Big Dividends by Ryan Gould – Fayette, ME All too often I’ve heard hunters – especially those planning to pursue whitetail deer or moose – state their intention to hunt as many days as they can during the upcoming season. I’ll then ask them “Have you scouted the area you’re hunting? If not, do you plan to before the season begins?” Almost to a person

We split up to scout the area. When we got back together, Jerry told me he had seen a monstrous bull following a cow, and had also seen another bull nearby. We decided right then – this location would be our first choice on Opening Day. they say “No,” or “Maybe … if I can find the time.” Wrong answer! Pre-season scouting is a must if you want to have any reasonable chance for

success. Of course, you can combine small game or upland bird hunting with your scouting efforts, but scout you must!

Worked for Me To demonstrate that I am a hunter who practices what he preaches, here’s an example from my own experience where

scouting led to a great hunt and the added bonus of filling the freezer. Two seasons ago I was fortunate to be drawn for a moose permit (my second) in Zone 7, which is situated primarily in Franklin County and northern Oxford County. My sub-permittee Jerry and I discussed where we’d be scouting (Continued on next page)

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Moose Hunting (Continued from page 17)

in the weeks leading up to the October hunt, and we came up with several locations. Deciding where we’d be staying was not a concern, since he has a camp in that zone (now you understand why I opted for Zone 7). During the first week of October we, decided to make an early-morning visit to Zone 7 areas that we’ve known have held moose, to check for moose sign or activity. I held a “bull only” permit, so we knew if there were one or more cows in the area, a bull wouldn’t be far off. With some luck we’d get to see a bull, but without spooking it. Checking Out the Hot Spots The appointed day arrived, and we headed north. We had asked Bill, another friend and fellow hunter, to join us both in the scouting effort

and in the actual moose hunt (since dealing with a downed moose is not a one-person job). When we arrived at an area we felt would be a good one, we split up, each one taking a compass and/or GPS reading to make sure we could find our way back, and also for use pinpointing areas we felt would be promising when the moose season arrived. After all, what use is an area that is a “hot spot” if you can’t find it again? This area also had another important attribute going for it – a road that wasn’t washed out. Moose and Sign Everywhere I had been walking slowly down an overgrown logging road, when I heard what sounded like a saw mill not too far in the distance. After shaking the cobwebs out of my ears, I realized that

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bull moose that might come to that cow I’d heard. When I got back to the truck, Jerry told me he had seen a monstrous bull following a cow – no doubt the cow I’d heard – and had also seen another bull nearby. This second one had a nice rack, although not as big as the first bull. When Bill returned, we told him what we had seen and heard. We decided that we’d check out

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�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2018 • 19 (Continued from page 18)

a couple more areas, but this area would be our first choice on Opening Day. The Season Starts – and Ends Opening Day arrived, and we rolled out of our sleeping bags at 3:00 am. We knew it would be a drive to our hot spot, and we wanted to be set up for hunting a half-hour before sunrise. We arrived in plenty of time and set up to watch a clearing near where we’d seen/heard the moose a week earlier. Bill and Jerry (Bill was not armed, in case you’re wondering) set up to watch one side. I set up opposite their position to watch the other side of the clear cut, figuring this would allow us to watch the entire clearing. At approximately 7:30 a.m., a bull appeared in the higher end of the clearing and very near the road. He looked to be the smaller of the two bulls that Jerry had seen the previous week. Jerry aimed and fired, and I saw the moose running, mortally wounded. He fired again and the moose dropped. I quickly administered the kill shot. Since we hadn’t ventured very far from the road, and the bull had dropped where it did, we were able to get our vehicles quite close to the moose. Bill had a chain saw winch that proved to be very handy getting the moose to the truck.

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A History of Success Due to Scouting The hunt was a great success on Opening Day, due in great measure to the effort we had put into scouting. We headed first to the tagging station, and then we dropped off the moose at the butcher shop. Since it was Opening Day, we now had the decision to make as to whether we’d all go home, or instead stay in camp for a few days of grouse and rabbit hunting. I’ll leave it to the reader to guess which option we chose. This was our group’s third successful moose hunt in Zone 7 since year 2000. In previous years we had applied the same strategy, and each season we have bagged our moose. The same principle applies to deer hunting, and even – for that matter – to hunting wild turkey. If you want to be successful, determine what areas you want to hunt, get landowner permission if it’s private prop-

The author’s moose dwarfs the pickup truck bed as the successful hunters prepare for the trip to the tagging station and the meat processing shop.

erty, then get to scouting before Opening Day. Does scouting guarantee success? Of course not, but it can pay huge dividends, plus you’ll get to enjoy the woods even more. And of course, there’s the full freezer!

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Maine Wildlife: American Bald Eagle

by Tom Seymour

It wasn’t so long ago that the American bald eagle was a rare bird. But then banning DDT gave eagles a fighting chance. And as a result, the eagle population, including that in Maine, has swollen to the point that eagles pop up almost everywhere. For many of us, especially older readers who can easily recall when there were low numbers of eagles, the bald eagle is a relatively new species of Maine wildlife. And the availability of eagles for viewing allows us to understand what everyone saw in the huge birds. For starters, eagles are majestic, if only because of their imposing stature and the contrast of white head and dark-brown body. A mature bald eagle in flight is easily identified, even from quite far away. But it is the up-close look that really illustrates why this carrion-eating predator commands so much awe and respect. Specifically, it’s the bill – that huge, massive bill, as long as the head and sharp as a razor – that impresses those who witness it close-up. If an eagle wished to, it could have its way with just about any critter. But fortunately, eagles don’t attack humans – at least most eagles don’t. Eagle Attack Some years ago, my friend Dick, retired from work at the paper mill in Bucksport, had a habit of taking his morning coffee near the boat landing on Verona Island, across from the town of Bucksport. Dick was a “jumper” – a person who, when surprised, especially when touched from behind, reacted with uncontrollable vigor. Come up behind Dick and poke him in the back, and he would leap in the air with a loud “Hey!” all the while flailing his arms like a windmill. As it turned out, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife had released a newly rehabilitated, immature bald eagle on Verona Island. The eagle found the area around the boat ramp much to its liking. And so the stage was set for an unplanned meeting between Dick and the eagle. One misty morning found Dick at the www.MaineSportsman.com

It looked to me like one eagle was trying to kill the other eagle. But that wasn’t the case at all. Rather than fighting, the birds were mating. In the air! boat landing sipping coffee and gazing over the waters of the Penobscot River. And then from behind, something hit Dick in the head, and readers can easily guess what happened next. After Dick regained his composure, he realized that an eagle had swooped down from behind and smacked him on the back of the head. The precise intentions of the eagle remain difficult to fathom. But for Dick it was a clear signal that he needed to find a new place to enjoy his morning coffee. And that was just what he did. And as for the eagle, it continued its confrontational habits and was removed to a more remote location. Eagle Courtship Back in the early 1980s, when bald eagles were not as plentiful as they are today, I witnessed what I thought was an intense aerial battle between two eagles. This was on Junior Lake in Penobscot County, and I was on a salmon-fishing vacation with two friends. While trolling one of our favorite salmon hotspots, Jim, the owner of our camp, pointed to the sky and called for us to look. There, we saw what to me was the most amazing wildlife drama I had ever witnessed. A bald eagle was divebombing another eagle, far up in the air. The birds let out loud squawks as they sparred. It seemed to me that the one eagle, a white-headed male, was trying to kill the other eagle. But that wasn’t the case at all. According to Jim, instead of fighting, the birds were mating. In the air!

Finally, amid all kinds of eagle chatter, the birds locked in what appeared to me as a death embrace, and together plummeted, twirling and squawking, toward the water. But before splashing down, the birds released their grips and, now separated, flew away in opposite directions. In later years, I read that what we had witnessed on that long-ago day was in fact called a “death spiral.” According to an article in National Geographic, eagles are monogamous and as such are usually quite demure regarding relations with their partners. But when mating time rolls around, bald eagles “put the wild in wildlife.” As someone who has witnessed the spectacle, that analogy seems altogether fitting. Eagles Commonplace Since that day on Junior Lake, eagles have become far more commonplace, and now, no matter where in Maine we may travel, it is possible to spot a bald eagle. And sometimes, we can view not one but numerous eagles. This happens when Maine game wardens place a road-killed deer carcass on the ice of any of Maine’s larger lakes. It doesn’t take long for resident eagles to become aware of the new food source and to take advantage of the situation. Eagles don’t only concentrate upon deer carcasses, either. The massive birds sometimes demonstrate their propensity for thievery by stealing fish that anglers leave on the ice. If an eagle sees the fish and can get to it before the person can intercede, the eagle always wins. For those who have never viewed a live bald eagle, it isn’t necessary to go out on the ice. Just visit any coastal area and look around the mouths of rivers and large streams. Bald eagles stake these places out and become regular parts of the local scenery. National Symbol While Benjamin Franklin lobbied for the wild turkey, rather than the bald eagle, to become our national bird and the symbol of American sovereignty, the eagle finally won the day. Franklin may have decided that it was inappropriate for a carrion eater to become our nation’s symbol, but a majority of others saw that the impressive stature and strength of the bald eagle was more than enough to recommend it for such high esteem. And were the same choice to be decided today, it’s a sure bet that the eagle would win again. They truly are awe-inspiring.

Bald eagle in flight. Photo by Dave Small

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2018 • 21

Law Enforcement, Clubs and Riders Work Together to Maintain ATV Access to Private Property by JP Falzone Earlier this year, the Maine Sportsman carried my two-part series titled “ATV Law Violations, and How to Avoid Them.” In researching and writ-

ing that piece, I learned that one of the most common legal citations received by riders over the past decade in Maine was for “Operating an ATV on

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Land of Another Without Permission.” This fact left me perplexed. Why has this been such a common law violation? Shouldn’t it be

obvious to ATV operators what land is private and what land is public? Maine Warden Service Corporal John MacDonald explained to me

that, unlike in many states, most recreational land in Maine is private. He said the best advice for riders, therefore, is to (Continued on next page)

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ATVing in Maine (Continued from page 21)

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94% of Maine is Private Property Corporal Rick LaFlamme of the Landowner Relations Program with the MDIF&W, explained the facts of land ownership in Maine. “Ninety four percent of the land in the State of Maine is privately owned,” he said. “Therefore, cooperation of those private owners is vital in establishing and maintaining Maine’s ATV trail system. The value of the system is the connecting of trails on properties owned by different individuals and companies. Without the cooperation of private landowners, there would be a lot of separate, dead-end trail segments.” Corporal LaFlamme explained the governing statute: “In Maine,” he said, “riders must either be on a designated ATV trail, or they must obtain permission from the landowner to be riding on property owned by someone else.” Nearly 3,000 Landowners Permit ATV Trails The designation of ATV trails is the result of the hard work of ATV clubs. “Maine offers thousands of miles of trails that are available to the public,” said Corporal LaFlamme. “State and local ATV clubs do a great job with trail management, signage, and working with landowners to gain and maintain access to their privately-owned land for use by riders.” Additional information was provided by Brian Bronson, Supervisor of the ATV Program with the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. “In the State of Maine, 2,968 landowners have given permission to local clubs for riders to traverse

their property,” he explained, “and that number is increasing every year. That demonstrates the program is indeed working successfully.” “Local ATV clubs play a huge role in obtaining landowner permission for this purpose,” Bronson said. “Once a club obtains permission from a landowner, they will ask the landowner to sign a form which is submitted to my office as proof that they are allowing access to riders.” “ATV signage for these trails is provided by the state,” he continued, “and state staff inspects the new trails to ensure that the signage has been put in place and is visible to riders.” Liability Law Protects Landowners “The Landowner Liability Law is another reason we have such a high number of landowners granting access through their property for use by riders,” said Bronson. “This law protects landowners against any type of legal action brought against them by riders who may be injured while recreating on their property.” Bronson gave clubs credit for keeping the peace between riders and landowners. “Once landowners give access to their property, ATV clubs play a big part in monitoring the trails to make sure riders are playing by the rules,” he said. “Behavior that should be addressed by clubs includes riders going off the designated trails, littering, or causing any sort of damage which could put a trail’s use in jeopardy. If club members witness this type of behavior, they can speak directly with the violators if they are comfortable doing so, or they can ask club leadership to assist. Either way, folks violating the rules can (Continued on next page)

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2018 • 23 (Continued from page 22)

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This map of Maine illustrates that 94% of the state’s property (shown in green) is privately-owned. State-owned land is shown in yellow, and federal lands are shaded VISIT YOUR DEALER DURING THE in orange. The generosity of private landowners in alREADY TO RIDE SALES EVENT lowing access to their lands is critical in developing and AND GET UP TO maintaining the state’s extensive interconnected and ✝ linked ATV trail system. Illustration provided by Cpl. Rick LaFlamme of DIF&W

be helped to understand they are acting in a way that could harm all riders’ access to the trails.” Intentional Damage is the Most Serious Offense “One of the top reasons ATV trails get shut down in our state is due to the destruction of property,” added Corporal LaFlamme. “We typically find that people who engage in this behavior are folks who have not taken an official state ATV safety course and do not belong to a local ATV club.” “Intentional destruction and abuse of another person’s property on an ATV is a Class E crime, and law enforcement has the authority to detain the alleged violator on the spot,” said LaFlamme, “while operating an ATV off established trails on land of another without permission is a civil infraction that may result in a court levying fines against the rider.” “If a landowner reports an incident during which someone caused

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damage to their properON MODELS ty,SELECT local 2014 clubs and the Warden Service will typCOMMANDER ically work together¥ to REBATES determine who was reUP TO sponsible,” continued LaFlamme. “We can set up ON SELECT 2015 MODELS work details where we designate a couple of wardens during certain times of the day or night to � catch the offenders, and may also set up surveillance cameras in the area to assist in our investigations.” OFFER ENDS HURRY, The state ATV pro-SOON gram’s Bronson added: On Select Models* Contact Your Local Can-Am ATV Dealer Today! “Without the great work AUBURN LEEDS local ATV clubs achieve Wallingford Equipment Reggie’s Kawasaki Ski-Doo by engaging landowners, 2527 Turner Road 255 US HWY 202 Can-AmOffroad.com obtaining permission to 207-782-4886 207-933-4976 utilize their land, as well wallingfordequipment.com doitatreggies.com as building and maintaining positive working reAUGUSTA GREENVILLE JUNCTION LINCOLN North Country Can AM Moosehead Motorsports Lincoln Powersports lationships with private 3099 N. Belfast Avenue 13 Moosehead Industrial Park 265 W. Broadway landowners, we would 207-622-7994 207-695-2020 207-794-8100 lose many of the trails in northcountryh-d.com mooseheadmotorsports.com lincolnpowersportsme.net our state for ATV use. My advice is for riders to join DETROIT JACKMAN COLEBROOK, NH a local club, get involved, Huff Powersports Jackman Power Sports Lemieux Garage Inc. and treat the land as well 284 North Road 549 Main Street 161 Main St. as the landowners with 207-487-3338 207-668-4442 603-237-4377 the high level of respect huffpowersports.com jackmanpowersports.com lemieuxgarage.com they deserve.” *On select models, check with your CanAm dealer for details. Offer expires July 5, 2018 . © 2018 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserved. ,™ and the BRP logo are trademarks of BRP or its affiliates. AII other trademarks are the property of their respective

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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 2014 models: rebate applicable to new and unused 2014 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. ¥ Rebate 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 : Low financing 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 prohibited. BRP is not responsible for any errors, changes or actions related to the financing provided by the financial institutions. BRP reserves the right, at any time, to discontinue or change specifications, prices, designs, features, models or equipment without 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 be hazardous to operate. For your safety: always wear a helmet, eye protection, and other protective clothing. Never carry passengers on any ATV not specifically designed by the manufacturer for such use. All adult model Can Am ATVs are Category G ATVs (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 protection and other protective gear. Fasten lateral net and seat belt at all times. Operator must be at least 16 years old. Passenger must be at least 12 years old and able to hold handgrips and plant feet while seated against the backrest. ATVs and SxS are for off-road use 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

owners. In the USA, the products are distributed by BRP US Inc. BRP reserves the right, at any time, to discontinue or change specifications, prices, designs, features, models or equipment without incurring obligation. Some mcxlels depicted may include optional equipment. BRP highly recommends that all ATV drivers take a training course. For safety and training information, see your dealer or, in USA, call the ATV Safety Institute at 1-800-887-2887. In Canada, call the Canadian Safety Council at (6131 739-1535 ext 227. Read the Operators Guide and watch the Safety DVD before riding. Wear appropriate protective clothing and helmet. For side-by-side vehicles, fasten lateral net and seat belt at all times. Never engage in stunt driving and avoid excessive speed. Always observe applicable local laws and regulations. Side-by-side vehicles and ATVs are recommended for drivers aged 16 and older, and passengers aged 12 and older only. For off-road use only. Never ride on paved surfaces or public roads. Always ride responsibly and remember that riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix.

www.MaineSportsman.com

24 • July 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

In the Company of Giants by Robert Kröger One second is all it would take. One second from nothing to everything. One second from calm to arterial-pulsing adrenaline. One second – the fine line between success and failure, a contingency of composure. Composure in the face of hunting. Composure in the face of war. A similarity across disciplines forged with bonds unfathomable unless lived. Composure is experiential, specifically as it relates to hunting large predators. The most common large predator hunted, defined as an animal that could cause bodily harm if it chose to, is Ursus americanus – the common black bear. Now found in many states, black bear populations are rebounding, and new hunting seasons are coming online as states’ biologists determine sustainable populations, densities and harvest levels. Maine may not be the first port of call for those looking to chase black bears, but the hunting is incredible – incredibly beautiful, and incredibly difficult. The difficulty doesn’t lie in the physical nature of the hunt, but in the mental fortitude required. And beyond the hunt, the people of Maine are folks you want to introduce to your parents. Family-owned and operated businesses like many guide operations put the best aspects of the state on display. www.MaineSportsman.com

Maine may not be the first port of call for those looking to chase black bears, according to the author, but he says the hunting is incredible – incredibly beautiful, and incredibly difficult. Last fall, a hunt gave decorated servicemen – some veterans; others still active – an opportunity to forget what they’d been through, if only for the moment.

The author spent time with military veterans and active duty servicemembers successfully hunting black bear in Maine, and in the process was reminded that camaraderie, mutual support and an appreciation for what others have gone through, are the most valuable lessons learned from these experiences.

Veteran-Run Business Grove Hill Outfitters Inc. is a business run by a Purple Heart and combat-decorated veteran of the U.S. Marines, Craig Corsi. He completed his career as the Company First Sergeant of Force Reconnaissance Company, 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion. He has served

multiple tours overseas, including Iraq and Afghanistan, and served as a drill instructor at MCRD Parris Island. Corsi hunted with his father growing up, and now his father is shoulder-to-shoulder with him in the outfitting business, offering the clients culinary masterpieces of

homemade pepper flakes to spice up the hearty bowl of chili the hunters were wolfing down close to midnight after a long stand sit. On that first day no one had turned up a bear, but around the room there were more important things at stake. In camp with us, and being hosted by Corsi,

were three highly-decorated U.S. Marines. Their names will remain anonymous, as two were still active duty. They had been awarded Bronze Stars, Silver Stars and Purple Hearts, and their cumulative years of service to the country exceeded 80 years. They were guests of Grove Hill, and we were in awe to be sharing hunting camp with them. Archery Hunting Saved his Life “Hunting saved my life,” stated a Marine to me one evening. That life was forever changed by an Improvised Explosive Device. IED. Broken femur, fractured vertebrae, leaving him in a position where a combat veteran needed assistance to walk. He began to spiral downward. PTSD setting in fast, and multiple medications and prescriptions were offered to him as a fix. But he took another route. Hunting was his answer. With a walking cane and a back brace, he got himself a bow and went foraging in the woods. Hobbling at first. Gaining strength, both mentally and physically, with every step. Hunting saved his life. Now he has turned things around, and is becoming a hunting guide and wildlife manager for a veteran-owned outfitter (Continued on next page)

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

in North Carolina. Same Virtues Required The virtues of these Marines are embodied in what bear hunting represents, and what bear hunting requires – patience, courage, fortitude and strength. You are hunting a species that is a black ghost in impenetrable big woods of the Northeast. Elusive, highly attuned to anything out of place, by all senses – sight, sound, and scent. Long stand sits, unmoving for hours, looking down narrow lanes carved out of the impenetrable woods. Courage to embrace discomfort, embrace the unknown in the face of a predator. Fortitude to ward off the long hours staring at the same place, waiting for that one second, just that one second. If that one second arrives, and composure meets fortitude, the challenge has only begun. Fortitude meets strength, focused, deliberate trailing, as one follows clues of turned-over moist soil and crushed moss, broken by scrambling claws. Small specks of blood splatter the trail, weakening with time. And when the quarry is found, strength to haul, working together to recover the animal from deep in the thick woods and steep ravines. Guests Not Coddled Corsi brings his Marine Corps, self-sufficient approach to his business. You want to sight your guns in? The range is down there. Have at it. He showed us our stands, and expected we would know how to get back to the road with all our gear. While culturing a comfortable atmosphere for his clients, Corsi also allows them to live their own hunt, own their own hunt, and own some of the responsibility for the outcome.

The bear hunting, the country, and the outfitting territory are unparalleled. The bait sites were being clobbered every day. Fresh baits were placed using the same distinctive noises, day after day, to create the only dinner bell-like pattern one can create to entice these ghosts to appear. All of the sites being hunted had bears on them, all of them coming to the baits in daylight hours, which is all you can ask for from an opportunity perspective. But unlike whitetails, bears are not patternable. They eat, sleep and move at their leisure. The guide can only do so much, and then it’s up to the hunter, and to the hunting gods.

Family Affair Grove Hill is a family

affair where wife, mom, dad, and daughter are completely part of the team and culture. You are welcomed like a part of the family, treated like family. Dinners are family-style all around the table, sharing the stories of the day. No matter the time the hunters return to camp, there’s always a hot meal and a smile waiting. “Something Unique” Bears were shot. Backs were slapped. Drinks were poured in celebration. But when you looked around at the guys in the middle of the Maine woods, there was something there that was unique. That thing that we all are starved for and often the reason we come

to hunt. Marines whose makeup had been forged in the heart of war, were all smiles lit up by the headlamps of others. The dire circumstances that they have gone through multiple times for our country were forgotten, if only for just this moment. The dirt and sweat on hands and faces from helping each other

on the hunt – this is what we came to Maine for. Beaming smiles and laughter echoed across the thick timber late into the evening. For me, my one second never appeared, and that’s okay, since that fact pales in comparison to the several thousand I received in the company of giants.

— Hunting of the Finest Kind in the Great State of Maine — Veteran Owned and Operated Fully-Guided Hunts for Black Bear with Exclusive Access to Nearly 300 Square Miles of Territory Moose & Whitetail Deer Hunting Trophy Preserve Hunts for Red Stag & Fallow deer — Craig Corsi, Owner/Guide —

125 Big Pine Drive, Brownville, ME • (207) 751-1285

grovehilloutfitters.com

www.parisfarmersunion.com South Paris • Lewiston • Bridgton • Winthrop • Portland Jay • Newport • Turner • Raymond, Maine & North Conway, NH www.MaineSportsman.com

26 • July 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Prepping Your Boat, and Yourself, for Saltwater Fishing by Benny Holloway For many Mainers who grew up boating on fresh water and then “graduated” to salt water, it’s important – each time you head for the coast – to be mindful of the differences between the two activities. Maine’s harbors and bays and the open ocean offer many angling

opportunities not afforded inland boaters, but with those opportunities comes a great learning curve. Here are some tips to ensure a well-maintained boat and a successful saltwater launch each time.

Checking the Tides If you are new to salt

water fishing, get familiar with tidal patterns. Learn how they affect the area you plan to fish. On average, coastal waters rise and fall eight or ten feet every six hours. For example, make certain your launch ramp is accessible at low tide, or you’ll be stuck waiting for

the next high to roll in. One evening chasing striped bass in Linnekin Bay, we launched at the Murray Hill boat ramp at half-tide without realizing the tide was on the way out. After several hours we returned to find the entire dock was on dry land. I tied up to the

nearest float and waited two hours in the cold, windy darkness for the water to rise sufficiently to allow us to haul out. Wax the Rails and Deck I see a lot people make the mistake of only applying protection to the (Continued on next page)

FISHING CHARTER DIRECTORY

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�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2018 • 27 (Continued from page 26)

hull, neglecting the rails and deck. Salt spray on aluminum and stainless steel will leave pitting marks over time, so it’s best to protect all surfaces (with the exception of non-skid areas) as much as possible. I know it might not be a Ferrari or a highend sports car, but with the amount of sun abuse our boats take over the course of a season, it is important to use a UV wax or polymer. Some products claim to last up to six months, so maintenance for the summer season could be as easy as a single application in the spring. The more protection we provide, the longer that luster will last. Fresh Fuel Since ethanol was added into fuel, we have learned to add fuel stabilizer to our fuel tanks when we haul boats out in the fall. It’s also a good idea to fill your tank with fresh fuel in the spring. I recommend changing the fuel filters in the spring, as a way to increase your confidence in your fuel system, and instill peace of mind. Use the first fill-up of the season as an opportunity to check that your fuel gauge reads accurately. Watch the gauge – it should rise gradually as you fill the tank. Proper Voltage Boats won’t function without a fully operational electrical and charging system. Make sure your batteries are fully charged and load-tested to the appropriate cold cranking amps. Most marine batteries list the cold cranking amps on a sticker on top. Modern fourstroke outboard engines will require a precise amount of power to turn over. Just a fraction less than 12.4 volts, and they will not fire. If your battery passes the load test, clean

Corrosion on this stanchion is the result of the owner’s failure to apply protective products to fight the effects of salt and sun.

the cable ends and battery posts. Then apply a coating of copper paste for anti-salt corrosion. Make sure the connections are tight, and use a nylon locking nuts to prevent the connections from loosening. Wet Dry-Run I recommend obtaining or borrowing an engine test tank, in which you can start the engine before you head to the boat ramp. I prefer using a tank to the more common method of “earmuffs” and a garden hose, because the water pressure from the hose can give a false impression that the water pump is doing its job. A test tank will simulate real running conditions, requiring that the impeller pump water through the motor as it is designed to do. If it doesn’t pump through the telltale (the little stream that shoots out the side of an outboard), then you know it’s time for a water pump kit. If your impeller has deteriorated and become shredded, you will forever be fighting small chunks of neoprene rubber clog-

ging the cooling passages. These pieces of rubber will interrupt the steady stream of water from your engine, making your telltale pee in irregular,

At dead low tide, this Linnekin Bay launch is not usable -- so check tide charts for times of put-in and projected take-out.

weak spurts like a person with kidney stones. Launch with a Helper, Not a Crowd The best advice here is to go it alone, or with

a friend, but only one. A full crew of people will make for a collective sigh of frustration should you fail to launch. (Continued on next page)

YAMAHA OUTBOARDS:

THE KEY TO RELIABILITY

— See Your Local Yamaha Outboard Dealer for Details! — BAR HARBOR Bowden Marine Service 713 Norway Drive 207-288-5247 BowdenMarine.com

JONESPORT Moosabec Marine 3 Rosemary Ln 207-497-2196 Moosabec.com

THOMASTON Jeff’s Marine 2 Brooklyn Heights Road 207-354-8777 JeffsMarine.com

HAMPDEN Hamlin’s Marina 581 Main Road North 207-907-4385 HamlinsMarine.com

LINCOLN Lincoln Power Sports 265 W. Broadway 207-794-8100 LincolnPowerSportsME.com

WATERVILLE Hamlin’s Marine 290 West River Road 207-872-5660 HamlinsMarine.com www.MaineSportsman.com

28 • July 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Saltwater Fishing Special (Continued from page 27)

Too many times I’ve seen family members with disheveled faces packing it all back into the Suburban, as Mom and Dad argue about why the boat didn’t start. Besides, having a bunch of distractions may cause you to overlook some of the simplest details. An unfastened safety lanyard will disengage the kill switch and cause a no-start. Bump the shifter just slightly into gear, and your neutral safety switch will cause a no-start. You should be aware of these two systems, and check their operation periodically. Don’t Forget the Bilge Plug Most boats are equipped with a drain hole or two in the bilge. Some have holes in the bottom of storage compartments as well. If you store your boat on

land and not in the water during the summer months, then you should be pulling your drain plugs each time you haul out. I’ve seen boats filled with rain water when the owners neglected to pull the plugs. If your engine is inboard (below deck) the rain water alone could flood the engine compartment. Now that you’ve remembered to remove the plugs, don’t forget to reinstall them before your next launch, or you find yourself proceeding at full power back to the ramp when you realize how fast you are sinking. Pro tip: If you have a brass drain plug, you should wrap the threads with Teflon tape. With the outside of the plug facing you, wrap the tape counter-clockwise, and then twist in the plug. Strap it Down

The author uses a test-run tank on his boat, “Fisticuffs,” to ensure the engine starts and that its impeller is pumping water to cool the engine block.

By state law you must have your boat secured to your trailer with a dock line or tow strap. You might think that the weight of the boat will be

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STANDISH Richardson’s Boat Yard 633 White’s Bridge Road 207-892-4913 richardsonsby.com

LINCOLN Lincoln Motor Co., Inc. 37 Lake Street 207-794-2741 lincolnmotorcoinc.com

PORTLAND Portland Yacht Services 400 Commercial Street 207-774-1067 portlandyacht.com

YORK York Harbor Marine 20 Harris Island Road 207-363-3602 yorkharbormarine.com

Always wear a personal flotation device while boating and read your owner's manual.

www.MaineSportsman.com

enough to keep it on the trailer, but should you get in a hard-braking situation or an accident, an improperly-secured boat will end up on the pavement. Use a heavy ratcheting strap or thick dock line to secure the stern eyes or cleats to the rear end of the trailer. Don’t forget to remove the strap before backing down the launch ramp. Safety Chain So you reinstalled your bilge plug and removed the straps from the rear of the trailer. Before you back down the launch ramp, make sure that your trailer’s safety chain is attached to the bow eye of the boat. Let’s say the old trailer winch lets go as you hit the brakes backing down launch ramp. Especially with a roller trailer, on a ramp at low tide, the boat could slide completely off and onto the pavement. That’s why we have safety chains on our trailers, so make sure it’s functional, and attached. Maintaining control of your boat as you back down a busy public ramp

will help you avoid great embarrassment this 4th of July weekend. Let Professionals Help When it comes to preparing and maintaining your boat, some folks don’t want the responsibility or just don’t have the time. If that’s the case, then find a local boatyard that you trust. They will “commission” the boat in the spring, which involves un-winterizing and running the motor and checking the boat’s systems – running lights, salt water wash down and bilge pumps, and other functions that were decommissioned in the fall. Most boat yards follow a complete checklist that even includes checking your trailer’s bearings and tire pressure. So whether you are a do-it-yourselfer or turn to professionals for assistance, a well-prepared boat and skipper will help you make the most of Maine’s all-too-short summer saltwater fishing season.

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2018 • 29

Blue Sharks Shine on Light Tackle Warming water temperatures in July entice Maine’s toothy big-game predators closer to shore in search of schools of summertime forage such as mackerel, herring and squid. Sharks have been abundant in recent seasons, usually showing up in good numbers by midmonth, and they can provide great sport for smallboat anglers. Blue sharks are the most common, and range from less than 50 pounds to well over 200. A 100-pounder, about the average size, will measure six to seven feet in length. Blues can be found from a mile or two offshore, out to 40 miles or more. They like to cruise near underwater humps or drop-offs in 100 to 300 feet of water, because these are the areas where baitfish tend to concentrate. The key to getting the most sport from blue sharks is to match the tackle to the fish. Many anglers feel they must use heavy rods and reels with 50- to 130-pound line, but in doing so they’re over-gunning their quarry, big-time. Blue sharks

ed with 20- to 50-pound mono is perfect for blues.

A blue shark taken on a 30-pound stand-up outfit is about to be released at boatside. July and and August are prime months for sharking off the Maine coast. Barry Gibson photo

aren’t particularly strong fighters for their size, so there’s just not much of

a challenge on gear better suited to giant bluefin tuna.

Bottom line? A beefy spinning or stand-up revolving-spool outfit load-

Logical Leaders A good leader arrangement can be made by doubling the last 15 feet of your line with a Bimini twist or spider hitch. Then attach a snap-swivel with an offshore swivel knot. Next, tie a surgeon’s loop in an eightfoot length of 100 to 150-pound mono (the loop goes onto the snap-swivel) and a heavy swivel to the other end. To the swivel, attach a two-foot section of single-strand #10 or #12 stainless wire, and then affix a lightwire, 7/0 mild steel hook to the wire via a haywire twist. Circle hooks are good because the shark will normally be hooked in the corner of the jaw. There are several advantages to this setup. First, the doubled line will allow you to put extra pressure on the shark toward the end of the fight to keep it from running under the boat. And second, the heavy mono is easier to handle than a long wire leader and it won’t cut into your hands. (Continued on next page)

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

30 • July 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Saltwater Fishing (Continued from page 29)

The short length of wire is all you need to prevent the shark from biting the hook off, and a smaller, lighter hook will penetrate the shark’s jaw more easily with light tackle and will rust out faster when the shark is cut free. And finally, the two swivels in the rig help prevent the leader from twisting up, as

LIVERMORE FALLS Gagnon Boats 189 Park Street 207-897-4681 gagnonboats.com

blue sharks are notorious “twirlers” when brought to boatside. Chum ’em In Frozen, ground chum can be purchased in pails or logs at many tackle shops, and it works well. I dump the frozen block into a mesh bag, which I hang over the side of the boat. This gives me an

PORTLAND North Atlantic Inflatables 400 Commercial Street 207-844-1742 northatlanticinflatables.com

automatic slick, as the ground-up fish thaws out in the seawater and is dispersed by the current. A live or fresh-dead mackerel is my number-one choice as a hook bait. If it’s alive, I hook it up through the upper jaw so that it can swim naturally, but if it’s dead I hook it through both jaws so that it doesn’t tend to spin. I normally put three baits out in the slick.

I’ll set the farthest one (about 30 yards out) down 60 feet, and the mid-bait down 30 feet. I set the close bait (about 10 yards out) down 15 feet. We don’t use balloons for floats any more, as they’re not good for the marine environment when they break free. Instead, we like the foam floats made by RediRig (www.redirig.com) that can be adjusted for any depth you want your bait. When the shark strikes, the float snaps free, yet stays attached to the line by sliding up and down, and it can be used over and over again. Get Your Shark Permit Most Maine sportsmen release blue sharks to fight another day, as this species isn’t considered very good to eat. Even if you catch-and-release, you will need a federal recreational “HMS Angling” permit in order to fish for sharks, which costs $20 and is valid for one year. You can get one on-line at www.hmspermits.noaa.gov.

SPRUCE HEAD J&H Marine 670 Spruce Head Road 207-596-5511

New Groundfish Regs Out The National Marine

Fisheries Service has released the 2018 Gulf of Maine recreational groundfish regulations, and – disappointingly – they are the same as last year’s, even though the recreational quotas for cod and haddock have gone up (see my April, 2018 Maine Sportsman column for details.) Once again this year there will be no retention of cod for sport fishermen, no matter whether caught in state or federal waters. Zero. Nada. No cod. End of discussion. The haddock daily bag limit will again be 12 fish per person, with a minimum size limit of 17 inches. The open season will run from May until September 16, and then it will close until November 1. There are no new regulations for pollock (minimum 19”, no bag limit), redfish (minimum 9”, no bag limit), cusk (no size or bag limit), white or silver hake (no size or bag limits), or flounder (minimum 12”, 8-fish daily bag limit).

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�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2018 • 31

— Guest Column — by Zachary Fowler

Fowler Gets a Sinking Feeling Our story so far – For reasons even he can’t explain, our hero Fowler decides to enter his home-made boat made of bundles of dried reeds, in the 45th Annual Passagassawakeag River Race, held April 7 of this year in Waldo. He capsized at the first bend in the river, and then a few more times before he began to believe he was getting the feel of the craft and its capabilities. We join him as an ominous sound reaches his ears…. Suddenly, I could hear the roar of the river ahead, so I knew I was coming up on some faster-moving water. I was wet from my earlier dunkings, but remained warm since I had on good gear. I had floated more than a mile without capsizing, so I was not looking forward to anything that would upset my already-precarious position atop my boat. What I Saw was Not Good I safely navigated another 90-degree turn

– Part 2

With sharp rocks lying just under the surface and 20 feet of turbulent water ahead, I had only an instant to figure out what to do. There were no good options, so I decided to just hang on.

The moment of truth, as the lines holding Fowler’s reed boat together snag on a sharp rock in the middle of the river’s channel. Fowler photos

and saw what I was in for – and it was not good. The river was constricted by what looked to be an old mill foundation. And there were rocks just under the surface, making for some seriously-turbulent water for a stretch of about 20 feet. I had only an instant to decide to shoot it or

bail over the side and swim for the shore with the line on the back and try to portage. My paddling efforts only served to keep me pointed downstream and moving. There were no good options, so I decided to just hang on. Just when I thought I was going to make it

As another competitor approaches the rapids, Fowler’s SS Reed is overwhelmed by the current and folds in half around the large rock.

through, the boat hung up, and it hung up good. The boat was pinned to an unseen rock in the middle of the river, and it immediately got pulled down under the water. Boat Folds in Half Around a Rock I was snatched from the deck by the fast-moving water and washed 20

feet downstream. I made my way to the river’s edge and walked back up to the boat – or should I say, where the boat had last been seen. Almost nothing remained visible of the boat where it was in the middle of the river. The water was now going over the whole boat, and it was folded in half around the rock. I worked my way into the water behind the boat and tugged at it for a few minutes, but there was no budging it. The hydraulic pressure of all that water was not to be thwarted. Only a few minutes later, the sweep boat showed up. I reported my loss, and retreated in defeat – for now. I only made it a third of the way through the race this time. Next time, I will make it to the end. Witness the final hours of the SS Reed boat on “Fowler’s Makery And Mischief” series on YouTube, titled “River Race In The Reed Boat and Destroyed” (“87 Days,” Episode 27)

The view from below: Using his waterproof GoPro camera, Fowler surveyed the sad scene from the perspective of a trout. The current held his vegetarian vessel fast against the boulder. www.MaineSportsman.com

32 • July 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Oxbows and “Setbacks” Offer Lively Fishing on the Connecticut River The Connecticut River forms a natural border between New Hampshire and Vermont before tracing its way through Massachusetts and Connecticut and emptying into Long Island Sound. The northernmost stretch of the river, near Pittsburg, NH and Canaan, VT, offers tremendous fly fishing for some beautiful brook trout and some monster brown trout (including the 16+ pound state record), which has been covered in previous issues of this publication. The portion of the river south of Dalton, NH has also been covered for its pike and bass fishing opportunities at Moore and Cumerford reservoirs. For this month’s column, however, I want to cover an oft-overlooked portion of the river, typically only known to, and fished by, locals. From thousands of years of gushing water eroding banks, cutting new channels and depositing tons of silt, the Connecticut River valley is dotted with oxbows, horseshoe ponds and other setbacks (a “setback” is usually defined as an oxbow that’s still part of the moving river, at least when the water level is high). The section of river between Stratford, NH and Dalton, NH is no different. Not only are these marshlands, mud-holes, puddles and ponds neat to explore or hide a canoe away in, but they are also full of fish. This portion of the river, given that it is surrounded by mountains that receive a substantial www.MaineSportsman.com

farmland. Lancaster On the NH side of the river, just south of the Lancaster Fairgrounds, is Baker Pond. One can park at the little fencedin substation along Route 3 and drag a canoe or jonboat down the steep bank to the water. This tiny pond, after a period of high water, is a phenomenal perch fishery. One can also have some fun casting spinner baits through the weedy, stumpy sections. There seems to be an endless supply of pickerel here and, again, a few famously-giant pike. These panfish were caught through the ice on one of the many “setbacks” along the northern portion of the Connecticut River. During the summer months, anglers can reach them via canoe or kayak. Photo courtesy of Andy Schafermeyer

amount of snow and rainfall, is prone to flooding. The runoff swells the river and the murky waters overflow their banks, depositing nutrient-rich soil in the farmers’ fields and fish in the old river channels and pothole ponds. When the high waters recede, the fish are stranded, waiting to nibble on a lucky fisherman’s worm or lure. Lunenburg The largest setback in this section of the river is known to the locals as just “The Oxbow.” It is located on the Vermont side of the river about three miles southwest of Lancaster. It can be accessed along the roadside of Route 2 in Lunenburg, VT or behind the Auburn Star Farm on what Google Maps calls “Town Highway 45.” With enough water, it can also be accessed by

paddling through a narrow connection from the river proper (you may have to drag your boat over a short hump of land). The Oxbow gets quite loaded with fish, but when the water level drops, it gets isolated from the river and, if cut off for long enough periods of time, can get “fished out.” This is usually more evident in the winter. At the beginning of the ice fishing season, there is much more chatter about quantity and quality of fish, but as the season drags into February or March, one notices fewer fisherman on the ice and hears fewer fish tales circulating around the breakfast diners. The Oxbow fishermen catch the typical warm-water species – perch, pickerel and bass. There are also, though,

some northern pike – and a few really big ones. Every year I hear of some longer than 30 inches coming through the ice, and others even bigger in the spring and early summer. I have also heard of some pan fishermen getting a heck of a haul of black crappie from that little section of backwash, though I have never caught any there myself. Guildhall Just to the north of the Route 2 bridge are two horseshoe ponds on the VT side of the river – Fitch’s Pond to the south, and Martin’s Oxbow to the north. Fitch’s Pond, although rather diminutive, has produced a few really big largemouth bass. One can also catch the usual perch and pickerel at both locations. These have to both be accessed through private

Dalton Some of the biggest pike in the state come from just above the Gilman (VT) dam. There is a small weedy and stumpy backwash on the NH side of the river that can be accessed by walking down a gated grassy road off of Route 135. There are shore-fishing opportunities both above and below the dam here. Below the dam, in the faster water, one is more apt to catch smallmouth or maybe even some trout. Maidstone There is a small, hidden backwash on the VT side of the river, almost directly across from the Groveton racetrack. Route 102 passes right by it, but the bank is so steep that it isn’t really visible. Take caution on the steep grade if accessing it this way. One could also walk around and access it from one of the farm fields or via boat from the river. This backwater holds (Continued on next page)

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2018 • 33

“Operation Game Thief” Prevents Poaching and Promotes Ethical Hunting Operation Game Thief (OGT) is a non-profit organization that works with state law enforcement agencies such as the Maine Warden Service. OGT is dedicated to preventing poaching, and also to teaching proper ethics to hunters, especially to young people or others just getting into the sport. I recently attended OGT’s first annual fundraising banquet, which included dinner, guest speakers and raffles of donated items. The members were warm and welcoming. In addition to meeting Game Wardens and the members of the organization, it was also fun to be in a room in which everyone there was passionate about protecting the state’s wildlife and resources. The website for Operating Game Thief is www.maineogt.org. I encourage readers to check it out. You will find several articles about illegal hunting cases that were investigated and solved by the Warden Service.

Reports of poaching can be communicated online through the group’s website, or by calling 1-800-253-7887. These communications are anonymous, and those reporting alleged poaching will not be asked to testify if resulting cases go to court. Big State; Small Number of Wardens The State of Maine consists of more than 35,000 square miles, and there are only 95 game wardens currently patrolling our woods and inland waters of Maine. Since wardens are spread so thin, they count on concerned citizens for help. That is why OGT is so important. Each year, OGT receives hundreds of reports, not only on new cases but also on files that are open and in which investigations are ongoing. Education and Demonstrations OGT pays for educational programs, including those designed for young people. The organization has an enclosed travel trailer they

New Hampshire (Continued from page 32)

famously large pickerel. My dad tells of routinely exceeding the twenty-inch mark on pickerel when he was a kid, just fishing with a worm and a hook. Some may have even reached the twenty-six inch mark … but he’s had forty years to grow them, as well …. *** The great thing about fishing these setbacks is that you can fish them all with either a NH or VT fishing license, as they are below the high-water line of the CT River, an interstate water. If the fishing doesn’t work out, these

The OGT poaching hotline is 1-800-ALERT US (1-800-253-7887).

bring all around the state (including to the State of Maine Sportsman’s Show) that contains a display they call the “Wall of Shame.” On this wall are weapons, photos of poached animals, traps and other items confiscated over the years from illegal poaching activities. The traveling exhibit serves to show hunters, especially kids and inexperienced hunters, the consequences that can result from poaching animals in Maine. Benefits of Stopping Poaching There are many good reasons why it’s important to stop poaching. For one thing, the illegal taking of game reduces the

number of animals available to legitimate hunters – hunters who have purchased licenses and have funded the state’s game management efforts. But controlling poaching also helps maintain good relationships between hunters, and the non-hunting public, as well as with those who allow hunting on their land. If the general public sees news reports and reads stories about poaching, they may begin to believe that many hunters are unethical and act illegally – something we hunters know is not true. If members of the non-hunting public believe that laws, rules and signs will not stop illegal hunters, they may post more of their land against hunting, or they may turn to municipalities and to the state to further restrict the rights and opportunities of hunters – and that will hurt all of us. What You Can Do I recommend you learn more about Oper-

areas also make for tremendous waterfowl hunting, either from boat or land. Most of the farmers are friendly enough to grant hunting permissions to those who are respectful of their property. As usual, do some satellite imagery reconnaissance before you head out to locate the best access spots and make an efficient plan of action. If you are traveling from a distance, make sure to also keep an eye on the local weather for a week or two prior to your trip, as the water level can fluctuate significantly, thereby drying up or completely overwhelming some of these puddles. Have fun exploring these unique places!

ation Game Thief, and support their activities and efforts. Their website contains a “News and Events” section featuring upcoming fundraisers, news about the organization and photographs. I believe this organization does a good job helping protect Maine’s wildlife and resources. But supporting an organization like OGT is not enough all by itself – we all have to practice what we preach. So do the right thing – learn the rules and laws; only hunt animals in season and during legal hours; register your game (when required); and pass on those ethics to hunters just getting their starts. This will ensure future generations will be able to enjoy hunting and fishing, just like I am able to do now. And in addition to being good for Maine’s important natural resources, complying with game laws will mean you won’t have to worry about getting caught and losing your hunting privileges.

Gabe Greis pulled this 3-pound smallmouth out of the Connecticut River. Photo courtesy of Andy Schafermeyer www.MaineSportsman.com

34 • July 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Beat the Heat in the Coolness of the Western Maine Mountains When the humid heat of July settles into the low-lying areas of the Western Maine Mountains (WMM), I head for the hills if I want to keep fishing for trout and salmon. The shade provided by the heavy tree growth in the forested mountains keeps the small brooks and streams slightly cooler than the moreopen big rivers. Plus, the water flowing from the mountainous springs comes out of cool aquifers deeply-bedded within the granite base of the Western Maine mountain range that runs through this region. So this effect of dark shade from the dense over-story of foliage helps protect the springfed streams and brooks from the heavy July heat. Trout and salmon thrive in cold water, but struggle when water temperatures get anywhere close to the 70-degree Fahrenheit range. While rainbow trout and brown trout can survive in water that warm, brook trout and landlocked salmon prefer it under 65. The size of the fish also makes a difference. I have stood in one spot on a fairly large stream with water temperatures at 72 degrees, and caught numerous small brook trout that appeared to be really active and unfazed by the temperatures. The warmer the water, the less dissolved oxygen available – and larger fish require more oxygen. It might be okay to hook and fight a smaller fish in warmer water, but I don’t like to stress bigwww.MaineSportsman.com

Ponds found high along elevated peaks in the Western Maine mountains, including Speck Mountain and Tumbledown, offer anglers plenty of opportunity to get away from the crowds.

Rapidly moving water, violently rolling through sections of boulders, gravel and rocks, fills the water with oxygen even when temperatures climb. William Clunie photo

ger fish out when water temperatures approach the 70-degree mark. Protected Tributaries Well-shaded, springfed brooks and streams drain cool water from the higher elevations of the mountains that surround the Androscoggin River that runs through the WMM. Deep in the woods, the water remains quite cool as it flows from these chilling tributaries to the region’s larger streams and rivers. When the main body of the big river gets too warm, many of the trout that get stocked in the Androscoggin River find their way up and into the sanctuaries of these cooler feeder streams The Wild River pours into the Androscoggin River from the south in Gilead (DeLorme Atlas, Map 10, B-1). Several brooks also fill the Androscoggin from the north near Gilead – French Brook, Twitchell Brook, Peabody Brook, Whites Brook, and Chapman

Brook all feed the river with chilly water from the Bear Mountain Range. Moving downstream, the Pleasant River meets the Androscoggin near West Bethel (Map 10, B-2). The green, rolling hills provide a scenic backdrop for anglers on this majestic stretch of river. Plenty of deeper pools form where this smaller river joins the mainstream of the big Androscoggin River. Sunday River and Bear River connect with the Androscoggin River between North Bethel and Newry (Map 10, C-1). Classic dairy farms dot the grassy shoreline of this picturesque section of the river. Huge pools form in the river at Rumford Point (Map 18, E-4) where the Ellis River makes its junction. Barkers Brook and Concord Brook also dump their cooling waters into the Androscoggin here, before the river reaches the paper mill in Rumford.

Deeper Means Cooler Anglers who can get out on a lake or pond in a boat have the advantage of fishing away from the shore, but they still must find the coolest holes when the hot July sun elevates water temperatures. Electronic depth finders and lake maps that indicate water depths increase the likelihood of locating these deep and cool spots. Remember – salmonid metabolisms increase in cooler waters, making the fish feed more intensely. A narrow channel of deep water, most of it around 40 feet in depth, runs through the center of Webb Lake (Map 19, C-2). Anglers follow this route to the north end of the lake seeking cool springs that feed the lake there in the depths, and often find feeding trout and salmon in the lower temperatures of the chilly spring water. Boaters access Webb Lake at the launch in the Mount Blue State Park, at the south end of the

lake. Anglers who wish to spend a little more time in the area camp right at the park, sometimes visiting the park beach for a swim. After a hot day of fishing, a dip in the cooling lake refreshes hot and tired anglers. Howard Pond (Map 18, E-4), west of Rumford on Route 2, also holds some deep-water brookies and salmon. Depths over 100 feet, located near the southwest shore, often bring angling success during the hottest weather. Deep and slow, the mantra that guides hot-weather fishing, especially applies when trolling in the July heat. Smaller motors handle speeds appropriate for trolling slowly, so some anglers include a second, small motor just for this purpose. Hike-in Coolness The elevated peaks in the WMM offer anglers plenty of opportunity to get away from the crowds. Most folks don’t like a tough climb, or don’t have the backpacking gear to stay overnight in the mountains. It doesn’t take much gear, and anyone in good health can hike mountainous trails; it just takes some of us longer to get there. Speck Pond (Map 18, E-1), off Route 26 near Grafton Notch State Park, sits near the top of Old Speck Mountain. The 4,100-foot peak strikes fear into the non-hiking crowd, leaving the gorgeous pond and its colorful brook trout for those willing to endure the extra effort of a five-mile, (Continued on next page)

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2018 • 35 (Continued from page 34)

uphill climb. Tumbledown Pond (Map 19, C-1), described as a “jewel among peaks,” offers lively and elevated brookie fishing action. Several trails lead hikers to this pond, and each of them starts on the Number Six Road. I find the Brook Trail to be the easiest climb. Some folks don’t like the steep incline of the Brook Trail and choose the Parker Ridge Trail, despite the extra mile or so

it takes to get to the summit. Most of the companies that make backpacking gear and fishing gear have tried their hardest to come up with lighter equipment to make hiking a little easier. Patagonia, L.L. Bean, Orvis, Cabela’s and many others that carry fishing gear have lightened up rods, reels, waders, vests and other equipment used to hike in and catch fish in these elevated, glacial ponds. Certain companies

like Kifaru (kifaru.net) and others specialize in making light but sturdy backpacking gear. I’ve also noted a trend in hiking boots – many hikers are getting by with good-quality, lightweight sneakers rather than heavy, leather boots. I still prefer leather in the rocky terrain, but a lightweight pair of sneakers sure feels easier if the terrain doesn’t demand the extra protection of leather.

The author’s boots, hiking staff and backpack rest beside the National Geologic elevation marker embedded in the rock on the trail to Old Speck Mountain. William Clunie photo

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36 • July 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Getting Ready for the Season It’s the year when trappers start thinking about the upcoming trapping season and what they need to do to get ready. Equipment must be gone over and separated to establish what is good and what needs to be adjusted, repaired or replaced. Consumables such as wire, baits and lures need to be checked to see if they need to be replenished. Tools required for the trap line or pelt handling may need to be replaced. And it’s also time to mark the calendar of upcoming events in Maine where trapping supplies may be purchased. Big Events Two big events are scheduled for late summer. The first is Neal Olson’s 42nd Annual New England Trappers Weekend, slated for August 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th in Bethel, Maine. August 16th is the setting-up day for vendors. Anything one needs to

www.MaineSportsman.com

Two big events are coming up – Trappers Weekend, and the Trappers Association Rendezvous. Fur prices for prime coyote and bobcat are staying high, so it may be worthwhile for trappers to focus on those species.

Shown here are Ron Picard of Frenchville, Maine and his Grandson Caleb Caron, on Ron’s trap line located in northern Maine. “As with all outdoor recreation and occupations,” reports our trapping columnist David Miller, “the future is in today’s youth.” He advises readers to “take a kid trapping, hunting or fishing, because youngsters who get involved now will carry on the traditions we love into the future.”

harvest furbearers can be found there, as it is the biggest trapping event in

the Northeast. Second is the Maine Trappers Association’s

Rendezvous, which will be held on September 13th, 14th and 15th at the Winsor Fair Grounds in Winsor, Maine. The 13th is the setting-up date for that event. Both events have well-stocked venders and manufacturers attending, along with trapping demonstrations given by some of the best trappers in the northeastern part of the country. If you’re unable to attend those events, trapping supply dealers and stores that carry various trapping supplies are scattered around the state. Some may have most of what you need, and if not, then supplies can always be mail-or-

dered. If you are ordering, ensure you do it early so that you have what you need in time to get everything ready before trapping season. Fur Prices While most all fur prices remain extremely low, there are several for which it’s worth putting in some extra effort. These are coyote and bobcat. Both species fluctuate a lot in value based on coloration and primeness. Well-spotted cats and light colored coyotes are the most desirable by the fur trade, and therefore they bring the best prices. It will pay to wait until the pelts are fully prime. It is awful hard to wait a couple of weeks to start trapping knowing that others are out there trapping, but if you are supplementing your family’s income by trapping and want top dollar, it will pay you to wait. In many cases, a prime pelt will be worth twice as much as one taken earlier in the season. Most of the other furbearers remain very low in value compared to previous periods. A few, including marten, fisher, and muskrat, have crept up a little recently, and reports are the trend is expected to continue as long as Russia and China do not hammer us too hard economically. Scavenged Pelts Have Some Value A new fur production fad can result in trappers adding to their income by picking up prime road(Continued on next page)

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2018 • 37 (Continued from page 36)

killed furbearers. The desired portion of the pelt is the back portion of a prime animal. If the road kill is fresh and the back portion is not damaged, the pelt should be handled in the same manner as with a trapped animal. That means removing the pelt, fleshing, boarding it until properly dried and tagging it as appropriate. The pelts will be used for items manufactured from furs not raised commercially or taken in traps. There is a population of people out there who do not want to wear fur raised in commercial fur farms or taken by trapping. Interestingly, they

will wear furs scavenged from animals that died of unnatural causes (vehicles), thus allowing the death of a furbearer to account for something. This means the death of the animal was not for nothing – it still has value. Personally, I think this is a good thing. If the trappers in Maine support this concept during the upcoming trapping seasons, arrangements will be made to pick the furs up at several locations statewide. I expect more will come of this, and I look forward to reporting on it in the future. Fisher, Marten, Otter and Bobcat Studies The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries

and Wildlife (IF&W) has started a research project, which will give actual age-to-sex ratios of current populations of these four furbearers. This study does not have an established time frame or completion date. It will depend on funding. Ideally, it would be indefinite. The annually collected data will be compared to a desired biological population ratio, and the results can be used to better manage the resources. The ratio of both adult and junior populations will be compared. The desired female-tomale ratio of adult fisher harvested is 1 to 1, with a 55-60 % of the harvest being juveniles. The desired female-

to-male ratio of adult marten harvested is 2 or 3 females to 1 male, and with the harvest of adult female to juveniles being 6-8 to 1 adult. The desired femaleto-male ratio of adult otter harvested is 1 to 1.3, with a juvenile take being about 32% of the harvest. The desired female to male ratio of adult bobcat harvested is a variable, with 58% of the take being adults at least 2.5 years of age. The studies are conducted by utilizing the teeth of the four species. All jaws and teeth need to be tagged with the appropriate information. The Department (IF&W) will furnish the tags. The jaws now need to be cut so that there are

three teeth left behind the canine. The roots of canine teeth were being damaged when the jaws were cut shorter. When removing a single canine, 50% of the teeth were damaged and could not be used in the studies. Before the next trapping and hunting seasons, IF&W will provide recommendations on how to properly remove the canine tooth, or they will abandon single tooth collections. There has not been a problem with single incisors collected from bobcats. Also for the bobcat, the researchers will need to know whether the cat was trapped or hunted.

MAINE WILDLIFE QUIZ: The American Bald Eagle by Steve Vose

The bald eagle (haliaeetus leucocephalus) inhabits an impressive native range that includes most of Canada and Alaska, the lower 48 United States, and northern Mexico. The widespread use of the pesticide DDT nearly destroyed Maine’s bald eagle population. In 1965, state wildlife biologists estimated that only half a dozen nesting pairs of bald eagles existed in the entire state of Maine. Fortunately, large-scale conservation efforts brought bald eagle populations back from the point of extinction, and today Maine is home to over 600 nesting pairs of the eagles. Bald eagles are not “bald” as the name implies. Instead, both the male and female have white feather-plumed heads and tails that provide a stark contrast to their mainly brown-feathered bodies. Classified as a bird of prey or raptor, bald eagles have keen vision for finding food, sharp talons for holding food, and a strong curved beak for tearing flesh.

David Small of Bangor (photosbychance. zenfolio.com) recorded this image of a magnificent bald eagle in Argyle, Maine last fall.

Bald eagles feed primarily on fish, but also consume birds and small animals. Bald eagles have also been known to be opportunistic, eating carrion such as road kill. Bald eagles nest in large old-growth trees located in close proximity to open bodies of water containing abundant food sourc-

Questions 1. What is the range of the bald eagle? 2. What pesticide nearly destroyed Maine’s bald eagle population? 3. How many nesting pairs of bald eagles currently live in Maine? 4. What do bald eagles eat? 5. When is the bald eagle breeding season in Maine?

es. Nests, or “aeries,” are the largest of any avian species, averaging 10 feet deep and 6 feet wide, and weighing nearly a ton. The bald eagle breeding season in Maine runs from February 1 through August 15. Throughout this time, mating pairs engage in impressive courtship flights. During the courting flight, the two bald eagles will fly high into the sky, lock talons and cartwheel-spin as they fall through the air, breaking apart only as they approach the ground. Bald eagles have lifetime mates, usually looking for a new mate only if their companion dies. Females lay 1-3 eggs that hatch in approximately 35 days. After the laying of eggs, both parents take turns hunting for food, incubating eggs and feeding the eaglets. Eaglets fledge at the age of 12 weeks. Bald eagles tend to build nests away from human activity. When disturbed, eagles have been known to abandon their nests.

6. How many eggs do female bald eagles typically lay? 7. How long does it take for bald eagle eggs to hatch? 8. How long after hatching does it take for eaglets to fledge?

Answers on Page 74 www.MaineSportsman.com

38 • July 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Two-Handed Casting for Swinging Streamers This Season Last year I had a chance to fish for huge king salmon and Coho salmon on the Salmon River in New York, and I had a blast. The excellent guides briefly showed our group of anglers how to use a two-handed casting method with a Switch Rod from Hardy (hardyfishing.com), and I discovered something quite awesome. Initially, my guide had me flinging a nymphing rig with the Hardy rod, drifting a brightly-colored indicator with a couple of small splitshot and a nymph imitation below that to entice the big fish. The two-handed casting technique worked great for repetitiously casting the cumbersome nymphing rig where there’s no room for a back cast. A nymphing rig like this can get tangled up pretty easily, and the two-handed technique works perfectly to avoid this problem. The method of casting the switch rod with the nymphing rig really just involved one huge roll cast that took the line from the end of a drift and

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As everyone started hooking into three-foot King Salmon with the switch rods and the fish performed aerial flybys in front of us, I began thinking about how this same two-handed technique could be used for fishing Maine’s medium- to large-size rivers and streams.

Columnist William Clunie with guide Nate Adams and a typical King Salmon taken on a Hardy “Demon” switch rod from the Salmon River in New York.

placed it back to an upstream location to start the drift all over again. The technique was pretty basic – simply lift the line off the water, roll

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it out there, and drift the nymphing rig back down stream through the fishy water and hope they hit it. Even though I prefer fly fishing with a traditional one-handed casting technique using dry flies for rising fish, I was in new water, and the guides that were instructing our group assured us that this was the most successful method for taking these big trout and salmon. When our group hooked into the first three-foot King Salmon and it did an aerial flyby directly in front of my fishing position, I knew

these guides were on to something great. My Plan Well, I’m probably not the first Mainer to ever think of this – but as everyone in our group started catching some of these three-foot salmon with the switch rod, I started thinking about how this same technique could easily be used for fishing some of Maine’s mediumto large-size rivers and streams. The rod I used on the Salmon River was an eleven-foot Hardy “Demon Switch” rod, and let me summarize the results as follows – When the casting technique is

deployed as instructed, the line screams to the other side of the river with ease. In fly fishing, there’s nothing more frustrating that trying to chuck a heavy and clumsy nymphing rig or big streamer over any distance. Just back-casting a heavy fly alone could result in burying a hook the angler’s skull. However, this two-handed method avoids all those problems with a single, simple roll cast. Some anglers may think they can just as easily attain this big roll cast with a one-handed single rod casting technique, but once they try the two-handed method, they’ll realize the difference. There’s no big physical effort or stylish back casting – it’s just an easy stroke with the rod and a snappy finish using a pivot point on the rod to achieve all the power in the cast. My plan starts this year – I’m going to swing huge streamers for lunker brook trout and landlocked salmon on some of the bigger rivers throughout the Rangeley Region. I can think of untold numbers of places where this technique could be used for chucking the big streamers I struggle with when using the conventional one-handed rod I’m used to using. Spey Doctor The highly-qualified casting instructor that we had at the fishing event mentioned above, Walt Geryk, presented a quick seminar on casting with (Continued on next page)

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2018 • 39 (Continued from page 38)

the switch rods right there on the banks of the Salmon River, which is a huge tributary in New York draining into Lake Ontario. Mr. Geryk recommended the Hardy rod and reel combo. He has a great website (www.speydoctor.com) for gaining further knowledge about both single- and double-handed casting and fishing. Geryk’s Facebook page (Spey Doctor: Single & Two-Handed Casting & Fly Fishing) also helps interested anglers, from beginners to experts, understand casting techniques that should increase not only fishing success, but total enjoyment of the sport. Geryk makes a strong point about the importance of matching the rod to the correct line. He suggested a specific line from RIO (www.RioProducts. com ) to complement the

Hardy rod I had selected, and then he directed us to his Facebook page for information about setting up the leader/tippet for nymphing rigs and swinging streamers. Switching Rods I would suggest that anyone interested in two-handed casting get in touch with Geryk for casting instruction and general information. There might be other folks around who can help, but it sure seems like Geryk, the “Spey Doctor,” has the topic well covered. I’ll continue enjoying the regular, traditional one-handed casting for catching various fish on a fly rod, but this new-tome, two-handed method has opened up a whole new world. I’m anxious to see if others will find this method effective for fishing right here in Rangeley and throughout Maine.

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40 • July 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Trout Fishing at “Indian’s Last Leap” The upper Mousam River in Emery Mills and Springvale is, in my opinion, the most scenic river in southern Maine. I have lived along this section all my life, fishing, swimming and exploring it extensively. This two-mile stretch of water is laced with both natural and manmade historic sites. It also has a prolific trout population. The ruins of old lumber mills and dams offer good hikes – researching the history of these areas before you head out will allow you to enjoy them even more. The natural history is fascinating too. The area is a canyon that was carved millions of years ago by glacier activity – the signs are everywhere. There are many places where water and ice carved large boulders. Nowhere is this more evident than “Indian’s Last Leap,” located on the Mousam in Springvale.

Indian’s Last Leap, located in Springvale, is a popular swimming hole that also offers good trout fishing. Val Marquez photo

The leap is carved from solid stone into a large circular pool that has been a swimming hole for centuries. Indians camped and swam there, early settlers swam there, and I jumped from the cliffs into the pool when I was a teen. Today, it’s still a popular swimming hole. The Legend According to legend (it has never been histor-

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ical validated), the story began during the French and Indian war with a blood feud fueled by an Indian raid in Wells during a wedding party for the Plaisted family. During that raid, Chief Wivurna was killed. The feud carried on for years. Some years later Plaisted grandson, Roger Spencer, built a home at Butler’s Corner, today Springvale, near the Meguncock River, which was later renamed the Mousam. According to lore, young Spencer was on the other side of the Mousam from his home when he was surprised by a band of Indians. Spencer ran toward home, came to the ledges and jumped across safely. Chief Nahanda, swinging his war ax, followed closely. He, too, tried to jump across, but – the story goes – fell short and was swept away by the fast water. This story became the legend of “Indian’s Last Leap.” The leap is located along the “Mousam River Trail System” between Butler’s Corner and the Springvale Recreation

area. The trail is clearly marked with green paint and Mousam Way signs. You can park either at the recreation area or at the CMP power station at Butler’s Corner. The trail follows the river on both sides. Trout Holes This spot on the Mousam is what I would call technical water –it’s tough to fish, but the swift rapids, log jams and deep rocky pools all hold trout. I concentrate my fishing efforts on the pools below swift waters; “the Leap” is always my first pool to fish. I enjoy fly fishing, but find it hard to fish there for a number of reasons. First of all is access – getting in the proper location to present the fly in a natural manner involves rocky descents, and I don’t want to end up washing downstream like the legendary Chief Nahanda. The large log jams also make it difficult to fish properly – anglers will lose ten flies or lures for every trout they catch in the jams. Landing trout is difficult, as well. You need to pull fish up out of

high cliffs or through logs and brush. With the light leaders that are required to fool trout, it becomes a nightmare to land trout here. I fished the Leap this spring during a late afternoon mayfly hatch, hooking – and promptly losing – two trout. The final score? Two lost flies, zero trout. However, I did catch a few trout in the riffles just below the Leap. There were trout rising in every pool as I hiked out at dark. The Mousam is tame from the Leap to the sea – it has many dams that form ponds and slow water sections. These provide good warm-water fisheries for smallmouth bass, crappie and perch. These waters offer good summertime fishing. Anglers often overlook bass fishing in the mid-section of the Mousam. Whicher’s Mills in Alfred comes to mind – the fast water holds both trout and bass. A large Muddler Minnow with a yellow tail works for me here. Casting cross-current and swimming the fly with quick jerks results in strikes. Also you can try an olive wooly bugger on bright days, and black on darker days, covering close water first and then working it farther with each cast. These slow-water stretches and deep pools hold brown trout that have dropped down from rapids. Once trout grow larger than the carrying capacity offered in swift waters that generally offers only aquatic insects and small minnows, they migrate into slower, deep(Continued on next page)

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2018 • 41

Who Doesn’t Like More Bacon on Their Salad? Bacon, bacon, and more bacon – it just makes everything taste better. There is nothing like a fresh salad with bacon on it to

round out a summer BBQ. Here are three bacon salads that can be made ahead and that will surely please any

family or crowd. Bon Appetit!

Grilled Maine Maple Sweet Corn Salad Ingredients • ½ lb bacon, cooked and chopped* • 3 ears of sweet Maine corn, husks removed and grilled • 1 cup sweet cherry tomatoes • 1 15-oz can black beans, drained and rinsed • ½ cup red onion, chopped fine • 1/3 cup cilantro, chopped fresh • ½ lemon, juiced • 3 tablespoons olive oil • 3 tablespoons Fiore Maple Balsamic Vinegar • Smoked Salt and Pepper*

*Bacon in the oven is less mess. Preheat oven to 400°F. Arrange rack in lower third of oven. Arrange bacon on stone baking sheet. Lay bacon on baking sheet in single layer. The bacon can be close together, but don’t overlap, or bacon will stick during cooking. Bake until bacon is deep golden-brown and crispy, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer bacon to paper towel-lined plate

Grill corn until kernels are browned on all sides (not burnt). Remove kernels from cob and place in bowl. Add remaining ingredients and toss to combine.

*Fiore Maple Balsamic Vinegar from fioreoliveoils.com *Applewood Smoked Sea Salt from sfsalt.com *Tellicherry Peppercorns from thespicehouse.com

— Warm Black Fly Vinaigrette • • • • • • • • • •

1 cup olive oil 1/3 cup honey 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 2 teaspoon lemon juice 1 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard 1 tablespoon dried black flies (substitute: poppy seeds) 1 teaspoon minced garlic 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper ¼ teaspoon sea salt ¼ teaspoon black pepper

More Delicious Recipes Broccoli Cranberry Summer Salad • • • • • • • • •

6 cups broccoli florets, chopped 1 cup roasted sunflower seeds ¾ cup dried cranberries 1/3 cup red onion, chopped 8 slices bacon, crumbled 1 cup mayonnaise 2 tablespoons honey 2 tablespoons Fiore Summer Peach White Balsamic Vinegar (or white balsamic) 1 teaspoon smoked sea salt

Whisk all ingredients in a saucepan over low heat until combined. Pour immediately onto salad.

Combine mayonnaise, honey, vinegar and salt and stir. Combine broccoli, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, onion and bacon in large bowl. Pour mayo mixture over and mix well. Best made day ahead for fantastic flavors to meld!

Southern Maine

ing the water interesting. Typically, the pond has weeds on some shorelines – places where sunlight can reach bottom depths. Largemouth bass hold in these areas. Smallmouth bass, some in the 2-pound range, can be caught near large, submerged boulders in the pond. Littlefield receives an annual stocking of around 800 brook trout, generally in October; last fall, hundreds were 13 inches long.

(Continued from page 40)

er waters where larger prey exist – frogs, shiners and other large food sources. Littlefield Pond While in the area, check this crystal-clear pond located in Springvale. Littlefield has a gravel-laced bottom with small stones, but it also features many large boulders, mak-

— Warm Strawberry Bacon Salad • • • • •

8 cups chopped romaine lettuce (spinach is delicious too!) 1 pound ripe strawberries, sliced 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled 1 cup crumbled blue cheese, or feta 1 cup pecans, toasted and chopped*

In large bowl, combine ingredients together, then add warm vinaigrette and toss. Use as much or little vinaigrette as you prefer. *Roast pecans on stove in cast iron pan until lightly toasted and you smell them or some have lightly browned.

Brook trout cruise shorelines searching for bait fish in the evening. During daylight hours, they hide in deep, cooler waters. Anglers stripping a streamer or bushy nymph deep or running a shiny lure near bottom, do well. Bait fished on bottom is also effective. Finally, trolling streamers, lures and even a worm along shore at dawn and dusk will generally take trout and bass.

www.MaineSportsman.com

42 • July 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Tom Trolls Deep on Sebago for Togue I snagged a length of broken-off line with my lure. At the end of the line was an unusually-colored Flatfish – light green with a fish scale pattern, an electric-blue stripe and a pair of sinister-looking red eyes. Call me -- if you can describe it, you can have it back. I woke up as the sun was barely in the sky. A cool July morning on the lake, but I knew it would become hot as the day progressed. The camp had that familiar chill, so I made a Thermos of coffee and walked down to the dock. Everything had been loaded in the boat the night before, so I untied my fishing machine and pushed away from the dock. It was so peaceful and quiet that I hated to start the motor, but I had to get to the fishing grounds. I motored toward Frye’s Island and entered the Gut, the stretch of water between the island and Raymond Cape.

There is a channel approximately 80 feet deep, and I was targeting that depth. I turned on my electric downrigger and set it so the ball would hover 3 feet off the bottom. My downrigger rod was rigged with an orange and gold Mooselook Wobbler, so I let the line out and attached it to my release. Down went the 12-pound ball, and I was fishing. All I had to do now was watch the fish-finder, reel up slack as the downrigger did its thing and kept me close to bottom, and – oh yeah – wait for a fish. Nearly Two Feet Long As I passed between

the ferry docks, I poured a cup of coffee and remarked to myself that this was living! No sooner had I taken a few first sips of the hot brew than my rod snapped up, indicating a strike. I pulled the rod from the holder and took in the slack, being met with a heavy tug. Fish on! First it was dead weight with a few tugs just to let me know I didn’t have bottom. Next came a steady drag on the rod. I pumped and reeled, gaining on the fish, but it dove deep three times. As it neared the surface, I saw the telltale bubbles and knew the fish was ready to give in. I had my net handy,

Downriggers are used in trolling. They are designed to bring the line and lure or smelt down to the desired depth using a weight (the “cannonball”) clipped to the line. A strike from a fish releases the line from the weight, allowing the angler to play the fish directly and without interference. Tom Seymour photo

and soon the lunker togue was in the boat. He measured at just shy of 24 inches, a slot fish that I planned to return anyway. I estimated he was a good three-pounds. I held him by the tail to make sure he could swim away, and as he pulled at me, I let him go and he headed back quickly to the lake’s depths. This was summertime Sebago Lake (DeLorme Atlas Map 5, C-1) togue trolling, for sure. Technology Advances As I readied my gear

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again, I mused to myself how far I was from my grandfather’s days of rowing a cotton or lead line around the lake all day. I had a gas outboard, electronic fish-finder and electric downrigger with technology to do just about any type of trolling. This is what catches fish these days, and Sebago Lake is a top spot for late summer togue trolling. Some anglers put their rods away when the summer doldrums hit, while others head to the coast. But I spend much (Continued on page 44)

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Maine Island Trail — a 30-Year Alternative to Route 1 It was only late afternoon on the first day of my month-long, self-propelled trip from Kittery to Fort Kent – and I was in trouble. Starting at Fort Foster on Kittery Point, I had rowed about 10 miles along the Maine Island Trail in my wood & canvas Old Town canoe. What had started as a minor chop in the confines of Portsmouth Harbor had deteriorated into a not-so-gentle swell along the coast of York County (DeLorme’s Atlas, Map 1, C-4). The surging water was breaking on the rocky shore and creating very scenic white surf for as far as the eye could see up and down the coast. It reminded me that I was no longer training on Clearwater Lake near Farmington. I was immensely grateful that I was rowing the canoe instead of solo-paddling. The double-ender rowed beautifully, averaging 3 – 3.5

The Maine Island Trail, which turns 30 years old in 2018, runs along the Maine coast and was the nation’s first water trail. It has grown to include over 180 saltwater island campsites between Kittery and the Canadian border.

The author rows his canoe along the coastal Maine Island Trail.

miles per hour, according to my GPS. Despite the seas, I had been able to keep a straight course, and the boat felt stable under the power of the oars. All had gone well un-

til I reached Cape Neddick, which protrudes a half-mile out into the Atlantic, near the village of York Beach. At that point, the swell doubled in size and seemed to be coming more from the

southeast. The waves also got shorter and more confused near the iconic Nubble Light at the end of the point. Navigation and steady speed became a real issue. Slowing to a crawl,

I fought my way around the point – much too close to the wicked rocks beneath the lighthouse – and into the relatively calm water near Short Sands beach. Exhaustion and nausea caught up to me there as I shipped the oars and rested briefly. It was only another two miles to my destination for the first night of the trip at Phillips Cove. I rowed it very slowly, wondering what I had gotten myself into. Thirty Years and Growing The Maine Island Trail turns thirty this year. It was the brainchild of David Getchell, Sr. and a few other visionaries who proposed America’s first water trail along the Maine coast. The Trail was conceived back in the 1980s as Maine began to inventory state-owned islands and inland parcels that have since come to be public land units throughout the state. From a core (Continued on next page)

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Self-Propelled Sportsman (Continued from page 43)

group of 40 state-owned islands, the trail has expanded to include over 180 island campsites between Kittery and the Canadian border. More than 100 of these islands are privately owned but generously shared with members of the Maine Island Trail Association (MITA). The association has more than 5,000 members who, for a yearly membership fee, gain recreational access to the private islands on the trail and receive a well-written annual guidebook which describes each island. The campsites are usually primitive with no facilities, and the association encourages leave-notrace camping principles. MITA welcomes powerboats, sailboats and paddle/oar powered craft – but the shallow landing sites and the non-luxury accommodations rule out most of the yachting types. The most common boat seems to be recreational or sea kayaks. Instead of Dodging Traffic

I first began to imagine, and write about, a self-propelled trip from Kittery to Fort Kent way back in 2005. My original plans for the southernmost leg of the trip started with a fast bike ride from Kittery to the Mahoosuc Range in western Maine and then a switch to the Appalachian Trail. Then the “real” trip could begin. It’s easy to overlook the southern tip of the state when contemplating outdoor adventure. Unless, that is, you count mini-golf, beach-sitting and outlet-shopping as adventurous. But just a few yards offshore, things can get wild and wooly very quickly in a small, self-propelled boat. The Atlantic Ocean has always provided an edge of adventure to the most populated area of the state. Maine’s Small Boat Tradition The premium way to explore any coastline is with a small boat. This is particularly true in ar-

Sebago to Auburn (Continued from page 42)

of my summer on the lake, so I like to fish as often as I can, despite the heat. Warm surface temperatures mean the salmon go deep and the togue are almost always on bottom, so I like to target the willing lakers this month in this region. Sebago lakers are plentiful, and they run big. A double-digit-pound fish is not uncommon, and there is a large fraternity of anglers who troll the lake as I do, all summer long. Some anglers save up frozen smelt, and swear by them as the best bait. I use them as long as I have them, preferring to drag them about 30 inches behind a small dodger or set of spoons. Flatfish – Free to a Good Home Many anglers use spoons such as Mooselook Wobblers, or similar brands. Others prefer the Flatfish, and it seems everyone has their own color preference with this lure. www.MaineSportsman.com

eas like Maine that have extremely convoluted shores with thousands of islands, peninsulas, bays, gunk holes, coves and river estuaries. In fact, for 15,000 years, small, human-powered boats were the sole means of travel in this watery area. Try to imagine what a vast wilderness the Maine coastline would have remained if the earliest explorers, including Native Americans, had somehow lacked the technology to make and use small boats. If these early inhabitants had been restricted to land travel, everything east of modern-day Route 1 would have been a howling wilderness. But instead, this area has always been the most heavily populated part of the state – even in pre-historic times. Give credit to the canoes, the bateaus, the dories and all of the wherries, punts, rowboats, dinghies and every other muscle-powered boat that made human existence possible here. These small boats have lost traction along the Maine coast over the last hundred years, as

Just a few yards offshore, the tranquil water turned lumpy.

After a rough passage, a quiet cove along the Maine Island Trail provides a welcome respite.

bridges, roads and motors made exploration and development of the coastline less strenuous. The contrast between the settled, domesticated coast lands, and the very “real” world just a few yards off-

I snagged someone’s broken-off line that must have been wrapped on bottom, and came up with their Flatfish last season. It was an unusual color combination I had never seen before. It was light green with a fish scale pattern and an electric-blue stripe on the back. On the underside there were a pair of sinister-looking red eyes with offset black pupils. I threw it in my tackle bag, where it remains. If you can describe it, you can have it back. Maybe I’ll try it this month if I don’t hear from the owner. My favorite Flatfish colors are the frog pattern (top choice) and chrome. Almost any smelt-imitating lure works for lake trout, and the new synthetic baits work exceptionally well. I’ve tried several brands, and they all seem to produce. It’s nice not to have to mess with bait, keeping it alive or freezing it and then trying to calculate how long to thaw it enough to fish with. I keep a few pouches of smelt imitations in my tackle bag. I like running Frye’s Gut, but there are myriad good togue grounds on the big lake.

shore, has become even more dramatic. And for the past 30 years, the Maine Island Trail has welcomed back self-propelled types to that edge of adventure.

I have luck in waters between 30 and 100 feet deep, but keeping your bait or lure close to bottom is key. My fishing partner says if you aren’t bumping bottom occasionally, you aren’t fishing deep enough. Thompson, Auburn Lakes Farther north, Thompson Lake (Map 5, A-2) has a phenomenal togue fishery, and bottom-targeting fish there will be productive. These fish are plentiful but run smaller, usually between one to three pounds. Lake Auburn (Map 11, E-4) is another top togue lake, and fish here run larger than Sebago or Thompson Lake fish. You have the chance to latch onto a real trophy laker on Lake Auburn, thanks to portions of the lake being closed to fishing (it’s a municipal water supply), no ice-angling and excellent water quality. So don’t hang up the gear to depart for the coast. These hot days are made for trolling deep for lakers on this region’s big waters. Troll deep and try different offerings until you find what works.

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2018 • 45

Surfcasting Central Maine’s Coastal Beaches Whether you’re casting a lure into turbid breakers or fishing bait off bottom, if you haven’t tried beach fishing in Maine you are missing out on a truly exciting experience. Fortunately, the Pine Tree State provides ample opportunities for sportsmen who are interested in trying their hand at surfcasting. Our coastline is dotted with sandy beaches, perfect for catching stripers and occasional bluefish. Where to Fish While it is possible to catch fish along the banks of the Kennebec up to Augusta, better fishing exists farther down the coast. Anglers should focus efforts on areas such as Hills Beach at the mouth of the Saco River, Parsons Beach, and Crescent Surf beach at the mouth of the Mousam River. During the middle and latter part of July, Pemaquid Beach Park, Popham Beach State Park, and Mile Beach at Reid State Park also offer excellent fishing opportunities. When to Fish To avoid crowds, focus on fishing during the prime early morning and evening hours when fish are most active (and beach goers most inactive). Some beaches fish better during an incoming tide, others on an outgoing tide, but as long as the tide is moving, fish will generally feed in the surf. Slack high and low water periods are not always very productive.

Rod, Reel and Shock Leader A basic surfcasting

outfit need not break the bank. Sportsmen looking to try their luck chasing stripers or blues may already have a suitable beach fishing outfit. A seven- or eight-foot rod and reel outfit rated for 15- to 20-pound mono line will work nicely for bottom fishing or tossing spoons such as Kastmasters and Hopkins, swimming plugs, soft-plastics, and topwater poppers. Whether using bait on bottom or artificials, it’s wise to rig a shock leader. This entails tying a front casting section to your line, made of higher breaking strength, such as 30-pound mono. To join two lines together of different diameter, use a back-to-back Uni-knot or an Albright Special (there are plenty of instructional videos on YouTube). Make the “shocker” long enough so that it wraps around the reel

spools five times, and then run it to the rod tip and back to the reel. This should provide ample leader for casting with confidence. The heavy “shocker” absorbs the energy of casting. Without it, surf anglers run the risk of breaking their regular line during a forceful cast. Beach Rod Holders Surf fishermen should be aware of the destructive power of sand and salt water on their rod and reel outfits. A piece of PVC pipe offers an inexpensive way to hold your rod and reel out of the gritty sand. Cut a 2-inch diameter PVC pipe to a length of 32 inches, with one end cut square and the other cut at a 45-degree angle. Insert the angled end upright into the sand, and simply slide the rod butt into the open end.

Here, the author chucks a popper at Popham Beach. He says beach casting should be practiced and mastered in a safe location free of sunbathers, and that a busy beach during the height of the tourist season is no time to be practicing new casting skills.

Take Care of Your Gear Fresh water rods and reels can be used for surf fishing, but are not designed for continued use in salt water and will quickly corrode. Care should be taken to rinse off rods and reels with

fresh water upon returning home. Use a light spray of water so as to not force sand or water into the inner workings of the reel. With a small investment, sportsmen wanting (Continued on next page)

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46 • July 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Make Scouting for White-tailed Deer a Joy Ride Scouting for Maine’s trophy white-tailed deer on an ATV isn’t anything new, but the activity sure appears to be underutilized. Each deer season I do see a few ATV riders out scouting for their trophy. However, I don’t see or hear about hunters using ATVs in a big way – probably a good thing. The trails I hunt on can remain quiet as far as I’m concerned. Some folks might think that writing about this scouting method would fill the trails with deer scouting riders, but I have been reporting about this for years and I haven’t noticed a big

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surge in deer-scouting with an ATV. Maine’s ATV trail system takes adventurous riders through beautiful river valleys, over heavily-forested mountains, around remote streams and ponds and to beaches and camping areas, with many connecting trails providing access to small towns from one border to the next. One website with a super-long link, www.GPSTrailmasters.com/content/goomap/atv-map_E. html, shows the extensive system of ATV trails here in the Pine Tree State. While some portions of the trails go right

through small towns and residential areas, most take riders through remote, forested regions of the state – areas where wild game thrive. In the old days, I’d simply drive my pickup to the base of a mountain that I thought might hold a trophy buck, and then walk in to inspect the area. Now, with limiting medical factors, I find it sometimes necessary to ride an ATV on trails that get me closer to the desired hunting locations. Hunt Smarter Of course, some folks might think I’m talking about riding around and shooting at deer from my

ATV, but nothing could be further from the truth. Rather, I ride my ATV on authorized trails through areas I think might hold trophy deer, looking for sign to indicate deer activity. When I find an area deemed worthy of hunting, I come back on my ATV, dismount, and then hunt the deer on foot. I’m still fortunate enough to be able to walk in to a stand or still-hunt a short distance. Some disabled hunters can, with the proper authorization, legally hunt from their ATV – and I’m just so happy that there is a way for these hunters to

get out and enjoy the wild woods. I do most of this kind of scouting during October, a prime time to be in the woods pursuing tasty ruffed grouse. It’s typical to find grouse and deer inhabiting the same woods, so shooting a few grouse while scouting for deer sign on an ATV goes hand-in-hand. Others can scout for deer sign from an ATV throughout the summer months when trails are open. Gear for Scouting ATV scouting hunters get to choose between going light or living in luxury, while some decide on (Continued on next page)

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

taking everything but the kitchen sink. One thing for sure – scouting requires a few items necessary for keeping an ATV from failing way back in the woods. Most ATVs come with a winch; if yours does not, make sure to get one. A come-along and a good length of strong rope or towing strap come in handy, too – hunters never know what the next bend in the trail might bring. Downed trees, mud holes, and a host of other problems ruin trail riding for those without these items. Speaking of downed trees, some ATV riders carry a chain saw, just in case. In many instances, hunters can simply pull or winch fallen trees out of the way, but a chain saw has its place, too. Some manufacturers offer mounts that attach di-

rectly to the front or rear rack and hold a saw firmly in place during transport. A flat tire surely would end the fun in a hurry and may strand hunters unnecessarily. Flat-fixing kits offer riders the ability to repair most flat tires. Some folks carry spare tires, but with the flat-fixing kit and a quality air pump, repairs take little time. A small set of tools, always regarded as useful, completes the list of necessary items for repairs in the field. Some folks carry an extra can of gas and a few quarts of motor oil for good measure. It never hurts to carry more of the essentials. A compact starting unit would be helpful in case of battery failure, and jumper cables serve the same purpose when riding in a group.

Central Maine (Continued from page 45)

to become more serious about surfcasting can invest in rods and reels that are specifically designed to take the punishment of fishing in this rough environment. Reels come equipped with an almost infinite number of features and combinations. For someone new to the sport, simpler is often better. A Penn Spinfisher V reel matched to a quality seven- to 12- foot surfcasting rod such as those in Cabela’s Salt Caster series or Tica’s TC2 with graphite shaft, are rod and reel combinations that should bring years of enjoyment. Casting The easiest surfcasting technique for the beginner is to cast exactly as you would do on the bank of a freshwater lake or from a boat. The familiar basic cast will allow an angler to sling the lure or bait an acceptable distance. As an angler’s skills become more advanced, there are two additional casts to add to the repertoire. These casts should be practiced and mastered in a safe location free of people. A busy beach during the height of the tourist season is no time to be practicing new casting skills. The first cast is relatively easy and is called the “off the ground” cast. It’s called “off the ground” because the weight and bait, or lure, rests on the sand behind the caster, who then propels it forward with a single, smooth motion. To use a track-and-

Club Membership Only about 25 percent of currently-registered ATVs belong to an owner who also holds an ATV Maine (atvmaine.org) affiliated club membership, but the numbers rise each year. Club membership affords hunters and riders plenty of benefits. Trail maintenance and procurement probably top the list of good reasons to join a club, but being a club member also puts hunters in contact with folks that know the local trails that connect to the major trails – and the maps that detail many of the local ATV routes missed on the bigger trail maps. The Maine ATV Trail Map, put out by the Department of Conservation, Bureau of Parks and Lands, ORV Division/ ATV Program (parksandlands.com), lists the various ATV trail routes and corresponding clubs for

ATVs can be used for pre-season scouting, since authorized trails traverse many areas in the state that hold whitetail deer. Riders who notice signs of deer activity can return to those locations in the fall. William Clunie photo

each area. Riders can order trail maps by visiting the informative website, or calling (207) 287-4958. Hunters looking for lodging or camping can also refer to the Parks and Lands website for detailed information on area businesses near each of the club trails. A few phone calls placed to these businesses lets hunters set up a complete trip – lodging, food, and possible campsites. Many ATV hunting/

field analogy, the motion is comparable to throwing a javelin. Once this initial casting technique is mastered, the second, more complicated “pendulum cast” can be attempted. Returning to the track and field analogy, this movement, in which the weight and bait or lure are spun in a circle in the air before casting out to sea, mimics the spin of an Olympic shot-put or hammer thrower. M a s tering the pendulum will require you to invest considerable time practicing; however, when done correctly will allow a lure or bait to be cast up to 300 feet. Word champions using very long rods can cast an astounding 800 feet. With all casts, the trick is to “load” your rod, causing it to bend with your arm motion, and then releasing the rod’s energy into the cast. For videos on how to successfully conduct both of these casts, Google “off the ground surfcasting” and “pendulum surfcasting.” A word of warning – always watch the beach populace on back swings, since some folks seem to have little regard for surf anglers. Lure & Baiting Considerations Surfcasting lures come in a wide variety of colors, sizes, materials and forms, from soft plastic shads and hard plastic pencil poppers to metal spoons. If you are looking for an affordable, proven lure, purchase a package of Storm 4” Pearl Shads. These versatile, soft-plastic lures with heavy heads are castable, effective, and hold up well to all but the most

scouting adventures can be had across the state, from Southern Maine to Down East as well as the Western Mountain Region, and Aroostook County. Some of the best trails go from campsite to campsite, with awesome hunting territory in between. Trail-riding hunters only see a few other ATV riders on the trails – most of the time they’ve got the whole place to themselves.

aggressive bluefish. Slide rigs for fishing bait on bottom with a pyramid sinker are available at many fishing shops. If you select one of these premade setups, be sure to choose ones with circle hooks. The survival rate for fish hooked with circle hooks (98%) is much greater than with “J” hooks (73%). Circle hooks have been required when bait fishing for stripers and bluefish in Maine waters since 2013 (except when using 8-inch-plus trolling tube lures.) Frozen bait including mackerel, herring, shad and bunker are available from bait shops up and down the Maine coast. Places to purchase bait and an assortment of fishing supplies include Saco Bay Tackle on Route 1 in Saco, The Tackle Shop (at a new location – 200 Veranda Street in Portland) and Johnson’s Sporting Goods, in Brunswick. Safety and Other Considerations Fishing Maine’s popular saltwater beaches during the height of tourist season certainly poses challenges. Tidal and wave movements can cause relatively calm areas to quickly become unsafe when rip tides and undertows are created. Another danger of beach fishing is in the unsheltered exposure to the sun’s rays. To protect yourself from the heat, bring a portable seat for keeping off the hot sand, sunscreen, a wide brimmed hat and plenty of water for staying hydrated. If you’ve never experienced surfcasting, consider giving it a try this summer.

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48 • July 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Coastal Region Finds Anglers on Fresh Water in the Morning, Salt Water in the Afternoon For me, nothing beats a July morning spent crappie fishing, followed by an afternoon of saltwater fishing for mackerel and squid. During the heat of summer, black crappies are most active during the early morning and evening hours. In the morning, it pays to hit the water just as the sun’s red orb clears the eastern horizon. That’s when crappies congregate around ledges, rocky points and other underwater structure. One of my favorite crappie haunts, Unity Pond, features lots of underwater geography that crappies find to their liking. And in summer, the same crappies that prowled these places the previous evening remain during early mornings. However, when the sun gets higher in the sky – say around 10 a.m. – the fish disperse, not to be seen again until evening. So picture slowly motoring along, rods rigged with crappie jigs and ready to cast at a moment’s notice. The calm water, as yet untouched by morning breezes, seems mirror-like. And then, within 100 feet of a ledge known as a crappie hotspot, it’s time to slow the motor to a crawl and drift in, casting ahead of the boat. Then when that first crappie hits, it’s time to kill the motor and begin some serious fishing. With luck, the ledge will produce a dozen or more thick, golden-flecked crappies – more than enough for a meal, and great fun to catch. www.MaineSportsman.com

For freshwater crappies and saltwater mackerel, I use ultralight gear and extra-thin line, which makes for memorable battles even with smaller fish. For squid, try the new semi-buoyant squid jigs, with holographic images of fish on their sides and barbless hook points on bottom.

The author and a black crappie pulled from Unity Pond.

Crappie Gear Any old rod and reel will suffice for crappie fishing, but for maximum fun, it’s best to match the size of the tackle to the size of the fish. To that end, I enjoy using an ultralight spinning rod and reel loaded with extra-thin, 6X-diameter, 4-pound test line. As per the terminal end, we today are fortunate to have so many high-quality panfish jigs available. My favorites, though, are something called “Crappie Magnets,” made by Leland Lures, the company that also offers Trout Magnets. Crappie Magnets

come with silver or gold jigheads and split-tail bodies. The things cast like bullets and sink

This squid was taken on high-tech, semi-buoyant jig.

quickly to bottom. Crappies fall all over themselves to hit them. Crappie Magnets appeal to other fish as well, and everything from bluegills to bass fall to these durable panfish jigs. White perch, too, eagerly grab Crappie Magnets. When hooked, crappies put up a good account of themselves. Larger specimens, 12 inches or more, make short but spirited runs, adding to the excitement. The ultralight tackle allows crappies and other panfish to perform to the best of their ability. It is possible during these early-morning

jaunts, to have brief flurries of nonstop action. That’s when two pre-rigged rods come in handy. If one jig breaks off on bottom during one of these prime feeding periods, rather than taking time to tie on a new jig, it’s much easier to just grab the other rod and keep on fishing. Look for Unity Pond on the DeLorme Atlas, Map 21, D-5 and Map 22, D-1. Saltwater Fun Given an afternoon high tide, it’s possible to come home from crappie fishing and switch to saltwater gear. Since much of my saltwater fishing efforts concentrate upon mackerel and – when they are in – squid, I stick to ultralight tackle, much the same as used for crappie fishing. This gives those scrappy mackerel the best chance to put up a memorable fight. Fishing from any of the various floats and piers in Waldo and Knox Counties, I encounter other people using tackle better suited for pike and muskies, rather than mackerel. When these folks see me battling a mackerel on my ultralight gear, they often think that I’m fast to a monster and are visibly surprised when they see me land an average-sized mackerel. For those who must travel any distance to reach good mackerel fishing, it pays to plan ahead for the very best time to go. And while mackerel bite during all tide stages, they are at their very best during an incoming (Continued on page 50)

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2018 • 49

Freshwater and Saltwater Fishing Create Rod-Bending Action Downeast anglers are becoming increasingly enthusiastic about the sport of fishing, in both fresh and salt water. This may be a result of the multitude of warm-water lake fisheries in Washington and Hancock Counties, and the fact that Penobscot Bay has fertile saltwater fishing grounds for mackerel anglers. Crawford Lake in Washington County is one of the best bass lakes in eastern Maine. Crawford is located just north of Route 9; see DeLorme’s Atlas, Map 36, D-2. A gravel road allows easy access to an excellent public boat launching site on the lake’s eastern shore. The shoreline is dotted with permanent and seasonal residences. The lake’s rocky shoals and numerous small islands establish high quality bass habitat. Fishing is regularly good for bass in the 11 to 13-

According to Rick Ames of Bucksport, Silver Lake provides fast smallmouth bass fishing, especially around the islands at the north end of the lake. He recommends using plugs or other plastic lures to entice smallies in the 1- to 2-pound class, with a chance at an occasional 3- to 4-pound trophy fish. inch size range, with fair numbers of larger fish in the 1-1/2-to-2-1/2 pound range caught each year. The peak of bass fishing usually occurs in late June and early July. A reasonably good number of white perch in the 10 to12-inch size range are caught annually. Anglers make excellent catches of pickerel in the 1-1/2 to 3-pound range. An especially productive area is off Maine Stream. Pickerel are readily caught by casting lures in and around the numerous weedbeds. Alamoosook Bass Another exceptional fresh-water bass fish-

ing water is Alamoosook Lake in Orland, Map 23, E-3. This medium-sized water contains 1,133 acres of fertile smallie habitat, and features a maximum depth of 28 feet. Bass fishers often use live bait, bass plugs, or plastic worms to entice smallmouths in the 2-to 3-pound category. Fishing near the small islands, especially French Island, produces most of the trophy-bass action during July. Other quality bass haunts on this water, according to avid bass angler Mike Cummings of Bucksport, are located in the vicinity of Randall’s

Bridge. This area of water, known as the Dead River, contains some fine bass fishing. Another piece of water where smallies can keep a rod bending is near the Alamoosook Lake outlet. The coves just before the dam are noted for the hefty-sized bass caught there during the summertime. Alamoosook Lake also provides fast perch and pickerel action during the summer. Easy access can be found by traversing Route 1 to East Orland. Follow the signs toward the Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery. The boat landing is located within the boundaries of the fish

hatchery. Another great attraction at the lake is the Craig Brook Visitor Center, where children and adults can witness firsthand the incredible life cycle of the Atlantic salmon. More Bass Waters Another top-rated bass fishery is Silver Lake; see Map 23, E-2. It contains 630 acres of water and has a maximum depth of 33 feet. This lake produces fast bronze-back action along the east shoreline. A productive spot for bass action, according to bass angler Rick Ames of Bucksport, can be found around the islands at the north end of the lake, where a rocky bottom structure creates ideal habitat for smallmouths. Ames mentioned that bass anglers using plugs or other plastic lures are able to entice smallies in (Continued on next page)

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50 • July 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Downeast Region (Continued from page 49)

the 1- to 2-pound class, with an occasional 3- to 4-pound trophy a realistic possibility. Largemouth bass may also be a part of a day’s catch on this water. Some of the largest trophy bass caught here have tipped the scales at close to six pounds. Healthy numbers of white perch and pickerel can also create fast action for warm-water anglers. The boat launch lies about midway down the lake on the Silver Lake Road. Chemo and Swett’s Pond Another water that features blistering bronzeback action is Chemo Pond in Eddington; see Map 23, B-5. This medi-

um-sized pond contains quite a few smallies for summer anglers to battle. Even though other warm-water fish thrive in this water, smallmouths are the number one species sought after by July anglers. Bronzebacks in the 2- to 3-pound range are often landed by summer fishers; however, many smaller bass are taken from this water. The boat-launching facility at Chemo Pond is located off Route 9 between East Eddington and Clifton. One last bass pond that offers solitude and great bass fishing is Swett’s Pond in South Orrington, Map 23, C-2. Even though this is a relatively small body of wa-

ter, it contains excellent smallmouth-bass habitat and a respectable number of fish for anglers to catch. This pond provides a great number of bass in the 1- to 2- pound category. Pen Bay Angling Saltwater fishing in the Greater Penobscot Bay Region produces a great deal of excitement during the month of July. Anglers all along this coastal area battle schools of mackerel. Mackerel-seekers from Belfast Harbor to Castine will be wetting lines from area bridges, docks and ledges, or by trolling the bay for these hard-hitting fish. Belfast Harbor anglers often cast their lines from the foot-bridge (formerly the old Route 1 Bridge), while other successful mackerel fishers prefer to launch a boat in Castine and troll the bay.

They’re growing white perch big in Hancock County, as illustrated with this 14-inch perch caught by the author. Lemieux photo

The scenic coastline at Fort Point State Park on Cape Jellison, Map 15, A-1, also has high concentrations of mackerel during the summer. The area has a large recreational picnic facility, surrounded by the historic remains of Fort Pownall.

Midcoast Report (Continued from page 48)

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tide. The time from half-tide to almost high tide ranks as the very best. At full tide, schools of mackerel prowl aimlessly and with no apparent direction. In other words, they are unpredictable at high tide and if a school passes by, an angler may take one or several. But otherwise, it’s better to hit a coming tide, since that’s when schools venture near shore and remain there, at least until the tide stops running. The outgoing tide, too, can offer good fishing, although not usually as fast-paced as when fishing an incoming tide. Squid Runs Squid, too, often come into nearshore areas and are easily taken by shore-based anglers. Often while an angler is mackerel fishing, a squid will latch on to a mackerel jig with its tentacles. But that doesn’t occur frequently often enough to consider mackerel jigs as fitting lures for squid. Better to buy one or two of the new, semi-buoyant squid jigs. These have holographic images of fish on their sides, and a skirt-shaped

The 200-foot dock affords excellent opportunities for mackerel enthusiasts to catch enough fish to keep most excursions exciting. There is a boat launch located off the West Cape Road for folks who prefer to troll the shoreline.

set of barbless hook points on bottom. The way to use these is to cast out and allow the jig to slowly sink. If a squid intercepts the jig, the line will stop moving and it’s time to begin reeling. It isn’t necessary to set the hook, but it is important not to allow any slack line so the squid can’t unhook itself from the jig. Bringing the squid ashore requires some thought. Since all squid eject a dark, inky substance when threatened, it is important to allow the animal to do that over the water, not on the dock or float. So hold the almost-landed squid over the water for a few moments and allow it to discharge its “ink.” Then swing it aboard. I like to drop the squid directly into an open ice cooler. Then, when cleaning squid back home, they will be as fresh as when they first came out of the sea. Tom Issues a Challenge If I can do it, anyone can. For a fun-filled day in July, try crappies in the morning and mackerel and squid in the afternoon. Good luck!

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2018 • 51

Hit Small Ponds for Big Browns Now, during summer’s Dog Days, most people think only of ways to keep cool. I think of ways to catch trout – hot weather be darned. It is now, in July, that trout, salmon and togue hold in deep, cool, well-oxygenated water in lakes and ponds. Knowing this, anglers can target their favorite species with a certainty. For me, July represents some of the best fishing of the season. This holds true for both larger lakes and smaller ponds. Smaller waters interest me because by July, most other anglers have stopped fishing for spring-stocked trout. But instead of being only seasonal hotspots, many of these ponds have deep holes, spring-fed oases where salmonids from years past hold over. And those are what pique my interest. Waters that the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (DIF&W) include in their brown-trout stocking program may well hold surprises for dedicated anglers. Brown trout, being more tolerant of warm water than brook trout, often carry over in small ponds, giving us exciting action even in the midst of summer’s heat. Comfort Zone Small-pond fishing requires us to locate that area of cool water and adequate dissolved oxygen that salmonids need. I’ll call it the “comfort zone.” In some cases, this may encompass a small area of perhaps two or three acres.

The author holds a brown trout taken on a July day.

Fish locators help greatly in identifying these areas, but even if you forget to bring your fish locator (it happens to me several times a season), it is possible to establish a grid-style trolling pattern in order to cover the entire pond. Once you catch a fish or have one or two missed strikes, take note of the location by aligning it with shoreline features. If three prominent features are visible, it is easy to triangulate. This method has worked since it was first discovered 1,000 years ago. And yes, those with GPS units can simply punch in their coordinates. I haven’t gotten to that point yet, since the old-fashioned triangulation method suites me fine. Upon establishing the perimeter of the comfort zone, all that remains is to keep trolling. But here’s where lots of variables come into play. Let’s assume that you do have your fish locator and it has shown fish holding at a certain depth. That’s where we

need to place our lures or baits. Also remember that trout and salmon don’t hesitate to race up in the water column to strike your offering but they never dive down to do the same. So you can fish in a pond full of giant trout and not get a bite if you are fishing below the fish. Just remember, trout eye placement allows them to see what goes on above, but not below. If your lure passes within two or three feet above a waiting trout or salmon, chances are it will zip up to bite. Of course there is a limit to this, since even

Mooselook Wobblers in “glow” colors are favorite brown trout lures.

the hungriest trout will hesitate to approach the surface during the daytime. Try your best to keep within that comfort zone, since that translates into the “strike zone,” and that’s precisely where we want to be. The Variables Targeting trout in a small pond may sound so easy that it borders upon unfair, but that’s not the case at all. Just because fish are present doesn’t mean we can make them bite. But we sure can give them plenty of incentive. And that means using a lure or bait that they find

interesting, and also moving at the proper speed. In July, slow trolling speeds are the norm. This holds especially true when trolling with attractors such as dodgers or trolling spoon sets. Speed isn’t such an important factor if using a wobbling spoon or live, frozen or preserved bait. But given that the fish, not us, dictate proper trolling speeds, it pays to vary speeds until fish begin to bite, and then keep it at that speed. The next consideration ranks as the most debated and variable decision of all, that being the choice of bait or lure. What worked so well last week may not stir any interest today. Also, after deciding which lure to use, it is important to choose the proper size. In July, young-of-the-year smelt are still fairly small, and since they can outnumber the adult smelt in any given water, it pays to “match the hatch,” so to speak. For me, smaller lures work better in summer. So save those large-size (Continued on next page)

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52 • July 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Trolling for Trout with Spoons and Flies I like to use as thin a line as possible – even 4-pound test. However, I have heard about Maine anglers catching 10-pound brown trout, and if I am fishing those areas, that’s when I want 8- to 10-pound test line! Mainers are lucky, since we live in one of the few states in which anglers can catch trout near the surface late into the summer in some of our cold-water lakes and ponds. However, for those times when there isn’t a bug hatch going on, trolling is the best option. That doesn’t mean you have to put the fly rod away. Trolling with streamer flies can be just as productive as trolling spoons. I like Black Ghosts, Gray Ghosts, Mickey Finns, or other baitfish imitation flies. Trolling with flies allows you to still fight your fish on a fly rod. Trolling with spoons work great, and trout will often take a spoon very aggressively. As for color, I like gold, purple and silver.

Look for Structure When I’m looking at the lake, what I will often do is look for big rocks, logs and anything else that the fish might be hiding around, in 5 to 10 feet of water. Sometimes they might be down a little deeper. A lot of people use lead core line for downriggers, but I have found if you only need to get down about 10 feet, swiveled keel weights work great, and you don’t have to reel in a bunch of lead core line. Keel weights work better with spoons than with flies, but you can always try new things to see what works. The same with lure colors – keep trying new colors and sizes until you find what works. That’s just how anglers discover their “magic lure.” For line weight, I like to go as low as possible –

Trout Fishing (Continued from page 51)

lures for spring, when mature smelt predominate, and go with small offerings beginning in July. Finally, lure color can make a big difference too. Sometimes the brightest lures work best. For instance, Mooselook Wobblers in their new “glow” colors have great fish appeal and often outfish less flashy offerings. But sometimes more subdued colors work better. It’s a matter of trial-and-error for any particular day. Downsizing Benefits For many, fishing small ponds means downsizing your boat. Larger boats and motors will work, as long as the motors can www.MaineSportsman.com

sometimes even down to 4-pound and as high as 10-pound test. I like fluorocarbon, because fish don’t see it as well, but monofilament works, too. Big Brown Trout But not all people are fishing for brook trout. Some places, the water is a little too warm for brook trout but just right for brown trout and rainbow trout. The state actually stocks a lot of rainbow trout around mid-summer. I have heard about Maine anglers catching 10-pound brown trout, and that’s when I will want 8- to 10-pound test line! Big brown trout are really smart, and it’s important that you use fluorocarbon line. Chances are that if there is really big trout around, there should be a lot of smelts or other

Trolling with a streamer brought this brookie to net.

baitfish. That is good, because that makes for big, healthy fish, but having a lot of baitfish can make a lunker harder to attract because of the abundance of feed. In this case two things work well. First, trying to get them to bite your lure out of instinct, meaning that they see your lure go by and they just can’t help themselves but to bite it. This usually means

maintain slow trolling speeds. But you have one available, smaller watercraft perform better, which is why I use a 12-foot boat and 3-horsepower motor. The little motor trolls down just fine, and the small boat doesn’t stir up the water as does a large boat and motor. For trolling in small ponds, it helps to not create big waves. Here’s something else – no matter how much we read or hear about big trout living in small ponds, it doesn’t seem real, at least until we catch one ourselves. Then, when that 4-pound brown trout comes to net, the sensation is like a door opening – a door to new and productive fishing. Small-pond fishing has other benefits too. Many of the recreational boaters we see on large ponds and lakes are absent from

you want to focus on an area like a deep hole, going back and forth trying to get them to bite. Another tactic that works is using sewed smelts. It’s a more timeconsuming process, but they work very well. It all depends on what works in your area. Try something new – if it doesn’t work, try something else. That’s the key.

small ponds. It’s just not much fun to zoom around a pond that takes only a few minutes to circle. Water skiers, jet-ski-type watercrafts and big speedboats are mostly absent from small ponds. And that’s a very big deal. One of my favorite trout lakes sees a high level of boater activity in summer, and only a tiny percentage of that comes from people fishing. Even worse, recreational boaters often pay no heed to people trolling, and pass by too closely and too fast. It’s a rude thing to do, but some people appear not to realize their actions are affecting others. So this July, I hope you do some experimenting on small ponds. You won’t be disappointed.

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2018 • 53

Lake Trolling as Good as it Gets Cerulean skies and salubrious temperatures greet anglers in July. And yet fishing pressure drops precipitously, just when trolling action really ramps up. Perhaps most people have other things to do during the seventh month. Or maybe they aren’t aware of the high-quality angling possibilities the season offers. But with such pleasant conditions and willing salmonids, summer ranks as my favorite time to hit the Moosehead Region’s lakes for salmon and togue. While there are no guarantees in fishing, hiring the services of a local fishing guide does much to ensure success. But for those with their own boats, going solo ranks as a solid option. And as an extra incentive, remember that trout and salmon in Moosehead Lake have been running larger than in the past. Imagine 6-pound brook trout and 23-inch salmon. Those are the kind of fish that we think about in our dreams. Togue, too, have become bigger and fatter than ever, mostly due to efforts by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (DIF&W) and their togue-reduction program. By removing the great mass of smaller

togue, the remaining population now has a greater number of smelt available, and their growth rate verifies the wisdom of that policy. Much of my fishing takes place out of Rockwood. My good friend and lodge owner Bob Lawrence has taught me much about the waters off mighty Mount Kineo. But other guides work different parts of the lake. To the south, deep water off Sugar Island has its adherents, as does that narrow section to the north off Toe of the Boot. No matter where we go, Moosehead Lake offers some of the best fishing around. And it’s happening now, in July. Trolling Tips The first and most obvious step toward taking fish from Moosehead’s icy water in July is to find them. For this, a fish locator beats trial-and-error hands down, since the screen indicates where fish are holding. I’ll borrow a term from astronomers and call this fish-holding stratum “The Goldilocks Zone,” because for those seeking salmonids, it’s “just right.” But even before the fish locator works its magic, we can begin trolling right after launching the boat. So try setting your lines at 40 feet down until fish are located.

Moosehead

Then, after finding the charmed depth, stick to that zone for best results. Now here’s an item that deserves due consideration – I have always depended upon artificial lures, and they have served me well. But the very biggest trout, salmon and togue fall to live bait, and in that category, smelt rate as the very best choice. While live smelt are generally gone by July, local dealers may still carry frozen smelt. Also, preserved smelt, the “new kid on the block,” look and feel like fresh smelt. I wrote about this in a previous column, but they rate mentioning again. Look for these in tackle outlets and even Mom-And-Pop stores throughout Maine. For more on this, visit www. HarmonBrookf=Farm. com. River Fishing July sees lots of visiting anglers at area rivers. The East Outlet of Kennebec River, a famed salmon hotspot, gets lots of attention. It’s fly-fishing only from Moosehead Lake all the way downstream to Indian Pond. While most anglers

The author, Tom Seymour, in all his glory, trolling Moosehead Lake in front of Mt. Kineo.

concentrate on that section close to the dam, some folks find good action farther downstream. East Outlet has a one-fish limit on trout, salmon and togue. But don’t expect to catch many togue here. The regulation on togue in East Outlet appears as a “just in case” rule, and has little bearing upon reality. Togue anglers are better served by hitting Moosehead Lake itself. West Outlet, another popular spot, falls under general law with the exception of a no-kill rule on salmon, and it draws countless anglers. Brook trout, stocked throughout the season by DIF&W, make up the larger mass of available fish. But salmon, part of an effort

by the department to establish a viable fishery for that species here, show up as well. While most of the fresh-stocked trout run about 10 inches, any carryover trout from last fall’s stocking should measure at least 14 inches, and often longer. The secret to taking fish here is to bounce bottom as much as possible. Trout prefer not to hang in the strong currents in the center of the dam pool, but the bottom of the pool offers them a more suitable environment. The bottom has lots of rocks, and that means you’ll lose some lures. But if that’s what it takes (Continued on next page)

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54 • July 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Moosehead Region (Continued from page 53)

to catch trout and salmon, well, losing lures and buying new ones just come with the territory. Look for both East Outlet and West Outlet on the DeLorme Atlas, Map 41, B-1. Wassookeag Lake Fat and willing salmon in Dexter’s Wassookeag Lake bite well in July, and that keeps me

coming back for more. Depths in the lake’s middle run down to 86 feet, plenty deep for togue and salmon. Also, DIF&W stocks Wassookeag annually with brook trout, but these take second place to salmon. I suggest beginning the day by fishing the northwest section of the lake. Depths run around 30 feet, but salmon con-

Harris Drug Store

gregate here in the morning, making it deserving of a few passes before you head out to deeper water. First-time anglers will notice that water quality here is unexcelled. Crystal-clear and ice-cold, Wassookeag ranks as a perfect water for salmonids. It may come as a surprise when fishing on a hot July day to catch a salmon that feels as if it just came out of a refrigerator. So here we can say that the

fish are very cold, but the fishing is red-hot. So if you hit Wassookeag this month and see an old guy in a white runabout with a Maine Sportsman sticker on the bow, stop and say hello, because that will likely be me, out trolling for salmon. Togue, too, are present and according to DIF&W, growth rates are good. Bring an ice-filled cooler if you plan on keeping some of your catch.

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�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2018 • 55

First Gun Generates a Lifetime of Memories A reader from the Rangeley area sent in the photos that are included with this column. He also asked some questions about the Model 320B .22 caliber rimfire rifle manufactured by Mossberg, and told a story of how one became the first gun for the generations of his family. From his home in the western mountains of Franklin County, D.J. DiDonna has read The Shooter’s Bench since the beginning. His ideas and suggestions often make their way onto these pages. More than a fan, he has become a sometime shooting partner and fulltime friend. His Model 320B dates from 1963, or about a decade and a half before D.J. himself arrived in this world. Still in working order after surviving a fire, the rifle passed as a gift from the church pastor to an eager 13-yearold. With some help from his dad, D.J. refinished

A single-shot rimfire provides a platform for teaching and learning marksmanship, responsibility and judgment. With an uncomplicated action and inexpensive ammunition, it’s a rifle that demands to be used, not stored away. It also provides great memories – memories that last a lifetime.

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the wooden stock and replaced the fire-damaged trigger guard. Later, he purchased a used $10 Tasco scope and mounted it to augment the original iron sights. As the single-shot centerpiece of numerous squirrel hunting trips, woodchuck shoots and plinking expeditions, D.J.’s Model 320B is now the focal point of family

shooting competitions for all three of D.J.’s kids. His wife, Amelia, shoots it as well as anybody. Connecticut Company Swedish immigrant Oscar Mossberg founded O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc. in 1919, after cut-

ting his manufacturing teeth among some of the competition. Arriving in the United States in 1886, Mossberg worked first as a design engineer and production supervisor for Iver Johnson in Fitchburg, Massachu-

setts. Next, he managed the C.S. Shattuck Arms Co., primarily making shotguns, also in Massachusetts. Subsequently he moved on to the J. Stevens Arms & Tool Co. Later still, he relocated to New Haven, Connecticut, working for Marlin-Rockwell. The Mossberg Company operated factories in New Haven from 1919 through 1962. That year, they relocated the shops to nearby North Haven, Connecticut, where the firm remains today. For such a major player on the American firearms scene over the past 99 years, it seems strange that Mossberg products find such infrequent mention in The Shooter’s Bench. Mossberg’s many models and budget-conscious prices (Continued on next page)

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56 • July 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Shooter’s Bench (Continued from page 55)

translate into massive sales over the course of a century in business. The latest edition of The Blue Book of Gun Values lists an astounding 462 current and discontinued models and variations of Mossberg pistols, rifles and shotguns. At present, Mossberg production skews toward tactical and hunting shotguns. However, over the course of the company’s long history, many of its best sellers have included simple, reliable rimfire rifles well suited to introducing novice shooters to the sport. Over time, Mossberg, along with competitors from Marlin, Remington, Savage, Winchester, Stevens and others, contributed to the safe educations of untold thousands of inexperienced shooters. Although Mossberg produced every type of modern action, the bolt-action single-shot .22 remains a treasured memory for five generations of shooters.

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the Model 320B in 1960, and in 1962 the manufacturing process successfully made the move from the New Haven to the North Haven factory. However, compared to others of its type, the 320B enjoyed only brief time in the spotlight. Production ended in 1971. The Model 320B handles .22 short, long, or long rifle ammunition in its 24-inch barrel. The factory-provided sights include a front ramp and both open leaf-type and an aperture sight at the rear. The Monte Carlo stock wears a stain to look like walnut and mounts sling swivels. Altogether, the Model 320B weighs 5¾ pounds. A similar model called the 320K dispensed with the sling swivels and aperture sight, and remained in production until 1980. In the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s, the Boy Scouts of America routinely advertised firearms in all their publications. The 1961 printing of Boy Scout Handbook carries a Mossberg ad for the Model 320B, quoting its price at $26.50. Today the Blue Book of Gun Values says a Model 320B in perfect condition ought to fetch

The single-shot rimfire rifle provides the safest and best training platform for young shooters.

$200. One in 90-percent condition values at $100, a bargain for anyone considering a .22 rimfire rifle. Mossberg built other rifles in the 300 series, but these came with either seven-shot magazines or higher capacity tubular magazines. Most enjoyed about the same ten-year production run as the 320B. Naturally, these multi-shot variants

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cost more when new, and still command $50-$100 more than a basic 320B in today’s market. The beauty of the 320B or any rifle of its class and category is still its low purchase price, its uncomplicated function and the low cost of ammunition. Unlikely to evolve into collector’s items, these rifles demand usage. No one needs to lock it in their gun cabinet for fear of harming its value. Starting Point No matter the age, physical prowess or past experiences of the new shooter, the single-shot rimfire rifle remains the best firearm for training and gaining competence. And they provide an extraordinary amount of inexpensive fun. Often, they rekindle powerful memories of significant figures in our lives and meaningful times or events that helped to shape us into who we are now. Many of the foremost shooters and sportsmen here in Maine – and everywhere else – still own a

treasured old single-shot with which they learned the fundamentals of safe shooting. It might be a six-decade-old Mossberg 320B, and it might not. For me, it is a 1930s “Tom Mix Special” made by Marlin that my father bought when the original owner shipped out to WWII with the Marines. Scratches in the stock still read, “W. Spencer Harris, USMC.” It came to me when I was ten in 1961, and went to my son when he turned ten in 1988. The first big game I hunted was rats at the dump. Afterwards, the rifle went on the wall in my bedroom, but the bolt went to my parents. At twelve or thirteen I got to keep the bolt and the ammunition. Any single-shot rimfire provides a platform for training marksmanship, responsibility and judgment. It also provides a truckload of great memories – memories that last a lifetime.

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2018 • 57

There’s Gold in Them There Streams? While perusing the aisles at The State of Maine Sportsman’s Show in Augusta, my attention was caught by a booth promoting gold panning. Before long, the affable gold miner manning the display had a gold pan in my hand. After a brief introduction to the fine art of separating worthless gravel from $1,200/ounce gold, I commenced to sifting through the sample “pay dirt”. Little by little the black silt sluiced over the edge of the pan, leaving a few flakes of pre-planted gold. “Yup, there are small, trace amounts of gold in lots of brooks, streams

equipment, which in turn would result in more fish caught and more gold – a spiraling cycle of wealth and fishing! However, when I got home, plans for suction dredges, sluiceways and power pumps quickly got shut down by less enthusiastic (and more environ-

So here’s my plan – when the trout stop biting, I’ll pan for gold with my $8 pan. Then I’ll find gold, cash in, and purchase … more fly-fishing gear! A spiraling cycle of wealth and fishing! and rivers in Maine,” opined my newfound mentor. Why Not Me? That, of course, got me thinking – “Why couldn’t a guy who spends most of the summer knee deep in streams throughout the Pine Tree State cash in on some of this gold?” “Ya just need to know how to read the water,” he explained. “Well, I can read water a little,” I thought to myself. Of course, my

ability to do just that revolves around figuring out where a trophy salmon or brook trout might hang out – not locating enough gold to make Mrs. Sheldon change her mind and suddenly think she made the right choice 35 years ago. Now my penchant for multi-tasking lives and dies on the finely-ground blade of a two-edged sword. But here goes. The newly formulated plan – load up on new gold min-

ing equipment and switch to getting rich when the fish stopped biting. Heck, unlimited wealth could only mean an upgrade in fishing

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58 • July 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Jackman Region (Continued from page 57)

mentally-conscious) upper management, (Mrs. Sheldon). I was forced to make do with an $8 gold pan.

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lakes in town, Attean Pond and Big Wood Pond, see plenty of watercraft now. Attean Pond in particular attracts serious paddlers looking to start and finish the Moose River Bow trip at the ramp on Attean Road. One of Maine’s most popular canoe trips, this three- to four-day excursion attracts outdoorsy types looking to enjoy navigating remote waterways and adding a dose of camping to the mix. The “Bow” trip starts on the shores of Attean Pond, and jumps over to Holeb Pond after a short portage, before connecting to the Moose River by navigating a short

The author has decided to start panning for gold when the fishing slows down during the heat of the summer. He’s hoping his $8 gold pan investment really pays off.

stretch of Holeb Stream. Eventually, after some great scenery and a few more portages, the Moose

River spills back into Attean Pond. Were I to do this trip (Continued on page 60)

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�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2018 • 59

The Fine Art of Watching Deer from a Distance As I drove my truck up the dirt road toward the big fields, I noticed another vehicle parked near the entrance to a different field. I recognized the vehicle, and wondered why my neighbor was parked there. I hoped he wasn’t attempting to look for deer. The wind direction was all wrong to view that field in the evening. I had to stop and see. As I pulled in behind his truck, I noticed he hadn’t walked far. I whistled quickly to gain his attention. I could tell by the look on his face that he was irritated by my interference with his mission. I asked where he was headed. “I’m going to walk to the field opening and see if the deer are eating in the clover,” he exclaimed in an annoyed tone.

I’d been watching a group of six bucks all summer. Three were young, while the other three were mature with big racks. The younger bucks would enter the fields first, followed 15 minutes later by the older, larger bucks. Knowing this pattern would prove helpful to me come October. I responded, “The wind is at our backs. The deer will smell you long before you arrive at the opening, and they’ll run for the woods. If you want to watch this field, a south wind is a must.” I ended up taking him to another field. I explained this field was easy to watch with a north wind and we could do it from a long distance, thus ensuring the deer wouldn’t detect us. We ended up watching at least 20 deer that night. Three nice bucks showed up together at last light. One sported a

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very large and well-developed rack. “He’s worth hunting,” I said as we walked back to our vehicles. Reluctant Lesson Learned Had I not stopped to chat, my neighbor wouldn’t have seen that buck or all the other deer we watched that evening. He admitted to learning a good lesson that night. It was a lesson I also had to learn, years ago through trial, error and observation – there’s no doubt that when I began hunting whitetails, I unnecessarily spooked

many deer during pre-season scouting trips. Ideally, hunters should remain undetected. When scouting during the summer months, viewing deer from afar can be done almost invisibly, so long as hunters pay attention to the wind direction. The fields and network of gravel roads in Maine’s farm country

are perfect for remote, real-time whitetail viewing. This landscape provides hunters with many advantages over the deer. Nothing Like the Real Thing Watching deer firsthand provides a hunter with many advantages over remote censuses. A trail camera often misses body language, interaction with other deer, and opportunities to view deer from multiple angles. Why is this important? Viewing a deer, especially a buck, from multiple angles allows (Continued on next page)

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60 • July 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Big Game Hunting (Continued from page 59)

a hunter to more easily judge a deer’s age, appearance and antler characteristics. Being able to watch a deer interacting with other members in a group can reveal a deer’s position in the pecking order, its proclivity to aggression, and whether a particular deer is more social or prefers solitude. All these factors can help a hunter better formulate a plan of attack. Years ago, I’d been watching a bachelor group of six bucks all summer. Three of the bucks were at least four years old and sported racks in the 130”-170” range. Three younger 1 ½ and 2 ½ year old bucks consistently accompanied the old bucks. Most evenings, the younger bucks would enter the green fields first. Like clockwork, the older bucks would show up 1015 minutes later. Though they arrived separately, they’d feed close together. These boys were inseparable, and knowing this

would prove helpful come October. Wait for the Big Buck On a cold morning in early October, I was perched high in a new stand waiting for a group of bucks to walk by as they headed to bed. I heard the first buck grunt as he approached. At first I wrote him off as “just another yearling”; however, then I recognized him as one of the six bucks from the bachelor group, and my heart began to race. As I’d hoped, he was being followed by the other young bucks. As they passed my stand, I attempted to mentally prepare myself for what was to follow. My heart and mind were set on killing the largest buck. A few more minutes passed – but it seemed like twenty minutes – when I finally saw them coming. The old monarchs filed by, and I had my chance at the biggest buck.

Jackman Region (Continued from page 58)

again, I’d bring along my $8 gold pan and do a little sifting – why not? Apparently the gold accumulates in mini “glory holes” created by waterfalls. The Moose River certainly has plenty of those. Anyone considering an attempt at paddling the Bow trip can find lots of information online. I would highly recommend first-timers either go with someone who has done the trip before, or hire a guide. The folks at Cry of the Loon Outdoor Adventures have a good reputation for handling this exact trip. Big Wood Pond offers easy in-town access and a great view of Sally Mountain. Travelers arriving in town with their own boat can use the public boat ramp on Mill Road. Many of the local lodges in town rent canoes and kayaks to folks looking to get in on the action. Use caution when navigating Big Wood Pond, as the 2,150-acre water can attract some stiff winds, and the pond features a rocky shoreline.

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That particular story didn’t end well for me, but I did get my chance. Had I not known the habits of this group, I might have shot one of the other bucks. The point to all this? Watching bucks in person can pay dividends a trail camera might not. Best Places to Watch, and to Watch From So where are the best places to catch bucks and does for our viewing pleasure? Find the food! Of course it’s much easier to view deer from afar when hunting farms. However, clear-cuts, natural forest openings, orchards and regular thru-corridors are great places to watch deer feeding or traveling. As a youngster, I wasn’t fortunate to live and hunt in farm country as I do now. I did, however, have a few fields in the area I hunted that were hayed once or twice a year by locals with horses. I lived near a pear orchard, and the deer would feed on clover and grass around the trees. I even hunted near a large auto

The most critical factor in observing deer is to position yourself downwind by first determining the prevailing wind direction, says the author, and to use a good pair of binoculars or a spotting scope so you can view the deer from a distance without spooking the animals.

graveyard where the deer would graze on green grasses and clover that grew between the rows of cars. Imagine having to explain to the owner why I was sitting on the roofs of his junked cars glassing each night. All I had when I was a youngster were my binoculars. Now I’ve got an inexpensive but quality spotting scope to watch deer with. On a clear, dry evening, the scope gives

Gold Nose After finding a few, very fine specks of gold, I went back to management requesting more equipment. Once again – DENIED. In fact, she called my find “Fool’s gold”. She did, however, agree to go to a small Central Maine stream and try panning. In order to add some validity to the effort, I invited Bruce and Anne Hecker along. Bruce and Anne have extensive experience in the field of geology, and Bruce brought along a microscope that connects to his laptop. No more fool’s gold for this miner! Once streamside my wife, Denise, quickly adapted to the sifting motion that lets gold settle to the bottom of the pan. Amazingly enough two shiny, albeit extremely small, specks glistened in the sunlight, bouncing off the bottom of our pan. After review by Bruce’s computerized microscope (these two flakes were super-small), he confirmed real gold. This prompted us to rename Mrs. Sheldon “Gold Nose” for her uncanny ability to find gold with her first pan. For the record, we couldn’t get the gold pan out of her hands the rest of the afternoon. Bruce and Anne, registered nurses by education, confirmed a bad case of “gold

me a super-close, clear view of deer out to 400 yards when I crank it to 80X. If it’s sunny or humid, 40X offers the best clarity. July is a great month to view bucks from afar. Pay attention to the wind, get those binoculars or spotting scope out, and find your buck this month.

fever.” Kennebec River Whitewater rafting hits full pitch on the Kennebec and Dead Rivers this month. Multiple rafting companies take thrill-seekers down the mighty rivers. An internet search will turn up lots of information on this popular sport. Except in rare cases, this activity requires the use of a certified outfitter who specializes in rafting safely through Class IV and V whitewater. As the temperatures rise and the fishing cools off, the Kennebec River from Solon to North Anson turns into a flotilla of small rafts, canoes and kayaks lazily drifting the big river, their operators having no addenda other than soaking up the solitude. That particular stretch has very little development and no real whitewater, so it’s a soft, easy way to relax. Some folks stop on the many islands just to lay in the sun for a bit. In fact, so many sun-lovers do this float instead of going to the beach, some locals refer to the phenomenon as “the bikini-hatch.” All that’s left is to ponder the really big question – does the mighty Kennebec River have any gold in that gravelly bottom?

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2018 • 61

Accidental Smallmouth Photo Makes a Big Splash I remember the email message as if I’d received it yesterday. I had made my very first column submission to then-Maine Sportsman editor Harry Vanderweide and nervously waited for feedback. I had begged Harry to let me write a column called the Sebasticook River Valley, and didn’t want to disappoint. When I saw his email pop up on the screen I cringed. “He probably doesn’t like it,” was the first thought that filtered through my mind. My writing career seemed destined to crash and burn before the first take off. I slid the mouse over and reluctantly clicked “Open.” “Bill, I’ll need another photo for your Sebasticook column,” began the note. Devastated I quickly opened a folder and viewed the photo. I had sent in a shot of a smallmouth bass I had caught. Not a particularly large bronzeback, but with a water-soaked boulder for background and some bright yellow fly line tangled around my prize fish, I thought the photo had some character. Then I wondered if

Discover the

In 2005, then-Editor Harry Vanderweide used the author’s photo of this river smallmouth bass on the cover of the Maine Sportsman. Today, the fighting bronzebacks have a loyal following, earning the respect of serious anglers looking for a hard-fighting sport fish. Bill Sheldon photo

the rejection had something to do with the fact it wasn’t a salmonid? Maybe Harry wanted to see a colorful brook trout or a salmon nicknamed “Silver bullet”? I started looking for cold water fish photos that would help

me right the ship. Then it occurred to me it might make sense to read the rest of the email before going into complete panic. “I liked the photo you sent so much I want to use it for a future cover pho-

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to,” continued Vanderweide. After reading that short email three times,

I exhaled a huge sigh of relief…and a victory lap around my keyboard that ended up back in my photo album searching for the next great cover photo. More importantly, that’s the day I realized how far smallmouth bass fishing had evolved in Maine. Talking to locals over the years had given me the impression that warm-water fish just didn’t stack up to cold-water salmonids. Some even degraded the fighting bronzebacks as “trash” fish. If Vanderweide deemed a smallie “cover-worthy,” these hard-charging fish were now in the crosshairs of (Continued on page 64)

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64 • July 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Katahdin Country (Continued from page 61)

serious anglers everywhere. While the month of July is revered for celebrating independence, exploding fireworks, backyard barbeques and vacations, it also rates as a top month for chasing one of Maine’s toughest fighting fish. The Microperterus dolomieu, colloquially known as the smallmouth bass, fits well into “vacationland” plans. Penobscot River One of Maine’s larger rivers, the Penobscot, forms where the East Branch and West Branch collide near the town of

Medway. From Medway, this wide, sometimes bony river flows south to Bangor. An ample number of boat ramps located along both sides of the river make planning a float trip relatively easy. I loaded 13 boat ramps in my Garmin GPS (Global Positioning System) from the Mattaseunk Dam south to Old Town. Usually, I float a different stretch of river each day. My preferred boat for the Penobscot is an Aire whitewater raft set up with a fishing frame. It’s more forgiving when bouncing off some

of the “bones” that call the river home. Last year some friends of mine followed my raft from below the Mattaseunk Dam to the boat ramp in Winn. They arrived with an aluminum jonboat. I raised one eyebrow at the “tin can” fishing apparatus. They made out fine until the last little bit of whitewater just before the take out in Winn. I watched from the comfort of my raft as aluminum battled stone and current. The result was a boat full of water and a hole some Gorilla tape later fixed. And, a powerful reminder the river can bite back. Mattawamkeag River The Mattawamkeag River (DeLorme Atlas, Map 43, C-2) flows into

the Penobscot River just north of the Winn boat ramp. Anglers looking for bronzeback action during the heat of summer need look no further than the stretch of river between the Penobscot River and the town of Kingman. The anglers who fished the Mattawamkeag in the early spring for brook trout and salmon have waved a white flag to the heat of summer, retreating to screened-in porches where they spin fishing yarns and down cold beverages. Warm weather and lower water levels allow smallie fishermen to work their summertime magic. A truly wild river with good access seems like a rare combination today. The Mattawamkeag Wilderness Park Road runs along the south side of

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the river. This stretch of town-owned access gives anglers a solid chance to intercept bronzebacks entertaining the idea of making a break for the Penobscot. As with most lakes and rivers here in Maine, checking the rules and regulations before wetting a line provides normally law-abiding citizens their best chance to avoid accidentally running afoul of the law. For example, from July 1 to September 30, the area from the red posts above Gordon Falls to the confluence with the Penobscot comes under S-6 (Artificial Lures Only) regulations. This poses few problems for astute smallie anglers, as these hungry bronzebacks willing engulf a multitude of man-made offerings. Farther north, at the outlet of Mattawamkeag Lake, the West Branch Mattawamkeag River flows south to Haynesville (Map 53, C-5). While low summer water levels make travel tricky at times, I’m told that great smallmouth action can be found on this remote river this month. The Bell Field Road leads to a hand-carry ramp located six miles north from Haynesville (Map 53, D-1). Another ramp located west of Route 2A just north of Haynesville (Map 53, E-2) is situated just below the confluence of the East and West Branches of the Mattawamkeag River. Fishing this isolated stretch requires serious back-country skills. With little or no access to emergency services, anglers need to hope for the best but prepare for the worst, since remote travel by any means requires paying close attention to what’s around the next turn. However, for those up to the challenge, a great adventure awaits. The good old days of smallmouth bass fishing may just be here and now.

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�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2018 • 65

Maine Archery Shops Offer Fun 3D Shoots This Summer 3D shooting involves shooting arrows at life-size, foam animal targets set up in the woods, so folks gain realistic experience they wouldn’t get shooting at circle targets in their back yards. Maine in July offers a gigantic playground to outdoor enthusiasts, proof of which is seen in the northbound lane of I-95 on Fridays when the mammoth convoy of foreigners rolls in. Amongst a few other outdoor favorites, July is the perfect month to be 3D archery shooting. Those not too familiar with archery target shooting may understand that typical archery ranges are flat, with 2-dimensional targets set at exact distances. By contrast, 3-dimenstional (“3D”) archery takes the archery range to the woods and introduces unique angles, shots through trees and brush, and targets that are mostly 3D animals. Many archery shops in Maine have 3D courses that are open to the public for a nominal fee. Folks can think of it like a golf course, where the “holes” are 3D foam targets that look like various animals. The archers move from station to station, where they shoot at these animals at various distances, in varying settings. Practicing this type of shooting has more benefits than one would receive from just using a 2D target in the back yard. Also, it’s much more fun shooting at something that resembles the animal we will be pursuing, rather than a block cube. 3D Benefits Over Backyard Practice 3D shooting consid-

erably improves archery skills and is the closest anyone will get to actual hunting, particularly because anyone can use the same bow setup as one would when he or she hunts (except no broadheads). For the simple reason that 3D shooting involves life-size targets in the woods (most often foam animals), folks obtain realistic experience they wouldn’t get otherwise shooting at circle targets in the back yard. And when actually hunting, there are a million situations that can occur and it’s impossible to prepare for them all; however, several circumstances can be practiced when 3D shooting. Taking shots at 3D targets from different angles and distances with real obstacles in the way will better help folks prepare for real situations when afield. Another huge benefit for me is the simple comradery of the shoot. Almost all who participate are bowhunters, so it’s a perfect way to meet and swap hunting stories with fellow enthusiasts, or simply get together with some friends and practice through a 3D course. Generally, courses are set up in the same sense as a golf tee in that different colored stakes mark shooting spots for different levels or categories of shooter. For example, beginners or youngsters may have a stake

at each target that may be 15 yards from the target, while more advanced shooters may choose a stake that’s 40 yards or more from the target. What to Bring Unlike shooting in the back yard, going to a 3D course requires a few basic items we normally wouldn’t think of, the first of which is bug spray. The woods always hold more mosquitoes than a back yard, and there’s nothing more annoying than holding at draw and having bugs buzz around your face. The second item is a cheap quiver that attaches to a belt, or one that can be thrown over a shoulder, to hold arrows. For years, I didn’t own a quiver as I could just put my arrows on the ground and grab one as needed. But 3D ranges can be a mile or more in length, so having a quiver to hold arrows while walking is very helpful. Another useful item is an arrow removal tool and arrow-release fluid. I figured that out one day after missing a 60-yard turkey shot and instead hitting a tree. They are inexpensive and don’t take up much room in a quiver bag. And in case folks have a need for the release fluid (which is oily), having a small hand towel to wipe if off is helpful. Lastly, I always bring a bottle of water and sometimes a snack.

Two organizations sanction competitive 3D events -- the Archery Shooter’s Association (ASA) and the International Bowhunters Organization (IBO). Although scoring is similar for both groups, there are some differences. This photo illustrates how to score a 3D shoot under both the ASA and the IBO rules. Photo credit: Lancaster Archery

Shooting through a 3D course won’t take as much time as a round of golf, but it’s similar in the sense that once you start on target #1, you’re on the course until the end. 3D Scoring If folks so choose, scores can be kept while going through a 3D course. Unlike golf, however, an archer only takes one shot to hit each target, so a 3D course is akin to a Par 1 golf course. Points are earned by arrows hitting various scoring rings on the targets, and a typical 3D round is 30 or 40 targets, not 18. The two primary organizations dedicated to competitive 3D shooting

are the Archery Shooter’s Association (“ASA”) and the International Bowhunting Organization (“IBO”). Each holds sanctioned competitions from spring to fall, and while there are similarities between the two organizations, each has its own competition divisions and scoring system. The targets used for shoots have scoring rings on the areas of the animals’ bodies where the vitals would be, so it’s similar to hunting situations. For the ASA, there is a large, mostly circular area framing the vitals zone. Any arrow landing outside this zone is scored (Continued on next page)

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66 • July 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

It’s Topwater Time for Brookies and Bronzebacks Afloat or afoot, I truly enjoy every facet of open water angling. Add a fly rod to the scenario, and my enthusiasm climbs further. Blend in the precise presentation of a dry fly – a tiny floating imitation of an insect – and the surface swirl, splash and sudden surge of a taking trout, and it’s heaven on earth. July in Aroostook offers the perfect combination of comfortable weather, excellent brook and stream water condition for fish and fishermen, and regular insect hatches – it’s topwater time in The County! Picturesque Prestile For the first 18 years of my life I lived less than 100 yards from Robinson Dam and the pond behind it, one of only two manmade disturbances along the Prestile flowage from headwaters in Easton to its exit into Canada at the Bridgewater boundary. For over 50 years, I’ve cast a line while wading or floating its entire length. I truly believe the Prestile is the finest limestone wild brook trout stream in Maine, and one of the top five found anywhere in New England. Thanks to many creek inlets, spring holes and ledge seeps, the waterway stays fairly cool, and the trout stay well dispersed

I truly believe the Prestile flowage is the finest limestone wild brook trout stream in Maine, and one of the top five found anywhere in New England. Thanks to its many creek inlets, spring holes and ledge seeps, the waterway stays fairly cool, making for productive trout angling through the month of July.

Brightly colored and realistically shaped, deer hair bass bugs are a bit of a challenge to cast, but entice savage surface strikes from smallmouth bass this month. Bill Graves photos

through July’s warm weather. Insect hatches are prevalent this month, often after sundown and toward dusk, but I’ve had many occasions to enjoy dry fly action morning and afternoons, especially on overcast days. Even during the oppressive dog day heat of August when trout seek comfort in deep holes or school near the liquid air conditioning of cold water inlets, the early morning and evening surface action can be fast and furious.

Bowhunting in Maine (Continued from page 65)

as five points. Inside the large area there is a smaller circle, with even three smaller circles inside of that. One of the smallest circles will be dead center inside the nextsized circle, and the two other small circles are positioned around it. www.MaineSportsman.com

On a normal summer day, roughly 75% of the Prestile is wadable in hip boots – 90% if an angler dons chest waders. Be forewarned, however – the gravel-androck streambed is uneven and slippery. I opt for felt-soled boots for surer footing, and still have endured an occasional dunking. For the most part, currents are mild and wading staffs seldom necessary – just move in a slow, steady forward foot shuffle and avoid rush-

ing. Native brookies average 8 to 12 inches, but thick-bodied, brightly hued beauties well over a pound can be coaxed to inhale a floating feathered fraud. Popular Pools Delorme’s Atlas, Map 59, A-3 & B-4 offer an overview of the main approach roads, Routes 1 and 1A, as well as secondary byways along both shorelines, including Robinson, East Blaine and West Ridge

For the ASA, the two inner circles are worth 12 points, the next-sized circle is 10 points and any arrow hitting outside the 10ring, but still within the large vitals area is worth 8. Sometimes, there’s another 12-ring sized circle in a corner of the 8-point area which are worth 14 points. The IBO scoring system is simpler. The 5, 8 and 10-rings mirror the ASA’s scoring system, but any arrow landing in the small

Roads. What can’t be seen are the hundreds of farm field roads and two-tracks leading to the shoreline and various pools all along the Prestile. Due to the waterway’s long, winding path through woodland and agri-fields, crowding is never a problem and a productive pool lies just around the next bend. The best approach for newcomers is to get out and explore the back roads and talk to local farmers and fishermen for firsthand info and directions. One of the easy-toreach hot spots is located within half a mile of the U.S. Customs office in Bridgewater. Young Brook and Whitney Brook run into the Prestile above and below the nearby bridge, and no fewer than a dozen pools and holding runs can be waded right up to the Canadian boundary line. Off road parking is available along field edges within a 50 yard or shorter walk to the water’s edge. Another proven stretch of trout-infested water lies along the old Bangor and Aroostook railroad bed, now an ATV trail, beside the Egypt Road a couple of miles above Westfield. There are some wonderful deep runs perfect for float(Continued on next page)

circle in the center of the 10-ring are worth 11 points. It may sound complicated to newcomers, but one round of 3D is all folks would need to become addicted. It’s different from indoor or simple target archery in the backyard, but that’s what makes it so much fun. Any archer should try it, and July is the perfect month.

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2018 • 67 (Continued from page 66)

ing an enticing dry fly and many shallower riffles full of moderate-size trout. Clark and Getchell Brook confluences are likely waypoints; then work downstream from there. The secluded stretch requires a bit of a hike from woods road or field edge parking spots, but fishing pressure is minimal. Proven Patterns During July, size 14 and 16 flies work well,

and on rare occasions I tie on an 18. Familiar old standbys such as a mosquito, Light Cahill, Hendrickson, Adams, and Royal Wulff are sure to stir up strikes. My personal favorites include a gold ribbed Hare’s Ear, Henryville Special, and a gray or brown Slim Jim. Slim Jim dry flies tied in several colors, including red, green and black, seem to be original to northern Maine, and they seldom appear in fly tying books. They are

very good patterns on local brooks and I’ve used them for decades – as did my Dad before me – with great success. I have many acquaintances from past years who check in with me from southern Maine and other New England states to plan summer visits to the Prestile each year. Visiting certain runs along the remote areas of this stream can be like stepping back in time, so consider a visit for great dry fly action this month. (Continued on next page)

All along the Penobscot, big, battling bronzebacks respond well to surface poppers and hair bass bugs cast with a lightweight fly rod this month. This beauty put on a really acrobatic battle for the author.

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68 • July 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Frank Pytlak of Presque Isle and Clair Sylvester of Mars Hill display a triple on smallmouth bass taken from a cove on the Penobscot River near Medway while fishing with columnist Bill Graves. Topwater action is top-rate in July.

It’s not uncommon to catch and release over half a dozen feisty brookies like this beauty during a July evening dry fly outing along the Prestile Stream.

The County (Continued from page 67)

Bass Bonanza July is also a rewarding month for explosive topwater action with smallmouth bass. Most Aroostook bronzebacks

enthusiasts must travel south at least an hour to take advantage of the handful of bass waters at the lower end of the County.

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It’s hard to beat the thrill of a 3-pound smallie exploding under a hard plastic plug chugging along the surface, then performing aerial and acrobatic antics trying to throw the lure. I go one step further and cast surface poppers with a 5-weight fly rod! While there are several excellent smallmouth lakes in Southern Maine, my waterway of choice this month is a stretch of the Penobscot River in Medway. There’s a terrific launch ramp at

Tom Tardiff of Robinson floats a Henryville Special along a likely holding run near a cool-water creek inlet where trout school as the weather warms.

the park that can handle even large pontoon boats, and plenty of parking and even picnic tables with barbecue grills. There’s fishing upstream, downstream below the I-95 bridge, and also up the East Branch. DeLorme’s Map 43, B-5& B-9 show the best travel route off I-95, the launch area and water flowage. Casting toward shallow shorelines while slowly floating with the current yields consistent action, but dozens of small coves and back-

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waters provide strike after flash-bang strike at dusk. Despite its simpleto-reach and easy-to-fish location, it’s rare if you see 3 or 4 other fishing boats during an outing. A weight-forward floating bass fly line easily handles the fairly long casts with the bulky popper. I’ve had great luck with green/yellow, blue or black bodied poppers about the size of a dime, and white or black legs and a brightly colored feather tail. Weedless rigs help avoid catching stumps, floating logs and debris where the big bronzebacks hang out, but be forewarned – the weedless attributes also hinder hook-ups. Also, with the usual acrobatics of hooked fish, the single-hooked popper fly comes free about half of the time. Nonetheless, the fight, short or long on a fly rod rig, is wonderfully satisfying. Even novice fly flingers should be able to hook and land half a dozen smallmouth from Penobscot coves and backwaters during an evening’s outing. July weather and water conditions tend to be very conducive to insect hatches and therefore great trout fishing with dry flies. Bass activity and aggressive surface feeding also increases notably. Don’t waste another day – float a fly or popper for some great topwater angling.

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2018 • 69

Smilin’

Sportsman After the courtroom trial had been going on for three days, the defendant, Mr. Johnson, asked if he could approach the judge’s bench. “Your honor,” he said, “I would like to change my plea from Not Guilty, to Guilty. “If you are guilty,” the judge roared angrily, “why didn’t you say so in the first place, and save this court a lot of time and inconvenience?” “Well,” said Johnson, “when the trial started I thought I was innocent, but that was before I heard all the evidence against me.” ••••••••••••••••••• A burglar was on trial for breaking and entering, and the judge asked the homeowner whether he want to say anything. “Yes,” said the homeowner. “I’d like to know how this fellow got into my house without waking up my wife. I’ve been trying to do that for years!” •••••••••••••••••••

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

The police officer came upon a crash in which a man and a woman were injured. After they were driven to the hospital for treatment, the cop opened the door of the wrecked car, and a little monkey jumped out. “I sure wish you could talk,” the officer said to the monkey, “so you could tell me what caused this crash.” The monkey nodded his head. “Wait,” exclaimed the officer, “you can understand what I’m saying?” Again, the monkey nodded. “Well, did see what happened?” The monkey pretended to have a can in his hand and tipped it toward his mouth. “They were drinking beer?” The monkey nodded. Then he pretended to have a smartphone in his hand, and started punching imaginary buttons. “So they were drinking AND texting on their cellphone?”

The Smilin' Sportsman Youth Edition Homer: “How did you burn your ear?” Jethro: “I was ironing my shirt, and then my cell phone rang.” ••••••••••••••••••• Joe’s friend was looking for some car keys he said he lost in a parking lot, so Joe offered to help him look. After about 15 minutes of fruitlessly searching on their hands and knees, Joe asked his friend, “Are you sure this was where you dropped your keys?” “No,” replied the friend. “I lost them way at the other end of the lot. But the lighting’s a lot better at this end.” ••••••••••••••••••• A pirate walked into a pub. A customer, having never met a pirate before, wanted to know the stories behind the pirate’s various

Again the monkey nodded. “So what were you doing during all this?” the officer asked. The monkey held up his hands, looked back over his right shoulder and began turning an imaginary steering wheel.

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

battle scars. He bought the pirate a pint of rum, and struck up a conversation. “How’d you get the peg leg?” he asked. “Aaarrrgh, shark took off me leg in the South Seas,” replied the pirate. “How about that hook?” “Lost the hand in a sword fight.” “And the eye patch?” “Seagull pooped in me eye.” “Oh my!” said the patron. I had no idea that seagull droppings were that dangerous!” “They aren’t,” growled the pirate. “However, it were me first day with the hook ….” ••••••••••••••••••• Q: Did you hear about the kid who fished too much? A: Neither did we.

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70 • July 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

Lou’s 6 Tips to Catch More Topwater Smallies Fishing topwater for smallmouth bass on lakes and ponds has been a passion of mine since childhood. My brother and I started out with Zebco reels, casting handme-down, scratched, discolored and rusty-hooked Jitterbugs or Hula Poppers. By the time I reached my mid-20s I had switched to a fly rod and small cork poppers. I love the way a smallmouth will sometimes nail a small surface popper like a drunken fraternity member grabbing the last beer in a cooler, but other times will slowly suck it in like a connoisseur sips a fine wine. After years of chasing smallmouth with a fly rod, I have stumbled upon a few ideas that have increased my catch rates and the size of the

Once your popper hits the water, don’t move it too soon. In fact, do not pop, gurgle or retrieve the popper until the ripples in the water have almost entirely subsided. The goal is to make the popper look like slightly-stunned prey.

This photo illustrates the best size poppers for attracting lunker smallmouth. Lou Zambello photo

bass caught. This month, I thought it would be fun to pass these observations along. Two points about this column: First, I am concentrating on topwater, even though bass can be caught by streamers and other subsurface fare. Second, although this

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is a July column, I am going to discuss the entire spring and summer smallie seasons. Spawning Season Smallmouth are first susceptible to surface poppers as the water warms into the mid 50s, typically during the month of May in Maine. They will cruise the shoreline shallows looking for food where

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the water is the warmest, and the males will start looking for spawning sites. During the nesting, spawning and protecting-the-nest timeframe (mid-May to mid-June), bass will remain in shallow water. Sometimes during a dry spring, lake levels drop and bass nests end up almost on the shoreline in very thin water.

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I have observed that most anglers casting along the shoreline drop their offerings about six to eight feet from shore, and retrieve out to where the bottom is no longer visible. Tip # 1: Don’t limit your casting to where everyone else casts. Place some of your casts literally right on the shoreline. You will be amazed at how many strikes come in water six inches deep, sometimes from trophy-sized bass. Many anglers miss these fish. My experience is that bass will eagerly swim toward shore to attack potential food or a perceived predator of its eggs. Also, don’t neglect casting ahead of the boat in deeper water, even 10 to 20 feet deep. Female smallmouth will move into deeper water to rest immediately before and after spawning, but will come right up to nail a surface offering. First Light After smallmouth finishing spawning and protecting their spawning sites, the bass will begin to move farther out from shore into deeper and cooler water as the water continues to warm. However, at first light when the sun is still off the water and the surface has cooled overnight, the bass will temporarily move back towards shallower water, and top-water anglers can take advantage of that. Tip # 2: To enjoy the best top-water fly fishing in late June and early July, be on the water at first light – before 5:00 a.m! Not only will the (Continued on next page)

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2018 • 71

This happy angler is holding a good-size smallie. Photo courtesy of Weatherby’s Lodge (Continued from page 70)

fish be more accessible, but the summertime boat traffic and general commotion that spook fish will not have started up yet. (By the way, I will get up at 4:00 a.m. (I consider this early morning) to enjoy good fishing. But I refuse to get up one minute earlier. To me, 3:59 is psychologically the middle of the night!) As the water warms towards 70 degrees, concentrate your casts around deeper drop-offs, gravelly points, shoals and large submerged boulders. The fishing

Fishing for smallmouth is an excellent way to introduce kids to fly fishing. It is visual, exciting, and not technical. Lindsey Rustad photo

might be a little slower, but don’t give up. Even though I assume the smallmouth are feeding on crayfish and minnows in deeper water, they will still come up to the surface. Some of my biggest bass of the year are caught during this time. Surface Retrieves Let me move on to the specifics of the popper and its retrieve. Tip # 3: The best smallmouth poppers are small – smaller than the traditional bass poppers that you find in most fly shops – but larger than panfish poppers. The cor-

rect size is astonishingly difficult to find – and when I do find some, I buy a bunch. The shape and materials should produce a modest pop even when it starts to get waterlogged. The best colors are chartreuse (a shade between yellow and green), yellow, and orange. Tip # 4: To attract the attention of all of the bass in the area, it helps if you can cast the popper so it lands in the water with an audible plop. Not too soft a landing, but not bazooka’d violently into the water either. Attract, not scare. (Continued on next page)

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72 • July 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

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SUBMIT AD AND PAYMENT BY THE 30TH OF EACH MONTH AND YOUR AD WILL APPEAR IN THE NEXT ISSUE. CAMPS FOR SALE TRADITIONAL MAINE CAMP Located in Sangerville Maine. Stream front on five well wooded acres. Three bedrooms fully furnished with all gas appliances including refrigerator. Great four season area, must be seen to be appreciated. Please contact Bob @ 774-260-1465 for more info $ 52,500 HUNTING CAMP FOR SALE 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

fishing & swimming. $1000/wk: May, June, Sept & Oct. $1400/wk July & Aug. 207-3801952 small dock/beach. Hunting, Fishing, Boating, ATV, $500/wk. 207-8311447

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CAMPS & CABINS FOR RENT

PARKMAN, ME BUCKS CROSSING WMD 17 Rental Cabins. Turkey, deer, moose, upland game. All amenities included. Great ratesnightly, weekly, monthly. $75/night for two people. 207-277-3183

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— BUILDING LOTS WITH ATV & SNOWMOBILE ACCESS — Woodstock. An absolute dream come true! 97 Acres near Sunday River. This property has nice brook meandering through the lower portion of the property and a series of old roads and trails will lead up to spectacular views from Mollyockett Mountain in Woodstock. Come enjoy all the seasons and activates Maine has to offer! $69,900 MLS #1326728 Near Bethel in Albany Township. This 40 Acre lot has several hidden building site well off the paved road with beautiful Southeasterly views. Some areas would make great spot for passive solar cabin. The Crooked River meanders on through the lot for great wildlife watching. Only 7 miles from downtown Bethel. $45,000 MLS #1325975 Weld - Looking for a remote spot for your cabin or camper? Here it is! 8 acres with easy access, nice view right in the heart of the Western Mnts, a few miles to Mt. Blue State Park & Webb Lake. $18,500. MLS #1282348 North Rumford - Very private 17 acres with great brook frontage and a common area on Meadow Pond located deep in the Western Mountains. $32,000. MLS #1269352 Carthage - Excellent building lots w/ easy access to ATV and snowmobile trails. All lots surveyed and have driveways into building site. Ready for your new cabin in the woods? Then come check em’ out. $26,500. MLS #1205057 Carthage 160 Acres with views of Tumbledown and Webb Lake absolutely gorgeous spot for a cabin or two great recreation area for snowmobiling,ATVing and hunting.You gotta see this one. $69,900. MLS #1244326

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Phillips 40 Acres - Set up your camper next to the fire pit while you pick your building site. This 40 acre lot offers privacy, views and a wonderful babbling brook an acre or so of nice field with some small planted trees. $59,500. MLS #1309063

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— RECREATION WOOD LOTS — #1282270 - Byron, 99 Acres .............................................................................$55,000 #1282273 - Byron, 116 Acres ............................................................................. $74,900 #1282275 - Byron, 28 Acres ..............................................................................$29,900 #1282237 - Hartford, 574 Acres .......................................................................$299,00 #1282239 - Hartford, 91 Acres..........................................................................$63,900 #1282230 - Jay, 136 Acres .................................................................................$88,900 #1282243 - Peru, 191 Acres............................................................................... $161,900 #1282246 - Peru, 322 Acres ........................................................................... $206,500

LAKEFRONT CABIN FOR RENT On the Little Narrows Basin of Upper Cold Stream Ponds in Lincoln, 4-season cabin w/cable, internet, kayaks, canoe, access to ATV & snowmobile trails. Depending on season, can be rented nightly, weekly or monthly. More info & pictures on Craigslist under Vacation Rentals/Lincoln. Call Tate 207-794-4208 CAMP ON SMALL POND IN SHIRLEY $500/wk. Great hunting, fishing & ATV trails

nearby. Also, local hunting club 1/4 mi. away is actively looking for five new members. 207-6363689 ———————————

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY LIVE IN NORTHERN MAINE AND MAKE MONEY Restaurant, Linneus, ME. Grammy’s Country Inn. $1.2 million average food-only gross sales last 6 years. Opportunity for sales growth with addi(Continued on next page)

Freshwater Fly Fishing (Continued from page 71)

Tip # 5: Don’t move the popper too soon. This is the biggest mistake fly fishers make. You want your surface fare to appear stunned (i.e., easy prey). Do not pop, gurgle, or retrieve that popper until the ripples generated by its fall into the water have almost entirely subsided. If the water is cold, wait even longer before giving the popper any animation, since cold temperatures can make bass sluggish. Then make one pop and wait until the ripples subside again before creating more movement. Hook Set Often, if the water is clear, you can watch a bass come off the bottom to attack your popper, or hover several inches below it before finally sucking it in. Don’t get too anxious, wait until the fish turn down towards the bottom before setting the hook, or you will pull it right out of the smallie’s mouth. Tip # 6: The best way to set a hook on a lake smallmouth is a strip set while simultaneously raising the rod straight overhead. Those of us who fish for trout in rivers get accustomed to a side or downstream-set, but that is not the best approach for top-water bass takes. My brother and I have fished for smallmouth together every year for 45 years. This year he packed up to move to California. But with the house empty, and his family all ready to drive cross-country, his last activity was to head up to Maine to fish Damariscotta Lake for smallies with me. A man has to have his priorities.

�� The Maine Sportsman • July 2018 • 73 (Continued from page 72)

tion of alcohol. Featured in Down East, Bangor Metro, Yankee Magazines. Named Top 10 Restaurants in Maine. Over 35 awards. 65+ year restaurant tradition, 28 years under same ownership. This is a step-in opportunity! Price reduced $999,000. 207-532-4500 www.firstchoicerealestate.com ———————————

LAND FOR SALE

$500, Females $600. Shots and wormed-ready to go! References. Come see pups & parents. 207249-5977 TRI-COLORED ENGLISH SETTER PUPS Available at the end of May; 4 males & 1 female. Sire & Dame & pups all registered with AKC & American Field. For more info, call: 636-4530

WANTED WANTED 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, vin-

tage motorcycle scrambler, enduro, or off-road motorcycle. Have cash will travel. Call 207 522 6940 TRAPPING COURSE WANTED Looking for Trapping Courses and people needed who want to mentor new trappers in the Penobscot County Region.

Text or Call 207-217-2976 BULL MOOSE PERMIT SWAP WANTED Looking to swap WMD Zone 17 Bull Moose permit, for a Bull Moose permit in zone 7, 9 or 10. Call 207-562-7564.

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SEBEC LAKE 2.9 Acre double lot with deeded 20’ lake ROW, $59K - Great boating, fishing & hunting area. 207-432-8153 ———————————

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WHAT A SPOT - JUST 56 FEET FROM TRANQUIL NOMOTORS 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. ALL NEW and WAITING FOR YOU - don’t miss it!! MLS #1342976 - $279,000 WHY BUY ONE COTTAGE, WHEN YOU CAN HAVE 2 FOR THE SAME PRICE! Super investment opportunity on Rangeley Lake - “Fish-A-Do-Haven” 1st time on the market in 30+ years. Located on scenic Hunter Cove, both 2BR camps are fully year-round, well maintained, move-in ready - furniture included. Protected frontage with dock and small boat launch. Sweeping lake/Mt views. Snowmobile trail access from your door, minutes to Oquossoc and Rangeley, plus good 4-season rental potential. Don’t miss it! MLS #1349433 - $269,000 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

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74 • July 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

CAMPGROUND IN DIXFIELD, ME

Wildlife Quiz Answers

Newly built 30-site campground with 2 shower houses, 24’x30’ log home, 30’x60’ steel building, Case backhoe, 1919 model TT truck, aluminum boat with 50 hp Mercury motor, canoes, kayaks and dock system. 2800’ frontage on Androscoggin River. 80 acres of land. $925,000

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T3 R1 - Remote, quiet and beautiful. This lot has end of road privacy and is probably the nicest lot along this shore. If you are looking for privacy on a body of water- Look no further right on Bill Green Pond. $29,900

Lincoln - Wonderful, well maintained 3 bedroom home, large kitchen, dining and living rooms. Sited on 2.68+/acres with paved driveway, nice landscaping, 2 garages and over 300’ frontage on cold water Big Narrows. $259,000 Reduced to $245,900

Pukakon Twp - Beautiful year round cottage has hardwood floors, a knotty pine interior, cathedral ceiling and a huge insulated and heated garage. End of road location for privacy. Boating, swimming, fishing, and snowmobiling right on Junior Lake. $289,000

Chester - Large 43+/- acre lot. Fenced in area ready for livestock. Mostly field with long driveway and electricity on site. 5 minutes from I95 or Lincoln on the South Chester Road. $89,000

Lincoln - 1.56+/- acres, field, electricity available, 4 lakes in 1 direction, all of Cold Stream Ponds in another, few miles from downtown, corner frontage on Transalpine Road and Folsom Pond Road. $19,900

Lincoln - Close to Upper and Folsom Ponds boat landings, 3.52 acres, driveway, gravel pad, gray water bed, snowmobile/ATV trails, ideal for outdoor enthusiasts sited on Pierce Webber Road. Reduced to $18,900

Lincoln - This property is ready for your new home right down to the lawn. The driveway is in, the septic is in, the well is in, and the lawn is in. Now it is time to get you in! Transalpine Road. $38,700 Howland - Driveway in, some clearing done, electricity right on North Howland Rd. 11 +/- Acres on snowmobile and ATV trail, close to Seboeis Stream, Piscataquis, and Penobscot Rivers. Easy access on Route 116. $24,000

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

Hats $7.00

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

BERG ACTIVEWEAR

852 DEXTER ROAD • CORINNA, MAINE

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

www.MaineSportsman.com

Lincoln - Nicely wooded 12.5 acre lot, surveyed, level ground situated in the middle of nice recreational area, direct ATV access, town maintained road, electricity available, corner lot on Half Township Road. $16,900 Lincoln - 3.7 acre lot is in a nice private location with nice garage that has electricity. Great for that new home. Close to boat landing on Big Narrows, on Phinney Farm Road. Great storage for those with limited room on the Lake. $39,000

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 • July 2018 • 75

FUNRIDES TO FENWAY GIVEAWAY

Sunday, July 15th - Time 1:05pm Two free tickets (Pavillion Box 13) to the Red Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays. Free Round trip Cyr luxury motorcoach transportation to and from the game. Free light snacks and drinks provided by the bus and prize drawing on bus!! NO PURCHASE PU NECESSARY

www.MaineSportsman.com

76 • July 2018 • The Maine Sportsman ��

GET READY FOR SALTWATER FISHING We have what you need at our Hunting & Fishing Store in Freeport, open 24/7

NEW SURF ANGLER'S PLUG BAG Thoughtfully designed to hold everything the surf angler needs

L.L.BEAN FISHING TRUCKER HAT Mesh style keeps you cool, with glare-reducing dark rim

BREATHABLE EMERGER WADERS With strong, stitchless Super Seam Technology and a Quick-Fit belt

TRUSTED GEAR. LEGENDARY SERVICE. EXPERT ADVICE. ALL AT OUR HUNTING & FISHING STORE IN FREEPORT.

L.L.BEAN FISHING PLIERS WITH SHEATH Rugged and rustproof aluminum with stainless-steel jaws

Whether you're after Maine brook trout or Bahamian bonefish, we have all the fishing gear and advice you need. We also have an extensive selection of hunting equipment and new/used long guns. Contact our gun experts at usedguns@llbean.com or call 207.552.7728 for more information.

L.L.BEAN SURF ROD Offers the technical features you need to tackle the surf zone

Find store directions, upcoming events & more at

LLBEAN.COM/FREEPORT

L.L.BEAN SPINNING REEL, SURF 6500 SALTWATER Lightweight and ultrasmooth with a powerful drag for big striped bass, bluefish and other species

www.MaineSportsman.com 18SPAD5479.indd 1

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