Mud Trucks

Long before we had ATV's folks had the old jeep for hunting, trapping, fishing or just exploring. The roads were rough and untamed. Then came snow sleds and ATV's. There is much dicussion on the use of ATV's and damage they might cause. This all goes back to the operator. I have a lease site that in order to get to, I must cross private lands. The owner of my lease site doesn't allow ATV's, the private landowner I cross wants no trucks, just ATV. Each states just the opposite. ATV cause damge, ATV cause less damage than a truck. With the new ATV law one is almost better to invest in a nice registered off road jeep or toyota pickup truck. The terms used today are "muddin" and "rammin". There also seems to a swing by folks, mostly under the age of forty back toward mud trucks. I think this is mostly because ATV trails are very limited, cost more than a mud truck and can't be driven on the roads. I can buy a great mud truck for a lot less than the $8,000 it costs for a new ATV and I can use the truck on the farm to do chores like harrowing field, moving manure, towing the boat or canoe. Up north - Northern Maine Woods you can have a mud truck, but no ATV - whats the choice? I recently attended a DOC planning meeting on the Lower Penobscot Area to Machias - concerns were voiced about ATV's and damage. Within seconds a voice came forward about the people with mud trucks rammin. It seems that when we are younger we like to go forward and explore with our friends, mudin and getting stuck were part of the fun of life. Did it keep me off drugs and from drinking I don't know, but I am sure it helped. Kids will tell you (mostly boys/men) there isn't much to do and we put a lot of attention to NASCAR and Speedways or things with motors on them. So I guess mud trucks are here to stay. However damage to others property is not acceptable and folks with the toys need to understand that. That Maine way of thinking, that all that timber land belongs to the people is not correct - just look at gates and road fee's. Many owners will tell you gates are a result of litter on their lands, camp break ins and road damage. We need to police ourselves to insure these lands remain open and yes I own both an ATV and Mud Truck.

Pond v. Lake

One of the most common questions to the DEP or IFW biologist is what makes a Pond or Lake. Here are some comments from ME DEP/IFW - sunlight goes to the bottom of ponds; its the area or size; is it a kettle pond; truly some ponds are lakes and in Maine there is no Technical difference between the two. In fact some have the word lake before the name and some after.

In England they are called Lochs; out west everything is a lake, but in New England there is no standard.

Some thoughts across the country to decide - oh by the way no one I can find has a definition. Pond man or beaver made; lake made by creator; pond is filled by rain or stream - lake has stream and springs; its size; its depth; is the current in the body of water; its how clear it is; there is no standard; inlet v outlet; water temp on surface is difference than bottom; desolved oxygen at bottom; ph level; plants in the middle or a lot of alage; waves more than 12 inches; made by a glacier. These are just a few offered by biologists around the country. I say it should be depth, over 20 feet and greater than 10 acres is a lake. What do you think.

Hopkins Boat Launch

Just a word of thanks to the Hopkins Pond Camp owners. Thank you for letting the public put our boats in and be able to enjoy the waters of Hopkins. Its sad that the lot is not big enough for the state DOC to manage and the fact that the Town of Otis is taxing the Association for a building lot, when it is open to the general public and is not really buildable. I also encourage all users to leave a buck or two in the box to help pay for the taxes and maintenance of the launch. As always carry out what you bring in. Thanks again

Busy Pond - Beech Hill

It has been some time since I fished Beech Hill Pond, even tho it is in the so called back yard. But remember the state record togue was taken here years ago. So off we went. Since I bear hunt the area I was not surprised by the number of camps, large homes arund the pond. However the road traffic was high, the beech was packed, the landing was packed and the pond was full of water travelers from jet ski's to power boats to water skiers. We didn't even slow to a stop, instead we headed to Hopkins. The water had a chop to it, but that was ok as we knew the wind would shift and drop later in the day. Loons were out in force, about 6 looking for trout. A locals were working the party boats and as always waved. We saw a boat drifting with a family aboard and just as we dropped the down riggers they hollered our name. It was the Fickett Family out for a day of trout fishing. Nothing but sunfish yet. After talking a few mintues we hit the water, trolling 50 feet down and at 2.2 mph. Within 1/2 an hour we had landed two togue, one was a female with transmitter and was 23" long. The water calmed about 2 hours before dark and the fish continued to hold in 50 feet of water, but the loons seem to like our boat, as I noticed they followed us and not the kayakers or drift fisherman.

Brook Fishing

Listen, it sounds late in year to be fishing brook trout in streams, but it is like spring fishing still. Water is high, bugs are out and fish are fat. We are kayaking, with otters, streams that should be high and dry this time of year. And yes we are getting fish. One thing is for sure, trout have been dispersed well this year. The fry are growing and the water is pushing them back into beaver ponds or out of ponds, down brooks to new holes and expanding their range. Bad news, good news. Salmon stocking in alligator is off - fish are not reaching the size they thought for food in lake. Hopkins brook trout remain a mystery in the summer, but this fall rumor has it 14 inch will be stocked.

The Beach

7/15/09 the sun is out somewhat and it is expected to be nice, so off to Lamoine Beach with kids in tow. Wow, no sun, windy and the ocean is so cold we can't even wade in it to swim or fish. There are about forty people, no one in water. So we decide to visit the dock at Lamoine State Park. I didn't take a lot of money with me, as I didn't have it, we packed a lunch and drink before leaving home. Did you know to drive in the state park and just visit or walk on the dock costs $3 per person - even for 10 minutes. So with canoe on, I mentioned we were launching the boat and paid $5. We drove to dock, watched people fishing for mackeral. No fish and decided it was cold, raw and rough. We left - less than 10 minutes - cost $5 dollars, no refunds.

On Alligator

7/12/09 well we are back on Alligator for another day of fishing, cloudy, fairly calm and once again more loons. All fish are holding near the bottom in deep water. Zach has the trap set for crayfish - a wonderful meal if you can get a few. Stopped by to see if the Butters were at camp or if Mr Peters was on the island at Bamfords. But no one home. We caught yellow perch, a salmon 16, a trout 15 and a 7 inch rainbow smelt (huge smelt). In fact it is the largest fresh water smelt I have seen. Bait trap produced some healthy shinners and crayfish. The crayfish returned home with us, a pleasent evening meal of trout and crayfish. We just got off the water before it started pounding rain and lighting - enough to blow out fence charger and direct hit to direct tv. Otherwise had a great trip on Gator - no other boats or perople seen.

Smallest Togue

7/10/09 on Hopkins today, fish are hanging in 50-60 feet of water and once again the loons are giving chase to the boat. See we troll at 2 mph so the birds flock to us. The downrigger flips and we have fish on...oh what a great fish, a 6 1/2 inch togue, the smallest togue I have ever seen. It flips again, this time a sunfish. Then later one togue about 19 inches which was returned. A few folks with party boats and kayakers enjoying the lake but no fisherman.

Docks Flooded

7/9/09 the water is still high at Parks and no perch can be found.

Mariville Falls

The water is still boiling like a spring run off, so the boys decided to try fishing the Union from Tannery Loop Falls to the bridge on 181 where it meets Graham Lake. The water is as high as winter melt, but warmer. Fishing was fair with a few trout taken above Route 9 and at a feeder brook. Then things got fun, at Mariville Falls, a place the crew usually takes out as the water is only inches deep and the drop is about nine feet over a small grade, the high water had flooded out most of the falls. Now these little Otters are great for fishing small beaver ponds and streams, they are not intended for fast boiling water. But the crew shot the rapids, yes with life jackets and a person on shore with rope. What a great ride, that allowed for lots of playing, that is until it started to rain and thunder.

Chemo

Hunter, Zach and I took to Chemo on the only sunny day so far (July 1). The landing (private) off the Getchell Road is closed, so we went to the private landing on the Scott Point Road. The water is really high, above docks and covering islands. No perch, the smallest bass known (6 inches) and one pickeral 21 inches which was given to our neighbor for a chowder. Fish were hitting Vibrax and gold mepps #3.

King and Rift

The famous thropy trout waters of King and Rift in Great Pond are not really producing any fish. These waters are restricted to one trout over 18 inches in length. I don't think anyone told the Loons about this law. We fished hard, just to get away from the Loons, who were swallowing all the fish they could find. We did meet Mike, tending a bait trap, preparing to fish Alligator later this week. I am sorry, but I still feel that kids under 16 should be allowed to fish by whatever method they choose. Hard to take kids fishing for the day and tell them they must troll or fly fish.

Hopkins

After the return from Chamberlain we set out to fish Hopkins. Us and the Loons, seems they liked to follow us everywhere - whats that new word. Floating Coyotes. Togue we found in 45' of water. Zach kept a 23 inch fish which he promptly gave to the old fella next door. Zach as always had to check the fish to see what it was feasting on, only to find a piece of line and #8 grown into its stomach for most likely last winter.

Hopkins

After the return from Chamberlain we set out to fish Hopkins. Us and the Loons, seems they liked to follow us everywhere - whats that new word. Floating Coyotes. Togue we found in 45' of water. Zach kept a 23 inch fish which he promptly gave to the old fella next door. Zach as always had to check the fish to see what it was feasting on, only to find a piece of line and #8 grown into its stomach for most likely last winter.

Chamberlain

Well the family trip of 57 straight years (O'connor) has come to a close for another year. A week at High Bank on Telos with family and friends. It rained for the week solid, but we still had a great time and the kids stayed busy with some kayaking around the lake. Fishing was slow, with many short togue. I did get the chance to talk with folks staying on Chamberlain near Crows Nest. They had some nice trout. So for another year the fist will have a rest. This years crew included the old man O'Connor, Sean, Mya, Brent, Eric, Cory, Zach, Brooke and myself

Cougar

Mountain Lions in Maine, hogwash is what most folks report. Well Mike, Snook and I will tell you different. Over the years we have seen these large cats, from Burlington to Alligator. In fact on my web site, I have a place for folks to report seeing a large cat. There are reports of wardens seeing the cats. This time of year, what few lions we mostly likely have in Maine are either tending kittens or breeding. I doubt we have more than a hand full of cats roaming the state, but is nice to know they are here.

Gold Panning

It is time to bring out the gold equipment again. I have a sluice, pans, pots and gear ready to go. One thing is certain Zach and crew love panning for gold. While we haven't found any yet, they get to play in water and what kid doesn't want to play in water all day long. From time to time to do find special rocks or tid bits that are always lugged home for show. It is suggested to make sure you find a fast moving stream, some bedrock, quartz, black sand and then go in search of those few specks that might exist. It is highly unlikely you will find the mother lode, but who knows. Just think, back a 100 years, all the payroll monies that were sent up St. Croix, Machias, Penobscot and Union to name a few. This was done by foot, and then paid to the men at camp. As they came down stream, be sure a few pockets had holes or packs were lost. Who would tell you that the bottles those men drank from could now be worth thousands of dollars. There is so much history out there in our great state, that a day of exploring always pays off with something.

The Boys

What a crew cleaning the mess at camp, Chris, Brooke, Hunter, Zach and KK. Besides swimming a lot of time was spent fishing for walter (the monster trout). However it was not to happen this weekend no fish were taken at Jellison Hill.

Machias Issues

The Machias River is really the longest free flowing river in Maine. It travels through a wonderful semi wilderness setting and offers much to the traveler. From a class 3 section, to falls to great fishing. It is truly a jewel of Maine. The problem comes in the amount of funding that is directed toward maintaining campsites along the river and their care. The RIPS at Route 9 for example are in need of serious repair and upgrade. Everyone love the lean too's, but the one remaining is old and getting rough. It is time to do some serious fund raising, bring the issues forward and put funding into recreation and tourist who visit these waters.

Loons

Here is an excellent article in this Fridays report from IFW regarding loons and trout. There are pictures of loons taking trout over 18" long - think about that 5-8 pounds per day per bird. These were taken on remote ponds managed for trophy fish. As the biologist states, we use your license money to manage the waters, stock the waters, limit the size of the fish you can take, must be over 18". Only to most of all the trophy or large fish eaten by birds. I hear that loon tastes a little like Eagle, dark meat. hahaha.

Machias Issues

visit registeredguide.blogspot.com for this one

New Blog

This is a new blog on Maine Outdoors

Machias at Rip

Remember watch and know the water on the Machias. Fishing has been fair, saw a fella land a 16" brookie recently. Lots of poison ivy along the banks. The lower stretch should be picking up soon. However we are seeing bass in the west branch

Jellison

Zach and Hunter have been working Jellison hard without much success, however the two loons seem to be enjoying the water and eating very well.

Middle Branch

Manny and Amanda have been hitting the waters hard. The middle branch and all side brooks off Route 180, looks like trout are bitting.

Loons Bad for Fish

Yesterdays posting on the IFW web site and the article by the fisheries biologist was one of the most truthful and thought out pieces I have seen in a long time. We spend funds for licenses, raise fish, release fish, make special regulations for trophy waters and then the loons eat up to 5 pounds of trophy fish a day, recently 18" brook trout.....

Salmon Pond

I am hearing that fishing at the old hole, Salmon pond was very poor this week. Be it the weather or water temp, however the temp was 59.

Loons Bad for Fish

Yesterdays posting on the IFW web site and the article by the fisheries biologist was one of the most truthful and thought out pieces I have seen in a long time. We spend funds for licenses, raise fish, release fish, make special regulations for trophy waters and then the loons eat up to 5 pounds of trophy fish a day, recently 18" brook trout.....

Salmon Pond

I am hearing that fishing at the old hole, Salmon pond was very poor this week. Be it the weather or water temp, however the temp was 59.

New Blog

Well folks I was looking for a way to share stories of our travels across Maine hunting, fishing, camping, trapping, boating or just relaxing. What a great way to get started, a full moon and telephone discussion with one of the Master Outdoorsman in Maine Dave O'connor. I am sure I could fill the blog with history or stories, but I am hoping to focus on events and fish.