After thirty some odd years of ice fishing Duck Lake, progessing from winter camping in trash bags to tents to the luxury of an ice shack I thought the old man finally had outgrown this lake and trip. But at young age of 68, Hayward or as most of you know him, PeeWee awoke a week ago with the strongest desire to retire for the winter to Duck once again.
As we hunted the ridges around Jellison Meadow I could tell his mind was elsewhere. As the turkey roasted, the skill saw was running, for five non stop days work has been underway on the "new shack". Complete once again with bunkbeds, portapotty, counter, LP gas light/heat, sink, counter, stove, radio and this time $400 custom sliding windows. In addition it looks like shelves, mirror, mini ref and storage...and all this packed into a 7x12 building.
The annual event involves moving the shack to the landing at Duck late in December, usually he wants to get going Christmas afternoon and never fail by the 28th he wants to at least get her into the cove on whatever ice there be.
Because of the lack of movement with the state to purchase an easement or right to the 32-00-0 access at Gassabiss Stream it is a long haul to Enfield and Nicatous, that or sled from Route 9 or ride an ATV. But if the snow flies, the ATV trail is now a sled trail, so no ATV. If you trust leaving your vehicle on the 32-00-0 and riding in, hope it doesn't snow while you are fishing or again your are locked until spring. The hike to Duck is now a chore, but those chores create memories for years to come, abeit a hard trip for kids who want to go fishing.
So as you wander in the true remote woods of Maine, those bounded by Route 9 to Route 6, come join us for a cup of coffee and good story swapping.
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