Hopkins and other waters

Well ice is out and we put have put the boat in a few times at Hopkins, now listen we are hard core fisherman and not one to be skunked at Hopkins, but twice now, no fish, no strikes and ZERO on the finder. Water temp is 45 degrees and high. We hit bottom, top, middle and even hugged shore - ...brooks have a produced a few small trout.

Night Fishing

As we searched for smelts, I stopped at every brook, even non smelt ones just to check things out. And once again we forgot a fishing pole. Every brook we stopped at had trout holding in its waters, nice trout. Mike was shocked "I didn't know they swam at night!" What the hell do you think they do, sink or float, actually trout and salmon prefer to eat and swim at night.

The Smelt Trip

Well we made the trip down Route 9, Mike, Gramp, Zach and me in search of "smelts". We found trout and splake in every brook, a few pickeral, moose and moose, but no smelt - only gated roads.

The Conditions

The weather again - proposed heavy rain for the next few days, but at 11:45 pm Sunday its snowing and staying! Into Jellison to see if we could fish, now consider that every pond and lake checked so far is clear of ice. Nope not the camp pond, iced in solid, enough we can walk on it and drill holes - amazing. But being in the valley and protected from any sun, I can understand such.

I hear the salt water smelts are running on the Penobscot, loved fishing Brewer, but now with the new rip rap they have destroyed the fishing spots.

Beaware you can only keep 2 trout from lakes and ponds in Hancock County, new regulation.

Gear List

Recently I have received a couple of emails asking me to reprint my gear list. So here it is, do with as you wish. This is my gear list and how I store them in totes and dry boxes. You may see a few items listed more than once, that is because they are common items and I can reach for them in any box. Good trails!!!
ON PERSON – VEST/JACKET
0 Handkerchief 0 Cell Phone 0 Compass
0 Water 0 GPS 0 Firearm/Ammo
0 Glasses 0 Leather man 0 Lighter
0 Money 0 License 0 LED Light

DAY/GUIDE PACK – GENERAL USE (camo)
0 Knifes 0 Cylume 0 Survival Kit
0 Fire Starter 0 Water 0 Rope
0 GPS/Spare 0 Towel 0 Flashlight
0 Cup/drink 0 Maps 0 Marker
0 Toilet Paper 0 Cat Eyes 0 BU Compass
0 Chap Stick 0 Foil 0 Flagging
0 Aid Kit 0 Lighter/candle0 Bug Dope
0 Trash Bag 0 Trail Mix 0 Mirror
0 Zip Lock 0 Sharpener 0 Spare Glasses
0 Binoculars 0 Wipes 0 Batteries
0 Paper/Pencil 0 Head Lamp BU 0 EPI Pen
0 Peroxide 0 String Line 0 Fold Saw
0 Strobe 0 Candy 0 EM Blanket
0 Whistle 0 0

CHUCK - UTILITY BOX – MASTER TOTE (gray)
0 Notepad 0 LP Tree 0 LP hose (2)
0 LP Tank 1lb 0 Fish Maps 0 Lighter Fluid
0 (2) Lanterns 0 EM Radio 0 Flask JD
0 Hotdog Sticks 0 Hand Saw 0 Grill Regulator
0 Paper Towels 0 Zip Ties 0 Cook Oil
Box 1 – Inside Master
0 Flagging 0 Toilet Paper 0 Shampoo
0 Bug Dope 0 Vinegar 0 Soaps
0 Bleach 0 Trash Bags 0 Table Cloth
Box 2 – Inside Master
0 Zip Lock 0 Water Filter 0 Cribbage
0 Scrubber 0 Matches 0 Mirror
0 Candles 0 Nylons 0 Nails/Kit
0 Duct Tape 0 Fire Starters 0 Mantles (tub)
0 Rope 0 Lighters 0 AA Batteries
0 Cylumes 0 Solar Lights 0 Stove Hose

KITCHEN KIT – York Box (green)
0 Pots 0 Skillet 0 Silverware Kit
0 Utensils 0 2 Red Bowls 0 Bowls
0 Strainer 0 Aid kit 0 Cups
0 Cut board 0 Matches 0 Plates
0 Creamer 0 Sugar 0 Tea

KITCHEN KIT 2 – York Box (green)
0 Plates 0 Cups 0 Silverware
0 Bowls 0 Hang organizer0 Dish pans
0 Salt/Pepper 0 Hammer 0 Tub of bags
0 Napkins 0 Flashlights 0 Rope

***all totes taped or bungee corded, not needed on York Boxes

TENT PACK – Rubber Maid (gray)
0 Rain Fly 0 Air Mattress 0 Air Pump
0 Tie Downs 0 Tarp 0 Power Convert

0 Dust pan 0 Door Mat 0 Repair kit
0 Tents 0 Tent Poles 0 Tarp poles
PERSONAL KIT – Big Blue Dry Bag
0 Socks (4) 0 Pants (2) 0 Shorts
0 Long Johns 0 t-shirt 0 Underwear
0 Slippers 0 Towel 0 Reading Book
0 Shave kit 0 Hat 0 Jacket
0 Gloves 0 Flannel Shirt 0 Turtle Neck
0 Rain Gear 0 Swim Trunks 0 Spare Glasses

SPECIAL ITEMS – AS NEEDED
0 Chain Saw 0 Axe 0 Boat gas
0 ATV 0 Throw Rope 0 Spare Gas
0 Boat/Motor 0 Paddles 0 PFD
0 Kayak 0 Cooler/Ice 0 Sleeping Bags
0 Waders 0 Jump Start 0 Booster Cable
0 Hand Saw 0 Sleep Mach 0 Sun Block
0 Spare Plugs 0 Siphon Hose 0 Tarp Bucket
0 Cameras/video 0 Batteries 12v 0 Power Convert
0 Plaster Equip 0 Meds/Viatims 0 Port Radios
0 Tackle Box 0 Maps 0 Fish Poles
0 Net 0 Crayfish trap 0 Worms/Bait
0 Fish Vest 0 Gallon Water 0 Radios FRS
0 Boat Oil 0 Auger 0 Tote/Sled
0 Snowshoes 0 Snowmobile 0 Climb Gear
0 Come a Long 0 Skinning Kit 0 20lb LP
0 Aid Box 0 License Box 0 Straps/Rope
0 Moose Kit 0 Spare Tires 0 Plastic Roll
0 Clothes Pin 0 Shovel 0 Folding table
0 Flares

IN TRUCK – When Guiding or Tripping
0 Binoculars 0 Radio 0 Ear Protection
0 Leather man 0 Knife 0 Rope
0 GPS Tom/Tom 0 Maps 0 Toilet Paper
0 Aid Kit 0 Throw Rope 0 Gallon Water
0 Flashlights 0 Vest 0 Rain Gear
0 Sock 0 Gloves 0 Flagging
0 Wipes 0 Cylumes 0 Day Pack
0 Trail Mix 0 Paper 0 Tool Kit
0 Stand Box 0 Stand Harness 0 Tag Box

FORESTRY PACK – Yellow Box
0 Adaptor 0 Spanner 0 Flagging
0 Headlamp 0 Water 0 Cylumes
0 Trail Mix 0 Gloves 0 Aid Kit
0 Hardhat 0 Goggles 0 Ear Protection
0 Shirt(2) 0 Pants 0 Radio FRS
0 Handkerchief 0 Boots 0 Chap Stick

Things you need to bring on the trip

0 Air Mattress 0 Sun Block 0 Camera
0 Snacks 0 Sleeping Bag 0 Socks (4)
0 Pants (2) 0 Shorts 0 Sweat Pants
0 T-shirt(2) 0 Underwear 0 Croc/water
0 Shoes 0 Games DS 0 Tooth Brush
0 Towel 0 Reading Book 0 Hat
0 Jacket/rain 0 Flannel Shirt 0 Turtle Neck
0 Meds/Vitamins 0 Chap Stick 0 Fish Gear
0 Girl Stuff 0 Medications 0 Razor
0 Deodorant 0 Cell Phone

My First Aid Kit
0 Medications 0Tri Bandages 0 Roll Bandage
0 Tape 0 Wipes 0 Gauze pads
0 Napkins 0 Swabs 0 Tweezers
0 Safety pins 0 Scissors 0 Bee Sting kit
0 Sinus Meds 0 Compresses 0 Splinting Material
0 Ipecac 0 Band Aids 0 Antibiotic Cream
0 Calamine lotio0 Peroxide 0 Eye Wash
0 Stethoscope 0 CPR mask 0 Gloves
0 N95 mask 0 Hot/cold pack 0 Soap
0 Aspirin 0 Thermometer 0 Mole skin
0 Motrin 0 Cold Med 0 Tylenol
0 Vicks Vapor 0 Micro Shield 0 Witch Hazel
0 Q tips 0 Tums/Rolaids 0 Super Glue
0 Ace bandage 0 Epi Pen 0
MEAL PLAN – GROCERY LIST
BREAKFAST Cereal, Oatmeal, Pancakes, Egg/Ham-Bacon, OJ, Toast, Soft Boiled Egg
LUNCH Ham, Tuna, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Hotdogs or Pressed Meat with Chips, Noodles
Chop Suey
Steak
Hamburger
Ham Steak
Chicken Legs
Mac Cheese
Hotdogs
Chili
Pasta - Spaghetti Rice
Asparagus
Beans
Corn Cob
Noodles

SUPPERS
Rolls, Potato Salad, Potatoes, Beans, Noodles, Brownies, Hard/Soft boiled eggs, apples, cheese, snacks, candy

0 Bacon 0 Beans 0 Chips
0 Eggs 0 Bread /Buns 0 Cereal
0 Cheese 0 Crackers 0 Coffee
0 Steak 0 Bisquick 0 Fruit
0 Hamburger 0 Creamer 0 Honey
0 Corn on Cob 0 Marshmallows 0 Noodles
0 Chicken 0 Juice 0 Pop Tarts
0 Sandwich Meat 0 Hot Coco 0 Tuna
0 Butter 0 Mac Cheese 0 Sauce
0 Hot Dogs 0 Oatmeal 0 Macaroni
0 Milk 0 Peanut butter 0 Potatoes
0 Ham Steak 0 Rice 0 Cup Soup
0 Sausage 0 Crystal Ice 0 Can Soup
0 Salads 0 Syrup 0 Vinegar
0 Sunny D 0 Crisco 0 Cukes
0 Pancake Mix 0 Spaghetti 0 Rolls
0 Onions 0 Drinks 0 Tomato
0 Condiments 0 Smores Stuff 0 Sugar
0 Bars 0 Snacks/Candy 0 Jelly
0 Mustard 0 Relish 0 Mayo
(BOLD) items require ice/frozen cooler.
Suggest that meals be prepared at home and frozen.

Mud Season - Respect Landowners

Well congratulations to our IFW and Governor, they have openned fishing a week early, this was done to allow fisherman a few fish. See the Lake Buzzard is already back "the loon", they get about 8 pounds of fish a day, more than you and I will.

But I am writing to remind you that mud season is here and many of the places we fish we must cross private lands and or paper company lands. GMO has closed, gated and locked all roads until May 15th so early fishing will do little for us. Crashing these gates or finding a way around them only makes things worst. The roads get rutted and destroyed and landowners get very pissed off.

So you mud truck boys and fisherman, please find some hot top fishing spots for a few weeks until things dry out.

FISHING OPEN EARLY - GOV SIGNS EM LAW

Open Water Fishing Season Opens Early
March 25, 2010

MAINE DEPARTMENT OF INLAND FISHERIES & WILDLIFE 284 State St., SHS 41, Augusta, ME 04333 www.mefishwildlife.com Main Number: 287-8000

MEDIA: For more information, call IF&W Spokeswoman Deborah Turcotte at (207) 592-1164

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MARCH 25, 2010

Open Water Fishing Season Now Open

AUGUSTA – Open water fishing season is now open under an emergency law signed by Gov. John E. Baldacci today, Thursday, March 25, 2010.

All lakes, ponds and brooks are open except those with specific opening-day regulations that start after April 1 as listed in the 2008-2009 Open Water Fishing Law Book.

Bag and size limit rules contained in the 2008-2009 Open Water Fishing Law Book also apply.

The emergency law is in effect until April 1, 2010.

A new fishing law book that combines ice fishing and open water fishing rules, including several new regulations, will become effective on April 1, 2010. Distribution of this law book began a couple of weeks ago and is available where fishing licenses are sold.

“People have been anxious to drop their lines given that ice fishing season ended too soon in some parts of the state, with many lakes and ponds experiencing early ice out conditions,” Commissioner Roland “Danny” Martin said. “We’re happy to provide this opportunity to anglers, and remind them to be mindful of early spring cold-water conditions by being safe.”

Open water fishing season historically begins on April 1 on most waters of the state. Because of unseasonably warm weather opening up waterways in many counties and strong public interest in wanting to fish, Maine Sen. Bruce Bryant, D-Oxford County, sponsored emergency legislation to start the season early.

“Let’s go fishing!” exclaimed Sen. Bryant, upon the Governor’s signature of the bill.

Emergency law opens season today (March 25), but 2008-2009 rules apply until April 1

Emotional Distrubed Fishing Laws, New April 1

People, kids, family and friends want to fish, most of the time they could care what they catch. There is a new 2 year law book out, the rules take effect April 1st and are designed to create revenue for the Green Monsters – called the Warden Service.

This is the most confusing 104 law book ever written and it will keep lawyers and courts busy for years to come. We call it “emotional disturbed” laws, written by a college educated fool, with the help of SAM. We’ve got CI, CO, B, A, Eastern, Southern, Northern, open water, ice fishing and more (S) regulations than any sane person could understand.

We want to fish year round, all waters, including brooks and streams. What would happen if we didn’t ever have any ice for ice fishing? People writing regulations should sit down and think from the mindset that we don’t have any ice and go from there. It could be very simple, does anyone in Disgusta look to other states that get ice and allow fishing year round, both through the ice or open water?

Fishing would be permitted year round, by either trap or rod. A fisherman is allowed three rods or traps. (no longer two rods, or two or five traps - three period). You can stand on shore, or ice, on your head for that matter, fish in a boat, canoe, kayak, sit on the ice or drill a hole, but only three rods or traps or combination of, but no more than three. The current special lakes just force people to get a big party together to put out more traps and rotate fishing holes.

The limit on salmon, togue and trout state wide from lakes and ponds is two, unless special regulations allow the taking of a higher limit. A person may have four trout from brooks, streams and rivers, unless special regulations allow a higher limit. All trout and salmon caught from October 1 to December 31 must be released immediately.

Night fishing is allowed year round.

Trout must be 6 inches, salmon 14 inches, and togue 18 inches.

Slot laws don’t work – the loons get the bigger fish anyways and fish caught in the slot, especially through the ice have a high mortality rate, so just keep two fish. That or dead fish are stuffed down the hole or packed away and taken home. If stopped oops, ahh I caught these at…just come up with a lake that is open without a slot law.

Amherst Mountain Plan

The Maine Department of Conservation, Bureau of Parks and Lands invites
you to attend a Public Meeting on the Amherst Mountains Community Forest
Management Plan on March 17th at 6:30 p.m. at the Bangor Motor Inn &
Conference Center located at 701 Hogan Road in Bangor.

The Amherst Mountains Community Forest (AMCF) is a unique
state-municipal partnership involving 4,974 acres of forestland
surrounding six ponds in the town of Amherst. The parcel was acquired
by the Maine Department of Conservation with assistance from the Forest
Society of Maine in June of 2009, with funds from the Forest Legacy
Program, the Lands for Maine's Future program and numerous charitable
foundations and individuals.

The purpose of the Public Meeting is to collect information and to hear
comments from the general public regarding the management of this
parcel. Public knowledge of the region will help shape the plan, which
will provide resource protection and management guidance for this
property over the next 15-year period.

An Advisory Committee has been formed to provide additional input and to
review drafts of the plan. A second public meeting will be scheduled in
June to receive feedback on a final draft. Comments are invited
throughout the planning process.

More information on the management planning process is available at
http://www.maine.gov/doc/parks/programs/planning/amherstmountains/index.
shtml. Please feel free to contact me with questions or to submit
written comments.

Please circulate this invitation to interested parties.

Thank you.

Misha Mytar
Senior Planner
Maine Bureau of Parks & Lands
P.O. Box 343
Sullivan, ME 04664
(207) 460-4818
misha.mytar@maine.gov
www.parksandlands.com

Vacation Plans

Well the ice is getting weaker. Pre planning was held this evening for the spring and summer season. Memorial Day Week will find the crew at, where else, Duck Lake. Some will be at the campground and others at the Beach. Between the three familys, looks to be a good group. Next is Fathers Day Weekend, continuing in the 47th year with many generations - Telos at High Bank. Then there is the Machias River and Airline Rips - if only the state would build a few more log lean too's - so much warmth and memories. The trip to Debscogeag will not happen this year, nor are we heading to Musquicook. However Haymock and Eagle will see a trip. The kids really want to do another St. Croix run for 3 days, but I really enjoy camping in the nice sites on the Canandian side, but have been told with proper paperwork and passports we could get in a lot of trouble. At least they invest in recreation on the river, our side leaves much to be desired. I was aksing about Tunk Lake the other day and still hear fishing is slow and not any real big fish. I would really love to give it a two or three day push, but there doesn't seem to be much interest. Lee is selling the camp on Moosehead, taxes are very high and purchased a 36' foot to partol the lake with this year, no taxes. But on the way to Duck, boy I wish GMO would let the state put the bridge back in on the 32-00-0 at Gassiabiass so the southern folk could get there easier and safer.

Huntin and Fishing with the Old Man

Well O'Connor has his newest book out, Huntin and Fishing with the Old Man, I love the section on how we call fishing - farmin.

Short Stories

After the first book on Bear Hunting in Maine I have been working on a few others. One on how to serve in local rural politics, another Maine Professional Guide Manual, then Life on Alligator and a secret special one. However I have started posting short stories at www.registeredguide.blogspot.com, a link on this page. Hope you enjoy the reads. Lorin

MOMO

MOMO
I am pretty sure this is a Clifton term, as I have never heard it anywhere else. I also think Manny started the term. So what is a “MOMO”? Well a momo is just a word or term I would think, like look at that MOMO, or what a MOMO you are. You can also say hi MOMO. I have family members I call MOMO 1, MOMO2 and MOMO3, something’s depending on the action, your number changes. So I guess MOMO means doing something stupid, acting like an idiot, spilling your drink (your such a MOMO), goofing off (mud truck stuck in water) – what a MOMO. Or if you get all the fish – you’re such a momo. MOMO is not a swear word or a negative word per say, it’s just a word to describe something or someone, so take it in stride you MOMO.

The Results

The gang made it to camp, although we had to pull the old man back on the road four times, its mud season. Four trout were taken 8-12 inches long. The boy decided to check out the road and four hours later as darkness fell, jacks were still being deployed to get the truck back on to solid ground. The old man was not happy. Just another day in Maine

Jellison Hill and Alligator Lake

The Boys are Fishing! Dillion and group hit Alligator yesterday fishing off Bamfords Island. Weather was nice and pulled a few salmon through the ice, all within the slot limit however, so no keepers. Today the Old Man and Red has struck off to Jellison with the tracked rig. Hoping to get within them after Zach's Saturday School. Ice conditions along the shore are sketchy, but there was about a foot of ice off shore - just do regular checks before venturing out. Another good friend returned from Millinocket Lake yesterday, the ice was poor so all they got was a few perch, the old ice holes had openned up the size of cars. Lets be Careful out there folks.

Black Bear Info

Black Bear
by Craig McLaughlin
Wildlife Biologist

Physical Characteristics
The black bear is the smallest of the three species of bears inhabiting North America (black, brown/grizzly, and polar), has the widest distribution on the continent, and is the only bear living in the eastern United States. Black bears are found in most forested areas from Mexico north to the edge of the tree line in Canada and Alaska. Although most black bears are not much larger than humans, their weight can vary tremendously with the season of the year. Bears store body fat during the fall months to supply energy during their long winter denning period, and are heaviest in late fall.

Adult males average 250 - 600 pounds, and measure 5-6 feet from tip of nose to the tip of their tail. Females are smaller, weighing 100-400 pounds, and measuring 4-5 feet in length. Males stand about 40 inches tall at the shoulder; females seldom exceed 30 inches in height. Bears are compact, with stocky legs, small eyes, short, rounded ears, short curved claws, and a short, inconspicuous tail. The black bear has a straight facial profile and a massive skull. Black bears in Maine are normally black , but they are often various shades of brown to cream colored in western populations, and are even white, and blue-gray in color in coastal British Columbia and Alaska. They have a brown muzzle, and occasionally a white throat or chest patch or "blaze". Bears walk flat-footed, and their broad feet leave 5-toed tracks that sometimes resemble human footprints. Tracks of female bears rarely exceed 4.5 inches in width; males leave tracks up to 6 inches wide.

Natural History
Habitat.
Black bears require forests for protection and food. They are amazingly adaptable to human presence, and are able to survive in close proximity to housing developments and suburban areas wherever cover to escape cover exists.

Food habits.
Bears are opportunists, and feed on a wide range of vegetation and animal matter. They eat a variety of plant matter throughout the growing season, including early greening grasses, clover, and the buds of hardwood trees in the spring, fruits and berries in summer, and beechnuts, acorns, and hazelnuts in the fall. This diet is supplemented with insects, including ants and bees (their larvae, adults, and honey), and occasional mammals and birds. Bears are not considered efficient predators, but they are known to prey on young deer and moose in late spring, and will consume carrion. Bears are intelligent, and adapt rapidly to new food sources, including agricultural crops and food placed to attract other wildlife, such as bird feeders, and untended garbage. Therefore, they occasionally cause problems for farmers, beekeepers and orchardists, and rural residents in the State.

Reproduction.
Black bears breed from May through August, with most activity peaking in June and July. Adults are solitary, and during the summer months males travel over large areas to enhance their chances for encountering mates. Although males become sexually mature at 1-2 years of age, most do not participate in breeding until they have reached full adult size, at about 4-6 years in Maine.

Females in Maine become sexually mature at 3-5 years of age. Individual females have a 2-year reproductive cycle, which is related to their long period of parental care for cubs. Bears have a long gestation period, but most fetal development is delayed until the final 6-8 weeks. Breeding occurs in the summer, prior to the fall feeding period that provides the female with stored body fat to supply demands for fetal development and her survival during the winter. If a female is unable to store sufficient body fat, the pregnancy is terminated. Most fetal development occurs in early winter, after the female has entered a den, and 1-4 cubs are born inside the winter den during January - February. Cubs weight about 12 ounces at birth, and depend on their mother for warmth and nutrition during the remainder of the winter. They grow to 4-10 pounds by mid-late April, when the mother leads them away from the den. The family group remains together for 16-18 months, until the female reenters estrus and disperses her yearlings as another breeding season begins. In northern Maine, fluctuating beechnut crops have produced alternating years of high and low cub production, with most cubs being born on odd-numbered years. Cub production is more consistent in central Maine, where more stable fall food supplies result in nearly half of adult females giving birth each year.

Longevity.
Bears are long-lived animals, capable of surviving 30 years in the wild. Their survival increases as they mature. Nearly half of newborn cubs may die before reaching their first birthday, with starvation being a major cause of death. By the time bears in Maine reach 2 years of age their survival exceeds 90%, and nearly all deaths of adult bears are due to hunting or other man-related causes.

Movements.
Black bears lead solitary lives, except for breeding pairs,family groups comprised of adult females and their offspring, and occasional aggregations at concentrated food sources. Females use areas of 6-9 mi2 in Maine. They are sedentary and remain within or near the range of their mother for the duration of their lives. Males disperse long distances (often up to 100 miles) as subadults (1-4 years of age) prior to settling into adult ranges that may exceed 100 mi2. Bears often make trips up to 40 miles outside of their ranges to feed on berries or nuts (or occasionally to an orchard or field of oats or corn) in late summer or fall. When feeding on a concentrated food source, bears may use areas as small as several acres; when searching for dispersed food or mates, they can cover several miles in a day. Bears are active in late fall as long as food is plentiful. In years of abundant beechnut crops, they will feed until snow makes travel difficult, and normally enter dens in late November. If late fall food is scarce, bears usually enter dens by mid-October.

Hunting Tips
•Successful hunters know that the best places to locate bears are at food sources. Pre-season scouting increases your success rate. Look for tracks, droppings, broken stems or branches near seasonal food supplies.
•Always ask landowner permission before setting baits or starting hounds.
•Hunt near food sources that are "in season". Early in the fall, bears are found near clear cuts that produce berries; late in the fall, hunt near sources of beechnuts or acorns.
•Scent control is a must for successful hunting over bait. Wear rubber footwear, keep hunting clothing clean, and avoid wearing it in camp where foreign odors can be picked up. Do not smoke on stand. Use cover scent.
•Tree stands are dangerous. Secure yourself with a safety strap. Do not climb with a firearm or bow in your hand; instead, use a haul line after safely strapping yourself in.
•Practice with your weapon continuously to maintain proficiency. Bears must be hit solidly in the lungs or heart, rather small targets compared to a bear's large body size.
•Hunting with hounds is physically demanding. An exercise program will put you in shape to complete a hunt safely.

Historical Management in Maine
Population and Distribution Trends.
Historically, bears were found throughout the State. Following European settlement, bears were extirpated from the south-coastal section of Maine, from Portland north to Penobscot Bay as forests were cleared for farming. Soils were depleted and agriculture declined since the turn of the century, and forests have re-grown and are once again able to support bears. However, bears are slow to recolonize vacant habitat, and are still rare visitors to south-coastal Maine. Most of the State has remained a stronghold for black bears. Historical accounts suggest that population density fluctuated over the last century, but the State has always supported an abundant bear population. Interest in bear hunting increased in the 1970s, and the Department's Bear Study was established in 1975 to monitor population trends. The statewide population was estimated at 6,000-9,000 in 1979, and season restrictions were implemented to guard against over harvests. By 1984, improved information on bear densities yielded a revised statewide estimate of 18,000 bears. The 1985 population was estimated at 21,000 bears, but renewed interest in hunting and escalating harvests during the late 1980s reduced the population to 18,000 bears by 1989. Additional restrictions on hunting season length have increased bear survival during the 1990s, and the population increased to 22,000-23,000 bears in 1998.

Management Goals and Objectives
Wildlife Management Districts 1-23 and 25-281.
Goal: Provide hunting, trapping, and viewing opportunity for bears.

Objective 1: Stabilize the bear population by 2005 at no less than current (1999) levels, through annual hunting and trapping harvests.

Objective 2: Create information and education programs by 2002 that target specific audiences and promote traditional hunting and trapping methods as valid and preferred tools to manage black bear populations in Maine.

Objective 3: Create information and education programs by 2002 that target specific audiences and promote public tolerance of bears in Maine.

Wildlife Management District 29.
Goal: Provide hunting, trapping, and viewing opportunity for bears.

Objective 1: Increase the traditional hunting and trapping effort on bears within the existing season framework to reduce fawn mortality by 15% by (date - to be determined by IF&W).

Objective 2: Create information and education programs by 2002 that target specific audiences, and promote traditional hunting and trapping methods as valid and preferred tools to manage black bear populations in Maine.

Objective 3: Create information and education programs by 2002 that target specific audiences and promote public tolerance of bears in Maine.

1 Wildlife Management Districts 24 and 30 have high human populations and fragmented forests that are largely unsuitable as bear habitat. Consequently, the public working group did not develop goals and objectives for these districts.

Did you know...
Although they appear slow and lumbering, bears can run at speeds up to 35 miles per hours?

Bear cubs have blue eyes, which turn brown during their first summer?

Bears may remain in their dens for 5-6 months each year in Maine. During this time they do not eat, drink, urinate or defecate?

Union River

Will a trip to Tannery Loop Road in Amherst was in order yesterday. Water level is high and relatively ice free which would allow for some playing with canoe or kayak if you are brave enough to stand the cold, a dry suit might be in order. Also at teh site of the falls and old dam one should be careful of the few old rods remaining. Running the falls is a little tricky and there are some dips.

Roaming Dogs

Over the past few weeks we have had a problem with roaming dogs chasing the livestock, horses and calf. It started out as coyotes in the back pasture doing the chasing, but no shots were taken. Then I looked out last week and saw the coyote coming out of the woods in pursuit of the calf. The .308 with special varmit load (.55gr) was put into action. Just as I was about to dispatch the coyote, with pressure on the trigger I thought something wasn't right. I took the tension off the trigger and clapped my hands. With that the animal stopped and looked directly at me. Using the scope I could see this was a dog with coloring like a coyote. I fired a shot near the creature and it took off running. However that night and the next day they were back chasing the critters. By now there were several calls to the Animal Control and local Game Warden. Then I got a call from the ACO that two dogs matching my discription had attacke a lady in her driveway on the next road over. Then an hour later there was a report of two dead dogs on another road. Upon investigation by the ACO, it appears the dogs were at the end of a driveway. The ACO knocked on the door and the person claimed responsibiilty for the dogs - this person had been warned on at least two occasions regarding the dogs. In fact a few months earlier they had bitten another resident.

So I thought all was taken care of, that is until Sunday when the two dogs were back chasing the livestock. Monday morning they were back again, this time on fresh snow. More calls to the ACO. I put the gear together, including a shotgun, and started a track. I finaly caught up with the dogs, an older dog that had all it could to to walk and a mixed shepard. They would stop, but would not let me near them. I went door to door on Rt 180, Clewely Rd, Route 9, Mill Lane and Molly Road attempting to locate the owner. I had several folks tell me the dogs had been around for a while and were chasing deer and pets. I got back home upset that I could not find the owners, no collars on the dogs could be seen. Then the phone rang, it was a person on Rt 9 about a mile away reporting that she was out with her dog on a leash when suddenly these two dogs came out of the woods and started chasing her. They followed her back home, her husband went after the dogs, but they took off. Are these dropped off dogs or a person that goes to work and lets them run free. What ever is the case it is sad that they will get hit by a car or destroyed for something that the owners are responsible for. But damage to people or to livestock can not be allowed to continue. In fact it is clear from the tracks the dogs have been visiting the local deer yard, however I could not find any blood or injured deer at this time.

Road Conditions

Depending on your location you got between 4 to 8 inches of snow yesterday. Driving the back roads this morning, or at least attempting to drive said, one finds that frost is coming out and we are coming into mud season. Trout streams are looking good and many are ice free. Most beaver sets are pulled by now, but the smart trapper knows pelts are prime and water is open for channel sets and a good chance to get a few beaver, especially the big ones searching for fresh twigs. Most of the roads we travel in search of trout or coyotes belong to other landowners, extereme caution should be used when traveling, no landowner likes find deep ruts across their roads. Please be respectful

What Ice Will Hold

Last Day of February

Is this really the last day of February, I thought it was April! Parts of Maine were hit with 91 mph winds and Jackman and mountains I hear got like 40 inches of snow. Guess what, I shut the horse tank heaters off (200 gallon heaters). Temperature in the 40's, rain and mud season. No more snow, gets get the boats ready for some spring fishing. Mike retrieved his ice shack, which blew down lake, but ice conditions are poor around the shore. The middle pack is fair and usable, but the cut holes act like drains with this rain and have become huge. So be careful. On my spring list is a Scott Hudson Bay Canoe in case anyone wants to know.

Bears and Cabin Fever Reliever

Well Dr. Krause has been here and gone, doing some filming with the biologist that study bear. There are three study areas for black bear in Maine, one in Bradford, Beddington and Ashland. Each study area has several adult females that have radio collars placed on them. They are caught in live traps and tagged. This time of year the biologists use planes to locate the denning bears signal then snowshoe to the den. At which point they crawl in with mom in the den. The cubs are weighed, measured and general health is charted. This allows for a long term progress report to be conducted on the size and health of our bears in Maine. The good Doc is undertaking a video project that will be used in education and research. As we all know the weather this week was poor. But several still and videos were taken.

A great place to visit is the Cabin Fever Reliever held at the Brewer Auditorium this weekend. Ready for this....its FREE. A mini sportsman show designed mostly for kids, with archery and fly tying. If your out stop by

Parks Pond Ride In

Parks Ride In
Wow what a great day, weather wise, hard to believe it is February. Today was the great ride in at gramps on Parks Pond. Actually it was a chem free celebration for a close friend. The event included all the food you could eat, pies, trash can turkey, chilli, chop suey, rolls, cakes, deserts, juice, coffee and so much more. What a time it was, all that heard were invited. The lake saw a dozen or more sleds, atv’s and even a dirt bike. Kids had a blast being towed and fishing. Traps covered the lake, yet only one fish was taken. Story, there were more stories than one could shake a stick at today. Not only did family attend, neighbors and friends from roads away stopped by to have a bite and say hi. Mikes ice house was the talk of the lake. Mike purchased a great little camper, not very big, but with table that makes into a bed, a bed, frig, stove, gas lights and closet. The thing is weighs very little. Dennis put his skills to work and an old set of skis had a basket welded on them in which the tires fit. You tow the camper or shack to your favorite hole, jack it up and drop the tire into the basket on the skis. Connect it to the sled and off you go, it tows wicked easy. In todays case of no snow, we just hooked it to the four wheeler and out we went. Needless to say I finding me an old camper, no more struggling with the heavy shacks, frozen skis and such and heck its already insulated and can be used year round. Today was one of the best events I have seen in a long time. On the flip side, according to the news, the Sabago Derby was canceled because of poor ice conditions, with a number of cars, sleds and atv’s visiting the water. It is also reported that a warden and his atv went in. No one was injured and at least one day of the event was held. At the time of this writing, the temperature has dropped and it is snowing. Snow is expected all week off and on, but since temperatures during the day will be forty, I am not sure we expect much snow.

Wind Swept Alligator

Wind Swept Alligator
Zach and I headed to Alligator for a few hours of fishing today. Conditions to the landing were good, road getting a little soft. There were nine vehicle of various sorts. The lake is glare ice and the wind was like whipping straight down the lake at us, like at forty knots or so. There are four shacks on the ice today. As we started out, first the hat went, then the cover to the trap box, then the ATV was blown down lake. Seriously it was blowing. As usual the coves on the east shore have no ice and the rock point coming out of the landing is open. We checked on the old homestead and then traveled north toward Turtle Rock, where we set our traps. The wind was so bad you had to hold the traps or they would be blown away. The shore was great, we layed back in t shirts, on ice was like -20 or so. Soon we saw a couple walking or attempting to walk. I thought it was Chris and Rachel, so we went out to meet them. It was a guy name John and girl name Heather coming out to check on friends. They were walking…one step forward, two back. I carry slip on cleats which I gave to them and off they went. Fishing was slow, with only two flags. As we picked up to leave late in day, we saw John and Heather walking, so we gave them a ride back to landing. It was a real nice day, but the wind was just plain raw. Talked with a few other groups on the ice and none reported getting any fish today. As a side note, our bait guy is running low, price is now $5 a doz for shiners and $1 a smelt. I am thinking I can get a lot of salmon at shop and save for the cost of just bait. But where is the fun in that! The other part of the crew headed to Hopkins and reported no fish and just a few fishing. The old man did manage to flip his ATV backwards on himself. The cause, just being a MOMO. Sunday gang is heading back to Parks for perch.

Love Duck Lake

God Love Duck Lake
Mike, Chris and Dillon were excited about the trip to Duck in search of a few salmon and maybe the rare trout held in its cold clear waters. The trip depends on the depth of snow each week and year. Without snow the truck can make it into the landing at shores edge. With snow it becomes more of a chore, anywhere from fourteen to twenty miles by snowsled, depending on what roads the paper company is plowing.
At 3a.m. the boys had the truck running, I was more for like six or so, but not them, they had to have traps in by sunrise. We arrive at the Old Man’s at four o’clock, just as he requested. This trip was his idea to begin with anyways. He was still in bed resting his eyes when we pulled in.
But he is headed, up the Alligator Road to the Stud Mill, then to the 32-00-00 road where we would park and unload the sleds. All was going as planned.
Sleds were unloaded and the tub was attached to the old man’s four stroke, long track, Bearcat. Dillon was to ride with the old man and Chris and Mike would share the other sled. Up the 32-00-00 (Duck Lake Rd) we went for a day of fishing. The trail or road was in great shape, hard packed and groomed. The old man really liked that four stroke and the way it rode with his two hundred and eighty pound frame. I called him one-eyed Willy, as the old man only had one eye, so he really had no vision. Hell most of the time we were looking around anyway. He scared the hell out of everyone. Before long the old man, who was leading, was really cruising on the straight always. I am leaning toward sixty mph in places, while towing the tub of gear and grub.
We have done this trip hundreds and hundreds of times over the last thirty years, every Friday night for close to thirty years. He knew the trail and road better than anyone. I think he even helped lay the base for the road back when it was a mud run. Cause every time we got stuck he would be the one fetching rocks to fill the holes.
As we came near the Red Rock, about the half waypoint, where the road goes down to Sabao and Nicatous Lake, there is always a YesMa in the trail. By now the old man was putting distance between the sleds.
As we rounded the corner it looked like a bomb went off. There was food everywhere, bait buckets in the woods and two poor Jiffy Augers in pieces; the tub was twisted around a Maple tree, but no old man. Pretty soon we see the headlights of his sled coming back down the trail.
There is pain and suffering to be explained, see the old man didn’t own anything but the food. Damage so far on this trip, six dozen smelts at $8 a dozen, two augers, traps, the tub and grub.
The old man was quick “dam pin let go on the tub”, he gruffed. Dillon chimed in as he picked up the parts of his Jiffy, “don’t think speed had anything to do with it, especially be air borne over the yesma, do ya”? The answer was quick and sharp from the old man “nope”.
We gathered our goods and repacked. Upon reaching the lake, it was nice to see an old friend at an icehouse who was kind enough to let us borrow his auger for a few holes.
This is a typical trip to Duck and Murphy’s Law is always with us. The old man’s brother, Joe, vowed many years ago never to go to Duck Lake again, it was just too costly.
Our trips involved countless flats, blown transmissions, shocks, trailers coming unhooked and passing us, motors falling off boats, transoms ripped off, lower units destroyed on rocks, atv’s and boats bounced off the trailers, close calls with loggin trucks, broken springs, motors and at least two front pumpkins while pushing mud. Not to mention the times we have been stuck or struck by lighting. God we love Duck Lake.

Moose Antler - Blind

Look at the picture very closely! Notice the antler, it is just a shovel the size of your hand and it is a blinder to the moose's eye. Three hunters were moose hunting when they came upon this moose laying in the road. The moose stagged into the woods where it fell and got lodged in between two rocks. The hunters thinking it was a cow, worked for hours to free the moose. When freed the moose ran into a tree. It was at this point they realized it was a "bull". The hunter with the permit promptly decided this was the size moose he was looking for and shot it. Upon inspection it was found that one shovel antler was into the eye of the moose and it was blind. The other was covering the other eye. This is a true story, we have video and pictures of freeing the moose with block and tackle before realizing it was a bull. The in any case would not have survived.

Coyote Reduction Needed Fast

A Maine Coyote
Hunters looking for a challenge and true sport only need to look to winter coyote hunting in Maine. Without question the coyote is one crafty and smart animal. At this time of year the deer are having a hard time walking the crusty snow, but not the coyote - he is able to give chase until exhausting the deer. Think about the doe deer, in just a few years that one deer would produce over a 100 off spring, thousands over the years. So by saving one deer you can bounce the herd in your area. Spring is another time of killing but coyote, as the fawn drops, the coyote is hunting. Callers, camo, gun are all that is needed to improve our deer herd and save a few domestic pets at the same time. If would like some information on coyote hunting let me know, you can even night hunt coyotes. Fish and Game just released a 187 page report on the predation of our deer herd, which you can find at IFW web site.
The link is listed below

http://www.maine.gov/ifw/wildlife/surveys_reports/pdfs/deerpredationreport.pdf


AUGUSTA, Maine – Preliminary deer harvest numbers show a decrease of 14% from the 2008 harvest with an initial tally of 18,045 deer taken by hunters.

“To put this into perspective, we must consider that the 2008 and 2009 winters represent the most severe back-to-back winters since 1971-72,” according to IF&W Deer Biologist Lee Kantar.

Long winters with deep snows have a tremendous impact on the overwinter survival of deer. Both expected regional declines in deer abundance and adverse hunting conditions -- two weeks of poor hunting conditions during the firearms season -- played a role in the fall 2009 harvest decline. Decreases in the deer harvest from 2008 also were expected given the 16% decrease in any-deer permits for Maine’s hunters (reducing overall success rates). The reductions in any-deer permits for 2009were necessary to allow the deer herd to begin to recover.

Relative to adjacent provincial and state jurisdictions, the decline in Maine’s deer harvest was less in comparison to our Canadian neighbors in Quebec and New Brunswick whose deer harvests declined greater than 30% during the same time period, but was greater than the decline in New Hampshire’s deer harvest (decrease of approximately 5%).

For 2009, Department biologists projected a statewide harvest of approximately 19,289deer. The annual deer harvest projections by department biologists in the late spring result from an analysis of mortality and reproductive rates, harvest trends, and any deer permit allocations to meet Wildlife Management District (WMD) goals and objectives. Thus our initial number for statewide harvest was 6% less than projected.

Over the next few weeks, department biologists will complete a more detailed analysis of the 2009 harvest and will release the final deer harvest number and further details about how the harvest looked by season, WMD, sex and age.

Beaver Trapping

Ice conditions have improved somewhat for beaver trapping, but fur prices have not! Beaver trapping starts in November and runs into the following March. There is a high demand for trappers to remove problem beavers each year. In fact biologists encourage trapping as a way to open streams for trout management and to reduce spring flooding. Pricing this year however has caused a serious decline in the number of trappers. As of today prices range from $5-$20 per pelt, that is cured, fleshed, stretched and ready to sell, this not in the round. Early season found rain and very poor ice conditions, now with the season coming to a close conditions have improved.

Warm Day

Wow 43 degree's, yet they are saying snow. Hayward, Mike, Dillon, Manny and Amanda have reached the shores of Duck Lake. Me I've got the kids, who are in the process of building a large bonfire for this evening. Hopefully some skating on the pond will be in order. By the looks of the pallets it is not going to be a small fire.

Resting

A nice picture of a cub resting while the mother is being checked. Cub returned to mom without harm.

New Bear Sites

Well a month ago, one of the large paper companies that I lease sites from advised us that a new plan was under development. Under the previous plan, sites were leasted at the rate of $100 per site. Sites were spaced, between baiters of about a mile. The new plan released this week is to lease entire township to one operator. This solves jumped baits, spacing and other issues. The big problem is that you lost baits in one town and gained some in another. I did loose a township that I really like, but gained access to a very large new area, that can handle 10 sites, so I lost 4, but gained 10. I love to explore new area...can't wait. I might even have to sled the area to see what it looks like without leaves on the trees.

Thinking Snow

Well I just watched the weather forecast - 4-7 inches of snow. The gear is packed and we are ready to venture to Duck Lake at 4am. The plan is to go up the Alligator Rd to the Stud Mill, then to Deer Lake and sled 14 miles into Duck and be on the ice at 6 am or so....at least that is the plan.

Parks Pond

Wow what a day, back from Hopkins, had a hot turkey sandwich from the stripped bird of Sunday and now off to Parks Pond with the kids. Oops, just ran out of gas in both ATV's.

Deer Sheds

Well Lorin is out on the sled and traveling by snowshoe in search of Moose and Deer sheds. As you see the Moose and Deer drop or shed their antlers in January. Usually they drop one here and then a few days later another there, so finding a matched pair is hard, but not impossible in the winter yard. Getting to the shed before the rodents and other nawing wildlife is the trick. Sheds are very popular and can be a source of excerise, fresh air, hide and seek for kids, a skill game and then at the end of the day a source or revenue. See sheds are sellable! Yes there is a market for those new and old antlers. Ads can be found in several of Maine's outdoor news publications. Remember there are various pricing and markets, are the antlers green or dry? Do you have a matched pair? What is the score or size? Some large match pair of either moose or deer can command a large pay off, much more than $6 a pound.

I have noticed several snowmobile's parked on the trails, with the owners on snowshoes searching the thickets. Zach recently found a matched 6 point shed, in all places the drive way, as the deer are eating the cedars.

There are Deer

As most of you know this part of Penobscot County going into Hancock and Washington have very few deer. However in recent days I am driving them off my cedar hedge and mending fence, as they seem to enjoy being with the cows. Traveling Route 46, by Peggy's place, we counted 22 deer feeding on the grass in the pasture. On Route 9 in Amherst, just before the Union River there is a large large group of deer, by Tannery Loop Road. Last year there were a number of road kills as the deer travel Route 9. Locals have placed signs up to warn drivers - wonder, is anyone feeding the deer? Could this be the cause of the problem? In any case use caution on this stretch of road as close to fifty deer are working the area in search of? buds or grain

Hopkins

Mike and Veron headed to Hopkins Pond in Clifton/Amherst early this morning and were able to get the Toyota on the ice and across to their favorite fishing hole. They reported a few other fisherman. They fished hard tending their two traps, but only one flag and a slight line out - wind flag, as the bait was still going strong with no sign of wear or tear. Oh well what a beautiful day to be on the water, and a little snow squal gave a dusting or so. We would like to try smelts, but the cost per dozen does not allow that this year.

We are packing in hopes of a Duck attempt early in the morning.

I think I will check and see how O'Connor is doing down in Flordia on Saddlebag Lake. Then a call to Three Rivers Canoe to check pricing on that Scott Canoe - just a dream.

The Cat is Down

Well the four stoke Bear Cat is down and heading to Bangor for parts. It seems we got some ice in the front wheels, so when we took off, the power of the engine forced the system and snapped the wheel shaft. So LP heater to melt the ice from underneath, a few bolts later and we should be back in business.

Mike's New Truck

Without a doubt the best 4 wheel drive truck is a 85-89 Toyota pickup. You just can't kill these things. I have used these for years for guiding and my 85 plow truck does 10 driveways and 4 acres of pasture for the last 10 years. I am happy to report that Mike just found an 87 in great shape with metal rack body and head board for $600. All stickered and ready for the road. I love these trucks, if we could only find a few more.

Ice Fishing

It is now February 15 with light snow falling. Snowmobiling has slowed a bit as the rain created quite a melt. Temperatures are staying below freezing so trails with snow are hard packed and overall ice conditions are good. Fishing in the last few weeks has been at Alligator, Jellison, Hopkins, Parks, Half Mile, Georges and attempts at Middle Branch Bog. Hopkins, even with it two trap limit and special restrictions is very busy. The lack of snow has allowed drivable conditions to the landing and as of yesterday various vehicles were on the ice itself (I am not a big fan of allowing motor vehicles on the ice).

Fishing to say the least has been slow. With four people fishing yesterday at Hopkins, (9yr) Hunter was the only one to get a fish a 13" brook trout.

We were hoping for some perch at Parks, but with the entire family and close to thirty traps - two fish, one pickeral and one perch.

I am not sure if the weather has played a part in the slow fishing, but I am not hearing of any fast action. While two new records were set this year, that of a brook trout and another from brown trout. Activity is slow.

We have tried to save a few buck by trapping our own bait and this is working well.
Depending on the weather a trip to Duck is scheduled.

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.