You have to hand it to the Downeast Maine Guides and the Grand Lake Stream Guides Association. These folks keep on fighting even after they have been knocked down. What’s the fight about? The issue is the Federally mandated introduction of anadromous alewives into the St. Croix River watershed. For years, the Downeast guides and others […]
outdoors in maine
Outdoors in Maine: The Thissell Pond restoration continues
Thissell Pond in Piscataquis County (T5R11) has been getting a lot of attention lately from anglers and fisheries biologists. It is a trout pond and a Maine sport fishery with a somewhat checkered but interesting fisheries management history. Not surprisingly, this small body of water (141 acres), according to biologist Tim Obrey, boasts “some […]
Outdoors in Maine: First volley in bear referendum struck
In the Maine bear referendum battle for public opinion, the first volley has been fired. Saturday, Aug. 9, the Augusta Civic Center was the gathering place for what was perhaps the biggest fund-raising event in the annals of Maine’s hunting and outdoor sporting community. The Save Maine’s Bear Hunt Super Banquet was just that […]
Outdoors in Maine: Start thinking about those any-deer permits
It always pays to plan ahead even in deer hunting. It seems a long way off, and whether you are a bow hunter or a gun hunter, the frosty mornings will be here before you know it. Step one is to remind yourself that the deadline for submitting your application for the drawing of […]
Outdoors in Maine: Campfires can be magical
Campfires are a magical thing. It’s a rare outdoorsperson who doesn’t find something restful and pleasing about a crackling fire that dances about and licks at the cool night air. The fire warms your body and soul, and lights the faces of your campmates who share stories and good memories of other times and other […]
Outdoors in Maine: The old red canoe
As I recall it was about 10 years ago when state regulators were having a hissy fit about people permanently stashing their old canoes along the shores of Maine’s remote wild trout ponds. I suppose they had a point, though the sight of old canoes chained to trees next to a pond’s put-in never gave me […]
Tony’s sharpeners on the cutting edge
To the disappointment of many who know me, I have never been a detail man. Navy boot camp tried to change me. Making a tight bunk that would bounce a quarter, buffing black shoes with tiny cotton balls for hours, or making Brasso mirrors out of Navy collar devices only served, eventually, to drive me […]
Outdoors in Maine: Spruce’s redemption buck
For whatever reason I still don’t understand, there are – I’m convinced – certain individual deer hunters who simply see more deer than the average Joe. For the sake of a better name, let’s call this natural phenomenon the Reynolds Rule. If you are a deer hunter who hunts from a deer camp, or with […]
Outdoors in Maine: Dealing with ticks in the Fall
Diane and I sold our homestead this spring and moved to our camp on a lake. We are remodeling and hoping to make our “lake home” a permanent thing. It’s a downsizing move, and a chance to be closer to what we love — the Maine woods. There is a period of adjustment. No central […]