The 2024 season is well underway with a few trips and many more in my calendar for the next few months. As things get started, I reflect on how I am fortunate that out local rivers, lakes, and coastal waters teem with a diverse array of fish species. From pickerel to perch bass and stripers, these aquatic creatures are not only a source of recreation for anglers, but also a vital part in our ecosystem. That's why I am participating in the Keep Fish Wet initiative, spearheaded by a coalition of conservation organizations. The premise is simple: by minimizing the time fish spend out of the wate ..read more

Balancing well enough to strut up the boat trailer without taking an unexpected plunge. Over the years, folks have marveled at my seemingly effortless boat-loading skills. Truth be told, it's become second nature to me. The real magic? Stepping out of the boat onto the trailer's frame, finding my sea legs as I stroll to the hitch, and gracefully dismounting alongside the winch to crank the boat onto the trailer. Sure, I've had my fair share of splashdowns and mishaps recounted in stories over the years. But overall, I've stayed dry many more times than not. Every spring, after a winter hiatus ..read more

Yes, it is snowing this morning this is my view out the office window as I start my workday. A good old-fashioned snowstorm with maybe 6 inches on the ground so far. The wind howled out of the east last night but has dropped off this morning with only occasional 20 mile per hour gusts. The forecast calls for snow on and off for the next couple of days with anyone’s guess for our total accumulations. On the upside it is not very cold; currently 30 degrees and the power has not even flickered. We have plenty of wood in the racks in the house and both stoves going. Water on hand in case we lose ..read more

March in Maine often surprises us with a dusting of white, reminding us that winter still holds its grip even as spring tiptoes closer. We've been relishing the warmer days, a welcome relief after a winter that seemed hesitant to show its face. But don't let a late-season snowstorm dampen your spirits; spring is surely on its way, even if Saturday's forecast promises another snowstorm. And hey, at least it means I can put off raking the lawn a little longer! This week, I've been tackling a different kind of project: evaluating our vendor relationships here at Maine Outdoors. Putting our clien ..read more

I finally caved and invested in a fresh set of rain gear. When your livelihood depends on guiding outdoor excursions rain or shine, this becomes a routine expense. Over the past four decades, I reckon I've gone through about ten, maybe a dozen sets of rain gear. I began with the heavy-duty commercial fisherman's gear, durable but felt like a personal sauna in the summer. Then I tried a more breathable set, but it failed to keep me dry. Fly fishing jackets didn't quite cut it either, leaving my upper body exposed. So, after dabbling with different options, I circled back to the original commer ..read more

Sunday, we endured our 3rd severe storm of the winter. Like the last two it arrived with wind, rain and coincided with an astronomically high tide. The tide inundated many harbors locally and Thomaston was no exception. The picture shows a normal high tide and yesterday a little before high tide when I visited the pilings in the picture were nearly submerged, all but a foot or so below the water’s surface. In the freshwater the Saint George River is once again high and fast. The water level at Ayer Park was up in the parking lot. To be sure these are not normal storms and the impact to the p ..read more

Blog Tags:  pike The other day, we went to Rockland to run some errands. The recent weather had been warm, wet, and windy, but I was not prepared to see Grassy Pond in Hope almost completely free of ice. I had to look multiple times to confirm that I was indeed seeing open water, and it is a fact. Round Pond in Union also shows a significant amount of open water where the river current flows, and Seven Tree Pond is free of ice enough to launch a boat. It's truly amazing if you ask me, but any hope of ice fishing locally is now gone. I usually look for this event late in March but never ..read more

Almost feels like spring here today! Windy, foggy with temperatures around 50 degrees. The end of winter is in sight, but spring has not arrived to stay. To prove the point; the wind is supposed to switch back to the north tonight and temperatures will plummet. Well it is coming.  In the interest of mentioning what else there is to do in the area this summer. Argy has been working on the planning of Union’s 250 Celebrating Union's 250 years for the past 10 months. The actual date is July 2024. Tracy Scott’s husband Mike Weed built a float, replica of Union’s Bandstand that is amazing! Be ..read more

Last fall, Maine Outdoors made the decision to discontinue our endorsement partnership with Orvis. During our collaboration, I had the privilege of using and recommending the latest Orvis fly rods. Although I still possess these rods, I will be in the process of transitioning to different equipment to better serve your needs. I often receive questions about my gear recommendations. After a quest to find a retail partner that aligns with who Maine Outdoors is, I am pleased to announce that I've partnered with Selene’s Fly Shop in Gardiner. Selene, the artisan behind the custom flies many of yo ..read more

I have been working on new trip ideas this winter. One of them is a once in a lifetime sort of thing and the other two are in cooperation with Selene’s Fly Shop in Gardiner. One a fishing trip one a nature excursion and the third is really what you would like to do while watching the eclipse.   Guided Kennebec River Sturgeon Watching While in the rivers sturgeon occasionally jump clear of the water coming into full view. Scientists aren’t sure why they jump. The theory I like best – they are using the loud splashes to communicate to other sturgeon.   Take a two hour trip from the Ga ..read more