The Northern Pike Experience: Part Two

After a restless night plagued by a faulty air mattress and impressive snoring, I actually embraced the 3 o'clock alarm and quickly readied Rabid's dew of the devil.  Caffeine would be my friend this morning as I grabbed another 20 ounce hazelnut brew at the Irving before reaching the landing.

Well before daylight, we still were well behind Travis and his crew who had already started hauling gear towards the outlet.  I took my time motoring out, not exactly sure where open water existed and relying on Steve's direction.  Once arrived, Ryan and Steve made haste with the gear as the ice auger was fired up no sooner than when I returned back to the landing to grab Matt Diesel and my ice shack.

I took the time to videotape the experience and will let the footage tell the story.  There is no particular order, other than I did my best to capture everybody catching their respective northern pike.  Several were missed as I found myself either checking gear, napping, or shuttling people either to or from the landing.

I'll close out the rest of the story in a few days, I've been sort of caught up in tourney basketball action as the school who I once played for and currently teach at just attained another Eastern Maine title.  Great job Royals and let's go for the gold!!!

Take care,

The Downeast Duck Hunter

My town, my school, my team...

Justin Alley, next door neighbor and senior at JB

I'm a pretty fortunate guy...

Raised on an island where everybody looked out for me...

A community who gathers together with the ups and downs...

Pride in academics and athletics...

Once again the mighty Royals have grabbed another title...

For those who don't know, Jonesport-Beals is a storied community with a massive basketball tradition...

So much, we love gold... Downeast Maine is the Klondike region of high school basketball...

Currently, in just over forty years of our existence Jonesport-Beals has garnered 9 state titles.  Before that, Beals Island has three and Jonesport one.  There has been a little dry run and there has been no title since 1993.  I started center on that team and 19 years has passed since the gold ball rested in my house before it found way to the trophy cabinet.

It's been awhile...

There were a couple of runs in the late 1990's and several strong efforts since then, but another dynasty called the Cavaliers from Valley High School in Bingham decided to make their own six year gold fest resulting in what seems to be one major wait for our coastal community.  Next Saturday, we will once again send our warriors to fight for what certainly has given our two towns one sports tradition...

Jonesport-Beals plays Forest Hills Saturday at 2:45 at the Augusta Civic Center, I look forward to supporting those boys who I teach and love dearly.  It's about community, and they are our boys.  Go Royals, win or lose you are what fine young men represent in life.  Strong students, learners, athletes, and hard workers.  GATA!!!

For a link to the Bangor News article of the Eastern Maine title click HERE.

The Downeast Duck Hunter

The Royal Pride of Jonesport-Beals High School... 2012 Eastern Maine Class D Champions

The Northern Pike Experience: Part One

This year's annual ice fishing trip offered once again a variety of experiences that bring about a camaraderie that pulls together the brethren of committed outdoor enthusiasts and leaves us once again anticipating the convergence of Febauchery™ next year.  There exists no question that our time together on the ice left each one of us better for the experience.  For that, I'll do my best to present this as I see fit.

Ryan pheasant hunting out Midwest

Usually upon the eve of any major gathering a cancellation occurs, and Steve (Rabid Outdoorsman) found himself stuck with an extra ticket to the 28th Annual Ice Fishing Derby.  While we finalized our planning over the phone, I mentioned that I might be able to bring someone if he didn't mind.  Within one phone call, that ticket was sold with a guarantee that it would be "a trip to remember".  The man who answered opportunity's knocking door was Ryan, a former student of mine and a serious outdoorsman.  In addition, his wife and mine are great friends, workout buddies, and co-workers at the elementary school.  Ryan and I have hunted together in the past, he even skipped a detention for an afternoon duck hunt which left us both in a little trouble.  But then again, we all find ourselves in a scrape once in awhile.  Anyways, I had to laugh when I asked if he would like to attend for I found out later he was at a Texas Hold'em gathering holding pocket aces when I called.  He said, "I'm all in" which I thought was his reaction to my offer.  The card shark officially became the next participant in Febauchery™.

Ryan's 8.5 lb laker at East Grand Lake

We rolled out around 12:30 p.m. Saturday, and made our way west with the occasional stop here and there for provisions, gear, and general entertainment.  There wasn't a dull moment on the ride as we threw stories about the past, fishing, hunting, and any other circumstance that suggested a hint of debauchery.  In what seemed short time, I put the truck into park and we were greeted by none other than Pa Vose and Uncle Kim the mayor of Township 27.

After the formalities were addressed, gear unpacked, and drinks distributed, we chatted and prepared for our evening meal.  Steve and Matt were out at the bait site, hoping to find a coyote.  Eventually, we all sat down at the table for a meal and the beginning of festivities in anticipation of our ice fishing derby in the morning.  3 a.m. was just a few turns of the hour hand away.

Part Two in a few days.

Have a great day,

The Downeast Duck Hunter

Pike Fishing Trailer...

Wasn't this weekend a ball...

Here's is a quick recap in 1 minute of how things went over the course of 18 hours of fishing...

Have a great day and I hope to get writing on the past few weekends soon!

The Downeast Duckhunter

Febauchery™ Phase II

Sunrise from Febauchery Phase I

Will the Duckman find his first pike?

The first installment of Febauchery was awesome, and now the attention shifts from landlocked salmon & trout to the almighty northern pike.  Although we are participating in an ice fishing derby, my goal is to catch a decent toothy bastard.  We'll see how that rolls...
All the gear is loaded and I'll be rolling out around 4 p.m. Saturday for central Maine.

Have a great weekend!

Will Rabid land another monster?

   The Downeast Duck Hunter

Alone on an icy lake... Febauchery™ Part III

The Rabid Outdoorsman

The third in several awesome installments that leaves one wondering how one handles the balance between passion and sanity... Enjoy...

The Ice Fishing Ninja... Febauchery™ Part II

Sometimes, awesome meets awestruck.  You are welcome... 

The Northern Pike tourney is less than a week away, Febauchery™ continues...

The Manly Man and the Icy Lake... Febauchery™ Part I

There is one Manly Man and he's the Rabid Outdoorsman... Keep an eye out for the Ninja in camouflage, there's more to come on him... Without a doubt, this two day jaunt up north certainly was one for the history books... Enjoy the trailer...

Gluten Free Guide Approved...

With the advent of Celiac Disease, I learned quickly that my life needed to change immensely.  My wife took the reigns and did her best to convince me that not all food would kill me as I came to grips with this autoimmune disease.  No longer would I be sick, for I hold the key to preventing a victory to gluten with proper diet, a healthy strategy, and continued education.

But some things just aren't fair...

No occasional Big Mac, Stuffed Crust Pizza, Glazed Donuts over at D&D, etc...

Do you know what also hit me pretty hard?  B to the double E to the R, yup the golden beverage for all occasions was officially off the list and I simply opted to give in until I discovered there were options.

I had my first gluten free beer, New Grist, over at my doctor/fantasy football commissioner's and it wasn't bad.  After finding out that the Global Beverage Warehouse in Ellsworth, Maine carried several brands of gluten free beer, I began to try the varied offerings.

  The days of greater consumption are well past me now, but still a few beers now and then certainly are appreciated.  So as of right now, Green's Amber Ale is at the top of my list followed by New Grist.  At a distant third place sits St. Peter's Sorgham Beer that starts out a tad bit bitter then finishes a touch better, and in the not bad category but still in fourth place is Redbridge produced by Anheuser-Busch, Inc.  It tastes pretty good but is a little weak on the kick factor, certainly no Double Bag or IPA octane.

I have a link below to Men's Health Blog which did a reasonable look at some good gluten free beers.  I haven't tried them all, but will find myself exploring these brands and others as brewers are certainly recognizing that millions of people for gluten free options.  These beers are not cheap, every one feels like I just got it at the Sea Dog Restaurant but still it's good to know that I can have a cold one now and then.


Men's Health Blog- Gluten Free Beers

Febauchery awaits!!!

The Downeast Duck Hunter- The Gluten Free Guide

Febauchery™

Will Rabid be catching small fry?

More action photos?

No shadow for me today, with rain and overcast skies I fail to recognize any shadow therefore eliminating the prospect of a longer winter.  This with no question has been the mildest, snowless winter ever from my perspective along the coast of Maine.  However, for some odd circumstance... we have ice to tread upon.

This month, I'll be on several legendary ice fishing ventures with my devious alter-ego and adversary who proclaims himself as the Rabid Outdoorsman.  I'm sure there will be enough carnage left behind this month to declare our blogs federal disaster areas, but nevertheless I'm excited and ready for the pursuit of something impressive.  Someone will catch a bragger, the question then becomes who gets the honor?

More to come, but the Febauchery™ begins today.

Or will Rabid catch another monster?