Great friends, great place, great time... Part I

The  Rabid Outdoorsman  and I are the best of friends who now find ourselves in a world three hours apart. It would be obvious to suggest that our brotherhood only consists of multiple day jaunts in the Maine wilderness, but in a striking odd sense this distance has immensely enhanced our friendship in two significant ways.  The first being that we really discover that the quality of our conversations develop into a level of heightened understanding which continues to foster a stronger bond.  And secondly, our proximity in the state forces us to plan these seriously awesome voyages of great magnitude and meaning.  Through these two elements, I have been able to participate in new endeavors and claim opportunities of pursuit that may have never been realized.  For that, I'm thankful...

Our newest adventure put us upon one of the premier cold water fishing waters of our great state, West Grand Lake.  This behemoth gem in northeastern Washington county holds a great population of landlocked salmon and lake trout.  To heighten this opportunity, we were able to connect with a family member who is in charge of an immensely impressive sporting compound situated at the eastern point of this pristine lake.  With effective planning and preparation, we descended upon Grand Lake Stream last week with the hopes of making one trip to remember...

Friday morning began at daylight with a hasty launch of two boats and a cautious headway to our setting point.  Armed with lead core line, streamers, and flashers, the presentations were let out several hundred feet and the trolling speed was set around two miles per hour.  Within one hour, I brought in my first salmon at 17 inches connected to a set up left behind by my father-in-law who unfortunately is no longer with me.  This first score became far more important as I thought about how he would be with me for this catch, but then I realized that he was in fact participating and smiling at my early success...

We continued to work the eastern shore, the Bear Claw, towards one of favorite ice fishing spots, Hardwood Island.  My partners, Matt Diesel and Rabid lead the way about 100 yards in front and continued the success as they scored several more salmon with a planer board which drew their presentation next to shore.  Maintaining contact with two-way radios, we updated each other throughout the early morning and chose to continue northward to Whitney Cove, a spot that is renown and elusive at it sits in the extreme north end of West Grand Lake...

Before we made it to Whitney Cove, I managed another small salmon that ran about 15 inches after unsnarling one serious mess.  As one line was reeled in, another managed to find way into the scene.  In order to clear everything, all lines were cut and the salmon was brought in by hand similar to ice fishing with my ice traps....

The trek northward would land several nice lake trout for the boys and at that point I chose to enable my own downrigger.  Lunch was fast approaching and all seemed well...

Stay tuned for my next installment next week...

The Downeast Duck Hunter

Eye on the Prize...

After several months of intensive study, I have decided to track down a first aid class to qualify for the Maine Guide Exam.  My search took me to the Pine Tree Chapter of the Red Cross, but a several hour drive didn't seem to work so I was forwarded to the Downeast YMCA (still one hour away).  I happened to hit up one of my old schoolmates today who is a director of the pool and recreation program, and seemed to be pleased that he would certify me in first (ARC).  However, the local adult education instructor ran into me tonight while I waited in line for some ice cream.  She will certify me in American Heart Association Lifesaver first aid on May 26th, which puts me at what I'll call phase II of my pursuit.  The DFIW has already confirmed that Lifesaver will qualify, and who knew that the fastest means to certification would be in my backyard and within weeks of my request.

On any account, I'm excited and a bit nervous as the next big challenge in my life becomes just a bit more realistic as I step up to the plate.

Have a great one,

The Downeast Duck Hunter

Man vs. Trout

This weekend found trout fishing in two different opportunities, one in new territory with my pal Matt Diesel and the other in a proven family spot with my father.

On Saturday, I met Matty at daylight at his camp on Route 9 for some exploratory efforts in terms of trout streams.  We found a logging road that run north and south directly parallel to two streams on both sides.  We first tried the westerly brook with no luck, so we accessed the Narraguagus river via skidder trail and cast our bobbers.  My second cast provided some action and within seconds I had scored the mighty alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) .  

I happened to notice some faster moving water and moved south while Matt headed north.  After several hours of minimal luck, I return back to our entry point and noticed there was no Matt.  I returned back to the truck to see that he hadn't returned, so I went back to where I had last seen Matt.  From there I moved northward along the river and eventually caught up with him and his dog, Malice.

Since neither of us had any luck, we chose to scout out some other areas looking for fiddleheads and the access point to the peak of the mountain that overlooks Matt's camp.  No fiddleheads were discovered, but we were successful in determining the access road to the trail.  Shortly thereafter, we made way back to camp and relaxed on the shore.

A birthday party halted my break and I left a minute after noontime.  Although no fish were caught, the time was well deserved and enjoyable.

The next afternoon, I took my father to a camp that I have access to through family.  We've used the camp over the years and at times have had excellent brook trout fishing.  Smallmouth bass were illegally introduced several years ago and I feel this has had a great negative impact upon this spring fed trout lake.

We arrived at 5:30 p.m. and quickly threw our lines.  I chose to cast a dry fly for a bit as the water was fairly calm, but after no swirls or action I moved to another bobber & worm combination.

I nailed my first trout at 5:50 but lost it dockside, my net had not become part of my gear for the day.  However, at 6:15 I scored a beautiful 12 inch brookie that may have been the fattest I have ever seen.

From that point, on each half hour afterward, I caught a brook trout.  One 9.5" at 6:45, an 8.5" at 7:15, and a 9" trout just before daylight.  The action got quite interesting just before dark as the bass began to compete with the trout for the worm.  Three more bass were caught in this tenure.

My father netted several small bass and lost one trout.  It had been some time since we had a chance to chase fish together, but a time well spent.

Out of the loop...

In the midst of my online blogging absence, I'd like to take the chance to let my readership know that I haven't died but have been rather busy with several items of writing distraction.  As the school year winds down, I'm trying to get my after school program schedule worked out and preparing my older students for the upcoming exams.  In addition, I've been doing my best to prepare for the Maine Guide's Exam.  It is in my hopes to take the test early this summer and join the ranks of the elite few who exemplify the outdoor world I love.

I'm fortunate to have several top notch guides as great friends and one who is currently the newest Maine Guide .  With their help and my intensity of study, I'm confident that I may pass the test.  It is important to emphasize that there is so much information and material to cover, this so far hasn't been easy but rather an enjoyable hardship of self-improvement.

So I'll try to get some writing in, especially since the big fishing trip is approaching and my boat returns from some more warranty work (fuel pump defect).  Until next time, take care.

The Downeast Duck Hunter

Your spouse, outdoor companion???

In this network of outdoor writers, I've seen and appreciated the passion shared for our all important world. Although I have not networked through this means of blogging, I do try to bounce around the different locales of perspective whether it be location, game, or type of adventure. Some writers are fanatical chasers of the elusive whitetail, or hard core fisherman. Others embrace hiking, camping, and the elements of how to balance life with recreation. Through this entire process, the most apparent element I have found through these past several years of reading & writing is that we all want to share what we do with family, friends, and with our writing- the world. We all want to become better people, more adept at our craft, and generate a willingness to gain perspective in life. This leads me to write this post about a topic that I've been tangling with for some time- the balance the time shared between your spouse in life as we continue the journey of outdoorsmanship (this is my spellcheck word of the day) and time for yourself.

As a man who finds himself against the grindstone day in and day out, working multiple jobs and fighting for greater success, and severely balancing my professional life against my recreational life, I can't help but wonder how people either use the outdoors for personal decompression from life against making it a means to draw two together.

You see, I have a most loving wife who grew up with an accomplished fisherman in her father. Fishing was part of family, once the ice hit they were setting traps for salmon and trout. Upon ice out, the boat was readied for trolling action. I found myself becoming immersed into this world, especially if I intended to literally catch this gem I call my wife.

I grew up primarily hunting for ducks and deer, with a training on small game. This was my world as my father is a most accomplished duck hunter who even has a chapter written about him in Ronald Koch's All Duck Hunters are Crazy.

This is what I would become, the next generation of ocean waterfowler. So two worlds collided in a sense of inquisition and appreciation.

But this is where the onus of the discussion changes, the connectivity also led to tangents in how I balanced my life with a change in perspective. My wife does not mind that I hunt regularly, and even encourages this for it puts me in a better frame of mind as an escape from the daily grind. However, I struggle with the notion that my escape does not include the one who I chose to share my life with as she has no interest in hunting. It has in a way, become a distant world that she supports but maintains a distance. Some people would say this is great for it allows an essential break apart and gives an outlet from each other. But within the same breath, it creates a barrier that takes time away from each other. Don't get me wrong, we do fish as a couple and as a family, but I can't help but ask the readership out there this undying question.

In terms of outdoor adventure, how do you balance your companionship in terms of time spent and what struggles do you find in either not spending enough time in this realm or on the flip side, all of your time?

So for the first time, I implore all of those who read to consider how you spend the outdoors with the one you love. Do some of you find yourself at times wishing you had more time alone or with friends, or direly need more time together participating in the activities you love? Or do you honestly feel there already exists a wonderful balance and you wouldn't change a thing? What may be the factors or issues that generate your thoughts of either satisfaction or improvement?

On that note, I'm putting this in your sights.

Have a great day,

The Downeast Duck Hunter