All Are Welcome!!!!

Looking for a great place to stay this winter for your snowmobiling trip? Come join us at KATAHDIN LODGE – located ten miles north of Patten, Maine on “Aroostook Scenic Highway” State Rt. 11. Our nine guest rooms sleep 25 and our Timberwolf Cabin sleeps 5. Ammenities include large fireplace, satelite TV, ping pong and pool tables, grand piano, wireless internet and excellent all-you-can-eat meals. Access to ITS #81 & #85. Check us out at www.katahdinlodge.com

Chuck and Chris Loucka are the owner operators, and long time friends of mine. You will be hard pressed to find two better hosts anywhere. Their daughter Cara and her husband Johnathon are both actively involved in the Lodge. All are knowledgeable about the trails and the laws as well. Truly a great place to stay if you come to Aroostook.

Hey folks its April 10th 2009…….and I want to go fishing!!!!

My river is in Flood stage…..the lakes are adrift in ice slush and chunky. NOAA says the floods are North into the valley, the St. John Valley. The Aroostook,St Croix and St. John are overflowing. The ice is tryng to leave but …….still no fishing.

Tulips are up and the robins are singing. The ducks are back and quacking across the sky. All signalling the coming of our favorite season.

MUD SEASON!!!!!!!!!!!!

Loggers pack it in and go home….their shutting down the woods.

Lakers……bide your time. The ice is trying to break up in area lakes. Get your boat ready!!

Rivermen……the waters will fall and rise once more before they settle for the season. The second flood will leave and the trout will rise anew on the falling waters of late May and early June.

Aroostook's Fiddleheads are coming!!!!

Winter in Arostook is full of things to do. You can go to “Big Rock” and ski for free on corporate nights. You can ride trails from Fort Kent to Millinocket. You can snowshoe Mount Chase in Patten. Or sit a Coyote bait in the North Woods to win the Coyote contest.  No matter what you are into. You can do it here.

Rabbit hunting and ice fishing are still viable clear into March. Then the ice gives way to water in April.  But the Coyotes are in need of killing all year.

Now not to be sectarian, I love to do more than just hunt and fish. I sometimes eat and go to the movies.

My favorite fox hunting picture…….

Now the reasoning here is that if you kill the coyote. Who kills on average one deer per week or more. Each kill saves 52 deer from a terrible death. To be honest the more deer we have in the woods…….

                                      …….the more steaks for us.

Region F: Penobscot Region

The East Grand ice fishing derby held January 29 and 30 continued the trend of great fishing on region F’s largest salmon lake. 50 Lake Trout were entered with the top 3 were 34″ 14 lbs 12 oz., 30″ 11 lbs 15 oz., 30″ 11 lbs 12 oz. 109 Salmon were entered, the top 3 being 23.5″ 5lbs., from East Grand Lake, 24″ 4lbs 12 oz., from Deering Lake, 23.25″ 3 lbs 10oz., from Deering Lake. 10 Brook Trout were entered largest being 15 ” 1 lb 12 oz.

This past weekend the Pushaw Lake Snowmobile club held its annual fishing derby on Pushaw Lake. Fisheries personnel were there to check the pike that were being entered. 1 Pike was entered in the derby the fish was 21″. Previous to this we have received 6 additional reports of pike being caught up to 26 ” by anglers this winter. This information leads us to believe that they are successfully reproducing in Pushaw. We are requesting that all pike caught be killed to help slow their expansion in the lake. If you have any information on pike caught or know of the origin of this illegal introduction please call us at 207 732 4131.

February 19 marks the start of the 43rd Annual Schoodic Lake fishing derby. For more information on this event contact Merle Harris at 943 7326. Or check it out on the web at www.prcmaine.org

This winter we are conducting a census of the anglers on Schoodic. We have observed some nice lake trout this weekend we observed 34 parties. The largest lake trout being 7+ lbs with 5 between 4 and 6 lbs. The smelt anglers are also having great luck. The smelts are showing next to shore all over the lake. Schoodic continues to be great fishing even though it was actually slower this weekend than what we have seen in the past weeks.

Cold stream continues to be producing excitement for the angler. The brook trout catches have declined since the beginning of the season but the lake trout are beginning to replace them. The occasional salmon make it well worth the trip.

Lower Togue continues to see light fishing pressure. Two parties were checked on Sunday and fishing was slow.

If you looking for fast action fishing to keep kids entertained, several families have been having some fun outings on Escutasis Lake in Burlington

Get out and enjoy all the Great Maine Outdoors and all it has to offer.

Brian Campbell, Fishery Biology Specialist

Region G: Aroostook County

Beautiful weather made for an excellent week to be out fishing, unfortunately in most cases the weather was better than the fishing. Weekend census on Long Lake shoed the fishing to be hit or miss, some catching fish-others just getting a tan. About two dozen salmon checked, three at 3lb 8oz being the largest weighed. We did verify one lucky angler catching a salmon at Long Lake last week weighing in at 10lb 1oz measuring 28 inches. Reports were received of a couple of 4 lb brook trout from Cross Lake and a 4 lb salmon from Square Lake.

With the warm weather, woods roads were breaking up and taking on the character of late March with mud and slop coating vehicle and snowsled trailers. Freezing conditions and a little snow will be welcomed to all traveling the back country to fish. Traveling on the lakes is great though with a light amount of snow, plenty of ice (still be cautious around inlets and outlets) and no slush. Snow is predicted for during the week so depending on amounts received, slush could start being a factor with increasing snow depth this far into the fishing season.

Dave Basley, Regional Fisheries Biologist

From Brent (Aroostookbasser)

In an effort to more accurately provide information for my readers I am now also listing the Penobscot reports. I will add Washington County if enough ask for it.

              Dave Kirkin and a beautiful Brown Trout

Ice Fishing in Maine and most Northern states is as old as human habitation here. And as you can see the fishing up here can be pretty good through the ice. If you can brave the cold and the snow. The advent of snow machines, snosleds. Changed fishing up here forever. Now you can travel many more miles in alot less time.

The trail systems also add to this adventurous expedition. Maine having one of the best trail systems in all of the Northeast. Not to mention having about the best undisturbed fishing in all of the Northeast. Is “the destination” for most of the east coast as far as serious sledders are concerned. Just ask any local sled club and they will tell you how far away some of our tourists are travelling to ride here.

                         Derek Legere with another Brownie     

There are a few things to keep in mind if decide to make the trip. You will need to find accomodations near the trails or figure on wasting additional time trailoring your sled to and from an access point. This is not a problem since most of the local hotels/motels are quick to guide you on trail locations and their proximity to them. Another thing is to bring along a portable ice fishing shack of the collapsible kind. There are some rentals around but do your homework.  The best for this kind of adventure are the ones housed in hard plastic shells that easily drag behing your sled.  Local clubs will assist you if asked on how best to get to any of the local, and yes even to some of the more remote lakes and ponds.  Be sure to pack plenty of food, gear and of course bait. Along with the tackle boxes, ice traps and jig’n poles.  A word to wise here, consult the laws on each body of water. What is okay here may be illegal over there.

                  Derek’s Big Brown from last year……..nice fish!          

The key to being a good ice fisherman is to be patient and know what is going on under the ice. Keeping the minnows alive and swimming doesn’t hurt either.  Depending upon the lake and the deths involved. the trout clan are near bottom in the early season and near the top in the latter part. This variation is caused by the thermal cline and the temperature inversion it causes. Later in the season it is said that the lake turns over. Which means the colder water settles to the bottom and the warmer water rises to the top. In the beginning the colder surface temps fed by the ice and freezing temps push the warmer water deeper. So you will have to fish deep. Then this reverses and the cold loving fish will come up shallower trying to find their ideal temperature. This transition to shallower water carries through to ice out.

Now depending on the species as well as the depth of the lake. Fish can be found from the bottom to the top as each species tries to locate it’s optimum temperature. Some fish like smallmouths are notorious for hanging suspended along the thermal cline in any depth. Looking for prey fish like smelts and shiners. The perches like the warmest water and will be in either extreme looking for it. Pickerel seem to be the hungriest of all the species and hit voraciously all season in all waters where they live. But the trouts and salmo clan are cold water lovers and will be in the cooler parts of the water column near bait fish passage areas.

                  Nice Pickerel….through the ice

Using sonar to locate structure will help you also locate baitfish and allow you to see where the fish are positioned in the water column. So I am an advocate of good electronics and I don’t think it takes away from the natural experience. In fact success breeds more activity and that makes us more active in our protection of the woods and waters we love.

The real key to having success is have fun. Relax, and when the fish aren’t biting take ride on the sled. But watch those flags !!! That big brown or state record Muskie is likely to hit when you are least ready.

Now I made it a point not to recommend any waters for a reason. The Northern half of Maine is so full of fishable water that I would be a fool to say that this one was better than that. You can fish close town on Nickerson or get way out there on St Croix or Square. Target stockers on Drews or bass on Mattawamkeag. Join the endless derbies on the Grande Lakes of the eastern border. Or pull lunker browns from the Hodgdon dead water. There are just so many places to fish, and so many great waters here. To list which is better than what would insult one or all of them.

Suffice it to say that you must decide what places you will fish and what you will fish for. Considering the near record snow of this season. I would say get out there and ride. But bring an extension for your auger and or a shovel. That snowpak on the ice is extra thick this year.

In closing I would like to thank Dave Kirkin for the use of some of his pictures for this piece. If you happen by the Maine Fishing Today forum, say hello to “Mehunter” and let him know you saw his pictures here.

If you have any good fishing stories or photos to share please foprward them to me at : aroostookbasser@yahoo.com care of NWW. I look forward to your emails or comments left for me here.

As you have probably noticed I have been abscent alot lately. As it happens I am hunting my butt off. As with my fishing endeavors. I have put all of that a little ahead of the weekly blogging. After all I have to have something to write about. I work a night job and run my own business during the days. The construction business is taking alot of time this summer and has done quite well. But now we are coming into the slowing down side of one enterprise. Affording me the opportunity to write and tell you about my beautiful Aroostook County.

I have been out scouting two to three times per week for the last month. Between my love for bears and deer hunting. I have been trying to locate a good spot for my stand. Speaking of stands, I just bought a new one. A Wolverine Climber made by Gorilla. It’s the same as the Kong Greyback. But sold exclusively through the Walmart chain. Got a great deal and used my discount, I work there at night. Added a few little touches to make it mine. Changed out the web seat for a well padded plywood plank, bolted on. Covered in some realtree camo leather a buddy gave me. (Thank you Dan!!!!) Added a bow rest to it too to keep the bow handy. Mounts on the platform, and vinyl covered to keep things quiet.

In the process of scouting out some new ground my buddy Ivan and I found me a bear to tag a little later. A good eating bear is about 150 lbs. Those big monsters are not worth the time to cut and wrap them. We already have a bait placed for me to kill one out of. Ivan will be videoing it for posterity. But a backup plan is always a great idea. In this same area we also located some great trails to watch and some good stand trees. In one place we are looking at using a ground blind to hunt and video out of.

So I have been doing alot of field work to make this a more realistic and entertaining blog. My goal here is to be a source of true and realistic information on Aroostook County Life.  There are alot of sites out there that try to portray life here but do so through the eyes of someone from “away”. I am not from there but born and raised right here. So my perspective is a little different.

From what I have seen our trail system is quite well mantained here in the county and if you are an ATV fan and a hunter. Well the trail system is your best bet for lots of action on and off the trails. As any experienced woodsman will tell you. The hardest part of getting around in the back country is the access. The ATV trails and Sled trails allow all of us access to areas not general accessible otherwise. If you are looking for new hunting grounds. Grab a trail map at your local convenience store and look for trails in your desired area. All of these trails are “public access points”. That is to say these trails are open to everyone. Now the land on either side of the trails may be posted agianst hunting. But you can still access the land beyond it by walking or riding the trails. In areas posted as “no hunting”….empty your gun…sling it on your back and don’t reload it until you have walked out into unposted land. If you have any doubts as to whether or not you are on posted land… keep going. The last thing you want is a problem with a land owner.

 You may want to back off completely and approach the landowner before crossing the land. Letting him know you are respecting his right to post and at the same time you are only crossing his/her land by way of the public access granted. By allowing the ATV and or snowtrails to cross the property. If you are on an ATV or sled you are exempt from this added step…but it wouldn’t hurt.

(The access was granted to sledders and or ATV riders. Therefore a walker may not be granted the same right to access. CHECK THE LAW AND ASK BEFORE CROSSING !!!!!!! )

The core of this is that atv and sled trails open up vast areas to explore for hunters and anglers alike. For the most part these trails are open to mountain bikers and foot traffic as well.

A new area to explore also lends itself to added excitement and enjoyment. Giving you new experiences and testing your skills at tracking and reading sign.  As well as reading water to catch more fish.  It is all of those things compiled together that make us Lewis and Clarks in our own backyards.  For me its the discovery that keeps me jazzed on fishing and hunting. I love to explore and I have often found myself miles from where I started asking myself…….”am I getting too old for this?” To know in my heart that I wouldn’t do it any other way.

So dig out that trail map or topo and taker a trip into the unknown. Put some excitement back into your outings and find new places. Remember the compass or GPS, so you can get back home. But go out into these “unknown” places and get to know them. Each new discovery could lead you to that buck of a lifetime, or just a really good memory.

AN ORGANIZATION THAT DESERVES YOUR ATTENTION 

If you read more than one blog here at SkinnyMoose.com, there’s a good chance you’ve seen today’s info elsewhere.  I was alerted by Admin and Desert Rat about this excellent organization helping to fulfill the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses.  But this is worth repeating again and again, so I’m including it here as well to give as much exposure to the Hunt Of A Lifetime Organization as possible. Here’s a description of what Hunt of a Lifetime is all about, quoted from their website’s homepage…” ‘Hunt Of A Lifetime’ is a nonprofit organization with a mission to grant hunting & fishing adventures and dreams for children age 21 and under, who have been diagnosed with life threatening illnesses. We are doing what we can to make a difference in their life, a dream come true.”  This organization is something of a Make-A-Wish Foundation for children who enjoy the great outdoors.  It is supported by hundreds, maybe thousands, of people who care about giving these struggling children a ray of hope and happiness. Currently, HOAL has these ‘Available dreams’ posted on their site for qualifying children:Available Dreams

1: Maine – 2 Moose
2: Idaho – Deer, Elk, Bear, Mt. Lion, Antelope and Moose
3: Kansas – Whitetail
4: Oregon – Elk, Mule Deer
5: Colorado – Elk, Deer & Antelope
6: Arizona – Elk, Mule Deer & Oryx
7: Illinois – Whitetail
8: Canada – Black Bear
9:

Hey folks…. back online again after almost a month…lost my DSL modem and my computer in a freak thunderstorm. New Dsl modem is up and going and backup computer is doing fine. Had to move from my old home in a hurry do to a landlords desire to sell the house out from under us… but we got moved into another house. It don’t rain but it pours………… watch here for updated stories over the next few days and I promise ……..no more drama.

Like a canoe, a computer can only carry you if the medium can be reached and is deep enough. So My canoe floats and my computer boots….. now if i just could get that shed cleared out enough to turn into a den space, so i can tye flies again this summer. Moving stinks…….

SledMaine has what you are looking for, just locate your town or area and give the club a call or email.

Miss the sled trails ? Click on this to get a summer refill ………Aroostook Sledding