Baxter Brookies And More

Ledge Falls On Nesowadnehunk Stream

Baxter State Park often called the crown jewel of the Maine State Park system is a name well deserved.  It was originally seeded by ex-governor Percival  P. Baxter with his donation to The State of Maine of 6,000 acres, which included the heart and soul of the park, Mt. Katahdin.  Today the park totals 209,501 acres, 75% of which is a mangaged wildlife sanctuary.  Within it's borders the Maine State Park Service lists 44 ponds and lakes that support a brook trout population.  There are also numerous brooks and streams that do as well, some of which are true wild fish. It was those wild brookies that were the reason why I was heading north on 95  around 5AM on the 26th. 

Looking Upstream On The Nesowadnehunk 

To say that Baxter is a wilderness area is a major understatement. After the two hour ride to Millinocket and then the additional 15 miles to Togue Pond Gate and then another 20 miles up the park's Tote Road , a narrow gravel by-way  (per Gov Baxter's requirement) , I had arrived, or so I thought. I would attempt to hike into Nesowadnehunk Lake and fish the stream from the dam down. Good plan..not so good results..I just could not find the unmarked path that goes to the lake..Another time perhaps..Since I would only be at the park for the day and this searching was cutting into my fishing time, I headed back down the Tote Rd. with stop at Ledge Falls and some fishing for a while..move on..stop at Slide Dam..fish for a while..and a bunch of other wide spots in the road on my way to Kidney Pond Campground. Passed maybe..10 vehicles..

Kidney Pond Campground

Oh yeah..the fishing..It was a bit slow but I did manage two brookies from one pool. They were hovering under an over hang of debris that had washed down and accumulated in a large pile in a bend of the stream , next to a very large boulder.  Of course I had left my camera in the Jeep so I have no photographic proof. You'll just have to take my word on this. 

So that's it..only two trout but a wonderful day in the Maine woods. One of "those" days that will be filed away in the "What a great time" folder..Looking forward to April or May and another shot at the lake and some hiking into some of those trout filled, wilderness ponds.

Did someone ask what about moose? The only one I spotted was this one as I was going south on 95.

4th of July – Grand Lake Stream Style

This past July we made our second pilgrimage to West Grand Lake in Washington County Maine. We planned the timing of our trip so that we could be there for The Grand Lake Stream 4^th of July parade. The year before, sitting around a beach fire, I had heard a lot about the parade from my extended families, the Bailey’s and the Vose’s and all thru the following winter and spring I was anxiously awaiting the opportunity to experience it for myself. Maybe even getting a look at the “World’s Largest” Tied Fly float.

Grand Lake Stream Marching Band

 After some early morning fishing on West Grand and a delicious campfire breakfast we all piled into two boats, Rob’s Pro Sport Avenger and the Lund Rebel Sport...( we are a “sporting” bunch) and headed down  to the public ramp area at the outlet to Grand Lake Stream. We did a tandem tie-up and walked into the village, alongside the canal ,opposite the Canal Side Cabins.  We settled at the front of The Pine Tree Store for a good vantage point to watch the parade. Not ever having attended before I can’t say if the turnout was average or better than average but, to me, there seemed like a very good crowd lining the route.

Prime Viewing At The Pine Tree Store 

GLS has maybe a couple of hundred year ‘round residents, The Pine Tree Store, a salmon fish hatchery, the Historical Society Museum, a Post Office, the highest density of Maine guides in the state and not a lot more, but that’s more than enough for me.  It also has of course the stream itself which happens to be one of the top fly fishing destinations in the country and West Grand Lake which is on my very short list of lakes that I’ll never get tired of returning to. ( Is this a dangling something?)

Maine Guide Extraordinaire and Veteran , Jack Perkins

The parade didn't disappoint as there were floats honoring past Maine Guides, the Grand Lake Stream marching band, veterans, a good amount of Grand Lake canoes, tractors, scouts, candy pelting us like hail, patriotic displays of the flag, fire engines, antique trucks and lots more. However no sign of the “World’s Largest” tied fly. Perhaps next year…

A Tribute Float

To me there is something very, very special about a small town parade such as this one at Grand Lake Stream and the annual Memorial Day parade in Searsmont, another small town which is near my home. These parades display patriotism, reverence, pride in community, fellowship, honesty, non-commercialism and a basic and heartfelt joy mixed in with a sense of innocence. It just doesn’t get any better. 

One Of Those Puffy-Headed GLS Guides

After the last fire truck and ambulance had filed by we headed down to the park where the parade entries were gathered on display and to catch a glimpse of cousin Kim dutifully flipping burgers and tending fries.  Not long afterward we strolled back to the public landing for the boat rides back to Hazelwood’s , lunch and another try at those wily salmon lurking in the cold, deep holes of West Grand Lake.  

Bassin' at Swan Lake - Large or Small ?

I took my grandson Dustin and his Dad, Gary out for a few hours fishing at a local lake near my hometown. The lake is Swan Lake in the town of  Swanville. It's about 1200 acres and has a decent population of togue, landlocks, and bass. Not one of my favorite spots but very handy with the potential of some decent fish.  We trolled for salmon almost the entire length concentrating on the two 85-90 foot deep holes but with no luck. The nature of trolling, most of the time not being high on a five year old's to do list, soon was supplanted by some bass fishing fun.

 We scooted up to the north end of the lake where there are a couple of rocky outcroppings. However one small problem..I had forgotten to re-charge the trolling motor battery. So while Dustin and Gary were casting a multitude of different lures, (and I mean multitude, about every 3rd cast) I was navigating around the boulders with the big motor trimmed up enough so that  the water intake could just keep the  motor cooled. 

Now the wind comes up , pushing us onto some barely submerged rocks. I trim the motor all the way up and shut it down as we ground out on a glacial pebble. Gary and I are scrambling for paddles and he is quickly retrieving his 47th choice of lures when it was hammered. 

Now be aware that I am not an avid bass-man so with some thoughtful discussion both Gary and I agreed that his " biggest bass ever " was a largemouth (very green in color with a horizontal black marking). We didn't know about the mouth to eye thing until later. 

Anyways..Those of you out there who actually know what your talking about? Some assistance please.... 

Oh yeah I managed to get us off the rock...Dustin released the bass and for the rest of the day..nothing more was caught..

Above is a small large ? that Gary caught about 10 minutes before the large large ?

Jammin' The Wind

  This past weekend, the family (me, Pat and our guide dog to be Tessie, big Ray missed out on this one)  decided to spend a few hours checking out the Camden Windjammer Festival. So we headed down the backroad , Rt.52,  to  "quaint" Camden town. I must admit that even though we Belfast-ers have an inate disdain for the supposedly better than thou Camden attitude, I do very much enjoy my visits there, either by car or by boat. It really is a pretty town but best visited after the Labor Day holiday.

  After a good amount of snooping around the festival we strolled on to see if we could catch up with Barb Goos , a one time guide dog puppy raiser and who is also the Dockmaster at the Camden Yacht Club. Luckily she was at the dock preparing the shuttle to pick up some yachting types and bring them ashore and she graciously invited us out for an unexpected boat ride. It's always nice to get out on the harbor to view the boats with the Camden Hills in the background.

  Our visit with Barb and her release pup Olive done we headed back into town for a cup of clam chowda' with a homemade biscuit, crackers and a cold brew at Cappy's Chowder House.

 Here are a few photos of the goings on...

Harbor view 

Stern of the schooner Mary Day

 Camden town dock 

Bow and anchor of the Nathaniel Bowditch

Barb and the shuttle

The harbor and the Camden Hills

 Sustenance!

Rowing Regatta and National Boat Building Challenge Belfast

 My hometown of Belfast had another fine activity this past weekend..

The National Boat Building Challenge..

As the name states..the concept is simple:
" Teams of two build the same skiff design. They are graded on time of build, quality of workmanship, and speed on the water against each other. These are real boats and the competition is open to all, housing contractors, plumbing inspectors, paper-pushers, professional wooden boat builders, and general lay-abouts."

So I decided to check out the contest. Now I'm not sure if I missed most of the action or if there was a small turnout this year but I only saw 2 or 3 boats being built under the tent and no finished products. Perhaps they were undergoing sea trials and were displayed on Sunday ..

There was also a rowing regatta with a half dozen entries..The boats, or Cornish rowing gigs,  have a crew of 6 rowers and a coxswain and are roughly 30 feet long. There were also 2 gigs that had an all female crew. There were  2 teams from Belfast, 3 teams from Plymouth MA, a team from Gloucester MA and a team from Buzzard's Bay.  Call it home field advantage if you will, but the gig "Belle Fast" came in first , a full 20 seconds over a gig from Plymouth and the Belfast women's gig beat out the arch rival women's gig from Plymouth.

I've got to hand it to the organizers of this event and the other summer events in the "olde town" this summer..they sure have had Belfast buzzin'!

These gigs were pushing off from area that the old Boston / Eastern Steamboat Wharf was located..sadly the deteriorated, broken down pilings are all that remain.. .

The Working Waterfront

I normally don't post links to outside sites..but this is a very interesting , Maine related website..By the way, I'm far removed from fishing at the moment, here at the Motel 6 in Danvers.. I decided to tag along with my wife who had Guiding Eyes For The Blind business in Newton yesterday and today in Nashua and ..after Nashua on to Kent Ct/Patterson NY vicinity..but I am living the "sporting" life vicariously thru the wonderful blogs that I avidly follow..Anyways..if you have a second check out the website..Tight Lines to you all!

The Working Waterfront

Vinalhaven For The Day

Yesterday was a beautiful day so Pat and I, plus another couple that are close friends with, Martha and Glenn,  took advantage of it and got the 7AM ferry..The Governor Curtis..from Rockland bound for Vinalhaven. Vinalhaven is 12 miles off the mainland and one of those quintessential Maine destinations. The Gov. Curtis accommodates 16 cars and that is a tight fit. And if there are any 18 wheelers or dump trucks..space is a premium. Since there was no way to get our car across and even less chance to get it back we hoofed it on board accompanied by Tessie. It was a great day to do some hiking anyway.

One of the older,smaller and less used ferries.

Leaving the ferry terminal in our wake

Rockland is still a working harbor

Coast Guard Station

The mile long Rockland breakwater and light and..a good spot for fishing!

Owl's Head Lighthouse

Some of the many islands on the way

Heading in the the village of Vinalhaven

The name says it all!

Downtown

Unique

Wonder what the main source of income is?

Love the homemade sign!

Typical scenery

Pups like to fish too!

Dig the name of the lobsta' boat in the foreground

Tessie and some new friends watching the sailing regatta

What a great experience we all had ..highly recommended.