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VERMONT OUTDOORS MAGAZINE, NORTHERN MAINE REPORT
by Jim Fahey
September
Fishing Can Be Productive, don’t
put away your rods yet!
The first frosts of the season usually occur this month. At the very least, night time temperatures are typically cool. This begins to lower the surface temperatures of local lakes and ponds. Die hard anglers look forward to the return of surface fishing. Trolling on top once again becomes an effective method of catching fish. Additionally, warm days are still producing some insect hatches. Fly fishing during the month of September can be some of the most enjoyable of the season. The mornings and evenings are usually cool, with warm days in between. The biting insects are on their way out. Foliage begins to turn toward the second half of the month. The coloration of the native brook trout begins to change, as well. A male trout colored up for the spawn is quite a sight. Stream and river fishing begins to rebound, also. The fish move from the sanctuaries of spring brooks and seeps out into the main riffles and rips. Wading is necessary on some of the more shallow runs. Often times, water levels in September are low, making it difficult to navigate some rivers and streams, even with a canoe and motor. This all depends on the fall rains. All in all, fall fishing is a premier time of year for trout and salmon fisherman. The Allagash, Aroostook and Fish Rivers all offer good opportunities this month.
The ruffed grouse forecast is spotty, due to rains affecting survival rates of newly hatched chicks in early June. However, I would mention that even an average year in Aroostook County is often better than what a lot of grouse hunters are accustomed to. The amount of habitat and access to that habitat tips the scales in favor of the upland bird hunter. I have seen in the past where the effects of adverse weather resulted in poor grouse numbers in a particular area and 50 miles away, the birds were everywhere! It all depends on how the rain and temperatures were in a given locale during hatching time. A hunter willing to travel and search for concentrations of grouse will hit pay dirt, eventually. Maine’s grouse season begins on October 1st. Generous bag limits of 4 birds daily, with a possession limit of 8, have been in place for decades. Beware of the spruce grouse, a protected species that does inhabit the North Maine Woods. It is a bit smaller than an average ruffed grouse, with small tail feathers. They are darker in color than old ruff and the males often have a distinct red spot over their eye. They typically behave quite docile, simply flushing into a nearby tree. I have noticed that distinguishing between the two can be difficult on wet days, when the ruffed grouse’s feathers are wet and appear darker. I recommend a visit to the industrial woodlands west and east of Rt. 11, north of the Rt. 11/Rt. 212 intersection in Aroostook County as a starting point in the search for grouse. Old woods roads closing in with alders, birch and popple and with a fine gravel base are preferred areas, particularly those made with a bulldozer. The old bulldozed banks seem to be favored by the grouse as they can quickly disappear by running up and over them. The banks also seem to offer suitable areas for sunning themselves… Hunters that don’t want to wait for October to do a little wing shooting have an opportunity waiting for them this month in Aroostook County. Goose hunting has become increasingly popular over the last several years and many hunters are discovering what good sport and fine eating geese provide. The agricultural land of eastern Aroostook is especially productive. Remember to ask first before entering on to private property.
Destination
of the month – Bradford Camps – Township 8 Range 10.
Established in approximately 1890 by Will Atkins, Bradford Camps has
earned a reputation as a premier traditional sporting camp in northern Maine.
During its 115 years in operation, there have been just five owners.
It is easy to recognize that these owners knew a good thing when they saw
it. The high quality of the local
fish and game resource as well as the natural beauty of the area is credited for
the longevity of the different ownerships.
The camps are located on secluded Munsungan Lake.
They are the only camps on a pristine shoreline that has remain virtually
unchanged since Native Americans gathered arrowhead material from nearby Norway
Bluff. The camps consist of eight
lakeside cabins. The log cabins are rustic on the outside and clean and
contemporary on the inside! Each
has hot and cold running water, shower and commode. Wood stoves provide the heat.
Meals are provided in the large dining room in the main lodge.
Bradford Camps offers outstanding spring fishing for landlocked salmon
and the togue fishing is underrated. The
main attraction is the native brook trout fishing.
Northern Maine was recently described as having the best wild brook trout
fishing in the lower 48. The
September fishing is particularly noteworthy.
The camps also offer bear, moose, deer and upland game hunting. An experienced
corps of registered Maine guides are available and they are highly recommended.
Guides can save you precious time in locating fish and game.
They ensure that you have a productive, safe and legal trip. Bradford
Camps is a sportsman’s paradise as well as a great family vacation
destination. The owners
consider themselves stewards of a unique and special place and it is evident.
Jim Fahey is a registered Maine guide who lives in Portage Lake. He can be reached by contacting Bradford Camps.