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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 at (207) 435-6394 or mws2268a@aol.com |
