Category: Maine

Posted By:
Kent-Lacina
Field Editor

south delta 12-06-2010 12:00
Mostly Sunny, No Precipitation – 40-45 Degrees
Opening weekend was a decent sucess. I heard reports out of some of the WMA’s that were poor to fair. The best luck was on mahanna and panther swamp. Most of the birds that were taken on mahanna where in the timber area and mainly mallards and wood ducks. Howard miller was a bust with under 20 birds being taken for the opener. Six Shooter reports have been strong with many limits being taken. As for us we had a good number of mallards and gadwall with a few wood ducks.

With the cold fronts that are forcasted to move into our area this week bird numbers should increase.

Geese are in fair to good numbers depending on where your located.

We will be making another hunt this weekend and i will report on next monday.

And if i hear of any WMA reports i will update as i hear.

KL

[Edited By Kent-Lacina on 2010-12-06 12:00]

Posted By:
Caddy In The Blind
Guest

South West Alabama River 01-12-2010 09:36
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – 10-20 Degrees – Ice
Folks,

Until this weekend,I have not seen so many ducks in Alabama in over 15 years. I hunted the river and every creek, slough, hit pod and water hole I came to was was frozen solid for 3 days this weekend…but the rivers was a different story…..ducks everywhere! I must say the frozen fields, pods,etc in Mississippi and Alabama has pushed all kinds of birds to our state.

Posted By:
coldkiller
Web Member

OLIVE BRANCH,ILL 01-12-2010 08:45
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – 0-10 Degrees – Ice
I went to Olive Branch,Ill and shot giant Canadian Geese for 3 days and we hammered them.
Also if you think the ducks are way south think again. Sunday we shot Mallards coming in to our decoys in a cut corn field! Just like shooting them in Canada!

I believe that alot of our problems are from all the water plus an early fall with messed up weather then more rains and then cold.

It’s not as much a shortage as it is spread out everywhere!

Just my observation

If you want to go hunt geese call me.

931-224-0700

Posted By:
Kent-Lacina
Field Editor

south delta 01-11-2010 10:48
Cloudy, Winds Calm – 25-30 Degrees – Ice
Hunted from friday to sunday. Friday we busted jerk in the ice only to see 15 total ducks in the air for 4 hours. Did manage to kill a snow goose and should have killed a speck. No ducks to speak of in the air. Saturday afternoon we went to a deeper lake to find open water after busting ice 1/2 the morning. We ended up killing a limit of mallards and scaup. We saw quite a few birds around this lake due to a river being within 1 mile of it.

Saturday we set up for geese. We had a bust there and ended up with 1 eagle headed blue. Saturday afternoon we decided to try the lake again and found it was froze with just a handfull of ducks on the ice. We did manage to scratch out a few pass shooting but not what we expected.

Sunday we decided to try to break ice and try this lake again only to find it was 4″ thick.

As for all the public WMA’s in the south delta iced up is the word. Howard Miller has no birds and unhuntable. Muscadine Farms iced up no birds. Mahanna does have some open water if you can get to it with a few ducks.

As for the ducks the only sucess i’ve heard was from the big muddy. The river is high and if you can find open water that you can get to you can do very well. Talked to 2 groups that limited within a few minutes on saturday, although they said it was difficult to get in and out of the river.

I don’t know where the ducks are but we should have birds around right now. Cold temps and frozen water to the north and VERY VERY FEW BIRDS. I’ve heard reports that the birds are holding in missouri but with the temps they’ve had in the last week we should have seen a push to the delta. I have heard no good reports anywhere but the river.

This year we were suppose to have record numbers of ducks. From what i can tell is they are off from last year. I haven’t seen bird numbers this low since the early 80’s. Our south mississippi woodducks are down also and i haven’t seen a push of birds since the second week of the season. I hope all changes within the last couple of weeks but i think it will remain dismal at best.

I wouldn’t doubt if we don’t see a restricted season next year and it wouldn’t hurt my feelings if we did have a restricted season if it was to bring bird numbers back up the next year. We have had weather that should bring birds to the delta and nothing has been showing up. I can’t beleive that these birds are holding north with the snow and ice and cold temps they’ve had.

WHERE ARE THE DUCKS?

Remember it’s what we do today that will tell what happens tomorrow.

Posted By:
maverick21
Web Member

Tallahatchie County 01-08-2010 14:12
Cloudy, High Winds – 25-30 Degrees – Ice
Busting 2 inches of ice would be worth it if a duck would fly by it to see open water.

Birds that we were holding moved out. No new birds showing up with everything iced over.

Posted By:
bamaduckaholic
Guest

North Delta 01-04-2010 20:04
– – –
Hey Coldkiller, good discussion topic. I started the discussion on the discussion forum; Where Did they migrate?

Posted By:
coldkiller
Web Member

SLEDGE,MS 01-04-2010 16:18
Arctic Blast – 25-30 Degrees – Open Water
THIS IS BEING PUT IN CAPITALS BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE THE (USFWS) HAVE SOLD US ANOTHER ROUND OF BULLS—! WHERE ARE THE DUCKS? THIS IS GOING TO GO DOWN AS THE WORST WATERFOWL SEASON THAT I CAN REMEMBER IN 40YRS OF HUNTING… I WANT ANSWERS AND I AM GOING TO DEMAND WHERE AND WHEN IS THE PUSH GOING TO COME!

THEY NEED TO QUIT KNOCKING DOWN FOOD ON THE REFUGES AND LET THE DUCKS AND GEESE MIGRATE LIKE THEY HAVE SINCE BEFORE THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST ! LET IT HAPPEN OR PLEASE QUIT MAKING THE NUMBERS MORE THAN THEY ARE!

Posted By:
Kent-Lacina
Field Editor

south delta 12-21-2009 20:08
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 50-60 Degrees
well hunted with a few different party’s from friday to today. Saw just a few ducks friday and should have shot a few pintails but due to little water on one of our holes they wouldn’t finish. Saturday was a totally different day. I hunted with my son and big brian J. We managed to scratch out a few birds but not what we wanted. We shot 5 mallards and 7 teal. We had many chances to harvest more birds but opted for mallards with teal at 20 yards. All in all it was a very decent day. We saw a increase in mallards along with a huge increase in teal numbers. The only bad thing was not having much sleep due to big brian. Never heard such a loud snoring person in my life. I guess its a nebraska thing.

Anyways we did manage to limit on sunday but did not see hardly any teal. We did manage some gadwalls and pintails. We had to end our limit up with some smiling mallards but it was still a fun and good hunt.

Today was a blue bird no wind and no working ducks. We did have a couple mallards try to work and did see a lot flying high but we called it a day at 8.

We did manage to see a couple thousand geese start to use our area and hopefully they will continue to build in our area.

As for south mississippi we didn’t see too many birds on the increase. Usually we have more woodie’s in our area but they continue to slowly build.

We had a pretty good hunt from what im hearing and i guess the only sad part about the hunt was no sleep due to brian J .

Mahanna duck numbers remain low but still some decent hunts have been had.

Muscadine farms has also had some good hunts but not many people have been using this wma.

Not much else going on but it seems if we get some good weather up north we could get some good numbers within the next few weeks.

Until my next post hope all do well and have a safe hunt

Remember it’s what we do today that will tell what happens tomorrow.

Posted By:
Caddy In The Blind
Guest

Tallahatchie County MS 12-15-2009 14:52
Cloudy, Light Rain & Drizzle – –
Hunted all day on the 10th, 11th, and 12th…..and I’m sad to say our totes were light after each day. Saw thousands of mallards but they were happy eating Milo on the refuge. Too much water as the river is out of the banks. Managed to take Blue wing teal and 2 blue bills on Sunday morning. Too much water makes it extremely difficult in taking a limit of mallards right now.

Posted By:
J2noles9417
Guest

Tallahatchie county ms 12-13-2009 15:42
– – 25-30 Degrees – Open Water
Very few birds flying last weekend december 3-5!!! It appeared the numbers were growing but it was obvious the birds weren’t there yet!!! Hope it stays cold up north heading back right after Xmas!!!

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

None 05-02-2010 05:03
– – –
Well I find myself again in the Port of Dutch Harbor Alaska on a Port call. If you have been fololowing my posts you will know the story. This past Sept marked 12 years serving my courtry in the Coast gaurd. My wife (who is doing a wonderfull job raising 2 boys (2 YO and 6 month old) and 2 Black Labs in the San Fran Bay area. Have you ever heard or seen of Magone Mairne Salvage….maybe on Dirty jobs with Mike Rowe….well it is right by where my ship is moored up…a 378′ 40 year old high endurance cutter with twin 12 cyl Fairbanks and Morse Opposed Piston Diesel engines (1938 Technology) aka rock crushers (the boat I’am on) I have about 2 more months up in the Bering Sea. So far this patrol I have seen the South edge of the Polar Ice Cap and some very angry ocean. I have not been back to the great state of Maine since July 2008 and have not hunted at all since leaving.

tight lines

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Coastal 11-17-2009 07:59
– – –
Does anyone have a Sea Duck report?

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

San Fran Bay 02-25-2009 10:12
Cloudy, Occassional Rain Showers – 60-65 Degrees
Well this is not a Maine report but instead an update on my activities out here on the left side of the counrty (California). Time has flown by for me since my wife and I moved out here in Sep and was excelerated with 2-3 month deployments on a Coast Guard Cutter. I have seen many counrties I prolly would never have gone to in a lifetime…from Panama to Dutch Harbor Alaska all before 2008 came to a close! When I returned home after my last patrol to the Bering Sea I recommisioned my 19′ Lund and took my father (who camme for a visit) for a shake down cruise. All in all we put 35 miles of water under the hull…we saw San Fran, Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge! I have fished once for the elusive Steurgon and have been skunked. This Winter started out as very warn and dry but now has turned into the rainy season and not allowed many boating days. In a few weeks I will be back out to sea and back to the daily grind of ship life. I have not pulled a trigger since 2007 but I have seen many Surf Scoters on the Bay that I will check out next Fall if it is legal.

All for now

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

10-13-2008 15:52
– – –
Paul Reynolds…where are your field reports? Someone needs to pick up where I left off! Whoose whackin and stackin ducks? I now live in CA and will not be hunting at all this Fall. Someone needs to put a dent in the eider population. It eats me up knowing that I will not be able to hunt them for at least 2.5 more years. Post up some Maine hunting pictures at least. I’m getting home sick.

later

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

3200 miles in 8 days! 09-22-2008 21:21
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – Over 70 Degrees
Well I am in the “Great” state of California near San Fran. It took me 8 days to drive out with the wife, 5 month old son, 2 labs, and my boat in tow. We decided not to drive more than 400-500 miles a day which made it easier to hit the road the next morning. Now that I am here I am lookng forward to getting the hell outa here! Too many people and the traffic bites. However I will make the best of it. As soon as the pile of boxes disapates in the garage and I can get to my boat I plan on scouting out hunting and fishing spots within the bays and delta. The wheather is great, cool nights and warm days with low humidity. If there is anyone on this site that has any info on hunting and fishing around Alameda and would like to share? Please PM me. I have posted on myfishfinder.com about local knowledge and I have had no replys.

Later

[Edited By Andrew-White on 2008-09-28 18:35]

Posted By:
moderator
Guest

09-08-2008 12:55
– – –
Andrew, thanks for all of your help to the members for the past 3 years. We appreciate it and wish you the best out West.

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

06-26-2008 15:22
Mostly Cloudy, No Precipitation – Over 70 Degrees
I’ll be off to the left side of the country, California (Alameda) July 5th thanks to Uncle Sam. And then fly out the 11th to Elsalvador to meet my new ship. Had a blast as one of the Maine Field Editors and also enjoied a few hunts with other fellow members. Will need some help on the West Coast with hunting and fishing advice!

Later

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Sebago Lake 05-03-2008 08:15
– – –
There are some great pictures of landlocked salmon at www.myfishfinder.com. People are slaying them up by the Songo River, Naples, Casco area. Yesterday seemed to be the day to go. I’m at work all weekend! Sewn on smelts!!

Later

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Sebago Lake 05-02-2008 20:01
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 50-60 Degrees
No joy at Sebago Lake yesterday! I launched out of Jordan’s Bay and trolled from the half way point oput to Squaw Island. There were other boats fishing by Squaw Island as well. I makred fish in all water depths. Had 2 trolling rods out with shiners on slider rigs and a DB Smelt in the prop wash. The water averaged 44. Wanted to go up to the state park where the action was rumerd to be but that was about an 8 mile boat ride and not enough time!

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Sebago Lake 04-30-2008 20:49
– – –
Going to Sebago Lake tomarrow. Stopped in the Kennebeck Angler tackle shop up in Bath today to look for some frozen smelts. The word on the streets are big “Slab” salmon on trolled shiners with slider rigs. So I suckered up and bought some shiners and 2 slider rigs and will see how many “Slabs” I will catch. The boat is ready! I installed a connector rod from my main engine to my 15hp kicker so I don’t have to look like a fool and steer the kicker from the stern. Tomarrow should be a fine fishing day.

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

04-15-2008 09:52
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 50-60 Degrees
Well the CG gave me orders to the CG Cutter Sherman yesterday, report by 15 July. The boat is out of Alameda, Ca and is 378′ long. The boat does a lot of Alaska Bering Sea patrols. Wasn’t expecting this to happen….oh well..it could be worse. I’m an East Coast guy! I hope I can keep on hunting and fising over there…new territory to scope out. Anyone that has any info on or around Alameda please pass it my way!

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

None 04-09-2008 10:47
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 45-50 Degrees
Well I the CG is moving me somewhere by mid June, don’t know where yet! I have listed my house for sale (MLS#886219) if anyone is lookinjg to move to Maine and be near the city of POrtland than this house may be right for them! Will keep you posted.

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

03-22-2008 10:32
Cloudy, High Winds – 30-34 Degrees – Ice
I’ve been a bum since my last post, no ice fishing, not much of anything! Am waitung for the Coast Guard to hurry up and give me orders to where ever and also for advancement. July 2008 is when I am all done in Boothbay and that is coming up quick. My wife is due any day now so life is a bit stressfull!! Also working on renewing my Captains License and aquiring my Transportation Workers Identifacation Card (TWIC)which I must have if I am a licensed Captatin. Almost done with both. The TWIC card. I just need to go to Portland and give them some info. The Captains License requires a mandatory trip to Boston to get electronic finger prints taken and to sit with an evaluator and go over all the forms I have filled out. Not sure if I will get much fishing in This Spring letalone the Summer if we end up moving. Oh well. 12 more years to retirment!!

Later

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Sebago Lake 02-25-2008 15:46
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 40-45 Degrees
Fished Sebago Lake, Jordan Bay during the Ice Fest. It was a very good day wheather wise. I had no flags whatsoever! There were people fishing about halfway out to Squaw Island. I would had prefered to fish out in the deeper water but I was on foot and found a 50′ spot and set close to the bottom. There were cars driving all over the lake. I parked on the ice but I did not feel comfortable driving down the bay! I did have to park on the ice just off the boat ramp as there was no parking spaces in the lot. Fished from 1030 to 1700. I checked the the weigh station before I left and there were only 3 fish checked in the entire day the 1st place Touge was 7.39 LBS. I am not sure if the tournament went into Sunday or not but I am glad I did not spend the $30 to enter the tournament!

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Cumberland 02-18-2008 13:08
– – 10-20 Degrees – Ice
Fished Forest Lake this past Saturday with a friend from work. It was calm and clear in the am AM about 0900 and the wind came up about an hour later. Fished ten traps. Had one flag on an Artic Warior type trap which uses a jigging rod. It was on super clearance at Beans so I gave it a wirl. As the fish came to the hole the hook caught on the ice and whatever I had came off. At least I got to fight somthing on my jigging pole! Fished until 1600 and then headed out. It was a cold day. I also brought along my new Scout one man ice sled/shanty I bought at Beans for a song and dance. They have some super sales on all there ice fishing supplies!! Scouted Sebago Lake today for the upcoming Winter Fest. Although it was foggy I drove to the South end and there were a bunch of shacks out and then drove to the Raymond boat launch, not as many shacks there but it was froggy! The tournament starts this Saturday, $30 single entry fee $50 family fee with admission to the state wide tourny March 8-9.

Later

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Bodoinham 02-09-2008 11:15
Cloudy, Winds Calm – 30-34 Degrees – Ice
Went Smelting last night for the first time! What a freaking blast!!!! have been telling myself over the past 4 years that I would go, at least once every Winter of course something would get in the way! So I went with my duck hunting buddy and brotherinlaw up to Bodoinham right by the bridge off RT 24. We rented a shack for $20 a head which included bait (Blood worms). There is a wood stove (in every shack) inside that will keep you very worm and each side of the shack has 8 lines that you set at what ever depth you want, my lines were just off the bottom. When the line starts moving just a little, set the hook. All in all we caught about 3 dozen. Fished from 2130 till 0050. The tide was low at 2130. Idealy you want an incoming tide from dead low at night (so I’m told). I think the Smelt camp was called James River Bend Camps? If you want to go you can look up Smelt camps on www.Iceshanty.com or go to the Department of Marine Rescources web sit and there is a link for most of the smelt camps in Maine. It’s a bit cheaper during the week! This one camp had about 15 shacks (2-4 man) There was one roudy group that would hoot and shout when they caught one and then all the other shacks would pipe in as well. I think that the custom of catching your first smelt is to dispatch it by biteing it’s head off. If you want somting fun to do with your family, friends, girlfriends or spouse smelting is a whole bunch of fun and is a true Maine expirence that will keep you coming back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Contact: River Bend Smelt Camps, RT. 24 Wallentine Rd, Bowdoinham. 207-666-5945

[Edited By Andrew-White on 2008-02-09 15:12]

[Edited By Andrew-White on 2008-02-10 15:37]

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Cumberland 01-26-2008 20:14
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 30-34 Degrees – Ice
Fished Forest Lake today and had 8 flags for 3 bass. Had one bass topping 4lbs. Biggest I have seen from this lake. Started fishing about 0815 and had a flurry of flags and then it died out by 1000. We drilled holes here and there and managed 3 more flags. I think there were some perch messin round with the shiners! Will be going Sun bout noon time. Beautiful day to be on the ice!

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Raymond Pond 01-23-2008 16:42
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 35-40 Degrees
Fished Raymond Pond this past Saturday or should I say I ate grilled hot dogs and drank beer while watching the tipups! My bro-inlaw’s brother bought a camp on the pond and we all fished in front of the camp. We caught nothing but a group out twords the middle showed us a bucket containing 3 Largemouth Bass from 3-4.5 lbs each. Hope to get out this coming weekend!

Later

[Edited By Andrew-White on 2008-01-23 16:43]

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

01-14-2008 11:09
Cloudy, Accumulating Snow – 30-34 Degrees – Ice
I am officialy done with my hunting season. The boat is winterized and covered up. Went Seaduck hunting 3 out 0f 4 times this Fall/Winter and managed 7 Eiders and one nice White Winged Scoter. One hunting trip was called off due to ice! This season was worse than last years fishing season by far. I guess I should be thankful for getting out when I could! This past weekend I replaced and rewrapped 4 guides on a couple fishing rods and finished up cleaning and oiling up the last of my fishing reels for next year. Snuck out down to the lake to ice fish and managed 1- 2.5 lb largmouth. There is about 6″ of the white stuff here in Cumberland and it’s still coming down hard. Hopefully we have an early Spring!

[Edited By Andrew-White on 2008-01-14 11:13]

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Scarbourgh 12-29-2007 16:13
Cloudy, Snow & Rain Mix – 30-34 Degrees – Open Water
Well I finally went out today on a very last minute seaduck trip with my bro-inlaw. The plan was to go hunt out near the islands but the marine forecast was issuing a small craft advisory. We met at the ramp and I new we prolly would not be able to get offshore, the wind was very strong. Due to the low tide I had to push the boat off the trailer and drift out to deeper water before lowering the engine to start it. When I went to start it the battery was as good as dead so I started up my 15HP kicker and beached the boat. I always bring a battery booster with me and got the engine fired up…all was better. The kicker has saved me for the second time now and the booster twice as well, money well spent! About a quarter of the way to the islands I turned around after taking a couple six footers on the port bow. The waves usually stack up at the mouth with any weather and then calm down a bit farther out, not so today despite the small seas predicted for the AM. Better safe than sorry. We hunted in mid chanel several hundred yards down from the breakwater and had a string of 15 eiders tied off to the stern. There were several large groups of eders flying up and down river, some circling our small string. All of the shooting was pass shooting. My first shot produced a Hen Eider (one pellet to the breast at about 50 yards, full choke, 3″ #1)….lucky! After that we took turns missing Eiders, White Wing & Common Scoters and several Old Sqaw. We called it quits by 0930 and headed home. We passed a small 12′ boat with 2 duck hunters. They were tied off to the red nun near the dayboard……very cose the houses on the opposite shore. Was a good day…a wet one!

Later

[Edited By Andrew-White on 2007-12-30 15:11]

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Southern, ME 12-15-2007 08:32
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – 10-20 Degrees – Ice
I went to bed last night with dreams about doing some mother freakin damage on the sea duck population add to that I had invited two people (father and son)on there first sea duck shoot. Needless to say I was both stoaked and nervous about the trip. Then there was the wheather to deal with. Well I got to the boat ramp in Saco only to find a group of hunters standing around at the entrance to the road in. After asking if all was ok they said the ramp was all iced up. So I drove in and sure enough the ice was indeed frozen to the ramp and the water was iced out to 30′. I beat myself up trying to think of ways to launch the boat SAFELY. So I opted to call the trip off. There were other ramps aroud but I knew they would be iced up as well. It may be over for the year, due to the ice and my free time. I guess if I had enought time I could clear the ramp out the day before but with these temps it would just ice up again. Oh well, at least I gave it a go. There were about 3 other hunters that pulled into the ramp only to turn around. My dog Murphy was a bit depressed as well.

Till next time.

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Southern ME 11-24-2007 22:48
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 40-45 Degrees
This Fall has been a bit dim. Have not been out duck hunting but only twice and have gone deer hunting about 6 times and have not even jumped one. My wife is on bed rest until the end of March so I have to be around the house to help her out. Hopefully I can get a chance to go duck hunting at least once with my dog Murphy.

All for now.

Posted By:
paul-reynolds
Guest

Scarborough 11-18-2007 08:23
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – 35-40 Degrees
Hunted the marsh yesterday, there were allot of red breasted mergansers around. Saw one small flock of geese that left the marsh early. We shot the few mergansers that came into the decoys. There were several flocks of mallards and blacks flying through but none were interested in our spread. We had one golden eye that caught us by surprise and made it away unscathed. I was hopeful the recent weather change would push more birds in the area but there seemed to be less bird in the marsh now than had been in weeks past. I plan on getting out over the thanksgiving holiday weekend as much as possible. Have a good turkey dinner and remember all that we have to be thankful for.

Posted By:
paul-reynolds
Guest

biddeford 11-14-2007 17:02
Cloudy, High Winds – 35-40 Degrees
Hunted Saco Bay this weekend. The water was rough and the birds were not flying as well as I would have liked. We took a few scoters and shot at a few eiders. There were small flocks of Oldsquaw ( I will never call them long tailed ducks) that buzzed the decoys but none came in. I am hopefull this weather change will move more birds into the area.

As for the earlier part of the season the warm weather has not helped much. I have a grand total of twenty birds that had been shot so far this season. I took a nice hen widgeon in Scarborough in October and the rest have been teal geese and a few mallards.

I hunted up north in September and our group took 47 geese in two days of hunting. We also took a small bull moose to round out the trip.
The first half of the season does not get me too excited as I like to get after the migrants in the late season. There has been a large flock of mallards roosting on the Saco river at night and this flock usually grows as the weather gets colder. Well thats all for now I will let you all know how this weekend’s hunt goes. Till then stay safe.

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Southern ME 11-11-2007 12:32
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 45-50 Degrees
It has been a rather slow start for me this Fall hunting wise. I had a fairly big test to study for to move up here at work and then around the same time had to put in for jobs coming open this July. Before all this I lost a coworker in a car accident. So With all this behind me now I am getting out more. Went deer hunting twice now and sea duck hunting twice as well. Have not seen any deer yet. Lat time out for deer I saw a Mink, or at least something that looked like a ferrat. Hope to get out for deer or ducks on Tuesday.

Later

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Mid Coast 10-26-2007 16:09
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 60-65 Degrees
Today I saw my first oldsquaw by Round Pond. Also saw several small groups of surf scoters. I have yet to shoot one! Have not been out since last report. I had a new electrical panel put in the house and decided to stick around for that. This weekend is suposed to get snotty! Saturday the 27 is the resident opener for deer. On Monday it opens up for all. Last year it rained reel good on the opener. I will be working all weekend as usual.

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Southern ME 10-18-2007 10:40
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – 45-50 Degrees
Hunted out of my “secret spot” on Tuesday. Had a low tide at 0848, legal shooting was at 0526. Went with my usual hunting friend. We had 5 strings set out a bit after legal time. We saw a lot of eiders, more hens than drakes. The drakes were imature and I didn’t see mature drakes. Also saw about a dozen white winged scoters. I took a nice mature drake that I hope to put on the wall. Didn’t see any oldsquaw. This time last year I was coverd up in common scoters and the eiders showed up in mid November. It’s funny how it changes season to season. We did some scouting and located some new places but they are more exposed to the ocean and any wheather. Saw a tuna fisherman sitting off Wood Island trying to get lucky. The new blind workes great. I just need to weigh down the netting a bit as it tends to blow with the wind. Hope to go again this weekend. Almost forgot…the total for the day was 10 eiders 2 of which were hens and 1 white winged scoter. We lost on cripple!

[Edited By Andrew-White on 2007-10-18 11:45]

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Mid-coast 10-14-2007 16:25
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – 45-50 Degrees
For the past several days I have seen many eiders in small to moderate goups in and around Boothbay harbor and the surrounding tidal ledges and islands. Today I took a trip up to Bath Iron works and saw many boats fishing for stripers infront of BIW. One boat landed 2 stripers within 5 min of arriving there. They were using tinker mackerell hooked onto an Eagle Claw circle hook with 30″ of mono leader. Above the barrell swivel they had a 4oz egg sinker and were fishing it on the bottom. The fish they landed were close to 30″. I decided to head down to Popham Beach and at the lower end of the river I saw thousands of eiders. Most were probably pushed into the river by the passing Noreaster. Hope to get out Tuesday and at least take my first shots of the season. Asdo I have posted some recent offshore fishing pictures in the photo gallery. Check em out.

later

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Casco Bay 10-03-2007 18:01
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 60-65 Degrees
My father and I went out grouse and woodcock hunting Monday afternoon down in Kennebunk in some of my old stomping grounds. We hunted some good cover and only flushed one nongame bird and a chipmonk. Tuesday I had planned to go seaducking but had arrived home late Monday night and my boat was not set up for duck hunting. A friend called me later and wanted to go mid-morning so I awoke early on Tuesday and got the boat ready. This was more of a recon hunting trip than a reg hunting trip. We did set up and had some eiders and common along with surf scoters give us a wide flyby. The ducks were being pushed around the bay by the local lobster boats hauling traps. The wheather was great and my new blind looked and preformed great. I have taken pictures of it and once I load them off the camera I will post them under “Duck Boats”. Lastly my father helped me weld up a 2 wheeled “dolly” out of 3/4″ angle iron, 3/8″ steel rod, some fender washers and two old bmx tires. It looks and works slick. The idea came from Waterfowl Magazine a few years ago.

Later.

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Mid Coast 09-30-2007 20:46
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – Over 70 Degrees
Since my last entry I have built my blind on the Lund. It turned out real well. Am waiting on one more 12’x20′ camo net tarp and an outboard cover from Cabela’s. The blind should be more effective in covering the entire boat from the water line up to a seated person, about mid chest height and the bow platform. I splurged and bought an outboard cover for the kicker. Last year I had a ragged blind only on the Port side of the boat and nothing on the stbd side. So I hope this helps to bring the ducks in better without spooking. Hope to get out Tuesday for the second day of the sea duck season (both reg and sea duck open tomarrow Oct 1). My livewell needs to come out of the boat and the 3 bags of decoys need to be put in the boat along with all my other crap. Tomarrow I will be upland bird hunting with my father down in Kennebunk, somthing I have not done in years!
Have been seeing a lot of drake eiders in and around Boothbay Harbor. Mostly immature drakes. Have not seen any squaw yet. Today I saw 6 Surf Scoters by Isle Of Springs. Hope to take one for the wall this year. Hope I hunt more than I fished this year and that the wheather isn’t too nasty but a little colder sooner for hunting sake. My dog Murphy is ready to go for this season. His little brother Kirby most likely will not hunt this year unless I do some serious training! I should take him a few times by himself maybe with Murph. It’s a lot to handle both of them in the boat. Will see. On another note My wife and I are expecting an addition to the family March 30. Only 6 more months to go. She does not want to find out the sex, althought I am certain it will be a girl!

Later

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

NONE 09-14-2007 20:52
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 60-65 Degrees
Well I have have not been fishing since my last report, but instead have been working on my freaking house. Will it ever end? along with neglecting all the fish that I should have caught this summer I have also neglected my 2 four legged friends. The “Murph Dog” is showing rust and my little guy Kirby just hasn’t had much training except for obedience which he should have down pat by wintah. I hate to neglect them but the house just takes so much time out of the things I’d like to do. Will be changing that soon! October 1st marks the opener for sea and puddle ducks and I am off the 1st and 2nd. I will pick up 60′ of sched 40 pvc pipe for my duck blind on the Lund. Will post pics. Also owe pics of my last shark and cod trip…sooooon. Just started getting the hunting itch tonight. It usually takes time to set in. It is a differant itch than fishing but just as itchy. The results of this years doe permit drawings are out and I have one for WMD 21…4 yrs running.

Later.

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Cape Cod Bay 09-05-2007 21:01
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – Over 70 Degrees
My wife and I recently took a weeks vacation down in Eastham Mass. We rented a small “Cottage” for a week. I brought the boat with me. We went out Monday from Rock Harbor, a small very tidal harbor. The wind was strong out of the North and there was a 3-4′ chop. I fished a little as my wife chummed for me. We called it an early day and headed in. We went out again on Tuesday and it was flat calm. Found large schools of sand eels but caught no fish for some reason even after trolling with down riggers. There were schools everywhere and they were certantly very nervous. On Tuesday we wnet to “P” Town for a whale watch and had a great time. Had whales right up against the boat. We left for home Sat morning. On labor Day my bro-inlaw and I went off shore for sharks and bottom fish. We stopped short of our waypoint by 5 miles and were about 4-5 miles out due to the building seas. I deployed the drift sock to keep us in the right direction and also set out a shark rod with a mackerell and a tuna rod with a squid. The dogfish found us quickly and began eating up our baits so I reeled them up. Next we sent down our cod jigs and produced a small cod of 18″. We also were cathcing dogs along with cod. In all we landed 9 cod between us as large as 23″ just shy of the 24″ limit. They were all nice fat ones. I hadn’t expected to run into them where we were, since we were not at our intended spot but after looking at the chart the bottom was rather lumpy with a 230′ average depth and small humps coming up to 158′. These spots were quickly put into the GPS. After the cod bite droped off along with the dogsfish we put out one shark rod, deep and pulled in a 5-6′ blue shark that went about 75 lbs or so. I will post some pictures soon. Was a great day despite the wheather. Hope to get out again soon.

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

OFFSHORE, CASCO BAY 08-12-2007 10:09
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – Over 70 Degrees
When I saw that Sat and Today were going to be great boating days I planned an offshore sharking trip For this past Sat. I scrounged two coworkers that wanted to go very badly. The wheather was great! Winds were 5kts SW and died out twoards afternoon and then picked up around 2 or so about 8kts. The seas were 1-2′. We left the launch at 0600. The mouth of Casco Bay (near Egle Island was a bit bumpy until we cleared Halfway Rock and then it was a nice slow swell. I followed a trackline out to Pollock Hub, about 12nm out, 19nm from the launch. It took about 40 min or so. We were the only fishing boat on this spot. Other tuna fisherman could be seen 2-3nm away. We were all eager to put the lines out and wait. About a mile before our destination I put a block of chum in a mesh bag and trolled it behind the boat to get a slick going. The first bait in the water was put out, a short and shallow. While the bait was sinking I felt a tug and quickly picked up the rod and reeled in a dogfish. These would be the only “sharks” we would catch today. every biat fell to these toothy critters. We moved 3 times before heading in around noon. They were so agressive that I had one latched onto the chum bag doing a death roll and ripping the bag open. Talk on the radio indicated that we weren’t the only ones with a dog problem. While out there we saw a few whales as close as 50′ from the boat and tuna all over the place. On the way back we tried for some stripers with no luck except for a few pollock. Hope to do this again a few more times.

All for now.

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

BOOTHBAY 08-05-2007 22:22
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – Over 70 Degrees
Went shark fishing out of Boothbay Harbor this AM. Left at 0935. Headed not to far out, within decent site of land. Passed some tuna fisherman. There were about 6 overall scattered here and there. The wind was up a bit about 10 kts or so with a 1’chop but died out all together with about zero wind and a 1’slow roll. We had a good chum slick going and ended the day with a 2 mile drift. Had the smallest mackerell around the boat all day and I caught a few. They were about 3-4″ long. There were also 50-100lb tuna crashing bait on the surface all around the boat most of the day. We had 5 hours to fish and on the 4th hour when my crew was doubting my abilities and know how on shark fishing the short and shallow rod went off. This was a spankin new set up..Penn Mariner stand up 5’6″ 50lb class with a Penn Sennator 133H spooled with 500+ yds of braided line. Well I let what ever was down there munch the bait, the float popped free and then the beast started taking line. I put the lever to strike and the rod bowed and the drag stopped. Know seconds later everyone on the boat started to hoot and hauler and shout out explatives so as I looked up to see what was going on I saw a 250lb Thresher shark completely jump out of the water. Seconds later I figured out that my braided line had dug itselt into the spool and had jammed. The line parted above my top shot of mono. The Thresher showed itlesf again 100 yards off our Port Beam several more times, most likely tring to clear the 10/0 circle hook with a grn & white hooch, and 10′ of 175lb 49 strand SS Leader and 50 yards of mono top shot. I believe my bimini twist that I used to connect the wind on swivel with was the weak link along with the snarl. I have nver had a knot fail but this may not have been the knot to use for braid. Tomarrow I will be putting on 50lb mono. Even though we didn’t land a shark it was a day no one on the boat will ever forget. It would have been a long fight!

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Cumberland 07-29-2007 17:07
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – Over 70 Degrees
Fished a lake near the house for the first time in almost 3 years. I have fished through the ice every winter and done well on 3-4 lb bass and monster pickerell. My sea duck hunting buddy came over with his canoe and trolling motor and we fished from about 1730 to 1930. We both used “walleye” jigs, with spinners, tiped with worm and had great luck with white bass and a nice 3-4 lb largemouth. Twoards the end I picked up my 4 wt fly rod and tossed a small yellow chug bug. I caught the smallest bass in the pond, about 5 of them.
Today July 29 after a busy Fri and Sat working on the house I took the wife and two dogs to Sebago Lake. We motored away from all the chaos and anchored up. The dogs had a blast. Our new pup Kirby has lost all shyness for the water and taken after his big brother. The water was very warm. Headed in about 1430. I spoke with a fisherman coming in and he reported catching small salmon and some decent lake trout. I did not fish this weekend. My life is being consumed by working on the house. The bigest project (fencing) is almost done. Just need to cement in 21 more 4×4 post and put up the panels. Still plenty of time to fish this summer!

All for now

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Casco Bay 07-21-2007 19:40
Mostly Cloudy, No Precipitation – Over 70 Degrees
This past Thursday I took a coworker out into Casco Bay. Went way out to the edge of the bay to try to fill up the livewell but found no mackerell. Went to plan b and thawed out some frozen mackerell. Put 2 chunk baits out and caught nothing. The olny bait that worked for the day was the good old Storm chartuese Shad. Landed 3 of 5 in our first area. After that I had to unfortunately buy fuel. I usually fill it up at the gas station. Went in and bought a whopping $15. We next headed over to the power plant as I have heard of good luck in this spot. Ran into some small schoolies but they quickly dissapeared despite chuming.
Put 4 fish in the boat. Headed in around 11 due to darkening skies. According to the Trina Lynn (charter boat) Saco is having some good catches of slot and bigger stripers. Hope to get out this coming week.

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Mid Coast 07-02-2007 21:37
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – Over 70 Degrees
Fished out of Boothbay this past Friday AM. Went out to Cuckolds Light to fill up the livewell with Mackerell and managed to do so very quickly. Lots of bait there. Kept finding the pollock in the shallower spots and I finally have faith in my fish finder as it produced, marking large concentrations of bait. I took off the generic “Fish Symbol” and replaced it with the arches. Preference I guess. This particular area is not a sacred spot. One can see many boats out in the morning getting bait here. So we ended up fishing between the light house and another island with live bait and caught zipo. Our baits did get nervous a few times but no takers. I was limited to where I could fish with “Marine Bait”. Until 1 July it is artificial only from Cape Small to Salter Island to Cape Newagen-inland. This is new ground for me fishing wise so It is always fun finding where the fish are holding. Friday evening and Saturday were spent putting a new roof on the house. Words can’t explian how fun roofing is nor can the large scab on my right shin from missing a rung on the ladder not once but twice. It did come out looking “good from afar” Now I just need to finish 200′ of fencing. Can’t wait till winter when the only outside work will be shoveling!

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Casco Bay 06-27-2007 16:50
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – Over 70 Degrees
After a day of roof work on my garage I went out into Casco Bay via Royal River Launch. We only had a few hours to fish and managed to catch 4 “Tinker” mackerel to go along with our dead bait. Fished around Pound Of Tea Island (the Frecnch bought the island from the Indians for 1lb of tea) along with everyone else. Ended up catching 3 keeper stripers, 2 went into the cooler. We also saw many pirs of eider hens flying about. It was very cool on the water which made it all worth it.

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Mid Coast to Southern Me. 06-24-2007 15:10
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 60-65 Degrees
I failed to mention on my earlier reports that I have been seeing many large groups of eiders and “ducklings” close to shore. About 2 hens to 10 chicks.

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Casco Bay & kenebeck River 06-22-2007 15:36
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 45-50 Degrees
My head has been spinning with the amount of crap going on between work and working on my house. I have only been out striper fishing twice but at least I have gone. Went out Tues June 12th from the Royal River and headed all the way out of the bay, about a 5 mile run, looking for mackerell to start stocking up on. Went to a usual producing spot and it was dry. So I cruised North twoards Portland passing Well Island and Tower Island (has a bunker on it). I found some nice fishing spots along the way and saw about a hundred eiders all told just sitting on small sandy areas on the islands. They taunted me by flying low and slow right by me. Game on Oct 1st. Did more cruising than fishing. Needed to burn the carbon out of the engine. The boat ran fine and it was a well deserved break from constant stress. Once I got back in the river I fished around some of the islands that had muddy grassy banks but found nothing. The water was real warm at 60 or so. Just before the ramp I spotted some surface action and got the spinning rod out. Nothing connected so I went home. This past Wednesday I tokk some coworkers (that I can stand being around after hours) to fish the Kennebeck. Have never had the boat in the Kennebeck but new of some good spots to try. Fished fairly close to the ramp and BIW and picked up 2 fish out of 5. Small schoolies. One measured out to 18″. It’s a start. Also this past Monday night around 2230 I went down to our boat house and the water was completely full of Tinker Mackerell and squid. I have never seen so many mackerell around the boat house ever. Ended up catching about 12 mackerell and one squid. The macks were brined and frozen for later use this summer. My freezer is filled with squid from last year I hope to use up shark and tuna fishing.

All for now.

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

06-04-2007 15:47
Cloudy, High Winds – 45-50 Degrees
It’s kiiling me that I have not been fishing yet. I can feel my boat sulking in my driveway. Slaved this past weekend finishing up my lawn extention which included grading, stump digging and pulling. It was made easy with my fathers John Deer 950. Gotta love hydraulics! dug and tore out 7 sappling stump clusters in the front yard and spread 14 yards of loom. Just need to lyme, seed and hay it and let mother nature do the rest. After that I just have about 240′ of fence to put up and reroof my house and by that time summer will be over and I will be duck hunting. Haven’t heard of any striper action but I know they are hear, at least schoolies and some slot fish. Not sure where the mackerel are but somewhere South and getting closer.

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Southern to Midcoast 05-27-2007 21:00
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – Over 70 Degrees
Have had numerous reports of “bait sized” schoolie stripers being caught from the Mouseam River to the Kennebeck River. The offshore water temp has been reported as high as 50. 55 is what we really need. I have not heard of any mackerell showing up yet but it is still early for them yet. Have not put the boat in the water yet and this past weekend I worked. It was beautifull in Boothbay harbor. Also started a landscaping and fencing project that my wife keeps pestering me to finish. Hope to get out Mon or Tuesday either in Sebago or Royal River. Have seen many large groups of eiders doing there funky girations trying to get a piece of tail and also a lot of oldsquaw that are totally brown. I think this is a faze for them this time of year.

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Grand Lake Stream 05-21-2007 12:06
Cloudy, Light Rain & Drizzle – 40-45 Degrees
My father treated me to a Grand lake Stream fishing trip over the weekend. Left Thursday AM an came home Sunday evening. The drive was 325 miles one way but the scenery made up for it. We stayed at Wheatherby’s Resort a 2 min walk from the stream. This resort has been around for a very long time (couldn’t find a date to be exact). Fished Tursday evening for an our at a spot above the “Falls”. Saw a couple of salmon rising, taking emergers. There was a hatch of Olive Dunns but the fish were not taking them on the surface. Ended up with no fish for the hour we fished. On Friday we fished a spot below the “Falls” called the “Bath Tub”. This was a very nice deep long tapering pool with moderate current. My father landed 3 salmon about 12-15″ and a good size small mouth bass on an olive Woolybugger and a Black Ghost (chenile body with maribou wing). I landed a huge sucker and lost 2 decent salmon on an olive woolybugger with a beadhead prince dropper. We next moved down to a apot called the “Meadow” and my father caught 2 more salmon on a Black Ghost. Went back to the lodge for a great lunch and then took a canoe ride in a Grand Lake Canoe from Big Lake to the mouth of Grand Lake Stream. My first cast into a spot called the “Brick Yard” produced a 19 3/4″ salmon. I moved to a spinning rod with a silver and purple DB Smelt and landed 2 out of 3 salmon hooked. My father landed 3 salmon as well on a black ghost. It was a cold wet day but was a blast. Saturday we fished all the way upstream from the “Falls” and caught no fish. The wheather was warmer and brighter which made the salmon a bit particular. Sunday, our last day we checked out and fished from the “Bath Tub” to the “Meadow”. I hooked a 20″ + salmon on a golden stone that had a dropper of a beadhead prince. What a fight on a 5wt. Also missed 2 more fish in this same spot. My father landed 2 salmon with the same rig. The resort was top notch. It is Orvis endorsed. There are 15 log cabins to choose from all of which had electricity, hot water, 1 full bath with a sink in each room and a giant fireplace. All meals were included. Fresh baked muffins, rolls and deserts. Breakfast made to order and a set dinner menu that was awesome. You could also order a lunch to go (in a basket) so you would not have to miss any fishing or you could come back to the lodge for a warm lunch if you wanted. Off of the diningroom was a “greatroom” with a warm stove to sit around to have your drinks. There was also a small Orvis store with the esentials and plenty of guides to choose from if you prefferd. Check them out by Typing in Wheaterby’s Reort, Grand Lake Stream. I will post up some pictures a bit later.

[Edited By Andrew-White on 2007-05-21 15:03]

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

05-11-2007 12:24
Cloudy, Light Rain & Drizzle – 45-50 Degrees
I have been doing a bit of yard work at home and trying to get some work done on the boat every day I’m off. The wife wants a fence up for the dogs. Have cut about 3 cords of 4-6″ saplings down and cleaned up the woods of dead stuff and such on my .79 acre lot. Picked up my prop at H&H Propeller in Brunswick. Had a boo boo on it from last year. All that is left is to prime and paint the lower unit on the engine and splash it in the water for a shake down. The only things left are “wants”…am/fm antenna for the radio, sporttrac bracket for the bimini top. Also waiting for a livewell timer that burned out. I have heard of stripahs in Southern Maine but cannot confirm, wouldn’t be surprised! Took Murphy to the lake yesterday. He always has a blast but just does not want to listen to me. He gets calmer and calmer everyday. He was 2 yo in Feb. His brother Kirby 4 months is evrybit a puppy and instigator. Hope to do some fishing soon!

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Southern to Midcoast 04-29-2007 20:26
Cloudy, Light Rain & Drizzle – 35-40 Degrees
It was a good weekend to be at work. Usually it is very nice when I’m at work. It will probably happen this summer when the stripers are runing…very nice when I’m working and crap when I’m off. Lately the boat has been heavily worked on. I feel guilty that my dog Murphy wants me to train him and I need to train more with the new pup and then please the wife all at the same time. Well so far the new better cleats are installed. I actualy choked when I saw the cast aluminum/choremed cleats..$12 (the ones I took off) more expensive that the 316 SS 6” cleats $8 at Wally World. Who knows? I also figured out why my Garmin 188C chart plotter and sounder was not displaying my position on the LCD of my Standard Horizon “Quest VHF”. Spent a few hours checking and replacing connections. Talked to the techs at Garmin and they finally told me to call Standard Horizon…they told me to hold down the H/L button for 3 seconds. Sure enough that was the trick. For those out there that don’t know what I am talking about it is called DSC. Digital Selective Calling. This is becoming more popular but has been around for many years. This is a way to call other boats or alert other boats around you that you are in ditress. What you need is a VHF with DSC cabability (most radios have this) and a GPS. Next you go to Tow Boat US or Sea Tow website and get an MMSI#. This number is registered to your vessel and will list your name. contact info and description of your boat. Also if any of your buds out there have this set up you can call them on CH 70 instead of calling on 16. It’s like making a phone call. When you get into trouble you press a speacial button on th radio and it transmits your position to your GPS and to other boats. Basically it’s like having a EPIRB except you dont have to spend and arm and a leg on it. Getting an MMSI # is totally free. It took a bit of time to wire everything in but I did it and I’m no electrical nerd. So after that I added 2 more rod holders on either side of the anchor locker, armoralled the tires and the vinal seats, cleaned the decks with Soft Scrub, Got my dead battery charged, greased the outboards, ans did some patch work on the vinal covered decks. Almost done. Just need to put my custom livewell in.

All for now.

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Midcoast & Southern 04-17-2007 10:10
Cloudy, Snow & Rain Mix – 35-40 Degrees
The Noreaster from hell has passed. This is the worst storm I have seen in over ten years. For some miracle I did not loose power but other parts of Cumberland did. I just hope the snow is all done with. Turkey season is just around the corner and I think that it is an odd year that will start. If you were born in an odd year such as 1977 then you get first crack. Last week I got all my turkey gear rounded up and am ready to go. Need to get out and scout.

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Southern Maine 04-12-2007 10:00
Cloudy, Winds Calm – 35-40 Degrees
Can’t wait fot this Noreaster to get here…not! Took a drive up to Richardson’s Boat yard off of White’s Bridge Rd in Windham. I needed some parts for the Lund. I was suprised to see that Sebago was still very much iced over. After speeking to the servive manager he told me the only part open is the North west corner and I’m not sure if you could put a boat in up there and even then drive around amongst the ice chunks. Maybe another 2 weeks or so will do the trick. I fishied the Southern part of Sebago on opening day last year. Ice is still being made on both fresh and saltwater during the nights. Meanwhile I have been getting the Lund ready for another year…replaced my livewell pump, took off old cleats to replace with nice stainless and so on. Not huge projects but time consumeing after you add it all up. The Bunny Clarke has been fishing since April 1st and doing ok on cod and haddock. Check there website out.

Later

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Mid-coast 04-05-2007 10:39
Cloudy, Snow Flurries – 35-40 Degrees
Lots of snow. About 12″ here in Boothbay and about 15″ around Portland. Lots of power outages. We are running off of our generator. There is a 12″ oak tree down across Mckown Point road along with phone and cable. There are lots of eiders in the harbor. Just have to wait for next season.

[Edited By Andrew-White on 2007-04-05 10:48]

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Mid Coast to Southern Me. 04-01-2007 13:25
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 50-60 Degrees
I am working this sunny weekend, of course. While out on the water I have seen lots of eiders and ww scoters about. Also I have heard several large groups of honkers at night overhead and seen lots of flocks near small farm ponds. Am starting to think about duck hunting but I need to focus on this years fishing season frist and make lists for wants and needs for this Fall. According to Tim Towers the owner of the Bunny Clark, the ocean temp is warmer currently than last year which might mean an earlier start to striper fishing which usually kicks off as early as May. The 2007 open water fishing season opened today. Hope to get the dogs out Mon and Tuesday for some training if the rain stays away. Tuesday, April 3 @ 9 PM on the Discovery channel, season 3 of Dedliest Catch starts. If you haven’t seen this show before watch it! Lastly April 2nd is the last day to get your moose permit applications in, in person or online.

All for now.

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

03-29-2007 14:44
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – 35-40 Degrees
Spring is oficialy here although it does not feel like it today! have seen numerous species of fowl on my morning commute to work from just North of Portland to Mid Coast. There is still quite a lot of ice on the lakes and ponds. The rivers are broken up and jamed with ice flows. Today I sorted out my sea duck strings. I bought 3 large “Round Spring type” laundry bags ($14.95) to store my strings in. Have found that I can pull up the anchor end first, place it in the bag and then start pulling in all my decoys leaving them attatched. If you keep the lines neat you can put the strings out in less than half of the time as clipping them on individually. Two strings (about 12 decoys per) can be put in the bag. I mark the bottom of the last decoy with bright orange paint and turn it “belly” up so I know that that is the start of a new string. I am happy with this system as I can set up rather quickly and take in quickly as well. When you set a string you can deploy each decoy and then drop the anchor when you have towed the string into the right spot. There is a bit of work left to do on the Lund. I just put the hubs and tires back on after changing races and bearings. Yesterday was spent at work changing out rear brakes (drum type), and both bearings. It took a bit longer after I realized I needed 2 wheel cylinders and the stores were closed. Know I just need to replace the front rotors, replace the valve cover and 2 new sway bar links. Just takes time and $. Am up to $200 just on the rear brakes. This is for a 2000 Ford Focus. I do miss the old Chevy, parts are cheaper and easier to install!

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Mid Coast to Southern Me. 03-16-2007 19:33
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 50-60 Degrees
With this warm wheather ice out is near. Have seen several small ponds showing open water around the edges. Lakes are showing thin spots in them as well. Last March I was raking my yard, not so this March. While driving I have seen numerous flocks of Canada geese and lots of mallards. The other day while walking the dogs I jumped a Wood Cock aka “Timber Doodle”. Have also been to the Boothbay Fish and Game shooting range. My 30-06 and muzzle loader have been dormant for 2 years now. I need the practice anyway. My goups at 100 yds are improving. It is fun to go to a range and shoot, brings back memories. The open water fishing season starts April 1 and by May or so the stripahs should be showing up. It’s a vicious cylce!

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

02-28-2007 20:14
– – –
Have not been out on the ice despite the beautiful wheather we have been having since two posts ago. The Sebago tournament was last weekend and I think a 9lb laker won it. There were also 3 snowmobilers lost to the lake from MA. I heard second hand that one of them traveled on open water for 3 miles before he sank. No one lived and I don’t think any bodies were found but I haven’t been watching the news! Took care of bills today, put new bearings in the boat trailor hubs, changed my water filters in the house and have much better pressure, did laundry and just small stuff. Can’t wait for Spring. There is a “Maine Charter Boat Captains Asociation” starting up. There website should be done soon. They had a meeting in Yarmouth last week and I was unable to go. Hope to get out on the ice soon.

Later

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

02-21-2007 08:24
– – –
Well I have made it back to this frozen state. Flew out of Portland Maine on Blue Jet to JFK and then down to FT Myers. We landed in JFK right before the storm hit and made it out just as it was startring to snow. The Blue Jet flight behind us got stuck on the runway for hours. We came back yesterday which marked Blue Jet’s first day back in business since the cluster happened. Well Florida was nice the day after we arrived. A cold front settled in until Monday with 40 degree temps and very high winds. I managed to walk the beach and canals with my flyrod and ended up not catching anything. The instank Fisherman is crap. Ended up loosing several lures during casting, the line would just snap. Was a good trip. May be going back in April and hope to do a little canoeing in the Ten Thousand Islands.

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

02-10-2007 19:34
– – –
Well I have my first flu for this winter and am taking it easy over the weekend. Will be going down to Florida to visit my wife’s Grandfater on Marco Island. Can’t wait for flip flop wheather! Will do some beach fishing near his condo. A friend at work gave me the “Instant Fisherman” which I will give a try. I will also bring along my trusty 3pc Diamondback fly rod. Hopefully Summer comes as quick as it did last year. I have been slowly buying things for my Lund. The cleats that came with the boat are about worthless. I can barley cleat off 3/8 line. Bought 4-7″ stainless cleats at Wally World for $7.67 ea. Also had to buy a new baitwell pump, fuse holder, 2 new rod holders for the bulkhead in the bow and some tackle consisting of ballons, christmas trees and a Penn Mariner 6′ shark rod. Almost done with my long list. Recently I pulled off my hubs on the boat trailor to replace the seal. I didn’t expect the bearings to be shot but figured I would take a look anyway. All the races and bearings showed signs of water damage with minor pitting of the roller bearings. So for $9.50 a hub I can have new bearings and feel better hauling my boat around. One item I just made today cost me about zip to make. I have a Garmin plotter sounder for the boat. One problem I have is not being able to see the screen on real sunyy days without blocking the sun with my hand. So I made a “visor/sunscreen” out of a bleech bottle and velcro. I cut a 4″ wide x 15″ long pc out of the bottle and then did some minor trimming so it would fit the GPS. Then applied the velcro. I looks ok but will work even better. Haven’t been ice fishing since my last report. Was going to have a big shindig at my lake but put it off to get over this flu. Will be back in a week.

later

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Bristol 01-30-2007 19:03
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 10-20 Degrees – Open Water
Fished this past Saturday in a small 5 acre pond with some friends. Had 15 traps out in about 8″ of ice. The yellow perch and pickerel kept us very busy the whole day using all but 3 of 5 dz shiners. Caught a very nice brown trout 14.5″. Was the best day so far this season. Hope to get out on my lake in Cumberland the next couple of days. Seaduck season will end tomarrow. I only went once in January. Call me a whimp but with this cold we have been having I’m calling it quits. FLG has been going!

Till next time.

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Cumberland 01-26-2007 13:30
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – Below Zero
Today marked my first ice fishing trip for 2007. Walked down the lake with the pooch and set my 5 traps. The sun was out but with the wind blowing it didn’t matter. Very nasty cold today. Fished for about an hour and then went home to thaw out. The ice was about 4-5″ in the narrow part where I was. Didn’t venture out towards the middle. With all of this cold I was hoping for about 8″ of ice. Will be heading up to Bristol on Saturday to fish. It looks like it will be warmer? I am all done with seaducks for this season. Spent $50 on winterizing supplies for the Lund. Just need a warmer day to get it all done. All in all I shot 30 seaducks (eiders, scoters and oldsquaw)and lost 4 cripples. I was mailed a survey by the Feds and ended up using all the lines up. Went duck hunting a total of 16 times, 3 trips were for puddle ducks. Was a great year. Shot more ducks than ever before. Looking forward to summer and striper fishing. Hope to try more for sharks and maybe some tuna. Have some GPS #’s punched into the Garmin that I can’t wait to fish. Only 3 more months till warmer wheather.

later

Posted By:
flylineguide
Guest

atlantic 01-21-2007 07:53
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Well it has been a below average eider year but is bound to be better next year. Have 3 hunts left for the season then on to crows and ice fishing. Will let my membership go and will not be renewing my banner either. Print addds work better then banners. Good luck all and be safe Andrew

Vision without action is a dream. Action without vision is a waste of motion. Action with vision can change the world! www.flylineguide.com flylineguide@outdrs.net

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

01-17-2007 17:29
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Well I have not been out since the 3rd or so and with this cold wheather I think I will hang it up for this year unless it warms a bit. My wife will be laid up over this weekend so I will be taking care of her for a change! Overall it was a great year of seaducking. Only went out for deer twice and saw zip. Now I an getting into the summer fishing mode making lists for boat and tackle wants and needs. Hopefully I can ice fish soon if this cold keeps up.

Later

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Casco Bay 01-04-2007 18:32
Cloudy, High Winds – 30-34 Degrees – Open Water
Went out for seaducks this past Wednesday. The boat ramp I wanted to lauch from was iced over from the water to 20′ up and I decided not to live dangerously. So I found my way to the Falmouth Town Landing where the ramp was clear of all ice. Have not taken my boat out from this launch but my hunting partner had, so I was relying on my plotter and his knowledge. Didn’t have enough time to go to our intended spot so we winged it. There was another group launching as we were leaving. The tide was flooding and was about “mid tide” so we found a point of land with a bit of a lee and set up. There were lots of oldsquaw flying but none came into shooting range until we picked up to move which seems to be the norm. After picking up we headed NE and set up on the North end of Littlejohn Island. On the way there we kicked up about 100 canada geese, bufflehead and a hand full of black ducks. In total we only saw about a dozen eiders trading by in singles and pairs. This area seems to hold more squaws than eiders or scoters. We only shot one scoter that dove and never resurfaced. Not totally skunked. We did find some spots for next season and or the rest of this season. We had a run of about 2 miles back to the ramp with a SE 20 kt wind and 4-5′ chop. The lund went right through it at 20 kts and kept us very dry. I am impressed so far! Hope to get out a few more times before the season ends.

Happy hunting

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

C 01-04-2007 18:16
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Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Southern ME 12-31-2006 17:44
Arctic Blast – 10-20 Degrees – Ice
Arctic blast AKA “FRICKEN COLD!” 20 DF. Went out this past Saturday with my usual seaducking friend and my bro-inlaw who now has time for me since the deer season is closed! I thought I would try out my new high tide spot but when I got to the ramp at 0520 I was not the first one there (2nd) Now, I try to get at this particular ramp early on Saturdays to get the pick of the spots and last time I beat this one fellow so next Saturday its on! So we motored out in the pitch blackness (thank you Garmin!) and went to the offshore side of this one island. Saw some lights but were sure they were offshore. Ended up being only 200 yards away. So plan B was put into affect but was stoped when another duck boat zoomed by. Plan C was a winger so we got set up. By the sounds of all 6 duck hunters in the area the majority of the gunning was done on the offshore side of the islands and a fair share inside. The wind was 15 kts out of the SE and later switched to W and died right out by 1000. Seas were maybe 1′ and then died right out before the snow came. We did a lot of shooting at eiders and scoters both black and white winged. Saw one buffy. Mostly 2-3 bird groups were giving us action. They just didn’t want to come into the blocks. My lab made a nice retreive on an eider (no decoys this time). He did beeter in the cold wheather than expected. Hope to get out this Saturday.

Later.

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

None 12-26-2006 14:28
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I have not been out since last report due to wheather and Holiday company. Will try and get out Saturday for seaducks now that the regular season is closed. Has anyone been out?

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Southern Maine 12-21-2006 16:07
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 40-45 Degrees
Despite the wheather forecast it was a great day to be on the water, at least until around 11. We were set up a bit after legal time (inshore). There were birds flying..singles pairs, but nothing fast and furious. Shot 2 eiders and one scoter at our first spot and then moved about 9ish. Saw another hunter cruising around offshore and saw many eiders stirring about. Headed in that direction, didn’t see or here anybody close by so we set up and had better shooting, finishing up with 8 (total)..scoters and eiders. This spot was more exposed but offered many shots at decoying birds. Around 1115 the winds picked up to 20kts and the seas were 4-5′ in about one half hours time. They were spoda die down afternoon. Had a blast at some challenging passshooting. My full choke was in and, well lets just say I did a lot of shooting! For some reason half the birds would come in but then spook. Overall it was a better day. Have another productive spot to try at a different tide. The birds were around but less than past hunts in this spot. The squaw were around also.

Have a safe and happy Christmas.

[Edited By Andrew-White on 2006-12-21 20:47]

[Edited By Andrew-White on 2006-12-23 17:05]

Posted By:
flylineguide
Guest

Ocean 12-21-2006 08:08
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Funny season so far. On the 19th we got stampedeed (SP) by the Old squaws. 1000’s of them. Flocks of 4 thru 50 birds cruising at 30 yards some committing others offering challenging pass shooting. This went on from sunrise until done around 11. Next hunt is Saturday looks like the weather will cooperate finally.

Vision without action is a dream. Action without vision is a waste of motion. Action with vision can change the world! www.flylineguide.com flylineguide@outdrs.net

Posted By:
flylineguide
Guest

ocean 12-18-2006 16:12
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Well Andrew we had 200 plus eiders, 40-50 scoters, 40-50 squaws on Saturday. Then today we had 100 eiders 50 or so scoters and 100’s of squaws. Dont hang your head low hold it high and relocate!

Vision without action is a dream. Action without vision is a waste of motion. Action with vision can change the world! www.flylineguide.com flylineguide@outdrs.net

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Southern ME 12-15-2006 10:15
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Went to some offshore sea duck spots I had scouted last summer. It was about a 5 mile run from the ramp. Wheather was overcast and AM fog. 2-3′ chop. Winds out of the West 10-15. There was a hi tide at 0635 or so and I usually hunt towards a low tide so it was a learning expirecnce. It cleared up for the day with a light 10kt W wind sunny, clear and about a 1-2′ chop. I tried some awesome looking ledges on the eastern most edge of the bay and didn’t fire one shot. We did kick up some small rafts of scoters on the way to our spot and were set up around legal time. There were a bunch of old squaw in the area and small groups of eiders. Picked up around 9 and moved inshore a bit to a lee and set up on a spot that was holding oldsquaw and eiders. The only bird that came in was a buffelhead but he snuck in and out under the radar. Our 3rd and last sport was more inshore. We tucked into a small cove. We had one nice drake eider come in. He stayed and gave my dog some fun for the day. After picking up we scouted out and finaly found a nice shoal holding several hundred eiders even farther inshore. Also noticed a few cripples in the area which we cleaned up with the help of my dog. He fetched one that was still very much alive and with very little hesitation. He glanced once back at me and then latched onto it. Ended the day with 2 nice drake eiders and one hen eider. I’m sure FLG will post up a more sucsessful report that will leave my with my head hung low. HA HA. Was a great warm December day, should have brought my sunblock!

[Edited By Andrew-White on 2006-12-15 10:15]

[Edited By Andrew-White on 2006-12-15 10:18]

Posted By:
flylineguide
Guest

Atlantic 12-13-2006 08:46
Mostly Sunny, No Precipitation – 30-34 Degrees – Open Water
Awesome day yesterday. All done at 8 am took only drakes and took my time. Great day off. Tons of birds around and looks like they are not moving off to soon. Great weather a little bumpy where I went but not bad. My dog did a great job. She did a couple of really long retrives with no problem. I hit a double at first flight and made her wait. Currents where moving the downed birds quite quickly but she got it done.

Vision without action is a dream. Action without vision is a waste of motion. Action with vision can change the world! www.flylineguide.com flylineguide@outdrs.net

Posted By:
paul-reynolds
Guest

biddeford 12-12-2006 07:36
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 25-30 Degrees – Open Water
12/09/06
Another banner day in the marsh. We had several good flocks of buffleheads come into the spread. One drake goldeneye came in on a string. The dog is working very well this is his second season and he retrieved all but one cripple I had to use the boat for. (9 birds for the day.) Earlier this season I bought three dozen diver decoys. Two GHG scaup and one Carry-lite goldeneye. These have made a big difference on the birds. Flocks that would give us a pass last season are dropping in. I hope to get out with the layout boat eider hunting soon.

Posted By:
Andrew-White
Field Editor

Southern Maine 12-10-2006 11:02
– – 10-20 Degrees – Open Water
Went sea ducking Saturday with my dog and friend. We had just launched the boat when 2 more trucks with boats pulled in. Had a total of 4 boats hunting in the same area. Traditions guide service was there. have met him once during last seasons opener. I had the pick of the area since we hustled out. We hunted a “pass shooting spot” and gave up my favorite productive spot to the rest of the crowd. Just trying out other spots and learning the area and birds more. By the sounds of it everybody had great gunning. We shot 3 nice mature drake ediers and on hen eider. Two of which “sunk” shortly after splash down and never resurfaced. The shooting was quick and accuracy was bad by myself and super horrible by my friend. Saw one black duck. The oldsquaws made a late apperance. Also had black, surf and white winged scoters come through. My dog has perfected his decoy retreiving skills which I hope to un-perfect. I think that on long birds he looses sight and then turns to the next best thing, my decoys. My Cabelas Northern Flight dog ladder was put to the test and worked well, except for the knob that fell off in the drink. It is bulky but if you take it apart (about 2 min) it can be stowed and takes up less space. The wind was SE most of the morning with a 1′ chop and then switched W about 0930 and blew every bit of 20 kts. NWS wasn’t to accurate. Headed in about 1030. Was a good day overall. Mostly singles and pairs gave us shots and very few birds came to land in the decoys. I had 4 layers of clothing on my upper body and 3 on my legs and still was chilled. Even my feet which had 2 pair of Smart wools and 1,000 gram thinsulate Ranger rubber boots were cold. Dress warm and birng plenty of spare warm gloves!

Later

[Edited By Andrew-White on 2006-12-10 18:18]

Posted By:
flylineguide
Guest

North Atlantic 12-05-2006 16:07
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 30-34 Degrees – Open Water
Great day over my way today Andrew! We hammered them. Fast and furious gunning. We took a triple on Old squaws and 2 doubles on eiders. Shot a Black scoter that skipped once at least 4′ up and at least 40 feet long. He never even twitched. Classic sea duckin. My dog finally looks tired first time this year. Thank god for the good weather. The cold did bring in a ton more birds and if this cold keeps up they will move inside more. I saw trains of eiders numbering in the hundreds if not more.

Vision without action is a dream. Action without vision is a waste of motion. Action with vision can change the world! www.flylineguide.com flylineguide@outdrs.net