Changing Seasons

This is one of the times of year when change is very noticeable to me. I have guided my last striper fishing party for the season and no longer need to get up and out by 5:15 AM, which makes it possible for Argy and I to walk each morning when I am at home. Our morning walks are now in the near darkness marking the noticeable shortening of the day. I still have fishing parties at the end of the month and into November but the focus changes to mid day to take advantage of slightly warmer water temperatures. Yesterday's smallmouth bass fishing trip was excellent with the fish actively taking topwater plugs but you could see the action slow as the daylight faded and the temperatures cooled. I have also guided my last canoe trip for the season on a nearly perfect fall day.
 
 
Early October Fishing
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After my last newsletter I was scouting the Saint George River here in Union. I waded a couple of miles of the river and the water is as low as I have ever seen it. The fishing though was very slow I caught one fish all afternoon. In fact I saw many more fish than I caught and at one point I had a bass I could see refuse several flies drifted right in front of him. Most notable were the millions of young herring in the river trapped I assume by the low water and waiting to get out to sea. That abundant food supply has to be part of the reason for the slow fishing.
 
While the fishing was slow I found several new beaver dams, I think that the dry weather has forced them out of the smaller streams and down to the river where they are trying to keep what little water there is over the entrance to their lodges.  In one of the ponds I fished while a flock of full plumage wood ducks dabbled at the other end. They sure are pretty and with the brightly colored leaves in the background made for quite a scene. I also surprised a mink hunting along the riverbank he did not see me for a while but when he did took off like a rocket along the bank.
 
 
Grouse Hunting at Libby Camps ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
October means that the upland bird hunting equipment comes out. I have loaded the Yukon with dog boxes and orange clothing for the month. The dogs and I are spending most of October at Libby Camps chasing grouse and woodcock. So far the season is off to a pretty slow start due to the incredibly warm weather. Thursday it was 82 degrees on the thermometer in the Yukon when I checked at about 2 in the afternoon. Yesterday was a little cooler but not what you would consider fall temperatures. This morning is very cool and windy. Definitely the weather I have in mind for October.
 
One thing that is noticeable is the lack of songbirds; all of the summer warblers are gone so there is not a lot of song in the woods. Although today I noticed more juncos, robins and Canada jays than I have seen in the last few days. Conditions are very dry and driving down the dirt roads raises clouds of dust.
 
It is a real treat to stay at the camps where meals are prepared for you and all of the details of living are taken care of and guiding is the only thing I have to focus on. Each year I look forward to the bird hunting season but am sad to see the transition away from fishing and canoe trips. I am looking forward though to having some time off in November and December and to spending some time with each of you next season.
 
 
Next Guide Seminars Scheduled
 
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The next sessions of my small business seminars or guides have been scheduled and I have begun taking reservations. For more information on these seminars click here!
Developing Your Guide Business Marketing Plan a three hour session designed to help guides develop and implement a marketing plan that makes sense. This seminar will be offered twice in the coming months. On the afternoon of December 1st from 1 to 4 PM and on January 13th, 2008 from 1 to 4 PM.
Running a Successful Maine Guide Business a six hour seminar designed to help guides build a successful business plan. This seminar will be offered on three evenings in January the 14th,15th and 17th and on January 19th as a full day from 9 to 3. All of these are scheduled for the Sportsman's Alliance of Maine Conference Center in Augusta.