We have had several perfect summer days in August. Warm but not hot, clear followed by cloudless warm evenings. Mornings dawn foggy and cool but by mid morning it has lifted and the sea breeze is strengthening.
Recent clients (two grown grandchildren with their grandfather) wanted to have the nature exploration trip but in a powerboat. Funny but my first thought when asked was to do this trip on the saltwater but luckily I listened to their interests and decided to do the trip on the Saint George River in Union. Because of the high water it was possible to travel almost all of my old half day canoe trip route in the Lund Alaskan including visiting the beaver lodges and other interesting things along the way. A great way to get the full measure of the local environment without having to paddle a canoe.
It is now obvious that some of the trees have started to turn color. Not just the usual limb or branch here or there but entire maple trees are turning red. All of them are close to the river and are most likely under stress because of all the high water this summer. But still there it is fall color. In early August? The color was most obvious in the stretch below White Oak Pond but there were trees turning between Seven Tree and Round Ponds as well.
To add to the indications of a coming fall the young alewives have started to head downriver and the largemouth bass are feeding actively on them in several locations. I hope to have a chance to get back down there this week and give that fishing a try and get a few pictures.
Don't let this summer get away from you without spending some time outdoors!
Seeing Doubles
I have been doing lots of fishing trips with families this week. I had back to back family trips Saturday and Sunday both times fishing for bass. When you have two or three lines in the water the opportunity for catching several fish at the same time is always there but that usually does not happen.
This weekend it happened twice! The first time we were looking for largemouth in Seven Tree Pond in Union. Two young boys on their first ever bass fishing trip hooked two nearly identical largemouths at the same time. A few minutes of mayhem ensued but we got both fish into the boat. Resulting in two very happy boys.
Next day on Megunticook Lake in Camden fishing with a father and son, (mom along to watch loons and eagles) I had first the son hook a respectable largemouth and as I am working with him to land the fish. I am getting out my camera when I notice dad quietly fighting a more serious fish and it is taking line like crazy. After a minute or so I realize that this will take enough time that the first fish needs to get back in the water, so with a quick explanation to the son I put him back in the water. By this time dad's fish is close, under the outboard and otherwise making my life very interesting.
A few more minutes and we have a smallmouth of maybe four pounds in the boat. Quite a prize on the light tackle I use in freshwater. Now we have time for pictures sadly only with the one fish. Still both fish were caught simultaneously.
As the water temperature falls bass start to school up and start to feed more heavily hopefully there are more doubles in my future.
Presenting at Becoming an Outdoorswoman Weekend
I will be presenting two sessions at the Maine Becoming an Outdoors Woman introductory skills weekend in September. The program will be held September 18, 19, 20 at Camp Caribou in Winslow. I have been fortunate to have been involved with this program off and on since it was started in Maine in the early 1990's and always enjoy the positive attitude and curiosity that the participants bring to each session. Not to mention lunch is usually worth the trip.
The sessions I will be offering are.
Sharing Nature with Children: Getting children interested in nature is healthy and beneficial in countless ways. This session will provide effective methods for connecting children and families to the outdoors with practical suggestions and information about programs currently offered in Maine, whether you are a parent, grandparent, teacher or mentor. I plan to draw on my experience as a guide offering nature exploration trips to provide helpful suggestions.
Becoming a Maine Guide: This session will introduce you to the testing process for becoming a Registered Maine Guide, tips on how to prepare for testing, basic map and compass skills and outdoor survival skills. There will be plenty of opportunity for question and answer. While the focus of this session will be on the requirements and current testing procedure I also plan to use some of the material from my Small Business Seminar for Maine Guides.
For more information on the program or to register for an upcoming session click here. Hope to see you in September!
It's easier Than Ever to Stay in Touch!
Times have changed and there is a list of new ways to stay in touch.
You can now friend me on Facebook (Don Kleiner) or become a fan of Maine Outdoors there as well. I am also on Linkedin and Twitter (DonKleiner) and update daily if you would like to stay up on the goings on here. Of course I still update the blog on the website at least twice a week and am available to chat on AIM, Googletalk or MSN when I am at my desk. Although I will be spending less time at my desk time now that summer is here.
You can also visit the Maine Outdoors web site and submit a contact form. Of course I still use e-mail and the telephone still rings in the office if you would like to plan your next trip or just say hello.
Best regards,
Don Kleiner
Master Maine Guide
Maine Outdoors
(207) 785-4496
