The season is off to a great start, this morning I fished for stripers. They have been around for a week or so but this was my first real chance to chase them. I headed up the Saint George to my regular spring striper spot and had a fish on my second cast. This spot is very close to the head of the tide and the river feels much more like a freshwater river than the tidal flow that it is. The water is dark brown and still like many of our ponds. The reason for the stripers being there is the spring run of alewives, a herring that is heading up the river to spawn. All of this food draws a crowd ospreys, herons and cormorants. There is an eagle's nest nearby so sightings of them are not unusual. This morning one of the mature adult eagles, complete with white head and tail, sat on a perch near the middle of the pool and watched without moving for almost two hours. The most amazing thing was that none of the other birds in the neighborhood seemed to be paying any attention to him. When an eagle is around in the spring there is almost always an angry mob of other birds trying to drive it away from their nests. So the eagle watched us fish and had a quiet morning. Oh by the way the fishing was quite good in a little over two hours 15 fish to the boat, nothing very big but a nice run of fish from 16 to 24 inches.
The morning was chilly (45 degrees when I launched the boat) and we had a few rain showers, I was glad to have warm clothes on. This afternoon is one of those that the chamber of commerce loves to talk about, clear skies a pleasant breeze and enough clouds to give depth to a crystal blue sky. It is cool sitting in the shade with only a shirt on but plenty warm enough in the sun, spring is here in full force. The dandelions in the hayfields are in full bloom making a yellow carpet.
The next Small Business Seminar for guides is scheduled for June 3rd at the Maine Principals Association in Augusta. I have been allowing folks that have already taken the seminar to attend additional sessions for the price of their lunch and have a couple of takers at this next session. I am sure that they will have some insight to bring to the discussion.
Summer season is underway and I am back making memories in the Maine Outdoors with clients. If you have not already made your reservation for the coming season now is the time. Drop me an e-mail or give me a call and let's plan a morning of fishing or perhaps a canoe trip.
Best regards,
Don Kleiner
Master Maine Guide
