The leaves are mostly gone in Northern Maine and the woods have taken on that russet color of late fall. Yesterday the frost did not melt off until nearly noon and I saw some ice in a puddle that was still there in the shade at two in the afternoon. I spent the last couple of weeks at Libby Camps guiding grouse hunters. I enjoy the fun with some great folks, good dog work and of course interesting wildlife sightings. I always like getting into remote country and walking around with the dogs. We are seeing a good number of birds, in fact more woodcock than I have ever seen in that part of the world. As usual though the hunters are not doing much damage to the grouse or woodcock populations. I even spent a couple of hours fishing with clients and they were able to catch a nice brook trout. Beautiful in its fall spawning colors a treat for the eyes and on the end of the line.
Wildlife Sightings!
Last Tuesday I saw my second fisher in less than a week, this one was very cooperative. When I first saw it I thought turkey, no it couldn't be; then I thought porcupine. When we got closer clearly a large male fisher, in the middle of the dirt road. He was cooperative letting us get pretty close while he stood in the road then slowly loped down the road for about a hundred yards while we watched him go. I also saw several moose including a very large bull last week but was never quick enough with the camera. I am seeing more Canada Jays this fall than years past. They are always great to see and tame enough to steal pieces of sandwich while we eat lunch providing a little entertainment.
October Fishing!
I have always enjoyed fall fishing and the first week of October was well worth the effort this year. I spent days bass fishing on a few ponds and enjoyed some excellent fishing.
This fish was the best of that week and one of the best of the season. Admittedly the fishing is best mid day when the sun warms the water a little. Not necessarily a bad thing just different from my usual early starts. I plan to return to this excellent bass fishing in a week or so. Let's hope that the pleasant weather holds well into November.
This Winter
This winter will be different for me; I will not be lobbying for conservation groups at the state legislature. I am offering a new service to other small businesses to help them set up and deliver electronic newsletters and blogs. Over the last year or so I've met a number of folks in other businesses that think they do not have time for a newsletter or are bewildered by how to set one up. This service is designed for them and will not only help with the mechanics but also offer outdoor related content to them. I will not begin the marketing on this until November so you are in on the ground floor. If you know someone needing this kind of support or someone who has had setting up an e-newsletter on their list for a long time. Please forward this message to them.
I will also be offering my seminars on running a small business for guides. The next seminar has been scheduled for the Sportsman's Alliance of Maine conference Center in Augusta on January 24, 2009. At this moment there are still spaces available. I have promised myself that I will develop a small book and a CD out of the seminar material over the coming months; speaking of things that have been on my list for a long time.
Not much time left to arrange a trip for this season!
My calendar is full until November 1st this year. But I plan to offer trips well into November so it is not too late. In fact after the excellent fishing and good weather in November last year and early October I am looking forward to the late fall. If you are planning to be in the area please give me a call or reply to this e-mail and let's plan to spend some time outdoors together.
