The weather yesterday was cool and clear with a light northwest wind; it had the look and feel of September. Reminding me that it won't be long until the kids are back in school and the best time of year to be in Maine begins. In fact the fields have started to get the golden color of late summer. Many of the flowers that I use to mark the season have begun to appear along the riverbanks. Unusual flowers like Cardinal flower and Arrowhead, although with all of the rain at the end of last week they have been temporarily submerged.
Monarch butterflies are everywhere this summer in fact I had one fly in the window the other day while I was leaving the boat launch in Thomaston. We had very few around last year but this summer they seem to be everywhere. I can't explain why they should be back in such numbers but I enjoy having them around.
Mid summer is a distinct season for me I spend more time on canoe trips, family fishing trips and teaching folks to fly fish. The variety makes the days more interesting but boy do I spend time getting things out and putting them away. Another difference is that the fishermen are not as eager, when I suggest a 6 AM start I am frequently asked for a later time. Very often 8 AM is as early as I can get started, after all these folks are on vacation. Striper fishing has entered the mid summer lull; no longer am I spending my time on large numbers of fish but working to have my clients catch two or three fish at each stop. The good news is that I have late August and the better fishing of early autumn ahead of me.
Last week was another remarkable event in my life, I was voted on to the Board of Trustees of Unity College. Unity is a small environmentally focused college about 50 miles from here. It is an interesting transition back into the academic world that I left when I graduated from college a long time ago. Of course there is a ton to learn. Training the folks who will work on the important environmental issues of the next 50 years is critical work and I am very pleased to have a small part in it.
I gave my camera to client on a sunset canoe trip last week and it is interesting to see our trip from her perspective. We enjoyed a great evening and I am sure that they returned to England with very fond memories of Maine. Make sure that you get out and make some Maine outdoor memories this summer.
Best regards,
Don Kleiner
Master Maine Guide
