The weather has gone from unbearably hot to the most pleasant cool summer days anyone could ask for. The sandpipers have started to gather for their migration on the local mud flats. Over the next few weeks an amazing number of shore birds will gather on the local flats. Sometimes the entire flat is covered with them all feeding to fatten up for the coming migration. Last week I noticed flocks of cormorants and geese headed south as well. The young terns have also come into the river with their parents eagerly learning how to fish. You can always tell the young ones because they will readily follow a lure or fly. I always tell my clients to be ready to pull it away from them quickly if they are fooled by the imitation.
The fall run of stripers is shaping up to be a good one. I have noticed huge schools of immature alewives while fishing and canoeing in Round Pond and there are a good number of stripers still holding in the tidal section of the river. As the alewives begin to drop out of the river they should meet the stripers for a frenzied time of feeding in September and early October. Of course one can never really predict what will happen in the outdoors but all of the signs are there for great saltwater fishing in the next couple of months. The picture is of a nice fish caught Sunday morning.
I have enjoyed several nature exploration canoe trips with families in the last couple of weeks. It never ceases to amaze me how fascinating dipping bugs from the pond is to kids, a big hit every time that I bring out the strainers. The fishing on those trips has been pretty slow though in fact one afternoon last week we were not able to entice even one fish to bite. Disappointing for everyone but me most of all, I love being able to have a kid catch his or her first fish on one of my trips.
The Samoset received a customer comment card from one of the folks on a trip with me way back in June and forwarded this customer comment "The fishing trip with Don was fantastic! Kids caught 20 fish, saw a bald eagle & seals! An amazing morning & a highlight of our trip!" It is a great feeling to know when you get it all right.
The best couple of months of weather in Maine are here with cool nights and crisp clear days. Make sure that you get out and enjoy it.
Best regards,
Don Kleiner
Master Maine Guide
