Alewives

Mothers Day is our annual trip to the fish ladder in Damariscotta Mills to see the alewife run. For those of you that do not know alewives are a river herring that return to many of our local rivers to spawn each spring. They are about a foot long and silvery. It has been a Mother’s day tradition for us since the boys were born that includes a late lunch out, usually in Damariscotta. Some years the run is late, some years the fish arrive on Mother’s Day and some years, like this one, they are early.

There were still plenty of fish to see climbing the ladder with its series of pools and drops. There is one pool right above a foot bridge that always seems to be full of fish. The picture does not do the scene justice but you can see some of the fish if you look carefully. Such an abundant food source draws a large predator following and many photographers are there to get pictures of eagles, osprey cormorants, seals and some years stripers taking advantage of the all you can eat buffet. Photographer John Briggs has posted some amazing images taken at the Mills here.

The Saint George River has a larger run of fish and attracts much more predator activity but the feeding area is in a remote location accessable by boat. I am planning a photo safari to those feeding grounds with a photographer friend mid week. If you would like to arrange a photo safari of your own to spend some time among the eagles, ospreys and seals click here to make a reservation today.