I spent the last few days traveling to and from Manchester, VT to attend the Orvis Endorsed Guides Rendezvous, like last time it was an excellent learning opportunity. I always enjoy visiting with other guides and meeting professionals in the same business from all over the east is very productive for me.

The Maine Professional Guides Association Annual Banquet is always a great time to catch up with friends and given the nature of what we do might be the only time all year that I will see them. We had good weather this year which makes it possible for folks from the far reaches of the state to attend.

Saturday I launched the boat in Seven Tree Pond just like on many summer trips, hunting for the pike that I understand should be in the shallows in early spring. The water temperature was only 45 degrees and the air was not even that warm. With a fairly stiff north wind, conditions were less than ideal for casting a fly. Still I had a few free hours and some new rods to check out.