The end of November already? The days are almost as short as they get and all of the leaves are off of the trees. Hard to believe that the end of the open water fishing season is here, the month flew by. November was warm and wet with the usual share of foggy days. I was able to get out and fish on Megunticook Lake in Camden several times and enjoyed some great fishing.
November marks the transition from summer activities to winter and at the moment it shows. All of my equipment for a variety of activities is out in the garage. Fishing rods including the fly rods used in an impromptu casting lesson with bird hunters in October; grouse and woodcock hunting things; dog kennels, whistles, bells and assorted bits and pieces. Duck decoys for all of the early fall species but now the bufflehead and goldeneyes have arrived so another set of decoys for those species is in the pile.
Gradually all of this gets stored away until next season as I transition into what I have come to call meeting season. Luckily most of the canoe trip things are put away in September so some of the clutter is reduced providing room for me to stack in a little firewood without having to put it all away. Of course with all of those possibilities should I really waste a warm sunny day stacking firewood?
After Thanksgiving I put the cover on the Lund Alaskan and spent some time on chores around the house getting everything ready for the winter. Hopefully it will arrive soon with lots of snow. I am looking forward to guiding a few snowshoe trips into the winter wonderland between now and the end of March.
Hope that you are enjoying the transition to winter as well and are looking forward to getting out on the snow.
Moose Pictures!
Recently I had a request from someone writing about Maine for moose pictures. At first I thought not me, I am not a photographer. I have seen a lot of moose over the years, have a few good stories about them and have even taken a few pictures. In fact when I am guiding grouse hunters in the fall at Libby Camps I get so used to seeing them that I am guilty of not stopping to look; that is until I realize that my hunters do not see them every day and want pictures and memories of their own.
So I was prompted to look through my files to see what I did have. I thought that you might like to see a few as well.
Online video.
One morning I received an e-mail asking about a quick fishing trip to shoot some video for a web project. Since the weather was sunny and warm I agreed and loaded my fishing equipment. Once at the boat launch on Megunticook Lake in Camden though I was nervous. It was getting late in the season and the water temperatures were getting low. Maybe the fish would not cooperate.
Since I was a little early I spent a few minutes fishing the cove near the launch and my concerns were quickly eliminated. I managed a couple of nice largemouth bass after only a few casts. When the camera showed up and we headed down the lake, the fishing was very good.
With the warm day it was a most pleasant outing. We managed a few fish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and trout. For a sneak peek at the video before the project launch click here and then on Maine people and places. The full roll out, including more Maine Outdoors video will come after the first of the year and I am looking forward to seeing the result.
Next Small Business Seminar for Guides
Over the last few years Maine Outdoors has put on a seminar (usually twice a winter) to help other Maine Guides run successful small businesses. During my guiding season I occasionally meet one of my graduates at a launch or at a sporting camp. It is a great feeling to see someone who has attended the seminar using some of the information and succeeding. The next seminar is scheduled for January 23, 2010. At the Sportsman's Alliance of Maine Conference Center in Augusta, ME from 9 AM to 3 PM.
Registered Maine Guides are well respected throughout the country for their knowledge of Maine's woods and waters. This high level of outdoor knowledge does not necessarily make someone qualified to run a small business, develop customers or handle bookkeeping. Most small business courses are aimed at businesses other than guiding.
These unique seminars are designed to give Registered Maine Guides the information that they need to set up and run profitable businesses. As a longtime participant in the outdoor recreation business, Don Kleiner has developed many useful insights into what it takes to be a successful guide in the 21st century. Maine Outdoors is celebrating its 22nd year.
This seminar combines business basics with a specific knowledge developed over time of what does and does not work in this industry. Helping you to make your businesses successful and avoid mistakes. Full description and reservation information here.
Newsletter sent monthly until spring!
From now until early spring the Maine Outdoors newsletter will come to you once a month. I still post blog updates twice a week and daily updates are available on
Facebook (Don Kleiner) or become a fan of Maine Outdoors there as well. I am also on Linkedin and Twitter (DonKleiner) I am available to chat on AIM when I am at my desk, more time there as the slower season starts.
You can also visit the Maine Outdoors web site and submit a contact form. Of course I still use e-mail and the telephone still rings in the office if you would like to plan your next trip or just say hello.
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Best regards,
Don Kleiner
Master Maine Guide
Maine Outdoors
(207) 785-4496
