The seasons are changing noticeably now. We have a freeze warning for tonight so I need to cover the tomatoes and cucumbers to keep them going. From here on we need to enjoy every fully ripe tomato because before long we won't have them. I know you can buy tomatoes in the store all winter but there is really no comparison.
Last week was my final striper fishing trip of the season. The river is running brown fresh water almost to the mouth and even the mackerel did not want to cooperate. We fished our way back up river just ahead of wind rain and fog without so much as a follow from a striper or bluefish. This has been at best a disappointing season for stripers; I hope that next summer provides better fishing.
On the positive side the freshwater fishing has been outstanding for the last few weeks. Recent flyfishing trips have had plenty of fish and glimpses of the coming foliage change. The leaves are starting to show color all along the shores of the ponds and river. Not only is the scenery attractive the beautiful fall colors are a great addition to the view.
In the freshwater part of the Saint George River the juvenile alewives are still heading out to sea in large schools. Most of the fish were in the inlets and outlets of the ponds where bass were waiting in ambush for the migrating bait. I am looking forward to fishing for the bass this coming week in great fall weather.
Pike!
I've been fishing Seven Tree, Round and White Oak ponds quite a bit this season. A pike was taken through the ice last winter (click here to see picture) and the regional biologists reported a couple in North Pond a little further down river last fall. Consequently I have been watching pretty closely to see if any more would show up this summer. Every pickerel was getting a careful look over to be sure it was not a pike. I guess that I did not need to watch so closely. One afternoon this week a pike of seven pounds and twenty nine inches was caught on light spinning gear by one of my clients. To see a picture click here!
The bass fishing had been pretty good all morning even though the fish were running a little small. This fish made for an eventful afternoon. Interesting that the biggest bass of a two day fishing trip came less than a half an hour later and not two hundred yards down the bank. Needless to say it looks like pike are in the Saint George drainage to stay.
Megunticook Lake
I have been on Megunticook Lake in Camden much more this year. Partly due to Ken Bailey having some health problems and filling in for him and another guide. Partly due to clients requesting to go there and finally liking what I saw. First let me state up front that in the high summer on a nice day it is way too busy for my taste. But on a September day with only a couple of other boats it was an absolute delight. Even in the gale we had that day it was still possible to find places to get out of the wind and cast a fly.
The day started gloomy with fog and high humidity, wind strong out of the south but by lunch the wind was in the west and the sky was clear. My client and I sat at a picnic table and enjoyed lunch with Mount Megunticook as a background surrounded by a brilliant blue sky. Pretty much a perfect Maine scene with ideal temperatures, tomorrow will be chilly by comparison even without the wind. We saw several eagles and numerous loons during the day to round out the scene.
As is always the case on a rapidly rising barometer fish were at best grumpy. We were able to make some take flies but saw many more swim up to inspect the fly and leave without biting. A blessing and a curse, a blessing to know that there were fish around and a curse to know that they did not take the fly. The fish watching was made possible by the clear water and brilliant sunshine.
There is still time to arrange a trip for this season!
Late September and October are without a doubt the best time of year in the Maine Outdoors. I still have a few open dates in September and the first few days of October. I also plan to offer trips well into November again this fall. In fact after the excellent fishing and good weather in November last year I am looking forward to the late fall. If you are planning to be in the area please give me a call or reply to this e-mail and let's plan to spend some time outdoors together.
Make your reservations today!
Best regards,
Don Kleiner
Master Maine Guide
