When I spoke recently with Peter Bourque, director of fisheries and hatcheries for the Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, he said the new Canadian regulation regarding landlocked salmon fishing at East Grand Lake caught him by surprise. “I was astonished,” said Bourque. “Particularly since we’ve spent the past few years establishing workable and enforceable international regulations with the Canadians. I didn’t know there was anything in the works about a new regulation.”

Briefly, Canada’s Dept of Fisheries and Oceans implemented a new salmon regulation effective this year on New Brunswick waters. Therefore, the regulation includes East Grand Lake, which extends into that proregulation includes East Grand Lake, which extends into that province. In regard to East Grand, the regulation requires that fishermen wishing to keep a landlocked salmon measuring more than 19 inches that was caught in a Canadian cove such as Big English, Little English, Balm of Gilead must purchase an Atlantic salmon license with tags. Any salmon caught measuring more than 25 inches must be released. The regulation applies to Canadians as well as Americans.

Why an Atlantic salmon license? According to Warden Lt. Langdon Chandler of Division C, which has jurisdiction over East Grand Lake’s Maine waters, the Canadians contend that landlocked salmon were originally Atlantic salmon that either became entrapped in lakes or elected not to return to sea. That, however, occurred eons ago. Nowadays, the only salmon stocked in East Grand Lake are landlockeds raised in Maine hatcheries. The Canadians do not stock the lake. Wardens of Division C are meeting with New Brunswick wardens to discuss enforcement of the new regulation. Stay tuned for the results.

Personally, I think the non-resident fishing licenses now required of American and Canadian fishermen should allow them to fish all of East Grand Lake. Frankly, this new Atlantic salmon regulation strikes me as nothing more than a money game.

There was no false casting at the Northeastland Hotel in Presque Isle last Saturday night. To the contrary, everything relating to the Atlantic Salmon for Northern Maine spring banquet was perfectly presented and thoroughly enjoyed. When club president Jim Barresi said, “You won’t find a better deal for 10 bucks,” he wasn’t kidding.

The hors d’oeuvres, set on a table whose length would be a good cast for a beginning fly fisherman, easily could have served as a buffet dinner. For starters there were scallops wrapped in bacon, smoked salmon, lobster pate, stuffed mushrooms, baked-stuffed salmon, cold meats, salads, and so on.

As an indication of how seriously the Hedrich family, owners and managers of the hotel, take their business, the hors d’oeuvres table was center-pieced with an ice sculpture of a leaping Atlantic salmon. The aesthetic appeal of the sculpture, which was done in Massachusetts and shipped packed in ice, was evident in the steady stream of appreciative comments.

Actually, the event began in the afternoon when officers and directors of two clubs, Atlantic Salmon for Northern Maine and Atlantic Salmon for the Upper St. John River, met with officers of the Maine Council of the Atlantic Salmon Federation. After discussing the salmon-related programs attendant to the two rivers, Maine Council President Clinton “Bill” Townsend remarked, “The interest and enthusiasm displayed at the meeting was typical of Aroostook County people. Once they take a direction they pursue it with great spirit.”

I agree. And that is the kind of spirit that must be developed in all clubs involved in restoring salmon to Maine’s rivers. From this point forward, the survival and future of Atlantic salmon, not only in Maine but in this country, will depend greatly on the involvement and dedication of clubs.

By the time all the stories of salmon caught, lost, and released were told, the social hour and the hors d’oeuvres were nearly spent. Directly, the migration to the dining room began, where a roast beef entree was served and awards were presented to various individuals.

Fortunate was I to be among them. It’s no secret that much of the recognition given outdoor writers nowadays usually is verbal and less than complimentary. Therefore, I felt more than honored when presented with a framed display featuring a beautifully tied feather-wing Atlantic salmon fly and inscribed brass plates mounted on maroon velvet.

The fly, named “Tom’s Special,” was a strip-wing work of art tied by Stacy Meister, a director of Atlantic Salmon for Northern Maine. Strip-wing means the wings of the fly were constructed by matching and marrying thin strips of different-color feathers, in this case blue and yellow. And if you think that doesn’t take time and expertise, I invite you to try your hand(s) at it.

I’m not much for head tables and speeches, but as things turned out I was pleased that Jim Barresi and the club’s directors hooked and landed me for that particular occasion. Many thanks, friends. Everything, from your friendship and camaraderie to the genuine hospitality of Greg, Todd, and Dave Hedrich, was first-class. Your consideration confirms my long-held belief that Aroostook County people are among Maine’s finest. It was a great time.

Afterward, Jim said, “We call this our `celebration banquet.’ We have our fund-raiser in the fall. Come on up and let us pick your pocket.” I’ll be there. And isn’t it a pleasure to drive through “The County’s” sprawling farmlands and notice that few “No Hunting” signs have sprouted. Make no mistake about it, there are two Maines.