Wintry weather still putting bite on flings at spring fishing

Brisk winds, biting cold, and rain squalls make hard fishing. That was the case last weekend as local fishermen took their first flings at towing smelts and streamers on togue and salmon waters.

Al Violette of Green Lake reported fishing activity wasn’t up to snuff on the popular trolling grounds. “There were a few people fishing off the sandbar and a couple of boats around,” said the owner of Violette’s Landing. “They didn’t do much. Too cold. It takes about a week or so before things start to happen – that’s if we get some sun.” Al said it was spitting snow as we spoke.

But if you’re a native to this neck of the woods, you know that the fishing, like the weather, will break all at once. And when it does, you’ll be faced with the dilemma of deciding which waters offer the best chances for giving a rod a case of “the bends.” With that, let me give you a tip: you may recall it was mentioned here earlier that about 2,700 Atlantic salmon broodstock would be released in eastern Maine inland waters this spring.

The salmon, which were captured and used as spawners at the Green Lake National Fish Hatchery, will squeeze 3-7 pounds from a tackle box scale. Although the stocking dates haven’t been finalized, they are tentatively scheduled for early May. Following are the locations and the numbers of salmon to be released: Leonard Lake, Ellsworth, 300; West Branch Union River, Tannery Loop, 200; Hopkins Pond, Mariaville, 50; Craig Pond, Orland, 30; Toddy Pond, Orland, 250; Eagle Lake, Bar Harbor, 100; Green Lake, Ellsworth, 300; Branch Lake, Ellsworth, 200; Molasses Pond, Eastbrook, 150; Jordan Pond, Mount Desert Island, 25; Echo Lake, Mount Desert Island, 50; Donnell Pond, T9 SD, 150; St. Croix River, Kellyland, 100; Lewy Lake, Princeton, 300; West Musquash Lake, Talmadge, 225; Mopang Lake, T29 MD, 150; Boyden Lake, Perry, 70.

You probably know those rejuvenated spawners wouldn’t be bashful about snagging a trolled smelt or streamer.

Whenever I get a letter from Ralph Nodine of Jonesboro, I know it will be informative and in the best interests of Maine sportsmen. Recently, Ralph wrote asking for suggestions regarding “Dog Days,” an annual bird dog training seminar presented by the Pleasant River Fish and Game Conservation Association of Columbia.

Although Dog Days was an immediate success when it was established a few years ago, Ralph and company would like to unleash some new ideas that would make the event even more attractive. For example, to avoid another day of sweltering humidity the likes of which had dogs tripping on their tongues last August, this year’s seminar will be held a month later, Sept. 11, to be exact. Another suggestion being considered is to arrange the seminars so that pointing dogs and flushing dogs would work separately, as do retrievers.

Admittedly, I have practically no experience regarding dog-training seminars and field trials, therefore I can’t offer much advice. But I’m sure the Pleasant River club would appreciate any suggestions or help you might offer in the way of presentations, courses, birds, equipment, facilities, and the like. Contact Ralph Nodine, Tidal Edge, P.O. Box 156, Jonesboro 04648. Phone: 434-5163.

Never let it be said that Down East sportsmen’s clubs weren’t appreciative of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife’s efforts to conserve, restore, and protect the fish and wildlife resources of that region. Accordingly, the aforementioned Pleasant River club and the Machias Valley Sportsmen’s Club recently gave credit where credit was due when they honored Region C fisheries biologists Ron Brokaw, Rick Jordan, and Gregg Burr.

At a dinner held at Perry’s Restaurant in Columbia, the biologists were recognized for the positive impacts they had on sport fishing in Washington County. In appreciation of their efforts, they were presented with antique fishing lures and filleting knives.

Charlie Robbins was the “head guide” for the occasion attended by Lee and Gloria Richardson, Joe, Gretchen, and Anastasia Robbins, Susan and Gary Albee, Ralph and Dorothy Nodine, Al and Sandra Altmansberger, Martha Jordan, Sue Burr, Paul Fernald, and John Trapp. Well done and well-deserved.