Maine’s 1994 Atlantic salmon season was introduced with a drum roll of rain on the roof of the Penobscot Salmon Club last Sunday morning. But it didn’t dampen the spirits of the crowd gathered for the traditional opening-day breakfast.

The one-room clubhouse overlooking the Bangor Salmon Pool was festive with smiling faces and hearty greetings as old-time fishermen recalled old times at the once world-famous pool while younger fishermen listened with obvious envy.

Speaking of old-timers, the special tie of sportsmanship that bonds Atlantic salmon fishermen was displayed by the presence of Frank Clark and George Fletcher, who both have waded into their 90s.

“By golly, I made it again,” said George as we spoke briefly during breakfast. “Think of it,” he continued. “Ninety-four years. You’d think I’d be tired of listening to all these fishing stories by now, wouldn’t you?” Until a few years ago, George made an annual trip to the George River in Arctic Quebec. And I can tell you from experience, that’s not an easy trip for a young man.

I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to speak with Frank Clark before he left. But judging from the smile on his face as he talked with his many friends, I’d say the 92-year-old Salmon Pool stalwart, who personifies the words “gentleman” and “sportsman” was enjoying himself and the tradition of the day.

It’s always good to talk with the likes of Carroll Soucie and Charlie Shoppe and Guy Carrol Jr., whose father, Guy Sr., caught the presidential salmon four times during the heyday of the Bangor Salmon Pool.

Soucie said he nearly froze to death while fishing Green Lake last Saturday. The veteran South Brewer angler allowed he didn’t have any reason to fetch the fish stringer from his tackle box. I had the same experience at Phillips Lake on that sunny but cold and windy Saturday. Hard fishing.

Jeff Lapointe and a few other fishermen fared no better as they gave the rain-lashed waters of the Bangor Salmon Pool a proper opening-day thrashing. I’m pleased to report, though, that a few fish were caught and released upriver. Dick Laney landed a grilse – it had to be a holdover from last year’s run – at about 6:15 a.m. at the Pipeline Pool at Eddington Bend.

The fish, which was released, took a “Red-Butt Bear Hair” fly. “It didn’t fight like a salmon,” said Dick, “but it felt like one when it took.” Perhaps you know from experience that 90 percent of the pleasure of salmon fishing is realized in the instant the fish takes.

Brian Sommers and John Mundt know the feeling. Sommers hooked, landed and released an 8-pound salmon at the Wringer Pool. Mundt cast a No. 6 “Verdict” into the swift flow sweeping the Eddington Shore and seconds later felt the weighty tap and tug of a salmon. After a rod-bending battle, the 28-inch, 8-pounder also was released. A few other salmon reportedly were hooked and released involuntarily. According to statewide law enacted this year, all adult salmon – fish more than 25 inches long – must be released.

No question, May 1’s dawn broke cold and wet, but it didn’t dampen the Penobscot’s opening-day traditions.

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Speaking of releasing salmon, now that the catch-and-release law is in effect regarding adult fish, anglers should think seriously about using barbless hooks. Accordingly, Al Robbins of Trenton thinks salmon clubs should encourage members to use barbless hooks and thereby promote their use to other fishermen.

“It’s surprising,” Al said during a recent phone conversation, “how efficient the hooks are in holding fish and how easily they are removed in releasing them.” He’s absolutely right.

Too many salmon are unnecessarily injured from harsh handling while being released. Barbless hooks will eliminate the problem. Also, a salmon can be handled and released easily if the angler wades out to it. Bringing the fish to the edge of the water causes it to spook and thrash over rocks and gravel. A fresh-run salmon’s scales are shed easily and nothing is more disturbing to see than a shore silvered with them after a poorly executed release. The fish needs its scales for protection. Keep in mind that the law regarding catch-and-release reads, “…released without further injury.”