Along about mid-June, the brothers Jason and Ben Clark of Kenduskeag, ages 13 and 11, respectively, convinced their father, Scott Clark, that it was time to go fishing. After gathering their trolling gear and lunches, Clark and sons, along with Tim Ward of East Corinth, towed their boat to Green Lake.

It’s no secret that fishing success depends largely on being in the right place at the right time, and on that particular day the location and timing were perfect. In fact, it took only about 45 minutes of trolling sewn-on smelts before the No. 1 rod popped in its downrigger. Ben mittened onto the bowed rod and began reeling, but to no avail – begrudgingly, the reel’s drag gave line.

As he released the No. 2 rod and started winching up the downriggers, Scott told his oldest offspring to shift the motor into neutral. But because the wind was astern, Ben was still losing line. Directly, he yelled, “Dad, I’m out of line!” A swift glance at his son’s reel caused the senior Clark to command: “Reverse and full power!” All that was left on Ben’s reel spool was the knot holding the 10-pound test line.

Luckily – and because of Jason’s swift action at the helm – Ben began regaining line. Then, allowing that Ben had hooked onto the state of Maine, his father took the rod to see if he could release the rock or whatever had snagged the bait. But when he tugged, something weighty tugged back – twice. Quickly, Scott handed the rod back to his son with instructions to brace his feet. He then ordered Jason to shift the motor back into neutral.

During the tug of war that followed, Ben derricked the togue to within a few feet of the surface eight or 10 times, only to have it bore back to bottom again. When the fish eventually was brought to the surface, it rolled onto its broad side and showed that only one hook of the treble hook was hanging in its jaw. Cap’n Clark immediately gave Jason the order to “shut ‘er down.”

As it sculled dangerously close to the motor’s shaft and prop, Scott attempted to net the trophy togue but the transducer bracket was in the way. A lunging, last-ditch effort with the net was successful, however, and amid loud cheers and congratulations, the finned prize was brought aboard – minus the hook and with no hook on Ben’s line. Talk about fisherman’s luck. Later, while loading the boat onto the trailer, Tim Ward discovered the hook fouled in the boat’s tranducer bracket.

According to the weights-and-measures apparatus, the togue was 28 1/2 inches long and weighed 10 pounds, 8 ounces. That, my friend, was a bragging-size fish and, being a fisherman, young Ben Clark knew well the stigma of “fish stories.” Therefore, he immediately asked his father for a loan toward having the togue mounted. Considering the “interest” involved, I’d call that a sound investment.

On June 12, the Maine Highpower Rifle Shooters held a National Match Course high-power rifle competition at the Oyster River Range in Warren. The match sanctioned by the National Rifle Association included competitions at ranges of 200, 300, and 600 yards while firing from standing, sitting, and prone positions.

Eighteen shooters endured rain and mosquitoes as they tested their skills. The overall match winner and first expert was Dave Dow of Old Town, who shot a score of 476 out of 500, including 13 bullseyes out of 50. John Lynds of Scarborough shot his way into second place with a score of 467 and 11 bullseyes. Rocky Prout of Cape Elizabeth posted a score of 467 and seven bullseyes to win third place and second expert; and Ray Gastonguay of Westbrook won fourth place and third expert with a score of 455 and six bullseyes.

When the smoke cleared, Gus Norcross of Winthrop was named first sharpshooter with a score of 465 and 10 bullseyes; and Les Higgins of South Portland took first marksman honors with a score of 379 and six bullseyes.

Come July 9, the Highpower Rifle Shooters will hold a practice-training session at the Oyster River Range. The fee for the session, which is open to the public, is $15. Ammunition for .308 cal. rifles will be provided. The club’s next scheduled match is a 200-yard offhand competition that will be held at the Capital City Rifle and Pistol Club in Augusta on July 19. For further information contact: Gus Norcross, 395-4515; Rocky Prout, 799-6071; Ray Gastonguay, 854-1458.

Many local sportsmen were shocked and saddened by the untimely death of Al Roberts of Brewer. Al was an avid and responsible outdoorsman who valued Maine’s sporting traditions, particularly hunting, and who was a strong supporter of the constitutional right to own firearms. Needless to say, he’ll be missed. I offer my condolences to his family and many friends.