I found out years ago I didn’t always need to be drilling holes in the ice, or tracking a buck in a fresh November snow to be learning new techniques about those outdoor sports that constantly tug at my heartstrings. Some of my most valuable lessons have come from listening to other people with the same interests, sharing stories through their eyes.

There’s a lot of knowledge up for grabs in the presence of sportsmen swapping stories from the past. This especially is true when the tone of the crowd lowers and a silver-haired gentleman takes the floor. Then it’s time to stop the mind from wandering and start hanging on every word; there’s a lot of wisdom waiting to be taken home.

I know this from experience because I’ve been blessed to know one of these silver sages. His name is Vaughn Chadbourne. At 78, this Bangor man carries more hunting and fishing stories than the last 25 issues of Field & Stream.

I discovered through the years of prying from the archives of Vaughn’s past that he never neglected to insert his hunting or fishing trips into his busy schedule. I must admit I’m thankful he took the time, because more than once a few pages from his past have filled the void when unexpected plans have kept me from keeping my appointment on a lake.

Although Vaughn still is casting flies and tracking deer, I can’t help but wonder about others like him with a suitcase of their own stories that have been left on the sidelines due to health problems.

Let’s not forget about them. Maybe there’s an uncle or grandfather within your own family who’s been waiting to hand down some of these gifts of experience you’ll never find on the shelves of your local sporting goods store.

In return you might just send him on one of best trips of his career without ever leaving the living room.

This past weekend, snomobilers kept the ovens busy at The Pine Tree Store in Grand Lake Stream. Store owner Kurt Cressey cautions riders to stay alert on the lakes because this snow cover is hiding slush below. Be sure of the ice beneath your skis: this early snow cover has slowed down the ice-making machine.

As we wait for Feb. 1 when West Grand Lake opens its doors to fishermen, don’t pass up a trip to Big Lake. Cressey reported anglers finding salmon and large white perch on their hooks.

Keep in mind as West Grand Lake gets ready for ice fishermen, The Pine Tree Store will be adding smelts to its bait supply.

Reports out of The Indian Hill Trading Post in Greenville have been positive for anglers fishing Moosehead Lake. Several brookies landed have tipped the scales past the 2-pound mark. In the area of Sugar Island, togue fishing has been very steady so far this season.

Next door to Moosehead Lake, Prong Pond has created some memorable moments this season, producing smallmouth bass between 3 and 4 pounds.

Caution is again the word as your skis come in contact with the lake, ice thickness can change quickly, especially as you venture toward the main part of Moosehead Lake.

At Macannamac Camps on Haymock Lake, Sharon McPhee reports the lake is holding about 12 inches of ice, and the trails are fairly smooth. Big Eagle and Spider lakes have produced a few brookies for anglers getting their traps set early.

Fishing just beneath the ice created good results for some, McPhee said.

Reports of the Telos Road not being plowed from Chamberlain Bridge to Haymock Lake continue to be rumors.

The official word is that the road will be kept open for another month, then wait for the next decision, said McPhee. Traveling on the Telos Road is very good at present.

Up in The County, Long Lake lived up to its reputation this past Monday when the lake officially opened to salmon fishermen. Before the morning passed, Jim Ayotte of Sinclair had a 3-pound salmon on the ice, and his neighbor Butch Thibodeau quickly answered with a 4-pound salmon of his own.

Off the shores of the Long Lake Campground in Sinclair, one angler hooked a real heavy-hitter.

This landlocked salmon weighed in at 5 pounds.

The opening day attracted a lot of anglers to the lake, Ayotte said.

Appalachian Trail hiker Brad Viles was back in action this past weekend, this time skiing the Carriage Trails at Acadia National Park. “Snow conditions were the best in years,” said Viles, giving him smooth sailing from the Eagle Lake parking lot to Hulls Cove and back. He said there’s a great view from the top of Paradise Hill of Frenchman Bay. The round trip is about four miles.

Answer to last week’s question: What animal do many consider to be the most difficult to hunt in Maine? Bobcat

Question: Twelve inches of solid, clear blue-black lake ice can support how much weight?

– NEWS staffer Terry Farren

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