Here’s a sure-fire way to quench those winter blues and get you pointed down the pathway to spring. Just set your sights on a trip to the 63rd Eastern Maine Sportsmen’s Show. The action begins March 23 at 5 p.m. at the University of Maine field house in Orono.

As always, there’s something for everyone. This show continues to attract vendors from almost every corner of our state, as well as outside its boundaries. It brings vendors packing for business from deep inside the state of New York.

Then the show turns to the north and extends its invitation across the Canadian border where it always catches the attention of a few outfitters anxious to book a handful of fishermen searching for a fight on the end of their fishing lines.

You’ll see more boats than any one fisherman should be allowed to own, and a look at some ATVs that haven’t yet crossed your path. There will be tents, canoes, and kayaks on hand, as well as a chance to view today’s newly engineered outboards, such as those efficient four-strokes. About anything the outdoor person ever dreamed of parking in the garage will be on display.

There are also a pleasing number of demonstrations on the schedule, including the technique of fly casting, bass fishing with crank baits, log rolling, and a look at retrievers displaying their knowledge.

I’m sure you won’t be disappointed, and you will find this event is capable of bringing a smile to the most avid fisherman. It’s even an eye-opener to those who haven’t yet pursued these great outdoor sports, so to them I recommend caution, especially when handling those new fly rods. They could spark the beginning of something you’ll be a lifetime pursuing.

Massive muskie

Roughly 20 miles west of Fort Kent sits a small, narrow body of water called Glazier Lake. The border between the United States and Canada divides it equally, but fishermen from both countries will be the first to tell you that both sides occupy enough water to satisfy anyone. If you have any doubts, just ask a couple of brothers, James A. Daigle and Peter Daigle of St. David.

On March 8, they loaded up their fishing gear and struck off for a session on Glazier Lake. It was their first trip to the lake during an ice fishing season, but the muskies were calling, and they had avoided this trip for too long.

So with a warm March sun at their backs, the two went to work drilling holes hoping to find a hungry muskie close by. As the auger came to rest and the morning grew quiet, the only sign of action on the lake was from those busy smelts in their pail. But deep into the morning all that changed as a flag from one of Peter’s traps waved in the air.

Peter was quick to answer but just as quick to find out he was in a fight he didn’t want to lose. After a few nervous moments and a 12-minute fight, Peter prevailed and successfully landed a 20-pound muskellunge that measured 41 inches.

Little did the duo realize that only minutes later, another trophy would soon appear, but this battle belonged to James. This fight would last a full 10 minutes and required all the room his 10-inch ice hole had to offer. When the time arrived, James used the space well, icing a trophy muskie that exceeded the bruiser his brother just landed. That wasn’t the only fish it surpassed.

The news of its size traveled all the way to the state’s record books, and bumped a 22-pound, 12-ounce muskie from Baker Lake into second place. The first-place line now belongs to James A. Daigle, the proud owner of a muskie weighing 24 pounds, 8 ounces and measuring 43 inches.

Outdoor Calendar

On March 24, the L.L. Bean Store in Freeport will hold its 11th Fly Fishing & Spring Shooting Expo. This year’s Expo will feature a slide show with well-known fly-fishing experts Dave Whitlock, Jim Teeny, Brad Burns, and Macauley Lord.

You’ll also hear from Phil Bozenhard, regional wildlife biologist from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, on turkey hunting in Maine.

Keith MacDonald, Maine State Modern Skeet Champion for 2000 and Level One Shooting Instructor, will present, “Getting Started Spring Shooting” at L.L Bean’s Fogg Farm on the Desert Road.

The event is free and open to the public. Free shuttles will be available for off-site activities.

Question of the week

When were muskies first introduced to Maine waters?

Answer to last week’s question: What’s the weight of the state-record cusk and where was it caught? A cusk weighing 18.5 pounds was pulled from Eagle Lake in the Fish River Chain.

Terry Farren’s Outdoor Report is published each Friday in the NEWS Sports section. He can be reached at 990-8067 or by e-mail; outdoor report@bangordailynews.net