Persistent anglers succeed at Alligator Peavey and Skinner enjoying retirement years with frequent fishing expeditions

The still quiet waters of Alligator Lake in T34 MD northeast of Aurora portrayed reflections of a mirror as the bow of Allen Skinner and George Peavey’s aluminum boat split the surface on Tuesday morning. It was a setting of a moment in time so ravishing only an artist could reveal it, but for this duo, it was nothing out of the ordinary. They’ve viewed this setting before, after all we’re speaking of a pair of fishermen who spend three, sometimes four days of their week fishing.

It’s a pace they have kept since 1994. That was the year Peavey ended his 30-year career with Nissen in Brewer. The same year Skinner took up summer residence in Maine, following his move from Nebraska. Since then these two Bangor men have parted more waters with a fish line than most anglers address in a lifetime.

“About the only thing hinders us is the weather,” said Peavey, explaining that “high winds” will usually keep his boat on the trailer.

Since the open water fishing season kicked off, the pair have tucked some 45 fishing trips beneath their belts, a feat that has taken them across about 20 different lakes and ponds. They include Green Lake; Sebec Lake, next door to Guilford; Lower Patten in Surry; Schoodic lakes in Cherryfield and Brownville; Flanders Pond in Sullivan, and the list continues.

Peavey said they’re not beyond striking off for overnight trips, such as a recent venture to Long Lake in St. Agatha. However, lakes close enough to return the fishermen home without consuming the entire day are first on their list.

This week Alligator Lake was that lake, which is located about 40 miles from Bangor. The fishermen set off to outwit a few of Alligator’s sassy landlocked salmon. It’s a task that can be frustrating, after all this lake’s known to be downright stingy to anglers in the heat of summer. However, for these two seasoned fishermen, hard-to-catch fish don’t hinder their plans.

Along with the duo’s long chain of fishing trips, they’ve accumulated a hefty string of fish to accompany them. So with ideal weather conditions, and a light salmon chop brewing from the north, four downriggers strategically attached to a 14-foot boat were put to work.

With the aid of a fish finder, a tool which takes much of the credit for their success, said Peavey, the two set another fishing trip into full swing. After a short session of dialing their lines for ideal fishing depths, and monitoring boat speed, once again their perseverance paid off.

A half hour into the day, Peavey’s rod was tested by a feisty 211/2-inch salmon, that weighed 3 pounds, 12 ounces. The remaining hours belonged to Skinner. His fish line was straightened out on six occasions – one he’ll never know. Three nearly back-to-back strikes yielded salmon just shy of 20 inches. However, the closing moments of the day brought Skinner’s heaviest reward: a salmon measuring 21 inches and tipping the scales at 3 pounds 8 ounces.

Promising brown trout

At Lower Lead Mountain Pond in T28 MD, brown trout are showing promising results, according to Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife fisheries biologist Greg Burr. They sampled browns from the lake on Wednesday, which revealed some 16- to 19-inch fish in real good condition, said Burr. Since initially stocking the lake in 1999 with 300 browns, reports have been very encouraging, Burr said.

“We feel the pond has potential to grow 3- to 4-pound brown trout,” said Burr. The pond is scheduled to stocked again this fall.

Outdoor Calendar

On Aug. 8, at 6:30 p.m. the DIFW has scheduled a public hearing at the Ellsworth City Hall Auditorium. On the agenda will be proposals to change fishing regulations on Alligator Lake in T34 MD, Tunk Lake in T10 SD, and Green Lake in Ellsworth.

On Aug. 9, at 6:30 p.m. at Washington County Technical College on the River Road in Calais, DIFW will host a public hearing to discuss possible new fishing regulation changes on six Washington County waters: East Grand Lake, Boyden Lake in Perry, Hosea Pug Lake in T26 ED, and Pocomoonshine Lake in Princeton. DIFW is proposing a five-fish bag limit on small mouth bass, with only one to exceed 12 inches. Biologists are in hopes this regulation could thin out the abundant supply of small mouth bass presently in Pocomoonshine Lake, which are mostly 8-12 inches. DIFW feels the results could give the lake a greater supply of bass.

Question of the week

True or false. Maine has more brook trout waters than any other state.

Answer to last week’s question: Brook trout in coastal areas sometimes frequent salt or brackish waters. They’re known as Sea run trout or what? Salters.

Terry Farren’s outdoor report is published each Friday. He can be reached at 990-8067 or by e-mail at outdoor report@bangordailynews.net