RV show may spark thoughts of spring

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If the warm weather (OK, these things are all relative … but remember how sore your ears were getting during the cold snap?) has you thinking spring, there’s an event going on that you might want to check out.

It’s the Down East Camping and Recreational Vehicle Show, and it’ll be running at the Bangor Auditorium and Civic Center through Sunday.

Friday night’s highlight was a visit from U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud and Maine Rep. Matt Dunlap, the chair of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee.

Michaud and Dunlap presented a check on behalf of the show to the Maine Campground Association for their scholarship program.

That program hands out awards to students pursuing a career in outdoor recreation.

While serious shoppers are always welcome at the show, browsers are also welcome to amble through the aisles and dream a bit.

And whether you’re looking for a small pop-up camper or a high-end land barge with all the amenities, you’ll be able to find just what you’re looking for.

Schoodic Lake derby on tap

Fishing enthusiasts who want to take a chance at some eye-dropping prizes may want to consider entering the 41st annual Schoodic Lake Ice Fishing Derby.

The derby, which includes fish caught in Sebois and Ebeemee lakes, is set for Feb. 15-16, and $7,000 in shore prizes will be up for grabs.

The grand prize: A 2003 Z370 Arctic Cat purchased from Cat Trax in Lagrange.

In addition, entrants have a shot at plenty of other prizes including a one-week bear-hunting trip, a 12-guage shotgun, ice fishing equipment, a dog kennel, and a cabin at Beech Ridge Camps for a week.

Tickets are available for $1 each, or $5 for a book. A book includes a derby entry fee and 6 shore prize tickets.

An added benefit: The derby takes place on the state’s free fishing days, so an angler need not have a license to participate.

Cash prizes of $100, $50 and $25 are up for grabs in the togue, trout and salmon categories, while cusk, perch, pickerel and bass anglers will compete for $50 and $20 prizes.

Fly fishers meeting set

The Penobscot Fly Fishers will hold their monthly dinner meeting on Wednesday at Pete and Larry’s Restaurant, Holiday Inn, on Odlin Road in Bangor.

The Casting Pool opens at 6 p.m., with featured tier Ron Newcomb. Following dinner, the guest speaker will be Steve Wilson, Superintendent of the Hatcheries Division for the DIF&W.

Steve will be giving an update on the hatcheries and will be discussing the recently passed hatchery bond issue.

The meeting is open to the public. For more information, visit the club Web site at penobscotflyfishers.com.

Other fishing derby options coming up (note: the derbies are listed by sponsoring organization, which may or may not correspond with the derby’s official name):

. Lake George Corp. derby, on Lake George in Skowhegan and Canaan, Feb. 8

. First Congregational Church of New Gloucester derby, on Sabbathday Lake, New Gloucester, Feb. 8

. Hill & Gully Riders Snowmobile Club derby, Washington Pond in Washington, Feb. 8

. Orrington Rod & Gun Club derby, Feb. 8-9, Brewer Lake and Fields Pond, Orrington, Brewer and Holden, Feb. 8-9.

. West Gardiner Rod & Gun Club derby, open to lakes statewide, Feb. 8-9.

. Vassalboro Fire Department, open to lakes statewide, Feb. 9.

. Nequasset Trailbreakers derby, Nequasset Lake, Woolwich, Feb. 9.

. Northport Ridge Riders derby, open to all legal waters in Waldo County, Feb. 9.

To submit an item for publication in the Outdoor Notebook, send e-mail to jholyoke@bangordailynews.net, fax to 990-8092 or mail information to Outdoor Notebook, Bangor Daily News, PO Box 1329, Bangor, Maine, 04402-1329.