Pushaw is ice free for paddlers

I’ve been able to replace the cobwebs of winter with some sore paddling muscles as area waters shed winter’s icy crust. Water temperatures are still cold, but signs of the changing season are all around.

On the last couple of outings on the Penobscot River and Pushaw Stream, I’ve seen ducks by the dozens and beavers galore. Birds large and small have been carrying sticks and twigs for their nests. On an Easter trip south on I-95, I saw ospreys on all of the power line nests next to the highway. And most heartening of all, the grass is turning green and we have flowers in bloom.

Pushaw Lake, by the way, was declared free of ice last Sunday between 6 and 8 p.m.

I’m not sure whether that time and date will stand in the official climatalogical book of records, but it’s good enough for my paddling friend and lakeside dweller, Robert Causey, to capitulate on our bet on iceout. As a matter of fact, he was the one who declared the ice had disappeared from in front of his Glenburn estate at the aforementioned date and time, thus clearing the way for us being able to paddle to the Old Town shore. I’d bet on a time prior to May 1, Causey held out for a time after May 1.

Wednesday evening, April 30, I headed out to Causey’s villa with my kayak to get in a sunset tour (and some free beer). We paddled from the western shore to the outlet dam up the lake on the eastern shore. Two large flocks of ducks crossed our bows at a distance, while three Canada geese honked their way past just over our heads. As we neared the dam we were serenaded (practically deafened) by thousands of peepers.

Darkness overtook us as we made our way across the northern reaches of the lake and down the western shore navigating by cottage lights and the stars. I couldn’t help but think how peaceful it is on the water early in the season. We literally had the water to ourselves. Back at Causey’s we rustled up some fire-making materials, dug out a grill and some meat, and settled in for the season’s first cookout. I was happy to have been wearing longjohns, because the thermometer dropped steadily as we waited for the coals to get suitably warm for cooking. I didn’t let the temperature rob me of the pleasure derived from sipping a beer or two won on a bet. I even shared my bounty with Causey.

I’m told that other lakes in Maine might shed their ice this spring as well, so you folks living a little north of here, keep the faith and put away your skates because open water’s coming. (The rumor this year is that we’ll have a couple of months to play before it re-freezes.)

In the meantime (and this is the last call) if you’re looking for something nautical to do next Friday evening, why not join me and some of my friends at the YMCA in Bangor for the third annual Paddle Smart from the Start Safety Symposium. We’ll help you answer these questions: What do you do if your paddling friend capsizes? How do I plan a safe paddling trip? How do I get help if I need it? What gear do I need? What clothing will keep me the most comfortable and could save my life?

Doors will open at 5 p.m. We promise to keep you entertained as we pass along years of accumulated paddling knowledge, and we’ll even throw in some nifty door prizes as well as give you a chance to win some big-ticket items.

Brad Ryder, owner of Epic Sports, has once again rounded up some impressive items for you to take a chance on winning. Check out this list: a Thule roof rack valued at $200; a Thule Hull-A-Port kayak cradle (j-shaped cradle for your roof rack) valued at $105; a kayak paddle (value $100); a Lotus Rio Grande Pro PFD (valued at $125), a MTI Cruiser PFD (value $45); a Paddle Boy Designs kayak cart (value $100); an autographed copy of Shelley Johnson’s book “A Women’s Guide to Sea Kayaking,” and “Sea Kayaking in Maine” written by Shelley Johnson and Vaughan Smith.

Another drawing prize is a guided half-day paddling tour with Castine Kayak Adventures valued at $55. And there will be a slew of other door prizes given away as well, including a three-month membership to the YMCA.

We’re not going to give away these items, however, until the end (starting around 9 p.m.) and you’ll have to hang around until then to see if your lucky. But have no fear, everyone will walk away with a bucket of valuable information on safe paddling.

You’ll get to attend one of three concurrent talks during each of three 45-minute sessions as well as a pool demonstration on kayak rescue techniques by Karen Francoeur of Castine Kayak Adventures. One of the three pool sessions will concentrate on canoe capsize and re-entry.

The concurrent seminars will be: selecting the right boat for you, by Scott Anchors; the Gulf of Maine Expedition, Natalie Springuel; Leave No Trace and the Maine Island Trail Association with Tania Neuschafer; communicating from your boat, presented by representatives of the Coast Guard; Introduction to GPS with Master Guide Dick Parker; the basics of navigation with Mark Goff, Arlan Martin, and yours truly; and Tides and the Moon presented by Neil Comins. You have a couple of chances to hear about navigation and GPS and to watch kayak rescue in the pool, otherwise the rest of the topics will be covered just once.

In addition to all this scintillating talk, the gymnasium will be filled with exhibits and informational display tables. Epic Sports will have kayaks and paddling clothing. Castine Kayak Adventures will have a display table as will the Coast Guard, Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge), Penobscot Bay Power Squadron, the Board of Environmental Protection (milfoil, hydrilla, and other invasive species), Audubon (Fields Pond Nature Center), Maine Island Trail Association, Coast Guard Auxiliary, United Technologies Center, and the Bureau of Parks and Lands. There will be information available on Lyme Disease. And Shelley Johnson (see above) will be on hand to sign copies of her book that will be available for sale.

Dirigo Search and Rescue will be there to save your stomach from hunger. They’ll staff the concession stand.

Here’s a great opportunity to learn a bundle about safe paddling, check out clothing and gear, and sit in some boats to see how you look. I hope to see you there. Call the YMCA at 941-2815 to be sure there’s still room.

Saturday, May 10, from 9 a.m. to noon at Gould’s Landing on Pushaw Lake (go straight out Essex Street and stop when you get to the water) there will be an opportunity to try out the various kayaks that Epic Sports has for sale at the Bangor store.

And if you’re looking to learn some basic and intermediate paddling skills, there will be clinics on Pushaw Lake from 9-11 a.m. and later there’ll be a rolling clinic from 5-8 p.m. at a local pool. Then on Sunday, again at the pool, there’ll be a rescue clinic from 9 a.m. to noon and a continuation of the rolling clinic from 6-9 p.m. Call Castine Kayak Adventures at 866-3506 for fees and more information.

Jeff Strout can be reached at 990-8202 or by e-mail at jstrout@bangordailynews.net.