Noted wildlife managers and research biologists will gather in Bethel on May 14 to present workshops exploring the mammals, fish and birds of the Androscoggin River watershed.

The event will kick off the efforts of the Androscoggin Watershed Institute, an initiative of the Androscoggin River Watershed Council, a non-profit group based in Bethel and Gorham, N.H.

“This conference will provide a fun and interesting opportunity to learn about [bear, moose, trout, bass, loons, eagles and songbirds] and current management issues from leading scientists and wildlife managers.

Making presentations at the conference will be Maine and New Hampshire’s leading biologists for bear, moose, lynx, deer, wild turkeys, coyotes and other species. Fisheries biologists will discuss the latest issues regarding trout and bass, stripers and shad and other fish of the watershed.

Everyone is welcome at the conference.

The cost is $45 per person, which includes morning refreshments and a buffet lunch.

For registration details and directions, visit the Web site at www.androscogginriver.org or call (603) 466-3433.

Trout stocking sale going on

The Knox-Lincoln Soil and Water Conservation District is sponsoring its annual trout stocking sale.

Under the program, pond owners can acquire disease-free certified fish at a reasonable price, with the added convenience of a pickup location that is closer to their pond.

The Knox-Lincoln SWCD has been helping to stock local ponds since 1949.

In past years the free permit required by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife had to be renewed each year. Permits are for either a single-use or a five-year period for any pond you wish to stock. The DIFW does require a copy of a map pinpointing the pond’s location, along with the eight-page application. A copy of the permit application is included with the order form provided by Knox-Lincoln SWCD.

Orders can be taken until May 3. Delivery for Lincoln County will be at 11:30 a.m. on May 4 at the Lincoln County Recycling Plant in Wiscasset, and for Knox County the delivery will be at noon on May 5 at the USDA field office in Warren.

The four- to seven-inch rainbow trout are raised by Sea Run Holdings in Freeport.

To receive an order form and permit application, call Mary Tiel at 273-2005, Extension 101, pick up one at the office in Warren, or check the Web site at www.knox-lincoln.org.

Old Town native publishes book

The third book by former Old Town resident Jeff Deitrich was released in January by publisher Stackpole Books. The book, Spinner Fishing for Trout, is a how-to guide for catching trout with spinners and similar lures.

Deitrich, who now lives in State College, Pa., said the book should provide a useful resource for anglers.

“This book is the only book written in the last 30 years to describe a type of fishing used by millions of people across the nation and around the world,” he said. “Spinner fishing is well known as perhaps the most productive method for catching large numbers of trout on a single hook or lure.”

Deitrich’s other books are Our Paradise, a collection of nostalgic short stories on learning about life through trout fishing, and The Penn State Experience, a guide for new Penn State students.