I’m feeling a tad guilty about going on vacation and not having had the time to get out and do something adventurous to relate. It seems I’ve spent most of the time in the past few weeks just keeping my head above water, getting in some aimless wandering at area stores (it’s called the shopping experience), and squeezing in a seasonal celebration or two (we used to call them Christmas parties).

One of those celebrations included a quick overnight to Presque Isle midweek a week ago. It’s fun getting together with fellow workers, but the Thursday and Friday following were seemingly endless due to sleep deprivation.

Now it’s time to celebrate and I’m about half ready. Before I rush out the door to jam in those last-minute shopping excursions, I’ll share a few end-of-year nuggets with you and then I’m gone.

One item falls under the heading of house cleaning and my numbness.

Harken back to warmer weather when paddling was feasible on local waters.

I’m not even sure how many times I’ve made this foible, but I should know better. I know I can read a little bit.

There’s this island in Pushaw Lake where I paddle frequently that I’ve been calling Hardwood Island. Well a nice lady called recently to remind me gently that it’s Harwood Island. And she should know.

All her life Marjorie Strout Perkins has been going to a camp on the lake that has been in her family for 89 years. Her parents built the place and it’s full of fond family memories. There’s also a map of the lake showing the proper spelling of the aforementioned island.

And had I refreshed my fuzzy memory with a quick glance at the DeLorme Maine Atlas and Gazetteer, I’d have spelled it correctly. So from now on if I happen to mention I visited Hardwood Island, please feel free to call and call me stupid! And thank you, Marjorie, for the friendly reminder.

Free fly-tying workshops

Here’s something you can put on our calendar and plan to do in February. Two free fly-tying workshops are scheduled at Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery. The instructor is Ron Newcomb of Hampden, and the classes are sponsored by the Friends of Craig Brook NFH, Inc.

Fly tying is something everybody can do. Trust me, if I can do it you can. And best of all you don’t have to be someone who likes to fish. Although if you do and are fortunate enough to catch a fish on a fly you tied the reward is enormously satisfying.

The first session is Feb. 18 and the second is Feb. 25 and you’re welcome to come to both. Both workshops are from 9 a.m. to noon at the Visitors’ Center at Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery, 306 Hatchery Road, East Orland.

Craig Brook NFH is located 1.3 miles down Hatchery Road, off Route 1 in East Orland. From either Ellsworth or Bucksport, watch for blue and white Maine D.O.T. signs which announce “Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery” and museum.

You must register by calling Newcomb at 862-3670 or e-mail him at rlnewco859@TDS.net. The deadline for registration is Feb. 1.

Newcomb will furnish the hooks and materials at no cost, but you should provide basic tools: fly-tying vice, small sharp scissors, bodkin, bobbin, bobbin threader, hackle pliers (stacking tool optional), 6/0 or 8/0 black and white thread (Newcomb uses 8/0 for most tying). On Feb. 18 Newcomb will be instructing the tying of a “Grey Ghost”, and on the 25th a “Magog Smelt.”

For more information call 469-6701.

Winter walk slide show

Here’s something from the Natural Resource Education Center in Greenville.

There will be a special presentation on Winterwalk for the Wilds sponsored by the Natural Resource Education Center on Thursday. The program will highlight well-known guides Garrett and Alexandra Conover’s 200-mile trek by snowshoe and toboggan through the Maine woods last winter.

“Silver Winter” will be held at 7 p.m. at the Depot Street Development in Greenville Junction.

The Conovers will narrate a slide presentation about their monthlong journey from Moosehead Lake to the town of Allagash, following frozen lakes and rivers and retracing a route the couple took for their honeymoon 25 years ago. During the trip the couple made daily reports via satellite phone to an interactive Web site, where their experience was shared by school students and interested people from all over the world.

The Willimantic couple is preparing to travel the return leg this winter and will trek from Allagash back to Greenville beginning in mid-January. Once again the public will be able to follow their journey, listen to their daily reports, and ask questions via the Web site www.winterwalk2006.org.

The Conovers said they are looking forward to the 2006 trek they call “Closing the Loop.”

Garrett Conover said, “We plan to continue the outreach and celebratory components exemplified by traditional people-powered travel along the premier travel routes of Maine’s north woods. Once again the online aspect will focus on the value of the wildest remaining lands, conservation efforts, wildlife, cultural heritage of the region, and the joys of extended winter travel.”

There is no charge for the evening program, and donations to the Natural Resource Education Center are always appreciated. For more information and directions, contact Eric Ward at 695-2523.

Cold-water safety advisory

Maybe you read our editorial the other day on the importance of going to sea with the proper safety equipment. Two Islesford lobstermen whose boat caught fire and sank are alive today because they had their “Gumby” survival suits handy and were able to get into them and jump overboard before being burned by the raging fire.

The Coast Guard, ever vigilant and prepared, continually issues cold-water safety advisories for all fall, winter, and holiday season boaters, paddlers, sailors, duck hunters, and fishermen on the inland and coastal waters of the Northeast’s First Coast Guard District.

“Folks utilizing our inland and coastal waters, and others venturing out on any body of water at this time of year should have a definite plan of action in the event of sudden cold-water immersion,” said Al Johnson, recreational boating specialist for the Northeast’s First Coast Guard District.

Johnson strongly recommends always wearing a life jacket and further recommends wearing a wet or dry suit.

“At the minimum,” Johnson said, “a lifejacket should be equipped with neoprene gloves, a wool hat, and a signaling kit that includes a mirror, flares, whistle and light. It might sound excessive, but if you give some serious thought to crisis management, this equipment can save your life.”

If Johnson’s name is familiar, perhaps it’s because he has helped us plan and execute our annual Paddle Smart from the Start safety symposium in Bangor. And he’s on board for our sixth annual event April 28, 2006.

And should you be stumped for a last-minute Christmas gift for your favorite paddler, ” … a Coast Guard approved lifejacket, hand-held VHF radio, or a gift certificate to a sporting goods or marine supply retailer make excellent holiday gifts for the person who spends time on the water,” Johnson said.

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Now I’ve gotta go and get in my last-minute shopping. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Season’s Greetings.

Jeff Strout’s column on outdoor recreation is published each Saturday. He can be reached at 990-8202 or by e-mail at jstrout@bangordailynews.net.