When many Mainers ponder the plight of Atlantic salmon, their thoughts immediately turn to the Penobscot River. Others remember the glory days Down East, when they spent wonderful days on the Machias or Narraguagus rivers, tempting the king of game fish.

Far fewer, I would guess, hear “Atlantic salmon” and immediately think “Aroostook County.”

And that’s a shame.

On Saturday, I had the chance to spend an evening with some serious salmon enthusiasts at Atlantic Salmon for Northern Maine’s annual banquet and auction.

And after spending a few hours chatting with some at the sold-out event, I gained a better understanding of the club’s goals, and how hard they’ve been working to restore salmon runs in the County.

In the coming weeks, I look forward to telling you more about their efforts, which include staffing a club hatchery that produces thousands of fry each year, and stocking those fry in local rivers.

I’ve already booked a return trip to Presque Isle to learn more about Atlantic Salmon for Northern Maine’s work, and the challenges the group faces.

For now, all I’ll tell you is this: Saturday night’s soiree, which was held at the Northeastland Hotel, reinforced something I’d learned long ago: If an Aroostook County resident wants to invite you to dinner, you’d be the worst kind of fool to turn down the invitation.

During the social hour I mingled with more than 250 others who had similar designs on the abundant supply of chilled shrimp, oysters on the half shell, chilled salmon and bacon-wrapped scallops.

Then, amazingly, they herded the lot of us downstairs so that we could really eat.

Some banquets, as I’m sure you’ve learned, are either-or affairs. Either the Virginia baked ham … or the baked stuffed haddock .. or the prime rib.

At the Northeastland, there was no choice to be made. The plates were large. The banquet was a buffet. And most of us (or so I tell myself) sampled all three options and still found room for dessert.

In short, everything about the evening was spectacular.

I especially enjoyed getting the chance to catch up with an old college dorm mate, Fred McGillan of Fort Fairfield, and a couple of anglers I shared lodging with on my first-ever salmon-fishing excursion – David and Jay McCrum.

To the rest of those who took the time to share some great County hospitality, my sincere thanks.

I’m already looking forward to returning in May.

No-poaching message sent

Earlier on Saturday, I spent a couple hours roaming the aisles at the Presque Isle Fish & Game Club’s annual sportsman’s show.

The show, which moved to the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s brand new Gentile Building this year, was a huge success, with a big crowd on hand to enjoy the goings-on.

I took time to stop at the Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife’s booth, where I spent several minutes chatting with the department’s public relations rep, Bill Pierce.

Pierce is one of those high-energy guys who’s perfect for a show like this; In addition to selling DIF&W merchandise and handing out literature and posters, Pierce takes a decidedly hands-on approach to his work, and loves to talk about the outdoors.

Pierce, who does a number of shows each year, said there are some things that he sees that aren’t so enjoyable.

Like those popular hats with a “Registered Maine Poacher” patch on them.

Pierce is concerned about the message that sends, and rather than rant and rail about those hats, which are meant to be humorous, he offers the hat-wearer a swap: He’ll trade a DIF&W Operation Game Thief hat, even up, for one of the “Poacher” lids.

“You have friends who you hunt and fish with. If they can play a practical joke on you and have some fun with you, they’re going to do it,” Pierce said. “We have a sense of humor, too. But I don’t think those hats are funny when they send a lousy message to young people. You wouldn’t wear a hat that said ‘Registered Maine Burglar.'”

Pierce said he decided to offer the hat swap to encourage a more positive message.

“Fun is fun, but let’s not send bad messages to young people, because our future’s too important,” Pierce said.

So far, Pierce said he has swapped about 30 Operation Game Thief hats, which he’s keeping for a special ceremony.

His goal is to take as many hats as he can to the State of Maine Sportsman Show in Augusta next year and toss them in a wood chipper to further illustrate the message.

“If somebody wears one it doesn’t make them a bad guy, but I think we have to do better messaging for our young people,” Pierce said.

John Holyoke can be reached at jholyoke@bangordailynews.net or by calling 990-8214 or 1-800-310-8600.