Plenty in store for first-day fishermen

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In most of our cozy freshwater fishing hamlets, the beginning of open-water angling is still a few weeks away.

The ice that coats most of the state’s lakes and ponds has conspired to make sure of that.

But there are still plenty of places people can wet a line come Sunday, when the state’s official opening day arrives.

Look for running water, and you’ll be getting close. The West Branch of the Penobscot … certain sections of the Kennebec … and don’t forget that tiny Down East village that is virtually synonymous with the term “opening day.”

Grand Lake Stream will, as always, be open on April 1.

So, too, will the village’s one-stop destination for chips and snacks, bait and flies, rods, reels, and souvenirs.

The Pine Tree Store is that spot, and on Sunday, that’s where you’ll find many of this year’s crop of April Fools – so named because they’re the guys and girls who wouldn’t think of missing an opening day of fishing, even when the water is toe-numbingly cold, and even if the fish aren’t likely to participate in the festivities.

“We’re ready to go fishing,” Kurt Cressey said on Friday, as he readied the store he owns with his wife, Kathy.

The Cresseys got back to Grand Lake Stream on Thursday, after a well-deserved vacation. And on Friday, they eagerly awaited the seasonal return of anglers to the picturesque village.

Grand Lake Stream is a traditional place, you see. And on opening day, you can expect a few things.

Twenty or 30 anglers vying for space in the popular Dam Pool, for one.

And free coffee, for another.

“We will have free coffee on opening day,” Cressey said with a chuckle. “But it’s not so busy that we have to open up early. We’ll still be [open from] 8 in the morning until 6 at night.”

Experience has taught the Cresseys that longer hours aren’t necessary … not quite yet.

“We basically [keep shorter hours] until the ice is out [of West Grand Lake] and we see a lot of nose prints on the door,” he said. “[Then] we know we have to get up early.”

Cressey admitted that life in Grand Lake Stream slows down more than a bit during the winter months.

“We’ve made over 1,200 pack baskets, just farting around waiting for the ice to thaw,” he said.

But starting on Sunday, things will be different. Anglers will arrive. The ice will continue to melt (Cressey guesses the lake will be ice-free sometime during the third week of April).

And the regular rites of spring will continue.

Seeing buds on trees will be nice, Cressey says. Looking at green grass will be cool.

But even the most mundane chores can serve as a reminder that the seasons are changing and the village is coming back to life.

“Here’s one of the things [I like],” Cressey said. “Sweeping the tar in front of the store, getting all the sand off.”

Yes, it’s been a long winter in Grand Lake Stream.

Long enough that Kurt Cressey admits he’s been questioning the natural order of things.

“Everybody says the best time to go fishing is when the black flies are the thickest,” he said. “But I’ve been thinking. The tourists seem to show up when the black flies show up. I’ve been wondering if they’re not bringing the flies with them.”

A long winter indeed.

But come Sunday, Kurt and Kathy Cressey will be smiling. They’ll give out coffee and invite folks to sit on their liar’s bench and tell a few tales.

And if needed, anglers can always ask Kurt for a few tips.

“[I’ll sell them] the magic fly. It’s always the one I’ve got the most of,” he joked.

Welcome back to Grand Lake Stream. It’s opening day … and the Cresseys are more than ready.

Salmon weathervane returned

Joe King of the Veazie Salmon Club called on Friday afternoon to pass along a bit of good news: The club’s large salmon-shaped weathervane has been located.

“A young fella said he found it up by the right-of-way by the salmon club,” King said.

King had called the BDN earlier in the week to put out the word that the weathervane was missing. It had been taken from its perch above the salmon club sometime over the weekend.

Veazie Salmon Club members gather daily to play cards and chat, and its absence was quickly noticed.

Insurance would have replaced the weathervane – the price tag would have exceeded $800 – but King said the vane had special significance to club members. It had been given to the club by a member in remembrance of a fellow member who had passed away.

King was just happy that the weathervane was found and returned.

“It had a few scratches on it, but we’ll get it repaired,” King said. “Just getting it back without any real damage to it, that was the big thing.”

PFF host top tiers

If you’re an avid fly tier looking to get some top-notch instruction, the Penobscot Fly Fishers have a deal for you.

The PFF will host an advanced-level class on April 15 that will feature two of the state’s top tiers as instructors.

The all-day affair will be held at the Brewer Auditorium and from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., with two sessions separated by a lunch break.

The morning session will be led by Dave Klausmeyer, the editor of Fly Tyer Magazine and the winner of the Poul Jorgensen Golden Hook Award. Klausmeyer will tie Edwards caddis larvae and several other trout flies.

The afternoon session will feature Selene Dumaine, another award-winning fly tier. Dumaine will demonstrate the tying of flies without the use of a vise and will lead a session of tying classic New England streamers.

There are still a few openings available, with a course fee of $20. For more information, go to the club’s Web site at www.penobscotflyfishers.com.

State of Maine show worth trip

The string of sporting shows continues this weekend with the immensely popular State of Maine Sportsmen’s Show, which is being staged for the 27th straight year.

The show runs through Sunday at the Augusta Civic Center. Today’s show hours are 9 a.m. until 9 p.m., and the doors will be open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Among the attractions: An indoor catch-and-release trout pond for kids, photography and woodcarving displays, the normal assortment of vendors and exhibitors, and plenty of seminars.

Also on tap: Showings of the movie “Northrunner – The Allagash Wilderness Waterway,” and a simulator that will allow people to find out what it feels like to fight a big fish like a shark or a marlin.

Last chance for moose hunters

If you’re a prospective moose hunter who hasn’t applied for the yearly lottery drawing, be aware that your time is running extremely short.

The deadline for the state-run permit lottery is April 2 at 11:59 p.m.

Luckily, signing up is simple: Just go to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife Web site at www.mefishwildlife.com and click on the appropriate links.

Then sit back, cross your fingers, and think positive thoughts.

You’ll find out if your positive thinking did any good on June 14, when state officials hold that annual lottery. This year’s event is set for Phippsburg Elementary School.

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