Commission to consider options for spring season

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Anglers hoping for the revival of a traditional spring Atlantic salmon season received a bit of encouragement – and a stern warning -Wednesday during a meeting held in Holden.

Dick Ruhlin, a commissioner of the Maine Atlantic Salmon Commission, told the crowd the ASC was looking for options it could consider on the Penobscot River.

One option, however, was off-limits.

There is virtually no chance that the ASC would approve of a season that runs from the beginning of May until July.

Ruhlin asked if the attendees would support a one-month season in the spring, perhaps during May, for a prospective season.

“You’re not going to [get to fish from May] until July 4. I can tell you right now. So forget that,” Ruhlin said.

Of the attendees, 18 said they would support the idea, with one coming out against the suggestion.

The scoping session was the first step in possibly reopening the Penobscot during the spring. The ASC would first have to write a proposed regulation and hold public hearings, and eventually the commissioners would vote on the matter.

The Penobscot, along with all of Maine’s other salmon rivers, was closed to fishing in 1999. Only the Penobscot has been reopened since: A one-month experimental fall fishing season was held during September and October of last year.

During a formal public hearing, also held Wednesday in Holden, testimony was taken on a proposal to open an annual fall fishery on the Penobscot.

That hearing was followed by the informal “scoping session,” during which options for a spring fishery were considered.

ASC biologists, led by Joan Trial, compiled data that was presented to the crowd, showing that during certain times of year, the water temperature in the Penobscot would rise to the point that hooking and fighting a salmon would stress the fish too much, and increasing numbers of fish would die after being caught.

When water is cooler, fish survive better, she pointed out, and a season that stretched through June would put too much pressure on those fish.

Only one meeting attendee – Todd Little-Siebold of Ellsworth – spoke against staging a fall season during the public hearing. He said during his comments that he’d also oppose any spring fishery being opened.

“I don’t think there’s any biological or conservation reason for opening this fishery,” said Little-Siebold, who said fishing on a river like the Penobscot, with a run of salmon that is well below internationally prescribed optimum levels, would be a bad idea.

“[Opening a season] gives the impression that sports fisheries are being more important, reconnecting people to the river … than the conservation of the fish,” Little-Siebold said.

Options including a short season during cool-water periods, limiting the number of anglers in some fashion, and tackle requirements, were discussed.

Questions were many, solutions few, but it seemed probable the ASC will move forward with a proposal … after some coaching from Ruhlin.

“Would this room want to make a proposal to the full [ASC] that … they do a May experimental season under the same rules as the fall?” Ruhlin finally asked the crowd.

“I’d make that motion,” one angler said.

“I’d second it,” another added.

“Sounds like a good idea,” a third chimed in.”

While unofficial, the sentiment seemed likely to result in the framework for a forthcoming rulemaking proposal.

Ruhlin indicated it is still possible -if the ASC decides to move forward and eventually approves the matter – spring fishing could take place on the Penobscot in 2008.

Stay tuned.

Camp scholarships available

At Thursday’s moose permit lottery in Phippsburg I ran into Jon Speed of the Greenland Point Center, who had some good news for prospective campers.

Thanks to the work of a variety of conservation clubs and groups, and the cash added by the auction of 10 moose permits, the Greenland Point Center in Princeton has some money it can use to help youngsters attend conservation camp.

Four sessions of the camp are scheduled this summer: June 24-29, July 8-13, July 22-27 and July 29-Aug. 3.

If you know of a youngster who could use a helping hand and would like to learn more about the outdoors, contact the Greenland Point Center at 796-5186 or send e-mail to greenlandpoint@verizon.net.

Drift boat trip set for Sunday

Thanks to the generosity of Maine guide Dan Legere, our BDN booth at the annual Eastern Maine Sportsmen’s Show has turned into a busy place over the past five years.

While some attendees stop by to chat or visit with my friendly English spring spaniel, Pudge, many others visit with one task in mind: Sign up for a chance at a drift boat trip with Legere.

This year’s winner was James Rolph of Limestone, who actually mailed his entry form to us.

And on Sunday, he’ll join Legere and me for what promises to be a great day on the East Outlet of the Kennebec River.

Legere, the personable proprietor of the Maine Guide Fly Shop in Greenville, will show us some of his favorite fishing spots, tell us stories, teach us how to improve, and (this is particularly important) prepare a sumptuous shore lunch.

If past trips are any indication, Rolph will catch most of the fish.

And me? In some circles, I might be called an “observer.” In Legere’s boat, you can just call me “ballast.” I’ll sit around, cast a bit, take a few photos and notes, and try not to hook anyone with an errant fly.

Then, next week, I’ll let you know how our day went.

According to Legere, it might go pretty well. In his latest e-mail fishing report, Legere said fishing is indeed picking up in the Moosehead region.

“At present, water levels are allowing plenty of wading opportunities everywhere,” Legere wrote Thursday. “The mayfly hatches have been very spotty this season. I’ve seen it before. The fish are looking up, though, and an Adams parachute used as a search pattern is doing the job.

“We have been having great fishing but are forced to use the entire bag of tricks. Streamers in the morning, nymphs and dries in the afternoon,” he wrote. The caddis have not yet arrived on the scene, but will be making an appearance any day, especially with the warmer weather.”

And how about our river of choice for the weekend?

“The East Outlet is full of fish from one end to the other,” Legere reported. “The last round of high water brought in more fish. The state stocked it with brookies as well and we are landing some beautiful wild brookies that must have been dumped out of the lake in the high water.”

Sounds like the right time to head north. I’m sure Rolph and I will have a great time.

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