In October of 2003, a group of industrial, conservation and state and federal agencies – along with the Penobscot Indian Nation – announced a bold plan to restore the Penobscot River by buying dams, eliminating them or adding fish passages and reopening the watershed to migrating fish.

The Penobscot River Restoration Project was heralded at the time as an effort that could serve as a model for future conservation plans across the country.

Thanks to an infusion of federal money and a determined private fundraising effort, the project continues toward a goal that many – even the optimists – recognized as rather lofty just four years ago.

This week the project received another piece of good news, as one of the nation’s leading outdoor companies announced an ambitious campaign that will benefit the river and restoration efforts.

The Orvis Co. has teamed up with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to raise another $150,000 that would be used to help remove dams on the river. According to a news release, the folks from Orvis and the NFWF will match donor contributions, turning every dollar donated into three dollars in the restoration fund.

In addition to that matching campaign, Orvis is promoting a program in which customers will be asked if they want to “round up” their purchase amount in increments of $1 to $100, with the proceeds going toward dam removal.

“The Penobscot River is the second largest river in New England and the only remaining stronghold for the nation’s struggling runs of wild Atlantic salmon,” Penobscot River Restoration Trust executive director Laura Rose Day said in a statement. “Yet multiple dams still prevent the migration of Atlantic salmon and several other species of sea-run fish to key habitat. By selectively removing dams and improving access to nearly 1,000 miles of habitat, Orvis and its customers will help give Atlantic salmon their last, best chance to rebound.”

In another initiative, Orvis will be raffling off a beautiful handcrafted Penobscot Nation birch-bark canoe.

The canoe is currently on display at the Orvis store in Manchester, Vt., and the raffle is part of an effort to raise $375,000 for the restoration project.

Congratulations to the Penobscot River Restoration Trust, and thanks to Orvis and the NFWF for recognizing the importance of the ongoing project.

Drift boat trip back up for grabs

I traded e-mails with one of my favorite Maine guides this week and am happy to report that we’re all ready to offer up another once-in-a-lifetime trip to a lucky winner.

OK. Perhaps I’m getting a bit overzealous … and since we’ve given away the same prize five years in a row, it’s probably not entirely accurate to term it “once-in-a-lifetime.”

But it’s still a great prize, and I’m still happy to be able to tell you about it.

Here’s the deal: Dan Legere, the proprietor of the Maine Guide Fly Shop in Greenville and one of the most knowledgeable anglers you’ll ever meet, will take you fly fishing. For free. In his drift boat.

The “Win a Drift Boat Trip” contest began back in 2003, and in the ensuing years, five anglers have learned how much fun it is to fish one of Maine’s premier rivers out of a craft that’s designed for the purpose.

We’ll promote the contest in these pages, and readers are welcome to send in the entry blanks as they appear. We also run the contest in conjunction with the popular Eastern Maine Sportsman’s Show, which returns for its 70th edition March 14-16. The show will be held in the field house, gymnasium and pool at the University of Maine in Orono.

Yes, our contest is a good one. But there is a catch: I get to go along to take a few notes, snap a few photos and make a general nuisance of myself.

Legere offers up Father’s Day – June 15 this year – which is the perfect time to be on the East Outlet of the Kennebec River.

Hatches are abundant, fish are cooperative and the weather is always perfect … well, except for that one time.

So keep an eye out for the entry forms, and make a point of stopping by the sportsman’s show to chat and toss another slip in the box.

Over the past several years, I’ve shared plenty of good information that Legere passes along, and in that vein, I’d like to give him another short plug.

He’s in the process of updating the Web site for the Maine Guide Fly Shop, and he’s packing it with information that will be useful not only to those who frequent his home waters but those who enjoy fishing or tying flies anywhere in Maine. An updated online catalog is a top new feature.

And if you send him an e-mail, ask him to put you on his mailing list. A regular newsletter will send you a periodic update filled with techniques, fly patterns and other cool stuff.

Head to www.maineguideflyshop.com to find out more.

Long Lake derby taking shape

Depending on how this weekend’s football games turn out, you might have other plans for Feb. 3.

If not (or, if you’re like me and not above watching the Super Bowl with newfound friends in far-flung locales), you may want to head north on that weekend.

It’s derby time on Long Lake again, and the legendary Aroostook County salmon factory will be busy with ice anglers vying for large cash prizes.

The derby will be held Feb. 2-3, and organizers say they’re fielding registrations from across the state, the Eastern Seaboard and Canada.

This is the third year for the popular derby, which is sponsored by the town of St. Agatha and the Black Bear Rod & Gun Club.

Many anglers focus on Long Lake, but fish from Cross, Square, Eagle and St. Froid lakes are also allowed during the derby.

Last year’s largest landlocked salmon weighed 6 pounds, 9.6 ounces, while the largest lake trout weighed 5 pounds, 6.2 ounces.

The total prize pool this year is $5,000, with the money split between top anglers in the salmon, togue, brook trout and cusk categories. A variety of door prizes have also been donated by local businesses.

For more information, or to register, go to www.stagatha.org, call Paul Bernier at 543-7305 or send e-mail to paulbernier@roadrunner.com.

jholyoke@bangordailynews.net

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