Striped bass season on Penobscot ‘worst ever’

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On most June and July days over the past several years, it hasn’t been difficult to figure out if there was a sizeable run of striped bass in the Penobscot River.

Just head out Route 15 from Brewer toward Orrington, and you’d get your answer.

If cars clogged the parking lot just before Pendleton Street, the fish (and consequently the fishermen) were, indeed, active.

For a couple hours on each side of high tide, the anglers would gather, tossing weighted blood worm rigs into the current and waiting for a nibble. Each day, from mid-June until early or mid-July, the pattern would be repeated, with the crowd seeming to grow a bit each day.

This year, you may have noticed, things have been a bit different.

On a several recent fact-finding missions on that stretch of road, I’ve seen just a few cars parked … and those who had decided to stop were either enjoying a picnic lunch or sitting around, chatting.

Nobody was fishing.

Earlier this week, I asked for your help. I was curious if anyone had been having any luck with the stripers this year, especially in the Penobscot River.

Nobody called or e-mailed to say that they’d had any luck. One angler took the time to reply, and summed up the striper season succinctly.

Here’s what Richard Jagels of Winterport had to say:

“In response to your July 10 column question: ‘How’s the striper fishing been going?’ my simple answer is ‘worst ever.'” Jagels wrote.

As it turns out, Jagels’ report isn’t simply an anecdotal one. He’s got some data to back up his claim.

“Here are a few more details. Since 2006 I have participated in the Department of Marine Resources logbook program, detailing each fishing trip for the season,” Jagels wrote. “I fish for stripers exclusively on the Penobscot, mostly between Hampden and Bucksport, and use only artificial lures.

“Here are some statistics. In 2006 I caught the first striper on June 19, and in nine trips had caught 61 fish by July 10 (and a total of 272 for the season). In 2007 I caught the first fish on June 10, and in eight trips had caught 9 stripers by July 10 (58 total fish for the season),” he wrote.

“This year, for nine trips I have caught zero fish so far. In 2005 the fishing was similar to 2006. Based on my success rate, and conversations with federal biologists, I believe we are in a down cycle that may last at least a few years,” he wrote. “My consolation this year has been the memories from a wonderful week of fishing in Labrador catching four- and five-pound brook trout and 10-pound pike.”

Although it’s just one man’s report, anglers can likely rest a bit easier after reading Jagels’ account of the season that wasn’t.

It can be a bit worrisome if you start thinking that you’re the only one who isn’t catching fish, after all.

And while all of us would much rather be catching a few fish each day, there’s solace to be had when you realize that others are sharing your frustration.

Didymo spreads to another river

Last year I told you about an invasive aquatic algae that had been spotted in the Connecticut and White rivers in Vermont.

Didymosphenia geminata, more commonly called didymo or “rock snot,” is a nasty algae that can choke off insect life in the rivers where it exists.

Alarmingly, it can also be spread fairly easily from river to river by inattentive anglers.

Didymo cells can stick to fishing equipment including waders and wading boots, and conservation officials have cautioned anglers to clean their gear after each use to avoid carrying the algae into new rivers and streams.

This week I read more bad news about didymo: According to the Burlington Free Press, another Vermont river – the Mad River – has been infected with the algae.

Maine anglers would do well to pay close attention to what’s going on in Vermont for a variety of reasons.

First, didymo thrives in rivers that have clean, clear water … like a lot of the ones we love fishing in this state.

And second, Vermont’s a convenient drive from many of our state’s top fishing waters, and traveling anglers could unintentionally transfer the invasive algae into our rivers at any time.

Carry that premise another step and you realize Maine anglers could theoretically be tromping on didymo in their home state already … and unless they disinfect their gear, could rapidly disperse the algae to other waterways in the state.

Frightening stuff, to be sure.

Therefore, it’s important for all anglers – fly fishermen in particular, as they tend to travel to many of the spots where didymo has been spotted, and to wade in the water – to pay close attention to their gear.

Disinfect your waders and wading boots with a bleach-and-water solution (some say freezing the gear will also kill the algae), no matter where you’ve been fishing.

And don’t rely on your eyes: You won’t likely be able to spot a few cells of didymo clinging to your wading boots. The damage those few cells could wreak, however, would be catastrophic.

Try out an Old Town boat

If you’re sitting at your breakfast table, have no plans for the day, and are looking for a fun way to spend a few hours, you might want to load up the car and head to Greenville.

The folks at Indian Hill Trading Post are having a demo day on Old Town Canoe products, and a factory representative will be on hand to help first-timers and experienced paddlers alike find the kayak of their dreams.

The program will run from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Greenville Junction wharf.

And while you’re in town, make sure to stop by Indian Hill Trading Post to browse.

If you’ve never done so, you’re in for a treat: The facility is one-stop shopping at its best, with a distinctively outdoor flavor.

Need a cell phone? They’ve got it. Need groceries? Ditto. Souvenirs? Books? Firearms? Fishing gear? A canoe? A Coleman stove or a tent or camping cookware?

You can find it all under one roof. And if you’re looking for outdoor-related products, you can also get advice from the knowledgeable staff before you buy a thing.

As you may gather, I love the place, and make a point to stop by every time I’m in town.

Most times, I don’t think I really need anything.

And most times, I fall victim to the various temptations and realize that I was mistaken.

jholyoke@bangordailynews.net

990-8214