In the days leading up to this year’s fifth annual Fort Kent International Muskie Derby, some were a bit concerned.

The water was high … very high.

Getting to the most popular tourney fishing ground – Glazier Lake – would be difficult … very difficult.

As you might expect, tourney organizers saw things a bit differently.

This is, after all, the “Little Town That Could.” And even though access to Glazier Lake was questionable due to road damage, organizers assured anglers that they’d be able to find plenty of places to fish.

The anglers listened. And the organizers were right.

A total of 270 men, women and children signed up for the event, then headed out on the St. John River and its tributaries in search of the large, toothy fish.

As has been the case the past few years, adults who didn’t catch a three-foot-long muskie, needn’t have brought it back to the weigh-in station.

In fact, 13 fish were longer than 36 inches, and only the top three earned prizes in the adult category. Prizes were awarded based on length, not weight, which was fortunate for the eventual winner.

Taking first place (and a healthy paycheck of $3,500) was Calvin L. Bowie, who landed a 43-incher that weighed 19.688 pounds. He was able to reach Glazier Lake, and the trip paid off handsomely.

Theresa Paradis finished with a 421/4-incher. Her husky muskie, which weighed 24.5 pounds, was a habitant of the St. John River above Fort Kent.

In third was Greg Martin, who caught a 41.625-inch muskie in the St. John below Fort Kent. Martin earned $1,000 for the fish, which weighed 22.125 pounds.

In the youth category, the competition was tight, as just a half inch separated the top three anglers.

Luc Daigle earned a $1,000 savings bond with a 31-inch St. Francis River muskie that weighed 6.44 pounds. He also caught the third-place fish, which was 233/4 inches long and weighed 7.06 pounds.

Spencer Fitzgerald took second and earned a $750 savings bond with a 303/4-incher that weighed 6.31 pounds. His fish came from Glazier Lake.

As has become the custom, anglers hailed from all over Maine, five other states, and two foreign countries.

A total of 16 anglers from Connecticut entered, while the New Hampshire contingent was eight strong. Massachusetts was represented by four more, and New York and Pennsylvania anglers also participated.

Six came from Canada, and one – Emylin Jacobs – hails from Johannesburg, South Africa.

Jacobs earned $500 for being the person who traveled the farthest to compete in the tourney.

Any-deer permit update

If you’re one of the thousands who applied for an any-deer permit for this year, you’re probably wondering when you’ll find out how you fared in the annual lottery … or when the actual drawing is going to take place.

Here’s your answer: The drawing will take place on Sept. 12.

Those whose names are drawn will be allowed to shoot an antler-less deer in a specific Wildlife Management District.

Those who aren’t will be hunting for bucks when the season rolls around.

This year there’s an important change to be aware of: You will no longer be mailed an any-deer permit if you are successful.

Instead, the state will issue you a number, and you’ll be responsible for knowing it. After a successful hunt, you’ll be asked for this number at the tagging station.

Due to the toll last winter’s harsh weather had on the state’s deer herd, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife has reduced the number of available any-deer permits, and only 51,850 are up for grabs in just 11 of the state’s 29 Wildlife Management Districts. A year ago, more than 66,000 permits were awarded.

After the drawing is completed, prospective hunters can check the DIF&W Web site to see how they fared. Go to www.mefishwildlife.com for more information.

Bernier to speak in Gray

Speaking of deer, the state’s deer hunters and their children will get a treat on Saturday as R.G. Bernier takes part in a special program at the Maine Wildlife Park in Gray.

Bernier is a writer and photographer from Standish who has spent years observing deer and lecturing about them.

During this program, which will run from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., Bernier will focus on his new children’s book, “Dickie the Deer.”

For more information, go to www.mainewildlifepark.com.

jholyoke@bangordailynews.net

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