Long Lake in Aroostook County officially opened its shores for salmon fishing on Jan. 15, and before the first weekend expired, a pair of hefty landlocked salmon had been escorted to nearby scales.

First up was Daisy Mueller, who dedicated last Saturday to fishing the lake. Accompanied by her father John, the duo enjoyed a nearly cloudless sky and temperatures just as accommodating as hungry perch dominated the morning action.

There were “about six flags” that morning, said Daisy, who pointed out that on each occasion a perch was waiting on the other end of the line. For the most part salmon were not on the take, said Mueller, except for the 15-inch landlocked salmon she iced will working a jig pole.

However, toward midafternoon a change was in the works as one of Mueller’s flags sprang to life in the distance.

“I thought it was another perch, so I was taking my time,” she said.

But when she arrived at the scene, time had almost run out, and thoughts of catching another perch had diminished.

“It had taken almost all the line out,” said Mueller.

Left with only the backing on the reel, Mueller started retrieving line, and the fish assisted by swimming back toward the hole. Once daylight from the opening lit his path, all cooperation ceased, but it was too late. Mueller was now in command, and wasn’t about to lose the fight. After a few tense minutes, her fish positioned itself in line with the hole, and Mueller quickly seized the moment, icing a 6-pound, 241/2-inch salmon.

Mueller’s fish had no more than chilled down in the freezer before Long Lake would release another one of its heavyweights. This one was recorded on the scales at the Neighborhood Store in St. Agatha by owner Frank Bycenski.

Although the angler asked to keep his identity anonymous, this catch speaks for itself. Last Sunday’s salmon tipped the scales at 7 pounds, 2.8 ounces, and measured 27 inches, according to Bycenski.