In a sense, sportsmen are anemologists in that their hunting and fishing strategies depend largely on vigilance to wind direction and velocity.

Fly fishermen and deer hunters, for example, curse the wind. Conversely, waterfowl hunters pray for it. Anglers who troll smelts and streamers for landlocks hope for enough wind to work a “salmon chop” – descriptions of the term range from making whitecaps in the bait bucket to being able to see daylight beneath the boat – while togue tacticians wish for quiet air and calm water that allows them to “feel” bottom with spoons and sewn baits.

Personally, I’ve done my share of cursing this spring’s seemingly endless servings of brisk breezes and gusting winds that rise before sunup and don’t rest until dark. Recently, striper fishing in the lower Penobscot became an exercise in boat handling thanks to a strong south wind bucking the flow of the ebbing tide. And while casting fly-rod poppers for smallmouth bass a few days ago, an anchor was needed to keep the canoe in place. ‘Course, a breeze as soft as a baby’s breath will drift an untethered canoe, and a hooked smallmouth will, in fact, tow it.

On a recent trout-fishing trip to the Megantic Club, a cool breeze was a blessing with regard to blackflies. But it brought curses from fly casters and grumblings from guides rowing Rangeley boats. With the exception of the “pickup boat” that transports members and guests from the landing on Big Island Pond to the club’s camps, outboard motors are not allowed on Megantic Club waters.

Simply put, our group – club members Rick Warren and John Cornell, Rick’s brother-in-law Bearce Carter, and I – had good fishing. The best of it was on Northwest Pond, where an afternoon hatch of mayflies afflicted our rods with repeated cases of “the bends.” Not surprisingly, Hornbergs and Muddlers were productive patterns; but, surprisingly, so were Mickey Finns.

Although plentiful, the trout weren’t big – average 10-12 inches – but being “brookies” they were beautiful and a joy to catch and release. Interesting, however, were our guides’ contentions that catch-and-release fishing has resulted in an abundance of small trout in some Megantic Club ponds. They believe the fish need “thinning out” via less-restrictive rules. Could be they’re right. For every action there is reaction.

Speaking of catch and release, another cast to striped bass is timely and necessary. A week or so ago, Fred Drew, Larry Davis, my son, Jeff, and I sent sporting invitations to stripers until well after dark. But the only response we received was from an 18-incher that Jeff caught and released according to striper-fishing regulations.

An hour or so later, allowing that the fish were anti-social, Cap’n Fred gave the command to haul anchor and headed his ample boat back to the landing. There we met two fishermen casting from shore. In the ensuing conversation it became obvious there was some confusion about striper regulations, particularly with regard to the date when it would be legal to keep a fish.

Hence, because money spent on fines for fishing violations will buy a lot of lures, here are the Maine Department of Marine Resources’ current sport-fishing regulations pertaining to striped bass: “Statewide season – Year ’round for catch and release fishing. From June 10 through September 30, it is legal to keep 2 fish per person per day within the prescribed legal size ranges.

“Size restrictions – It is illegal to possess striped bass less than 20 inches long and between 26 and 40 inches long. No more than 1 fish between 20-26 inches and no more than 1 fish 40 inches or greater per person per day may be kept by anglers during the season June 10 through September 30.

“Special waters – The Kennebec, Androscoggin and Sheepscot River estuaries, also the Muddy, Cathance, Eastern and Abagadasset rivers, have a special season for catch and release fishing from May 1 through June 30. During this period fishing gear is restricted to hook and line with single-hooked artificial lures only. A single treble hook is legal. Striped bass caught in these waters may not be kept until July 1. From July 1 on, 2 fish per person per day, 1 each in the above prescribed legal size ranges, may be kept.”

There you have it, Sport. Hone your hooks and keep casting and cranking.

Moosehead fast, East Grand slow

As for freshwater fishing, word from fisheries biologist Paul Johnson of Region E headquarters in Greenville is that Moosehead Lake anglers are coming ashore with positive comments. Said Paul, “I can’t believe how good the fishing’s been. Salmon are healthy and showing good growth rates. We estimated 200 boats on the lake during Memorial Day weekend.” Sounds like Moosehead might be the place to troll a smelt or streamer this weekend. Provided it’s not too windy.

At East Grand Lake, however, it seems that salmon fishing hasn’t been up to snuff. When asked if his Sports were burning the drags out of their reels, Dale Wheaton, the head guide at Wheaton’s in Forest City, replied, “No way. People hauling smelts are catching a few salmon early in the day, but that’s about it.” In reference to weather conditions, Dale said he’d rather contend with the wind than the recent spell of glaring sunlight and sweltering humidity.

In the past few days, thanks to earth-shaking thunderstorms hereabouts, the weather has cooled and the wind has become short of breath. Keep fishin’. Tom Hennessey’s columns can be accessed on the BDN Internet page at: www.bangornews.com.