Out and About: I’m pleased to announce that Mark Collins, the Hampden angler who this year made his first cast on the professional Bassmasters tour, landed his share of awards and recognition. But Mark will be the first to tell you he didn’t do it alone. Accordingly, in capturing second place in the 1993 New Brunswick Team of the Year rankings, Mark and his fishing partner Lee Hackett of Winterport netted a total of 90 pounds of bass in eight tournaments.

For the record, here is a listing of the New Brunswick tournaments Mark and Lee entered, the recorded combined weights of the fish they caught, and their rankings:

May 15-16, Mactaquac Open, 19 pounds, 6th place; July 10, St. Croix, 11 pounds, 12th place; July 24, Woolastook, 6 pounds, 14 ounces, 9th place; July 31-Aug. 1, St. Mary’s, 15 pounds, 14 ounces, 6th place; Aug. 7, Macadavic Lake, 6 pounds, 5 ounces, 11th place; Aug. 14, Nackawic, 8 pounds, 6th place; Aug. 21, Utopia Lake, 6 pounds, 10 ounces, 4th place; Sept. 4-5, Woodstock, 16 pounds, 5 ounces, 5th place.

The New Brunswick Team of the Year honors were landed by Dennis Wilson and Douglas Brooks, both of Fredericton, whose team effort hooked 97 pounds of bass in the eight tournaments.

Most recently, Collins and Hackett took fifth place among the 206 casters and crankers entered in the Atlantic Bass Classic tournament held at Woodstock on the St. John’s River. Dennis Wilson and Douglas Brooks again won first place.

Second place went to another Fredericton team, Gary Baird and Martin Bear. Third place was hooked by the Maine team of Wayne Hockmeyer of Carrabassett and Charlie Bowe of Troy. Fourth place was boated by the Fredericton team of Mike Tower and Sean Burgess. All bass caught in the tournaments were released.

Next year, Mark Collins plans to enter more New England Bassmasters tournaments, particularly in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. He recently returned from prefishing a tournament in Virginia with another well-known Maine basser by the name of Dave Barnes.

“I learned a lot fishing with Dave,” said Mark. “And I learned a lot just being around some of the top fishermen on the southern tour. Bass fishing’s a religion with those guys.”

From the looks of it, I’d say we have a convert right here in Hampden.

Speaking of bass, a note from Becky Jackson informs us the Penobscot County Bassers have been putting bends in their rods all summer. The active club made its last cast of the season on Sept. 18 when it held the first Penobscot River Classic with headquarters at the Old Town Landing.

“We had a great turnout for our first tournament,” wrote Becky. “We had 20 boats entered with the possibility of 100 bass to be caught and released. In all we hooked 99 and released them all alive and well. Cash prizes were paid for the top 10 places. In addition, 30 raffle items were contributed by local sponsors.”

The Penobscot County Bassers, which now has 34 members, supports the Maine Special Olympics. Proceeds from the Penobscot River Classic enabled the club to donate $500 to the Bangor Mental Health Special Olympics.

Needless to say, the energetic bassers already are making plans for the Second Annual Penobscot River Classic and are looking forward to another summer of great sport on Maine’s abundant bass-fishing grounds.

One more cast regarding bass fishing: Terry and Andy Kennedy of Pittsfield, along with several bass addicts from the Bangor area, are leaving Oct. 9 for Ohio’s Grand Lake.

They will test their tackle and angling skills in a Bass Anglers’ Sportsman’s Society (BASS) sponsored tournanment. Bass fishing is getting to be serious business hereabouts, wouldn’t you say?

Take a peek at what Charlie “The Bomber” Shoppe of Franklin wrote regarding Atlantic salmon fishing on New Brunswick’s Miramichi River:

“Charlie Kelley and I came home Sunday from three days on the Miramichi. We had a good trip. I caught a couple of fish on Bombers. Water was low but the temperature was good. Saturday, there was a great run of fish, lots of big ones but they were hard to take. The guide said it was the best run he’d seen in years. But we hit heavy rain and hail on Wednesday, on the way up, and that didn’t help the river.

“There’s a lot of talk in regard to new regulations next year. Seems they want to go to outfitters – you stay with them and use their guides and pay their prices. I think anyone who buys a nonresident license should have a say in what goes on. We’re paying to keep them in business. It doesn’t sound good for the regular Sports. Big bucks all the way.” Any comments?

Now let’s change from fishing vests to shooting vests. Jim Goody of the Orrington Rod and Gun Club wants you to set your sights on the club’s Turkey Shoot.

The event is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 3, at the club’s range on the East Bucksport Road. The contests arranged for different skill levels include handgun shooting and “running deer” targets. Entry fees will be either $1 or $2, depending on the contest.

Also, the club will hold its annual “Sight-In Day” on Sunday, Oct. 4 – same time, same place. Now there’s an offer you shouldn’t refuse if you’re a deer hunter or hold a moose permit.