14 degrees is the high temperature for the day with a stiff breeze. Nice and sunny today after a fresh coating of snow yesterday. For the record there is about a foot of good solid ice on the ponds in the area. I know that many of you are not winter fans but you have to admit that a flock of bluebirds in the yard on a snowy background is a huge bo...

Last fall I was approached about chairing the Maine SkillsUSA Championships in Outdoor recreation this year. The SkillsUSA Championships is a showcase of America’s skilled career and technical education students. It’s also one of the largest hands-on workforce development events in the world. The state competition is scheduled to be held in Bangor...

Yesterday morning I had a blast ice fishing with a wonderful family! The weather was absolutely perfect – hardly any wind and a balmy 40 degrees. The only minor hiccup was a bit of water on the ice due to the warm temperatures and some rain the night before. But it was just enough to make us slosh as we walked around.

I am preparing for my first guided ice fishing trip of the year and making the rounds of the local ponds that I like to fish in. I am checking a few things first how thick the ice is (about 6 inches everywhere I checked) is there a cleared parking space and finally is it crowded. A couple on my list while not remote are secluded and are usually no...

I frequently write about how clients become friends and some of those are really family members. Ron Ligon was one of the latter;  fishing with me many times over the years and through all of that bringing his children friends and eventually grandchildren to spend time on the water with me. His home town was one of the stops on our family cross co...

Stopped this morning at a chain coffee shop for a cup to keep me company on the drive home from the grocery store. The line for the drive through was out into the road. No worries I figure I’ll just walk inside and get my coffee. Backed up there too. Fortunately I am not in a huge hurry and taking the chance to watch what is going on.

As the end of another year approaches I slow down and appreciate all of the folks who have chosen to spend time outdoor with me. After all if not for them I would not be so fortunate to do work that I love. And I love it so much that I am having a hard time even thinking about stopping as I approach; well actually pass the normal retirement age.

I'm excited to announce I'll be offering ice fishing trips again this winter!

Going solar here was driven mostly by our need to avoid the regular power outages that have become part of our lives. Solar installations with a battery backup dropped in price significantly enough to make it attractive when paired with the tax incentive. So over the summer we had the garage roof replaced.

Last week Argy and I were on vacation and travelled south as far as Delaware to visit friends and family. We were of course planning Thanksgiving with family from all around the country. Along the way I learned some new things or had them reinforced.

Did you know there's a Travel Tuesday? It's happening on December 3rd as part of the Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday series.

As November rolls in the signs of winter become unmistakable. The air nips at our cheeks the leaves no longer blaze with fiery hues and the water’s surface looks thick and almost oily. The woodstove needs regular tending certainly every evening if not during the day. These signs mark the bittersweet winding down of another season.

There is no denying it now fall is here and winter is not too far off. The temperature here yesterday morning was 24 and today the high never made 50. As you can see the sun has gotten far enough to the south to give us beautiful sunrises. A treat we will enjoy from now until March.

We have enjoyed a beautiful fall warm weather cool nights and little rain. You can see in this picture the water levels are quite low on Megunticook Lake. I have enjoyed many days fishing with families teaching fly fishing and being on the water with a lucky few. It's clear though that the season will end soon.  I hope we'll get some rain before t...

Raining and cold today (mid afternoon temperature 46) luckily not a lot of wind. I had replaced our mailbox last spring but the latch was clearly not up to the assigned task. So I was at the end of my driveway replacing it with the one that I salvaged from the mailbox it replaced. One of the neighbors drove by and stopped to ask if I was freezing....

As you might expect my season slowly draws to a close in late October and early November. I have fewer reservations and the days look to be getting chillier over the next week or so. However we are in the middle of the prettiest time of year. Cool crisp days and cooler nights along with the leaves changing color. As you can see there is little to...

I recently heard this piece on public radio  and it jogged my mind on a topic I have been thinking about lately. That is that the hunters and anglers of this country have lead conservation efforts in the United States for many years.

The spectacular early fall weather continues. Our days have been picture perfect. Bright sunshine little wind and temperatures around 70. As you can see the leaves have started to change and that will only get better for the next few weeks.

This past summer the picturesque mid coast played host to an exciting partnership: Eben a bright and enthusiastic intern joined the Maine Outdoors team. As part of the Maine Tourism Association’s workforce development program Tourism for ME Eben’s internship promised adventure learning and a chance to experience the state’s vibrant outdoor industr...

Every September Broad Cove on the Saint George River is host to a good number of scoters (a sea duck). After nesting in the Arctic they make a stop on the Maine coast. Read about their life history here. For an image go to to this link.  I have to admit that every time I see them; usually in a small flock I have to smile. Clownish face? Perky tail...

This pretty striper was caught on a picture perfect afternoon. Nice to know there are still a few nice ones around. Especially on a nice day.

I spent the last couple of mornings doing photo shoots for images that will be used to promote more folks getting into fishing. Let me report that it was quite hot on the water especially on Tuesday and that I enjoyed it.