Photo credit to: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jrnikon/3267804242/

I don’t know about you but I’ve always wondered how birds survive the winter. Larger birds are probably better off. But what about the small birds, like Chickadees? I’m hoping that you all are as surprised as I was when I found out just how amazing these lil’ creatures are.

You’ve probably noticed that birds like Chickadees are constantly eating. Every time I see one it is pecking at a bird feeder of some sort. These little birds need to eat all day to contribute to their energy supply, which in turn will increase their body heat in the winter. If they are unable to do so, their chances of survival are slim. They also store food in nooks and crannies for later after they can no longer fit anymore into their little bodies. During the summer months, Chickadees feed on fruit, seeds, and insects. In the winter months, their food supplies are more limited. Fruit and most insects are pretty much non-existent in the winter here. So that leaves the questions “what do they feed on?” Chickadees have evolved into nut crushing machines. Their tiny beaks are strong enough to break open nuts and feed on their insides. One of their favorite seeds to feast on are those produced by coniferous trees. The great thing about their seeds is that they are produced all year long, supplying these birds with the food needed to maintain their metabolism. I discovered that Chickadees will also feed on the body fat of dead animals (gross!). The fat provides a healthy supply of calories for the bird. Of course these tiny animals are not able to access the fat without the help of animals like coyotes. Coyotes open the carcass for them and then the Chickadees get to work, adding to their food intake to prepare for the dreadful winter night.

Another amazing trick that the Black-Capped Chickadee is able to do is lower its body heat to save energy. These birds can decrease their body temperature by up to 14 degrees Fahrenheit! How? It is due to the fact that hey can decrease their metabolic rates. Of course they don’t do this every night. Instead, they save this special ability for only the coldest winter nights. According to the book Winter World by Bernd Heinrich, a study was taken that found the body fat in Chickadees to be 3% in the morning and 7% in the evening. This means that Chickadees spend their days fattening up to prepare for the cold winter night, where they use up most of the energy to keep warm. Chickadees are also known to roost together in small crevices and logs to also preserve body heat. When they are grouped together, the body heat escaping each bird warms up the air surrounding them, making their chances of survival greater.

I’ve also wondered how birds are able to spend hours out in the rain. Turns out Chickadees, as well as most other birds, have a gland called the preen gland. It is located on their backs near the base of their tail. The importance of this gland is that it produces oil that is used to make feathers waterproof and adaptable in the rain. The birds use their beaks to squeeze the oil out and spread onto their feathers. They then use their feet to distribute the oil onto their heads, considering their beaks are unable to reach.

As you can see, these small birds have it rough during the winter. However, they are some of the most resourceful creatures around. Help make this winter easier for them and hang some bird feeders near your house. I bet they’d be very appreciative!

Lauren Fling

Provided by Todd Morrissette of Deadhead Lumber Company

Hello again! Hopefully you all read my previous blog about the river drives. This blog is a little follow up about them. Remember how I mentioned about 10% of logs transported downriver sank each year? Well picture this – if there were about 8.7 BILLION logs that went to the mills via river, imagine 10% of that number sitting on the bottom of the waterways that participated in the drives. That’s a huge number! Those sunken logs are called Deadhead and that, my friends, is what I’ll be talking about today.

Deadhead are logs that sank over 200 years ago in the river drives that now sit on the bottom of Moosehead Lake and similar bodies of water that partook in the drives. When log rafts broke or storms saturated the logs and caused them to become water logged they sank to the bottom of the lake. Hardwood was also tested on the water and turns out, it doesn’t float so well. So, all these logs have been sitting on the bottom of the lakes since before 1976 when the river drives ended. The same thing has happened in other states and, perhaps, their efforts to salvage those logs are what sparked our interest in them. Over the years people have become interested in these logs and with good reason. Logs submerged at the bottom of these lake beds don’t rot. Pretty amazing, huh? Well because they are 20-60 feet below the surface, parasites, oxygen and sunlight are not threats to the logs. The water keeps them preserved, waiting for us to find them.

Unfortunately, you and I can’t just go out onto the lake and grab these logs at our convenience. In 1999 the State of Maine claimed all submerged logs as their own and any logs found by salvage operators must be purchased from the state. In order to become a salvage operator you need to acquire a permit through the state. Applications are $100 each, non-refundable. You must state your purpose for finding the logs and abide by a strict set of rules prepared by the state. The rules were created to protect our waters and the creatures that inhabit them. The general salvage season is May 1 to September 30. These dates are subject to change to account for ice out and to avoid the disruption of spawning fish. Once you have acquired a permit and begin to search for these logs, you must pay the state at least 20% of the market value for the logs after they are salvaged and ready for sale or processing. There are also salvage limits on how much deadhead you can salvage in any given season. As of right now, you cannot salvage more than 125,000 board feet of sunken logs. For more detailed information please see http://www.maine.gov/doc/parks/programs/sublands/PDF/059c055.pdf .

One company in particular that has obtained such a permit is the Deadhead Lumber Company of Scarborough, Maine. Deadhead Lumber Co. owns a vessel that is equipped to not only remove logs from salvage waters but it also allows the operator to find the logs. The vessel is equipped with cameras and displays that show images of the lake bottom, making it easier for the operator to locate these valuable logs. The boat is specifically designed like a container port crane in order to haul up each log.

These logs are especially valuable due to their history and preservation. Deadhead Lumber Co. sells the lumber (depending on grade, width, cut and length) for $13 to $20 per square foot of old growth white oak for flooring, compared to other companies that charge $0.30 per square foot of red oak. As you can see by this one example, submerged logs have an extremely higher value than most logs. According to articles I found about the Deadhead Lumber Co., flooring is their number one product, accounting for about 90% of their product. They also offer other products such as finished products like furniture and counter tops, as well as lumber for building homes. Anyone from homeowners to contractors can purchase their products. They offer a variety of woods such as maple, yellow and white birch, white oak, cypress, red oak, and beech wood.

It is a lengthy process to prepare the logs for use. I have a feeling this is one of the reasons the price for submerged logs is so significant. After the logs are discovered there is a three day limit the logs can be out of the water and exposed to oxygen before they are milled. Once milled, the logs are stored in a warehouse for 6-8 months to dry out. Once this step is complete, the logs are then put into a kiln for another month before they are ready.

The river drives provided us with much more than a fun story to tell friends and loved ones. They provided us with an interesting history of the use of our waterways and access to these incredible logs. It’s remarkable how something can go from being a loss at one point in time to a major gain many years later. Thank you river drivers. Thank you Mother Nature. My, what a beautiful treasure you’ve created for us.

Stay Tuned

Lauren Fling

Obtained photo from NPR.org by Jessica Robinson

For all you fly fishermen, I suggest you read this blog. You’ve got some unexpected competition for your fly feathers. Can’t figure it out? Its women of all ages, hopping on the hair feather accessory bandwagon. These “fashionable” women are using feathers, normally used to tie flies, to clip or bond into their hair. They are snatching up, and quickly might I add, both dry and wet flies. Both types add a certain look whether it be more natural or something more bold.

If you aren’t aware of the issue with this new fad it won’t be long before you are. Because of the unexpected arrival of this trend, fly shops haven’t been able to prepare for the increased demand, thus causing a shortage in many shops. It’s happening right here in Maine! Salons are purchasing shipment after shipment of feathers to style their clients’ hair, while fly fishermen are being left in a cloud of hairspray. Simple economics can tell you that when supply is down and demand is up, guess what else goes up? Price. So another issue fishermen are going to face (or already are) is price competition. Suppliers will increase their prices to both fly shops and salons. As of right now, women are willing to pay $25 for 3 hair pieces. Because they’re willing to pay more, suppliers are going to start thinking “Hey, if they’ll pay more, I’ll charge more!” Bad news for fly shops. They’ll be forced to pay more in the end as well. It turns into a vicious cycle because if fly shops are being charged more, in turn they will charge more. So you’ve got a shortage of feathers on one side because fashion trends, and on the other sided you’re threatened with increased prices due to higher demand and decreased supply.

The feathers used for flies are farm raised. It is a strenuous operation that has also been taken by surprise by the new trend. Roosters are pampered so their feathers grow nice and strong, as to withstand being flung back and forth in the streams to lure in fish. Once their feathers are where they need to be, they are euthanized and plucked. Women are drawn to these feathers because they are similar to hair. You can dye them, which some fly shop owners are now informing women how to do, curl them, straighten them, and wash and dry them. What’s not to love ladies?

Good news for fly shops and fly fishermen is that the trend, like all trends, won’t last forever. And with this shortage, fly shops are not the only ones experiencing the hit. Salons are realizing the shortages too. Perhaps this is what has caused women to settle for other types of feathers, wider and shorter ones. This too will impact shops. However, either way the trend is likely to die off and the fisherman will once again rule the feather industry.

Many questions have been popping up though. For instance, will fishermen have the supplies they need for next season, or has the fashion industry beat them at their own game? I guess we’ll find out come fishing season. So for the time being, good luck boys! You’ll need it. Women are ruthless when it comes to their hair. Just ask my mother.

Stay tuned.

Lauren Fling

Start of the Kennebec at Moosehead Lake- Bob Hamer

River driving was a part of Maine for years. Some say it began due to the British Mast Trade. In the 1600’s King Charles II issued a proclamation to prohibit colonists from cutting wood of a certain measurement. This was in response to the depletion of timber in Europe. The timber along the Kennebec proved desirable to the King because it was perfect for masts for the ships of the Royal Navy. Colonists revolted against the proclamation, claiming that the King should not be allowed to take wood on their land. This revolt lasted 100 or so years, leading to the Revolutionary War. After the war, numerous towns appeared along the Kennebec. Lumbering became quite popular. It was then that the labor intensive river driving industry came into play. From 1834 to the last river drive in 1976, lumber flowed the Kennebec to mills in Southern Maine such as those in Madison, Skowhegan and Augusta. The Kennebec log driving Company conducted these drives from beginning to end. The drives began in the spring at ice out; however, laborers began preparing for the upcoming drive much before that, working in snow and ice.

In the beginning of the river driving days, teams of oxen were used to transport lumber to the river. Only timber easily transported to the water was used. Around 600,000 feet of timber could be cut in a season. Trees were topped off to leave as much of the trunk as possible. Bark was then removed from one end and the tree was then dragged by a bobsled to a landing. Oxen were stronger than horses and could be fed wild hay instead of good quality hay and grain. They proved useful in the start of the drives. In the 19^th century, spruce became more popular and was more abundant. Horses were then used and roadwork became lengthier. Logging roads for horses needed to be level or down grade. Drives were limited to spruce, fir, cedar and pine because they floated. Different types of logs float at different levels, therefore, not mixing well in river drives. Limitations on wood use left acres of untouched wood because it couldn’t float.

At first larger logs were sent down the river to the mills. This posed problems for the drivers when much too common log jam occurred. Jams were often caused by Jill-pokes. This is a log that shifts its position or gets stuck so that it prevents logs behind it from moving forward, forming a jam. Before 1900 and the creation of modern dams, jams were quite frequent and often formed around falls in the river, especially Caratunk Falls. This location was the cause of many log jams. Eventually in 1925 logs were cut into 4’ sections to maneuver more easily and efficiently and to fit modernized machinery. Jams were broken one of two ways. Either dynamite was used in extreme conditions or cant dogs, or peaveys, were used. When drivers couldn’t release a jam, dynamite was used to break it up and get the logs flowing again. Cant dogs, also known as peaveys, were tools used by laborers to poke and pull logs in order to loosen them up. Injuries often occurred when trying to release logs, as well as with the entire process of river driving.

Logs were loaded into Moosehead Lake or directly into the Kennebec river, where they would flow south through sluiceways to get to the mills in southern Maine. Logs could either be loaded into the water by manual labor or by a middle shoot that allowed logs to be trucked to. It was similar to a slide and the logs would travel down it and shoot off into the river. Some of you may have noticed I mentioned a sluiceway and you may be wondering “what is that?” It is an artificial channel logs were directed through to move them down the river more efficiently. Sluice gates were opened to flood stream beds to allow the logs to flow downriver.

The equipment used during the drives wasn’t too technical. Wooden bateauxs were used to float down the river to direct and herd logs where they should go. Other equipment included the cant dog, or peavey, as mentioned above. These tools had a long wooden handle with a spike and hook on the other end, which was driven into the log to get a grip on it and move it about. Log booms were used as well to haul logs across lakes. The booms consisted of several long logs hooked together to form a net that would catch the other logs. In later years machinery was used to cut logs and to transport them, but I’ll get into that further on in the blog.

Before larger dams were created, flooding was common. In 1927, 12,500 cords of wood were lost in a series of 2 floods. Companies such as Hollingsworth & Whitney Company organized emergency booms to catch wood in Waterville. The first flood caused the industry to divide the drive into 2 parts: from Madison to Waterville and from Waterville to Five Mile Island. After new logistical plans were worked out, another flood hit, causing drivers to redo work that had already been started. After the second flood the drive was further divided into 3 parts: from Madison to Skowhegan, Skowhegan to Waterville, and from Waterville to Five Mile Island. Each section started at the same time. Losses were not as great as expected, however, due to help from countless companies along the river.

The drive began as soon as settlements occurred along the river. From then on until industrialization and modernization came into play, everything depended on the river drive. If the drive was not as successful one year, the mills would not operate full time, people would not buy as many things from local stores, and so on. The drives ran the area and the businesses there. Newspapers often published information and updates about the drives. In 1887 there were 150,000,000 logs in the Kennebec, the largest drive yet. With the decision to cut lumber into smaller logs came the use of more machinery. The machines cut up to 500 cords in 20 hours. After many years of operating on the Kennebec, thoughts of transporting wood from the Penobscot to the Kennebec began to pop up. A few plans were rejected or never started, but one plan to use a sluiceway and conveyor belt system was successful. With the use of this system 13 million feet of lumber was transported in just 1 year. In the previous 8 years, only 10 million feet of lumber had be transported. In 1928, however, the sluiceway was taken down. Many feared that flooding would prove to be disastrous with the sluiceway, causing greater losses.

In 1931 to 1941 no wood was cut due to the depression. In 1942, though, 30,000 cords were harvested. It was this year that Hollingsworth & Whitney Company, commonly known as H&W, bought the Katahdin steamship from Coburn Steamship Company. With the decline of passenger business and also the fall of the large hotel and railroad business, the Katahdin was perfect for the river drives. She was able to transport supplies to and from logging camps and boom logs across Moosehead Lake to East Outlet.  The Katahdin steamship was built in 1914 by Bath Iron Works. To date it is BIW’s oldest floating vessel. The Katahdin was built after its predecessor burnt down in 1912. She carried livestock, supplies, and passengers across Moosehead Lake during the river driving days. Today she still carries passengers, offering tours across Moosehead Lake during the summer. She is currently operated by the Moosehead Marine Museum here in Greenville.

H&W built the Aroostook mill in Gardiner in 1884, the Taconnet mill in Winslow in 1893 and the Abenaquis mill at lower falls in Madison in 1909. They started purchasing timberlands in the Moosehead Lake region as soon as the mills were built. They started their purchases with 22,900 acres in Misery Township in 1895. Many of H&W’s employees contributed to the Greenville area. Our local hospital is named after H&W’s office manager, E.L. Dean and our school was built by Louis Oaks, the superintendent of operations for H&W. Austin Cary studied regeneration and spruce budworm in the Misery, Frenchtown, and Lily Bay areas. He also wrote a handbook for the northern woodsman, which was still in use in 1986. In 1954, H&W came to an end when they merged with Scott Paper Company.

The year Scott Paper merged with H&W was their beginning in Maine. They originated from Pennsylvania and decided to extend their operations north due to our extensive lumber supplies. According to some river drivers, the company wasn’t knowledgeable of river driving. Scott wanted to let the wood go in Bingham in May, which is when the river is high after the ice melts. With the river levels high, this left a lot of high rear, which required more men to take the high rear and throw it into the river, slowing the process down.

In the 1890’s the internal combustion engine was developed, leading to the first successful log hauler invented and built by Alvin Lombord of Waterville in the 1900’s. This replaced tired horses. Different models were tested including the steam hauler. This hauler could haul 12 loaded sleds, while the gas hauler could only haul 5. A steam hauler also required two men to operate it, while the gas hauler required just one. In 1934 a diesel machine was made. It reduced cost and increase power. However, modern trucking had improved a lot more in the past few years and therefore making this diesel hauler the first and last. Trucks had an advantage because they were larger, stronger, and had modernized engines and tires.

Between transitions from hauler to truck, the bull dozer entered the picture. It could push its way through the dense trees, uprooting them, and moving them to the side. This led to better roads. Trucking helped make the river driving operations obsolete. River driving had to wait till ice out, preventing logs from reaching mills until July or sometimes August. Trucks could pick up logs in the morning and deliver by evening.

River driving was dwindling as a result of the trucking industry. River after river ended their drives, but the Kennebec stuck with it. Many believe the river drives began in Maine. One thing is for sure, the drives lasted in Maine longer than any other state in the U.S. Finally in 1971 Scott Paper, now the only paper company still operating the river drives, decided to end their drives. There was much debate about the drives in its last few years. Many environmentalists complained that the drives polluted the waters and clogged feeder streams. Scott Paper backed up its decision to stop drives by informing the press and public that 2% of logs sank each year. Trucking is more efficient and can transport all types of wood, according to Scott. Loyal drivers were saddened to see the drives end. Some of them had been on the river their whole life and were now forced to find new jobs. Older laborers went into logging because it was similar and connected with the drives. Much of the same equipment was used. Younger generations continued to work on the rivers as rafting guides. One concern of the drivers was that the new trucking methods would tie up popular roadways used to travel to the Moosehead area and further up towards Canada. These roadways would now be congested with traffic due to the added trucks. Scott argued that trucking wasn’t new. Hard wood can’t be used on the river because it can’t float. About 30% of lumber was not transported through the river drives. Instead, it was transported by truck, like it had been for years before this decision. Laborers bounced back by adding in the new costs associated with the switch. More equipment would be needed to operate this new plan, which, in turn, would require more fuel to operate that equipment. Cords of wood would also increase from 15 cents to $6 per cord. According to the paper company, costs would be expected to stay the same. Longer wood would now be transported instead of the 4’ logs, making the process more efficient. More wood could be cut too, now that they wouldn’t have to wait for ice out. Ideas of using rail came about. However, because of the track positions, it was not economically feasible. They would have to cover longer distances instead of the straight shot that the roadways offered.

In 1976 the last river drive took place. The drive brought in a measly 75,000 cords of wood. On Moosehead Lake the Katahdin’s key job was to help with cleanup efforts. The last drive was overall more of a cleanup effort, rather than a full on drive. Most of the wood traveling downriver was stray logs picked up along the shores. With the river drive over, environmentalist rejoiced. Many opinions were voiced about what to do with the river after 76’. Today the river is used for fishing, camping, and rafting. Its beautiful waters are now clearly visible, unlike the days of the log drives when there was a blanket of brown logs covering the surface.

Bob Hamer's shed - Photo by Lauren Fling

       I’ve lived in Greenville since I was 7. Time after time again I’ve heard of people going out and finding moose antlers, known as sheds, for either souvenirs or to sell. I never really got interested in it. That is until now. I think that as you get older you always develop a better appreciation for the place you grew up in. Or maybe it’s just me. I never wanted to be in Greenville. I constantly wanted to go to a city or some place that was more heavily populated and had more than one grocery store. I still enjoy cities, don’t get me wrong, but there’s just something about a small town, especially one like Greenville. For one, you can actually see the stars at night. And you don’t have to strain your ears to hear a little bit of wildlife. There’s probably a raccoon or deer right behind you in your back yard and not a crow picking at trash on the curb. The air smells clean and unpolluted. And for the most part it’s pretty secluded out here. Perhaps that’s why all the moose and deer like it so much.

        So let me get back on track. It’s so hard to talk about a specific event or activity up here without mentioning how beautiful the area is first! Ok. So moose sheds! People have been hunting for sheds of not only moose but also deer for generations now. It is a time consuming activity, but definitely worth it once you find your first shed. From what I’ve heard and read, it only takes one to get you hooked! Hunting for moose sheds is difficult because you don’t know if you’re going to find a shed or not! You need to be familiar with the area and it helps to know where moose and deer have been. These animals tend to shed their antlers in their home territory. So if you’ve found a shed or heard of someone who found one, chances are the next year there will be one close by.

        Shed hunters tend to go out in March and April. However, right now could also be a decent time to go looking considering we’re lacking that white, fluffy substance called snow. Moose and deer tend to lose their sheds before each winter and grow them back in the spring. A good way to know if you’re in an area that a moose or buck has been is if there are scrapings from their antlers on the trees. This indicates that the animal has been scratching their antlers on the trees trying to break them off. You might be wondering why moose or bucks would want to lose their antlers. Good question. I wondered the same thing. Turns out these animals do so to make foraging in the winter easier or to preserve energy for winter. They also learn that if they lose their antlers one year, the next year they are more likely to come in larger. So of course they’d want a larger rack to attract the females during rutting season. Besides, the main reason for antlers is for display during rutting season. They are also to show dominance in a herd and used as protection against enemies. This type of growth is the fast rate of bone formation known. Moose can grow up to 1 inch of antler per day!

        Antlers are formed of living tissue that is supplied by blood flow through a network of vessels covered with velvet. Eventually, this tissue solidifies, the velvet is scraped off, and the antlers become completely formed of mineralized, dead matter. You can see moose with these velvet antlers around autumn. Small rodents feed of the antlers after they’ve fallen off the moose or deer. The sheds are high in calcium, phosphorus, and other minerals. It’s better to find a shed that has been recently dropped so that it hasn’t had time to fade or be attacked by those lil savages.

Bob Hamer's shed that has been attacked by small rodents - Photo by Lauren Fling

        Like I mentioned before, it is difficult to find sheds and even more difficult to find pairs. However, if you do happen to be lucky enough to find a pair you have a few options. 1. Celebrate by jumping up and down and telling yourself you’re the coolest person in the world because you’ve found a pair of antlers! Woo hoo, go you! 2. After you’re done celebrating you can display them in your house, give them as gifts if you’re not a fan of antler décor. Or 3. You can sell them. I’ve found various prices for antlers, but everything I found had one thing in common – they were based on weight. Antlers are usually sold by the pound. One store I spoke with offers $2 to $3 per pound, sometimes up to $12. It all depends on the market and the quality of your antlers. If you have a single angler you can get up to $250 for it if it is a good quality and the price is right. A matching pair though, could be worth up to $500! How awesome are you if you are new to the sport, found a pair and don’t think they’re worth anything, are reading my blog (of course you are, why wouldn’t you be?), and just realized how much you’re little treasure is worth!

        Sheds have a lot more uses than just to sell or hang up and celebrate over. There are people all over who make furniture, light fixtures, and art out of these wonderful finds. You can find beautiful work all over the Internet. People have been known to have their last name painted or carved on a shed or a scene of a favorite place they like to visit. Just for kicks I looked up some options online. Man was I surprised. There are so many options. People have chandeliers out of antlers, cribbage boards, tables, or even chairs (those are the coolest)! There are so many possibilities and you want to know what the best part is? None of these animals get hurt in the process. They lose the antlers themselves and leave them in the woods for us to find. Thanks Mr. Moose (or deer)!

        So get some friends or family together, find out where there have been reoccurring moose or deer sightings, and go find yourself a shed, or two, or three… you get the point. And we here at the Chamber would love it if you sent us a picture of your treasure!

Back of Bob Hamer's Shed- Photo by Lauren Fling

Happy Hunting!

Lauren Fling

Young Eagles Nesting - Photo by William Hanson

 This blog is for all you bird watchers or for those of you looking for a little adventure! Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc. has developed a program to help find Bald Eagle nests in their efforts to protect this national bird. The program offers a $100 reward to anyone who finds a NEW Bald Eagle nest on Plum Creek’s Maine, Vermont, or New Hampshire land. “New” means a nest that they are not tracking yet or are unaware of.

What they’re doing is offering people the opportunity to help them track and protect this beautiful bird, as well as offering a reward if a new nest is found! Not only do you get the thrill of finding a nest, you get to help preserve the bird and protect it from becoming endangered. So if you are looking for some adventure or you want to help out our wildlife, I suggest you get your binoculars out and head out into the woods! This is a great opportunity, so take advantage!

You can find more information about the program, the birds, and who to contact if you find a nest at http://www.plumcreek.com/Portals/0/downloads/recreation/Bald%20Eagle%20Nest%20ID%20Pamphlet%20Final.pdf . Just remember, Plum Creek and their biologists want NEW nests, not ones they have already tracked. So be sure to contact them to see if you’ve discovered a new nest!

Young Eagles Nesting - Photo by William Hanson

Lauren Fling

     Let me begin by saying I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas & I hope you have an even better new year! If you are looking to be more adventurous in the New Year, what better way to start it off then by coming to the Moosehead Lake region to go snowmobiling?! The Moosehead Lake region offers over 500 miles of scenic riding and connects to the Maine Interconnecting Trail System for people who want to explore other parts of Maine, New Hampshire, and Canada. You can view a detailed trail map of the area further down in this blog or for a downloadable copy you can visit our website – http://www.mooseheadlake.org/snowmobiling.shtml

      For your convenience, many local businesses offer snowmobile and equipment rentals. If you’d like to bring your own sled, some businesses offer repairs, as well as heated storage. For newcomers, some of these agencies also offer a few minutes of instructions on how to use the machines.  Below is a list of places to rent from and their pricing.

        Aside from rental services, guides and tour services are available as well. Below is a list of businesses that offer such services in the Moosehead Lake area.

       If you are considering sledding in the area, don’t forget to register your sled if you have one. Resident registration is $33 plus a $1 agent fee. These registrations are valid for a year. Non-residents have three options. The first two are available for purchase more than once in any season. These registrations include a 3-consecutive-day registration for $43 plus a $1 agent fee, a 10-consecutive-day registration for $58 plus a $1 agent fee, or a full season registration, which is available for $68 plus a $1 agent fee.  For more information about registration you can visit http://www.mainerec.com/snow3.asp?Category=112&PageNum=112. You can also visit http://www.maine.gov/ifw/atv_snowmobile_watercraft/nonres_agents.htm for a list of towns in Maine where registrations are available.

      Along our trail system are numerous stops for lunch, snacks, restrooms, and fuel. Here is a detailed map of the area that points out local trails and stops along the way.

2012 Moosehead Lake Region Snowmobile Map

      Like other recreational activities, snowmobiling does have laws and regulations that you are required to follow. On Maine trails there is no speed limit. However, everyone needs to be considerate of others and use their best judgment. Do Not put yourself or others at risk for injury. Pay attention to snow conditions and conditions of the trail. Watch local news channels for weather updates, and also visit these websites for more information on conditions (http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/nerfc/graphics/snowmaps/sd1_today.jpg ; http://www.connectmaine.com/trailreports/trailrep.html ). Please slow down when you meet fellow sledders on the trail, as well as when you are turning corners, go over bridges, or find rises in the trail. If you cannot control your sled enough to keep it to the right hand side of the trail and stop safely, you are driving too fast and recklessly. Another rule to keep in mind is to use hand signals when on the trails to communicate with other sledders. Here is a chart to help you learn the different hand signals used today.  

Snowmobile Hand Signals

http://www.caribousnowmobileclub.com/handsignals.htm

        There are also numerous snowmobile clubs located in the area that you can join to make your snowmobiling experience even more enjoyable. This option may be something for the more avid snowmobiler to consider. However, the clubs do have weekly trips they offer to beginners to introduce them to the sport and get them comfortable and familiar with machines and trails. These clubs also offer events to join with fellow sledders and discuss the sport you all love so much. Some also offer clubhouses for meetings and food to warm your bellies after a long day of sledding. Here is a list of local clubs with their phone numbers so you can call if interested to get more information about fees or other questions you may have.

         Depending on what kind of vacation you are looking for, we have many accommodations to choose from. If you are looking for extravagant and elegant lodges, we have them. Or if you’re looking for quiet and quaint locations, we have those too. We have everything you are looking for in your winter wonderland getaway. Please contact us for a vacation guide to view a detailed list of the many lodges and hotels we have to offer at (888)-876-2778 or visit our website www.moosheadlake.org .

          So whether you are a passionate snowmobiler or a beginner, the Moosehead Lake area has a great selection of activities to choose from. Contact us for more information or questions you may have about creating the perfect snowmobiling vacation for you and your family and friends. Also visit our Facebook and Twitter accounts to see what upcoming winter events and activities may interest you!

Stay tuned!

Lauren Fling

Hello fellow fishermen and those of you interested in trying out the sport! This blog is about ice fishing. Now, it may be focused toward new comers, but experienced folk should keep reading for fun or incase you’d like to add to what I have to say. Let me also add that if you are new – I advise you not to follow the techniques of the men in the 1993 hit movie “Grumpy Old Men” (quoted in the title); you might end up with a frozen fish being shoved in your face or your ice shack being pushed across the lake and into thin ice! So let’s start off with some key information you MUST know before heading out.

1.)   Make sure you are up to date on rules and regulations of the area you are fishing. You can find this information in the State of Maine open water and ice fishing laws and rules book – available here at the Visitor’s center office and online at www.mefishwildlife.com. Some of the rules and regulations include the bag limit on the fish you are catching, which ponds and lakes are open to ice fishermen, what date each of those ponds or lakes open, etc.

2.)   Check the ice! Please be careful and check to make sure the ice you are fishing on is in a good condition. Some recommend the ice to be at least 6” thick. To test it, take an auger and drill by the shore where there isn’t too much water. Or you could always ask other fishermen!

3.)   Make sure your equipment functions properly – you don’t want to get out there to find out you have a broken jig or that your bait is missing!

4.)   Number 2 was about safety- so to add to that, make sure you bring friends or family with you when fishing. It is winter and you are on a body of water- you never know what could happen. And having people with you may make the experience that much more enjoyable and memorable!

Now that we have those key things to remember taken care of, let me continue by telling you some of the Do’s and Don’ts of ice fishing. Now I’ll admit, I’m not a fisherman of any kind myself. I’ve have tried it before – both open water and ice. But I am DEFINITELY a beginner! So all of the information you are reading is research I have done. With that said- on to the Do’s!

Do:

• Make sure the ice is safe!
• Have the proper equipment – either ice traps, jig sticks (or both), an auger and/or an ice chisel, an ice pick (which helps if you are unfortunate enough to fall through the lake or pond you are in.  You can use the pick to help pull yourself out of the body of water and get help), depending on the conditions ice cleats may be helpful to help sustain your balance on the ice, an ice shack (or shanty and a heater (these are optional-not everyone has these. You can rent them if you decide to have one or purchase-your choice) , a scoop to keep slush out of your holes, bait- most prefer smelt but you can also use shiners or suckers (most likely used for catching Lake Trout, or Togue to us Mainahs), food to keep your belly full from a long day out on the ice, extra warm clothes, and perhaps a deck of cards to play with your buddies to keep occupied if the fish just aren’t biting that day! There are also devices such as a Windlass that helps catch fish. This particular device allows a spoon to catch wind, which in turn jigs your line for you. You attach these to traps you have set up. You can also rent equipment from local business in the Moosehead Lake area if you don’t have your own and want to try it out!
• Bring friends or family with you.
• Stick with it! I spoke with Bill Maynard Jr. the other day and the first thing he said was “stick with it!” Don’t give up if you’re not reeling in 100’s of fish. There are factors involved- and I’m not just talking about good luck! Some days fish bite better than others. One day you could catch 15 fish and the next day you could catch 2- all the while keeping the same method of fishing. There are no hard set rules or tricks that guarantee you to catch fish. Even the most experienced fishermen have off days. Blame the fish.  J
• Be courteous of other fishermen. Watch out for traps when snowmobiling near other fishermen.

And now the Don’ts!

Don’t:

• Go out on thin ice. There are two kinds of ice from what I have read- Black and White. White ice is made up of re-frozen melted snow that continues that same process over and over again (melt, refreeze, melt, refreeze). Black ice is clear and has air bubbles throughout it. I gathered this information from the writers at maineoutdoors.com. No matter what kind of ice, all fishermen should test the ice they are about to head out on to make sure that it is safe.
• Go out alone – keep friends and family with you.
• Set up traps right next to other fishermen- be courteous and set up a reasonable distance away from their traps.
• Forget important equipment – especially extra clothing and food.
• Go out without knowing the rules and regulations of the area you are fishing. You could be fishing in a no ice fishing area or body of water, resulting in fines and possibly getting your license revoked. Which reminds me…
• FORGET TO GET A LICENSE! There are days you can fish without a license; however, all other rules and regulations apply on those days. (Free Family Fishing Days: February 18 & 19 of 2012).
• Give up! Don’t expect to be reeling in fish after fish. This sport takes time and commitment, like I have mentioned before.

Now there are different ways you can ice fish, one way being setting up traps (or tip ups). Traps are devices designed for fishermen to leave the equipment in a particular spot without having to continuously maintain them.  A flag is attached to the trap that goes up when a fish has pulled on it or, like every fisherman is hoping, you caught one! Sometimes fish will swim around the bait and poke at it, causing the flag to go up, giving you false hope of a catch. According to Bob Hamer, traps are generally used more than jigging – the other type of ice fishing- when fishing for Brook Trout or Salmon. This is because fishermen fish for Brook Trout closer to shore than other fish such as Togue (Lake Trout) or Cusk. Brook Trout are easier to catch near shore, in about a foot to 4 feet of water,  because they trap their prey there. The prey can’t go forward because of the land and don’t want to swim back towards the Brook Trout so they either can go left or right, making it easier for the Brook Trout to catch them. For that reason, fishermen set up their traps close to shore. With a jig you use more line and they are generally used for catching fish that are bottom dwellers. With Salmon, they stay closer to the ice than towards the bottom of the body of water. So, fishermen use a trap here as well because they’re only using about 14” to 20” of line to catch the Salmon and it is easier than it would be trying to use a jig. One of the downfalls to using a trap is that you don’t have the control over the fish. The fish is in control. So if it feels like taking a big bite of your bait and is unfortunate enough to get hooked- you’ve made out with some fish! But if they are able to take the bait off your hook and fool you when your flag goes up, it’s 1 and 0 and the fish is winning. Also, with a jig you are able to feel when the fish bumps your line or bites your bait. That way, YOU can actually catch the fish instead of the FISH catching itself.

Jigging, as I said above, is the other type of ice fishing. With jigging you have a device, which looks sort of like a shorter fishing rod. You have line that you are in control of that you feed into the water or reel back up any time. Generally, fishermen use a few traps and maybe one jig- unless there are more fishermen with you then your buddies might each have a jig and then you all have a few traps out. Keep in mind that in most places, anglers can have a maximum of 5 holes. What you do is drill a hole in the ice with your auger and feed your line (with your bait on the end of course) towards the bottom of the body of water. Once you hit bottom you bring the line back up a little ways, depending on how deep you want to fish. You move the lure up and down, fast or slow- your preference. Remember you have control this time, not the fish. Jigging is used more in deeper bodies of water to catch fish that tend to stay closer to the bottom, such as Cusk- which I will talk a little bit about soon. Some of the pros to jigging are that it is easy to learn, its more active and keeps you occupied, it doesn’t require a lot of equipment, and it allows you to cover more depth of water because you are reeling up and letting go of the line on your command.

Where to find those fish:

Now some useful information that I should probably mention is what the major lakes and ponds are in the area! They are: Moosehead Lake of course, Mountain View Pond (AKA Fitzgerald Pond), Prong Pond, Sawyer Pond, Indian Pond, Brassua Lake, Lower Wilson Pond, and Ragged lake. Both Brassua Lake and Indian Pond are located in Somerset County; the others I mentioned are in Piscatiquis County. You can also find this information on our website www.mooseheadlake.org. At Prong Pond, people usually fish Trout and Perch (both yellow and white). Mountain View (AKA Fitzgerald) Pond contains stocked Trout. Sawyer Pond offers stocked Brook Trout. Moosehead Lake has Lake Trout (Togue), Brook Trout and Salmon. Indian Pond offers – Lake Trout and Brook Trout, as well as Cusk. Brassua Lake is stocked with Brook Trout and Salmon, as well as yellow perch -. Ice fishing begins January 1 until March 31 at these locations, except Prong Pond, Mountain View Pond, and Sawyer Pond, which all start December 1^st. Please be sure to read the Maine fishing laws and rules book to find out more information about ice fishing dates and new regulations. One new regulation is the daily bag and possession limit on Togue. It used to be more liberal to reduce the overabundance of Togue. In 2010 it was lowered to 2 Togue per day, at and 18 inch minimum legal limit; however, on Moosehead Lake the regulation is 5 Togue per day, with only one fish over 18 inches. According to Tim Obrey, Mountain View Pond and Prong Pond are early season spots. They generally ice over faster than other spots, allowing ice fishermen to get out there sooner.

Once you catch your fish you can either let it go or keep it. If you decide to let your fish go, do not take it out of the water and don’t lay it on the ice. Once the fish has been laid on the ice its chance of survival is slim. If you decide to keep your fish you need to freeze the fish and keep it frozen or store it in a cooler until you have an opportunity to freeze it. If you let the fish freeze, thaw, and refreeze it will not taste as good as if you cooked it after you thawed it the first time.

I have mentioned Cusk a few times now. So for those of you who don’t know what these fish are, continue reading to find out! Cusk, also known as Burbot, are bottom dwellers and are often caught at night. They are pretty ugly, slimy, and eel-like. They are “the North Country’s only freshwater representative of the primarily ocean-dwelling Codfish Family.” (www.rook.org/earl/bwca/nature/fish/lota.html) They enjoy deep, cold water, preferably low light areas. According to the website I have just quoted, they may be ugly but apparently they are very tasty. They can be used to make delicious chowder.

So to wrap things up, here are some quick things to remember – pay attention to the ice thickness, read the rules and regulations for the body of water you want to fish, remember to check your equipment before heading out, bring friends and family with you, stock up on food and extra clothes if you’re planning on being out for most of the day, and last but not least, don’t hesitate to give us a call for more information (1-888-876-2778)! In January (the 27^th through the 29^th) the Chamber, along with the Maine Inland Fisheries & Wildlife and Ricky Craven, will be hosting their 7^th Annual Togue Fishing Derby! Check out our Facebook page to find out more details! Happy fishing!

Stay Tuned!

Lauren Fling

Hello All!

For those of you interested fishermen – this post is for you! Our office, in conjunction with the Maine Inland Fisheries & Wildlife and Ricky Craven, will host the Moosehead Lake Togue Ice Fishing Derby starting Friday, January 27, 2012 until Sunday, January 29, 2012. The derby starts at 6am on that Friday and will end at 4pm on that Sunday. There will be great prizes for the three largest togue along with a Grand Door Prize and great fish pool prizes.

Prize Breakdown:

First place will receive $1,500; Second place will receive $500; and Third place receives $250. There will be a Fish Pool Prize of $250 and a Grand Door Prize, which does not require a fish to win.

Still interested? Tickets are $25 for a single person and $40 for a family (couples and children 16 years of age or younger).

Congrats to last years First Place winner, Roger McLellan of Mills, Maine. His Togue was 14.01 pounds and 35.5 inches!

Stay tuned for any updates or more information, OR you can always give us a call at the office! (1.888.876.2778)

Lauren Fling

Hello all! I don’t know about you, but one of my favorite things about Moosehead is the winter time. I’m not talking about getting pelted in the face with sleet while trying to shovel my driveways, or my 100lb Labrador Retrievers pulling me, face first, through the yard so they can chase a squirrel. I’m talking about the magnificent views of morning snow that seems to be placed perfectly along the branches outside my window. And the great contrast between the bright white snow and the bright blue feathers of a Blue Jay sitting on the snow covered picnic table in my back yard. Or how about the sunsets of oranges, yellows and pinks that glow beautifully over frozen Moosehead? Something about this time of year just makes me feel like a little kid again. Don’t deny it- I know you have the urge to pick up a snowball after it has just snowed that perfect, sticky, snow. Or when you see the perfect sliding hill- doesn’t it bring back memories of when you were a kid, grabbing your favorite sled and feeling like you were flying and being fearless as you flew over the imperfections in the hill. At least I did. Maybe it’s just me but I always felt like I was going about 90mph down that hill; like some Looney Toons cartoon where the wind is so strong it’s stretching you’re face back way beyond belief. And let me tell you, if I went sliding right now and flew over some of those same bumps in the hill, it wouldn’t be excitement in my face. It’d be more like me squeezing my eyes shut and thinking to myself “Please don’t die, please don’t die, pleeeeease don’t die”. Crazy how those fears just appear. One minute you’re yelling to your mom or dad “Just one more time!” and the next you’re saying “You think I’m coming down that hill, you’re crazy.”

Ok, so back from memory lane- I LOVE this time of year. There’s that feeling when you know summer is over and the air is getting colder (I didn’t mean to rhyme, I promise) and you’re anticipating that first snowfall. I love it when I can finally say “It’s time to decorate!” (Of course every year I find myself finding some excuse on why to decorate earlier and earlier!) Or when the radio stations start playing Christmas music and you can’t help but sing or hum along. One I heard the other day as I went shopping during the dreadful Black Friday was “I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas”. Now that song for some reason has stuck in my head. It’s lodge up there till the end of time. Every time I find myself humming…you bet ya, it’s that song! I think I’m driving my mother nuts. I think the title in itself explains the idea of the song. They have a good marketing strategy there though- it makes you want one too. Be sure to change the station when that song comes on and you’re driving with your kids, or you’ll know what’s on their Christmas list!

Aside from the daydreaming of the snow and wonderfulness of this time of year- those of you who live in this area or in surrounding states and are like me, you’re not too pleased with Mother Nature. It is now November 29, and we have a pile of snow here, a pile of snow there. We’ve had some weird weather lately. It’s been warmer than usual and has melted 95% of the snow from our most recent storm. It’s gone, all gone! (No turkey! No turkey sandwiches! No turkey salad! No turkey gravy! Turkey Hash! Turkey a la King! Or gallons of turkey soup! Gone, ALL GONE! – Please tell me one of you readers out there understood that quote from one of the most FAMOUS Christmas movies!!) I’m hoping that things will turn around at least before Christmas. I need to have snow on Christmas morning! Ideally I’d like snow before then and then have a small snow storm Christmas Eve night so when I wake up in the morning everything is glistening in the sun. It’s quite breathtaking. For all of the readers who haven’t visited the area, or haven’t seen snow-eek!, get out a pen and paper, or an already created bucket list and jot this down- “To do ASAP: Must see 1.) A Mooshead Lake sunset (in the summer, fall AND winter); 2.) Moosehead Lake after a fresh snow storm when the sun is shining illuminating to whole area.” There’s some things you  have to do in your life…these are two of them!

So, would you all beg and pray that we get some snow soon! Make sure to check out the chamber’s Facebook and Twitter accounts for recent updates on events happening in the area! FYI interested vacationers- the area offers snowmobile rentals, a dog sled race in February, winter moose tours and bird watching tours, ice fishing trips, snowshoeing and cross country skiing trips, as well as cabin rentals so you feel like you’re really up north and you can join in with the rest of us and say you went “upta camp” at Moosehead Lake.

Stay tuned!

Lauren Fling