- It’s August here in northern Maine, and that can only mean one thing – Fall is in the imminent future. The heat and humidity are still busy making their presence known, but the wind carries a different message these days. As the Summer weather clings for dear life, a cool breeze has become increasingly noticeable in recent days. Long sleeve shirts have become common place around weekend camp fires, and wearing jeans in finally bearable again.
Dozer standing alert amidst a barrage of shotgun blasts and flying objects. Gun shy? Not this fella.
This weekend’s Muskie Derby officially marks the beginning of what has always been my Fall fly fishing season. As the temperature slowly begins to dip, so do the water temperatures, drawing Salmon and Trout from the lakes back into area rivers. Fall fly fishing is my absolute favorite, and the fact that the fishing improves greatly actually has very little to do with it. Northern Maine’s landscape is perfectly suited to the colors of Autumn, and the rolling hills and endless forests transform into a canvas that proudly displays the most beautiful of natures colors.
Tyler gets ready for a round of shooting as his Black lab pup "Dozer" sits at his side patiently.
But when the fly rod goes into hibernation for the winter, shotguns and rifles find their rightful place at the table. Hunting, like fishing, is a cultural tradition here in northern Maine. And there is nothing Mainer’s value more than traditions, just ask the distributors of Allen’s Coffee Brandy!. This weekend my cousin threw a birthday bash at his house complete with good eats, frosty beverages, and a good ol skeet shooting tournament with all of the fellas. Everyone shot well and we had a blast, literally. Partridge and various woodland creatures best tread lightly, this hunting season we won’t miss.
See you at the range!
-Ben
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