April 2009 Almanac
This Month: It’s Spring, But What About All the White Stuff?
When April 1 arrives in the bottom third of the state, it’s really spring, but first, what about all the snow and ice?
Early April can look like more of winter — except on the south and east sides of ridges and in open fields. Then, with a little imagination, places where snow has melted to the shadowed areas look like spring.
Geese lollygag on tidal rivers and woodcock return to abandoned fields, where they perform courting rituals each dusk, making that ever familiar mating call — a buzzing peent. Robins flock on lawns and phoebes show up along open hedges. Dawn sounds from newly arriving birds wake astute observers, and from warm beds, knowledgeable birdwatchers can identify species by the calls.
Folks flock to the few open-water spots around the state, and in places such as the Belgrade Lakes, Songo Locks, Grand Lake Stream and Lake Auburn, ridiculously large crowds of anglers may form. However, ice on ponds and lakes reigns, so it forces folks into limited areas.
Brook fishing can be really excellent in April, beginning sometime in the middle of the month onward. Small waters warm more quickly and spring flooding subsides more rapidly, explaining why fishing is so good in rivulets.
Brook fishing brings out the best in anglers, too. They must sneak to pools and runs as if the hidey hole was a trophy buck, and then, cast and work the lure perfectly. It’s no sport for folks with anything but meticulous personalities.
In Northern Maine, April means more of winter and snowmobiling still rocks for most or all of the month, depending on the year. Fishing doesn’t really start in the top half of the state until May, but folks along streams such as Prestile or Meduxnekeag might debate that point.