Big Bass Caught; Big Salmon Disqualified
The June issue of The Maine Sportsman magazine has it all – trophy fish, controversy, interesting policy proposals and the expert regional and subject-matter information and advice you’ve grown to expect from the publication over its 44-year history.
Monthly columnist Ethan Emerson gets things started in the cover photo, as he poses with a lunker 5.37-pound smallmouth bass – the kind experts catch when they qualify as “bass whisperers.”
And for controversy, our “Almanac” writers cover the case of young Pete Vicneire, who was 8 years old when he participated in this winter’s Schoodic Lake fishing derby. He pulled in the biggest salmon of any kid – 5 pounds, 6 ounces – but was denied the $100 price because of the fish’s questionable family tree. It’s conceivable the fish was not a landlocked salmon, but rather was a federally-protected Atlantic salmon that had made its way 40 miles upriver, past dams, up fish elevators and along streams into the lake.
How can you tell a landlocked salmon from an Atlantic salmon? Well, you really can’t.
Finally, for policy issues, the June edition offers at least two. First, the editorial staff asks whether it’s time for a women’s-only hunting day, to bring much-needed attention to this quickly-growing segment of the market, and to the increased need for women guides who understand the importance of helping female hunters deal with the fact that historically most hunting equipment, clothing and culture has been designed by men, for men.
In addition, the writer of a letter to the editor challenges the Sportsman, which is the official keeper of the state’s fish and game records, to see whether the anglers’ “One That Didn’t Get Away” club, can in the future include a new or parallel category, “The One That I Caught, Weighed, Measured, Photographed and Released” club.
The city of Caribou, Maine is preparing for the June 17 Moose Lottery, and a special section starting on page 19 details the planned events, and reviews the lottery details, including how many permits will be issued for each WMD.
The well-marked woods trails are finally starting to dry out, and folks are firing up their ATVs, UTVs and Side-by-Sides. The Sportsman sent its intrepid reporter, JP Falzone, to attend an official “safety course,” which is mandatory for kids 10 – 15 years old and which is recommended for all new riders. Part 1 of JP’s diary starts on page 21.
And newcomer Benny Holloway contributes two specials this month – the first detailing the options for small-boat purchasers (for both salt- and freshwater), and the second, “Part 2” of the rod-and-reel pursuit of bluefin tuna story he began in the May, 2017 issue. We expect continued great works from Benny, who grew up around boats and whose family operates Coastal Boatworks, Inc. in Newcastle.
In other highlights of the June issue:
1) Ever wonder how to catch, clean, cook and eat a Maine snapping turtle? Steve Vose tells all – from personal experience – in this month’s “Washington County Report” starting on page 43.
2) Have you ever tried to paddle a “beater” canoe that’s previously fallen off a car’s roof rack at turnpike speed? William Sheldon feels your pain, and tells all about it in the Jackman Region column, staring on page 46.
3) Joe Saltalamachia, who is still receiving fan mail and not-fan mail for his April, 2017 call for whitetail antler restrictions in southern Maine, doubles down with a proposal to permit Sunday hunting – so long as landowners agree.
4) And former Raiders coach John Madden is famous for 6-legged roasted Thanksgiving turkey, and Turducken (a deboned chicken inside a deboned duck inside a Thanksgiving turkey), but has he ever heard of the “Turkuckenit,” our own Kate K. Gooding’s Maine version of this dish, featuring turkey, duck, chicken and rabbit? Word is, when he read this recipe, Madden ordered his bus driver to head directly to Maine for a taste.
Like the Turduckenit, the June issue of The Maine Sportsman is tightly packed, with all of the above, plus the usual great columns on bowhunting, mountain biking, The County, fishing, legislative news, truck-camping, trout flies, trapping and firearms – perfect reading material to bring with you when you open up camp and put in the dock.
Give us a call at 207-622-4242 – talk with Linda or Chris in the office, and enjoy the experience of our renewed focus on customer service. Subscribe or renew your subscription, either on the phone or using our new “Subscribe” link at our site, www.MaineSportsman.com.
And finally, thank you to our loyal readers, to our loyal distribution outlets and to our loyal advertisers.
Will Lund, editor
Will@MaineSportsman.com
