Ice Fishing is an Event for the Whole Family – and for the Family Dog!
Allow me to let you in on a little secret about ice fishing in Maine – it’s really not about the fish. Sure, you need a few flags for exercise, and some trout, perch, pickerel, bass or crappies on the ice for the photo opportunities, but in reality it’s more about the experience – drilling holes, dragging the Jet Sled, jumping up and down to stay warm, heating cocoa for the kids while the grown-ups reach for the cooler – it’s about telling tales, enjoying each other’s company, and LETTING THE DOGS OUT! Dogs like Riggs, who posed for The Maine Sportsman’s March, 2023 cover photo on the ice at Porter Lake, in Strong. Riggs is a 2-year-old yellow lab who shares a home in Sidney, Maine with Holly MacKenzie and Nick Bragg.
What’s that? Ice fishing by itself isn’t a big enough challenge? Then how about camping overnight on the ice when the fishing is all done? That’s what our intrepid reporter Sam Wheeler did. Read all about it starting on page 24, in “Camping on the Ice.”
March is traditionally boat show month, and Capt. Ron Dupuis of Yarmouth contributes a substantive overview of all things new, in his “2023 Boating Trends” article, starting on page 19.
And speaking of boating, Barry (“We’re Going to Need a Bigger Boat”) Gibson tells a thrilling tale in “Saltwater Fishing” of how he and his buddy lucked into first and second place wins in the 1980 Boothbay Harbor Tuna Tournament.
Savor Barry’s writing style, since he’ll be taking a well-deserved break from his monthly columns. Barry has written for The Sportsman since 1986 – and has contributed more than 300 columns during that time. He’ll be back with special assignments, which is good news for us and for our readers.
In other exciting stories this month:
- Tired of slip-sliding away this winter? Read “Traction Devices Face the Bald Mountain Test,” in Jim Andrews’ “Self-Propelled Sportsman” column;
- Want new neighbors? How about a family of hooded mergansers? Christi Holmes (“Maine Sportswoman”) reports on how to build, and maintain, duck boxes in marshy areas near your residence;
- Haven’t got the shillings or ducats to purchase a snowmobile? Renting, says Steve Carpenteri in his special section this month, is the “right choice” for many riders. Read all about it, starting on page 27.
- William Clunie, in “Rangeley Region,” tells of the joys of pursuing snowshoe hares with the vocal assistance of trained beagles; and
- In this month’s Almanac, Blaine Cardilli gets readers ready for the upcoming spring wild turkey season, while guide John LaMarca covers the where-to and how-to of beaver trapping.
(And did we tell you about the State of Maine Sportsman’s Show, March 31 – April 2? And the more than 100 exhibitors? And the great seminars? And Hal Blood and his crew? And the State of Maine Surplus Firearms Auction on Sunday? And boats, docks, ATVs and fishing gear? Put that great event on your calendar – NOW!) Click here for more info!
So pick up a copy of The Sportsman’s March issue, for all this, plus great letters to the editor, entertaining cartoons, and the best jokes below Upper Frenchville and above Lower Beddington!
Questions? Contact the editor at Will@MaineSportsman.com or the office manager at Carol@MaineSportsman.com.
See you at The Show!
Will Lund, Editor
The Maine Sportsman magazine
