smallmouth bass

Each summer I wait for the time when the bass are “looking up” to feed eagerly. Granted most of the summer some bass will take a popper if conditions are right but around the middle of July they are all feeding on the surface, sometimes with abandon.

Just to prove that fishing is not always easy even for an experienced angler chasing what should be easy to catch perch. Over the weekend the rainstorm that broke our hot spell produced some very good fishing. Saturday on Megunticook Lake in Camden before the rain started was excellent with lots of bass coming to the boat including several good sized specimens.

Over the last week I have guided a variety of fishing trips and can say without a doubt that we are enjoying some excellent fishing on freshwater and while the striper fishing is still slow in the Saint George there are fish in the river.

I had the good fortune to fish on Megunticook Lake in Camden Sunday with a couple from the Washington DC area. I arrived about an hour early to do a little research on the perch fishing for some upcoming family fishing trips but was quickly distracted by bass in the shallows feeding on the surface. For about 20 minutes I had fish at times fighting over my surface popper.

I consider being able to customize various fishing and nature trips one of the real advantages that Maine Outdoors has to offer. Every trip is tailored to the interests and desires of the folks that are on it.

Last winter and early this spring part of my role as the Executive Director of the Maine Professional Guides Association had me working on the fishing part of the Maine Office or Tourism website. Part of that effort has me working closely with Mac McKeever from LL Bean. Mac grew up in Camden and has a great love for smallmouth bass fishing.

I will be offering a session at the LL Bean spring fishing event again this year. My presentation is scheduled for Saturday March 20th, at 2pm in the Maine Store in Freeport. This is always a well attended event with lots of interesting presentations and individuals. Below is the listing for my presentation that will appear in the LL Bean promotion.
Hope to see you there!

Maine Smallmouth Fishing: A World-Class Secret

Maine Professional Guides Association

Late Monday morning I received an e-mail asking about a quick fishing trip to shoot some video for a web project. Since the weather was sunny and warm I agreed and loaded my fishing equipment. Once at the boat launch on Megunticook Lake in Camden though I was nervous. It is getting late in the season and the water temperatures are getting low. Maybe the fish would not cooperate.

Just to prove that I am not perfect. Yesterday morning I picked up my clients at the Samoset Resort and headed to Megunticook Lake in Camden for a morning of bass fishing. Everything pretty normal, pleasant clients and perfect September weather. I pulled into the parking lot and made ready to launch. When I went to put the drain plug in the stern it would not tighten. I removed it and tried to make an adjustment with my pliers. The bolt in the center of the plug simply broke off.

Today was one of those perfect days we all talk about. No clouds perfect blue sky and little wind. The temperature this morning was 48 degrees with a high of 75 this afternoon, pretty much a perfect day.