I promised a story a quarter about the history of this small company, and while I am nearly out of time for this installment, I made it! As you would expect, a lot happened between 1997 and 2006.
A Shift in the Waters
During this time, I started Striper fishing in the St. George River, and it quickly became a well-established part of my summer business. I was (and still am) delighted to no longer focus on the Sheepscot River from Wiscasset, saving myself a couple of hours of driving each day. Meanwhile, the canoe trips that were our primary focus when we first started all but disappeared from the list of trips run each summer. We still offered them, but they were rarely taken up.
In April of 1998, Argy and I sold our home on East Sennebec Road and moved to Beote Road, where we still live today. One incredibly memorable milestone from that summer was taking my very first reservation via email. I still remember being absolutely amazed when the party actually showed up!
On the Road and Into Public Service
That fall, Argy took a teaching sabbatical, and we went on a cross-country trip, leaving in September and returning just before Christmas. As part of Argy’s research project, we visited a variety of middle schools around the country to see what programs were working. The boys and I joined her for some of those visits and even gave presentations at a couple of schools—a truly amazing experience for the whole family.
Just before we left, I was offered the position of Director of Information and Education at the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. We had to make the decision while we were traveling, and I officially started in January 1999. It was really the only "regular" job I have ever held, and I am still deeply grateful for the opportunity. I thoroughly enjoyed working with some remarkable folks and, hopefully, moved the division forward. While guiding was mostly put on hold, I still managed to take out a few parties each summer.
During my tenure, we received wonderful recognition for our work:
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2001: Named Educator of the Year by the Northeast Conservation Information and Education Association.
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2002: Received the Ernest Thompson Seton Award from the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.
My time there came to an end when I was dismissed as part of an administration change in October 2003.
Back to Guiding Full-Time
In the spring of 2004, I returned to guiding full-time. That winter, I purchased my first 20-foot Lund Alaskan, launched our website (www.maineoutdoors.biz), and sent out our very first e-newsletters.
That fall, I also started guiding grouse hunters at Libby Camps. That first year, Matt Sr. and I were the only guides on staff. Today, there are many guides there, all still providing excellent North Woods experiences.
Key Milestones (2005–2006)
The Team Grows: In the fall of 2005, Pam started doing the bookkeeping for Maine Outdoors. She is still with us today—a trusted member of the team who keeps everything financially in order.
New Partnerships: That summer, we ran package deals with the Samoset Resort. While it wasn't wildly successful, it was an excellent opportunity to collaborate with a respected local business for a couple of seasons.
Giving Back: That winter, I began offering Small Business Seminars for fellow guides. The program ran for three years and reached a total attendance of around 100 people.
By the end of this second decade, Maine Outdoors was well-established, boasting many repeat clients who made—and continue to make—this a deeply enjoyable seasonal business.
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