Outdoors

Published
June 5, 2011

Allen Afield: Crappies are invasive, but they’re great fun, food

The late Gerry Damren said it to me first 20 years ago. “I don’t understand,” he began, “why people want black crappie in Maine. We already have white perch.” Because of the similarities between the two species, I have heard this thought myriad times since. For instance, white perch (Morone americana) and black crappies (Pomoxis […]
Published
June 5, 2011

Canoeing: Lots to explore on Cobbosseecontee Lake

To celebrate the advent of summer, we headed up to explore the northern half of Cobbosseecontee Lake. This is a big lake, so monitor the weather forecast. At 9 miles long and with 5,543 acres of lake to explore, this is no place to be on a windy day or with the threat of thunderstorms. […]
Published
June 5, 2011

Deirdre Fleming: Moving on up in the ‘bike friendly’ rankings

For the past four years, Maine has moved up the rankings of “bike friendly” states to the No. 2 slot in the assessment done by the League of American Bicyclists. But by all accounts, it could easily be No. 1 — and with all the bike projects on tap this year, Vacationland could catapult in […]
Published
June 5, 2011

Carey Kish: Rugged trails require a rugged digital camera

Lightweight, compact and easy-to-use digital cameras have revolutionized outdoor photography in the last few years, allowing hikers to capture high-quality images of mountain vistas, brilliant sunsets and the smiling faces of trail companions like never before. And once home from the trail, manipulating your favorite photos and sharing them on social media sites or via […]
Published
June 5, 2011

Mark Latti: This summer, give someone the gift of fishing

If you read this column on Sunday, I will be out fishing, and come to think of it, I hope you will be too. Ask 20 anglers when the best time to go fishing is, and you’re likely to get 20 different answers. Everyone has their favorite time: when the smelt are running, when the […]

Published
May 29, 2011

Boating: Boaters will persevere in cold weather

It’s only appropriate that I write my first column of the season just hours after finishing my first day on the boat. Like many others who strive to get their boats in the water for Memorial Day, we spent the weekend getting her ready and loading her up with supplies for the upcoming holiday weekend. […]
Published
May 29, 2011

Freshwater Fishing: Fishing expected to heat up as warmer weather comes

The weather has put a damper on fishing, but based on statewide reports, that’s about to change. From the white perch runs around Sebago Lake to the trout being caught in Rangeley Lake and the mayfly hatches on Moosehead Lake, fishermen will be out in force this holiday weekend. REGION A: SOUTHERN MAINE White perch […]
Published
May 29, 2011

Josh Christie: Gilsland Farm is a gem hidden in plain sight

Blink as you’re headed north on Route 1 into Falmouth and you might miss the entrance to Maine Audubon’s Gilsland Farm Center. I’d suggest keeping your eyes open and turning into the Maine Audubon’s headquarters, a 65-acre outdoor playground for nature lovers — all just minutes from the center of Portland. While Maine Audubon’s headquarters […]
Published
May 29, 2011

Outdoors Dispatches

FREEPORT L.L. Bean gears up for PaddleSports Weekend L.L. Bean’s 30th annual PaddleSports Weekend will take place Friday. Free boat testing, demonstrations, clinics, kid’s activities, guided kayak tours, a free ocean-side cookout, live music are on tap. Events will take place a few minutes from the main store at the L.L. Bean Paddling Center. The […]
Published
May 29, 2011

What’s Up in June: Saturn stays at the center of summer show

June always marks the beginning of summer for us in the Northern Hemisphere. This year the summer solstice will happen June 21. The sun will reach its highest point in the sky that day, creating the longest day and the shortest night of the year for us. The warmer nights of late spring and early […]

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