Alligator Brook Trout

16.25 in Brook Trout

Alligator Lake has always been one of those waters I was tempted to fish. Having drove by it many time during partridge hunting, it seemed to call out as a great opportunity to score an impressive brook trout. This fact seemed evident, by the numerous plastic worm containers littering the small boat launch. So, when Matt Whitegiver of “Eagle Mountain Guide Service” and his friend Brian expressed an interest in trying out this isolated spot a few weeks previous, it was game on!

Compared to a majority of the southern and central Maine lakes and ponds, Alligator Lake is remote. While not uncommon to see individuals fishing here, care should be taken to make very sure you have an “escape” plan should an accident occur or a vehicle become stuck or not start. Access to Alligator Lake is possible via several different logging roads, the most direct access being a 5-mile stretch of the 29-00-0 road branching off Route 9 - The Airline. (For more information see Maine Atlas and Gazetteer map 24 A-4 and 34 E-4) The drive in is done on what can best be described as “the kind of road where a man could make a good living collecting beer cans” so use extreme caution during all seasons. Additionally, logging truck will pay you VERY little mind and barrel along these narrow thoroughfares at sphincter tightening speeds. In the winter, things get a little bit dicier as logging operations “typically” keep roads plowed and steep hillsides sanded BUT this can’t be depended upon. If you get stuck, help could be a long time finding you so plan accordingly.

Matt and Brian

Once you navigate all the hills, twists and turns you will see the lake and a small parking lot on your left hand side. Staring out across the lake from the landing, you will quickly see it is a good size lake. Depending on your mode of transport (ATV, snowmobile, foot) and degree of determination will help you quickly decide where you want to fish. On our trip, we planned to fish only about 500 yards from the landing (on the lake southern shore) so walking was the simplest solution.

Rainbow smelts in the 3 inch range seem to be the ticket here, though I would be tempted to try worms. In total, three fish for the day, including a small yellow perch, chub and an impressive 16.25-inch brook trout. Several other flags were sprung with no fish.

Pat's Deer

As luck would have it, two fishing neighbors arriving later in the morning turned out to be old Kappa Delta Phi fraternity brothers from UMMachias. Pat Smallidge whom I had last seen at his camp in November to gaze upon his impressive 6 pointer and Gary Quimby an accomplished woodcock hunter. Seeing them both here in practically the middle of nowhere reminded me what a small world it really is!

Fish On!

Fishing almost till dusk, I was actually relieved when my two comrades decided to call it a day and head back tot eh comfort of the truck. Two days of low temps and high winds had me debating my decision to fish Bear Cove on Meddybemps Lake the following day but I was up for the challenge as long promises of a heated ice shack and fried deer steaks were fulfilled. Fate, however, would end up canceling these plans . . .

Next: The Brown Trout of Upper Lead Mountain Pond

Trophy Pike Of North Pond

17.69 lb Northern Pike

It was an ambitious schedule from the very beginning, an enterprising task consisting of a grand total of 7 days ice fishing, all within a time frame of 8 days. At the trips conclusion, the truck registered a total of close to 600 miles, the ATV 10 miles and the old legs an untold number of footfalls in the pursuit of fish. Along the path, many people joined in on this adventure, including family and friends, each adding their own special variety and spice to the excitement and thrill of the chase. While it had been a difficult endeavor, the hardest tasks are those most treasured and I will certainly long cherish the new friendships and memories derived from over a week of fish near caught and trophies hard sought. Over the next couple weeks, I plan to provide a run down of this mini-adventure, the places I visited, equipment used and fish that were caught . . . enjoy!

12.6 lb Northern Pike

Day 1 – Northern Pike Tournament - North Pond - BEEP, BEEP, BEEP wailed my alarm as I frantically stretched forth a haphazardly directed arm in an attempt to extinguish its annoyance. Along its reckless path, my hand managed to knock off the nightstand a poorly positioned glass of water and it shattered on the floor in a million razor sharp shards. A litany of curses spewed forth that probably are still hanging somewhere in space over central Maine. I contemplated the thought that this was probably not the optimal way to start an adventure into the wilds, debated resetting my alarm and sleeping another 4-5 hours.

Fighting back sleep, ever so slowly my eyelids pried themselves open and I stared in disbelief at the glowing red numerals, which continued to read 4:00 AM, despite my valiant attempts at squinting, “Yup” I concluded, time to get up.

At 4:30 AM an old Kappa Delta Phi fraternity brother joined me and we loaded our gear and were off to chase monster pike in the Belgrade lakes chain on North Pond. By the end of this day two pike were harvested. The first (12 lb 6oz) at 9:36 AM and mine at 10:15 AM weighing 17.69 lbs. That fish ended up as a third place finisher in the derby and filled my pocket with $200! The winning PIKE in the derby were 19.8 lbs, 17.8 lbs and 17.69 lbs.

To provide a little support for those planning to fish pike through the ice here is my (very) rough sketch of my pike catching outfit. Remember it isn’t about having the latest, greatest and most expensive tip-up on the ice. It is instead all about having good line, rigging and hooks matched to the species you plan to pursue.

Northern Pike Ice Fishing Rig

Belgrade Draggin Masters Annual Ice Fishing Derby Winners!

Next: The Brook Trout of Alligator Lake

Sunday Hunting Regulations By State

Anyone Else See Something Wrong With This Picture?

For more information please see:

http://www.nraila.org/issues/factsheets/read.aspx?id=174&issue=021

Please see the following links for more on Sunday hunting from Foggy Mountain Meanderings: Part 1 and Part 2 

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Also, here is one of my of my responses to a conversation evolving at: http://www.asmainegoes.com/content/statewide-ban-all-tree-harvesting-sunday?page=1

Mr. K,

SWOAM is bottom line simply afraid of change. I understand this viewpoint as I have seen it many times; change is a difficult process and even a bit scary for some individuals and organizations. Opening Sunday hunting has been so hyped by some groups of “traditionalists” that it is now viewed as a cataclysmic event that will ruin the Maine woods. This stance couldn’t be further from the truth. Let’s think about this for a minute . . . how many states currently allow Sunday hunting? What do their game populations look like? What do their posted lands look like? New Hampshire is a great example, boasting a healthy deer and fowl population with lots of public and private land open to hunting. Further, 80% of hunters hunt partridge and deer during October and November. Currently, a majority of this hunting occurs one day a week (Saturday). Ever been in the woods during hunting season on a weekday? How many hunters did you see? Close to none I’m going to bet. Providing hunting on Sunday will mean most hunters would potentially enjoy another 8 days OUT OF THE ENTIRE CALENDAR YEAR! If you were from out of state, and had a choice to hunt one day in Maine or 2 days in New Hampshire on your one weekend a year hunting adventure, where would you go? Hunters are leaving our sport in droves, the art of hunting is dying and the “traditionalists” are killing it. We need to think differently and progressively as a united front of outdoorsmen if we ever hope to have the sport of hunting survive.

Sardines Are Best Served Cold

“Thankful” . . . you speak like I have no appreciation for the state or the people who help to manage its’ woods and waters. I take offense to this suggestion sir; I love this state and its’ people. I only reserve my disgruntled and ornery nature for those who oppose Sunday hunting. I also have no qualms about taking a poke, arguing against or attempting to coerce anyone who goes against my other ‘sinister’ viewpoints, like those who don’t like canned sardines, drive Chevys or sport mustaches; it is after all the American way. SWOAM took a “poke” at sporting lodges, Maine guides, hunters and anyone associated with or profiting from the market generated by my hunting brethren, when they opposed Sunday hunting. So, poke, poke, poke and shame on you if you can’t take a joke, joke, joke.

Lastly, I want to thank you for your reply to my story. The fact that anyone of your caliber, as a former SWOAM board member, would even read something off my “low rent” blog is truly an honor. If I had simply written a piece about Sunday hunting and cried incessantly about how I didn’t like it, blah, blah, blah would anyone have read it? Would it have generated this level of discussion? Would anyone have cared? Doubtful. In today’s society of shock and awe, sometimes you have to write outside of the box to get an appreciable level of response.

Ok, I am jumping off the soapbox! Next . . .