Articles
Lost Near Second Musquacook
By Dave O’Connor Cousin Raymond and Uncle Harry arrived on the 6:30 flight. They were routed via New York’s JFK, Boston’s Logan and our home air field. The local facility didn’t impress them much, but they were polite about it. Both men, relatives of the Ole Man, were here to do some fishing in the … Continued
The Smell of Fried Fish
By Dave O’Connor When you stop to think about it, there are very few things that use the free air space around us as a method of transportation. Birds use the air. Planes, rockets, bullets, arrows and the rest are ways mankind uses the air. We all breathe air to get life sustaining oxygen. We … Continued
Hermits to the Woods
By V. Paul Reynolds In re-reading “The Maine Woods” by Henry David Thoreau, I got to thinking about hermits. They fascinate me. Let’s face it.There is not a Maine outdoorsman worth his salt who hasn’t at least entertained a fantasy about pulling the societal plug and really getting off the grid. It’s one thing to … Continued
The Free Press
By Bob Cram ( T.J. Coongate) Angus Dealman muttered angrily under his breath. “What’s that, yer say Angus?” Joe looked up from his plate of bacon and eggs. Angus was taking breakfast with me and Joe at the Five N’ Diner in beautiful downtown Mooseleuk. Now he picked up a copy of the local paper, … Continued
Nature’s Ornery Ways
By V. Paul Reynolds Whether hunting in Colorado High Country or the Maine North Woods fir forests, you always keep a close eye on the weather. In some cases weather vigilance can make the difference between being comfortable or uncomfortable – or downright miserable, or even in harm’s way. There is a mountain road in … Continued
The Motorsickle
By Bob Cram ( T.J. Coongate) On the front, between the handlebars, was bolted an ancient carbide miner’s lamp, its yellow flickering glow scarcely visible in the bright afternoon light. And over the rear, a ratty racoon tail waved at the end of a rusted whip antenna. The whole contraption tilted dangerously against a kickstand … Continued
A Good Tracking Day
By Hal Blood As I write this column, we just wrapped up the first week of deer season. Like many years we had some tracking snow up here in the Jackman area. Most of it came in the form of heavy squalls on Wednesday that weren’t predicted in any forecast, quite common here as the … Continued
Best Venison Recipes
By V. Paul Reynolds When the winter winds come blowing in and temperatures hover in the single digits, cooking and consuming great food warms the tummy and the soul. These venison recipes are sure to please. Seboeis Stew This recipe has been a time-tested favorite at a Maine North Woods deer camp frequented by … Continued
Awesome Alder Flies
By Joe Bertolaccini When fishing slow moving streams and ponds, I have frequently seen a black caddis like fly hatching from the shorelines. I was not aware that there was any such thing as a black caddis but what I found in reality was that I was looking at adult alderflies. In their life cycle, … Continued
This Old Gun
By Mark McCollough While writing this little essay, my father slipped the bonds of this Earth in the glow of a pumpkin-orange harvest moon. He once told me that he planned to go to the “happy hunting grounds.” No eternity of singing in heavenly choirs for Dad. It was Christmas morning 1971, and I … Continued