Featured Articles
Crossbows: The Purchase Decision
By V. Paul Reynolds Recently passed, Maine has a new crossbow hunting law that, is not only sweeping in scope, but makes sense. Crossbows, the use of which has been very restrictive, are now included in the legal definition of archery equipment. This is a big deal! For it means that, in Maine, all hunters … Continued
Spectacular Spring Bears
BY Erin Merrill In October, I met Jim Shockey during his stop at Cabela’s on his book tour. We talked writing, the outdoors and hunting. He invited me to come up to his Pacific Rim Outfitters on Vancouver Island and hunt spring black bears. I couldn’t say no. The gray, rainy weather reminded me of … Continued
Fly Fishing the Hex Hatch
By V. Paul Reynolds This is the time! Not next week or the week after, this week! It will be tonight at about the time the late afternoon sun slips beneath the spires of spruce on the mountain, or maybe tomorrow night, or the night after – if it’s going to happen at all. The … Continued
The Mystery of the Lost Hunter
BY Warden Kevin O’Leary Garfield Plantation, a small Aroostook County town that neighbors Ashland is the scene for one of the most puzzling and baffling unsolved lost persons case in Maine Warden Service history. Since I first heard the bizarre story behind a man who simply vanished after an extensive and exhaustive search, I have … Continued
Best Trout Lures
By Peter St. James Well, with the spring gobbler season set to end on May 31st and the Moose Lottery applications due by midnight on May 31st, we can now turn our attention to fishing. New Hampshire offers two free fishing days each year, (The first Saturday in June and The third Saturday in January) … Continued
June Fly Fishing
BY Matt LaRoche Oh! How I look forward to the month of June- it is the best month for fly fishing of the year. The water has warmed up a bit, the fish are active and the insect activity is at its peak. Landlocked salmon and brook trout will “zero in” on whatever insects are … Continued
Spring Fishing Report
Sebago Lake Region From Fisheries Resource Supervisor James Pellerin, 3/18/24 Where to fish: Most of the lakes and ponds in southern Maine experienced ice-out by mid-March, so many anglers will have already been fishing by the time this report hits the press. For early season lakes and ponds, I would suggest focusing your efforts on lake … Continued
Rifle Accuracy Thieves
By Tom Kelly Col. Townsend Whelan once said, “Only accurate rifles interest me”. Well, accuracy is one of those relative terms. It can mean different things to different people. Sub MOA or minute of angle groups are a requirement for long range competition shooters. Minute of angle translates to a 1” or smaller 3 shot … Continued
Finally, Trout Season Opens
By Gary Moore We open water trout anglers get real antsy by the end of March, often casting on the lawn and dreaming of opening day. This year that occurs on Saturday, April 13. Like so many others I will be plying the waters of local streams hoping to entice a trout to hit. As I … Continued
Atlantics: The King Clings On
BY V. Paul Reynolds “Chase the fish, boy..yer down to the backin’..chase the fish,”shouted my guide. The Medalist reel sang as the 9 weight line wound off the spool with authority. The tip of the Sage fly rod pulsated as the 18-pound Atlantic salmon lived up to its reputation, leaping and twisting above the frothing … Continued
My name is Cody Fish. I enjoy reading the Northwoods Sporting Journal while out on my fishing trips aboard the two 80-90 foot offshore scallop boats I work on. Our trips are typically a week to two weeks long. As we steam out to the fishing grounds, or even home, I frequently find myself reading the whole journal cover to cover. Wonderful advice, tips, and stories to help me remember just how beautiful the state I call home is. I reside in the town of Union, Maine and am an avid deer Hunter and trout fisherman. I am attaching a picture of me holding the journal as I steam the boat towards Cape Cod.
- Cody Fish"