Winter Winds of Change

Imagining spring.

Your calendar may say "spring" but here at Fish River Lodge I just cleaned up after another snow storm that dumped 8" of heavy, wet snow on top of the 2 1/2 feet of "winter snow" that's been piling up since last November.  I know better than to allow spring fever to creep in to my mind until at least mid April.  Gazing at the wind-whipped lake through the icy window of "Guide Camp" I imagined putting out docks and  launching the boat in about six weeks. By then we might have enough open water on Eagle Lake to get to the thoroughfare to fish.  

If you're wondering what 2016 has been like at Fish River Lodge, well, winds of change blew through here in January when Wayne chose to pursue new adventures and moved to Ashland. He still works as a cook at Northern Maine General in Eagle Lake, and for those who would like to keep in touch, he can be reached by email at wgbennett62@gmail.com. Our divorce will be final April 22. 

To quote Brad Paisley, "Tomorrow, is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one." So, on New Years Day I welcomed 2016 and all the promise of it becoming an epic year! Other than heavy lifting, grounds maintenance, and some plumbing, the business has been mine to manage, operate, and guide from since the beginning in 2005.  Spring reopening shall begin with "business as usual" here at Fish River Lodge. 

The unusual tranquility of reflected snow.

The lake was still open on the first day of winter and from this photo taken December 23rd, you can see we still had open water in front of the lodge and the lake didn't fully button up until December 29th.  There was an unusual stillness and tranquility in the reflection of snow-covered trees on the lake.  By January 2nd, there was just 4" of ice in front of the lodge which made opening day of ice fishing a challenge and few dared venture out on to the ice for another week.  On the days that followed smelt shacks began their slow march on to the ice for the winter.

Plan your 2016 "Two Nation Vacation"!

In early January I took an excursion across the border to explore some of New Brunswick and Quebec.  Have you considered the idea of a "Two Nation Vacation"? Fish River Lodge is located just 17 miles from the Fort Kent, Maine/Claire, New Brunswick International Bridge border crossing and only 40 minutes from the crossing at Madawaska/Edmondston.  If you haven't already made your summer vacation plans, I invite you to consider a stay at Fish River Lodge with day trips to Canada.  You'll experience first-hand our rich Acadia culture and cuisine, and capitalize on the strong U.S. dollar when dining and shopping in Canada.

Acadia and "You Are My Sunshine".

I took my first real vacation in 12 years in mid January when my grand daughter Acadia and I drove to Georgia for 10 days.  Our first stop was an overnight with bear hunter Bob O'Connor following Virginia's record snow storm.  When we arrived three days later the interstate was still partially shut down, side roads were just being opened, and driveways plowed.  After plowing for neary three days straight, Bob welcomed us in to his home and treated us to dinner at a wonderful Brazilian steak house.  The following morning we struck off for NCM Show Horses in Dacula, Georgia, where Acadia's horse "Mazie" was being trained.  It is also where Fort Kent native, Martin Doustou is employed as a horse trainer.  We got to visit with Martin, meet the Mayabb family, tour the Atlanta area, and surprise of surprises...bought a 2 year old filly and AQHA futurity prospect.  Her name is "You Are My Sunshine" from Waymond and Suzie Robert's successful breeding program.  She remains in Georgia, with the Mayabbs, for training.  She will begin her show career in July and August.  "Mazie" is also still in Georgia and will make another aspiring young rider a suitable show horse.  It was a magical trip but so far removed from the northern Maine I love.  I actually looked forward to getting home to "winter" so I could enjoy the beauty of our longest season.  On our way back north we visited Chincoteague and Assateague Islands off the Virginia shore in search of the wild ponies that live there.  We found them on the salt marsh!

Wild ponies of Chincoteague on a salt marsh.

Lynx tracking.

February was mild and a welcome relief from last year's brutal cold.  I enjoyed getting out snowshoeing, snowmobiling, taking long walks on the lake, and enjoying the birds at my feeder.  There are juncos, red polls, pine siskins, chackadees, nuthatches, house finches, gold finches, pine grossbeaks and beautiful evening grossbeaks.  Oh, and squirrels.  Lots of red squirrels. One of our most elusive northern furbearers is the Canadian lynx.  Many live among us but they are seldom seen.  Since I spend so much time outdoors and in the back country I typically encounter lynx several times a year.  My most memorable encounter occurred last November while deer hunting.  I heard a lynx yowling in the distance as it made it's way to a nearby gut pile.  The encounter lasted nearly 20 minutes as I played with the lynx by making buck grunts while it picked at the gut pile.  It was curious to locate the source of the calls and crept around me, eventually returning to the gut pile and ignoring me.  Once we have snow on the ground it makes tracking lynx easy!  I enjoy searching the shoreline of Eagle Lake for lynx tracks and over the winter have pinpointed several areas they frequent.

Lynx tracks.

Where shoreline greets ice.

By the end of February the sun's path creeps skyward enough that long shadows are cast across the lake.  In summer we enjoy the sun directly over our heads while relaxing on the pebbly beach but in winter it barely peeks over the hill behind the lodge.  Those long shadows are a reminder long days of summer breezes and sunshine are coming.  The thoroughfares are opening, cold days have a warmth about them when the sun shines, and sunsets come now in early evening and not late afternoon.  Easter weekend was especially magical as I enjoyed two blissful days of mild temps and sunshine.  I greeted Easter Sunday at sunrise with a prayer of thanks and gratitude for the beauty and happiness that surrounds me everyday and the blessing of God's greatest sacrifice. My friend and fellow Maine guide, Elliot Mitchell, joined me on the lake for a day of snowmobiling, more lynx tracking, basking in glorious sunshine, and enjoying all the sights, smells, and sounds of renewal that come with spring - like the sparkle of open water as the edges of the lake, the smell of fir trees and melting snow, and the sweet chatter of songbirds from treetops.

And so it ends as it began, with peeks of open water where shoreline greets ice; where winter and spring now dance together for a brief time.  Spring will come to the north country; she always does even if she is always late to the dance.