So, it’s February vacation week again, and many of us will spend at least a session or two at the barn on Buck Street, watching this year’s hoop heroes make some long-lasting memories.
For years I’ve loved attending the Eastern Maine basketball tournament games, and for years, I had the privilege of telling some of those stories.
Nowadays, my job has changed, and February vacation week is just that: A vacation for me and family members.
Skiing is on the agenda, and I look forward to spending as much time as possible re-exploring the slopes at Sugarloaf in Carrabassett Valley.
Each evening, however, I’ll eagerly sit down in front of the TV to find out how the tournament’s progressing.
And on Saturday, after that week of skiing is done, I suspect I’ll head back (perhaps limping severely) to the Bangor Auditorium to watch as another group of regional champions is crowned.
For my money, this is one of the most special times of the year here in Greater Bangor, and I look forward to seeing how it all turns out this time around.
But there’s more to life than basketball (and this is, officially at least, an outdoors column), so let’s not forget that there’s plenty of other stuff to do or see in the upcoming days and weeks.
Want some examples? Here you go.
— Sit back, log on, and meet one of Maine’s top guides.
Over the past several years, I’ve told readers a lot about Dan Legere, the knowledgeable proprietor of the Maine Guide Fly Shop in Greenville and the host of our annual “Win a Drift Boat Trip” contest.
And though I’ve tried to paint you a word picture of what it’s like to fish with one of the state’s expert guides, I remain quite certain that I’ve left out quite a bit.
I’m also quite certain that my writing skills are insufficient when it comes to adequately describing the waters Legere and his fellow guides fish throughout the spring, summer and fall.
Thanks to a recently completed video produced by Grey Ghost Productions, you don’t have to take my word for it any longer: Now you can watch a professional video that will show you what you’ve been missing.
If you decide to check out the video, I warn you that you may well grab a phone and call to make reservations with Legere or one of his fellow guides … the experience is a special one, and the video captures it perfectly.
The video is 30 minutes long, but it’s broken down into 10 short segments you can peruse at your leisure. If you want to learn more about the East Outlet of the Kennebec, you can do so during one segment. Ditto the West Branch of the Penobscot.
If you want to learn about Legere’s shop, that’s an option … and if you want to meet some of the most colorful guides you’ll find anywhere, those segments are just a mouse-click away.
To see the video, go to www.maineguideflyshop.com.
Just think of it as a virtual fishing trip, and an ideal way to spend a half-hour on a frigid Maine February evening.
— How about some ice fishing?
If you’re an avid ice angler, this is your time of year. This weekend alone, there are more than 20 sanctioned ice fishing derbies taking place on the state’s lakes and ponds.
Those derbies will be followed by another round of tournaments the following weekend, one of which I’d like to tell you about now.
Buck Plummer checked in recently to talk about the 11th annual East Grand Area Ice Fishing Derby, which will take place Feb. 20-22 on East Grand, Brackett, Deering and North lakes.
Plummer said about 600 tickets were sold for last year’s derby, and every ticket-holder is eligible for the $1,000 grand prize, whether they actually fish or not.
“The togue fishing on East Grand has been fantastic this year, the same with cusk,” Plummer reported.
Those who catch the largest salmon, togue and cusk will earn $75 prizes, while second place in those categories is worth $50 and third is worth $25.
Plummer said derby organizers increased the cusk prize money this year in response to the popularity of the fish among anglers.
“Cusk are getting more and more popular up here,” Plummer said. “You’ll find people set up for fishing and they’ll be catching cusk one after the other, 7 or 8 pounds.”
A derby registration with one raffle chance costs $5, a registration with three raffle chances costs $10 and a registration with 10 raffle chances costs $20.
Tickets are available at a number of local stores.
— Don’t worry … relieve your cabin fever.
Winter’s got you down. You’re ready for snow to stop falling and for grass to turn green.
The Penobscot Fly Fishers feel your pain, and they have a solution … kind of.
The PFF will host its annual Cabin Fever Reliever on Feb. 28 and March 1 at the Brewer Auditorium.
The show promotes traditional Maine outdoor activities and crafts through demonstration and education, and admission (as always) is free.
The show features the fly-fishing and fly-tying displays and demonstrations that you might expect, but it offers much more than that.
In all, more than 40 exhibitors will be on hand at the show, which features a relaxed atmosphere that encourages visitors to mingle in the aisles and chat with vendors and presenters.
The show runs from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Feb. 28 and 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on March 1, and adults and kids alike will be sure to find something of interest.
— How about learning about Baxter State Park?
Baxter State Park is, without doubt, one of Maine’s crown jewels.
Park personnel will welcome visitors to a special presentation of “A Sense of Wonder,” a reflection of the life of Rachel Carson, at 6:30 p.m. on March 3.
The program will be held at park headquarters in Millinocket.
Carson is renowned for her legacy as an advocate for the natural world, and the 55-minute dramatization was filmed at her Maine cottage.
In addition to the film, an informal discussion will highlight the conservation work of Gov. Percival Baxter and Carson and how those two individuals found ways to make contributions that have benefited future generations.
Admission is free.
