The
muskie's presence in the Pine Tree State is not
without debate. I've talked to the salmonoid purists
who equate the muskie's watery immigration as unwanted
as the terra-based coyote.
Who would have
thought that just as I finished a muskie article for this
month's Journal edition, describing the new Maine record for
the species caught by an acquaintance of mine, that just two
weeks later I'd have to complete this whole rewrite because a
family member on my wife's side broke it again in the same
month? Now I'm running close to publisher's deadline, so
this is it--no matter what.
Some readers
are asking, "Muskie in Maine?" You better
believe it. The muskellunge is here to stay, and no
doubt will gradually proliferate in the northern part of
Aroostook County. Before I go into its controversial
presence I want to take you to the fishing scene first.
I first
learned of the muskellunge's presence in Maine last
summer. They are prospering in the St. Francis River
and it's natural impoundments of Glazier Lake and Baker
Lake. This waterway is a geographical boundary flowing
into the St. John River, positioned as a natural border
between New Brunswick and Northwestern Aroostook
County. I heard that some monsters were being taken
from these lakes so I tried my luck last August. We observed
a few, my son hooked onto one and lost it, but I saw enough
to encourage a return. I didn't get a chance to ice
fish for them this winter. Now I wish I did.
My
brother-in-law, Harold Cyr, accompanied brother's James and
Pete Daigle, all of St. David, on a hardwater fishing trip
this past March to Glazier Lake. James landed a 24-plus
pound muskie, setting the new state record. Pete pulled
out a 20 pounder from the same hole a short time later.
Harold called me with the news so we could recognize the
Daigle's angling triumphs in the Journal. I wrote the
column and just as I'm ready to send it off we had to halt the
presses.
The record
was broken again, so here's my hasty rewrite.
This time, my
wife's cousin, Allen DuFour, of St. David, hauled out a
certified 26 pound 8 ounce megafish stretching 43.5 inches, on
March 22nd, also at Glazier Lake. He was using an 8-inch
chub for bait, fishing 10 feet under the ice in 80 feet of
water. It took him twenty minutes to land his trophy on
25-pound test monofilament line with braided backing.
Attached to a steal leader was a 
hook
Allen could only describe as belonging in a saltwater tackle
box. There's a triumphant human element to Allen's story
as well. Allen is confined to a wheelchair due to
paralysis, but what we would think of as a handicap doesn't
stop this outdoorsman from loading up his gear and making the
11-mile snowmobile trip to this remote lake. He's very
capable of maintaining his own holes with a fearless
independence. I asked him about the inherent dangers
associated with being on the ice during Aroostook's
winters. With a matter-of-fact nonchalance he dismissed
my concern by just saying that he'll erect one of those
temporary shelters and tough it out, and refused to let the
physical impediment become an obstacle. In fact, he made
seven trips to the muskie waters this past winter, catching
several leviathans, all over 12 pounds. Congratulations
Allen, you're an inspiration to us all.
The muskie's
presence in the Pine Tree State is not without debate.
I've talked to the salmonoid purists who equate the muskie's
watery immigration as unwanted as the terra-based
coyote. On the other hand, I've spoken to some sportsmen
who welcome the muskellunge as a boon to a diversified
fishery. They cite that this sporty Hercules of the
freshwater-fish world is a naturally prolific breeder and
feeder, not exceptionally hard to catch, and has already
provided some area guides with an economic boost. I have
confirmed reports with Dave Basley, Region G's Fisheries
Biologist, that muskie have expanded to the St. John River.
Either way, as
you can see by the photo with Allen displaying his catch, a
muskellunge is an awesome fish. When one is brought
alongside a boat you wonder if your net is big enough to boat
it, or if you have a big enough boat. Wow! Anyway,
I'll end my column with two predictions. First, the
muskellunge will migrate and expand its range in Aroostook
County. Second, within the next two years a photo of a
30-pounder caught in Maine will grace a page of this
publication.
_______________
Wayne Selfridge is a seasoned outdoorsman who has
hunted and fished throughout the world as a military
veteran. He works in law enforcement, is a member of
the New England Outdoor Writers Association and serves
as the Journal's Northern Sales Manager.
