Chesuncook Winter 09-10
Master guide-Pete Oatway
A very odd, unusual winter with little snowfall, mild temperatures and ice thickness under 2 ft. Normally in March we have 3ft. sometimes more. We Had only one day that went 10 below zero. Normally we have plenty of days that range from 10 to 25 below zero.
We had one short period of slush on the ice. Most of January was bare ice which made for tricky traction for snowmobiles. January and Febuary were very slow ice fishing on Chesuncook. It picked up a little in March but was only fair salmon fishing with even a few small brookies caught. Biggest salmon seen was 20,1/2 inches. Several nice Togue were caught on Chamberlin and Eagle Lakes in the 27 inch, 5,3/4 pd. range. Size, weight and numbers are dropping. Brook trout fishing there is very poor compared to a few years ago when it was great. Why? Nobody knows.
Snowmobile riding has increased big time this year and the Lake House is capitalizing on it with dogs and burgers being served up there by the bushel and gasoline being sold. Trails being maintained in good style. Several guides in the area are maintaining trail on all the tote roads, logging roads and frozen waterways so the future looks good for trail riding.
Spring has sprung with flocks of grackles and red winged blackbirds moving through on thier way north in groups of 50 or more. We had our first robin today the 20th of March. Plenty of eagles are back with open water at First Falls, Canvas Dam, Caucmogomic Dam and Umbazooksus Stream. Otters are having fun playing on the snows close to the open water stream banks. I've been tempted to dive in with them as it's approaching time when the ole guide does need a bath.