I’m not a big fan of April. Any month that begins with a special day for fools should be a bit suspect from the get-go! From an Aroostook outdoorsmen’s aspect there are plenty of things to do concerning upcoming outdoor activities, but precious few actual outings to enjoy. Unlike southern Maine where the folks are already mowing grass and working on flower gardens, we still have ice on the lakes, snow in the woods and spring fever in our hearts and minds.
To add insult to injury, the Maine Department of Fisheries and Wildlife actually opened the season two weeks early due to the mild winter. Now I’m not saying Crown of Maine anglers can’t take some advantage, but there’s a big difference between “open water” and actual Aroostook, easy to reach, safe, fish-producing open water! Nonetheless, in the words of my dear ol’ Dad, even poor fishing’s better than no fishing at all, and way better than work.
Brooks and streams offer the only early season options to dunk a worm or toss a lure or fly, and until water levels drop, clear up some and warm up a bit, bait provides the most consistent action. Some likely open stretches for early April include several spots on the Meduxnekeag above and below Houlton, on the Prestile below the Mars Hill and Robinson dams, on the Fish River between Soldier Pond and Fish River Falls, and a few spots on the Aroostook River. As the month progresses more spots will open, and after such a mild winter, a few small ponds should be available to fish late this month.
If shooting is more to your liking, you have until April 1 to try a bit of wingshooting on crows. Aroostook County has a split season and most springs the snow and mud make pursuing these wily, black varmints a tough chore. All a crow hunter really needs is a shotgun and a call, but an owl decoy and a couple of crow decoys will help perk up the action. Just find a hedge row, field edge or small woodlot, hang the owl decoy from an exposed tree limb and place the pair of crow decoys nearby in the trees or on the ground, and begin calling.
If any real crows are nearby they will quickly wing your way to investigate the ruckus, and once they spot the owl, which they despise, the fun begins. They make more noise, and dive bomb the owl decoy trying to drive it away and pretty soon more crows hear the fight and show up to help. There are moderately priced electronic calls that feature real crow/owl encounters and they really stir up the action. Crow meat really isn’t very tasty, but the feathers are great for fly tying and they do offer challenging wingshooting targets.
Other open season gunning options include coyote, which is especially tough in the spring; porcupine, an odd quarry with little real challenge; and groundhog. Groundhog hunting can encompass long-range sniping or sneak and shoot with .22s or shotguns at closer range. Unfortunately, the best woodchuck action begins after all the snow is gone in May, so this is mostly unrewarding in April. Red squirrel hunting season never ends. They are often an exciting target and great for youngsters to learn stalking and accuracy. Not a lot of meat, but many folks like it stewed like rabbit and the tails are top rate fly-tying material.
More and more Aroostook sportsmen are crossing the border into Canada to fish Atlantic salmon the last two weeks of April and into May. Several rivers such as the Miramichi, Restigouche, Renous and Matapedia offer only expensive angling on private salmon pools during the summer, but spring black salmon fishing yields fast action at very reasonable rates. A two-hour drive puts area fly casters on river runs full of 10- to 20-pound, hard-fighting fish.
While outdoor options seem a bit limited this month, I utilize the time to prepare for the big push and vast array of adventures from May through November. Make sure you have a new fishing license, or a combo hunt/fish, and while you’re at the town office be sure your boats and trailers are registered. It’s a good time of year to check over your boat, trailer and motor to make sure everything is in operational order. Nothing ruins an outing quicker than equipment failure.
It’s also a good time to locate gas tanks, paddles, flotation gear and fishing rods and tackle, and if a trip to the sporting goods store is in order, do it now. Wait too long to look for new flies, lures or lines and all the good stuff may be picked over or gone. I know there’s still snow on the ground and frost in the air, but the mild winter bodes an earlier than normal spring, so why not be ready. It never hurts to be hopeful!
