Ashland correspondent celebrates Valentine’s Day on the ice

Ashland correspondent celebrates Valentine’s Day on the ice

ASHLAND NEWS

by Susan Feeney-Hopkins

    Saturday, Feb. 13 found me sitting in a camp chair lounging on the ice on Chamberlain Lake at Lock Dam celebrating Valentine’s Day with my husband, Steve, and our friends, Mike and Geneva Michaud from Eagle Lake. This, you see, was a last-minute “gift” to my husband. I got a surprise shopping spree at Coach, so spending a day as a Popsicle was the least I could do for him. The thought of spending a day of quiet solitude in the Allagash is always an appealing idea for us. We were actually quite surprised at the number of other fishermen there. I guess we really shouldn’t have been considering direct access to this area of the lake has not been available until this year due to some cutting going on. So, obviously we weren’t the only giddy fishermen with a bright idea.

    It was, by all means, a fabulous day to be out there. The weather reports called for the high temperatures to be about 30 degrees. Subtracting a few degrees for our general location, a few more for cloud cover and an additional few more for the whipping wind chill made it seem no different than any other ice fishing day in northern Maine. It was downright cold! But, I have experienced worse. Much worse in terms of ice fishing temperatures, that’s for sure. So overall, it was a stellar day to be out there.
    We set out on the ice riding our snow machines with our tow sleds full of gear scouting for a good place to set up. My husband was in pursuit of the ever elusive (trophy) brook trout, while our friend Mike’s chosen species was white fish. Compromise was the word that came to mind. We made our camp near Ellis Brook about 100 yards from shore in about 30 feet of water. Then began the time-consuming ritual of cutting our holes in the ice, baiting the hooks and setting the tilts. Because baiting a hook is not tactual while wearing bulky winter gloves, our hands were frozen stiff, literally. Then our very smart and prepared good friend, Mike, set up his portable ice shack with a heater. Now, how can you really complain about the cold when you’ve got a heater? You just can’t. Comforts like that make you feel like your staying at a five-star hotel.
    No sooner did we finish the chore of setting up and getting back to the shack to thaw ourselves out, when a flag appeared about 75 yards out from where we stood. Racing the sled over, Steve pulled out a nice Togue. I didn’t have time to get a picture because he chose to release it. With catch and release fishing, time is of the essence. The blackened edges on its head and fins, along with the kaleidoscope of colors and just the exquisite beauty of these creatures, never ceases to amaze me. One more Togue and the action went dead. Dead. Though we were fishing in our own group, we kept an eye on the other fishermen. There wasn’t a flag to be seen for the rest of the morning.
    By early afternoon, we decided to move down the lake back toward the dam. This time we were closer to shore, so I chose to set myself up with my camp chair on the shoreline. Of course being on land, though still cold, the wind wasn’t nearly as brutal. The sun was now shining through the cloud cover and the warmth it gave off was intoxicating. I was bundled up to my eyes, but wow, was I comfortable and content. Bathing in the sun feels good no matter the time of year it happens to be. The others were out on the ice so I had some quality time alone. The sounds of silence serenaded me while I absorbed the rays and the environment that enveloped me. This area, and Chamberlain in particular, is hands down my favorite spot in all of northern Maine. One of those moments where you look around, happy to be right where you are. Pure bliss.
    Steve and I decided to call it quits about an hour later. Our friends stayed behind, determined to catch something, as the “legendary” Mr. Michaud does not like to be skunked! But then again, what fisherman does? We were happy later that evening when they stopped by our place to show off the giant cusk that Geneva caught. What a fish! I don’t think I have ever seen one so big. All in all, we had a fine day of romance, fishing and shared a lunch of frozen breakfast sandwiches. Does it get any better than this? I’m not sure that it does.

 

Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins
    MASTER GUIDES Steve Hopkins and Mike Michaud set up camp on Chamberlain Lake for a day of fishing while Geneva Michaud looks on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins
    GENEVA MICHAUD of Eagle Lake caught this monster cusk while fishing recently on Chamberlain Lake in the Allagash.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    The first “Sweethearts-In-Training” dance held Friday, Feb. 12 in the Ashland Central School was an unexpected, overwhelming success! The ladies and gentlemen were decked out in their fanciest attire, and celebrated the Valentine season with their special sweetheart.
    DJ Julie got things rolling at 7 p.m. to the Black Eyed Peas song, “I Gotta’ Feeling (That Tonight’s Gonna’ be a Good Night”) and indeed it was! The song list continued with songs like “YMCA,” “We Are Family,” and the “Chicken Dance” allowing the children and their guests to dance the night away.
    “Freeze Dance” was the first game of the night and the kids were all so good, they were unable to eliminate anyone! “Limbo” was the next game; again there wasn’t a winner, but the kids were obviously having a great time. A winter wonderland was created in a corner of the gym for the “sweethearts” to take a photo with their escorts. A free 4-by-6 photo was given as a keepsake. Roberta Belanger was the photographer for the evening.
    During the dance, the kids could also play an “ice fishing game,” create their own Valentine, or play a “guessing game” (guessing the number of pretzels in a jar). Clark Condon of Garfield was the winner of the jar of pretzels since his guess was the closest. At the end of the night they had an indoor snowball fight, which was a big hit among the guests. Lacey Jandreau, 6, of Portage Lake said it was her “favorite” part of the night! As the students left the dance for home, each was given a carnation.
    The Ashland PTO would like to thank everyone for their support and participation in this very special evening. Special thanks go out to the Ashland PTO for hosting such a wonderful night for our students and their families.

 

Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins
    THE ASHLAND PTO held its first “Sweethearts-In-Training” dance, which was an overwhelming success. By the looks on their faces, you can see the students were all having a great time! Pictured are, from left: Morgan Doughty, Megan Cote, Cameron Curtis, Brady Holmes and Danni Carter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Susan Feeney-Hopkins is the correspondent for Ashland, Portage Lake, Oxbow, Masardis, Garfield, Nashville Plantation and surrounding townships. She can be reached at 435-8232 or feenhop@aol.com.