That old proverb about the month of March coming in like a lion and going out like a lamb is right on the money so far. During the first couple of weeks, Aroostook has experienced two major snow storms, “nor’easters,” according to many meteorologists, wild winds with loss of power in some areas and of course recent deep-freeze temperatures.
Things are looking up, however, as the Weather Channel promises at least a week of daytime temperatures above freezing (although the nights are all below 20 degrees) and thanks to the time change, we have more daylight and gain a few minutes every day.
Don’t get too comfortable yet. We all know just how suddenly Crown of Maine weather can switch around. More than once, I’ve been spring trolling a regional lake in early May and endured intermittent sleet or snow. The trick is to get through one week at a time until May Day, and then it’s all downhill to warm weather and plenty of outdoor opportunities.
I suggest fitting one or two more ice fishing trips into the schedule since only a week or two remain in the season. I joined some friends and visited St. Froid Lake on a recent Sunday and while the fishing was a bit slow, the weather was sunny, temperatures comfortable and the shore lunch was delicious. During late March, the sun is warmer, days are longer and ice fishing on lakes such as Squa Pan in Masardis, Drews in Houlton, Cochrane in New Limerick and Eagle on the Fish River chain continue to be productive.
March also is an action-packed time for late-season hare hunters. This is breeding season for rabbits and whereas they are usually most active feeding at dawn and dusk, right now the sex-crazed little fur balls are roaming around all day looking for a mate, or two, or three. Snowshoes will be a must for getting about in the current soft, deep drifts, but a couple of beagles to move the bunnies around will save hunters a lot of walking. Just like ice fishing season, rabbit hunting ends the last day of March.
For sportsmen who have had enough fun wrestling an ice auger or slogging after snowshoe hare in heavy brush, there are other cures for cabin fever. For the next several weekends, somewhere in Maine there’s going to be a humdinger of a sportsmen’s show, gun show or boat show. It’s inside entertainment with an outdoor flavor and a chance to run into hunting and fishing buddies and exchange tall tales, and perhaps even win a door prize. On top of all that, there’s bound to be something on display by one of the exhibitors that you need for upcoming cast or blast outings. Spring and sportsmen shows, they go hand in hand every year.
As for other March hunting opportunities, of course coyote season is still in full swing, including night gunning and shooting over bait sites. Crow season is now open as well, and there are a good number of the noisy black predators winging about The County already. As the weather warms, more crows will move in from the south, but it’s a split season and early hunting ends for our region, zones 1-6, on April 14. Crows are a wily quarry that offer a great wing shooting challenge. Novice crow hunters need to practice calling and use an owl and a couple of crow decoys to improve chances of coaxing birds within shotgun range.
There are quite a few indoor activities pertaining to outdoor pastimes that can fill in a few evenings or weekend hours as well. Tying a few flies to fill in the empty spaces in the tackle box is a rewarding use of time. I’m currently working on nymphs, streamer flies and black salmon patterns since these will be my first offerings during April and May. If I have time, the dry flies and wet flies will be next up for replacement. This is also the time of year I cull out all the heavily used and abused flies from my boxes and repair or replace them.
I also spend a few hours sorting through my storage drawers and cabinets, making sure all my fishing gear is accounted for. During the September switchover from fishing to hunting seasons, I’ve been known to toss things helter-skelter, to be sorted out at a later date. March is often that later date, and if I don’t segregate and sort reels, fly boxes, spools of mono, leader material and spare fly lines and other essential paraphernalia, when I really need it in a hurry there’s likely to be excessive searching and cursing.
Smelt dipping isn’t far in the future so now might be a good time to locate the long handled net, check the lantern or headlamp out, and make sure the waders don’t leak. March is also prime time to visit the local sporting goods store or peruse one of the dozen or so spring outdoor catalogs that have recently arrived. If you’re like me there’s always a couple of things I need for turkey season or spring trolling.
March is sort of a winter wind-down, spring start up month, and regardless of weather conditions there are plenty of days for outside and inside projects. One last piece of advice, and take it from one who has learned the hard way. If there’s a “honey do” list at your house, now is a far better time to complete any household chores than when fishing season is in full swing.
