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As we march into March I’m reminded of the shows I watch on the Discovery Channel of people climbing Mt. Everest. They start out with enthusiasm at the bottom of the mountain: January. Then they start dropping off like flies when they reach base camp halfway up: February. And then the survivors shuffle into the “dead zone” near the peak where no creature can live for very long: March.
Like those mountain climbers nearing the summit, I tend to enter late winter like a zombie, plodding along, step-by-step, eyes glazed over, and white as a ghost. That may be an exaggeration but not by much. I start out full of optimism that this year I am gonna beat the winter blues and emerge with a skip in my step. But after exhausting my winter outdoor activity quota, by March my optimism and motivation have ground to a halt. I’ve likely already done a fair share of ice fishing; I’ve bagged and cooked up some snowshoe hare fricassee; I’ve called in a few coyotes; I’ve snowshoed in and around deer yards to check on the inhabitants; and I’ve helped my biologist friend with his winter nuisance beaver trapping. Now what?
Here’s how I manage to struggle through March.
In my spare time I turn to indoor activities like tying flies, reading, and catching up on my writing and artwork. I’ve found that tying flies is an especially good way to get the optimism flowing again. Open water fishing season is just around the bend and you can fantasize that a big brookie is sure to attack the streamer fly you have clamped into your vise. Tying flies—like fly-fishing—is not that difficult and even the most sophomoric effort will catch fish. They aren’t picky, especially during early season when they are ravenous after being trapped under the ice so long. My daughters used to ask me to break out the fly tying kit every winter and they created some commendable flies that I keep displayed in a cabinet. Beginner fly tying kits are remarkably complete and can be found at L. L. Bean, Cabela’s, and most sporting good stores. Being only a hobby fly-tier I still utilize my beginner’s kit that I have had for close to 20 years.
Spring turkey season is also on the horizon, so this is the time to practice your calling. Take out the box call and slate call and drive the family and the dogs crazy. Diaphragm mouth calls give most beginners fits and tend to make them gag—but practice, because using a mouth call eliminates movement and is crucial for when that big gobbler is up close and personal.
March is also the time for Maine sportsman’s shows. These shows couldn’t come at a better time for the winter-weary sportsperson and are a sure-fire way to get the blood pumping in anticipation of the upcoming fishing and hunting seasons. Two of the best are this month’s 70th Annual Eastern Maine Sportsmen’s Show, March 14–16 at the University of Maine Field House in Orono and the 28th Annual State of Maine Sportsman’s Show, March 28–30 at the Augusta Civic Center. These shows are tailored for families and are chockful of events and activities for kids and adults. Along with exhibitors booths, many with great raffle items, there are dog training seminars, bow shooting lanes, fly tying classes, turkey calling competitions, taxidermy, photography, artwork, and carving exhibits, and more.
I find the Orono show less crowded and more intimate with predominantly regional exhibitors. You can soak it all in during an afternoon or a day. The Augusta show is considerably larger and more national in scope. I suggest getting there when the doors open so you aren’t fighting through crowded aisles. Many attendees plan on staying overnight in the Augusta area so they don’t miss anything this show has to offer. The show schedule of events has not been made available as I write this but will surely be on the web and in print when this issue hits the shelves.
So, shake off the winter blahs and tie a fly, practice a turkey call, and attend a sportsman’s show. It’s a great way to prepare for mud season. n
Brad Eden is an artist, writer, Registered Maine Master Guide, and owner/editor of the online magazine www.uplandjournal.com.
Like those mountain climbers nearing the summit, I tend to enter late winter like a zombie, plodding along, step-by-step, eyes glazed over, and white as a ghost. That may be an exaggeration but not by much. I start out full of optimism that this year I am gonna beat the winter blues and emerge with a skip in my step. But after exhausting my winter outdoor activity quota, by March my optimism and motivation have ground to a halt. I’ve likely already done a fair share of ice fishing; I’ve bagged and cooked up some snowshoe hare fricassee; I’ve called in a few coyotes; I’ve snowshoed in and around deer yards to check on the inhabitants; and I’ve helped my biologist friend with his winter nuisance beaver trapping. Now what?
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Here’s how I manage to struggle through March.
In my spare time I turn to indoor activities like tying flies, reading, and catching up on my writing and artwork. I’ve found that tying flies is an especially good way to get the optimism flowing again. Open water fishing season is just around the bend and you can fantasize that a big brookie is sure to attack the streamer fly you have clamped into your vise. Tying flies—like fly-fishing—is not that difficult and even the most sophomoric effort will catch fish. They aren’t picky, especially during early season when they are ravenous after being trapped under the ice so long. My daughters used to ask me to break out the fly tying kit every winter and they created some commendable flies that I keep displayed in a cabinet. Beginner fly tying kits are remarkably complete and can be found at L. L. Bean, Cabela’s, and most sporting good stores. Being only a hobby fly-tier I still utilize my beginner’s kit that I have had for close to 20 years.
Spring turkey season is also on the horizon, so this is the time to practice your calling. Take out the box call and slate call and drive the family and the dogs crazy. Diaphragm mouth calls give most beginners fits and tend to make them gag—but practice, because using a mouth call eliminates movement and is crucial for when that big gobbler is up close and personal.
March is also the time for Maine sportsman’s shows. These shows couldn’t come at a better time for the winter-weary sportsperson and are a sure-fire way to get the blood pumping in anticipation of the upcoming fishing and hunting seasons. Two of the best are this month’s 70th Annual Eastern Maine Sportsmen’s Show, March 14–16 at the University of Maine Field House in Orono and the 28th Annual State of Maine Sportsman’s Show, March 28–30 at the Augusta Civic Center. These shows are tailored for families and are chockful of events and activities for kids and adults. Along with exhibitors booths, many with great raffle items, there are dog training seminars, bow shooting lanes, fly tying classes, turkey calling competitions, taxidermy, photography, artwork, and carving exhibits, and more.
I find the Orono show less crowded and more intimate with predominantly regional exhibitors. You can soak it all in during an afternoon or a day. The Augusta show is considerably larger and more national in scope. I suggest getting there when the doors open so you aren’t fighting through crowded aisles. Many attendees plan on staying overnight in the Augusta area so they don’t miss anything this show has to offer. The show schedule of events has not been made available as I write this but will surely be on the web and in print when this issue hits the shelves.
So, shake off the winter blahs and tie a fly, practice a turkey call, and attend a sportsman’s show. It’s a great way to prepare for mud season. n
Brad Eden is an artist, writer, Registered Maine Master Guide, and owner/editor of the online magazine www.uplandjournal.com.
