With the rain today, fall is in the air.
The wind is very strong out of the southwest and the rain showers are frequent enough to make me glad that I have a large pile of work to do on my desk. That is not always the case.
The last few days have been filled with meetings, guiding and trying to get both the dogs and myself in shape for the next month. I attended a meeting of the Mane Conservation School Board of Directors where I was elected the new Vice President. We have some funding issues facing us this winter and a great deal of time was spent discussing the current financial statements. We received an updated version after the meeting that shows the situation to be even bleaker this winter than we had thought. Fortunately I think that everyone is focused on the problem and finding a solution. I’m sure that we will solve it but it is taking more than a little of my thought these days.
I also attended a meeting of the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Advisory Council. There were a few lively discussions and more than a little interest in the proposal to expand the moose hunt into southern Maine next year. I did get to visit with Bill Green a local TV personality that I had not really seen to talk with since I left state government. It will be very interesting to see how this all plays out as the proposal moves forward.
Friday I ran my second business seminar for guides and was quickly reminded how tiring it is to talk for six hours straight. Next time I must get someone else to do some of the presenting so that I am not the whole show. I am certain that the participants will use what they learned to help them grow their businesses in the near future. The Maine Principals Association was the perfect location to hold the event, they were very easy to work with and provided an excellent facility.
Saturday I guided a couple from Colorado on their first striper fishing trip. It was cool and clear with no wind early. I did not find any fish in the harbor but as I headed down river we found ourselves among large schools of breaking stripers including this nice one. We caught fish steadily for the entire trip and I am certain that they are bragging about Maine fishing to their friends and neighbors right now. Next year I am planning to keep more time in October open for striper fishing so that I do not have to leave great fishing and beautiful fall foliage.
