Moosehead Lake fishing report

    Let’s see, the old saying goes something like, “Wind from the south, blows bait in the mouth; wind from the east, fishing the least; wind from the west, fishing the best…”  I would like to add: “wind from the north at 20 below, fishing at derby very, very slow.”

    Yes, the weather certainly played a role in keeping the catch down this year. The wind was measured in double digits and the air temperature hovered in the single digits which limited anglers to shorelines and to the warm side of a camp window. Traps quickly froze in holes and jiggers were forced into the ice shack.

    But there is always a winner and this year Jason McLellan of Ashland took home $1,500 for is 5.3 pound (24.75 inch) togue he caught Sunday morning near Rockwood. Second place went to Joesph Hardison of Ellsworth with a 4.7 pound fish and third place goes to Wayne Elliott of Damariscotta with a 4.6 pound togue.

    The grand door prize, which included an ice auger, jet sled, cover and hitch donated by Indian Hill Trading Post, went to Edward Throgmorton of Naples.  There were nearly 80 fish pool prizes up for grabs including a $250 cash prize.

    NASCAR broadcaster and analyst Ricky Craven cruised the lake talking to anglers and was on hand at the end of the derby to meet the winner. Over 200 tickets were sold and the proceeds will go to support the Natural Resource Education Center at Moosehead and its Fisheries Internship/Enhancement program. This program has provided funding for many great fisheries programs over the past years including competition removal at several local trout ponds, access and picnic site improvements at Rum Pond, restoration of native Arctic char in Big Wadleigh Pond and the Roach River/Socatean Stream weir project. We want to thank Ricky Craven and all the sponsors and anglers that participated in this year’s derby.