State should publicize legendary guides

In 2009, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, in conjunction with the Maine Professional Guides Association ( MPGA), did a wonderful thing. They created the Wiggie Robinson Legendary Guide Award. As was fitting, Robinson was the first (posthumous) recipient of his namesake award.

The idea was to select annually a deserving Registered Maine Guide for this honor and public recognition.

Legendary is a big word. Since the fabled first Maine guide, Cornelia “Flyrod” Crosby, put Maine on the map for American sportsmen and women, there has been a continuous cadre of Maine guides, some famous, some not so famous, some obscure and a few, perhaps, even on the shady side.

Wiggie Robinson came as close as a contemporary Maine guide gets to being a bona fide legend. He was a true woodsman who grew up with it. He was well known and well liked. He was active and involved, having served on the Maine guide’s board, Fish and Wildlife advisory council and in other capacities as a sportsman and guide. He walked the walk and talked the talk.

Since Robinson set the stage and served as the role model for the Legendary Maine Guide Award, there have been a number of other deserving Maine Guides singled out for this special recognition, dedicated guides like Gil Gilpatrick, Dan Legere, Gary Corson, Matt Libby, Don Dudley and others.

What is not so wonderful is the seeming impression that the powers that be at the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife have allowed this important award to take a back seat to other priorities. This April, during the MPGA’s spring banquet in Brewer, the IF&W Commissioner Chandler Woodcock was on hand to present this year’s Legendary Guide Award to another deserving veteran, Don Helstrom, from Turnpike Ridge Outfitters in Millinocket. Trouble is the news of Helstrom’s recognition apparently never got beyond the doors of the guide’s banquet. MDIF&W never issued a press release or a photo, which has always been the custom.

Helstrom is a veteran bear hunting guide who has been in business in Maine for more than 50 years. He owns and operates Turnpike Ridge Outfitters and Salmon Pool Camps on the Aroostook River. He has served in various capacities over the years with the Maine Professional Guides Association, has been a voice for sportsmen in the state, and was very active during the Maine bear referendum.

A laid back guy, he is not too wound up about the lack of press received by his selection as Legendary Guide for 2017. Still, the lack of public recognition does a disservice, not only to the stature of the award but to the memory of Wiggie Robinson and those still-living Maine guides who have followed his sterling example. Would it not also be appropriate for the Department of Fish and Wildlife (MDIF&W) to include on its website a list of those Maine guides who have received the Legendary Guide Award since its inception?

In context of the Maine outdoor heritage and MDIF&W’s attendant role, people matter, just as much as vernal pools and Tomah mayflies.
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The author is editor of the Northwoods Sporting Journal. He is also a Maine Guide and host of a weekly radio program “Maine Outdoors” heard Sundays at 7 p.m. on The Voice of Maine News-Talk Network. He has authored three books.Online purchase information is available at www.maineoutdoorpublications.com.