Despite a lack of a season, a number of high school seniors from across the region received all-academic recognition from the Penobscot Valley Conference.

So the question is, I guess, "When is a Green Drake a Green Drake, and when is a Hex a Hex?" You don't care? Well, in that case, you're probably just a casual fly fisher of trout. Those of us, whose heroes are fly fishing entomologists, like to know our bugs, for that is how you get to know your trout and how best to seduce them.

While restaurants, shops and lodging establishments are already feeling the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, another sector of the tourism economy in Maine is bracing for a rocky summer. Normally, communities located along the famous Appalachian Trail welcome thousands of long-distance hikers every summer, offering shelter and supplies to those endeavoring to complete the famous 2,190-mile trail. But this year, everything has changed.

The smelt runs start soon after ice out on the waterway headwater lakes. Brook trout and togue follow these forage fish to their spawning areas and gorge themselves on the easy food source. If you are lucky enough to be in these spawning areas at the right time, the fishing can be unbelievable. Almost all of the major tributaries of the waterway support smelt runs. These are the “hot spots” for early season fishing.

The Allagash Wilderness Waterway Foundation and the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s Bureau of Parks and Lands released “Allagash Explorer: A Take-Along Companion for Maine’s Wilderness Waterway.” A pocket guide designed to inspire, inform and educate travelers about the waterway

The vouchers can be redeemed towards the purchase of non-lead tackle at Dag’s Bait Shop in Auburn, Indian Hill Trading Post in Greenville and BackWoods Bait and Tackle in Chesterville and other retailers to be announced. The program will provide a no-cost way for people to try out lead-free alternatives and help protect loons and other wildlife.

Bicycling is one of the many outdoor activities that people have turned to during the COVID-19 pandemic for fun, exercise and transportation. In response, the Bicycle Coalition of Maine recently released a video that outlines how to ride your bike safely during this time.

Following guidance from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state public health officials, Baxter State Park plans to increase recreational access June 15. Baxter State Park continues to follow guidance from the state of Maine in the plan “Restarting Maine’s Economy” to enact these changes.

Fish psychology -- why fish behave the way they do -- holds fascination for just about every serious angler, but especially fly fishermen. Just when you think that you have the fish finally figured out, presto, the fly or lure that was working like a charm gets ignored by the same fish that was slamming your offering minutes before.

Are you ready to escape from your quarantine lair and start having some fun outdoors? After 11 weeks of pandemic isolation, I bet you are. And this is your lucky day: This weekend, you're invited to find a spot to go fishing. And you won't even need a license.

If you’re thinking of hitting the Appalachian Trail anytime soon, there are a few things you should consider first. As the longest hiking-only footpath in the world, the trail has potential to be a place where the coronavirus is spread to different communities and across state lines. To address this problem, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy recently released updated guidance for visitors.

The coronavirus pandemic and the related suspension of school sports this spring allowed Luis Ayala a rare respite to consider his big picture. The longtime Foxcroft Academy wrestling and soccer coach typically spent his offseasons coaching both sports at the middle-school and youth levels.

Increasingly, turkey hunters I know are telling me that they are hanging up their turkey hunting gear. The reason: ticks. What a sad thing when all they need to do, to be safe, is to spray their hunting duds well with Permethrin, and remain vigilant. 

The state's wildlife biologists have proposed a 61.2 percent increase in the number of any-deer permits allotted this year. If the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife's advisory council approves the plan, 109,890 hunters will be allowed to shoot deer without antlers during the firearms hunting season.

The Maine Principals’ Association is prepared to follow state mandates and new guidelines issued by the National Federation of State High School Associations to pave the way for a safe return to sports activities. The spring season was canceled in March by the MPA because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It was to have been the last time many of Maine’s high school football standouts would ever put on a helmet and shoulder pads. Now, they won’t get the opportunity. John Hersom, the president of the Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl Clasic, has announced that the 31st annual senior all-star football game has been canceled because of complications caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Levi Ladd was the Maine Central Institute girls JV basketball coach in 2008. Now the Milo native is back at the Pittsfield school as the varsity coach.

The sweet of the year started today, May 17. The week of cold north winds did a 180-degree shift, and a south wind moved in where I live at Branch Lake. Overnight the hardwoods in the higher elevations turned from somber gray to a delightful lime green. The forsythia blossomed.  And the first black fly wave came calling. Ah, spring!