Sideline Event.

Sunday was a day off with a plan that never quite went off as I wanted. The plan was to do an early morning short float on the Androscoggin river with two friends and then attend the Maine Wilderness Guides Organizations annual meeting and banquet. Earlier in the week one member cancelled due to their work load and on Saturday the other bailed.

I don't let potential free time pass easily. I decided to do a half day wade and then leave in time to catch the event. Throwing streamers produced a few hits on an aggressive strip. Changing up to a swing and a tip strip produced a couple of small rainbows. After working two small runs I decided to grab the dry rod and hopefully find some risers in the soft bank side eddies.

The first area produced the blank. The second was money. Two small rises occasionally broke the surface. Looking at my watch I knew I was cutting it close. I made a deal with myself that if I hooked just one fish I would leave. After numerous refusals I made a fly change. Another refusal. Off went the dry and on went a size 20 P.T. Flashback. First cast and the rainbow nailed it. Nice fat, healthy fish. It was at this point I arrived at a crossroads. Stay or go. A deal is a deal I kept telling myself. Leaving rising fish is something I rarely do.

I arrived at Mahoosic Mountain Lodge a bit late. It never looks good when you arrive somewhere wearing waders and are changing in the parking lot. The cats pretty much out of the bag at that point. The meeting was already proceeding when I stepped in. Luckily I wasn't the only one to show up late. I think a lot of members were out enjoying the day as well.

Cpl. John McDonald from IF&W was the guest speaker for the event. He spoke about the need to strengthen and build better relationships with working guides. It was a very good presentation. Questions from the membership were well received and responses were thoughtful. It's always good to see that the Maine warden service is open to suggestions and new ideas. This was a big step in helping protect the resources we are all so fortunate to work in.

This years MWGO Conservation Award went to Karin Tilberg for her work in helping protect some of Maine's most spectacular areas. We are all very lucky to have people like Ms. Tilberg working for Maine's future generations in regard to conservation.

Meeting and talking with many like minded individuals was great fun. With so many diverse guiding backgrounds the goal is never lost. This is a driven organization dedicated to the protection of Maine's wilderness areas. This is a fun event that I look am looking forward to attending next year. There is still that one fish left in that pocket.