Outdoor News July 2008 Edited by V. Paul Reynolds July. Let summer begin! Although fishing has begun to peak, there is much angling left. Togue (Lake Trout) will be found by those willing to go down deep with lead core line or downriggers. Fly fishers are keeping a vigil over the ever-popular Green Drake hatch on trout ponds. Stripers and mackerel runs keep it going for salt water anglers. Bass fishermen are enjoying Maine's incomparable bass fishery. And, believe it or not, bear hunters and bear guides have already begun laying plans for the annual bear season that begins the end of next month! Meanwhile, if you were lucky enough to boat a fat landlocked salmon, don't forget to poach it, apply an egg sauce and find some fresh garden peas to go along. Happy Fourth of July! Club News If your club or outdoor organization has news or photos that warrant publication in the Northwoods Sporting Journal, send them to: Club News, NWSJ, P.O. Box 195, W. Enfield, ME 04493, or e-mail news to: paul@sportingjournal.com Click Here To Subscribe! Club News - Norway-Paris Fish & Game Association The Norway-Paris Fish & Game Association formed nearly forty years ago with a group of friends and sportsmen who wanted to promote and preserve our natural resources with emphasis on game animals, fish and birds as well as their habitat. Along with this safety education and youth participation were also included in the mission statement. Now the club has a membership of over 200 and has many ongoing activities. One, of which we are most proud, is the sponsorship of several students each year to the Bryant Pond Conservation School. The club is building a new clubhouse at the club shooting range on rt. 117, the Buckfield Rd. in South Paris. At the range we currently have a 100/200 yd. rifle range and a trap range with voice activated systems. The range is open to members and guests Wednesdays and Sundays at this time. Get in some practice now for our fall shoots in September. More information later. We are currently sponsoring a 10 gun raffle, tickets are available, and a cookbook of club members favorite pot luck and wild game recipes, over 300, is on sale now. The club meets the third Thursday of the month at the Little Red School House on Norway Lake at 6:30 for a pot luck supper with meeting following. New members and guests are always welcome. For membership information call Chris McFarland at 207-743-1679. For any club information or to buy gun raffle tickets or cookbooks call, Mark Truman, club president, at 207-743-7445. Chief Warden Named (Pictured Above) Commissioner Roland "Dan" Martin has named Joel Wilkinson of Windsor as Colonel of the Maine Warden Service. Wilkinson, who is currently a captain, has served as Acting Major since November while the process to select a new colonel was underway. "Wilkinson's comprehension of the intricacies of the Maine Warden Service was quite evident when he fulfilled the duties of Acting Major during the last six months," said Commissioner Martin. "His command of personnel, finances and field operations helped the division endure a trying time of budget cuts and near-record snowmobile fatalities. In his new role, Wilkinson's organization and communication skills will be a valued asset in directing this law enforcement branch through any challenges that may be ahead." State statute requires that the Maine Warden Service Colonel be selected from among the game wardens. A search committee comprised of the Chief of Investigations from the Attorney General's office, Aroostook County Sheriff, Maine State Police, a Warden Sergeant and a Game Warden conducted an extensive selection process to assist Commissioner Martin in his decision. As Colonel, Wilkinson will supervise approximately 125 officers in the areas of fish and wildlife management and conservation, recreational vehicle law enforcement, and search and rescue. Other responsibilities include policy, budget and personnel management. "Each day presents new challenges for the Maine Warden Service, but with these challenges comes great opportunity for our staff to build partnerships and solve problems on a local and state level," Wilkinson said. "As Colonel, I will develop a process of effective strategic planning for mission, budget, employee development, education and awareness. These plans will instill vision and ownership by staff and enhance the professional standards and public confidence in the Maine Warden Service." During the last six months, Major Gregory Sanborn of Sidney has served as Acting Colonel. Sanborn, an 18-year veteran, will continue his role as Major. "Major Sanborn took charge of the Maine Warden Service during a time of turmoil and admirably led it through the tough challenges that came before it," Commissioner Martin said. "His leadership and expertise were needed to help this division maintain focus on its core mission and he served the Maine Warden Service and the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife well." Wilkinson said he is pleased that he will continue to partner with Major Sanborn. "Major Sanborn's dedication to the Maine Warden Service is immeasurable," Wilkinson said. "He's a valued team member and, to me, a trusted friend." Prior to becoming Acting Major, Wilkinson oversaw the following operations: the Wildlife Crime Investigations Division; the personnel complaint investigation process; the service's training bureau; whitewater boating enforcement and safety; and landowner relations. He has worked as a district game warden, an investigator and a sergeant. He received the William Twarog "Manager of the Year" Award from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in 2006, an Outstanding Supervisor award in 2006, an exemplary service award for his work as an investigator in 2004, and a State Police Colonel's award in 2001 for his work in locating the body of a homicide victim. Wilkinson also has served as the incident commander for the Maine Warden Service's Search, Rescue and Recovery team, and currently is the administrative dive team leader. Wilkinson started as a deputy game warden in the Gray-New Gloucester area in 1992, and his first district was patrolling the Rumford area. He has an associate's degree in criminal justice from Southern Maine Community College. He is married to Kelly, and has two children, Emma and Sam. Auburn Lake Clean-Up Over a dozen members ages 7-77 from Androscoggin Bassmasters and L/A Junior Bassmasters of Lewiston were on hand at the clubs annual Auburn Lake clean-up conservation function. Each spring the group takes 4-5 hours to scour the banks and roadways around the watershed and removes up to a ton or more of trash that will never make it to the cities drinking water. This year volunteers met at the Route 4 turnout at 8:00 am and were treated to breakfast items which were supplied by Cavalier Club Bingo of Lisbon and Dunkin Donuts of Auburn. It's amazing the amount of trash that is left behind from year to year. In the clubs first years back in the early 80's the trash collected would have to be set beside the dump truck because the truck was overloaded and could not hold any more. Today it seems to be controlled more and is about half the amount of those years. It is always a game to see who will bring in the so called "prize" of the year or most unique item. The most memorable to date is a wallet which was found and returned to its original owner, boy was he surprised! Some other popular items are fast food meal bags, magazines, home furnishings and tires. You can even spot where the best fishing areas are by the fishing line and old bait cans that are left behind by a few inconsiderate sportsmen; this one hurts us the most. Around noon time, after all the trash is collected it is then hauled back to the dump truck, supplied by the Auburn Water District, and then hauled to the local dumping station. We always welcome anyone to join us on the last Saturday in April each year starting at 8:00 am at the lakes boat launch. We all know this is a time when fishing is at its peak for most of us. However, just five or six hours of your time can make a world of difference in our backyard. FMI visit us at www.androscogginbassmasters.com, or contact John Volkernick at 562-9255. Angler Perishes A 62-year-old retired firefighter from Quincy, Mass., died last month while fishing at his favorite fishing spot of 25 years on Grand Lake Stream. Chester Aniolowski and a fishing buddy, Joe Verlicco, also a retired firefighter from Quincy, were fishing on the water's edge near the Grand Lake Stream Fish Hatchery when Mr. Aniolowski fell into the deep water, began staggering and gasping for air, and floated across the stream, according to Maine Warden Service Game Warden Brad Richard. Mr. Verlicco said he jumped into the water, crossed the stream and tried to keep Mr. Aniolowski's head above water until rescue personnel could arrive. The Maine Warden Service was notified at approximately 7 p.m. Monday. Also at the scene were Grand Lake Stream Fire and Rescue and Indian Township Fire and Rescue, which transported the victim to Mays Funeral Home in Calais, according to MWS Sgt. David Craven. It is unknown whether Mr. Aniolowski died because of a medical issue or by accidental drowning. The Maine Medical Examiner's Office will review his body to determine a cause of death. Mr. Aniolowski and Mr. Verlicco traveled to that exact location near the Grand Lake Stream Fish Hatchery to fish every year since 1982, Warden Richard said. "They came every last week of May," he said. "It was one of their favorite places to fish." Mr. Aniolowski's family has been notified. The incident remains under investigation. Shooting News May 25th at our Sporting Clay's "Fun Shoot" Earl Glidden from Gorham, Maine was the champion, with the highest score ever recorded at Varney's Clay Sports 97 x 100. This tops the previous high score of 95 x 100 shot by Chuck Willey of West Gardiner, Me. Earl Glidden also shot the first and only perfect round 50 x 50. My hat is off to Earl Glidden a relative newcomer but, fast becoming a force to be reckoned with on the sporting clays course. Earl shoots with his teenage son, Steve, who incidentaly had the second high score of the day with 91 x 100. The Gliddens are not only good shotsm, but sportsmen and gentlemen both on and off the field. We have had several shooters score 49 x 50 Andy Kent of Auburn, Maine and Mike Fields of Brunswick, Maine have both shot 49 x 50 twice on our sporting clays course. It took almost ten years and thousands of rounds of sporting clays before anyone could put it all together and master the "Blue Course". Who will be the first shooter to master the "Red Course"? I'm betting on Earl Glidden. -Brad Varney Wing shooting instructor and owner of Varney's Clay Sports Click Here For Past Stories!! Story of the Month |  Current Stories |  Next Month's Stories |  Advertising Info |  Subscribe |  Related Links |  Home