McClory: Come on in, the fishing’s fine!

It has been quite a year for the winter outdoorsperson. Have you been thinking about getting back into outdoor winter sports? If so, the weather has been very cooperative this year. From the lakes, ponds and salt-water rivers to fresh-water rivers, the fishing is just incredible. Salt-water smelt fishermen are filling 5-gallon buckets on a regular basis at Maine’s River Bend Smelt Rental Camps in Bowdoinham, and Jame’s Eddy in Dresden. Bass, perch and crappie fishing has really made a comeback this season. Jigging on local ponds and lakes, as well as up north, has been the best in years. From the Kittery report, the buzz in the Sebago Region is about the incredible togue (lake trout) fishing going on just about everywhere ? Nason’s Beach, Jordan’s, Quimby’s, the State Park, Frye’s Island, off Route 302, and Sebago Station. Limit catches are common but you should know that you are allowed only one togue over 23 inches. Recently a 12-pound, 38-inch lake trout was weighed in. The jig fishermen are accounting for 75 percent of the fish being caught, while the rest are being caught using live suckers or smelt on tip-ups. Most of the fish are caught in 12 to 60 feet of water with the people in the shallow water reporting seeing huge schools of smelt and huge togue following them.February is a month filled with ice fishing tournaments. The Sebago Lake Rotary Club Maine Chevrolet Sebago Derby will be held on Feb. 21-22, 2009, and will once again be in cooperation with Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. The tournament is intended to be a fish management tool targeting both invasive species along with illegally introduced species that are also considered invasive. The total prize pool is currently over $60,000, including a new Chevy Silverado truck. Entry fee is $30. The tournaments are open to adults and youngsters and subject to all ice fishing regulations as set by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Competitors may fish for togue, pickerel, pike and muskie. Locally, a Valentine Ice derby on Sluice Pond will be sponsored by Ippi’s bait and tackle along with the Lynn Fish and Game on Feb. 15 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Entry fee is $10.Get ready for the 2009 Springfield Sportsmen’s Show, the largest sport show in the Northeast! This year’s event will take place from Feb. 19-22 at the “Big E,” the Eastern States Exposition, West Springfield, Massachusetts. This year the show will include hunting, fishing, boating and outdoor recreation all bundled together in one event, packed to the brim with a cross-section of equipment, seminars, outfitters and guides. The Eastern States Fairgrounds, Home of the Big E, is located 10 minutes from the Mass. Turnpike, exit 4 to Rte. 5 South. On Interstate 91, traveling south, take exit 7 to Rte. 147. Take exit 2 from the northbound 91, follow Rte. 5 to West Springfield, MA, take Rte. 147 west and the show is two miles on the left. There is secure parking for over 8,000 vehicles. Hours are: Thursday, Feb. 19, 3-9 p.m.; Friday, Feb. 20, 12-9 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 21, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 22, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ticket prices are: $12 for adults; $5 for children 6-12; and children five years and under, free.Lastly, if you enjoy skiing or boarding, this is a great year for it. I can attest that lift lines almost don’t exist. You may ride up and ski down to an empty lift line.All for now.