Monthly Archives: July 2015

Age is just a number: Experienced paddlers enjoy nationals experience

A week ago, as he prepared to compete in the four-day Penobscot River Whitewater Nationals Regatta, J.R. Mabee of Bangor shared a secret about his sport. Champions, it turns out, come in all shapes and sizes. And ages. (Don’t forget that one). “Time in the boat and experience are the biggest things,” Mabee said. “A […]

Committee votes to return canoe nationals to Penobscot for next two years

When Scott Phillips and his fellow race organizers worked to stage the Penobscot River Whitewater Nationals Regatta, they were hoping the races wouldn’t end up being a one-time event. Before the four-day championships wrapped up on Sunday, Phillips learned that attendees were duly impressed: During a Saturday meeting of the American Canoe Assocation’s competition committee, […]

Top paddlers ready for new nationals challenge on Penobscot

Old Town will be bustling this week as paddlers from around the nation head to the Penobscot River and test themselves against a “new” stretch of the Penobscot River. OK, that’s not entirely true. The river, of course, is still rather old. But the whitewater sections that will test competitors during the Penobscot River Whitewater […]

Today’s the day: Eat some Gifford’s Ice Cream and meet ‘North Woods Law’ stars

Many Mainers love their Gifford’s ice cream — in fact, in towns that are lucky enough to have one of the five family-owned ice cream stands, ice cream lovers eagerly await their season opening, and often stand in line despite the fact that the weather sometimes doesn’t scream “ice cream.” And over the past few […]

Past Penobscot Salmon Club vandalism prompts cautious approach to access

For decades, the Penobscot Salmon Club has occupied a beautiful spot along the river’s Brewer shore, welcoming anglers who sought migrating fish returning from the sea. Salmon fishing hasn’t been allowed on the river since a planned season was canceled in 2009, after the species was federally listed as endangered on the Penobscot. Still, the […]

State to issue 23 percent fewer any-deer permits this year

From year to year, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife tinkers with the number of “any-deer” permits it hands out in an effort to meet department management goals. Harsh winter hard on the deer? Fewer of those coveted permits — often called “doe permits,” or “doe tags” — are issued. Deer population thriving […]

Atlantic salmon count on the Penobscot up to 560

While we’re talking about the Penobscot, biologists with the Maine Department of Marine Resources report that Atlantic salmon continue to return to the river. Mitch Simpson, a biologist for the DMR’s Division of Sea-Run Fisheries and Habitat, said in his weekly report that a total of 560 salmon had returned to the fish lift at […]