Look who popped up at the alewife harvest in Damariscotta Mills!

[Bill Reidy]

Hi J.B.!

http://lcnme.com/currentnews/annual-alewife-harvest-underway-in-damariscotta-mills/

[Gordon Cook]

Very cool... JB certainly is one of the most prolific volunteers I know.
Now, how about a caption?

"Alas, poor Al, we hardly knew ye."   

[Jeff Schumaker]

Perhaps the alewives could use this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kICS32kady4

Jeff S.

[Ed Lecuyer]

And I thought Alewife was just a place to catch the Red Line into Boston.

Or, of course, another way to refer to the spouse of Al.

[Bill Sample]

Jon Chase and I went for my first visit to the "fish ladder" several years ago and I've been back a few times since then.  Just found this from a Washington Post article on the location:

"Damariscotta, whose name is derived from the Native American word for "place of abundance of alewives," has been home to the migration for centuries. In the early 19th century, men gathered fish here with hand nets and smoked or pickled them for consumption. The adjoining towns of Nobleboro and Newcastle ensured their open passage and guaranteed free yearly portions to widows and the poor -- an "original welfare program" that continues, said George Dow, president and curator of the Nobleboro Historical Society."

 

[James Patten]

The Post article must be more than a few years old, because George Dow has been gone since 2006.

[Bob Holmes]

There is also an alewife fish ladder in Woolwich on George Wright Road just off of Route One.  You can visit any time during the alewife season, and even volunteer to count!

The fishery (and the others such as Damarascotta) has been actually protected by law way back into the 1700's.

Visit and enjoy, it's a unique Maine adventure.  If you want to buy some, be aware that my attempts to make alewives palatable were sorely lacking.

[Philip Marshall]

Maine Public Radio had an interesting news piece today on this year's record alewife run at the Maine Forest & Logging Museum in Bradley, ME: http://mainepublic.org/post/watch-conservation-projects-have-let-astounding-number-alewives-return-maine-rivers .

[Bill Baskerville]

Perhaps the alewives could use this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kICS32kady4

Jeff S.

OK, time to warm up the boo's and hiss'es, bring up the tired old fruit and vegetables (read tomatoes) from you fridge, here it comes.

How come the annual migration of the alewives get so much publicity and our poor lonely moose trout no longer get a mention?  No attention at all?

Could it be that they are still in hibernation?  Moved on to greener pastures or stiller waters?

Are we fully prepared for the upcoming impact of our new bridge pilings on the moose trout migration to spawn?

Will the new shady spot across Trout Brook from our soon to be completed and relocated Moose Brook Bridge provide a suitable resting place the the returning moose trout on their up stream sojourn?

[Ed Lecuyer]

You're gonna need a bigger cannon if you want to use that thing on a Moose Trout.

[Bill Reidy]

How come the annual migration of the alewives get so much publicity and our poor lonely moose trout no longer get a mention?  No attention at all?

Perhaps moose trout are the pigeon or seagull of the aquatic world.

[John McNamara]

Ever seen an "I brake for moose trout" bumper sticker?

[Ed Lecuyer]

Evah seen an "I brake for moose trout" bumpah stickah?

No, but we NEED one when we move the bridge.

[Bill Baskerville]

Ever seen an "I brake for moose trout" bumper sticker?

John, Ed,

What a great idea.  Perhaps Cindy and Linda can order some for the Gift Shop... 
Conductors could hold a selection up during the crossing saying ...
"Now, by popular demand, available only in the WW&F Gift Shop...
Think of all the variations on that theme....

"I survived the Moose Trout Brook Crossing!"
"Moose Trout ~~ ya gotta love'em!"
"Have you had your Moose Trout Today?"
"Moose Trout ~~ it's not for sissy's any more!"
"Real Men Hunt/Fish for Moose Trout!"

[Mike Fox]

While doing ditching on Davis Grade this spring, I came to a spot with no grass in it. As soon as I had cleared the vegetation from the downgrade side, a sudden rush of water came out. As the water subsided, something looked funny. I got off the excavator and there they were...Moose Trout Eggs.. Those fish had also come up Station House Brook.. Here is the proof... Eggs were relocated after photo..