May 28 5:30-Our monthly meeting will be In person only at Helen’s in Machias. Colby Bruchs, DMR fisheries scientist, will discuss: Atlantic Salmon Conservation in Downeast Coastal Rivers: Habitat Restoration, Connectivity, and Land Conservation Benefiting Fish and Local Communities.
Colby will present the current status of Atlantic salmon smolt production and adult returns in the Narraguagus River. He will discuss trends in adult salmon returns in the Pleasant, Machias, East Machias, and Dennys Rivers. He will also provide an overview of ongoing habitat restoration and connectivity projects that benefit Maine’s diadromous and freshwater fish species and local communities in Eastern Maine.
In person only at Helens in Machias. RSVP to Tammy Packie, tpackie
gmail.com (tpackie[at]gmail[dot]com)
Colby Bruchs is a Fisheries Scientist at the Maine Department of Marine Resources. For the past 16 years he has specialized in management and conservation of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), sea-run fish, and their habitats in Maine’s Downeast Coastal rivers. A graduate of the University of Maine (Class of 2007), his diverse experience in fisheries includes assessing the impact of dam removal on fish populations and stream geomorphology in Michigan and recreational fish management, landlocked salmon restoration, aquatic invasive species control, and landowner relations in Vermont. He currently operates the Atlantic salmon Life Cycle Monitoring Station (LCMS) on the Narraguagus River and provides biological and technical support to stakeholders engaged in stream connectivity, habitat restoration, and land conservation projects. He also manages DMR’s Machias River Conservation Easement which permanently conserves over 18,400 acres and 166 miles of shoreline frontage on the Machias River and several of its tributaries. In addition to his work conserving sea-run fish and habitat he works in commercial fishing in the waters off his home in Jonesboro. When not working he is most likely poling a canoe down a river, jigging lake trout through the ice, or kicking back by the sea with his longtime partner Lesley and their son Bodie.
In person only at Helens in Machias. RSVP to Tammy Packie, tpackiegmail.com (tpackie[at]gmail[dot]com)
2025 Alewife Events: Alewives return to Maine in huge numbers from April to June every year.
Maine Coast Heritage Trust May 15-June 15 Volunteers needed to monitor the river herring migration at Seal Cove Pond in Tremont
Maine Coast Heritage Trust and local partners have improve fish passage at Seal Cove, enhancing decades of conservation efforts. This is the sixth season monitoring the alewife run. Interested volunteers can sign up for 10-minute intervals scheduled three times per day, throughout the migration month. Sign up to volunteer with Renee Duncan at rduncanmcht.org (rduncan[at]mcht[dot]org).
· Skutik River Alewife Run, Sipayik to Forest City, May 24
· https://www.mitsc.org/news/2025-skutik-river-alewife-run
· Pennamaquan Alewife Festival, May 24, 10am-5pm: https://greenhorns.org/alewife-festival/
· Damariscotta Mills Run with the Alewives, May 24: https://damariscottamills.org/run-with-the-alewives/.
· Orland alewife festival, May 24, 10am-2pm
· Bagaduce alewife celebration, May 24 from 11-2 at Pierce’s Pond in Penobscot : https://www.worldfishmigrationday.com/event/bagaduce-alewife-celebration/
· Brunswick Dam fish viewing station, May through early June, Wed-Sunday from 1-5pm
· Penobscot Running of the Alewives, Penobscot Nation Farm, May 31, 12-5pm https://www.penobscotnation.org/event/running-of-the-alewives/
Alewife School Visits DMR is offering school bus trips to alewife run sites in 2025 to help facilitate learning about the state’s searun fish heritage. The alewife run peaks the week of Mother’s Day. If you are or know a teacher who is interested in participating in the busing program visit https://forms.office.com/g/n7zaNmqNjT For questions call 207-350-6069 or email Theo Willis, PhD Searun Fish Restoration Coordinator for DMR.at theodore.v.willismaine.gov (theodore.v.willis@maine.gov).
Resources for learning about river herring: Maine Rivers - Alewife Trail Map, Gulf of Maine River Herring Network - Tools for Communities, Maine DMR - Maine River Herring Fact Sheet and Swimming Home by Susan Hand Shetterly and Rebekah Raye. A great read for the whole family. Contact Tammy Packie at tpackiegmail.com (tpackie[at]gmail[dot]com) to purchase.
Maine Alewife Day- May 24. The Governor shall issue a proclamation urging Maine people to celebrate this fish so important to Maine’s river ecosystems and economy on the Saturday before Memorial Day.
Volunteers Needed for Large Wood Addition: Beaverdam Stream Tuesday-Thursday next week. 4-6 volunteers needed each day. Contact Mike Manning at Downeast Salmon Federation if you can help. m.manningmainesalmonrivers.org (m.manning@mainesalmonrivers.org) 207-370-4425
Two opportunities to learn about the Eastern Maine Casting Competition and what’s New at Downeast TU with Al West, newly elected DETU Vice-President.
Maine Outdoors Sun. May 25 7pm with V. Paul Reynolds. WVOM radio 103.9 Bangor 101.3 Augusta, 95.1 Rockland. Call 800-966-1039 with questions!
Al will also be interviewed May 28 at Noon on WABI TV Sports
Free Fishing Weekend May 31-June 1 Any person, except those whose license has been revoked my fish without a license. All other state laws apply.
Family Fishing Day at Lily Pond Deer Isle June 1 9am Join Island Heritage Trust and DETU for a day of family fun. Learn how to fish, tie flies and row. Raffle for a rod and a Maine Lifetime Fishing License. Gear, bait, and life vests will be provided. Contact Alex Drenga adrengaislandheritagetrust.org (adrenga@islandheritagetrust.org) to confirm date/time. Volunteers needed for our table, casting and flytying demo. Contact Alex or Rob Packie rbpackiegmail.com (rbpackie[at]gmail[dot]com)
Eastern Maine Fly Casting Competition: June 7 9am, rain date June 8 at the Pleasant River Fish and Game Conservation Association, 1597 Tibbetstown Rd. Columbia, ME. Hosted by DETU & PRF&GCA Contact Al West 207-632-7267 text/call or email aldime04658gmail.com (aldime04658[at]gmail[dot]com) to register.
Individual & Team Competitions in Men/Women/Youth categories Everyone must use a standard fly and leader utilizing a one-handed rod (9’ maximum), and will compete for both accuracy and distance. You will have 2 chances in each; the best score will be entered in the competition.
Grab a friend to combine scores and compete as a team. Everyone will be scored individually, but 2 people can combine their scores for a team entry as well. Compete for various prizes and bragging rights for being the best fly caster in Eastern Maine!
Fishing Gear Sale & Swap: Same date, time location. Individuals, conservation organizations, and gear manufacturers may rent a sell/swap table at the Casting event for $15. Contact Al West 207-632-7267 text/call or email aldime04658gmail.com (aldime04658[at]gmail[dot]com) to register. Fees - $20/Event, General Admittance $5, Table for Sell/Swap $15, Lunch $10
Volunteer Opportunity! Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery needs volunteer egg pickers! Staffing is being reduced to two people, which means they will need to care for over 2.02M eggs and fry on top of their other duties! One staffer will be working with Green Lake as a stocking truck driver as the season progresses. This is a great opportunity to get involved with Atlantic salmon restoration efforts.
Egg/fry picking is a crucial on-going activity that helps prevent the spread of fungus from naturally-occurring mortalities to the healthy eggs and fry. Salmon eggs are kept in incubation trays until they hatch and some of the eggs die during that time frame, turning an opaque whitish color (fungus). If the eggs are not picked, the fungus can spread to other viable eggs.
Contact Denise Buckley, Senior Fishery Biologist at denise_buckleyfws.gov (denise_buckley[at]fws[dot]gov) or 207-902-1558 if you can assist any Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday. Volunteers should wear warm clothes and water proof boots. Rain pants are optional,The hatchery can provide rubber aprons Rain pants are optional.
Penobscot River Trip October 18: Tickets are selling fast! Hosted by the Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company this 9.5 hour trip will combine fun, photography and environmental education with stops at 10 lighthouses. Join members from the founding organizations of the Penobscot River Restoration Trust: American Rivers, Atlantic Salmon Federation, Maine Audubon, Natural Resources Council of Maine, The Nature Conservancy, the Penobscot Nation and Trout Unlimited and learn about past and current conservation efforts on Maine’s largest river.
Naturalist Zack Klyver and Bob Trapani Jr., President of the American Lighthouse Foundation, will host the tour. Photographer Michael Leonard will be onboard along with B&H Photo to discuss your photography and demonstrate equipment. Cost is $229, but if you are an active TU member or member of one of the organizations representing the Penobscot River Restoration Trust, you can receive a 25% discount. If you choose to become a TU member you can save $57.25. Contact Rob Packie rbpackiegmail.com (rbpackie[at]gmail[dot]com) or Tammy Packie tpackiegmail.com (tpackie[at]gmail[dot]com) to confirm your membership status and receive the discount code. Purchase tickets by going to the BHWW website, Oct. 18 Lighthouse tour on their calendar.
Trout Unlimited applauds Representatives Zinke (R-MT) and Vasquez (D-NM) for their leadership to keep public land sales out of the reconciliation process and looks forward to working with the newly formed bipartisan Public Lands Caucus.
We also thank over eight thousand TU members and supporters, who helped win an important victory this week when the House of Representatives decided against the budget bill amendment that would sell hundreds of thousands of acres of public lands in Utah and Nevada. While TU, along with anglers, hunters, and public land users are celebrating this win today, the fight is not over. TU will continue efforts to keep public lands in public hands. Stay updated and stand for public lands, Use this link to send a message to your representative: https://www.tu.org/conservation/action-center/?vvsrc=%2fCampaigns%2f126244%2fRespond
Our public lands are the foundation of healthy watersheds and strong communities. From remote trout streams to working forests, these places provide clean water, vital trout habitat and public access for all Americans. Efforts to privatize public land threaten us all. Thanks to our collective efforts, public lands remain so today.
Upcoming Events
May 25 7pm Maine Outdoors WVOM radio Al West will talk with V. Paul Reynolds
May 28 Colby Bruchs- Atlantic Salmon Smolts & Returns on the Narraguagus River at Helen’s in Machias. In person only- RSVP to Tammy Packie, tpackiegmail.com (tpackie[at]gmail[dot]com)
May 31 PFF 2 Handed Casting Class at the Eddington Salmon Club. Cost is $30.To register call Don at 207 478-3173 or email treasurerpenobscotflyfishers.com (treasurer@penobscotflyfishers.com) June 1 Family Fishing Day at Lily Pond Deer Isle Contact Alex Drenga to confirm date & time adrengaislandheritagetrust.org (adrenga@islandheritagetrust.org) June 7 Eastern Maine Fly Casting Competition & Gear Swap at PRFGCA with DETU. Contact Al West to pre-register aldime04658gmail.com (aldime04658@gmail.com)
June 7 Paddle the Orange River Watershed For more info: Paddle the Orange River
Downeast Trout Unlimited Gear: Hats $25, Brook Trout pins $15, Brook Trout Earrings $16.
Downeast Trout Unlimited (DETU) is dedicated to conserving, protecting, and restoring Maine's cold water fisheries and their watersheds. New memberships are half price. For NEW memberships only go to www.tu.org/join305Downeast. Use the link and DETU will receive $15. Call 800-834-2419 to renew. Donations may be mailed to Downeast Trout Unlimited, c/o Arthur Benson, Treasurer; 32 Cottage Way Hampden ME 04444. For more information visit https://www.downeasttu.org/ or Downeast TU on Facebook
The Coastal Stream Survey Project is a collaborative effort that began in 2014, and seeks to recruit volunteer anglers to gather data on wild brook trout in Maine’s coastal rivers and streams. Wild brook trout may move considerable distances during the course of their lives. Some wild brook trout that live in coastal streams may spend part of their lives in both saltwater and freshwater, a life history strategy called "diadromy.” Diadromous brook trout may leave their freshwater environment for periods ranging from a few months to over a year. Typically, they migrate from fresh to salt water at an early age, probably to take advantage of the more abundant food resources in salt water estuaries and perhaps also to seek thermal refuge during certain times of the year. Learn more about the Coastal Stream Survey.
