HANCOCK — There was a time when the announcement that a shellfish farmer was going to hold a scoping session to talk about expanding operations in Taunton Bay would likely have produced howls of outrage and a large, hostile turnout at the event itself. That time seems to have passed. Last Thursday, the Taunton Bay …
MOUNT DESERT — Although Maine’s boatbuilding industry doesn’t slow much during the winter, and a few lobster boats may be launched in the dead of winter, it’s always a good sign when newly built pleasure boats show up on the waterfront. Last week, while spring weather flashed its skirts in Hancock County, SW Boatworks launched …
ELLSWORTH — Time flies when you’re having fun, or even when you’re just thinking about it. Though it’s hard to believe, 26 years have gone by since Will Welles was a star skipper for the Mount Desert Island High School sailing team, racing 420 dinghies against George Stevens Academy in Southwest Harbor or Castine. Though …
ELLSWORTH — Spring is here and, at least in some sheltered spots, the daffodils are starting to bloom. But the water is still cold and Maine streams are just beginning to see their first big runs of the tiny moneymakers known as elvers. The fishing season opened on March 22 and, as of Sunday evening, …
SOUTHWEST HARBOR — Anyone who regularly drives Main Street here will know the shingled house that, in the summer, often has skiffs for sale out on the lawn. That’s the house where yacht captain and boatbuilder Steve Spurling, who recently died hours shy of his 98th birthday, lived with his wife, Arlene. When he retired …
BLUE HILL — It may be hard to fathom but sailing season is here, at least for a hardy group of racers from George Stevens Academy, Mount Desert Island High School and Maine Maritime Academy. Last weekend, both the Eagles and Trojans journeyed to Marblehead, Mass., for two days of racing hosted by the local …
BELFAST — Sailors around the Northeast with a love of boats that look like they were designed in the early 20th century but sail with modern speed and efficiency have long been familiar with Stephens Waring Yacht Design. Bob Stephens and Paul Waring began their design careers at Brooklin Boat Yard and were responsible for …
ELLSWORTH — Georges River Trout Unlimited will host a Downeast Chapter meeting on Wednesday, April 17, at Pat’s Pizza in Ellsworth. At 7 p.m., Evelyn King, founder of Maine Women Fly Fishers, will discuss the contributions women have made to fly fishing in Maine. King, a registered Maine Guide and certified casting instructor, has been …
STEUBEN — In just 90 days, two local men turned a concept drawing into a 24-foot canoe suitable for use by disabled veterans. Nate Faulkingham and Jon Balzarini of Dirigo Custom Boatworks in Steuben built the custom boat for Col. Jack Mosher of Gold Star Outfitters and took it to the State of Maine Sportsman …
PORTLAND — The University of Maine’s Lobster Institute will host the 15th edition of the Canadian-U.S. Lobstermen’s Town Meeting at the Westin Portland Harborview Hotel on Friday and Saturday, April 5 and 6. The theme of this year’s meeting is “Two Nations, Two Fisheries: Shared Challenges, Shared Opportunities.” Lobstermen, dealers, processors, scientists and policymakers from …
