I am in Maine.*

*When this post is released, I will be/will have been in Maine.

The Pine Tree State is a spectacular spot for all kinds of outdoor enthusiasts. That is why my family and I are planning on catching some late-season hiking while camping in and amongst the changing foliage of northern New England. And, if all goes according to plan, I might catch a few brook trout.

Once more: Maine is thick with all manner of recreation in the woods and on the water. Today I’m sharing two articles and a podcast that are Maine-centric.

• Brook trout are the same, but different, across Appalachian Mountains.
• A Maine-bred conservationist has a lot to share.
• You should fish Maine.

Click on the pictures or post titles below to read the whole articles:

Brook Trout: The Real Substance of Appalachia

Once you get beyond the human element, and the fact that the mountain range itself runs unbroken from Alabama to Maine, the specifics of the setting change as you traverse the Appalachians. Plants differ wildly from north to south. Birds, insects, and some mammals only exist on one side of the Mason-Dixon Line or the other. If you take the time to notice, the soil smells different. But one natural component of the Appalachian Mountains that is consistent up and down the entire range is the brook trout.

The Book Every Parent Who Fly Fishes Needs to Own

Carson’s love for nature is on display in virtually all her writing. The Sense of Wonder is perhaps the most vivid portrayal she crafted regarding the intimacy between people and the environment. In it she argues for letting children explore the natural world as children. Their time overturning stones and balancing upon downed trees is more important than learning Latin names for insects and staying on the path. We follow her as she follows her grandnephew Rodger’s exploits around the forests and tidal marshes of Maine. His perception is innocent and refreshing. Carson is convicted by it. I am convicted by it.

Podcast Ep. 186: Why You Should Fish Maine

In this episode, I use words like  impressive, remarkable, and excellent more than I usually do. But those adjectives are necessary when describing Maine and her fly fishing opportunities. Maine could (and does) have a whole podcast dedicated to exploring  fly fishing from coast to mountains. Between the stripers, the landlocked salmon, and the brook trout, there are more rivers and fish than an angler could experience in a lifetime. Today I simply dip my toe into the waters of Maine. Hopefully these 20 minutes whets your appetite to get up into the wildest state on the East coast.