Smelt Fishing In Maine

Posted on | February 8, 2010 | 14 Comments

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Photos above by Gregg Elliott

On Saturday night Greg and I headed north past Portland, following route 1, and then turning down a long dirt road into pitch darkness. It was a balmy 12 degrees out, we were bundled up, our truck packed with supplies, ready to experience a real Maine tradition, smelt fishing in February. Smelts are found in the salt waters of Maine as they run upstream to spawn. The most common way of fishing for them in Maine is by setting up a shanty on the ice covered tidal estuaries in the winter months. River Bend Smelt Camps in Bowdoinham rents shanties fully equipped with a stove, wood, electricity, lines, and bait. We called ahead and booked a shanty on the outgoing tide; 8pm to 2 am with my brother Gregg and fishing guide Greg. Yes, it was me and three Greggs. Strange I know.

We headed out across the ice seeing about a dozen shanties in the distant. I started to breath heavy as I realized I couldn’t see where the ice began or ended. “We’re on the ocean, right?” I yelled ahead. How could this be safe? Does salt water even freeze? I calmed myself by looking above at the star filled sky. “I won’t die”, I kept telling myself. The boys were already about 20 yards in front of me completely unfazed.

Inside the shanty was a wood floor, wood burning stove, a cord of wood, and several wooden chairs. Along the outer walls of the shanty are long gaps exposing the water below the ice. Above hang a series of lines with hooks mounted on a pole. The pole allowed us to jiggle all the lines at once enticing the fish below. We brought along a small rod to get the full experience.

We caught about 8 fish; 5 smelts and a few perch. We battered them in cajun seasonings and then fried them in a cast iron skillet on a camp stove inside the shanty. The boys cut off the heads and tails and swallow them whole. I was a little pickier. I used the fresh lemon and a fork.

As the night went on the shanties around us got louder. Groups of men were singing and telling stories were the “f-word” was the subject and adjective. The ice around us cracked as the tide went out. After a few beers, my fears were replace by, “did you hear that one?”

Looking for a fishing guide in Maine? Greg Bostater came with us on our trip. Great guy. Check out his site maineriverguides.com.

River Bend Smelt Camps
24 Wallentine Rd (off Route 24)
Bowdoinham, Maine
(207) 666-5945

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Category: maine

Ice Shack Photographs

Posted on | January 8, 2010 | 12 Comments

I just picked up the new January/February 2010 issue of maine. You are going to love it. One of my favorite features are a series of Ice Shack photographs shot by Scott Peterman. The image of an ice shanty (what I call them) floods my head with memories of my childhood living in Maine and New Hampshire. The lakes are frozen solid in January and scattered on the ice are small little shanties that shelter men sitting around a hole waiting for the big one. As you drive by lakes and ponds on the coldest of days a string a pick up trucks will line the side of the road. My dad ice fished, why I don’t know. Seems incredibly boring sitting around a hole with another man. As Peterman explains, “Shacks are kinda like treehouses for men.” Check out more photos in the series on Scott’s website: scottpeterman.com and the new issue of maine. now on newsstands.

images shack main3 Ice Shack Photographs

Brahms Mount Textiles

Posted on | December 29, 2009 | 6 Comments

I’m a huge fan of Brahms Mount blankets & throws. I was excited to see their website has recently been updated. They have a great new video showing the history behind the company as well as how the textiles are constructed. Above and below just of few of the blankets, throws, and linens Brahms Mount manufactures out of their Hallowell, Maine studio. I’m adding their studio to my Maine road trip list for next summer. Check out more designs on their website: brahmsmount.com

11K1T001 2 life lg Brahms Mount Textiles

Category: blankets & throws, maine, textiles

maine. blueberry pie cover

Posted on | September 17, 2009 | 5 Comments

I’m in love with the cover from the new magazine, maine. Blueberry pies and a lattice topped crusts are pretty awesome. Flip through the pages on their website.

Category: maine

Wiscasset, Maine: The Marston House & Treats

Posted on | August 20, 2009 | 7 Comments

I’m skipping around a little bit but I promise to add all my new Maine spots to my growing list over here. When we were returning home we stopped by The Marston House in Wiscasset, Maine. The store on the first floor of an old house turned B&B has a nice collection of antique linens and objects from France. The space is filled with the most intense but lovely perfume of lavender. Greg made me promise to plant a whole crop of lavender next year. I was inspired by the set of antique pressed flowers prints framed with fabric tape and glass. Reminded me of Amy’s lovely diy botanical print project I spotted over at design*sponge. So simple and beautiful.

The Marston House
Main Street at Middle Street
Wiscasset, Maine
207-882-6010
marstonhouse.com

Just across the street from The Marston House is Treats a specialty food and wine shop previously run by The Marston House owners. Greg and I bought a few bottles of wine and a very yummy cookie. Take a peek inside even if you don’t buy anything. The space is totally cute.

Treats
80 Main Street
Wiscasset, Maine
(207) 882-6192
treatsofmaine.com

Category: maine, maine shops, textiles

York, Maine: Withington Antiques

Posted on | August 20, 2009 | 2 Comments

On our drive up to Portland, Maine we stopped at Withington Antiques in York. I found the store via Martha Stewart’s blog. The store carries a range of European antiques and garden ornaments. I’ve been on a marble kick the last few months so I was pretty excited about the store’s large collection of marble accented pieces. The prices were reasonable but where geared toward a higher end buyer. I would have bought the marble topped console below if it had been a few inches longer. Greg loved the marble faux bois garden stands found in front of the store. A fun place to stop and explore interesting and unusual pieces. The shops is right off the highway at exit 7 just north of Kittery, Maine.

Withington Antiques
611 Us Route 1
York, Maine
(207) 363-1155

A set of lamps at Withington Antiques in York, Maine

Category: furniture, maine, maine shops, on the streets, vintage finds

Portland, Maine: Folly 101 & Blanche and Mimi Home

Posted on | August 18, 2009 | 5 Comments

Two of my favorite home stores were both in the Old Port section of Portland. At Folly 101 items are grouped by color. Soaps, linens, and small accessories fill the open air space. I couldn’t leave without buying a set of cotton/linen blend pillowcases for $32. A simple floral eyelet along the edge is totally adorable. How cute are the polka dots pillowcases too? Call the store for ordering info.

Folly 101
101 Exchange St
Portland, ME
(207) 773-5227‎

Down the street from Folly 101 is Blanche and Mimi Home. Beautiful textiles drape over well curated antiques. A nice selection of bedding from Plover Organic gives the store a modern twist. I bought a few dishtowels by Libeco for styling my veggie boxes.

Blanche and Mimi Home
184 Middle St
Portland, Maine
(207) 774-3900‎
blancheandmimi.com