Near Record Ice Out at Moosehead Lake for 2012

Since 1848, records have been kept regarding the date that Maine's Biggest Lake, Moosehead was declared free of ice from the Northern Coves of Seboomook and NE Carry clear down to the Southern Coves in Greenville. This year, the date was April 16th, 2012. This makes the third earliest in recorded history. The earliest being April 14th, 1945 and second being April 15th, 2010.

Ice Out is important to the serious anglers in the region as it indicates the water temperature that fish are most active and feeding patterns can be predicted. Typically on years with an early ice out the water reaches above normal temperatures in the summer too. Summer visitors love years like this with Moosehead's deep waters feeling very inviting with less of the refreshing feeling.

Here is a cool video of this year's ice out. Click the link ICE OUT VIDEO  to view the time lapse footage of the ice melting from Blair Hill looking at Big Squaw Mountain.

Gorgeous Sunrise over Moosehead Lake at Kineo Docks in Rockwood, Maine
Photo By: Karen Folsom Photography

It's All About Tradition!

A lot has changed since the 1960's, but so much in Rockwood has stayed the same.  For instance, come the third week in May you will find Reggie, Ray & Bobby trolling with live bait and streamer flies up and down the Moose River dangling a line and ready to hook the big ones.  Here they pose with the day's limit on land locked salmon, one each.  This annual event brings the boys together for a little friendly competition, good food and great company.  This year was a year to remember with nice size salmon to be had, despite the high water and the dreary skies.  2011 was also the year that the NH boys got swamped.  Things you don't see every day on the Moose.....

The Nature of Flow & Ebb

Once again we prepare to open up for our 13th season of fishing here along the Lower Moose River.  The anticipation builds and the timing of the spring run off is always a guessing game.  Then comes the call from the Brassua Dam keeper....Time to tie down the floating docks and move everything back from the shore.  The melting mountain snows and the heavy spring rains have filled up our lakes very quickly. Suddenly it seems, it all has to pass by our doorstep on it's trek to the Atlantic.  Fast moving water is an almighty force to be reckoned with, but also quite beautiful in it's own.  Waterfalls are raging and alive with the sounds.  Ducks and waterfowl go floating past at unsurpassed speed.  Even brave canoers are out riding the flowing freshwater tides for a thrill that only comes this time of year!

All this does not deter the peep frogs from peeping, the smelts from running and ice from melting on Moosehead Lake.  The sun WILL come out and we will soon be lush and green again!!!

Wrapping up a Dozen.

After 27 years, in April of 1999, the Gray Ghost torch was passed from Roger Lane to his son Steven & I.  Today we are here looking back on 12 years and seeing just how much we have grown. Our family has doubled since then and our sons Eli & Aaden are now 4 and 6 years old already.  They are thriving in all the aspects of camp living.  The boys have become very active and we always look forward to our time with them in the woods or on the water.  Somewhere along the line we doubled our number of cabins too, now an even dozen.  Our water frontage along the Moose River has even doubled to over 900 feet. 

We still have many hopes and dreams as we continue down this path. It is always fun and rewarding to plan and work toward the next one.   Not only is this our business, it is our family heritage and way of life.  We love our family and our guests and are very blessed to have so many incredible people in our lives.  Thank you for being a part of it all! 

Bring on lucky year number 13!

happy easter