You've got seven days off! There is a place you've been anxious to see for some time now. You've heard about the fantastic salmon fishing and breathtaking views of Mt. Katahdin from Pemadumcook Lake, from friends that went to White House Landing last spring for a fishing trip. Now its your turn. All right! Seven days of relaxation. Can't wait!
Day 1 - The boat ride up the lake is incredible. Once around Ambejejus point its like a whole different lake. There are no camps to speak of and its expanse of water with no boats on it is a surprise. The ride sure didn't seem like 10 miles. Once at camp, you settle into your cabin, sort through your fishing gear and hop into the boat you've just rented and head onto the lake to troll for salmon. The fishing is fast! The sun is setting behind the camps at the mouth of Nahmakanta Stream as you pull up to the dock with two nice fat salmon for supper. What a start to the week.
Day 2 - You and your buddy decide to fish the six mile stretch of stream which flows out of Nahmakanta Lake. The Appalachian Trail runs beside the stream all the way, so access to its pools along this gorgeous stretch of wilderness is fairly easy. At the lake you enjoy a lunch and then head back. What a great day! Several nice plump brook trout and plenty of exercise. Great!
Day 3 - Off to fish Minister Pond! Remote trout ponds in Maine. This morning its a bit harder to climb out of your warm bed. Got to do it though. After breakfast you pack a lunch, grab your gear, jump into the old 48 Ford and ride up to 3rd Debsconeag. Take a 3 mile boat ride up 3rd and what a beautiful lake! Only 2 camps on the whole lake. The water is aqua blue and clear as a bell. Wow! You dock the boat and hike about ¼ mile to 2nd deb. Then you row across 2nd (not far), hike up to Minister about 1 mile through the woods (uphill) Minister Pond is small but its full of trout. You catch and release 100 brookies. You keep a few for breakfast and head back. You fall into bed that night and drift off to the cry of loons.
Day 4 - Whitehouse Landing has arranged a guide to take you and yours to fight the mighty river salmon of the Penobscot. At least during the boat ride out you can sit. At the boat dock on Spencer Cove, you meet your guide and a short ride up the Golden Road to the river. There are numerous pools to fish. You hit them all! By the days end your arms are lead. You've caught and released too many salmon to count. On the ride back up to the lodge, you ask Bill if he's ever considered putting recliners in the boat.
Day 5 - White water rafting? You're kidding! OK, yea I know, it'll be fun. You hobble to the boat, head down the lake, your stomach is in knots, you are thankful its not Friday the 13th. The bus leaves from the parking lot at Spencer Cove. You've got your river gear on, everybody on the bus is dressed the same. You wonder if this is what it feels like when joining the Army. The trip down the river is a blast! You never had so much fun. You even saw some of the salmon you threw back and slapped a few of its ones that wouldn't bite! The ride back up the lake for some reason you can't stop paddling on.
Day 6 - What to do now? I know! You could climb Mt. Katahdin. Why? Because it's there. The largest mountain in Maine. Wow! The most spectacular view in the state. Definitely worth the trip. But what a lot of effort. When you get down the mountain at the end of the day your legs feel like lead. On the ride back up the lake you get a good look at the mountain that just conquered you or is it the other way around? You decide. Back to your cabin. Thank God!
Day 7 - You wake up to the cry of loons. They sound like you feel. You can't move, but that's OK! It's raining anyway. A good day to sit next to the woodstove with a good book or a good drink or relax with friends and reflect. You were supposed to go home today but you called in sick. Actually, you need a few more days to recover from so much relaxing. After all, to leave now would make you just sick! Wouldn't it? Suddenly you wake up with a start as your companion shakes you by the shoulder. "Hey, come on, you can't fall asleep on the porch swing now, we just got here. Let go troll for salmon!
