Bass fishing throughout 2011 was excellent, both in quality and quantity. An exception was perhaps the pre-spawn period, hampered by a cool May. Landlock action was less predictable. One brief stretch in May was downright pathetic, when the salmon gorged on flying ants and we couldn't figure them out. When they turned their attention back to smelts, we capitalized effectively with tandem streamers.

A recovered smelt base has provoked a spike in growth rates. Many salmon taken on trolled streamers in May were in the high 3-pound range and, by September, had fattened enough to make the book. The number of big salmon caught is trending back from cyclical lows of a few years back when they resorted to the less nutritious alewives as their food staple.

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U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is presently constructing its new $6 million port of entry in Forest City. The brick customs station and residence (1962) were demolished in late summer, and inspections are done at temporary facilities. The new complex could be finished by Fall, 2012.

Prior to construction, an archaeological dig on the property revealed that the site had been occupied by Paleoindians. These were Maine's first inhabitants following retreat of the Laurentide ice sheet approximately 11,000 years ago. Over 600 artifacts, including crude scraping tools, an awl, and flakes of fluted spear points were discovered. There are very few known prehistoric sites in the Northeast as ancient as this one.

Given an average daily traffic volume of 6.6 passenger vehicles in Fiscal 2008, and 27 commercial trucks for the entire year, one has to question the Neanderthal decision to make this sort of federal expenditure.

In fairness, CBP held several open houses at the land trust Center last summer. It appears that a number of local suggestions were incorporated into the building design and grounds plan. We requested that the new facility enhance our community, not detract from it, and that may happen.

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Our 2012 rates remain the same as last year. This includes accommodations, boat rentals, licenses, guide fees-everything. In this industry rates are set in November for the following summer season, so people can budget their trips in advance. That can be risky, as we are sometimes blindsided by sharp increases in gas, food, utilities, or insurance. We believe you will find good value in what we do.

For those who use GPS to find their way, Wheaton's lies at Latitude 46 degrees 39' 71" and Longitude 67 degrees 44' 03". In other words, we're midway between the North Pole and the Equator, and halfway between Saskatchawan and the Azores. Just triangulate.

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Beginning Spring, 2012, anglers in the Maine waters of East Grand Lake will be permitted two lines per person. Historically, all boundary waters between Maine and New Brunswick have had a one-rod law, consistent with other provincial waters.

Salmon fishermen have lobbied hard for the second line in order to vary their strategies for the landlocks. For example, two lines can probe different depths, or a streamer fly can be trolled on the lake surface whilst fishing hardware at other strata. Bass fishermen can suspend a soft-plastic jig or live bait while simultaneously casting a second rod to find fish.

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Maine voters turned down a referendum proposal in November to allow construction of a casino in Calais. The slots facility in Bangor was permitted to expand its offerings to table games. Although the Calais operation would have been managed by the Passamaquoddy Tribe, Maine's Native Americans conceded any pre-emptive gaming rights under the Maine Indian Land Claims Act of 1981.

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September is an oft forgotten month among fishermen. Yet, it has much to boast. Spectacular foliage, beginning with the lowland maples; surface smallmouths back on the fly rod; shortened days and crisp nights; an especially quiet landscape as the summer people have retreated; loons bunching up in colonies; chanterelles and shaggy manes to embellish the fry pan; landlocks swirling on the surface. It's a splendid time to be in Maine.

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Wheaton's will be at the Eastern Fishing and Outdoor Expo at Worcester, MA, February 10-12, 2012. It will be at the DCU Center. Come and see us!

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Wireless Internet access is now available throughout the cabins and grounds at Wheaton's. Last May we installed satellite communications which are transmitted to a wireless hub and antenna, allowing users unencrypted wireless service. There are some limits. The system cannot handle downloads of large files, games, etc. and will deplete capacity, causing a shutdown. Normal e-mail and Internet surfing is easily supported.

As most guests now carry cellular phones, we have removed land line access in the convenience building. Most cell services work at the lodge, with Verizon being the most reliable.

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"East Grand is the best lake trout fishery in the state of Maine right now, in my opinion." These are the words of Nels Kramer, Regional Fisheries Biologist for Maine's Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

Kramer's team has studied East Grand for a number of years and finds that size, numbers, condition, growth rates, and spawning success are extremely positive. He correlates the good health of the togue fishery to the presence of landlocked alewives, which have become a dominant forage base. Lakers also feast on a menu of smelts, crayfish, insects, and other less fortunate prey.

Kramer notes that although alewives are unpopular due to their competition with the rainbow smelt forage fishery-upon which the landlocked salmon depend-they have had some positive impacts. Cusks, a nocturnal feeder often caught by ice-fishermen, have also been a beneficiary.

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The 12-mile stretch of road from U.S. 1 at Brookton to Forest city was repaired and repaved in late July, allowing a smooth drive all the way to Wheaton's. The new surface is also great for cycling or roller-blading, particularly with the lack of traffic. The one-mile road to Baskahegan also received a fresh coat of asphalt. After all, this was a national priority for stimulus spending.

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Press Clippings

An article on Forest City guides by Wayne Curtis, entitled "Why the Registered Maine Guide Still Matter" is supposed to appear in the March/April issue of Yankee magazine. The photographic team was up in September and spent a day on Spednic, gorging on perch fillets and miscellaneous guide lies.

"Grandest of Maine Guides," is a feature article in Sporting Classics, Nov/Dec, 2010. Penned by Art Wheaton, it follows the storied guide career of Woodie Wheaton and his personal relationship to the eldest son. Many vintage photos help capture the colorful life of a skilled outdoorsman and guide. A similar story appeared Discover Maine, (Hancock and Washington Counties edition), Vol 7, Issue 7, 2010.

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Our Fly-Fishing Weekends last May and June introduced a number of guests to the pleasures of fly casting and landing a bass or salmon on a flyrod. The dates did not work out for many. Since our guides are competent in fly fishing skills, we encourage people to utilize the instruction available to them. There is no better way to try your hand at fly casting, with the expectation of catching fish.

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You can purchase your Maine fishing license on-line, by going to www.mefishwildlife.com. This can save time upon arrival if you are itchy to get fishing. Wheaton's continues to vend both Maine and New Brunswick fishing licenses.

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In 2007, Field and Stream ranked Wheaton's among North America's Top 25 fishing lodges, tied for #2. Sports Afield did the same in North America's Greatest Fishing Lodges. It is mainly due to a loyal clientele. We want to continue to earn your patronage and friendship. Thank you.

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Request a brochure and the latest issue of the Backlash for an update on Wheaton's Lodge. Our annual newsletter records last year's big fish, reports news, tells a few stories (some true,) and is fun to read. Just email us at wheatons1@hotmail.com and we'll send it to you.

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The beautiful Woodie Wheaton Land Trust Center became a reality in 2009, a vibrant addition to the village of Forest City and the lakes community. The building provides office space and the organizational base to embark on significant conservation projects and programs. As a meeting facility, the building has already created a sense of community, as demonstrated by the popularity of last summer's guest speaker series. It also is available for group meetings, private or public.

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You do not need a passport to stay at Wheaton's, or to fish here. After all, we are in the U.S. Nevertheless, beginning in June, 2009, it may be a handy thing to have.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will require passports for anyone entering or re-entering the U.S., including American citizens. Because we are on the border and fish international waters, having a passport might be useful to persons fly fishing the stream, those who wish to fish distant lakes with a guide, or families interested in an excursion into Canada. More details are in the Backlash.

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You can now purchase your Maine fishing license on-line, by going to www.mefishwildlife.com. This can save time upon arrival if you are itchy to get fishing. Wheaton's continues to vend both Maine and New Brunswick fishing licenses.

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An excellent map of the boundary lakes and St. Croix River published by the St. Croix International Waterway Commission is available at $6.95 US. It details the five Chiputneticook Lakes and the disposition of lands around them in both Maine and New Brunswick. We have them at camp, or you can order one directly from the Commission at www.stcroix.org.