“We ask a simple question
And that is all we wish:
Are fishermen all liars?
Or do only liars fish?”
~William Sherwood Fox, Silken Lines and Silver Hooks, 1954
Welcome to the Outdoor Sage’s website! We look forward to guiding your next adventure whether it be camping, hiking or fly fishing in maine. We specialize in several types of guided maine outdoor adventures such as camping, hiking, etc,.. all of which can be found on our adventures page. Feel free to browse around or contact us for more information!
Eric & Colleen Sage
(From 4/4/2010)
Sun was shining for the first time in well, seemed like 2 years. I looked over at my wife and didnt have to say anything, guess after all these years, she knew the look I had on my face. We quickly got dressed, and shuffled out the bedroom door, only to find the children gathering their fly rods and waders by the door waiting to ask if we could go fish. Fishing, is more than a past time here at The Outdoor Sage Guide Service, it is our way of life, what we do as a family, together in the middle of God’s Country spending time making countless memories with each other. Off to the stream we all yelled together, so we packed up the truck and off we went. We arrived at the stream bank early afternoon, so we all decided to have a quick bite before we ventured too far from base camp, (our truck). Our daughter was the first one done, I’m done eating so I will meet you just right down there daddy, I want to get a head start on fishing, she proclaimed. In formation we fell, marching off down to the stream edge. Our son said, move slow, so we don’t spook the trout. Down the stream we went, taking turn casting to weary trout, occasionally stopping to play by the water’s edge and take in our surroundings. We didn’t land many fish that day, but our creels filled with laughter and great quality time with each other.
Tight Lines,
The Outdoor Sage
(From Feb 22nd 2010)
As I sit here in this room here inside my house here in Southern Maine, I can’t help but to think about my time in Jackman, Maine. I think about the remote streams that we have fished and how productive they have been. Yeah, you are right, there aren’t many HUGE fish, but man, the fish sure are plentiful. I am thinking of a particular time, when my daughter caught and released 25 brook trout in one evening, all in the 10-13 inch range. What gets me the most, is not the fishing but the exploring of nature. I really enjoy the work that goes into finding those great remote fishing holes, and the fun that we have along the way. For me, is starts off with the hike in, and watching people interact with nature. I really like the look of my clients who discover Moose or deer tracks, and the exploration of wild plants and wild edibles. The calmness that takes over when out in remote areas is one like no other. To catch fish, that is the added bonus. Yes, we are there to fish, and yes, we all love the thrill of that tug on the end of our lines, but the next time you are out in the woods, stop, look around, take it all in. Don’t forget to make a light snack on those wild blueberries, and raspberries. You are truly in paradise, so take it in, bring your camera, take some pictures, and most of all enjoy yourself. This will make the most fulfilling fishing adventure you have been on, and one more thing, share this with someone special, even if they can’t fish, this will make memories that will last a lifetime. If you need some help finding some places like this, call me I will be more than happy to send you in the right direction.
The Outdoor Sage
(From 02/17/10)
As the snow starts to clear after another storm last night, I can’t help but make my way to my fly rod. We all know that the 2010 open water fishing season is just around the corner, April 1. With this said, it’s time to start practice your fly casting again.
Why start now you ask? I like to spend a few minutes everyday getting all the kinks and bad habits out before the start of the season. I want my cast to be crisp and deadly accurate when the salmon start to run. I know, you are thinking why be so crisp with a casting streamer or wolly bugger? Accuracy is key, and with water temps starting off low, we know that the fish are not aggressive, so a clean crisp cast is going to help, and why go through the frustration of seeing those monster fish, and having to re-tie because you casted your lucky streamer into that branch across the stream. Also, when its time to take out the dries, you are going to lay that line down like a pro. It is my thought that time on the water should be spent fishing, not angry cause you are not casting in the way you know how.
Make sure to not only practice your basic 4 part cast, but don’t forget about the roll cast for those back country streams you are going to fish this spring. I know, some of you are saying, man this guy is crazy, and maybe its true, casting when it freezing outside, but, practice makes perfect. Good luck this season, and if you have never tried fly fishing, I have an extra rod, so give me a call and lets hit the water. If you do have a rod, I hope to see you there.
Tight Lines,
Eric