LISBON — The Bear Den of Lisbon Cub Scout Pack 109 started the new year off on Sept. 1 by traveling to No Name Pond in Sabattus and learning how to fish.
Veteran and new Scouts alike learned about Maine’s fishing regulations as well as local regulations.
One on the den’s favorite regulations was created by owners of the camps on the pond: Catch and release. According to Rex Turnell, “This rule means the fish will only get bigger, and only the people who have camps here can fish for them.”
Other regulations, like licenses and “take home limits” were discussed as well. After the rules were reviewed, the group went over the various fish that live in the pond and how to identify them: bass, perch, sunfish, and pickerel. Pictures of the fish were made available for viewing.
Lures were the next topic, as weedless worms are the favorite for catching larger fish in the area and for avoiding entanglements. From the shore, the Scouts worked on their casting and reeling.
Scout Robert Lawler caught this biggest fish of the day. “This thing is huge,” he said, as he held up his large-mouth bass.
The Scouts did discuss using small branches with line tied to them to fish in a more primitive setting, but every Scout was able to use a fishing pole to improve their casting abilities.
Once the event ended, Scouts were turned loose to fish in the area. A few, wearing safety gear and under the watchful eyes of their parents, fished from a canoe. Other Scouts performed these tasks at different locations with their parents as well.
Sophia Kuhl, Robert Lawler, Gabe Hebert, Jake Baird, Rex Turnell and Kenny Johnstone all recorded catches. A catch was not required, but the Scouts seemed extremely motivated by catching and releasing fish. A few even picked up and held onto their fish while posing for photographs.
TOP PHOTO: Gabe Hebert shows off the rainbow trout he caught when the Bear Den of the Lisbon Cub Scout Pack 109 went fishing Sept. 1. (Submitted photo)
