In the Middle of Winter: Stripers Gone Wild!

2/4/2013 - I suppose it can happen at any time of the year. Winter is no exception. You hit these rare days or nights striper fishing when everything is just right..... wind, tide, atmospheric conditions, bait, etc. Get all those things to fall perfectly into place and combine it with a boatload… SEE MORE
Teamwork is everything on the ocean.

Ending The Season In Port Clyde

1/31/2013 - For John Hall, longtime Port Clyde fisherman, it's about time to take a vacation. "Taking four weeks off," he says while piloting his boat past Hupper Island and out into Muscongus Bay. "Going back down to Florida, gonna play golf, cruise around, just relax." Hall fishes 800 traps, and on… SEE MORE
The Peeler is a new 15-foot utility skiff designed by John C. Harris

Chesapeake Light Craft Introduces New Utility Skiff

1/29/2013 - Chesapeake Light Craft, the 21-year-old boat kit specialist, has broadened its range beyond the previous scope of more than 80 kayaks, canoes, dinghies, and sailcraft to include an outboard skiff. Designed by John C. Harris, this light but sturdy fishing and utility skiff -- a “crab skiff,” as they’re known… SEE MORE
HARRIET N. ELDRIDGE from New Bedford.

Historic Portraits of New Bedford’s Fishing Fleet

1/22/2013 - New Bedford was one of the most famed whaling cities in the world during the 19th century. To this day, it is a bustling port, receiving considerable cargo and numerous cruise ships. As a fishery, it still thrives despite declines; the cash value of its combined annual catch has been… SEE MORE
Typical gill netter tied up at the wharf. Portland.

Meet the Italian Gill Netters of Portland, circa 1920s

1/10/2013 - Italian immigrants living in Portland during the 1920s pretty much cornered the market on gill netting. In 1926, about 100 fishermen operated twelve vessels from 30' to 50' in length. At the height of the season, it was not uncommon to see children out on the docks mending nets. This… SEE MORE
Low tide in Stonington Harbor.

Making a Life on Stonington’s Working Waterfront

1/9/2013 - Of all the famous fishing ports I have visited on the eastern Maine coast, Stonington remains the most impressive. Everywhere you turn, there are lobster boats of all shapes and sizes, hundreds of skiffs, lobster traps, piles of neatly coiled rope and weathered buildings and wharves that cater specifically to… SEE MORE
The ice breaker TACKLE out of Rockland Harbor enters ice-choked Rockport Harbor.

Ice Breaking in Rockport Harbor

1/4/2013 - The Coast Guard ice breaker Tackle came into a quite solid Rockport Harbor on the morning of January 4. Ice is dangerous, especially to boats still in the harbor. Rather than run through and create a bunch of tennis court-sized chunks, they appeared to take it slowly and work at… SEE MORE

Cold Crushing Power: USCG Cutter Tackle

1/4/2013 - Passing by Rockport Harbor this morning, I noticed the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Tackle at work. It was impressive watching her carefully navigate to break free the handful of fishing vessels still in the harbor. The Maine winter freeze has only just begun. I couldn't help stopping and taking a… SEE MORE