The Early Hatches

By Matt LaRoche The Hendrickson hatch is the first hatch of the season on the river. It usually occurs on or about Memorial Day weekend. I worked on the West Branch of the Penobscot as Park Manager of the Penobscot River Corridor for over 20-years. During those years, I had the opportunity to … Continued

Talking With Turkeys

By Stu Bristol A wise old southern turkey hunter once told me I would begin to learn about wild turkeys the first day out and it would take the rest of my life to try and learn the rest. After nearly five decades of chasing wild turkeys and killing more than my share, it’s … Continued

Squaretail

By: Bob Mallard

Squaretail by Bob Mallard The most complete book about brook trout in a generation. Biology, history, lore, modern culture, tackle, technique, angling records, where-to (native waters, nonnative waters, public lands, life forms, water types, other), status, threats, conservation, and resource listings. Over 225 pages and 200 full-color photographs, art, and maps. Lots of … Continued

New Record Maine Lake Trout

Maine Angler’s Logbook Andover Man Catches Record Togue Erik Poland, 34 of Andover, caught a lake trout July 2, 2020 that broke a 62-year-old state record. Poland’s togue measured 44 inches and was certified to weigh 39.2 pounds! The previous record was a 31.5 lb lake trout caught at Beech Hill Pond in 1958 by … Continued

Trophy Buck Hunters: The Common Thread

By: V. Paul Reynolds

Maine Deer Hunter’s Logbook By V. Paul Reynolds There are deer hunters and, then, there are buck hunters. Which are you? Of course, you say, we are all buck hunters, one way or another. Any Maine deer hunter who does not have a doe tag is a buck hunter, right? True, but there are … Continued

Streamer Size Matters

By Ben Rioux What many anglers fail to realize is that when it comes to smelt imitation (or really any imitation patterns for that matter), size plays a crucial role in the effectiveness of any pattern. April marks the traditional start of open water fishing in the state of Maine, but as I’ve noted in … Continued

North Woods Wet Flies

By Bob Romano In addition, many of the northern New England rivers and streams are characterized by fast-running rapids and runs, preventing fish from closely examining insects. Anglers traveling to northern New England may be surprised to find that although there is a time and place to cast dry flies, on most days, fishing under … Continued

Return of the King

BY V. Paul Reynolds There is one angling odyssey, however, that is above all others, a fishing experience that for me eclipses in a profound way the other outstanding fishing experiences. As a fisherman, I have been blessed. In more than 60 years of dedicated recreational angling, many memorable fishing adventures have come my way. … Continued

A Spring Canoe Fishing Trip on the Allagash Wilderness Waterway

By Matt LaRoche A spring canoe trip on the Allagash Wilderness Waterway (AWW) is an exciting way to start the open water fishing season. Combining fishing and canoeing goes together like cooking bacon and eggs for breakfast. The smelt runs start soon after ice out on the waterway headwater lakes. Brook trout and togue follow … Continued

More Moose Permits

By: Lee Kantar The spruce budworm outbreak of the 1970s created widespread moose habitat across the commercial forestlands of Maine spurring an increase in moose numbers through the late 1990s. While this was great for moose hunters and wildlife watchers alike, animal populations that grow too dense can create problems when too many animals are … Continued

Reader Feedback

The Northwoods Sporting Journal is the largest hunting & fishing magazine in the Northeast.

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Jay Deane

"I used to subscribe to several outdoor magazines in the past until one day I picked up a copy of the NWSJ at LL Bean in Freeport, Maine. After reading the journal I have to say I never subscribed to any other outdoor magazine. The journal had it all and the thing is it only gets better every month! The articles are informative and very well written by what I consider experts in the field. I have to say if one does not subscribe to the journal or picks up a copy of the journal “they do not know what they are missing!” Unfortunately, I am not a resident of Maine but after reading the journal I feel I know more about your great state than my own regarding the opportunities of hunting and fishing, very good writers."

Tony Ostrowski

"Good morning, I have to write this…because your magazine deserves it. Every couple last winters my family has gone up to Maine after Christmas for a couple days. This always coincides with a stop at KTP, where I buy a copy of your magazine. Well, this Christmas I asked my kids for one gift, a subscription to NWSJ. I’m 57 years old, I grew up cutting and chopping cords of wood every year for my family’s two vermont castings stoves, and fishing and hunting extensively. especially loved tying my own flies and selling them in my local Connecticut hardware store when I was 12. When not doing those things I was salivating over field and stream, outdoor life, fin and feather, you understand…those were great mags, but I don’t like how they’ve changed over the years…they’re selling to the masses now, not to who I think is their core audience. You guys are different, and good different. You’re old school. You actually do not care what people think of what you’re writing, and that reeks of important values like HONESTY, COMMON SENSE, PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY, AND KNOWLEDGE. Your articles are SO good that I refuse to read more than one at a time. no joke; I leave each issue open on my kitchen table, and read one article a day. Why? Because every single article is fantastic! I don’t want to ruin the digestion of the last one by reading the next one too quickly…yes, you guys are that good. So here it is, my first feedback; you have the best outdoor magazine I have ever read..and will continue to read it till I can’t read. "

Alexander Pflomm

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