WGME-TV13 • January 28, 2024
The dangerous ice is taking a toll on at least one of Maine’s iconic winter industries. Between a lack of cold temps and snow, ice fishing has been all but impossible for some areas in southern Maine. 20 smelt fishing camps still on dry land is a rare and disappointing sight this time of year for Jim McPherson. "Gonna have to put them back in storage,” said McPherson, owner of Jim’s Camps in Bowdoinham. “I hauled them out again this year, did repairs. Looks like I’ll have to put them back in storage." Last year was the first time in fifty years that McPherson couldn't put these smelt fishing camps onto the river this time of year and this year, it's the same story.