BOWDOINHAM, Maine — For decades, it was an iconic vista: nearly two dozen smelting camps perched on top of the Cathance River in Bowdoinham, plumes of smoke billowing into cold air. This year, though, a rushing river—noticeably not frozen—paints a very different picture.
This is the second year in a row that Jim McPherson hasn't been able to open his smelt fishing business, Jim's Camps. His shacks sit on a muddy driveway instead—strange for mid-February. McPherson said in years past, people from all over the world would come to his business, typically from January through February, to take part in the Maine tradition.
"I look forward every year to seeing all of the people. I have customers who have been coming for 30-plus years," McPherson said.
McPherson said early in the winter, conditions were looking promising, and he was hopeful he'd be able to host some visitors—if only for a few weeks. The first of three major storms this season, though, caused a lot of flooding in the area, breaking up the existing ice. He said decent conditions never really returned after that.
"[It's] about as bad as you can get—very little to no ice," McPherson said.
McPherson has been involved in smelt fishing for decades, ever since he was a kid, and said things just aren't the same as they used to be.
"If it goes this way for another two or three seasons, it might just be the end of a long-time tradition," McPherson said.
McPherson's decision not to open this year for the safety of his customers has had a ripple effect across what is a small and rural town. Samuel Hilling owns the Bowdoinham Country Store and Three Robbers Pub, each right around the corner once you cross the river.
"We rely on his business for our business," Hilling said.
Hilling said in a typical winter, people who are smelt fishing at Jim's Camps come to his spots to buy snacks, takeout meals, or beer. He said this year (and last), his businesses have been mostly empty during the weekdays.
"It is pretty hard, you know? Because then we have to talk about staffing issues: 'Do we want to have people on? How many people do we have in the kitchen? How many people do we have out front?'" Hilling said about tough questions raised.
A new report by the Maine Tourism Association indicates these men aren't necessarily alone in their plight. In a recent survey, 43 percent of the association's members said this winter season has been worse than the last one. Just 2 percent said it has been better. CEO Tony Cameron said many businesses are still feeling the effects of those three storms.
"It’s not just something that affects the businesses that are open today, but it also affects the businesses that may have been closed but sustained damage, and they have to get ready for the upcoming season," Cameron said.
He said one thing about tourism is that you can't really make up what you lost.
"The frustrating thing is unfortunately, once business is gone within this industry—once a day is gone, once a business has to be shut down for repairs, or whatever it may be—it’s just business that they’ll never get back," Cameron said.
Cameron said weather can make or break a tourism season, be it winter or summer. He said he's hoping to see more conversations about how to adapt to a changing climate.
"I think it’s going to be a little bit of a learning curve, and hopefully we can make positive changes to stay as resilient as possible," Cameron said.
Cameron said the good news is the general outlook from members of the association is positive for this upcoming summer season.