KENNEBUNK, Maine — The Kennebunk Service Plaza was busy Friday morning as out-of-state visitors stopped in for gas and food as they made their way into Maine, for the holiday weekend.
Maine Guides are ready to capitalize on an influx of people looking to explore Maine's natural beauty.
Zac Bragdon of Lateral Line Guide Service started his long weekend on the road as he is taking a bachelor party on a three-day pond fishing trip to kick-start his summer season.
Bragdon said his love for the outdoors was instilled into him as a young Mainer, especially after spending time outside with his grandfather. He now enjoys passing his love for his home state to his clients.
“You make a connection with these clients, they tell you their life stories, you become friends at the end of the trip," Bragdon said.
The 23-year-old specializes in fly fishing trips but is willing to lead clients on any sort of adventure fishing adventure.
Bragdon said he is planning on leading three trips per week this summer and will take clients to the Greenville area or to the Penobscot River which is closer to his hometown of Eddington. He said preparation and site scouting is a big part of being a successful Guide.
Packing rain gear, extra fishing rods, lunch, and anything else his group may need is a crucial part of the experience, he said.
Hiring a Guide is a good way to experience different Maine communities and to learn more about the local area, Carolann Ouellette, the director of the Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation said.
Ouellette has experience operating a seasonal restaurant and spent time working in the rafting industry so she knows how busy and important the summer is for many Maine stores and shops.
Besides Maine's outdoor opportunities, Ouellette said the state offers tourists unique arts, culture, and food experiences which is one reason why people are spending more nights, and more money, during their visits.
“I think the trend we’re seeing towards longer stays and increased spending is really important," she added. “It helps, number one, with the visitor experience because they can immerse themselves a little more deeply into the communities that they visit which is really nice and what the visitors seek."
Of course, seasonal businesses were hit hard during the COVID-19 pandemic and Ouellette complimented the industry's resilience and innovation in recent years while acknowledging there may be some workforce shortages this year.
To ease that burden, Ouellette said Mainers can check in with local trail systems or recreation facilitates and see if any volunteer opportunities are available.
She also noted how more Maine communities are building out infrastructure to attract visitors in the summer and wanted to remind those living in urban areas that there may be more recreation opportunities in their own backyards than they realize.
If you're looking to make plans for a day trip or a local vacation, Ouellette suggests Mainers check out a part of the state they've never been to before.
Showing off new areas to clients is what Bragdon loves about his fishing trips and he said he always tries to highlight local businesses or restaurants clients can check out once they get off the water. He even admitted watching people's excitement when they catch a fish makes his day.
“Being able to share the experience that I have had out on the water, then with people that haven’t had that experience, it’s truly what makes my job amazing, it’s what I want to do day after day," Bragdon added.
Despite being a registered Maine Guide for just two years, Bragdon said the community is very welcoming and added that he's received a lot of advice from his mentors on how to provide the best experience possible.
If you're planning to hit the road this weekend, here are some travel reminders and suggestions from AAA.
