There’s one day of the year that I don’t begrudge taxes and fees, and that’s when I read about the large number of trout being stocked by state hatchery workers in Maine rivers, lakes and streams – like the tree-lined Sandy River (Franklin County) above.

After perusing the April edition of the Maine Sportsman, I learned that close to 10,000 brown and brook trout, 9 to 13 inches long, have been disgorged into the Sandy in the past year in places like Strong, Farmington, Sandy River Plantation and New Sharon. My cabin is on the Sandy River in New Sharon.

I am a skeptic when it comes to believing that 10,000 trout actually are in my section of the river since I never catch a single one. Such is my disbelief that I have a new mantra when it comes to fishing: The sieve is half empty, not half full. (An aside: I consider myself a giddy optimist on most matters but not when it comes to the belief that I can catch trout).

Still, I like to think of 10,000 trout in the Sandy and many thousands more in other Maine waters. Perhaps my musing is like that of a hapless Lottery player: I like knowing the payoff is $30 million on Saturday, even if it’s (very) unlikely that I will win.

The opening of fishing season is just days away, and they say there are thousands of trout in the Sandy River alone. I savor that thought, and will report back soonest if I happen to catch one.

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