Northshore Magazine

May / June 2015

Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.

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44 | MAY + JUNE 2015 nshoremag.com CONTACT Migis Lodge South Casco, Maine 207-655-4524 migis.com PLACES feeling very much like a summer camp for grown-ups—albeit one with craft cocktails and 350-thread- count sheets. Cast an eye around the woodsy setting or peruse the decades of photo albums in the main lodge and see that little has changed. The 100-acre property is still shaded by tall pine trees that reach the water's edge, where lounge chairs are thoughtfully arranged to either invite conversation or allow for seclusion. Pine needle-cushioned paths lead to cottages with names like Bittersweet, Whippoorwill, and Daybreak. Lining the walks are stacks of wood destined for fireplac- es that feature prominently in most of the cottages. Early morning quiet is broken only by the occasional call of a loon. Swim out to the dock, then shake off the lake's chill with a sweat in the property's wood-burning sauna. Clustered near the sauna and at other strategic points on the water- front is a fleet of people-powered boats—from stand-up paddleboards to kayaks to dories. Or whip around the lake on the end of a rope—wa- terskiing and wakeboarding are both available from the main dock. All non-motorized vehicles, as well as the water skiing, are part of the per-person price, which also in- cludes three meals a day. Feast on pancakes in the morning, perhaps a barbecue lunch or a picnic on the resort's private island, which is a pleasant boat ride from the dock at midday. Dinner is a more formal affair—guests take seriously the tradition of dressing for the evening meal, which starts with a relish plate and tomato juice, the height of sophistication or a gentle throwback, depending on your generation. The resort offers a family dining room, where groups with younger guests are seated, as well as a separate child-free zone. For parents who would like to enjoy a romantic dinner for two, kids can be whisked off to The Zoo, where a lively dinner and supervised even- ing activity could include games, a visit to the playground, or a movie. Camp counselors also run the Migis Kids Camp, an afternoon program that enables youngsters to go on scavenger hunts, swim, and even take a boat ride to a nearby candy store. Parents find their own sweet spot lounging by the lake in the midday sun, after giving paddle- boarding a gentle, not too strenu- ous, go of it. The water in Lake Sebago is so clear, you really have to sneak up on the fish, says Brooke Hidell, who has been guiding visitors to the best fis - ing spots in and around the lake for more than 20 years. But it's worth the trouble. The lake is one of the few spots in the country to catch landlocked salmon, a gor- geous rainbow-colored relative of the Atlantic salmon that flourishe with the damming of local rivers. "They are bright and beautiful and fast," speeding up to 32 miles per hour, says Hidell. The rich fishin also offers up bass and lake trout that enjoy the chill of New England's deepest lake. When guiding visitors from Migis Lodge, Hidell encourages people to "catch, shoot, and re- lease" (shoot with a cam- era, that is). He guides a lot of families and feels it's very important to teach young anglers to be good sportsmen. "If it's their first fish, you wan them to learn to respect the animal," he says. While there are no guarantees guests will catch a fish, Hidell guar- antees they will have a good time. "I've had some of my best days on the water when we haven't caught a single fish. Of course we try to avoid that at all costs," he quips. Hidell's Guide Service 207-415-3787 mainelandlocked.com GONE FISHIN' Catch and release on New England's deepest lake. Migis Lodge is open seasonally between June 21 and October 13. The cottages capture Maine's rustic charms. The private cove offers guests row boats for touring the lake.

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