In kayaks and canoes we deftly explore Maine's dramatic coastal shorelines and the pristine lakes, ponds and rivers efficiently and safely. We learn the ways and skills of this coastal world,  working with the challenges of tide, current, weather and habitat to do and see what few others can.  Have a look at our trips and get in touch to put something together that fits YOU.

The sudden slam and surging power of a striped bass is all the more thrilling with the delicate feel of a fly rod and the satisfaction of a well placed cast among the waves and rocks.  For freshwater anglers our world-class smallmouth and largemouth bass fishing on sublime lakes and rivers is exciting, beautiful and memorable.  While our reputation is for fly fishing, we love spin fishing as well. You get a champion fly casting guide, top shelf gear and 50+ fishy years experience!

Fishing for smallmouth and largemouth bass in mid-coast Maine's freshwater lakes, pond and rivers is world class, Whether you choose to fly-fish or spin, the scenery and action are terrific. We use either canoes/kayaks or for greater distances we have our 15 ft powerboat (2 guests max).  A Maine fishing license is needed. 

For those who choose to immerse completely in the dramatic world of Maine's coastal islands, try the warmth and camaraderie of a beach campfire, tall tales, and our classic camp dinners under the canopy of stars. Our state of the art tents and other gear make for comfortable dreams, hushed by the surf and the salt breeze. We can even support more ambitious routes and "glamping" comfort and meals with support from our 18 ft boat Endorfin.

 A beautiful and technically intriguing option is sculling in one of our sliding-seat singles. Unlike canoe or kayak paddling, sculling uses the whole body to apply power in a graceful, poetic motion that is a delight in itself. Oliver has over 25 years experience instructing, touring and even enduring the famous 25 mile Blackburn Challenge. We offer guide boats and open-water racing singles (for the more experienced rower). 

 "EndorFin" is 18 ft of agile, seaworthy adventure. Its modified-V hull handles waves smoothly, but its shallow draft lets us get up close and personal- perfect for striper fishing.  With this mobility a half or full day trip can cover a wide range of habitats, cruise lighthouses and forts, hike and picnic on remote islands We also offer support for ambitious offshore camping trips, bringing supplies that can't fit in the kayaks.

Camp Nowhere is a step back in time to the hand-hewn world a century ago. 

It's a one room cabin of warm hemlock timbers, perched in pine-oak forest above a tidal bay and marsh. The sounds of woodpeckers, geese and rustling leaves tell their stories of a living world; the canoes, kayaks and trails offer entrance to their classrooms. After the day's adventures kayaking, rowing, or fly fishing Camp Nowhere is the perfect place for relaxed sunset stories. 

 Photography has become essential and universal, but knowledge of how to make images that are evocative, compelling and beautiful is not instinctive or obvious. At Abkenoc Guiding we can teach you technical and artistic elements of photography to enhance your vision of the natural world even with a cell phone or point-and-shoot. We also offer to professionally document your trip with video and fine-art quality photographs. 

All of our adventures are oriented toward learning the skills and insights to make the natural world more enjoyable, useful and safe for your continuing explorations.  Your guide (me) is a PhD biologist, flight instructor, and lots more. I want to work with your interests .... photography, biology, history, weather, wildlife, etc ... so we learn while we explore together.  Check it out.