For as long as we have lived here, we have collected pot buoys. They float onshore everywhere.

When I first lived in Maine at “Treasure Island” on Little River in East Boothbay, I did not collect much of anything. I didn't even know what a pot buoy was, or did. But one day while out messing about on the rocks near the Treasure Island pier, Winfield “Cooney” Dodge and I crossed paths as he was on his way out to haul his traps from his modest outboard powered skiff. Our visit turned out to be a bit more than bargained for, but a good lobstering primer. My knowldege of many things was further expanded as I joined a group of esteemed elders for weekly “bid wist” card encounters at the American Legion, which, by the way, Mr. Dodge did not tolerate losing very gracefully.

Anyway, Mr. Dodge got me all squared away regarding the history of lobstering and from that time on I had a fuller appreciation for almost every aspect of fishing.

From East Boothbay I moved into the Harbor and a whole new variety of buoys. I really enjoyed how they decorated the harbor — like little floating works of art, magically moved by the tides and passing winds.

When we bought out first house on Barters Island, with Back River on one side and the Sheepscot River on the other, buoys changed all over again and we began collecting in earnest. Our move to Southport further expanded the colors, sizes and shapes we found washed up.

I'm willing to bet that there are folks out there in “Newspaper Land” who will see the photo I am sharing today and say something like, “That's a Snowman buoy, or the black one belonged to Bud Brackett or I'll bet Mike McConnell would like to have that blue one back.” Our collection represents a significant loss of money and time.

Gratitude for all who fish and decorate our waters with their handy work. And, until the next summer season of large private vessels which “fetch up” or “plow through” a maize of buoys, to be hauled off to some other destinations, may I offer this small gesture of support. Thank you for sharing your art locally!