Eagles abound during Sebasticook River canoe trip | Column

 An eagle swoops over canoeists on the Sebasticook River. (Ron Chase photo) Dam removals have changed the character of the Sebasticook River between Clinton and Winslow. After the Edwards Dam on the Kennebec River in Augusta and Fort Halifax Dam at the mouth of the Sebasticook River in Winslow were removed in 1999 and 2008, respectively, millions of sea-run fish have returned following almost two centuries of absence. Alewives, also known as river herring, are the most prevalent of the migratory fish. Their migration peaks from mid-May to early June. Birds of prey, like eagles and osprey, follow the alewives on their journey upriver. In 2012, the annual Benton Alewife Festival was founded to celebrate the resurgence of the Sebasticook River. Held at Benton Riverfront Park in Benton near Benton Falls Dam in mid-May each spring, this year’s event was on May 16. A fish elevator has been installed at the dam that safely shuttles millions of fish over the top and farther upriver. [](https://w2pcms.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/P5160064_09af7e.jpg) A three-person canoe team approaches the remnants of the Fort Halifax Dam near the mouth of Sebasticook River. (Ron Chase photo) For several years, my outdoor club, the Penobscot Paddle and Chowder Society, has scheduled a Sebasticook River trip to coincide with the alewife migration. A primary objective of the outing is to view the massive numbers of eagles that pursue the alewives in the lower Sebasticook River. This spring, the trip was also scheduled for Saturday, May 16. Club member Allan Fuller has normally been the Sebasticook River trip coordinator and he was again this year. The trip offers scenic paddling, some moderately challenging whitewater and exceptional bird watching. The 5-mile upper sector between Clinton and Benton Falls Dam includes several Class 2 rapids, but alewives and eagles are less abundant. Rapids diminish to quick water below the dam, but the scenic 5-mile paddle to Winslow is a birder’s paradise. Allan offered prospective participants different choices. They could start in Clinton, paddle whitewater to the dam and continue below or take out there. Others, who preferred to focus on bird watching, could join the group below the dam. Advertisement Six of us met at the boat landing at Old Mill Park in Clinton on a warm, sunny day with light winds. We consisted of two solo canoeists, two solo kayakers and a two-person team paddling an inflatable whitewater vessel called a shredder. The water level was high. Entertaining whitewater began immediately. We paddled through sizeable waves in a lengthy rapid followed by a twisting falls on the right of an island. A problem arose at the bottom. The seat in Allan’s canoe broke and was no longer serviceable. He joined the other canoeist who was paddling a two-seat canoe and the shredder team began towing the damaged boat downriver. There was good news; Allan’s home was a mere 2 miles below. After several more stimulating rapids, we dropped Allan’s boat off and approached the dam in Benton. Shortly before arriving at the portage trail, we were entertained by live music emanating from the alewife festival. [](https://w2pcms.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/P5150026.jpg) A solo canoeist catches an eddy in Sebasticook River whitewater. (Ron Chase photo) A moderately strenuous portage ensued. The shredder owner left us and two tandem canoe teams joined the group for the lower. We gathered for lunch at the end of the portage trail. On the lower, our group consisted of two solo kayakers, two tandem canoe teams and a three-person canoe team. All were primed for some serious bird watching. The lower begins with an easy rapid followed by quick water to Winslow. Advertisement Initially, we were disappointed with the apparent scarcity of eagles. However, that changed dramatically after about a mile. We turned a bend and perhaps a dozen eagles were perched in trees on both sides of the river. From that point, nonstop eagle sightings continued until we reached Winslow. When not staring down from their perches, the powerful raptors were soaring above or diving for fish. The sheer numbers reached the level of being ridiculous. The bow person in one canoe counted a total of 108 eagle sightings, insisting that was a conservative number. After passing the mouth of Outlet Stream, where alewives can now migrate upstream to China Lake, we entered the outskirts of Winslow. Soon after, we rounded an abrupt left turn in erratic currents and passed the remnants of Fort Halifax Dam. We disembarked at Fort Halifax Historic Site where the Sebasticook joins the Kennebec, completing a truly exceptional day of paddling. My book, “Maine Al Fresco:  The Fifty Finest Outdoor Adventures in Maine” narrates many more exciting river trips throughout Maine. _The author of “The Great Mars Hill Bank Robbery” and “Mountains for Mortals – New England,” Ron Chase resides in Topsham.  His latest book, “Maine Al Fresco:  The Fifty Finest Outdoor Adventures in Maine” is available at North Country Press and through online retailers.  Visit his website at [www.ronchaseoutdoors.com](http://www.ronchaseoutdoors.com/) or he can be reached at [\[email protected\]](/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#fc8e93929f949d8f999389889893938e8fbc9f93919f9d8f88d2929988)._ [](https://www.bowdoin.edu/?utm_source=TimesRecord&utm_medium=SupportingSponsorship) **The Times Record Sustaining Sponsor **We believe a community must be informed to thrive. 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