JAY — Rain greeted visitors arriving Thursday evening for the Paddle After Hours at the Otis Falls Mill boat launch. The event was scheduled for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Hosted by the Androscoggin Land Trust, close to a dozen people gathered under a tent as rain created rivulets that meandered toward the Androscoggin River. 

Jay resident Mary Howes said, “We’ve been doing this for five years. Almost every year it has rained, although we did get to go out last year.”

Howes’ brother, Arnold Couture said, “We don’t get a huge turnout with weather like this.”

About 40 boats went out on the river the first time, Howes said. “It’s nice to get people to realize they can go out on the river,” she said.

Couture noted, “The river is so clean now compared to when I was a kid.”

“You can fish the river for bass. Some big fish have been caught. It’s catch and release. It’s nice for the kids,” he said.

A few folks made their way toward the river to be shown where a new boat launch may be built. A feasibility study is being conducted by the towns of Jay, Livermore and Livermore Falls which jointly own the area near the Spruce Mountain Ski Slope.

Other guests helped themselves to a buffet of sandwich makings, fruit salad, chips, salsa and beverages. Can coolers in the shape of life jackets were available to keep drinks cold and hands warm.

At about 5:45 p.m., it was lightly sprinkling and blue sky could be seen. Couture helped Howes and a friend launch their kayaks for a trip up the river.

Becky Secrest, program coordinator for the Androscoggin River Watershed Council’s Source to the Sea, said boats will be dropped off at Twin Bridges and make their way to Center Bridge on July 28. On Saturday, trips from Center Bridge to Cherry Pond and a family day at Cherry Pond are planned.

A list of the 2017 schedule may be found at https://tinyurl.com/y8yyuo6p. According to that page, this is the 22nd Annual Source to the Sea paddle.

pharnden@sunmediagroup.net

Mary Howes, and Shelley Kruszewski, Conservation Director of the Androscoggin Land Trust, talk about the potential new boat launch that may be created on the Androscoggin River in Jay during a Paddle After Hours event as part of the Source to the Sea. The new site would be on community-owned land and be near the Androscoggin Land Trust trail system.

Mary Howes, left, and Shelley Kruszewski, Conservation Director of the Androscoggin Land Trust, try to convince their friends to join them for a post rainstorm paddle in Jay at the Otis Falls Mill boat launch.