DSF’s Open House & Pass the Paddle Ceremony

Join Downeast Salmon Federation for an evening of community, conservation, and celebration at our annual Open House & Pass the Paddle Ceremony. This family-friendly event welcomes community members, supporters, partners, and anyone interested in learning more about our work restoring Maine’s rivers and protecting wild sea-run fish.

Tour our East Machias facility, meet DSF staff and Board members, and explore the projects making a difference across Downeast Maine. From river restoration and endangered Atlantic salmon recovery to land conservation, fisheries research, and environmental education, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with our team, learn about DSF’s current priorities, and discover how our work is helping shape the future of Maine’s rivers.

Families are encouraged to attend and enjoy hands-on activities for kids, along with smoked fish, hot dogs, and ice cream.

Event Schedule:

Wed. September 23; 3:00p-6:00p

3:00p – Event Starts: Hatchery Tours, Fly Casting, Stream Table Demonstrations

4:00p – Remarks & Pass the Paddle Ceremony

4:45p- Presentation from Author Catherine Schmitt

6:00p – Event Ends

Parking is available at Archibald’s located at 564 Main St, East Machias, ME.

Credit: Brady Richards/NPS

Author Catherine Schmitt

We’re excited to welcome author Catherine Schmitt, who will present about her acclaimed book, The President’s Salmon and her latest book, Trees of Acadia. Both books will be available for purchase at the event.

More About Catherine:

Catherine Schmitt is the author of The President’s Salmon: Restoring the King of Fish and its Home Waters, published by Down East Books in 2015. She previously directed communications for the University of Maine Sea Grant Program, and continues to write about sea-run fish for The Working Waterfront and other publications. Schmitt is currently a science communication specialist with Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park. Her latest book is Trees of Acadia: The Past, Present, and Future of Park Forests.

Pass the Paddle Recipient: Bailey Bowden

The event also features our annual Pass the Paddle Ceremony, a special tradition honoring an individual whose leadership, dedication, and stewardship embody Downeast Salmon Federation’s mission.

We are pleased to announce that this year’s DSF Pass the Paddle recipient is Bailey Bowden!

Bailey has been a dedicated leader in restoring fish passage and reconnecting Maine’s rivers, with a particular focus on alewife restoration throughout the Bagaduce River watershed. His commitment to restoring healthy rivers and supporting the return of sea-run fish embodies the spirit of the Pass the Paddle Award.

More About Bailey: 

Bailey Bowden is a 9th generation descendant of the English settlers of Penobscot Maine that arrived in 1761. Born in Castine, Bailey has spent his life living in Penobscot at the head of Northern Bay on the Bagaduce River. After graduating from George Stevens Academy in Blue Hill, Bailey spent four years at the University of Maine in Orono as a mechanical engineering student – and hated almost every minute of it.

Bailey grew up walking the shores of Northern Bay investigating the life inside of a tide pool, saltwater marshes, and all of the fascinating items that the tide deposited on the wrack line. Hooked on fishing at a very early age, catching smelt, alewives, and sea run brook trout came naturally. Following the brooks and fish upstream, a curiosity for inland plants and animals grew. These early childhood experiences laid the foundation for lifetime spent hunting, fishing, and hiking – traditional activities are part of our Maine heritage.

When Maine rule makers reduced recreational fishing opportunities, Bailey started down the path to becoming a fisheries activist and advocate. He has worked to improve fish passage between lake and ocean, restoring sea run fisheries, conserving environmentally sensitive lands, testifying at committee hearings in Augusta, and most importantly – educating today’s youth about our Maine traditions and heritage.