One of the nice things that happens in May, on Maine rivers, is the return of the alewives. Human activities change over time (as we wear out resources or manufacturing costs vary geographically), but the spring migration of these little herring is as reliable as the return of black flies. It’s spawning time and the anadromous alewives are headed for fresh water. Lucky us, it’s a sight to behold.
According to an article in Undersea’s Landscapes, the name “Alewife” is something of a mystery. The erudite would like to think that it is a corruption of an Indian word meaning “bony fish” (and it is indeed bony)....