Deirdre Fleming

Press Herald

Deirdre Fleming covers the outdoors for the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram, and has been a newspaper reporter in Maine for 25 years - and an outdoor writer for the past 20. During that time, she’s seen biologists trap 500-pound bear, watched fishermen land high-jumping makos, camped on Moosehead Lake in the winter, and retraced Gov. Percival Baxter’s first trip to Mt. Katahdin. She is often asked, but still does not know her favorite wildland in Maine. A graduate of Georgetown University and the University of Missouri, she lives with her husband in Buxton near the Saco River, where they both fly fish.

Latest

Published
August 22, 2021

Nordic skiers are taking it to the streets this summer

Portland Nordic is offering free roller ski lessons to help those new to Nordic skiing improve their technique.
Published
August 15, 2021

Ultramarathoner sets his sights on 200 miles – and a world title

Jason Bigonia of South Bristol has qualified for Big Dog’s Backyard Ultra, the unofficial world championships for backyard ultramarathons.
Published
August 1, 2021

Having trouble getting your favorite campsite? You’re not alone

A surge in camping during the pandemic has made it harder to get choice sites at many campgrounds.
Published
July 25, 2021

At 93, Maine hiker still has a to-do list of outdoor adventures

Margaret Mathis turns heads wherever she hikes – maintaining her pace and loving the journey.
Published
July 21, 2021

Katahdin Woods and Waters opens new tent sites

A philanthropic gift increases roadside tent sites at the national monument from five to 12.
Published
July 16, 2021

Maine officials monitoring disease killing birds in mid-Atlantic states

However, officials here say the disease – which has afflicted blue jays, grackles and some songbirds – is not a cause for concern in Maine at this time.
Published
July 11, 2021

Fishing flies are small, but carry great weight for avid anglers

Some of Maine’s most passionate fly fishers trust their go-to flies for many reasons – chief among them good fortune.
Published
July 4, 2021

The pandemic fueled a hiking boom, but there are still places to avoid a crowd on the trail

Foot traffic on Maine trails is has trailed off from the pandemic-crazed high of 2020, but still higher that before COVID-19. Here are some hidden gems.
Published
June 27, 2021

Birders happily hike all day just for the rush of a thrush

The Bicknell’s thrush was a star at Rangeley’s birding festival earlier this month, and may become a future star at Saddleback ski area.
Published
June 27, 2021

Injured heading into the Olympics, Kate Hall-Harnden focuses on the future

Maine’s NCAA and national long jump champion says watching the U.S. Olympic trials is rough, ‘but it will motivate me even more.’