THE SNOW WAS GENTLY FALLING when we arrived in Furano close to midnight. But the skies had cleared by morning, leaving behind ...

But even this bone-chilling place is feeling the effects of climate change. The ice fishing season for pond smelt opened on Feb. 6, the latest date since 1998 when such statistics were first recorded.

Bowdoinham’s Ice and Smelt Fishing Festival is a winter tradition, drawing tourists eager to fish and explore the town. However, the past two events lacked its key attraction: actual smelt fishing.