Ironbound Outdoors

03/13/2026

🌲 We're Hiring at Hawk’s Nest Lodge & Restaurant & Ironbound Outdoors! 🎣

Looking for a job that doesn’t feel like just another job? Come work where people travel from all over to experience the great Maine outdoors and all it has to offer.

At Hawks Nest Lodge & Restaurant and Ironbound Outdoors, we've got two premier rivers right out the front door and we’re surrounded by some of Maine’s best streams, ponds, trails, mountains, backcountry wilderness. It’s the kind of place where you can finish a shift and be on the water, on a trail, or around a campfire in minutes.

And we have the BEST neighbors and friends here in town, so you'll find a welcoming and engaging community!

We’re currently hiring motivated individuals for the following positions which start in April/May 2026 (Full & Part-time opportunities):

Hawk’s Nest Lodge & Restaurant
• Bartender / Shift Lead
• Server
• Cooks
• Kitchen Manager

Ironbound Outdoors
• Store Clerk & Reservationist
• Fishing Guides
• Recreation Guides
• Shuttle Drivers (Non-CDL)

This is a great opportunity for anyone who loves the outdoors, enjoys meeting travelers from all over (and getting to know some of the best locals you'll ever meet!), and wants to work in a fun, fast-paced environment with a great team by their side.

Pay is very competitive, schedules reflect our value of work/life balance, and assistance with housing is a potential for the right applicants.

If you’re looking for a workplace where the views are better, the guests are adventurers, and the job is a way of life, we’d love to hear from you.

To get the conversation started:

📥 message us directly here on FB
📧 email: [email protected]
☎️ call: 207-663-2020 Ext. 2

(Even if you're not in the market for a job like this - PLEASE do us a favor and share this post? You never know who you might know that would be the PERFECT fit!)

01/29/2026

Take care of your gear, and it’ll take care of you.

The few days we have between stretches of guiding ice anglers are always full of maintenance and repairs. Worth every minute though, to know that when you need the equipment most, it’s going to perform.

01/08/2026

Come on up and make some memories this winter!

WE. ARE. BACK!

We have been itching to get the doors back open, and we're excited to have you all back with us to kickoff our Winter 2026 season TOMORROW!

🍕 Fresh updates to our menu
❄️ Groomers out on the snowmobile trails last night
🧊 Plenty of ice for some hardwater fishing (the bite is on!)
🛏️ Special winter lodging rates

That's just a few reasons to come on up and make some memories with us up here on the bank of the Dead River in beautiful West Forks!

Call in for those lodging specials! 207-663-2020
- $99/night for the whole month of January!
- Book two nights, get one free ALL WINTER!
- Direct Trail Access to ITS 86/87 with plenty of trailer parking

Our in-house outfitter Ironbound Outdoors is in full-swing for Ice Fishing season and they still have some great dates available on their calendar. Give them a ring at 207-747-0221 to book an unforgettable day on the ice.

Open hours for the next two weeks at the restaurant:

- Friday 1/09: 4p-8p
- Sat-Sunday 1/10-11: 11a-8p

- Thursday 1/15: 4p-8p
- Fri-Sunday 1/16-18: 11a-8p

09/12/2025

We weren’t sure if we were going to be able to swing it this weekend, but our shuttle IS available for tomorrow’s Dead River release.

If you want a ride up river in the morning, head to www.ironboundoutdoors.com or give us a ring at 207-747-0221.

06/21/2025

My goodness, it’s been a good couple weeks out there… Thanks to everyone who hit the water with us!

We still have a handful of dates available in June for chasing trout and salmon before the water warms up and we turn our rods toward the smallies only until fall. Don’t hesitate to reach out!

All kinds of trips offered:

- Rivers in the drift raft
- Remote ponds and streams
- Wade fishing
- Motor boat in the lakes
- Fly or Spin fishing offered

All trips include two anglers!

Head to www.ironboundoutdoors.com to explore our adventures, reach out here, or give us a call at 207-747-0221 to get your trip on the calendar

06/21/2025

Hey - our neighbors upstairs know how to get you well fed and fueled up after an adventure! Be sure to stop in on your way to or from the woods 🍔🥗🍕🍗

🌲🥗 For those that like a FRESHER fuel up! 🥗🌲

Introducing our next rotating salad special at Hawk’s Nest Lodge & Restaurant 👉 The Colossal Cobb 💪

Whether you're coming off the trail, river or road, this one hits the spot with a piled-high plate of:

🧺 Crisp Romaine
🍗 Grilled Chicken
🥩 Ham
🥓 Bacon Crumbles
🥚 Hard-Boiled Egg
🧀 Cheddar AND Swiss Cheese
🥕 Carrots
🍅 Tomato
🥒 Cucumbers
🧁 Blue Cheese Dressing (or your choice!) 🥄

It’s everything you crave after a big day outdoors — fresh, filling, and full of flavor! 😋

📍 Weekend Hours:
🕚 Thursday & Friday 11a–8p
🕚 Saturday & Sunday 7a-8p (breakfast 'til 11!)

📸 Don’t forget to tag us in your trail-to-table pics — we love seeing what kind of adventures lead you to the lodge 🙌

04/14/2025

🎣 NEW FISHING DATES AVAILABLE🎣

Big news, friends! We have several great dates that were just added to the calendar for wade fishing trips on The Dead and Kennebec Rivers this Spring and Summer!

May 9th

May 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th

And several dates between June 19th - July 6th

Prime dates for chasing brookies and salmon alongside Professional Maine Guide, Spencer Knowles (this dude is FISHY).

We still have a few weekend days available through out the season also.

Sn**ch ‘em up while you can!

Head to our website to book, message us here, or call 207-747-0221. See you on the river!

04/02/2025

Happy opening day from Northern Maine, friends! Hope some of you got the chance to wet a line today.

If you want to get into some amazing places and chase some beautiful fish, don’t hesitate to reach out.

We have prime dates available in May and June (and April if you dare!) for fly and/or spin fishing trips. With our half- or full-day drift, wading, remote pond, and our small stream “Hike & Hook” packages, we can put together your perfect day of fishing.

Prices start at just $275 for up to two people, and with our team of great guides, you’re sure to have a great time!

(PS: Don’t forget to put in for the Maine Moose Permit lottery! Applications open today through May 15th.)

03/26/2025

Have you been thinking about becoming a Registered Maine Guide?? Take the next step and join Ironbound Outdoors & Maine Upland Guide Service for this top-notch guide training course to get you fully prepped for success when you head to Augusta to earn your patch!

This is a 3-day, fully immersive course led by two great instructors and season Maine Guides - Mike Tuminaro & Dave Tyrol, with the option to add the necessary First Aid Training and Certification, instructed by Paramedic Sean Estabrook.

PLUS - you can't beat the location... this course will be held at Hawks Nest Lodge along the mighty Dead River in West Forks, ME. Lodging and meal options are available.

Don't wait any longer to take the next step on your journey to becoming a Registered Maine Guide! Head over to www.ironboundoutdoors.com/maine-guide-training to learn more about the course and get registered!

Hope to see you in May!

Join us on the beautiful banks of the might Dead River in West Forks, ME for a fun and informative course preparing you to become a Registered Maine Guide!

03/22/2025

Always a bittersweet day when the ice shack comes off the lake. Thank you to everyone who made this ice season a fantastic one.

Onward to Spring fishing!

It’s looking like the runoff is setting us up for a nice early start on the rivers, and some premium spring dates are still available, so don’t hesitate to reach out for a fly or spin-fishing trip in The Forks area chasing brookies, salmon and smallmouth bass.

Trips are full package, all necessities included, and we have great lodging options in town.

03/16/2025

A warm and sunny, late season day on Moosehead Lake is always special, but even more so when spent with my favorite fishing buddies!

Yesterday, we had a fantastic last day on the ice together for this season, bringing three great brook trout topside along with a pile of suckers and fall fish to keep us running around.

Brookies were 21 3/4”, 18”, and 14 3/4”. Bigger two released, and the smaller one came home to be enjoyed at the dinner table tonight.