William H. Rowe operated a trout pond in Bar Mills in York County. The Clear Spring Trout Ponds hatchery started in the early 1880s and was eventually bought by William Howe and his partner Senator Frederick Hale in 1909. Mr. Rowe bought out Sen. Hale and continued to expand the business. By 1924, the ponds contained half a million brook and rainbow trout.

A half-page article on this trout farm appeared in the "Portland Evening Express" on September 3, 1924 (page fourteen).