Connecticut Fishing Report 4-28-16

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

If not not catching fish in Connecticut right now , go back to your vehicle and get your Pole !

May 7, 2016 Free Fishing Day for Fresh and Salt Water !

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has designated Saturday May 12^th as Family Fishing Day.  Get outdoors and enjoy a great day of fishing with family and friends.  Bring the kids to see the stocking trucks roll in and you can help carry buckets of fish from the trucks down to the water.
The following ponds will be stocked on Family Fishing Day.

Beardsley Park Pond	Bridgeport	9:45
Valley Falls Pond	Vernon	8:30
Keney Park Pond	Hartford	10:30
Chatfield Hollow Pond	Killingworth	8:30
Wharton Brook Pond	Wallingford	10:30
Southford Falls Pond	Oxford	8:30
Lake Wintergreen	New Haven	10:30

TROUT STOCKING–Approximately 371,000 trout were stocked before Opening Day into 100 lakes and ponds and nearly 170 rivers and streams located throughout Connecticut. DEEP’s in-season stockings are now underway with nearly 230,000 additional trout scheduled to be stocked between Opening Day and the end of May.

TROUT- RIVERS & STREAMS - Conditions should be fairly good for trout fishing this weekend, with Saturday being the better weather day for anglers. There are plenty of recently stocked trout waiting for anglers, flows are very fishable but remain generally lower than typical spring levels (see stream flow graphic on page 4) but some rain is forecast for late in the weekend and early next week.

Good reports last week from the West Branch Farmington River, Farmington River, Housatonic River, Natchaug River, Willimantic River, Fivemile River (good for those with patience to learn the river), Quinebaug River (some nice action being found in the Putnam area) and Eightmile River; and fair reports from the Pequonnock River, Hammonasset River (some nice fish are being found), West River (spotty), and Scantic River (action is improving). Nymphs and streamers are a good option for many, especially earlier in the day, with some better action found on top later in the day. Mealworms and crawlers are working for bait anglers.

Farmington River - Fishing remains good to very good and conditions for the weekend should be good, with comfortable spring weather forecast for most of the weekend and very fishable flows continuing. Currently West Branch flows are clear, on the low side (currently 145 cfs at Riverton with the Still River adding another 80 cfs).

Hatches/patterns. Hendrickson hatch continues to move upstream, likely in the catch-and-release area and up to Riverton. Other hatches include Blue Wing Olive (some), Winter/Summer Caddis (#18-22) and Stonefly nymphs (#16-18), Midge (#20-32). Also try Rusty Spinners (#16-18), Mahogany Duns/Blue Quills (#16-18), Tan Caddis (#16-18) and Winter Caddis (#18)

Housatonic River - Fishing has been good and the river will be great for fishing this weekend. The TMA was stocked this week, flows are clear, and quite comfortable for wading, being lower than is typical for late April/early May (currently 818 cfs at Falls Village and 1,140 cfs at Gaylordsville). Morning water temperatures are in the mid-upper 40’sF.

Hatches/patterns include Hendrickson (#12-14,), Blue Wing Olive (a.k.a. Baetis vagans; #16-18), Green/Olive Caddis & Tan/Brown Caddis. Anglers using March Brown (#10-12), Pheasant Tail (#12-18) Copper John (#12-16). For streamers try Yellow/White Zonkers, brown and olive woolly buggers as well as white muddler minnows.

Rivers and streams stocking update (Note that all stocking schedules are subject to change):

In western Connecticut; the Mill River TMA (Fairfield), Saugatuck River TMA, Farmington River (Tariffville section), Housatonic River TMA (Cornwall, Kent), Little River, Macedonia Brook and the Farmington River TMA (year-round catch-and-release area only) were stocked.

In eastern Connecticut; the Moosup River (including the TMA), Kitt Brook, Blackwells Brook, Shetucket River, Natchaug River, Hammonasset River (including the TMA), Scantic River (both upper & lower portions), Skungamaug River, Hop River, Jeremy River, Blackledge River, Mount Hope River and Fenton River were stocked.

TROUT-LAKES & PONDS - Trout fishing has been generally good with reports from Quonnipaug Lake (good), Crystal Lake (nothing big), Cedar Lake (very good action, including lots of brook trout), Highland Lake (“trout are turning on”), Long Pond, Candlewood Lake (fair), Squantz Pond (good action on stockie rainbows), and Saugatuck Reservoir (fair-good fishing). Also some good reports from several of the Community Fishing Waters including Mohegan Park Pond (also a Trout Park).

Lakes and ponds stocking update (Note that all stocking schedules are subject to change):

In western Connecticut; Mohegan Lake, Baummer Pond, Colony Park Pond, Fountain Lake, and Prospect Town Park Pond.

In eastern Connecticut; Moosup Pond, Somerville Mill Pond, and Rogers Lake.

TROUT PARKS – Fishing ranged from fair to very good at the Trout Parks. The Stratton

Brook, Natchaug River, Chatfield Hollow (both pond and stream), Wolfe Park (Great Hollow Pond), Southford Falls, Black Rock (both pond and stream), Kent Falls, Mohegan Park Pond and Valley Falls Park Pond Trout Parks were stocked this week.

COMMUNITY FISHING WATERS- The Keney Park Pond and Upper Fulton Park Pond were stocked.

LARGEMOUTH BASS fishing was variable last week as spring continues to sputter along, although water temperatures warmed into the low to mid-50’s F, with reports from Bantam Lake (fair action, but some big fish), Moodus Reservoir (slow to fair), Rogers Lake (fair at best), Messerschmidt Pond, Lake Zoar (tough for some anglers, better for others), Lake McDonough (good, bass were around wood

structure), Park Pond (lots of action, but mostly on sub-legals), Candlewood Lake (largemouth fishing is picking up), Lake Lillinonah (fair to good for bass), Saugatuck Reservoir (some action), Mansfield Hollow Reservoir (slow) and Highland Lake (slow last week). Tournament angler reports are from East Twin Lake (slow-fair, 3.48 lb & 2.79 lb lunkers), Lake Lillinonah (tough find largemouth), Bantam Lake (tough for some but a number of bigger fish including a 6.7 lb, 5.7 lb and 5.5 lb bass), Lake Zoar (slow, 3.2 lb &1.56 lb lunkers), Pattagansett Lake (very slow, with a 1.98 lb lunker), Coventry Lake (slow, with a 5 lb lunker), Amos Lake (fair-good, some size, fish averaged 2 lbs apiece, with a 4.7 lb lunker), and Pachaug Pond (slow-fair, 4.3 lb lunker).

SMALLMOUTH BASS. At Candlewood Lake, Some anglers found fair to good action, but the smallies befuddled many other anglers last week, good fishing reported at Lake Lillinonah, and a few smallmouth were being caught at Lake McDonough and Highland Lake. Tournament angler reports are from Lake Lillinonah (fair to good smallie fishing, with a 3.31 lb lunker), Bantam lake (a few in the bags for club, good for another group with a 3.58 lb lunker), Candlewood Lake (tough to fair,), Lake Zoar (slow, 1.65 lb & 0.83 lb lunkers).

Special Thank You to Connecticut Bass Nation.

                                          also  Red Fin Pickerel ( Quaddick ) and others.

NORTHERN PIKE. Some nice catches reported from Lake Lillinonah (Shepaug Arm).

I love the new Ramp and Lighting. Thank You ! Sportsman Restoration and Pittman Robertson Funds

WALLEYE action remains good at Squantz Pond but it’s been slow at Saugatuck Reservoir.
 P.S. The  State record is ot of Beach Pond which is bordered by those Swamp Yankee Rhode Islanders !

BLACK CRAPPIE action continues to be good to very good throughout the state.

CONNECTICUT RIVER

The river has warmed some (up to 52 F on Monday, 4/25) and has risen some although flows are still well below typical late-April levels. Lots of bait fish in the river. AMERICAN SHAD can be found throughout the river (good action reported from anglers in the Enfield area). Shad darts and willow leafs generally work well. STRIPED BASS are being found in the river, still mostly schoolie size, but numbers of bigger fish are increasing, with a number of 20 lb plus catches reported. BLACK CRAPPIE fishing remains good. Anglers are finding good SMALLMOUTH BASS action in the Windsor to Enfield area (with a number of 2 lb plus fish), plus some fish are being found from below Hartford to Haddam in the mainstem. A few LARGEMOUTH BASS are being caught in the coves along the river. Some CARP are being caught in the lower river. Not much WHITE PERCH action reported yet.

NOTES & NOTICES:

BASHAN LAKE (drawdown). Bashan Lake remains drawn down (slow refill has begun – lake currently remains down approximately 5 feet – note that refill rate is dependent on rainfall amounts) following dam repairs and the state boat launch remains closed.

COVENTRY LAKE (invasive species alert). Hydrilla, a very highly invasive aquatic plant, has been found growing in Coventry Lake. All lake users should take extra care to check and clean their boats (including canoes, kayaks and rowing sculls), trailers, and fishing equipment before leaving the boat launch, or leaving the lakeshore.

DOOLEY POND (drawdown). A drawdown of Dooley Pond to facilitate dam repairs is ongoing (expected to last to September 1). The state boat launch is currently closed.

GLASGO POND (drawdown). A drawdown of Glasgo Pond to facilitate dam repairs began September 16. Launching of boats is difficult to impossible.

RAINBOW RESERVOIR (boat launch). The state boat launch on Rainbow Reservoir is currently scheduled to be closed for paving and redesign from Monday, May 2^nd through Friday, May 6^th (inclusive).

Salt Water Report

STRIPED BASS fishing is good to excellent for “schoolies” in most of the tidal rivers along the Connecticut shoreline. There are also some keepers in the mix as well (47 inch bass from the lower CT River). Striper spots include the Pawcatuck River, Mystic River, Thames River, Niantic River, lower Connecticut River (DEEP Marine Headquarters fishing pier and Dock and Dine), Black Hall River, New Haven Harbor (Sandy Point), Housatonic River and Norwalk Harbor including the islands. Sand and blood worms have been working the best, especially in turbid waters around the high tide. Casting swimming lures, small jigs (Chartreuse color) with twister tails, soft baits, and Kastmasters and other metal lures will all work. Fishing should get better as we approach the magical 55F mark! The top-water fishing has been fanatastic…

WINTER FLOUNDER fishing remains slow but improving in the Poquonock River at Bluff Point State Park, Niantic River, The Brothers, Jordan Cove, lower Saugatuck River, Calf Pasture Beach area, Norwalk Islands (Cockonoe) and the channels in Norwalk Harbor. Other flounder spots include the lower Mystic River, and the mouth of the Thames River in the Pine Island area including Baker Cove.

WHITE PERCH fishing is good to excellent for these tasty panfish in most of the tidal rivers and coves along the Connecticut shoreline. Perch spots include the Pawcatuck River, Mystic River, Thames River, upper Niantic River, lower Connecticut River (DEEP Marine Headquarters fishing pier), Black Hall River, Lieutenant River, North/South Cove and Hamburg Cove. Shrimp and small worms are the key to success.

WEAKFISH have also arrived in Long Island Sound! The Race, Plum Gut and the north side of Long Island including Gardiners Bay and the Peconics are early bluefish spots. Look for weakfish in Guilford/New Haven Harbor over to the Milford/Stratford area along with the Peconics.

BLACK SEA BASS & SCUP OPENS MAY 1: Based on the CT DEEP Marine Fisheries Division trawl survey there are plenty of sea bass and scup in the sound. Looks to be a fantastic opener.

Rhode Island Free Fresh Water Fishing Days May 7th & 8th

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

RI FREE FISHING WEEKEND MAY 7 & 8, 2016

Fish for ANY freshwater species FREE.  NO license or Trout Stamp required!  Creel limits will apply.  

                                 QUALIFY FOR A GOLDEN RAINBOW TROUT PIN!


             Rhode Islands Nick Grasso and my brother Joe caught one last year !

Upper Melville Pond Portsmouth Peck Pond Burrillville  Silver Spring Pond North Kingstown  Meadowbrook Pond Richmond  Carolina Trout Pond Richmond  Carbuncle Pond Coventry  Browning Mill Pond Exeter  Barber Pond South Kingstown  2016 Golden Rainbow Trout Stocked Ponds: 

Catch a golden rainbow trout in any of the 8 ponds listed and take a picture with your fish!  Send the picture to jessica.pena@dem.ri.gov and you will be mailed a golden trout pin to commemorate your catch! It’s Free Fishing Weekend!

QUALIFY FOR A GOLDEN RAINBOW TROUT PIN!  Fish for ANY freshwater species FREE.  NO license or Trout Stamp required!  Creel limits will apply.

  RI FREE FISHING WEEKEND MAY 7 & 8, 2016 

Vermont’s Walleye Fishing Starts May 7

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

The best walleye fishing in New England will begin soon in several Vermont rivers and lakes, according to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.  The department is reminding anglers that walleye fishing season starts in much of the state on the first Saturday in May and that regulations vary, depending on the water you are fishing. 

  Wayne G. Barber, host of the OUTDOOR SCENE reminds you there is no open season on Sauger, a close cousin to the walleye.  Once more abundant in southern Lake Champlain, sauger may still appear there rarely.  If caught while fishing for other fish, sauger must be immediately released. 

In all waters of Vermont except Lake Carmi, Chittenden Reservoir and the Connecticut River, walleye have an 18” minimum length requirement and three-fish daily limit.  The open season is from Saturday, May 7 to March 15, 2017.

Lake Carmi has a slot limit for walleye because of the lake’s high productivity and high rate of walleye harvest.  The minimum length is 15 inches, all walleye between 17 and 19 inches must be released.  The daily limit is five walleye, but only one may be over 19 inches long.  The season is open May 7 through March 15.

Chittenden Reservoir has special walleye regulations in order to produce large walleye that can help control its over-abundant yellow perch population and provide anglers with an opportunity to harvest a trophy walleye.  The minimum length is 22 inches, the daily limit is two, and the season is open June 1 through March 15.   

Connecticut River walleye fishing rules are set by New Hampshire.  No walleye between 16 to 18 inches may be kept and the daily limit is four fish, of which only one may be longer than 18 inches.

Excellent walleye fishing opportunities occur each spring in the lakes mentioned above as well as in Lake Champlain and its tributaries: the Missisquoi River, Lamoille River, Winooski River, and Otter Creek.  The Northeast Kingdom also offers walleye fishing opportunities in Salem Lake, Island Pond, Clyde Pond, and the Clyde River.  Vermont’s state record walleye weighed 14.55 lbs. and was caught in Lake Champlain by Richard Levesque of Swanton in 2010.

If You Find a Fawn, Leave it Alone

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Photo by Raplh Hensley
Posted by Wayne G. Barber
It's that time of year again when white-tailed deer fawns are showing up in yards and hayfields, and concerned citizens want to know how to help. In almost all cases, the best way to help is to simply give the fawn space and leave it alone.

Concerned people sometimes pick up animals that they think are orphaned. Most such "orphans" that good-intentioned citizens "rescue" every spring should have been left alone. Most wild animals will not abandon their young, but they do leave them alone for long periods of time.

According to Wayne G. Barber, host of the OUTDOOR SCENE, fawns, born from April through July, are purposely left alone by their mothers. Female deer, called does, stay away from the fawns to avoid leading predators such as dogs or coyotes to their location. The white-spotted coat camouflages a fawn as it lies motionless in vegetation. Young fawns are "hiders" and will not try to run away when they are approached.

For the first seven to 10 days of life, a fawn will spend up to 95 percent of its time bedded. While bedded, a fawn has a very rapid heartbeat of around 175 beats per minute. When a fawn senses danger is close, it will lower its head and drop its ears, the heart rate will fall to around 60 beats per minute, and the breathing will become slower and deeper – all to try and avoid detection by predators. The first few days of a fawn’s life are a critical time. Most fawns that fall to predators die in their first 10 days of life.

Does will return several times each day to move and/or feed their young. You probably will not see the doe at all since she only stays to feed the fawn for just a very few minutes before leaving it alone again. If less than 24 hours have passed since a fawn has been "rescued," the fawn should be taken back and released at the exact same location where it was found.

Barber states, if a wild animal has been injured or truly orphaned, do not take matters into your own hands. You may locate a licensed wildlife rehabilitator by calling a toll-free wildlife conflict helpline at your State DEM Web-site on a search box.

“If a human touches a fawn, the doe will stop taking care of it.” This is incorrect. It is best to never touch a fawn unless it is in direct danger, like when it beds down near farm equipment or other dangerous areas. But in the event you do need to touch a fawn or carry it away from danger, you have nothing to worry about. Research has shown that most fawns handled by humans survive just fine afterward. If the mother is in sight, try to let her see you set the fawn down. If there is not a doe in the area, find a shady spot with some cover close by and leave the fawn there. If the fawn jumps up and runs off, don’t chase it. It will travel a short distance and pick its own spot to wait for its doe.

Raising a wild animal in captivity is illegal unless you have a wildlife rehabilitation permit, which is issued by DEM. Each animal's nutritional, housing, and handling requirements are very specific and must be met if they have any chance of survival. Feeding the wrong food to a fawn can make it very sick and possibly lead to its death. For example, cow's milk can induce severe diarrhea in fawns.

With even the best professional care possible, the survival rate of rehabilitated fawns and many other animals is very low. More than 50% of fawns brought to rehabilitation facilities die before being released due to injuries they come in with and unavoidable physical stress during the rehabilitation process. Of those fawns that are released, a very small percentage survives the first year in the wild. Furthermore, many rehabilitation facilities have to turn fawns away due to limited housing and staff. Wildlife managers have additional concerns about fawn rehabilitation. The process requires deer to be moved, treated--often in contact with other deer--and then released back into the wild. Often, rehabilitated deer must be released into areas with already high deer populations. Movement and commingling of deer increase the risks that contagious diseases, such as tuberculosis or chronic wasting disease (CWD), 

Please Avoid Tempting the Bears !

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

The Outdoor Scene Says Avoid Tempting Bears by Removing Food Sources

 

Pascoag, R.I.:  People love to see a black bear in its natural surroundings, but when a bear ventures into human territory, problems can occur. 

 

 All the New England wardens and biologists are receiving reports of hungry bears getting into trash containers as well as raiding bird feeders, bee hives and chicken houses.  

“Human conflicts involving bears are increasing this spring,” said Wayne G. Barber, host of the OUTDOOR SCENE exclaims the bears are responding to events in search of easy calories.  As with most wildlife conflicts, these can be easily avoided by taking steps to secure food sources and making them inaccessible to hungry bears.”

“People sometimes unintentionally encourage bears to come out of the forest by providing food,” says OUTDOOR SCENE guest, Ben Kilham, New Hampshire's top black bear expert.  “Once bears become used to these food sources and come into frequent human contact, people sometimes call them nuisance bears.  But, they are just being bears!  It is nearly impossible to relocate a nuisance bear.  Unfortunately, they frequently have to be put down.”

Some of the most common sources of food that attract bears are: bird feeders, barbecue grills, garbage, household trash containers, open dumpsters, pet food and campsites with accessible food and food wastes.

Purposely feeding a bear is not just bad for the bear, it’s also illegal through out New England.

Residents must take reasonable measures to protect their property from bears before lethal force can be taken.  Some of these measures include:

• Keep chickens and honeybees secure within an electric fence or other bear-proof enclosure.
• Never feed bears, deliberately or accidentally.
• Feed pets indoors.
• Do not feed birds April 1 through November 30.  Bringing feeders in at night doesn’t work, because of seed spilled on the ground. 
• Store trash in a secure place.  Trash cans alone are not bear-proof.

Antlerless Deer Proposal Voted by Vermont Fish &Wildlife Board

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Board voted on the Fish & Wildlife Department's proposal for antlerless deer hunting for 2016 at its monthly meeting on April 20 in Montpelier.

"The number of muzzleloader season antlerless deer permits has increased to account for the expected increase in the deer population following the exceptionally mild winter of 2016," said Nick Fortin, deer project leader for the Fish & Wildlife Department. "The recommendation is intended to allow moderate population growth in most of the state while stabilizing or reducing deer densities in a few areas."

The department's annual recommendation is based on population growth estimates, biological data, deer sighting rates reported by hunters, and winter severity data, as well as input from game wardens, foresters and the public.

"We expect the statewide deer population to be 140,000 to 145,000 prior to the start of the 2016 deer seasons," said Fortin.

Hunting for antlerless deer is proposed statewide for the October 1-28 and December 3-11 archery season. Last year, hunters took 2,618 antlerless deer during the archery season.

One deer of either sex would be allowed for youths during the November 5-6 youth weekend hunt. Youths took 761 antlerless deer during the 2015 youth weekend hunt.

The December 3-11 muzzleloader season would have 19,150 antlerless permits distributed in 16 of Vermont's 21 WMUs, which is estimated to result in 2,629 antlerless deer being taken. Landowners who post their land may not apply for a muzzleloader landowner antlerless deer permit.

The antlerless deer hunting proposal for 2016 is on Vermont Fish & Wildlife's website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com). Public comments on the proposal may be emailed to ANR.FWPublicComment@Vermont.Gov by May 20.

The department held three deer hunting public hearings earlier and will hold two more in May. The meetings will be held 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday May 10 at the Riverside Middle School Cafeteria, 13 Fairground Road, Springfield, and on Thursday May 12 at the St. Albans Town Educational Center Cafeteria, 169 South Main Street, St. Albans.

The Fish & Wildlife Board will vote again at their May 25 Board meeting on the antlerless deer hunting proposal. Muzzleloader season antlerless permit applications are scheduled to be available on the Fish & Wildlife Department's website in early June.

Groundbreaking at Massachusetts' McLaughlin Fish Hatchery

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

                                 Please join Massachusetts anglers, Mass Wildlife staff, and state and local officials on Wednesday, April 27 at 11:00 A.M. at the McLaughlin Fish Hatchery (90 East Street in Belchertown) for a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate construction of a nearly mile-long water pipeline and hydropower turbine that will supply six

million gallons of water daily to the hatchery. As the Commonwealth's largest hatchery, McLaughlin requires cold, clean water to grow thousands of pounds of trout each year. The pipeline will reduce the hatchery's electrical demand by 588,000 kilowatt hours annually, and produce an additional 440,000 kilowatt hours of renewable energy for the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA). Representing a cooperative effort between Mass Wildlife and the MWRA, funding for the project comes from MWRA bond funds, Mass Wildlife's Inland Fish and Game Fund, and grants from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and the Department of Energy Resources.

Bass Pro Shops Moving Ahead with Cabela's Purchase

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Bass Pro Shops is preparing a bid for the purchase of Cabela's. The merger, first rumored in November, would transform the world of hunting and fishing like nothing else before it, as well as affecting the livelihoods of thousands of workers.

Reuters reported that BPS has partnered with Goldman Sach's private equity firm to provide the financing needed to purchase Cabela's. While the bid amount and a potential date for the purchase are still unknown, the report said BPS is facing competition from other unnamed buyout firms and has only begun the lengthy process required to buy Cabela's. Competition is limited because firms are hesitant to purchase brands associated with firearms in the current political and legislative atmosphere, but it still exists.

The rumored buyout has residents of Sidney, Nebraska, site of Cabela's corporate headquarters, in a state of panic. The outdoor company employs 2,000 of Sidney's 6,800 residents. Analysts project that, if the BPS buyout takes place, the closure and consolidation of Cabela's headquarters with Bass Pro's is likely.

Shares of the company's stock, however, were not discouraged by the news. Cabela's stock rose 6.4 percent Tuesday to finish at $52.51. Total market capitalization was put at $3.6 billion, up from the then-total capitalization of $3 billion following the start of rumors in November.
Cabela's is also exploring selling its credit card business.
Cabela's was put on the sales path by Elliott Management, an activist investor who holds an 11 percent stake in the company. In October, Elliott Management disclosed its stake percentage in the company and called for it to "explore strategic alternatives." Cabela's has since reached out to private equity firms to solicit interest, according to Reuters.
For now the townspeople of Sidney can rest somewhat easily. The Dayton Daily News quoted Bass Pro spokesman Jack Wlezian as saying the company would not comment on "media speculation" about the potential purchase.

Privately held Bass Pro Shops, founded in 1971, operates 100 stores in the U.S. Publicly traded Cabela's, founded in 1961, runs 80 stores. No word on what a merger would look like for those stores, particularly the ones that operate near one another.

Connecticut: Putnam Fish and Game News

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

RANGE CLOSURE

The outdoor ranges will be closed to effect repairs and upgrades to the berms on April 25th through May 8th.
See the forum board for details!

Pistol Safety Course

The next classes will be held Sundays, MAY 15th & MAY 29th, 2016
The price of the pistol safety course  is $95.00, payment is due the day of the course.
Cash is the only accepted method of payment.
NO PERSONAL CHECKS,OR MONEY ORDERS WILL BE ACCEPTED
Details:
The NRA is switching over to a blended pistol course, which will incorporate Online pre-class e-learning & then classroom/range learning.
All students will have to do the e-learning portion from home prior to coming to class. 
This class is the PHASE 2 TRAINING.
The class starts at 9:00 am and will end approx. 2:00 pm
You do not need to bring anything, I will supply all that is needed.
Upon completion of this course you will be issued A Massachusetts state police firearms safety certificate , as well as an NRA basic pistol safety certificate,
This allows you to apply for resident as well as non-resident permits in many states.
Please contact Jerry Costa to register for one of the dates for the Phase 2 Training at the club.  jerrycostajr @ gmail.com (remove spaces)

Happy Birthday the late Naturalist John Muir

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

John Muir April 21, 1838 – December 24, 1914)^] also known as "John of the Mountains", was a Scottish-American naturalist, author, environmental philosopher and early advocate of preservation of wilderness in the United States. His letters, essays, and books telling of his adventures in nature, especially in the Sierra Nevada of California, have been read by millions. His activism helped to preserve the Yosemite Valley, Sequoia National Park and other wilderness areas. The Sierra Club, which he founded, is a prominent American conservation organization. The 211-mile (340 km) John Muir Trail, a hiking trail in the Sierra Nevada, was named in his honor. Other such places include Muir Woods National Monument, Muir Beach, John Muir College, Mount Muir, Camp Muir and Muir Glacier. In Scotland, the John Muir Way, a 130 mile long distance route, was named in honor of him.
In his later life, Muir devoted most of his time to the preservation of the Western forests. He petitioned the U.S. Congress for the National Park bill that was passed in 1890, establishing Yosemite National Park. The spiritual quality and enthusiasm toward nature expressed in his writings inspired readers, including presidents and congressmen, to take action to help preserve large nature areas. He is today referred to as the "Father of the National Parks" and the National Park Service has produced a short documentary about his life.
Muir has been considered 'an inspiration to both Scots and Americans'. Muir's biographer, Steven J. Holmes, believes that Muir has become "one of the patron saints of twentieth-century American environmental activity," both political and recreational. As a result, his writings are commonly discussed in books and journals, and he is often quoted by nature photographers such as Ansel Adams "Muir has profoundly shaped the very categories through which Americans understand and envision their relationships with the natural world," writes Holmes. Muir was noted for being an ecological thinker, political spokesman, and religious prophet, whose writings became a personal guide into nature for countless individuals, making his name "almost ubiquitous" in the modern environmental consciousness. According to author William Anderson, Muir exemplified "the archetype of our oneness with the earth", while biographer Donald Worster says he believed his mission was "...saving the American soul from total surrender to materialism."^[ On April 21, 2013, the first ever John Muir Day was celebrated in Scotland, which marked the 175th anniversary of his birth, paying homage to the conservationist

Pennsylvania: Spring Gobbler Season Holds Plenty of Potential

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Excitement is starting to build in Pennsylvania's hunting community for the start of spring-gobbler seasons.
Hunters 16 and younger can head afield Saturday, April 23 to participate in Pennsylvania's annual youth spring turkey hunt. A week later, on April 30, all hunters can head into Penn's Woods in pursuit of spring gobblers.
There's good reason for the increasing interest among hunters, said Mary Jo Casalena, the Pennsylvania Game Commission's wild turkey biologist. An earlier spring has coaxed hens into nesting sooner and is helping to set the table for hunters to capitalize on those pining gobblers.
"In an early spring, hens often begin incubating their nests one to two weeks earlier than normal," Casalena explained. "That's great news for hunters, because those lonely toms will be gobbling more and coming in easier to calling hunters."

Of course, that doesn't mean those gobblers will be "easy." They won't come running to every caller out there, or be oblivious to the movements of the thousands of hunters invading their woodland sanctuaries. But their vulnerability to hunters increases when hens nest earlier, because their go-to harem hens become nesters – dropping out of circulation – and the competition among gobblers for the remaining available hens becomes greater.
Last spring, hunters took 41,180 spring turkeys in Pennsylvania, which is similar to 2014's spring harvest of 41,258. But the spring harvests before 2014 were down considerably. In succession, they were: 36,507 in 2013; 36,920 in 2012; and 35,852 in 2011.
What's surprising is that Pennsylvania's last two spring harvests followed two of the hardest winters the state has endured in some time. Sometimes, there isn't an obvious reason for how harvests unfold. But all things considered, it would appear conditions heading into the 2016 spring seasons should provide turkey hunters ample opportunity.
On average, Casalena said, 71 percent of the spring harvest is adult gobblers; 17 percent is jakes; 4 percent is bearded hens and 7 percent is unknown-aged males. The 2015 spring harvest followed that breakdown, excepting that 22 percent was jakes and only 1 percent of the harvest was bearded hens.
Hunters in 2015 established the lowest rate for bearded-hen harvests since the agency began recording it in 2003, Casalena said. "That's a good thing, because it means more of these hens survived to reproduce. Although bearded hens are legal for harvest, we suggest hunters refrain from knowingly harvesting them, because they can, and do, nest and raise broods."
Pennsylvania's record wild turkey population occurred in 2001, with an estimate of 288,000 birds. Over the next 14 years, estimates have fluctuated, but chart a declining population overall. The five-year average from 2010 to 2015 was 208,312. Over the past two years, estimates show an uptick and place our turkey population at 234,500.
Last fall's preliminary fall turkey harvest was 19,400; a final harvest will be developed from annual Game-Take Survey results later this summer. The preliminary harvest compares with 18,292 in 2014 and 16,755 in 2013. If the 2015 estimate holds, it'll represent the largest fall harvest since 2009.
Given the recent growth in both the turkey population and harvests – and a mild winter – the quarter-million or so turkey hunters heading afield this spring should find action, if they scout before and during season to pattern birds, and are patient enough to wait for opportunity to strut their way.
Casalena said she often gets questions about turkey mortality, especially when turkeys in a given area don't seem to be gobbling much.
The amount of gobbling depends largely on the age structure of the local population, she said. Two-year-old gobblers are typically the most vocal. If there's a high proportion of younger males, known commonly as "jakes," they might not call much. The same is true of the more seasoned gobblers (3 years old and above).
"Just because you're not hearing much gobbling doesn't mean they're not there, and hunters anywhere might be pleasantly surprised by the outcome of a hunt, even if there's not a lot of calling activity leading up to it," Casalena said. "Prior to the season, gobblers might be quiet because hens are still with them. Once the hens go off to incubate their eggs, gobblers intensify their calling to attract other
hens. We time the season to begin, on average, when the majority of hens are incubating and gobbling intensifies."
Hunter success typically could be higher, too, given that it is influenced by the fact many hunters choose to pass up chances to take smaller jakes for the opportunity to take larger, mature gobblers, Casalena said. This self-restriction actually benefits hunters the following spring because this year's jakes, which have high natural survival, will be the boisterous adult gobblers next spring!
Youth Hunt
All participants in the youth hunt must be accompanied by adults as required by law. A complete list of regulations applying to mentored youth and junior hunters can be found in the Pennsylvania Hunting & Trapping Digest, which is issued at the time hunting licenses are purchased and is also available online at www.pgc.pa.gov.

Hunting Hours
Hunting hours during the youth hunt end at noon. Junior hunters and mentored youth may also participate in the statewide spring gobbler season.
Hunting hours begin one-half hour before sunrise and end at noon for the first two weeks of the statewide season (April 30 through May 14). Hunters are asked to be out of the woods by 1 p.m. when hunting hours end at noon. This is to minimize disturbance of nesting hens.
From May 16 through May 31, hunting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset. The all-day season allows more opportunity at the point in the season when hunting pressure is lower and nesting hens are less likely to abandon nests.

Licensing and other regulations
During the spring gobbler season, hunters may use manually operated or semi-automatic shotguns limited to a three-shell capacity in the chamber and magazine combined. Muzzleloading shotguns, crossbows and long, recurve and compound bows also are permitted. For a complete list of regulations, consult Page 42 of the Pennsylvania Hunting & Trapping Digest.
There is no requirement for hunters to wear fluorescent orange during the spring turkey season, though it is recommended that orange be worn while moving.
Pennsylvania hunters again this year are able to purchase a license to harvest a second gobbler in the spring season, but only one gobbler may be taken per day. This license must be purchased no later than April 29 – before the statewide season begins.
The $21.70 license ($41.70 for nonresidents) may be purchased online, but cannot be printed at home. Therefore if a hunter expects to need the license early in the season, purchasing it directly from an issuing agent might be better. General hunting licenses purchased online also are sent by mail.

Reporting harvests
Successful turkey hunters must immediately and properly tag the bird while afield, and are required by law to report the harvest to the Game Commission.
For most hunters, harvests must be reported within 10 days. Mentored youth hunters must report harvests within five days.
Reporting harvests enables the Game Commission to more accurately estimate harvest and population totals, and is important to effective management.
There are three ways harvests can be reported. Hunters can visit www.pgc.pa.gov, click the blue "Report a Harvest" button along the right side of the home page, then fill out a form and submit. Alternately, hunters can fill out and mail in the tear-out harvest report cards that are inserted into the Pennsylvania Hunting & Trapping Digest, or report the harvest by phone at 1-855-PAHUNT1 (1-855-724-8681).
In all cases, it is helpful to have your license with you, as well as the tag you used in the field after harvesting the bird.
"Even though the Game Commission is not currently conducting any large-scale turkey research, there are still leg-banded turkeys remaining throughout the state from recently completed projects," Casalena said. "If you are lucky enough to harvest a leg-banded turkey please call the toll-free number on the band and we will provide details of when and where the bird was tagged."       

Scholarships Available for "Becoming an Outdoors-Woman" Fall Workshop;May 2 Application Deadline

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

CONCORD, N.H. -- Several scholarships are available to defray the cost of attending New Hampshire's Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) fall weekend workshop. To be considered for financial assistance, interested women must mail a completed scholarship application by May 2, 2016, along with a written statement and $35 application deposit. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

 

To apply for a BOW scholarship, go to www.nhbow.com; a link to the application can be found under “Upcoming Events/Fall BOW.”

 

Please apply as soon as possible to ensure that your application is received in time. Applications postmarked after May 2 will not be accepted.

 

Among the BOW scholarships being offered this year is a special mother-daughter scholarship. Both mother and daughter must apply; the daughter must be age 18 or older.

 

If you do not receive a scholarship, the $35 scholarship application fee will be returned OR may be applied to the regular registration fee if you choose to participate in the fall weekend without a scholarship.

 

Those who are offered a fall BOW scholarship must also submit the regular program registration form, which will be available on June 6 at www.nhbow.com. Registration for BOW is first-come, first-served. If the program is full when your registration is received, you will not get in, even if you have a scholarship.

 

New Hampshire's fall Becoming an Outdoors-Woman weekend will take place September 9-11, 2016, at Rockywold/Deephaven Camps on Squam Lake in Holderness, NH.  Participants select four sessions from more than 30 different outdoor skills workshops, including archery, fishing, camping, field dressing game, hiking, kayaking, rifle, shotgun, nature photography, outdoor survival, outdoor cooking, mountain biking, map and compass, and more. More details are available at www.nhbow.com.

 

Regular registration forms for fall BOW will be available on June 6 and will be accepted by regular mail only (no walk-ins). The fall BOW weekend costs $335, which includes lodging, all meals, equipment and instruction.

 

New Hampshire's Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) program is co-sponsored by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department (www.wildnh.com) and the New Hampshire Wildlife Federation (www.nhwf.org).

 

Massachusetts DEM Celebrates 150th Anniversary Open House

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Rhode Island DEM to host Fly-Fishing Clinics beginning tomorrow

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announced today it is hosting a series of fly-fishing clinics, beginning tomorrow.  The sessions range from free, introductory classes for children to advanced instruction for experienced anglers.

 

"Over the years, DEM has introduced countless people to the joys of recreational fishing through our educational programming,” said DEM Director Janet Coit.  “Helping people connect with and enjoy nature are core to our mission, and these workshops offer a little something for everyone.  I encourage people to come out, spend the day with us, and experience the spectacular freshwater fishing we have in Rhode Island.”

 

Registration is now open for the workshops, which are led by experienced fly-fishing instructors as part of DEM’s Aquatic Resource Education (ARE) program; ARE is a federally funded outreach program designed to provide fishing training to the public.  

 

April 16: Family Fun Fly-Fishing Day

9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. // Carolina

In partnership with Wood River Fly Fishing, Narragansett Trout Unlimited, and United Fly Tyers, fly-fishing instructors teach families how to fish in a hands-on, safe, and family-friendly environment. Instructors highlight equipment needs and techniques for fly-tying and fly-casting and provide suggestions on the best areas for families to fish in Rhode Island.  Lunch provided. 

 

April 23: Kids' Fly Fishing Event

10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. // Burrillville

An annual event hosted by DEM, Trout Unlimited, and United Fly Tyers to provide hands-on, fly-fish instruction to children 8 years and older.  The program focuses on equipment needs, fly-tying, fly-casting, and fishing safety.  Lunch and equipment provided.  A parent or guardian must be present at all times.  

 

June 4: Fly-Fishing Express

9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. // Newport

Experienced anglers have an opportunity to access remote fishing areas along Aquidneck Island using the historic Old Colony Train.  Instructors will be available to help fine-tune participants' fly-fishing skills.  Lunch and equipment provided. Fee: $15.00.

 

June 25: Introduction to Freshwater-Fly Fishing

9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. // Burrillville

Families with children 10 years and older learn about fly-fishing equipment, fly-tying, fly-casting, and the best fishing areas across Rhode Island during this six-hour workshop.  Lunch and equipment provided. Fee: $15.00 per person. 

 

July 9: Women’s Fly Fishing Workshop

9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. // Carolina

DEM, Wood River Fly Fishing, and Narragansett Trout Unlimited host a fly- fishing workshop for women only.  The program will focus on equipment, fly-tying, fly-casting, and highlight fishing areas across Rhode Island. Lunch and equipment provided. 

 

DEM also offers group fishing training at the ARE training pond in Richmond, Rhode Island.  The training pond welcomes school, scout, senior, and youth groups to learn to fish in a safe, wheelchair-accessible area. Bait, rods, tackle and training are provided. Reservations are required, and there is no cost to participate.

 

According to the Outdoor Industry Association, outdoor recreation in Rhode Island generates $2.4 billion in consumer spending and supports 24,000 jobs. As part of a larger network of recreational opportunities in the state, fishing plays an important role in connecting people with nature, promoting health, attracting tourism, and supporting a treasured tradition for Rhode Island families. According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, there are approximately 175,000 recreational anglers (age 16+) in Rhode Island. And recreational fishing contributes more than $130 million to the economy each year.

Space is limited and registration is required for all clinics.  To register, contact Kimberly Sullivan at 401.539.0019 or via email at Kimberly.sullivan@dem.ri.gov. 

 

A Little Hoot for Friday !

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

This week's featured photograph of a Great Horned Owlet was submitted by enthusiastic Birding Wire subscribers Jim and Annette Carlson, who hail from St. Louis County, Minn. "We were out for a spring walk (mid-May) when one of my Gordon Setters 'pointed' this little guy," Jim writes. "He was nestled about 8 feet up on a birch tree with an over-story of balsam fir. His mother was somewhere close as we could hear her soft 'hoots' from the woods nearby. His camouflage against the paper birch was amazing!" Jim's equipment included a Panasonic Lumix camera.

U.S. Olympic Archery Team Trials

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

What: 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Archery, Second Nomination Shoot

Where: Easton Archery Center of Excellence at the Chula Vista Olympic Training Center, 2800 Olympic Parkway, Chula Vista CA 91915.

When: April 17-21, 2016 - view complete schedule.

To make the 2016 U.S. Olympic Archery Team, archers must compete in USA Archery's three-part trial series. The first nomination shoot took place last September at Texas A&M University, where the field was cut from hundreds of archers, to the top 16 men and women. This weekend in Chula Vista, California starts the second nomination shoot for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Archery where the field will be cut to just 8 men and women left in the running for Rio.

Zach Garrett (Wellington, Missouri), who finished the first nomination shoot as the current men's leader, comes to the second nomination confident after a big international win at World Ranking Event, the AAE Arizona Cup this past weekend. 2012 Olympic Silver Medalist Brady Ellison (Globe, Arizona) took silver in Arizona, making his 11th podium in 11 major competitions this 2016 season.

The men's competition will be incredibly heated, as the level of talent on the field features many strong competitors, all very close in the running. Also in the top 5 so far: Ellison's London 2012 Silver Medalist teammates Jacob Wukie (Fremont, Ohio) and Jake Kaminski (Gainesville, Florida).

21 year-old Mackenzie Brown (Flint, Texas) leads the women's division so far, just ahead of young teammates and friends Ariel Gibilaro (North Branford, Connecticut) and LaNola Pritchard (Lehi, Utah). 5-time Olympian and Olympic Bronze Medalist Khatuna Lorig (West Hollywood, California) is currently sitting 4th and will definitely be looking to climb the rankings next week as she chases her 6th Olympic team and the Olympic gold that has so far evaded her.

While the U.S. men have already qualified quota slots to send a full team of 3 to Rio, the women have only secured one slot so far. They will have one final chance to earn the additional 2 slots at the Archery World Cup in Antalya, Turkey this June. The pressure is on for the women to both earn that top position in the U.S. Trials, and to train harder as a team to make the Antalya podium and send a full team to Rio.

Current standings from the first nomination shoot, and live updates as the Trials continue, are available here. For more, follow USA Archery on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. For any media questions or credential requests, please contact media@usarchery.org.

About USA Archery
USA Archery is the National Governing Body for the Olympic sport of archery in the United States. USA Archery selects and trains Olympic, Paralympic, World Championship, and World Cup teams, as well as developing archery at the grassroots level across the United States. For more information, visit http://www.usarchery.org.
- See more at: http://www.shootingwire.com/story/372458#sthash.Ctci1Pmv.dpuf

Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab Population Shows Improvement

Posted  by Wayne G. Barber

Spawning-Age Female Number Nearly Doubles

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources today released the results of the 2016 Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey, which show another year of growth in the stock of the Chesapeake Bay crab population and bodes well for a better harvest this year. The survey indicates a bay-wide crab population of 553 million, a 35-percent increase over last year. This is the fourth highest level in two decades, and builds on last year's 38-percent boost in abundance.

"Due to a milder winter, favorable currents and tides, and wise bay-wide management measures, the Maryland crab population continues to rebound and strengthen," Fisheries Service Director Dave Blazer said. "With an increase in abundance and steady recruitment, we fully anticipate a robust crab season this year."

Improvements were seen in all age groups of male and female crabs. The spawning female stock nearly doubled from 101 to 194 million and the adult male stock more than doubled from 44 to 91 million – the second highest levels since 1995.

The number of spawning-age female crabs remains below the 215 million target but above the minimum threshold established in 2011. The juvenile crab abundance increased slightly from 269 million to 271 million, which is just above the 27-year average.

"The highly variable nature of the blue crab population means that we must maintain a degree of caution in considering management adjustments," Chesapeake Bay Stock Assessment Committee Chairman Glenn Davis said.

The 2015 bay-wide crab harvest increased by 42 percent over 2014 to 50 million pounds and remained at sustainable levels for the eighth consecutive year. This combined with increased abundance means that a slight liberalization of harvest limits for female crabs may be warranted this summer.

"Our experts will now discuss the survey results with our internal and external stakeholders," Blazer said. "Any modest adjustment to the current regulations, be it season length or bushel limit, will be considered only after the department receives input from all parties."

The Chesapeake Bay Stock Assessment Committee plans to release a full analysis this summer.
The annual Winter Dredge Survey, conducted by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Virginia Institute of Marine Science since 1990, is the primary assessment of the Chesapeake Bay's blue crab population. In the survey, biologists use dredge equipment to capture, measure, record and release blue crabs at 1,500 sites throughout the bay from December through March. Crabs tend to bury in the mud over the cold winter months, which makes it possible for scientists to develop accurate estimates of the number of crabs.

NH Fish and Game says no bobcat hunting season after all

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

New Hampshire Fish and Game has announced that there won’t be a bobcat-hunting season next winter after a much-contested proposal was killed on Wednesday.

READ: Legislative committee votes to object to new bobcat hunting season in NH

According to the Concord Monitor, the proposal to allow hunting and trapping of bobcats for next season was withdrawn. A legislative committee rejected the idea.
The proposal that would have allowed 50 bobcats to be hunted next December and January has been the most controversial plan put forward by Fish and Game in decades for the state.
In February, the Fish and Game Commission narrowly voted to approve the season, and it was then sent to lawmakers to draft rules and regulations. As proposed, the bill would have allowed a Dec. 1 through Jan. 31 season for 50 permits.
Hunters and trappers in support of the season said the bobcat population is very healthy, and over population would put the animals at risk.
Following public testimony, the committee deemed the bill "unconstitutional" because the season could lead to hunters killing the similar looking endangered Canadian Lynx, which would violate the Endangered Species Act.

 After consideration of the NH Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules (JLCAR)’s preliminary objection to the text of the proposed administrative rule regarding a limited bobcat season (proceeding #2015-206), the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, in consultation with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Commission, today withdrew the proposal.

Designated Trout and Fly-Fishing-Only Ponds Open in New Hampshire

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Andrew Weidle

Fishing in New Hampshire's designated trout ponds and fly-fishing-only ponds opens on the fourth Saturday in April -- this year's opening day is April 23. Fishing is allowed through October 15 (a few ponds managed under wild trout regulations are open only through Labor Day). These waters are managed specifically for trout and offer anglers the chance to experience exciting fishing in some of the Granite State's most scenic surroundings.

 

"These trout ponds are often the best waters in a given area for a variety of reasons," said New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Fisheries Biologist Dianne Timmins. "Excellent habitat, low species competition and the fact that these ponds are closed to ice-fishing allow these waters to be managed for the trout fishing enthusiast."

 

Ponds managed for trout may be stocked with one or more species, including brook, rainbow and/or brown trout, with age classes ranging from yearlings (8-12 inches) to 2-year olds (12-15 inches), with weights up to 1-1.5 pounds!

 

"Trout are prized by anglers because they can be a challenge to catch, and fishing for them is one of the traditional rites of spring," Timmins said.  "Whether your passion is a multi-colored brook trout, a leaping rainbow or the determined fight of a brown, there's a trout pond within reasonable driving distance for most New Hampshire anglers."

 

Hot Hole Pond and Clough Pond in Loudon, French Pond in Henniker, Mount William Pond in Weare, Dublin Lake in Dublin, and Barbadoes Pond in Madbury are a few of the generously stocked early season hotspots where opening day trout are often taken.  It gets no better than this for taking the youngsters along with a simple garden hackle under a bobber, or floating PowerBait fished just off the bottom.

 

Many popular ponds are found from the Lakes Region north to Pittsburg.  They include Echo Lake in Franconia, Russell Pond in Woodstock, Conner Pond and Duncan Lake in Ossipee, White Lake in Tamworth, Perch Pond in Campton, Saltmarsh Pond in Gilford, Spectacle Pond in Groton, Back Lake in Pittsburg, and Little Diamond Pond in Stewartstown.

 

Anglers looking for a true wilderness experience will enjoy visiting one of the nearly 50 remote trout ponds that Fish and Game annually stocks with fingerling brook trout via helicopter. These are listed at www.fishnh.com/fishing/trout-aerial.html. Flat Mountain Pond in Sandwich, Cole Pond in Enfield (fly fishing only), Butterfield Pond in Wilmot, Peaked Hill Pond in Thornton, Black Pond and Lonesome Lake in Lincoln are just a sampling of these delightful ponds, where fingerling brook trout often grow to 8-10 inches by their second growing season, and it's not unusual to pull in brookies 15 inches or longer. Trophy, remote-pond brook trout (three or more years old, some in excess of 17 inches) can be caught in select backcountry waters.

 

Archery Pond in Allenstown (with a wheelchair-accessible casting platform) and Stonehouse Pond in Barrington are two popular fly-fishing-only ponds that will be well stocked for the opener.  Further north, some excellent fly-fishing-only ponds include Upper Hall Pond in Sandwich, Sky Pond in New Hampton and Profile Lake in Franconia (check the Freshwater Fishing Digest for special regulations on these waters). In addition, White Pond in Ossipee and Coon Brook Bog in Pittsburg offer excellent opportunities to "match the hatch" throughout spring and early summer.