Cool temps and very cool nights are making it tough to think that summer is even here in New England. But the waters are open and inviting and the fish are still out there swimming around searching for food, so wetting a line is always a good way to spend the day in the outdoors with your kid.
We went out early in search of bass and whatever was willing to bite. My goal was to catch as many bass as I could and my son’s goal was to catch whatever wanted to bite. First stop was in front of a dam face to see if any fish were using the feed trough that was there in front. Fishing a wacky rigged BearPaw Hippie stick in black/blue color, first cast to the front of the dam a 1.5 pound largemouth bass was into the boat.
Is nice having a location like this that you know that you can pull up on and catch a fish from it almost every time. Tried a little longer but that was the only fish there. Left the area and headed for a big cove that is deep on the outside and comes up on the inside onto a rock shoal.
I was fishing the area with a medium running crankbait in depths of 8 to 12 feet of water. My son was fishing a shiner and bobber and starting catching some nice perch that made him very happy. Wasn’t long and the crankbait started putting numbers of bass into the boat but they were all cookie cutter size around 1.5 pounds each.
Fishing this cove area yielded 5 largemouth bass to the crankbait but couldn’t find anything of great size. Ran around to a couple of other areas and they weren’t producing either. Settled into the mouth of a long shallow cove and worked the Carolina rig and picked up a couple of similar sized bass on this bait. My son switches over to rattle trap bait and caught a huge perch as well as a pickerel.
That area seemed to die so we went back to the first cove and caught another bass there but still no size. My son wanted to end fishing and go play on the beach so dropped him off and grabbed another partner to try the other end of the lake. It was early afternoon at this point and high hot sun was out with little wind happening.
We decided to work an area that was a big flat of 4-8 foot depth of water. First cast with the rattle trap bait yielded the same size bass as earlier in the day. Between working the rattle trap and a Carolina rig, was able to put a couple of bass into the boat but size was still average at that.
The two of us worked areas that we have never fished trying to find a honey hole that would give us something with size to it. My partner was fishing a small minnow imitating swimbait and was catching bigger perch on that. Then he wedges this bait into some rocks and we went over to get it out of the rock and as we got there the line took off and broke the line just as fast. Would have been nice to see what that fish was but that is why they call it fishing and not catching.
Caught a couple more of the clone bass before we decided to call it a day and there were 13 bass caught as well as a number of perch and a pickerel. Not bad between two different partners and going from heavy mist cool damp morning to a hot calm sunny afternoon.
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Friday, July 24, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Fish Transitioning into Summer Patterns
Summer is in full swing these days and the fish are starting to get into their usual summer haunts. It has taken quite sometime this year to finally get to this point, but I think we are finally there. If you are a deep water angler these fish have moved there and start trying some of your favorite spots. Weedlines adjacent to deep water is a good place to start as the bigger fish are using these areas as ambush spots. Baits of choice are crankbaits and this is allowing you to cover vast amounts of water searching for active fish. Once these fish are found you can slow down your presentation and baits and work these areas more thoroughly. Deep water can yield some big fish and give it a try if you haven't already.
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Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Fishing July 10 2009
Fishing is finally getting into the summer patterns that we generally find in July but usually not this late into the season. They have been taking longer in their transitions from the shallows of the shorelines out to their deeper summer haunts. Searching around more is the name of the game and covering water looking for active fish is what is going to put them into the boat.
We headed back to New Hampshire in search of large and smallmouth bass to see if we could put a pattern together. Since the deeper water of past hadn’t been producing to well, started working the shallower areas with weed. Since I wanted to cover as much water as possible, decided to throw rattle trap bait and didn’t take long to connect with the first largemouth of the day.
This fish came from 5 feet of water and in and around lily pads. Water temps are still hovering in the upper 60’s which is unheard of for this time of year. Covered a lot of water after this fish and took quite sometime to find the next one. The next fish came on crank bait fished on a flat edge in 8 feet of water.
The fish were coming far and few in between and headed off to pick up my partner for a couple of hours on the water. There is a dam down near where I picked up my partner and went over there. I fished a wacky rig BearPaws Hippie Stick in black/blue color. Cast the bait right in front of the dam and a fish picked it up immediately and was a chunky 1.5 pound largemouth.
Fished the shoreline area all around this cove and there wasn’t any action to keep us there. So moved off to another bigger cove and was fishing deeper water again in the 12 foot range. I was fishing this cove with a Carolina rig and also a deeper diving crankbait. In this cove the fish were a lot more active and caught 6 largemouths throughout this cove with only one of them coming on the Carolina rig and the rest on the crankbait.
The way that I have been fishing this particular lake lately is mainly with crankbaits and this is allowing me to cover water quickly searching for active fish. If the waters are less than 5 feet deep, then I will fish it with rattle trap type bait. Once the water gets deeper than that then I switch over to a medium diving crankbait. With these two baits they are allowing me to cover vast amounts of water and also getting the active fish to bite.
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We headed back to New Hampshire in search of large and smallmouth bass to see if we could put a pattern together. Since the deeper water of past hadn’t been producing to well, started working the shallower areas with weed. Since I wanted to cover as much water as possible, decided to throw rattle trap bait and didn’t take long to connect with the first largemouth of the day.
This fish came from 5 feet of water and in and around lily pads. Water temps are still hovering in the upper 60’s which is unheard of for this time of year. Covered a lot of water after this fish and took quite sometime to find the next one. The next fish came on crank bait fished on a flat edge in 8 feet of water.
The fish were coming far and few in between and headed off to pick up my partner for a couple of hours on the water. There is a dam down near where I picked up my partner and went over there. I fished a wacky rig BearPaws Hippie Stick in black/blue color. Cast the bait right in front of the dam and a fish picked it up immediately and was a chunky 1.5 pound largemouth.
Fished the shoreline area all around this cove and there wasn’t any action to keep us there. So moved off to another bigger cove and was fishing deeper water again in the 12 foot range. I was fishing this cove with a Carolina rig and also a deeper diving crankbait. In this cove the fish were a lot more active and caught 6 largemouths throughout this cove with only one of them coming on the Carolina rig and the rest on the crankbait.
The way that I have been fishing this particular lake lately is mainly with crankbaits and this is allowing me to cover water quickly searching for active fish. If the waters are less than 5 feet deep, then I will fish it with rattle trap type bait. Once the water gets deeper than that then I switch over to a medium diving crankbait. With these two baits they are allowing me to cover vast amounts of water and also getting the active fish to bite.
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All Young Hunters May Participate in Vermont Youth Hunts
Nonresident young hunters may now participate in Vermont’s special youth hunt weekends for deer and turkey. Vermont’s legislative statute governing youth deer and turkey hunts was amended to include nonresidents as well as residents, effective July 1, 2009.
“Vermont’s three special youth hunting weekends are helping to ensure that young hunters get the quality training and experiences they need for lifelong participation,” said Fish & Wildlife Hunter Education Coordinator Chris Saunders. “We wanted to help make it possible for both resident and nonresident families to enjoy a Vermont hunting experience.”
Anyone under 16 years of age who has successfully completed a hunter safety course and purchased the required licenses may obtain free youth deer hunting or youth turkey hunting tags to participate in Vermont’s special youth hunts for deer and turkey.
More information:
http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/Detail.cfm?Agency__ID=1513
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“Vermont’s three special youth hunting weekends are helping to ensure that young hunters get the quality training and experiences they need for lifelong participation,” said Fish & Wildlife Hunter Education Coordinator Chris Saunders. “We wanted to help make it possible for both resident and nonresident families to enjoy a Vermont hunting experience.”
Anyone under 16 years of age who has successfully completed a hunter safety course and purchased the required licenses may obtain free youth deer hunting or youth turkey hunting tags to participate in Vermont’s special youth hunts for deer and turkey.
More information:
http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/Detail.cfm?Agency__ID=1513
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Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Fishing Report July 9 2009
With the summer season in full swing and kids are finally out of school, my little guy is into fishing big time and lately wanting to go every day. It is becoming a big decision with all of the fishing options that we have, but he is making the decisions and this trip out was to go shore fishing at our pickerel lake.
To fish this lake we fish it from shore and he likes to use live bait to catch the fish that swim there. There are a few favorite spots that we frequent and the decision making to pick which one is totally up to him. One area we have is right off of the roadway and makes it very easy to get started. The other is a good hike through the woods and there are 2 accessible areas there that he likes to fish.
So starting on the road accessible area, didn’t take long to get the rods set up and placed the baits out there. Wasn’t long and the fish started biting and had a variety of fish as well. Started off with a nice 2 pound largemouth bass followed up by some nice perch. He also wanted to try his hand at some sunfish fishing and fishing with T.H.E. Jig, didn’t take to much work and he was reeling in numbers of decent sunfish.
He hasn’t grasped the theory that you don’t leave the fish that are biting to go and try another area, but until he gets that, we were off to the woods locations. These areas don’t seem to produce as well for the bigger predator fish, but he was having a grand time catching numbers of sunfish.
All in all this was a very productive day for him and this always makes him wanting to come back for more another day. Weather conditions were very warm with air temps near 80 with a very light breeze to contend with. We are very fortunate to have access to some of these areas to fish and this is allowing me to be able to teach him the rights and wrongs of fishing in a more relaxed setting.
To fish this lake we fish it from shore and he likes to use live bait to catch the fish that swim there. There are a few favorite spots that we frequent and the decision making to pick which one is totally up to him. One area we have is right off of the roadway and makes it very easy to get started. The other is a good hike through the woods and there are 2 accessible areas there that he likes to fish.
So starting on the road accessible area, didn’t take long to get the rods set up and placed the baits out there. Wasn’t long and the fish started biting and had a variety of fish as well. Started off with a nice 2 pound largemouth bass followed up by some nice perch. He also wanted to try his hand at some sunfish fishing and fishing with T.H.E. Jig, didn’t take to much work and he was reeling in numbers of decent sunfish.
He hasn’t grasped the theory that you don’t leave the fish that are biting to go and try another area, but until he gets that, we were off to the woods locations. These areas don’t seem to produce as well for the bigger predator fish, but he was having a grand time catching numbers of sunfish.
All in all this was a very productive day for him and this always makes him wanting to come back for more another day. Weather conditions were very warm with air temps near 80 with a very light breeze to contend with. We are very fortunate to have access to some of these areas to fish and this is allowing me to be able to teach him the rights and wrongs of fishing in a more relaxed setting.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Free Clinic on Crow Hunting Offered -- August 8, 2009, in Holderness, N.H.
Just in time for the fall crow hunting season, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is offering hunters a free workshop on Crow Hunting: The Forgotten Pastime on Saturday, August 8, 2009, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Owl Brook Hunter Education Center in Holderness, N.H. The seminar will be led by crow hunting enthusiast and hunter education instructor Pete Lester. Pre-registration is required. To sign up, call Tom Flynn or Josh Mackay at (603) 536-3954.
The crow-hunting workshop covers the basic pursuit of these challenging birds, from the use of a mouth call to high-tech electronic calling and decoying. Participants also will learn about crow behavior, crow-hunting safety issues, gaining permission to hunt/landowner relations, clothing choices, set-up location, shotgun and ammunition options, creature comforts for an enjoyable hunt and recipes for -- you guessed it -- eating crow. The session will include a shooting component using Owl Brook's remote-controlled target throwers to simulate field shooting conditions.
Crow hunting has a split season in New Hampshire. It typically opens August 15 and runs through November 30; in addition, there is a short spring season from March 16-31.
For directions to the Owl Brook Hunter Education Center, visit www.huntnh.com/Hunting/hunter_ed_center.htm.
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department works in partnership with the public to conserve, manage and protect the state's fish, wildlife and marine resources and their habitats. Visit www.huntnh.com.
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The crow-hunting workshop covers the basic pursuit of these challenging birds, from the use of a mouth call to high-tech electronic calling and decoying. Participants also will learn about crow behavior, crow-hunting safety issues, gaining permission to hunt/landowner relations, clothing choices, set-up location, shotgun and ammunition options, creature comforts for an enjoyable hunt and recipes for -- you guessed it -- eating crow. The session will include a shooting component using Owl Brook's remote-controlled target throwers to simulate field shooting conditions.
Crow hunting has a split season in New Hampshire. It typically opens August 15 and runs through November 30; in addition, there is a short spring season from March 16-31.
For directions to the Owl Brook Hunter Education Center, visit www.huntnh.com/Hunting/hunter_ed_center.htm.
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department works in partnership with the public to conserve, manage and protect the state's fish, wildlife and marine resources and their habitats. Visit www.huntnh.com.
BackWoods Sportsman OutDoors
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Sunday, July 12, 2009
Fishing Report July 6 2009
Since vacation week of rain was finely over, we had to return to New Hampshire to pick up the boat. Figured that since it was finally a beautiful day weather wise, why not spend the day on the lake searching for fish.
Conditions were very warm with air temps near 80 and no wind to start out the day but a light breeze came later in the morning. Water temperatures are still only reading in the upper 60’s which is very cold for this time of year. Generally this lake will be mid to upper 70’s by this time and this definitely has been the coolest spring into summer yet.
Figuring that the fish should be moving to their summer haunts, concentrated more on the deeper areas that have been productive in the past. No matter where we went and what lures we through at them, these fish were very reluctant to bite no matter what we did.
Finally caught one bass that was around a pound and a half and caught this on a Carolina rigged BearPaws hippie swim tail in the largemouth bass color pattern. There are many weeds throughout this lake and it is making it tough to located and pattern the fish this season but there are many nice fish there and we will definitely figure it out in time.
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Conditions were very warm with air temps near 80 and no wind to start out the day but a light breeze came later in the morning. Water temperatures are still only reading in the upper 60’s which is very cold for this time of year. Generally this lake will be mid to upper 70’s by this time and this definitely has been the coolest spring into summer yet.
Figuring that the fish should be moving to their summer haunts, concentrated more on the deeper areas that have been productive in the past. No matter where we went and what lures we through at them, these fish were very reluctant to bite no matter what we did.
Finally caught one bass that was around a pound and a half and caught this on a Carolina rigged BearPaws hippie swim tail in the largemouth bass color pattern. There are many weeds throughout this lake and it is making it tough to located and pattern the fish this season but there are many nice fish there and we will definitely figure it out in time.
BackWoods Sportsman OutDoors
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Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Fishing July 3 2009
Summer here in New England just doesn’t seem to want to come around this year as the weather is reminiscent of Seattle’s weather with days and days of rain. Rained most of the holiday week and this kept any type of fishing to a minimum as we are also way below average on air temps as well.
Water temps are way down as well with 68 degrees for the highest that we could find for this dark stained water. This lake in New Hampshire that we are fishing had been void of weeds the last few years but they have definitely made their presence known once again this year.
Fishing has been fairly tough with not knowing if they are still in their shallow mode as we fished a number of deeper locations and the bite was very tough. Word was that nothing had been biting yet much this season but we really enjoy fishing this lake and were ready to give our hand at it a try.
Finally found a couple of fish on a rock ledge face fishing with a Carolina rigged BearPaw’s hippie swim tail in the largemouth bass color pattern. Working this combination slowly through the weeds and picked up a smallmouth and a largemouth bass. Fishing depths in the area were from 10 to 12 feet of water and little wind in this cove as well.
Moved to a few other spots with no luck and went to an area that we did fairly well in the winter months. Didn’t take long and caught two more largemouth bass on the same combination and fishing this in 6 to 8 feet of water right in the weeds. These four fish were the only ones caught but from talking with other anglers out there, we were fortunate to catch those.
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Water temps are way down as well with 68 degrees for the highest that we could find for this dark stained water. This lake in New Hampshire that we are fishing had been void of weeds the last few years but they have definitely made their presence known once again this year.
Fishing has been fairly tough with not knowing if they are still in their shallow mode as we fished a number of deeper locations and the bite was very tough. Word was that nothing had been biting yet much this season but we really enjoy fishing this lake and were ready to give our hand at it a try.
Finally found a couple of fish on a rock ledge face fishing with a Carolina rigged BearPaw’s hippie swim tail in the largemouth bass color pattern. Working this combination slowly through the weeds and picked up a smallmouth and a largemouth bass. Fishing depths in the area were from 10 to 12 feet of water and little wind in this cove as well.
Moved to a few other spots with no luck and went to an area that we did fairly well in the winter months. Didn’t take long and caught two more largemouth bass on the same combination and fishing this in 6 to 8 feet of water right in the weeds. These four fish were the only ones caught but from talking with other anglers out there, we were fortunate to catch those.
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Stay Warm and Dry
Fishing with kids in this wet and cool weather here in New England is really getting to be a challenge. Seems that we are now into July and summer in New England just doesn't want to come around and we are dealing with fall like conditions. This weather shouldn't stop you from getting out onto the waters but keeping your kids dry and warm will be key to a fun filled day. Warm clothing as well as a dry raincoat will definitely help in the cause. Staying out of the main lake winds will help as well as these will cool the kids down very quickly. Fish can still be caught but you may need to slow way down, find the warmest waters, and also look to the weeds. Don't let the weather hold you back from spending time on the water and creating memories for a lifetime.
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Monday, July 6, 2009
Connecticut DEP Announces Saltwater Fishing License Now Required in Connecticut
The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today announced that a saltwater fishing license, now required by state law to fish in Long Island Sound, can be conveniently purchased online through the DEP Web site.
The licenses – $10 for residents and $15 for non residents – are available at DEP’s Sportsmen’s Licensing System at www.ct.gov/dep. They can also be purchased at the offices of most town clerks and at many retail outlets and bait and tackle shops.
Lawmakers authorized the marine fishing license during the 2009 General Assembly Session. Funds generated by the new law, which was signed July 1 by Governor Rell, will be used for conservation and preservation programs in the state.
DEP Acting Commissioner Amey Marrella said, "The new saltwater fishing license will provide us with information we need to better manage our fisheries and coastal resources. The Connecticut program will also exempt residents from a federal program that would have required our anglers to register with and pay a fee to the federal government. It makes much more sense for us to gather information about our own anglers and to keep license fees in Connecticut."
The requirement for the marine fish license goes into effect immediately and DEP Environmental Conservation Police will begin checking for licenses immediately; however the DEP’s initial focus will be on public education and awareness.
Provisions of the new marine fishing license include:
A cost of $10 for residents and $15 for out-of-state visitors,
Required for anyone 16 years of age or older,
Free for anyone 65 years of age or older but must still be obtained annually
Reciprocal to marine fishing licenses issued by New York, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Maine provided that state offers the same privilege to holders of a Connecticut Marine Waters Fishing License.
Exceptions including:
People rowing a boat or operating the motor of a boat from which other persons are taking or attempting to take fish,
Anyone fishing as a passenger on a registered party, charter, or head boat registered in Connecticut that is operating solely in the marine district,
State residents participating in a fishing derby that the DEP Commissioner has authorized in writing as long as no fees are charged for the derby, it lasts one day or less, and it is sponsored by a nonprofit civic service organization (these organizations are limited to one derby in any calendar year.
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The licenses – $10 for residents and $15 for non residents – are available at DEP’s Sportsmen’s Licensing System at www.ct.gov/dep. They can also be purchased at the offices of most town clerks and at many retail outlets and bait and tackle shops.
Lawmakers authorized the marine fishing license during the 2009 General Assembly Session. Funds generated by the new law, which was signed July 1 by Governor Rell, will be used for conservation and preservation programs in the state.
DEP Acting Commissioner Amey Marrella said, "The new saltwater fishing license will provide us with information we need to better manage our fisheries and coastal resources. The Connecticut program will also exempt residents from a federal program that would have required our anglers to register with and pay a fee to the federal government. It makes much more sense for us to gather information about our own anglers and to keep license fees in Connecticut."
The requirement for the marine fish license goes into effect immediately and DEP Environmental Conservation Police will begin checking for licenses immediately; however the DEP’s initial focus will be on public education and awareness.
Provisions of the new marine fishing license include:
A cost of $10 for residents and $15 for out-of-state visitors,
Required for anyone 16 years of age or older,
Free for anyone 65 years of age or older but must still be obtained annually
Reciprocal to marine fishing licenses issued by New York, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Maine provided that state offers the same privilege to holders of a Connecticut Marine Waters Fishing License.
Exceptions including:
People rowing a boat or operating the motor of a boat from which other persons are taking or attempting to take fish,
Anyone fishing as a passenger on a registered party, charter, or head boat registered in Connecticut that is operating solely in the marine district,
State residents participating in a fishing derby that the DEP Commissioner has authorized in writing as long as no fees are charged for the derby, it lasts one day or less, and it is sponsored by a nonprofit civic service organization (these organizations are limited to one derby in any calendar year.
BackWoods Sportsman OutDoors
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