Frank G. Dwyer
October 12, 2002
Saltwater fishing around the port is still active, with reports of abundant schoolie bass in the river and along the beaches. The late season fishing has been much better this year than season’s past, but the migration south has begun, and it’s time to find other activities to fill the fishing void.
Some of the leaves have begun to turn in my backyard, which means farther north the leaves are getting towards their peak brilliance. Our location gives us excellent access to some terrific day hikes to enjoy the colors of the season.
Mount Kearsarge, located in Warren and Wilmot, NH--not far from my alma mater, New England College—has always been one of my favorite mountains to hike. It is the home of both Winslow and Rollins state parks and this 2,937-foot peak is a popular family destination as the trails afford both challenging and less rigorous ascents. For the hiker that reaches the summit there are sweeping views of Sunapee, Ragged and Cardigan Mountains, as well as Mt. Monadnock and Mt. Ascutney. If it is a very clear day, views can extend to the White Mountains, the Green Mountains in Vermont, The Atlantic Ocean and even Boston!
Beyond the views from the top, it is also quite interesting that the summit is quite “bald”, apparently the work of a large glacier that swept over most of New Hampshire over 25,000 years ago. An added bonus is the Fire Lookout tower that is at the summit. In years past, visitors were allowed in the tower, which was quite enjoyable however I’m not sure if this is still the case. I’ve enjoyed hikes in the spring, summer and fall, and all offer tremendous views.
One of the reasons that Kearsarge is so popular with families is the fact that there is a 3-½ mile scenic auto road up the southern slope that is accessed from Rollins State Park in Warner. The ride is quite fabulous, with many “lookouts” along the way. A small parking lot and picnic area greets those who make the drive and it’s a mere ½-mile hike up the Warner trail to the summit from the lot.
While you’re in the area, you may want to stop by the Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum in Warner. The museum has an abundance of Indian artifacts and history, mostly from the Abnaki tribe, and will interest both children and adults. The museum is situated at the foot of Mt. Kearsarge in Rollins State Park and is open through Thanksgiving.
There is also an auto road from Winslow State Park in Wilmot that ascends the northwest slope of Mount Kearsarge. Once again, there is a parking and picnic area at the end of the road, and in this case, a bit more challenging 1-mile hike to the summit. The most popular route seems to be to ascend via the Wilmot trail, and to return via the gentler Barlow trail. The trails are well marked and maps are available at the Park.
To get to Rollins State Park, take Route 93 North to Route 89 North. Take exit 8 off of Route 89 and follow the signs to Warner and the Park. If you prefer the longer, more challenging hike that Winslow State Park offers, stay on Route 89 North for another 10 miles or so to exit 10 and follow the signs to the Park.
***
Archery season for deer this year is October 14-November 23 and muzzleloader season is from December 16- December 31. Shotgun season for deer runs from December 2-December 14 in Zones 1-11 and 14. In Zones 12 and 13, the season is from December 2- December 7.
Duck season for the Coastal Zone is October 15-October 26 and November 23-January 18. The fall turkey season runs from October 28-November 2 this year.
There is no hunting on Sunday and all hunting seasons except waterfowl are closed during shotgun deer season. There are many additional regulations required before hunting in Massachusetts, and one should request the MassWildlife Abstracts from the State or by visiting the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife web site at: http://www.state.ma.us/dfwele/dfw/dfwrec.htm#LAWS
***
Trout fishing is picking up again with many area ponds having been recently stocked or in the process of being stocked. Locally, only Stiles and Baldpate Ponds in Boxboro and Saltonstall (Plug) Pond in Haverhill are on the fall stocking schedule.
Many area waters were stocked in the spring, including the Parker and Mill Rivers in Newbury, Pentucket Pond in Georgetown and the Ipswich River in Ipswich.
Don’t forget; you need a fishing license for freshwater fishing. The standard license fee is $27.50 with lower fees available for seniors and children
October 12, 2002
September 11, 2002
Funny fish, Martha’s Vineyard Derby and Fall Migrations
Frank G. Dwyer
September 11, 2002
Although our fishery here on the North Shore is wonderful, this time of year inevitably finds me just a tad envious of our brethren to the south.
Anglers fishing off Cape Cod, the Islands and Rhode Island are now chasing the “funny fish”, as some call the false albacore, bonito and occasional Spanish mackerel that find their way to Massachusetts waters come late summer and fall.
These speedy fish are all known for their ability to put up a tremendous drag peeling fight, as well as their finicky nature, and in the case of the Spanish mackerel and bonito, the tasty meals they offer. Boat anglers typically have the advantage over shore bound fishermen in chasing these fish.
False albacore, bonito and Spanish mackerel travel in pods and tend to chase bait feverishly but sporadically as well. It is common for these fish to be crashing the surface after fleeing bait, only to disappear and resurface ¼ mile from where they were moments ago. Thus, a boat angler can have more mobility while a shore angler needs to walk the beach and hope a pod comes within casting range.
I have had the pleasure of chasing and catching all three of these fish, mostly from the shores of Martha’s Vineyard during the annual Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby that is held there each Fall. Most of my encounters have been with the false albacore, and I am strictly a surf fisherman when it comes to fishing the Derby.
The false albacore typically show up at, or just after first light in a number of shore locations, including East Beach, the Gut at Cape Poge and along the beach on Edgartown Harbor, all on Chappaquiddick. Lures of choice include slim profile metal lures like the Deadly Dick’s and Crippled Herring that imitate the baitfish being chased.
Blind casting from shore has yielded fish for me before when none were evident, however it’s not unusual to see the fish you are casting to. Another signal of possible action to come is seeing other angler’s down the beach fighting fish, since the fish tend to move up and down the beach at a rapid clip.
The typical retrieve used for these fish is quite simple; reel as fast as you can. When I first fished for these fish, I found it quite humorous to look down the shoreline and see all those fishermen cranking on their reels as fast as possible. I thought, “How are the fish going to have a shot at catching that lure?” The question was answered as soon as the thought entered my mind, as I saw two hook-ups and was sold!
It’s not over once you get one hooked. These fish take runs that are akin to tuna. They are quite strong pound for pound, and will fight very hard to get free. You must keep consistent pressure on the line because any slack given will typically grant the fish the freedom it so desires, and will leave you shaking your head, hoping for another shot. My first hook up with a False Albacore lasted about 30 seconds, and then my line went limp. It all happened so fast that I found myself wishing for another shot, which never came until the following year.
If you’ve not experienced the late summer and fall fishing for the so called “funny fish”, head to the Cape, Islands or Rhode Island and seek out some local advice and get yourself into some heart-pounding fishing!
***
Since I mention, the Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby, let me just mention that this is an annual event that will be in it’s 57th year when it begins next week. The Derby is steeped in tradition and in the 15 years I’ve known about it, have only missed it once. It is the norm for anglers to go days without sleep in search of that fish that will get them on the daily awards board, or better yet, the overall leader board.
As the name implies, the Derby includes striped bass and bluefish, but also includes false albacore and bonito. There are award categories for both boat and shore fishermen, as well as a fly fishing only category. Awards are offered for adults and juniors, as well as special prize categories. It’s not just for fun, as the grand winner walks away with a brand new 18' Boston Whaler Dauntless with 135XL Mercury Outboard & Trailer.
This year’s Derby runs from 12:01 AM September 18, 2002 until 10:00 PM October 19, 2002. The registration fee is $40 for the All Tackle Division, $15 for the Junior All Tackle Division and $40 for the Fly Fishing Division. For more information, visit www.mvderby.com.
***
Fishing around the Port has picked up considerably over the last two weeks as fish begin to fatten up for their imminent migration south.
Personally, the last two weekends have been very productive for me. The weekend of August 31st found striped bass breaking the surface on both Saturday and Sunday morning. The bass were making their presence known from the Route 1 bridge all the way out towards the mouth of the river. Small plastic and metal lures worked well; as did most of the flies we offered the fish.
This past Sunday, we found no breaking fish inside the mouth of the river so decided to take advantage of the relatively calm seas and head outside the mouth in search of fish. We found breaking fish just outside the river entrance, and it turned out to be a decent pod of stripers and we were able to land a few healthy sub-legal bass.
Once that action died, we cruised south along the beach as far as the Emerson Rocks area of the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, finding pods of feisty bluefish along the way. The birds would signal the location of the pod, and we would toss small Atom Poppers into the middle of the action and hold on! The bluefish we found this day were not the ordinary 3-5 pound blues we typically find in our waters, but 10-12 pound fish with lot’s of fight! We found these fish in 30-50 feet of water.
Reports have shore fishing heating up, with the beaches of Salisbury, Newburyport and Newbury all yielding bass within casting range. Anglers using metal lures like Hopkin’s and Kastmaster’s as well as surface plugs all reported success.
Kay Moulton of Surfland Bait and Tackle on Plum Island reports plenty of bass around the island. Big bluefish have been showing at the mouth of the river, as well as along the beaches. Striped Bass have not been as plentiful at the mouth at low tide as in years past, but Kay says the amount of bass inside the river and the big blues at the mouth makes up for it.
The Parker River National Wildlife Reservation is completely open now for both shore and beach buggy anglers. Kay reports that fishermen on the reservation have been fairly consistent in landing keeper-sized bass at night using sea worms and clams as bait. Recent weigh-ins at Surfland include a 21.2lb bass caught by George Dagostino off the Parker River NWR and a 16.2lb striper caught by Mark Mahoney inside the river.
Captain’s Fishing Parties on Plum Island reports good fishing offshore for anglers looking for cod, haddock and pollock. Cod in the 20-pound range are still the norm, with a couple of 26-pound cod taking the pools this week. Good market size haddock and pollock have also been caught this past week. Trips for September are running on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Fishing will continue into October on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.
September 11, 2002
Although our fishery here on the North Shore is wonderful, this time of year inevitably finds me just a tad envious of our brethren to the south.
Anglers fishing off Cape Cod, the Islands and Rhode Island are now chasing the “funny fish”, as some call the false albacore, bonito and occasional Spanish mackerel that find their way to Massachusetts waters come late summer and fall.
These speedy fish are all known for their ability to put up a tremendous drag peeling fight, as well as their finicky nature, and in the case of the Spanish mackerel and bonito, the tasty meals they offer. Boat anglers typically have the advantage over shore bound fishermen in chasing these fish.
False albacore, bonito and Spanish mackerel travel in pods and tend to chase bait feverishly but sporadically as well. It is common for these fish to be crashing the surface after fleeing bait, only to disappear and resurface ¼ mile from where they were moments ago. Thus, a boat angler can have more mobility while a shore angler needs to walk the beach and hope a pod comes within casting range.
I have had the pleasure of chasing and catching all three of these fish, mostly from the shores of Martha’s Vineyard during the annual Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby that is held there each Fall. Most of my encounters have been with the false albacore, and I am strictly a surf fisherman when it comes to fishing the Derby.
The false albacore typically show up at, or just after first light in a number of shore locations, including East Beach, the Gut at Cape Poge and along the beach on Edgartown Harbor, all on Chappaquiddick. Lures of choice include slim profile metal lures like the Deadly Dick’s and Crippled Herring that imitate the baitfish being chased.
Blind casting from shore has yielded fish for me before when none were evident, however it’s not unusual to see the fish you are casting to. Another signal of possible action to come is seeing other angler’s down the beach fighting fish, since the fish tend to move up and down the beach at a rapid clip.
The typical retrieve used for these fish is quite simple; reel as fast as you can. When I first fished for these fish, I found it quite humorous to look down the shoreline and see all those fishermen cranking on their reels as fast as possible. I thought, “How are the fish going to have a shot at catching that lure?” The question was answered as soon as the thought entered my mind, as I saw two hook-ups and was sold!
It’s not over once you get one hooked. These fish take runs that are akin to tuna. They are quite strong pound for pound, and will fight very hard to get free. You must keep consistent pressure on the line because any slack given will typically grant the fish the freedom it so desires, and will leave you shaking your head, hoping for another shot. My first hook up with a False Albacore lasted about 30 seconds, and then my line went limp. It all happened so fast that I found myself wishing for another shot, which never came until the following year.
If you’ve not experienced the late summer and fall fishing for the so called “funny fish”, head to the Cape, Islands or Rhode Island and seek out some local advice and get yourself into some heart-pounding fishing!
***
Since I mention, the Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby, let me just mention that this is an annual event that will be in it’s 57th year when it begins next week. The Derby is steeped in tradition and in the 15 years I’ve known about it, have only missed it once. It is the norm for anglers to go days without sleep in search of that fish that will get them on the daily awards board, or better yet, the overall leader board.
As the name implies, the Derby includes striped bass and bluefish, but also includes false albacore and bonito. There are award categories for both boat and shore fishermen, as well as a fly fishing only category. Awards are offered for adults and juniors, as well as special prize categories. It’s not just for fun, as the grand winner walks away with a brand new 18' Boston Whaler Dauntless with 135XL Mercury Outboard & Trailer.
This year’s Derby runs from 12:01 AM September 18, 2002 until 10:00 PM October 19, 2002. The registration fee is $40 for the All Tackle Division, $15 for the Junior All Tackle Division and $40 for the Fly Fishing Division. For more information, visit www.mvderby.com.
***
Fishing around the Port has picked up considerably over the last two weeks as fish begin to fatten up for their imminent migration south.
Personally, the last two weekends have been very productive for me. The weekend of August 31st found striped bass breaking the surface on both Saturday and Sunday morning. The bass were making their presence known from the Route 1 bridge all the way out towards the mouth of the river. Small plastic and metal lures worked well; as did most of the flies we offered the fish.
This past Sunday, we found no breaking fish inside the mouth of the river so decided to take advantage of the relatively calm seas and head outside the mouth in search of fish. We found breaking fish just outside the river entrance, and it turned out to be a decent pod of stripers and we were able to land a few healthy sub-legal bass.
Once that action died, we cruised south along the beach as far as the Emerson Rocks area of the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, finding pods of feisty bluefish along the way. The birds would signal the location of the pod, and we would toss small Atom Poppers into the middle of the action and hold on! The bluefish we found this day were not the ordinary 3-5 pound blues we typically find in our waters, but 10-12 pound fish with lot’s of fight! We found these fish in 30-50 feet of water.
Reports have shore fishing heating up, with the beaches of Salisbury, Newburyport and Newbury all yielding bass within casting range. Anglers using metal lures like Hopkin’s and Kastmaster’s as well as surface plugs all reported success.
Kay Moulton of Surfland Bait and Tackle on Plum Island reports plenty of bass around the island. Big bluefish have been showing at the mouth of the river, as well as along the beaches. Striped Bass have not been as plentiful at the mouth at low tide as in years past, but Kay says the amount of bass inside the river and the big blues at the mouth makes up for it.
The Parker River National Wildlife Reservation is completely open now for both shore and beach buggy anglers. Kay reports that fishermen on the reservation have been fairly consistent in landing keeper-sized bass at night using sea worms and clams as bait. Recent weigh-ins at Surfland include a 21.2lb bass caught by George Dagostino off the Parker River NWR and a 16.2lb striper caught by Mark Mahoney inside the river.
Captain’s Fishing Parties on Plum Island reports good fishing offshore for anglers looking for cod, haddock and pollock. Cod in the 20-pound range are still the norm, with a couple of 26-pound cod taking the pools this week. Good market size haddock and pollock have also been caught this past week. Trips for September are running on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Fishing will continue into October on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.
August 28, 2002
Fishermen Need to Police This Nasty Problem
Frank G. Dwyer
August 28, 2002
On a recent stroll along the sands of Plum Island Point, I could not help but notice the sights. I’m not talking about the majestic, flowing waters of the Merrimack, nor the wonderful views of downtown Newburyport, but the unbelievable amounts of trash discarded on the beach.
The stretch of sand that leads from the Point to the jetty at the entrance of the river was littered with everything from bait containers to underwear. Along what I was hoping would be a pleasant walk, I also saw beer and soda cans, food and food packaging, rotting bait and fish carcasses, condoms and unattended camp fires left burning. Plain and simple, that’s nasty.
I’m not entirely certain of what percentage of this disgraceful situation was caused by fishermen, but I do know that the public’s perception is that almost 100% of the trash was left by fishermen. Think about it for a moment. Mom, Dad, Junior and Rover take a walk at Plum Island Point. They see the shore lined with folks fishing and see trash on the beach as far as their gaze will allow. What conclusion do you think they come to? You got it; fishermen are slobs.
I wish I could tell you that I have a solution for this problem, but I don’t. I do however have a few suggestions.
If you fish, take your trash with you. Better yet, bring a large trash bag with you and pick up some other slobs mess. I started doing this a few years ago, and although I curse the people who left the mess while I’m picking it up, I feel pretty good throwing it in the dumpster.
If you see someone littering, speak up. Guilt them into keeping our beaches clean. As a disclaimer, if the offender looks like the type who might not take kindly to your suggestion or be carrying a weapon, let it go. It’s all about common sense; you’ll get the next slob.
While I’m at, here’s another complaint. I consistently see fishermen, and I use the term extremely loosely, mistreating and mishandling our wonderful striped bass. It’s not uncommon to see these alleged anglers kicking their catch back into the water, or throwing the fish through the air like some twisting Olympic diver. I tend to “educate” these people on the proper handling and release techniques when possible. If you are reading this and you handle your catch this way, stop doing it or find another hobby/sport.
The large majority of time I am proud to be a fisherman and sportsman. There are times however when I am embarrassed to be counted among the fishing community. I will continue to police and educate within the community on my own, and hope that you too will help make us all proud to be called fishermen.
***
It appears that the summer doldrums, while not entirely gone, have started to give way to better fishing. Nobody, me included, likes to think of Autumn’s impending arrival, as we know that not long after, the fishless winter will be upon us. On the other hand, some of the best fishing of the season is still before us.
Recent reports have indicated that fishing on Joppa Flats and the related area has improved over the last two weeks. Anglers drifting from the American Yacht Club mooring area all the way to the Toothpick have reported catching striped bass in health numbers, although most fish were in the 20”-26” range.
Liz at Surfland Bait and Tackle on Plum Island reports that 20 and 22 pound striped bass were weighed in at the shop this past week. Shore anglers; one in the Merrimack and one off the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge caught both fish. One of the young anglers who works in the shop had a good morning of fishing at Plum Island point landing many striped bass, although most were in the 20” range.
Jay Ritter, from Captain’s Fishing Parties on Plum Island reports excellent fishing trips over the last two weeks. Cod to 40 pounds have been caught lately; with an abundance of market size cod caught each trip. Last weekend, several wolfish up to 15 pounds were landed. In addition, lot’s 8-15 pound hake were taken over the past week. Jay reports that the bluefish have been going “berserk” on the ½ day trips, with excellent fishing for all aboard.
The Parker River National Wildlife Refuge has opened for drive-on fishing, with only the south entrance open at this time. Parking Lot 1 remains closed for the piping plovers, while parking lots 4, 5, 6 and 7 are open and offer great shore fishing.
Bluefish activity at the mouth of the Merrimack has tapered off lately with the blues heading for deeper water. Fluke fishing has been fairly consistent in the river.
August 28, 2002
On a recent stroll along the sands of Plum Island Point, I could not help but notice the sights. I’m not talking about the majestic, flowing waters of the Merrimack, nor the wonderful views of downtown Newburyport, but the unbelievable amounts of trash discarded on the beach.
The stretch of sand that leads from the Point to the jetty at the entrance of the river was littered with everything from bait containers to underwear. Along what I was hoping would be a pleasant walk, I also saw beer and soda cans, food and food packaging, rotting bait and fish carcasses, condoms and unattended camp fires left burning. Plain and simple, that’s nasty.
I’m not entirely certain of what percentage of this disgraceful situation was caused by fishermen, but I do know that the public’s perception is that almost 100% of the trash was left by fishermen. Think about it for a moment. Mom, Dad, Junior and Rover take a walk at Plum Island Point. They see the shore lined with folks fishing and see trash on the beach as far as their gaze will allow. What conclusion do you think they come to? You got it; fishermen are slobs.
I wish I could tell you that I have a solution for this problem, but I don’t. I do however have a few suggestions.
If you fish, take your trash with you. Better yet, bring a large trash bag with you and pick up some other slobs mess. I started doing this a few years ago, and although I curse the people who left the mess while I’m picking it up, I feel pretty good throwing it in the dumpster.
If you see someone littering, speak up. Guilt them into keeping our beaches clean. As a disclaimer, if the offender looks like the type who might not take kindly to your suggestion or be carrying a weapon, let it go. It’s all about common sense; you’ll get the next slob.
While I’m at, here’s another complaint. I consistently see fishermen, and I use the term extremely loosely, mistreating and mishandling our wonderful striped bass. It’s not uncommon to see these alleged anglers kicking their catch back into the water, or throwing the fish through the air like some twisting Olympic diver. I tend to “educate” these people on the proper handling and release techniques when possible. If you are reading this and you handle your catch this way, stop doing it or find another hobby/sport.
The large majority of time I am proud to be a fisherman and sportsman. There are times however when I am embarrassed to be counted among the fishing community. I will continue to police and educate within the community on my own, and hope that you too will help make us all proud to be called fishermen.
***
It appears that the summer doldrums, while not entirely gone, have started to give way to better fishing. Nobody, me included, likes to think of Autumn’s impending arrival, as we know that not long after, the fishless winter will be upon us. On the other hand, some of the best fishing of the season is still before us.
Recent reports have indicated that fishing on Joppa Flats and the related area has improved over the last two weeks. Anglers drifting from the American Yacht Club mooring area all the way to the Toothpick have reported catching striped bass in health numbers, although most fish were in the 20”-26” range.
Liz at Surfland Bait and Tackle on Plum Island reports that 20 and 22 pound striped bass were weighed in at the shop this past week. Shore anglers; one in the Merrimack and one off the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge caught both fish. One of the young anglers who works in the shop had a good morning of fishing at Plum Island point landing many striped bass, although most were in the 20” range.
Jay Ritter, from Captain’s Fishing Parties on Plum Island reports excellent fishing trips over the last two weeks. Cod to 40 pounds have been caught lately; with an abundance of market size cod caught each trip. Last weekend, several wolfish up to 15 pounds were landed. In addition, lot’s 8-15 pound hake were taken over the past week. Jay reports that the bluefish have been going “berserk” on the ½ day trips, with excellent fishing for all aboard.
The Parker River National Wildlife Refuge has opened for drive-on fishing, with only the south entrance open at this time. Parking Lot 1 remains closed for the piping plovers, while parking lots 4, 5, 6 and 7 are open and offer great shore fishing.
Bluefish activity at the mouth of the Merrimack has tapered off lately with the blues heading for deeper water. Fluke fishing has been fairly consistent in the river.
August 17, 2002
When it Comes to Fishing, Surfcasting has it All
Frank G. Dwyer
August 17, 2002
There are many methods of fishing, and many who practice just one form or another, becoming somewhat of a purist if you will. You have fly fishermen, boat fishermen and bait fishermen to name just a few. Within these groups, there can be sub-groups, like your catch and release only type of fishermen, or perhaps those that are targeting fish for the table. If I were forced into one type of fishing for the foreseeable future, it would be surfcasting from the beach.
Surfcasting is fishing at its best. I may not be completely objective here, having started fishing as a boy from the beaches of the Long Island Sound, and having rekindled my interest in fishing 15 years ago fishing for monster stripers off the beaches of Martha’s Vineyard. Even so, there is something magical and even primal, in the art of surfcasting.
Without fail, my heart races as any given surfcasting excursion approaches. With adrenaline pumping through my veins, thoughts of large fish and bent rods typically fill my mind as the event approaches. These days, the anticipation typically begins as I leave the downtown Newburyport area in my rear view mirror and make my way down Water Street. Glimpsing Joppa Flats for birds working the water or any other indications of the presence of fish only adds to the now building anticipation.
Crossing over the Plum Island River, the familiar hum of the drawbridge greets me as I get closer to my selected destination. Once again, I survey the waters below the bridge for any signs of a fishy evening to come. Soon, I’m unloading the truck and trudging in the soft sand with rods, sand spikes and tackle bag in tow.
One of two things happens next. Either I calmly set up my gear and begin fishing, or I walk upon actively feeding and visible fish, and fumble nervously to rig up. On several of these occasions when fish were present, Murphy’s Law has been the norm as I suffer any number of difficulties from tangled lines to hooks in the thumb.
More often than not though, the surfcasting experience is one filled with innumerable pleasures. Wading into the surf on a starlit night to cast a line into the vast ocean, I often ponder the wonder of it all. It’s a big ocean, and to think that I’m lucky enough to catch fish more often than not is nothing short of amazing. Just think how much beachfront we have right here along Plum Island and the other surrounding beaches.
Even those evenings when the fish are not cooperative, the surfcasting experience can be a great way to unwind after a busy day in the “real” world. Beyond offering an excellent place for contemplative thought, the beach offers many wildlife shows that can sometimes rival the fishing. Whatever your pleasure, be it casting plugs into the breaking waves, or sending out a baited hook and relaxing in your beach chair, surfcasting has many rewards for the taking.
***
I love summer, but this heat is starting to get to me. It seems it has also gotten to the fish, as finding and catching fish has become more of a chore over the last 10 days.
Bluefish have arrived in more numbers, mostly at the mouth of the Merrimack and along the beachfront. Both shore and boat anglers have reported getting in on the action, with fish in the three to five pound range. Low tide seems to be the best for these toothy fish.
Joppa Flats has produced some fish lately, but more often than not finicky fish are the typical find these days. Large fish have been seen lazing on the flats, ignoring all offerings put in front of them. Time to take inventory of your tackle and dust off some of those lures and flies you have not tried in awhile.
The jetty on Plum Island is attracting more fishermen these days as both the ocean and river facing sides are now accessible via walking along the base in the sand. This may be presenting better fishing opportunities for shore bound anglers but it may also create a false sense of security. The current is still swift, the rocks are still slippery and a rising tide can surprise a fisherman, so be careful.
Parking lot #1 at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on Plum Island remains closed due to nesting Piping Plovers. Parking lot #5 is now open; joining lots #6 and #7, which remain open.
***
Kay Moulton, purveyor of fine tackle at Plum Island’s Surfland Bait and Tackle reports that there are fish to be had from shore, however many fish have headed for deeper water. Striped bass have been reported offshore at Speckled Apron, along with bluefish in 40 to 50 feet of water.
Closer to shore, Rich Brown landed a 14-pound striper off the beach at the Parker River NWR on August 11, using sea worms. Paige Stokes tallied a 13-pound striped bass while fishing the Merrimack from a boat.
Kay suggests trying the Parker River NWR on the incoming tide with sea worms for bait.
***
Jay and Robert at the Captain’s Fishing Parties on Plum Island report good fishing over the last week. 22 and 16-pound cod won the pools earlier this week and an 18-pound bluefish and 18-pound wolf fish were also caught. Pollock, Haddock and a 175-pound blue dog shark were also caught this week. Captain’s Fishing Parties offers ½ and full day trips as well as night trips.
August 17, 2002
There are many methods of fishing, and many who practice just one form or another, becoming somewhat of a purist if you will. You have fly fishermen, boat fishermen and bait fishermen to name just a few. Within these groups, there can be sub-groups, like your catch and release only type of fishermen, or perhaps those that are targeting fish for the table. If I were forced into one type of fishing for the foreseeable future, it would be surfcasting from the beach.
Surfcasting is fishing at its best. I may not be completely objective here, having started fishing as a boy from the beaches of the Long Island Sound, and having rekindled my interest in fishing 15 years ago fishing for monster stripers off the beaches of Martha’s Vineyard. Even so, there is something magical and even primal, in the art of surfcasting.
Without fail, my heart races as any given surfcasting excursion approaches. With adrenaline pumping through my veins, thoughts of large fish and bent rods typically fill my mind as the event approaches. These days, the anticipation typically begins as I leave the downtown Newburyport area in my rear view mirror and make my way down Water Street. Glimpsing Joppa Flats for birds working the water or any other indications of the presence of fish only adds to the now building anticipation.
Crossing over the Plum Island River, the familiar hum of the drawbridge greets me as I get closer to my selected destination. Once again, I survey the waters below the bridge for any signs of a fishy evening to come. Soon, I’m unloading the truck and trudging in the soft sand with rods, sand spikes and tackle bag in tow.
One of two things happens next. Either I calmly set up my gear and begin fishing, or I walk upon actively feeding and visible fish, and fumble nervously to rig up. On several of these occasions when fish were present, Murphy’s Law has been the norm as I suffer any number of difficulties from tangled lines to hooks in the thumb.
More often than not though, the surfcasting experience is one filled with innumerable pleasures. Wading into the surf on a starlit night to cast a line into the vast ocean, I often ponder the wonder of it all. It’s a big ocean, and to think that I’m lucky enough to catch fish more often than not is nothing short of amazing. Just think how much beachfront we have right here along Plum Island and the other surrounding beaches.
Even those evenings when the fish are not cooperative, the surfcasting experience can be a great way to unwind after a busy day in the “real” world. Beyond offering an excellent place for contemplative thought, the beach offers many wildlife shows that can sometimes rival the fishing. Whatever your pleasure, be it casting plugs into the breaking waves, or sending out a baited hook and relaxing in your beach chair, surfcasting has many rewards for the taking.
***
I love summer, but this heat is starting to get to me. It seems it has also gotten to the fish, as finding and catching fish has become more of a chore over the last 10 days.
Bluefish have arrived in more numbers, mostly at the mouth of the Merrimack and along the beachfront. Both shore and boat anglers have reported getting in on the action, with fish in the three to five pound range. Low tide seems to be the best for these toothy fish.
Joppa Flats has produced some fish lately, but more often than not finicky fish are the typical find these days. Large fish have been seen lazing on the flats, ignoring all offerings put in front of them. Time to take inventory of your tackle and dust off some of those lures and flies you have not tried in awhile.
The jetty on Plum Island is attracting more fishermen these days as both the ocean and river facing sides are now accessible via walking along the base in the sand. This may be presenting better fishing opportunities for shore bound anglers but it may also create a false sense of security. The current is still swift, the rocks are still slippery and a rising tide can surprise a fisherman, so be careful.
Parking lot #1 at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on Plum Island remains closed due to nesting Piping Plovers. Parking lot #5 is now open; joining lots #6 and #7, which remain open.
***
Kay Moulton, purveyor of fine tackle at Plum Island’s Surfland Bait and Tackle reports that there are fish to be had from shore, however many fish have headed for deeper water. Striped bass have been reported offshore at Speckled Apron, along with bluefish in 40 to 50 feet of water.
Closer to shore, Rich Brown landed a 14-pound striper off the beach at the Parker River NWR on August 11, using sea worms. Paige Stokes tallied a 13-pound striped bass while fishing the Merrimack from a boat.
Kay suggests trying the Parker River NWR on the incoming tide with sea worms for bait.
***
Jay and Robert at the Captain’s Fishing Parties on Plum Island report good fishing over the last week. 22 and 16-pound cod won the pools earlier this week and an 18-pound bluefish and 18-pound wolf fish were also caught. Pollock, Haddock and a 175-pound blue dog shark were also caught this week. Captain’s Fishing Parties offers ½ and full day trips as well as night trips.
August 6, 2002
Looking Back at the One(s) That Got Away
Frank G. Dwyer
August 6, 2002
If you fish, more than likely you have a “one that got away” story. Even if you don’t fish, you have probably had to endure one of these stories in your lifetime. I certainly have some, and in fact I sometimes I feel I have more than my fair share!
This season alone I’ve had three fish on the line that did not make it to the boat. The first fish that escaped my eyes gaze was a striped bass (I assume this since I did not see it all but for a brief flash) that hit a fly I was casting almost as soon as it hit the water. There was a violent surface explosion as the fish inhaled the fly, then made a maddening run, with me struggling to get the fish on the reel. Ten minutes into a terrific battle, the line went slack and I reeled in my line, minus the fly. The leader was broken off, but there was no “pig-tail”, the tell tale sign of a weak knot, therefore I could rationalize in my head that I had lost the fish because of its size and my light leader.
I lost another big fish I hooked on the fly on that same trip, not more than a half-hour after the first lost fish. This one was more painful as I got a very good look at this fish. In fact, I had the fish in my grasp but he shook his head, which banged against the side of the boat and loosened my grip, allowing the full weight of the fish to snap my leader. I’d estimate the striped bass at 35” and perhaps 20 pounds.
Another fish was lost boat-side this year while taking a friend of a friend fishing. This was a particularly painful incident since I was trying to corral the fish that our guest had hooked. We were anchored and using chunk bait since the fish were not cooperating by hitting any of the various lures and flies we had tried earlier in the morning. My guest angler enjoyed the several drag-singing runs that this striper took, and was probably looking forward to a nice picture with his prize. He would have to settle for a mental picture as the fish was hooked perfectly in the corner of the mouth, and upon trying to pull him into the boat, he shook the hook and took off before we could get him out of the water. This was another 20-pound class fish.
A friend of mine from high school was visiting several years ago and I took him fishing on a brisk Spring morning. He still talks about the one that got away that day. We were casting small soft-plastic lures rigged on lead heads just beyond the Ice Breaker in the river. My friend is not an avid fisherman and I was giving him some good natured ribbing about his casting and retrieving techniques when his rod bent over from a tremendous hit from below the waters surface.
The reel began to spin as the line stripped off the reel at a tremendous clip. I assisted my now very excited friend by checking the drag, but it was already screwed down quite tight and I did not want to risk putting too much pressure on the 12lb test line that continued to peel off the reel. We were using fairly light tackle as it was spring and the striped bass had just begun to return to our waters. I was following my typical routines for spring fishing, which dictated light tackle for the small schoolies I was used to encountering this time of year.
My friend continued the back and forth fight with what was still an unknown species, at times questioning me on what my thoughts were. I told him that he was involved in the best fish fight I had ever been witness to on the Merrimack, and that continues to be true to this day. He fought the fish for just about a half-hour, and towards the end the fish did not run quite as much, but seemed to cling to the bottom of the river. My friend made some progress in getting some line back on the reel but as he was pumping and lifting the fish off the bottom, the line snapped and ended what was a terrific fight. I’m haunted to this day by that fish, and can only guess at what it was. 50 pound striper? Atlantic Sturgeon? I don’t know, but I think about it quite often.
There’s really no end to it. That tarpon on Marathon Key. The shark my wife lost off Martha’s Vineyard. A tail dancing marlin off the coast of Cabo San Lucas. While these fish and others may have been the ones that got away, they are treasures that have been caught again and again in my mind.
***
While the fishing may have slowed as we enter what are typically the “doldrums” of summer, striped bass fishing continues to hold up, particularly for bait fishermen. Bluefish are still in the mix as well. The respite from the hot and humid weather a few weeks ago may have helped just as much as this past week’s return of the steamy weather may have hindered the fishing.
Fishing two Saturday mornings ago yielded some excellent striped bass action as I boated (and released) several hearty striped bass with my friend Don. We were anchored just beyond Butler’s Toothpick at the end of the incoming tide. The fish finder was showing larger fish than usual, anywhere from 16-24 feet. Don and I both tallied 4 large fish each, the biggest topping out at 30 inches and just over 15 pounds.
What a difference a week makes. I was back at the same haunts this past weekend, and the fishing was tough! We managed a few small bass, but nothing to write home about. A trip along the oceanfront looking for bluefish yielded no fish.
Joppa Flats was a bit more consistent with the arrival of the cooler weather two weeks ago, with anglers doing well on both outgoing and incoming tide drifts from boats. The areas around the American Yacht Club moorings and Woodbridge Island remain the most productive. Wading anglers have reported the fishing remains slow. Once again, the return of the heat slowed things down. Nighttime fishermen may want to think about the time tested live eel for a change of pace.
The Parker River NWR continues to offer anglers fishable beachfront at parking lots one, six and seven. Surface bluefish activity was reported this past week at parking lot 1 at sunrise. The Emerson Rocks and Sandy Point areas have also produced healthy amounts of fish.
Kay Moulton from Surfalnd Bait and Tackle on Plum Island reports good fishing over the last few weeks. Randy Smith landed a 39.8-pound striper in the wee hours of the morning of July 26. The fish was caught from a boat on a live eel near Joppa Flats. Chris Sterritt caught a 31.3-pound striped bass fishing from shore near the south jetty. Kay reports that bluefish have been arriving in numbers at the mouth of the river, mostly at low tide.
Bluefin tuna reports are starting to crop up and I’ve heard first hand reports of some decent tuna being landed out at Jefferies Ledge. Cod, haddock and pollock fishing has remained strong by all reports.
August 6, 2002
If you fish, more than likely you have a “one that got away” story. Even if you don’t fish, you have probably had to endure one of these stories in your lifetime. I certainly have some, and in fact I sometimes I feel I have more than my fair share!
This season alone I’ve had three fish on the line that did not make it to the boat. The first fish that escaped my eyes gaze was a striped bass (I assume this since I did not see it all but for a brief flash) that hit a fly I was casting almost as soon as it hit the water. There was a violent surface explosion as the fish inhaled the fly, then made a maddening run, with me struggling to get the fish on the reel. Ten minutes into a terrific battle, the line went slack and I reeled in my line, minus the fly. The leader was broken off, but there was no “pig-tail”, the tell tale sign of a weak knot, therefore I could rationalize in my head that I had lost the fish because of its size and my light leader.
I lost another big fish I hooked on the fly on that same trip, not more than a half-hour after the first lost fish. This one was more painful as I got a very good look at this fish. In fact, I had the fish in my grasp but he shook his head, which banged against the side of the boat and loosened my grip, allowing the full weight of the fish to snap my leader. I’d estimate the striped bass at 35” and perhaps 20 pounds.
Another fish was lost boat-side this year while taking a friend of a friend fishing. This was a particularly painful incident since I was trying to corral the fish that our guest had hooked. We were anchored and using chunk bait since the fish were not cooperating by hitting any of the various lures and flies we had tried earlier in the morning. My guest angler enjoyed the several drag-singing runs that this striper took, and was probably looking forward to a nice picture with his prize. He would have to settle for a mental picture as the fish was hooked perfectly in the corner of the mouth, and upon trying to pull him into the boat, he shook the hook and took off before we could get him out of the water. This was another 20-pound class fish.
A friend of mine from high school was visiting several years ago and I took him fishing on a brisk Spring morning. He still talks about the one that got away that day. We were casting small soft-plastic lures rigged on lead heads just beyond the Ice Breaker in the river. My friend is not an avid fisherman and I was giving him some good natured ribbing about his casting and retrieving techniques when his rod bent over from a tremendous hit from below the waters surface.
The reel began to spin as the line stripped off the reel at a tremendous clip. I assisted my now very excited friend by checking the drag, but it was already screwed down quite tight and I did not want to risk putting too much pressure on the 12lb test line that continued to peel off the reel. We were using fairly light tackle as it was spring and the striped bass had just begun to return to our waters. I was following my typical routines for spring fishing, which dictated light tackle for the small schoolies I was used to encountering this time of year.
My friend continued the back and forth fight with what was still an unknown species, at times questioning me on what my thoughts were. I told him that he was involved in the best fish fight I had ever been witness to on the Merrimack, and that continues to be true to this day. He fought the fish for just about a half-hour, and towards the end the fish did not run quite as much, but seemed to cling to the bottom of the river. My friend made some progress in getting some line back on the reel but as he was pumping and lifting the fish off the bottom, the line snapped and ended what was a terrific fight. I’m haunted to this day by that fish, and can only guess at what it was. 50 pound striper? Atlantic Sturgeon? I don’t know, but I think about it quite often.
There’s really no end to it. That tarpon on Marathon Key. The shark my wife lost off Martha’s Vineyard. A tail dancing marlin off the coast of Cabo San Lucas. While these fish and others may have been the ones that got away, they are treasures that have been caught again and again in my mind.
***
While the fishing may have slowed as we enter what are typically the “doldrums” of summer, striped bass fishing continues to hold up, particularly for bait fishermen. Bluefish are still in the mix as well. The respite from the hot and humid weather a few weeks ago may have helped just as much as this past week’s return of the steamy weather may have hindered the fishing.
Fishing two Saturday mornings ago yielded some excellent striped bass action as I boated (and released) several hearty striped bass with my friend Don. We were anchored just beyond Butler’s Toothpick at the end of the incoming tide. The fish finder was showing larger fish than usual, anywhere from 16-24 feet. Don and I both tallied 4 large fish each, the biggest topping out at 30 inches and just over 15 pounds.
What a difference a week makes. I was back at the same haunts this past weekend, and the fishing was tough! We managed a few small bass, but nothing to write home about. A trip along the oceanfront looking for bluefish yielded no fish.
Joppa Flats was a bit more consistent with the arrival of the cooler weather two weeks ago, with anglers doing well on both outgoing and incoming tide drifts from boats. The areas around the American Yacht Club moorings and Woodbridge Island remain the most productive. Wading anglers have reported the fishing remains slow. Once again, the return of the heat slowed things down. Nighttime fishermen may want to think about the time tested live eel for a change of pace.
The Parker River NWR continues to offer anglers fishable beachfront at parking lots one, six and seven. Surface bluefish activity was reported this past week at parking lot 1 at sunrise. The Emerson Rocks and Sandy Point areas have also produced healthy amounts of fish.
Kay Moulton from Surfalnd Bait and Tackle on Plum Island reports good fishing over the last few weeks. Randy Smith landed a 39.8-pound striper in the wee hours of the morning of July 26. The fish was caught from a boat on a live eel near Joppa Flats. Chris Sterritt caught a 31.3-pound striped bass fishing from shore near the south jetty. Kay reports that bluefish have been arriving in numbers at the mouth of the river, mostly at low tide.
Bluefin tuna reports are starting to crop up and I’ve heard first hand reports of some decent tuna being landed out at Jefferies Ledge. Cod, haddock and pollock fishing has remained strong by all reports.
August 1, 2002
Lot’s of Options at Maudslay State Park
Frank G. Dwyer
August 1, 2002
Sometimes our close proximity to the ocean and our wonderful beaches here in Newburyport can make us forget some of the other terrific outdoor activities to be found around town. Maudslay State Park, located on Curzon Mill Road, is one of the gems that make our city great. The park offers a wide variety of activities to visitors on a year-round basis, including both recreational and cultural events for all ages.The Commonwealth purchased the 480-acre park in 1985 from the descendants of E.S. Moseley, a wealthy Boston financier who made a family retreat of the land along the Merrimack River. Besides being a great place for a variety of outdoor activities, the park offers some very dramatic and lush 19th century gardens along with boasting one of the largest naturally occurring strands of Mountain Laurel in the Commonwealth. As I’m no expert on flowers, and I was not entirely certain as to what exactly Mountain Laurel was, I did a touch of research and learned that the Mountain Laurel is the state flower of Connecticut and according to many, the most beautiful of native American shrubs. Its pungent fragrance and the massed richness of its white and pink blossoms so vividly contrast with the darker colors of the forests and the fields that they have continually attracted the attention of travelers since the earliest days, according to the State of Connecticut’s web site.
But I digress. Over the many years that I have lived in Newburyport, I have enjoyed Maudslay in a number of ways. Whether it is taking the dog for a leisurely walk with my family, or mountain biking on the wonderful trails that the park has to offer, I’ve never been disappointed with a visit. There was the one time several years ago that I had a nasty spill on my bike and broke my elbow, but that’s the only negative I have encountered at Maudslay, and it was certainly not the park’s fault.
Many people use the park as a fitness club, either enjoying a run or bike ride through the woods, or some great cross-country skiing in the winter. The large fields of Maudslay also afford themselves to great games of wiffle ball and touch football. In addition, there are 10 miles of horse trails and on any given weekend, many horses can be seen at the park, something my daughter enjoys immensely. The horse trails are shared with the mountain bikers, hikers and runners, so it’s important to pay attention.
Paying attention can have dividends other than avoiding a trail collision. You may see a variety of wildlife on any given visit to the park, including red-tailed hawks, migrating bluebirds, foxes, bald eagles, wild turkeys, deer and perhaps even a coyote. I’m not sure if there are coyotes, but I recently saw one, or a very mangy dog.
In addition to the wildlife you can see in the park, the Department of Environmental Management, the agency that manages the park, offers exciting programs throughout the year related to wildlife. A few weeks ago we were treated to a program which allowed my daughter to get very close to a hawk, snapping turtle, snake and capuchin monkey.
While saltwater fishing remains king in the area, the Merrimack River affords some excellent freshwater fishing as well, allowing an angler a chance at a wide variety of fish including bass, catfish, carp, shad and even the occasional Atlantic salmon. Many of the trails of Maudslay offer tremendous vistas of the Merrimack River from high above, but there is also accessible shoreline to the determined angler.
Seasonally, you can enjoy events at the park like hayrides, horse drawn sleigh rides and Family Day, which takes place at the park as part of Yankee Homecoming. Beyond the recreational and outdoor activities Maudslay offers, the park also has a thriving arts community offering musical and theatrical performances.
The Maudslay Arts Center, which according to their brochure has been described as the “mini-Tanglewood”, is a natural amphitheater allowing audiences to enjoy perfect acoustics and sight lines. If weather is inclement, the performances are moved into a nearby barn. The Center offers Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon concert series throughout the summer with some great jazz, folk and popular music performances. You can pick up a schedule at the park or by calling (978) 499-0050.
If you find yourself with a free afternoon, pay Maudslay State Park a visit and enjoy one of the great parks in Massachusetts. Maudslay State Park is open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset. There is a restroom adjacent to the ample parking lot off Curzon Mill Road. The phone number for the headquarters at the park is (978) 465-7223.
August 1, 2002
Sometimes our close proximity to the ocean and our wonderful beaches here in Newburyport can make us forget some of the other terrific outdoor activities to be found around town. Maudslay State Park, located on Curzon Mill Road, is one of the gems that make our city great. The park offers a wide variety of activities to visitors on a year-round basis, including both recreational and cultural events for all ages.The Commonwealth purchased the 480-acre park in 1985 from the descendants of E.S. Moseley, a wealthy Boston financier who made a family retreat of the land along the Merrimack River. Besides being a great place for a variety of outdoor activities, the park offers some very dramatic and lush 19th century gardens along with boasting one of the largest naturally occurring strands of Mountain Laurel in the Commonwealth. As I’m no expert on flowers, and I was not entirely certain as to what exactly Mountain Laurel was, I did a touch of research and learned that the Mountain Laurel is the state flower of Connecticut and according to many, the most beautiful of native American shrubs. Its pungent fragrance and the massed richness of its white and pink blossoms so vividly contrast with the darker colors of the forests and the fields that they have continually attracted the attention of travelers since the earliest days, according to the State of Connecticut’s web site.
But I digress. Over the many years that I have lived in Newburyport, I have enjoyed Maudslay in a number of ways. Whether it is taking the dog for a leisurely walk with my family, or mountain biking on the wonderful trails that the park has to offer, I’ve never been disappointed with a visit. There was the one time several years ago that I had a nasty spill on my bike and broke my elbow, but that’s the only negative I have encountered at Maudslay, and it was certainly not the park’s fault.
Many people use the park as a fitness club, either enjoying a run or bike ride through the woods, or some great cross-country skiing in the winter. The large fields of Maudslay also afford themselves to great games of wiffle ball and touch football. In addition, there are 10 miles of horse trails and on any given weekend, many horses can be seen at the park, something my daughter enjoys immensely. The horse trails are shared with the mountain bikers, hikers and runners, so it’s important to pay attention.
Paying attention can have dividends other than avoiding a trail collision. You may see a variety of wildlife on any given visit to the park, including red-tailed hawks, migrating bluebirds, foxes, bald eagles, wild turkeys, deer and perhaps even a coyote. I’m not sure if there are coyotes, but I recently saw one, or a very mangy dog.
In addition to the wildlife you can see in the park, the Department of Environmental Management, the agency that manages the park, offers exciting programs throughout the year related to wildlife. A few weeks ago we were treated to a program which allowed my daughter to get very close to a hawk, snapping turtle, snake and capuchin monkey.
While saltwater fishing remains king in the area, the Merrimack River affords some excellent freshwater fishing as well, allowing an angler a chance at a wide variety of fish including bass, catfish, carp, shad and even the occasional Atlantic salmon. Many of the trails of Maudslay offer tremendous vistas of the Merrimack River from high above, but there is also accessible shoreline to the determined angler.
Seasonally, you can enjoy events at the park like hayrides, horse drawn sleigh rides and Family Day, which takes place at the park as part of Yankee Homecoming. Beyond the recreational and outdoor activities Maudslay offers, the park also has a thriving arts community offering musical and theatrical performances.
The Maudslay Arts Center, which according to their brochure has been described as the “mini-Tanglewood”, is a natural amphitheater allowing audiences to enjoy perfect acoustics and sight lines. If weather is inclement, the performances are moved into a nearby barn. The Center offers Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon concert series throughout the summer with some great jazz, folk and popular music performances. You can pick up a schedule at the park or by calling (978) 499-0050.
If you find yourself with a free afternoon, pay Maudslay State Park a visit and enjoy one of the great parks in Massachusetts. Maudslay State Park is open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset. There is a restroom adjacent to the ample parking lot off Curzon Mill Road. The phone number for the headquarters at the park is (978) 465-7223.
July 17, 2002
Greenheads, Mosquitoes, and Boat Traffic Equates to mid-Summer Fishing in the Port
Frank G. Dwyer
July 17, 2002
You can tell it’s July in the Port with the arrival of the ravenous greenheads. You know, those horrible flying insects that take fleshy bites out of us humans, resistant to most everything but a good slap! As if it’s not bad enough that we have to deal with the Greenheads during the day, the midges and mosquitoes at night seem to be just as bloodthirsty. The final tell tale that mid-summer is in full swing is the incredibly over crowded waters of the Merrimack River, filled with boats of all sizes and types, some captained by knowledgeable pilots, others by clueless buffoons.
Let’s start with the less harmful of the two, the bugs. Greenheads, or Tabanus nigrovittatus in the scientific world, are known as the horse fly of the salt marsh. The flies mate and lay their eggs on the salt marsh, and from what I can tell, in quite large numbers. To aid in the production of eggs, the female fly needs a blood meal, AKA: you and I. (or Fluffy and Fido for that matter) The female hunts for her meals during the daylight hours and the season lasts about three to four weeks, or the average life span of the female fly. Although the our beloved Commonwealth spends quite a bit of money to spray to control the population, and those black-box traps appear every year in the salt marsh, the greenheads seem to always come on strong. I have not found any bug repellants that consistently keep the greenheads away, but there are some on the market that claim to work. The best deterrent is a strong, gusty wind in my book.
Once the sun goes down and the greenheads retire for the evening, a nighttime fisherman is treated to the midge and mosquito brigade. I can’t count the number of still nights I spent on Joppa Flats dealing with the microscopic midge and mosquitoes the size of small birds. How those tiny midges can make things so uncomfortable is beyond me! Yes, certain repellents do work for these bugs, but some fishermen, me included; feel that the bug spray can affect the fishing in a negative way. Even so, I’ve used repellent on a number of occasions when the bugs were just too much. Once again, a gusty wind is your friend.
Last, but certainly not least, we have the boat traffic in the Merrimack River to contend with as mid-Summer moves into full swing. These July and August weekends I am typically on the water by 5am, and off by 10am. If you want amusement, just hang around the channel leading out to the mouth of the river, and watch the show. Boats of all sizes, throwing very large wakes in some instances, motor through the river at high speeds, often times ignoring “No Wake” zones. It’s not just some of the moving boats that are candidates for Darwin Awards, but also those fishermen, and I use the term extremely loosely, that insist on anchoring in the channel and fishing. I’ve seen the Harbor Masters and the Coast Guard move these clueless individuals off their poor choice of anchorage, only to see them move back in once the authorities are gone. Some say a mandatory boat safety class would help the problem, but I’m not sure it would judging from some of the same stories I hear from folks in States that have mandatory safety classes. A little common sense could go a long way.
July 17, 2002
You can tell it’s July in the Port with the arrival of the ravenous greenheads. You know, those horrible flying insects that take fleshy bites out of us humans, resistant to most everything but a good slap! As if it’s not bad enough that we have to deal with the Greenheads during the day, the midges and mosquitoes at night seem to be just as bloodthirsty. The final tell tale that mid-summer is in full swing is the incredibly over crowded waters of the Merrimack River, filled with boats of all sizes and types, some captained by knowledgeable pilots, others by clueless buffoons.
Let’s start with the less harmful of the two, the bugs. Greenheads, or Tabanus nigrovittatus in the scientific world, are known as the horse fly of the salt marsh. The flies mate and lay their eggs on the salt marsh, and from what I can tell, in quite large numbers. To aid in the production of eggs, the female fly needs a blood meal, AKA: you and I. (or Fluffy and Fido for that matter) The female hunts for her meals during the daylight hours and the season lasts about three to four weeks, or the average life span of the female fly. Although the our beloved Commonwealth spends quite a bit of money to spray to control the population, and those black-box traps appear every year in the salt marsh, the greenheads seem to always come on strong. I have not found any bug repellants that consistently keep the greenheads away, but there are some on the market that claim to work. The best deterrent is a strong, gusty wind in my book.
Once the sun goes down and the greenheads retire for the evening, a nighttime fisherman is treated to the midge and mosquito brigade. I can’t count the number of still nights I spent on Joppa Flats dealing with the microscopic midge and mosquitoes the size of small birds. How those tiny midges can make things so uncomfortable is beyond me! Yes, certain repellents do work for these bugs, but some fishermen, me included; feel that the bug spray can affect the fishing in a negative way. Even so, I’ve used repellent on a number of occasions when the bugs were just too much. Once again, a gusty wind is your friend.
Last, but certainly not least, we have the boat traffic in the Merrimack River to contend with as mid-Summer moves into full swing. These July and August weekends I am typically on the water by 5am, and off by 10am. If you want amusement, just hang around the channel leading out to the mouth of the river, and watch the show. Boats of all sizes, throwing very large wakes in some instances, motor through the river at high speeds, often times ignoring “No Wake” zones. It’s not just some of the moving boats that are candidates for Darwin Awards, but also those fishermen, and I use the term extremely loosely, that insist on anchoring in the channel and fishing. I’ve seen the Harbor Masters and the Coast Guard move these clueless individuals off their poor choice of anchorage, only to see them move back in once the authorities are gone. Some say a mandatory boat safety class would help the problem, but I’m not sure it would judging from some of the same stories I hear from folks in States that have mandatory safety classes. A little common sense could go a long way.
July 6, 2002
Unfortunately, Seasickness Can Get to the Best of Us
Frank G. Dwyer
July 6, 2002
I’ve been seasick three times that are worth mentioning. Once off Maui on a catamaran, once off Cabo San Lucas on a 41 footer fishing for Marlin, and last month off Cape Cod. I consider myself fairly seaworthy, and have been on and around the water my entire life, but sometimes that nasty feeling can creep up on you while out on a trip when you least expect it, even if you’re a seasoned veteran.
The Maui experience was a pure chain reaction. My wife Tami and I were lucky enough to be spending some time in Maui in 1995 and were heading to Molokini, the tiny island preserve off the coast of Maui for a snorkeling adventure. No problems on the cruise out, or while enjoying the plethora of sea life that Molokini can offer those who like to snorkel or scuba dive.
On the ride back in, the wind had kicked up and created a nice chop in the ocean as we headed back to the mainland. The boat was quite crowded and several people were gathered at the back of the boat, looking quite miserable. Unfortunately, I saw one poor soul leaning over the rail retching, and that kicked up those nasty feelings in me that anyone who has dealt with an oncoming wave of seasickness can relate to.
In January of 1999, I went on a trip to Cabo San Lucas with my friend Mike. The trip was an award from my employer at the time and because my wife was pregnant and leery of a trip to Mexico, Mike got the invite. The second day there, we went out on a 30-foot boat and had a great trip, catching Marlin (2) and several Yellow Tail Tuna’s. The weather that day was sunny and windy, with five-foot seas.
Two days later, we chartered another boat for second chance at the Striped Marlin we had already been lucky enough to meet. This time we rented a 41-foot boat with more of a cabin so we could enjoy the 30- mile cruise out to the fishing grounds. The weather was a carbon copy of the day we had for our first trip, and with a bigger boat, you would think that seasickness would not enter the picture. Wrong! The “pins and needles” feeling that always precedes my bouts with this evil condition began about 30 minutes into the trip. The nausea lasted pretty much the entire day, and for the most part, I was on the couch in the cabin only to get up when a fish was on the line and it was my turn in the chair. Even though I did not feel great, it was a great day of fishing, with each of us fighting and landing two Marlin and more Tuna.
Several weeks ago, I decided to take my friend Andy up on his offer and head down to Cape Cod for a trip out of North Falmouth. I actually enjoyed this trip quite a bit, especially getting up long before the crack of dawn to gather a few herring from a local run for our trip in search of jumbo stripers. Once we had gathered our bait, we headed for the docks.
We had a great 18-mile run to the fishing grounds, which were framed by the Elizabeth Islands and the Gay Head cliffs of Martha’s Vineyard in the distance. We were drifting an area where several currents converge from different directions, creating a pitching and rolling on the boat which is quite violent. The constant rocking of the boat, combined with the drift, created an environment that my equilibrium did not appreciate. Once again, chain reaction had a hand in this episode as another party on the boat was sick prior to my problems and helped to accelerate my nausea. We fished for a solid two hours under these conditions, and I caught several fish, although none large enough to keep. We did leave the grounds with two 20 pound Striped Bass caught by Andy and the Captain. Once we started motoring back in, I began to feel better, although I did not feel completely cured until I stepped on dry land.
Seasickness is caused when the minute organs of the inner ear that enable a human to balance are disturbed by the motion of the boat swaying and pitching. The movement sets off and alarm in the brain which can cause nausea, headache, dizziness, and sometimes vomiting. So, what can you do to prevent it? There are several ways to prevent seasickness, but not much you can do once you are seasick, so you need to prepare ahead.
Pills can be obtained over-the-counter which help most people by sedating the organs that control balance. The pills can sometimes cause drowsiness and should be taken with care. There are also special wristbands that have proven effective for some people. Lastly, there are also stick-on patches that can be worn on the skin behind the ear, which apparently work well too.
You can often avoid seasickness by staying busy and keeping your mind occupied by taking over the helm, fishing, or partaking in any other activity that will keep you above decks. Looking at the distant horizon rather than the water close at hand will also help. Take deep breaths and drink plenty of water. The worst thing that you can do is to go below decks with no land or horizon to look at. If you are seasick and can't bear it anymore, lie down on your back with your eyes closed, this will greatly reduce the affects.
***
Bigger fish are still taking up residence in the waters around the Port, however the recent heat wave has made for more difficult fishing.
Anglers using bait are seeing more consistent hook ups lately, compared to those strictly fly-fishing or using artificial lures. Herring and Mackerel are working well for those using cut bait, while anglers using clams and sea worms have also reported success.
Joppa Flats continues to hold fish, including some big ones. I have heard from reliable sources that a 33-pound Striped Bass was taken from Joppa Flats earlier this week. So, while there are stories of nice fish being taken on Joppa, there are more stories from frustrated anglers who can see these large fish lazing on the flats, but can’t catch them. I have experienced these finicky fish first hand, and at times it does seem that they won’t take any offering, but we must persevere!
Anglers anchoring just outside the channel in the Merrimack river, on both the Salisbury and Newburyport side, are pulling in lot’s of medium to large sized striped bass, using mostly cut bait. I saw many boats this past weekend with all anglers on board fighting fish at the same time.
The Point continues to produce for anglers at low tide, using bait and lures. If your using bait, you’ll want to use enough weight to keep your bait on the bottom, but more importantly to keep your line from tangling with the other anglers who are sure to be shoulder to shoulder. Bucktail Jigs and soft plastics on lead heads are working best for those anglers using lures.
Reports have flounder just outside the mouth of the river and along the beachfront of Plum Island.
***
Kay at Surfland Bait and Tackle on Plum Island reports that while there are still lots of fish around, anglers have to work harder for their keep. Bait is definitely working better than lures according to Kay, and she reports that the fishing is a bit spotty now that we are more into the summer weather. The 33-pound bass mentioned earlier was caught at night on a live eel according to Kay.
Chris at Captain’s Fishing Parties on Plum Island reports continued good fishing on the full day and half day trips. On the all day trips, anglers have been enjoying jigging for Cod up to 30 pounds. Half-day anglers have been enjoying a mix of mackerel, bluefish and ground fish.
July 6, 2002
I’ve been seasick three times that are worth mentioning. Once off Maui on a catamaran, once off Cabo San Lucas on a 41 footer fishing for Marlin, and last month off Cape Cod. I consider myself fairly seaworthy, and have been on and around the water my entire life, but sometimes that nasty feeling can creep up on you while out on a trip when you least expect it, even if you’re a seasoned veteran.
The Maui experience was a pure chain reaction. My wife Tami and I were lucky enough to be spending some time in Maui in 1995 and were heading to Molokini, the tiny island preserve off the coast of Maui for a snorkeling adventure. No problems on the cruise out, or while enjoying the plethora of sea life that Molokini can offer those who like to snorkel or scuba dive.
On the ride back in, the wind had kicked up and created a nice chop in the ocean as we headed back to the mainland. The boat was quite crowded and several people were gathered at the back of the boat, looking quite miserable. Unfortunately, I saw one poor soul leaning over the rail retching, and that kicked up those nasty feelings in me that anyone who has dealt with an oncoming wave of seasickness can relate to.
In January of 1999, I went on a trip to Cabo San Lucas with my friend Mike. The trip was an award from my employer at the time and because my wife was pregnant and leery of a trip to Mexico, Mike got the invite. The second day there, we went out on a 30-foot boat and had a great trip, catching Marlin (2) and several Yellow Tail Tuna’s. The weather that day was sunny and windy, with five-foot seas.
Two days later, we chartered another boat for second chance at the Striped Marlin we had already been lucky enough to meet. This time we rented a 41-foot boat with more of a cabin so we could enjoy the 30- mile cruise out to the fishing grounds. The weather was a carbon copy of the day we had for our first trip, and with a bigger boat, you would think that seasickness would not enter the picture. Wrong! The “pins and needles” feeling that always precedes my bouts with this evil condition began about 30 minutes into the trip. The nausea lasted pretty much the entire day, and for the most part, I was on the couch in the cabin only to get up when a fish was on the line and it was my turn in the chair. Even though I did not feel great, it was a great day of fishing, with each of us fighting and landing two Marlin and more Tuna.
Several weeks ago, I decided to take my friend Andy up on his offer and head down to Cape Cod for a trip out of North Falmouth. I actually enjoyed this trip quite a bit, especially getting up long before the crack of dawn to gather a few herring from a local run for our trip in search of jumbo stripers. Once we had gathered our bait, we headed for the docks.
We had a great 18-mile run to the fishing grounds, which were framed by the Elizabeth Islands and the Gay Head cliffs of Martha’s Vineyard in the distance. We were drifting an area where several currents converge from different directions, creating a pitching and rolling on the boat which is quite violent. The constant rocking of the boat, combined with the drift, created an environment that my equilibrium did not appreciate. Once again, chain reaction had a hand in this episode as another party on the boat was sick prior to my problems and helped to accelerate my nausea. We fished for a solid two hours under these conditions, and I caught several fish, although none large enough to keep. We did leave the grounds with two 20 pound Striped Bass caught by Andy and the Captain. Once we started motoring back in, I began to feel better, although I did not feel completely cured until I stepped on dry land.
Seasickness is caused when the minute organs of the inner ear that enable a human to balance are disturbed by the motion of the boat swaying and pitching. The movement sets off and alarm in the brain which can cause nausea, headache, dizziness, and sometimes vomiting. So, what can you do to prevent it? There are several ways to prevent seasickness, but not much you can do once you are seasick, so you need to prepare ahead.
Pills can be obtained over-the-counter which help most people by sedating the organs that control balance. The pills can sometimes cause drowsiness and should be taken with care. There are also special wristbands that have proven effective for some people. Lastly, there are also stick-on patches that can be worn on the skin behind the ear, which apparently work well too.
You can often avoid seasickness by staying busy and keeping your mind occupied by taking over the helm, fishing, or partaking in any other activity that will keep you above decks. Looking at the distant horizon rather than the water close at hand will also help. Take deep breaths and drink plenty of water. The worst thing that you can do is to go below decks with no land or horizon to look at. If you are seasick and can't bear it anymore, lie down on your back with your eyes closed, this will greatly reduce the affects.
***
Bigger fish are still taking up residence in the waters around the Port, however the recent heat wave has made for more difficult fishing.
Anglers using bait are seeing more consistent hook ups lately, compared to those strictly fly-fishing or using artificial lures. Herring and Mackerel are working well for those using cut bait, while anglers using clams and sea worms have also reported success.
Joppa Flats continues to hold fish, including some big ones. I have heard from reliable sources that a 33-pound Striped Bass was taken from Joppa Flats earlier this week. So, while there are stories of nice fish being taken on Joppa, there are more stories from frustrated anglers who can see these large fish lazing on the flats, but can’t catch them. I have experienced these finicky fish first hand, and at times it does seem that they won’t take any offering, but we must persevere!
Anglers anchoring just outside the channel in the Merrimack river, on both the Salisbury and Newburyport side, are pulling in lot’s of medium to large sized striped bass, using mostly cut bait. I saw many boats this past weekend with all anglers on board fighting fish at the same time.
The Point continues to produce for anglers at low tide, using bait and lures. If your using bait, you’ll want to use enough weight to keep your bait on the bottom, but more importantly to keep your line from tangling with the other anglers who are sure to be shoulder to shoulder. Bucktail Jigs and soft plastics on lead heads are working best for those anglers using lures.
Reports have flounder just outside the mouth of the river and along the beachfront of Plum Island.
***
Kay at Surfland Bait and Tackle on Plum Island reports that while there are still lots of fish around, anglers have to work harder for their keep. Bait is definitely working better than lures according to Kay, and she reports that the fishing is a bit spotty now that we are more into the summer weather. The 33-pound bass mentioned earlier was caught at night on a live eel according to Kay.
Chris at Captain’s Fishing Parties on Plum Island reports continued good fishing on the full day and half day trips. On the all day trips, anglers have been enjoying jigging for Cod up to 30 pounds. Half-day anglers have been enjoying a mix of mackerel, bluefish and ground fish.
June 19, 2002
Recent Tragedies Stress Need to Be Careful Out There
Frank G. Dwyer
June 19, 2002
In the past ten days two Massachusetts’s men and one New Hampshire man died while fishing in New England waters. The stories are heartbreaking and tragic and reinforce the reality that there are inherent risks to this sport we love.
On June 11, a Dracut man either drowned or had a heart attack after the 16-foot boat he and two others were traveling in capsized in the Merrimack River after encountering a brief storm that blew through the area late in the afternoon. All three men, none of whom were wearing life jackets, were pulled from the water within five minutes of the boat capsizing. Donald Ducharme, a 59 year-old Dracut man was pronounced dead at Anna Jaques Hospital shortly after the accident. The other two men survived.
Just before midnight on June 12, a Martha’s Vineyard based Fly Fishing guide drowned after he stepped off a sandbar, and apparently into deep water, while fishing Edgartown’s outer harbor. Kenneth Schwam, 46, of Oak Bluffs and Wyncote, Pennsylvania, had been fishing with a customer on a sand bar and while walking back to shore in the darkness, the men stepped into a channel by mistake and became separated in the water. The client was able to make it back to shore and ran to a nearby house to call for help. A large search effort began shortly after the call and tragically Mr. Schwam was found floating partially submerged approximately 150 yards offshore at 2am and was pronounced dead at 3am. Mr. Schwam was an extremely experienced fisherman, with many years on the water. He owned a fly fishing shop in Pennsylvania that he recently closed so that he could move to Martha’s Vineyard and live year-round.
Carl Simonds Jr., 34, of Newmarket, NH, died on June 16 after either slipping off the rocks or getting hit by waves, while fishing in Gloucester. Mr. Simonds was found floating face down 50 yards offshore and was reportedly wearing a life vest. Soon after being pulled from the water, he was pronounced dead at the hospital. Weather was fairly rough in the area last Saturday, with six to eight foot waves pounding the shore.
Obviously none of the men who died had any intention of doing so when they headed out fishing. Other then some of the stories I had heard about folks wading into the water too far, I don’t think I ever thought about “what could happen” when I was strictly a shore fisherman. As my fishing experience grew, I quickly realized that fishing from shore could indeed be a dangerous activity and needed to be treated as such.
When a boat was added to my fishing mix, a certain amount of planning and safety awareness came with it. The boat allows for unparalleled access that shore fishing just does not provide, however it also allows for an increased chance for trouble by the very nature of being further from shore and the possibility of mechanical problems. In addition, having a boat allows me to take others out fishing with me, adding their well being to the items I need to be concerned with.
I’m writing about these sad and unfortunate incidents because I believe them to be newsworthy to the recreational fishing community, but also because these events have forced me to reflect on my fishing practices, and in some cases modify them. Perhaps we all can do well by examining our fishing practices.
Let’s all take a moment to send a good thought to the families of these men, and hope that their loved ones will rest in peace.
***
Bigger fish have taken up residence in the area, and anglers from both shore and boat are cashing in on the action.
Joppa Flats, while quite crowded over the last few weeks, continues to produce fish in numbers, and lately larger fish have become active. Reports have striped bass up to 25 pounds being caught. Large flies, up to 10 inches in length, along with large swimming and top-water lures are your best bet for the larger fish. One angler fishing Joppa with live mackerel reported landing several fish over 40 inches.
Fishermen at Plum Island Point have had success in the river using sea worms and clams on the bottom using fish finder rigs. Cut bait—mackerel and herring—has also been producing. If you can stand the crowds, some big fish come from the Point every year.
A less crowded option is the ocean front on Plum Island. I’m always amazed at the space available on the oceanfront vs. the real estate available to fish on the river. Anglers fishing the ocean front have had success with similar methods to those used in the river at Plum Island Point, however a float rigged above your hook is a good idea to keep the bait out of the mouths of the bottom dwelling, and annoying skates that take up residence in the sand.
***
Martha at Surfland Bait and Tackle reports good fishing all around the island. On Wednesday when I stopped in the unmistakable smell of striped bass was in the air and Martha let me know that was because a 20lb and 18lb fish had just been weighed in. Both fish were taken from the shore. On June 17th, Ron Kaufman of Wakefield, MA was in the shop to weigh what turned out to be a 31-pound striped bass he caught while fishing Plum Island Sound. On June 14th, George Bossi was in with a 26-pound bass caught from a boat on Joppa Flats.
When I visited Ryan at Captain’s Fishing Parties on Plum Island this week, he had some nice pictures of 41 and 45-pound cod caught this week by some happy customers. Anglers on the full day trips have caught these big cod, along with many market-sized cod. Ryan reports the half-day trips have also been producing well with mackerel and some blues and striped bass being landed.
June 19, 2002
In the past ten days two Massachusetts’s men and one New Hampshire man died while fishing in New England waters. The stories are heartbreaking and tragic and reinforce the reality that there are inherent risks to this sport we love.
On June 11, a Dracut man either drowned or had a heart attack after the 16-foot boat he and two others were traveling in capsized in the Merrimack River after encountering a brief storm that blew through the area late in the afternoon. All three men, none of whom were wearing life jackets, were pulled from the water within five minutes of the boat capsizing. Donald Ducharme, a 59 year-old Dracut man was pronounced dead at Anna Jaques Hospital shortly after the accident. The other two men survived.
Just before midnight on June 12, a Martha’s Vineyard based Fly Fishing guide drowned after he stepped off a sandbar, and apparently into deep water, while fishing Edgartown’s outer harbor. Kenneth Schwam, 46, of Oak Bluffs and Wyncote, Pennsylvania, had been fishing with a customer on a sand bar and while walking back to shore in the darkness, the men stepped into a channel by mistake and became separated in the water. The client was able to make it back to shore and ran to a nearby house to call for help. A large search effort began shortly after the call and tragically Mr. Schwam was found floating partially submerged approximately 150 yards offshore at 2am and was pronounced dead at 3am. Mr. Schwam was an extremely experienced fisherman, with many years on the water. He owned a fly fishing shop in Pennsylvania that he recently closed so that he could move to Martha’s Vineyard and live year-round.
Carl Simonds Jr., 34, of Newmarket, NH, died on June 16 after either slipping off the rocks or getting hit by waves, while fishing in Gloucester. Mr. Simonds was found floating face down 50 yards offshore and was reportedly wearing a life vest. Soon after being pulled from the water, he was pronounced dead at the hospital. Weather was fairly rough in the area last Saturday, with six to eight foot waves pounding the shore.
Obviously none of the men who died had any intention of doing so when they headed out fishing. Other then some of the stories I had heard about folks wading into the water too far, I don’t think I ever thought about “what could happen” when I was strictly a shore fisherman. As my fishing experience grew, I quickly realized that fishing from shore could indeed be a dangerous activity and needed to be treated as such.
When a boat was added to my fishing mix, a certain amount of planning and safety awareness came with it. The boat allows for unparalleled access that shore fishing just does not provide, however it also allows for an increased chance for trouble by the very nature of being further from shore and the possibility of mechanical problems. In addition, having a boat allows me to take others out fishing with me, adding their well being to the items I need to be concerned with.
I’m writing about these sad and unfortunate incidents because I believe them to be newsworthy to the recreational fishing community, but also because these events have forced me to reflect on my fishing practices, and in some cases modify them. Perhaps we all can do well by examining our fishing practices.
Let’s all take a moment to send a good thought to the families of these men, and hope that their loved ones will rest in peace.
***
Bigger fish have taken up residence in the area, and anglers from both shore and boat are cashing in on the action.
Joppa Flats, while quite crowded over the last few weeks, continues to produce fish in numbers, and lately larger fish have become active. Reports have striped bass up to 25 pounds being caught. Large flies, up to 10 inches in length, along with large swimming and top-water lures are your best bet for the larger fish. One angler fishing Joppa with live mackerel reported landing several fish over 40 inches.
Fishermen at Plum Island Point have had success in the river using sea worms and clams on the bottom using fish finder rigs. Cut bait—mackerel and herring—has also been producing. If you can stand the crowds, some big fish come from the Point every year.
A less crowded option is the ocean front on Plum Island. I’m always amazed at the space available on the oceanfront vs. the real estate available to fish on the river. Anglers fishing the ocean front have had success with similar methods to those used in the river at Plum Island Point, however a float rigged above your hook is a good idea to keep the bait out of the mouths of the bottom dwelling, and annoying skates that take up residence in the sand.
***
Martha at Surfland Bait and Tackle reports good fishing all around the island. On Wednesday when I stopped in the unmistakable smell of striped bass was in the air and Martha let me know that was because a 20lb and 18lb fish had just been weighed in. Both fish were taken from the shore. On June 17th, Ron Kaufman of Wakefield, MA was in the shop to weigh what turned out to be a 31-pound striped bass he caught while fishing Plum Island Sound. On June 14th, George Bossi was in with a 26-pound bass caught from a boat on Joppa Flats.
When I visited Ryan at Captain’s Fishing Parties on Plum Island this week, he had some nice pictures of 41 and 45-pound cod caught this week by some happy customers. Anglers on the full day trips have caught these big cod, along with many market-sized cod. Ryan reports the half-day trips have also been producing well with mackerel and some blues and striped bass being landed.
June 8, 2002
Sometimes the Fishing is Secondary
Frank G. Dwyer
June 8, 2002
Early in May this year, as our somewhat mild winter was becoming but a memory, I was enjoying one of my first mornings on the water of the season. The spot of choice was the bank of the Plum River, just beyond the bridge leading to Plum Island. Knowing it was early in the season for us North Shore anglers, I looked at the day as a chance to work out the kinks in my cast with the notion of catching a fish secondary.
The walk out through the salt marsh is always an interesting one. Tidal waters create a soggy surface littered with hidden mud holes and footing can be less than ideal. The mud itself smells like a mix between rubber and fish entrails, although only truly pungent if you are unlucky enough to sink into one of the many holes. On this day I was fishing with a friend, and it’s probably not a good idea to head out onto the salt marsh alone as I recall hearing a story of an unlucky fisherman who sank chest high into the mud on a rising tide. He made it out, but only after a long struggle.
The fly-casting motion came back easily as I stood on the bank of the swiftly moving river. To clarify, the motion was good, but the cast itself was not quite yet up to par. Even so, it felt great to be fishing again and I was thoroughly enjoying the beautiful spring morning.
At one point I looked upriver, towards the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, and saw what I at first thought was a dog, or perhaps several other dogs. Upon further inspection, I saw that I was looking at four deer running across the salt marsh, and what a beautiful sight it was! The deer were running at a steady clip, every now and again leaping over one of the many small creeks that run through the marsh. I watched for several minutes as the deer continued to run—out further from cover, which I thought was odd—and faded until only the small white dots of their tails were visible. I did not catch a single fish that morning, but the deer spotting made the day eventful in my book.
I also recall fishing the Plum Island oceanfront a few years ago on a clear and cool starlit night. There was not another soul on the beach as I was watching the tip of my rod bounce in rhythm with the breaking waves. As I was waiting in the hope that a fish would take the bait I had so graciously laid on the ocean floor, I noticed a very strange, orange glow off in the horizon, directly in front of me. The glow became more and more intense, until at last the moon began to rise, seemingly from out of the ocean’s depths. Over the next couple of minutes, I watched in awe as the full moon rose from the ocean to its perch in the sky. I continued fishing for a few more hours with no success, but left the beach a rewarded man.
***
The fishing continues to please most anglers around the Port. Since my last column, I have had several excellent outings at a variety of spots.
The upper Merrimack continues to produce, with fish being caught in many spots above the Route 1 Bridge, including along the shores of Carr and Deer Islands. Fishermen are catching fish anchoring in deep holes and enticing the fish with cut bait, while others are still having success with a variety of artificial lures including metal and plastics.
Joppa Flats continues to produce and was loaded with fly fishermen this past weekend. Both the incoming and outgoing tides are producing, with the key being the moving water. Twice last week on Joppa birds were seen hovering over bait with feeding stripers underneath. I did notice an influx of smaller fish over the last two weeks, and have had success weeding out the bigger fish by switching to larger flies and lures.
Kay Moulton at Surfland reports that a 33lb striped bass was weighed in at the shop this week. A boat angler in the Merrimack caught the fish. Neil, who works in the shop, reported a great day on Joppa Flats with many legal size fish in the mix. Kay says anglers have been having luck with worms and clams along the oceanfront and some fishermen are having success with herring at the jetty. Kay says, “There are a lot of fish around”.
George at Captains Fishing Parties at Plum Island point reports continued good fishing. A 37lb Cod was caught by an angler from Hudson, NH on Tuesday and George reports Cod in the 20-30lb range as well as Haddock from 10-14 pounds. A few early season Pollock have been taken as well. Fishermen on the ½ day trips are primarily catching Mackerel.
If your looking to learn about fishing the salt, or interested in meeting other anglers, you should check out the Plum Island Surfcasters. The Surfcasters are a group of recreational anglers who enjoy fishing and other related areas such as beach access, conservation and fishery management. Year round meetings are held every 3rd Tuesday of the month at the Newbury Fire Hall. If you want to learn more, attend a meeting or visit their website at http://plumisland.surfcaster.com/
June 8, 2002
Early in May this year, as our somewhat mild winter was becoming but a memory, I was enjoying one of my first mornings on the water of the season. The spot of choice was the bank of the Plum River, just beyond the bridge leading to Plum Island. Knowing it was early in the season for us North Shore anglers, I looked at the day as a chance to work out the kinks in my cast with the notion of catching a fish secondary.
The walk out through the salt marsh is always an interesting one. Tidal waters create a soggy surface littered with hidden mud holes and footing can be less than ideal. The mud itself smells like a mix between rubber and fish entrails, although only truly pungent if you are unlucky enough to sink into one of the many holes. On this day I was fishing with a friend, and it’s probably not a good idea to head out onto the salt marsh alone as I recall hearing a story of an unlucky fisherman who sank chest high into the mud on a rising tide. He made it out, but only after a long struggle.
The fly-casting motion came back easily as I stood on the bank of the swiftly moving river. To clarify, the motion was good, but the cast itself was not quite yet up to par. Even so, it felt great to be fishing again and I was thoroughly enjoying the beautiful spring morning.
At one point I looked upriver, towards the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, and saw what I at first thought was a dog, or perhaps several other dogs. Upon further inspection, I saw that I was looking at four deer running across the salt marsh, and what a beautiful sight it was! The deer were running at a steady clip, every now and again leaping over one of the many small creeks that run through the marsh. I watched for several minutes as the deer continued to run—out further from cover, which I thought was odd—and faded until only the small white dots of their tails were visible. I did not catch a single fish that morning, but the deer spotting made the day eventful in my book.
I also recall fishing the Plum Island oceanfront a few years ago on a clear and cool starlit night. There was not another soul on the beach as I was watching the tip of my rod bounce in rhythm with the breaking waves. As I was waiting in the hope that a fish would take the bait I had so graciously laid on the ocean floor, I noticed a very strange, orange glow off in the horizon, directly in front of me. The glow became more and more intense, until at last the moon began to rise, seemingly from out of the ocean’s depths. Over the next couple of minutes, I watched in awe as the full moon rose from the ocean to its perch in the sky. I continued fishing for a few more hours with no success, but left the beach a rewarded man.
***
The fishing continues to please most anglers around the Port. Since my last column, I have had several excellent outings at a variety of spots.
The upper Merrimack continues to produce, with fish being caught in many spots above the Route 1 Bridge, including along the shores of Carr and Deer Islands. Fishermen are catching fish anchoring in deep holes and enticing the fish with cut bait, while others are still having success with a variety of artificial lures including metal and plastics.
Joppa Flats continues to produce and was loaded with fly fishermen this past weekend. Both the incoming and outgoing tides are producing, with the key being the moving water. Twice last week on Joppa birds were seen hovering over bait with feeding stripers underneath. I did notice an influx of smaller fish over the last two weeks, and have had success weeding out the bigger fish by switching to larger flies and lures.
Kay Moulton at Surfland reports that a 33lb striped bass was weighed in at the shop this week. A boat angler in the Merrimack caught the fish. Neil, who works in the shop, reported a great day on Joppa Flats with many legal size fish in the mix. Kay says anglers have been having luck with worms and clams along the oceanfront and some fishermen are having success with herring at the jetty. Kay says, “There are a lot of fish around”.
George at Captains Fishing Parties at Plum Island point reports continued good fishing. A 37lb Cod was caught by an angler from Hudson, NH on Tuesday and George reports Cod in the 20-30lb range as well as Haddock from 10-14 pounds. A few early season Pollock have been taken as well. Fishermen on the ½ day trips are primarily catching Mackerel.
If your looking to learn about fishing the salt, or interested in meeting other anglers, you should check out the Plum Island Surfcasters. The Surfcasters are a group of recreational anglers who enjoy fishing and other related areas such as beach access, conservation and fishery management. Year round meetings are held every 3rd Tuesday of the month at the Newbury Fire Hall. If you want to learn more, attend a meeting or visit their website at http://plumisland.surfcaster.com/
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