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Stocking season remains yet to come By MARC FOLCO, Open Season Due to the high amount of snowfall in mid-December, ice storms in Vermont and lack of safe access to boat ramps, most broodstock salmon stocking promised for last month was postponed until some time in January. "Weather conditions and access to water bodies play a big part in stocking dates and locations," MassWildlife Fish Culturist Dr. Ken Simmons said. "Weather will still play a major role in the schedule this month." MassWildlife plans to move 2,250 broodstock salmon from both national and state hatcheries to lakes and ponds across the Commonwealth. About 2,000 will come from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (USFWS) White River National Fish Hatchery in Bethel, Vt.; 150 fish from the USFWS National Hatchery in Nashua, N.H.; and about 100 fish from MassWildlife's Roger Reed Hatchery in Palmer. "These fish weigh between three to over 20 pounds, with the average weight hovering around 7 pounds," Simmons said. The only waters stocked in the state so far have been Long and Little Ponds in Plymouth and Peters Pond in Sandwich. Both received fish from the Nashua National Hatchery. Those ponds will be receiving additional large salmon up to 20 pounds each sometime this month, along with Cliff Pond and Sheep Pond in Brewster. The question is, "When?" Both tank trucks at the Southeast District Office are being repaired, so the fish can't be picked up and transported until the repairs are complete, or another tank truck can be borrowed. NEW YEAR, NEW RULES Some new fishing regulations are now in place for 2004 concerning trout and the establishment of catch and release areas. A new catch and release area was established on the entire length of Red Brook in Wareham and Plymouth, the Quashnet River catch and release area in Mashpee was extended to the entire length of the river, and Higgins Pond in Brewster was removed from the list of catch and release areas. In the Berkshires, two catch and release areas were established on the Housatonic River. The first, in the town of Lee, runs from Route 20 downstream six miles to the Willow Mill dam. The second runs from the Glendale Dam downstream one mile to the railroad crossing. Outside catch and release boundaries on the Housatonic, a possession limit was set of one trout of 20 inches or larger. Additionally, fishing is prohibited from June 15 to Aug. 31 at the following locations: 100 feet from the mouths of Beartown Brook, Goose Pond Brook, Hop Brook and Mohawk Brook; and 100 feet both upstream and downstream on the Housatonic where these brooks empty. In catch and release areas, fish must be released immediately after being caught and anglers may use artificial lures only. The possession of live bait is prohibited. Sea run brown trout regulations also were removed on eight coastal streams --Scorton Creek, and the Quashnet, Santuit, Coonamessett, Jones, Childs, Mashpee and Parker rivers -- and replaced with a three-trout daily creel limit on each stream. HIP problems Have trouble getting your HIP (Harvest Information Program) number for the 2004 waterfowl seasons? The automated phone system -- 1 (800) WET-LAND -- that issues HIP numbers was experiencing difficulty this past week and Massachusetts hunters could not get their numbers. They could, however, get a number issued through the on-line licensing system at www.masswildlife.org, whether or not the original license was purchased on-line or over the counter. Usually, there's a one-day lag time for new HIP numbers while the system is switched from issuing numbers for the old year to the new year. However at this year's end, the difficulty lasted several days. The system has been corrected and now is issuing HIP numbers for 2004. deer without gear The muzzleloader deer season ended Wednesday and hunters found many bucks had shed their antlers early. Most of the bucks taken toward the end of the season were missing their headgear, which they usually don't shed until mid-January. It's Show Time! The 11th-annual Providence Boat Show, which has been presented at the R.I. Convention Center in Providence for the past 10 years, will boast a 50 percent increase in exhibit space this year beginning Thursday. It's expanding to the adjoining Dunkin' Donuts Center, making it Southern New England's first and largest indoor boat show. Besides the latest in both power and sailboats, products on display include electronics, fishing tackle, engines, canvas work, slip rentals, foul weather gear, insurance and boat financing. The show also features a seminar series with topics on fishing, GPS, radar, navigation and engine maintenance. Show dates and hours are 4-10 p.m. on Thursday, noon to 10 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $10 for adults and children age 12 and older. Children age 11 and younger get in free when accompanied by an adult. To get to the show, take Route 195 into Providence and Route 95 North to Exit 22A. Go right onto Francis St. and right onto West Exchange Street to the parking garage. The show's Web site is www.providenceboatshow.com The 25th-annual Southeastern Massachusetts Sportsman's Show, presented by the Standish Sportsmen's Association in East Bridgewater, will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $6 for adults and $1 for children. To get to the club, take Route 18 past the center of East Bridgewater, go right on Union Street and then take a right on Burr Lane. The East Bay Anglers will present its 19th-annual Fishing Seminar beginning at 7 p.m. on Jan. 13 at Barrington High School. In a talk entitled "Targeting Trophy Fish," award-winning outdoor writer and fishing guide Charley Soares will divulge his secrets on how to locate jumbo striper habitats, how to get them to strike and how to get them to the boat. In 2003, Soares landed 14 bass over 40 pounds and two over 50. Award-winning photographer and filmmaker Mike Laptew will present his new footage of the fall striper run, "Cows of Cuttyhunk," which is considered the most sensational of his filming career. Dramatic scenes uncover how fish feed, when they're most active and where they hide. Admission is $10, but you must mail your advance ticket order today -- no tickets will be sold at the door. Make checks payable to East Bay Anglers, include a self-addressed, stamped envelope and mail to: East Bay Anglers, Box 293, Barrington, RI 02806-0293. The high school is located on Lincoln Ave., off Rte 103. The Fly Fishing Show will be held Jan. 16-18 at the Royal Plaza Trade Center in Marlborough. Attractions not only include the latest in gear and tackle, but there also will be fly casting demonstrations, fly tying instruction, and how-to and where-to seminars. You also may bring in your old rods and tackle for free appraisals. Show hours are 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 16, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Jan. 17 and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Jan. 18. Admission for adults is $12 for one day, $20 for two days or $28 for three days. Children under 12 can get in for $2. To get to the Trade Center, take Rte 495 to Exit 24B onto Route 20 West. The center is about a mile on the right. The show's Web site is www.flyfishingshow.com The Eastern Fishing and Outdoor Exposition returns to the Worcester Centrum from Feb. 5-8. Watch this column for more information. Marc Folco is the Standard Times outdoor writer. E-mail him at openseason1988@aol.com This story appeared on Page E9 of The Standard-Times on January 4, 2004.
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