On a hilltop overlooking one of Massachusetts’ cleanest and deepest ponds stands a very modest dwelling. Most visitors of the pond know this shack to have been constructed by Henry David Thoreau, the esteemed author and philosopher; but few recall the house was built for a mere $28.12-1/2. Yes, that’s a half-cent. Nowadays you couldn’tContinue reading “That Rod Costs How Much?! Inflation in Fly Fishing”
Tag Archives: New England
Fall Angling Opportunities Still Abound in Maine
I received some very disheartening news today: the water levels in many of my local rivers are too low to even support stocked trout this fall. Massachusetts limped through one of the worst droughts on record this summer. As the seasons turned, it seemed some autumn showers would replenish our lakes and rivers. Yet evenContinue reading “Fall Angling Opportunities Still Abound in Maine”
Doomed by Drought
As fellow Native Fish Coalition MA board member Will Friedland and I laid eyes on the brook (or more accurately, the trickle) we were about to fish, we simultaneously muttered two dispirited words: “Oh boy.” This was no giddy with excitement-because the stream is chock-full of-happy little trout Oh boy. No, this was a “I’dContinue reading “Doomed by Drought”
Confidence Flies
Every angler, no matter the time they’ve put into the sport, develops a set of confidence fly patterns that grows and evolves as they learn. At first, those flies could be based solely off appearance; perhaps they like color variety of a rainbow warrior, or the simplicity of a zebra midge. Maybe this angler hasContinue reading “Confidence Flies”
The In Between
I hate waiting. Though a large majority of fishing is time spent waiting, in actuality, I have very little patience. For this reason, transition periods are the bane of my existence. Here in Massachusetts, ice is a regular part of every winter. While we may not get ice as quickly or in such abundance asContinue reading “The In Between”
A Lifetime of Passion
After many years of saving, I finally sent in the $900 check for my Maine out-of-state lifetime fishing license last week. This license means a lot to me, especially since it’s a lifelong commitment to the sport I love. While I was saving for the most expensive purchase I’ve made to date, I learned aContinue reading “A Lifetime of Passion”
A Little Love for Fallfish
In last week’s post, I expressed my appreciation for one of the Northeast’s most disliked fish species, the fallfish. Often regarded as an unworthy bycatch when fishing for trout, fallfish get little love. Thanks to their poor reputation, people have been lead to believe that they are hideous creatures that litter the depths of ourContinue reading “A Little Love for Fallfish”
To Kill Or Not To Kill: Smallmouth Bass
When you think of invasive species in New England, one name is sure to come to mind: the smallmouth bass. Most detrimental in the coldwater streams that once served as a refuge for native fish like brook trout and fallfish, smallmouth bass have begun to encroach on these waters with the sole goal to destroy.Continue reading “To Kill Or Not To Kill: Smallmouth Bass”
The Case For Native
Undoubtedly, one of the most highly debated topics within the fishing world is the conservation of native fish species. As humans encroach further and further into the natural world, many of our previously untouched water bodies have become cesspools of human destruction. There are countless reasons for the loss of native species, but one thing’sContinue reading “The Case For Native”
Chasing Giants
Every fall, the Stillwater River in Sterling, MA experiences a landlocked salmon run that makes anglers giddy. The fish, ranging anywhere from two to eight pounds, leave Wachusett Reservoir sometime in mid-to-late October to spawn. They are triggered by cooling temperatures and huge rains that raise the water level significantly. Once they are in theContinue reading “Chasing Giants”
Current Angler 