Kris Kendrick with a nice catch from the 2013 Parker Paddle.                                Photo by Kevin Correa

Everyone caught fish and some boats were in double digits this year for the chapters annual Parker Paddle to Crane Pond. We welcomed some new faces to the event as well. A dozen chapter members took part in the morning fishing which ended in a wonderful riverside BBQ lunch prepared and executed by chef Mike O'Neill. The weather cooperated with cool but comfortable temperatures. Partly cloudy skies and a light breeze may have been helpful factors in making the fish very aggressive.

This year we counted eight species brought to hand using all manner of tactics. The 2013 species roll call included; Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Yellow Perch, Bluegill, Crappie, Hornpout and Golden Shiner. Some anglers managed "grand slams" catching four species and many got triples. Also of note were many interesting bird species pointed out by Jim MacDougall which included Northern Goshawk, Least Bittern, Virginia Rail, Osprey, Swamp Sparrow as well as many Redwing Blackbirds, Cardinals, Grackles and Canada Geese.

Following lunch members took part in our traditional clean-up of the area that resulted in several trash bags being filled leaving the area cleaner than when everyone arrived. Since we've claned up the same area over the last four years, we have noticed a year to year improvement in how much trash accumulates in this area.

More photos from the event can be found in the Photo Album titled Parker River Paddle 2013.

Thanks again to Kalil Boghdan who drew a standing room only crowd at our February meeting. His presentation about stirper fishing in the Essex, Parker, Merrimack and Ipswich estuaries was very informative and made everyone in the room long to be in the salt casting to a boil with birds above. His extensive knowledge and attention to detail certainly showed why he was named Orvis' 2012 Endorsed Guide of the year. You can read more about his award here. Kalil has also been featured in The Angling Report and on the NOAA Fisheries Service webste. Have a look and read what makes Kalil such a great guide. You can also find out more his Downriver Charters Guide Service at his website www.downrivercharters.com.

Photo: Lakewood Camps

Join us this month for a presentation on fishing Maine's Rapid River, presented by Whit Carter of Lakewood Camps. The big fishing attraction at Lakewood Camps is the Rapid River. Named the best natural brook trout stream in the lower 48 states, and listed as one of the top 100 best places to fish in the world, the Rapid lives up to this reputation. The Rapid often exceeds fly fishers expectations. Brook trout in the three to five pound range are common. The Rapids River's landlocked salmon must not be over looked either, they are prolific, and big. Many salmon exceed twenty inches, and three pounds. Landlocked salmon are a great fly fishing challenge, with long runs and lots of fighting and jumping which adds to the excitement. Find out more at www.lakewoodcamps.com

We will also have our annual business meeting, elections and member rod raffle. Don't miss out!

Monday January 7, 2013
6:00 Dinner ($5.00 donation)(Bring Your Own Beverage)
7:00 Meeting
Ipswich River Watershed Association
143 County Road
Ipswich, Mass
Click here for directions.

Many times while fishing during the warmer months we happen upon what I call, fresh water permit, also known as sunfish, bluegill, pumpkinseeds or kibbies. But most of us don't really know exactly what we have caught. There are several different types of fresh water sunfish in our area and Jim MacDougall has compiled a list of some of the most frequent visitors to our fishing nets. He focuses on the species found in the Ipswich river. Let us know if you know of other species in this area. Jim's Identification guide can be found at his website. Click here to find it.

The annual Crane Pond/Parker River paddle and fishing trip was held April 28, 2012 under cold and cloudy skies. Two pickerel were caught and released but not other fish dared emerge from this blustery day. Three canoes and three kayaks were used by participants for over three hours in difficult casting conditions. Rather than our typical cookout we opted for a warm and cozy Irish pub in downtown Georgetown. An enjoyable but chilly start to the early fishing season.

The April Newsletter was sent out and there are lots of dates to put on your calendar. You can download a copy of the calendar here. Events include river clean-ups, fishing, camping, river restoration, cookouts, paddling and fellowship. Here is a summary of what to look forward to.

April 17, 2012
Shawsheen River Restoration
Presentation
Andover Conservation Commission
Hosts a meeting on Shawsheen
River dam removals. (See Newsletter Article)
Andover Town Offices
36 Bartlet St., 3rd Floor
7:00PM

April 22, 2012
IRWA Work Day
Come pitch in on a little spring
cleaning at the Ipswich River Watershed
Assn. (See Newsletter Article)
143 County Road
Ipswich
9:00AM

April 28, 2012
Parker River Paddle
Meet at Thurlow Street Bridge in
Georgetown at 8:30AM. Cookout
to Follow. (See Newsletter Article)
8:30 AM

May 18-20
Indian Hollow Weekend
Mark your calendars for the Mass/RI
Council’s annual camping weekend
at Indian Hollow on the banks of
the Westfield River. More details to
come.

All events are posted to our calendar which you can view by clicking on this link.
You can also view it on the Google Calendar website by clicking here.
If you have a Google Calendar and want to subscribe to our Google Calendar and view our events within your calendar click here.

More info can be found can be found on the DFW Website. Weighted flies still may be used. Please check the website for all the details. Spread the word about this new law so that people are informed about the right materials to use. There are also suggested alternatives as well as what tackle may still be permitted.