October Meeting -Rick Little - Adventure Trip to Big Sky Country, Montana's Bighorn and Missouri Rivers

Travel with Rick on one fisherman's dream adventure trip to two of Montana's superb trout rivers - The Bighorn and the Missouri. Rick will share his experience on these two fabulous rivers and highlights the beauty of Montana's high plains, canyons and mountain scenery. If you have been to Montana, this program will bring back memories. If you have not been there, it will get you dreaming.

Monday October 5, 2015
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.

 

April Meeting - John Hansen - Fly Fishing the Colorado Mountains

John Hansen, is the fly fishing manager at Orvis of Peabody. John came to New England from the Vail Valley in Colorado, where he fished extensively and also guided for six years. He'll speak about fly fishing in the Colorado Mountains including the Colorado River.

John grew up fly fishing in Colorado and was groomed on such waters as the Colorado and Eagle Rivers, the Roaring Fork, and Gore Creek. His passion for fly fishing blossomed into a career, where John guided anglers, either wading or on drift boats, in Colorado and the fabled Kenai River in Alaska. He now calls New England home and thoroughly enjoys the enriching and tight-knit North Shore fly-fishing community. Whether he’s chasing stripers on Cape Ann or trout in western Massachusetts, John is doing what he loves and enjoys sharing his passion with others.

This months dining feast features our annual corned beef and cabbage dinner brepared by our resident Irishman Mike O'neill. Don't miss this delicious meal. See you there!

Monday April 6, 2015
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.

Annual Parker Paddle - Species Rich in 2013

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.