FALL STOCKING COMMENCES

October 2, 2002 - Word on the street is that the state will begin to replenish fish inventories during the first week of October. In the event that you have yet to be informed, the trout allocations for the 2002 fall season include 39,000 rainbows (11" to 14+"), 10,000 brook trout (9+") and 4,500 brown trout (12+"). The complete list of stocked waters will be available at www.masswildlife.org.

Despite the most recent precipitation it remains highly unlikely that many freestones will be receiving this bounty with the exception of the Swift and the Deerfield Rivers both tailwater fisheries.

The Roger Reed Salmon Hatchery in Palmer will also be providing 200 broodstock salmon for allocation in local impoundments. These fish range in length between 15-20" with an average weight of 1.5 to 3 lbs. and will be distributed evenly among MassWildlife's five regional Districts with stocking sites determined by the District Fisheries Biologist.

LANDLOCKS
The Thomas Basin adjacent to River Road in West Boyslton has been yielding a number of LL salmon to diligent anglers. The fish have routinely been in the 18-21" category with a few well-proportioned rainbows in the mix. Schedule your offensive to coincide with low light situations (sunup, sundown, and overcast) for optimum results. Water releases from the Quabbin aqueduct into the Wachusett Reservoir have contained juvie smelt on occasion so it would be our recommendation to tote along a assortment of similar imitations (Joe's Smelt 6-8, Black Ghost 6-8, Colonel Bates 6-8, and Gray Ghost 6-8 to name a few local favorites). The Stillwater River fall salmon run has yet to materialize if there is to be one at all. While we have received some much needed rain it is our feeling that thus far it has been a mere "drop in the bucket."

Keep in mind that should we be fortunate enough to encounter a rain event of "substantial proportion" it is imperative to synchronize your attack with the rise of the water, and util the river crests. This will give you the sporting opportunity to harass fish while they are entering the system on their fall spawning run.

CAPE COD PONDS
For anglers not restricted by their determination to pursue trout in moving water, October is the month when the Cape's kettle ponds are reborn. With virtually no pressure to contend with, and the possibility of confronting extraordinary diptera hatches, these impoundments are truly worth the effort. With over twenty to choose from it makes recommending a specific location virtually impossible. Some of our favorites include: Big Cliff, Little Cliff and Flax in Brewster (Nickerson State Park), Goose and Schoolhouse in Harwich, Crystal in Orleans, and Scargo in Dennis.

An aggressive sink-tip or all sinking line for non-hatch periods, and a floater, in the event of surface activity, is what you'll require to properly address the situation. Along with a selection of earth tone wooly buggers and leech patterns (6-8) it would be advised to inventory a variety of adult and emerging midge patterns in 16 and 18. Round out your box with a black gnat (16), red ant (16) (I have witnessed flotillas of these land-bred insects during October) and a few small wets and consider yourself well armed.

Good fishing and safe wading,

JB