TRUCKS ROLL April 11, 2005 - Welcome to our initial installment of the 2005 Lower Forty River Report. As you are well aware many central New England watersheds are suffering extremely high water flows due to runoff and the severity of the recent rain events. As of this writing virtually every major river system remains extremely difficult to manage. Even our tailwaters, most notably the Swift River in Belchertown, haven't eluded Mother Nature's wrath as high water continues to make wading a chore. While stocking trunks have already begun to replenish many of the state's impoundment's it may be a few weeks until many of our major watersheds are addressed. According to MassWildlife, Bay State anglers can look forward to 572,200 brook, brown, rainbow and tiger trout being stocked. "We'll be putting out more than 286,000 rainbow trout averaging over 14 inches long," observes Chief Fish Culturist Dr. Ken Simmons. "They'll be distributed statewide throughout the stocking season by our five regional MassWildlife District offices." 46,000 brown trout in the 12-inch class will be stocked along with 87,000 browns in the over 9 inch range and 20,000 in the 6-9 inch range. The larger water bodies will receive the larger fish with the smaller brooks and streams receiving the younger fish. Brook trout will be stocked in a similar fashion with 12,000 fish measuring a foot or better, 77,000 greater than 9 inches and 30,000 in the 6 - 9 inch class. Anglers can also anticipate trying to tame some of the 3,250 tiger trout to be released, all topping the 14-inch mark. Included in this years group will be 950 brook, brown and rainbow trout measuring more than 18 inches. These trophies, along with the rest of the fish produced at MassWildlife hatcheries, will be stocked when snow and mud conditions abate, allowing the 2-ton District tank trucks access to the waterways. Current information regarding this years stocking progress may be obtained by visiting the MassWildlife website (www.MassWildlife.org). You may also call the nearest District office: Western 413/447-9789; Valley 413/323-7632; Central 508/835-3607; Northeast 978/263-4347 or Southeast 508/759-3406. APRIL TU MEETING A short business meeting will take place at 6:50 PM with reports on projects such as Youth Day, Salmon & Trout survey boxes for the Quinnapoxet and Stillwater rivers, Fly-fishing for beginners Classes and Blackstone Water Testing. These projects are hands on activities and TU will need help from the membership. The guest speaker is Captain Bob Hines of Rhode Island and his presentation will be, Fishing the Worm hatches for Striped Bass. The meeting is open to the public with no admission fee. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please try to attend and bring along a friend. Any questions, comments please contact Paul Bakstran at bakstran@charter.net. Good fishing and safe
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