McClory: Tourney becomes matchup between local anglers and picky trout

Enthusiastic anglers crowded the shore hoping to land a trophy trout last Saturday morning during the traditional opening day trout fishing tournament at Sluice Pond. Record-breaking hot weather prevailed, contributing to the success of the Saturday morning event, sponsored by the Lynn Fish and Game Protective Association. Finicky trout were responsive to most of the popular bait offerings, including meal worms, power bait, and nightcrawlers, with an occasional trout being caught while trolling a favorite lure or fly. More than 100 anglers fished from both the banks and from boats, canoes, and kayaks. About three dozen fish, mostly rainbow trout, were weighed in during the morning ? not very many considering the hundreds of fish that the state and the Lynn club stocked in the pond during the last few weeks. For most, the key to success was being on the water for first light because that’s when most of the fish were caught.Every year the League of Essex County Sportsman’s Clubs recognizes from a number of nominees a person who has shown dedication, commitment and unsurpassed support of the local outdoor sporting community. This year Laura Ippoliti was honored as “Sportswoman of the Year” at the League’s banquet. Congratulations, Ippi!Ray Gorski took first place honors by successfully netting his opening day rainbow trout that tipped the scales at 1.41 lbs. Melissa G. caught a rainbow trout that weighed 1.26 lbs. for the junior division girls category trophy and Jake H. (1.46-lb. rainbow) scored the junior boys trophy. Billy D. (1.14-lb. rainbow) won the Pee Wee boys trophy. Melissa G. also received a $20 gift certificate to Ippi’s from a raffle. This gift certificate was donated by Fred Verell, who has been a member of Lynn Fish & Game for over 50 years. A tagged brown was also caught during the tournament by George Fortin.With more than $60,000 of prizes at stake, you may want to participate in the 28th annual Winni Derby on May 15-17 on New Hampshire’s Lake Winnipesaukee. The grand prize for the angler landing the largest salmon of the contest is a fully outfitted 2009 Starcraft 1700 Starfire D.C, 2009 Mercury 75 HP EFI motor, 2009 EZ Loader custom boat trailer. The package is complete with all standard equipment, stand-up top, battery, safety equipment, downriggers, rods, reels and other tackle, Lowrance Depth and Fish Finder. In the lake trout division, a 2009 Starcraft SF1420 DLX S/C. 2009 Mercury 25 HP EFI motor, a 2009 EZ Loader galvanized trailer, battery and a Lowrance Depth and Fish Finder is up for grabs. The grand prize for a junior age 16 years or less, landing the largest salmon in that division, is a fully outfitted 2009 Starcraft SF 1420 Split Seat, 2009 Mercury 9.9 HP EFI Motor, 2009 EZ Loader galvanized trailer, a Lowrance Depth and Fish Finder, rods, reels, tackle box and safety equipment. In addition to the major boat prizes, daily prizes are awarded to participants landing the largest salmon and lake trout of each individual day. Derby participants may enter by mail or in person. The entry fee is $40 per person for an adult and $30 for a junior younger than 16 years old.While on the subject of Winni, last Sunday morning I had the pleasure of fishing with my good buddy Ken Lamb on the “Reel Winner.” It would be a lie to say that the morning was anything other than spectacular. The lake was like a mirror when we left the dock at 4:45 a.m. Our first line hit the 42-degree water at 5 a.m. and shortly after our first reel sang the “fish on” tune. A healthy, fat 19-inch landlock salmon, just shy of three pounds, was the first of the season for us. Our success continued until the east wind kicked up at 8:30. We continued to fish for a few more hours to no avail. We landed a total of seven salmon, three of which could have been kept, but were returned to the water unharmed. Early in the season, we troll at 2 mph, using a fly rod and a reel spooled with sinking fly line with 35 feet of leader material, preferably fl