As you’re reading this, I will probably be fishing in the 28th Annual Winnie Derby on Lake Winnipesaukee. Currently, the weather prediction is a mixed bag of sun and rain. Not a surprise. I’ve had an opportunity to fish Winni the last two weekends on my buddy Ken’s “Reel Winner,” and it’s been unseasonably warm and sunny, nothing like last year, when we hardly ever saw the sun during ice-out fishing. The good news is that the fishing has been pretty good, with lots of small fish and, unfortunately, not very many big fish. Conditions are starting to stabilize, with water temperatures getting into “the zone.” Fish should be spread out and will probably be found almost anywhere on the lake. I’ve learned over the years, the worse the weather, the better the fishing. Being miserable, wet, cold, and windswept can equal great action on the water. Gortex clothing is this fisherman’s best friend for staying comfortable in this harsh weather. I’ve mentioned before that if you are planning on fishing, you should invest in good rain gear. It will pay for itself the first time you experience what I’ve just described, and I guarantee you will forget about the cost when you’re subjected to these elements. I purchased my Gortex rain gear years ago from one of the most popular outfitters in the country, Cabela’s, and it has withstood the test of time. Reports from all the major salmon lakes are the same. There are lots of smelt for bait and lots of fish being caught.This year, the 13th Annual Massachusetts Becoming an Outdoorswoman Program (BOW) will be held at a new location, the Chimney Corners YMCA Camp on June 5-7 in Becket. This beautiful facility is situated on the banks of two lakes, which offer wonderful fishing, boating and other outdoor activities. This exciting weekend workshop is open to women 18 and older who want to try new outdoor skills in a supportive environment. Engage in activities such as archery, kayaking, wild edible plants, nature photography, fly fishing, shooting, and more. Registration materials are posted at www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/.The arrival of spring means the arrival of newborn and just-hatched wildlife. These youngsters soon venture into the world on shaky legs or fragile wings and are discovered by people living and working nearby. Every year, the lives of many young wild creatures are disturbed by people who take young wildlife from the wild in a well-intentioned attempt to “save” them. These well-meant acts of kindness tend to have the opposite result. Instead of being left to learn their place in the world, young wildlife removed from the wild are denied important natural learning experiences that help them survive on their own. If You Care, Leave Them There!Do you recall some of the relaxing days you once spent going after trout or bass in some of the local pond and lakes? Has it been a while since you bought a license? Not sure if you want to get back into fishing? Well, you won’t need a fishing license to fish any water body in Massachusetts on June 6 and 7. These two days are free fishing days, so make plans to get out and try your luck! In Maine, free fishing days are May 30 and 31, in New Hampshire’s ponds, streams and lakes, June 6th, and Vermont’s Free Fishing Day is June 11. State residents and nonresidents can take advantage of these free fishing days. Try taking the kids fishing for something easy to catch, like sunfish, bluegills or yellow perch.On the saltwater front, fishing has really started to pick up. Reports are that the Deer Island Flats are giving up limit catches. A lot of windowpane flounder are also being caught at the Pines River in Revere, as well as blackbacked flounder. Those able to get offshore targeting cod and haddock are also doing very well. Herring are starting to move into the harbors and rivers and the stripers are following. Stripers in the 34-inch range have been caught in the Mystic, Charles and Parker rivers.The Lynn Mass Bass Annual Kids Fishing Derby is Sunday, Ma