McClory: Young fisherman catches on quickly

With water temperatures finally starting to warm up to typical summer levels, fishing has started to taper off for the summer in the large lakes up north. For us, this is one of the most predictable opportunities, especially if you are targeting lake trout that are starting to stage at different depths. If you are hard-core and are on the water by 4:30 and putting in 4-5 hours before the average guy is waking up, you will catch fish. We catch almost all of the fish before 8 a.m. The regular summer patterns are now working. We were on vacation two weeks ago, but unfortunately the weather didn’t cooperate. We did manage to get out a few mornings on Sebago Lake. I took 10-year-old Charlie and his dad, Kevin, out one morning. The morning started promptly at 6 a.m. when I picked them up on their dock. I could feel his enthusiasm as soon as he boarded the boat. Off we went to our first stop, the “frog house,” where we started fishing for salmon. As soon as the boat stopped and the trolling motor started, I heard “how many colors Red Beard?” as line was being stripped into the water. What a thrill for me, to hear that question knowing he’s got it, he understands, and will someday make a good mate. As the morning progressed, so did the excitement as we watched him land four lake trout and one salmon. At one point he turned to Dad and said, “Why don’t you take the next one?” Now I know he really understands, and I’m pretty sure I have the hook in him!The 2009 Quabbin Controlled Deer Hunt will occur during the statewide deer shotgun season in four areas of the Quabbin Reservation: Pelham and Prescott, on Dec. 3-4, and Hardwick and Petersham, on Dec. 10-11. Applications for the Quabbin Controlled Deer Hunt are available from the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). Hunters may obtain hard-copy applications at DCR administrative and field offices at the Quabbin and Wachusett Reservoirs and the Boston office at 251 Causeway Street. Applications will also be available from MassWildlife offices in Boston and Westborough, and from District Offices. To obtain applications through the mail, send a self-addressed, stamped, business-sized envelope to: Quabbin Visitor Center, 485 Ware Road, Belchertown, MA 01007. Approximately 1,100 permits will be drawn based upon hunters’ license numbers on Sept. 9. Successful applicants will receive written notification from the DCR by early October. All applicants must have a valid FID card to be eligible to apply for this hunting opportunity, and applications must be postmarked by Aug. 15 or hand-delivered to the Quabbin Visitor’s Center by 4 p.m. on that date to qualify for the permit selection process.While on the subject of hunting, prospective hunters of all ages are reminded that it is never too early to plan and sign up for a Basic Hunter Education Course. Basic courses are available across the state and many will begin in August and September. Many veteran and new hunters fail to consider enrolling in a course until the weather turns cool in late September, when most courses have either begun or are full and the opportunity to hunt during the fall may disappear. Courses are scheduled through much of the calendar year, but most are offered in the spring and early fall. The 12-15-hour course is taught by volunteer instructors, and is usually scheduled over five or six weekday evenings. Occasionally, courses are conducted on weekends. Students must attend all scheduled sessions as part of the requirement for passing the course. All instruction and class materials are provided at no charge to the student. Funding is derived from the sale of hunting and sporting licenses, and from federal excise taxes on firearms and archery equipment. The sportsmen and women of the state have already assumed the expenses for the courses. Topics covered during the Basic Hunter Education Course include safe handling and storage of hunting arms and ammunition, hunting laws and ethics, wildlife identification, wild