McClory: Still a lot of winter left up north

What a strange spring we have had so far. The thermometer read 92 degr ees this week, a definite record breaker.Did I get your attention? This was a year ago, but yes, again, it has been a strange spring. Well what a difference a year makes. Right now, as I write this, it’s snowing here.Last Friday we braved the April Fool’s Day blizzard and headed to Franconia Notch to ski Cannon Mountain. More than a foot of snow fell while we were there and the conditions were great.I’ll say it again – there is still a lot of winter up north in New Hampshire and Maine and most of the major resorts are staying open until the end of April.uWe should be thinking about spring fishing and turkey hunting. Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 30, because it’s the traditional opening day fishing tournament at Sluice Pond sponsored by the Lynn Fish and Game Protective Association.All the activities that will take place, rain or shine and are free of charge and open to anyone. Starting at 7 a.m. and continuing until noon, trophies will be awarded for the largest trout to fishermen in the following categories; adult male, adult female, boy and girl each from ages 8 to 14, and peewee boy and girl each age 7 and younger.As an added bonus, there may also be a special award for the largest salmon taken the morning of the tournament. The awards ceremony will be at the weigh station at the Briar Cliff Lodge boat ramp on Lynnfield St., Lynn.If you are planning to fish the day of the tournament, you may want to enter the Lynn Club’s “Super Trout” contest that also starts on April 30 and runs until Oct. 31. Several large trout will be tagged and stocked by the Lynn Club before opening day.The tags will say “LFG” and have a number assigned to them. The prizes are: one fish worth $300, worth $100, and five, worth $50.This contest is also open to the public, with an entry fee of $15 for adults and $10 for youngsters under 14 and seniors over 65.Stop by Ippi’s Bait and Tackle on Parkland Ave, R&R American Lynnfield St. or Tom’s Bait and Tackle on Ballard St. to register.Proceeds are used to stock Sluice Pond. The state also tags trout as part of the Massachusetts Tags “N” Trout program that could also be worth prize. Incidentally, Ippi’s Bait and Tackle will have extended hours for your last minute tournament angling needs and they are stocked up and ready to provide you with all the right bait and tackle to make your next outing is a successful one, especially at Sluice.uApril Fool’s Day is also noted as the start of the spring ice out fishing or open water fishing.There are some patches of open water with fisherman elbow to elbow and so far the fishing has been just okay. Landlocked salmon are being taken from the limited amount of open water on Lake Winnipesaukee, by those who can find an open ramp to launch a boat.In Maine on Sebago Lake, there’s open water at the mouth of the Songo River for trolling and we’ve heard of quite a few people fishing over at the Songo Locks where a few salmon are being caught.uThe opener here in Massachusetts for turkey hunters is April 25th. Hopefully by now you have done your scouting and know where birds will be roosting, so that you can be set up waiting for them prior to first light on opening morning. Select a position where you can place your back against a tree large enough to break up your human outline and offers you good visibility. Try a few clucks while a gobbler is still on roost; just enough to let him know a hen is nearby.Call again when the turkey flies down from his roost. If the gobbler goes silent, you never know for sure if he left or if he is coming in silently, so pay attention because they can appear from any direction. Spring Turkey hunting can be an exciting and memorable experience, but it has associated dangers that the hunter must keep in mind.The wild turkey has a keen sense of sight and can easily detect movement and colors that are out of place in the woods. Making use of complete camouflage or d