McClory: Early start brings rewards when it comes to fishing up north

Our long-awaited summer vacation to the lake has come and gone. All of the anticipation and planning is now a past memory. Last year we took off the same week and our boat motor’s oil injection pump decided to give up pumping. Not this year! The boat performed exceptionally well. I have to say I’ll bet we had the best week of the summer. Every day was at least in the 80’s, with a few days pushing the 95 degree mark. It was a great week for sun and fun! We got a chance to wet a line, and I might add that if you are heading north to fish any of the big lakes, you’ll need to go deep to catch salmon and lake trout. Surface water temperatures are hovering at 75 or 76 degrees. Most of our fish were taken using downriggers set at 45 feet. With lead core line we fished 12 colors down. Depending on our speed, lead core can go down anywhere from 3-5 per color. We figured we were at about 40 feet. Trolling slowly, we caught salmon and lake trout on honeybees and flashkings. Our best salmon for the week was a 21-inch native fish that tail walked 4 times. The lake trout was 23 inches long and tipped the scales at 5.2 pounds, a healthy, beautiful fish. And, of course, the earlier you are on the water, the better chance of a successful outing. Most of our fish were taken between 5 to 7 a.m. I know it’s not easy when you are on vacation, but that’s fishing!If your family or a family you know has always wanted to learn how to camp, a fun-filled Becoming an Outdoors Family Camping Weekend is planned for novice campers at Myles Standish State Forest in Carver on August 13-14. Designed for families of all kinds (bring your grandchild, niece or nephew), it is a great opportunity if you are a beginning camping family that wants to learn about camping or improve your skills, or perhaps you would like to try some new family activities or just enjoy the company of like-minded families and spend time together in the great outdoors! All families are welcome to enjoy this experience; no prior outdoor experience is necessary. Several skill sessions will be offered to participants: canoeing, fishing, hiking, and archery. A night hike, campfire and other optional activities will also be available for all to participate. This workshop is being coordinated by the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife’s Becoming an Outdoorswoman Program and the Department of Conservation & Recreation. Signup deadline is Aug. 5. Call (508) 389-6300 for additional information and signup information.Deer harvest numbers for last season are in: a total of 10,813 white-tailed deer harvested by licensed hunters during the combined 2010 seasons. By season, the total breaks down to 5 deer taken during the special deer season for paraplegic sportsmen; 3,778 taken in the archery season; 4,846 taken during the shotgun season; 2,068 taken during the muzzleloading season; and 116 deer harvested during the Quabbin Reservation hunt. Deer Project Leader Sonja Christensen noted that 2010 was the highest deer harvest on record for the archery season. The 2011 Antlerless Deer Permit Drawing is scheduled for 7 p.m., Aug. 1, at the Hubbardston Rod and Gun Club located at 55 Williamsville Road, Hubbardston. The event will include a deer management talk by Christensen, and the antlerless permit drawing. Interested hunters and their families are encouraged to attend this popular event.All for now.