McClory: Please learn the rules of the water

When you spend as much time on the water as we do, you are bound to run into the “Captain of the Ship” who doesn’t have a clue about the rules of the water.Easily identifiable as they buzz by within 200 feet of shore, they are the ones in a headway-speed-only zone at full throttle throwing a vicious wake that can easily capsize your rowboat or kayak.For example, this boater doesn’t understand that a person paddling along in a kayak or tacking in a sailboat has the right of way on navigable waters, especially within the shoreline safety zone.Headway speed is not just simply slowing down. It is defined as the minimum speed necessary to maintain control of your vessel and is allowed within the 200 foot mark. These rules are common sense safety rules that everyone who operates a boat should know and are just a few of the basic water safe rules every Captain should know. Everyone who plans to operate a watercraft should take a Boater Safety Course. They are offered free of charge through the Mass Environmental Police or through Coast Guard Auxiliary for a small fee. Check either website for a list of course dates and times. The course is very worthwhile and should be taken by every boater.uLast week was a great week to be on vacation, especially if you enjoy water sports. The hazy, hot and humid weather is great for the kids because it gets them off the computer and on the water.Our boat hasn’t seen this much use in years, pulling water skiers and tubers from dawn to dusk.As for the fishing here on Sebago Lake in Maine ? unbelievable!Here we are in the middle of August, often referred to as the “Dog Days of Summer,” which is the time of year when most fisherman take a break and sleep in a few mornings to rest up for the fall flurry.Fortunately I decided to be out on the lake early and not sleep in last weekend because the fishing was outstanding!We had two of the most unbelievable mornings on the big lake here in Maine fishing for salmon and lake trout. Our fish finder was showing a very well defined thermocline with plenty of bait fish in it and around it.The salmon and lake trout were staged just above this area having a picnic feast, and this condition was noted in several different locations.Using downriggers and lead core line, with db smelt and flashkings for lures we ran our lines just above this area and had two memorable mornings. Mid-morning on the second day, the fisheries biologist pulled alongside us to gather data from our catch for his log.He mentioned that the fishing had turned on a few days earlier and because of the early ice out he thought that maybe the fall fishing run was starting early.Counting only the salmon that could have been kept, we landed 11 and also caught 3 trophy lake trout!Interestingly, I spoke with a buddy of mine that lives on Winni and he mentioned the fishing there also started to pick up, so the bite is on.uThe Fisheries and Wildlife Board August meeting will be held on Thursday, Aug. 30, at 1 p.m. at the UMass Cranberry Experiment Station, 1 State Bog Road, E. Wareham.A public hearing will be held at the same location at 3 p.m. to establish rules and regulations relative to the fall turkey hunt. The proposed regulations change would open Wildlife Management Zones 10, 11, and 12 to the hunting of wild turkey during the fall season.This will be followed by an Informational Hearing on the 2012-13 Migratory Game Bird Hunting Seasons. The Fisheries & Wildlife Board will vote on the proposal at the conclusion of the informational hearing in order to meet the filing date as set by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.uBeing an avid bowhunter I am excited about the possibility of hunting here in the Bay State on Sundays.A favorable hearing was held May 12 in the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security on House Bill 3946, introduced by Representative Anne Gobi (D-Worcester), which would allow hunting on Sundays in the month of December. Massachusetts is one of only 11 states that restric