My first spring day

My first open water fish of the year

For the first time this year I fished as though it was actually spring. Although ice had been off most of the ponds for a few days I could not bring myself to go fishing. We have had some cold days and to be honest I just didn’t want to put up with that shit any more.

   As I have said before I consider the first day of spring to be when trout are stocked. Some years this can be the first week of March. More likely trucks start rolling out to lakes and ponds the second week of the month. Since winter is just now loosening its noose on southern New England the trucks finally got out this week on Cape Cod ponds.

   I learned of the news Thursday night but was not sure which lakes had been stocked. I went to the Mass Wildlife website at 8:30 this morning. Most of the ponds in Plymouth got their initial stocking this week. When I saw this I was invigorated. Within 20 minutes I packed my waders, rods, and gear. I made a couple sandwiches and packed a lunch. I got gas and took the eastward journey down I-495.

   I did not have a lot of time because my afternoon had been planned for two months. I was going to the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association show (RISAA) with a kid whose mother I work with. So I only had time to fish Fearings Pond. I love Fearings; it may be my favorite trout water in the state. I knew that fishing would be slow because of the frigid water temperatures, but that did not temper my enthusiasm. Sure enough, some of the shaded vernal pools were still locked in with ice. There was also snow on the ground thanks to a Wednesday storm that pummeled the outer Cape.

   There were two groups fishing when I arrived. They were spaced a few hundred yards apart. I set up shop in the middle. I tried the usual assortment of trout lures. I knew the chances of cold sulking trout chasing a lure were slim, but casting and reeling kept me busy. I worked the whole shoreline between the two groups, careful to keep a respectable distance. I had one bump. One group caught absolutely nothing. The other group (two older guys) kept getting bangs on Powerbait. I know when the weather is this cold Powerbait can not be beat, but I HATE using it. These guys ended up catching three trout each.

After a couple unfruitful hours I set one rod up with Powerbait. I still didn’t get anything. Finally the older guys left. I set up one rod with Powerbait and the other I kept casting lures where they were. I hooked one rainbow on Powerbait about 12 inches long. I got a quick picture and released it.

   To be honest even though fishing wasn’t very good I could have stayed all day. I forced myself to leave for the RISAA show. I still left an hour later than I planned and ended up missing the seminar I most wanted to see.

   I picked up my friend’s son (Ronnie) at 4 pm, thanks to the delightful Providence traffic. He only lives five minutes from the Rhode Island Convention Center. If you are into saltwater fishing this is by far the best show of the year. Ninety percent of the booths are actually fishing related. There isn’t all that other crap (doors, kitchen appliances) that you find at some of the other shows. Also there are so many experts at this show. If you know anything about saltwater fishing, this place is a who’s who of terrific fishermen. On Friday I had a long conversation with Toby Lapinski who is the editor of The Fisherman Magazine. I bought a book from Dennis Zambrotta, who probably knows more about Block Island stripers than any other human being alive today.

   There are terrific seminars. We sat in on one; it was about fishing around Newport. I learned a lot about spots and how to fish them. I could have kicked myself for not bringing a piece of notebook paper and a pen. Everywhere I looked there was another expert. Steve McKenna was at the Quaker Lane booth. DJ Mueller was doing his usually excellent seminars. Seriously, this show is a great place to go to quickly shorten the learning curve.

   Of course the bulk of the show is taken up by vendors. There are many people selling tackle, rods, and reels. The only thing I bought was Dennis Zambrotta’s book. Ronnie spent six dollars on some soft plastics. About 8 pm called it a day and I brought Ronnie home.

   So all in all I had a great day. I caught my first open water fish of the year. I had some terrific conversations at the show. I learned a lot at the seminar. The forecast is looking more spring like the next ten days. There are more days with a predicted high in the fifties than there are in the forties. Spring although not super warm is finally here!

Baseball Hall of Fame

Early this winter DJ and I planned on doing a daytrip or overnight during his spring break. For the last couple of weeks our plan was to go skiing. Although DJ is at least an intermediate skier, I have never gone. The last few days have been fairly warm so the conditions at Wachusett were slushy. So we decided to go with our original plan we came up with in December, The Baseball Hall of Fame.

   We left around 6 am. From Boston, the Hall is about a 4-4:15 hour drive. We got there about 10:30. Before we went in we ate a couple sandwiches so hunger wouldn’t chase us out before we were ready.  After paying the admission, all signs point to start on the second floor (there are 3 floors). The second floor starts with the history of baseball. There are artifacts of the first gloves and helmets along with pictures of old fields. Also on the second floor are exhibits about players from Latin America, Negro Leagues and lockers from all Major League teams. There is one room dedicated to Babe Ruth.

   

   The top floor has artifacts from baseball records. There is a room full of photographs. There is a room like the Babe Ruth room dedicated to Hank Aaron.  There is so much to see on these two floors. We took our time trying to see as much as we could without going into information overload.

The first floor is where the plaques hang of the players inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. The gallery room is well lit with arching ceilings. Part of it opens up into an atrium with a glass ceiling. I didn’t get a picture of every plaque, but I did of all of the players/ coaches and owners I knew or of heard of. 

After we ate our sandwiches, we went in about 11 am. We stayed until 4:30. We didn’t get bored. We are big baseball fans. It was definitely worth the drive there. After we left we went out to eat at a BBQ place. Our original plan was to stay at the Best Western, but I wasn’t tired at all so we drove home. We arrived home at 10:30 pm. It was a long but memorable fun day.

    On a side note on our way out of Cooperstown we saw deer everywhere. Without exaggeration from downtown to the highway we saw over one hundred deer. We saw one herd that DJ counted at least 24. Most herds were between 3-8 individuals. In some areas we’d see three or four different herds in a one mile stretch of road. We did not stop to get any pictures because we only brought the small camera with a 4X  zoom.

If you go:

The Hall of Fame is about 4- 4 ½ hours from the Boston area. The ride is three hours highway and one full hour off the interstate. Once you are off the highway plan on driving forty to fifty miles through farm country and small towns before reaching Cooperstown. We left at 6 am and did not run into traffic anywhere including Albany. Directions from all points on the compass are on the website.

 

   The price of admission is $19.50 for an adult. You can save two dollars if you are a AAA member. Seniors are $12 and kids are $7. Hours are from 9-5 but they are extended until 9 pm during summer hours. There was almost no one there when we went. I’d be willing to bet they didn’t sell forty tickets for the day. That said I bet the Hall is an absolute zoo during baseball season. There is a baseball field in downtown two blocks from the building. Little League baseball tournaments go on all summer. I can imagine how crowded it is having a couple thousand little leaguers in town every day.

    This leads to parking. We parked at the field (Doubleday Field) for free. Most of the parking in town is two hour parking and they make it clear it is enforced. The field parking lot is free this time of year but there is a fee the other seasons. I would not count on parking there during warm weather. There are lots on the outskirts of town and a trolley will bring you in for a $2.00 fee.

   The Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce lists the accommodations. As mentioned we had planned on staying. The Best Western was going to be $70 a night. They have an inground pool. There are many other places that are more “charming”. I also saw signs for at least two campgrounds in the area.

As for food, there seemed to be an adequate amount of places downtown. The BBQ place we went to was about three miles from town. The wings were delicious but the prices were outrageous. It was a good idea to fill up before we went in the HOF since they do not sell food. There is a bubbler at the bathrooms on all three floors.

   I can understand the quiet country charm surrounding Cooperstown. The downtown area has an old timey feel to it. For any kid, getting to play on that field only a two minute walk from the HOF would be a dream come true. There are many memorabilia shops that sell everything from baseball cards to jackets. If you have the time a full two days in Cooperstown would be really fun.

The website is bassballhall.org 

My Favorite Outdoor Books

One of the things I enjoy doing is reading. Most of the time I read non-fiction. When I do read fiction books they are usually classics or literature. The thought of reading Tom Clancy or Mary Higgins Clark does nothing for me. I have read some Hemmingway, Moby Dick and other classics and enjoyed most of them.

However I strongly lean towards the non-fiction. The books that interest me the most are about traveling, exploring America or generally the great outdoors. Two years ago I mentioned in a post that I would put together a list of some of my favorite outdoor books. I finally got around to doing it. There is quite a range in topics from dogs to hitch hiking. They are in no particular order. If you read all these books, I’m sure your top ten would look different than mine so there is no need to rank them.

   Desert Solitaire, Edward Abbey- Edward Abby was a park ranger at Arches N.P. before it became touristy. The roads were bad and the campground was primitive. He is very opinionated and gives his point of view on a range of topics along with stories of his time at Arches.

   Travels with Charley In Search of America, John Steinbeck- Steinbeck goes on a road trip with his dog Charley a giant poodle. They want to see the sites but it is more important for him to meet people in his travels. He traveled during the time the sixties when the country was being desegregated. Since I went to many of the same places as him out west, it is interesting how he interpreted these places compared to me.

   Everett Ruess A Vagabond for Beauty, John Nichols- Ruess was a kid that explored alone the Colorado Plateau. He went missing in 1934 and his body was never found. He loved the beauty of the west he could not live a conventional life. He needed to be outdoors soaking it all in.

   

    Walking with Spring, Earl V. Shaffer- There are many books about hiking the Appalachian Trail.   They are all equally interesting reads since everyone has different experiences. Earl happened to be the first person to thru hike the trail.

   One Life at a Time Please, Edward Abbey- This book is a series of essays. Topics range from immigration to Big Bend National Park. Abbey was not shy about his opinions. Agree or disagree with him, the topics make you think.

   

   Worthwhile Places Correspondence of John D. Rockerfeller Jr. Horace Albright

This book consists of the letters between Rockerfeller Jr. and Albright. Rockerfeller probably did more for the National Park system than any other private citizen. He donated much money, time, and land to it. He donated 55,000 acres that he purchased with his own money to add to Grand Teton. Albright was Head of the Park Service for many years. It is an extremely interesting read. Basically it is two first person accounts with thoughts and opinions from two people that cared deeply for protecting nature. If you watched National Parks America’s Best Idea by Ken Burns you will love reading this afterward.

   Riding with Strangers, Elijah Wald- This is a book about hitch hiking across the country. This guy was done it many times. He tells about the people he meets and the places he has slept. For anyone that thinks hitch hiking would be fun but will never do it because of the risks, it’s interesting to see the world through Eljah’s eyes.

Between a Rock and a Hard Place- Aron Ralston- This is the book 127 Hours is based on. This kid gets stuck in a slot canyon with a boulder crushing his hand. He has to choose between death and cutting his own hand off. Aron talks about other crazy things he has done during his life outdoors. A modern day classic that every young hiker has read.

   Into the Wild- Jon Krakauer- Another modern classic. Every true hiker knows the name Alexander Supertramp. It is about a kid that after graduating college leaves. He drifts around the west for a couple years leaving his mark on people he meets. He makes it to Alaska where he goes into the wild alone. True story well done.

   Sand County Almanac, Aldo Leopald- Leopald was a true conservationist. He was one of the first to see the value in predators and fought to protect them. He was also one of the first to fight for wilderness protection. In the years since he wrote this book views have changed, science has improved but amazingly some of his theories and opinions were spot on.

   A Pirate Looks at 50, Jimmy Buffett- Jimmy goes on a three week trip across the Caribbean. Unlike some of the people on the above list, Jimmy has the money to do exactly what he wants. The book contains stories of his life. Talks of songs he has written and of course the trip itself. Buffett is one of the most interesting people alive to me because of the life he has lead and the fact that he appreciates every single memory he makes.

My very messy bookshelves

   Call of the Wild/ White Fang, Jack London- As fiction books go these are two of my favorites. Being a Jack London fan when you are outdoorsmen is a bit cliché’ but there is good reason. These two dog books are phenomenal. White Fang is about a wolf dog that starts off wild and his relationship with people grows stronger. Call of the Wild is about a giant dog named Buck that gets kidnapped from his home in California and becomes the ultimate sled dog. His heart is drawn to the freedom of being a wild dog.  Both are great books, I give White Fang the edge but Call of the Wild is the more popular of the two 

   Old Man and the Sea, Earnest Hemmingway- My favorite fiction book. I almost never read any book more than once. I’ve read this three times. In case you have lived under a rock, it’s about an old man that catches a huge fish miles from his port in Cuba. He is alone with his thoughts except for some man eating sharks that circle his small rowboat.

   My First Summer in the Sierra, John Muir- Muir took a job as a sheep herder, that is when he fell in love with the Sierra Nevada’s. First off it’s awesome to read a first persona account by such a great man. It is fun to read of him chasing bears away from the sheep herd. Muir was so far ahead of his time with his beliefs about conservation it’s not even funny.

So there you have it. This list ended up having fourteen books on it. I didn’t count them until I was done. I love all of these books.

When old is better than new

   In my hobbies, the newest, latest gear is usually much better than stuff even a few years old. Gear made for backpacking for example is lighter and smaller each successive year. Two man tents are consistently less than four pounds. My stove weighs about three ounces.

   New fishing reels hit the market every year. Manufacturers discontinue favorite reels only to bring them back with more ball bearings, a different shape, and usually a higher price tag. The advertising for the new improved model makes a customer feel like their old reel is a piece of crap even if it’s only two years old. New lures come out every year. Some make it in the world of retail and some only last a year or two.

   With all the new technologies, there is no doubt that some things really are new, improved and just better. Companies like EMS, Marmot and Columbia Sportswear are always researching lighter breathable materials. When backpacking the difference of carrying a couple pounds less for ten miles can change an unbearable hike to an enjoyable one. Some of the new fishing lures are extremely lifelike. There is a reason the Sebile Swimmer costs $25, it works. Everyone at the Cape Cod Canal herring run has one tied on or in their bag.

   But what about older gear? Should we feel like we are carrying crap just because it’s older or a little beat up? Of course not! Old used gear has been tested by time. It has been tested by weather, it has been tested by rough teenagers and it has been tested by (let’s face it) abuse.

   My bike is about 12 years old. I love my bike. It is a 21 speed mountain bike. This year I put some money into it. I got the chain greased, bought a new cushioned seat, and bought a handle bar extension so I could ride more upright.  Despite all of this, it looks beat up. She has survived taking corners too fast where she was scraped up as bad as me, but I healed within a week. The bike has been on many journeys in the rain and has some rust spots to prove it. The first week I bought it, I went to Gilbert Hills State Forest. I slid down a hill and scratched it. Literally on its first ride it no longer looked new. I wasn’t upset at all. Who wants a shiny bike that looks like it’s never been ridden. The answer…not me. For crying out loud, it’s a mountain bike not a piece of fine China, it should look a little roughed up.

   I have an old (at least ten years maybe longer) battery operated Coleman lantern. It takes four AA batteries.  When I am on vacation I use the batteries at night in the lantern then I charge them in the car when I get up. I’ll use them in my camera during the day then start the process over again in the evening. The lantern looks old. It has been dropped a few times. It sits in my camping gear box usually with other gear piled on top of it. Sometimes it doesn’t want to come on right away when I put the batteries in. Eventually within a minute of adjusting, it always works. This lantern has been to Yellowstone and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. When I go to New Hampshire for weekend getaways I read Jack London with it by my side. If I ever win Powerball I will buy a bass boat, an ocean boat and a 4 wheel drive truck to pull them. However, that fifteen dollar lantern stays as long as it continues to light up my tent.

   My ice fishing tilts were given to me when I was 12 years old by my dad’s 70 year old friend Jimmy Doyle. They are made of wood and the flag is a red square of cloth. They are at a minimum fifty years old. I did not touch them for twenty five years until I fell in love with ice fishing last year. He gave me about a dozen. I use the four that were in the best condition and easiest to clean up. Even after cleaning they still look old and ratty. The other day I was in Dick’s, ice fishing gear was 25% off so I decided to buy a new tilt. You know what? Ice fishing technology wasn’t changed in fifty years. The flag is held down and pops up the same with my old tilts as the new. Why would I go out and buy all new tilts even at $6 a piece if they do the exact thing.

   Also I feel by using these old tilts I honor the men before me that used them. I will never know the stories of what was caught on them. I won’t know how many fish were caught on their trips near Nash Stream Forest in New Hampshire. But the memories that were made with these tilts even though I will never know them are priceless.

    There is no doubt I buy and own a lot of gear. I have twenty fishing combos. I have lures that will still be in boxes when I die. I have all the essentials for car camping and backpacking.  I didn’t buy this stuff all at once of course but like a handyman with power tools it was picked up a little at a time.  I have a bad habit of over buying fishing gear when it is on sale. Last year Rebel and Bomber saltwater lures went on sale at Walmart for $2.50. I bought bags of them. It was a good price and I figured I’d never have to buy them again. I do the same thing with soft plastics, jig heads and carp hooks.

One thing I do not do is throw something away because it is old. If something like my bike or lantern is in fine working order I would never upgrade. To the contrary those scratches give those items character. They remind me of memories I made with them. If anything I appreciate my old gear that stood the test of time more than my new gear.