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Fletchers Cove Fishing Report, March 4, 2006
I awoke just before dawn a few days ago to the sound of an acquaintance. This calming friend was a Morning Dove and its message was simple and direct… “it’s Spring, it’s Spring, it’s Spring.” Absorbing that song like an elixir, the radiant light of an early March sunrise lent credence to the fact that meteorological Spring has indeed sprung. There will be cold northwest winds to endure and possibly a surprise snow or two, but their visits will have the feeling of an unwelcome visitor just passing through.
If you are a fisherman, a birder, a naturalist of any kind, you know that the objects of our interest are on the move. Sap is ascending the trees, birds are migrating with haste and fish are massing offshore or moving up in the water column. You can dust off the binoculars and field guide, lube up that reel, check your shad dart supply! It is time to embrace the new season.As in most years, Fletcher’s Cove witnessed a quiet Winter. There was little in the way of cracking river-ice. One snow of any consequence. No January floods, as in 1996. Our un-obtrusive wooden dock, which fits so comfortably within its natural setting, barely felt the pressure of a human footprint. Away from the Cove, people have been at work preparing for the awakening that is about to come. Fishing tackle is on order, bikes are being tuned-up, permits-to-fish printed. One of the more exciting items to report is that replacement rowboats are being constructed and will be arriving at Fletcher’s in the coming weeks. The boats are wooden skiffs, very much like those in use for generations at Fletcher’s. In a society obsessed with newness, it is a true comfort to hold something solidly of the past. Our “new, old boats” will be a delight to fish from, picnic in, row for exercise or use to just drift away from the 21st century. These boats come at considerable expense and those of you who value both local traditions and practical functionality will be happy to have them as a resource. It is to the credit of Guest Services that they will be available. In addition to the new boats, some of the old war-horses you may have known and loved are being carefully nurtured back into service. Fletcher’s Cove hopes to see about 25 boats ready by the prime fishing period. (See photo above)For insight into how the season plays-out at Fletcher’s (for fishermen and others) you may want to check the “previous reports” link on this web site. Fletcher’s web site is part of the guestservices.com network, so you may also want to visit other sites in our family of locations. We at the boathouse certainly hope that the season starts a little earlier than last year, but even with a setback or two the fish will come and so too the customers. We will have the supplies you need to get out on the water or down on the bank for a day of fishing freedom. Patience is a virtue in all respects, but particularly in early season fishing. (The fish are cold too!) With a warm spell tucked in here and there over the next month, White Perch, Herring and Hickory Shad should make their appearance as the month rolls on. Stripers and then White Shad will follow in close succession. If you snooze, you lose. I get calls in the heat of early June from people who should know better asking when the good fishing will start. A bit of advice… the early bird gets the worm. Don’t be afraid to strike-out or you’ll never hit a home run.
Thanks for re-connecting, more to follow in the days ahead…
Dan
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