LAND OF MUNCHING COWS

Which describes both the bovines and the deer population. I picked up a copy of the game laws yesterday and suddenly it all came back to me, few if any doe permits in Vermont. Even for archery, and to boot a buck must be a 3 point or better. No wonder these does wander around without a care in the world, fat, dumb, and happy, nobody shoots at them. Pretty country up here though. Never doubt NH has the best deals and hunting in the North East.

D.

NEWS AND VIEWS

 Hello from Vermont!!

A couple posts ago I offered some advise on choosing a good party boat outfit to fish with. This is an informational blog and I try to post as much helpful information to those out there that are new to outdoors activities or might not be privy to information I am. As a result of that post I got positive response from readers and some pretty nasty mail from some party boat outfits, (one actually)so to take some of the heat off  some of my friends in the industry I have edited the post. Any inquires on the subject e-mail me and I’ll try to help.

On another note the deer and rabbit population here are abundant. At any time of day deer are out and about enjoying the abundance of food that grows here on the dairy farms. They and lightly different looking than our new Hampshire deer as they have much longer tail;s and thicker bodies. A different strain I wonder? I also wonder if they taste as good as our seacoast variety.

Fishing sucks here. Plenty of crystal clear streams void of life.

Captain Don

THE MERRIMACK RIVER

Last night there was a horrific accident in the Merrimack river. Not sure of the details right now but will keep this posted. The mouth of the river is EXTREMELY dangerous if there is a large sea swell and an out going tide.  Stay on channel 16 on the VHF marine radio for Coast Guard updates on conditions when ever fishing the Merrimack.

D.

coastal fishing report, nh.

I had the pleasure of heading out on the high seas over the week end for some deep sea fishing. Saturday was a nice day weather wise but the fishing was very slow. A few cod and haddock here and there, mostly on jigs, and plenty of dogfish mixed in with them. Sunday the weather was horrible and the fishing was the same. All the smart people went in, but not being of average intelligence I stayed out for the duration to no avail. I think the only boat with any success were the few mackerel boats hiding from the wind and rain behind the shoals, and the bass boats in the Hampton River. There are a few pockets of fish here and there inside, but these won’t be here long especially with the opening day of commercial fishing season set to open on July 1. Jeffery’s ledge is a desert at this point, lets hope something moves in soon. Flounder fishing continues to be good along the coast and in the rivers.

I will me in the hills for the next week moving tree stands around and haunting a few choice beaver ponds and streams with my fly rod.

More soon

Don

Hello

I’m in the process of moving and everything is upside down. I’ll start posting as soon as I get rearranged.

They tell me that fishing for the cod and haddock is terrible right now, I haven’t been out at all. I Hope for the sake of all my friends from seasons past it picks up soon. As you know I have retired from the industry and will not be running any charters myself again. I suggest clicking on North Wind Charters and talking with Captain Corey. He’s a good kid and great fisherman and you will get a better trip than with my former employers and their replacement for me.

Talk to you all soon.

Capt. Don

cod and haddock rigs and bait

The best rigs for bait are the double rig with the sinker on the bottom. Hooks should be around 8-10 inches apart, a swivel on the top and a loop on the bottom for the sinker. a  little colored surgical tubing on the hooks never hurts, just don’t over do it. There is a product out there that works like a chum pot attached to your swivel snap. It is a wire basket that holds chum and puts more smell into the water.                                                                                      Good baits are fresh clams, squid, cut mackerel, and shrimp. Be careful of frozen bait at tackle shops. If the product looks freezer burnt it probably is. Some times the shops employ poor handling when packing up the product, and some times the product has been in the freezer since last season and the shop is trying to clear it out. Always insist on a clean, fresh product.

From Our Commander and Chief

http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/o/obama-veteran-insurance.htm

Miss USA Pageant

http://primetime.tv.yahoo.com/

This is a link to the news report. In essence what went down is some gay guy asked Miss California if she thought a marriage should be between a straight couple, (man/woman) or same sex marriage.  This girl spoke from the heart, she replied, “In my country, and in my family a marriage is between a man and a woman.” My hat off to her, she is a straight shooter, she should have won. I am outraged that that question, or that judge was even allowed in such an event. These are troubling times for sure in this USA.

D.

It Must Be Monday!!

found on a blog @ www.condron.us

Several reports, Fish, Food, and a consumer report.

First of all, seeing as this is a outdoors blog, some fish reports. Captain Ryan just walked in and dumped a bag of haddock fillets on the counter so I assume the fishing was good. Yep, he says it was very good, a mix of haddock and cod. I hear it has been good, down towards cape Ann on the edge of Jefferies. Bait and jigs have been working good. Flounders and mackerel should be here next, May and June, just ahead of the strippers and dogfish. Steaker cod will show up in Ipswich bay from mid May to mid June.

The turkeys are in full tilt boogie rut. Every morning I see dozens of fat gobblers strutting their stuff to the ladies. They’ll be in the fields soon in the mornings in search of their favorite food, grasshoppers.

Plenty of deer around also, munching the fresh new shoots in the fields. They should be dropping the young soon. Lets hope for a great crop!

The trout streams are in full swing, plenty of fat brook and rainbow trout for the dinner pan. Saute with some butter, garlic and white wine for a special treat.

Don’t forget, get those tree stands in place now for this bow season.

I have been yelled at for the bad report on Moe’s subs. I don’t care, their subs still suck in my opinion.

For a good sub, Lena’s in Hampton is very good, bread is very fresh, and great, prompt service. Another excellent place is TNT subs also in Hampton on Rt. 1. Excellent Italian subs on great bread. Ask for Taya, she makes them the best.

My favorite place however is in Salisbury, Ma. on rt. 1 just before the bridge. Angelina’s has a outstanding menu and product. My favorite is the veal parm sub. Real veal, succulent and sweet, sauce and provolone cheese baked on a great sub roll. Mnnnnnnn!!

I remember years ago when I was a fisherman in Gloucester, Ma. there was an Italian bakery name of Virgilio’s. With out question the best Italian bread in the world. When you stopped in you simply told the guy behind the counter how many loaves of white or wheat you wanted and bing, into the bag they went, still warm and smelling of love! You never, never got just one loaf because the smell on the ride home drove you nuts and when you got there there was never any left. It really was that good. At lunch time the had a sandwich called the St. Joseph Roll. It was a Italian roll with meat, cheese, olive oil and seasoning and was to die for!! They sold hundreds everyday. On the bag for the bread it said”Virgilio’s, bread of the fishermen,” and it was true. When we stocked up for the fishing trips to Georges bank we always stowed boxes of their bread.It had no preservatives so it went stale and hard after a few days, but 5 minutes in the stove oven and it was as good as the day it was baked. Alas, the bakery is gone, as is much of old Gloucester, a shame.

Magic Jack. I got the much improved version and it still sucks. A good concept that needs much improvement.

D.

www.condron.us