Whitehall Reservoir

[fishingdan]

Took the boat out for the first time this season. It was nice to get on the water again. We cought about 6 12" pickeral on some small Rapala husky jerks.

My son had a large bass follow his spinner bait to the boat. I know it has been a long winter, but that may have been the largest bass I have seen since moving to New England. It was huge.

I have a new fishfinder and it was reading 64 to 66 degrees. Could that be right??? I know Whitehall is a large shallow weedy lake (500+ acres, about 5' average depth), but that seems too warm for this time of year. What do you think?

[uptonfloyd]

I found a river in Grafton yesterday that must have been stocked pretty hard recently. Brownies, brookies and rainbows...all in one big pool...breaking everywhere...hitting an olive wooly bugger. Lengths ranged from 13 to 16 inches...fat. No lie, I didn't go two mintes without a fish on.

I don't even know the name of the body of water. I stumbled on it because there was broken glass at an intersection and I was taking a detour. Classic reason for keeping a fly rod in the back of the truck.

Two fish kept for tonight's dinner. 33 caught and released...all on roll casts in tight cover. Unbelieveable.

Everyone should have a fantasy day like this!

[metalhack]

I gave Whitehall a shot earlier in the year, with only a few hits and one LM landed. I would love to have some success there since its such a big, pretty lake and the boat launch is great....But I never do. I dont know why.

I just got back from A-1. Caught a nice 4 lb LM and a small pike. I was surprised to see the Pike...I guess the stocking program is working there. WOW....That place is a tough place to get around. Its loaded with underwater hazards. You have to take your time and hold on....

[uptonfloyd]

Whitehall is cool, though I tend to hit it later in the year, chasing largemouths with poppers on a fly rod. Always ction to be had.

If you're new to the area, I'd say look at Pratt in Upton and Hopkinton Reservoir. They both get good helping from the stock truck, and Hopkinton sometimes gets a broodstock salmon drop.

But I've discovered the rivers this year. And then you can find some brookies and brownies in the rainbow mix.

Good luck.

[metalhack]

Sorry to stray OT!


Hey Dan, I see you built your own center console. Is that it in your avatar? I would love to see some more pictures and hear some details about it. I have always wanted to do that myself. In particular a low draft type of boat for the shallows.

Uptonfloyd...

I have heard good and bad about Pratt. Mostly I have heard it was "ok". I live only 5 minutes from there so I may have to find out for myself. With the risk of alienating myself from this site I am not much of a flyfisherman or trout man. Not that I dont like to fish for trout, but my passion lies with the largemouth.

[fishinimpossible]

Floyd,
You wouldn't mind sharing some specifics would you? I know that the Quinnisgmond River is stocked, but never found any good looking water there. Thanks!

[krisl]

Thats nuts. I live in Grafton and spend most of my time on the lakes around town (kayaks), or down on the saltwater. I really haven't put much effort into the trout, as the only spots I really know are shoulder to shoulder guys throwing power bait. To each there own, but I'd rather fish elsewhere.

uptonfloyd...You've got me thinking. We're you under a bridge??

Send me a PM if you want.

[fishinimpossible]

Floyd, I keep trying to imagine where you were...hmmm..."broken glass...intersection...detour..." I'm at a loss. :confused: The Quinisig has a few spots, but I never see anyone fishing it. There is an area near the P.O. Pub with a nice flow, but it looks like urban fishing.
I've done Pratts in the bellyboat afew times...never had much success. I usually head down to RI to the Wood.

[fishingdan]

Hey Dan, I see you built your own center console. Is that it in your avatar? I would love to see some more pictures and hear some details about it. I have always wanted to do that myself. In particular a low draft type of boat for the shallows.


Metalhack, thanks for the compliment. Yes, I built the boat and have actually now completed it. The avatar picture is from last Septemper. I had the boat in the water last September and October, but it really wasn't done. I have now completed the interior finish work, installed a permanent gas tank and completed the wiring. I'm ready for the 05 season!!!

Here is a link to a set of pictures that shows some of the construction photos and the last few were taken last weekend. It was a great project and I will do it again some day. I have loved every boat that I have owned, but having built it myself, this one is special.

Dan's boat (http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/redbird1988/my_photos)

[metalhack]

Here is a link to a set of pictures that shows some of the construction photos and the last few were taken last weekend. Hmmm...I dont see a link.

[fishingdan]

Sorry...fixed it. See above.

[metalhack]

Wow...

I am very impressed. That came out great.

Did you follow a plan or did you do that all yourself? Any special tools? Is it a gelcoat finish?

It looked great sitting on Lake Pearl.....

[fishinimpossible]

Nice work! How long did it take you to complete? What did it cost?

[medburd]

Dan,

Great job!! The boat looks fantastic!! Are you going to name it?

Beautiful boat!! I hope you and the kids have a ton of wonderful memories on it!!!!

good luck with it!

[fishingdan]

Thanks for the compliments. It was built from plans by Glen L Marine Designs (www.glen-l.com). Another site (and better in my opinion) is www.boatplans-online.com.

The boat was built from 9/03 to 9/04. I didn't work very hard on it. I typically put about 4 hours per week into it. The cost of materials was about $2000. The finished boat between $3000 and $4000 without the engine.

The boat is a fiberglass on a plywood core. No gel coat. The exterior is finish with epoxy, a high build primer and a 2 part polyurethane paint from System Three.

[medburd]

Dan,

If I were to investigate an option such as this, what should I set my budget to be around for a finished product such as yours. Don't worry I won't tell your wife what it really costs.

thanks
-Kyle

[fishingdan]

A safe figure would be about the same as a decent used boat. Not the ones that are year or two old and still look like new. The ones that are 15 years old , were kept well and are very serviceable.

I spent between $3000 and $4000 total for my boat (including a new trailer @ $700). I already owned an engine. Then of course there is always the cost of your time about 1 year of part-time (working around family, work, house duties, etc.) work.

It is a great project and I will do it again someday.

[uptonfloyd]

Metalhack and Fishinimpossible,

Sorry, I have been out of town on business the last few days.

I'm not sure how the PM function works here, so I'll just tell you that it was very pleasant to come across such a large stocking of big brown trout the other day. And there was indeed a bridge upsteam that was very scenic. One of my sons takes piano lessons at that big, old church in Grafton Center, and it was all downhill from there.

If you guys know how to PM, feel free to email me and I'd be happy to share, as it appear quite a few people know now anyway.

They've clearly sporead out from the carnage I experienced that first Friday, but even just one of these fish would be nice.

As for Pratt, I'm not in love with the pond, though it's nice to have the neighbors honk and wave when they see my yellow kayak. But post-stocking, I can usually scare up a trout or two every now and again. This year has been better than most.

Hope this helps.

[krisl]

uptonfloyd...thought thats where you may have fished. Had the fly rod there last night. Its a nice little spot, but boy always a croud. You must of hit it just right...nice job!

[uptonfloyd]

Hey Krisl,

I know what you mean about the crowd. I stopped by there yesterday afternoon and it was mayhem. If you have waders, there is a nice pool downstream that held a couple of brownies...but I will most likely never have a day like last Friday. It was carnage and each fish was big and fought like crazy.

Good luck out there.