MetroWest Report: Arlington, Concord, Acton, Etc.

[FishingMass]

Hello All,

Since not a lot of new threads, I thought I'd start one about my recent outings in the MetroWest area. I figure everyone is looking to see what luck folks are having so I'll throw in my 2 cents.

I typically fish from Charles River, Sudbury/Concord River, and ponds and lakes in Arlington, Concord, Lexignton, Acton and nearby towns - with the grand trip to Wachusett for Smallies whenever I can.

Here goes:

I've been hitting various ponds and rivers for short periods after work and on the weekends for the last couple weeks.

I landed my first bass last weekend, 2lb, senko fishing in Acton in a 5 acre pond. O.k. first fish, but lot of work overall :) This was last Sat., when Sat and Sunday were both quite sunny and warming.

Since then and before then, I've pretty much had casting practice, in the Charles (watertown), the same pond in Acton, Lexington Res., and Spy Pond in Arlington. The concord/sudbury river is really high right now... I've never really seen it this high - but I"m paying closer attention these days. The adjacent fields and marshes are really flooded, at least in Concond - and I haven't bothered to fish for bass since the flow is so high.

I've been waiting for a few warm days to get the bass coming up into the warmer water and speeding the metabolism a bit. So far, we've had a string of days barely reaching 50, most not even - and even after 2-3 days of high 40's we end up with a couple cold days.

Anyone else having similar experience? Or different in this area?

[Slappy]

It is good to be out fishing, even if the fishing isn't great. I haven't been focusing on freshwater, mostly out catching small stripers. The water has been cold so far this spring because we haven't had enough warm and sunny days. I am going to try some freshwater this weekend.

For a break on getting skunked for LMBs, why not try a perch trip--yellows are ending their spawning period and whites are just beginning theirs. Both tend to bite very well in the cold water and I usually get some LMB or SMB as incidental catch.

You might also try fishing further downstream in the charles, the bite from Boston to watertown tends to stay going even with colder water.

[e-sea-e]

I ahve had the same general luck, I fished spy last saturday, no bass but alot of yellow perch. I agree, the lack of sunny days has been a factor, and the next few days wont help. next week it looks like we get some warm rains, which should help things out abit.

fishing mass, I am new to spy pond, just started fishing it, I live in arlington, and will fish it from a small boat. If you have any advice on fishing it please feel free to PM me. I checked it out for the first time last weekend and it looks like a very interesting place. same to you slappy.

Ive also been wanting to try the sudbury river. can you tell where a good ramp is where I could luanch a 14 foot boat from a trailer and directions to it? I drive by that river all the time, stretches of it look awesome.

Thanks!

[FishingMass]

Hey... the place that is recommended for the Subury River access for a small boat is off Rt. 117 in Lincoln, right near "Nine Acre Corner". This is pretty well known by most in the area, so not really a secret. I've put in a canoe from here, and it was 14' so think you could put in a jon boat or whatever you got as long as not too deep hulled. There is a little parking lot and trail to the water... I'm sorry because i'm not sure if you can back a car to the water, or if a small gate - i can't remember. But, if you take a look one day you should be happy - because there are big bass in this section. Just a 1 minute drive downriver is FairHaven Bay.. very well known as a wintering spot for the river, and there are LMB and Pike here.

I fish the bridges just downstream from this and have had good luck once things warm up a bit, and the water lowers down. But, I hear Fairhaven is one of the best locations - though I hear it gets infested with Crappies during the spawn...

If you google around, you should find it out - definitely fishy and worth a few trips.

[Trout77]

As for Acton.... Spent a day (before the deluge) fishing some of the local brooks. (Guggins, Nashoba). Did pretty well on both. Managed a native brookie (about 4inches) in Guggins, and a couple larger ones and lost count of all of the stockies I caught in Nashoba brook. These were all <12in stocked browns. Used three flies for the whole endeavor (soft hackle wet-fly)...I was the only one there...and best of all didnt see any poachers!! --127-3-

[FishingMass]

I live right next to Nashoba brook, well - on 2A near where is crosses 27.

Looking for advice on where to try to fish Nashoba B. I mainly spinfish small mepps. If you felt like giving any advice, would be appreciated. I fish replaced single hooked mepps/spinners and practice catch-release.

I do fish Ice House Pond frequently (the back marshy section - there is a trail if you have hip waders or really high boots) which I think is the head of Nashoba Brook according to some web research.

[Trout77]

I live right next to Nashoba brook, well - on 2A near where is crosses 27.

Looking for advice on where to try to fish Nashoba B. I mainly spinfish small mepps. If you felt like giving any advice, would be appreciated. I fish replaced single hooked mepps/spinners and practice catch-release.

I do fish Ice House Pond frequently (the back marshy section - there is a trail if you have hip waders or really high boots) which I think is the head of Nashoba Brook according to some web research.

Your proximity makes you fairly lucky also to fish this brook. I have NEVER been disappointed here. The pond you speak of is just one of the impoundments, not it's source. In fact another stocking location is upstream of the pond where Rte 27 crosses the brook. (It has been stocked already with small browns) you will cross two brooks here, Butter Brook (more of a swamp) and Nashoba Brook. fish Nashoba Brook. For spin-fishing, a place I would recommend would be Brook Street (behind Donolans).... Fish downstream the bridge as it is posted upstream. Hang a small Mepps or Rooster-tail in the big pool, or flip it upsream under the bridge.... That was my intro to this brook. Go barbless/single if you plan on releasing your fish! Or if you are really crazy (like me) park right at the old railroad trestle on 2A/119 and fish up and downstream... I can walk to this spot :brow
Enjoy

[FishingMass]

Thanks for the into, I'll give it a shot tomorrow.

[bdowning]

I have a client that I visit up in Acton near Nashoba Brook, but I know little about the area. Checked out where the brook crosses Carlisle Rd (?), looked worth fishing. So I'll try it some lunchtime with the flyrod. Water level should be flood level by Tuesday; too bad, it was perfect the other day.

-bd

[eshuang]

I live in MetroWest and hit a local pond today around midday without success (unless you count a fat yellow perch). I used sink tip and Type II sinking lines with an olive wooly bugger and a GRHE dropper.

[FishingMass]

So, i tried the Acton Brooks and got some hits and saw a few jumping.
Now, after the rain - the flow is so redicuously high it seems not worth it... can't even get close - so flooded. Funny month it seems to me. How long till the flow goes back down.. days a week? Eh, well - who am I kidding.. I'll wait :)

[Slappy]

Flooded ponds can provide interesting opportunities. The floods fill the shallows providing plenty of food so the small fish move in followed by bigger ones. The first warm day will provide a great opportunity for sight fishing in very shallow water for bass and pickerel...

[e-sea-e]

you know it slappy- The fishing may be great this weekend, friday will warm it up and sat/sun will keep it that way. Im going to hit a few ponds on the north shore where the flooding should be very helpful.

[FishingMass]

I got out Sat. to a pond in Acton and caught a personal best Pickerel. It almost ran 5lb... just short. Caught it on a green pumpkin swim senko on the first cast. I must have basically threw it right in her face. Unfortunately no pictures (why does that always happen?). Usually not the biggest pickerel fan, but this thing was pretty impressive.

I think the warmer weather has turned the corner - we'll see how the week goes with lots of warm days!