Keary,
Since you live in Worcester County, you may want to consider the Connecticut
and Chicopee River shad runs. The Chicopee run should (I hope!) get going this weekend. Pluses are that it is a slightly shorter drive (with less traffic) from Worcester Co. than the North River. Minuses are that scenery ranges from quasi-urban to "lock y
our doors and set the car alarm," and there are no salt water locales nearby if you get the urge to hit the beaches. However, stripers do get up this far and are caught on the Ct. system.
If you wish, e-mail me for more info.
-bd