Trails & Streams

Ice fishing is hot, Pats are not

By Dave Stebbins
Turley Publications Guest Columnist

Most of us probably saw that awful train wreck coming between the Pats and Ravens, but keep your head up and not to worry, Brady is still Brady. It’s tough to go to battle with no weapons (other than Edelman). I’m sure the Pats will make some major changes come next season, just seven short months away. But I’ll leave the sports talk to that Beane Pot guy.
Yeah, we’ll keep one eye on the playoffs and most likely watch the big game. But now that your Sundays are free after church, get outdoors and take in that crisp winter air, don’t hibernate and wait for spring.
Although I am partial to trout, I have been hooking more bass through the ice this winter than recent summer outings from the boat. I don’t get it either. Everywhere I’ve been, flags are going off left and right.
And not just me, my fellow ice anglers are also yanking up some two to five pounders through the ice. I haven’t seen a whole lot of activity jigging though, then again, I haven’t talked to every angler out there. So it seems bass this ice fishing season are really hot on the shiners.
One hot spot is Walker Pond in Sturbridge. I met one of my faithful readers out there on a recent Saturday and we both pulled up some really nice fish, lots of activity.
Probably the biggest one of the day was the one that got away. This bass looked to have been maybe four pounds. I had him, or her about two feet above the hole and of course the fish unhooked itself and right back into the black hole, back from whence it came.
Those are the breaks, but they are the kind of breaks you can stomp your feet about and scream like a little girl (like I did) and still say, “oh well, the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh.”
Although I would have thrown him back anyway. I was slightly bothered however, to see one small duo of anglers who were faring pretty well out there.
In fact, they had a stringer full of big bass, crappie and perch, which they planned on “taking.” And they had every right to, assuming they were licensed. But I still hate to see good fish get removed from public waters where there is already enough stress and fishing pressure as it is.
If you’re looking for trout, wild brown trout that is, try Woodman Pond in Brimfield State Forest. You will most likely need a 4x4 as the road to it is not maintained in the winter. But anglers will have it all to themselves, it’s peaceful and quiet. I recommend going out on a blue-sky day, bring a magazine or a book or a friend.
Have patience, activity could be slow. Other local areas for (stocked) trout are Forest Lake in Palmer off of River Road near the Ware line, and Spec Pond in Wilbraham on Route 20 certainly has its fare share of trout. Not to mention some hefty bass as well.
Although private, just across the way from Forest Lake, south of Route 9, is Beaver Lake. But it seems everybody knows somebody who lives on that lake, so perhaps legal access is in your favor.
But a word of caution about Beaver Lake, it’s patrolled by the EPO’s and they won’t hesitate to write you up and take away your fishing gear forever. Just because your not in a boat and don’t need to display your “stickers,” you could be challenged. With that said, Beaver Lake is stuffed with everything except trout. It’s fed by Quabbin, eventually, and has a channel running through the center. Set your tip-ups in this deep channel and get ready for some heavy action. And please release your fish!
A nice little place to go with the young ones is Dean Pond in Brimfield. It has hold-over trout, bass and perch. Arrive early, because if there are more than a couple vehicles there when you arrive, it could be slim pickins. The fish aren’t too big so try the small shiners. You’ll do fine.
Now, if we could get just another ten inches of nice dry packed powder, I could write about another favorite winter activity of mine, snowshoeing. There’s no sense on going out if you step into the woods and touch ground and the snow hasn’t reached your knees, just as well wear the snow boots.
I hate this two-inch stuff we have been getting, it just makes a mess without the fun of an old fashioned blizzard. If it’s gonna snow, I want a two-footer. Or else, just bring on spring. Anyway....Go Celtics! Go Bruins!

Good talk, I’ll see ya out there.

Dave Stebbins lives in Wales. He can be reached at stebbins777@gmail.com.