firstlightanglers.com

FirstLightAnglers

We have started investigating the feasabilityof a brown trout stocking program in the Parker River for 2010. Our target stocking period will most likely be in March. We are currently investigating the full cost of stocking the river and then will begin to try and raise the funding. If this project is of any interest please contact the shop. The river biologists and the state have confirmed that the Parker would be a fantastic river for such a project!

MacDougall · Joined: 22 Feb 2009 Posts: 2 Location: Topsfield, MA

I expect if we want something done well, we need to do it ourselves. Please count me in and who do I write the check out to.

I've posted this effort on the attached web site:

http://web.me.com/jm3/Biodiversity/Blog/Entries/2009/11/19_Restoring_Sea_Run_Trout.html

FirstLightAnglers · Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 1:53 pm Post subject:

We have received the permit and go ahead for the stocking program from the state. We are currently in the process of planning some fund raising events for the fish. We will keep you posted. Derek

JLeJeune · Joined: 19 Jun 2006 Posts: 125 Location: Gloucester, MA

Let me know if you need any help.

lowwall · Joined: 20 Aug 2009 Posts: 1

I am very interested in this project and would like to help however I can.
If the parker already holds natives then establishing salters is possible, but you still need a healthy trout stream to make it happen. Some fish remain in the stream and some go out to sea.
You can tell by the colorations where the fish have been:
Brook:

Bay:

Also should look at a petition for regulation changes to Artificial Lure Only Single Hook barbless catch and release only or the fish will get cleaned out before given a chance to establish themselves.

Dreadknots · Joined: 07 May 2007 Posts: 73 Location: North Shore

Of the areas in the Parker River watershed that I've fished, the area of the Mill River above Rt 1 is one of the nicest stretches around. There's a nice canopy, reasonable structure, rocky bottom, and nice variations in water type (pools, runs, riffles).

I would think if any place would make acclimating sea runs happy, it would be here. Of course, that doesn't take water quality into account.

Anyhow, here are a couple shots I took of the river while getting skunked the other day...

You can just make out the Rt 1 Bridge in the background.

The river (upstream and behind me) narrows in the section below the dam.

gonefishin' · Joined: 09 May 2007 Posts: 6 Location: north shore

First off, this project sounds like an awesome idea and i would be glad to help in any way i can. I would love to see a population of these trout exsist in the river and i definitly agree that this is a great river to give it a shot.
I have to agree with dreadknots about that section of the mill river. There are some awesome spots throughout that section of the stream, however, i am a little concerned with the water quality. It seems that in the summertime that water gets a little "scumy".
Anyway, I think what you guys are doing is awesome and i would love to help out with these efforts. Ill have to swing by the shop soon to catch up and see how things are going.

Jack