Conference wahoo::fishing

     If your from MASS., you might try entering one of my tuorneys listed
    on note #545. You can definitely learn TIPS & TECHNIQUES at tourneys.
    
    Also anyone there will be more than willing to help..
    
     Where are you from?? Where is MASSABESIC???
    

    	Good question. Massebesic, btw, is a reservoir in Auburn/Hookset 
    NH. It is also against the law to swim or even step foot in the
    water (even with waders) but it is otherwise O.K. to fish on. I
    checked through the 1987 fishing guide and didn't see anything at 
    all about it. The best bet is probably call the F+G law enforcement 
    number (271-3127 or 3128) and ask.

    RAYJ

>>  It is also against the law to swim or even step foot in the
    water (even with waders)...

correction:  

Waders ARE ALLOWED....and in fact, is the only way to get your feet wet 
while launching a boat without fear of being fined!

Ice fishing is allowed on Massabesic, although I don't think I'd trust the 
ice until later in the season.  Last year a friend and I went ice fishing on 
Little Massabesic (not too far away), and as we drove by Massabesic, the 
shoreline was still slushy or even open water.  Little Massabesic had better 
than 6-8" of ice right up to the shore.  

For those that are unfamiliar with Massabesic, it is a fairly large lake 
(about 1300+ acres) and has both small and largemouth, pickeral, a decent 
population of white perch, yellow perch, kivvers, hornpout, and supposedly, 
some lake and brown trout.  Some years ago, landlocked salmon were stocked 
but they never took hold and I doubt there are any left.  The water is quite 
clear, lots of rocks, with depths to 75-80' (as I recall).

Joe 

    	So I guess it's only illegal if you fall through the ice. However,
    if you do that then the fine will be the least of your worrys ;-).
    
    FWIW - The waders are illegal. Even when launching a boat. I just
    called the F+G law enforcement number in note .2 and they said ice
    fishing is OK but walking in the water with waders is not. I even 
    asked in reference to specifically launching a boat. Don't ask me 
    how they expect you to do it otherwise but they will fine you for 
    stepping in the water. 

    I believe it's the Manchester Water Department that patrols this lake
    and gives out the fines. You may want to give them a call for he info, 
    we've always understood that it's ok to use boots to launch, I hope this
    hasn't changed.
          
    
    
    							Jim
    

I guess I never paid too much attention as to who the warden is, whether 
it's F&G or someone else.  I do know that I once saw some guy sitting 
quietly in his car, apparently enjoying the view and watching a couple of
guys launch their boat.  The moment one of them stepped in the water with
their shoes on, he jumped out of his car and slapped a fine on him!
No if's...and's...or but's!

Using waders is the ONLY method they will allow.  

-HoleShot Joe-

    I'm interested in buying a power auger, and wondered if
    anyone could recomend some places to shop for one in the
    Worcester/Marlboro area. Has anyone seen one on sale recently ?
    Thanks for any help.
    
    Marty

    
    Marty,
    
    	Buy one with the 10" drill, Especially if your goin for NORTHERNS.
    I've seen 'em from $199 to $269 up here in VT. Phil (remember phil?)
    just bought on for 239. BTW, I pulled up an 8 lb'r last weekend. Going
    up to the NE kingdom on the 20th and try for some lakers and salmon.
    
    ps. Are you heading over to the BIG O this spring?
    
    						-rene-
    

    Rene,
    I ended up getting a 10.5 inch rig at a place called Dick's
    in Worcester. It's got a maura blade and a techumsa (sp?) motor.
    It was 229$. It's not as fast as the more expensive Jiffy models,
    but makes a huge hole and is light weight to boot. I bet it takes
    30% longer for each hole, but who cares...we're talking a few extra
    seconds...:-)
    
    Did you make the trip to the North East Kingdom ??? How'd you do ?
    I'd love to spend some time on Willoughby, but I thought they
    didn't allow ice fishing. As far as the big O is concerned I wouldn't
    miss it for the world....The only problem will be if the job requires
    me to spend much time in California (UCF) over the next year...Can
    you believe the nerve ??? Interfearing with fishing plans over work
    related stuff...really :-) When are you going over ? I'd like to plan
    a spring trip to the Rochester area, and a fall trip to Palaski...
    We need a new camp area though...I can't take another year of "MOM"
    bitching me out for bringing fish back to the campground...For the
    rest of you, MOM was this older woman who definitley felt she had
    to supervise/direct every activity at the campground she worked
    at/owned (???). She was funny though...we have some great footage of
    her and Phil on video...
    
    Marty
    

    
    Marty,
    
    	Ended up getting 4 lakers out of willoughby. Nothing with any size
    	though (18" and less). Lost a sh*tload. We were having trouble with
    	the tipups being frozn up. We'll know enough to thaw them out after
    	a days fishing next time.
    
    	As far as the BIG O goes,I want to go over for a couple of spring 
    	trips if I can afford it. Probably in the April-May timeframe.
    	Definitely a couple of trips in the fall. We have to get something
    	together.
    
    					till soft-water time
    
							-rene-

    Re .9>
    	I've got a Jiffy 10" auger and it also has a Tecumseh (sp?) engine.
    If yours is the same size engine maybe the factory edge on the auger
    blade is the reason for its slow cutting. If your motor isn't lugging
    down to much that's what I'd suspect.
    Regards,
    Paul

    Paul,
    I think mines slower because the motor was only 49ccs instead of
    the usual 90-100. It was displayed as a mini power auger. It doesn't
    really bog down, but it appears that because of the engine size it's
    geared down so that the blade spins slower, but with more power. Just
    watching other people with Jiffys on the ice you can tell the blade
    spins much faster.
    
    Rene,
    At least you guys caught something...I've been skunked the last couple
    of times out. 
    
    Are you towing your boat over in the spring or are you going to do
    the river ???
    
    Marty

      Any one out there going to the Lew Horton Ice Fishing Derby?
    Top prize is $1000.00 for the biggest fish, with $200.00 being 
    offered for the largest of each species.  It's being held at Whitehall
    Reservoir on Feb 18.  Tickets are $15 before hand and $20.00 the
    day of the tourney.  All proceeds will be donated to the American
    Heart Assoc.  Tickets can be purchased at the store in downtown
    Framingham before the tourney or the day of the tourney at Whitehall.
    No tickets will bee sold after 7:00 am on the 18th.  Call 508-875-8650
    for more details.
    
    Jeff