Conference vicki::boats

    	Having lived most of my life in the lower connecticut valley,
    I may be able to help you even though I do not own a power boat.
    
    	First, the river is broken up into navigible portions by dams
    and rapids. Starting at the Enfield Ct. rapids, one can cruise as
    far north as Holyoke before encountering rapids and the Holyoke
    dam. At Holyoke, you will have to remove your boat at the Jones
    Ferry Marina and trailer it around the dam to the public boat ramp
    in Northampton at the Ox Bow or at either The Ox bow Marina  in
    Northampton or Brunelles Marina in South Hadley. From here my 
    knowledge gets sketchy. I know that the next dam is above 
    Greenfield at Turners Falls and the next after that is over the
    border in Vermont. Information on the Northampton to Greenfield
    portion could be gotten from the people at the Ox Bow Marina.
    

    	Below Holyoke the water quality and at times the air quality
    is not too good especially in late Summer when the water is low.
    However, above the Holyoke dam the water is better and there are
    islands where people camp out. I beleve at Mitch's Marina in 
    Hadley, one can rent camp sites for the summer or by the week.
    
    	Above Northampton, the river passes thru long streches of
    farm land as it flows down from Greenfield thru Deerfield,
    Sunderland, and Hatfield. Information on this area can be gotten
    from the Northampton or Greenfield Chamber of Commerces. 
    
    	That about it for now however if you have specific questions
    drop me a note and I'll try to get you the answers from this end.
    
    
					Summer's Comming, John W.

    There is a Guide to the Conneticut River published in paperback
    form. I found a copy at one of the "chain" bookstores in the mall
    in W. Lebanon N.H. on Rte 12 just off I89 a year or so ago. You
    may find one in a boosktore near the Conneticut River also.
    
    I can look up publishing details if you want. Send me mail.
    
    Bill French
    

    Moved by moderator.  You may also want to check in the
    WAHOO::FISHING notes file.
    
================================================================================
Note 859.0                    Conn. river, Gill Ma.                   No replies
MCIS2::MACKEY                                        10 lines  17-JUN-1991 09:44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    I was wondering if any of you have had experience with the Conn. river
    specifically from Gill Mass. north to Vermont?   My uncle who lives
    in Deerfield wants me to bring my boat out there for a day.  I have
    a 20ft Larson cuddy.  How is the river, rough, smooth, strong or
    soft currents???   Are the depths good and properly marked channels??
    I do not have a depth finder and do not plan on purchasing one soon.
    is one a must on this river??   Any experiences/tips would be
    appreciated.
    
    Colin

    I was on it last weekend, and I liked it. It was much less crowded
    than typical ponds/lakes closer to the cities and crowded east
    suburbia. It was plenty deep, and at the public launch area there
    is a big map posted, showing the few potential hazards.
    	It has very attractive views of the countryside heading north,
    and there are some boat camping spots where you can dock and camp.
    I think there was a picnic spot at these spots too, but I didn't
    land there to test that.
    	From what i've been told, and the map seemed to confirm it, the
    river is fairly clear of hazards until you get fairly close to
    the dam in Vermont.
    
    				Steve

    
    Anyone got any info on the Connecticut River in Connecticut? Ahem...
    Like just north of the Hartford/Farmington area? Launches, hazards
    and such?
    
    Thanks,
    
    Rick

    
    	Having spent portions of the weekend on the Connecticut River
    I thought I'd file a report.
    
    	I launched from Mitch's Marine in South Hadley, Ma. (413-584-9732)
    Mitch's has a little snack bar, bathrooms and apparently some sort of
    motor service (although I didn't see where this was actually
    performed). He has "offical" camping areas as well as camping
    on the Connecticut's islands. He also has a ramp wide enough to launch
    6-8 boats simultaneously, lots of dock space and a fuel dock. 
    
    	I arrived at Mitch's about 11:00 am on Saturday. I asked if
    I could leave the boat there on the trailer, launch in the evening
    upon my return then depart on Sunday. Mitch's wife(?) said "sure,
    we'll charge you ten dollars". How the ten bucks was split up, I still
    am not sure. The signs said 5 bucks for parking and 5 bucks to launch.
    hmmm...
    
    	When we returned Saturday afternoon about 5:00 we launched the boat
    and set out to find a campsite on one of the *many* large islands. Boat
    traffic was pretty heavy. As we cruised the section of river from
    Holyoke north to some bridge I don't recall the name of, it was
    evident that the Connecticut River wasn't the Merrimack. The boats
    that adorned the river ranged from rowboats to 40+ footers. None
    were in short supply. Many were apparently rafting for an overnight
    stay.
    
    	We found a nice secluded spot to set up camp. The sandy bottom
    made for nice swimming and pleasant trips back and forth to unload
    the gear from the Nautique. The water is rated class B, appeared
    quite clean and didn't have a distasteful aroma. Downed trees were
    in fair supply for our campfire. Bugs were at a minimum, but whatever
    type of bird was in the tree that my lean-to was tied to was downright
    noisy although a tug on the rope would instantly quiet him down. :-)
    Nightfall afforded us some wonderful views of the mountains/hills to
    the east, the house lights on top of one of them and a bright shining moon.
    
    	A few late night boaters passed by during the night but not
    enough to be an annoyance.
    
    	Morning sunrise was awesome. A little fog on the river which
    gave way to a warm, wonderful morning. We hurried out for a few
    ski runs before everyone else got the same idea. We managed to 
    scoop some pretty good conditions.
    
    	We broke camp about 10:30, pulled the boat and headed to
    Farmington, Ct.
    
    	A very nice place, I'd certainly return.
    
    Rick
                                                           

	Anyone know anything about Charter Oak Landing on the Connecticut River 
in the Farmington, CT area? Launches, accomodations (both boat and people)...

thanks,

Rick

>	Anyone know anything about Charter Oak Landing on the Connecticut River 
>in the Farmington, CT area? Launches, accomodations (both boat and people)...

	OK, so I found out why people looked at me like I had spots on my
face when I asked about Charter Oak in *Farmington*.... It's not in Farmington,
it's in East Hartford.

	Apparently, the same sandbars exist in the river in the Hartford
area as they do in the Hadley area and camping is allowed. Although, I'm
not sure I'd want to camp in downtown Hartford.... Launches are available
in Hartford, East Hartford, South Glastonbury.......

More news as it becomes available....

Rick

Oh yeah... I *do* have spots on my face!