Conference wahoo::fishing-v2

    Can someone post directions to the boat launch in North Chelmsford?
    
    -donmac

    got the following from the boating notes:
    
                     -< North Chelmsford ramp directions >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                
	495 to

	Route 3 North to exit 32

	Second right off rotary at exit 32 onto Route 4 (N. Chelmsford)

	At set of lights follow route 3A toward North Chelmsford

	Over small bridge and past restored factories into North Chelmsford    
                                                                       
    	Right turn onto Wotton St at Blinking lights  
    		(before Liquor store and Pizza place on right) 
    		(You should see and old nasty factory at the
				end of this road)

	Right after the railroad tracks towards baseball field

	Bear right at Baseball field,

    	Ramp will be directly in front of you.
    
    	There is a sign about "Private Property and trespassers",
    but the baseball field is the town of Chelmsford's and looks
    very public, it must only apply to the railroad crossing.

    
    As requested...
    
    From Route 3 take the N.Chelmsford/Westford exit (not sure of the
    exit #, but it's the first exit north of the Drum Hill rotary) I'm
    fairly certain it's Route 40.
    
    Head toward N.Chelmsford... you'll pass "The Triangle Store" (a
    convenience store).  About a 1/8th of a mile further, a VFW and 
    Freeman Pond (formerly Chrystal Lake), both on your right.
    (You're definitely on Route 40 here).  Follow 40 into Vinyl Square,
    N.Chelmsford center.  Approaching from the north you will take the
    ONLY hard left (at a flashing light) _in_the_middle_ of the center.
    (Obviously a hard _right_ from the south).  
    
    This is an abrupt downhill that leads to an old Mill and the ball
    parks (behind the and to the right of the Mill). There should be signs 
    for the ball fields and the boat ramp. 
    
    Tim 

    Has anyone fished the river from Tyngsboro south to Lowell?
    
    I'd like to know what to expect.  I'm going to fish there Weds 
    after work - and possibly the public tournament there this weekend as
    well.  
    
    I'm curious if there are any areas that expand into coves - are there
    many tributories, if so, where - and is it pretty much the same type of 
    environment throughout the whole section?
    
    Somebody in here has to have fished this section of river...
    
    donmac - who has fished it from the Tyngsboro bridge all the way north 
             to the headwaters in Franklin NH - but hasn't been south past
             the Tynsboro bridge...

    I've fished there a few times this year with not very much luck. I put
    my boat in at the ramp in Lowell and head up toward the Tyngsboro
    bridge. River is pretty much the same from Lowell to Hudson. There is
    a brook that empties into the river around the Vesper Country club in
    Tyngsboro and thats where I've had my best luck but that was in June.
    
    	WATCH OUT FOR ROCKSSSSSSSSSSSSS..
    
    	The river is pretty low and there are rocks sticking up here and
    there. Seems I've seen many a boats being towed back this year with
    prop damage.
    
    	I enjoy fishing and boating after the waterfalls in Lowell. To do
    this you have to put your boat in at the Lawarence boat ramp but its
    worth it. River is wider and deeper and more inlets.
    
    	Best spot is across from the Trull Brook golf course. Once again
    there is a brook or river flowing into the Merrimack at this spot.
    
    Good luck..
    Hurls

    Thanks for the info Hurls, every little bit helps.  I'll be heading
    there today after work.  
    
    Any and all additional info is welcome!
    
    -donmac

    Donmac,
    
    How'd you do last night?
    
    Ed
    

    Not too bad, caught fish.  I was using the ultralight most of the 
    night - didn't get any big ones in the boat but landed a few 11 
    inchers and a bunch of smaller ones.  Lost a couple nice ones on the
    ultralight.
    
    Didn't cover much area at at all, just from the launch north to 
    where the rocks start. 
    
    I was surpized at all the waterskiers - don't know if I'd brave that
    water.  Nice section of the river though - 'appears' cleaner than the
    water below manchester.  The natural filtration of the river must help
    out between there and Manchester.
    
    Looks like a descent section of river to fish, but the pleasure boats
    were a little much - I assume they'd thin out north of the rocks
    upstream from the launch.
    
    Real nice launch too, with adequate parking.
    
    -donmac

  (cross-posted in NEW_HAMPSHIRE, FISHING, RIVERRAT, and ENVIRONMENTAL_ISSUES)
    
    	  MERRIMACK RIVER WHITEWATER CANOE TRIP THIS SATURDAY!
    
    Join us for our fourth "Merrimack on the Merrimack" canoe trip of the
    season this Saturday. This is an exciting whitewater trip from
    Manchester to Merrimack. The river level is VERY low making this trip
    difficult (many exposed rocks). Expect your canoe to get banged up!

    Participants must bring their own canoe, life-preservers, and lunch
    (we will stop at an island at lunchtime), must know how to swim,
    and should be a competent canoeist (sorry, beginners not allowed).

    We meet at Stark Landing in Manchester at 9:00am. To get there, take
    Granite street exit off Everett Turnpike; take right at end of ramp
    onto Granite St; take next right onto Commercial Street; ramp parking
    is at end of street. We expect the trip to end around 3:00pm.

    This free trip is sponsored by the Merrimack River Watershed Council,
    Merrimack Conservation Commission, and Merrimack Parks and Rec Dept.

    Donmac,,  Nice going!
    
    Next time try before the Tyngsboro bridge against the wall on the west
    bank, loaded.  The current is 'reversed' at that spot so the fishies
    like to sit there..
    
    ken

    Thanks.
    
    As a matter of fact the section just north of the bridge on the west
    bank was one of the spots I frequented often.  There's a feeder brook
    coming in about 100yds up from the bridge, there's a cut in the stone
    wall that forms a bridge.  First thing in the morning on day 2 I 
    probably pulled 8 or 9 shorts from the mouth of that feeder (and when I
    say pulled, I mean pulled, after missing a big fish, when I set the hook 
    on some of those little smallies I literally yanked them airborne 20' 
    across the surface 8^).  I did manage 3 or 4 keepers out of there was 
    well but nothing over 13" in though.
    
    -donmac
    
    BTW - the Vietnam Vets are planning another open tournament on
    the section below the dam in October.

> (and when I
>    say pulled, I mean pulled, after missing a big fish, when I set the hook 
>    on some of those little smallies I literally yanked them airborne 20' 
>    across the surface 8^)

 I did that with my fly rod further up the river. I was using a bumble bee
pattern and the smally, which must have gone about 2.5" went zinging past 
my ear. :-)

 The Doctah

    
    I went out last night (after work) to where the Pennichuck feeds into
    the Merrimack.  The Penni is a water supply so there's a clear line
    of clean/transparent water where the two bodies meet. The Merrimack is
    a foaming brown torrent right now 'cause of Bob.  
    
    I whipped on the polaroids and could see (literally) dozens of bass just 
    hanging in the current above the murk.  It was really wild because I
    could see the lines of large mouth and the trimmer profile of smallies
    in one bunch.  My trusty "daredevil" snatched up about 15 bass in an
    hour.  It was fun for a while because you could see every strike, but
    it wasn't very sporting.
    
    There were also quite a few carp coming up.  I guess all that silt in
    the water is choking'em out so they're looking for a breather in the
    clear stuff coming down the Pennichuck.
    
    Tight lines!
    
    Tim 

    Those fish were STILL that agressive???  I was on the river real early 
    yesterday morning doing disolved oxygen testing for the US Dept and
    Fish and Wildlife (needless to say the DO was weigh up) and managed to
    take a few casts there myself.  I must have caught 9 fish on my first
    10 casts - and plenty more  after that.  They were stacked up there big
    time, hanging out in the clear water, feeding on all the critters that
    the current swept by.  I don't know  how many fish I caught, alot.  Got
    a couple in the 2lb range.

    -donmac

    
    Your reading the words of a very disgusted fisherman... sigh.
    
    I went back to the same spot I mentioned in .13 today at lunch.
    
    They're still there.  They'll hit anything. 
    
    To set up the scenario; I was eating my lunch, basically just sitting
    there and goofing.  Since the water level is so high I was sitting on
    the railroad trestle about 25 feet off the water, rather than on the
    bank at the base.  I had a roostertail on (lost my last daredevil to a
    snag) and had a couple of splitshots on to keep it down and was just
    kind of trailing it in the current.  For the most part the Penni is ~6 
    feet deep (right now) where it meets the Merrimack.  I set my rod down to
    take a bite, and could watch the flash from the blade on the roostertail, 
    then whoosh, it's gone.  No problem, a little smallie or something, right? 
        
         WRONG!
    
    I had the biggest small mouth I've ever seen doing a tailwalk up the
    Penni and I'm 25 feet up (no way to net the thing... arrrrgghh).  I
    managed to keep'em out of the brush under the trestle and wore him
    down to the point where I could hold him against the wall.  I could see
    the treble hook had sewn his mouth shut and figured I'd try to lift him
    up ~18' to a ledge that I could jump to... got him up and onto the
    ledge, but when I jumped down the line slacked out, he made a couple of
    flips and "PITOOOOIE" he spit the roostertail right back at me.  The
    next flip he made ended in splash.
    
    That was THE biggest smallmouth I've ever seen, I would guess it weighed
    nearly 5 pounds, but I'll never know now.  Sorry for the lengthy reply. 
    I'm going back there after work with a grenade. 8)
                         
    Duck and cover!
    
    Tim
    
                      ooooo
                     O _____ _________
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          _______/O O__ OOOO__O_____O_______                               
            |                             |
            |                      -----  |
            |____                  |  _|__|
                |                  |  |
                |                  |  |
                |                  |  |
                |                 \|/ |
                |~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~|~~|
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                  \_________________/
         

    You didn't happen to notice a white grub in it's mouth, did ya? 8^)
    
    -donmac - who lost a nice one too but didn't happen to mention it 8^)

    Don, didn't we hit this or a similar feeder creek last summer?
    
    

    Yeap, that's the one - under close to the same conditions too - water
    was way up.  When the water is up like that what's normally a small 
    stream is more or less a small pond on the other side of the trestle... 
    -donmac

    
    Don,
    
    Are you sure you're not talking about Salmon Brook (below the Hudson 
    Twin bridges)?  It really fills up back there in the spring, but the
    Pennichuck runs in a gulley between two fairly steep inclines. At any
    rate, I didn't see your grub.  Maybe I'll find it tomorrow... it's
    a great place to eat your lunch and catch a few!
    
    Tim (the other Tim 8))

 Where did you park? At the end of one of those dead end streets and then hoof 
it down the tracks?

    
    Hoof?  Naahhhh, I'm on my lunch break. No time for exercise. 8)
    
    I go down the driveway for the Merrimack Waste Water Treatment plant.
    The tracks cross the end of the driveway.  I bang a right and drive
    along the tracks.  If you do the same you'll find it by driving as
    far as you can.  You'll know what I mean when you get there. 
    
    BTW; I have 4WD and ground clearance, not really needed but I wouldn't
    recommend taking the daily driver down there.
    
    Have fun!
    
    Tim

 Yeah, well I hoofed it and it was a solid 10-15 minutes of walking at a good
clip to get there. I was sweating like a pig. I thought it might be a good idea 
to go down to the cement landing on one side of the trestle as it was closer
to the water. It's a bit farther down than I expected. :-) About 7 feet. 
Couldn't reach the tackle box (but did manage to grab the rod.) I had an
orange dardevle on it. First cast in the bushes, snap! No lure. Grrr. Now to get
back up. Hmmm. No room for error (splash!). I managed to get around. :-)

 Tossed a zillion lures from about 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Many follows, a few
lite hits, nothing brought in. Saw some serious smallies and carp though. 

 The Doctah 

    
    Do I lie...?    DON'T ANSWER THAT! 8)
    
    I'm really suprized you didn't pick any up, but then again, they may
    have wised up since Donmac and I have yanked'em all out at least once.
    
    Jumping down to the ledge isn't much help, you're still way off the
    water.
    
    Welp... back to sleep... err, ummm... Work that is!
    
    Tim 

 What line test were you using? I was using 8 lb trimax (photochromatic).

    
    I have 8lb L'cheepo stuff on my river rod (it's a Shakespear combo
    rod/reel deal).  I bought it soley for the purpose of carp fishing.
    In other words, I could care less what happens to it.  The test rating
    of the line is less of a concern than that of fish lips. 8) 8)
    There's a greater possibility of the lure tearing free than breaking
    it off.
    
    Tim

    
    I went down to the river (in Merrimack, NH) at lunch today and the 
    water level is lower than I've ever seen it. I was shocked.  The water
    has  dropped 10 feet since Monday at noon.  I'm really surprised because
    the level in Manchester was *higher* than normal *last night*???  (likely 
    due to Bob)
    
    There's not enough water to fish the spot I usually hit at lunch, but
    there is one consolation... I picked up two nice lures off a snag that
    *was* under about 6 feet of water.  The Pennichuck is only about a foot
    deep where it meets the Merrimack now.
    
    Does anyone know of a number for NH or MA for the office that has the
    control for water flow?  I'd like to ask'em what's up.
    
    AdTHANKSvance,
    
    Tim

 Yo, Tim. Was one of those lures an orange-red dardevle with black spots
(and it looks friggin brand new)?

    
    Sorry Doctah... no daredevils.  Both of'em were spinners.
    
    I went back down to the river after work and the water had come up
    a bit, but it's still really low.  Funny thing is, the level in
    Manchester remained unchanged...?
    
    I'll take a look today at lunch.
    
    Tim 

>Funny thing is, the level in Manchester remained unchanged...?

 There's a dam in Manchester (responsible for the Merrimack) and also one
at the Pennichuk. They must have let more water out of the Pennichuk.

    
    Yup... I knew that.  I fish *below* the Amoskeog Bridge (dam) in 
    Manchester and above where the Pennichuk feeds into the Micmac...
    The reason the water level drops/rises in Nashua would be if they
    were holding back/releasing water in Lowell... right?
    
    This can get pretty complicated...
    
    Tim 

 Well, if Manchester is holding back, and Lowell is letting go, the water level
gets pretty low! :-) You've really gotta take all of the dams into account.
I've seen times when Manchester has let water go and the level has gone way
up, and other times when they've let the same amount go and the water level
only went up slightly. Them's the berries when you have independently controlled
dams...

Looks like they drew down the water at the Pawtucket dam in Lowell to repair
the flashboards on top of the dam. The upper reach of the pond formed by that
dam reaches as high as north Merrimack. I was at the dam during the National 
Park Service Mill & Canal Tour Monday (highly recommended btw) and the tour
guide mentioned they coordinate the dams in a draw-down periodically to allow
repairs to the flashboards (really just sheets of plywood held back by rods 
inserted into the top of the dam - give extra height to dam and are easier to
repair than the stonework/cement of the dam wall). She mentioned they were
preparing to do this real soon - looks like the time was up.

The water gushing through the broken flashboards (due to Bob probably) over
the dam (32' high) was a sight to see! Incredible power there!

- Dave

      I've never fished the freshwater end of the Merrimack before, but
    tried it Saturday (Sept. 7) about 1/2 mile North of the Groveland, MA
    drawbridge. I was casting a Purple "Gitzit" from shore into the current
    and just letting the lure drift downstream. Finally after about an hour
    of nothing, a Smallie took the bait and ran mid-river with it for a
    couple of minutes. Then, the Smallie did a "tailstand", turned its'
    belly toward the Sunlight, and spitout the lure. It was fun! Maybe
    I'll try the freshwater Merrimack again before the Season ends???
    
    						see ya out there,
    								Bob
    

    I'm out here from the west coast, staying in Lowell and attending
    classes in Bedford. Anybody wanna get together after work and show me
    some local hotspots for bass? Drop me a line at the above node.
    
    john D.

			MERRIMACK RIVER FALL FOLIAGE CANOE TRIP
	
				SATURDAY OCTOBER 12


	This, our last trip of the season, is an easy flatwater canoe trip
	offered FREE to the public. Meet at the Depot Street (north Merrimack)
	canoe launch at 9AM. Trip will end at Greely Park (Nashua) around 3PM.

	Our lunch-time presentation is the NH HERITAGE TRAIL. Members of
	local and state Heritage Trail Committees will be on the trip to
	describe the project and its current status.

	Bring your own canoe, life preservers, and bag lunch.

	RENTAL CANOES ARE AVAILABLE FOR A DISCOUNT RATE OF $25/CANOE 
        YOU MUST CALL DAVE AT (603)429-2030 TO RESERVE A CANOE ASAP.
	This fee includes paddles, life preservers, and transportation of 
	the canoe to the put-in and from the take-out - SUCH A DEAL!

	Sponsored by the Merrimack River Watershed Council, the Merrimack
	Conservation Commission, and the Merrimack Parks & Recreation Committee.

	---------------------------------------------------------------------

	DIRECTIONS TO PUT-IN:
	
	From north of Merrimack, take US route 3 (Daniel Webster highway)
	south toward Merrimack. Just past the Bedford Road intersection,
	take a left onto Depot St (Getty Station on corner). Ramp is at end
	of Depot St.
	
	From south of Merrimack, take the F.E. Everett Turnpike to exit 12
	(Bedford Rd). Take right at end of ramp onto Bedford Rd. Take next
	right onto US route 3 (DW Highway). Take next left onto Depot St
	(Getty Station on corner). Ramp is at end of Depot St.

			Merrimack River Watershed Council
				ANNUAL MEETING
		   SUNDAY OCT 13 at the NASHUA COUNTRY CLUB
    
    2:00 PROGRAMS
         - Canal historian Chuck Mower - history of the Merrimack 
         - National Park Service - Wild & Scenic Rivers in NH
         - MRWC's "Downstream" video

    3:00 BUSINESS MEETING

    3:30 *** FEATURED SPEAKERS PANEL ***
         - Susan Tierney, Sec., Mass. Exec. Office of Environmental Affairs
	 - Robert Varney, Comm., NH Dept of Environmental Services
	 - Julie Belaga, Admin., Environmental Protection Agency, Region 1

    	 These representatives from the top levels of government will be
	 discussing the state of the Merrimack River and what is being done
	 to continue the cleanup.
    
    4:30 HOR-D'OEUVRES & CASH BAR
    
    Open to the general public. Admission is $15. Reservations REQUIRED.
    Send check to:
    Merrimack River Watershed Council 694 Main St, West Newbury, MA 01985-1206
    Call 1-800-422-MRWC for more information.

                    MERRIMACK RIVER WATERSHED COUNCIL
                            MERRIMACK CHAPTER
                    WINTER-SPRING 1992 EVENTS CALENDAR
                                    
    
    FEB 15-17 (FRI-SUN)	MANCHESTER FISHING & OUTDOORS SHOW

    See our MRWC exhibit at the Fishing & Outdoors Show held at the
    Manchester armory. Check local newspapers for admission fees & other
    details on this event sponsored by the NH Hawg Hunters.


    FEBRUARY 20 (THU)  SEMINAR: ANADROMOUS FISH RESTORATION PROGRAM

    A presentation on the history and status of this effort to reintroduce
    Atlantic Salmon and American Shad to the Merrimack River. A slide show
    presentation will be made by NH Fish & Game biologist Laura Vincent.
    This free 1-hour seminar starts 8:00pm at the Merrimack Public Library.


    MARCH 19 (THU)     SEMINAR: NAHANNI RIVER TRAVELOGUE

    An armchair adventure to the spectacular Nahanni River in the Northwest
    Territories of Canada. Outdoorsman Rich Hart presents a slideshow of
    his canoe trip on the Nahanni which abounds with canyons, whitewater,
    and wildlife. This free 1-hour seminar starts 8:00pm at the Merrimack
    Library.
    
    
    MARCH 28 (SAT)     MERRIMACK FISHING/CONSERVATION FIELD DAY
    
    See our MRWC exhibit at the Fishing/Conservation Field Day sponsored by
    Trout Unlimited at the Adult Community Center in Merrimack (next to the
    library). Check local newspapers for details.
    

    APRIL 16 (THU)     SEMINAR: WATER CONSERVATION
    
    Water supply expert Rene Pelletier from NH Dept. of Environmental
    Services discusses the state of our public water supplies and provides
    tips on how you can conserve water in the home.  This free 1-hour
    seminar starts 8:00pm at the Merrimack Public Library.
    
    
    MAY 9 (SAT)        MERRIMACK EARTH DAY FESTIVAL
    
    See our MRWC exhibit at the Earthday Festival held at Wasserman Park in
    Merrimack. Check local papers for details on this event sponsored by
    the Merrimack Earth Day Committee.
    

    MAY 21 (THU)       SEMINAR: CANOEING & KAYAKING
    
    Local outfitters explain how to get started in canoeing & kayaking,
    show us the latest in equipment, and provide safe boating tips.  This
    free 1-hour seminar starts 8:00pm at the Merrimack Public Library.
    
    
    JUNE 18 (THU)      SEMINAR: STREAM MONITORING
    
    Geoff Dates from the RiverWatch Network will explain water quality
    monitoring fundamentals and will present results from the 1991
    monitoring effort on the Nashua, Souhegan, and Merrimack Rivers done by
    local citizens.  This free 1-hour seminar starts 8:00pm at the
    Merrimack Public Library.


    JUNE 20 (SAT)      NATIONAL RIVERS MONTH CELEBRATION
    
    The Merrimack Chapter of the MRWC will be sponsoring an event in
    Merrimack as part of this nationwide annual celebration of our rivers.
    Details to be announced.


    UPCOMING: Watch for our 1992 river canoe trip schedule coming soon!
    Join us as we explore a variety of rivers in our watershed - including
    the Merrimack, Souhegan, Piscataquog, and Pemigewasset. The Chapter
    will also offer an exciting new watershed education seminar series this
    Fall designed to give you a working knowledge of what a watershed is,
    who uses it, and how we can protect it. To be sure you receive updates
    on these exciting events, join the Merrimack River Watershed Council
    today!
    

                            ABOUT THE CHAPTER
                            -----------------
    
    The Merrimack Chapter of the Merrimack River Watershed Council (MRWC)
    was formed in the summer of 1991 to provide a convenient way for
    citizens in the Manchester-Nashua region to become involved in local
    watershed issues.

    The Chapter is composed of citizens from a wide range of backgrounds
    who share a common interest in our watershed. We volunteer for a
    variety of projects and events such as:

	� Canoe trips
	� Public river access
	� Educational seminars
	� Stream monitoring programs
	� River cleanups
	� River protection legislation
	� Festival exhibits

    Our seminar series and festival exhibits are designed to increase your
    awareness of our valuable watershed resources and the activities taking
    place to ensure their protection.

    All MRWC members are encouraged to participate in Chapter activities.
    We also invite the public to attend our events and discover the
    benefits of becoming a Council member.

    Call 1-800-422-MRWC for information on the Council. Call Dave at
    (603)429-2030 on the Merrimack Chapter.

    Ok, folks, I know a lot of you are probably a little tired of reading
    my requests for help, but all I can do is ask, you know?
    
    This time it's the Merrimack River. The Merrimack River in Merrimack,
    MA, right across the bridge from Groveland, MA.
    
    There is a section of shore about a quarter of a mile long just
    upstream from the bridge that is just covered with tires, shopping
    carts, assorted car parts, and miscellaneous rubbish. None of it is
    new, so we make the bold assumption that people don't dump there
    anymore, at least not in the wholesale way they used to. I spent a few
    hours on the phone today looking for some interested Haverhill parties,
    but all I found was an astonishing degree of apathy.
    
    We're looking for some people who like the Merrimack and who are
    willing to put in four hours cleaning up that section of the beach on
    April 25th, when the Merrimack River Watershed Council is sponsoring
    several other cleanups. We'll put divers in the water to get *that*
    stuff out, but we need people onshore moving the other crap away from
    the river.
    
    The situation on April 25 will be this:
    
    In the morning, about 30 feet of the bottom will be exposed because the
    tide will be outgoing. This leaves a solid sandy beach to work in/on.
    We will arrange for one of the waste-management companies to provide
    a "30-yarder" to put the stuff into. With 20 people working the area,
    we can easily fill one of those in four hours.
    
    Since there it is more than a little likely that press will be there to
    tape and photograph and interview, may I suggest a sign saying that
    these volunteers are "Anglers of Note" or some such thing? Maybe a
    Digital logo to make corporate points?
    
    Any of you guys who spend time on the Merrimack feel up to a morning
    doing something like this? Tide starts coming in at 12:25 that day, so you
    could head downstream for some angling on the incoming tide afterward.
    
    What do you say? How about it?
    
    John H-C

We've got 2 more seminars scheduled for our 1992 Winter-Spring series:

MAY 21 CANOEING/KAYAKING SEMINAR
--------------------------------
Ken Olsen, manager of All-Outdoors store in Manchester, will be discussing
canoeing & kayaking equipment, techniques, and safety tips. Informative for
beginners as well as experts.


JUNE 18 WATER QUALITY MONITORING SEMINAR
----------------------------------------
Geoff Dates, from RiverWatch Network, will discuss the why's & how's of 
citizen-led water quality monitoring programs and will present the results of
the 1991 monitoring effort on the Nashua, Souhegan, and Merrimack Rivers.


All seminars are free to the public and start at 8:00pm at the Merrimack
Public Library.

     From the brochure:
     
			MERRIMACK ON THE MERRIMACK
			1992 CANOE TRIP CALENDAR

     Sponsored by the Merrimack River Watershed Council, Merrimack
     Conservation Commission, and Merrimack Parks & Recreation:
     

     EXPLORING OUR RIVERS
     --------------------
     
     This is the 6th season of our Merrimack on the Merrimack program, a
     series of free canoe trips designed to give people the opportunity to
     discover and explore the rivers in our region. This year we have
     expanded the program to include 8 different trips. We'll do some of
     our traditional favorites on the Merrimack River as well as some
     exciting trips on other rivers in our watershed, such as the
     Pemigewasset and Souhegan rivers. Join the fun! See you on the river!

     SCHEDULE
     --------

     MAY 16   SOUHEGAN RIVER -  An  easy  flatwater trip that includes a
     lunch-time talk on the effort to nominate the Souhegan River to the NH
     Rivers Management & Protection Program. Advanced boaters may want to
     continue though to the whitewater at "Indian Ledge"; others will take
     out at Seaverns Bridge in Merrimack about 2:00pm. Meet at the route
     122 bridge over the Souhegan (near the Amherst Country Club) at 9:00am.

     MAY 30   PEMIGEWASSET WHITEWATER -  A canoe/kayak/raft trip on an
     exhilirating section of class III whitewater on the Pemigewasset River.
     Co-sponsored by the Pemigewasset River Council. Beginners will want to
     take the free raft trip - no experience necessary! We'll start the first
     of several 2-hour runs at 9:00am so there's opportunity for everyone to
     have a ride during the day. The site is close to town so you may choose
     to eat there before or after your river run. Meet at Ayers Island Dam in
     Bristol (take rte 93 north to exit 23 - take route 104 west - about 4
     miles from highway turn left toward dam).

     JUN 20  NATIONAL RIVERS MONTH CELEBRATION -  This event combines a
     class II whitewater canoe/raft trip from Manchester to Merrimack with
     a celebration of National Rivers Month. The trip will end 2:00pm at
     the Depot St. landing where a variety of fun river activities will
     take place from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. Raft seats are limited - call George
     May at (603)883-3409 to reserve your seat. Meet at Stark Landing in
     Manchester (south end of Commercial St. near Granite St. Bridge) at
     9:00am.

     JUL 11  MERRIMACK RIVER HISTORY -  This easy flatwater trip starts at
     Depot St. in Merrimack and ends at Greely Park in Nashua. Local
     historian Charles Mower will guide us right through a colonial-era
     canal lock as he describes our rich river heritage! Meet at the
     parking lot at the end of Depot St. in north Merrimack (opposite
     Ruthie's Postal Parlor) at 9:00am.

     JUL 25-26  UPPER MERRIMACK OVERNIGHT -   An easy 2-day canoe camping
     trip on the Upper Merrimack River from Boscawen to Penacook, a stretch
     of river under study as a Wild & Scenic River. Co-sponsored by the
     National Park Service. You must bring adequate camping gear for this
     trip: tent, sleeping bag, cookware, food for 2 days, clothes, etc. 
     You may call George May at (603)883-3409 to coordinate food and gear.
     We'll meet at the take-out at Hannah's Paddles in Penacook at  9:00am
     (route 93 to exit 17 - straight � mile to Hannah's Paddles on left).
     There's a $5/canoe fee for the optional commercial shuttle to the
     put-in (or you may arrange your own shuttle); the campsite is free.

     AUG 29  MERRIMACK WHITEWATER -   This class II whitewater trip begins
     at Stark Landing in Manchester and ends at Depot St. in Merrimack.
     Beginners can take a free raft trip (limited to 12 MRWC members), but
     you must register with George May (603)883-3409. Meet at Stark Landing
     in Manchester (south end of Commercial St. near Granite St. Bridge) at
     9:00am.

     SEP 12  PENNICHUCK BROOK NATURE - Learn about the wildlife of our
     streams, ponds, and marshes on this easy early-morning
     naturalist-guided trip. Meet at the St. John Neumann Church parking
     lot (next to Post Road Plaza on 101A in South Merrimack) at  6:00am;
     we'll return to the put-in by 10:00am on this round-trip excursion.

     OCT 17  MERRIMACK FALL FOLIAGE -  Learn about the NH Heritage Trail
     during a lunch-time talk on this easy trip from Depot St in Merrimack
     to Greely Park in Nashua. Meet at the put-in at the end of Depot St.
     in north Merrimack (opposite Ruthie's Postal Parlor) at 9:00am.


     IMPORTANT TRIP INFO
     -------------------
     
   � Equipment: You must bring your own canoe, equipment, life preserver, 
     & lunch. Wear sneakers that can get wet. Bring dry clothes  and a
     towel in a plastic bag. Rental equipment may be available - call
     George May at (603)883-3409.

   � Duration:  Most trips end around 3:00pm. We take a lunch break
     around noon. We paddle at a leisurely pace!
     
   � Vehicles: Participants should meet at the designated location. We
     will drop off equipment & partner(s) at put-in and then drivers will
     drive their vehicles to the take-out together. A couple of volunteers
     will drive the drivers back to put-in where will start the trip.(The
     Jul 25-26 overnight trip and Sep 12 nature trip are handled
     differently as noted in their descriptions.)

   � Safety:  Everyone must have a live preserver and should know how to
     swim! We describe trip conditions and do what we can to make these
     trips safe, but you are responsible for your own safety! Beginners
     should take easy trips or free raft rides when offered. We discourage
     taking small children and pets unless you are an experienced boater.

   � Registration: Trips are  free and no registration is necessary (exce
     for Jun 20 and Aug 29 raft trips). Call George May at (603)883-3409 or
     if you have any questions.

     
     ABOUT OUR SPONSORS
     ------------------
     
     Merrimack River Watershed Council
     ---------------------------------

     A non-profit, citizen's advocacy group dedicated to protecting the
     Merrimack River watershed. These trips are organized by the Merrimack
     Chapter of the MRWC. Call the Council's office at    Merrimack
     1-800-422-MRWC for more info - become a Voice of the River!
     

     Merrimack Conservation Commission and Parks & Recreation Committee
     ------------------------------------------------------------------
     The Conservation Commission is the town agency responsible for
     protecting our natural resources while the Parks & Recreation
     Committee manages our recreational facilities and programs.

My son and his buddy fished the Merrimack just above Goff's Falls in
Manchester last night. They actually launched from the Bedford side. 

Anyway, they came back with a report of multiple signs along the bank,
warning fisherman that taking salmon was restricted to those fishermen
possessing "salmon permits."  We have the NH "all species" licenses, is
this salmon permit something extra?

Art

    Yes, the salmon permit is something extra.  I think it's another $10.
    They have been stocking adult salmon in the river.  You need the
    permit to keep one of them.
    
    Mark,
    

 Like Mark said, the salmon licence is extra. They have been releasing "brood
stock" salmon, that is, adult salmon they have used either for their roe or
for their milt in order to artificially raise salmon for release. Apparently,
the mortality of the young from these spawners goes up dramatically after one
or two spawnings, so they decided to let these adult fish go in order that
we fishermen might also enjoy them.

    Just a thought so I'll take a stab at this.  
    
    If someone should be fishing the Merrimack in Manchester, below the 
    Queen City Bridge I could use a quick favor.
    
    Just across from where the Bedford Cinema's are, closer to the east 
    side there are rocks and sand that usually stick out most of the year.
    I live in the log home on the bank.  There's a shopping cariage that's
    stuck on one of the rocks and is quite anoying to see daily.  Mind you,
    I've spent a lot of time clearing the bank and rocks of debris yearly
    but am unable to get out there since someone ripped off my canoe.
    
    If you should oblige, just toss it on the banking, I'll see it moved,
    and can throw it out.  You may want to give a shout and I can say 
    hello.
    
    
    Hi and dry,
    
    Dick

    Hi All,

    Does anyone have the most recent number for
    the Merrimack River Watershed Council?  I
    tried the 800 number listed in this note but
    it is no longer in service. 
    
    Thanks.
    
    Gusman
     
    
    

Observation:  I've never seen the Merrimack River in Manchester as low
as it has been over the past several weeks.  I don't think there's any place
that you couldn't wade across the river from the Amoskeag Bridge dam down to 
the Rt 293 /101 bridge.

Then... it rains...errr...POURS BUCKETS for one day, last Saturday, and the 
river is now as swollen and as high as if it was the spring run-off!!

UNBELIEVABLE!!


As was mentioned elsewhere... be carefull of floating debris, logs, etc.