John D. Silva
It was the third Sunday in April (several years ago) and the weather was warm and pleasant. I arrived at the usual spot near the usual gate in Sterling, Massachusetts for my annual rendezvous with friend and colleague Ron Powers.
But the timing was far from usual. After several years of clandestine, wee-hour meetings on Wachusett Reservoir, it became somewhat of a Patriots Day holiday tradition for us.
We would hike in to our favorite, most productive hotspot and do a little long-range horizontal jigging for lake trout and landlocked salmon. The difference this year, however, is that rather than meeting in the pre-dawn darkness, we instead greeted each other under a bright, sunny sky and warm spring temperatures.
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The day was already well under way. Due to the delayed ice-out caused by latest Most Brutal Winter of the Century, opening day on Wachusett Reservoir had been pushed back a couple weeks.
So this year we were concerned about larger than normal crowds of winter-weary anglers competing for shoreline on what some like to call “Amateur Day,” (aka. Opening Day).
So rather than rise at the usual ungodly hour of 3-AM and drive 90-minutes to meet Ron at the gate, then hastily power-walk for a mile or more in the pitch dark forest (seemingly mostly uphill), only to discover our favorite spot already occupied, Ron had come up with the savvy idea of working the 2nd shift.
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John,
What does the “D” in John D. Silva stand for?
Shouldn’t you be out fishing somewhere Capt?
The “Chu” is a magical place like no other because of it’s unique size found here in Massachusetts. When you cast a line here into her suds it’s like casting into the Atlantic. only this body of water provides huge opportunity for big lake trout, salmon and giant smallmouth bass. The Res is very easy to find loaced in Sterling and Boylston on routes 12 and 140. parking is plentiful to a point but fisherman are plenty. Maps are helpful but not really needed as fishing is good throughout just follow the anglers and there is never real shoulder to shoulder fishing it is just that big. Big spoons and live bait will work. Good Luck
Bill covered it pretty well here. Just park anywhere and enjoy. Bring a backpack and a sandwich and a bottle of water and explore the trails, find your own little hotspots, (admittedly, many of the “hotspots” usually have fishermen around them).
I wrote this article a few years ago, but everything mentioned above still applies. It’s a fun place when you’re catching. but sometimes it’s a lot of work too, just like anywhere else. If you like to keep a few fish for the table, you won’t find a cleaner habitat anywhere. And don’t discount the smallie fishing during the warm-weather months at dusk. Topwater poppers in the shallows, what a blast. They are fat, ornery, extremely strong, and very healthy.
JD.
Sounds like a great place to go. I’m going to put Wachusett on my list. Thanks great article.
Awesome article. I am planning to go there tomorrow morning for the first time. I have decided to go Boylston route as I found a spot online. If you point out the address for the spot you went I will really appreciate it and I’m sure I’ll visit it some weekend next month. Thanks!
Thanks John, I live in Central MA and was looking for info on Wachusett.
Article was great. Going to hit the reservoir this April for the first time.
Terrific Alan, it’s really a great area to fish. Best thing to do is grab a backpack, a couple rods, and hike the trails and try different areas. I think there’s a map available online somewhere.
Considering the weather of late, we may even be blessed with an April-2nd opening this year. Quite a contrast from last year’s delayed opening.
Good Luck!
Thanks Ryan, I hope folks enjoy the read…
Thanks John! I have never fished Wachusett but perhaps I will venture out there during 2016.
I’m looking forward to your next report. Catch ’em up!
Let me know if you ever want to try out Wachusett. My brother and I would love to fish with you sometime.
Tight lines,
The Wachusett Reservoir Addicts
Sounds awesome Nick. What time of year would you most recommend for a Wachusett trip?