February 9, 2020: The Great Meredith Fishing Derby

The big winter event in the Lakes Region took place this weekend and derby headquarters were right here on Meredith Bay, though anglers could cast their lines in any of New Hampshire's freshwater lakes and streams.

The boat ramp at the docks in Meredith.

We try to get out on the big lake on Saturday or Sunday to check out the action; this year it was Saturday, a brilliant day, and with ice coating the trees from the storm on Friday night, the setting was spectacular.

Meredith Village, home of the derby

Church Landing was framed by frozen trees and the birches in front of the Camp restaurant were shimmering in their winter attire.

Camp

Church Landing

The ice is pretty the day after, but the power outages (over 3000 customers were without electricity in Meredith alone on Friday night) aren't as enjoyable.

Perfectly clear ice formed on the trees.  It's pretty - when it's not over power lines.

I think most of the fishermen on Meredith Bay, especially those close to shore, are there more to have fun than to catch fish - there's an awful lot of activity on the ice there.  These fishermen flagged me down and asked for a picture - they were certainly enjoying themselves!

Happy fishermen hamming it up.

There were even people out playing a bit of early-season New England between the tip-ups.

Golf anyone?

If I get back to the bay today I'll check and see what's on the leader board - sometimes there is a fish from Lake Wicwas - and on Friday there were a few people out testing the waters here.

Pre-derby scouting at Lake Wicwas on Friday.

These anglers drilled over a dozen holes to determine where the fish were hiding, plying them actively by hand rather than with tip-ups.

It takes about ten seconds to drill through 12 inches of ice with this auger.

With the new snow the snowmobiles were back, and it's looking good for the Laconia Sled Dog races next weekend.  There are classes for teams of three, six, and "open" which can have over a dozen dogs - it can be quite exciting.  This year all races will start and finish at the Laconia Country Club.  Plans are subject to change; check the latest information at their website, including a map of the course with suggested places to watch.  Snow is a good thing in New Hampshire.

Racing action from 2013

Over on the nature side, while touring the new Multi-use Trail at Meredith's Page Pond Community Forest, I noticed this bird nest right beside the trail.

A little research tells me it's a nest from a Red-eyed Vireo.  One key aspect is the inclusion of wasp paper "decorating the outside."  [REF:  northernwoodlands]  The female of this pair picked a pretty spot, undoubtedly knowing that the bittersweet would provide protection as well as a colorful environment to raise her young.

Red-eyed vireos will often use spider web material and spider egg cases as well as sticky plant fibers to help hold the nest together [REF:  Cornell Lab of Ornithology] which is perhaps why this nest is in such good condition nine or ten months after being constructed.  Maybe you'll find it too - it's on the back side of the Page Field Loop.  If haven't seen the new trails yet, winter is a good time to check them out, and they are usually well packed just a day or two after new snow.  You can find the map on the town website here.

Keep thinking snow, and maybe I'll see you at the sled dog races.  And don't forget to vote on Tuesday.