Trout Stocking the Nissitissit River

- Nissitissit in Jan 2012 -

We have some beautiful rivers in Massachusetts and one of the local favorites is the Nissitissit.  It is unique in the state having both a "fly fishing only" and catch & release section.

Twice a year, in the spring and fall, the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife will stock a selected set of rivers with a healthy amount of 12+ inch rainbows, browns and brookies. The Nissitissit is one of two rivers in the Northeast District to receive the biannual stocking.

Given tight state budgets and very short staff with the DFW, the state does a phenomenal job with raising healthy and vibrant fish then distributing them through out the Commonwealth.

- C & R Fly Fishing Only -

And thanks to Charlie Shadan, owner of the Evening Sun Fly Shop in Pepperell, MA, the freshly stocked fish are uniformly distributed across the entire length of the stream giving the trout a better chance to survive and provide anglers with more fishing opportunities.

Charlie organizes volunteers to work with the DFW and help with the stocking effort. The distribution of the fish along the river would not happen without the coordination by Charlie and the support of the volunteers.

This fall, Charlie hired a professional videographer to document the Nissitissit stocking last month. Titled "Trout Stocking, A Labor of Love", the video shows all the fun the volunteers had working in the pouring rain and distributing the trout.

Thank you, Mr. Shadan, and all the volunteers, for making our fly fishing adventures more productive!