The North and South Rivers Watershed Association held their 2nd Annual South Shore Striper Tournament this past weekend. This year Rhino Shield New England came on board as the Premier Sponsor. One-hundred twenty-eight anglers of all ages participated in the event in five different categories: Motorized Boat Angler, Adult; Motorized Boat Angler, 12 and under; Shore Angler, Adult; Shore Angler, 12 and under; and Paddle-Powered Angler. The top prize for each of the adult categories was $1,000 cash, and the kids won a complete fishing package including a rod and reel and tackle box.
The winners were:
- Motorized Boat Angler, Adult – John Paul Adams, Cohasset – 45” striper
- Shore Angler, Adult – Justin Fein, Cohasset – 31” striper
- Paddle-Powered Angler – Jack Speer, Cohasset – 36.5” striper
- Motorized Boat Angler, 12 and under 1st Place – Michael Hussey, Duxbury, Age 12 – 31.5” striper
- Motorized Boat Angler, 12 and under 2nd Place – Finn Foley, Charlestown, Age 10 – 29.5” striper
- Motorized Boat Angler, 12 and under 3rd Place – Jacob Bateman, Norwell, Age 11 – 29.25” striper
- Shore Angler, 12 and under 1st Place – Henry Stephens, Cohasset, Age 7 – 26” striper
- Shore Angler, 12 and under 2nd Place – Owen Dillon, Scituate, Age 12 – 25.5” striper
- Shore Angler, 12 and under 3rd Place Tie – Brooks Colton, Scituate, Age 9 – 19.5” striper
- Shore Angler, 12 and under 3rd Place Tie – Camden Tobias, Norwell, Age 4 – 19.5” striper
Thank you to Belsan Bait and Tackle for hosting the registration and Roht Marine for hosting the after-party.
This event highlighted how restoration projects on the South Shore are increasing fish habitat. The NSRWA in partnership with other South Shore watershed associations, towns and their state and federal partners have improved stream connectivity through dam removals and cranberry bog restoration projects resulting in:
- 22 dam removals and 2 bog restoration projects since 2002
- Opening 16 miles of streams and rivers
- Providing an additional 15 miles of partial access through fish passage structures
We have made progress, but there is still more to do. Overall, 6% of available habitat has been re-opened and 74% of restorable habitat is still blocked by dams, with the remaining habitat accessible to a limited degree through fish ladders that only benefit a few species. Dam removal not only improves access for migratory fish like river herring and Eastern brook trout, it also improves water quality, helps maintain streamflow, and improves instream habitat. When river herring can access more habitat, their population increases, providing more food for the animals that eat them like striped bass, bluefish, osprey, and herons. Opening up more habitat basically creates fish factories, which benefits our entire ecosystem. To find out more and to be a part of this groundbreaking work contact NSRWA through our website at nsrwa.org.
Thank you to our sponsors: Rhino Shield New England, Fast Signs, AirXchange, Cape Cod Lumber, Alpha Analytical Labs, Nagle & Joyce Law Office, Guided Living Senior Home Care, Sea Tow South Shore, Hallamore Corporation’ Harbor Mooring Service, Lincoln Financial Group, Monahan’s Marine, Verc Enterprises, Blanchard’s Wine and Spirits, New England Wellness Solutions, Scott Weber Restoration, Gadget Techs, Thornton Landscape Inc, Goodwin Graphics, Tad Beagley, CFP® Merrill Lynch, Plymouth 400 Bass & Blue Tournament, Sarah DiBlasi-Crain, Gordon Atlantic Insurance, Roht Marine, Belsan Bait and Tackle, MGC Fishing, Merrill Engineers, Legit Lacrosse. Your support helped to make this a great event!
The proceeds from the South Shore Striper Tournament go to NSRWA’s efforts to maintain and restore heathy rivers for fish habitat.
Check out more photos from the party on our Facebook page.
