The North and South Rivers Watershed Association held their 3rd Annual South Shore Striper Tournament this past weekend. This year VERC Enterprises came on board as the Premier Sponsor. One-hundred thirty-three anglers of all ages participated in the event in six different categories: Motorized Boat Angler, Adult; Motorized Boat Angler, 12 and under; Shore Angler, Adult; Shore Angler, 12 and under; Kayak/Paddle Powered Angler, All Ages; and the new Fly Fishing, Shore Only, All Ages category. 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 5”
- Motorized Boat Angler, 12 and under – Hunter Bows 42”
- 2nd Place – Motorized Boat Angler, 12 and under – Lars Knaus 39″
- 3rd Place – Motorized Boat Angler, 12 and under – Jack Halligan 30″
- Shore Angler, Adult – Owen Burchill 5”
- Shore Angler, 12 and under – Camden Tobias 5
- 2nd Place – Shore Angler, 12 and under – Grady Vidito 13″
- Kayak/Paddle Powered Angler, All ages – Jon Jones 42”
- Fly Fishing, Shore Only, All Ages – Richard Burchill 5
- Calcutta – 1st Place – Rick Herb 5”
- Calcutta – 2nd Place – Dan Neumann 33”
Thank you to Belsan Bait and Tackle, Green Harbor Bait & Tackle and the Bear’s Den Fly Fishing Co. 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:
- 23 dam removals and 2 bog restoration projects since 2002
- Opening 17 miles of streams and rivers
- Providing an additional 14 miles of partial access through fish passage structures
We have made progress, but there is still more to do. Overall, 9% of available habitat has been re-opened and 71% 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: VERC Enterprises, Fast Signs-Quincy, Green Harbor Marina, WebsterOneSource, Alpha Analytical, AirXchange, Vertex, Blanchard’s Wine and Spirits, Perry Supply, South Shore Fly Casters, Sea Tow South Shore, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Raven360, Tad Beagley, CFP®, CPFA®, Town River Marina, High Hook Wines, Cape Cod Lumber, Gadget Techs, Allstate Insurance Ryan Grande, M. Steinert & Sons, Sullivan Tire, New England Wellness Solutions, Scott Weber Restoration, The Quarry Restaurant, Crawford Boat Building, Dunkin Donuts, Belsan Bait and Tackle, Green Harbor Bait & Tackle, VEDAVOO, Roht Marine, Bear’s Den Fly Fishing Co., Legit Lacrosse, Hingham Shipyard Marinas, Cape Cod On The Fly, Joe Cordeiro Fly Fishing at Humarock Boathouse. 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.