Granite State Stuff : Gilford

Designated trout and fly-fishing-only ponds open April 25

AskLisa — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 22:31:00 GMT

Fishing in New Hampshire's designated trout ponds and fly-fishing-only ponds opens this year on April 25 (the fourth Saturday in April), offering anglers the chance to experience exciting fishing in some of the Granite State's most scenic surroundings. These ponds are managed specifically for trout and fishing is allowed through October 15.

"These trout ponds are often the best waters in a given area for a variety of reasons," said New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Fisheries Biologist Don Miller. "Excellent habitat, low species competition and the fact that these ponds are closed to ice-fishing allow these waters to be managed for the trout fishing enthusiast." Ponds managed for trout may be stocked with one or more species, including brook, rainbow and/or brown trout, with age classes ranging from "yearlings" (8-12 inches), 2-year olds (12-15 inches), and 3+ year olds (measured in lbs.!).

"Trout are prized by anglers because they can be challenging and elusive, and fishing for them is one of the traditional rites of spring," Miller said. "Whether your passion is a multi-colored brook trout, a leaping rainbow or the determined fight of a brown, there's a New Hampshire trout pond within reasonable driving distance for you."

Hot Hole Pond and Clough Pond in Loudon, French Pond in Henniker, Mount William Pond in Weare, Dublin Lake in Dublin, and Lucas Pond in Northwood are a few of the generously stocked early season hotspots where opening day trout are taken. It gets no better than this for taking the youngsters along with a simple "garden hackle" (worm) under a bobber, or floating PowerBait fished just off the bottom.

As the ice recedes from the more northerly locales and higher altitudes, some of the most popular ponds in the Lakes Region, White Mountains, and North Country become accessible (keep in mind some may still be ice-covered on the opener!), such as Echo Lake in Franconia, Russell Pond in Woodstock, Conner Pond and Duncan Lake in Ossipee, White Lake in Tamworth, Perch Pond in Campton, Saltmarsh Pond in Gilford, Spectacle Pond in Groton, Back Lake in Pittsburg, Fish Pond in Columbia and Little Diamond Pond in Stewartstown.

For those looking for a true wilderness experience, check out one of the approximately 50 remote trout ponds Fish and Game annually stocks with fingerling brook trout via helicopter (listed at http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/trout_remote.htm). Flat Mountain Pond in Sandwich, Cole Pond in Enfield (fly fishing only), Butterfield Pond in Wilmot, Peaked Hill Pond in Thornton, Black Pond and Lonesome Lake in Lincoln are just a sampling of these delightful ponds, where fingerling brook trout often grow to 8-10 inches by their second growing season, and it's not unusual to pull in brookies 15 inches or longer. Trophy remote-pond brook trout three or more years old, some in excess of 17-18 inches, are available.

Archery Pond in Allenstown (with a wheelchair-accessible casting platform) and Stonehouse Pond in Barrington are two popular fly-fishing-only ponds that are typically ice-free and well stocked for the opener. Following the receding "glacier" north, Upper Hall Pond in Sandwich, Sky Pond in New Hampton, Profile Lake in Franconia, White Lake in Ossipee and Coon Brook Bog in Pittsburg all offer excellent opportunities to "match the hatch" throughout spring and early summer.

For a list of trout ponds and fly-fishing-only ponds in New Hampshire, as well as a description of special rules that apply to certain ponds, consult the 2009 New Hampshire Freshwater Fishing Digest, available online at http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/fishing.htm or from any Fish and Game license agent when you buy your license.

Endowment for Health hosts annual Listening Session in Gilford

AskLisa — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 18:09:00 GMT

The Endowment for Health will host a Listening Session for the community at Gilford Town Hall Conference Room, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on April 30. The Gilford Town Hall Conference Room is located at 47 Cherry Valley Road. The Listening Session is open to anyone who wants to discuss health issues facing New Hampshire's communities.

Endowment President James W. Squires, M.D., will join Vallier-Kaplan to moderate the sessions along with members of the Endowment's Board and Advisory Council. All sessions are offered on a regional basis and are intended to be inclusive to those in surrounding towns and areas. The public is welcome to attend any or all sessions.

To register to attend one or more Listening Sessions: Please contact Peg LePage at the Endowment at 603-228-2448 or email: plepage@endowmentforhealth.org.

The Endowment for Health was established in 1999. Since 2001, the Endowment has awarded more than 500 grants totaling $23 million to support a wide range of health-related programs and projects in New Hampshire. For more information about proposal guidelines and funding priorities for the 2008 program year, visit http://www.endowmentforhealth.org

Free tickets for Travis Tritt from Laconia Savings Bank

AskLisa — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:34:00 GMT

Laconia Savings Bank would like to treat you for the last big weekend event of the summer. Travis Tritt, Keith Anderson, Steve Azar and more are coming to the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion on Sunday and Laconia Savings Bank wants you to be there!

Laconia Savings Bank is generously offering complimentary tickets to the first 500 Meadowbrook customers in the community! You take care of the service charges and Laconia Savings Bank takes care of the rest.

ON-SITE PARKING IS ALWAYS FREE AT MEADOWBROOK!
FACE VALUE DISCOUNT AUTOMATICALLY APPLIED AT CHECK-OUT!

Offer expires Saturday, August 30th at 5:00pm. 12 free tickets per household maximum. Limited Supply of 500 Complimentary Tickets Available. Offer not applicable to previous purchases and only applies to purchases made through the Meadowbrook.net website via this special link. All discounts are applied at time of check-out. Shipping charges may still apply. Offer does not necessarily apply to all available seats. Use Discount Code: LDCF08DISC

A service fee will be charged for each ticket as follows:
Lawn Seating/General Admission: $6.00
Upper Reserved Seating: $6.75
Reserved Pavilion Seating: $8.00
Skyy Vodka Club Seating: $5.50