A Swimming Bear @ Quabbin Reservoir?

Okay I didn't doubt the fact there are bears around the Quabbin Valley and likely around the shores of Quabbin Reservoir but a swimming bear at the Big Q?

Seems so ... just click on the following link and see what I mean ... Quabbin Reservoir bear video ... and yep, it's really swimming!

Quabbin Reservoir & Zebra Mussles

It was a little more than a year ago when Massachusetts state officials closed Quabbin Reservoir to boat access due to the threat of invasion from the zebra mussel.

Watch the following video to learn more about this threat to water bodies across the US!

Dreaming of the "Big Lady"

With December suddenly rushing in and winter about to lower its icy grip on the Quabbin Valley area, I just realized how long it will be until open water returns to the region. Until that time we'll just have to dream of cruising across the Big Lady in search of trout, salmon and bass ...

Or hit other area waters with some tip-ups and jigging poles I suppose ...

Quabbin Reservoir Fishing Season Rapidly Withering

It is truly amazing how rapidly times flies and disheartening moments suddenly arise. If you are an angler who enjoys heading out to Quabbin Reservoir to take advantage of the great fisheries it offers that is exactly what is about to happen to you!

Quabbin's fishing season is winding down and almost to the point where there are only precious hours left before access to those glistening waters head off to hibernate until next spring.

Quabbin's 2010 season closes this coming Saturday!

So if I were you, I would be making a plan to make one last trip to partake of the Big Lady's finny bounty before the long winter sets in ...

Protecting Quabbin Valley's & New England's Forests

An interesting article appeared in a recent copy of the Boston Globe detailing actions by numerous individuals and groups to protect forests around the Quabbin Valley and across New England. The forest-lands around Quabbin and throughout the region provide a resource we need for many reasons including watershed and habitat production as well as production of forestry products.

We should all show our appreciation for groups such as these who strive to find sustainable solutions to real environmental issues.

Geocaching Around Quabbin

In today's hi-tech world of electronic gadgets that do almost anything, one popular device for outdoor enthusiasts is the handheld GPS. These relatively inexpensive devices are less accurate forms of advanced military and survey instrumentation that hikers, hunters, bikers, and even fisherman can use to help discover the hidden secrets of Quabbin Reservoir.

As a matter of fact, outdoor-rec types with a "Sherlock Holmes" mindset developed a pseudo-game called geocaching where a series of small "treasures" are scattered throughout an area, a log of geographic coordinates is prepared then people embark to locate these hidden stores. Once located, the coordinates are logged, the person (or people) remove an item from the cache box and replace it with something they brought.

Did you realize there are "geocaches" scattered about the Quabbin area?  Just so happens there are and you can read more about one person's geocaching adventure by following this link: ... Geocaching at the Quabbin ... Enjoy!

Quabbin's Abundant Wildlife

In case you missed the news, fishing at Quabbin Reservoir is winding down (since the open season ends soon) but fear not since there is still lots of things to do around the Quabbin Valley. Considering the time of year, apples, pumpkins and leaf peeking definitely spring to mind.

Another advantage of foliage and fall leaves (no not the raking!) ... it removes all those pesky leaves from blocking our view to see what's moving through the trees. The Quabbin area is teaming with wildlife ranging from deer, a few moose, eagles, turkeys, fox, ruffed grouse, waterfowl of varying types and the list goes on and on.

So the first time you start to feel sorry about not being able to head for a little fishing action at Quabbin Reservoir, pack up the family, a camera, a picnic lunch, and come over and enjoy the other features the Accidental Wilderness offers ...

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Quabbin Reservoir Water Level

It's not uncommon to have lower water levels as we enter the fall in many lakes and ponds across the Bay State but the levels this year seem to be much lower than the recent past. Quabbin Reservoir is also showing the effects of the late spring through summer dry-spell and is listed at ~ 91% of full pool as of September 1st. Though this may seem alarming to some, the last major drought to hit the region was over 40 years ago and Quabbin's water levels at that time were more than 45% below normal. It looks as if we should be thankful!

Quabbin Reservoir Rock-piles & Fishing

Via a post from Qiel.com ...

There are many secrets knowledgeable angler's keep regarding their Quabbin fishing tactics and one of those pertains to fishing Quabbin Reservoir rock piles which can be pure gold! ... http://bit.ly/dafBLq

Traveling Around Quabbin Valley

Now that fall and apple season is upon us, it's a great time to head out for a drive around the Quabbin Reservoir area. Here is a cool route from WCVB to follow: http://bit.ly/afgYen

Fall Comes to Quabbin Reservoir

After a fairly long and hot summer it looks as if fall is arriving in a big way. This somewhat welcome change of season also brings about changes in outdoor activities both on Quabbin Reservoir and throughout the valley region!

Check out the Quabbin Reservoir website to gain a little more insight as to how this will be affecting the outdoor enthusiast!

Quabbin Reservoir & Swift River Valley History

Another video telling the tale of ancestors and descendants of the Quabbin region before the reservoir was built ...

Here is an overview description of the video from the Channel post ...

"By the 1930's Boston, Massachusetts faced a critical water shortage. Unbridled growth combined with poor maintenance of its water systems. Only a small percentage of the water pumped in, was ultimately used. No one new the extent of leaks, dead ends or layout of the unwieldy system. When more water was needed, rather than repair or place their infrastructure, residents of Western Massachusetts were asked to make way for the Massive Quabbin Reservoir. Many residents protested what they saw as a massive injustice and needless sacrifice. Nevertheless, the project was undertaken. Entire Communities were evacuated. Graves were moved and "the fires of hell" cleared the land. The ancestors of Fred Foster had settled in the town on Dana, which was destroyed as part of the project. For descendants like Foster, it is an ancestral home they "never knew". Foster performs his original song about this loss. Historical photos of the Swift River Valley's early residents are combined with period photos of the actual construction in this video. More on the history of the Quabbin at: http://www.westfordcomp.com/quabbin/"

Enjoy ...

Quabbin Fishing: Nice Largemouth on the Senko

We love bass fishing and Quabbin is full of both largemouths and smallmouths ...

We also love fishing weightless sinking worms like the Yamamotto Senko and it's nice to see Senkos work when fishing for Quabbin's largemouths ...

Watch below ...

Quabbin Reseroir Wildlife: Close-up of Buck Deer

This video basically says it all ... Quabbin Reservoir and Reservation is a great place to experience the different facets "Mother Nature" offers including watching wildlife ...

In this case it's all about a young buck (though a doe does move through in the background) ...

Preparing for Quabbin Fishing Trips

If you search around the Web, especially on video sharing sites like You Tube, you will quickly learn ... videos on Quabbin Reservoir abound.

One thing many fishermen like to do before heading off to experience new waters ... conduct a little background research. Given the number of Quabbin fishing videos available, what a great way to introduce yourself to the reservoir, the different fish species in it and different techniques used to lure those little finny creatures from the depths ...

In this video, "The Local Hook-up" You Tube show provides some great footage on catching early season landlocked salmon with a few bonus clips of eagles and loons ...

Pretty sweet if you ask us :)

Quabbin Valley Moon: Musical Story of the Swift River Valley

When people visit the Quabbin today, three factors often spring to mind:

1. The awesomeness and magnitude of place and size of Quabbin Reservoir and Reservation;
2. A water supply delivering a much needed resource to more than 2.5 million people in the Boston Metro area; &
3. A phenomenal place to wander through and enjoy the natural surroundings.

On the other hand, many of those people may not realize the impact construction of this man-made water body had on the areas inhabitants present before inundation of the Swift River valley. Here is a musical view of some of the impact to the area as well as the descendants left behind ...

Speical Olympics Fishing Days at Quabbin Reservoir

Everyone appreciates being outside and enjoying all nature has to offer so it's no big surprise that Mass Special Olympics selected Quabbin Reservoir to hold a two day fishing event back in 2007.

The Special Olympics organization goes the extra mile to provide this group of very special people a little time with nature to enjoy some time together in the great outdoors and a some Quabbin fishing as shown in the following video ...

A very special time for a very special group of people :)