Fishing The Hoosic; Don’t You Feel Dirty?

[Uplander]

OK, I’ll admit it, I hate the Hoosic River…. I think it’s the anathema of what a trout stream should be, and a grimy sore on the true natural beauty of the Northern Berkshires. It’s ugly, runs through urban locals for most of its Berkshire route, and is tainted with the stink of decades of pollution.

I haven’t fished it since I was about 12 years old.

I can’t imagine running a fly line through that murky water. Afterward I’d have to take the line off the reel, soak it in soapy water, strip the reel into its component pieces and clean them, and wash the rod as well.

I know many folks here are enamored with the Hoosic. Convince me it’s worth fishing, for more reasons that because it harbors big, contaminated fish. Size doesn’t sway me….

[ctroy36]

I couldn't agree more. Please don't go there. Stay away. And, tell all your friends -- and anyone else you may run into -- to do so also.

[JoeOverlock]

The water quality of the Hoosic is getting better every year, and it's a hell of a lot better then the last time you fished it. I have no problems fishing anywhere on that stream. Plus add in all the natural browns and large hatches we get, I call it paradise!

Check out www.hoorwa.org/monitoring.htm for the water data.

p.s. don't use big words, I had to look that one up. ;D

Anathema - The original meaning of the Greek word, as used in non-Biblical Greek literature, was an offering to a god. When the word was used in the Septuagint (Greek translation of Hebrew scripture) it was used to translate the Hebrew word 'herem' with which it therefore became associated. 'Herem' meant something 'forbidden' or 'off limits.'[/i]

Oh, while I was on Wikipedia:
Hoosac is an Algonquian word meaning place of stones. to add to our HoosuckTU.org conversation.

[ctroy36]

Uplander;

Don't pay any attention to what Joe says. Stay away. I fished it yesterday and now I have a headache and an upset stomach

[JoeOverlock]

Now that I think of it that place is pretty filthy. I hope my kid isn't born with any major defects because of that river.

[ctroy36]

Right on, Joe.

By the way, Uplander should also avoid the Housatonic. When I was a youngster we used to sing this little ditty:

"There's a beauty spot in Pittsfield
where the Housatonic flows
and every time you pass it
you have to hold your nose."

Imagine what it's like in Lee and Glendale after it passes by all those paper mills and sewer plants along the way.

Better keep your mother-to-be away from that river also, Joe.

[jlibs]

CTROY,

If you stopped biting your fingernails from all of the stress of fly fishing while fishing on the Housic, you might not have had that nasty headache and stomach ache afterwards...

JLIBS

[ctroy36]

Jlibs:

Actually, I wear rubber gloves when fishing either of those streams and have my wife wash me down with garden hose before taking off my gear and entering the house.

The stress comes from wondering what toxic mess will next come floating down the river or bubbling up from the bottom. Sometimes I get so distracted by all the worrying that I miss a strike.

What is rewarding though, is seeing all the genetically altered fish that the toxins produce. Vivid colors, extra body parts, etc.

However, it surely is not a place for the faint of heart.

[JoeOverlock]

Charley,

At least you live far enough away from the river. Being born and raised in North Adams I've have to make several doctors appointments to get this tail removed that I was born with because of that river....