Friends of Myles Standish State Forest Meetup Group

Fishing for First Timers Confidence in the Wild: Reimaging Life Outdoors for Adults Ages 55+ Wednesday, September 30, 9:45 am to 12 pm Confidence in the Wild is a new DCR introductory outdoor access and skills program designed for adults ages 55 and older who want to connect, or reconnect, with the great outdoors. Join DCR and MassWildlife on September 30th for a hands-on fishing opportunity. Learn about fishing safety, fishing ethics, and how to bait and cast a fishing pole. Then enjoy some time trying to reel in your own fish in Fearing Pond, which is stocked with trout. To register, contact Amy at (508) 272-9376 or Amy.Wilmot@mass.gov. For adults ages 55 and older. MA freshwater fishing license is not required. We will provide all instructional equipment including rods, reels, and bait/tackle. Close-toed shoes and a hat are required for safety reasons. Please arrive promptly for mandatory safety and orientation information. Dress for the weather; rain will cancel. Coming Event

The 19th Friends Take Me Fishin' event, held in cooperation with MassWildlife, the Massachusetts DCR and Fearing Pond Cottage Association, is coming up on Saturday October 3rd.

Help us let hundreds of kids and their families try their luck fishing at Fearing Pond.

We need your help to help pull off this event, which is free to participants. Last year, we had 173 registered participants, our high since the pandemic. In pre-pandemic years, we have had as many as 300.

The pond is usually stocked with trout by MassWildlife several days before the event and seems to have an endless supply of bass.

We need many volunteers to:

*Help find prize and raffle donations

• Sort through and set up fishing tackle
  *Help set up tents and tables
• Set up photo contest displays
  *Help register participants
• Provide instruction in elementary fishing technique
  *Hand out fishing tackle and worms
• Supervise craft activities and games for non-fishers
  *Sell Friends t-shirts and hats
• Keep the parking lot organized
  *Assist with hospitality. We provide water, some snacks and coffee.
• Help with the cleanup

The event starts at 10:00 this year and will be held rain or shine. We are asking volunteers to show up by 8:30 or earlier to get things set up. Fishing will run to 1:00pm, and then there will be awards and raffles (after all the weighing and measuring gets done!). It will probably be 3:00 or so before we are done.

The event is held in partnership with the DCR and MassWildlife.

Please sign up to help us make this free family event a success.

With the generosity of many sponsors, we have been able to award small prizes (fishing tackle items) to all who catch fish and some really nice prizes to the biggest catches of the day.

If you know of a company that would be interested in helping to provide prizes for or otherwise sponsor this event, please contact us at friends@friendsmssf.com or call President John Bescherer at 508-742-7973.

This is a MassWildlife event. In order to attend, you need to REGISTER DIRECTLY HERE:

https://www.mass.gov/forms/barrens-and-buck-moths-walk

The Myles Standish Complex, which includes MassWildlife’s Southeast Pine Barrens WMA and DCR’s Myles Standish State Forest, is one of the few places on earth where you can explore an expansive, intact pine barrens. Join staff from MassWildlife and DCR to learn about buck moths and other Species of Greatest Conservation Need that depend on pine barrens with open tree canopy maintained by fire or other disturbance.

Participants should be prepared for a ~1.5 mile walk and dress for the weather and walking on uneven ground.
NOTE: Space is limited, and registration is required. (Note: Adults 18+ must register individually.) You’ll receive an email with additional information including directions and parking a week before the event. Please dress for the weather and wear sturdy, closed toe shoes for walking on uneven ground. Bring binoculars, water, and insect repellent.

• Signing up here will not register you for the event.