I'm in the same boat {sic} as you are. About ten years ago I built a skin-on-frame 12' solo canoe for my aging self. It weighs in at 16.5 lbs, so getting it onto my roof rack and to/from the shore is no problem. As for my 45 lb. stripped built 17.5 footer, I need my wife to journey to and from the ponds. I am also building a 12' Norwegian pram which I will tow and put in where there are boat launches.
I like bank fishing, but access is the usual problem. As for waders in streams, I have a balancing and slipping problem.
Try sandwiching the liver between two thinly cut slices of chicken gizzards.
1. look for the birds
2. A fish finder may be a good investment if your boat can accept one.
Bluegill are far more plentiful than perch, although are easily caught on worms under a bobber. Kids get a thrill when they catch anything. Good Luck.
A 20 lb. carp on 4 lb line and an 8 lb. steelhead on 10 lb. line.
One fisherman I met was trying for squid to use for striper bait. It's worked for him. But the trick is to catch squid first.
Try peak of high tide with sandworts or squid, mussels, clams.
I agree with grilling and smoking. Another of my favorites is chowder. A ratio of there to one pounds of potatoes to bluefish filets is good.
My wife says that eating crabs is negative calories food. With the fans on this post disagreeing, I 'd have to join them. It's the taste and the oral sucking that sustains the industry.
Please look to your local town(s) that have jurisdiction over the ponds that have the algae problem. Talk to the selectmen on getting ordinances that limit or prohibit lawn and commercial fertilizing. This may take a lot of hoofing, but may be worth cutting out unnecessary fertilizing. Good luck.
Belfast harbor had no mackerel yesterday. I fished two hours before high tide with no hits. Will try again in two or so weeks.
The flow can get pretty hard in Spring. Thanks.
There are plenty of used canoes or rowboats around for sale. Just passing along some options.
I fished the Wallkill River in the 70's for LMB. When I used a white caribou streamer on day I caught a 10# carp. The next time I used the same streamer I caught a a LMB.