Loon Pond Outfitters E-mail
Tuesday, 21 August 2012 22:32

HOPE Striper kayak

As with most coastal areas of the US, kayak fishing in the northeast, New England, is growing rapidly. It’s no wonder, with its rich history of fishing, hunting and other outdoor activities. Not to mention the thousands of miles of ocean, island and estuary coastline plus innumerable productive lakes and rivers to fish. Sure, wintertime freezes, but there is always ice fishing to be done.

Hope Eagleson hails from Hillsborough, New Hampshire. She is one of the few, perhaps the ONLY female kayak fishing guide in the New England region. Hope is involved with a broad array of outdoor activities. The thread of continuity that runs through them all is her penchant to lead, teach and share what she knows about the outdoors.

Hope perchAs Eagleson grew up in the rural areas of New Hampshire, her father taught her outdoor skills as is customary within families of the area. She now shares those skills via her guide business as well as working as a volunteer and as a paid instructor. The NH Fish and Game Department sponsor a very successful “Let’s Go Fishing” project. As an instructor for Let’s Go Fishing, Eagleson appreciates that project is ongoing and offers free fishing lessons to all NH schoolchildren.

Another important instructional avenue for Eagleson is “Being and Outdoor-Woman.” As she describes it, the BOW program targets those women who did not have the advantage of family background in outdoor pursuits. For BOW, Eagleson teaches fly-casting on the streams of the Great North Woods, kayak and float-tube fishing in pristine mountain lakes and even dressing out big game. (The program uses State-donated roadkill. Last year they dressed seven deer and one black bear.) Of course, she also covers how-to clean, filet and cook a variety of fish through her classes.

With a fleet of kayaks including Native Watercraft, Perception and Ocean Kayaks, plus the mandatory New England Lund Canoes, Eagleson is ready to take individuals and small groups out in just about any fishing habitat in the area. For kayak fishing, she prefers an Aquabound paddle. She is licensed in New Hampshire as well as Massachusetts, so her guiding range is extensive.

Eagleson started kayak fishing when she realized its potential to access a lot of different areas. Also, she says, “I just like kayaking.” She is equally at home using light tackle for inland yellow perch as she is in the heavy currents of the back bays, trolling tubes for striped bass.

“For Stripers I use a Quantum Olympus Rod & Reel set, they are medium/heavy and eight feet long. I like to have long enough rods to get around the bow & stern of my kayak. I fish in the rocks and seaweed a lot, so a stiffer rod works well and there’s no question with hook set when the fish hits.” 

HOPE Striper

A recent go-out at Odiorne Point area in NewHampshire provided this tale: “My friend Ian asked me if I wanted to fish with him and his father at Odiorne, in Rye, NH. I was late and had to paddle hard to catch up. We fished for mackerel for a while. I caught a few mackerel and decided to hook one up and head for the rocks. I lowered my fish into the water and let it swim freely around the rocks and seaweed, anywhere from 3'-10' depths. We were all in close enough proximity to each other and all of a sudden, BAM! My rod bent, my kayak swung and the fight was on! The fish gave a good fight and tried to get into the rocks. I retrieved the 32" striper, with a huge grin.

“At that time the guys were done and headed home. When we arrived at the boat landing, everyone ask about the fish, and you better believe I piped up to tell who caught it!”

 

Hope Eagleson can be contacted via her guide business:

Loon Pond Outfitters
Hillsborough, NH
603-464-5405
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Guiding Services: Warmwater, Coldwater,
Saltwater, Ice Fish, Fly Fish, Watercraftt

 

 

 

You must be registered to post a comment.


Login

Newsletter

Subscribe here to receive FREE email issues of Kayak Fishing Magazine.

Most Popular

Kayak Kevin's; Kayak Fishing the Chesapeake Bay 2 DVD Trailer
This, the 2nd installment to the widely popular "Kayak Fishing the Chesapeake Bay" DVD from award winning videographer Kevin Whitley (aka Kayak Kevin) is due for release this fall...
KFM - FaceBook Kayak Fishing Picture Contest Results
We thought it would be a good idea to use Facebook to have a photo contest. Our friends over at Hook, Line and Paddle (HLP) asked us how we can do something together on FB.
Pelican Premium: A little more buck, a lot more bang!
For Immediate Release LAVAL, QUEBEC. April 19, 2013. Pelican International's highly anticipated Premium line does not disappoint! Pelican International's new Premium line of...

Random

Jon Shein Joins Everglades Kayak Fishing
I've gotten a bunch of emails asking what I'm up to, where I am, what's on the horizon, etc. Many of you don't know but I'm a vagabond by nature. I love to wander and explore....
New Report Highlights Recreational Fishing’s Broad Economic and Conservation Impact
Anglers' expenditures have a significant impact on the nation's economy Alexandria, VA – January 10, 2013 – Recreational fishing is more than just a pleasant getaway for...
Wilderness Systems Introduces New Phase 3® AirPro: Industry’s Most Innovative Outfitting
GREENVILLE, S.C. (August 1, 2012) – Wilderness Systems has built its brand a commitment to quality and performance, and for 2013, that means the brand continues to push the...

Latest Kayak Reviews

Lifetime Sport Fisher
 
5.0
Cobra Kayaks Tandem
 
3.0
Perception Sport Pescador 10.0 Angler
 
4.0
Hobie Mirage Outback
 
4.0
Current Designs Tailfin
 
5.0
Hobie Mirage Outback
 
2.0
NuCanoe Frontier 12
 
5.0
Native Watercraft Mariner 12.5 Propel Anglers
 
4.0
Hobie Mirage Outback
 
5.0
Pelican Castaway 100
 
2.0
Stealth Pro Fisha 575
 
3.0
Field and Stream Eagle Talon
 
5.0

Latest Equipment Reviews

Body Glove 3T Barefoot Max
 
5.0
Body Glove 3T Barefoot Warrior
 
5.0
Body Glove 3T Barefoot Warrior
 
3.0
Columbia Drainmaker
 
5.0
Sperry SON-R Sounder Shandal
 
4.0
Garmin VIRB Elite
 
4.0
Polaroid XS100
 
4.0
Backwater Paddles Assault Hand Paddle
 
5.0
Backwater Paddles Assault Hand Paddle
 
5.0
Stohlquist Piseas
 
4.0
Wheeleez Tuff Tire Kayak Cart
 
5.0
Boga Grip
 
4.0