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View Full Version : Windy -- cold and windy -- Saturday


madrasahs
04-24-2004, 04:09 PM
Wow. 48°. Nobody would have guessed it from this morning's even colder (40°) but still, weather.

There were a few fisherpersons out there this morning -- two in one 18-foot aluminum boat wearing full-camo outfits. (Maybe the fish won't see them?)

Even the white caps have white caps. I've seen it windier, but not when the water's this cold, and roaring gusts are shaking the trees over the roof. It's a good thing the new leaves aren't out yet -- they'd be in Maine by now.

Sand from public beaches is being blown across the road! The water's high, so the docks are soaked. All kinds of 2X lumber have floated by, too, and a brand-new white swimming float. If you're missing one, let me know by e-mail.

So, the "common sense" (that all of us have) would keep all the boats in, right? Wait...It's a weekend...

There's been one sparkly boat, one I/O, and a biggish blue inboard (Sea Turk?). None observed the 150' rule as they passed a fisherperson in a 12-footer wearing the most-"signal-red" slicker I've ever seen. None observed the 150' rule with one another either -- guess the season has started.

The only place the water was reasonably calm was off Wolfetrap, where an osprey showed up at 3PM, circled briefly, and dove (unsuccessfully) for a fish. If there were any fish caught today, I didn't see any.

Lakegeezer
04-24-2004, 05:38 PM
You are right! It was windy today - but from 6 till about 9 it was flatwater. I was out for salmon, but caught three bass. Those bass must have been in the wrong school. ;)

Rattlesnake Gal
04-26-2004, 08:55 AM
Funny you should mention the 150' rule. We were putting the boat in at the Alton ramp just as the wind really started. Just pulling away, still in the no wake zone, when another boat (not a bass boat) sped by us within 50'. What a ride going up the bay. Yikes! Decided to come back on Sunday to head to the island then.
Yesterday was just perfect. The broads were so smooth. Lots of people fishing and waving friendly hellos. What a day.
The breakwaters and docks look to be in good condition up to the mid part of the island on the south Broads side. One dock near the southern end has minor damage. Other than that everything looks good so far. Can't wait to get back!

hazelnut
04-26-2004, 10:00 AM
It was quite rough as we headed from Cow to 19 Mile Bay. When we tied up to the dock you could barely stand up the wind was blowing so hard. I would be interested to hear how big the waves got in the broads at the southern end of the lake. I drove out to Orchard cove to take a peek at the broads but it was hard to tell how big the waves were.

I spent quite a bit of time fishing out debris on Saturday. Is someone building a dock or something near the Northeast side of Cow? I pulled out 2 4x4's roughly 8 feet in length. Then I saw another boater pull out a 12 footer right by the barbers pole. Be careful out there debris is everywhere.

Rattlesnake Gal
04-26-2004, 10:12 AM
Saturday around 11:00 am in Alton Bay the waves were 2-3'. Definitely got worse after that. Judging by experience, out on the Broads would have been 4-5' at least at that point. Thankfully that doesn't happen too often. You could see the waves on the Chestnut Cove webcam. Didn't look too friendly. Glad we waited until Sunday.
We saw no debris at all floating around yesterday.

DRH
04-26-2004, 10:37 AM
Our home weather station recorded a wind gust of 52 mph Saturday afternoon.

hazelnut
04-26-2004, 11:51 AM
Don that does not surprise me in the least bit. I was amazed that the power on the island stayed on. I was keeping my fingers crossed that it wouldn't go out.

Island Girl you could have made it out in the early AM. The lake was like glass at 7am then all of a sudden the skies cleared and bam we had one crazy wind storm. You would have had a front row seat to some major wave action at your place I'm sure.

Island Girl
04-26-2004, 01:08 PM
It is quite amazing to see what the wind does to the lake. Here are a couple of my favorites taken in November of 2001. For a contrast with a calm day (May 2003), right-click here (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/506/9DSC03352-1024w-med.jpg), then choose Open in New Window. Then put the pictures side by side.


http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/508/9DSC00357wind-med.jpg



http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/508/9DSCN0051-med.jpg