Reproductive Rumba
By Deborah Bier. Just who IS doing that dance over in the Great Meadows all through the month of June?
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Boom-splash! BOOM boom SPLASH! SPLASH SPLASH boom BOOM BOOM!
These are not the sounds I expect to hear as we approach the causeway at the Great Meadows National Wildlife Sanctuary off Monson Road in Concord. The wind in the trees: yes. Bird calls... a splash from a muskrat... the rustle of a snake... planes from Hanscom Airport: yes, yes, yes and yes. But this...this is loud, echoing and mysterious. "Snapping turtle tango", I say out loud.
As we round the bend and the water comes into site there are signs of frenzy in the pond on the left. Large rings of disturbed water all around. Mysterious animals showing just a flash of their backs are seen both by the water's edge and in the middle of the cove -- maybe a dozen locations. The rushes on the banks are vibrating madly and it seems that SOMETHING under the water is smacking up against these plants causing the surprisingly loud booming noises which reverberate across the water.
Whatever it is, is going on mostly UNDER the surface....not quite right for the turtle twist. Nor for a mad muskrat mambo. A whale waltz? Hmm...not The Loch Ness lombata?!! Just WHAT is going on here?!
Then over by the shallows -- between the reeds and the shoreline -- the light is just right and I see them: certainly, it's a fish foxtrot. Groups of two, three, or more swirling about, slapping against the reeds, splashing and making fish eyes at each other. Yes, it's the GIGANTIC CARP CONGA! And it goes on here all through the month of June.
When you read carp, don't think goldfish: these aren't gold but gorgeous shades of dark brown with black markings. Don't think just large: think REALLY BIG! 18-24". Who knew these waters hid such huge and beautiful fish? And since when are fish so amazingly LOUD!?
Fou, seasoned nature observers: we spend the next hour with our jaws dropped open and eyes wide, watching and listening to this dance...it is mesmerizing. Don't miss this spectacle. Monson Road is off Route 62 about 1.5 miles from Concord Center toward Bedford. The refuge is open from dawn 'til dusk. Bring your dancing shoes.
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Carp Fishing 'round the World
Not being a fisherman, I had no idea what a world-wide devotion carp sport fishing had until I started to research this article through the Internet. Pages abound on this pursuit, my personal favorite being carp.net, if not for the name alone then for the bravado of the author ("The Carpman").
Bait for carp fishing (called "boilies") is fascinating and one can only wonder how it was invented. Generally semolina- or cornmeal-based, these bait balls are boiled up and then dried before being used. Besides the grain, they may also contain any or all of the following: eggs, black pepper oil (considered indispensable), essential oils such as geranium or raspberry, bird food, fishmeal, dog or cat snacks, toasted sesame oil, maple flavor, powdered liver, cinnamon, or paprika.
Think gnocchi or polenta heavily flavored for a fish's palate.
Don't miss the photo and story (in French) of this 51 lb carp. It's unbelievable!
-DB
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