Go fish! Reeling in the good times around the Tri-Town
Tom DeTerra reels in a fish at Mary's Pond. Photos by Mari Huglin 
Freshwater fishers stand on the shore and use boats to travel the pond. 
Mary's Pond and Leonard's Pond are two popular spots for freshwater fishing. 
One fisher casts out. 
One set up of a shore fisher includes a small rod holder. 
Rick Medeiros relaxes while he fishes at Mary's Pond. 
Rick Medeiros enjoys the sunshine, retirement and some occassional fishing. 
Rick Medeiros brought lots of equipment for his day of fishing. 
People fish on the shores of pond for trout and bass. 
William Donovan, left, and Tom DeTerra, right, fish together one afternoon. 
Rainbow trout are stocked by Massachusetts Fish and Wildlife. 
Two rainbow trout caught by Tom DeTerra of Dartmouth.
William Donovan watches as Tom DeTerra gets another fish on his line. 
Mary's Pond is located in Rochester and open to the public. 
A flyfisheman casts his line out at Mary's Pond. 
A flyfisherman stands in the freshwater looking to catch trout or bass. 
Tom DeTerra has a fish on the line. 
Tom DeTerra fixes his line. 
The sun was high and the water was sparkling on a spring day.
Tom DeTerra reels in a fish at Mary's Pond. Photos by Mari Huglin
Freshwater fishers stand on the shore and use boats to travel the pond.
Mary's Pond and Leonard's Pond are two popular spots for freshwater fishing.
One fisher casts out.
One set up of a shore fisher includes a small rod holder.
Rick Medeiros relaxes while he fishes at Mary's Pond.
Rick Medeiros enjoys the sunshine, retirement and some occassional fishing.
Rick Medeiros brought lots of equipment for his day of fishing.
People fish on the shores of pond for trout and bass.
William Donovan, left, and Tom DeTerra, right, fish together one afternoon.
Rainbow trout are stocked by Massachusetts Fish and Wildlife.
Two rainbow trout caught by Tom DeTerra of Dartmouth.
William Donovan watches as Tom DeTerra gets another fish on his line.
Mary's Pond is located in Rochester and open to the public.
A flyfisheman casts his line out at Mary's Pond.
A flyfisherman stands in the freshwater looking to catch trout or bass.
Tom DeTerra has a fish on the line.
Tom DeTerra fixes his line.
The sun was high and the water was sparkling on a spring day.
ROCHESTER — As the weather warms up, the sun is shining and freshwater fishermen are hitting the shores before saltwater fishing opens in May.
Catching trout and bass, various fishermen around the South Coast cast their hooks into Tri-Town bodies of water. Common areas populated by the anglers include Mary's Pond, Leonard's Pond, Snipatuit Pond and the Mattapoisett River.
Kristofer Sadeck of Marion is on the Sippican Rod and Gun Club Board of Directors. Hooked into the recreational sport, he has been fishing for over 20 years and has even won awards for catching large fish.
Sadeck said Massachusetts Fish and Wildlife stocks multiple ponds and rivers frequently in spring with rainbow, brown, tiger and brook trout. Allowing for more fishing opportunities for residents to enjoy the outdoors, he said it's "crucial" for the state to maintain these areas.
“Many lessons could be taught in a single cast of fishing, especially good days of fishing, bad days of fishing, your worst days of fishing,” Sadeck said.
Those interested in dipping their toes into the sport may have difficulties at the start according to Sadeck. He said fishing is not easy and takes a lot of trial and error to succeed and ultimately “teaches you about yourself more than anything”.
Hoping to preserve public land use, Sadeck said it is important for as many people to use areas like these as possible.
“If you don't lose the land, you're going to lose it,” he said.
Sadeck boasted about the welcoming nature of the New England fishing community, especially those in the Tri-Town. Anglers-alike are supportive to everyone of all ages and backgrounds, he said.
In his experience, Sadeck said most fishers are always open to share techniques, locations or advice on equipment.
Rick Medeiros of Rochester has of-fish-ially been casting his reel for over 60 years. He said that fishing is a great activity for everyone, highlighting the benefit of the sport for the elderly and young people to spend time together as a family. Or, to just simply get outside.
“I love to see the kids when they come fishing really get that thrill when they catch something,” Medeiros said.
Medeiros said he especially loves cooking and eating the fish he catches.
William Donavan and Tom DeTerra of Dartmouth are long time friends and fishing partners. Even though they prefer saltwater fishing, they enjoy freshwater to pass the time.
“You get to enjoy the outdoors and get the thrill of reeling in one of those big fish, killing the time,” DeTerra said.
DeTerra and Donovan agreed that fishing is more fun with a group of people, but that working alone has its benefits too. DeTerra said he brought his children and grandchildren to fish on multiple occasions.
“Just tell everybody they should enjoy the outdoors, get out there and do some recreational fishing and create some excitement for themselves,” Donovan said.
