Assabet River and Fort Meadow Brook

While today wasn't the sunniest of days, it was, nonetheless, fairly decent outside, especially when compared to the kind of weather conditions that will soon be arriving.  My boat and I entered the Assabet River at White Pond Road on the Maynard/Stow town line and headed upriver. Upon reaching the entrance to Fort Meadow Brook (at left) the question was "how bad do I want to enter the brook?"... or, "can I do the limbo?"  Oddly enough, I had an easier time passing through going upstream than I did on the return trip later.  Removal of my PFD was necessary in order to fit and make it back to the Assabet.  My reward for having ascended the brook was reaching the abandoned Central Mass Railroad trestle which is acting as a dam these days...

With a causeway on either side of the trestle, there is quite a good-sized impoundment on the upstream side.

While exploring a backwater near the brook/river confluence, I came across this granddaddy of a tire...

 
There's no way this one could be carried onboard!  As Chief Brody would say "we're gonna need a bigger boat".

Several volleys from duckhunters were heard from the area between Fort Meadow Brook and Gleasondale.  This was further upriver than I was going.

Wildlife seen today were several groups of wood ducks, one pair of mallards, Canada geese, mute swans, red-tailed hawks, and a belted kingfisher.

Once back at White Pond Rd. my day's catch of 71 said their farewells to the river...

There were 39 recyclable containers (13 redeemable) and 32 pieces of miscellaneous rubbish such as mylar balloons, styrofoam, etc.  YTD total = 6682