Where can I find seals?

[Chebby]

Thank you for the pics, Allison.

Are seals protected? I am wondering why they are not all over the coast, as it seems like a very successful specie with little natural enemies (GWs are uncommon here).

 

[Chebby]

I saw 2 this spring just up the Rowley River in back of Plum Island, just N of Cape Ann. Wasn't diving at the time, on the way back in the boat - they just popped up and looked around and we watched them meandering around for a while! It was pretty cool!

I'm glad you saw them so close to Cape Ann. After seeing the Torpedo Ray there last week, I was wondering if that place still has the potential to surprise me.

 

[ScubaNorth]

I've read that you can find them on the rocks outside of Ft.Stage Park in the winter months. Just be careful if you dive Ft. Stage as it has been said many times on this board, there is the danger of falling asleep while diving. They tend to come in closer to the shore in the Winter months but are a bit shy around a lot of activity, one on one they are not too shy. You should have asked Gretel while she was here.

 

[MASS-Diver]

Thank you for the pics, Allison.

Are seals protected? I am wondering why they are not all over the coast, as it seems like a very successful specie with little natural enemies (GWs are uncommon here).

Yes they are protected although they are still often killed by fisherman, either on prupose or as by catch.

Seals used to fair game and have never really recovered, although (atleast with harbor seals) they are a decent number around. Down here on the South Shore, Plymouth is a good seal spot.

 

[aquageek]

I know that there's alot of them at Monomoy Island off Harwich. Not sure about diving there though.

 

[large_diver]

There can be colonies of over 1,000 on Monomoy at different times of the year....not an easy place to dive thought, with tough currents.....

 

[cast]

2 years ago, I once flyfished on Monomoy island. At lease a dozen of harbor seals were right next to me watching me casting a fly. I felt like I was giving a casting lesson to some crowd. It was so weird.I also saw a huge grey seal that day, who had followed me for at least half an hour. They are very friendly to fisherman I guess they want some free meal.

I never saw one under the water, but I heard they like to watch diver's mask and chew their fins. Not sure why they do so.

 

[Chebby]

You were flyfishing in the ocean? I thought flyfishing is only for freshwater.

Speaking of fishing (sorry for asking a non diving question), I always wanted to try some trout/salmon fishing in Maine or NH. Can somebody from up there give me some info on good fishing ponds or streams? I had only limited success with trout in MA this year. Don't really care for bass. Interested in Northern Pike though.

 

[MadisonK]

Just south of Bakers Island and due north of Halfway Rock are some very low lying rock outcroppings called the Dry Salvages or the Goosberries. I almost always see a large group of seals hanging out on the rocks sunning themselves. The area is extremely shallow at and around the rocks and you need to know the area to navigate around them but you can see them there. It's a 10 minute ride from Beverly, Salem, Marblehead or Manchester. I haven't encountered any seals underwater but I often take freinds to this spot to see the seals.

 

[cast]

Yes,I only flyfish in the saltwater. You have world-class striper fishing here, why bother the little trout?

In Maine, if you are really lucky, you might be able to catch some Atlantic salmon or sea-run trout, but that is very unknown fishery.

NY has some very good salmon fishery, but that is land locked salmon.. search salmon river in NY, right now it is probably the good time to catch them.

You were flyfishing in the ocean? I thought flyfishing is only for freshwater.

Speaking of fishing (sorry for asking a non diving question), I always wanted to try some trout/salmon fishing in Maine or NH. Can somebody from up there give me some info on good fishing ponds or streams? I had only limited success with trout in MA this year. Don't really care for bass. Interested in Northern Pike though.