Page 21 - AUG2025

NEWFOUNDLAKELIFE.COM
Woods, Waters, and Wildlife Firewood and Striped Bass
By Jeff Beach
a 15% moisture content to min-
sit back and say was a great effort.
stead of standing on two legs. Our comfort level fishing from Got your firewood in yet?
imize contaminants and creosote
On the discussion of wood, we
kayaks on the ocean is supported will be hosting a workshop on tree
Time to finish it up if not. In this
layering the chimney walls. When
identification at the Slim Baker
edition, I’ll speak to the backyard
split, it takes 4-6 months to get it
by the knowledge that if we do DIY firewood processing. I’d like
close to 15% moisture. Now, this
struggle with our balance and Lodge on Saturday, August 16t,h
to suggest that for the wood to dry
have a little tip over, we can stand from 10-12. See the What’s Hap-
depends on several factors, one of
pening page for more info.
enough to burn, we need to cut
which is air flow. The split wood
up in most areas, and if a little our trees in the winter months to
has to be hauled to the woodshed
deeper, it’s a short haul to where We have been out fishing on
prevent any more sap flow once
we can land our feet on solid Hampton Harbor in July, looking
or outside stack area. Best to stack
for the stripers to come in. The
spring arrives. In the Spring, after
on pallets, remembering the air
sandy bottom. A lot of decisions mud season, I’ll start the chore of
flow suggestion. Another factor
need to be made when fishing in Striped Bass are mostly nocturnal
splitting wood. It’s a little more
the harbor. What bait to use, what foragers, and so we have learned
in drying split wood is the type
that very early morning or late
efficient to have two workers. My
of hardwood. Red oak and oth-
depth, where to cast, and what wife is always reluctantly willing to
ers, due to wood density, will take
time of day. The big thing is to afternoon are the best for catch-
help. With my wife on the other
keep your line in the water and ing. We fish out of kayaks, and
much longer than 6 months and
our fishing tackle can be topwa-
side of me, she will set the round
should allow drying for one year.
better understand the conditions. and I split with her, removing the
Softwoods will dry sooner in 3-4
It brings to mind a relationship ter plugs or streamer-type lures
perfectly split-to-size pieces and
with God. We have a lot of stuff that mimic sand eels, which are a
months.
preferred food of the bass in the
throwing them onto the split pile. I
Comparative heat output for
going on in our lives and many appreciate this feat of love to help
important decisions. Should I go the various fuel sources of wood,
harbor. We use bait infrequently,
me when she would much rather
here, should I do this, what should but it is a good option. Rob has a
oil, and propane is based on BTUs.
nice flat sea kayak, which is stable
be elsewhere than on a chore that
Using wood, a cord of wood will
I say, and others. And seeking she advises me to give up on and
produce the same BTUs as 130
God for guidance and direction on the water, and I fish out of my
just turn up the thermostat. I’ll
takes time, faith, and trust. We river kayak, which is suitable but
gallons of fuel oil and 160 gallons
not as convenient as the open-top
think about it.
of propane. And as many of you
need to keep our requests made Proper burning of firewood
know, wood is good! It’s one of the
known to him and be consistent. boat. These fish, when caught,
Then we listen for his still small fight hard, and you have to keep
requires that the wood be dry to
many projects that, after all the ef-
your wits about you, keeping your
forts and laborious days, you can
voice. I paraphrase a verse from the Book of Proverbs, Chapter 3. balance from a sitting position in-
August 2025
Page 21
Community
We need to trust in God through His Son Jesus and His Word and acknowledge his voice in directing our path, not as we understand it, but submitting to him in all our ways, and He will make our paths straight.
Striped Bass are a migrant fish in the Atlantic in that they travel up and down the East Coast, prompted by water temperature and food source as the summer approaches. They start to move in from the mid-Atlantic states in late May and early June, with the ‘schoolies’ arriving first. The schoolies are younger Bass with a voracious appetite and fun to catch, but are not a keeping size. And the big fish are now in! This year, NH Fish and Game states that the harvest restrictions are one fish per day between 28 and 31 inches. Other tackle regulations are in force, so check regulations before you head out and ensure you have a saltwater license! We’ll see you on the water!
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