I've been reading the message board for a while now, but this is my first message posting.
Went fishing on Winni 2 weekends ago, everyday Friday through Monday before (and during!) the rain. Had great success...not much on the downriggers, but mainly pumping flies with "Jim's pumpers". Lot of nice 3 to 3 1/2 pound salmon, and a couple of lakers that were OK, but nothing great, and a few nice rainbows.
Last week started up a the Quabbin Res. Fished Thurs, Sat, Sun, and again Monday. We had some success everyday with salmon and lakers, but Saturday was tremendous...lakers, salmon, and rainbows, most better than average. Once again, not much on downriggers, but mostly pumping flies, especially Rodney Flagg's "August Fly".
Been using pumpers for the last 2 years now, and it has really made a difference.