1st Annual Frostbite Fleet Salmon Shootout

The 1st Annual Frostbite Fleet Salmon Shootout is scheduled for November 1st at the public launch on Converse Bay in Charlotte Vt.

First things first.  I'd like to thank Shawn Hayes of Fish Whisperer Guide service in Fair Haven Vermont for taking the bull by the horns and getting this tournament off the ground.  Also helping out is Kevin (Dragnballs) and Todd (Crazyivan).  I hope I haven't left anyone out!

This is going to be an exciting event for the salmon fisherman, as the Landlocked Atlantic Salmon will have returned to the lake from spawning in the tributaries, and will be on the feed.  Heavily on the feed!

What is the "Frostbite Fleet" you might ask?  Well, check out this video, I think it sums it up pretty well!




There are several local bait/tackle and sport shops getting involved, along with a major lure manufacturer, supporting the event, and providing  prizes.  Thanks to them!

Tamiron Sporting Goods, manufacturer of the famous Honeybee, "Home of Lures Made by Fisherman for Fisherman!"
Dockside Outdoors   Raymond Road, Colchester VT 802-891-6158
Bill's Sport Shop  US Rte 2, Grand Isle VT 802-372-4531
Midstate Sporting Goods Rte 7, Ferrisburgh VT 802-877-3776
Norm's Bait and Tackle   Bridge Road, Crown Point NY 518-597-3645
Also~Randy Colomb (Suprise), star of above video.  Randy ties some magnificent flies!  I understand he's going to provide a few of his flies, and possibly an "Ice Trophy"!  He might even throw in a Frostbite Fleet hat or two!

The entry fee for this event is only $20.00 per fisherman.  Payout is 70% of the fees received.  Back up date in case of foul weather is November 8th.
Registration is on the day of the event (again, November 1st) from 6 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. The tournament starts at 7 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m.  All participants must be within 50 yards of the launch area by 1 p.m.
Eligible species are Landlocked Atlantic Salmon, Brown Trout, and Steel-head.  Each fisherman is allowed to enter two fish with a minimum length of 18".
A couple more rules: No non-event anglers on board.  Fish must be hooked, played, and brought to the boat by one single angler. Fish may be netted by another registered angler only. A one ounce per minute penalty for each minute after 1 p.m. First come-first served at the weigh in station.  Any unsportsmanlike behaviour, either on shore or on the water will result in disqualification.
The fellas setting up this tournament aren't yet sure if they'll be able to get a "certified" scale yet.  Therefore the scale used will be agreed upon by tournament entrants prior to the start of the event.

This will be a fun event and I encourage everyone who enjoys Lake Champlain Salmon fishing to come out and participate.  Hopefully this event will continue each fall and get better and better.

Good luck and tight lines to all!!!

Fish on, fish H8 me.

1st Annual Frostbite Fleet Salmon Shootout

Lamprey Control Scheduled for Lamoille River

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department announced today that the Lake Champlain sea lamprey control team is scheduled to begin treatment of the Lamoille River on September 30, with the lampricide, TFM.

This is the first time that the Lamoille River has been scheduled for treatment. A significant population of sea lamprey larvae was recently discovered there. The Lamoille River is the only Lake Champlain tributary to be treated this year, in a continuation of a long-term effort to protect the lake's fishery from the parasitic sea lamprey.

Sea lamprey control is a high priority component of the Lake Champlain fisheries restoration program jointly administered by the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Native lake trout, landlocked salmon, the endangered lake sturgeon, walleye and other fishes in Lake Champlain will benefit.

“Sea lampreys have caused devastating impacts on fishery restoration efforts in Lake Champlain,” said Vermont Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Wayne Laroche.

In the Lake Champlain system, most immature sea lamprey live in streams for four years before descending into Lake Champlain to prey on other fish. Under the sea lamprey control program, TFM (3-trifluoromethyl-4-nitrophenol) is applied in precise concentrations to the streams in a continuous, metered manner over a 12-hour period in order to kill the immature, larval form of the sea lamprey, while having little or no effects on populations of other aquatic species. Biologists also control sea lamprey reproduction in some smaller streams by trapping and removing adult sea lampreys during their spring spawning runs.

During and following the TFM treatment, temporary water use advisories will be in effect downstream from the Peterson Dam in Milton, and in surrounding lakeshore areas. The Vermont Department of Health recommends that the treated river and lake water not be used for domestic or recreational uses for the short advisory period. Agricultural water users in the affected area are also advised not to use river or lake water during the advisory period. Fish & Wildlife has set up a toll free number (1-800-640-3714) for the public to obtain information on the treatment and water use advisories.

Fish & Wildlife staff have identified all riparian landowners in the treatment area and informed them of the planned treatments. The department also provides affected residents with a supply of water upon request for household or agricultural needs if their use of surface water in the affected areas is restricted during the advisory period.

Local television and radio stations will broadcast the dates when advisories begin and expire. The treatment schedule is subject to change by weather conditions, stream flows or technical problems that may arise during the treatment. Residents in the advisory area will be kept informed of any such changes.
Studies show that sea lamprey control decreases wounding and scarring rates on fish, and it can increase populations of lake trout and landlocked salmon. Angler surveys showed that more and substantially bigger trout and salmon were caught during the experimental Lake Champlain lamprey control program in the 1990’s.

Lamprey wounding rates on Lake Champlain lake trout and landlocked salmon have declined substantially in the past two years due to recent lamprey control efforts. Wounding rates in 2008 were the lowest since 1998. Angler reports and fishing derby results this year show that more larger trout and salmon are being caught, indicating increased survival of the fish due to the reduction in parasitic sea lamprey numbers.

Fish on, fish H8 me.

Lamprey Control Scheduled for Lamoille River

U.S. Senators pushing back on ethanol

This is good news for the boating enthusiasts!

The National Marine Manufacturers' Association reports that several U.S. senators have increased pressure on the ethanol lobby by introducing strong legislation to curtail higher ethanol/gas blends than the currently marketed E10 (10 percent ethanol). The Mid-Level Ethanol Blends Act of 2009 (S. 1666) would keep new fuels off the market unless they're compatible with on-road and non-road gas engines.

The proposed legislation, if quickly passed, could block the ethanol lobby from gaining an Environmental Protection Agency waiver to sell E15. The marine industry believes E15 would adversely affect vessel engines and fuel systems. The NMMA submitted more than 30,000 comments to the EPA in July - all from boating community members opposing the waiver. The EPA has until December 1 to make a decision.

Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine), Ben Cardin (D-Maryland), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-Rhode Island) and Mary Landrieu (D-Louisiana) introduced the ethanol bill on September 14. S. 1666 would require the EPA's Science Advisory Board to study fuel compatibility before granting waivers. (The Clean Air Act prohibits the sale of mid-level ethanol blends without such a waiver.)

"During these difficult economic times, equipment damage due to ethanol-gasoline fuel blends only adds to the many challenges facing our nation's farmers, fishermen, independent woodsmen, and recreational industry," Sen. Collins said in an NMMA press release. "As we pursue strategies to lessen our dependence on foreign oil, we must also take action to ensure that ethanol fuel blends are safe and efficient for small engines."

The NMMA says mid-level ethanol blends may increase air emissions and create performance, durability and warranty issues for marine engines. Currently, no recreational marine products have been designed to run on fuels containing greater than 10 percent ethanol.

Read the bill here.

Fish on, fish H8 me

U.S. Senators pushing back on ethanol

Lamoille River to Receive Lamprey Control Treatment!

Great news!!!

On September 10, 2009 , the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation issued Aquatic Nuisance Control Permit 2009-C05 to the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife.

This means the Vermont Department of fish and Wildlife has the "go-ahead" to treat the Lamoille River with an aquatic pesticide to control Sea Lamprey.

The "Lampricide" will be introduced into the river near the bottom of the Peterson Dam during September or October of this year. Local residents report receiving the necessary notices that the treatment is currently scheduled for September 28th.

This is great news for the much needed Lamprey Control for Lake Champlain. This is especially desired for treatment of Sea Lamprey populations affecting the Mallets Bay and Inland Sea areas of the lake.

A copy of the permit is available here.

Close-up of the adult sea lamprey's jawless, suction-cup like mouth and its rasping teeth and toothed tongue.

 credit: Great Lakes Fishery Comm.

"Local" Lake Champlain 14" Lamprey

Fish on, fish H8 me.

Lamoille River to Receive Lamprey Control Treatment!

Way too cool video

Not Champlain related for sure....
but...
Way too cool not to share!!

Tarpon and Permit fishing at it's best!

WARNING: THIS VIDEO CONTAINS LANGUAGE THAT MAY BE OFFENSIVE TO SOME VIEWERS!

Enjoy.







Fish on, fish H8 me.

Way too cool video

Check out this COOL FISH!!!

Check out this fish...
a very cool fish....
A deep water fish...
Awesome eyes...

It has a transparent head!!!




Fish on, fish H8 me.

Check out this COOL FISH!!!

Governor Announces $500,000 in Clean & Clear Grants

News Release:
Montpelier, Vt. - Governor Jim Douglas has announced that $500,000 in Clean & Clear grants is available for ecosystem restoration projects.


"These grants will help our watershed partners improve water quality town by town across Vermont," the Governor said. "Vermonters are working together for our future environmental prosperity. That is the beauty of the Clean and Clear Program -the improvements we make on land have direct impacts on protecting Vermont's rivers, streams, ponds and lakes."


The Center for Clean and Clear is accepting one-page project "pre-proposals" until September 30. Through a competitive process, Vermont municipalities, local or regional governmental agencies, nonprofits and citizen groups can apply for the grants.


The Center is particularly interested in projects that: improve stream stability; incorporate the science of fluvial geomorphology in river corridor management decisions; protect against flood hazards and improve in-stream and riparian habitat; mitigate the effects of hydrologic modification associated with either agricultural operations or urban development; protect and restore riparian wetlands; re-establish lake shoreline native vegetation and related shoreline erosion corrections; and enhance the environmental and economic sustainability of agricultural lands.


Projects designed solely to address invasive species will generally not be considered.


Governor Douglas made water quality one of his top environmental priorities when he created the Center for Clean and Clear six years ago. Since then, the state has invested more than $40 million and leveraged an additional $40 million in federal funds to implement water quality programs that have garnered national recognition and awards.


The Center for Clean and Clear will then work with proponents to develop either more detailed proposals or project work plans for funding consideration. More information and grant guidelines can be found at: http://www.anr.state.vt.us/cleanandclear/index.htm.

Governor Announces $500,000 in Clean & Clear Grants

Perchin'

Now that the on-set of slower fishing for Landlocked Atlantic's is here, we've switched up to jigging for Yellow Perch. Our target is Yellow Perch but as luck would have it, other species sometimes join in as well.

Cathy and I were out last weekend, and did pretty well. We ended up with somewhere around 4 dozen Yellow Perch, a few dozen White Perch and two Small Mouths.

Here's Cathy with a nice summer perch.

We didn't take time to measure or weigh this smallie but I'm guessing it at 3.5 pounds.

Quickly released.

This morning, Ashley and I went out. We probably caught 5 or 6 dozen fish. They were pretty much a 50/50 mixed bag of Yellow Perch and White Perch.

Some of the White Perch were pretty good sized and very scrappy!

Ashley and I had a riot!

Ashley with a nice summer Yellow Perch.

That's two successful trips targeting Yellow Perch since the salmon shut-down. Another time we went out, the lake was too bumpy and we weren't comfortable getting out of St Albans Bay. The Bay is just too warm, and probably has less oxygen. We couldn't locate any fish.

These fish were taken off Kibbie Point in 40 feet of water, most taken within the bottom two feet. Jigging with minnows. All released.

We noticed these two hitch-hikers on the steering wheel while we were fishing.

Fish on, fish H8 me.

Perchin'

“WILL FISH FOR FUN” Kids Fishing Derby 2009

The free “WILL FISH FOR FUN” Kids Fishing Derby 2009 is scheduled this year for September 12th. This is a fun FREE event for Kids ages 2 through 14. Contestants get lunch and a tee shirt, as well as a "connection" with nature.

For the complete summary, visit the article at the Burlington Boat Yard Blog.

“WILL FISH FOR FUN” Kids Fishing Derby 2009

Fish Hook Removal---Yikes!!!!

I'm not sure this is the correct way to remove a fish hook.
Or....
Sould I say....this probably isn't the way I'd like a hook removed from my hand.

However, if there isn't a doctor nearby, and there's plenty of whiskey, I'd give it a go!

Fish Hook Removal---Yikes!!!!