The annual Stockbridge Bowl Fishing Derby yesterday took place last Saturday. According to coordinator Tim Minkler, it was rain free and nice and warm (85 to 90 degrees). There was a total of 73 participants including 17 youths. The results are as follows:
Results: $100 winners:
Largest Trout: Lukas Trumps of Lee, Weight: 1 lb, 9 oz / 16.5” long
Largest Bass: Adam Henderson, Westfield, Weight: 4 lbs even / 20” long
Largest Pickerel: Tynia Harrington, Lee, Weight: 3 lbs, 9oz / 25” long
Largest Bullhead: Seth Slemp, Lee, Weight: 1 lb, 8 oz / 13.5” long
Age 12 and under Winners:
Largest Trout: Sandie Prew, 6 years old, Lee, Weight: 1 lb, 7 oz, 16” long
Largest Bass: Trentonn Santotin, 6 years old, Lee, Weight: 1 lb, 1 oz, 12” long
Largest Pickerel: Connor Casey, Housatonic, 11 years old, Weight: 1 lb, 15 oz., 21”
Largest Bullhead: Mya Methe, Washington, 8 years old, Weight: 11.3 oz, 11” long.
The Wild Acres Youth Fishing Derby also had a great turnout
Last Saturday the Wild Acres Youth Fishing Derby took place. And, for a change, the weather was great with some 90 youths registered. This was the 8th year that the City of Pittsfield Conservation Commission and Lyon Aviation sponsored the event. 
Representing the City of Pittsfield were Becky Manship, Recreation and Special Events Coordinator and Rob Van Der Kar, Pittsfield Conservation Agent. Assisting the anglers were Onota Fishing Club President Fred Ostrander and his team of OFC volunteers. Dave’s Sporting Goods Store and Onota Boat Livery provided the worms and some equipment, Lyon Aviation donated funds for the event and The Berkshire National Fish Hatchery provided the brook trout. Al Lussier, co-owner with his wife Tracey of Ozzies Steak and Eggs Restaurant in Hinsdale, catered the event out of their food van.
Even though some 300 Brook trout were stocked into the pond, they were hard to catch, in fact, only 1 of them was caught. Four -year-old Johanna Sheran caught a respectable 11”, .5 lb brookie. Fortunately, bass, yellow perch and bull head filled the gap. Of the 25 fish caught, 17 of them were bass. During slow periods, some kids entertained themselves catching bullfrogs
The youngest angler who took home a trophy was 2-year-old Carina Roy who also caught a respectable fish, a 11 ¼ ‘.6 lb yellow perch.
Our hats are off to Lyon Aviation, the City of Pittsfield, the Onota Fishing Club and everyone involved for providing the kids with such a wonderful day.
Unfortunately, I was unable to attend this year due to testing positive for Covid and being quarantined. I missed seeing the excitement and the sheer glee on the faces of the youngsters as they were catching their fish. Many thanks go to Joshua Christman for taking photos and providing information as did Dan Miraglia. Also, a huge thank you goes to Becky Manship for her hard work in providing me the names of all the derby winners and other pertinent information.
Annual Harry A Bateman Memorial Jimmy Fund Fishing Derby coming up
The 30th Annual Harry A. Bateman Memorial Jimmy Fund Fishing Derby, will take place next Saturday, June 4, 2022 at the Frank Controy Pavilion at Onota Lake in Pittsfield, from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. No fishing license is required because it is Free Fishing Weekend for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
In my opinion, this fishing derby is perhaps the most important and largest of our local derbies. Open to the public, its purpose is to raise money for the Jimmy Fund – Dana Farber Cancer Institute. All of the proceeds will be donated to the Jimmy Fund in memory of Harry A. Bateman a former member of Central Berkshire Bowman & I.U.E. Local 255 who was well known throughout Berkshire County and who became a victim of cancer in 1992.
15 trophies and prizes will be awarded to the winners of the fishing derby – 8 trophies for children, 4 trophies for adults and 3 trophies that can be won by adults or children. There is even a special category for those fishing with a bow & arrow. All fish must be weighed in at 12:00 p.m. and can be caught at Onota Lake from a boat or the shore. Don’t be late as the scales will be removed immediately after 12:00pm.
The fee is $10 for adults, $5 for children 14 years old and younger. Advanced tickets may be purchased at Avid Sports, Dave’s Sporting Goods, & Onota Boat Livery. Everyone needs to register at the Frank Controy Pavilion before all fish can be weighed in. You must be wearing your wrist band provided at the registration desk in order to receive food and to weigh in your fish.
Even if you can’t make the derby, donations to the cause will be graciously accepted.
Trout stocking
The following waters were scheduled to be stocked with trout last week, subject to change: Deerfield River in Buckland, Florida and Charlemont; East Branch of the Westfield River in Cummington, Chesterfield and Huntington; Housatonic River (C/R) in Lee and Stockbridge, Goose Pond, Laurel Lake, Lake Buel, Otis Reservoir, Onota Lake, Stockbridge Bowl and Windsor Pond.
The DFW Western District spring stocking is now complete.
Once again, a hearty thank you goes out to Western District Clerk Deb Lipa who took on the added workload of providing the stocking information to us this spring. If you happen to visit the District Office in Dalton, you might want to thank her personally.
As previously mentioned, it is free fishing weekend next weekend with no freshwater license needed. You have a whole week to clear your calendar and take the family fishing.
Congratulations to BEAT
Berkshire Environmental Action Team Executive Director Jane Winn recently announced that BEAT was awarded $200,000 from the Cultural Facilities Fund of the Massachusetts Cultural Council to renovate their new Environmental Leadership & Education Center. Also, they will be restoring the riverbank by removing invasive species and replanting with native, wildlife-supporting plants. Funding from the Cultural Facilities Fund will allow them to make renovations to their building, which among other things includes a balcony to observe wildlife and the river.
Next Sunday, on Sunday, June 5, they are doing a river cleanup by canoe with the Housatonic Valley Association (HVA). They’ll meet at Decker Boat Ramp in Lenox at 1:00 PM and paddle down the river collecting trash caught behind trees and other natural areas. They will end around 4:00 PM.
If you’re interested in joining and can bring your own boat or kayak, register with Noah at noah@thebeatnews.org.
Help monitor for bacteria in the Housatonic Watershed
HVA could use some help collecting water samples in the Housatonic watershed once every two weeks, mid-June through mid-September from about 8:00 to 9:00 am.
If interested, the HVA will be holding two training sessions for volunteers to learn how to do the monitoring. The monitoring sites will primarily be in Monterey, Egremont, Alford and Dalton.
For more information, email Shannon at spoulin.hva@gmail.com or call 413-298-7024 (be sure to leave a message).
Memorial Day Weekend
It’s that time again when we honor those who have fought, suffered and/or and died in defense of our nation. I repeat my hope of last year, that as a nation we can set aside our differences and come together this weekend to remember them and their sacrifices. They deserve nothing less.
Also, we owe a huge debt of gratitude to the health care workers who risked so much to see that as many people as possible received proper medical attention during the Covid pandemic. While they did not risk life and limb in armed combat, they sure experienced horrific stress. I suspect that many currently are experiencing PTSD.
Lastly, let’s not forget the one million plus US residents who succumbed to the deadly disease. Our thoughts and prayers are with their surviving family members.
Questions/comments: Berkwoodsandwaters@roadrunner.com. Phone: (413) 637-1818