Recently, I have been in contact with an old friend, Bill Hollister, a native of Pittsfield, but who now lives in Valatie, NY. He is a retired New York State Wildlife Biologist, an award-winning outdoor writer, and a member of the New York State Outdoorsman Hall of Fame.
He got thinking about an incident that occurred here in Pittsfield around 1950, when he was teenager, and wondered if readers would be interested in reading about it. It is an article which may jog the memories of our silver haired readers. It is probably more appropriate to run the story next spring, around trout stocking time, but since both Bill and I are in our 80’s, perhaps it’s best not to wait too long to run it.
The title of Bill’s story is “An unforgettable Opening Day on the River”
“As a teenager growing up in the Berkshires, there were many happy days. In the springtime, many of those days were centered around the opening day of trout season. Living within walking distance of a popular trout stream, the West Branch of the Housatonic River was a real asset. The traditional opening day was the second Saturday in April. This was followed by the entire next week being out of school for spring vacation. This meant more pleasurable days on the river.
Like most opening days I was on the river well before dawn. I was on my way downstream, and had just passed the old swimming hole, a large deep pool, on a slight bend of the river. After passing this point, I looked across the river and was shocked to see a man lying face down in the river with young Teddy Hoffman, a friend from the neighborhood, holding the heel of the man’s boot, preventing him from being carried in the current into deeper waters. I jumped off the bank into waist deep water, waded across the stream and tossed my fishing rod onto the riverbank. I then grabbed the man with both hands on his upper arm just below his shoulder, lifted his upper body out of the water, and dragged him up on shore.
As I did so, I yelled at some men nearby. “What the hell is wrong with you men? You see a man face down in this icy water and you just stand there watching? With a lack of action by anyone else present, I decided it was time for this 15-year-old to take charge. I yelled to two passing fishermen, “Run up to the house with the lights on and tell them to call the emergency ambulance. Pinky Danford lives there. He’s a Pittsfield city policeman. If he’s home, tell him to get down here. He’ll know just what to do.” Minutes later, Officer Danford came running down from his house clad only in slippers, his uniform trousers and a tee-shirt, not much protection against the 30 some degree temperature of that cold April day.
Upon reaching the stricken man, he began artificial respiration with the old back pressure arm- lift method. After some time, the man gurgled some liquids from his mouth and appeared to be breathing slightly, though still unconscious. Soon the Emergency Ambulance arrived and two burly men came running down the hill, one carrying a stretcher. They exchanged a few words with Officer Danford, then lifted the man onto a stretcher, and carried him to the ambulance and off to a local hospital.
I then left and hiked out to the highway, stopped to empty the still cold water from my hip boots then headed home. Once there I told my parents of the morning happenings, changed into dry clothes, a pair of short, rubber boots, and headed back to the river,
A few days later, just as we were sitting down for dinner, my dad answered a phone call. The person calling said they live on Gale Avenue not far from the river. They were relatives of the man I pulled from the river. They said he had suffered a heart attack and collapsed into the river. He was currently in the hospital and doing very well, and was expected to be discharged soon. They thanked my dad profusely for my actions, and were extremely thankful to all who came to the aid of their relative.
Clearly, a number of people stepped up to help that day. The Pittsfield Police Emergency Ambulance team, the two passing fishermen who ran up to the Danford residence to summon help, the two teenagers who had lent a helping hand, and definitely off- duty police officer Pinky Danford, whose quick and decisive action, along with the tireless application of CPR, saved the man’s life.
While there have been many memorable opening days of trout season, this day remains as my most unforgettable day on the river, knowing that perhaps the greatest reward for those who helped was just knowing that their actions had helped to save a man’s life.”
Wildlife Management Cleanup
A small but enthusiastic group participated in the DFW Western District Wildlife Management Area Cleanup which took place last weekend. Partnered with MassWildlife were the Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) and the Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) organizations. They picked up garbage and junk from the George Darey Wildlife Management Area in Lenox as well as certain areas along Roaring Brook Road.
Rain did not dampen their spirits and they managed to pick up a whole truckload of junk in a little over two hours of work.
Participants in the clean-up were Alison Dixon from HVA, paddlers Gary Aprea and Gloria Wesley, Taylor Woodward from BCC, Robin Perry, a volunteer from BEAT, and DFW staff members Heather Sadler, Andrew Madden, Leanda Fontaine Gagnon and Nate Buckhout. (You will notice that there were no people representing the various local outdoor sportsmen’s clubs. Must be they had the wrong date on their calendars).
Guido’s Fresh Marketplace provided tasty sandwiches, chips, etc. for all participants.
Results of the Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club fishing derby
Last Sunday, it was rain free, but cold and windy with average temps in the mid 40’s to low 50’s and that wind made it feel colder. They had 53 fishermen brave the elements and they caught some nice size fish.
Adult Winners ($100 dollars each):
Largest Trout: James Trumps, South Lee: 1 lb. 12 oz, 15.5 inches long
Largest Pickerel: Peter Soules, Sheffield: 3 lbs. 12 oz, 25 inches long
Largest Bass: Bill Navan, Lenox: 3 lbs. 10 oz, 17.5 inches long
Largest Bullhead: Tina Lovern, Washington: ½ lb. 10 inches long
Age 12 and under Winners (fishing tackle):
Largest Trout: Alice Christman, Pittsfield: 1 lb. 4 oz, 14.5 inches long
Largest Pickerel: Gabriel Christman, Pittsfield: 2.5 lbs., 21.5 inches long
Largest Bass (Rock): Sadie Prew: 8 oz, 9 inches long
Largest Bullhead: Mya Methe, Pittsfield: 12 oz, 11 inches long
According to Club spokesman Tim Minkler, everyone seemed to have fun and chef Bob Barrett warmed them all up with hot tasty food and drinks.
Kid’s Fishing Derby
Bring your children aged 13 and under next Saturday, June 10 to the monthly Friends of the Berkshire National Fish Hatchery youth fishing derby at the Hatchery’s Lower Pool at 240 Hatchery Road, New Marlborough.
It runs from 9:00 to 10:30 am. Watch them learn to fish and compete for prizes. No child goes away empty handed.
Correction
In last week’s column, I wrote about the dedication of a plaque noting the donation of land by the Weiss family to the Town of Lenox. I mentioned a talk by Jim Brooks. My mistake, the name given should have been Jim Brooke. Please accept my apologies.