Category Archives: Awards

Conte banquet honors four

Posted on by

 

 

A nice crowd attended the Silvio O. Conte Awards Banquet which was held at the Cheshire Rod & Gun Club last Saturday evening to honor the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen (BCLS) 2022 award winners.  Past BCLS President, Mark Jester, did his usual yeoman’s job as emcee.

Jester mentioned how Silvio Conte dedicated his life to conserve for future generations the ability to enjoy the same opportunities that he did.  Everyone raised a glass to thank Conte for the values of sportsmanship, conservation, and environmental stewardship that he passed on so passionately

The evening was also dedicated to the memory of the late Fred Andrews.  “We remember Fred Andrews tonight” said Jester, “a true leader and dedicated advocate for sportsmen in Berkshire County. As a former president and delegate of the BCLS, Fred worked tirelessly to build one of the most influential organizations in Massachusetts.”  “Fred’s humor and ability to poke fun at even the most powerful politicians like US Representative Silvio Conte and Massachusetts Governor Jane Swift while honoring them at the same moment endeared him to many in the sportsman community. His wit and humor made him a beloved figure and he will always be remembered for his contributions to the outdoors and sportsman community.”

Incidentally, for several years, Fred was the gifted writer and the editor of the hugely popular monthly newspaper “Into the outdoors.”  He passed away 20 years ago, but he is still missed.

Jester mentioned that we had with us that night a young fellow, Hunter Lawson, who went out on his first turkey hunt with his dad Dan Lawson.  Dan has an amazing story to tell us about Hunter’s first hunt, but space does not allow me to relate it here.  Look for his article next weekend.

After a delicious meal, the various 2022 Sportsmen Awards were presented.

Stephen Sears of Dalton was selected the 2022 Berkshire County Sportsman of the Year.   Sears served 6 years on the MA F&W Board and is its current chairman. He received the award for his lifelong dedication and leadership to preserve the natural resources of the Commonwealth.

Steve’s father, Fred Sears, helped him catch his first trout when he was 3 years old, one of the greatest moments of his life. He is so proud to later have written the Conservation Restrictions on the Boulders, which is now managed by BNRC.  He helped protect the very place where he caught his first trout.  Around 1971 he began stocking trout with Gige Darey. He related how every day he and his friends would bring their guns to school and put them in their lockers and then hunt after school.  Now, that doesn’t happen anymore.

“If you want to make a change”, said Sears, “don’t protest, get involved with an organization, try to arrive at the top and then make changes.”   At Crane & Co he was able to do that and ultimately wrote Conservation Restrictions on property that is now protected which probably wouldn’t be because they sold the company.  He worked with Mt Greylock Ski Club for 10 years to put a Conservation Restriction on that land.  He commented on the Berkshire Eagle as being an important part of our community.  Most counties don’t have a newspaper, and he commended the owners and staff for its coverage of sportsmen’s activities. He expressed pride in being a representative for MassWildlife, which he doesn’t take lightly.

The Sportsmen’s Appreciation Award was presented to Joe Miraglia of Ashfield   Joe, a native of Pittsfield who now lives in Ashfield, is very involved in the Ashfield Sportsmen’s Club.  “You will see him in the Berkshires many times” said Jester, “helping with various programs, fishing programs in June, and making donations to our organization.”  He has been involved in the outdoors since being a little boy. He is a great turkey hunter and makes tremendous turkey calls. He has helped with pheasant programs and teaching turkey hunting. He is being recognized for the dedication and leadership to preserve and promote the rich tradition and will forever be appreciated for all his efforts.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was posthumously presented to the late Fred Moran of Adams. He was an ardent supporter of the BCLS, a legend in the flyfishing world, owner of Points North Outfitters in Adams, a guide, and taught people how to fly fish.  He was a quiet person who advocated for sportsmen’s rights and was a member of the Taconic Chapter TU.  Alongside with his good friend and rod maker Digger Degere, he put on many public demonstrations and was on the Board of the Hoosic River Watershed.  “He received the award “In recognition of Fred’s role in the preservation of the natural resources of Berkshire County. His legacy, his patience and passion will forever inspire future generations”

Speaking on behalf of the Moran family, son Kevin said, “Receiving this award would have made Fred Moran very proud.  He greatly respected this organization and its constituency.  As an educator and sportsman and specifically as a fisherman, Fred took great pleasure in teaching hundreds and perhaps thousands of people to fly fish and along the way, like all of you, Fred raised his family to be conservation minded to enjoy and respect nature and its creatures and to know that our place within it means working  to ensure that our children and grandchildren  and beyond will enjoy the peace and tranquility  that comes with casting a size 16 Olive Caddis out into the Deerfield river  on a warm June evening or a  size 12 March Brown  on the Hoosic  on a crisp afternoon in April.  So, on his behalf Fred’s family represented here tonight by Marilyn, his wife of 50 years, his sons, daughter in law and granddaughters he accepted the award and thanked the League.

Incidentally, this was not the first time that Marilyn Moran was at the BCLS podium.  She was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award for her involvement in the Casting for Recovery Program.  The mission of CFR is to enhance the lives of women with breast cancer through fly fishing.

The John Zuber Award was presented to Eric Dupont of Lee.  He was recognized for introducing youths to the shooting sports and getting them involved with the Lee Sportsmen’s Association.  He expressed pride in receiving the award.  He noted that there are two firearms communities out there, this one that never gets any press and the one that we unfortunately get to read about all too often in the news. He encouraged everyone to remember that we can get out there and make our sporting community known for what it is.

Incidentally, John Zuber was one of the founders and past president of the BCLS.  An avid hunter/fisherman who traveled all over the world hunting, filming his hunts and giving presentations.  He was a valued member of the Pittsfield Sportsmen’s Club who was very involved with the youth and encouraged them to get involved with the outdoors.  Because of that, the BCLS opted to create an award in remembrance of him.

Trout stocking

Subject to change, the following local waters were scheduled to be stocked with trout last week:  South River and Swift River in Ashfield, Yokum Brook in Becket, Dry Brook and South Brook in Cheshire, Littleville Reservoir and Westfield River Middle Branch in Chester, West Branch Brook and Westfield River East Branch in Chesterfield,  Mill Brook, Swift River, Westfield Brook and Westfield River East Branch in Cummington; Wahconah Falls Brook and Sacket Brook in Dalton, North Pond in Florida, Swift River in Goshen, West Brook and Williams River in Great Barrington, Kinderhook Creek in Hancock, Windsor Brook in Hinsdale, Little River, Littleville Reservoir, Westfield River Mainstem, Westfield River Middle Branch and Westfield River East Branch in Huntington; Laurel Lake, Housatonic River C&R, Beartown Brook, Hop Brook and West Brook in Lee; Laurel Lake in Lenox, Factory Brook and Westfield River Middle Branch in Middlefield, Westfield River Main Stem in Mongomery, Farmington River in Otis, Trout Brook in Peru, Onota Lake and Sackett Brook in Pittsfield, Mill Brook in Plainfield, Westfield River Main Stem in Russell, Farmington River in Sandisfield, Housatonic River C&R and Larrywaug Brook in Stockbridge,  Farmington River in Tolland, Depot Brook in Washington, Williams River in West Stockbridge, Westfield Brook in Windsor, and Bronson Brook, Little River, West Branch Brook, Westfield River Middle Branch and Trout Brook in Worthington.

Spring trout stockings under way

Posted on by

 

Spring trout stocking is in full swing now with approximately 30% of the allotted numbers for the Western District already being stocked. That equates to about 30,000 trout swimming around there right under your nose. Hope you got out and caught some. Last week I was unable to provide any stocking information, but were catching up now.

Subject to change, the following waters were scheduled to be stocked with trout during the week of April 3 – April 7.  Westfield River (West) in Becket, Chester, Middlefield, and Huntington; Westfield River (Middle Branch) in Middlefield, Worthington, Chester and Huntington; Westfield River (East Branch) in Chesterfield, Cummington and Windsor; Housatonic River (East Branch) in Hinsdale and Dalton; Deerfield River in Buckland, Charlemont and Florida; Farmington River in Otis, Sandisfield and Tolland; Town Brook in Lanesborough, Norwich Pond in Huntington, Goose Pond in Lee and Tyringham, Windsor Lake in North Adams, Windsor Pond in Windsor  and Onota Lake in Pittsfield.

This past week, the following local waters were scheduled to be stocked, pending any changes:

Hoosic River (South Branch) in Cheshire and Adams, Housatonic River (Southwest Branch) in Pittsfield, Housatonic River (C/R) in Stockbridge and Lee, Littleville Reservoir in Chester and Huntington, Plunkett Reservoir in Hinsdale, Laurel Lake, Garfield Lake in Monterey, York Lake in New Marlborough, Big Pond in Otis, Otis Reservoir in Otis and Tolland, Onota Lake, Stockbridge Bowl and Windsor Pond in Windsor.

School is out, help stock trout!

Did you know that the public is invited to help MassWildlife stock trout during school vacation week?  It’s your chance to meet MassWildlife fisheries staff, view trout up close, and learn about places to fish near you. It is such a fun time to see the toddlers running to the lakeshore with a pail and a trout or two in it.  They are supposed to toss the trout out of the pail into the water, but every now and then in their excitement, they toss the pail in, too.

Stocking in our Western District will be on April 19 at Onota Lake in Pittsfield beginning at 1:30 p.m. at Burbank Park on Lakeway Drive.

Parents, bring a camera with you to capture these wonderful memories.  You’ll be glad you did.

New additions to the Freshwater Sportfishing Awards Program

Beginning in 2023 two new fish species (Fallfish and White Sucker) will be included in the Sportfish Awards Program. These are fish not normally eaten and some consider them trash fish.  But they make up an important part of the “game” fish’s diet. It will be interesting to see the sizes of some of the fish entered into the Sportfish Award Program.

Personally, I never understood why Rock Bass were classified as Sunfish. One only needs to look at the size of their mouths and you can tell they ae of the bass family. It’s hard to get a pin for a Pumpkinseed or Bluegill when they are competing against a Rock Bass. I think they should be separate categories. If any tweaks were to be made to the Freshwater Sportfishing Program, that’s where I would have made it.

They have also added a Youth Catch and Release category to the Awards Program.  Now this is where an adult should make sure that the youth knows how to safely remove a hook from a fish so that it has a chance for survival. Maybe I can get into that in a subsequent column.

Some of the 2022 winners with connections to the Western District:

As previously mentioned in this column, there was a 3-way tie for Catch and Keep Youth Angler of the Year; the winners were:

Carter Flagg of Gill, Logan Middlebrook of Pittsfield, and Gabriel Christman of Pittsfield. Each angler caught 9 of the 22 eligible species.

Other 2022 Gold Pin Winners with local connections:

Brook Trout 3. 5 lbs. from Goose Pond by Allan Armstrong of Lee, Brown Trout 3. 6 lbs. from Onota Lake by Logan Middlebrook of Pittsfield; Bullhead; 2. 0 lbs. from Plainfield Pond by Carter Flagg, of Gill; Crappie 2. 4 lbs. from Norwich Pond by Dominic Crochier of Chesterfield; Rainbow Trout 3.5lbs. from Stockbridge Bowl by Gabriel Christman of Pittsfield; White Perch 1. 4 lbs. from Pontoosuc Lake by Gabriel Christman of Pittsfield; Northern Pike 44″ from Onota Lake by Seth Davis of Oxford; Northern Pike 44″ from Onota Lake by Jake Burke of Pittsfield and White Catfish 23.25″ from Onota Lake by Jason Wingrove of Bernardston.

Migratory Bird Regulations Public Hearing–

A public hearing will be held on Wednesday, April 26 at 1:30 p.m., at the S.O. Conte Anadromous Fish Research Laboratory, 1 Migratory Way, Turners Falls, MA to establish rules and regulations relative to the 2023–2024 migratory game bird hunting seasons.

Due to the migratory game bird season filing requirements of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Fisheries and Wildlife Board must vote to finalize and approve the 2023–2024 migratory bird seasons at the close of the hearing. Therefore, please note: There will be no written comment period after this public hearing. Written comments may be submitted prior to the hearing via email to Susan.sacco@mass.gov, Subject: Fisheries and Wildlife Board, or by mail to the Fisheries and Wildlife Board, MassWildlife Field Headquarters, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581. Written public comments will be accepted until Tuesday, April 25, 2023, 5:00 p.m.

Here is a summary of the proposed changes.  I think our waterfowl hunters will like them:

  • Woodcock Season: October 2 through November 22
  • Youth Waterfowl Hunts: September 23 and October 7
  • Veteran’s Waterfowl Hunts: September 23 and January 29
  • Early Goose Season (statewide): September 1 through September 22
  • Regular Goose Season

o Berkshire Zone: October 10 through November 25 and December 11 through December

14 (now 45 days, increased from 30 days; daily bag now 3, increased from 1)

o Central Zone: October 14 through November 25 and December 12 through January 6

o Coastal Zone: October 14 through October 21 and November 29 through January 27

  • Late Goose Season

o Berkshire Zone: December 15 through January 30

o Central Zone: January 15 through February 12

o North Coastal Zone: January 29 through February 15

  • Duck Season

o Berkshire Zone: October 9 through November 25 and December 11 through December

30

o Central Zone: October 14 through November 25 and December 12 through January 6

o Coastal Zone: October 14 through October 21 and November 28 through January 27

Beagle Club Field Trials

 

Next weekend, April 22 – 23, the Berkshire Beagle Club on Sleepy Hollow Road in Richmond, MA is having its spring field trials.  Some of the best beagles in the northeast will compete at following the scents of snowshoe hares and/or cottontail bunnies. All of the dogs are AKC registered and many already possess championship ribbons won at other field trials.  For beagle lovers, there’s no finer sound than that of a beagle singing its heart out while following the scent of a bunny.

The club welcomes folks to come and just listen to the dogs and observe the judges.  Every now and then, you will hear someone shout “Tally Ho!” to let the judges know that they spotted a bunny or dog on its scent.

 

There will be food to purchase there as well as a 50/50 raffle.

Will logging on state-owned land be stopped?

Posted on by

Governor Maura Healey made a campaign promise to pause logging on state-owned forest land and some environmentalists, such as Melissa Brown of Newton, MA, think that’s the right thing to do. Brown is a cofounder of Trees as a Public Good Network and a member of  the steering committee of  Our Revolution Massachusetts Climate Crisis Working Group.  She feels that forest management should be based on current science, not wood industry marketing and that public forest management should comply with recent state legislation mandating net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

She feels that science is clear that trees can help stabilize climate, but only if we stop cutting them down and interfering with their growth. Trees clean and cool the air, reduce flooding and soil erosion, filter the water entering our water supplies, provide wildlife habitat, and sequester carbon.

Brown feels that forests provide more life-saving, biodiversity-preserving ecoservices than the sum of their individual trees, so, protecting our forests is crucial to keeping life livable here.  Also, old-growth forests provide significantly more ecoservices than “young” forests. She questions why our state agencies take bids from the wood industry to log hundreds or more acres of public-owned land each year when logging prevents young forests from maturing into old-growth forests? She questions why MassWildlife proposes to protect only 10 to 15 percent of the 170,000 public-owned acres it manages in reserves with no logging?

She feels that claims that reducing mature forests is needed to prevent wildfires and wildlife declines, especially game species, and to sequester carbon is unfounded because we are not in arid California, and comparisons to the 1960s, when game species were at very high levels, are misleading. Older trees store and sequester more carbon than younger ones. Undisturbed forest soil also stores carbon as well as containing millions of tiny species with untapped medical potential.

Once forests are cut and allowed to recover, it takes 100 or more years to restore ecoservices. To halt the pace of global warming, there is a need to stop logging public lands now. This pause will not touch loggers’ livelihoods because 79 percent of Massachusetts’ forests are not public lands.

But Chris Egan of Burlington, MA, Executive Director of Massachusetts Forest Alliance has a different opinion.  His feeling is that with Massachusetts state forests being divided into recreational parks, forest reserves, and managed woodlands, forest science is increasingly coalescing around this mix and managed with climate-smart forestry techniques.  More building   with wood instead of carbon-intensive concrete and steel is the best strategy for maximizing carbon sequestration and storage over time.

These conclusions are outlined in the Highstead Foundation’s New England’s Climate Imperative, the New England Forestry Foundation’s 30 Percent Climate Solution, the Commonwealth’s Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2025 and 2030, and many other research publications. (Highstead Foundation is a regional conservation non-profit dedicated to increasing the pace of land protection in New England and beyond through science, sound stewardship and collaboration.)

Egan feels that the term “commercial harvesting” can be misleading. In this context, it means all forest management activities.

He also believes the proposed moratorium would likely prevent any forest management except for immediate public safety needs. That would mean that the MA DCR could not remove dead and dying red pine plantations in state forests to release the native mixed-species younger forest growing underneath. MassWildlife would be prevented from managing forest habitat for rare, threatened, or endangered plants and animals in its Wildlife Management Areas (WMA). And the Division of Water Supply Protection would be barred from forest management to increase resilience to severe weather to protect the Quabbin Reservoir’s water quality.

He believes in careful forest stewardship on state lands, with a mix of reserves and forest actively managed using the best comprehensive science. Many of Massachusetts’s leading environmental organizations also favor forest management on state-owned lands; Their Climate and Environmental Policy Briefing Book says, “Both forest reserves . . . and sustainably managed forests . . . are important and appropriate on both private and public forest lands in Massachusetts.”

Last December, leaders of The Nature Conservancy’s Massachusetts office, Mass Audubon, and the Trustees of Reservations wrote an open letter to then Governor-elect Maura Healey in Commonwealth Magazine about the need for nature-based climate solutions. In it they said, “We also must manage both public and privately-owned forests through a mix of forest reserves and managed forests, including sustainable timber harvesting. This balanced approach is needed to meet state and landowner climate, biodiversity, and economic goals.”

The source of much of the above comments was a February 12, 2023Boston Globe article entitled: The Argument: Should Massachusetts adopt a moratorium on commercial harvesting on state-owned forest land?

One thing that bothers me if this moratorium is enacted is what happens to the MassWildlife’s WMAs?  MassWildlife has statutory responsibility to conserve freshwater fish and wildlife including endangered plants and animals.   Its mission is the conservation, including restoration, protection, and management of fish and wildlife resources for the benefit and enjoyment of the public.  A large part of its restoration effort is the management of the habitat.  Things like berry bushes, young trees, etc.  provide food and cover for deer, bunnies, songbirds, and many other critters.  They cannot survive by chewing the bark of mature forest trees; rather, they need the succulent browse, buds, berries, etc. of early successional growth.

Taking away one of MassWildlife’s main tools for habitat management, might have unwelcomed consequences.

I hope Governor Healey doesn’t pause the logging without first visiting some WMAs, such as Stafford Hill in Cheshire and seeing the remarkable recovery of grouse, woodcock, songbirds and other critters as a result of MassWildlife’s habitat management program.

MassWildlife Director Mark Tisa Received a National Wild Turkey Federation Award

Recently, the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) presented MassWildlife Director Mark Tisa with its new “Innovation Award” The award recognizes MassWildlife’s use of creative strategies to address conservation issues and declining hunting participation.

“I am honored to receive NWTF’s Innovation Award,” Tisa said. “MassWildlife and NWTF continue to grow our important partnership, collaborating on mentorship and learn-to-hunt programs, as well as habitat and access improvement projects. Through sound wildlife management and the support of conservation partners like NWTF, MassWildlife is proud to continue expanding turkey hunting opportunities in Massachusetts.”

“This partnership has only strengthened under the leadership of Director Tisa,” said Keith Fritze, NWTF Massachusetts State Chapter President. “We share goals for implementing science-based species and habitat management, expanding hunting opportunities, and enhancing learn-to-hunt offerings for youth and adults. We appreciate the support and increased opportunities that Director Tisa’s guidance has afforded the sportsmen and women of Massachusetts.”

When presenting Tisa’s award, NWTF cited multiple regulation changes and initiatives made by MassWildlife that have improved hunting opportunities and wildlife habitat, including:

  • Increasing the annual turkey season limit from two to three birds to incentivize participation in the fall hunting season.
  • Expanding the archery-only fall turkey season to create more overlap with the fall archery deer season.
  • Eliminating smaller shot size restrictions to allow turkey hunters to take advantage of the new advances in heavier-than-lead ammunition, such as TSS.
  • Promoting participation in turkey hunting through MassWildlife’s Youth Turkey Hunting Program. With help from NWTF and sporting clubs, MassWildlife’s Youth Turkey Hunting Program has been providing a mentored spring turkey hunt since 2009. Tisa was a key figure in getting this program off the ground.
  • With Tisa’s support, MassWildlife is also a critical partner to NWTF and the Ruffed Grouse Society on the USDA Forest Service’s Landscape Scale Restoration grant that seeks to improve forest health on approximately 2,000 acres of public and private forestlands in western Massachusetts.

“To say the director utilized an innovative approach to conservation and hunter recruitment would be an understatement”, said NWTF co-CEO Kurt Dyroff. “Director Tisa has gone above and beyond to ensure both turkeys and turkey hunting are alive and well in the Bay State.”

Trout Stocking

 As of last Wednesday, the following local waters were stocked with rainbow trout:  Laurel Lake, Stockbridge Bowl and Onota Lake.

 

2022 Berkshire County League of Sportsmen Award winners are announced

Posted on by

 

At the February 2 meeting of the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen (BCLS) four area outdoor sportspeople/conservationists were selected to receive prestigious awards. The awards will be presented at the Annual Silvio O. Conte Memorial Dinner on Saturday, April 22 at the Cheshire Rod & Gun Club.  (More information to come in a later column, such as time and ticket price).

The winners are as follows:

Stephen Sears of Dalton was selected to receive the Sportsman of the Year Award. He is the current Chairman of the MA Fish & Wildlife Board.  He has done an excellent job representing his western Massachusetts constituents and those across the state.  Fellow members on the Board, the Department of Fish & Game and the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife respect his opinions and have appointed him to serve on several very important subcommittees of the Board.

He is knowledgeable in the field of conservation and proper management of our natural resources. He enjoys the outdoors not only as a hunter and fisherman, but also as a hiker, bird watcher, nature photographer, mountain biker, skier, and more.   His lifelong love of all aspects of the outdoors comes through very clearly and he is a staunch supporter of many conservation measures.

In the past 25 years he has taken the lead role in protecting multiple significant land parcels in Berkshire County through conservation restrictions with both Mass Wildlife and Mass DCR ensuring that these lands are forever available to all of us.

His current and past board positions with the Massachusetts Outdoor Heritage Foundation, Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area, the Center for Eco Technology “CET”, Grow Dalton, The Mount Greylock Ski Club and the Local Committee such as Notchview Reservation and The Trustees of Reservation makes him a very important member of the Fish & Wildlife Board.

The late Fred Moran of Adams was selected to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously.   Fred was as an avid fly fisherman who ran Points North Outfitters in Adams.  For two decades Fred and his wife Marilyn taught hundreds how to fly fish, not only local anglers but quite a few from the Pioneer Valley area.  They guided hundreds more on the Deerfield River.  Fred was known for collecting antique (bamboo) fishing rods and reels and the building and restoration of fly-fishing rods. He later worked at the Orvis fly rod factory in Manchester, VT. He was a close friend of the legendary local bamboo rod builder, Francis Digger” Degere and became his apprentice.

Fred was an esteemed member of the Taconic Chapter of Trout Unlimited where he and Digger put on rod building demonstrations.  Fred and Marilyn were recipients of TU’s Crooked Staff Award, the highest honor that the chapter bestows.  He was also a director of the Hoosic River Watershed Association.

Joel Miraglia of Ashfield was selected to receive the Sportsmen’s Appreciation Award.   A long-time member of the Ashfield Rod & Gun Club (ARGC), he has served as VP, a Hunter Education instructor for more than 8 years.  In the club’s winter and spring fishing derbies he coordinated sponsors, provided prizes, arranged stocking of fish, coordinated the Ashfield Lake House and Sanderson Academy, coordinated with landowners and then afterwards was its Master of Ceremonies.  The Club Scholarship Program is largely funded by his efforts raffling a kayak each year – selling tickets at the Club’s booths at the Greenfield Fair, Cummington Fair and also tickets at the Ashfield Festival where the club sells vegetarian chili.  The program has provided many scholarships to graduates of Mohawk School in the field of natural resources.

For many years he has run the Club’s pheasant program which included coordinating with the State in young bird delivery, preparing tents, coordinating food services, coordinating schedule for the care and breeding of the birds, coordinating the landowners who let them use their properties, scheduling the stocking and more.  Joe was awarded the Russell S Williams Outstanding Service Award.

Eric Dupont of Lee was selected to receive the John Zuber Award for all that he does for the youth programs at the Lee Sportsmen’s Association (LSA).  He is an NRA Level 1 Pistol Coach and a Certified Archery Coach.  He has grown the .22 Youth Pistol Program from 12 youths to 32. He also has grown the Air Pistol Team.  Largely due to his efforts, the winter’s archery program has grown from 63 to 95 youths.

Eric also serves on the LSA Board of Directors and is the Pistol Chairman.

Ashfield Rod & Gun Club Ice Fishing Derby

Depending on ice conditions, the derby is scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 26, from 8:00 am to 12 noon on Ashfield Lake, Buckland Road (just off Route 112). Registration will take place at the Ashfield Lake House Beach. You can park at either the Ashfield Lake House or the Town Beach. Bring your own equipment. Some holes in the ice will be drilled. A warming fire and refreshments will be provided. Awards will take place at 12:00 noon.

Be sure to check the ice thickness prior to going.  Contact ARGC president Jack Shea at 413 522 6150 if you have any questions.

Fly Tying

The Taconic Chapter of Trout Unlimited will sponsor a fly-tying event at Wild Soul River, 248 Cole Ave, in Williamstown on Saturday, February 25 at 3:00 pm.  People of all skill levels are welcome. Bring your vise and tools, or use theirs.  Taconic TU President Justin Adkins will share his favorite super simple Sakasa Kebari wet fly pattern. Mostly used for tenkara fishing, this pattern is great with any gear on our small streams here in Western Mass.

Berkshire Archery Championship

The Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club is sponsoring a 300 Round Indoor Archery Tournament Berkshire Championship on February 25 and 26.  Classes of competition are:  Adults – Compound Freestyle Men, Compound Freestyle Women, Bow Hunter men (release and fingers combined), Bow Hunter women (release and fingers combined) and Traditional/Longbow or Recurve.  Youth: 12 to 16 years, Cub 11 years of age and under.  A single competitive round will be shot consisting of 5 arrows each end, 12 ends, 60 arrows, distance of 20 yards.  Archers may choose either the single or 5 spot face targets.

Participants can choose any one of three shooting times:  Saturday February 25 at 6:00 pm, Sunday February 26, 9:00 am or 1:00 pm, or Youth shoot 11:00 am Sunday.

To register, directions or questions, contact John Mange (518)794-7368 or John Davis at (413)446-9812.

Cheshire FD Ice Fishing Derby results

On Sunday, February 12, some 379 registered anglers in Cheshire headed out onto the frozen lake for the 6th annual ice fishing derby to benefit the Cheshire Fire Department.  A HUGE thank you went out to everyone who came out and spent the day on Cheshire Lake to support the Cheshire Fire Department.   They raised over $6,200 for the Department.

 

According to the Department’s Facebook page, the derby brought in “a ton of great bass, a few nice pickerel, and one pike snuck onto the leaderboard in the last hour.”

 

They had lots of great prizes to give away that day, all thanks to their very generous sponsors who make the derby grow each year.

 

Derby winners were:

Adult:

Andrew Heath, 6lb 3oz, 22” Bass

Bruce Poirot, 5lb 9oz, 29” Pike

Edgar Agundis, 4lb 9oz, 20” Bass

 

Youth:

Justin Proper Jr. 3lb 7oz, 23 1/2” Pickerel

Oliver Lavalley, 3lb 5oz, 18 1/2” Bass

Nate Mallet, 2lb 14oz, 23” Pickerel

 

Congratulations to the winners.  Sorry I was unable to get any pictures of the winners and their winning fish.

 

Ice fishing derby cancelled

 

The Cheshire Rod & Gun Club/Adams Outdoor for Youth Ice fishing derby scheduled for this Sunday has been canceled because of lack of ice.  They do not feel safe getting people on and off the lake. All prizes and donations will be held over untill next year.

 

That probably means MassWildlife’s Learn to Ice Fish event will be cancelled, too.

 

A reminder from Lt. Tara Carlow, MA Environmental Police

 

At the last BCLS meeting, Lt Carlow reminded the delegates that any off-highway vehicle (snowmobile, ATV, dirt bike, side-by-sides) can only operate either with landowners written permission OR on property with trails designated for their use and in season, such as Pittsfield State Forest.

2022 MA Angler of the Year and gold pin award winners announced

Posted on by

 

Since 1963, MassWildlife’s Freshwater Sportfishing Awards Program has recognized anglers who catch exceptional freshwater fish across Massachusetts. The goal of the Freshwater Sportfishing Awards Program is to foster a joy for angling in the many aquatic habitats the state has to offer. From rivers and streams to lakes and ponds, Massachusetts offers opportunities to catch over 20 species of fish.

The Catch & Keep Angler of the Year Award is given to the person who weighs in the largest number of species that meet the minimum weight requirements for the previous calendar year.

According to figures announced by MassWildlife, the Adult Catch & Keep Angler of the Year was Matthew Power of Auburn. In addition to other bronze pin fish, he caught the gold pin yellow perch weighing 1 lb. 14 oz out of Demond Pond in Rutland.

There was a 3-way tie in the Youth Catch & Keep Angler of the Year.  Carter Flagg of Gill, and Logan Middlebrook and Gabriel Christman of Pittsfield. Carter caught the gold pin bullhead which weighed 2 lbs. 0 oz out of Plainfield Pond in Plainfield. He also caught a gold pin 11 lbs. 15 oz channel catfish out of the Connecticut River in Northfield.

Picture provided by Middlebrook family

Logan caught the gold pin brown trout weighing 3 lbs. 6 oz out of Onota Lake in Pittsfield.  Gabriel caught the gold pin 3 lbs. 5 oz rainbow trout out of Stockbridge Bowl in Stockbridge.  He also caught a gold pin white perch weighing 1 lb. 4 oz out of Pontoosuc Lake in Lanesborough.

Gabriel Christman holding gold pin rainbow.

The Catch & Release Angler of the Year Award is awarded to the person who submits the largest number of species that meet the minimum length requirements for the previous calendar year.

The Catch & Release Angler of the Year winner was Andrew Langley of Peabody. He caught a gold pin 24.75-inch shad out of the Merrimack River in Andover

Other gold pin fish that were caught out of Berkshire waters last year were:

In the Adult Catch & Keep Category – A 3 lbs. 5 oz brook trout was caught out of Goose Pond in Lee by Allan Armstrong of Lee.

In the Catch & Release category, two 44-inch northern pike were caught out of Onota Lake.  One was caught by Seth Davis of Oxbridge and one caught by Jake Burke of Pittsfield. Another gold pin fish caught out of Onota was a 23.25- inch white catfish which was caught by Jason Wingrove of Bernardston. (I never knew we had white catfish here in Berkshire waters).

Angler of the Year recipients and gold pin winners are honored each year at a MassWildlife awards event where they will get a gold pin and a plaque. The date and location TBA.

I have only listed the names of the gold pin winners. There is another pin awarded and that is the bronze pin.  If you submit a fish that meets the minimum weight or minimum length requirements for an eligible species, you’ll get a bronze pin from MassWildlife for that species Nearly 1,000 pins are awarded annually.

 

There were 4 new state records all in the Catch & Release Category: A 32-inch bowfin caught out of the Connecticut River in Northampton by Will Pelerin of Springfield, a 25-inch largemouth bass caught out of Forge Pond in Granby also caught by Will Pellerin, a 29.50-inch walleye caught out of the Connecticut River in Holyoke by Michael Taylor of South Hadley and an 18-inch white perch caught out of Wachusett Reservoir by John Ceccolini of Sutton.

Congratulations to all the 2022 winners!

Incidentally, Gabriel Christman comes from quite a fishing family.  His father was Angler of the Year Adult Catch and Keep Category in 2016, 2020 and 2021.  His sister Alice Christman was the 2019 Youth Catch and Keep Angler of the Year.

Tom Wren Ice Fishing Derby

 

The Tom Wren Memorial Ice Fishing Derby is scheduled to be held at Pontoosuc Lake February 18.  Check-in starts at 6:00 am. and the final weigh in at 3:00 pm. All cash brought in will be paid out in prizes. First second and third heaviest fish for the Adult and Children categories. Check in and weigh in will be held in the camper shanty set up at Narragansett Park in Lanesboro. Any questions click onto the Tom Wren Memorial Ice Fishing Derby Facebook page.

 

The Cheshire Rod & Gun Club & Adams Outdoorsmen for Youth Ice Fishing Derby

 

This derby will be held on Cheshire Lake on Sunday, February 19 from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM

(1st Lake (North Basin) and 2nd Lake).  Prizes will be awarded to:

Adults: 1st/2nd/3rd Heaviest Pike; 1st/2nd/3rd Heaviest Bass and 1st Heaviest Misc. Fish.

Kids: Top 5 heaviest fish.

 

Prizes include: 10” Eskimo Auger, Eskimo Shanty, Set of 5 Jack Trap Tip Ups, Eskimo Pistol Bit Auger, Jet Sleds, plus much more.

 

Tickets are $15 for adults and free for kids with an adult ticket. They are available at Cheshire Sporting Goods, Dave’s Sporting Goods, Onota Boat Livery, Martin Farrell’s Bait or on the day of the derby from 7:00 am to 10:00 am at the boat ramps.

 

Awards will be presented at the Cheshire Rod & Gun Club at 5 PM.

 

Learn to Ice Fish and Fishing Derby 

MassWildlife invites you to learn to ice fish and have some fun. On February 19, meet up at Farnham’s Causeway on Cheshire Lake, drop in any time between sunrise to 4:00 pm. Gear and bait will be provided. This event is co-sponsored by the Cheshire Rod and Gun Club and the Adams Outdoorsman for Youth. This is a fishing derby with prizes and a learn to fish event. It is open to the public, no registration required.

Incidentally, in last week’s column where I mentioned the results of the Lanesboro Fire Department’s ice fishing derby, I forgot to mention that the derby took place on Pontoosuc Lake.

Crazy weather this year with abnormally warm temperatures.  I haven’t even been out ice fishing once and its beginning to look like I may not get out at all this season.  Not unless we get a lengthy cold snap.  What little ice there is will surely get thinner.  If you plan to participate in one of the ice fishing derbies or events, you might want to keep an eye on the sponsor’s web pages for updates, or call them directly.

 

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Banquet

 

The Bay State Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation will be holding a banquet on February 18 at 5:00 pm at the Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club, 24 West Stockbridge Road, Stockbridge.  There are a dozen entrance fee scenarios, but a single ticket costs $90, or a couple ticket costs $145.00.  There will be great food and chances to win top notch firearms, premium trips, and exclusive gear. The live auction special feature is a 2024 Wyoming Backcountry Pack trip for two. Seats and tickets are limited and you can reserve your tickets by registering online (www.rmef.org/Masssachusetts) or by calling Gary Johnston at (413)441-0361.

MassWildlife winter activities

Ever wonder what DFW staff does during the winter?  Well, according to DFW Western District Supervisor Andrew Madden some of their time is spent on apple tree pruning. Western District staff are continuing efforts to restore overgrown apple orchards this winter. They have pruned and released trees at Peru and Fox Den Wildlife Management Areas (WMA). Productive apple trees provide important soft mast for a variety of game and non-game species.

They are also spending time on nesting boxes.  District staff have been servicing nesting boxes for wood duck, kestrel, and bluebirds. The inconsistent ice has made duck boxes a challenge, but lack of snow has allowed them to attend their other boxes earlier than usual.

2022 Prescribed Fire Program Summary

DFW Western District kicked off a prescribed fire program for the first time in 2022. Efforts were focused on fields and calcareous fens.  They conducted burns at Stafford Hill WMA in Cheshire, Fairfield Brook WMA in Richmond and Karner Brook WMA in Egremont and Mount Washington. The burns were the first in Berkshire County for MassWildlife’s modern burn program. They have additional sites planned for 2023.

A look back at 2022 Woods and Waters columns

Posted on by

 

At the end of last year, I highlighted the more informative and interesting articles that were included in this column during the year.  Because of positive comments received, I am doing the same for the year 2022.

In January we reported that seventeen women deer hunters participated in MassWildlife’s 2021 Becoming-an-Outdoors-Woman (BOW) Deer Hunt Program. Nearly all the women saw deer and all participants enjoyed their hunt. Two women harvested their first deer ever.  We also mentioned a lost Steller’s Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus), which is native to Asia. Somehow it found its way to the Taunton River in Massachusetts.

In March there was an article about Bob Leverett “the old growth evangelist”.  He informed us that there were indeed old growth forests in Massachusetts. He developed ways for measuring and aging them and their ability to capture carbon.  His work, along with that of Dr. Anthony D’Amato (of University of Vermont), have helped to ensure the protection of 1,200 acres of old growth in the Commonwealth’s Forest Reserves.  His message is “We have a duty to protect an old-growth forest, for both its beauty and its importance to the planet”. We learned of the death of Leo M Daley who spent some 42 years with the DFW.  He had held the titles of Aquatic Biologist, Fisheries Manager, and interim District Manager. In the 30 years spent in our district, he stocked over 1.5 million trout in Western Massachusetts waters.

In March and April there were articles about hungry black bears emerging from their dens and the problems they cause by raiding our bird feeders.  In the Berkshires there are about 2,000 of them and readers were advised on how to avoid conflicts with them.  MassWildlife Black Bear and Furbearer Biologist Dave Wattles’ study showed that female bears that they study in more suburban areas are very large, with weights averaging more than 250 pounds, compared to bears in more rural, forested areas averaging closer to 150 pounds.  A second big takeaway was how close to people bears will den. They had bear dens 10 yards off the back parking lot of a fire department, under a building on piling foundations, on the edge of a backyard, and in the middle of a construction yard. These bears had plenty of options to den in more remote locations but chose not to, indicating bears are finding supplemental food sources in suburban areas, such as unsecured garbage, bird feeders, and open compost. Biologists warn that human food sources are harmful to bears’ natural diets and put communities at added risk of unwanted conflicts.

picture taken and provided by Gene Chague. Bears heading for Gene’s deck.

In April we learned about the numbers and types of wildlife violations that our Massachusetts Environmental Police are dealing with.  A pitch was made for Massachusetts to join the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact, a network that seeks to reduce wildlife poaching through information sharing across state lines and reciprocal recognition of license suspensions and revocations for fishing, hunting, and trapping. The legislation, co-sponsored by Berkshire State Representatives Tricia Farley-Bouvier and Paul Mark, would update the Commonwealth’s outdated penalties for illegal hunting, some of which have not been updated in a century and currently amount to little more than a slap on the hand.  The bill passed later this year.

In April we reported that the highly pathogenic Avian Influenza was detected in wild birds in multiple locations in Massachusetts. Avian flu, also known as bird flu, is a common influenza strain that can spread from birds to humans through saliva, naval secretion and feces. The avian flu is not common among humans, but is very contagious among birds.  We reported the Preliminary 2021 deer harvest figures verses last year figures:

  • Youth Deer/Paraplegic Hunt Days: 86 vs 131 last year
  • Archery Season: 5,894 vs 6655 last year
  • Shotgun Season: 5,008 vs 5138 last year
  • Primitive Firearms Season: 2,375 vs 2842 last year

 

Although Western Zone harvests were not mentioned, DFW Western District Supervisor Andrew Madden said that they were consistent with 2020 (which was a record year).

In May, 5 individuals received Silvio O. Conte sportsmen awards:  The late Chris Puntin, formerly of Pittsfield, received the Sportsman of the Year Award posthumously; Meredyth Babcock of Becket received the Outstanding Achievement Award; Stephanie Dupont of Pittsfield received the Sportsmen’s Appreciation Award; Donald E. Girard of Adams received the Lifetime Achievement Award and Gregg Armstrong, of North Adams, received the John Zuber Award.  We also reported that after 38 years of state service, Marion E. Larson retired in early March from her position as Chief of MassWildlife’s Information and Education (I&E) Section.  Joshua Christman of Pittsfield, who had been named Massachusetts Angler of the Year (Adult Catch and Keep Category) in 2016, 2020 and 2021 by MassWildlife and a frequent multi-gold pin awardee, was off to another good start this year.  He caught a large rainbow trout out of Berkshire waters which measured 24 inches long and weighed 4 lbs.

In June Berkshire Environmental Action Team Executive Director Jane Winn 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.  Thirteen-year old Logan Middlebrook of Pittsfield landed a carp out of Pontoosuc Lake which weighed in at 13.3 lbs. and was over 30 inches long.   While fighting it he had to cross 2 house lots, a couple of bridges and over people’s docks.

Picture provided by Middlebrook family

James McGrath, Park, Open Space, and Natural Resource Program Manager, City of Pittsfield announced that the Mill Street dam was successfully removed along with over 8,000 tons of contaminated sediments.   Lee Sportsmen’s Association Higher Education Scholarship was awarded to Brianna Kelly.   The Bateman Jimmy Fund fishing derby was the greatest with over 355 people in attendance and over $10,000 raised.

In July, Joshua Christman, organizer of Carp Palooza, announced that it was a great event with 39 teams participating.   Steve Sears of Dalton was elected Acting Chairman of the MA Fish & Wildlife Board. We featured an article about a Picnic Table Boat.  It is powered by an electric motor, and if you run out of power, it has a solar panel on the top of the umbrella which recharges the battery.  The battery has a USB port into which they plug in lights, a speaker, an iPad, cooler, etc.

In August we covered the 75th anniversary of the Stockbridge Bowl Association.  Feature speaker was the old growth evangelist Bob Leverett. We covered successful flyfishing trips to Labrador and Yellowstone National Park made by local anglers.  Eight-year-old Michael (Mikey) Hubbard of Pittsfield successfully landed a 21-inch, 4.4lbs largemouth bass.

 

In September, Travis Bailey of Lee harvested a bear weighing 620 lbs. field dressed.  After it was skinned out, it measured 7 feet from nose to tail, with a space between its ears of 10 inches. Rachel Kanter of Lenox landed a monster 35-inch pike.

In October we reported that It was a good year for MassWildlife/ Department of Fish & Game land acquisitions and conservation completing 11 projects and protecting 937 acres. Great Barrington approved a new ordinance to help curb problem bears.

 

In November Paraplegic hunters took four deer in the Berkshires, seven statewide. The Youth pheasant hunt produced happy hunters. Some $483,922 was awarded in state grant funds to improve wildlife habitat on 514 acres of land within the Commonwealth.

 

In December we did an article about MassWildlife’s controlled burns. National Geographic wrote an article titled, ‘This Trail May Be the Best Way to See New England’s Fall Colors”. The specific Berkshires trail mentioned was BNRC’s High Road. The town of Nahant hired sharpshooters to eliminate its coyote problem. DFW Western District Supervisor had a great article in Massachusetts Wildlife about feeding bears.

 

During the year, we reviewed three books, two by local authors. The Richmond Pond Association and the Richmond Historical Commission produced a book entitled, The Gem of Richmond:  A History of Richmond Pond. The editor was Ken Kelly, of Lenox and Richmond. Paul C. Carter of Dalton came out with a new deer hunting book entitled, More Deer Hunts, through a Tracker’s Eyes.  Author Robert (Bob) Romano came out with a wonderful book entitled River Flowers.  All were still highly recommended.

Thanks for taking the time to read the columns this past year and hopefully you’ll stay with us next year.

Happy New Year!

Good news for Red Brook’s “salter” population

Posted on by

 

You probably never heard of Red Brook.  Well, it’s a small spring fed, 4.5-mile brook that serves as the boundary between Plymouth and Wareham in southeastern Massachusetts.  It empties into Buttermilk Bay near the Cape Cod Canal. Its claim to fame is that it is among just a few streams south of Maine to hold a viable population of so-called “salters.”   (brook trout that move back and forth between fresh and saltwater).

A little history:  Having been lured to Red Brook by its sea-run brook trout fishery, Theodore Lyman III began buying land along its banks in 1870. His first purchase was a small house, salt marsh and shoreline on Buttermilk Bay.  Over the years, adjacent pieces of property were acquired and the total amount of land became substantial and difficult for the family to properly manage.

The Lyman family eventually deeded over their Red Brook property to the MA Council of Trout Unlimited, with the understanding that TU would restore the brook’s sea-run brook trout fishery. At the time, there were approximately 5,000 members in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, with a dozen or so chapters.  They are volunteers dedicated to the enhancement and preservation of cold waters and their fisheries, not to acquire land. Now it was tasked with the responsibility of preserving some 650 acres through which the stream flows. It was a daunting task trying to raise funds in order to manage it.

In 2001 TU National signed an agreement with The Trustees of Reservations (TTOR) and the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW) that created the 638-acre Red Brook Reserve. The 210-acre Lyman Reserve, owned by the TTOR, is jointly managed by the three parties. The 428-acre Red Brook Wildlife Management Unit section of the reserve was expanded in 2009 to protect the entire stream by the purchase of 245 acres at its headwaters.

Between 2006 and 2009, four dams were removed from Red Brook in the Lyman Reserve by the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration, TU and TTOR, along with extensive habitat restoration. TU and its partners have invested millions of dollars and tens of thousands of hours to help protect those salter brook trout and because of that Red Brook’s brook trout population is healthy once again. Herring, eels and brook trout now swim an unobstructed Red Brook for the first time in 150 years. A restoration of Red Brook in cranberry bogs at the headwaters began.

All that effort was put at risk recently by a proposed change to zoning on a large parcel in the stream’s headwaters, which then allowed only single-family homes on lots of three acres. The change was to create a “hospitality, recreation and entertainment” overlay district on 756 acres of pine barren land. If approved, it could have led to development of hotels, multi-family homes and possibly even a horse track and casino.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

The proposal elicited fierce opposition from TU members and supporters, among many others.

A town vote was scheduled for April 10, 2022 in Wareham and as the vote approached, volunteers from TU chapters and the MA Council rapidly initiated a campaign to advocate for the defeat of the proposal. Donors helped raise over $15,000, which helped with advertising to urge citizens of the town to vote against the proposal.  (Our local Taconic Chapter of TU kicked in $500).

Jeff Yates, TU National’s Director of Volunteer Operations did a terrific job of designing placards and yard signs and creating catchy slogans, such as, “Save the Salters!”

Other organizations opposed to the proposed zoning change included the Wareham Land Trust, the Southeastern Massachusetts Pine Barrens Alliance, the Buzzards Bay Coalition, TTOR, the Community Land and Water Coalition, the Sea Run Brook Trout Coalition, Wildlands Trust and the Northeast Wilderness Trust. The Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe has also opposed the measure.

“Big box developments such as the one proposed in the headwaters are as common as bird poop on a summer windshield,” TU President and CEO Chris Wood wrote in a column prior to the vote. “The people of Wareham can send a powerful message to communities across New England by voting ‘no’ on April 10 and demonstrating that we are not a desperate nation willing to fill in every open space with concrete, glass and metal.”

And that’s what the voters did with an overwhelming “no” vote.  “The rout was welcome to all who so quickly mobilized to ensure the protection of one of Massachusetts’ natural treasures and will, we can hope, show the power of a community coming together to fight for something it loves”, wrote the Wareham Week newspaper.

Because of its efforts, Peter Shilling, former Massachusetts Council Chairman and current delegate nominated it as the Council of the Year as a part of TU’s Annual Awards, and it was selected.

“Congratulations” wrote Beverly Smith, VP for Volunteer Operations. “The work you all have put in has shown clear results in the rivers and communities you support. The opening of Peter’s nomination says it all:

“Successful organizations like the Massachusetts Council have a fabric, a tapestry woven and held together over time by the relationships of people bound by common beliefs and goals. The quality of those connections, what people pass along person to person over time, is what leads to success in accomplishing significant goals, conservation or otherwise. The nomination of this award for the Massachusetts Council comes out of its work last year saving Red Brook, a fully restored sea run brook trout stream, from devastating development in its headwaters. But the story really is longer, broader and deeper than just one year’s actions, however significant.”

“We can’t say it better than that” wrote Smith.

The Massachusetts Councill will be honored in front of TU volunteer peers from across the nation at TU’s Annual Award celebration on Friday, July 22 in Portland, Maine. Most likely current MA Council President Henry Sweren, from Lanesborough, will be there to accept the award on behalf of the Council.

“It’ll be a real treat to honor and celebrate you!” wrote Smith. “On behalf of all of us at TU, a big thank you and congratulations!”

I should mention that although the Massachusetts Council and its statewide chapters steadfastly supported the Red Brook project over the past 30 years, the brunt of the workload (manual labor, fundraising, etc.) was carried out by members of the Cape Cod and Southeast Chapters of TU with serious funding by the Greater Boston Chapter.  There have been many wonderful volunteers fighting to preserve that little brook over those years, especially Cape Cod TU member and Council delegate Warren Winders.  He deserves an extra pat on the back for his unwavering and steadfast efforts.

But wait, there’s more.  Don’t be surprised if the Massachusetts Council, and particularly the Deerfield River Watershed Chapter of TU, receive another award in the future for work they are doing on the Deerfield River.  DRWTU members Kevin Parsons, Chris Jackson and others are receiving national attention for their brown trout studies and their efforts in working with various state and federal agencies and Brookfield Power Co. in trying to level off the year-round water flows which to date have been so harmful to the reproduction of the wild brown trout population.

The current FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) license allows for minimum flows of 125 cfs (cubic feet per second) year-round. For the new license, DRWTU, MA DEP and MA DFW have been pushing to increase the minimum flow to 225 cfs from November to April to protect wild brown trout redds and eggs from being de-watered and exposed to the air, killing them off.

Two past brown trout spawning studies showed that nearly 40 percent of identified trout redds were de-watered at flows of 125 cfs. Further studies showed that at 225 cfs, the redds, flowing water would cover the eggs and keep them protected.  Parsons and Jackson have been doggedly pursuing this goal for many years and there may be a breakthrough this year.

Incidentally, Trout Unlimited has approximately 300,000 members nationwide with about 390 chapters.  The chapter in the Berkshires is the Taconic Chapter.  Most states have a TU Council with delegates from all chapters.

On a personal note, I have been a card-carrying member of the Taconic Chapter for nearly 40 years now and as I wrote in last week’s column, “Stuff like this (above) is what makes me proud to be a member of such great organizations”.

Posted on by

Conte banquet honors five

Over 160 people attended the Silvio O. Conte Awards Banquet at the Cheshire Rod & Gun Club last Saturday night to honor the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen (BCLS) 2019 award winners.  Past BCLS President, Mark Jester, did his usual yeoman’s job as emcee.

 

As listed in my column of January 12, 2020, five people were selected to receive awards.  Then came covid and there was no Conte Banquet in that year nor in 2021.  After it was decided to finally hold the Conte Banquet this year, I reminded everyone by listing the 5 recipients and their accomplishments in the column of February 26.

 

Before the awards ceremony, MA Fish & Game Commissioner Ron Amidon gave a very interesting talk which space does not allow me to relate at this time.  I will circle back to that talk in a future column.

 

The late Chris Puntin, formerly of Pittsfield, received the Sportsman of the Year Award posthumously.  Unfortunately, Chris lost his life in a hunting accident in 2020 while helping out at the Youth Turkey Hunt Day.  He was the local chairman of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) and served on the Massachusetts State Board.   For many years he was a mentor for the youth turkey hunts and was a key organizer at the NWTF fund raisers.

In honoring Puntin, Joe Judd, Massachusetts Chapter NWTF Board Member and Sports Columnist for the Greenfield Recorder, made it abundantly clear that not only the local sportsmen suffered a great loss with Joe’s passing, but the State as well.  “We (the Board) knew early on that Chris was special and we saw it from the very beginning” he said, “He loved young people and lit up just watching a youth learning to use a turkey call for the first time.  He had the skill to help them in a way that what they learned from him they would retain, and if they didn’t, Chris would give more.  We knew that he was the guy that was going to lead us in that area in the future.  We are very proud to have known him and worked with him and we are all happy to be here tonight to thank him”.

The plaque was accepted by Chris’s son Nick.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meredyth Babcock of Becket received the Outstanding Achievement Award.  Meredyth is the Volunteer and Projects Coordinator for the Wild and Scenic (W/S) Westfield River Committee.  As Coordinator, she partners with communities, municipal officials, conservation organizations and Federal and State agencies to manage the Westfield River and maintain the health of the entire watershed for nearby and downstream communities.

She is also helping out with the Highlands Foot Passage and is slowly working toward improving the East Branch Trail.

 

The Becket-Washington School did 5 years of a Stream Explorer Program where for 6 weeks Meredyth came after school and basically walked the river, called the “Walking the River Roads.”  They also did “Teen River Clean” where the W&S Committee hired teenagers to go to areas where they had seen garbage and they cleaned it up.  The Committee didn’t pay them but rather granted scholarships for helping out.

Stephanie Dupont of Pittsfield received the Sportsmen’s Appreciation Award – Since joining the Lee Sportsmen’s Association (LSA) in 2015, Stephanie and her husband Eric have made sure that their children have been pre-eminent members of the Air2Spare Jr. Air Pistol Team as well as the youth shotgun and archery programs.  She made sure that they also participated in the LSA’s fishing derbies, clean-up days, fund raisers and hunts.  Stephanie has become a vital part of the day-to-day operations of the club as a Board Member, member of the Fundraising Committee, a member of the Youth Programs Committee and grant writer.   She is Assistant Coach of the High Caliber 22 Bullseye Pistol Team, started the Summers Ladies Night Fun Shoot Program, and wrote a bi-weekly column for the Berkshire Record.

Donald E. Girard of Adams received the Lifetime Achievement Award – Don, who has been a scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop #38 in Adams, has been instrumental in leading the youth in appreciation and preservation of our environment. With the involvement of several assistant leaders Don saw the advancement of over 75 youths to Eagle Scout.  The troop planted numerous trees on Pfizer property and Florida Mountain property to enhance and preserve the forest, and planted Christmas trees as a sustainable fund-raising project for the Troop.  They also cleared and maintained many hiking trails including land abutting Windsor Lake in North Adams and Camp Holy Cross in Goshen.  Don taught gun safety and marksmanship at the Cheshire Rod & Gun Club and at summer camps at Goshen and also helped out in the Cub Scout fishing derbies.

Gregg Armstrong, of North Adams, received the John Zuber Award.  Gregg has been a member of the East Mountain Sportsmen’s Club (EMSC) for over 50 years and an avid sportsman for over 60 years.  He is part of the EMSC youth mentoring program and has been a Mass Hunter Education Instructor for over 30 years. For over 25 years as a member of the EMSC he was instrumental in helping them put on the first youth pheasant hunt in MA.   He was a Boy Scout leader, an avid diver and a Navy vet.

 

 

 

 

 

Trout stocking

The following waters, which were subject to change, were scheduled to be stocked last week:  Green River (South) Alford and Egremont, Upper Clesson Brook in Ashfield and Buckland, South River in Ashfield, Swift River in Ashfield, Cummington and Goshen; West Branch of the Westfield River in Becket, Middlefield, Chester and Huntington; Deerfield River in Florida, Buckland and Charlemont; Yokum Brook in Becket, Chickley River in Hawley and Charlemont, Pelham Brook in Charlemont, West Branch Brook in Worthington and Chesterfield, Mill Brook in Cummington and Plainfield, Westfield Brook in Windsor and Cummington, Stones Brook in Goshen, Housatonic River (C&R) in Lee and Stockbridge, Factory Brook in Middlefield, Dunbar Brook in Monroe, Depot Brook in Washington, Bronson Brook in Worthington, Greenwater Pond in Becket, North Pond in Florida, Garfield Lake in Monterey, York Lake in New Marlborough, Otis Reservoir in Otis and Tolland, Big Pond in Otis and Pelham Lake in Rowe.

Initial Swift River study complete

The Swift River, located about 30 minutes from Springfield and 45 minutes from Worcester, is one of the most unique and popular trout fishing destinations in Massachusetts. Many anglers fish these cold, clear waters year-round thanks to the constant outflow from Quabbin Reservoir. The Swift tailwater is home to many wild brook trout which can grow to trophy size. In addition, anglers target stocked rainbow trout and stocked brown trout, which can sometimes reach massive size as holdovers from previous stocking seasons. For all its popularity, the dynamics of this exceptional fishery have not been well studied or understood. But that’s changing. After several years of observation, monitoring, and preliminary investigation, MassWildlife fisheries biologists have completed the first phase of research to learn about this unique stretch of river.

Based on feedback from anglers, the abundance of stocked trout in the river was not always meeting expectations relative to the quantity of trout being stocked there. In March 2021, MassWildlife launched a “mark-recapture” study to track the survival and movement of stocked trout over time. They were marked with small elastomer marks (tiny permanent hardened dye, similar to a tattoo) near their eye, with a color that corresponded to the month of their stocking. Adipose fins were clipped on fish stocked above Route 9; fins were left intact on trout stocked downstream. Each stocking group was surveyed with electrofishing gear one week, one month, and three months after stocking. The number and location of each marked fish was recorded.

The study was completed early this year and the results and future plans will be discussed by DFW Aquatic Biologists Brian Keleher and Adam Kautza at the May 5 meeting of the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen at the Lee Sportsmen’s Association at 565 Fairview St, Lee.  Starting at 7:00 pm, this discussion should be of special interest to local anglers.  The public is invited to sit in on the presentation and to meet our Berkshire County League delegates, our District Fish &Game Board member Stephen Sears, DFW Western District Supervisor Andrew Madden and of course our guest speakers.

Silvio O. Conte Sportsmen’s Awards Dinner resumes this April

Posted on by

In the spring of 2020, the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen (BCLS) named individuals who would be receiving awards at its upcoming Silvio O. Conte Memorial “Sportsman of the Year” awards dinner.  April 25th of that year was the date selected for the dinner but then came COVID-19.  Because of that, there were no awards dinners for the years 2020 and 2021.

This year, because many restrictions have been lifted, the League chose April 23 to have the dinner. The award winners will be those people chosen in 2020.  To refresh everyone’s memory, I am reprinting the January 12, 2020 column article listing the 2019 winners.

 

The late Chris Puntin, formerly of Pittsfield, will receive the 2019 Sportsman of the Year Award posthumously

Unfortunately, Chris lost his life in a hunting accident in 2019 while helping out at the Youth Turkey Hunt.  He was an avid hunter and fisherman.  He was the local chairman of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) and served on its State Board.   For many years he was a mentor for the youth turkey hunts and was a key organizer at the NWTF fund raisers.  He helped in trout stockings and was a member of the Snow Seekers (tending snow mobile trails on October Mountain).  He helped on the “Buddy Walks” by driving the tractor for its hayrides in Dalton (The Buddy Walk® was established in 1995 by the National Down Syndrome Society to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness) and he volunteered as its “grill person”.

To quote words from Andrew Madden, DFW Western District Supervisor, “Chris was well known to us. He was very active with the NWTF, a Paraplegic Deer Hunt volunteer for MassWildlife, and a good friend to the Agency and the District.”

 

Meredyth Babcock of Becket will receive the 2019 Outstanding Achievement Award

Meredyth is the Volunteer and Projects Coordinator for the Wild and Scenic (W/S) Westfield River Committee.  As Coordinator, she partners with communities, municipal officials, conservation organizations and Federal and State agencies to manage the Westfield River and maintain the health of the entire watershed for nearby and downstream communities.

She is also helping out with the Highlands Foot Passage and is slowly working toward improving the East Branch Trail.

 

The W&S Committee engages layers of community members by targeting outreach efforts, messages and activities through a combination of mailings, outreach materials, workshops, hikes, public programs, and Stream Team trainings. The goal of these efforts is to provide effective tools and share expertise to encourage long-term protection, restoration and conservation of the Westfield River and its resources.  In addition, they offer grants, technical assistance, and river project reviews to help landowners, communities and organizations promote river stewardship.

 

The Becket-Washington School did 5 years of a Stream Explorer Program where for 6 weeks Meredyth went after school hours and basically walked the river, called the “Walking the River Roads.”  They also did “Teen River Clean” where the W&S Committee hired teenagers to go to areas where they had seen garbage and they cleaned it up.  The Committee didn’t pay them but rather granted scholarships for helping out.

Stephanie Dupont of Pittsfield will receive the 2019 Sportsmen’s Appreciation Award

Stephanie moved to the Berkshires with her husband Eric and 3 children in the fall of 2014 and joined the Lee Sportsmen’s Association (LSA) in 2015.  Since joining LSA, Stephanie and Eric have made sure that their children have been pre-eminent members of the Air2Spare Jr. air pistol team as well as the youth shotgun and archery programs.  They have also participated in the LSA’s fishing derbies, clean-up days, fund raisers and hunts.  Stephanie has become a vital part of the day-to-day operations of the club as a Board Member, member of the Fundraising Committee, a member of the Youth Programs Committee and grant writer.  She is also in charge of the day-to-day operations and communications of the club.  She is Assistant Coach of the High Caliber 22 Bullseye Pistol Team, started the Summers Ladies Night Fun Shoot Program, and wrote a bi-weekly column for the Berkshire Record.  Working with youth in fund raising, she is instrumental in the continued success and growth of the LSA

Donald E. Girard of Adams will receive the 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award

Don has been a scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop #38 in Adams.  He has been instrumental in leading the youth in appreciation and preservation of our environment. With the involvement of several assistant leaders Don saw the advancement of over 75 youths to Eagle Scout.  They attained rank by earning badges for community projects such as reclaiming “Hail to the Sunrise” on the Mohawk Trail, beautifying the Adams Memorial Military Park, Appalachian Trail, and building of a bridge over water hazards, Throughout Don’s tenure of leader/instructor, many of the Troop’s youth gained an appreciation of the great outdoors. The troop planted numerous trees on Pfizer property and Florida Mountain property to enhance and preserve the forest, and planted Christmas trees as a sustainable fund-raising project for the Troop.  The youth of the Troop also cleared and maintained many hiking trails including land abutting Windsor Lake in North Adams and Camp Holy Cross in Goshen.  He taught gun safety and marksmanship at the Cheshire Rod & Gun Club and at summer camps at Goshen. He also helped out in the Cub Scout fishing derbies.

Gregg Armstrong of North Adams, will receive the 2019 John Zuber Award

Gregg has been a member of the East Mountain Sportsmen’s Club (EMSC) for over 50 years and an avid sportsman for over 60 years.  He is part of the EMSC youth mentoring program and has been a Mass Hunter Education Instructor for over 30 years. For over 25 years as a member of the EMSC he was instrumental in helping them put on the first Youth Pheasant Hunt in MA.  When anything that had to do with youth programs, he was always the first to step up.  He was a Boy Scout leader, an avid diver and a Navy vet.  He also loved being out with his bird dogs.

The above awards will be presented at the BCLS Silvio O. Conte Memorial Awards Dinner at the Cheshire Rod and Gun Club, 310 Curran Road, Cheshire on Saturday evening April 23.   The social hour begins at 4:30 with dinner at 6:00 PM. Tickets, which cost $40, can be obtained from any BCLS delegate.   If you need help in contacting a delegate, please contact me at the address or phone number listed below.

Ice fishing derby winners

Congratulations to the following winners at the recent Cheshire Rod & Gun Club Ice Fishing Derby which was held on Cheshire Lake last weekend:  The adult winner was Asher Hotson of Lenox with a 16 lbs. 8 oz, 43-inch northern pike. As a reward, he went home with an Eskimo Quickfish 3- Person Ice Shelter and an 8-inch K-Drill Ice Auger.

The youth winners were:  Danny Collins with a 3 lbs. 11 oz bass, Nate Mallett with a 2 lbs. 15 oz bass and Traylen Deblois with a 1.15 lbs. bass.

 

Congratulations to all!

Bald Eagles are everywhere

Just about every ice fisherman that I’ve spoken with this winter has seen bald eagles on the lakes they fished.  If you want to see one, follow these guidelines from MassWildlife:

  • Eagles are drawn to open waters. As many lakes and ponds freeze, there are fewer areas of open waters which may make eagles easier to find.
  • Eagles often gather below dams, if water is being released.
  • If you see an eagle once, visit that site again. Eagles tend to return to the same section of shoreline or even the same tree throughout the season and year after year.
  • Look for large nests in big trees. Massachusetts is home to over 70 nesting pairs. If you do spot a nest, keep your distance and observe from afar.
  • If you do see an eagle, watching with binoculars from inside your vehicle is a great way to observe the birds without disturbing them and you’ll stay warm.

 

Rabbit, fox seasons ending

The cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hare and fox hunting seasons end on Monday, February 28. Now the bald eagles and that famous snowy owl that has been hanging around the Berkshires this winter can have all of the bunnies to themselves.

picture taken by Mark Thorne

Joshua Christman, Angler of the Year – again

Posted on by

 

Each year, MassWildlife recognizes anglers who catch exceptional freshwater fish in waters open to the public.

Joshua Christman of Pittsfield, has been named 2021 Catch & Keep Angler of the Year by MassWildlife. This is his third win in the last five years, having won that award in 2016, 2020 and 2021.  Last year’s award was for catching the following gold pin fish in the Freshwater Sportfishing Awards Program:  A 29 lbs. 13 oz carp out of Laurel Lake in Lee, and a 7 lbs. 8 oz largemouth bass out of Onota Lake in Pittsfield.  I’m sure he was awarded many bronze pins also.

 

In the Youth Catch & Keep Category, Philip Prieur of South Hamilton was named Angler of the Year.  He caught the following gold pin fish: A 6 lbs. 6 oz bowfin out of the Taunton River in Taunton, a 6 lbs. 12 oz channel catfish out of the Westfield River in Agawam, a 2 lbs. crappie out of the Merrimack River in Lawrence, a 6 lbs. 4 oz white catfish out of the Charles River in Cambridge and a 3 lbs. 10 oz shad also out of the Merrimack River.

The Catch & Keep Angler of the Year Award is given to the person who weighs in the largest number of species that meet the minimum weight requirements for the previous calendar year.

I should mention that Gabriel Christman (Joshua’s son) caught the following gold pin fish in the Youth Catch & Keep Category:  A 3 lbs. brook trout, a 10 lbs. brown trout, a 7 lbs. 13 oz largemouth bass and a 4 lbs. 6 oz smallmouth bass all out of Onota Lake in Pittsfield.  He also caught a 14 oz sunfish out of Richmond Pond in Pittsfield and a 1 lbs. 11 oz white perch out of Pontoosuc Lake in Lanesborough.

Gabriel’s 10 lbs brown trout caught out of Onota Lake

In the Catch & Release Category, David Desimone of Amherst caught the following gold pin fish:  A 32 inch bowfin out of Oxbow Pond in Easthampton, a 20.75 inch brook trout out of the Swift River in Belchertown, a 28 inch brown trout out of the Deerfield River in Charlemont, a 27.25 inch rainbow trout out of the Swift River in Belchertown, a 25.50 inch tiger trout out of Ashfield Pond in Ashfield, and a 24 inch white catfish out of the Charles River in Cambridge.

The Catch & Release Angler of the Year Award is awarded to the person who submits the largest number of species that meet the minimum length requirements for the previous calendar year. Nearly 1,000 pins are awarded annually.

Other gold pin fish that were caught out of Berkshire waters last year were:

In the Adult Catch & Keep Category:  A 15 lbs. 13 oz brown trout caught out of Stockbridge Bowl by James Pollard of Hinsdale and a 23 lbs. 8 oz northern pike caught out of Onota Lake by Jeffrey Klammer of Adams,

In the Youth Catch & Keep category gold pins were awarded for the following Berkshire catches:  2 lbs. bullhead caught out of Otis Reservoir by Colten Andras of Westfield, a 5 lbs. 10 oz chain pickerel caught out of Stockbridge Bowl by Cooper Shepardson of Lenoxdale and a 16 lbs.5 oz northern pike caught out of Pontoosuc Lake by Caesen Kendall of Pittsfield.

In the Catch & Release Category, a gold pin was awarded for a 45.50 inch northern pike caught out of Onota Lake by Craig Strong of Springfield.

Angler of the Year recipients and gold pin winners are honored each year at a MassWildlife awards event where they will get a gold pin and a plaque. The date and location TBA.

I have only listed the names of the gold pin winners. There is another pin awarded and that is the bronze pin.  If you submit a fish that meets the minimum weight or minimum length requirements for an eligible species, you’ll get a bronze pin from MassWildlife for that species.

There were 9 new state records all in the Catch & Release Category:  DeSimone’s previously mentioned 32 inch bowfin, 20.75 inch brook trout, 27.25 inch rainbow trout, and a 25.50 inch tiger trout;  a 21.50 inch bullhead caught out of Stiles Pond in Boxford by Roger Aziz, Jr. of Methuen, a 44 inch carp caught out of the Connecticut River in South Hadley by Kenneth Langdon of South Deerfield, Craig Strong’s 45.50 inch northern pike out of Onota Lake, a 13 inch sunfish caught out of Wright’s Reservoir in Westminister by Griffin Sabolevski of Winchendon, and a 40.40 inch tiger muskellunge caught out of Spy Pond in Arlington by Jacoby Chalmers of Arlington.

Congratulations to all the 2021 winners!

Ice fishing derbies

Next Saturday, February 26, the Ashfield Rod & Gun Club has scheduled an Ice Fishing Derby which will run from 8:00 am to noon.  Registration will take place at the Ashfield Lake House Beach.  Participants can park at either the Ashfield Lake House or the Town Beach.      Bring your own equipment, but some holes will be drilled.  A warming fire and refreshments will be provided.  Awards will take place at 12:00 noon.  For more information, contact ARGC president Jack Shea at 413 522 6150.

The Tom Wren Memorial Derby is scheduled for February 26 from 6:00 am to 3:00 pm on Pontoosuc Lake.  Sign in at the camper near the Narragansett Park.  Entry fee is $10, all cash paid out 1st, 2nd and 3rd heaviest fish.  There may be something for kids, too.

The 38th Annual Springfield Sportsmen’s Show

 

Billed as the largest pure hunting and fishing show in the Northeast, it is filled with hundreds of booths, seminars and action areas. The show is filled with an outdoorsman’s dream of fishing and hunting gear, outfitters, charter boats and adventure destinations, along with great deals on fishing boats, ATV’s and UTV’s. There will be great attractions and displays such as The Northeast Big Buck Club, Trout Pond, and more.

The Outdoor Sports Expo Group brings together just the right mix of hunting and fishing celebrities, industry experts, and entertainment features to produce a sporting and outdoor show that is educational, entertaining, and fun.

Each year, the show draws exhibitors from all over the Northeast who are eager to present their products and services to outdoor sporting enthusiasts throughout the greater New England area.  Returning and all new fishing tackle vendors will exhibit and sell fishing reels and rods, hard and soft plastic baits, fishing kayaks with accessories, boats of all types, etc.

The show take place at the Eastern States Exposition (Big E) 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield, MA on February 25 through 27.   The show hours are Friday from noon to 8 PM, Saturday 9 AM to 7 PM and Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM.  Admission:  Adults – $15, kids 6 to 12 – $5 and under 6 free.

MassWildlife winter chores

 

In the February Berkshire County League of Sportsmen meeting, DFW Western District Supervisor Andrew Madden reported the following less newsworthy but important projects were completed:

  • Wood Duck Boxes– The Western District has completed its winter wood duck box checks. They checked 130 boxes. Hooded Mergansers attempted nests in 47 of the boxes, most of which were successful to hatch. Wood Ducks used 9 boxes, most of which were successful to hatch. Some 41 boxes were unusable because of damage from wind, weather, flooding, age or other damage. The remaining boxes (33) were not used by any duck species.
  • Apple Orchard Restoration Efforts – We are fortunate in the Western District to have extensive remnant apple orchards. Each winter they spend time recovering some of these sites to increase soft mast for wildlife. So far through January they have daylighted and pruned more than 40 apple trees on the Chalet Wildlife Management Area in the towns of Cheshire, Dalton, Lanesborough and Windsor.

Endangered Wildlife Conservation

MassWildlife reminds us that tax season is here, meaning it’s a great time to help keep Massachusetts wild. One easy way to help endangered animals and plants is by donating on your state tax return. Simply fill in the amount you would like to donate on Line 33A for Endangered Wildlife Conservation.

Such donations go to the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Fund, a fund dedicated specifically to the conservation of rare species. It supports MassWildlife’s Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program, responsible for the hundreds of species that are listed as endangered, threatened, or of special concern in Massachusetts.