Category Archives: Awards

Berkshire waters accounted for 6 gold pin awards last year

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For over 50 years MassWildlife has sponsored the Freshwater Sportfishing Awards Program, which recognizes anglers who catch exceptional freshwater fish from water bodies of the Commonwealth that are open to the public. Over the years, the program has evolved.  Beginning in 2005, a youth category was added to recognize anglers 17 years and younger for their accomplishments.  In 2015, the Bowfin category was added to the program (The Bowfin pin replaced the Broodstock Salmon pin).  Also added last year was a Catch and Release component.

Anglers who catch the largest fish in the state in each category receive a gold pin and plaque which commemorates their accomplishments. If they keep the fish, they must have their catch weighed at a certified weigh station and submit an affidavit and photo to the Sportfishing Awards Coordinator.   If they wish to release their fish alive, there are certain procedures which must be followed.  (Check the MassWildlife web page for those instructions).

Last year, 6 gold pin fish were caught in our waters.  They are as follows:  Adult Catch & Keep Category – 13 lbs 10 oz Tiger Muskie caught out of Pontoosuc Lake by Mark Mohan, Jr. from Pembrook, MA. Youth Catch & Keep Category – 3 lbs 10 oz brown trout caught out of Onota Lake by Casen Kendal from Pittsfield; 2 lbs 5 oz crappie caught out of Onota Lake by Jaxon Wallace of Pittsfield; 22 lbs 15 oz Northern Pike caught out of Lake Buel by Mason Colli of Glendale and a 17 lbs 3 oz Tiger Muskie caught out of Pontoosuc Lake by Andrew Mucci of Pittsfield. Catch & Release Category – A 43 inch Northern Pike caught out of Onota Lake by Jeffrey Klammer of Adams.

Anglers also receive bronze pins for catching fish of certain minimum weight requirements for 22 species.  If one is lucky enough to catch a lot of pin fish, the angler qualifies for the title of Massachusetts Freshwater Angler of the Year.  There are three categories   Adult Catch & Keep, Youth Catch & Keep and Catch & Release (adult or youth).

The 2015 Adult Catch & Keep Angler of the Year was Mark Mohan, Jr. of Pembrook. This is his 3rd consecutive year that he has received that award. He received pins for the following categories: Brook Trout, 2 Brown Trout, 3 Carp, 3 Chain Pickerel, Channel Catfish, 2 Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Rainbow Trout, 3 Shad, including the gold pin, Smallmouth Bass, (out of Onota Lake), Sunfish, gold pin Tiger Muskie (out of  Pontoosuc Lake), Tiger Trout, a gold pin Walleye, White Perch and 4 Yellow Perch.

The 2015 Youth Catch & Keep Angler of the Year was Tauri Adamczyk of Taunton, MA. He received pins for the following: A gold pin Bowfin, Brook Trout, 2 Brown Trout, Bullhead, 2 Carp (one out of the Housatonic River in Lee), Chain Pickerel, Crappie, Landlocked Salmon, Largemouth Bass, Rainbow Trout, Smallmouth Bass, 2 Sunfish of which one was a gold pin, Tiger Trout, White Perch and a Yellow Perch.

The 2015 Catch & Release Angler of the Year was Michael Nee of Northborough. He received pins for the following:  2 Brook Trout of which one was a gold pin, Brown Trout, 2 Bullhead, Chain Pickerel, Crappie, Landlocked Salmon, 3 Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Rainbow Trout, 2 Smallmouth Bass of which one was a gold pin, 2 Sunfish of which one was a gold pin, 2 Tiger Trout, White Catfish, White Perch and 2 Yellow Perch.

Wow! These are tremendous fishermen.  I was fortunate enough to get a picture of Andrew Mucci’s 17 lbs 3 oz Tiger Muskie, pictured above.

The Angler of the Year recipients and gold pin winners are honored each year at a ceremony (date and location to be announced in the spring). To see a list of all of the gold pin fish and where they were caught, click onto the MassWildlife website.  *****

Twenty one hunters participated in the Berkshire Beagle Club’s annual bunny hunt on January 16.  Two snowshoe hares and three cottontails were checked in.  The largest hare weighing 3.48 lbs was taken by Pat McGrath of Adams in front of his dog Buck.  The largest cottontail weighing 3.25 lbs was taken by Dave Morris of Lee in front of Tom King’s (of Cheshire) dog Bomber.   Following check-in, a meal of venison stew, venison chili and venison pasta was enjoyed by all. *****

The Lee Sportsmen’s Association is having a Turkey Shoot today from 12:30 to 3:00 PM and a dinner from 4:00 to 6:30 PM.  The menu is venison stew and polenta and spaghetti and meatballs.  The cost is $15.00 for adults and $7.00 children 12 and under.  The dinner is to benefit its pheasant program.

 

Francis Sargent Conservation Award earned by BNRC

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Last Tuesday, the Berkshire Natural Resources Council received the Francis W. Sargent Conservation Award from the Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board for its conservation of the Commonwealth’s natural resources and for its contributions to the sporting community.

 

Members of the BNRC, including Board Chairman Tim Crane of Windsor and President/CEO Tad Ames of Williamstown, were on hand to receive the award – a hand-carved wooden loon decoy created by Geoff Walker of Hank Walker Decoys of Newbury – at a ceremony held at the Steadman Pond Reserve, Monterey and Tyringham.  In addition to Chairman George Darey and the F&W Board, the ceremony included Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW) Director Jack Buckley, Department of Fish and Game Commissioner George Peterson, other state officials and representatives from the sporting and conservation community.

 

The BNRC has been working for more than 45 years protecting the open spaces of Berkshire County to ensure the ecological integrity and public enjoyment of the region’s outdoor resources. It owns and manages 8,600 acres and protects an additional 10,011 acres through conservation restrictions.

 

Various user groups have benefitted substantially from the DFW/BNRC partnership. Thousands of acres in Berkshire County have been opened for hunting, fishing, trapping, hiking, bird watching, etc. as a result of that cooperation.   The importance of hunter access is becoming ever more apparent as wildlife populations expand and proper management is required to maintain social and ecological tolerance.

 

Several wonderful speeches praising the great accomplishments of BNRC were delivered by the above mentioned dignitaries.   Let me quote what Tad Ames said when accepting the award:

 

“I’m just delighted to be able to accept this honor on behalf of the entire BNRC family, its Board of Directors, our staff and our many, many generous and compassionate supporters who really make everything we do possible.   This award is about history and what we and the DFW have done together, which has been defined by friendship and trust and nurtured over the years.  That friendship is one of utter reliance between the staff of the BNRC and the incredible staff at the DFW Western District.”

 

“It is also about saluting the sister agencies under the Mass Executive Office of Environmental and Energy Affairs, the Dept. of Agricultural Resources that protected many great farms in Berkshire County and the Dept. of Conservation and Recreation and its land acquisition team.”

 

“This award means that Berkshire County not only is a much better place to live, and visit and work, whether you are an animal or human, but that it will continue to be so.  We have no intention of resting on our laurels.  The DFW’s and BNRC’s core values are access to land for public use and enjoyment.  We do not conserve land so that we can put it in a glass case and observe how wonderful it is and pat ourselves on our backs for having set it aside.  We work together to conserve land so that people can feel the touch of bark under their hands, so that they can be startled when a grouse explodes from the brush, so that they can taste the sweet corn or the venison stew, so that they can see the wind in the canopy.   If we can’t get people out on the land and enjoying it and becoming richer for the experience, then we have not accomplished our whole job”.

 

“That is how we feel and we know we have great partners who feel that way, too.  Not only at the state agencies but at the statewide conservation organizations and local land trusts.  We at the BNRC have a vision for what this award means and what it will mean going ahead.  We want to see our great state wildlife management areas, state forests, farm blocks and land trust properties not as isolated islands of conservation but part of an uninterrupted and continuous network of conservation land that offers safe and healthy passage for animals or even plants that seek to adapt to a changing climate.  A continuous network that offers pathways from my house to yours, from town into nature and back again so that men, women and children alike can walk with a hiking stick in their hand or a fishing pole.  So that they can walk with a hunting bow, a pair of binoculars, camera or calipers and that they do so with a fine awareness of how much all of us depend on the benefits from nature and how deep our obligation to care for it.”

 

“We call this vision of a continuous, uninterrupted network threaded by paths, the Berkshire High Roads.    The Francis Sargent Conservation Award is not only about celebrating all that we have done together in laying the cornerstone over the last 50 years, but that we are rededicating ourselves for the next 50 years to finish the job that we have all done so much to advance.”

 

Wow!  This wonderful acceptance speech was delivered from the top of his head without the use of notes. *****

 

After 9 years with the Western District Office of the DFW, Aquatic Biologist Dana Ohman will be leaving to take on a new job with The Nature Conservancy in Ohio working with the Stream and Wetland Mitigation Program.  In her announcement, she stated that it was not an easy decision because she genuinely respected and enjoyed working with everyone in the Division.    Her last day in the office will be October 9, following the fall trout stockings.

 

On behalf of the local anglers, many thanks Dana for your hard work in keeping an ample supply of trout available for our pleasure.  Thanks also for your various presentations to the classrooms and meetings of Taconic Trout Unlimited.

Wayne Rodd, taxidermist extraordinaire

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When I first began writing this column some 11 years ago, Wayne Rodd of Southampton, MA contacted me to let me know that he was an official measurer for the Boone and Crockett Club, the Pope and Young Club (bow hunters), the Longhunters (Muzzleloader record book), Buckmasters, and occasionally the Northeast Big Buck Club (they are the folks that have the deer head and antler display at the Big E Sportsmen’s show in West Springfield).

He casually mentioned that he was a taxidermist and showed me some of his work.  I immediately wanted to feature him in a column but he asked me not to.  He wanted no notoriety for his work or no new business.  In fact, he could barely keep up with the customer work load that he had.  He just wanted me to know and hopefully pass on to the readers that he was an official measurer should they bag a trophy.

I kind of lost touch with Wayne over the years but every now and then his name would show up in one of the columns.  Well, recently Wayne contacted me to tell me of his recent outstanding achievement.  Let me relay what he wrote:  “Just wanted to share with some of my friends who aren’t on Facebook the results of my last taxidermy competition.   I brought two commercial pieces, (a grey fox and a boar mount) plus two framed red fox photos to enter into the wild-life art category at the New England Association of Taxidermists (NEAT) because I didn’t put anything together for the show at the time.  Then after putting a white-tail deer together for the showroom I decided to enter it into the Master’s Category for deer.

 

The five pieces ended up getting five blue ribbons for 1st Place. Then the deer took Best of Category for Deer in the Masters Division, and the boar Best of Show – Commercial Mount, one fox photo took Best Wildlife Art, and for the fun of it I entered for the Old Timers Award, which is voted on by other taxidermists, and the deer took that award also.  So, in the end, five blue ribbons and 4 awards.”

 

I pleaded with him to let me write about him and include one of his pictures of his work into this column.  He relented and provided the above photo.

 

Wayne is owner and operator of Manhan Taxidermy since 1981 and has a Manhan Taxidermy page on Facebook that has several albums with more photos. The deer that took Best of Category in the Masters Division at the recent NEAT show has not yet been posted on his web site.  He is planning on first taking it up to Maine for a show there in August.

 

Currently he specializes in deer heads, game heads and life size mounts of North American game. He no longer does any fish or migratory birds.

 

Wayne was just elected to be on the Board of Directors of NEAT. Anyone interested in joining that organization can find out how on the NEAT website.

 

As far as taxidermy goes he says that he has a good steady number of regular customers who keep him busy enough and is currently not looking for more work.  In that way he can keep things moving along and put the necessary time in the mounts, so  they come out the way he wants them. He’s been involved in taxidermy for over 30 years, and a lot of regular customers know he will only take in so much work.  Consequently they keep his name to themselves in case they are lucky enough to get something worth mounting.

 

Hopefully, Wayne will not be mad at me for this write-up.  As previously mentioned, he is not looking for any notoriety and would like to keep a low profile.  Sorry Wayne, but outstanding accomplishments deserve recognition.  People want to know about you and your great work.  It goes with the territory.

As far as measuring for the record books, he is still an official measurer for the above mentioned organizations and can be contacted through their web-sites or through his own Facebook page.  It helps to keep him off the phone so he can stay on top of any work load, or not walk away from something while he’s working on it.  I am honoring his request not to disclose his phone number for that reason. *****

Do you fish in New York State?   Well, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the license renewal reminder you recently received was incorrect.  It noted that the cost of an annual fishing license was reduced to $25.  That is indeed the case for resident anglers, but not non-residents.  Non-resident annual fishing licenses were reduced almost 30% from $70 to $50.  The DEC apologizes for the confusion and hopes you will take the opportunity to renew your NY fishing license.   To sweeten the deal, if you purchase your license on-line by September 1, 2015 you will be entered into a drawing for one of five $100 Dicks Sporting Goods Gift Cards.

Four honored at BCLS Conte Banquet

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Four honored at BCLS Conte Banquet

The Cheshire Rod & Gun Club banquet hall was packed for the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen’s  Silvio O. Conte Memorial Awards Banquet which was held last Saturday evening.  Award winners were: Shaun Smith of Lee – Sportsman of the Year, Mark Jester of Pittsfield – John Zuber Award, retired Mass DFW Director Wayne MacCallum of Grafton- Lifetime Achievement Award and the Adams Outdoor for Youth organization – Sportsmen’s Appreciation Award. They were selected by the various sportsmen’s clubs which make up the BCLS.   Their individual feats were highlighted in prior columns.

Smith’s award was in recognition of his dedication, leadership and commitment to the sportsmen of MA.   BCLS President Mark Jester presented a plaque and citations from State Senator Benjamin Downing representing the Senate and State Rep William “Smitty” Pignatelli representing the House of Representatives. Jester congratulated and thanked him for all of the work that he did for the paraplegic hunting program in MA.  For over 40 years he dedicated himself to those who can no longer walk around the woods. “Because of his efforts, they are still getting out into the woods and enjoying the outdoors”, said Jester,   “Their memories of being out into the outdoors are good ones instead of just sitting in the chairs to which they are bound.”

 

“It’s not a one man show”, Smith said in accepting the award.  He thanked the past and current members of the DFW for their help over the years as well as Al Vincent who has been involved in the program for as long as he has.  He also thanked his understanding wife Mary for her support of his involvement in this program.

 

Mass F & W Board Chairman George “Gige” Darey of Lenox presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to MacCallum for his efforts to preserve and protect the rich natural resources which will forever benefit the citizens, habitat and wildlife of this great Commonwealth.  Noting that he is highly regarded nationwide, he credited MacCallum for pushing for the “presumption of openness” for passive recreation on State lands, for initiating the Land Stamp, a supplement to the Open Space Bond Bill, which resulted in the preservation of thousands of acres in Massachusetts, and more.

 

In accepting the award MacCallum said that it was a real honor and pleasure to be the director and to work with all of the sportsmen across the state. He loved his job.  He commended Acting Director Jack Buckley for all his help along the way.

 

Wayne Tinney of Adams accepted the Sportsmen’s Appreciation Award for the Adams Outdoor for Youth Organization.  He is its President.  The award is in appreciation of the Club’s unwavering commitment to the community and to the community’s greatest assets, it youth.  “This award is all about helping the kids in our community” said Tinney.

 

Tinney then presented the John Zuber Award to Mark Jester of Pittsfield for recognition of his unwavering dedication to the sportsmen of Berkshire County.  He called him one of the hardest working guys in all of the sportsmen’s groups.

 

“This is one of the greatest honors ever bestowed upon me”, said Jester.  “John Zuber was a great friend and this award means a lot to me.  If it wasn’t for John (Previous BCLS President) the County League wouldn’t be what it is today”. Jester talked about hunting with his dad and how he got him involved and sparked his love for the outdoors.   He thanked the sportsmen for making it possible for him to represent them in Westborough, Boston and with local legislators. *****

 

Next Sunday, the Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club will be holding its annual Spring Fishing Derby on Stockbridge Bowl from dawn until 3:00 PM.  There will be $100 prizes for the heaviest trout, pickerel, bass and bullhead.  Free lures for all kids 12 and under.  Pre-registration fee is $10, after that it is $15.  Official rules and weigh-in will be at the boat ramp.  For more information call (413)644-3590 or (413)298-4630.  *****

 

The spring turkey hunting season opens tomorrow.   Good luck and have a safe and enjoyable hunt.  Watch out for the ticks.

 

2014 County League of Sportsmen Award winners are announced

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Shaun Smith of Lee was selected to receive the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen (BCLS) 2014 Sportsman of the Year Award.   The Lee Sportsmen’s Association’s nomination states that “Shaun has been a long time sportsman over the years, and last year celebrated his 40th year being a volunteer for the Massachusetts Paraplegic Hunt program.  For many years he has taken the lead organizing the South County paraplegic hunt to make sure all hunters have a great time.  Shaun is also involved in Hunter Education Courses as a basic instructor and in firearm training as a NRA certified pistol and rifle instructor and a range safety officer.  Shaun runs the indoor archery league and has been working very hard to move the club into the 21st century.”

 

Former Massachusetts DFW Director Wayne MacCallum of Grafton was selected to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award.   His many achievements were the main focus of last week’s column.

 

The Adams Outdoor for Youth organization was selected to receive the Sportsmen’s Appreciation Award.  The 31-year-old non-profit organization was founded by town resident James “Jimmy” Carpenter, who also served as its first president. Meetings occur on a monthly basis, and there are more than 130 “family members.” Among the youth-focused activities and events offered by the group are ice-fishing derbies, a well-attended spring fishing derby held in conjunction with the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition and the BCLS, and another very popular annual youth fishing derby. Annually, it holds a well attended game dinner and 100% of the proceeds are used for financial scholarships for youths interested in attending sports camps and a state-sponsored conservation camp.  Education-focused scholarships are also offered to Berkshire area high school seniors.

 

BCLS President Mark Jester of Pittsfield was selected to receive the prestigious John Zuber Lifetime Achievement Award.   Just look at his accomplishments:  BCLS delegate since 1982 and its president for 17 years, former Lakewood Sportsmen’s Club Secretary; Lenox Sportsmen’s Club Secretary, Board Member and VP since 1984. He was Instrumental in the Adopt-a-Forest Program, involved in getting the ACEC designation for the Housatonic River,  serves on several different environmental and non-profit charitable organizations, former founding member on the Governing Board of the Housatonic River Restorations, Sportsmen for Land Preservation, Western Mass Sportsmen’s Alliance, Berkshire Environmental Coalition, Board of Directors for GOAL, BCLS Representative on the Mass Sportsmen’s Council, appointed to the Massachusetts Zebra Mussel Task Force, leader of the local effort to get the National Archery-in-Schools Program established in the Berkshires.  In the last 4 years he has signed up 10 schools into the program with thousands of students participating.  He has taught youth archery classes at Lenox Sportsmen’s Club since 1996 and coordinates and hosts the Conte Banquet every year. He is constantly meeting with City, State and Federal Legislators, DCR, GOAL, DFW, USF&W and Massachusetts F&W Board on sportsmen’s issues.  He has even testified before the EPA in Washington DC.

 

He has worked on behalf of sportsmen’s issues with and for National Wildlife Federation (NWF) surrounding federal legislation with EPA on the Mercury Rule/ Clean Air and Clean Water Act.

 

He hosts a local TV outdoor sports programs “GOAL Show” with Executive Director James Wallace and “The Outdoor Report” with the NWF. He was named the 2000 BCLS Sportsman of the Year, 2001 Massachusetts Sportsmen’s Council Sportsman of the Year and the 2014 recipient of the MSC’s highest award, the Ray Gribbons Award.

 

The richly deserved awards will be presented at the Silvio O. Conte Memorial Banquet at the Cheshire Rod and Gun Club on the evening of April 18.   Tickets can be obtained from any BCLS delegate.   *****

 

The East Mountain Sportsmen’s Club will be conducting a Basic Hunter Education Course at its club location at 312 Henderson Road, Williamstown. The dates are April 13, 17, 20, 24, 27 and May 1 from 6 to 9 PM. All first-time hunters who wish to purchase Massachusetts hunting or sporting licenses must complete a Basic Hunter Education course.  For more information, call 508-389-7820. *****

 

The next Lee Sportsmen’s Association Pistol Course will be held on Monday March 23rd and Monday March 30th. The cost is $100.  Participants will be given a student packet and learn the attitude, skills and knowledge necessary to become a responsible gun owner.  Course includes handling, dry firing, parts and operation of revolvers and semi auto pistols, cleaning, storage, opportunities to shoot in different venues, and the current MA gun laws.  Upon successful completion, participants will receive a MA State Police Certificate for application for their LTC.  Contact Larry K. at 442-780 for more information. *****

DFW is sending out electronic hunter surveys to approximately 32,000 licensed hunters through Novi Survey, an online survey company. The survey is designed to understand hunter effort and preferences and to collect important local “on-the-ground” information that will help manage game in the Commonwealth. The survey takes approximately 5-15 minutes to complete. All responses are anonymous, identifying information such as email and IP address will not be recorded.  If you haven’t received the survey by the end of this month, check your junk or spam folder for an email from MassWildlife/Novi Survey.  A reminder will be emailed to license holders who have not responded within a week. ****

The Locker Room in Lee recently held its 23rd annual ice fishing derby at Laurel Lake.  Tournament Director Butsy Crawford, who recently turned 90 years old, ordered up some great weather and about 100 fishermen participated.   The Adult Heaviest Fish, a 5lb 1 oz pickerel, was taken by Bill Ahern.  The Kid’s Heaviest Fish, a 2 lb 1 oz pickerel was taken by Jack Clarke.  A pasta dinner with raffle prizes was held at the Locker Room afterwards.  All of the proceeds went to Lee Youth Football.

 

Berkshire waters account for 4 gold pins in 2014

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In the Freshwater Sport Fishing Awards Programs, anglers receive bronze pins for catching fish of certain minimum weight requirements for 22 species.  They must have their catch weighed at a certified weigh station and submit an affidavit and photo to the Sportfishing Awards Coordinator.   Beginning in 2005, a youth category (aged 17 and under) was added to recognize anglers 17 years and younger for their accomplishments.

Anglers who catch the largest fish in each category receive a gold pin and plaque commemorating their accomplishment. During 2014, Berkshire waters yielded four trophy fish.

No adults won any gold pins here last year, but the following youths did:  Tauri Adamczyk of Taunton caught the largest carp in the youth division.  It weighed 27 lbs 8 oz and was caught in the Housatonic River in Lee.  Jake Burke of Pittsfield caught the largest Northern Pike, weighing 27 lbs 2 oz and it came out of Onota Lake in Pittsfield.  It was nearly 4 lbs larger that the largest pike caught by an adult.  Dylan Crea of Pittsfield caught the largest Tiger Muskie weighing 13 lbs 8 oz out of Pontoosuc Lake in Pittsfield.  It was nearly 1 lb larger than the largest Tiger Muskie caught by an adult.  (Readers may remember reading about Dylan in my column of March 9, 2014).   Christian Gougeon of Williamsburg caught the largest Tiger Trout in the youth division.  It weighed 2 lbs 10 oz and came out of Stockbridge Bowl.

Once again, it is interesting that so many out-of-area fishermen are coming to the Berkshires to fish our waters.  Our area truly has become a destination point for fishermen.

Since 2002, the Angler of the Year Award has been given to the person who weighs in the largest number of species that meet minimum weight requirements.  The award promotes awareness of the Commonwealth’s underutilized fish species and recognizes an angler’s ability to catch a wide variety of trophy species.  Since 2013, the Angler of the Year is now awarded in two categories, Youth and Adult.

In 2014, there was a tie for the Adult Angler of the Year; Mark Mohan Jr. of Pembroke and Todd Matera, of Palmer.  Mohan caught the following pin fish last year:  a gold pin Brown Trout (weighing 8 lbs 4 oz), a Bullhead, Crappie, Landlocked Salmon, Largemouth Bass, Rainbow Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Sunfish, White Perch and a gold pin Yellow Perch (weighing 2 lbs 9 oz).

Matera caught the following pin fish: Brook Trout, Bullhead, Carp, Channel Catfish, Landlocked Salmon, a gold pin Smallmouth Bass (weighing 5 lbs 6 oz), Sunfish, White Catfish, White Perch, and five Yellow Perch.

The 2014 Youth Angler of the Year was Jake Souza of Berkley. He caught the following pin fish: Brook Trout, three Brown Trout, two Bullhead, two Chain Pickerel (one of which came out of Onota Lake in Pittsfield), Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, two Sunfish, Tiger Trout, White Perch, and Yellow Perch.

Familiar names? Well, Mohan was Angler of the Year in 2013, Mantera was Angler of the Year in 2005, and Souza was Youth Angler of the Year in 2013 and 2012.  There is a little more than luck involved here, they’re just good fishermen.

Incidentally, beginning this year, MassWildlife will be including a Catch and Release component to its Freshwater Sportfishing Awards Program.

  • Fish must be taken on hook and line from State or interstate waters that are open to the public at all times.       Private ponds or sporting club ponds are not eligible for awards.
  • Fish must be measured at the site of capture, photographed against a standard measuring device, then immediately released.   The photo must include the entire fish and the measurement must be clearly discernible.   In addition to a side view photo, all affidavits for catfish and bullheads must also include a full body, dorsal (back) view of the fish.
  • Fish measurements will be rounded up to the nearest ¼ inch.
  • C&R anglers will receive the classic bronze pin for each eligible fish submitted.   Additionally, the longest of each species annually will be awarded a gold pin and plaque.
  • A C&R Angler of the Year trophy will be awarded annually to the angler who submits the widest variety of eligible species.
  • Anglers aged 17 or under are eligible for Youth C&R Sportfishing Awards.

Check out the MassWildlife website for more details.  *****

A Basic Hunter Education Course will be held at the Cheshire Rod & Gun Club, 310 Curran Road, Cheshire, on March 2, 6, 9, 13, 16 and 20 from 6:00 to 9:00PM.   All first-time hunters who wish to purchase Massachusetts hunting or sporting licenses must complete a Basic Hunter Education course.   For more information, call 508-389-7820. *****

DCR will be holding a Public Trails Workshop for the Pittsfield State Forest this Wednesday evening from 6:30 to 8:30PM at the DCR West Region HQ, 740 South Street, Pittsfield. They will hold another workshop for October Mountain State Forest, same place and time on March 4.

DCR staff will share information on the trails planning process and will work with trails system users to identify destinations and desired experiences, trail constraints and maintenance issues, and long-term trails management considerations.  The intended outcome is an environmentally sustainable trails system that all users can enjoy in the future.  *****

Next Saturday, the Lee Sportsmen’s Association is holding a “Zumbation” to raise money for the Lee High School Senior Class and the LSA. Call Mary at (413)243-2710 for more details. *****

 

Last week I erroneously listed the bear population in Massachusetts as being 50,000 instead of 5,000. My apologies!  Hope I didn’t cause panic and a rush of people to sell their homes and move out of the state.

 

Questions/comments:  Berkwoodsandwaters@roadrunner.com.

Travis receives coveted Crooked Staff Award

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In its December 11 meeting, the Taconic Chapter of Trout Unlimited presented William Travis of Pittsfield with its most prestigious award, the Crooked Staff Award.  This award is presented to the person who best exemplifies the ideals of TU, those being the conserving, protecting and restoring of North America’s coldwater fisheries and their watersheds.

Bill is a valuable member of the Board of Directors of the chapter who has taken on the task of arranging programs and speakers for its meetings and for coming up with different ways to attract new members.  For example, he is heading up the Chapter’s efforts to host an International Fly Fishing Festival on March 27 at the Berkshire Hills Country Club in Pittsfield.  (More to come on that in a future column).  He is constantly coming up with innovative ways to promote the Taconic Chapter of TU.

He has participated in programs to teach youths how to fly fish.   He has been involved in the chapter’s river clean-ups and culvert programs (river continuity program).

He is an avid steelhead and king salmon fly fisherman who is frequently seen battling them on the Salmon River, a tributary to Lake Ontario.

Incidentally, if he looks familiar, Bill was the Superintendent of public schools in Pittsfield for ten years and for Mount Greylock for five years.*****

Congratulations to Chris Porter and the members of the Onota Fishing Club for recently putting on another successful game dinner at the ITAM Club in Pittsfield.  They served 255 meals including 8 meals for the folks from Soldier On.  The food was excellently prepared. At that event, a check for $750 was presented to Soldier On.  When we left that place we had full bellies and good feelings about that donation.   Chris thanks everyone who attended, and contributed in any way.

MassWildife is looking for additional information on does harvested in Management Zones 2, 4N and 4S.  They are interested in looking at the jaws, or photos of the teeth, from does taken anytime during the 2014 season from the three Zones.  If you harvested a female deer from one of these Zones please contact the Western District office (413 684-1646) or email a photo of the teeth to david.stainbrook@state.ma.us.*****

The folks at the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries remind us that Recreational Saltwater Fishing Permits for 2015 are now available for purchase. You can obtain them online   or at a local tackle shop. The online permit system is mobile friendly and will allow you to download your permit onto your smartphone or tablet after you have purchased it – no need to print.  Carry your digital permit on your mobile device, wherever you go.

If you plan to fish in December 2014, you must have a 2014 recreational angling permit.  The 2015 permits go into effect on January 1, 2015 and are available now.  For more information, or to purchase your 2015 recreational angling permit, visit their website at http://www.mass.gov/marinefisheries. *****

Getting back to TU and the crooked staff, local sportsmen were saddened to learn of the passing of David Oclair of Richmond at the age of 73.  He was a long time director of the Taconic TU Chapter.  In 2005 he received its Crooked Staff award for his involvement over the years in stream restoration programs, stream continuity programs, annual stockings of salmon fry into our local streams, in ASERP (Atlantic Salmon School Education Program), acid rain monitoring, assisting in the Casting for Recovery program, a Berkshire County League of Sportsmen youth outreach fishing volunteer, and he was involved in local dam removal projects.  He was a board member of the Friends of the Williams River, a member of the Alford Brook Club and TU’s long time delegate to the County League.

On a personal note, Dave and I went back some 30 years.  We both retired from our jobs at about the same time and did a lot of fishing together in such places as Wyoming (where he once helped me out of some quicksand).  With other friends, we fished in five of the Canadian Provinces and many rivers in the Northeast.   For nearly 25 years, we fished for bass every Friday evening during the summer on Ashmere Lake in Hinsdale.   We also shared many frigid days ice fishing.  He was an esteemed member of the ROMEO’S (Retired Old Men Eating Out) and for the last dozen or so years, we drove together to those weekly luncheons.

I received the phone call with the sad news last Saturday morning at my quiet, snowy deer hunting stand up in the mountains – not the worst place to receive such news.   Dave has passed beyond the river bend, but will be greatly missed here.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays.

MassWildlife staff honored

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Several staff from the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife and the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) were recently honored with awards for their public service to fisheries, wildlife, and conservation.  Dr. Mark Tisa, Assistant Director of Fisheries, Dr. Jon Regosin, Chief of Conservation Science, from MassWildlife and Rich Lehan, General Counsel for the DFG were part of a multi-agency group honored by the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) New England Regional office with a Bronze Medal Award.  This medal is EPA’s third highest honor and is presented by regional offices to recognize exceptional, distinguished, or heroic individual and group achievements.  It is uncommon for recipients of this award to be given to non-EPA staff

The multi-agency team consisted of representatives of EPA New England and EPA Headquarters, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Massachusetts DFG, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, and the Connecticut Attorney General’s Office.  EPA and the states of Massachusetts and Connecticut discussed potential approaches to clean up the Rest of River portion of the GE Housatonic River site.

The team focused on the need to address the risks from PCBs to humans, fish, wildlife, and other organisms while avoiding, mitigating, or minimizing the impacts of the cleanup on the unique ecological character of the Housatonic River.  As stated in the nomination application by EPA staff, “Thanks to the partnerships formed during this process with the states, the program and the public can be assured that this difficult cleanup decision will be made based upon sound science and the best available information and in an open and transparent manner.”  *****

The 22nd Annual Harry A. Bateman Memorial Jimmy Fund Fishing Derby will take place on Saturday, June 7, 2014 at the Frank Controy Pavilion at Onota Lake in Pittsfield, MA. from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.  No fishing license is required (Free fishing weekend for the state) The derby is open to the public and its purpose is to raise money for the Jimmy Fund – Dana Farber Cancer Institute For Children. All of the proceeds will be donated to the Jimmy Fund in memory of Harry A. Bateman a former member of Berkshire County Jimmy Fund Council, 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 are given away to the winners of the fishing derby (8 for the Children 4  Adults and 3 that can be won by adults or children)  There is a special category for those fishing with a bow & arrow.  All fish must be weighed in at noon. and can be caught at Onota Lake from  boat or shore.  Fee, which includes food and beverage, is $10 for adults and $5 for Children 14 years and younger.  There is a ticket raffle and many other great prizes.  

 

For any information contact Steve Bateman at 413-464-5035 or by email home:iggnatz@msn.com. *****

 

The picture?   Well, three and a half year old Hunter Proper has been having a good year of fishing, catching some 9 rainbow trout.  But nothing compared to the lunker carp he latched onto recently.    While fishing at the Onota Lake Causeway, using his little Spiderman fishing pole with a low weight line test and worms, he hooked a 14 lb 14 oz carp which immediately took off and fought him for a half hour.  His dad Justin had to help him hold the pole lest the fish yank it right out of his hands, but Hunter caught it all by himself.  Don’t you know, there were 10 other fishermen there witnessing the battle and not one had a net.  So he just dragged it up on shore.  It turned out to be a 30 inch fish with a 19 inch girth.  Rather than mount it, they will have a carved reproduction made of it.  *****

The following local waters were scheduled to be stocked with trout last week:  Westfield River in Becket, Chester, Huntington, Middlefield and Russell; Housatonic River in Hinsdale, Dalton, Stockbridge and Lee; Deerfield River in Buckland, Charlemont and Florida, Hoosic River in Clarksburg, Ashfield Pond, North Pond, Onota Lake, Upper Highland Lake, Otis Reservoir, Goose Pond and Laurel Lake. *****

Over this long weekend, you might want to take a moment or two to remember and thank those who sacrificed so much in defense of our country.

 

Questions/comments:  Berkwoodsandwaters@roadrunner.com.  Phone/fax:  (413) 637-1818..

 

Four honored at BCLS Conte Banquet

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The Cheshire Rod & Gun Club banquet hall was packed for the Silvio O. Conte Awards Banquet which was held on the evening of April 19.  The award winners included: John Mange of Stephentown, NY- 2013 Sportsman of the Year, Fran Majchrowski of Dalton- John Zuber Lifetime Achievement Award, Dennis Regan, Berkshire County Director of the HVA – Sportsmen’s Appreciation Award and the late Sarah (Sally) Bell, – posthumous Sportsmen’s Appreciation Award.  They were nominated by the various sportsmen’s clubs which make up the BCLS.  All of the recipients were selected because of their long time dedication and commitment to preserving our open spaces, preserving our clean waters or their willingness to teach future generations about the outdoors and outdoor sports. Their individual feats were highlighted in my March 16 column.

Mange’s award was in recognition of his dedication, leadership and committal to the sportsmen of Massachusetts. In his acceptance speech, John mentioned how fortunate he was to have friends and family supporting him in his efforts. Deflecting praise of himself, he complimented his fellow sportsmen for being very generous with their time. “There are a lot of dedicated sportsmen who also give a lot of their time. Someone has to do it…..all of the time” he said. (If I may add, it is the example that John sets that inspires the others). John also received citations from State Senator Benjamin Downing representing the Senate and State Rep William “Smitty” Pignatelli representing the House.

Regan’s award was in recognition of his dedication to providing leadership and assurance to provide a clean and vibrant watershed along the Housatonic River. In his acceptance speech, Regan thanked the League and commented that he had worked with it on several occasions and that he had a great deal of respect for it and all that it does.

Majchrowski’s award was in recognition of his unwavering dedication to the introduction and perpetuation of the ideals of sportsmen in Berkshire County.   He mentioned that there were a lot of people/organizations who helped his school outdoor club over the years, such as the folks at the DFW, John Pickwell of Wohrles, Jeff Diefendorf from Friedman Steel, the Dalton American Legion, Wayne Walton from LP Adams, John Ferris, Chuck Landon and the many sportsmen who donated wild game for the meals.

In honoring the late Sally Bell, BCLS President Mark Jester read a very complimentary letter which was written by Tad Ames of the Berkshire Natural Resources Council. “If a Berkshire Outdoor Hall of Fame is ever created, Sally will be the unanimous choice on the first ballot”, he wrote. Fish and Wildlife Board Chairman George (Gige) Darey accepted the plaque on Sally’s behalf. Speaking on behalf of Sally and the Berkshire County sportsmen, he gave perhaps his greatest talk that this scribe has ever heard him give, one that was totally unscripted and from the heart. *****

The Berkshire Hatchery Foundation will be holding a kid’s fishing derby at the lower pond next Saturday, from 9 to 10:30 AM.   Please let them know if you are coming by emailing http://www.berksfish.com/events.html and giving the number of children attending.  Children under 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult. *****

The following waters were scheduled to be stocked with trout by the DFW last week:  Green River in Alford, Egremont and Great Barrington; Ashfield Pond in Ashfield, Deerfield River in Buckland, Charlemont and Florida; Chickley River in Charlemont and Hawley, Cold River in Charlemont, Florida and Savoy; Westfield River in Chester, Chesterfield, Cummington, Huntington, Middlefield and Worthington; Housatonic River in Hinsdale, Dalton, Lee and Stockbridge, Hoosic River in Clarksburg, North Pond in Florida, Williams River in West Stockbridge and Great Barrington, West Brook in Lee and Great Barrington, Bennett Brook and Plunkett Lake in Hinsdale, Littleville Lake in Huntington, Beartown Brook and Greenwater Brook in Lee, Goose Pond Brook  in Lee and Tyringham, Konkapot River in New Marlborough, Monterey and Sheffield, Lake Buel and Lake Garfield in Monterey, Farmington River in Otis and Sandisfield, Trout Brook in Peru, Larrywaug Brook and Stockbridge Bowl in Stockridge, and Windsor Pond in Windsor.

Questions/comments:  Berkwoodsandwaters@roadrunner.com.  Phone/fax:  (413) 637-1818.

 

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Pictured left to right:  Mark Jester BCLS President, Dennis Regan, George”Gige” Darey, Fran Majchrowski, John Mange and Karen Kruszyna.  As mentioned in my April 20 column, Jester and Kruszya received important Mass Sportsmen’s Council awards..