Category Archives: Fishing

Small fry are liberated into Windsor Brook

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In January brook trout eggs were received from the Sunderland State Fish Hatchery and placed in an aquarium at Taconic High School in Pittsfield. This was part of the Trout-in-the- Classroom program which MassWildlife sponsors. The eggs hatched about two weeks later and they were raised by some 80 or so Taconic High School students from grades 9 through 12. They have been attended to by the students, under the watchful eyes of teachers Michelle Potash and Tonya Michaud. They were fed pellets and remained there until last Thursday when they were set free.

I had hoped to get pictures of the kids releasing them but due to transportation issues (funding to provide bussing to bring the kids to Windsor) and other issues, none of the kids were able to make it. It’s a shame that after all of the attention and care that the kids gave to raise these fish, they could not be there to watch their liberation. Thanks to the above-mentioned dedicated teachers, who took the time to drive the brook trout to the release location. And thanks to teacher Ron Wojcik who coordinated the release site and time.

Youngsters take note! The unnamed stream where they were released runs across property owned by Tom Garvey (Maybe we should name it Tom’s Brook?) One could not choose a better place to release these fish, for it is a cold, clean little brook that doesn’t dry up in the summer and is a tributary to nearby Windsor Brook in Windsor. All of the little fry (perhaps 1 ¼ inches in length) appeared happy in their new home. They immediately acclimated to the currents, and back currents so that they constantly faced into them. Care was taken to not put them in pools where larger trout were likely to live and, given the opportunity, would gobble them up.

Those fish are not forgotten once released, for Tom keeps a close eye on them and feeds them daily. He even covers the stream with wire mesh in order to keep the blue herons from getting at them and eating them up. (herons love small brook trout, they can’t get enough of them). Tom has been through this routine before for this marks the 4th year that they have been released on his property. He observes them until the fall when the fish by that time are perhaps 3 inches long. That is when they disappear up or downstream and find new territories in which to reside.

Trout Stockings

The following waters were scheduled to be stocked with bigger trout last week, subject to change. Please note that Onota Lake in Pittsfield and Windsor Pond in Windsor have also been stocked with tiger trout. In addition to those waters, the following waters have been stocked: Deerfield River in Buckland, Charlemont, and Florida; East Branch of the Westfield River in Chesterfield, Cummington, Savoy and Windsor; Littleville Reservoir in Chester and Huntington, Upper Highland Lake in Goshen, Housatonic River C&R in Lee and Stockbridge, Farmington River in Otis and Sandisfield and Laurel Lake in Lee.

Northern Pike Stocking

The DFW stocked more than 16,000 fingerling-sized northern pike into Cheshire Reservoir on Friday, April 27. These 4″ fish, which will take about 3 years to reach the 28″ minimum harvest size, were obtained from New Jersey DFW as part of a cooperative exchange program.
Northern Pike naturally reproduce in several waterbodies in the state. In the Berkshires, the natural reproduction is able to sustain the fishery in the Housatonic River (including Woods Pond) and in Pontoosuc, Onota, Buel, and Cheshire lakes.
MassWildlife also stocks some locations with sterile Tiger Muskellunge, which is a cross between a northern pike and muskellunge, and is a member of the esocid family. MassWildlife does not have a warm water hatchery in which to rear esocids but usually obtains a small number of 3–12 ” fish each year from the NJ DFW. They are stocked in selected Massachusetts waters with sufficient habitat to support them. It takes 5 or more years for them to attain the 28″ minimum legal length.
Training Range Safety Officers
The Lee Sportsmen’s Association will be conducting Range Safety Officer (RSO) Training on May 19 at 9 am. The minimum age to become a credentialed NRA RSO is 21, and one must provide a valid and current NRA membership number on the day of the course. After the instructor submits the training report, applicants will be able to complete credentialing process online (nrainstructors.org). The Cost of this course is $100, and the Cost of a 2-year credential for NRA members is $30 ($50 for non-NRA members). If you are not already an NRA member, and would like to become one prior to taking this course, it is recommended you call the NRA rather than join online.

Registration is required, and the registration form can be downloaded and printed from nrainstructors.org website, RSO Course Registration Form. Contact Rob McDermott for questions, concerns, and registration at 413-232-7700 or email robmcdermott@verizon.net

International Defensive Pistol Association

The IDPA will be having a Steel Action Shoot on Sunday, May 20 at the Lee Sportsmen’s Association. For information, contact Shawn Sullivan at ssullee@icloud.com.
Endangered Species Day

This year, Endangered Species Day is observed on May 18. The United States Congress appointed this day to recognize efforts in conserving rare species. Through the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act, Massachusetts also protects local native species that may or may not be federally protected. Over 425 endangered, threatened, or special concern animals and plants live in Massachusetts. Species from the majestic bald eagle to the unusual mountain cranberry need protection. Even though many, like the peregrine falcon, have come a long way, our native species still need help.
MassWildlife’s Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program implements the state’s Endangered Species Act. This happens through field surveys and research, regulations, habitat management, land protection, and education. But the Program needs you to help monitor rare species by telling MassWildlife when you see them. You can also help by donating directly to the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program. Find out more by visiting mass.gov/supportnhesp.
Fishing Derbies

The Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club is having its Spring Fishing Derby at the boat ramp on Stockbridge Bowl next Sunday, May 20 from dawn until 3:00pm. Prizes of $100 will go the heaviest trout, pickerel, bass and bullhead. There will be free lures for all kids 12 and under. Hot breakfast and lunch will be available. Pre-registration fee is $10 and post registration is $15. Tickets are available at the Minkler Insurance Agency, 31 Main Street, Stockbridge, (W)413-644-3590, (H)413-298-4630 or from any club member.

DFW Director Jack Buckley retires
After 30 years of service with the DFW (MassWildlife), Director Jack Buckley retired on April 30, 2018. Appointed as Director by the Fisheries and Wildlife Board in 2015, Buckley supported new outreach initiatives such as social media and agency re-branding; focused efforts on hunter and angler recruitment, retention, and reactivation; accelerated habitat management activities on MassWildlife lands; procured habitat management grant funding for private landowners and municipalities; and partnered with the Massachusetts Water Resources Agency for a pipeline to supply the McLaughlin Hatchery in Belchertown with gravity-fed water from Quabbin Reservoir. During this time, MassWildlife celebrated its 150th Anniversary, opened its new LEED Platinum certified Field Headquarters in Westborough for meetings and events to a wide variety of state agencies and conservation groups, and continued to protect and manage over 200,000 acres of important fish and wildlife habitat to benefit both wildlife and people.
The majority of Buckley’s career with MassWildlife was spent as Deputy Director of Administration and Personnel. He was responsible for personnel, fiscal, and budgetary management, legislative and external affairs, federal aid, information and education, licensing and permits, land acquisition, and the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program. In 1998–2002, he also served as a Special Assistant to Secretary of Environmental Affairs Robert Durand for Forest Policy and Land Protection. Probably his most important contribution to the agency was his work on the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (MESA) legislation, the creation of MassWildlife’s Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, and his involvement with a lawsuit that went before the Massachusetts Supreme Court. The Court ultimately affirmed the agency’s authority and actions relative to enforcement of MESA.
Buckley was MassWildlife’s representative on the Public Access Board and the Pesticide Board. In addition, Buckley represented the Division on several committees of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, including Legislative Affairs, Federal Budget, and International Affairs. He was the regional representative of the northeastern states to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Technical Work Group.
Jack Buckley earned a Bachelor of Science and Master’s Degree in Fisheries Biology from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst where he studied the endangered shortnose sturgeon in the Connecticut River. He worked at the Massachusetts Cooperative Fishery Research Unit at the University of Massachusetts as a Research Assistant and was promoted to Project Leader. Buckley then performed a stint as first Chief of Fisheries Management in Washington D. C. where he was responsible for developing the fisheries management program for the District of Columbia. His work in advancing fish and wildlife conservation has been recognized on local, regional, and national levels. Buckley was honored by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies with a Special Recognition Award in 2011 for his outstanding commitment to the work of the Association and with the Ernest Thompson Seton Award in 2013, honoring his leadership in scientific wildlife management as a CITES representative. The Massachusetts Sportsmen’s Council recently honored Buckley with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Fisheries and Wildlife Board has appointed previous Deputy Director Mark Tisa as Acting Director of the DFW.

Local youth turkey hunting results were low, but enthusiasm was high

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The special mentored youth turkey hunting day took place on Saturday, April 28. The combined turkey harvest for the Lee and Stockbridge Sportsmen’s clubs was only 4 birds. Its hard to figure out why as the weather wasn’t bad, the mentors are eminently qualified, the kids are decent shots and there appears to be a lot of turkeys strutting their stuff out there. Maybe the toms detected an accent in the turkey calls this year and became leery. Well, that’s the way it goes…..no excuses were offered.

This year, I covered the Lee Sportsmen’s Association which had 9 participants in the program and two birds were taken. Alex Navin, while hunting with mentor Doug LaPlante managed to bag a 15 lbs. bird around 6:00am with one clean shot to the head. They called in 5 or 6 other gobblers, too. He is very pleased with his new 20-gauge Mossberg Shotgun.

Daniel Epe, who was mentored by Mark Bartini, heard at least 6 toms all around them. The trouble was that some were in back yards and obviously he couldn’t go there to hunt them. He had one bird interested in Mark’s call, but he got busted (bird detected them and took off).

A similar situation occurred to Will Loring who was mentored by Isaac Winters. They had a bunch of gobblers nearby but couldn’t call them in. One bird had the nerve to strut nearby, but it got away. Matt Ranzoni was mentoring Will’s brother Charlie Loring and he bagged a 17 lbs. bird. No luck for Taylor Salice, who was mentored by Josh Hurlihey, but she had a good time hunting never-the-less.

John Ranzoni mentored Hunter Briggs, and he took a shot but didn’t drop the bird.

After having a burger or two excellently prepared by Tom and Virginia Dubois, the youngsters learned how to dress out the birds. In addition to the meat, they were shown how to save the tail feathers, beards, spurs, other feathers, etc.

Meanwhile, the folks at the Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club also bagged two birds. Some 18 youths went out turkey hunting this year. Thanks to information provided by spokesman Mike Buffoni, here is how they did:
Two youths got birds and Mike reported that at least 3 other youths had shots but missed. Every kid had great action and heard birds gobbling. Colby Carlson (Mike’s nephew) who was mentored by Brian Korte went on his first hunt ever and got a jake. Brady Donald also got a nice bird. Pretty sure it was his first also. “Very cool to see the excitement in these youth hunters” said Mike.

As usual they had a really nice lunch put on by Chef Peter Delgrande at the club. After eating, they also learned how to tend to the birds. Quite a few of the kids didn’t come for lunch and most were in shorts so they didn’t get a group photo this year. We did get a picture of young Colby Carlson with his turkey. The expression of joy and pride says it all, hey?
Few details came from North County except that Scott Krzanik of Adams, MA was mentoring his daughter Grace when she bagged an 18-pound bird with a 9 inch beard and 3/4″ spurs. She did this at 6:35 a.m. I believe I interviewed her back in 2016 when she got her first bird on youth day as well. Scott said that Matthew Tassone also got a nice tom North county.
According to Astrid Huseby, DFW Youth Turkey Hunt Coordinator, they don’t have exact numbers of how many youths participated. They do know that 270 youth ages 12-17 obtained the required permits/authorizations to hunt on the youth day, but not how many of those 270 actually went out hunting.
As for how many turkeys were harvested, they have a preliminary number of 52 birds reported online. More birds may have been harvested and taken to a check station that doesn’t use online reporting so they won’t have total numbers until the end of the season when all harvest reports are collected from check stations.

Free Fishing Days

In order to plan your fishing trips, here is a listing of free fishing days, where no freshwater license is needed: In Massachusetts, the dates are June 2 and 3. (You can also take advantage of free saltwater fishing on Father’s Day weekend – June 16 and 17). While you can fish for free on June 2-3, a license is required at all other times if you’re 15 or older. If you’re aged 15-17, your license is free.

In New York the free fishing days are June 23-24. They also have two additional free fishing dates in 2018 which are September 22 and November 11. In Vermont it is June 9. (Be sure to verify that date as I am receiving conflicting dates for Vermont). In New Hampshire the day is June 2; in Maine, the dates are June 2 and 3; the Connecticut Free Fishing date is May 12 and in Rhode Island they are May 6 and May 7. Now’s your chance to “test the waters” in our neighboring states free.

Pistol Shoots
The Cheshire Rod & Gun Club, 310 Curran Rd., Cheshire, MA, will be having outdoor pistol shoots this year. The monthly shoots take place on Saturdays starting at 10:00 am. The entry fee for the first shoot is $10.00 and $5.00 for the second shoot. The winners will split ½ the first shoot take and all of the second shoot take. On May 12, there will be “Wood Blocks Standin’ on a Log” centerfire. 5 shots at 5 blocks at 10, 15, 20 and 25 yards.

Rules: For Rimfire – .22 Caliber, Semi-Automatic Pistols or Revolvers. For Centerfire – Semi-Automatic Pistols or Revolvers, no caliber over .45, red dot scopes are allowed, 1 or 2- handed allowed.

Also, on Sunday, May 20, they will be having a Steel Action Shoot, and on Thursday, May 24 they will be having their first Thursday Night Steel Match.

For more information contact: Martha Lee (413) 212-4154, Evelyn Jones (413) 684-3391.

Trout Stocking

The following waters were scheduled to be stocked with trout last week: Hoosic River in Adams. Cheshire and Clarksburg; Greenwater Pond in Becket, West Branch of the Westfield River in Becket, Chester, Huntington and Middlefield; Westfield River Mainstem in Russell, Potash Brook in Blandford and Russell, Deerfield River in Buckland, Charlemont and Florida; Hudson Brook in Clarksburg, Pontoosuc Lake in Lanesborough and Big Pond in Otis.

Fishing Derby
The Berkshire Hatchery Foundation in Hartsville-New Marlborough is having its next free children’s fishing derby next Saturday, May 12, from 9 to 10:30 am at its lower pond. Children aged 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Bass Fishing Tournament

The bass fishermen have started their 2018 tournaments and the first event was at the Congamond Lakes in Southwick, MA on April 29. The results are as follows: 1st place went to Ricky Terzak with 16.4 lbs. of bass. In 2nd place was Paul Procopio with 12.13 lbs. Dave Benham took 3rd with 12.4lbs, 4th place went to Bill Gates with 11 lbs. and in 5th place was Bill Pigott with 8.7 lbs. These are 5 fish totals weights. All were caught, weighed in and released.

The lunker (largemouth) bass was taken by Bill Gates, one weighing 4.1 lbs. Paul Procopio caught a 3.3 lbs. smallmouth. Both are currently leading in the Lunker of the Year contests.

Registration is open for the next tournament which takes place on May 13.

HVA to conduct Stream Assessments of the Konkapot and Williams Rivers

The Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) invites interested individuals to help form “Stream Teams” to complete Stream Assessments this spring and summer. “Stream Team” volunteers will walk, sometimes in the river, or paddle along an assigned segment of the river and record information along the way. All of the information collected will be compiled into a final Stream Assessment Report which will include conditions and use of the river sections plus possible recommendations for future projects. Assessments are to be completed from May to July and can be scheduled according to the volunteers’ availability.

HVA has scheduled a Stream Assessment volunteer training on Tuesday, May 15 from 5 to7pm in the Community Room of the Mason Library, Great Barrington. Registration is required, space is limited. They will also conduct an on-stream training practice review with date and time to be determined.

These surveys help HVA assess the health of the river and work with the community to improve that part of the watershed. All of the information collected will be compiled into a final Stream Assessment Report which will include conditions and use of the river sections, plus possible recommendations for future projects. These reports should be available in October 2018 on HVA’s website (hvatoday.org). Copies of the report, both digital or hard copy can be requested.

Funding for the Stream Assessments is provided by The Berkshire Environmental Endowment Fund, a fund of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation. The Green River and Southwest Branch of the Housatonic River Stream Assessments were completed in 2017. Copies of these reports and other previous reports are available at hvatoday.org or you can call and request a copy. If you are interested in participating in this project, call HVA at 413-298-7024 or email Alison at adixon@hvatoday.org.

The two Stream Assessments that are to be completed this year are the Williams and Konkapot Rivers. Both of these rivers are tributaries of the Housatonic River. The Williams River flows south and southeast through West Stockbridge and Great Barrington where it joins the Housatonic River while the Konkapot River begins in Monterey and continues south through New Marlborough and, after a dip into Canaan, Connecticut, flows into the Housatonic River in Sheffield.
“Stream Teams” for each of the rivers will be made up of small groups of 2 – 3 volunteers and the teams are typically assigned a 1 – 2 mile section of the river. HVA will train “Stream Team” volunteers on how to conduct the survey, what information to record, and safety protocols. Volunteers will be asked to record things of note such as: pipes that are seen, invasive plants or wildlife observations, and general river conditions and usage. Following the surveys, the “Stream Team” volunteers will come together to share their findings and discuss suitable recommendations. The information gathered will be compiled into final Stream Assessment reports – one for each of the tributaries.
Not all “Stream Team” members need to be involved in conducting a survey. If you have an interest or expertise in either the Williams or Konkapot Rivers, HVA welcomes your input. Trainings are expected to be scheduled in May. Surveys will be completed from May – July weather and water levels permitting. The final reports, which are expected to be compiled in late summer, will be submitted to the local municipalities and state government and should also be available to the public by October 2018. The assessment will be placed on the HVA website along with their past reports. Feel free to check out these past reports to help understand more about this program. Contact HVA at 413-298-7024 for more information about volunteering for a “Stream Team.”
Fisheries and Wildlife Board Meeting
The May meeting of the Fisheries and Wildlife Board will be held on Wednesday, May 16 at 1:00 p.m. at the Stationery Factory ,63 Flansburg Avenue, Dalton, MA.

Suggestions to avoid bear problems

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According to DFW Western District Supervisor Andrew Madden, as of March 1, 2018 the Western District has had three reports of bears attacking livestock, in two cases killing a sheep and a goat. In the third case, a llama was attacked but got it away with minimal harm. The attacks took place in the towns of Monterey, Blandford and West Stockbridge.

Madden noted that in all three cases residents had seen bears regularly but continued feeding birds.

Bears are pretty hungry this time of year. With this lingering winter, succulent vegetation
such as skunk cabbage is late arriving. We would be wise to keep a close eye on our pets and animals, and for goodness sake, don’t invite the bears with bird seeds, suet and garbage. The following are some suggestions for farmers and others to help avoid encounters with bears:

Protect livestock
Avoid pasturing animals in remote areas or nearby heavy wooded cover or travel areas that bears might use. Whenever possible, pen livestock in or near the barn at night, especially pregnant females and those with small young. Avoid field birthing if possible. Do not leave carcasses of dead animals exposed in fields, pastures, or nearby areas. Consider the use of guard animals. Keep livestock feed in secured outbuildings protected by electric fencing or in bear-proof containers.
Protect bees and chickens
Use electric fencing to safeguard hives and coops. Electric fences are most effective when put up and continuously charged before the first damage occurs. Keep open, mowed areas on all sides of hives and coops and do not locate hives or coops in abandoned areas or close to brushy, overgrown areas.
Protect crops and orchards
Temporary electric fencing may be used to protect corn and other crops. Seven-strand slanted non-electric fences have been used to keep bears out of orchards. Contact local bear hunters for the early September bear season to hunt the fields.
If you have a second home owner neighbor who has not yet arrived in the Berkshires, you might want to share the following information with them:
Bird Feeders
MassWildlife recommends that if you live in an area with bears, it is best to avoid bird feeders altogether. Bears finding a bird feeder, bird seed, corn or other bird food will often revisit that site. Bird feeders draw bears closer to people, resulting in bears losing their fear of people. This process is called habituation. It’s not safe for bears or people to be close to one another.
If you choose to put out feeders, doing so in the winter when bears are denned decreases the chances of a bear coming to your feeder. In general, most bears are denned from mid-December through February. Although most bears in Massachusetts enter winter dens, MassWildlife biologists have tracked bears that remained active for some or all of the winter if food is available. It is important that you remove the entire feeder at the first sign of bear activity.
Many wild animals are attracted to bird feeders including wild turkeys and coyotes. Since bird feeders attract small mammals like squirrels, they can also attract animals like fishers and bobcats who prey upon the smaller animals.
For those people who enjoy birds in their yards, MassWildlife suggests growing native plants, shrubs, and trees to attract birds. Adding a water feature is a big draw for birds. Taking these actions may increase the diversity of birds you see and will prevent the unnatural feeding of bears and other kinds of neighborhood wildlife. Some bears have learned to empty bird feeders without destroying the feeder. Do not continue to fill a feeder. Do not leave empty feeders out because residual smell and the sight of feeders can still attract bears.
Pets
Pet food is a tasty treat for bears so don’t leave pet food outdoors. The presence of a dog could trigger a bear to be aggressive. Keep dogs leashed and never let dogs chase or interact with bears. Check your yard for bears before letting your dog out. If you encounter a bear while with your dog, back away slowly and leave the area.
Garbage
Store all garbage in closed containers in a garage or outbuilding. Do not leave your garbage barrels outside overnight. Rather, put them by the roadside before pickup. Use of double bags or sprinkling with ammonia will help reduce odors. Bears and other wild and domestic animals will tip cans and scatter garbage. Smelly cans may attract bears even if there isn’t anything in them, so store garbage cans inside.
Compost responsibly. Do not throw meat scraps, greasy, oily or sweet materials in your compost pile. These kinds of food attract bears and other animals.
Bear-proof garbage cans may be available from municipalities or waste management contractors. In communities where bears are more common, bear-proof dumpsters are recommended for apartments, condos and campgrounds.
Clean greasy barbecues and grills after each use. Do not leave food scraps, grease containers or spilled grease in your yard.
If you see a bear in your neighborhood

A bear’s first response to something unusual is to leave. If a bear is feeding in an area where it doesn’t belong, such as your yard, on a porch, or in a dumpster, MassWildlife recommends you step outside, yell, and make lots of noise. The bear will usually leave—accompanied by its young. Habituated bears may ignore minor harassment. If you continue to see bears, check your property and remove any potential food sources.

In the Woods

Black bears are usually wary of people. Normal trail noise will alert bears to your presence and they will often disappear before you see them. If you see a bear, it may not immediately recognize you as a human and may be curious until it scents you. Make the animal aware of your presence by clapping, talking, or making other sounds while slowly backing away. Do not approach bears or intrude between a female bear and her cubs. Keep dogs leashed and stay a respectful distance away.

While Camping

MassWildlife recommends that you don’t cook, eat, or store food in or next to your tent or camp trailer where odors may linger. Sleep as far away from food storage and preparation areas as possible. Do not dispose of food scraps, grease, or other edibles in your campfire. These materials may not completely burn. Also, the scent of burned food may attract bears.
Store food in bear-proof containers or hang it high on sturdy poles or on wires strung between two trees. Food should hang at least 10 feet off the ground and 4 feet off the base of the truck. Don’t feed bears or leave food items or coolers out when away from the campsite. Use caution if storing food in your vehicle. Some bears may be able to break a window to gain entry. Even if unsuccessful, the bear’s attempts may damage your vehicle.
Store toiletries safely with your food. The scent and use of perfumes and colognes may attract bears. Stay at campgrounds that are clean, use “bear boxes” for safe food storage and dispose of garbage in bear-proof dumpsters. While hiking, normal trail noise will alert bears to your presence and prompt them to move without being noticed.
Spread the word about how to avoid conflicts with bears by sharing these tips with others.

Black bears are important and valuable mammals in Massachusetts. They are big game mammals for which regulated hunting seasons and a management program have been established.

Be River Smart!
No, I’m not referring to smart river fishing or river paddling. Heck, you don’t even have to go near a river to be river smart. The Housatonic River Association (HVA) folks are encouraging everyone to “Be River Smart!” in a different way.
According to Allison Dixon, HVA Berkshire Outreach Manager, polluted stormwater runoff is the number one threat to the water quality of our rivers and lakes today. Yet, we can all be part of the solution. Just get River Smart! Understanding the issue is the first step and then being mindful and maybe adjusting of some of our everyday behaviors is the next and most crucial step.
As Dixon points out, we all learned as kids about the water cycle – when rain falls or snow and ice melt, it either soaks into the ground or evaporates. What we probably didn’t learn is that when rain fall meets hard surfaces like roofs, paved parking lots, streets and driveways, it flows as runoff into the storm drains and asphalted channels into the nearest river or lake.
By the time it reaches that water body it is polluted stormwater runoff. Stormwater runoff picks up fluids that leak from cars such as motor oil, litter, pet waste, fertilizer, pesticides, sand and salt and more from the ground. This runoff contaminates the water raising bacteria levels and compromising the integrity of the ecosystem and the health of the aquatic life in all streams of all of our watersheds in Berkshire County.
Each one of us contributes to this source of pollution and each one of us can make a difference. Pick up that pet waste and throw it in the trash, identify and fix those vehicle leaks quickly, switch to organic lawn care and wash that car on the lawn or at a car wash.
For more information on how to be river smart, contact HVA at 413-298-7024 or email Alison Dixon, HVA’s Berkshire Outreach Manager at adixon@hvatoday.org
Trout Stockings
The following local waters were scheduled to be stocked with trout last week but, as Deb Lipa, Clerk for the Western District DFW noted, the water levels/conditions are crazy so there may have been changes and further updates after this list was prepared: Clesson Brook in Ashfield and Buckland, South River in Ashfield, Swift River in Cummington, Ashfield and Goshen; Walker Brook in Becket and Chester, West Branch Brook in Chesterfield, East Branch of the Westfield River in Cummington, Chesterfield and Huntington; Stones Brook in Goshen, West Brook in Great Barrington, Little River in Worthington and Huntington, Greenwater Brook in Lee, Goose Pond Brook in Tyringham and Lee, Beartown and West Brooks in Lee, Goose Pond in Lee, Hop Brook in Lee and Tyringham, Factory Brook in Middlefield, Konkapot River in Monterey, New Marlborough and Sheffield; Lake Buel in Monterey, Mill Brook in Plainfield, Richmond Pond in Richmond, Buck and Clam Rivers in Sandisfield, Stockbridge Bowl and Larrywaug Brook in Stockbridge, Depot Brook in Washington, West Brook in Windsor and Bronson and West Branch Brooks in Worthington.
Spring Turkey Hunting
Next Saturday, April 28, the 2018 Youth Turkey Hunt day takes place in Wildlife Management Zones 1-13. That is a special day set aside for youths aged 12 to 17. This hunt, developed through a partnership with the National Wild Turkey Federation, allows for a mentored hunt. Hopefully, the youths paid attention and successfully completed the pre-hunt workshop and received the special permits.
Hey youngsters, get to bed early Friday night for the spring season begins ½ hour before sunrise, which is around 5:15 am, and you should be in your hunting spot by then on Saturday morning. Good luck and have a safe and enjoyable hunt. Hopefully, the weather will be nice
Incidentally, the regular spring turkey hunting season opens on Monday, April 30 and runs through May 26.

Lenox Land Trust honors Charles Liston

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The Lenox Land Trust recently informed Charles Liston of Lenox Dale that they have designated him an Emeritus Director status in recognition of his many contributions to land preservation in Lenox and Berkshire County. The emeritus letter, which was drafted by Kate McNaulty-Vaughan, Lenox Land Trust (LLT) Executive Board Member and Secretary reads as follows:
“In November, 2016 at the Lenox Land Trust Annual Meeting, the LLT awarded you a special plaque, recognizing your role in forming the Land Trust and your longstanding commitment and leadership of the conservation movement and its early initiatives in Lenox and Berkshire County.”
“As one of the first members of the Berkshire Natural Resources Council when it started 50 years ago, you have since distinguished yourself as one of few people who had an unbroken record of support for all 50 years! You were recognized for having been tireless in your role as a surveyor for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in assisting in conservation work for the state, for Lenox, and for many regional environmental groups. And for that generosity of spirit, generations to come will enjoy these preserved lands and wildlife.”
“You have explored and recorded the boundaries and features of thousands of acres of land. Your expertise and love of natural landscapes resulted in the permanent protection of many of those acres in their natural state. Always on the lookout for special lands and places in your work for the state, you identified land that would be of interest to the Berkshire Natural Resources Council, as well as the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, and other conservation organizations.”
“You also served on the first Conservation Commission in the Town of Lenox and played a key role in obtaining grants for the acquisition of the Post Farm (100 acres) in 1959, and Edith Wharton Park (15 acres) in 1972 –wonderful open space and recreation lands in town. Notably, those acquisitions received 75% reimbursement from the Federal Government, and 25% from the State. When John D. Kennedy donated the southern half of Parsons Marsh to the Town in 1974, you did all the surveying free of charge, which entailed countless hours of work. This is an astounding legacy, perhaps not known to most residents today.”
“You can only be described as an avid conservationist and environmentalist. The townspeople and Lenox Land Trust will be forever grateful to you for all these unselfish gifts of your time, expertise, and land, especially that parcel on Crystal Street (Lenox Dale) donated for a small park in 2007. In 2008 the Town of Lenox dedicated that lovely spot as Liston Park to honor you and your late wife Carmen.”
May I also add that anyone who has hunted the Post Farm, the George Darey Wildlife Management Area or Hallowell Meadow; or hiked or bird watched at the Edith Wharton Park or Parson’s Marsh in Lenox owes Charlie a great deal of gratitude.
We also owe the 95 year-old veteran our heartfelt gratitude for serving in the US Marines during WWII in the South Pacific, notably in the Saipan, Tinian and Okinawa campaigns.

 

Trout stocking
The following waters were scheduled to be stocked with trout last week: Hoosic River (South Branch) in Adams and Cheshire; Hoosic River (North Branch) in Clarksburg; Deerfield River in Buckland, Charlemont and Florida; Chickley River in Charlemont, Hawley and Savoy; Cold River in Charlemont, Florida and Savoy; Westfield River in Chester, Huntington, Middlefield and Worthington; Housatonic River (C&R) in Lee and Stockbridge, Housatonic River in Hinsdale and Dalton, Housatonic River (Southwest Branch) in Pittsfield, Littleville Reservoir in Chester and Huntington, Hudson Brook in Clarksburg, Town Brook in Lanesboro, Goose Pond in Tyringham and Lee; Garfield Lake in Monterey, Onota Lake in Pittsfield, Green River and Hemlock Brook in Williamstown.
Land Acquisition
In his April report to the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen, DFW Western District Supervisor Andrew Madden reported that MassWildlife recently acquired 52 acres off land off of Tannery Road in Otis, MA. The primary feature of the property is approximately 1,500 feet of frontage along the Farmington River. It is accessible from Tannery Road near where the Knox Trail Rider’s and the Isaac Walton League Clubhouse is. DFW also picked up a one-acre piece of land along that road for a parking area and access to the river.
Earth Week Stocking Event
MassWildlife invites you to celebrate Earth Week by helping them stock trout on Richmond Pond. You will have the opportunity to meet MassWildlife fisheries staff, view trout up close, and learn about places to fish near you. The event takes place on Thursday, April 19, at 1:30 pm. at the Richmond Pond Boat Ramp off of Town Beach Road.
Quadriplegic hunter
Say, remember Zach Porio? He was the quadriplegic turkey hunter that I wrote about in August entitled “Local turkey hunter is an inspiration to us all”. (August 13, 2017) To refresh your memory, he is the guy that shot a turkey using his knees as support and pulling the trigger with both hands. After dropping a tom, he had to drive his truck closer to the bird, grab a rope, get into his wheelchair and push it 20 yards over a meadow to retrieve it. He then had to bend over, tie the turkey by its feet, push himself back upright into the wheelchair, put the rope into his mouth and drag the 12 lbs turkey back to his truck while pushing the wheelchair.
Well, the local community rallied to the aid of the young man who was paralyzed from the chest down in a dirt bike accident several years ago. The plan was to get the avid hunter a special chair which would allow him to be more mobile in the woods.

Through fund raising dinners, auctions, collection boxes and various events, the community and businesses got together to raise enough funds to enable Zach to purchase that special chair. Quite a different chair than the wheelchair that was featured in this column back in August, hey?
This is what Zach posted on Facebook, “I just want to thank everyone so incredibly much for their generosity in helping me to get this incredible chair. I can’t tell you how amazing it was to interact and get out there to play in the snow with everyone again, instead of watching from the sidelines. To be able to move around on my own with almost no limitations and to stand more than I’ve done in a long while was great and just what I needed to cure the cabin fever of winter. Being outdoors is something that I used to enjoy so much in the past but have dreaded ever since the accident. Now, this chair gives me the ultimate freedom to get around and maneuver the outdoors like I used to love so much.”
“I thank you all for coming together to make such a huge difference in my life and giving me the ability to interact with my children beyond the limitations of my wheelchair. Again, I’m just beyond amazed at our community and the phenomenal things that are accomplished when people come together. I want to let you know that the sharing won’t stop and that I plan to give others in the community the opportunity to experience a bit of the joy and freedom by extending the offer for others with accessibility limitations the chance to utilize the track chair. Thank you again, Zack.”

Acid Rain Monitors are now even more important
If you saw a grown adult poking around in your little neighborhood stream last Sunday, you needn’t have been alarmed. Its possible that the person was one of the half dozen local Acid Rain Monitors collecting water samples for UMASS. Through fair or foul weather, they have been monitoring Commonwealth waters for over 30 years now. Last Sunday, they were collecting water samples in 20-degree weather. But they are a dedicated lot and most of them have been doing these annual samples, never missing a collection date, for 15-20 years now.
The monitors knew that the water samples collected in our area were brought to Westfield State University to be tested for ph, alkalinity, major cations and anions. But recently, they were informed by UMASS that this year the samples will be used as part of Dr. Boutt’s Isoscape project, which involves mapping the distribution of hydrogen and oxygen isotopes in surface waters throughout Massachusetts.

Dr. David F. Boutt is an Associate Professor of hydrogeology, watershed hydrology and groundwater recharge/discharge with the Department of Geosciences UMASS-Amherst. The goal of this project is to develop a baseline of environmental isotopes to understand hydrologic functioning of surface and ground waters throughout the Commonwealth. The ultimate product of this effort are spatial maps of isotopic composition of surface water and groundwater that will define the isoscape in which we live.

Through a combination of sampling efforts by numerous voluntary contributing organizations and the UMASS Hydro Team, they have been able to create a water isotope database consisting of data from all over Massachusetts and much of the Northeast.

Depending on the weight of the water, the source of the water (extra-tropical versus arctic) or the age of the water (recently precipitated versus groundwater) can be inferred. For example, extra-tropical storm waters tend to have a heavier signature whereas Arctic waters tend to be slightly lighter. Precipitation is usually significantly heavier than older water.

So why is this research important? According to UMASS, most significantly, the breadth of this project allows them to track the response of watersheds to hydrologic events–whether that be major storms, or droughts. This will especially be significant as climate change begins to take effect and more extreme weather events occur. Water isotope signatures are also useful in other environmental scenarios such as a tracer in contamination scenarios. This project is the first of its kind at the state level in the nation.

Who would have thought that our collectors with their white bottles of water could turn out to be so important in the scheme of things? Most of the collectors are fishermen and women who have a love for and a desire to protect our waters. Also, who would have thought that your little stream in Becket, Sheffield or Richmond would be part of such an important and far reaching study?

For more information about the project, and a definition of isotopes, click onto: https://blogs.umass.edu/dboutt/research/current-research/isoscape-project/

Questions arise over the handling of Pittsfield Lakes

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Recently, I have been receiving correspondence from sportsmen questioning why the water level on Pontoosuc Lake is so low that they are unable to launch their boats in the open water near the outlet channel. I didn’t know the answer. It was my understanding that per Order of Conditions, the lake had to be completely refilled by April 1, and I am unaware of any amendments or exclusions to that Order of Condition.

On April 2, I went to the lake outlet and found that the water level indeed appeared to be 2 feet below the dam overflow level and that water was being diverted around the dam in a pipe and into the outlet stream (one of the feeders to the Housatonic River). It looked as though the
refilling, a process which probably takes a couple of weeks to complete, had not even begun. It is my understanding that the lake is allowed to be raised or lowered no more than 3 inches per day to reduce adverse impacts on the outlet stream. While there, I took a picture of the outlet. (Picture quality not quite sufficient for this column).

Through e-mail and telephone calls, I tried to reach the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regarding this matter. (I subsequently found out that I should have contacted the DCR because it is the permittee and operator for Pontoosuc Lake). I called the Pittsfield Conservation Agent (Rob Vanderkar) and we had a good conversation. He claimed he contacted the Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) on April 2 and requested that they begin
refilling the lake that very day. If they did so, it must have begun after I visited the dam and took pictures.

On March 4, the DCR Press Secretary responded to my inquiry with the following information:

“Every year, the DCR conducts a winter drawdown of approximately three feet of water from Pontoosuc Lake by opening the dam in the City of Pittsfield. Staff then elevate the water levels back to normal for the spring/summer season (typically April 1st).”

“However, the agency has not brought the water levels up to normal seasonal heights just yet due to the large amounts of ice currently present within the lake caused by a prolonged winter season, which has happened in past years. Elevating the water levels at this time would enable ice to drift to the shoreline and potentially damage the bank, property, and/or other structures that it may encounter.”

“DCR staff are currently allowing the ice to fully melt, water levels are slowly rising (approximately 15 inches from the spillway), and staff continue to monitor the issue. Water levels are expected to be at spring/summer heights later this week or early next week.”

I am no biologist, but I don’t think “winter drawdowns” cut it. Unless something changed in the regulations recently, drawdowns had to be completed by November 15 in order to allow the critters (amphibians, mammals, etc.) to relocate in order to survive the freezing temperatures.

The issue of severe and late lake drawdowns and refills has been a constant point of contention to the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen (BCLS), the umbrella organization for a dozen or so local sportsmen’s clubs and some 3,000 or more local sportsmen and women. Rarely has a monthly meeting taken place in the last couple of years when this subject, as well as the use of herbicides, did not come up. Some of the concerns are: too severe drawdowns, drawdowns conducted too late to allow the critters to make new winter homes, excessive or overuse or unnecessary uses of herbicides, and others.

Their concerns were piqued when it was learned that there was a drastic drawdown last winter on Onota Lake which left thousands of freshwater clams, mussels and a rare aquatic plant exposed on a sandbar to freeze. Even a muskrat had been left stranded in the low water and had to be trapped out by DFW. (Keep in mind that drawdowns are supposed to be completed before winter).

I have since learned from the DEP that Jim McGrath, Pittsfield’s Harbormaster, is the operator for Onota Lake and that MassDEP has and is providing guidance and recommendations to the Conservation Commission regarding permits.

Complicated, hey?

Nevertheless, someone should have been held accountable for the demise of the thousands of those bivalves. The freshwater mussels were identified by DFW aquatic biologists as common mussels, but they were estimated to be from 50 to 80 years old. A Comb Water Milfoil (as opposed to the invasive Eurasian Milfoil), was also exposed to freezing during that drawdown. It is listed in Massachusetts as “Endangered.”

The County League’s concerns have been frequently conveyed to the Western District DFW Supervisor Andrew Madden, but his hands are tied in these matters because the Conservation Commissions call the shots. (Although I am not sure if the Concom called the shot on the above referenced Onota Lake drawdown last fall). Isn’t it ironic that the very agency that has the best trained aquatic biologists and expertise to address these concerns, basically has no say? Yes, DFW advice and recommendations are sought by lake associations, conservation commissions and others but at the end of the day the recommendations are largely unheeded it is they who make the decisions and who, in the County League’s opinion, are the least qualified to make them. The County League hopes to change all that.

It is important that fishermen, conservationists and those who represent the critters also have a say in the management of these Massachusetts “Great Ponds”. It is up to them to become informed, attend the various meetings and work with the Conservation Commissions, lake associations, DEP, DCR, DFW and others to come up with sound lake management plans that all can live with, even the critters.

Incidentally, Dan Miraglia, of Pittsfield, has been the watch dog keeping the BCLS updated on lake matters. As a sign of appreciation, the League chose Dan to receive its Silvio O. Conte Sportsmen’s Appreciation Award this year.

Incidentally, the leadership of the BCLS asked me to announce that they still have tickets available for the Silvio Conte Memorial Banquet on April 21. At that banquet, Dan, along with George Wislocki, Karen Kruszyna, Tom Tyning and another guy will be recognized. While there, maybe we can ask Tom what the effects the constant drawdowns have on the turtle, crayfish and other amphibian populations.

Trout Stocking

The following water bodies were scheduled to be stocked with trout last week, subject to change: Green River – Alford, Egremont and Great Barrington; West Branch Westfield River – Becket, Chester, Middlefield and Huntington; East Branch Westfield River- Chesterfield, Cummington, Savoy, Huntington Russell and Windsor; Deerfield River – Buckland, Charlemont and Florida; Farmington River – Otis and Sandisfield; Konkapot River – Monterey, New Marlborough and Sheffield, Norwich Pond in Huntington, Windsor Lake in North Adams, Mansfield Pond in Great Barrington and Lake Buel in Monterey.

Coyote Contest

Eight coyotes were entered into Dave’s Sporting Goods Coyote Contest this year, and the winner was Carl Dolle of Clarksburg. He bagged the most with a total of 5 and he also bagged the largest coyote which weighed 41 lbs. Joe Trybus, of Lanesborough, MA won the random draw. Congratulations to both.

As you undoubtedly noticed the checked-in numbers were low this year. According to store owner, Dave (DJ) Benham, Jr., it was probably due to the poor weather conditions. It seemed like every time it snowed, it crusted over, keeping the hunters out of the woods. The hunters did not want the crust harming their dog’s paws.

Fishing Derby
The Berkshire Hatchery Foundation in Hartsville-New Marlborough is having this year’s first free children’s fishing derby next Saturday, April 14, from 9 to 10:30 AM at its lower pond. Children aged 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Intro to Action Shooting 101 Class

Do you want to start shooting International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA), or Steel Challenge this season but really don’t know where to start? On April 15 there will be an Action Shooter 101 class at Lee Sportsmen Association (LSA) from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The cost is $5 per person.

The training will begin with a mandatory 45-minute safety and procedures training session in the clubhouse. They will then move to the range for training on action shooting match firearm handling. Later you will be shooting a short, simulated match under the direct supervision of a safety officer. The instructor is LSA’s Paddy Sullivan a Master level shooter in IDPA, Steel Challenge and USPSA

You do not have to be a member of LSA to attend this class. This is a class for new shooters and you are absolutely welcome. But this is not a class for someone not familiar with the firearm you will use. You should have practiced and be very comfortable with loading, unloading, shooting and clearing jams prior to taking this class. You are encouraged to find some introduction to IDPA and Steel Challenge videos on YouTube prior to taking this class in order to be much better prepared and more comfortable.

On April 22, they will be having a 2-gun event. (2 Gun is similar to IDPA only you use a pistol and shotgun.)
There are certain rules with which you must abide. For information on them and to see the 2018 IDPA and Steel schedule, contact Shawn Sullivan at ssullee@icloud.com.

Beagle Club hunt
Looking for something to do next Saturday or Sunday? Maybe you want to hear some good music, sung only by beagles. Perhaps that type of music brings you back to the old days when lots of folks had beagles tied to dog houses in their back yards.
Well, I know just the place to once again hear that music, and that is the Berkshire Beagle Club on Sleepy Hollow Road in Richmond, MA. Next Saturday and Sunday, the club is having its spring field trials where some of the best beagles in the northeast 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.
When they strike a scent, they sure sing, some practically yodeling. For beagle lovers, it is truly music to their ears.
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 plenty of food to purchase there.

Spring trout stocking has started

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Last Wednesday, MassWildlife began its spring trout stocking program here in the Western District, by stocking Richmond Pond in Richmond, MA. Some 700 rainbow trout averaging 14+ inches were liberated by DFW Western District Aquatic Biologist Leanda Fontaine Gagnon and Wildlife Technician Ray Bressette. The happy fish, which came out of the McLaughlin Hatchery, appeared to be in excellent shape and there were no casualties. I saw some of those fish and they are gorgeous, with beautiful red bands along their sides.
Depending on weather conditions, they were scheduled to stock Laurel Lake, Onota Lake and Stockbridge Bowl last week.
Approximately 100,000 trout will be stocked in Western District waters before the spring stocking is concluded sometime around Memorial Day. Readers can check their website for the list and maps of trout stocked waters daily at https://www.mass.gov/service-details/trout-stocking-report. For those not adept at using computers, I plan to list the scheduled stocking locations in this column weekly.
The ice had thawed on about a third of Richmond Pond. Kayakers and canoers may be the first anglers to get a chance at these fish as there is now a new kayak/canoe launch there which was installed last year.
But remember, paddlers in canoes and kayaks are required to wear (not sit on) life jackets from September 15 through May 15. According to the Massachusetts Environmental Police, most boating fatalities in the Commonwealth result when boaters fail to wear life jackets while in small craft in cold water or weather.
Basic Hunter Education Course

There will be a Basic Hunter Education course held at the Deer Hill Rod & Gun Club, 225 Porter Hill Road, Cummington, MA on May 7, 9 and 12. The times are 5/7 and 5/9 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM and on Saturday, 5/12, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

You must attend all class dates and times to successfully complete the course. If you are interested in this course and wish to enroll, call (508) 389-7830 immediately; students are enrolled first-come, first-served, and courses fill quickly.

Report eagle sightings

A few weeks ago, DFW District Supervisor Andrew Madden requested that we let him know when we saw eagles so that they could band the young. Henry (Jack) and Dorothy Naventi, who live at Goose Pond, reported that in February, just as ice fishing stopped, they noticed out in the middle of the lake an eagle sitting next to an ice fishermen’s hole. It sat for a long time and looked like it was eating something. The next day it came back to the same spot and stayed.
Then the next week they were outside and noticed in the same spot, two eagles. Finally, one flew off, turned around, came back, flew in front of their place and then left. A few minutes later the other one flew off and did the same thing right in front of them. They just could not believe it, it was as if the eagles were checking them out also. (Perhaps the eagles were checking out the two bunnies or that red fox that live around their place). The Naventis couldn’t get pictures of the eagles as they were outside and didn’t have a camera. They described them both as having beautiful white heads and tails. The information was relayed to Madden at the DFW. “We love watching the birds and animals up here”, they said. “We are still looking to see the eagles again and know we will enjoy them this summer diving for fish. It is quite a sight to see.”
Many thanks to the Naventis for sharing this story and notifying DFW.

Although the Naventis couldn’t get sufficient pictures of their eagles, Mark Thorne, of Pittsfield, did get pictures of two eagles building a nest near Onota Lake in Pittsfield. (You may recall that last year at about this same time, he sent us a spectacular eagle picture from the same area). Many thanks to Mark for sharing with us an even more spectacular picture.

The River King, A fly-fishing novel by Robert J. Romano.
Bob’s got a new book out entitled The River King If you have been reading this column for any length of time you probably know that I do a review of Bob’s books when they come out. They are set in the Rangeley area of Western Maine, near the New Hampshire border, in small fishing towns. If you have ever fished up there, you will immediately recognize the make-up of the area and the rivers mentioned and described.

In The River King, Bob returns to Western Maine with a cast of new characters. Instead of basing his novel around the life of Salvatore D’Amico as he did in three earlier novels, (“North of Easie”, “West of Rangeley” and “Brook Trout Blues”), he has a new cast of characters, Harry Duncan and friends. He incorporates into the novel names of local lakes and rivers, fly tying information, and a description of the area in which you can almost smell the pine and balsa trees, feel the bites of the black gnats, skeeters and no-see-ums. Romano weaves local lore and fly-fishing history seamlessly into the story.

Romano cleverly gets us acquainted with his new characters by alternating chapters of background information on them over the years as they age along with the current activities, all coming together in the later chapters. This allows the reader to know how the characters got into the predicaments in which they ended. An unusual and clever concept.

The retail price for The River King, a 228-page softcover book is $23.

Incidentally, I first heard about the Rangeley area from two local fly-fishermen, Harold Hutchins and Ernest Long, both of Pittsfield and both of whom have long passed beyond the riverbend. They used to travel up there annually and come back with stories about their trips which they told at the Taconic Chapter of TU meetings which were held at the East Lee Steakhouse in those days (1980’s). After hearing about the place several of us decided to go up there to fish. The first trip was to Pittsburgh, NH about two hours away from the Rangeley area; the second was to the Rapid River as it flowed from Richardson Lake to Lake Umbagog. We were after some of those large brook trout that the area became famous for as well as landlocked salmon. We stayed at a camp owned by Richard Celli of Lee, MA.

We learned that President Herbert Hoover fished up there as well as the famous fly fisherman and author Joe Bates (He wrote several fly-fishing books). But perhaps the person who really put the place on the map was the lady fly-fisher and expert fly-tyer Carrie Stevens. Stevens, who lived in the area in the 1920s -1940s originated the “Ghost” series of streamer flies. (Gray Ghost, Black Ghost, and approximately 100 other fly patterns). She is credited for catching huge 7 and 8-pound brook trout on those flies.

When most serious fly-fishers think of the Rangeley waters, they naturally think of Stevens and Bates. I do too, but now I think it is time to add another name to the notables, one who is keeping the Rangeleys on the map through his excellent novels. That name is Robert J. Romano.

Housatonic Valley Association
The Housatonic Valley Association invites volunteers to participate in a number of upcoming volunteer opportunities to get outside, explore our rivers and help our communities identify storm drain outfalls, conduct visual surveys, and collect water quality samples.

HVA will collect water quality samples in Pittsfield at 13 sites along the Southwest Branch of the Housatonic River (Pittsfield) and 4 sites along Wahconah Falls Brook (Dalton) once or twice a month between April and June. Last year, HVA collected samples over several months in these tributaries and the results showed bacteria levels that failed State standards. This year, HVA needs your help to continue sampling that will narrow-down the source of the bacterial contamination. Possible sources include sewer pipes connecting with storm drain pipes or animal waste from storm-water runoff.

Ultimately, the goal is to resolve these bacteria sources and work with the State to have these rivers removed from the Massachusetts “Impaired” list. Funding for this project is provided by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s Water Quality Management 604b grant program in partnership with the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, and the Hoosic River Watershed Assn.

HVA, the Berkshire Environmental Action Team, and HooRWA are mapping storm drain outfalls in Adams, Cheshire, Dalton, Lanesborough, and Pittsfield. Volunteers are invited to help with this process. Teams will walk selected streams looking carefully for any pipes. Once a pipe is identified, information is collected such as pipe material, condition, and whether there is any flow coming from it. Funding for this project is provided by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s Water Quality Management grant program and is being administered by the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission.

If you would like to volunteer or would like more information, contact Alison Dixon at adixon@hvatoday.org (413-298-7024), Elia Delmolino at elia@thebeatnews.org (413-429-6416) or Steve McMahon at s.mcmahon@hoorwa.org.

Lefty Kreh, gone beyond the river bend

Lefty Kreh, one of the most accomplished and beloved fly-fishermen of all time, died last week at the age of 93 years old. Kreh was a prolific author ad globe-trotting angler. I don’t know how many books he wrote, but I have 8 in my flyfishing library. Among his many accolades, Kreh was the winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Sportfishing Association and a member of the IGFA Hall of Fame and Fly-fishing Hall of Fame. He was also a wonderful person—kind, warm, funny, and always happy to teach others. Field & Stream’s legendary fishing editor John Merwin once wrote of Kreh: “If America can claim a national fly-fishing treasure, Lefty is it.” My wife Jan and I saw him demonstrate fly-fishing at a Boxboro, MA fly-fishing show some years ago. Obviously, he was a southpaw fly caster, but he could cast with either hand and customarily used his right, which he said was better for teaching right-handed students. He was perhaps the best flycaster I ever saw.

Pittsfield Sportsmen’s Club Dinner

The PSC will be having a dinner at the American Legion Hall Post 155, Rte. 9, Dalton, on Saturday, April 7. Doors open at 5:00 with dinner at 6:00 PM. Tickets cost $15 pp for adults, children 12 and under are free. Tickets can be purchased from any director or person you bought them from in the past. You must pre-pay. For more information, call Fran at (413)443-5133 or stop in at the Viet Nam Veterans Chapter 65 Headquarters on Fenn Street in Pittsfield, from 9:00 AM to Noon, Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays.

 

Freshwater Fishing Gold Pin winners are announced

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Each year, MassWildlife recognizes anglers who catch exceptional freshwater fish in waters open to the public. If you submit the largest or longest fish in an eligible species category, you will get a gold pin and a plaque, and you’ll also be honored in a MassWildlife awards event.
Log onto https://www.mass.gov/service-details/gold-pin-winners to see all of the 2017 winners in the Adult Catch & Keep, Youth Catch & Keep and Catch & Release categories. You will notice that there were 6 gold pins awarded to local anglers or fish caught out of local waters.

In a ceremony held at the MassWildlife Field Headquarters in Westborough, MA on Saturday, March 17, the lucky anglers received gold pins and plaques commemorating their great feats.

Winners from our area were as follows:

Adult catch & keep category: Brook Trout, 3 lbs, caught out of Laurel Lake by Andrew Bostwick of North Adams; Northern Pike, 29 lbs 10 oz, caught out of Cheshire Reservoir by Kevin Janis of Pittsfield.

Youth catch & keep category: Chain Pickerel,4 lbs 11 oz, caught out of Lake Buel in Monterey by Mario Daniele of Wilbraham, MA; Crappie, 2 lbs, caught out of Onota Lake by Caedin Ostellino of Lanesborough.

Catch & release gold pin winners: Brook Trout, 19 inches, caught out of Lake Buel by Nicholas Hutline of Granville, MA; Northern Pike, 45.50 inches caught out of Onota Lake by Ashley DePaoli of Stamford, VT.

2017 Angler of the Year award winners

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. 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.

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.

This year the winners were:
Adult Catch & Keep Category: Mark Mohan, Jr. of Pembroke, MA. Mohan received State pins for the following species of fish: Bowfin, Brown Trout, Carp, Chain Pickerel, Crappie, Lake Trout, Northern Pike, Shad, Sunfish, Walleye, White Catfish and Yellow Perch. He also won the Adult Catch & Keep title in 2015, 2014 and 2013.
Youth Catch & Keep Category: Jason Bunar of Kingston, MA. He received State pins for the following fish species: Bowfin, Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Bullhead, Carp, Chain Pickerel, Channel Catfish, Crappie, Lake Trout, Landlocked Salmon, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Rainbow Trout, Shad, Smallmouth Bass, Sunfish, Tiger Trout, Walleye, White Catfish, White Perch and Yellow Perch. He also won that title in 2016.

Catch & Release Angler Category: Michael Nee of Northborough, MA. Michael received state pins for the following species of fish: Bowfin, Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Bullhead, Carp, Chain Pickerel, Channel Catfish, Crappie, Lake Trout, Landlocked Salmon, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Rainbow Trout, Shad, Smallmouth Bass, Sunfish, Tiger Trout, Walleye, White Catfish, White Perch and Yellow Perch. He also won that title in 2016 and 2015.
These anglers are amazing! They just didn’t catch the above species of fish, but the fish had to be of sizes to earn at least bronze pins. For example, for a largemouth bass to qualify, it had to be at least 7 lbs in the adult catch & keep category, at least 4 lbs in the youth category and at least 21 inches in the Catch & Release. Most anglers that I know are lucky to have caught a couple of pin fish in their entire lifetimes!
New State record fish caught in 2017 were as follows:

Catch & Keep Category:
Bowfin: 8 lbs, 1 oz caught out of the Taunton River in Taunton by David Souza of Berkley, MA. Two days later, his son Jake Souza also caught a fish of identical size and tied the record. (Those catches were featured in this column of September 3, 2017, “State record bowfin caught …TWICE”)

Catch & Release Category:
Bowfin: 29.50 inches out of Taunton River by Michael Nee of Northborough.

Brook Trout: 19 inches caught out of Lake Buel, Monterey by Nicholas Hutline of Granville, MA. Also, a same sized brookie was caught out of Fort Pond in Lancaster, MA by Ryan Gorman of Leominster, MA.

Channel Catfish: 31 inches caught out of the Connecticut River in Agawam, MA by Paul Beauchesne, Jr. of Worcester, MA.

Crappie: 17.25 inches caught out of the Connecticut River in Greenfield by Jeff Magnan of Gardner, MA.

Largemouth Bass: Two 25-inch fish, both caught out of Mashpee-Wateby Pond, Mashpee, one by John Gonsalves of Norton, MA and the other caught by Dylan Towne of West Wareham, MA.

Northern Pike: 45.50 inches caught out of Onota Lake in Pittsfield by Ashley DePaoli of Stamford, VT.

Shad: 25.25 inches caught out of the Chicopee River in Granby, MA by Paul Beauchesne, Jr. of Worcester, MA.

Smallmouth Bass: 22.50 inches caught out of Wachusett Reservoir by Marc Mahoney of Shrewsbury, MA.

Walleye: 28 inches caught out of the Connecticut River in Turners Falls by Mark Mohan, Jr. of Pembroke, MA.

White Perch: 17.25 inches caught out of Wachusett Reservoir by Prince Dukuly of West Boylston, MA.

A hearty, hearty congratulations to all!

A talk on the Deerfield River

This Wednesday evening, at the Berkshire Hills Country Club, 500 Benedict Rd., Pittsfield, the Taconic Chapter of Trout Unlimited will be having Michael Vito, Vice-President of the Deerfield River Chapter TU as its guest speaker. Mike’s presentation will be on the ongoing Deerfield River Wild Brown Trout Spawning Study.

If you are not familiar with that study, last November the group claims to have found over 90 redds on the Deerfield River below Fife Brook Dam. Many skeptics had previously proclaimed that these wild trout were coming from the tributaries and not from the main stem of the Deerfield. Well, apparently this group has proven them wrong. This might be worthwhile to stop in to hear what Mike has to say.

There will be a social hour starting at 5:30 PM followed by Mike’s presentation. (There will be no meal as the kitchen is closed this time of year). The presentation is free and open to the public. Contact Taconic TU President Henry Sweren at (413)822-5216 for more information.

Protecting our critters
In the 1950s, the pesticide DDT eliminated peregrine falcons from Massachusetts. In 1984, the MA Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (NHESP) began releasing young peregrines to restore the population. By 1987, the first successful pair nested on the Custom House Tower in Boston. Today, NHESP monitors nests, bands chicks, and improves nesting success with nest boxes. Over the past 31 years since their restoration, at least 646 wild-born chicks are known to have fledged in Massachusetts. You can support NHESP and efforts like this to help rare species by donating on Line 33A of your MA State Tax return. ( mass.gov/nhesp)

The List of Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern species totals 427 native plant and animal species and are protected under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (MESA). They include 14 mammals, 27 birds, 15 reptiles, 4 amphibians, 10 fish, 99 non-marine invertebrates and 258 plants.

All money donated to the Endangered Species Program on the State tax return, goes into a dedicated fund. Money from this dedicated fund can only be used by the NHESP, which focuses its work on our state’s rare species. You can learn more about this program here: https://www.mass.gov/…/masswildlifes-natural-heritag.
Bill to Advance Hunter Recruitment and Retention

Recently, The Boone and Crockett Club extended its full support of a new House bill that seeks to advance hunter recruitment and retention. The Modernizing Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow’s Needs Act of 2017 (H.R. 2591) will provide technical and financial assistance to states for promoting hunting and recreational shooting.

The bill, introduced by Georgian Congressman Austin Scott (GA-08) would allow state fish and wildlife agencies the flexibility they need to address the declining number of hunters by using existing funds from the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Fund to increase hunting and recreational shooting opportunities. The bill will also serve to clarify that one of the purposes of these funds is to provide financial and technical assistance to the states for hunter recruitment and retention, hunter education programs, and education programs to the non-hunting public.

“When the Boone and Crockett Club helped draft and get the Pittman-Robertson Act passed by Congress in 1934, we had lots of hunters and game populations were still recovering,” said Ben B. Hollingsworth Jr., president of the Boone and Crockett Club. “Today, game is abundant once again, but declining hunter participation means declining funds. This bill is the right thing to do at the right time to ensure healthy wildlife and ecosystems into the future.”

The Pittman-Robertson Act charges sportsmen an excise tax on the purchase of sporting arms and ammunition. These funds are distributed annually to state fish and wildlife agencies for wildlife and habitat conservation programs. Plans for what to do with the money must be submitted to and approved by the Secretary of the Interior. Acceptable options to date include research, surveys, management of wildlife and/or habitat, and acquisition or lease of land. Once a plan has been approved, the state must pay the full cost and is later reimbursed for up to 75 percent of that cost through P-R funds. The 25 percent of the cost that the state must pay generally comes from its hunting license sales. As of 2010, more than two billion in P-R dollars have been collected and distributed to states.

“In its day, Pittman-Robertson addressed the challenges of funding critical conservation work,” Hollingsworth Jr. explained. “The challenge of today is keeping these funds coming. Without sportsmen and new hunters coming in, the challenge will be greater.”

Conservation funding is based on a user-pay, public-benefit model. Those who value and use the resource pay for its care.

“Sportsmen have taken the responsibility of footing the bill for wildlife and the habitats they depend upon for everyone’s benefit,” Hollingsworth Jr. concluded. “Choosing to tax themselves in the midst of the Great Depression should tell you something about the character and commitments of hunters.”

 

 

017 Berkshire County League of Sportsmen Award winners are announced

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In the March 1 meeting of the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen’s (BCLS) five area outdoor sportspeople/conservationists were selected to receive awards.
Karen Kruszyna of Cheshire was selected to receive the 2017 Sportsperson of the Year Award. She is a member of many organizations including the Adams Outdoor for Youth (AOFY) and is a Board member of the Cheshire Rod & Gun Club. She does much to get kids of this county outdoors. She is always there to help out at the annual Youth Outreach Fishing Derbies at Reynolds Pond in Cheshire, the BCLS functions such as the Conte Banquet, the AOFY fund raisers and more. She is an avid sportsperson and as you may recall received an award from the Mass Division of Marine Fisheries in 2012 for catching the largest striped bass in the state that year in the women’s category. She was the recipient of BCLS Lifetime Achievement Award and the Massachusetts Sportsmen’s Council 2014 Lillian Gribbons Award. This prestigious award was granted in recognition of Stacy Gribbons’s “tireless efforts of a sportswoman who had dedicated her time, quietly and un-noticed for the benefit of all sportsmen and women of the Commonwealth”.
George Wislocki, of Pittsfield, former president of Berkshire Natural Resource Council (BNRC) was selected to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. Preserving land was a relatively new idea in the mid 60’s but a group of local leaders and businessmen had ideas of saving lands here in Berkshire County. Starting in 1967 Wislocki helped form the BNRC whose goal is to try and preserve quality open space and protect the ridge lines and wetlands of the Berkshires. The sportsmen of Berkshire County understand the importance of this practice of preserving and protecting open space and large tracts of land.
In 1972, under Georges leadership the BNRC used a new legal tool to protect 1,900 acres owned by the Crane family called Holiday Farm in Dalton. It was one of the state’s first conservation restrictions. Under George’s leadership the BNRC went on to conserve and protect thousands of acres of lands in Western MA, most of which is open to all forms of passive recreation which includes hunting, fishing and trapping. It was in 1973 that the Hallowell family donated 65 acres of their farm on East Street in Lenox to BNRC, stipulating that its natural and scenic character be preserved. I mention this here because that land lies across the road from our home on East Street and can attest to the fact that hunters, hikers and bird watchers have enjoyed that land extensively over the years.
George has been the recipient of numerous awards including the BCLS 1991 Outstanding Achievement Award and the BCLS 2008 Sportsmen’s Appreciation Award.
Dan Miraglia of Pittsfield, has been chosen to receive the Sportsmen’s Appreciation Award. For over 30 years Dan has been working for the sportsmen of Berkshire County and various lake preservation groups by way of an advocate. Most recently he has been an advocate for the fish and critters with regard to the use of herbicides and lake drawdowns. He was past president of the Berkshire County Bass Association, a Housatonic Valley Association stream water quality volunteer, has been involved with river clean-ups and implemented habitat sections of local lakes. In 1996, he was a key person in negotiating agreement between the Pittsfield Conservation Commission and the sportsmen of Berkshire County in stopping the posting of Brattle Brook Park from hunting. Annually, he helps out with the BCLS Youth Outreach fishing derby on Reynolds Pond in Cheshire. In 1998, he was awarded the BCLS Outstanding Achievement Award.
Tom Tyning, of Pittsfield was selected to receive the Outstanding Achievement Award for his work in the environmental arena. Tom is a Professor of Environmental Science at Berkshire Community College. I Prior to that he attended UMass majoring in Wildlife Biology. From 1975 to 1999 he held a naturalist position with Massachusetts Audubon, moving from Laughing Brook in Hampden to Pleasant Valley and Canoe Meadows in the Berkshires. For most of those years he produced a weekly Nature column for the Springfield Newspapers, wrote A Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles in the Stokes Nature Guide Series, and taught courses at Springfield College and Antioch Graduate School. Eventually he moved into a Master Naturalist position for Audubon working statewide.
He holds a graduate degree in the Organismic and Evolutionary Biology program with his thesis concentrating on Timber Rattlesnakes in Western MA.
I had the honor of being chosen to receive the John Zuber Award. The late John Zuber was a renowned sportsman’s advocate and conservationist from Pittsfield who passed away in 2012. He was recognized twice by the BCLS (Lifetime Achievement Award and the Sportsman of the Year Award) for his work and dedication to the sportsmen of Massachusetts. He was also recognized by the Massachusetts Sportsmen’s Council and is listed in its Hall of Fame.
John and I became friends through our affiliation with the Pittsfield Sportsmen’s Club and the Taconic Chapter of Trout Unlimited. I treasured his friendship and this award means a lot to me as does my first award from the League, the 1990 Sportsman of the Year Award.
These awards will be presented at the Silvio O. Conte Memorial Awards Dinner at the Cheshire Rod and Gun Club on the evening of April 21. This year the event will also be in honor of the late Edmund Martin “Moose” Ziaja. He was a well-known sportsman from northern Berkshires, an avid hunter, trapper and fisherman. He was a member of The American Trappers Assn., the Brunswick Fox Hunters Association and the Cheshire Rod & Gun Club.
The social hour begins at 5:30 with dinner at 7:00 PM. Tickets which cost $30 can be obtained from any BCLS delegate.
Watch for Eagles
At that above referenced BCLS March meeting, DFW Western Supervisor Andrew Madden requested that we watch for eagles and report local sightings to Andrew. DFW hopes hope to be able to ban some young birds this spring.
Ice fishing season is over
Looks like its time to put away the ice fishing stuff for the year. Although we are still experiencing winter weather, that warm spell a few weeks back really took its toll on the ice thickness. A couple of ice fishermen went through the ice in Laurel Lake during that warm spell. Fortunately, they got out safely. Then we had the snowstorms which put a foot or more snow cover on the thin ice, in effect insulating the lake from the cold weather above. I wouldn’t chance going out on it any more this year.
Incidentally, I received a newspaper article from my niece Linda Craig, who lives out in Minnesota, which local ice fishermen might find interesting. The Minneapolis Star Tribune article was about a $150,000 Ice Fishing Extravaganza recently held on the 9,418-acre Gull Lake near Brainerd, Minnesota. According to the article, an estimated 12,000 anglers took part in the derby which encompassed a 2 square mile fishing area in the Hole-in-the-Day Bay. No wonder the large turnout for the top prize was a new GMC pick-up truck.
Volunteers patrol a cordoned-off area where anglers must fish, but with the presence of so many anglers it makes the task challenging. To be counted for a prize, the fish must be alive when registered. If there is a dispute as to who won or if there is suspicion of possible cheating, they are required to take a lie detector test!
Wow! They take their ice fishing seriously out there.
Fish Kill
MassWildlife informs us that during winter, thick ice and heavy snow cover can result in low dissolved oxygen levels in ponds. With increasing ice and snow packs, there is less light penetration through the water column. This alters chemical and biological processes, often resulting in a winter fish kill.
The vast majority of fish kills turn out to be caused by a natural event. However, it’s important for biologists to rule out other causes including pollution. Natural fish kills are generally the result of low dissolved oxygen levels (anoxia), spawning stress or fish diseases. According to MassWildlife aquatic biologists, dissolved oxygen depletion is one of the most common causes of natural fish kills. Weedy ponds that are less than 15 feet deep are particularly vulnerable. This can be the case at any time of the year but generally occurs during severe winters or late spring/early summer.
Ice anglers may encounter signs of a low oxygen environment when they drill through the ice and notice the smell of rotten egg or observe sluggish or dying shiners. The odor is hydrogen sulfide gas which is a natural byproduct of low dissolved oxygen environments, and is not likely the result of pollution. Oxygen levels will be return to normal shortly after the ice melts in the spring.
If you observe dead fish, contact the Environmental Police’s 24-hour radio room at 1 (800) 632-8075. A MassWildlife biologist will review each situation to determine whether the kill is natural or requires a site investigation.
Firearm Courses
On Tuesday evening, March 20, from 6:00 to 10:00 PM the Lenox Sportsmen’s Club will be hosting a firearms license-to-carry and UTAH Course. The Mass State Police Compliant course will be held at the LSC’s Main Hall, 258 New Lenox Rd, Lenox. The costs are: $70.00 for LTC, $125 for UTAH or $150 for Both.
Pre-registration is required. Contact Dennis Leydet at 413-329-7081 (djleydet@gmail.com) or Tom Nadolny at 413-822-6451 (tnadolny1@gmail.com).
On April 21, the Lee Sportsmen’s Association is hosting a Multi-License Firearm Course. The course qualifies for licenses in MA, CT, UT, FL, ME and NH. For more information call Rob McDermott at 413-232-7700.
Wild & Scenic Film Festival
On Friday evening, March 23, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM, the Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) will partner with the Wild & Scenic Westfield River Committee to celebrate all things river, in particular the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Federal Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. They will show 2.5 hours of some amazing films celebrating the natural world and the activists working to protect it. The films are billed as inspiring celebrations of environmental leaders, concepts, and design.

The event will take place at Berkshire Community College (K-111)|, 1350 West St. Pittsfield.
This mini film festival is free and open to the public.

HALF A MILLION TROUT TO BE STOCKED

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Close to 500,000 brook, brown, rainbow and tiger trout will be stocked this spring from MassWildlife’s five hatcheries located in Sandwich, Palmer, Belchertown, Sunderland, and Montague. According to DFW Western District Supervisor Andrew Madden, about 100,000 or so trout will be stocked in our area. These fish, coupled with the more than 65,000 fish stocked last fall, should provide some excellent fishing in the coming months.
Stocking was scheduled to begin in the southeastern area of the state during the first full week of March with the Western District stocking taking place any time now, subject to weather and water conditions. Anglers can get daily stocking updates at Mass.gov/Trout, or by contacting local district offices for the latest stocking information.

2018 spring trout stocking stats:
Most of the trout will be over 12 inches
More than 40% of the trout will be over 14 inches
More than 51,000 brook trout will be over 12 inches
More than 45,000 brown trout will be over 12 inches
More than 200,000 rainbow trout will be over 14 inches
More than 1,200 brown trout will be over 18 inches
More than 500 brook trout will be over 15 inches
More than 2,500 tiger trout will be over 14 inches

Madden noted that the DFW puts a lot emphasis in stocking big fish as opposed to stocking smaller fish to grow.

New Trout and Salmon Stamp in Connecticut

There are a considerable number of area anglers who flyfish in the Housatonic and Farmington Rivers in Connecticut. Please be aware that they will now require a Trout and Salmon Stamp. State officials say that 100% of the money invested in this stamp is guaranteed to go to support fisheries programs.

Anyone age 16 or older including everyone who is age 65 or older who chooses to do one or both of the following must purchase a trout and salmon stamp:

1. FISH in one of the following areas: Trout Park, Trout Management Area, Wild Trout Management Area or a Broodstock Atlantic Salmon Area.

2. HARVEST (keep) trout, Kokanee Salmon, or Atlantic Salmon anywhere in the state (except for places not stocked by the state).

The fee is $5.00 for age 18 and older and $3.00 for those 16-17. The stamp is good for the calendar year (expires on December 31). The Trout and Salmon Stamp will print on your fishing license as an additional privilege.

The trout and salmon stamp requirement will be effective once published on the eRegulations system by the Secretary of State’s office.

Incidentally, opening day of trout season in Connecticut is April 14.
Big Brown Trout caught out of Stockbridge Bowl

On Saturday morning, January 27, Linda and Andrew (Andy) Stephenson of Lenox were ice fishing on Stockbridge Bowl. Fishing for yellow perch, they were using small bait and small hooks. While Andy was making some coffee, Linda’s tip-up flag went up. She set the hook on the fish and began pulling it in. At first, it didn’t appear to be that big of a fish, but when it got near the hole, Linda caught sight of it and excitedly shouted that she had a really big fish on.
Andy saw she was fighting a pretty good fish so he hustled to grab a gaff and ran over to help her out. Before he could get to her with the gaff, Linda realized she had to do something immediately or lose the fish. She pulled the fish partially out of the hole and with her bare hand scooped it out. When she got the fish on the ice they discovered that it was a large brown trout. The small hook was half straightened out, so Linda would surely have lost that fish if she hadn’t done some quick thinking and taken immediate action.
The brown trout weighed 6.9 lbs on their unofficial scale and was 28 inches long. They were unfamiliar with how to qualify the fish for a state pin and didn’t get it properly weighed on certified scales or measured. If they had, it would have easily qualified for a State pin, perhaps the gold pin. Oh well, they took it home to eat. Some of it was cooked, but it was not as tasty as the perch so they brined and smoked the rest.
They are going to get a reproduction mount of the fish to hang up on the wall.
Linda is no stranger to hauling in large fish. In 2007, while she and Andy were on their honeymoon, she caught a 49 inch, 42 lbs King Salmon on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska. Andy said that he is pretty used to being out-fished by Linda for she always seems to end up with the best catch of the day.

Young Adult Turkey Hunting Program
If you are thinking about enrolling a youngster into the Massachusetts Young Adult Turkey Hunting Program you had better get a move on it. The requirements to participate in the program are:
• Between the ages of 12 to 17
• Must have completed Basic Hunter Education before the day of the hunt.
• Must have completed the Youth Turkey Class.
• Participants who are at least 15 years old or older who wish to use a shotgun must have a Firearms Identification Card (FID).
The hunting program is a two-part workshop. It teaches young adults proper hunter safety and techniques. Hunters ages 12 to 17 will get to hunt wild turkey under supervision of an experienced adult hunter. MassWildlife, the Massachusetts State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (MA NWTF), and participating Sportsmen’s Clubs run the program. The workshop teaches young hunters specialized training and instruction for turkey hunting. This workshop is a dress rehearsal for the actual turkey hunt. This year the hunt occurs on Saturday, April 28.
The youth turkey permit for youth ages 12-14 is good not only for the youth day, but also for the regular spring season.
You do not need to be a member of a club to participant in the seminar and hunt, it is open to anyone.
Hunting mentors are adults with a current state hunting license and a turkey permit for the current year. Parents/guardians are encouraged to take part in the hunt if they can. Legal guardians can involve themselves as much as possible, even if that means sitting in during the workshop.
Young adults who took part in a pre-hunt workshop in a prior year, do not have to attend it again. They can take part in only the hunt. In this case, young adults must mail MassWildlife Field Headquarters to get their turkey permit for the current year.
Local participating clubs are: Lee Sportsmen’s Association, Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club, Cheshire Rod & Gun Club, the East Mountain Sportsmen’s Club and the Worthington Rod & Gun Club.
For more information about the program, click onto: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/young-adult-turkey-hunt-program
Firearms Safety Course
Avid Sports, 1201 W Housatonic St, Pittsfield, will be holding its next Firearms Safety Course on Tuesday March 20 at 5:00 PM. This course allows you to apply for a pistol permit or F.I.D. card. Call 413-997-3600 or message them for more details.
Bowhunting Education Course

There will be a bowhunting education course at the Singletary Rod and Gun Club, 300 Sutton Avenue, Oxford, Massachusetts, on Saturday, April 28, from 8:00 AM to 4:30PM. For directions, click onto http://www.singletaryrodandgun.com/directions.html. If you are interested in this course and wish to enroll, call (508) 389-7830 immediately; students are enrolled first-come, first-served.

Youth Sportsmen’s Gala Event
The Lee Sportsmen’s Association and Ducks Unlimited will be having its 4th Annual Berkshires Youth Sportsmen’s Gala at the Country Club of Pittsfield, 639 South Street in Pittsfield on Saturday, April 7, from 6:00 to 10:00 PM. Doors open at 4 PM. There will be a general raffle, silent and live auctions, fantastic food music and fun. Ticket costs $100 and there are various sponsor packages.
For more information, contact Virginia Dubois at (413) 446 – 5404.

Correction
Readers may have been confused with last week’s column regarding who caught that 30.8 pound northern pike out of Lake Buel. The column headline listed (Matt) Ranzoni as having caught it but it was actually caught by Mike Scarpa of Lee. Matt helped by grabbing the big fish by its gills and pulling it out of the hole, but Mike Scarpa actually hooked and fought that fish and brought it to the hole. The photo was provided by Matt Ranzoni.
Sorry about that Mike. As a consolation, you can add a couple more pounds to that fish’s weight……nobody will object.

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Will the next state record northern pike come out of Berkshire waters?
It almost did last weekend.
That’s when Matt Ranzoni and his two kids Gabe and Emma went ice fishing at Lake Buel with their cousin Mike Scarpa. They all reside in Lee. Matt and Mike fish for pike together all the time, but this day was special. Mike caught a 30.8 lb, 44-inch northern pike.
When the fish swam past the hole in the ice, the kids saw it and thought that it was an alligator. With a girth of 23 inches, it’s back was 3/4 the width of the 10-inch hole. Mike had to let the fish run about 8 times before tiring it out enough so that Matt could slide his hands under its gill to pull it out. They weighed it, took pictures and released it. It was a large female filled with eggs.
Although it was a huge fish, it was not the state record. That fish weighed 35 lbs and came out of Quacumquasit Pond in Brookfield, MA in 1988. This fish might have received a gold pin for being the largest northern pike caught in 2018, but Matt and Mike released it to fight another day and perhaps gain enough weight to become the new state record. Kevin Janis of Pittsfield caught one weighing 29 lbs 10 oz out of Cheshire Reservoir last year which will probably be the gold pin for that year.
So, what ‘s with these large northern pike that are being caught lately? 20+ lbs fish are regularly being caught out of Onota Lake, Pontoosuc Lake, Cheshire Reservoir, Lake Buel and even the Housatonic River. Matt believes that local fishermen are realizing that these fish are approaching state record size so they let them go to gain a few more pounds with the hopes of breaking the state record. He believes the state record will be broken in the near future and the fish will come out of Berkshire waters, thanks to the fishermen releasing the big ones.
Mike is doing a replica mount of the fish. According to Matt, he and the kids will never forget that family day of fishing. “It was a team effort”, he said.

Extended archery deer season proposed
A public hearing to extend the archery deer season in eastern Massachusetts will be held this Wednesday, March 7, at 7 PM at the Mass Wildlife Field Headquarters (1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA). The proposal is to open the archery deer season two weeks early in Wildlife Management Zones 10-14.

The current archery deer season opens across the state six weeks before Thanksgiving and closes the Saturday after the holiday. The proposed change opens the archery deer season in WMZs 10-14 eight weeks before Thanksgiving. In WMZs 1-9, the archery deer season would remain the same, opening six weeks before Thanksgiving.

The proposed season change will increase hunting opportunities in a region where deer numbers are above management range goals. No changes were recommended for WMZs 1-9, as deer numbers in these zones are within management range goals.

Hunting seasons ending

On February 28, the cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hare and fox hunting seasons ended. That leaves the bobcat and coyote seasons still open, and they end this Thursday, March 8.

Coyote and fox pelts/carcasses must be checked/reported within 4 working days of the end of the season by either 1) checking them at an official check station, or 2) reporting them online and writing the harvest confirmation number on a tag of your own making, then attaching the tag to the carcass or pelt. Confirmation numbers must remain attached to all pelts/carcasses, with the specific confirmation number issued for each particular pelt or carcass, until the carcass is prepared for mounting by a taxidermist, or the pelt is sold or tanned.

I don’t know if anyone crow hunts anymore, but that season ends on April 9.

Basic Hunter/Trapping Education Courses
There will be a basic hunter education course held at the Worthington Rod & Gun Club, 458 Dingle Road, Worthington, MA on April 16, 17, 19 and 20. All dates meet from 5:30 to 9 PM.

A Trapper Education Course with Independent Study will be held at the Spencer Fish and Game Club, 155 Mechanic Street, Spencer, MA on April 25 and May 5 at the following times: April 25 6:30 to 9:30PM and on May 5 from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. This course is being offered in the Independent Study format which means that in addition to the 2 required in-class sessions, students will need to complete homework in between the 2 class sessions.

You must attend all class dates and times to successfully complete these courses. If you are interested in these courses and wish to enroll, call (508) 389-7830 immediately between 8 AM. and 4 PM, Monday through Friday. Students are enrolled first-come, first-served, and courses fill quickly.

Archery Shoot
On March 17 and 18, the Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club Buckhorn Archers will be having a 450 Round Indoor Archery Shoot to benefit a scholarship fund (Aim for higher Education). Participants can choose from several different shooting times: Saturday, March 17 at 4:00 PM, Sunday, March 18 at 9:00 AM or 1:00 PM. The Youth Shoot will take place on Sunday at 11:00 AM. Registration fees are: Adult Classes $15 and Youth & Cub Classes are $5. (Youth ages 12 to 16 years, Cub 11 and under).
Classes of competition: Adult (men & women): Compound Freestyle, Bow-Hunter Compound, Traditional/Longbow or Recurve.
There will be a spaghetti dinner on the evening of March 17 at 6:00 PM. Cost: Adults $12 and 12 and under $8. On Sunday morning, March 18 from 7:30 to 11:00 AM there will be a pancake breakfast costing $8 for adults and $5 for youths.
For more information, contact John Mange at (518)794-7868 or John Davis at (413)446-9012.
Adult archery classes for beginners

The Lenox Sportsmen’s Club will be having adult archery lessons at its clubhouse at 258 New Lenox Rd, Lenox on Tuesdays, March 13, 20 and 27 from 6:30 to 8:00 PM.

The program, which is for beginners, will teach the basics of shooting the bow and recognize the challenges and rewards of archery. It is free of cost, but donations are always welcomed. They have all the equipment you will need. If interested, register ASAP at info@lenoxsportsmensclub.com.

Ham Shoots

Starting today and every Sunday until Easter, the Lenox Sportsmen’s Club is having its Easter Ham shoots or gift certificate. Targets go on sale at 12:30 PM and the first shoot is at 1:00 PM. The shoots will continue until 3:00PM. 22 Targets at $3.00 each. First Shoot is at 1:00 PM.
Kitchen opens at 12:00 PM. You are invited to join the fun and bring the family and friends. Don’t forget to bring your 22 LR because they have 22 shoots as well.

Also starting today and every Sunday until Easter, the Lee Sportsmen’s Association is having its Easter shoots. Winners take a choice of turkey, steak, spiral ham or pork loin. Also, there will be a Money Shoot. Doors open at noon and shoots run from 1:00 to 4:00PM. $2 per round for food and $3 per round for the Money Shoot. Food will be available. For more information, contact John Polastri at (413)822-8278.
Trap Shooting

Yesterday, the Lee Sportsmen’s Association commenced with its 2018 Saturday morning Trap Shooting Program. All levels of shooters are welcomed. Participants range from beginners to highly qualified shooters. If you are a beginner don’t worry, they have an expert who will be happy to get you started. The game of Trap revolves around the principle of 5 shooters standing side by side breaking clay targets launched from a single trap machine. The clay birds are all going-away shots. The trap oscillates, making each shot slightly different and unpredictable. You might want to give it a try.

For further information please call John Ballard @ 413-684-3467 or email address drinkarustynail@yahoo.com

Venison & Polenta Dinner
On Friday, March 16, the Berkshire County Sheriff’s Association will be having its 1st Annual Venison & Polenta Dinner at the Cheshire Rod & Gun Club, 310 Curran Rd., Cheshire. Doors open at 5:00 and dinner at 6:00 PM. Donation is $20.
There will be a 50/50 raffle. Proceeds go to supporting charitable donations made by the Deputy Sheriff’s Association including: youth and school athletic teams, booster clubs, charitable golf tournaments, camp sponsorships at Boys & Girls Club, Gladys Allen Brigham Center, Special Olympics, Toys for Tots, Shriner’s Hospital for Children, Unico and others.
For tickets contact Captain Tom Morton at (413)652-7786.
Take down the bird feeders
MassWildlife reminds us that with temperatures warming up, black bears may be active and searching for food. If you live in an area where bears have been spotted, it’s time to take down your bird feeders. Unfortunately for some, the reminder came too late. For more information about living with bears, click onto mass.gov/bears.