We have a celebrity in our midst, Chris Samson of Adams.  There was a full page picture of him in the March issue of Popular Mechanics magazine.  The 6 page article also showed some of his fly fishing/fly tying friends from Vermont.

Wait a minute, you say.   Popular Mechanics?  Is that magazine still around?   They did an article about fly fishermen and fly fishing?   What gives?

First of all, yes, Popular Mechanics is still around and has been since January, 1902.  Owned by the Hearst Corporation, it puts out 10 issues a year and has over 1,200,000 subscribers world-wide.  According to Samson, “They are trying to re-gear the magazine so that it is not just about cars, trains, etc., but they are trying reach out to new things going on.  And right now, fly fishing has become a big thing.  Fly fishing is no longer just for pipe smoking old guys fishing bamboo rods, toting willow creels, wearing fedora hats and fishing only dry flies.  There is a younger community of people who are taking up the sport.   Fly tying events are fueled by these people getting together to have a good time.  All types of mini fly fishing tournaments are going on throughout New England and the country right now.  It has become a popular sport.”

Fly fishing companies donated nice gear such as waders, packs, nets, etc., to Popular Mechanics and it wanted to feature something just on fly fishing for the magazine.  Popular Mechanics outdoor photographer Matt Kiedaisch contacted his friend Brian Price from St Albans, VT and said that they would like to have his guys demo some of the stuff while fishing.  Along with other Vermont anglers, Brian asked his friend Chris Samson if he would like to be involved.    As Chris put it, “When am I ever going to get a chance to be in a national magazine again, especially in one of the oldest magazines in the country?”  Obviously, he jumped at the opportunity.

They traveled to the Tailwater Lodge in Pulaski, NY to do some steelhead fishing.   The article, written by Matt Goulet, doesn’t really say a lot about where they were but it did feature the camaraderie among groups of friends on the river and showcased fly-fishing and the new gear.  It mentioned that the fishermen had participated in the Iron Fly event (see below) the night before.

The article, featuring a full page picture of Chris, was read all over the world.   Pick up a copy and check it out. Unfortunately, I was unable to obtain a copy of his magazine picture for this article, but I have included a picture of him with a gorgeous brown trout that he caught out of the Hoosic River.  The weight is unknown as he immediately released it unharmed back into the river.

Chris is friends with a group of fly fishermen from the St Albans/Swanton area of northern Vermont called the Vermont Fly Guys as well as another group that live a little further south near Burlington, VT.  They are involved in a tournament called Iron Fly.  Basically that is a group of anglers from around the country which puts on mini fly tying competitions.

These competitions consist of fly tying including the Iron Chef competition.   In this event, everybody gets the same amount of materials and must tie a fly.    One person starts a fly and his partner must finish it, whether or not he has ever tied it before.  Or perhaps one must tie a San Juan worm blindfolded.   In the final round, the Iron Fly round, everybody gets the same materials and can tie anything they want but it has to be a mystery material.  The last time they used materials from a mop and whatever they had in their pockets,  lint, cigarette butts, $10 bills, whatever.  According to Chris, these events get folks together to talk about fishing and to tie some flies.  They get donations from various companies and everybody wins something.    They also do a thing called” Get Trashed” where everyone gets together to pick up trash along the rivers.

While covering this article, I discovered that Chris works at Berkshire Outfitters in Adams, MA.  The shop, located on Rte 8, is owned by Steve Blazejewski of Adams.  When I arrived there, they were in  process of switching out their ski and winter sports items and displaying their summer and water sports inventory.  I was pleasantly surprised to see that they now sell fly fishing rods, reels, waders, etc.   As local fly fishers know, there is hardly any place in the Berkshires any more to buy quality fly fishing stuff.  Chris claims that adding the fly fishing items brought a whole new group of people into the shop.  Among other name brands, it deals primarily with Reddington equipment which is affordable and indestructible.

Fly fishing and fly tying is Chris’s passion.  He and a few friends get together every week or so to do some tying.  The big thing now, he says, is tying large streamers to fish for pike.   He and his buddies plan to float the Housatonic River fishing for pike this year.  He will let me know of any fly tying events that he is planning through Berkshire Outfitters or on his own and I will pass them onto you. He really wants to get kids in North County involved in fly fishing and tying.

This year the Hoosic River Watershed Association is celebrating its 30^th year of caring for the Hoosic River and its basin.  Lauren R. Steven had an excellent commentary in the Berkshire Eagle on January 11, 2016 entitled, A busy 30^th is coming for Hoosic River group”.  In it he discussed HooRWA’s many ongoing projects from its confluence with the Hudson River in New York to North Adams.  Hoorah, for HooRWA!

Last fall I attended a HooRWA meeting wherein they discussed the status of PCB’s in the river’s crayfish and trout population.  I covered it in my November 8, 2015 column.  At that meeting they also honored the late Ernest LeClaire of Williamstown.   He was a founding member of HooRWA as well as the Hoosuck Chapter of Trout Unlimited and, to quote HooRWA Board Member Stevens, he was a “great friend of the environment and many people.”

One of Ernie’s hobbies was wood-working, and at that meeting was displayed his gorgeous wood carving of the HooRWA logo.   It shows a flying blue heron, a kayak paddler and a fly fisherman.

During that meeting, Stevens mentioned that HooRWA would like to have a bench in Ernie’s honor placed somewhere along the banks of the Hoosic River, preferably in his home town.  The land, formerly occupied by the Spruces Trailer Park was mentioned.   Donations for such a bench can be made through its website (http://hoorwa.org) or by mail to HooRWA, P.O. Box 667, Williamstown, MA 01267.

Ernie was an esteemed member of Trout Unlimited who was awarded the TU Silver Trout Award, TU’s highest national award at the time, for his dedication to conserving cold, clean waters and the critters that live in them.  For years, he was a volunteer in the UMASS Acid Rain Monitoring (ARM) Program. (I have a picture of Ernie, Ed Driscoll of Adams and myself presenting the late Senator Ted Kennedy an ARM tee-shirt up on Mount Greylock).

Ernie was a close friend of the late Al Les, of North Adams, who was named the Father of Catch and Release Fishing in Massachusetts.  Les received the first Berkshire County League of Sportsmen (BCLS) Silvio O. Conte Sportsman of the Year Award in 1984.   In addition to being Al’s closest fishing partner, Ernie accompanied him state-wide selling the concept of catch and release, even testifying at the Massachusetts Statehouse in Boston and the DFW Headquarters in Westborough.

Ernie passed beyond the river bend in 2014.  He was a close friend who I’ll always remember flyfishing our local rivers, wearing his cowboy hat and red bandana.   He should have been recognized by the BCLS but his name was never submitted, possibly because he shied away from such notoriety.   Having a bench named in his honor along the river that he loved so much would be a fitting tribute.  Better yet, as some have suggested, name the park after him.  *****

Tom Decker, owner of Pete’s Gun Shop in Adams recently announced that they are offering one day monthly Basic Firearms Safety classes for the Massachusetts LTC or FID.  These classes are both NRA and Massachusetts State Police certified.   Their next class is April 10 starting at 8:30 am at the Cheshire Rod & Gun Club.  It will be a live fire class, as required by the NRA.    Free lunch will be provided.  Call Pete’s Gun Shop at 413-743-0780 to register. *****

First-time hunters who wish to purchase a Massachusetts hunting or sporting license must first complete a Basic Hunter Education Course.   Such a course is scheduled at the East Mountain Sportsmen’s Club at 312 Henderson Road, Williamstown.   The dates are April 4, 8, 11, 15, 18 & 22, from 6:00 to 9:00pm.   For more information, call 508-389-7830.

These classes fill up quickly.  Instructor Wayne McLain of Williamstown recently reported to the BCLS that 53 participants had signed up for his Cheshire Rod & Gun course which began last Monday. *****

A few announcements from DFW Western District (WD) Manager Andrew Madden: Last year, the Fisheries and Wildlife Board approved the hiring of Stewardship Biologists in each of the Wildlife Districts to address some of the responsibilities that come with DFW’s extensive land holdings.  In the WD, Jacob Morris-Siege was promoted to that position from the position of Wildlife Technician.  A graduate of UMASS, he has worked for the Division for 8 years. Last year, many miles of boundaries had been marked, 14 encroachments were addressed and the monitoring of Conservation Easements was greatly increased.

Also, the WD has hired 2 new Wildlife Technicians, Derek McDermott and Ray Bressette.   McDermott, from Auburn, MA, has worked for the Division as a seasonal employee with the Atlantic Salmon Restoration Program for 7 years, conducting fish surveys, monitoring fish lifts and stocking salmon fry.  He is in the process of finishing his degree in Environmental Science from Southern New Hampshire University.

Bressette, from Middlefield, is a recent graduate of Westfield State College with a degree in Environmental Science.  He has previously worked as a volunteer with the Division, stocking pheasants, marking boundaries, and conducting stream surveys.

Both Derek and Ray will be spending a lot of time stocking fish this spring so look for them on the trucks.

The WD has some habitat projects in the works, re-leasing and pruning apple trees in a number of locations this winter. A habitat forest cut on the Farmington River Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is ongoing. They are also working towards implementing prescribed fires on some WMA’s. DFW has been successfully using fire at a number of sites throughout the State creating excellent grass and young forest habitat which benefit many species. WD staff has been training on prescribed fires and hopes to expand this program in our region.  

The Timber Rattlesnake, a Massachusetts State Endangered Species, has experienced the greatest modern decline of any native reptile, and humans are considered the greatest threat to them. While killing or disturbing this snake is a serious criminal offense, these acts, combined with road mortality, continue to be major factors that contribute to the rattlesnake’s imperiled status.

Additionally, since 2006, scientists have found Timber Rattlesnakes with a sometimes fatal fungal skin disease. This emerging disease has now been documented in over a dozen species of snakes and is a new threat to them across their range. There is growing reason to fear that this fungal skin disease is a newly emerging threat to the imperiled populations.

Rattlesnakes are a high conservation priority species for the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, and in 2013, was successful in obtaining a $500,000 grant for the endangered species that will continue through 2016. The award will fund studies of this new disease as well as conservation management actions designed to enhance snake survival and increase the viability of imperiled snake populations.

The Division is proposing to establish a small number of them on Mount Zion, a large island closed to the public at the Quabbin Reservoir in central Massachusetts. While rattlesnakes are perfectly good swimmers, this island is large enough that they would have little motivation to swim away.   “This proposal has evolved out of the need to have at least one location in Massachusetts where this native endangered species will avoid people.” said Tom French, MassWildlife’s Assistant Director of Natural Heritage and Endangered Species (NHES).

“As the agency with the legal mandate, responsibility and expertise to conserve both rare and common wildlife, the Division is striving to ensure this imperiled and fascinating snake does not finally disappear almost 400 years after European settlement.”

Snakes used for this project will be offspring of Massachusetts snakes. They will be headstarted in captivity for two winters allowing them to grow large enough so that they will have the best chance of surviving to adulthood.

French says that most modern bites occur as the result of irresponsible (and illegal) activities that involve handling or harassing the animals. The latest antivenin treatments have greatly reduced the danger even if a person is bitten.

Fish & Wildlife officials have stated that funding for the project will come from the above grant and NHES funds, and not from hunting and fishing license fees.*****

The Berkshire Environmental Action Committee (BEAT) has formed a new monthly Wildlife Tracking Club in Berkshire County.  This group will meet twice monthly,  the 1st Wednesday and the 3rd Saturday from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon.   Hikes will be led by local wildlife trackers, birders, and naturalists, of which there is an impressive group in Berkshire County.  The club is open to the public and tracking events will occur in Berkshire County.  There will be an annual membership fee of $15.00.  One-time participants can attend an individual event for $5.00.

It is claimed that Western Massachusetts is part of a larger fabric of forests that constitute the healthiest and most intact broadleaf deciduous biome in the world.  It is a globally impressive system unrivaled in size or importance. The focus of the events will be the iconic wildlife of New England that call our region home, including Black Bear, Moose, Bobcat, Beaver.and other critters.  Contact Elia Del Molino if you are interested in joining the club: elia@thebeatnews.org.

Incidentally, BEAT seeks to work with the public to protect the environment in the Berkshires and beyond.  BEAT educates citizens about the environment and their role in protecting it, keeps the public informed of current local issues that could have an impact on the environment, and helps people work together to take action to protect the environment. *****

On Friday evening, March 11, the Taconic Chapter of Trout Unlimited will be hosting an International Fly Fishing Film Festival at the Wahconah Country Club, 20 Orchard Road, Dalton.   Featured will be the best fly-fishing film shorts selected for 2016.  With backdrops ranging from Bolivia to Saskatchewan, Montana to Virginia, Patagonia to the Seychelles, these films feature fresh, dynamic stories amongst some of the best fishing footage that has ever been shot.

From the hunt for the world’s largest brook trout to the pursuit of billfish on the fly, gargantuan pike, acrobatic golden dorado and herculean British Columbian steelhead, these films showcase remarkable places, larger than life characters and fish that will haunt your dreams.

Doors open at 6pm and the film will be shown at 6:30pm.  The cost is $16.82 per ticket on- line or $19 at the door. All attendees will receive a free copy of Stonefly Magazine. There will be a 50/50 raffle and a handmade 9’, 4wt fly rod will be given out as a door prize. Orvis rods and reels will be auctioned.    Tickets can be obtained by calling Bill Travis 413-447-9720 or by contacting any Taconic TU Chapter Board member.  On- line tickets can be obtained by going to https://www.eventbright.com/20280747261. *****

Avid Sports will be holding a Firearms Safety Course on Wednesday March 16 at 5pm at Avid Sports on West Housatonic Street, Pittsfield. This course allows you to apply for a pistol permit or F.I.D. card.  Call 413-997-3600 for details.

The Lenox Sportsmen’s Club Ham Shoots begin today and run for the next four Sundays.  Tickets go on sale at 12:30pm and shooting begins at 1:00pm.  $3.00 per shot, 22 cal Shoots and Pie Shoots.

The Lee Sportsmen’s Association Turkey Shoots take place on March 6, 13 and 20, all running from 12:30 – 3pm.  $2 per round and winners take a choice of turkey, steak, spiral ham or pork loin.  Also, there will be a Money Shoot for $3 a round.