Category Archives: Fishing

Lots of fun was had by the Fun Club

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Last Saturday, the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen, with the help from members of the Cheshire Rod and Gun Club and Adams Outdoor for Youth held its Youth Outreach Fishing Derby at Reynolds Pond in Cheshire. This year the League invited the United Cerebral Palsy Fun Club.

The kids got to enjoy the fishing experience with local sportsmen helping them bait their hooks, cast lines, catch fish and clean them if they wanted to bring them home to eat. They had a tasty lunch and they all went home with new fishing outfits and great memories.

Some of us were a little apprehensive and embarrassed, not knowing what CP was and what to expect when the kids arrived. Our concerns were quickly alleviated when they arrived, full of energy, excitement and smiles, just like any other kids. They couldn’t wait to grab a pole and catch some fish. Yes, a few bobbers got caught up in the trees, just like the kids did in previous years.

They were accompanied by Maureen Strype, UCP board member who works with BFAIR (Berkshire Families and Individual Resources), and who is the founder of Fun Club, and Emily Shoestock, Asst. Director of UCP Individual and Family Support Program. Emily is the head of the North County Fun Club. There is also one in Pittsfield.

According to Strype, the club was started 7 years ago to provide a way for kids with disabilities to get together to do things during school vacation. A lot of times these kids spend their summer vacations at home because they frequently are not asked by their peers to join in activities. Parents like the program and can go to work without having to worry about who is with their kids.” There are two Fun Club categories, one for kids 3 to 7 years of age and another 7 to 18.

So what is Cerebral Palsy? Well, according to Shoestock, it occurs when children are born with a lack of oxygen to their brains for a short time, and the result is a physical or cognitive disability. They may have developmental disabilities, autism or are a little slower. It is simply an overall term that is used.

UCP Association of Berkshire County is an affiliate of UCP National and offers support and advocacy for any individual, regardless of disability, to pursue a fulfilling, self-determined, high-quality community life. Its mission is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of all people with disabilities, not just people with CP. Autism and other physical or developmental disabilities can happen without CP.

So how did the kids do and did they have a good time? The accompanying picture tells the story. All of the kids caught fish. Some kept them to take home and eat while others let them go. This was a great day, not only for them but for everyone involved in this event.

Incidentally, if readers wish to contribute to this or any UCP programs, they can send a check to UCP, 208 West Street, Pittsfield. *****

What if the Hoosic River flowing through North Adams could be a more attractive, accessible community resource that still provides effective flood control? Judith Grinnell, President of the Hoosic River Revival believes that it is possible and asks us to join them for a community conversation to learn about ten potential options put forth by river restoration engineers and city planners.
Next Saturday from 9 AM until 1 PM the HRR is hosting a public community conversation at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church in North Adams. Your feedback is wanted on their new conceptual drawings for revitalizing the Hoosic and the adjacent area. They will have food and drink and provide babysitters. Their consultants will present information on the river and describe each of the river revitalization drawings.
The HRR is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization, incorporated as The Hoosic River Revival. Its mission deals with the 2.5 miles of the river which flows through North Adams, not just water quality and recreation issues, but also economic development. *****
Last week I received news that Leon Ogrodnick recently passed away in Harpswell, Maine. Local sportsmen may remember him as a very active volunteer in the Mass. Acid Rain Monitoring (ARM) Program, acting as the principal organizational architect of its network. He was a member of the Hoosuc Chapter of Trout Unlimited, and it was mainly because of his efforts that the Taconic Chapter of TU became involved in the water sampling program in 1985 and which continues to this day. For his efforts, he was awarded the 1985 Silvio O. Conte Berkshire County Sportsman of the Year Award. After moving to Maine, he remained very active in river and watershed issues.

This article is accompanied by a picture of 4 year old Jacob Billetter of Cheshire holding a sizeable brook trout

Looking for fish variety? Try Onota Lake

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In the most recent issue of Massachusetts Wildlife Magazine, Richard Hartley, DFW Warm/Coolwater Project Leader wrote an excellent article entitled 50 Years of Fishing Pins. It is a history of the MA Sportfishing Awards Program wherein “pins” are awarded to anglers who haul in trophy fish. These pins are awarded for 22 categories of fish species in two age categories (adult and youth). At the end of each year, the angler who caught the largest fish in each category is presented with a gold award pin and a plaque from DFW. The following information comes from Hartley’s article.

Of the nearly 3,000 named lakes in the Commonwealth, Onota Lake holds top honors for having produced pins for the most eligible species (17 out of 22). Pontoosuc Lake didn’t do bad either, coming in 4th in the State (numbes not available).

Over the 50 years, nearly 26,000 fish entries have been submitted from over 4,000 individual anglers. Largemouth bass holds the number one spot with over 3,100 pins awarded, followed by trout with approximately 2,860 pins, pickerel with 2,600, smallmouth bass with 2,400 and yellow perch with about 2,200.

The top bass water in the Commonwealth is Samson Pond in Carver with 89 pins and Onota Lake is 5th with 59 pins. Quabbin Reservoir/Swift River has garnered the most pins for trout with 334 of them. In second place is Onota Lake with 116.

77% of the pins were recorded during open water season followed by ice fishing (tip-up) with 21%. Fly fishing and bowfishing comprised the remaining 2%. Most of the pin fish (75%) were caught on live bait or worms while lures and plastic baits accounted for 15%. Most of the pin fish were caught in May followed by the month of April and then June.

So there you have it folks, some of the best fishing is right here in the Berkshires. Grab a rod, a kid or two and “go git ‘em.*****

Fishing is good for you. At least that’s what Dame Juliana Berners wrote in 1496 in her book Treatyse of Fysshynge with an Angle. She wrote: “Youre aige maye more flowre and the more lenger to endure”. I think that means fish and you will live a longer and happier life.

I love those old fish sayings. Apparently you do too based upon the positive response I received from listing some in my April 15, 2012 column. Well, here are a few more: “ The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope. ~John Buchan. “Only when the last tree has been felled, the last river poisoned and the last fish caught, will man know, that he cannot eat money.” – A Cree Indian saying. Anonymous wrote, “Bragging may not bring happiness, but no man having caught a large fish goes home through an alley.” He also wrote, “ An angler is a man who spends rainy days sitting around on the muddy banks of rivers doing nothing because his wife won’t let him do it at home”. Also, “Nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caught.” This “Anonymous” character is a busy writer. Lastly, one for the ladies: “Give a man a fish and he has food for a day; teach him how to fish and you can get rid of him for the entire weekend”. ~Zenna Schaffer *****

Congratulations to Taconic High teacher Ron Wojcik of Windsor for concluding another successful after-school flyfishing class for six Taconic students. Last week they put their training to good use and fished an undisclosed pond. Ron thought of everything; not only did he provided pizza, but solicited a great mentor, Dr Herb Rod of Pittsfield, for his one lefthanded young fly flyfisher.

Dr. Rod is one of the best southpaw flyfisherman in the Berkshires. He had young Alex Kent casting his fly better than I could ever do on my best day. Other participating students were: Adam Delphia, Adam Sperlonga, Michael Boc, Joe Kozlowski and AJ bowman. In addition to Dr Rod, and Wojcik other mentors included TU members William Travis, Allen Gray and me. *****

The following local waters were stocked with trout last week: Konkapot River in Monterey, New Marlboro and Sheffield and the Deerfield River in Buckland, Charlemont and Florida. This could very well be the last of the spring stockings. *****

On May 7, I received an e-mail from Dennis Regan of the Housatonic Valley Association informing me that a Simon’s Rock student had discovered didymo in the Green River off of Boice Road in Great Barrington. As of this writing (Thursday morning) no public announcement has been issued confirming the finding; however, I learned that signs are posted there informing the public of its presence.

Didymo (also called “rock snot”) is an invasive freshwater alga that can form massive blooms in rivers and streams and potentially disrupt an ecosystem. They look slimy, but feel like wet cotton or wool and can damage the habitat by choking out bottom-dwellers and removing food organisms for fish and other aquatic species. They can be unwittingly spread by anglers and outdoor enthusiasts from one waterway to another through contaminated boots, fishing gear and boats.

Anglers and boaters are advised to help prevent its spread by scrubbing dirt and debris from anything that comes into contact with it. Equipment can be disinfected with a five percent salt solution or by scrubbing well with dish detergent. If disinfection is not possible, let equipment dry completely for at least 48 hours. (much longer for felt soled boots). You may want to consider having two sets of boots in order to move safely from one spot to another.

Fly Fishing season swinging into high gear

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For the fly fishermen, this is the time they have been waiting for, when the mayflies and various caddisflies start hatching in our waters. Anglers are anxiously awaiting the appearance of flies such as the Gray Fox, March Browns, Light Cahills, Sulphurs and others. Hatching as duns (sub-imagos with smoky or colored wings) most float on the water surface for a short time before flying to nearby vgetation before the birds get them. They will be around only a few days, transform into spinners (imagos with long tails and glassy clear wings), do their in-air mating dances, mate, drop their eggs into the waters, spread their wings fall into the water and die.

Thus begins the new cycle, the eggs hatch into nymphs which crawl along the river bottom hiding under rocks and woody or leafy debris for the next 360 days before they emerge again. When it is their time, they come up from the bottom and hatch in the surface film or climb onto rocks and branches and hatch there.

These insects don’t have mouths or stingers and are harmless so there is no need to swat or zap them. Trout feed on them as well as the birds. I don’t know which excites the fly fisherman more, actually catching fish or the mere sight of these delicate insects.

Flyfishermen are well aware of these life cycles and have flies that imitate each phase. They fish with weighted nymph flies along the river bottom, with emerger flies that imitate the nymph as they swim to the top just before hatching into duns, with dry flies which float on top of the surface that imitate the duns and with spent wing spinners flies.

To be a good fly fisherman, one has to become an entomologist of sorts, one who knows when the flies emerge, their habitat, size, color, traits, etc. They already know everything that I have mentioned above and are probably critiquing my every word. But the comments are directed primarily to the person who knows nothing about the sport and may be contemplating taking it up. If you are one, may I suggest that you tag along with an experienced flyfisher who would be more than happy to teach you about the sport. That will save you a lot of time of trial and error. But be careful, flyfishing can be extremely addictive. *****

The Twenty-first Annual Harry A. Bateman Memorial Jimmy Fund Fishing Derby will take place next Saturday at the Frank Controy Pavilion at Onota Lake in Pittsfield from 6:00 AM to noon. No fishing license is required because it is Free Fishing weekend in MA. Open to the public, its purpose is to raise money for the Jimmy Fund – Dana Farber Cancer Institute For Children. All of the proceeds will be donated to the Jimmy Fund in memory of Harry A. Bateman a former member of Berkshire County Jimmy Fund Council, Central Berkshire Bowman & I.U.E. Local 255 who was well known throughout Berkshire County and who became a victim of cancer.

Many trophies and prizes are given away to the winners of the fishing derby, 8 for the Children 4 for Adults and 3 that can be won by adults or children. There is a special category for those fishing with a bow & arrow. All fish must be weighed in at noon and can be caught at Onota Lake from a boat or the shore. Fishing tackle is given with the trophy prizes and two $100 cash prizes for heaviest trout. A sportsman award is given out to a child which includes a tackle box full of stuff. Fee is $10 Adults $5 for Children 14 years old and younger. Fee includes food & beverages. All children receive a free gift and a chance at winning a Mountain Bike. There is a raffle for other great prizes. For more information, contact Steve Bateman at 413-464-5035 or email iggnatz@msn.com. *****

The Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Clubs Fishing Derby was held on May 18 at Stockbridge Bowl. Largest Salmon was caught by Lino Dus of Pittsfield, 2 lbs, 18”, Largest Bullhead – Seth Slemp of Lee 1 lb, 5oz, 13 ½”, Largest Bass – Tim Fogarty, Gt Barrington, 3 lbs., 3oz, 18”, Largest Pickerel – Lucas Trumps, South Lee 2 lbs., 12oz, 22 ½”. Mike Soules, of Lee won the $300 raffle.

Age 12 and Under Winners: Largest Pickerel – Mason Colli, Stockbridge,1 lb. 13 oz., 20 ½”, Largest Trout- Brady Whalen, Gt Barrington 1 lb., 6oz, 15”, Largest Bullhead – Seth Slemp, Lee 1 lb., 5oz, 13 ½”. *****< The Lee Sportsmen’s Association will be conducting a NRA Basic Pistol Course on June 3 and June 6 from 5:30 to 9:00 PM. Graduates can then apply for their MA LTC Class A after successful completion. Pre registration required. The Cost is $100 which includes a one year membership in LSA. Learn pistol parts and operation, gun safety, shooting fundamentals, MA. laws, and more. Contact Larry K (413) 442-7807 for more information. ***** The following waters were scheduled to be stocked last week: Green River in Alford, Egremont and Great Barrington, Deerfield River in Buckland, Charlemont and Florida; Westfield River in Chester, Chesterfield, Cummington, Huntington, Middlefield, Russell, Windsor and Worthington; Housatonic River in Hinsdale, Dalton, Lee and Stockbridge; Walker Brook in Becket and Chester, Wahconah Falls Brook in Dalton, Bennett Brook in Hinsdale, Trout Brook in Peru, Greenwater Pond, North Pond, Littleville Lake, Goose Pond, Laurel Lake, Otis Reservoir, Big Pond, Onota Lake and Stockbridge Bowl. ***** This weekend, you might want to put down the fishing rod and spend a couple minutes remembering those who paid the ultimate price in defending our nation, especially the local men we lost this year.

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Fly Fishing season swinging into high gear
 
For the fly fishermen, this is the time they have been waiting for, when the mayflies and various caddisflies start hatching in our waters.   Anglers are anxiously awaiting the appearance of flies such as the Gray Fox, March Browns, Light Cahills, Sulphurs and others.  Hatching as duns (sub-imagos with smoky or colored wings) most float on the water surface for a short time before flying to nearby vgetation before the birds get them.  They will be around only a few days, transform into spinners (imagos with long tails and glassy clear wings), do their in-air mating dances, mate, drop their eggs into the waters, spread their wings fall into the water and die.  
 
Thus begins the new cycle, the eggs hatch into nymphs which crawl along the river bottom hiding under rocks and woody or leafy debris for the next 360 days before they emerge again.  When it is their time, they come up from the bottom and hatch in the surface film or climb onto rocks and branches and hatch there. 

These insects don’t have mouths or stingers and are harmless so there is no need to swat or zap them.  Trout feed on them as well as the birds.   I don’t know which excites the fly fisherman more, actually catching fish or the mere sight of these delicate insects. 

Flyfishermen are well aware of these life cycles and have flies that imitate each phase.  They fish with weighted nymph flies along the river bottom, with emerger flies that imitate the nymph as they swim to the top just before hatching into duns, with dry flies which float on top of the surface that imitate the duns and with spent wing spinners flies. 

To be a good fly fisherman, one has to become an entomologist of sorts, one who knows when the flies emerge, their habitat, size, color, traits, etc.  They already know everything that I have mentioned above and are probably critiquing my every word.  But the comments are directed primarily to the person who knows nothing about the sport and may be contemplating taking it up.  If you are one, may I suggest that you tag along with an experienced flyfisher who would be more than happy to teach you about the sport.  That will save you a lot of time of trial and error.  But be careful, flyfishing can be extremely addictive. *****

The Twenty-first Annual Harry A. Bateman Memorial Jimmy Fund Fishing Derby will take place next Saturday at the Frank Controy Pavilion at Onota Lake in Pittsfield from 6:00 AM to noon.   No fishing license is required because it is Free Fishing weekend in MA.   Open to the public, its purpose is to raise money for the Jimmy Fund – Dana Farber Cancer Institute For Children.  All of the proceeds will be donated to the Jimmy Fund in memory of Harry A. Bateman a former member of Berkshire County Jimmy Fund Council, Central Berkshire Bowman & I.U.E. Local 255 who was well known throughout Berkshire County and who became a victim of cancer.

Many trophies and prizes are given away to the winners of the fishing derby, 8 for the Children 4 for Adults and 3 that can be won by adults or children.   There is a special category for those fishing with a bow & arrow.  All fish must be weighed in at noon and can be caught at Onota Lake from a boat or the shore.  Fishing tackle is given with the trophy prizes and two $100 cash prizes for heaviest trout. A sportsman award is given out to a child which includes a tackle box full of stuff.  Fee is $10 Adults $5 for Children 14 years old and younger. Fee includes food & beverages. All children receive a free gift and a chance at winning a Mountain Bike. There is a raffle for other great prizes.   For more information, contact Steve Bateman at 413-464-5035 or email iggnatz@msn.com.   *****

The Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Clubs Fishing Derby was held on May 18 at Stockbridge Bowl.  Largest Salmon was caught by Lino Dus of Pittsfield, 2 lbs, 18”, Largest Bullhead – Seth Slemp of Lee 1 lb, 5oz, 13 ½”, Largest Bass – Tim Fogarty, Gt Barrington, 3 lbs., 3oz, 18”, Largest Pickerel –  Lucas Trumps, South Lee 2 lbs., 12oz, 22 ½”.  Mike Soules, of  Lee won the $300 raffle.

Age 12 and Under Winners:  Largest Pickerel – Mason Colli, Stockbridge,1 lb. 13 oz., 20 ½”, Largest Trout- Brady Whalen, Gt Barrington 1 lb., 6oz, 15”, Largest Bullhead –  Seth Slemp, Lee   1 lb., 5oz, 13 ½”.  *****

The Lee Sportsmen’s Association will be conducting a NRA Basic Pistol Course on June 3 and June 6 from 5:30 to 9:00 PM.  Graduates can then apply for their MA LTC Class A after successful completion.  Pre registration required.  The Cost is $100 which includes a one year  membership in LSA.  Learn pistol parts and operation, gun safety, shooting fundamentals, MA. laws, and more.  Contact Larry K (413) 442-7807 for more information. *****

The following waters were scheduled to be stocked last week:  Green River in Alford, Egremont and Great Barrington, Deerfield River in Buckland, Charlemont and Florida; Westfield River in Chester, Chesterfield, Cummington, Huntington, Middlefield, Russell, Windsor and Worthington; Housatonic River in Hinsdale, Dalton, Lee and Stockbridge; Walker Brook in Becket and Chester, Wahconah Falls Brook in Dalton, Bennett Brook in Hinsdale, Trout Brook in Peru, Greenwater Pond, North Pond, Littleville Lake, Goose Pond, Laurel Lake, Otis Reservoir, Big Pond, Onota Lake and Stockbridge Bowl. *****

This weekend, you might want to put down the fishing rod and spend a couple minutes remembering those who paid the ultimate price in defending our nation, especially the local men we lost this year.

John Manikowski, a man of many talents

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Earlier this year, friend Craig Moffatt of Stockbridge and I were driving  to Becket to make the final salmon fry stockings into the Westfield River watershed, when we struck up a conversation about cooking fish and wild game.  I had some venison, rabbits and perch that I wanted to cook up.  Usually, I would just toss some butter into the frying pan and fry the stuff up.   This time I wanted to spend some time and cook it up right.   Craig mentioned a book entitled Wild Fish & Game Cookbook written by John Manikowski, and he later lent it to me.

 Upon opening the book, several things caught my attention.  The first was that it had some really unique recipes, like sautéed woodcock with oyster mushrooms, grilled wood duck with dried cherry sauce and grilled venison kabobs with Satay sauce.  This was a gourmet’s cookbook.

 The second thing was how the chapters were put together.   Interspersed among the various chapters were very interesting personal hunting or fishing stories about various trips the author and Moffatt had taken over the years to different parts of North America.   They were very well written and a joy to read.  There were also wonderful drawings and artwork, created by the author himself, interspersed throughout the book, including the outer hard cover. 

 The last thing that caught my attention was the fact that John Manikowski is a local fellow living in Mill River.   He is an outdoorsman, fisherman, wildlife artist, former partner in excellent restaurants specializing in game meals.  (Konkapot Kitchen Restaurant in Mill River, and the Charleston Restaurant in Hudson, a 4 star restaurant).  His illustrations have appeared in Field & Stream, Fly Rod & Reel and other outdoor magazines and newspapers.  Here I was reading a book filled with great recipes, great artwork, and great outdoor sports stories all prepared by a local author.  How cool is that? 

 I have not yet tried the recipes and refrain from evaluating them but I can say that I enjoyed everything about the book.  I loved his suggestions for side dishes and drinks to accompany the main courses.  If you can collect the recipe ingredients, this book is for you.  I believe the book printings are sold out but you can obtain some used books from Amazon.com.

 He then authored a second book and I borrowed that one also from Moffatt.   It is a soft -cover book entitled Fish, Grilled and Smoked.  It has 150 recipes in it.  I wondered how to obtain it so I clicked onto John’s web-site at johnmanikowski.com.    I was in for another surprise.  It turns out that he not only has written the cookbooks, but makes custom knives –  art knives, hunting and fishing knives, chef’s knives.   Though totally functional, his knives are painstakingly shaped works of art and are one of a kind.

 Some of his work is on display today at the United Church of New Marlborough, 243 Norfolk Road, Southfield, MA this weekend from 10AM to 6PM.  There will be carved knives, sculptures, drawings, magazine illustrations, etc., with the theme based mainly upon nature, streams, rivers and trees.   There might still be time to go there today and check them out. *****

 Free fishing days, no licenses required, are coming up:  In MA they are June 1 and 2, in NH it is June 1, in VT and ME it is June 6 and in NY the days are June 29 and 30. *****

Recently, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rick Sullivan honored 22 energy and environmental education programs at the 19th Annual Secretary’s Awards for Excellence in Energy and Environmental Education.    The awards credited programs in the categories of energy conservation, environmental protection and recycling.   Winners were awarded $100 to $400 prizes. Paid for by the Massachusetts Environmental Trust, the awards are intended to fund further environmental education initiatives at the schools.     Congratulations to Morris Elementary School in Lenox, Grade 4, Teacher Julie Nelson for receiving an award.

Secretary Sullivan also recognized four U.S. Department of Education (USED) Green Ribbon Schools from Massachusetts. The award honors schools that are exemplary in reducing environmental impact and costs; improving the health and wellness of students and staff; and providing effective environmental and sustainability education.   One of the awardees was the Berkshire School. *****

The Pittsfield Conservation Commission has announced it and Lyon Aviation will sponsor a Fishing Derby for youths 14 and under next Saturday at Wild Acres.  Volunteer support is being provided by the Onota Fishing Club to assist with dressing fish, providing fishing tips and techniques, baiting, etc.  The derby runs from 8:00AM to 3:00PM.  Trophies will be awarded to those who catch a tagged fish.  Bait will be provided, and a limited amount of fishing poles will be available for use on a first come, first serve basis to those who do not own one.

 Michael Lyon, President of Lyon Aviation, said that he and his family participated regularly in fishing derbies and decided to “give back” to this event so that other children may continue to enjoy this time-honored tradition”.

Wild Acres is located off of South Mountain Road in Pittsfield.  For more information, contact Rebecca Tefft at 499-9370*****

The following local waters were scheduled to be stocked with trout last week:  Hoosic River in Clarksburg, Cheshire and Adams, Westfield River in Becket, Chester, Chesterfield, Cummington, Huntington, Middlefield, Savoy and Windsor; Deerfield River in Buckland, Charlemont and Florida; Ashfield Pond, Upper Highland Lake, Plunkett Lake, Laurel Lake, Lake Buel, Windsor Lake, Otis Reservoir, Pontoosuc Lake, Goose Pond and Windsor Pond .*****

Stockings of salmon fry into the Connecticut River Watershed are coming to an end

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If you have never experienced stocking Atlantic salmon fry into our local rivers and streams, you have one last chance.  The final salmon fry stockings will take place in our area as follows: West Branch Westfield River, in Becket on April 10; East Branch Westfield River, in Chesterfield on April 11; East Branch Westfield River, in Windsor on April 12; East Branch Westfield River in Cummington on April 26 and West Branch Westfield River in Chester on April 29.  No date has been set for the final school stockings.

If you wish to participate in the fry stocking click onto the MassWild website at http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/fisheries/anadromous/salmon_fry_stocking.htm.  There you will be able to find out times, contacts, meeting places, etc.

At a meeting of the Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Commission last July, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced that it will no longer culture salmon for restoration efforts in the Connecticut River Basin. The agency has supported salmon restoration for 45 years, but current low return rates and the science supporting salmon restoration have caused the USFWS to focus its efforts on other anadromous fish in the basin. The salmon program has resulted in many significant ecological benefits, for the Connecticut River watershed and other anadromous fish species.

The USFWS will continue to work with state agencies represented on the Commission and other conservation interests to restore and sustain other fisheries in the river basin such as American shad, American eel, river herring, and shortnose sturgeon.

As a result of the Service’s decision, White River National Fish Hatchery, which has been closed since August 2011 due to flooding damage from Tropical Storm Irene, and Dwight D. Eisenhower National Fish Hatchery, both in Vermont, will no longer rear salmon. The Service is also evaluating the future role of the Richard Cronin National Salmon Station in Massachusetts. The agency will continue to support education and outreach programs that build awareness about Atlantic salmon.

The effort to restore the salmon fishery was spearheaded by the late Congressman Silvio O. Conte, who was referred to as the father of the return of the Atlantic Salmon to the Connecticut River.  For about 25 years, my wife Jan and I and several members of the Taconic Chapter of Trout Unlimited have participated in these stockings.  We are saddened to see the program end, but understand the reason for being discontinued.   Several local schools had salmon egg rearing programs and they will end after this spring’s salmon stocking, too.

MassWildlife will still be monitoring the Connecticut River salmon returns for the next 5 years. That’s how long it takes for them to grow up in our rivers, migrate out to the sea and then return up our rivers to their spawning grounds. 

Incidentally, did you know that Mass DFW stocks about 10,000 fingerling landlocked salmon in the Quabbin Reservoir every spring?   These salmon are raised in the Roger Reed Hatchery in Palmer, MA. *****

The recent drowning in the Glendale stretch of the Housatonic River is a sad reminder that Massachusetts boating regulations require that all persons aboard canoes and kayaks between September 15 and May 15 wear a Coast Guard-approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD) at all times.  In addition, children under 12 are required to wear PFDs in boats of all types throughout the year. *****

Over the winter you may recall that I listed some ice fishing derbies that benefited football programs, scholarship funds, etc.  Well recently I received the following: First, the Stockbridge Sportsman’s Club sponsored an “Aim for a Cure” Archery Benefit Shoot for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation on March 16 and 17.  Archers came from all over for the weekend long event.  Saturday’s shooting was followed by dinner, live band, dancing, and a silent auction.  On Sunday morning there was a pancake breakfast, 3 more archery lines, and ended with a Chinese raffle.  This event raised over $6,000!    The club wishes to thank the many people and businesses who donated raffle prizes and their time to make this event successful.

Secondly, do you know Bill Drumm of Hinsdale?   He worked in local Archery/Gun shops and more than 20 years ago harvested a buck with his bow that qualified for Pope & Young recognition and is believed to be one of the first officially measured bucks in the Berkshires.  Well, he suffered a stroke this past November which led to complications including blindness in one eye and dialysis every other day at home.  He has been unemployed as a result of the stroke and has been denied disability.

His close friend and sports shop owner, Tom Philips, reports that a fund raiser will be held for Bill next Sunday from noon to 8 pm at the ITAM Lodge in Pittsfield.  There will be 6 bands, a 4-wheeler raffle, 50/50 raffle, Chinese raffle, great food and more. All proceeds raised will go directly to Bill to help defray his mounting medical expenses.  For more info contact Michelle Rachielle 413-281-2499, Lisa Duda 413-441-6077 or Tom Phillips 413-655-2505.

It is really nice that our local sportsmen, businesses and concerned citizens come together to help out at such times. *****

The following area waters were scheduled to be stocked with trout last week:  Hoosic River in Cheshire and Adams, Green River in Alford, Egremont and Great Barrington; Westfield River in Becket, Chester, Chesterfield, Cummington, Huntington, Middlefield, Savoy, Windsor and Worthington; Deerfield River in Buckland, Charlemont, and Florida; Williams River in West Stockbridge, and Great Barrington; Konkapot River in New Marlboro, Monterey and Sheffield; Farmington River in Otis and Sandisfield; Mansfield Lake in Great Barrington, Plunkett Reservoir in Hinsdale, Lake Garfield in Monterey, Windsor Lake in North Adams, and Onota Lake in Pittsfield.  Tight Lines!

 

 

 

 

Ice fishing season is over, for some it was a very good year

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Tomorrow is April 1 and it is time to wrap up ice fishing for this year.  Sure, you may be able to get onto the ice in some lakes of higher elevation, but you are really taking a chance on being unable to get off the ice due to the melting along the shorelines.  More than once a fishing buddy and I had to tread open water along the shoreline while trying to get off the ice.  During the day the ice had melted and what was just a hop to get onto the ice in the morning turned out to be a four or five feet leap in the afternoon.  Try jumping that distance while dragging an ice fishing sled filled with an auger, hibachi, tip-ups, etc. 

 It was a nice, long season with lots of big fish being caught.  The Onota Boat Livery Ice Fishing Derby ended last weekend and here are the winners. The largest pike was caught out of Onota Lake by John Kozlowski, weighing 23 lbs 6 oz; largest bass was caught by Dan Dufur out of Pontoosuc weighing 5 lb 12 oz; largest trout was caught out of Onota Lake by Rich Garhardt, weighing 11 lbs 2 oz;  largest perch was caught out of Richmond Pond by Ken Kirchner, weighing 1 lb 7 oz;  largest crappie was caught out of Pontoosuc Lake by Dean Dobson  weighing 1 lb 9 oz; largest pickerel was caught out of Stockbridge Bowl by Keith Fortini weighing 5 lb 6 oz., and largest salmon was caught out of Laurel Lake by Silas Amlaw and it weighed 5 lb 6 oz.  No tiger muskies were checked in this year.   Congratulations to all. 

The 8th Annual Thomas Wren Memorial Ice Fishing Derby produced some nice fish.  Gary Sagendorph took first prize in the Adult Category with a 9 lb 14 oz northern pike, Sean Smith took second with a 5 lb 14 oz pike and Dan Dufur took third with a 4 lb largemouth bass.  In the kid’s Category, Samantha Clark caught a 2 lb 11 oz pickerel, Amy Gates took second with a 14 oz perch and Russell Gates took third with a 10 oz perch.  According to derby organizer Ed Carmel, the Wren children are grown up now and no longer need the proceeds.  They were donated to the Pittsfield Sportsmen’s Club.

The Lee Youth Football folks are happy these days for last month the Locker Room Ice Fishing Derby raised $2,000 for their cause.  According to Derby Director Butsy Crawford, it was one of the best derbies that they have had.   The winners were:  Adult Category – Chris Gelaznik, a 3.8 lb pickerel.   In the Kids category, there was a tie.  Both Jaden Strout and Lukas Trumps weighed in 1.8 lb trout

There were also other big fish which were caught and the pictures were featured in this column over the winter.  Remember 6-year old Grace Ungewitter’s 11 lb 8 oz northern pike, 6-year old Nathan Luczynski’s 6 lb 1 oz bullhead and 10-year old Nathan Armstrong’s 7 lb 14 oz salmon?   All of those fish will result in State recognition. 

Yes, it was a memorable season for many not the least being the fishermen pictured above.  That picture was taken at the Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club Ice Fishing Derby on Echo Lake by SSC member Tim Minkler.   Six year old Sam St Peter caught a 22″ pickerel that weighed 3.2 lbs as well as a bass that was 17″ long and weighed 3 lbs.  His 3 year old brother Beau caught a 14″ bass that weighed 1.2 lbs.   

“You cannot buy this stuff in the store” said Minkler, referring to the proud youngsters.  “It is not for sale….this is special”.  “Pictures may fade over the years but memories of that derby will be passed down over the generations in the St Peter’s Family”.   Well put, Tim. 

Time to put away your tip-ups and grab your fishing rod because the following waters were scheduled to be stocked with trout by DFW last week:  Pontoosuc Lake, Onota Lake, Laurel Lake, Richmond Pond, Stockbridge Bowl and Lake Garfield. *****

Over 100 coyotes were entered into Dave’s Sporting Goods Coyote Contest this year, and the winners were as follows:  Carl Dolle bagged the most coyotes with a tally of 24.  Dan Gaylord bagged the heaviest one which weighed 51 ½ lbs.   Dave Willette practiced what he preaches and bagged the second largest coyote which weighed 45 lbs.   He wrote the book on coyote hunting..….literally, it is called Coyote Wars, and it can be purchased at Dave’s Sporting Goods.  *****

Sequestration may definitely affect sportsmen, conservationists

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In his editorial in the most recent Massachusetts Wildlife magazine, DFW Director Wayne MacCallum commented on the Federal Aid in Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act, commonly referred as the Pittman-Robertson (PR) Act.  He reminded us how it was passed in 1950 for sport fish restoration and provided the states with the financial foundation to restore our fish and wildlife resources.  It was financed by establishing a dedicated funding stream supported by a 11% excise tax on bows, arrows, ammunition, firearms, fishing tackle and related equipment.  By law, the monies could only be used for fish and wildlife restoration by the state fish and wildlife agencies. It was strongly supported by hunters and anglers that buy equipment as well as the industries that manufacture such products.

Some state legislatures (including ours) tried to seize the funds to pay for state services, but have failed because any diversions would automatically result in the loss of the federally collected taxes.  But now, according to MacCallum, the use of these funds is being threatened at the Federal level.  It is called sequestration.  At first, sequestration didn’t immediately appear to threaten PR funding.  The Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act of 1985 had specifically exempted payments to trust funds from excise taxes from sequestration. 

However, the Office of Management and Budget, on the advice of its lawyers and in consultation with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, interpreted the sequestration exemption for trust funds paid by excise taxes to mean that only the payments of the excise taxes into the wildlife and sport restoration trust funds are exempted from sequestration, but that the appropriations of funds out of these trust funds to implement the purposes for which the trust funds were created are not exempt. 

 According to MacCallum, about 50% of the Massachusetts DFW annual revenue is derived from these funds and their loss would seriously impact the stability of its long term wildlife conservation programs.  Sequestrating the spending of these trust funds to the states is a breach of faith and clearly violates the intent of the user-pay excise tax collection.  To quote MacCallum, “These funds have provided the fuel for the incredible engine that has driven the immensely successful fish and wildlife restoration and management efforts in this country, and it is a violation of public trust to threaten to cut off that fuel supply after sportsmen across the country have already filled the tank”.

 MacCallum does not offer advice as to what we can do about this.  Perhaps it is time to write to our new legislators, US Senators Cowen and Warren and US Representative Neal and ask them to oppose the sequestration of these funds.  This will be a good time to see what kind of legislators we have and whether they will honor the trust which we placed in them.  *****

 It was 25 years ago that the late Al Goerlach and a group of friends decided to put on a game supper to help support the football programs in Dalton and the Hilltowns.  Over the years, all proceeds have gone toward equipment and uniforms.  This Thursday evening at 6:00 pm, the game supper will take place again at the Dalton American Legion in Rte 9 in Dalton.  Tickets cost $15 and are available at the Dalton General Store or by contacting Mike Sondrini at (413)684-3524 or Matt Morrison at 684-5052.*****

The MassWildlife Basic Hunter Education Course is mandatory for first-time hunters or hunting license buyers in Massachusetts.  All courses are free of charge. Students must attend all dates listed.   The Worthington Rod & Gun Club on Dingell Road will be holding a course on April 16, 17, 18 and 19 from 5:30 to 9:00 pm.  As of this writing, it is not yet filled up.  To enroll, call (978) 772-0693. 

 Is hunting on the decline in Massachusetts?  Before answering, please click onto the MassWildlife hunter education web page, and you will see 33 basic courses being taught across the Commonwealth this spring.  Every single one is filled except the one that is being taught in Worthington.

 I am not sure of the maximum size of the classes but assuming that it is 25, then approximately 800 new hunters signed up to take the course and that is just for this spring.  They can’t keep up with the demand for the course and there are waiting lists.  And this is in a state with some of the most restrictive gun laws in the nation.   I don’t think the sport of hunting is declining at all.

 Keeping with MassWildlife hunter education courses, Mike Foley, Fran Tremblay and a few other instructors will be holding a Map and Compass course at the Lenox Sportsmen’s Club on New Lenox Road on Saturday, April 6.  It runs from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.  Four hours of the course will be held indoors, and after lunch the field course will take place.

 I just learned that the course is already filled, but you might call Mass Wildlife @ 1-(978) 772-0693 to get on the waiting list in case someone cancels out.  *****