As a follow up to our original article, “9^th Annual LCI Bass Open: Recap and Coverage” – and after many hours of editing footage - we finally have a full length feature of this year’s LCI Bass Open. Our newest video is dedicated to all the anglers, volunteers and sponsors that participated this year. See you all next year and hope you enjoy the film!

- Jimmy

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services issued a Finding of No Signifigant Impact (FONSI) and have approved a plan to expand sea lamprey control efforts on Lake Champlain.

An Environmental Assessment (EA) that was released in late July recommended lampricide treatments on two streams and the trapping and removal on another.  New lampricide treatments are authorized on the Lamollie River in Milton, Vt., and on Mill Brook in Port Henry, N.Y.  The trapping of lamprey during spawning migrations is authorized for Pond Brook in Colchester, Vt. as well.

Another stream lampricide treatment is scheduled to occur on Mill Brook in Port Henry, NY on Oct. 14, to be followed by a delta treatment on Oct. 15.  There is no lampricide treatment currently scheduled for the Lamoille River.

Sea lamprey are a parasitic fish that have had devastating impacts on the fishes of Lake Champlain.

For more information about the Lake Champlain sea lamprey control program:
Read this information from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

As a follow up to the article titled, “Storing Your Boat For the Winter: Almost That Time of Year Again…”, I wanted to put together a few suggestions for those out there who plan to store their boat themselves this winter. While it is relatively easy to do this, especially as you repeat it year in and year out, I figured I would throw out some useful tips that will be able to get your boat all set for its “vacation” as well as reduce the chance that you will run into problems upon returning it to water next season:

• Unless you are a mechanic or you have much experience working with boat engines, you may want to research taking it to a service shop or sending an email on our “Ask the Tech” service so that you will be confident your motor will be fully prepped and serviced for the upcoming months.

• The Ethanol Debate!! Yes, it is a hot topic in the boating world now-a-days because in the past, it was almost always acceptable to store your gas tank full and with the appropriate amount of stabilizer in it, and that would ensure a safe storage and start-up for the next season. Well, since our friend Ethanol has jumped into the mix, many have found that its ability to attract moisture will cause start-up issues the next time you try to get the engine running. What has been found to be best is to completely drain your tank, and then bring them to be cleaned appropriately before you put your boat back in the water next. 

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Last Saturday was the final day of the Wal-Mart FLW Series pro bass tournament on Lake Champlain, and myself and Nick couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity to meet some great anglers, event staff and experience the atmosphere that surrounds such a big time event in the angling community.

We headed out of Burlington on Friday night, via the Ferry at Grand Isle, and crashed in Plattsburgh. When we arrived at the America’s Best Value Inn (hey, there was no availability at the Ritz!) we parked next to the BP Tahoe trailing a wrapped Ranger boat, followed by many more pickups – all pulling nice rigs. That set the tone for what the final day of the tournament would bring.

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There are many factors that come into play when it’s time to store your boat for the winter or when you are taking a season off (yeah right!). How convenient is the spot? How much will it cost? When will you be able to get to it next season? I’m sure you all thought about this before buying the boat, but it is a reoccurring situation that every boater has to think through as each season comes and goes.

For those with larger boats or who just want to drop it off, wave and say, “See ya next season!”, a reliable option is always the marina route. Winter storage and service packages allow you to let your boat head on in for some much deserved R&R, as their techs will check out anything and everything you ask. While this option does require you to fork over some dough, you can be confident that the proper care and maintenance will prep your boat for another great season come spring.

Moving on from the big guys with their 32′ Cabin Cruisers, you may be the owner of a smaller vessel, like a fishing boat or nice size bow rider, and want to take on the storage process yourself. And to you I say go for it! This is by far the least expensive way to keep your boat cared for and stored effectively if the size is manageable and you have the space. Also, in New England you never know what you are going to get weather-wise, so should there be a few warm days popping up in November or winter ends early, you will be able to access your boat right away by grabbing it out of the side yard or pulling it out of the garage and getting on your way.

If choosing the self-storage route, and you haven’t had prior experience with winterizing your engine, you can search the Burlington Boatyard Marina & Service sections to contact a local shop that could help guide you in the process. Also, check out our free “Ask The Tech” service, where your questions will be answered by Jeff DePaul of Jeff’s Boat Repair in Williston.

While there’s still some time left before calling it quits, properly storing your vessel is a vital part of its maintenance and I hope whichever method you chose makes for a convenient and relaxing off season for you and your boat.

Feel free to comment on this piece below, or use our forum to ask your own questions or help out others that may need some insight on other boating issues.

-Guy

The 9^th Annual LCI Bass Open was yet again another well run and exciting day for all anglers, staff and volunteers involved. There were 120 participants that took to the water in sixty bass boats, and Burlington Boatyard was there to cover the day’s events, launch to weigh-in.

At 4:30am, myself and Jimmy arrived at the Malletts Bay boat launch to start filming what seemed to be an endless line of pick-up trucks trailering their bass slayers down to the water and quickly going through check-in to get situated. As they manned their boats, many guys were setting up their ten or so rods, taking a coffee break every few minutes, only to get right back at it making sure all gear was in check and ready to reel in the winning fish.

As launch time drew near, we hopped on a pontoon boat provided by Jim Salter of Vermont Home & Marine, with James Ehlers of LCI to get footage of the teams taking off as their numbers were called out. Past the no wake zone, the guys were sure to “showboat” a bit and display what their rigs could do, which stirred cheers and jeers from those still in the launch.

After a long six hours on shore, it was 2pm and time to prepare for the return of the anglers. The LCI staff and volunteers had the weigh station all set up, everyone in place, and myself, Jimmy and Nick took the pontoon out on the water to check return times and collect the numbered tags of the teams as they returned. Finally, when all the participants had lined up with their bag of bass and continued sharing stories of their day, we had our winners and the check presentation followed. This year’s 2008 LCI Bass Open champs were J.J. Judd and Mark Hickory, who are members of the Green Mountain State Bassmasters. We had the chance to interview them and we thank them for their time. You can see the coverage in our video.

Overall it was a great day for everyone involved, and we were proud to be a sponsor as it allowed us to meet some really great people as well as get some awesome footage for a complete video that will be released soon!

Congrats again to J.J. and Mark on their win, and a special thanks to all the anglers that came out this year to make the LCI Bass Open another great day of celebrating fishing.

Please feel free to comment on this post below!

-Guy

As many of you know, we are blessed to have an outstanding bass fishery here on Lake Champlain. From the monster largemouth hiding among the weed beds of the extreme northern and southern ends of the lake to the chunky smallies that make the rocky flats and shoals of the watershed their feeding grounds, there is hardly a nook or cranny on this lake where a bass fisherman can’t find a worthy lunker. Last week the LCI successfully held their 9th annual bass fishing tournament, an event that’s open to any angler from the novice fishermen to the seasoned expert. BurlingtonBoatyard.com representatives volunteered their time at the LCI weigh-in and thoroughly covered the event with interviews that can be seen on this site shortly.

Next week it’s the big dogs turn with one of the largest professional tournaments of the year taking place in Plattsburgh September 10 – 13. In fact, the pros are already out buzzing around the lake in their fancy wrapped boats pre-fishing for bass. They are also mingling with the locals at a number of community events leading up to the tournament.

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