Please find below a release from our friends at the Vermont Lake Champlain Quadricentennial Commission regarding the Lois McClure coming to Isle La Motte this weekend.

We hope many of you consider attending this event, and taking place in the celebration.

The Lois McClure Comes Home to Isle La Motte

A two day Samuel de Champlain Quadricentennial Celebration will take place  on Isle La Motte on Friday, June 26 and Saturday, June 27.  The Isle La Motte Historical Society is sponsoring a visit by the famous Lois McClure, flagship of the Quadricentennial. The schooner will visit towns around the lake throughout 2009 as part of a “Discover 1609 Tour”.  A special spotlight is focused on Isle La Motte which was the first landing place for Champlain as he entered the lake which now bears his name. The schooner will be open for tours from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on both days.  There is no charge.  Parking will be in the field behind Fisk Farm.  The eighty eight foot Lois McClure will dock at the location of the old Fisk Wharf, currently a summer residence owned by Steve and Trish Zonies who are generously making their property accessible for this event.

On Saturday the 27th at 11:00am  the Isle La Motte Community Organization will sponsor the Isle La Motte Flotilla.  Boats from around the area are invited to gather at St. Anne’s Shrine to circumnavigate the island and provide a ceremonial welcome to the Lois McClure docked at the Fisk Wharf.  Boat rides for Isle La Motte residents are available on a first come first served basis as space is limited.   The event will conclude with a barbeque for purchase at St. Anne’s Shrine.

Ancillary celebration events near the Fisk Wharf will include an exhibit of maritime art by Ernest Haas and Bill Walsh in the Fisk Farm Horse & Carriage Barn and Carriage Rides by Island Carriage Farm. On Saturday afternoon free ice cream will be donated by Ben and Jerry’s between 1:00 and 4:00 and a wine tasting will be hosted by East Shore Vineyard between 12:00 and 5:00.  Music by folk musicians will be performed at various times throughout the two days.  Refreshments by the South End Cafe will be available for purchase at the site.

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This weekend, Burlington Boatyard is volunteering for Lake Champlain International as they hold the 28th Annual Father’s Day Fishing Derby on Lake Champlain. As one of many proud LCI sponsors, we have had the chance to be involved in a variety of ways, from the hustle and bustle of prepping the equipment heading out to the twelve weigh stations, to the headquarters tasks like recording every fish caught and constant follow up with those volunteering out on the road. But, aside from the hands on tasks that need attention, we are fortunate enough to experience the deeper meaning of what an event like this does for the community.

What brings excitement to a competitive derby angler? Prepping your boat, tackle and mapping the hot spots the day before? Having multiple lines hit while trolling your “secret” locations on Lake Champlain? Battling it out with the big one in anticipation of what’s on the end of your line, and if it’ll be the one that lands you the top spot on the board? Yes, all this and more is what typically runs through the mind of those who take part in a derby of this scope and involvement. However, with the LCI Father’s Day Derby, there are many more thrills and excitement that revolve around family, friends and community.

Father’s get a chance to spend a weekend with their kids teaching them about the sport of fishing, or experience all over again the feeling they had when catching their first “big one”. Friends take to the lake and see firsthand the positive effects the lamprey treatment initiatives have had on the revitalization of Lake Champlain when they have bigger and healthier fish on their line. Lake communities teem with activity, as well as local charities are benefited with programs like Share the Catch where residents can donate food items by dropping them off at any of the twelve LCI weigh stations. What happens during this particular derby is unique, and without a doubt focuses on benefiting the conservation, education and celebration of the wonderful resource that is Lake Champlain and its community.

We are lucky to be a part of the some 80 volunteers it takes to facilitate an event of this size and intricacy, and with 5500 anglers coming to Vermont from over 30 states, that is no simple task. We meet members of local businesses, fellow sponsors, our boaters and their families, learn about event planning and the list goes on. Most importantly though, we are able to take a few days to experience all the great things taking place around the Vermont lake communities with an organization that continues to dedicate their time and resources to making Lake Champlain a better place in the present, and for the future.

Good luck to all the LCI anglers this weekend and happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there!

-The Burlington Boatyard Crew

Be sure to stay in touch with LCI by becoming a fan on Facebook, following them on Twitter, reading their blog and contributing to the forum, and watching more on YouTube.

You may also stay connected with BBY on our Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and forum.

This past Saturday’s Free Fishing Day in Vermont surely went over well in promoting both the sport of angling and the need to support the state’s wildlife initiatives. We encourage you all to read this piece from the Rutland Herald, written by Peter Hirschfeld of the Vermont Press Bureau.

State celebrates fishing tradition with free fishing day

Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach him to love fishing, feed the state’s wildlife coffers for a lifetime.

On Saturday, the state of Vermont opened up its abundant waterways to anyone with a line, a hook and some bait. Unlicensed residents, and even out-of-state visitors, were free to go fishing without risk of sanction in what wildlife officials here say is the best fishery in New England.

“The whole concept is designed to give folks an opportunity to get out and enjoy fishing at least once during the year to discover how much fun it is, how relaxing it is and how great it is,” says John Hall with the Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife.

The promotion, which is part of this weekend’s Vermont Days, isn’t without ulterior motives. Hall says his department hopes that many of those first-timers will take a liking to the pastime and purchase a $20 resident license (the cost is $41 for nonresidents).

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department derives the lion’s share of its annual operating budget from license sales and federal taxes on fishing and hunting equipment. That revenue had until recently been on a steady decline. In 1987, Hall said, the state sold about 160,000 fishing licenses. In 2005, the figure hit an all-time low of 118,000. Since then, Hall says, sales have risen modestly, up to about 122,000 in 2008.

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Our friend Gerry of Fairfax, VT put together some cool videos from his recent Salmon and Trout fishing trips on Lake Champlain. It’s always a pleasure to see our users sharing their experiences us and the community, as it is a testament as to just how much there is to do out on the water.

We encourage you to send along your pictures, videos or stories about your boating and angling experiences this season.

And now, for the feature presentations…

Fishing Lake Champlain, Trolling for Browns and Salmon. We caught smaller fish this day but did loose a nice brown at the back of the boat. Probably 3 pounds, the biggest fish of the day. It’s always a riot fishing Lake Champlain aboard the Razzle Dazzle.

Gerry and Cathy trolling Lake Champlain Vermont for Landlock Atlantic Salmon and Brown Trout. A great day on the water. We went eight for nine, only loosing one fish. We ended up with four Salmon and four Browns.

Please consider taking part in this workshop, as it has kindly been passed along to us by our friends at the Vermont Boat & Marine Association.

- The Burlington Boatyard Crew

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 3, 2009
Contact: Julie Moore (802-241-3687)

** For Your Calendars **

Workshop seeks public input on Lake Champlain water quality efforts

WATERBURY – The Center for Clean and Clear at the Agency of Natural Resources is seeking public input as it evaluates current and potential phosphorus control strategies to improve water quality in Lake Champlain.

A public workshop is scheduled for July 9, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Shelburne Town Offices, 5420 Shelburne Road.

Working at the direction of the Vermont Legislature, the Agency is revising the implementation plan for the Lake Champlain phosphorus TMDL.

The workshop is geared toward watershed and environmental interest groups, town conservation commissions, and other groups or individuals who are interested in efforts to reduce phosphorus pollution and improve water quality in Lake Champlain.

To ensure enough seating and materials, please RSVP to Julie Moore by calling 802-241-3687 or email her at julie.moore@state.vt.us.