Media Summary

“Will Fish For Fun” Kids Derby is an open fishing derby for kids up to the age of 14 from anywhere or from any means. Our goal is to give them a connection with nature. This is a free event with no restrictions. The grand price is a Lifetime Vermont State Fishing License (for the oldest age group only). It is held and headquartered at the Burlington boat house every year, the Saturday after Labor Day (September 12th this year). Fishing is limited to the Burlington Waterfront from shore. Only kids are allowed to fish, and parents are encouraged to coach by all means. There is a coaching crew but our coaches can get overwhelmed very quickly. People who are interested in becoming coaches can apply directly with the Event Organizer, Pete Thayer (send requests to “therocknvt@yahoo.com”).

The derby kicks off at 8am, rain or shine, and ends at 11:30am. We are happy and proud to have Charlie Papillo from WVMT Radio’s “The Charlie and Ernie Show” on AM620 weekdays early morning, not only hosting our derby, but also helping us promote the event and gain sponsorship, and in general keeping the kids smiling.

If you and your children would like to participate, go to the website www.willfishforfun.com, and click on the Contact Us page to fill out the information for each child (we need it for t-shirt and pole sizes). Once the information is submitted, you will receive an email containing your registration paperwork, which you will need to bring on the day of the Derby.

Last year we had a moving line with over 100 kids in it for over an hour. Need to get’em kids fishing. We have given away over 300 fishing poles since our start 2 yrs ago and we hope to be able to buy and give away that many this year alone. We are doubling the bait order, which is partly donated by Hog Island Bait in Alburg, so nobody will go wormless. Junior’s Italian, which has been supporting us since our 1^st derby, is also donating again this year.

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Gerry Hartley, a friend of ours here at Burlington Boatyard and an avid Lake Champlain fisherman, has started his own blog about some great fishing experiences he shares with his wife Cathy and the many fishing friends he has made over the years.

His most recent story and pictures describe his time out on the UVM research vessel Melosira, where many are learning valuable information about the health and issues of Lake Champlain water quality and its fishery.

Please consider reading more from Gerry on his blog, here.

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.

It seems someone is interested in telling people that Lake Champlain might not be the best place to visit. According to the Burlington Free Press, popular travel writer Peter Greenberg recently told travelers to “bring a haz-mat suit along” on visits to Lake Champlain. These insults have sparked arguments last Thursday between environmentalists and the Douglas administration.

A few particular environmental groups have accused Gov. Douglas for failing to stem the population that feeds toxic algae blooms in the northern parts of the lake and revisited their call for more action to restore and protect the lake environment and its tourist economy.

Perhaps Mr. Greenberg and his following may wish to invest some time in researching the large amount of progress made in the efforts to revitalize the lake environment, specifically the ongoing control of sea lamprey and their effects on the economy here on Lake Champlain. Various organizations such as Lake Champlain International, Trout Unlimited, Vermont Fish & Wildlife, and both Gov. Douglas and Sen. Leahy’s administrations have dedicated thousands of hours to ensure that our fisheries be restored and are well protected against the detrimental effects the lamprey have had on our economy and environment. Over the past few years there have been multiple watersheds treated and the benefits are clearly being seen, as biologists and fishermen alike are noticing the increase in number and size of those fish affected.

In fact, Burlington Boatyard covered the press conference involving the above organizations that took place at this year’s 2009 Yankee Sportman’s Classic, and we invite you to watch these videos to learn more of the successes of these initiatives.

Lake Champlain International Sea Lamprey Press Conference Part 1

Lake Champlain International Sea Lamprey Press Conference Part 2

For more information on the Greenberg’s comments:
Read this article from the Burlington Free Press

Well, as many of you know by now, one of the world’s best ice fishermen, Dave Genz, is coming to Vermont this January to spend time with local anglers who wish to learn more about every aspect of the sport. On the contrary, many of you haven’t heard about me, Shawn Hayes, and I want to use this blog post to share a bit more about who I am, what I do, and my relationship with fishing and being a close friend with “Genzy”.

For years now I have run my own charter service out of Lake Champlain and Bomoseen, am a member of many Prostaffs, and try and give back to the outdoor community as much as possible. In having my hand in many opportunities to promote angling and the outdoor lifestyle, I have been fortunate enough to know and work closely with Dave Genz, and value this more than I can put into words.

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Greetings from Lake Okeechobee, Florida!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my fishing and boating friends and clients for helping make the spring, summer and fall seasons on Lake Champlain an overwhelming success. In spite of a wet summer, high gas prices and a stumbling economy, I hosted nearly 50 fishing charters from April through October. We thoroughly enjoyed sharing time on the water with our clients and friends this year.

Our website, www.LakeChamplainAngler.com, averaged over 75 hits a day during the peak season. It’s nice to know that many of you are visiting the site to keep up with the various published articles, videos and Burlington Boatyard blog entries relating to our beloved lake. Thanks so much to all the webmasters, forum publishers and web entities out there who have placed links from their sites to ours.

Our fledgling marine towing, rescue and salvage operation, “Lake Champlain Marine Resource and Services”, was also very successful in its first year. Together, Captain Randy LaValley and I came to the assistance of over 30 stranded boaters bringing them safely to port, protecting their passengers and their investments. The highlight of our season was providing transportation to a large Valcour Island wedding party in cooperation with a few associate Lake Champlain Captains.

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As the cooler temperatures of late fall arrive and the Atlantic salmon spawning run winds down on Lake Champlain’s tributaries, some salmon anglers have thoughts of retiring their gear for winter. Most large trolling vessels are shrink-wrapped and in storage, in anticipation of the approaching chill. Many outdoorsmen are ignoring the water, entirely focused on the woods. What some fishermen are unaware of is that some of the best salmon fishing occurs on the broad lake from late October, until the mid-winter ice forms. With a modest boat and motor, the proper tackle, and an enthusiastic mindset for brisk fishing, a hard-core Lake Champlain salmon angler can take full advantage of the year round open season. It’s an opportunity to experience bountiful fishing well into winter. With the exception of an occasional bald eagle or two, the salmon angler will encounter little competition on the water.

 On the broad lake during late fall and early winter Atlantic salmon are often foraging aggressively on baitfish in the upper portion of the water column. A young adult class, from 15 to 18 inches, is most prevalent, but larger stock occasionally joins the mix. Pound for pound, these Atlantic salmon are every bit as energetic as their Pacific rivals. When hooked, they frequently make powerful, lightening-fast runs and exciting acrobatic leaps of amazing height, invigorating a cold angler’s heart. The occasional bonus brown trout, steelhead or lake trout may be caught, complementing the big water experience.

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Dave Genz, also referred to as “The Godfather of Modern Ice Fishing”, will be conducting a series of seminars in the Vermont and Lake George areas this January. With numerous accomplishments under his belt, such as being the inventor of the Fish Trap, a portable ice fishing shelter which was mentioned in the Wall Street Journal, Genz has been a major factor in bringing the sport of hard-water angling into the 21st century.

Dave will cover subjects such as mobility, clothing, electronics and the specific applications associated with ice fishing. Also, coming with years of hands-on research and know-how, Genz will outline his unique strategies that will teach fellow hard-water anglers how to consistently find and catch fish at all times.

In addition to professional knowledge and interesting discussion, attendees of these seminars will also enjoy the opportunity to walk away with many exclusive promotional items provided by sponsors and Dave Genz himself. These items range from door prizes, tackle and gift certificates to three Shawn “The Fish Whisperer” Hayes fishing charters. And the largest prize up for grabs, an all expense paid fishing trip with Dave Genz valued at over $1500.

This series of seminars will be very informative and educational, as the methods Genz speaks to have been applied and proven across the United States year after year. Aside from being a team USA silver medalist of the 1992 World Ice Fishing Championships, Dave’s articles are annually featured in such magazines as ‘In Fisherman’, and he has also written several books on hard-water fishing. When it comes to ice fishing, many in the industry refer to Dave as one of the most respected and recognizable authorities on ice-fishing worldwide.

The Dave Genz Seminars will be held in the month of January 2009 at the following locations and times:

Friday, January 9^th

Rutland, VT – Holiday Inn

Time: 6-8 pm

Phone:802-775-1911

Monday, January 12^th

Lake George, NY – Holiday Inn

Time 6-8 pm

Phone:518-668-5781

Thursday, January 15^th

Bulington, VT – Holiday Inn

Time 6-8 pm

Phone:802-863-6363

For more on Dave Genz and his accomplishments, please visit his site @ http://www.davegenz.com

Three hundred of the best ice fishermen in the US will square off on Lake Bomoseen this March, as Vermont hosts one of eight North American Ice Fishing Circuit qualifying events held across the nation’s ice belt. Taking place March 6^th -8^th , 2009 at the Bomoseen State Park in Castleton, it will be the first time the NAIFC, or Trap Attacks as they were formally known, will have ever been this far east. 

This will be the final qualifying event of the 2009 season, giving 150 two-man teams their chance to catch their way to the World Championships. Outside of being a hard-core hard-water tourney, the NAIFC is responsible for producing some of the most advanced ice fishing techniques in the sport. It here where many anglers compete for the fish, but work together to share, develop and test new ideas so as to educate each other and better the sport overall. 

“As a competitor in Silver Lake, NY last year, I would have to say this was the most enjoyable and educational tournaments I have ever attended on the ice.” said Fair Haven native Shawn Hayes, an avid fisherman and member of the Champlain Crappie Crew. “With minimal equipment, basic strategies, short money and a little luck anyone can compete.” 

Some suggested equipment in addition to tackle would be GPS, portable fishing shelter and some form of transportation such as an ATV or snowmobile. 

Boundaries are set on the water which mark the areas to be fished, as well as makes a level playing field for all competing. Enhancing this concept of a fair, balanced and safe beginning to the day, officials allow all anglers a head start to their spots, and maintain that everyone begins and ends their fishing at the same time. This philosophy maintained by officials and participants is a testament to this being about the anglers and their skills, rather who has the most sponsors and faster means of getting set up. 

Tournament Director Mike McNett remarked, “We don’t want these events to be intimidating for beginning competitors. We are also very watchful of any potential cheating as well. There is no favoritism, and it comes down to the skill and knowledge of each competitor.” 

An attractive characteristic about this tournament in particular is that it is relaxed and educational. Top teams will never refuse the chance to help out beginners and impart some helpful tips to use not only for the day, but take with them in their ice fishing experiences. Also, the pros will spend time contributing to the community while in town, as they spend time doing in-school seminars at the local schools, Kids Ice Camp on the lake, and teaching local volunteers tactics and tips about the sport. 

McNett spoke to this in saying, “The most important aspect of the event is the education element. The seminars, classroom visits, and the Kids Ice Camp are the highlight of every event. This is for the communities we visit and for the future of our sport.” 

To sum up all of the exciting aspects of the NAIFC, here is a quick checklist of events, dates and important information: 

• In-school seminars will be held on Friday, March 6th at Rutland Public Schools.
• Friday evening seminar at the Holiday Inn Rutland/Killington conducted by Scott Brauer of Maki Plastics. Scott makes some of the worlds finest hand poured, ‘Made in America’ micro fishing baits.
• Saturday, March 7th from 10am – 2:00pm, the On Ice Kids Ice Camp will take place, where children and their families will fish and visit with the Pros. Free drinks and food provided for the children. 
• Saturday evening will be team registration and rules meeting at the Holiday Inn Rutland/Killington starting at 6:00pm.
• Sunday will be the actual tournament with teams showing up as early as 6:30am. The official start will be at 7:30 and fishing will begin at 8:00am, ending at 1:00pm.
• The Sunday Tournament will be immediately followed by weigh ins and the awards ceremonies. Food and drinks will be available.
• The event in its entirety will be televised and aired on the Sportsman Channel. It will be titled, “ICEMEN TV”.
• Special Lodging Reservations: 800-462-4810  

Many local hard-water anglers are calling this the most exciting fishing event ever seen in the Rutland area. NAIFC staff, volunteers, sponsors and anglers hope to see the local community members take some time over the three days to come out and take part in the excitement.

For more information about the NAIFC, visit www.NAIFC.org , or contact Shawn Hayes at fishwhisperer66@hotmail.com. Feel free to also leave comments on this article below, here on the Burlington Boatyard Blog.

With Ice Fishing season right around the corner, Burlington Boatyard has been working to ensure we keep the marine community aware of the many exciting and beneficial hard-water happenings taking place this winter in and around Vermont and the Lake Champlain area. 

Recently, BBY has been working together with Shawn Hayes, a Fair Haven resident, active ice fisherman and member of the Champlain Crappie Crew (CCC), to provide exposure and promotion of the upcoming North American Ice Fishing Circuit qualifying tournament which will be coming to Lake Bomoseen in March of 2009.

Shawn, as well as other local anglers like Scott Blair of Burlington (fellow CCC member), have enlisted BBY to aid in developing press releases and getting regular coverage out to the community as the state prepares to welcome what will be the first nationally televised ice fishing event of this scope to take place in Vermont.

We welcome you to be a part of the action as we bring you the latest articles, updates and further developments as we prepare for what is shaping up to be an exciting hard-water season.

- Guy