While many of you enjoy spending time cruising on the water, we wanted to take a moment to mention how you can take some time this off season to get in the water and support a great Vermont organization.
We had the pleasure of getting in touch with Chris Bernier, Director of Marketing & Development at Special Olympics Vermont, to learn more about their upcoming Penguin Plunge and how you can jump into one of the best events taking place on the water this time of year. Here is some information he shared with us regarding this frigid fundraiser:
The Special Olympics Vermont Penguin Plunge began in 1995 with only 15 individuals and has since grown to become one of the largest winter events in Burlington, VT.
In 2009, over 1,200 participated in the three Penguin Plunges around Vermont to raise awareness and donations for the 850+ athletes of Special Olympics Vermont. This event is Special Olympics Vermont’s largest fundraising event and makes up over ½ of our annual budget.
Over the last 15 years, brave Vermonters, from businessmen and women to school children, have arrived on the Burlington waterfront in February to raise money and take a running jump into the icy waters of Lake Champlain.
Here are some dates and further information regarding each location:
We are very thankful for all the dedicated workers, volunteers and supporters of VTSO and we hope you take part in the action while contributing to a very valuable cause here in Vermont.
We were saddened to learn this morning via Twitter that our friends at Burlington City Arts have been victims to senseless vandalism.
According to their Facebook page, “Last night, someone smashed the door of the Firehouse Center and stole the Gallery donation money. We are deeply hurt and saddened by this. If anyone has any information, please let us know.”
It is most certainly discouraging to realize that a person or persons could carry out actions such as this, especially around the holiday season and towards an organization that gives back to the community and its members. Hopefully, however, we can come together as that community and do whatever little we can to help BCA come back from this even stronger and truly exhibiting the values and thoughtfulness that is Burlington, Vermont.
To make donations to BCA please visit either their homepage, or FirstGive, and show them your support. You can also reach out to them via Twitter or Facebookand share your thoughts with them directly.
This boat, a 60-foot catamaran made entirely out of recycled plastic bottles, is surely one of a kind and created for the purpose of raising awareness of the problem that plastic waste causes for the world’s oceans.
Our friends at the ECHO Lake Aquarium & Science Center are asking members of the Lake Champlain and Vermont communities to take some time completing their new survey . This survey is an opportunity to share your thoughts and ideas about Lake Champlain and tell them a little about how you spend your time and how you use social media.
Burlington Boatyard is one many local lake stewards (LCI, LCSC, Outdoors Magazine to name a few) that understand the essential role social media plays in promoting environmental and ecological awareness in both our local lake community and other watersheds around the country. We ask that you take a moment to provide your insight, opinions, thoughts and concerns with ECHO via this survey, and appreciate your continued support for all of us who strive to make positive impacts on Lake Champlain and beyond.
“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 1st derby, is also donating again this year.
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.
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.
Greetings Lake Champlain enthusiasts! Spring is upon us and many boaters are already out navigating across the waters of the big lake. In spring it’s usually the fishermen who are first willing to endure the cold weather to cure their cabin fever. I pride myself in being one of the first few anglers to launch following ice-out. This year I was on the lake targeting lake trout and salmon during the last week of March. Believe it or not, I was catching some dandy lakers trolling just a few feet from the edge of the melting ice on Cumberland Bay. The lake trout fishing has been outstanding. As of this writing, May 1, 2009, my charters have landed 171 trout. Many fish where in the ten-pound range and the largest weighed in at just over thirteen pounds. I fish for Lake Champlain’s Seneca Lake strain of trout in 50 to 80 feet of water even in the early season. The Atlantic salmon fishing has been great too. The spring run in the tributaries brought in a good stock of salmon accessible to riverbank and fly fishermen. Those of us who trolled for salmon just after ice-out on the broad water in spots like Sandbar on the Inland Sea and Willsboro Bay on the main lake also did very well. The key to good salmon fishing in spring is finding slightly warmer water temperatures. The bass and pike fishing heated up in the rivers as well by the last week of April.
Two weeks ago, as Burlington Boatyard closed out its weekend at the Vermont Boat & Marine Show, one boat had taken command over all the others. The Windsor Craft 36 HT, a luxury yacht at its finest.
Being offered through ‘BOATS by George’ in Lake George, NY, the boat is crafted in three layers of hand-selected African mahogany, cold molded together by skilled craftsmen using the most advanced West System epoxy.
This ultimate entertainment boat allows you to entertain in style with a grill, icemaker, wine fridge, and enough comfortable seating for all your guests. You can serve appetizers on the mahogany table with a compass rose inlay and watch the sunset on the port-side settee. After you are finished, retire to the air-conditioned cabin to relax in comfort and watch a classic film on your full-sized flat-screen TV.
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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While many of you enjoy spending time cruising on the water, we wanted to take a moment to mention how you can take some time this off season to get in the water and support a great Vermont organization.
Special Olympics Vermont. This event is Special Olympics Vermont’s largest fundraising event and makes up over ½ of our annual budget. 
senseless vandalism.
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.
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.
Well, as many of you know by now, 
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