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

During the past few days, the temperature has risen and so has the temptation to get back out on the lake. Unfortunately, the cold weather has returned and reality has settled back in. If you find yourself still yearning in anticipation for the boating season, then the Vermont Boat Show might just be what you need.

This weekend, February 13-15, come to the Robert E. Miller Expo at the Champlain Valley grounds in Essex Junction and see the widest selection of the latest boats and gear for 2009. Being one of the biggest boat shows on the east coast, Burlington Boatyard will be there talking about all the exciting plans for the 2009 boating season and will have information on all of our great online services.

If you can’t make the show, then stay connected through the live BBY Blog, as Guy Mitrano (CEO) brings you all the latest news from the expo. Hope to see you there!

- The Burlington Boatyard Crew

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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Yesterday I read a nice piece in the Free Press about our friends at the ECHO Center that truly speaks to what holiday spirit, and being a thoughtful business within the community, is all about.

If you are interested in becoming an annual member of ECHO, or are renewing your already existing annual membership, ECHO will provide that same level of pass to a low-income family within the community.

The ECHO Center is an unbelievable resource for the city of Burlington and the state of Vermont in general. Their exhibits attract everyone from kids in their strollers to those who have been residents for decades. Not to mention, it is a great tourist attraction for those that visit the Burlington area, and displays with pride all that Champlain is about and has to offer. The history, presentation, remarkable research and beneficial school programs are just a few things that make ECHO an invaluable asset to our community.

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On November 13, the University of Vermont Wakeboard Club held a showing of the video, The Truth at Brennan’s, a local pub and bistro located at UVM in the Davis Center. The Truth showcases the remarkably talented Liquid Force Wakeboarding Team as they display their extraordinary abilities out on the water. Liquid Force is a company dedicated to bringing wakeboarding, wakeskating, and wakesurfing into the spotlight in the world of professional sports.

There was a great showing for this premier, as many students came out to support their peers in the club. Burlington Boatyard, a local online company devoted to connecting the Vermont marine community, made an appearance and showed their support for the cause. Guy Mitrano, CEO of Burlington Boatyard and UVM alumnus (’06), spoke with students and voiced ways in which they could assist and become a member of the up-and-coming UVM Wakeboard Club. He also manned the sponsor table, giving away free, floating key chains and displaying the BBY-UVM Wakeboard Club video produced this fall. This was one of BBY’s first actions taken in being the group’s initial major sponsor, and was produced this fall.

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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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This weekend, BBY’s Guy Mitrano and Nick Cifuentes completed Episode 2 of the new Burlington Boatyard Lakeside Podcast series.
 
This episode covers the recent news regarding BBY working together as the first official sponsor of the UVM Wakeboard Club, and club president Nicole Ullian phoned in for an interview with the guys.
 
Also, a section that each podcast will feature, is the latest news going on in and around the Vermont and Lake Champlain community. This week, Guy informed everyone of the Turtle Beach Clean Up, recent Lamprey Treatment happenings, and the release of the Lake Champlain Fish Management Plan that discusses future plans to manage fish populations in Champlain.
 
Finally, listeners will be filled in on some of the Salmon fishing reports and ‘end of season’ trips out on Willsboro and Converse Bay by local anglers from the Lake Champlain Fishing Forum, started by Scott Johnson of Swanton.
 
We hope you all enjoy this info packed production and please feel free to contact BBY with questions, comments, suggestions or if you or your business wish to be a part of this valuable communication tool within the community!
 
- The Burlington Boatyard Crew 

Check Out Our Podcast: Episode 2

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

Burlington Boatyard, in keeping with our theme of incorporating many media channels into our business model, has just completed our very first podcast and it is currently up and running.

This initial release is a sit-down with Guy Mitrano and Nick Cifuentes, CEO and CTO of Burlington Boatyard, and serves two purposes, the first being as an introduction to what podcasts are, and how they will be used in our business approach. Secondly, the two discuss the history, goals and mission of BBY, what we’ve been up to for the past few months, the guests and topics we will cover, and overall, just a chance to connect more personally with our users.

This production will be in many podcast directories shortly…but for starters, try this link – as we are now uploading it to the many hundreds of podcast directories, and will soon be available on iTunes as well!

Podcast

- The Burlington Boatyard Crew