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.

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.

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.

(more…)

There’s no doubt that this summer is going to be unforgettable here on Lake Champlain. With the celebration of the Quadricentennial taking place over the next few months, the waterfront will be filled with boating, sailing, fishing and most of all, lots of fun for the whole community.

As nice as it is to relax on the rocks by the boat house or have a delicious lunch at Splash, we urge you to get out there and be part of the action! Our friends at the Lake Champlain Sailing Center have just announced and unbelievable “2 for 1 Season Pass Special” that will have you and a first mate experiencing the beauty of Lake Champlain off shore and on the water.

(more…)

The best part about what we do here at Burlington Boatyard is having the chance to meet new people in and around the Lake Community, assisting them as best we can, however we can.

Over the last few weeks we have been trying to help out Emily, a local sailor who loves spending time with her boyfriend on their Cape Dory 25. They are searching for a new Dinghy, and despite there being no current listings for one on our site, we want to reach out to all of you who may be able to help them in their search. Here is her letter:

(more…)

For those passionate about Lake Champlain and the issues surrounding its well being, we suggest you visit the Voices For The Lake Blog. The VFL project, spearheaded by Bridget Butler and our friends over at the ECHO Center in Burlington, utilize social media technology to foster stewardship and awareness throughout the lake community. This fresh approach taken by the folks at ECHO blends the “old with the new” by tackling timeless issues of conservation and preservation through their use of YouTube, RSS Feeds and Twitter.

(more…)

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.

(more…)

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.

(more…)

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.

(more…)