Author Archives: Tom

New guide kayaks through Lake Champlain’s rivers

guide kayaks through Lake Champlain's rivers

SHELBURNE – Two kayaks skitter like water bugs across the café-au-lait surface of the LaPlatte River toward a wall of trees.

“A Paddler’s Guide to the Champlain Valley: Exploring the Rivers, Creeks, Wetlands and Ponds,” published this month, is a sequel to the pair’s first book, “A Kayaker’s Guide to Lake Champlain.”

That volume chronicled the women’s journey in a series of day trips around the 650-mile shoreline of the lake. They enjoyed sweeping vistas, but sometimes battled strong winds and three-foot waves.

The chance to explore the contrasts between lake and stream — between distant views and intimate landscape, the scream of gulls and the twitter of marsh birds, high waves and flat water — helped inspire their new book.

Sourced through Scoop.it from: www.burlingtonfreepress.com

See on Scoop.it – Lake Champlain Life

John Guilmette Fishing Access Area now open for public use

John Guilmette Fishing Access Area now open 

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department has completed the reconstruction of the John Guilmette Fishing Access Area on Lake Champlain in South Hero, Vermont and the facility is now open for public use.

The new boat ramp and dock at the John Guilmette Fishing Access Area, which is now open for public use.

The new boat ramp and dock at the John Guilmette Fishing Access Area, which is now open for public use.

 

The improved access area features new boat ramp and dock structures and a renovated parking area and several other upgrades. Other improvements include green infrastructure components such as a pervious grass parking surface, grass-lined drainage swales, rock drains, new landscaping, and “no-mow” sections along the entire project that meet the state’s new shoreline protection standards.

“The improvements completed will allow for safer and more organized access, boat launching and parking.”  ~ Mike Wichrowski, facility and lands administrator, Vermont Fish & Wildlife.

 

The facility is also fully compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act criteria.

“Given the amount of use the access area sees throughout the year by anglers, boaters and other recreationalists, it was paramount that we redeveloped the access area to meet their needs while also complying with ADA and Vermont environmental guidelines. We feel that the new facility is much more user-friendly and environmentally responsible, and will serve the public well for years to come.” ~ Mike Wichrowski

 

John Guilmette Fishing Access Area is now open for public use.

The reconstruction project began last fall (John Guilmette Fishing Access Area Closed for Improvements) and was funded by the Department’s access area program supported by anglers and boaters. The Access Area was acquired in 2012 to serve a large group of anglers and boaters, as well as duck hunters, by providing year-round access at a key location on northern Lake Champlain (New John Guilmette Fishing Access Area).

To learn view a complete list of all Vermont fishing access areas, including maps and additional information, visit fishing access search page.

Other Lake Champlain Fishing Articles:

Canoeing at Dusk on Lake Champlain

Canoeing at Dusk on Lake Champlain

Canoeing at dusk on Lake Champlain.
Photo by Tom McHugh 

Dusk can be a great time for canoeing. The lake is usually very calm, there is little motorized activity on the lake and, if you’re lucky, the bugs haven’t become too active yet. This photo of two neighbors paddling at sunset was one of those perfect times.

Lake Champlain offers many excellent opportunities for canoeing at dusk, dawn or any other time. Because the weather can change quickly on Lake Champlain, any boaters should pay careful attention to changing conditions.

 

Other Lake Champlain Canoeing Articles: