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Tips for Spring Biking Along Lake Champlain

Tips for Spring Biking Along Lake Champlain

 

Biking along Lake Champlain can be a wonderful experience, and In the latest article at LakeChamplainRegion.com Kim Rielly offers her Top 5 Tips for Spring Biking on the Adirondack Coast to maximize your enjoyment. Here’s what Kim has to say:

“It’s just like riding a bike.  

Which is to say that it is not like running or skiing. Or sitting at a desk.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it is that no matter how many miles I’ve run or cross-country skied over the winter, switching to road cycling in the spring offers a few challenges. Sure, it seems like it would be an easy transition from a mix of running and sitting at a desk for too many hours a day, to moving your legs in a circular, non-jarring motion.

But in addition to utilizing far different muscles, I’ve found that the onset of spring cycling season offers a number of lessons; especially for those lucky enough to spend that season on Lake Champlain’s Adirondack Coast – a place I call home.

So, for your convenience, I’ve compiled a list of those lessons. And in no particular order, here are my Top 5 Tips for Spring Biking along the Adirondack Coast: …..”

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VerMontreal 2015

VerMontreal 2015The VerMontreal tour, introduces riders to the joys of bike touring and introduces visitors to one of the most beautiful corners of Vermont. Two years ago Sojurn added this ride to their suite of trips. Delight in exploring your own backyard while being hosted by one of the premier bike touring companies in the country.

 

VerMontreal 2015

 

VerMontreal 2015 b

This year’s ride leaves on May 28th, and registration is still available. Visit Sojurn’s website (gosojourn.com/vermontreal-bike-trip/) for the full itinerary. Discover the beauty and rich history of Vermont and visit wineries and cideries along the way at a pace that gives you time to enjoy it all. On the final day you’ll roll into the beautiful city of Montreal, and take part in the festivities of the famed Tour de l’Île race. Part festival, part community and definitely a celebration of all things biking, riding Montreal’s streets with 15,000 other cyclists is an experience for any bicyclist.

 

VerMontreal 2015 c

While you’re picnicking by the lake or learning about the history of Fort Chambly, you will also be helping to support Local Motion- a percentage of the profits from the Vermontreal ride are donated to Local Motion, and support their work to improving access to biking for everyone, throughout Vermont.

 

Registration is now open for this gem of a ride, consisting of 4 days and 3 nights of peddling through rural farmlands and quaint villages of Vermont and Quebec during the last weekend of May. For more information, check out the Vermontréal ride description on Sojourn’s website (gosojourn.com/vermontreal-bike-trip/).

 

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2015 ChampBot Challenge

Compete for $2,500 in the ChampBot Challenge

at the 2015 Champlain Mini Maker Faire

The ChampBot Challenge returns to the 4th annual Champlain Mini Maker Faire at the Shelburne Farms Coach Barn on September 26 and 27. Registration is now open.

ChampBot

ChampBot

What is the ChampBot Challenge

Build or modify an ROV (remotely operated vehicle) using ‘Champ’ as the theme. The visible portion of your ChampBot, (the part above the water), must bear some resemblance to Champ. Since few people have seen Champ, this is fairly open to interpretation. Champ may be scary, humorous, stylish or all of the above.

ChampBots must be between 3’ and 6’ in length, move under their own power, and cannot present any unsafe conditions for the course monitors should they be required to handle it. Building a ChampBot is your opportunity to show off your technical skills and creativity by creating or modifying a remote controlled robot that represents your interpretation of Champ.

The challenge is to navigate a series of buoys and obstacles on the shoreline of Lake Champlain to earn points and impress the crowd. The organizers encourage entrants to use sound effects, lighting, pyrotechnics and/or visual wizardry to put on a show.

Points will be awarded for design and completion of the course and obstacles. The winner of the $2,500 grand prize will be the bot with the highest total score. Prizes will also be awarded for second and third place, as well as several honorable mention categories.

New this year:

Project Development Awards up to $500 are available for materials based on need and the strength of proposal. Proposals must be submitted by May 24, funds will be awarded by June 16.

“The ChampBot Challenge was a completely new endeavor last year, and it was a lot of fun. We’re excited to see what folks come up with this year, so start working on your bots!” ~ Executive Event Producer Doug Webster.

‘Robots for Kids Too’ were the winners of the first-ever ChampBot Challenge in 2014. Seven teams created homemade ChampBots to navigate the series of nautical obstacles and challenges.

For more information, to register and to apply for funds, visit champlainmakerfaire.com/champbot/.

Vermont Walleye Fishing Starts May 2

Vermont Walleye Fishing

Vermont Fish & Wildlife reminds anglers that some of New England’s best walleye fishing begins with the start of the Vermont’s walleye fishing season on Saturday, May 2.

A range of rivers and lakes across the state of Vermont offer quality walleye fishing opportunities, but anglers should be aware that regulations can vary depending upon which waterway they are fishing.

In all Vermont waters except Lake Carmi, Chittenden Reservoir and the Connecticut River, walleye and sauger have an 18″ minimum length requirement and a three-fish daily limit. Open season runs from Saturday, May 2 to March 15, 2016.

Walleye painting

 

 

Special Vermont Walleye Fishing Regulations:

  1. Lake Carmi: Lake Carmi has a slot limit for walleye because of the lake’s high rate of natural walleye reproduction and high fishing pressure. The minimum length is 15 inches, and all walleye between 17 and 19 inches must be released. The daily limit is five walleye, but only one may be over 19 inches long. The season is open May 2 through March 15.
  2. Chittenden Reservoir: Chittenden Reservoir has special walleye regulations in order to produce large walleye that can help control its over-abundant yellow perch population, and provide anglers with an opportunity to harvest a trophy walleye. The minimum length is 22 inches, the daily limit is two, and the season is open June 1 through March 15.
  3. Connecticut River: Connecticut River walleye fishing rules are set by New Hampshire. No walleye between 16 and 18 inches may be kept and the daily limit is four fish, of which only one may be longer than 18 inches.
Walleye

Walleye

The Northeast Kingdom also offers walleye fishing opportunities in Salem Lake, Island Pond, Clyde Pond, and the Clyde River.

 

Lake Champlain Vermont Walleye Fishing Opportunities

Excellent walleye fishing can also be found each spring in Lake Champlain and its tributaries: the Missisquoi River, Lamoille River, Winooski River, and Otter Creek.

Vermont Record Walleye

Richard Levesque with Vermont’s state record walleye

Vermont’s state record walleye weighed 14.55 lbs. and was caught in Lake Champlain by Richard Levesque of Swanton in 2010.

 

Planning a Vermont fishing trip is easy. Vermont Fish & Wildlife’s 2015 Hunting, Fishing and Trapping Laws and Guide publication includes maps showing lakes and streams as well as fishing access areas and public lands. The guide also lists the fish species found in each body of water and includes the state’s fishing regulations. Copies are available where fishing licenses are sold, or by calling Vermont Fish & Wildlife at 802-828-1000. Sections of the publication can also be downloaded from www.vtfishandwildlife.com.

 

To learn more about fishing in Vermont or to purchase a Vermont fishing license, visit www.vtfishandwildlife.com.

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Click the lure to check out the great selection of Rapala lures at WalMart.com

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Record Fish Highlight Vermont’s 2014 Master Angler Program Results

Vermont’s 2014 Master Angler Program Results

The 2014 edition of the  Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department Master Angler program report is highlighted by two new state record fish – both caught in Lake Champlain.

“2014 was a great year for Vermont fishing all around, and the new record fish are a symbol of that, Not only did we continue to see trophy fish entries for many of the well-known species like bass, perch, pike and trout, but we also saw an upswing in the number of entries of more non-traditional fish species like bowfin, carp, and longnose gar. This is yet another indicator of the quality and diversity of Vermont’s fishing opportunities, as well as the enthusiasm of anglers to take on new fishing adventures throughout the state.” ~ Shawn Good, Vermont Fish & Wildlife fisheries biologist 

The two new state records include entries for both the common carp and white perch species.

Darren Ouellette caught the new Vermont record carp while bowfishing on Lake Champlain in Shoreham. The fish weighed in at 44 lbs., 6.8 ounces and measured 41.25 inches in length.

 

Vermont record carp

Darren Ouellette of Shoreham with the new Vermont state record common carp that he harvested while bowfishing on Lake Champlain in 2014. The fish weighed 44 lbs. 6.8 ounces, measured 41.25 inches in length and was entered into Vermont’s popular Master Angler program.

 

The new state record white perch weighed 2 lbs. 9.3 ounces and was 16.6 inches long. It was caught by Anthony Austin while ice fishing on Lake Champlain in St. Albans.

“Along with the new record fish, the Master Angler program had several other highlights from 2014 including 790 trophy fish entries from 164 adult anglers and 63 youth anglers,. In total, 12 youth participants and 23 adult participants achieved Master Angler status by entering trophy fish for at least five different species, and we had a 61-percent release rate which means over half of the trophy fish submitted were released to be caught another day.” ~ Jud Kratzer, fisheries biologist with Vermont Fish & Wildlife

Vermont Master Angler Program

2014 marked the fifth year for the program and saw trophy fish entries from 79 different waterways around the state, and entries from 31 of the 33 species eligible for entry in the program.

While Vermont anglers made up 94% of the participants, the program also saw participants from a other states including New Hampshire, New York, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Illinois, Florida, Texas and Arizona.

 

master angler

2014 Master Angler Pin
Lapel pin awarded to Vermont’s Master Anglers, who caught exceptionally large fish of at least five different species in 2014

“Fishing on its own is a great family adventure, but combining the Master Angler program with that experience is an extra bonus. There isn’t a fishing trip that I take with my son or daughter that doesn’t involve a conversation about the potential to catch a Master Angler fish. It provides additional motivation to get out there and I can’t think of a better way to spend time with my kids.”

“The master angler program adds value to fish species that might otherwise be overlooked. While there are similarities in techniques for various species, they usually exist in very different types of water and that makes accomplishing Master Angler status more difficult than some might assume. You find yourself exploring more, and as a result, learning more about fish and their habitat.”  ~ Jeremy Baker, 2014 Master Angler award recipient

Vermont’s Master Angler program was developed to recognize the achievement of anglers who catch trophy-sized fish in Vermont waters and celebrate the growth and survival of these exceptional fish.

The program also encourages anglers to improve their knowledge of fish habitat and behavior, and to develop the necessary skills to target and catch a wide variety of fish species.

To view the full 2014 Vermont Master Angler program report, browse past fish entries or enter a trophy fish, visit http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/MasterAngler.cfm.

To learn more about purchasing a Vermont fishing license, visit http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/buylicense.cfm.

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