Restoration on the Battenkill

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Here is an Outdoor Journal special on restoration work the Batten Kill Watershed Alliance (BKWA) has been doing on the Battenkill. The story is from 1:30-12:50.

This is a Vermont PBS production. Editing or modifying is prohibited.

http://video.vpt.org/video/2365170731/

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 Big brown with radar tag implant 2003

 Trout populations are back on the rise since the start of BKWA’s restoration work on the Kill.


 Big tree - for Twin Rivers project

A combination of large trees with root wads and stone have been carefully placed at each site to create more cover and shelter for trout.

1 year later - Flyfisherman in LWD project site

Southwestern VT TU are proud to have partnered with the BKWA on a multi-stage project at the Dufrense Pond site on the East Branch of the Battenkill.

 

SWVT TU President Jackie Jordan getting her hands dirty

Our Tree Planting Project on the Battenkill’s East Branch

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NOTE: We are looking for volunteers to help with our next planting on Sunday, October 5th, at 10am. Please bring work gloves, shovels, and appropriate clothing for the weather. If you have a pry bar or pick, please bring it to help with any rocks we encounter. Please email us at info@tuswvt.org if you are interested. Directions to the site can be found at the bottom of this page.

Last summer the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department removed the dam at Dufresne Pond on the East Branch of the Battenkill in Manchester, VT. The state-owned structure was in poor condition, creating a safety hazard, and repairing it would have cost a great deal of money. Expected benefits from its removal include aquatic organism passage and sustaining cooler water temperatures during summer in the downstream stretch.

VT F&W is committed to making the re-established channel at the Dufresne access site a high quality recreation opportunity in the restored condition. This year VT F&W planned to get started planting along the new banks to help with stabilization, and the Batten Kill Watershed Alliance and our Southwestern Vermont chapter partnered to help. Once the new channel has settled, habitat restoration will take place through installation of cover and shelter structures.

The below photos show a site meeting with Ken Cox, fisheries biologist from VT FWD, Cynthia Browning of Batten Kill Watershed Alliance, and SWVT TU board members on May 21st.

State Fisheries Biologist, Ken Cox sharing his vision for the site restoration.
Planning meeting with Ken Cox and Cynthia Browning. The group is standing where the removed dam existed.
Looking upstream of dam removal site.
Here is the natural river channel, with the lower and upper terrace evident on the far bank.

The first round of planting took place along the lower level of the far bank on May 24th, with over 100 dogwood and willow whips that were provided by BKWA were planted by TU volunteers. The plan is to plant larger native tree species on the far higher bank in the Fall of 2014 and Spring 2015. Once all the in-stream habitat restoration has been completed, we’ll begin to vegetate the near side of the river.

A huge “Thank you!” to all the volunteers helped with this effort
SWVT TU President Jackie Jordan getting her hands dirty

We also took a fun time lapse video of everyone’s hard work on the site and posted it on our Facebook page [be sure to like us on Facebook and share with your friends]. Click here to see the video on Facebook.

 If you want to visit the site you will be able to find directions to the State access here. If you look across the river you will see the lower and upper terraces where we have begun plantings.

The 24th Annual Hapgood Pond Fishing Derby

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Smiles, laughter, excitement, full bellies… and fishing! That’s how the 24th Annual Forest Service/Trout Unlimited of Southwestern Vermont Youth Fishing Derby ended at Hapgood Pond in Peru. The weather was very nice and there was lots of excitement in the air! A total of 86 ambitious kids up to 12 years old registered to fish and there were other “big kids” watching and helping… and everyone had FUN, which was what the day was all about! Unfortunately, no one told the fish about the derby! Only 16 fish were caught but that didn’t stop the kids from enjoying the morning.

Everyone was a winner! Each child received a grab bag and a small prize. A beautiful Orvis Encounter rod and reel outfit was awarded to the grand prize winner who caught the biggest fish of the day. In addition, rod and reel outfits were awarded to the kids in each of three age classes who caught the biggest fish and the most fish. It was truly special to see the kids and their parents when their names were announced. Top it off with a visit from Smokey Bear and then hot dogs, chips, juice, and Ben and Jerry’s!

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A big THANK YOU to our sponsors!

  • The Orvis Company
  • SWVT TU
  • US Forest Service
  • Ben & Jerry’s of Manchester
  • Manchester Lion’s Club
  • American Museum of Fly Fishing
  • The Gourmet Deli
  • Fuller’s Restoration
  • Vermont Country Store
  • Gary Ameden, Attorney-at-Law
  • A Safe Place Storage
  • RK Miles

We couldn’t have done it without you!

F3T! Tickets on sale NOW!!!

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Join us as we partner with Orvis
to bring you a full day of major fun!

Saturday, May 24, 2014
Orvis Flagship Store and SVAC, Manchester, VT

Visit the Orvis Flagship store in Manchester during the day for lots of fun events, then pop over to Southern Vermont Arts Center that evening for the Fly Fishing Film Tour. You’ll see some amazing short movies, grab a beer or glass of wine and a movie refreshment, and get a chance to win some GREAT giveaways from Orvis and TU! This is one fun event– NOT to be missed!!! The best part? All proceeds from the F3T go to the Southwestern VT TU Chapter. We then put that right back into conservation projects for our local cold water fisheries.

F3T TICKETS ON SALE NOW!!
Buy them at the Orvis Flagship Store or Orvis Outlet– $12 in advance, $15 at the door. Check out our Facebook page for more information.

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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

Orvis Manchester Memorial Day Weekend Event
Orvis Flagship Store, 4180 Main Street, Manchester, VT | (802) 362-3750

Fly Fishing 101– Two Classes – 10:30am & 2pm
Learn the basics of Fly Fishing with our free casting and rigging lessons.  Perfect for beginners of all ages.   Please call the Orvis retail store to reserve your spot.

Fly Fishing for Carp and other Warm Water Gamefish – All Day
Vermont Master Angler and Guide Drew Price will be on hand sharing his tips on flies and tactics for hard fighting carp.  Sit down at the tying vise with Drew and learn from one of the best.

Orvis Adventure Travel – 11am – 3pm
Looking for the fly fishing or wingshooting trip of a lifetime?  Scott McEnaney, Manager of Orvis Schools and Endorsed Services, will be at the Flagship Store to point you in the right direction.  The best way to ensure a great adventure is to speak with someone who has first hand experience with the lodge, locale, and fishery.

Intro to Fly Fishing for Kids
Lots of fun for kids age 6 to 12.  Call for details.

Orvis Flagship Store Casting Course Games – 3pm – 6pm
Test your skill and win your bragging rights with your friends on the Orvis Casting Course.  Prizes for all participants and enter your scorecard in a drawing for a new Orvis fly rod and other great gear!

The Fly Fishing Film Tour
Southern Vermont Arts Center, 930 SVAC Drive (off of West Road), Manchester, VT

Doors at 6pm – Show at 7pm
The fun continues up the road at SVAC. The original and preeminent exhibition of fly fishing camera, The F3T a one of a kind experience. Discount tickets are available at the Orvis Flagship Store and Manchester Outlet.

 

 

Thank you for joining us at our banquet!

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A big THANK YOU from SWVT TU for joining us at our Annual Banquet! We had a great time, a lot of laughs, great food, and so many prizes!! It was a great success and we couldn’t have done it without your support. We are very excited to keep moving forward and we are currently focusing on local conservation projects this spring and summer. Thank you to our guests of honor, Commissioner of VT Fish & Wildlife, Patrick Berry and his successor, Louis Porter. Thank you to our Board members for planning this in just a few months, and thank you to Chris Alexopoulos for being our photographer for the evening!

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More year round fishing opportunities will be available in SW Vermont starting in January

New Fishing Opportunities in 2014

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VERMONT FISH & WILDLIFE Press Release:

MONTPELIER, Vt – The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department says anglers will have several new fishing opportunities in Vermont beginning in January when a recently enacted regulation goes into effect.

Eleven new river sections will have catch-and-release trout fishing with artificial flies or lures outside of the normal trout fishing season, opening over 70 miles of river to year-round trout fishing.

A section of the Walloomsac River in Bennington is added to the trophy trout streams stocked with two-year old brown or rainbow trout with a daily limit of two trout per day.

Bass catch-and-release open water angling with artificial flies and lures (not ice fishing) outside the normal bass season will include all lakes, ponds and reservoirs not listed as “seasonally closed waters.” The list of seasonally closed waters is posted on Vermont Fish & Wildlife’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com). Under Fishing, click on “Law Digest and Guide.”

“The department has made it a priority to increase opportunities for fish and wildlife-based recreation in which there will not be a biological impact,” said Vermont Fish & Wildlife Commissioner Patrick Berry. “This new fishing regulation will greatly expand angling opportunities and help promote open-water fishing during more of the year.”

The sections of streams listed below are open to trout fishing year round according to the following rules:
• Only artificial flies or lures may be used, except during the open season for trout (2nd Sat. in April – Oct. 31).
• Catch and release only (trout must be immediately released where caught), except during the open season for trout.
• During open season for trout, follow normal size restrictions, daily limits and possession limits.

–– Black River: From the Connecticut River boundary upstream to the Howard Hill Road Bridge in Cavendish.
–– Deerfield River: From the Woods Road (Medburyville) bridge in Wilmington upstream approximately 2 miles to the VT Route 9W bridge in Searsburg.
–– East Creek (Rutland City): From the confluence with Otter Creek upstream (approximately 2.7 miles) to the top of the Patch Dam in Rutland City.
–– Hoosic River: From the Vermont/New York border upstream to the Vermont/ Massachusetts border.
–– Lamoille River: From the Lake Champlain boundary (top of Peterson Dam in Milton) upstream to the top of the Cady’s Falls Dam in Morristown.
–– Lewis Creek: From the Lake Champlain boundary upstream to the State Prison Hollow Road (TH#3) bridge in Starksboro.
–– Missisquoi River: From the top of the Swanton Dam in Swanton to the top of the Enosburg Falls Dam in Enosburg Falls.
–– Moose River: From the confluence with Passumpsic River upstream to the downstream edge of the Concord Avenue bridge in St. Johnsbury.
–– Ompompanoosuc River: From the Connecticut River boundary upstream to the Union Village Dam in Thetford.
–– Otter Creek: From the Lake Champlain boundary upstream to the Danby-Mt. Tabor Forest Road bridge (Forest Road #10) in Mt. Tabor..
–– Passumpsic River: From the Connecticut River boundary upstream to the top of Arnolds Falls Dam in St. Johnsbury.
–– Waits River: From the Connecticut River boundary upstream to the top of the Central Vermont Power Dam in Bradford.
–– Walloomsac River: From the Vermont/New York border in Bennington upstream to the top of the former Vermont Tissue Plant Dam (downstream of Murphy Road) in Bennington.
–– West River: From the Connecticut River boundary upstream to the Townshend Dam in Townshend.
–– White River: From the Connecticut River boundary upstream to the bridge on Route 107 in Bethel.
–– Williams River: From the Connecticut River boundary upstream to the top of the dam at Brockway Mills Falls in Rockingham.
–– Winooski River: From the Lake Champlain boundary upstream to the VT Route 2/100 in Duxbury and Waterbury.