Conference wahoo::fishing

    Jim,
    Most of the good info can probably be heard on the vhf...some
    of the radio stations give frequent updates on what the current
    standings are too. I can't recall their numbers off hand...I'm sure
    somebody will fill you in. I'll be heading up Friday myself...I
    have a hand held vhf, but don't have a handle for it...hmmm, guess
    it's about time to think one up though...Anybody else going up for
    the LCI ???
    
    Marty
    

    Oh yeah , there are eight of us going to the LCI , I have been in it
    every year since the bebinning and wouldn't miss it for anthing . One
    of our guys is already up there , the rest
    of us will be there on Thursday.
    
    z

    I know a lot of people from BTO that will be fishing the LCI.
    Any ineterest in a DEC mini tourney on the side one of the days?
    How about Sunday? 
    
    Marty

    The eight of us from Maine already have a mini pool set for the derby
    as we do each year . However I would not be opposed to a slight
    monetary pool of some sort based on the previous reply . 
     
    Seems as though an appropriate way to have this might be the single
    highest point (per LCI rules ) fish of a certain day takes all . Have
    someone be the official keeper of the records. Require sign-up prior to
    beginning of derby and require presentation of weigh in receipt from
    derby as the final say . 
    
    I even think that it could be on a register now and pay later basis
    since some people will be coming from afar and not have the chance to
    pre pay etc. 
    
    If there is any interest , I will count in . I will be leaving here
    today though , so if anyone is interested please start it off early so
    I know whats up .
    
    Maybe Joe Alexander would do it, he has been rather quiet lately . 
    
    Always willing to donate to a worthy cause . (my own)
    
    Someone post it , let the competition begin................
    
    AL 

    I'd be interested in something like that, but it looks like we're
    running short of time if your leaving today. What area of the lake
    are you planning to fish? We plan on fishing for walleye's from
    midnight on Friday to a little before daybreak off of Bouy 17,
    and then be down at Thompson's point in Charlotte by sunrise
    to fish for salmon untill 10:00 or so. Then it's bass and northerns
    in the afternoon probably around the mouth of otter creek...The
    only problem is we haven't planned any time to sleep...oh well,
    it's a tough life, but somebody has to live it!

    We'll be staying in Vergennes at (I believe) Rivers Edge or something
    like that. I'm not into betting so I'll pass on that.
    
    See you all there.
    
    jim e
    

    Good luck Jim. I haven't heard of rivers edge, but the vergennes
    area puts you in a pretty good location. Try the drop off just north
    of button bay if you have a chance. The Lake narrows down there,
    and there is a reef by a green bouy where it drops from about 90ft
    to over 200 instantly on the fish finder. I've picked up some nice
    salmon and browns through there, and the rocks around the bouy look
    like they might provide some good smallmouth fishing. Not to split
    hairs or anything, but why is a small tournament "betting", and
    paying 30$ to a larger tournament ok? Just curious... :-) Anyways
    have fun and hope you do well...
    
    Marty

    I'm heading out tomorrow at noon. Three of us are heading up. The only
    problem I have is I need another vehicle to haul all of my tackle 8^)
    
    See you Tuesday
    
    Guy

      Well, the derby is over and I thought some of you folks who haven't
    heard, would be interested to know that a fellow DEC employee placed
    second in the Smallmouth category. Norm Partlow caught a 4.23lb'er,
    which was only 19-1/2" long (that's a fat one). He held the lead until
    late in the day Mondy, when some guy edged him out with a 4.45lb'er.
    He may have won if the weigh-in station had opened earlier. They opened
    at 9:00, and he caught the fish at 6:00. He had no livewell, so they 
    towed it around on a stringer for a few hours. BTW, the fish was
    released alive and well after the weigh-in.
    
      I, on the other hand, didn't have as much luck. Anybody want to buy
    a 1978 55hp Evinrude with a connecting rod sticking through it???? I
    didn't think so. I flew apart Sunday afternoon. Kind of put a damper on
    the weekend for me (and the two guys fishing in my boat).
    
    -Ron-

    Well, we had a very interesting weekend. We get there and find the
    boat owner never hooked his cb up, therefore all we could do is
    scan the marine frequencies all weekend long plus listen to the
    AM station telling us how big the fish are that are in the lead.
    
    We also did some stupid stuff as well like run out of gas about
    9am Saturday morning as the winds started to pick up and cause 2
    foot swells. Luckily, we were in the next bay to the Point Bay Marina
    so we used the electric trolling motor and crossed the bay to a
    safe spot (took forever...). The owner had to hike over the hill
    and carry back 5 gallons of gas. After that, we went directly to
    the marina to fill the tank in those waves..
    
    The depth finder also died causing us to troll by making passes
    of where we wanted to troll by using the down rigger as a depth
    finder.
    
    We did catch fish every time we went out, so that was a plus. Biggest
    were a 18" small mouth which was entered in the tourney as a teaser,
    a 23" lake trout and about a 17" salmon. We did fill the equivalent
    of about two stringers worth. The smallie was released alive (before
    we took the picture...). The rest were split up for supper and for
    the freezer at home.
    
    The trip home would have been interesting if I hadn't notice the
    ball on the hitch move when we put the trailer on. It had somehow
    come loose. Scary. Then, we had a very uneventful ride home (as
    planned) until we hit the MASS border. All of a sudden, idiots cutting
    everyone off which caused the truck and trailer to some funny things
    with three lanes of traffic. We get off the highway and take a back
    road to the house where this other truck and construction trailer
    decide to pull out in front and make a wide turn into our lane.
    More heavy breaking, then about a mile from the house, we take this
    corner and find someone walking in the street NEXT TO THE SIDEWALK..
    
    We were real glad to make it to the house before anything else happened
    to us.
    
    Who else has stories from this weekend?
    
    jim e
     

    Our weekend went pretty good. We had three doubles, and boated
    10 lakers, 2 salmon and a walleye. I guess the most memorable part
    was the last double. It was dense fog, and I was reeling in a fish,
    when I noticed the other downrigger was bouncing bottom. All of
    a sudden it caught, and as I looked up I realized we were about
    30ft from sloop island. Then my fish desides to cross the other
    three lines and the down rigger cable thats stuck on the bottom.
    To complicate matters another boat appears out of the fog trolling
    right towards the cable that is hung up. We find out latter that
    they had a big laker on at this point in time. We hollered and they
    stopped their motor, but the wind blew them straight into us. Now
    we have our four lines, a downrigger hung on bottom, a salmon (which
    by now I've seen, but can't get the rest of the way in because of
    the GIGANTIC mess everything is in and one of their downriggers,
    along with an undetermined number of their lines all tangled together,
    and the only thing preventing us from drifting up onto the rocks
    is my one ball. After we got this all sorted out, I pulled the salmon
    in by hand as we had to cut the line, and as I started to pull in
    another line we had cut to get it out of the mess, I realized there
    was a fish on it too! When I got it in there was a laker on the
    end. The amazing part is that we got all the lures back, boated
    the fish (released both), and then got the downrigger ball unstuck.
    The other boat landed their fish also. I'd say we might of lost another
    half dozen fish over the weekend as well as a bunch of releases.
    The fish weren't huge (biggest one was ~6lbs. that my partner reeled
    in), but the action was good all in all. Can't wait untill next
    year!
    
    Marty
    

    We had a tought time. Saturday we got blown around pretty well. Sunday
    the solenoid died. Have you ever tried to find parts in the State of
    Vermont on Sunday? We finally did. We got back on the water late in the
    day and did pretty well on smallies and later northerns and
    largemouths. Nothing big enough to register, but considering
    everything, we had a good time.
    
    We'll be back next year.
    
    
    Guy
    

    Might as well enter this and let everyone else know that they wern't
    the only ones that had weird things happen , it must have been the moon
    or something that was in the stars.
    
    We aleft for Vt on thur @ 5am and were on the water checking out old
    and new areas by noon , thur was ok we caught about 60 Pike and bass ,
    all released and were looking forward to a good year with the high
    water etc (we had about 10 of the LM that would have been enterable in
    the LCI but nothing gigantic).
    
    One of our party was already there and had been into the fish pretty
    well , this was his first time over so he wanted to do some exploring ,
    the first thing we find out is that he had caught and released a 14lb
    4oz Northern Thursday AM .
    
    Friday went well with more new areas located and what we thought were
    some decent fish located , the rest of our group arrived thur PM .
    
    Saturday morning began with high winds and rainy conditions off and on
    , best fish of the day point wise was a 3.19SMB had several LM over the
    16" min (my cranking battery died however we had a spare and managed
    that without much lost time ) (then blew a fuse on the trolling motor
    hookup, no big deal) One of our guys caught a Walleye about 5.5 or so .
    
    Sunday was a neat day , weather was up and down (mostly down ) to make
    a long story short , my motor lost a fuel pump afternoon and we drifted
    into Canada until we managed to grab a line on the hudge barge (orange
    ) that adorns the border . Not the first canadian boat would ask if
    they could help or not one guy in a large boat almost sunk us . Finally
    managed to limp back to our camps by having my partner squeeze the fuel
    bulb every 15 secs as the motor began to die . This was very akward in
    that this is a bassboat and everything is below the deck etc.
    All of this took place with about 3' waves and high winds .
    
    Could not  find a mechanic or a boat shop to repair the motor that
    afternoon , even though Tudhope was open , they had a bunch of kids
    working there that didn't know theiur A-- from third base. We rented a
    row boat that afternoon and finished Sun and allday Mon in that with a
    6hp motor on it . Actually we did alright in the small boat all things
    considered .
    
    Couldn't get the weight that we needed , probably released Mom pm about
    5 LMB between 3 3.5 lbs that we had . 
    
    We will be back next year for the ninth time , this is a good 5 days of
    solid fishing that I look forward to each year. 
    
    Fuel pump wound up costing me 235$ installed , 
    
    AL
    

    My boyfriend and I will be attending the LCI fishing tournament in
    Vermont at Lake Champlain this year (Father's Day Weekend) for the
    first time.  I was wondering if anyone in this conference was planning
    on attending this year.  I have read notes re:  LCI tournament in this
    file but they are dated back in 1989.  I was hoping to find some
    information on cabins to rent on the lake.  Can anyone be of help??
    
    Thanks,
    
    Sherry

    Concerning cabins to stay in a lot depends on what you will be fishing
    for and what part of the lake you will be fishing . 
    
    There are 10 of us(5 boats) coming from Maine again this year. WE
    always have a good time and catch a lot of fish . We will all be
    fishing Bass and Northerns in the Northern areas of the Lake. This is
    the 10th year for the LCI , I should get something for perserverence
    since I have been in it each year(tough job ) .
    
    I do know of some cabins in different areas , if you know where you are
    going. 
    
    By the way is anyone out there interested in having the DEC mini
    tournament this year that we discussed a couple of years back? There is
    enough time to get it going this year if there is any interest.

RE: .14

Hi Sherry,

	If you could let me know what part of the lake you intend to fish, I
could possibly get you some info on cabin rentals. Lake Champlain is approx.
110 miles long and is somewhat divided into two sections by the Islands north
of Burlington. The section above the islands, known as the inland sea, is
great for Bass, Northern Pike, and Walleyes. The section below the islands
is great for Lake Trout, Salmon, and Walleyes.

	Let me know if you have a particular area in mind and I'll try to
get cabin info for you. Better start soon as the LCI usually has about 9000
entrants and the campgounds, cabins and motels fill up quickly.

Bob.

    RE: .LAST
    
    	I'd be interested in any cabin info you can give on the northern
    	section of the lake.
    
    			Thanks in advance,
    				Robert.
    

    
    If you take the ferry from hero to plattsburg, I've stayed at the 
    thunderbird. They have effieciencies for $50 a night A/C fridge
    stove etc...
    
    On the Burlington side I've stayed at the Garden Motor Inn in Shelbourn
    Vt. This place is th best! It's $50 for a regular room and $65 for a 
    2 room suite. Best accomadations I've seen for the money right across
    from the water.
    
    If you need more info phone #'s etc... if this sounds good send me
    EMAIL to SOFBAS::SULLIVAN
    
    - _ Dave
    

    Thanks for all the replies so quickly.  I am trying to get more info
    regarding what part of the lake we will be on but I probably won't know
    until Monday.  I do know that we will be fishing bass and trout.
    
    Re:  .18 - I would like the phone numbers to the Thunderbird and Garden
    Motor Inn, Shelbourn, please.  I have heard that most cabins probably
    have been reserved from last year at the LCI.  Is the Thunderbird a
    motel or is it cabins?  We were hoping to find something right on the
    lake.
    
    I have a some friends that asked me if I knew if they rent boats for
    fishing up on the Lake?  They might decide to go with us.  
    
    Thanks again,
    
    Sherry

    
     I don't have the number to the Thunderbird but you could call and
     as for the Thuderbird Motel in Plattsburg. It's right next to the 
     Airforce base so it's a bit noisey but after the second day and second
     case of beer it don't make much difference
    
     The best place is the Garden Motor Inn in Shelbourn. The number is
     Toll Free 1-800-825-1882. A 2 bedroom suite can sleep 2 couples
     no problem. There's a $5 per person per nite xtra charge though, but
     for $75 divided by 2 a nite that's cheep!!
    
     Good Luck
    
     _ Dave
    

    After getting touch with different people who we know will be going to
    the fishing tournament also, I believe the North Hero area is where we
    will be fishing.  We are hoping to be mainly bass fishing.  We spoke to
    some friends who stayed in that area last year and said they caught
    some nice bass.  Does anyone know of any Cabin rental places around
    North Hero?  I called one place named "Charlies" and he doesn't have
    any available cabins, just a bed and breakfast place with occupancies. 
    We are looking for a cabin to rent on the lake with close access to
    renting boats and also to be able to dock a boat if we decide to bring
    our friends (could I ask for much more.....??). 
    
    Sherry

    
     Wow,  RE: .21
    
     Sherry....
    
     Your not asking for much are you?
    
     Call the N. Hero chamber of commerce. Call info for the number and
     they should be able to direct you to the info you request.
    
     May I add...  A cabin on the water/boat rental/slip rental etc...
     BRING YOUR WALLET!!
    
     Most places charge $50 -$70 a week for a slip with hookups...
     Cabins on the water are higher than places across from the water etc..
    
     Good Luck in your search and please post your re$ult$
    
     Sherry, do you also have any idea of the water in that area? This is
     not a pond. South of N. Hero is the widest stretch of the lake. At
     times the waves can reach 6ft. (Similiar to a rough ocean) The lake is
     about 12 miles across in that area. It's also over 100 miles long. 
     For safety sake please consider this before renting a boat. And be
     sure the boat is properly equipted with life jackets etc.. There are
     very large boats/barges etc... that use this lake and if your in a
     small boat they can swamp you very quickly. I have a 18 1/2 ft boat
     and I am one of the smallest boats on the lake...
    
    
      
     - Dave
    

    How about it , not talk about the LCI this year .Any interest in a mini
    DEC pool ? We have tried to do this in the past on short notice and it
    didn't work out . If so I have 10 people going from here that would be
    interested. 
    
    Al
    

    So how did everyone do?  Anyone win anything?  How was the fishing?
    
    I'll be there next year
    Gone fishin

    Had a good time the fishing was good , my partner came in 7th in SM
    bass and was just 22 points shy in the combined species area. We caught
    a lot of fish and lost some real honkers . I entered 5 bass (3LM and
    2SM) myself, Jack had 2 SM 3.88 and 4.01 LM  . 
    
    We won most of the local pool that we had between 10 of us , we are
    waiting for the package from the LCI (we couldn't stay for the award
    ceremony. Overall it was a good trip ,it always is . We have a n
    agreement to split what ever each wins , so I made out this time . last
    time my partner did.