TU chapter to discuss impact of alewives
PLATTSBURGH — The Lake Champlain Chapter of Trout Unlimited will have Kevin Kelsey from Vermont's Ed Weed Fish Hatchery as the guest speaker for Tuesday's meeting.
Kelsey will report on whether the recent influx of alewives has already begun to negatively affect the health of Atlantic salmon in Lake Champlain.
The meeting is open to the public and starts at 7 p.m. in the Gander Mountain Lodge Room, Champlain Centre.
Sportsman's Show slated for Jan. 15-17
ESSEX JUNCTION, Vt. — The 18th Annual Yankee Sportsman's Classic Show will be held at the Champlain Valley Expo Center in Essex Junction, Vt., Jan. 15 through 17.
The three-day, 100,000-square-foot event brings together sportsmen, women and their families from all over to celebrate hunting, fishing and the great outdoors.
Last year the show raised more than $18,000 for Camp Ta-Kum-Ta, Vermont's home away from home for children who have or have had cancer.
For more information, visit www.yankeeclassic.net.
Champlain Trails hike scheduled
The January CATS hike is slated for 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 16.
Hikers will look for and interpret animal tracks as they explore Pok-o-Moonshine's Lost Oak Valley, a beautiful, biologically rich valley with a high-quality, pine-northern hardwood forest, glades, a pretty brook, rock outcrops, cliffs and a frozen waterfall.
Snowshoes, lunch and water should be brought along. Skis are okay, but it is a good idea to snowshoe in and then ski out.
Hikers will meet at 9:30 a.m. at the entrance to an old Jeep trail that is on the west side of State Route 9 between Lewis and Keeseville, about 1 mile south of the closed Pok-o-Moonshine State Campground. It is at the bottom of a hill. Coming from the south, it is about 3.5 miles north of Trout Pond Road.
The ending time is flexible, probably about 1 p.m.
Call 962-4640 for more details.
DEC clarifies
use of bait fish
ALBANY — The movement of non-certified bait fish can be a principle avenue for the transmission of fish diseases.
In an effort to protect New York's fisheries from the introduction of invasive species and diseases, the Department of Environmental Conservation has enacted rules to restrict bait fish use (www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/47282.html), including limiting the use of certified disease-free bait fish to within one week of purchase. After receiving requests and input from anglers seeking to extend that time period, the DEC is providing an additional three days to allow certified bait fish to be used in state waters.
With the extension to 10 days, anglers can potentially use the bait fish over consecutive weekends, depending on the date of purchase. The 10-day period will extend from the date of purchase indicated on the required, dated bait-fish receipt.
Variety of winter activities scheduled in Keene Valley
KEENE VALLEY — Winter has arrived in Keene Valley in full force, with enough snow in the mountains to make almost everything skiable.
Now is a great time to do that ski trip you've always wanted to do, whether it's Avalanche Pass, Wright Peak or the True North slide on Gothics. The ice is in great shape, too — conditions will be perfect for Mountainfest, coming up over Martin Luther King weekend (Jan. 15 through 17). Skiers and climbers looking to jump-start their avalanche education should consider the Avalanche Safety & Rescue class, which still has room for more participants.
There is a new event this year — the Adirondack Ski Mountaineering Camp — a 2½-day intensive camp taking place Feb. 5 through 7 and sponsored by Dynafit and Mammut.
The camp is limited to five skiers, so check it out on the Web site and call soon to register.
Finally, the Adirondack Backcountry Ski Festival is scheduled for March 6 and 7 this year. Skifest registration will open in February.
For more information, call 576-2281 or visit www.mountaineer.com.
