Another fine article in the BFP!!!

[Sleepswithdafishes]

Lawrence Pyne reports on the success of the master angler program and our own Matt the Winooski river king is the star of the story !!! Check it out !! Todays Free press. Sleeps

[vtbass]

Outdoors: Angler program shows catch-and-release works

6:08 AM, Apr. 1, 2012

Written by
Lawrence Pyne


This 23-inch steel´head (migratory rain´bow trout) was caught March 22 by Dan Anctil of Milton off the mouth of Hatchery Brook in Grand Isle, marking the third time in less than four months that it was caught, released and entered in the Vermont Mas´ter Angler Program. / Photo courtesy of Vermont Fish and Wildlife

Heard about the trout that was entered in the Vermont Master Angler Program three times in four months? No, it’s not an April Fool’s Day joke. It’s true.

When the state started the Master Angler Program, its primary goal was to highlight the quality and diversity of the fishing in Vermont. In only two years, the program has done that, and more: Thanks to one especially gullible Lake Champlain steelhead, it has also shown than catch-and-release really does work. As in, catch-and-release and catch again and again.

The trout was first caught in the Winooski River at the Salmon Hole on Dec. 5 by Matt Lavallee, who was fly fishing with an ersatz egg pattern. The Winooski man measured and photographed the 23-inch steelhead before releasing it, then entered it in the Master Angler Program, which is open to harvested and released fish in 33 species categories.

That gave Lavallee 19 entries from nine different species for the year, making him one of only 21 anglers in 2011 who qualified for a Master Angler pin. It requires entering five or more species that meet the program’s “trophy” minimum-size requirements.

A regular Winooski River rat, the 22-year-old Lavallee was back down at the Salmon Hole on March 2 when he caught yet another 23-inch steelhead, this time on a black, rubber-legged stonefly nymph. Because a new pin is awarded each year, and the qualifying total reverts to zero on Jan. 1, Lavallee measured, photographed and released the trout, then entered it in the Master Angler Program.

It was not until he compared the photographs, however, that he realized it was the same fish he caught in December. The size, shape and color were identical, as was a slightly deformed left gill plate and even the spots on its flanks.

But his real surprise came last week while checking recent entries on the Master Angler Program’s web page (vtfishandwildlife.com/masterangler.cfm). There he found yet another unmistakable photo of the same fish.

It had been caught again, this time on March 22 by Dan Anctil of Milton, who was fishing off the mouth of Hatchery Brook in Grand Isle. It had traveled at least 25 miles in no more than 20 days, only to fall victim to another fly.

Lavallee notified state fisheries biologist Shawn Good, who administers the Master Angler Program for the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. Good looked at the original photos submitted with each entry and confirmed it was, in fact, the same fish.

“I was able to zoom into certain areas (on the fish) in all three photos, and the dot patterns were identical,” Good said. “There was no mistaking it.”

Lavallee says he’s glad another angler had the chance to catch what he now jokingly calls his “cheating” steelhead, especially when he saw that it had been released. After another growing season, it could end up back in the Winooski next fall, only by then it should be several inches longer.

As for the Master Angler Program, Good says he is very pleased with the response to it. Both the number of fish entered and the number of anglers who participated in the program more than doubled last year, to 488 and 181 respectively, and more than 100 entries have already been received this year despite an iffy ice-fishing season.

For each of the 33 eligible species — which run the gamut from smelt to muskellunge — there is a minimum qualifying size for adults and youth anglers. For every fish you enter, you receive a Trophy Angler certificate commemorating your catch. Enter five or more species in one calendar year, and you receive a handsome Master Angler pin, the design of which will be changed every year.

Even if you don’t enter a fish, the program’s website is worth checking out. It provides a searchable database that reveals where the biggest fish are being caught and what water bodies are producing the most trophy-sized fish. Annual reports also break down trends in Vermont fishing opportunities.

And unlike previous Vermont record fish programs, the Master Angler Program encourages entries that are released alive, which since the program began in June, 2010 have accounted for about two-thirds of all entries. That means many of the fish entered are still out there, ready to be caught again. Just like a certain steelhead with a taste for artificial flies.

Of course, catch-and-release entries are based largely on the honor system, as there is only so much one can infer from the required photo. Which brings up perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the steelhead story. Despite being measured three times by two different anglers, it had the exact same length each time.

“One of our goals (in creating the program) was to give anglers an incentive to both fish more and target species they don’t normally try for,” Good said. “What makes me feel good, is it seems like people are having a lot of fun with it, and they’re being honest.”

So much for the old adage that “fishermen aren’t born liars, they just can’t help themselves.”

[Sea Hare]

That's one trout that loves to have it's picture taken. No moss growing under his fins either.. I wonder where he'll turn up next ?? That was a nice article starring King Matt. I always enjoys his posts and pics.

BB

[dreamcatcher]

Thats sweet; good read an pretty cool!

[Matt]

[raz]

Great article for sure. Our "steelie" is beginning to look a little beat up.
Oh, and Lawrence is one of our newer members of this forum!

[Reelax]

Awsome story