New member from Windham Co.

[srhacksaw]

Hi all,
I fish mainly in the Brattleboro area, with a couple of seasonal family camping trips to Lake Champlain -- last year Burton Island.

I had been using a Lifetime Tamarack Angler kayak for a couple years, but last winter I designed and built a 27 pound rowing boat out of foam and fabric in a very small rented studio in Brattleboro. That boat has replaced the kayak completely, though I still own the old one.

I've been out last summer and fall in the new boat 30+ times. It was with me at Burton Island, and I even took it down to Maryland and the Pocomoke River last Feb when I first built it (and before Covid made travel to other states a bad idea).

It doesn't look like there have been many posts here lately, but maybe we can liven things up a little. Let's see! Anybody reading this?

[schodackbassman]

Hi Hacksaw - there are a few small craft fishermen on here but not a lot. There are a bunch of ponds/small lakes that are great fishing with kayaks etc. throughout VT. I don't know Brattleboro area. There is actually a group around south lake and Rutland that get together to fish out of kayaks. They may even have tournaments. Fishmachine is a friend and he participates if you see him post on here. He hasn't in awhile.

Brian

[srhacksaw]

Thanks Brian, I'll check back frequently.

[rgang4]

Nice build on the boat! 27 lbs? That’s 50 lbs lighter than my fishing kayak!
I live in the Brattleboro area too. Sure you have fished the setbacks here but if you have not checked some of the smaller ponds in NH you should consider it. Lots of places for a small boat.
Pretty quiet here during the winter but that won’t last too long. April is not that far off.
Welcome to the forum.

[Brian]

I'm a CTR Vernon pool fisherman too. Welcome aboard

[srhacksaw]

Thanks rgagng4 and Brian, and sorry I've taken so long to reply. I lost all my passwords in a recent browser upgrade, and just getting them all back gradually.

I haven't fished the NH side other than the setbacks -- just have a permanent VT license so far, so I've stuck to the Connecticut R. and west.

In recent local news I caught a couple limits of Rainbows on South Pond on different days from my boat, trolling spoons and plugs. I find trolling in a rowing boat a lot easier than in a kayak, because you face back. I was out in so pretty strong winds -- and even did a video of it, and smoking them in the backyard, now up on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltj7BQX31-U I think they were holdovers, because they were larger than this years stockies I think.

Earlier, right after opening day I got a few brookies in Vernon Hatchery Pond. Caught a 17" largemouth in Hunts Meadow from shore (by surprise -- I was just testing with a tiny jig on 4 lb test and ultralight rod for crappies to see if they were in yet.)

Haven't found the crappies this year yet. And actually I haven't yet been out on the main river. Looking forward to it soon (after this sudden cold wet weather scrams!) Haven't hit Hunts meadows by boat yet, or Puffers pond this year, not even Weatherhead Hollow (which is the closest to me -- I'm in Guilford)

So, lots to do yet!

Brian and RGang4 I think I recognize you both from VT Master Angler site. You guys are amazing!