"March Madness Skeet Shoot Tourney"

Watch here for upcoming details!

In the meantime check this out Giant Skeet Shoot

Hunter Safety / Archery Courses in March

According to the Franklin Wildlife Management Area Field office both classes are fully enrolled.

We can use members to help out with the background on this so let JV or Fran know if you can assist.

Folks are still contacting Franklin to ask about being put on a wait list.

here are our scheduled dates and class times:
MARCH
       DEEP Archery/Bowhunting Course
1     Sunday - 8 am to 4 pm

       DEEP Hunter Safety Course
14    Friday - 6 pm – 9 pm
15    Saturday - 8 am – 5 pm
16    Sunday 8 am - 2 pm

      Info for DEEP Franklin WMA Station:
FRANKLIN WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA - 391 Route 32, North Franklin
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Phone: (860) 642-7239

The list [http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2700&q=429848&deepNav_GID=1633] will tell you the class is full (has been since late January, I believe) but persevere... and ask you be added to our stand-by list.

More Ice Fishing Pictures

From Lake Hayward & from Bashan Lake

Fishing Derby Re-cap!

Text and pictures by Barbi Batchelder

[watch for more pix in a separate post.]

It was a perfect day for ice-fishing today, a little chilly with temps in the 20's, but plenty of sunshine! The ice ranged in thickness from 5 to 10 inches in different areas of the lakes, according to fishermen.

There were 125 contestants competing to catch the biggest fish in East Haddam, each trying their luck on one of the three lakes that included Moodus Reservoir, Bashan Lake and Lake Hayward.

Derek Babineaux, Jr., (13 years old) [that's him to the left]of Old Saybrook caught the heaviest fish, a 6.71 lb. Largemouth Bass, using shiners as bait, on the upper Moodus Reservoir, taking home the First Prize of $600. His father, Derek Babineaux, Sr. brought in the heaviest Yellow Perch, also on the upper Reservoir, weighing it in at .75 lbs., winning a $200 prize.

Simon Dell of Colchester hooked a 4.18 lb. Chain Pickerel, using minnows as bait, the heaviest of the third species of fish, netting a $200 prize, as well. That's Simon on the right, with Greg Casey next to him.

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WINNERS:
Derek Babineaux Jr - Bass 6.75 lbs (Lower reservoir)
Simon Dell - Pickerel, 4.18 lbs
(upper reservoir)
Derek Babineaux Sr. - Perch, .75 lbs (Lower reservoir)

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After the weigh-in, contestants, their families & friends were treated to an incredible buffet-style feast at the Moodus Sportsmen's Club.

The meal spread included Wild mushroom soup, Corn chowder, pulled bar-b-q pork, Venison Chili, Venison & Pork Meatloaf (with secret spices), Spanish Rice, Baked Beans, Baked Potato Skins and a cold fish salad (made with Bluefish, Perch and Porgy) that was totally delicious atop a fresh-baked piece of french bread!

The day concluded with a raffle, and prizes included a large array of ice-fishing tools and equipment. Fun was had by all, and some were already talking about looking forward to next year!

Upcoming club events will include a March Madness Skeet Shooting Tournament. More details to follow in a future post.

Fish Derby Pictures

This set from Barbi Batchelder

< < <- Chris Boix and his K-9 partner "Bay" (an English Setter) of Colchester.

Rich and Jenn Ventres of East Haddam pose for a family photo with "Jager", their Springer Spaniel. -v v v v

Greg Stanhope of East Hampton, with his 2.43 lb. Chain Pickerel, caught on the lower Moodus Reservoir near the dam, using shiners as bait.
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<
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Danny Tierney of East Haddam said he used "Mummichogs" ( a type of salt-water minnow) as bait to land this 4.65 lb. Bass from the upper Moodus Reservoir.

< < <- It was one of each of the big fish for Sheldon Haag of Glastonbury. Sheldon also used Mummichogs to bring in a 3.8 lb. Pickerel and a 3.2 lb. Bass from Bashan Lake.

Bruce Romajas of Moodus fills a plate of food from the buffet, as "Gunnar" keeps a close eye on him - > > >

Rachel Colletti and Christie Drube, both of Colchester, proudly "out-fished the guys" using minnows for bait. The Bass weighed in at 2.00 lbs. even, and the Yellow Perch came in at about a half-pound each. - V V V

^ ^ ^ - And, of course, they all have to be weighed.