Personal Watercraft Fishing Equipment

Using brains against mussels

Two residents from Ridgefield, concerned about the threat of zebra mussels to nearby Candlewood Lake, are among dozens of people from across the region volunteering this summer to be “invasive investigators.”

Their task is to alert boat owners to the presence of zebra mussels in nearby waters — most notably the Lake Lillinonah and Lake Zoar reservoirs on the Housatonic River — and explain the steps that boat owners can take to prevent the spread of these and other prolific invasive species.

The pair, Elizabeth O’Connell, 18, who just graduated from Ridgefield High School, and her father, Paul, have enjoyed boating on Candlewood Lake for years.

“I became involved as part of research for my Gold Award project for the Girl Scouts,” explained Elizabeth, who is headed to Providence College in the fall. The Girl Scout Gold Award is the equivalent to the Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts.

“Last fall I contacted the Candlewood Lake Authority about their volunteer needs and learned that one of the top priorities was education, especially informing the public about the spread of invasive aquatic species, such as milfoil weeds.

“I decided to help and began developing a curriculum for younger Girl Scouts on invasive aquatic species. And when I learned that zebra mussels were discovered in nearby lakes, I researched some more and expanded the curriculum to include zebra mussels.”

“For example, I wanted to help the Girl Scouts understand that there is proper way to dispose of invasive species,” she said. “Just pulling or cutting milfoil, and not removing it from the lake water, actually helps milfoil spread.”

Once approved, Elizabeth’s Gold Award project — an age-appropriate, hands-on curriculum on invasive species — will be offered to more than 100 Girl Scouts each year at the Girl Scouts’ Camp Candlewood facility. Over time her project is expected to yield an informed and growing group of young women who can help in the battle against the array of invasive species that threaten Candlewood Lake.

Elizabeth is also involved in a joint effort by the Candlewood Lake Authority and others to study how cold weather affects milfoil. The purpose is to better understand how milfoil grows and spreads in areas now underwater that were exposed to cold weather during the past winter’s lake drawdown.

A SCUBA-certified diver, thanks to participation in the Girls Scouts Outward Bound Project, Elizabeth will dive with others at multiple sites in the lake over the course of the summer to collect data.

Boat Dealers – Crooked River Sports

Boats generally fall into five categories; fishing boats, sailboats, power boats, personal watercraft and self powered boats. Which one is for you depends on how you plan to use it. Once you have decided, it is easier to choose from cheap boats to buy. At least, when you spot a boat for sale sign, you already know what you want and it will that much more convenient when you talk to the boat dealers.

On pricing, be aware that additional maintenance and operations will cost you additional expenses. Of course, you already know your budget so find out how far you can go with it. Maybe your budget gives you more than you need or maybe your budget needs to be revised if you are to get a good boat in the category that suits your needs.

Fishing boats are either built for shallow waters or deep seas and often come with stowage and bait holders, fishing poles, tackles and fish tanks. Basically, your boat is made of fiberglass, aluminum or wood. You will find quite a variety of designs to choose from.

If you are looking for a sailboat, the chances are that you are quite skillful at navigating it. As with any other skills, the more challenging a skill is, the more rewarding it becomes when mastered.

Power boats are considered the more popular boats around. Power boats with front seats known as bowriders, are usually used to tow skiers and rafts, as well as for fishing. You can also find power boats with inflatable dinghies that are transportable. Due to power boats being more common, you can find quite a variety of designs to choose from.

So if you are looking to buy a fishing boat, consider the features in a boat that will be helpful to you. Besides deciding whether you will be boating in shallow waters or deep seas, consider if your boat will be used for overnight stays.

When you are looking for cheap boats, request the boat dealers for a test drive, if they are not already provided. This is the only way you can know for sure; by experiencing the boat, by means of a test drive. You should test drive in the boat that you are planning to buy to give yourself realistic results. For example, if you tested on a boat which horsepower is higher than the one you intend to buy, you may be setting up yourself for disappointment once you get your very own boat. Boat dealers may require you to put a deposit as their way of discouraging freeloaders.

Also, when you have decided on the boat that you are buying, boat dealers require you to put down a deposit as a signal of your commitment. The amount that makes up the deposit depends on the price of the boat of course, as well as its sell-ability.

Fly fishing equipment and skills

Fishing Tackle Source Directory

International regulation of underwater sound, establishing rules and standards to address ocean noise pollution

Code of Federal Regulations, Title 50, Wildlife and Fisheries, Pt. 18-199, Revised as of October 1, 2010

Frommer's Portable Las Vegas for Non-Gamblers