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Vermont Trout Season Opens

Plainfield, Vermont - April 12, 2008

It's a sure sign of spring -- trout season opened in Vermont Saturday. Although it's still too chilly for really good fishing, the sport is attracting more people to Vermont's rivers and streams.

Gov. Jim Douglas makes it a habit to take part in this opening day ritual. So has Jake Austin for most of his ten years. "I've always loved this sport," he said. "It's been in the family for a long time."

The calendar may say opening day of trout season, but the water is still too high, fast and cold for the trout to be biting much -- even though the Vermont Fish and Wildlife department stocked 200 Brookies here in the Winooski river in Plainfield to help get things started. "I really like being out in the woods and stuff, like exploring new places and catching fish," Austin said.

Vermont hunting and fishing license sales went up three and a half percent last year. As well, campground reservations are up for the coming season. This could be looked upon as a silver lining for a slowing economy and higher gasoline prices. Indications are that more Vermonters are spending their time and money here at home.

"Here's another opportunity for people to get some outdoor recreation at a relatively low cost and do it close to home. So I think the economic reality and the robustness of our fishing season, opening day here for trout season, is lovely. I think that's a key factor in the increased sales we're seeing," Gov. Douglas said.

Fish and Wildlife gets most of its money from hunting and fishing license sales, and federal excise taxes on hunting and fishing equipment -- plus, two million dollars from the state's general fund. Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Wayne LaRoche actually turned down a proposal to add an increment from the state sales tax to his budget. "Right now I'm advising it's not the right time to do something like that, at least for the next year," he said.

LaRoche says other sectors of state government should get the priority for funding. He may be the first government official anywhere to turn down an offer for more money. For now, license sales are pumping in more money, driven in part by growing interest in the tradition of trout season.

Andy Potter - WCAX News