HI everyone! Boy have I been busy. There is always something to do when you make pure Vermont maple syrup, even at this time of year. Well summer is in full swing, and the weather is getting hot. Vermont for most of the year is cool to downright cold! But we do have month or two where is really warms up. At that time the locals seek out their favorite Vermont swimming holes and beaches.

Now Vermont has many streams, rivers, ponds and lakes. So different people have different preferences when it comes to soaking in the water. Some people who live up more in the mountains love to swim and cool off in the beautiful trout streams we have. Since those streams wind their way down all mountains there is always one close by.

The Vermont mountain streams flow over rocks and cliffs, sometimes making big cold pools below the falls. These are popular with the local young people. Many have their own secret place they go to, but there are some popular spots that everyone knows about too.

The problem with this type of swimming is you have to really be careful. It’s all rocks, and a slip or fall can be very dangerous. In fact there is several popular water falls that have claimed a few lives over the years. Don’t dive in the pool, as it’s hard to see hidden rocks below. (more…)

So how many of you like to fish? Fishing is one of mankind’s oldest and most popular pastimes, as well as a great way to get a tasty meal! Fishing in Vermont is very popular, as Vermont is filled with many Lakes, ponds and streams. Vermont has lots of different kinds of fish, from the little but colorful brook trout to the huge northern pike.

Also, because Vermont is so sparsely populated you can really have room to yourself, not a mad dash to get to the best areas in the morning before the other fishermen. I use to do a lot of trout fishing in the many trout streams here, and often I would fish all day without seeing anyone. Of course everyone has their preferred type of fish and way of fishing.

You can take out a boat on big Lake Champlain or the hundreds of other smaller lakes and troll for lake trout, or hug the cattails and throw a spinner out for largemouth bass. Maybe do some live bait fishing for northern pike or walleye, or lob out some cheese balls to catch some catfish. Of course most people think of fishing in Vermont for stream fishing for trout. (more…)