Ryegate Produced A State Record, If Only
Gary Moore
October 09, 2025
If Barnet resident Andrew Oestringer had brought his bass to a certified scale before filleting the fish, he would probably hold a new state record according to Vermont Fish and Wildlife biologist Shawn Good.
Upon learning of the trophy smallmouth bass, I called Good, the State Record Fish Program and Master Angler Program administrator. He seemed disappointed that the fish could not be officially listed as the state record.
“It’s rare but not unheard of for anglers who plan to keep a nice fish for dinner to grab an unofficial weight at home, realize their catch might have been a record, and reach out,” he said. “That’s exactly what Andrew did. Even though Fish & Wildlife can’t accept the weight from a non-certified scale for our official record books, we can all agree this new ‘unofficial record’ is one heck of a fish story.”
The nearly two-foot smallmouth bass from Ryegate’s Lower Symes Pond tipped Oestringer’s personal fishing scale at 7 lbs. and 6 oz. That makes Oestringer’s bass a full 10 oz. heavier than the current state record smallmouth.
Oestringer caught the smallmouth while fishing from a kayak.
“Andrew’s catch certainly underscores the fact that you don’t need a big boat or fancy equipment to catch fish, even trophy fish,” said Good. “There’s tons of ways to get on the water and have some success and fun.”
Good was happy to point out that Oestringer’s smallmouth was not the only big bass from an inland water entered to the Master Angler Program this season.
Earlier last month Fair Haven Middle & High School student James Lenox landed a 7 lbs. largemouth bass from Lake Bomoseen. Lenox’s bass does not approach Vermont’s record 10 lbs. 4 oz. largemouth, caught in Lake Dunmore in 1988. But according to Good, Lenox’s catch is still one of the best Vermont largemouths caught this year.
Even more impressive is the fact that Lenox’ fish is a youth entry to the Master Angler Program. Youth can qualify for the program with smaller fish than adult anglers. Even so, Lenox’s youth entry is bigger than all but two bass caught by adult anglers this year: a 7 lbs. 13 oz. largemouth from Neal Pond caught by Joshua Curtis, and a 7 lbs. 8 oz. largemouth from Lake Champlain caught by Roy Gangloff.
Bits and Pieces
Vermont’s archery deer season opened October 1 and many hunters are afield in the mornings and late afternoons. Most are talking about how unusually warm it has been.
***
Vermont hunters will be able to report turkeys and some deer they harvest this fall online through the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s website, www.vtfishandwildlife.com/.
Turkeys may be reported online or in-person at a regional big game reporting station.
Deer may be reported online or in-person during the archery and muzzleloader seasons, but deer must be reported in-person during the youth and novice deer hunting weekend on October 25-26 and during the regular deer season on November 15-30. This in-person reporting requirement allows biologists to collect important information from deer during these seasons.
Bears must be reported in-person at a regional big game reporting station. The hunter must also submit a premolar tooth from the bear at the time the bear is reported or within 30 days. The tooth provides important data on the age structure and size of the bear population. Envelopes for submitting teeth are available at all big game reporting stations.
Hunters are required to report deer, bear and wild turkeys they harvest during the hunting seasons within 48 hours. Deer and bear must be field-dressed prior to reporting, and a hunter must take a warden to the kill site of a deer or bear if requested.
The online reporting links for deer and turkey as well as a map and list of big game reporting stations is available under “Hunt” on the left side of Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s website.
***
Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s annual spiny softshell turtle beach cleanup day is Saturday, October 18, and the department is looking for volunteers to help.
Participants are asked to arrive at North Hero State Park at 10 a.m. After finishing at North Hero, the group will carpool to another site in Swanton.
Vermont Fish and Wildlife biologist Toni Mikula will have hatchling spiny softshell turtles on hand and will talk about the long-term turtle recovery efforts. Some of these hatchling turtles will be raised in captivity by the ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain while they are small and most vulnerable to predation. They will be released back into Lake Champlain next spring.
Pre-registration is not required. To get to North Hero State Park, follow Route 2 north past Carry Bay in North Hero. Take a right on Lakeview Drive, just before Route 2 swings west toward Alburgh. Follow Lakeview Drive almost to the end until you reach the North Hero State Park entrance sign on the left. Participants will gather at the gate and be let through at 10 a.m. There are no bathroom facilities at the park.
For more information, please contact Toni at Toni.Mikula@vermont.gov.
***
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is reminding hunters of a regulation designed to help keep Vermont deer healthy by banning the use of any deer lure containing deer urine or other deer bodily fluids.
The infectious agent of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a fatal disease of deer, is a mutant protein or “prion” that can be passed in urine. Prions can bind to soils and remain infectious for many years. Nearly all urine-based lures are produced in captive deer facilities, where CWD is most likely to occur. There is no accepted way to test live animals, and infected animals can spread CWD for years before showing any symptoms. No amount of testing or special certification program can eliminate the risk of spreading CWD through urine lures.
CWD is 100 percent fatal to deer and moose. It causes irreversible population declines and has been impossible to eliminate once it becomes established in a population. CWD has not been detected in Vermont.
***
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department reminds hunters that the seven day fall turkey shotgun season opens on October 13 and runs through October 19. Eight of New Hampshire’s Wildlife Management Units are open for the fall shotgun season this year including D2, H1, H2, I1, J2, K, L, and M.
***
New Hampshire OHRV enthusiasts hoping to register their machines for the 2025–2026 season and beyond may now apply for their registrations online. This convenience applies only to traditional annual OHRV and snowmobile registrations and can be enjoyed by residents and nonresidents alike.
To apply to register an OHRV online, visit www.wildlife.nh.gov/highway-recreational-vehicles-ohrv-and-snowmobiles/registering-your-ohrv-or-snowmobile.
***
Mark Breen reports in the Fairbanks Museum's Skywatch Almanac that on
October 5, 1965: “An early taste of winter brought 3 inches of snow to Enosburg Falls, more on the hills.”
Mark also tells us that on October 12, 1819: “Aurora Borealis seen over much of the eastern US; ‘a most remarkable display.’”
Parting Shots
Sometimes there is too much of a good thing and that is the case with our famed foliage season.
For the third year in a row a section of Cloudland Road in Pomfret had to be closed to all but local traffic after social media posts caused hordes of leaf peeps to descend on the road for the ultimate foliage photo.
New this year, Franconia Notch State Park has been forced to close the “Short Trail” on Artists Bluff. Last year it looked like rush hour at a NY subway station, creating a dangerous situation.
The press release said, “In an effort to maintain an enjoyable and safe experience for all, Franconia Notch State Park is enforcing a One-Way trail loop.”
Hikers will be asked to walk the entire loop in a counterclockwise direction. The full loop is 1.2 miles.
Artists Bluff offers nice views of the Notch for little effort but even mid week in the summer it is far too crowded for my liking.
***
I told you in last weeks column that Linda was at DHMC again. She came back home last Saturday night and seems to be doing better. She has another chemo treatment Thursday.
***
I have had problems with my right kidney for two years and have been treated at DHMC during that time. After several tests, CT scans and twice being scoped it was decided that I had a very large kidney stone that needed to be smashed and removed.
August 26 I went to DHMC and my urologist and his team used a laser to smash the stone that was causing me so much pain. When I came to in recover I was told they could not get it all and that I would have to return for another try.
I was back September 23 and that time they got the rest of it. The pain remained but I hoped that when I returned last Thursday to get the stent out that things would get better.
The stent was removed last Thursday and the pain is now much less and my attitude much better.
My urologist has had me taking Tylenol for the pain despite what Donald Trump has said. Now that I admit to doing so I expect to have my federal taxes audited and perhaps my VA monthly disability payment canceled. Stay tuned.
Syndicated columnist Gary W. Moore may be reached by e-mail at gwmoore1946@icloud.com or at Box 454, Bradford, VT 05033.
copyright 2025 Gary W. Moore
Upon learning of the trophy smallmouth bass, I called Good, the State Record Fish Program and Master Angler Program administrator. He seemed disappointed that the fish could not be officially listed as the state record.
“It’s rare but not unheard of for anglers who plan to keep a nice fish for dinner to grab an unofficial weight at home, realize their catch might have been a record, and reach out,” he said. “That’s exactly what Andrew did. Even though Fish & Wildlife can’t accept the weight from a non-certified scale for our official record books, we can all agree this new ‘unofficial record’ is one heck of a fish story.”
The nearly two-foot smallmouth bass from Ryegate’s Lower Symes Pond tipped Oestringer’s personal fishing scale at 7 lbs. and 6 oz. That makes Oestringer’s bass a full 10 oz. heavier than the current state record smallmouth.
Oestringer caught the smallmouth while fishing from a kayak.
“Andrew’s catch certainly underscores the fact that you don’t need a big boat or fancy equipment to catch fish, even trophy fish,” said Good. “There’s tons of ways to get on the water and have some success and fun.”
Good was happy to point out that Oestringer’s smallmouth was not the only big bass from an inland water entered to the Master Angler Program this season.
Earlier last month Fair Haven Middle & High School student James Lenox landed a 7 lbs. largemouth bass from Lake Bomoseen. Lenox’s bass does not approach Vermont’s record 10 lbs. 4 oz. largemouth, caught in Lake Dunmore in 1988. But according to Good, Lenox’s catch is still one of the best Vermont largemouths caught this year.
Even more impressive is the fact that Lenox’ fish is a youth entry to the Master Angler Program. Youth can qualify for the program with smaller fish than adult anglers. Even so, Lenox’s youth entry is bigger than all but two bass caught by adult anglers this year: a 7 lbs. 13 oz. largemouth from Neal Pond caught by Joshua Curtis, and a 7 lbs. 8 oz. largemouth from Lake Champlain caught by Roy Gangloff.
Bits and Pieces
Vermont’s archery deer season opened October 1 and many hunters are afield in the mornings and late afternoons. Most are talking about how unusually warm it has been.
***
Vermont hunters will be able to report turkeys and some deer they harvest this fall online through the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s website, www.vtfishandwildlife.com/.
Turkeys may be reported online or in-person at a regional big game reporting station.
Deer may be reported online or in-person during the archery and muzzleloader seasons, but deer must be reported in-person during the youth and novice deer hunting weekend on October 25-26 and during the regular deer season on November 15-30. This in-person reporting requirement allows biologists to collect important information from deer during these seasons.
Bears must be reported in-person at a regional big game reporting station. The hunter must also submit a premolar tooth from the bear at the time the bear is reported or within 30 days. The tooth provides important data on the age structure and size of the bear population. Envelopes for submitting teeth are available at all big game reporting stations.
Hunters are required to report deer, bear and wild turkeys they harvest during the hunting seasons within 48 hours. Deer and bear must be field-dressed prior to reporting, and a hunter must take a warden to the kill site of a deer or bear if requested.
The online reporting links for deer and turkey as well as a map and list of big game reporting stations is available under “Hunt” on the left side of Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s website.
***
Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s annual spiny softshell turtle beach cleanup day is Saturday, October 18, and the department is looking for volunteers to help.
Participants are asked to arrive at North Hero State Park at 10 a.m. After finishing at North Hero, the group will carpool to another site in Swanton.
Vermont Fish and Wildlife biologist Toni Mikula will have hatchling spiny softshell turtles on hand and will talk about the long-term turtle recovery efforts. Some of these hatchling turtles will be raised in captivity by the ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain while they are small and most vulnerable to predation. They will be released back into Lake Champlain next spring.
Pre-registration is not required. To get to North Hero State Park, follow Route 2 north past Carry Bay in North Hero. Take a right on Lakeview Drive, just before Route 2 swings west toward Alburgh. Follow Lakeview Drive almost to the end until you reach the North Hero State Park entrance sign on the left. Participants will gather at the gate and be let through at 10 a.m. There are no bathroom facilities at the park.
For more information, please contact Toni at Toni.Mikula@vermont.gov.
***
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is reminding hunters of a regulation designed to help keep Vermont deer healthy by banning the use of any deer lure containing deer urine or other deer bodily fluids.
The infectious agent of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a fatal disease of deer, is a mutant protein or “prion” that can be passed in urine. Prions can bind to soils and remain infectious for many years. Nearly all urine-based lures are produced in captive deer facilities, where CWD is most likely to occur. There is no accepted way to test live animals, and infected animals can spread CWD for years before showing any symptoms. No amount of testing or special certification program can eliminate the risk of spreading CWD through urine lures.
CWD is 100 percent fatal to deer and moose. It causes irreversible population declines and has been impossible to eliminate once it becomes established in a population. CWD has not been detected in Vermont.
***
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department reminds hunters that the seven day fall turkey shotgun season opens on October 13 and runs through October 19. Eight of New Hampshire’s Wildlife Management Units are open for the fall shotgun season this year including D2, H1, H2, I1, J2, K, L, and M.
***
New Hampshire OHRV enthusiasts hoping to register their machines for the 2025–2026 season and beyond may now apply for their registrations online. This convenience applies only to traditional annual OHRV and snowmobile registrations and can be enjoyed by residents and nonresidents alike.
To apply to register an OHRV online, visit www.wildlife.nh.gov/highway-recreational-vehicles-ohrv-and-snowmobiles/registering-your-ohrv-or-snowmobile.
***
Mark Breen reports in the Fairbanks Museum's Skywatch Almanac that on
October 5, 1965: “An early taste of winter brought 3 inches of snow to Enosburg Falls, more on the hills.”
Mark also tells us that on October 12, 1819: “Aurora Borealis seen over much of the eastern US; ‘a most remarkable display.’”
Parting Shots
Sometimes there is too much of a good thing and that is the case with our famed foliage season.
For the third year in a row a section of Cloudland Road in Pomfret had to be closed to all but local traffic after social media posts caused hordes of leaf peeps to descend on the road for the ultimate foliage photo.
New this year, Franconia Notch State Park has been forced to close the “Short Trail” on Artists Bluff. Last year it looked like rush hour at a NY subway station, creating a dangerous situation.
The press release said, “In an effort to maintain an enjoyable and safe experience for all, Franconia Notch State Park is enforcing a One-Way trail loop.”
Hikers will be asked to walk the entire loop in a counterclockwise direction. The full loop is 1.2 miles.
Artists Bluff offers nice views of the Notch for little effort but even mid week in the summer it is far too crowded for my liking.
***
I told you in last weeks column that Linda was at DHMC again. She came back home last Saturday night and seems to be doing better. She has another chemo treatment Thursday.
***
I have had problems with my right kidney for two years and have been treated at DHMC during that time. After several tests, CT scans and twice being scoped it was decided that I had a very large kidney stone that needed to be smashed and removed.
August 26 I went to DHMC and my urologist and his team used a laser to smash the stone that was causing me so much pain. When I came to in recover I was told they could not get it all and that I would have to return for another try.
I was back September 23 and that time they got the rest of it. The pain remained but I hoped that when I returned last Thursday to get the stent out that things would get better.
The stent was removed last Thursday and the pain is now much less and my attitude much better.
My urologist has had me taking Tylenol for the pain despite what Donald Trump has said. Now that I admit to doing so I expect to have my federal taxes audited and perhaps my VA monthly disability payment canceled. Stay tuned.
Syndicated columnist Gary W. Moore may be reached by e-mail at gwmoore1946@icloud.com or at Box 454, Bradford, VT 05033.
copyright 2025 Gary W. Moore
Andrew Oestringer and his trophy smallmouth bass taken from Lower Ames Pond in Ryegate
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