Contact: Ross Saxton, ross@mychamplain.net, 802-879-3466

From left: Sean Gokey, Katie Levasseur (Miss Vermont), William Lanzetta, Governor Shumlin, James Ehlers, Congressman Welch, Tyler Batcheldar, and Erik Hendrickson.

Not two minutes after Governor Shumlin cast his line in the 5th Annual LCI Governor's Cup, the Winooski River served the Governor one of the day's largest fish under the hot May sun. Just a few minutes later, Congressman Welch pulled another good-sized rock bass from the same spot, while close by an osprey picked a fish out of the river. Although neither the Congressman nor the Governor took first place in the Lake Champlain International (LCI) Governor's Cup this year, they were sure to remind everyone of how important Lake Champlain and Vermont's water are to our quality of life, communities, and economy.

"Lake Champlain is one of Vermont's most important resources," said Governor Shumlin while holding the esteemed LCI Governor's Cup. "The fishing in Lake Champlain is the best it's ever been," the Governor proclaimed.

Nearly a dozen teams vied for the Governor's Cup this year, and almost every team weighed in at least one fish. In the end, though, the 2010 LCI Governor's Cup champions, Team Lanzetta of Colchester, VT, caught the most weight of fish for 2012, and brought home the Cup once again with an impressive 26 fish.

Governor Shumlin & Congressman Welch show off their big catch.

The convenience store group Jolley graciously donated lunch and coffee for the Lake Champlain supporters while Hog Island Bait & Tackle donated dozens of their famous night crawlers to help ensure that fish were reeled in.  

While standing on the shore of the flowing Winooski River with fellow Lake Champlain supporters, James Ehlers, LCI's Executive Director, noted that "the leadership of Governor Shumlin and his dedication to highlighting the importance of healthy water resources through events like the LCI Governor's Cup is vital to ensuring we have thriving communities for current and future generations."

Also competing for the Cup and showing their support for a healthy Lake Champlain include Team Miss Vermont, Team Smuggs of Smuggler's Notch, Commissioner Patrick Berry with Team ANR (Agency of Natural Resources), Team Goddard, Team B.A.S.S Vermont Chapter, Tom Berry of Senator Leahy's office, and Colchester's Senator Mazza and Representative Brennan.  Their continual support of LCI's mission of a swimmable, drinkable, fishable Lake Champlain is critical to the success of LCI's efforts.

"All the Governor's Cup participants demonstrating their support through Vermont's traditional pastime of fishing is the perfect way to highlight the importance of clean water," said Ross Saxton, LCI's Director of Conservation & Education. "Protecting Lake Champlain and our water resources is clearly a priority for a prosperous Vermont."

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