FLORIDA, Mass. — Last year, Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll celebrated 413 Day with a tour of Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. 

 

This year, it was in the middle of a river. 

 

Driscoll was getting a lesson in fly fishing from Brian Gilbert of Hilltown Anglers after a speaking to outdoor recreation stakeholders at Berkshire East in Charlemont. 

 

"We started our day in Gill, Massachusetts, where we talked about housing choice and really making sure our small and rural communities can participate in our housing programs and have priorities for more funding," she said. "And being at Berkshire [East] Mountain, it was just terrific to be able to hear from so many outdoor rec enthusiasts about what we have in Franklin County and Berkshire County to really celebrate eco-tourism and how we can partner with our local stakeholders." 

 

Gilbert gave the lieutenant governor a quick rundown on fly fishing gear and techniques and then had her do some dry land practice casts (and warning everyone to step back) before she got her waders on. 

 

"Outdoor recreation is really one of the important drivers of the economy and community out here, and it's also a heck of a lot of fun and and important for public health," said Paul Jahnige, director of the Office of Outdoor Recreation, while Driscoll was in the middle of the Deerfield River.

 

His office is working an Industry Pathways Project to find how the state can better support the outdoor recreation industry. It's held several virtual listening sessions in addition to that morning's with area businesses and state agencies in Franklin County. 

 

"One theme that we've heard a lot about is on the marketing and tourism side. Right now, it's sort of really hard to find out where you can play outside and do the thing you want to do," he said. "We certainly hear a number of themes around inclusion and accessibility. How do we make sure that our spaces both feel welcoming and are welcoming to people with different abilities? We also do hear about the opportunity for more collaboration. 

 

"It's great everybody's busy and got their own jobs, but when they get in the room, there is sort of synergies there. So we hear about that, and then I think we hear some of the challenges, particularly around things like housing and workforce. It's largely a seasonal workforce. And how do you support seasonal workers? How do you provide housing and lodging at the same time for your workforce, your visitors, your residents, all together?"

 

The lieutenant governor came out of the water pleased with her casting but with no fish. 

 

The Zoar Picnic Area on River Road was the third stop for Driscoll before she headed to Old Pelham Town Hall with Fish & Game Commissioner Tom O'Shea for a swearing in and then making a youth jobs announcement in Springfield. 

 

It was also 413 Day for education with new Secretary of Education Stephen Zrike talking about early education in Pittsfield, early college in North Adams and technical education in Turners Falls (look for our story later).

 

Jahnige said his favorite outdoor recreation changes every year: trail runner, paddler, cross-country skier, and his new favorite, riding a bicycle on gravel roads — a little bit trail, a little bit road. 

 

"I will say that my goal for the next few years is to practice to learn to like, to swim, so that's what I'm working on," he said. 

 

Driscoll said her preference is being on the water, not in it. 

 

"I'm a white-water rafting enthusiast. I think that is something that not enough of us know you can do right here in Western Mass, and folks think you have to go north," she said. "Maybe the next time we're out, we'll put that on the list. That's a half-day activity. 

 

"But when you want to be really scared and then have a really good time, you go white-water rafting, because you get both of it."

 

She stressed the administration does pay attention to the needs of Western Mass, saying, "the governor and I feel strongly that if you're going to have a strong recreational economy, it needs to happen across all the quarters. And Western Mass has so many good bones here, we just want to polish them off and work to support it."

 

Gilbert, of Colrain, said he hadn't attended the listening session but had the chance to speak with officials earlier. He thought the demonstration had gone well. 

 

"It went quite well, it was actually a lot of fun," said Gilbert, who's been running a guided hunting and fishing service since 2016. "They get to just experience what's out here and what we're working with, and what could improve things."