SUMMER FISHING AND TRAVEL

As you can see I have not been able to write for some time. My wife and I have been involved with her mother’s needs over the past six months. My Mother-in-law was 95 years old, living on her own still until March 2011 and then she went on to be with the Lord just a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, that left my wife and me to deal with her last physical belongings, such as her home and furnishings. Michele is finally home here in the north country and we are trying to get things back to normal.

            In spite of the hectic spring and summer, I was able to get in a few fishing excursions. Both saltwater and freshwater fishing was good each time I went out. While on Long Island, I did get the chance to fish for both Blues and Strippers. Both were migrating through the inlet where I was and they seemed to be quite hungry. 



(cocktail size - just right for table)

            Only caught a couple of the strippers and they were released because they were short, but they still put up a fight. I did see a couple of forty plus inch strippers, one being taken by a scuba diver and his speargun.

            The Blues were much more accommodating! We caught them from snapper size on up to cocktail and chopper size. Needless to say, we had a number of fresh fish fries this summer. My grandkids enjoyed catching the snappers. The two middle grandsons are both becoming quite proficient with the spinning rods and reels. They are about 7 and 9 years of age. They were both able to throw the snapper poppers out with no trouble and then land their own fish.



(grandsons with snapper blues)



            Back up here in the north country, I only got out a couple of times. But the action has been pretty good this year. Frank Abel Jr. and I went out in the narrows of the Chateaugay Lakes looking for bass. We found a few, a couple that might have pushed the legal limit. They all went back in of course. We did find a few eager yellow perch.

            On one cast, Frank hooked into a big fish and the battle was on. He fought the fish for a few minutes before it came around the bow of the canoe to where I could see it. I saw immediately that he did not have a bass on his line. 

(Frank's first Northern Pike)

            After about ten minutes of battle, he finally landed a nice Northern Pike. This was the first pike that he had ever caught and, for a first one, it was nice. So there was some success in the fishing department this summer. In spite of heat waves and humid days, we still had some fine fishing.

            Talking with a number of my fishing buddies, they all report they had quite a bit of success this summer. Hope you had the time to get out on the water as well.

TROUT FISHING SPRING 2011



(One stock trout taken this spring)



It has been some time since I have been able to commit time to this site. Family concerns have kept me from writing but I have still been able to find limited time on the trout waters this spring. The fish are there even though we have experienced some up and down water conditions this year.

            DEC has apparently done quite a little stocking of trout in our local waters. The average trout caught has been between ten inches and twelve inches in length. There were some a little larger but not many that have been much smaller. On a couple of occasions I have tied into a large brown that, so far, has eluded my best efforts to land. Twice now he has struck my lure and I have had him on the line for a few seconds before he shakes the hook. He has given me a good look at his size and coloration each time so that I know he is in the eighteen to twenty inch range. Perhaps there will be another encounter yet this year.



(A few trout added to the creel)

            The bugs have been thick at times on the water but not so over whelming that they can’t be tolerated. A little insect repellent is in order if you really want to enjoy your outing. A number of the other bugs have been hatching out as well, such as mayflies, and the trout are rising regularly to the surface to take these bugs.

            It is a good time for the dry fly fisherman to be out. There hasn’t been a large influx of fishermen in our immediate area so far and therefore the fish have not been fully educated at this time. You should find some very receptive trout waiting for your fly.



(Hatchery trout taken during high water)


           On the few outings I have taken this spring, I would say I have caught and released between two and three dozen trout. That does not include the eight or nine I have put in my creel for the table. It has been an enjoyable trout season so far. The only problem is that you need to watch the weather patterns closely in order to hit the water during the most ideal conditions.

RIVER FISHING AND SURPRISES IT BRINGS

     Here in the Adirondacks we have a diverse number of waterways to fish. I believe that is what makes it so attractive to fishermen. You are only limited by your own imagination when it comes to the type fishing you might wish to pursue. Lakes abound and they are always fertile fisheries for a large number of species. There are also the backwoods ponds and small lakes that usually produce trout. The brooks and streams of the area carry brook trout and brown trout on regular basis. The rivers can be very much like the lakes in offering a large selection of species to fish.

(fishing on the Chateaugay River)

     The Ausable, Bouquett, Chateaugay, Salmon, Chazy, Saranac rivers, plus many others are all within easy driving distance. They offer the fisherman any number of species and some very fine fishing opportunities. Those living along the rivers have often worked with the state conservation groups to provide anglers access to these waters, so the fisherman who observes the rules and follows the directives listed at the fishing access sites can help keep those arrangements open for some time to come. Always police the area you fish and do not leave garbage and junk behind when you leave. Observe land owners rights and if a section is not posted as public access, don't invade the owners privacy.

(Brother-in-law with a brown trout from Chazy River)

     Many years ago, I used to fish regularly with an old gentleman who was an Adirondack fishing guide for about 50 years. He was in his late 70's when I fished with him and it was a pleasure and joy to see him work on the lake we often fished. But even though he had a very productive lake to fish at his leisure, every once in a while he would say, "let's hit a river today!" That is just what we would do. Down in that area we had the Hudson, Schroon and a couple of other smaller rivers to fish. He liked to change his routine once in a while just for the challenge. He knew that rivers are always changing and the experience would be new each time, unlike the lake he usually fished, where he could read the bottom like a book and tell you exactly where to anchor and cast to catch a bass.

(author fishing a central Adirondack river)

     When your fishing starts to become a bit mundane and predictable, head to one of the rivers and see if it doesn't put some excitement back into your pastime. You may be surprised just how enjoyable it can be.