Wild Trout Streams of Western New York
Found another nice feature of the NYS DEC website… They list all of the trout streams managed as “wild streams” in one convenient location.
You can have a look here: Wild Trout Streams of WNY
Tags: wild troutOpening Day A Thing of the Past?
Read an editorial from a Wisconsin newspaper this morning as well.
In it, an author (couldn’t find a name on the page… could have been anonymously submitted, wondered:
Opening day of fishing season just isn’t what it used to be.
First off, there is no real opening day anymore. Sure, Saturday had that title. But the Wisconsin River is open all year long, so anglers have been pulling walleyes from its depths since ice retreated a few weeks ago.
Myriad other regulations — catch-and-release only openers for trout, no season or regulations at all for some species and other rules — can leave even veteran fishermen baffled.
Other factors also detracted from Saturday’s opener. The weather was just plain lousy, with snow flying around hot spots near Minocqua — and some far-north lakes still covered with ice on this late-arriving spring.
I can see their point. Many of us are catch and release anglers anyhow, so New York State extending “open catch and release” season for black bass on all waters, as well as giving us hundreds of miles of no-kill trout water (Thousands?) has made Opening Day a thing of the past in the most romantic of regards.
However… I’m not sure I miss it.
What’s fun about standing elbow to elbow with someone just because today’s the day we can catch trout? With less and less public fishing available in some areas, that phenomenon has extended beyond opening day as well. Drop by Burt Dam when the salmon are running sometime.
So I guess what I have to ask myself is this. Is opening day more romantic than quality year round fishing?
My answer is no. I’ll take May small mouths on the fly rod, please.
This Black Creek smallie fell for a Muddler Minnow, almost a month and a half before the traditional Opening Day of bass season.
Shaw and Tenney Paddles
Was reading Canoeandkayak.com today, and saw this gem:
Shaw & Tenney, the oldest manufacturer of oars and paddles in the U.S. and the third oldest manufacturer of marine products, turns 150 this year. Started in 1858 as a water-powered manufacturer on the Stillwater River in Orono, Maine, the company has moved twice within the same town and changed owners only three times.
I spent about a year in Orono, fishing the Penobscot River, and digging ditches. So Maine, and all of it’s good companies, will always hold a special place in my heart. Old Town included.
Tags: kayaking, Maine, paddlesThe Silence
Having some issues with my desktop. (God bless Vista). I have some info and photos on a couple of Black Creek trips recently, but I’m busy repairing things. Hopefully tomorrow.
Also hoping to fish tomorrow as well….
Tags: black creekEastern Mountain Sports Upgrade Your Gear Sale
Eastern Mountain Sports is in the middle of their online Upgrade Your Gear Sale. It’s a great time to make that purchase you’ve been putting off, as everything in the store is 20% off.
20% Off NRS Kayak Gear! This Weekend Only: 5/9 - 5/11
20% Off Sea to Summit Kayak Gear! This Weekend Only: 5/9 - 5/11
Of particular note are the Scotty rod holders, which I use myself, and their fishing kayaks, including Ocean, Mad River, and Riot/AZUL.
Upgrade your kayak fishing gear today!
Tags: eastern mountain sports, Mad River Kayaks, Ocean Kayaks, Riot/AZUL Kayaks, sales
