Year: 2024

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Niagara Falls USA Fishing Forecast for June 13, 2018 – from Destination Niagara USA

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Bill Hilts

Parker and Connor Cinelli of Grand Island show off a couple of the steelhead they caught this week in the upper Niagara River while they were drifting worm harnesses around Strawberry Island targeting walleye.

**Joel Spring of Ransomville grabbed his kayak and his fishing rod. He threw on a spinnerbait and headed out into 12 Mile Creek in Wilson to catch this bowfin.**

The third Saturday in June is the statewide opening of the regular bass season and Great Lakes muskellunge season. To help kick the bass season off, there are plenty of options going on such as the 1^st Annual Brauer’s Restaurant Opening Day Bass Contest. This fun competition is for two-person teams and score will be based on the weight of the best two fish. You can fish the upper Niagara River and Lake Erie OR the lower river and Lake Ontario. The challenge will be on. Sign up at Brauer’s Restaurant on Campbell Blvd. in Pendleton or sign up at Creek Road Bait and Tackle in Lewiston. Cost is $40 per team. If you have any questions, contact Dave or Kathy Muir at 695-5552.

Bass fishing has been decent in the Niagara River, both above and below the falls for anyone casting artificial baits like tubes or swimbaits. As of Saturday, you can use live bait again to target bass with the opening of the regular season.

**Gianni Etopio of Youngstown caught these silver bass off the NYPA fishing platform using an emerald shiner and fishing it under a float.**

Gianni Etopio of Youngstown has been doing well off the NYPA Fishing Platform on silver bass, walleye and smallmouth.

Boaters are bouncing bottom with tubes and swimbaits or dragging bottom with three-way rigs using Kwikfish. There are still a few trout in the river but it won’t be for long.

The upper river, too, was producing some trout. Capt. Chris Cinelli of Grand Island reported that he caught four chunky steelies while walleye fishing around Strawberry island. Some walleye were caught this week by fishermen using jigs, but with the Southtowns Walleye Contest going on, we can’t tell you where.

For Lake Ontario, northeast winds have stirred up the water a bit. Capt. Roy Letcher of Newfane reported good action off Olcott in the top 40 feet of water over 200 to 300 foot depths using spoons. Everything was up high due to the cold water upwellings. We’ve had no other reports with many of the boats heading east last weekend to fish in the Orleans County Open tournament

For the kids, the Wilson Conservation Club will be holding its annual youth fishing derby from 8 a.m. to noon on June 16. Eligible waters are any waters in Niagara County and the contest is based on fish length. All the measuring will take place at the club located on Route 425 in Wilson. There is also a special Huck Finn division this year for kids using cane poles. Pick up your free pole prior to the contest or use your own. To find out more information call Mike Melcher at 930-7500.

There’s also a kids contest on the upper Niagara River in Niawanda Park sponsored by the City of Tonawanda on Saturday June 16. Registration starts at 8 a.m.

Don’t forget that next weekend is the Free Fishing Weekend around the state, June 23 and 24. There are some special events going on that weekend such as the Hooked on the Tonawanda’s out of Gateway Harbor in North Tonawanda. Call 628-1247 for more information.

On Saturday, June 23, the Olcott Kids Fishing Derby will be held out of the Town of Newfane Marina from 8 a.m. to noon. Kids age 4 to 15 are eligible. Call the marina at 778-5462 if you have any questions.

Also on Saturday the 23^rd, there will be a kids fishing contest at 9 a.m. on Hyde Park Lake in Niagara Falls, held in conjunction with a summer bash. After fishing, try your hand at kayaking with Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper at 12:30 p.m.

Bill Hilts, Jr. – Outdoor Promotions Director

Destination Niagara USA, 10 Rainbow Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY 14303

p: 1-877 FALLS US, 716-282-8992 x 303, f: 716-285-0809

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New York DEC Announces 2018-2019 Waterfowl Season Dates

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Dave Barus

Joe Forma Photo

**STEM Model of American Black Duck Abundance during the week of December 12th (Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 2018)**

A complete list of season dates and bag limits for each zone can be found on the DEC website. The waterfowl hunter task force rationale can be found at Duck Season Dates. Hunters interested in printing the pocket guide can find it at 2018-2019 Waterfowl Season Pocket Guide (PDF). Hard copies will be available from the Regional Offices or by e-mailing wildlife@dec.ny.gov later this summer.

Season setting for the 2019-20 season and beyond

Deciding on the “best” or the “right” waterfowl season dates is a difficult task that has been a contentiously debated topic since regulated duck seasons began in the 1900s.To provide guidance for this challenging task, DEC began a two-year effort to expand on the current hunter task force process.

The modified season-selection process will directly incorporate the opinions and values of a representative sample of duck hunters and will use the most comprehensive migration data available. Last fall, DEC and Cornell University worked with the Waterfowl Hunter Task Forces to develop a survey that was sent out to over one-third of the registered duck hunters in New York State.

The goal of the survey was to identify how hunters defined a high-quality duck hunting experience (i.e., what makes the “best duck season”). The survey avoided asking “what days do you want to hunt” and instead focused on what hunter’s value in their hunting experience. DEC can use this information along with migration data specific to each waterfowl zone and evaluate how well various season dates match hunters’ values and migration chronology.

Results of the hunter survey are currently being analyzed by Cornell University and are expected later this fall. The next step in the decision-making process will occur later this summer when DEC meets with the Waterfowl Hunter Task Forces in each zone to establish a list of possible season date alternatives.

The last step in the process will occur this fall when DEC and Cornell University evaluate the tradeoffs and consequences of each season alternative to identify the optimal season based on hunters’ values and migration data (see Cornell Lab of Ornithology “STEM” Models for more on migration data). More information on the season setting process, results of the 2017 Duck Hunter Survey, and proposed future duck season dates for 2019-2023 (barring any changes to the federal regulations framework) will be posted on the DEC website during late fall 2018.

Chautauqua Lake, NY – 26 Morning Walleyes, Rod in Hand Fishing…Memorial Day Treat

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Forrest Fisher

Frank Shoenacker gets the net for another one of our 26 walleye caught in daylight the Friday before Memorial Day.

Simple Fishing, Simple Fun, NEW METHOD
Peaceful Fishing Fun with Time to Share Conversation
Braided Line, Fluorocarbon Leaders, Sharp Hooks

By Forrest Fisher

My fishing friend, Captain Frank Shoenacker (Infinity Charters), gets the net for another one of our 26 walleye caught in 3-4 hours of daylight fishing on Chautauqua Lake the Friday before Memorial Day. Forrest Fisher photo

“There’s one!” Frank shared, “Can you get the net Forrest.” It was actually, to be more correct, “another one.”

We started at 7 in the morning on the Friday before Memorial Day, the sun had not yet made it over the eastern hill at Bemus Point. Through about 10:30AM, we landed 26 walleye. Not joking. My fishing buddy and friend, Captain Frank Shoenacker (pronounced “sha-na-kir), enjoys fishing for walleye with rod in hand. “It’s real fishing,” he says.

When he’s not guiding for fun with guys like me to catch walleye to 6 pounds, he likes to work on his rigs, experiment with new baits, learn from other experts – like at the seminar series at the Niagara Outdoor Show every year, and also share what he knows too.

Our catch included a good number of throwbacks that were 1/8″ under the 15″ minimum, but being honest, I filled my limit fishing with fish to 24 inches long while spending a peaceful morning of conversation with this incredible fishing expert and friend. Secrets abound, some of them you need to find out from Frank himself, but think about it, 26 walleye. An amazing morning!

**The future for great walleye fishing at Chautauqua lake looks really good if the 14-7/8″ fish landed are any indication. Minimum size limit is 15″, 5 fish bag per day. Forrest Fisher Photo**

I felt like I was fishing in a throwback time. You remember those old days when going fishing meant leaving the rest of the world behind and just hoping to find some fish that would bite? That’s how it was with Frank. We’ve been fishin’ friends for a few years now because we share a passion for the fun and legacy of catching walleye in Chautauqua Lake (and Lake Erie), especially with rod in hand.

We leave the fancy toys, riggers, boards and all that behind when it comes to early season walleye fishing. I like to cast toward evening and into the night, but Frank prefers to catch fish in daytime hours (who doesn’t?) and shares his secret tactics with those folks that use his guiding services for charter fishing on Chautauqua Lake, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.

Frank says, “For the newbie fishing folks to enjoy the day and really have fun, I have learned the lesson that keeping it simple gets that done. Customers go home happy and with fish for the table if they want to keep ‘em.” When I saw how simple his tactics were, how savvy and coy they were at the same time, I was not just impressed, I was blown away.

**An 8HP, Four-Stroke trolling motor and wind sock combo allow total, fish-catching, boat control with the Shoenacker method. Forrest Fisher Photo**

As we moved from spot to spot collecting three or four walleye from each fishing zone, we shared conversation with 9 other boats out there vying for a fish-catching moment. In all, there was only one fish among them! Surprising to me? Yes! We were killing ‘em. Why? Stealth. Proper colors. Proper presentation. Fishing where the fish were (perhaps the biggest reason).

Cut weeds, floating weeds, short emerging weeds, all were present in the water, but no algae or moss. Seeing the weeds, you might agree, trolling is not an option. At least not an option that most folks might take. For Frank, it’s the one situation he likes the best. “No boat traffic this way,” he says with a smile.

He likes to use a modified troll using his 8HP/four-stroke engine with a drift bag to make the type of motion control possible that he wants for his 17-foot Lund fishing boat. Very slow forward motion in particular places, almost negligible motion…but there is motion, fish-catching motion.

Frank understands this motion thing quite well and can explain it. He puts the presentation on the fish where they are and then tantalizingly appeals to their sense of scent, visual attraction, lure motion and hunger using small baits. The scent of live nightcrawlers on his assortment of artificial worms in combination with vivid colors, stealth bead rigs and a unique catch-no-weeds arrangement, makes Frank’s home-made rig effective on Chautauqua Lake. Quite amazing really.

The motor was running, though I couldn’t hear it. As Frank reached for a Tim Horton’s Timbit, he looked over his shoulder at me and said, “It’s so good to be out here just fishing for fun today, ya know?” He tossed his line out about 40 feet behind the boat and told me to follow suit. He had the right side, I had the left looking back toward the transom. We caught one freshwater clam before moving to the next spot. “Lots of spots to fish,” Frank shared with a grin.

In similar depth water, we repeated the cast-out routine using his 7’ high tensile strength graphite St. Croix rods and Daiwa reels filled with 10-pound test Seaguar 832 braid and terminated with a fluorocarbon leader to the lure. You could feel every pebble, every bottom sensation and every nibble, tap-tap and anything else that contacted the lure. The rig provides the perfect rod-in-hand experience for every angler.

**Rod feel is important when fishing simple. This St. Croix “Eyecon” rod works well. Forrest Fisher photo**

Over the next two hours, we landed dozens of walleye, but we also hooked or caught other fish species too, including musky.

I raised my rod tip, there it was, one tap and a slight movement left, dragged the rod forward and wham, the fish slammed the lure, just like Frank said he would. This guy likes to share fun, that’s all I can say about this trip.

**“Get the Net” was a frequent expression that morning. The net is important to keep big fish from falling of and to keep little fish getting injured. Forrest Fisher Photo**

Frank catches walleye using a method with lures that he alone has perfected. Since I’ve been doing this for 60 years I can say that. The results are amazing on even a short day of fishing. Imagine 26 walleye, a 4-foot musky and so many other fish from a lake 17 miles long that thousands of anglers fish each year.

It pays to have some secrets, right? If you’re looking to share in this fun, look him up, Google Chautauqua Lake, Captain Frank Shoenacker (585-406-5764), Infinity Charters (www.tourchautauqua.com/Go-Fishing/Charters-And-Guides/Infinity-Charters-LLC.aspx?mid=15798&c=76) for simple fishing, rod in hand.

I enjoyed hearing that one expression we used so often, “Get the net!”

A most relaxing day!

Unforgettable.

Thanks Captain Frank.

Florida “TrophyCatch” celebrates first two Hall of Fame bass caught on Lake Istokpoga

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Ambor Nabors

There have been 430 Trophy Bass (8 lbs or more) caught in Lake Istokpoga since 2012
Only about a 1-hour drive from Orlando or Tampa
Many other large fish species live here too

**As an integral part of the Florida TrophyCatch program, all of these bass were released, so these trophies still swim in Lake Istokpoga.**

Experienced TrophyCatch anglers Adrian “Lunker Louie” Echols and Syl Sims recently caught the program’s first two Hall of Fame largemouth bass on Lake Istokpoga. Louie’s catch weighed 13 pounds, 14 ounces, and Syl’s catch weighed 13 pounds, 4 ounces and was caught using the Enigma fishing rod that he received for his Season 5 Hall of Fame catch.

“We are thrilled to celebrate Louie’s and Syl’s Hall of Fame club catches on Lake Istokpoga,” said KP Clements, TrophyCatch director. “Both of these gentlemen have numerous catches in the program, which highlights their great skill in catching the bass of a lifetime and their commitment to conservation by submitting their data to TrophyCatch to assist in the management of Florida’s trophy bass fisheries.”

The 27,692-acre Lake Istokpoga boasts quality fishing for panfish, largemouth bass and many other game fish species.

Lake Istokpoga is five miles northeast of Lake Placid in Highlands County and about a one-hour drive from Tampa or Orlando, places that many folks know when they visit Florida. This 27,692-acre lake boasts quality fishing for panfish, largemouth bass and many other game fish species.

Since TrophyCatch was launched in 2012, there have been 430 TrophyCatch-approved largemouth bass weighing 8 pounds or heavier caught on Lake Istokpoga. A total of 347 fish have been entered into the Lunker Club (8-9.99 pounds), 81 into the Trophy Club (10-12.99 pounds), and Syl and Louie’s Hall of Fame catches make the first two Hall of Fame Club bass (13 pounds or more) caught on Lake Istokpoga in the program’s history. As an integral part of the TrophyCatch program, all of these bass were released, so these trophies still swim in Lake Istokpoga.

TrophyCatch Hall of Fame anglers each receive Bass Pro Shops gift cards, Spiderwire merchandise, a custom fiberglass replica mount made by New Wave Taxidermy, an Enigma fishing rod and a plaque from American Registry commemorating their catch.

TrophyCatch is a partnership between Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) biologists, anglers and fishing industry leaders such as Bass Pro Shops, that rewards the catch, documentation and release of largemouth bass weighing 8 pounds or heavier in Florida. In order to be eligible for prizes, anglers are required to submit photos or videos of their catch to TrophyCatch.com, showing the entire fish and its weight on a scale, before releasing it back into the water. FWC biologists use TrophyCatch data to make informed decisions about the management of Florida bass fisheries and to promote the catch and release of trophy bass.

The FWC encourages anglers to join TrophyCatch as citizen-scientists that assist in fisheries management and the conservation of Florida’s lakes and rivers. A TrophyCatch mobile app is available for download on both Apple and Android devices. For more information about the TrophyCatch program, email Amber Nabors at Amber.Nabors@MyFWC.com.

NSSF, Project ChildSafe Elevate Call for Responsible Gun Storage During National Safety Month

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Bill Brassard

Center

Project ChildSafe’s S.A.F.E. Summer campaign reminds firearms owners to securely store firearms when not in use.

NEWTOWN, Conn. — Project ChildSafe^®, the nationwide firearms safety education program of the National Shooting Sports Foundation^® (NSSF^®), is urging all gun owners to make responsible firearms storage a priority — and providing the tools to do so — with the launch of its sixth annual “S.A.F.E. Summer” campaign.

Launched in conjunction with “National Safety Month” every June, S.A.F.E. Summer emphasizes the importance of storing firearms responsibly when not in use, especially during the summer months when children are home and more likely to be unsupervised. “S.A.F.E.” serves as an acronym for Store your firearms responsibly when not in use; Always practice firearms safety; Focus on your responsibilities as a firearms owner; and Education is key to preventing accidents.

“Summer is an important time for firearms owners to make sure they’re properly securing their firearms, both in the home and in their vehicles, as children may be spending more time unattended in these locations,” said NSSF President and CEO Steve Sanetti. “NSSF and Project ChildSafe encourage firearms owners and non-owners alike to talk with their families about firearms safety to help prevent firearms accidents, thefts and misuse.” Secure storage of firearms also can play a role in helping to prevent suicide by placing time and distance between an at-risk person and a firearm.

Through Project ChildSafe, firearms owners can obtain free firearm safety kits, including a gun lock, at local law enforcement agencies across the country. Project ChildSafe also offers a variety of educational resources free on its website. These include a S.A.F.E. Summer Quiz, information on safe storage options, brochures and a video series. New videos for 2018, developed in partnership with the National Crime Prevention Council, feature McGruff the Crime Dog, and teach children the four important steps to remember if they find a firearm or if someone they know brings one to school. Another video offers guidance to help parents talk about gun safety with their kids. Also available is the AFSP-NSSF Firearms and Suicide Prevention brochure developed by NSSF and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

NSSF launched Project ChildSafe (originally known as Project HomeSafe) in 1999 as a nationwide initiative to promote firearms responsibility and provide safety education to all gun owners. While children are a primary focus, Project ChildSafe is intended to help children and adults practice greater firearms safety. Through partnerships with more than 15,000 law enforcement agencies, the program has provided more than 37 million free firearm safety kits to gun owners in all 50 states and the five U.S. territories, which is in addition to the more than 70 million free locking devices manufacturers have included with new firearms sold since 1998. Project ChildSafe was also recognized as one of three finalists in the National Safety Council’s 2018 “Green Cross for Safety” Awards.

About NSSF
The National Shooting Sports Foundation is the trade association for the firearms industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of more than 12,000 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers. For more information, visit www.nssf.org.

Niagara Falls USA Fishing: Forecast for May 23, 2018 from Destination Niagara USA

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Bill Hilts

LOC Contest Winners Announced…BIG CASH WINNER$
Big Salmon, Big Brown Trout, Big Walleye, Lots of Smallmouth
It’s a Good Time to Be Fishing Niagara!

**Capt. Mike Johannes of On The Rocks and his second place team for the WHI.**

Congratulations to all of the derby and tournament winners! In the Wilson Harbor Invitational tournament last Saturday, it was Tom Allen’s A-Tom-Mik team winning the $20,000 check by scoring 162 points – based on 10 points a fish and a point per pound – for his 6 best salmon. Runner-up and earning a check for $10,000 was On The Rocks led by Capt. Mike Johannes of Ransomville. In the LOC Derby, the 28 pound, 10 ounce Oswego fish held up for the $15,000 Grand Prize – caught by Daniel Manti of Cortland. Salmon were being caught all around the lake. More than half of the salmon winners came from Niagara. Niagara Falls USA also produced the first place lake trout and the leading walleye. In the laker division, Steve Klejdys of North Tonawanda took top honors with a 22 pound, 5 ounce fish caught on the Niagara Bar. For walleye, it was Harry Crannell of Queensbury winning the division with a 12 pound, 1 ounce fish he also caught on the Niagara Bar. Capt. Chris Vogt of Albion won the brown trout division with an 18 pound, 1 ounce fish caught out of Bald Eagle Marina in Orleans County.

Lake Ontario

**Tom Allen and the A-Tom-Mik team show off their winning catch for the Wilson Harbor Invitational Tournament last weekend.**

After a crazy couple of weeks of salmon fishing on the lake, things slowed down a little bit as the waters need to set back up again following a northeast blow. Most consistent action has been to the northeast of Wilson and Olcott in 250-plus feet of water. Capt. Mike Johannes of On the Rocks Charters, coming off a second place finish in the Wilson Harbor Invitational tournament last weekend, reported he had to go a bit deeper on Tuesday morning. His best rigger was set at 80 feet down, divers were back 150 and he was hitting fish with 200 feet of copper wire out, too. Best baits were a Sea Sick Waddler and a 2-Face spoon. Everything was magnum size. Earlier, most of the fish were up high in the 30 to 60-foot range, with divers working the best getting spoons out away from the boat. Lake trout were stacked up on the Niagara Bar again, but there weren’t too many salmon around according to reports.

Next big events on the angling calendar include the Don Johannes-Pete DeAngelo Memorial Big Fish-Three Fish Contest on May 31 and the 34^th Annual Lake Ontario Pro-Am Salmon Team Tournament June 1-2. Check out www.lakeontarioproam.net. Deadline to register for the Pro-Am without a penalty/late fee is May 25.

**Daniel Manti of Cortland caught this 28-pound, 10-ounce king salmon to win the spring LOC Derby.**

Niagara River

Lower river trout and bass action continues to be good for boaters. Using three-way rigs, bounce bottom with minnows to take steelhead or lake trout. Lakers up to 17 pounds were reported this past week. Bass are hitting swim baits and tubes. White and silver jigs will work off the NYPA fishing platform for trout and bass. Silver bass were hitting along Artpark from shore. The Lewiston Landing area is still producing walleye at night on plastics. During the day, bass and sheepshead have been hitting zoom swim baits according to Gianni Etopio of Youngstown.

In the upper river, some big rudds have been hitting jigs, bass are all over the place and some walleye were hitting around Unity Island. For smallmouth bass, use tubes or swim baits around Strawberry or Motor islands. At the head of the river, bass were being cooperative there, too.

Have a great holiday weekend!

Bill Hilts, Jr., Outdoor Promotions Director

Destination Niagara USA, 10 Rainbow Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY 14303

p: 1-877 FALLS US | 716-282-8992 x. 303, f: 716-285-0809, www.niagarafallsusa.com

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Niagara Falls USA Fishing Forecast for May 16, 2018 – Destination Niagara USA

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Bill Hilts

Andries Maree of South Africa also caught some steelies in the lower river fishing with Marra

Fish Bite is HOT!
Upper Niagara River, Lower Niagara River, Lake Ontario
Smallmouth Bass, King Salmon, Walleye, Brown Trout, MORE

**Delegates from Poland visiting Niagara Falls for the CIPS International Fishing Congress reeled in some big bass from the Upper Niagara River.**

What a week is all we can say. The start of the Lake Ontario Counties Trout and Salmon Derby kicked off, the CIPS International Fishing Congress was going on and the Salmon Slam and $1,000 a Day Derby started on Monday, as a precursor to the Wilson Harbor Invitational Tournament May 19. Yes, there were plenty of things going on and, yes, the fishing has been great!

Some big catches have been coming to the scales in the Lake Ontario Counties Trout and Salmon Derby still going on right now. Even if you are going fishing for one day, take the chance and sign up. There are plenty of ways you can win some cash prizes. The leader for the $15,000 Grand Prize is Daniel Manti of Cortland with a 28-pound, 10-ounce king salmon caught off Oswego.

**Andries Maree of South Africa caught some nice steelhead in the lower Niagara River fishing with Captain Joe Marra.**

While anglers have been catching salmon at a variety of locations around the lake, the best place to be is still the waters off Niagara County. The king fishing has been crazy good so far this year. Kings can be found from the Canadian line off Fort Niagara to Wilson. Most are fishing water depths of 60 to 150 feet anywhere from 30 feet down to 90 feet down. Magnum spoons, flasher-flies and cut-bait rigs have all been working off riggers, divers and copper set-ups.

Look for the Wilson Harbor Invitational Salmon-only Tournament to be a good one this Saturday. Top LOC Derby lake trout so far is 22 pounds, 5 ounces from the Niagara Bar and weighed in by Steve Klejdys of North Tonawanda. Big brown trout is 15 pounds, 9 ounces caught by Gerald Darling of Maine fishing out of Oswego, and the walleye leader is an 11-pound Eastern Basin fish caught by Dan Peschler of Pulaski. Check out www.loc.org for details. It ends Sunday.

Niagara River fishing was really spotlighted during the International Fishing Congress the past week. There was a potpourri of fish species, with the focus being on bass or trout depending on where you were fishing.

Above Niagara Falls in the upper river, the Strawberry Island area was a hot one for smallies, fished with tubes or swim baits. There were several spots around Grand Island that were also good. There has been a good walleye bite off Unity Island at night.

Below Niagara Falls in the lower river, a similar night walleye bite is occurring at the sand docks in Lewiston with plastics like Fin-S Fish. If you are looking for a trout, try Devil’s Hole from boat or shore. Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls was starting to haul in some big silver bass as the water hit 45 degrees, along Artpark and off the NYPA platform. Some big smallmouth bass are also available from Lewiston down to Lake Ontario on Strike King swim baits and tubes. Andries Maree of South Africa hit a personal best just under 5 pounds on Monday.

Capt. Chris Cinelli of Grand Island had it happen again in the past week, catching another tagged smallmouth bass from the same event, the Canadian Tire Lake Erie Open, run out of the Upper Niagara River. For the fourth time, this one came from the lower Niagara River (yes, below Niagara Falls) after being reeled in by Steve Vargo from Vermont. He was dragging a Strike King tube. Cinelli has also caught one from the Upper Niagara River around Strawberry Island. Amazing!

**Mohamed Kaddah of Egypt shows off a big lower river steelhead caught with Capt. Joe Marra of Lewiston.**

Bill Hilts, Jr. – Outdoor Promotions Director

Destination Niagara USA, 10 Rainbow Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY 14303; p: 1-877 FALLS US | 716-282-8992 x. 303; f: 716-285-0809

Orleans County, NY / Lake Ontario – Fish Report for April 24, 2018

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Lynne Menz

Water Clarity Slowly Clearing in Trib’s
Fishing Pressure is Light, GET OUT HERE!
Look for Steelies, Browns and Rainbows as Waters Shift to Warmer

By Ron Bierstine, Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge

Nice spring weather is hanging in with warmer temps through the beginning part of this week. Flows in the Oak are hanging in at high with lots of upstream supply. Look for flows to stay up or possibly go higher with overflow water with any significant precipitation. Water color is slowly clearing with about 1 foot + of visibility.

For the last of the consistent steelhead action, the conditions are what they are in the Oak. If by the time flows will be significantly lower and clearer, look for warmer temps and post spawn or drop backs moving downstream and not so many fresh fish moving upstream. Water temps with the near forecast will be moving through the 50’s°F. For now, fishing pressure remains real light with just a handful of guys on the waterway and not a lot of reports back so far this week.

Through this past weekend, guys who got a drift or swing down and slow had some hook ups. Even a couple of hook-ups of hard fighting fish in warmer water temps is worth the effort. The other smaller tributaries have medium flows and just slightly stained water color. Look for scattered steelhead and drop backs and the chance for some lake run browns or rainbows. Any future significant precipitation could raise flows up in those smaller waterways too.

Click here to follow Ron’s report that he updates several times per week. Visit our Fishing Report on OrleansCountyTourism.com, including weather forecasts and current view of Lake Ontario from the Oak Orchard Lighthouse.

From Point Breeze on Lake Ontario, the World Fishing Network’s Ultimate Fishing Town USA and the rest of Orleans County, let’s make everyday a great fishing day right here in Orleans County!

Sincerely, The Team at Orleans County Tourism

Franklin, Pennsylvania – an Outdoors Treat for Mind and Heart

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Forrest Fisher

Peace and bronzeback fun abound on the Alleghany River near Franklin, Pennsylvania.

Trout Stream Fishing, a Spring Hatch, Fly Rod Fun
Smallmouth Bass, Light Lines, Tube Jigs, Screeching Drags, Double-Headers…a Musical Concert!
Riverside Camping near Franklin, Pennsylvania – Campfires, Peace, Eagles, Blue Sky…Unforgettable

By Forrest Fisher

**The morning fog rising off the Allegheny River as it flows through mountain valleys and near lands where footsteps have likely not yet travelled. Breathtaking to see in person.**

Last week was a journey week for Fern and I. We hitched up the GMC-1500 and travelled to Pennsylvania for a visit with fellow outdoor writers to share ideas, toss a few fishing lines, compare shotguns, quip about each other’s hair loss and joke about how we might climb the tallest mountain to hunt turkey where no one else could possibly be.

Some of us are getting too silvery between the ear lobes to climb much of anything that some might call a mountain – like the stairs to the second floor of the hotel. Still, we kid about it, it’s fun. It helps to laugh, since according to Fox News, laughing helps us all keep younger, the ultimate quest.

As writers, we share our love of the outdoors in every aspect. We talked about fishing rods, reels, boats, 4-stroke engines, shoes, waders, braided lines and fly lines, firearms, new laws, arrows, bows, boots, deer ticks, health insurance and the cost of gas, not necessarily in that order.

My friends in the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association are from an elite group of outdoor folks that love to share the one thing they want to help others find out about – the outdoors. The fun of hiking, fishing, camping, hunting and all the rest.

New terms in the last few years include kayaks, mountain bikes, mini-backpacks, ceramic forks and our dependency on space age communications…‘er, cellphones. We all agreed that the world seems to think we need these gizmos. We did not talk about Chinese exports and our own American need to overconsume everything, thank goodness, since the microbrews tasted so good.

**Western Pennsylvania near Oil City and Franklin, offer a step back into American history, American values, culture and the outdoors, all quite refreshing in our modern day and age.**

One evening as we walked down Main Street from our affordable and comfy Quality Inn hotel room in downtown Franklin, Pennsylvania, my wife said, “Isn’t it great to see families holding hands, talking and walking from one small shop to another, window shopping and just enjoying conversation?” Who could disagree?

Franklin is special in that regard, besides being right next to Oil City, where our life in the petroleum world started long ago. We are all lucky to live in America, but I was considering that we were really fortunate to find a place like this highly valued town. So to share more about this for friends and vacationers, if you’re looking for a clean, wholesome and healthy place to visit this summer, check out this National Heritage Oil Region in western Pennsylvania, where oil was discovered. I know, who of us knew?!

**Home that were built hundreds of years ago and used during Revolutionary War periods still dot the landscape along the Allegheny River.**

We visited the DeBence Antique Music World as a touring stop and we heard the sound of beautiful birds outside trying to overcome the music inside, all coming from mechanized musical instruments that were on museum display and were played for us visitors. Some of these things were straight from the Wild West and the Matt Dillon timeframe – including church air organs. I felt like we were in a time machine. The mosaic of musical gear we observed, provided a symmetry of sound that was beautiful, unamplified, all natural, and was mostly using simple air, simple springs, and old-fashioned ingenuity. No hidden circuitry, if you know what I mean. No permission to share your name, pictures, location or personal information. I miss those days.

We walked a bit farther down the sidewalk, passing undisguised church steeples and wooden-front stores and shops, all still in use, many built in the late 1700’s.

Spring flowers were in bloom alongside the shop venues when we stopped with our writer friends to have dinner at Benjamin’s Roadhouse. Simple wooden tables, wooden floors, a 200 year-old bar and undisguised comfort. We enjoyed live music too, blues and rock, from a group called the Max Schang Trio – you gotta love base, drums and guitar simplicity, half of us were singing! It was that melancholy good.

As we drifted back to the hotel to refuel our energy for the next day and a fishing adventure on the Alleghany River, our conversation embraced the unfussy life of the old days and life in the outdoors, and how good we felt visiting this town.

Healthy smallmouth bass that weighed-in at more than 5 pounds were caught by our friends and I… fun? I could only say…WOW! Yes! We landed more than 40 fish in just a few short hours. An unforgettable day on the river.

The next day, we each caught several dozen smallmouth bass casting trouble-free tube jigs. Simple fishing, albeit from a modern watercraft and using Gamma brand braided line – the good stuff, and made right in Oil City. Still it was simple, drag-screeching fun.

We observed campers in simple pop-up tents that had hiked down to the river bottom to overnight a stay and fish the shoreline of the river. Watching them cook breakfast took me back to my young family days and camping. Camping is much more than a place where you spend a small fortune to live like a homeless person! Many joke about that.

This adult bald eagle was having an argument with a red-tailed hawk that had decided it was better to find another meal and live another day. The bird-to-bird argument was audible from several hundred yards away – another unforgettable moment on the Allegheny River near Franklin, Pennsylvania.

Camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, even a simple lunchtime break, all allow us to observe nature and sort of “find ourselves.” Some say we all quest to find a deeper understanding for all things outdoors. Maybe, but we will find fresh air, silence, the sound of the wind shifting through the trees, the music of water rushing over rocks in a creek, and other hidden things that to learn more about outside. All devoid of over-complexity. In the outdoors, with nature, we look to form a special bond with our own universe and the simple natural world.

If we are lucky, we share such essential time with those special people that we share life with, our family and friends.

For more about this region, visit: www.oilregion.org.

Parsons, Kansas: Warm Country, Warm People, Big Deer and Lots of Turkey

Posted on January 23, 2024 by David Gray

No Traffic, Multiple Turkey Species Greet Visiting Outdoors Folks
Visit Parsons to meet and greet the Heartland of our USA

**Labette County, Kansas, offers sportsmen the adventure of a lifetime.**

By David Gray

The day started with the anticipation of attending the Outdoor Communicators of Kansas conference in Labette County, Kansas. The travel was to Parsons Kansas which is nestled in the southeast corner of Kansas, just west of Missouri, just north of Oklahoma. May 7, 2018 was a day well spent.

The drive to Parsons, Kansas, delivers a calm serenity. Turning south out of Kansas City the land quickly transcends from what some call city to what many call country. Hills, trees, and fields blend into scenery of all that nature presents in the heartland of America.

The highway is not clogged bumper to bumper. You drive with goodwill and absorb the view. A landscape of nature dotted with horses, cattle, turkey and deer. Everywhere you look is a place you would like to hike thru.

The land is changed from when it was part of the Cherokee nation, but a steady look can reveal many things that are much the same. Sameness in this light is a good thing.

Parsons, Kansas, is as so many towns in the heartland, full of people that are happy to see you and are happy themselves. Maybe some of their happiness comes from living so close to the land. The land opens its arms to greet you and presents itself ever so differently from the concrete, pavement, buildings and congestion of the metropolitan environment.

With only 10,500 people that reside in this peaceful city…Parsons, Kansas is one of those special places that many sportsmen consider among their top 10 places to take a hunting and fishing vacation.

This part of Kansas was well chosen by the Kansas Outdoor Communicators for a conference on how the outdoor media might best serve those who need to revisit the outdoors on a more regular basis. At the same time, the gathering introduced the area to those of us who also find time spent outdoors the best way to spend our time.

**Multiple species of turkey are present here, making Parsons a place to remember for future gobbler hunting.**

A great part of the outdoors is fishing and hunting. The Cherokee did it, our European ancestors did it and we Americans continue to do it. Those who do it best, do it with respect and connection.

Mixed with the conference business meetings and discussions, the attendees went to the land and water to participate. There are so many outdoor opportunities in this southeast corner of the great state of Kansas.

Maybe the best thing about Parsons, Kansas, is that people not only look at you and smile, but stop and talk to you. You may get asked where you are from and you likely get a warm welcome and sociable, “Thanks so much for visiting!”

That is nice. This place is special.

Southwick Associates Research Provides Top Hunting & Shooting Equipment Brands for 2017

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Dave Barus

Understanding our outdoor rules, regulations, policies and tendencies is what this group provides to all of us interested to keep our outdoor heritage alive and well. Check out the story.

April 30, 2018; FERNANDINA BEACH, FL. – Sportsmen are spending millions of dollars on hunting and recreational shooting equipment, but which brands are they buying? Southwick Associates surveyed more than 20,000 hunters and recreational shooters in 2017 through their online HunterSurvey and ShooterSurvey consumer panels to identify the top brands in the market.

In 2017, some of the most purchased hunting and shooting brands include:

Top rifle ammunition brand: American Eagle
Top reflex/red dot sight brand: Vortex
Top brand of scope mount: Leupold
Top propellant/powder brand: Pyrodex
Top bow brand: Bear
Top arrow brand: Easton
Top brand of nocks: Nockturnal
Top archery target brand: Hurricane
Top archery sight brand: Tru Glo
10.Top reloading press brand: Lee Precision
Top reloading brass shell case brand: Starline
Top reloading shot brand: Eagle
Top coverall brand: Bass Pro/Redhead
14.Top backpack/waist/duffle brand: Badlands
Top decoy brand: Zink/Avian-X
Top food plot brand: Mossy Oak Biologic
Top trail camera brand: Wildgame Innovations
Top hunting knife brand: Buck
Top holster/ammo belt brand: Blackhawk
Top choke tube brand: Carlson
Top grip/buttstock brand: Magpul

More than one hundred products are examined in the Southwick Associates 2017 Hunting & Shooting Participation and Equipment Purchases Report. This in-depth resource illustrates sportsmen’s participation and shopping behaviors, including the percentage of sales occurring across different retail channels, brand purchased, price paid, and demographics for hunters and shooters buying specific products. Additional information tracked includes total days spent per activity, type of hunting / shooting activity, preferred species and where they hunt.

In addition to the topline reports covering hunting and target shooting, annual reports are also offered for special segments including archery consumers, deer hunters, turkey hunters, and waterfowl hunters. These reports provide the industry with an in-depth profile along with trend insights on the specific market.

Custom, confidential research is also available to help understand brand awareness/perceptions, identify products most desired by consumers, optimal pricing, and more. To purchase a report or discuss custom research, contact Nancy Bacon at Nancy@SouthwickAssociates.com.

Southwick Associates is a market research and economics firm, specializing in the hunting, shooting, sportfishing, and outdoor recreation markets. For more than 25 years, Southwick Associates has established a proven record for delivering comprehensive insights and statistics assisting business and strategic decisions across the entire outdoor industry; from government agencies, industry associations and non-profit organizations, to affiliated businesses and manufacturers. Aside from custom market research, Southwick Associates also provides syndicated participation, media consumption and equipment purchase tracking studies utilizing their proprietary sportsmen panels.

Lower Niagara River, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario – Niagara Falls USA Fishing Report from Destination Niagara USA

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Bill Hilts

May 9, 2018 Fishing Report and Advice for Catching Fish
King’s Coho’s and Lake trout action in Lake Ontario is HOT
Smallmouth Bass in Lake Erie, Lower Niagara and Trib’s is HOT
It’s Tournament Time, check out the schedules below

**Capt. Pete Alex of Vision Quest Sportfishing shows off a big spring king salmon he caught over the weekend out of Wilson.**

It’s time for the long-awaited International Fishing Congress in Downtown Niagara Falls USA and delegates from around the world were greeted with bountiful sunshine and 80 degree temperatures. The first couple of groups wanted to sample Lake Erie’s smallmouth bass fishery and they weren’t disappointed. Swimbaits and spot-tail shiners were the ticket for most of the fish, including bass up to nearly 6 pounds and a musky around 39-inches that was immediately released.

Meanwhile, a group went after trout in the lower Niagara River. Action has been good for boaters, producing a mix of steelhead and lake trout. An occasional walleye and musky is also being caught. If you want to target smallmouth bass with artificial baits, they are also cooperating for anglers. Tube jigs and swim baits are the ticket for smallmouth; Kwikfish, MagLips and minnows/shiners for trout, all fished off three-way rigs. Shore guys are working the New York Power Authority (NYPA) fishing platform with jigs and spinners to take trout and a mix of whatever else swims in the river…like suckers, silver bass, smallmouth bass, muskellunge and maybe even a sturgeon!

Out in Lake Ontario, the fishing for kings turned on last weekend and is continuing, a great start for the LOC Derby set for May 11-20. For more details go to www.loc.org. Best salmon action with a mix of King’s, Coho’s and lake trout. Target 60 to 100 feet of water with spoons and flasher-flies. Greens and golds were working, but so are some glow colors. Fish are hungry. Water temps were around 45 degrees in the lake.

**Delegates and guests from Spain visiting Niagara falls celebrate some nice smallmouth bass that were immediately released.**

Our international guests will be hitting the lake Thursday morning and we hope to have some nice pictures to share in the future. You can check out photos of the media event at www.buffalonews.com/section/sports/outdoors to see an impressive gallery. In addition, don’t forget that the Wilson Harbor Invitational Tournament is set for May 19 and, as a lead-in to that big event, there are two other salmon contests that will be held from May 14 to May 18. The first is a $1,000 a day option for the biggest salmon caught each day. The second is the Salmon Slam. There are five days of fishing and the competition focuses on the best 7 fish for those 5 days. You pick and choose when to weigh a fish in. A certain amount of strategy is involved. Find out information on all three at www.wilsonharborinvitational.com.

Tributary action was very good over the weekend with a mixed bag of steelhead and smallmouth. With warming waters, though, the steelhead option could be a thing of a past by this weekend. All you can do is check it out. Jigs and egg sacs.

Remember that the Lake Ontario Pro-Am Salmon Team Tournament is set for June 1 and 2 this year, preceded by the Don Johannes and Pete DeAngelo memorial events on May 31. You can check out www.lakeontarioproam.net for details on the Pro-Am. For the Johannes/DeAngelo contest, stop in a Bootleggers or the Gas Shack in Wilson; The Boat Doctors or The Slippery Sinker in Olcott. Good luck and good fishing!

**Buffy Frank of Lockport had a banner weekend on steelhead and smallmouth bass in 18 Mile Creek near the Town of Newfane. She also caught some lunker bass!**

Bill Hilts, Jr., Outdoor Promotions Director

Destination Niagara USA, 10 Rainbow Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY 14303

p: 1-877 FALLS US, 716-282-8992 x 303, f: 716-285-0809

Sirens of Springs Remembered

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Matt Straw

springcrappies1

Crappie Fishing with Straw – Part 1 of 4
Secrets, Simplicity…18″ Crappies
Dad Taught Me So Much

Spring has its own unique textures and smells that recalls something familial. It draws me back Home, to spring crappies in lakes surrounded by the forests of the upper Midwest. Before the blossoms begin to bloom, I hear the Siren’s call of back bays and secluded, closed-in canals connected to bigger lakes, surrounded by gray trees, washed in gray light.

Not because crappies fight so very hard. Not because it requires any exceptional skill. Not even because they taste wonderful, as I generally prefer perch, bluegills, trout, and walleyes. But because they formed a small, but important part of the woven tapestry called Home in the mind of a little boy.

My father was a dentist and not at all a fisherman, but he had amazing carpentry skills. All in one winter, he built a boat in our open car port. A wooden boat, 12-feet long, so stable my brother, dad, and I could stand on one gunnel and it would hold a foot short of shipping water. It had a console, two comfortable seats, a windshield, a steering wheel connected to a 40-horse Johnson, and man could it fly.

Dad bought every imaginable accessory— water skies and tow ropes; inflatable toys; inner tubes; and four fishing rods, replete with slip floats, split shot, swivels, and size #6 Aberdeen hooks. A former captain in the Army Air Corps during World War II, he was quite thorough.

He didn’t know much about fishing and I was just 11 or 12, so he asked my uncles who said, “Buy some crappie minnows and plop them around by those fallen trees on the west shore of the lake.” So we did. That first spring we fished together several times, watching yellow-and-white bobbers drifting past the boughs of fallen trees in the west bay.

One afternoon, I pitched my bobber rig into the fork between two branches. After a minute or so, it began to move sideways and submerge ever so slowly. I waited until it was down completely and set the hook (my cousins taught me that much fishing from docks). Nice crappie, maybe a foot long. So my dad pitched right to the same spot. His bobber followed precisely the same routine and his crappie was a little bigger than mine.

Some 50 years later, I maintain no illusions that my memories of that day are pristine, but as I recall we kept taking turns pitching to the same spot for about half an hour. Each time the float submerged slowly. And each succeeding crappie was slightly larger than the last one. Dad caught the biggest one and we could get no more bites after that, so we left for my grandmother’s cabin to clean up a nice mess of fish.

This I do remember because somebody took a photo of the two biggest crappie lying next to each other beside a measuring tape. Both were over 18 inches long! In a half-century of trying, I’ve never since caught a bigger crappie. Being a young pup, I had no idea that there was anything exceptional about the size of those fish. That was the size crappies were supposed to be, I surmised. Dad, not being a fisherman, had no idea that his biggest crappie might rival the state record. And my grandmother cared about one thing and one thing only: Frying them up for dinner in that marvelous way she had, serving them with a glorious loaf of bread made in her oven that afternoon.

I remember dogwood blossoms in the trees, and a faint, sweet smell in the air. I remember my dad’s faint smile every time I brought a crappie flopping over the gunnel and onto the deck, those iridescent scales reflecting metallic flashes of purple, blue, green, and silver. After that first summer, we never really fished together again. He was busy building our house or playing golf— his favorite activity. But he introduced me to crappie fishing, which has haunted my spring life ever since.

Dr. Ronald W. Straw, Matt Straw’s dad, flew 19 combat missions in B-25’s as a Captain in the 14th Army Air Force—the Flying Tigers—under General Claire Lee Chennault in Burma.

Catch-and-release was not yet a topic in the mid-1960s, except in the presence of rare and gifted men like legendary angler Lee Wulff. People fished for fun, but it was generally accepted that you killed what you caught. I would, of course, never kill an 18-inch crappie today. In fact, we generally keep only four in the 10- to 12-inch range, releasing all specimens over a foot long. And if everyone else would (please) follow suit, maybe our kids could again see what an 18-inch crappie looks like. Even if only once.

Now I look out the window and see rain dripping from gray trees in April. Ice still clings to some of the larger lakes. I know crappies are already moving into those shallow bays to feed near spawning habitat. I sense their progress as they follow the wind, finding wood cover in the warmest water, making up for the deprivations of winter with minnows and invertebrates that gather there.

A ghostly image of Home haunts me as I gather my 7 to 8-foot ultralight rigs, stringing them up with bobber stops, slip floats, and small jigs. I can still see his silhouette in the swirling snow of that open car port, alone, slowly soaking and bending ribs and strakes into place with a series of clamps, quietly bonding us all together.

Look for Matt Straw to share Part 2, 3 and 4 of “Crappie Fishing With Straw” in consecutive weeks of “Share the Outdoors” starting today

New Records for NY Black Crappie and Walleye in One Weekend!

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Dave Barus

Brian Hartman with the 18 lb. 2 oz. walleye he caught from the St. Lawrence River, St. Lawrence County on May 5, 2018.

Cattaraugus County Black Crappie Topples Old Benchmark
St. Lawrence County Walleye Shatters Former Record

Two new state fishing records were set over the course of one weekend in New York recently, State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced today.

“High quality fishing opportunities abound across New York and announcing two record-breaking catches is the perfect way to kick-start the 2018 freshwater fishing season,” said Commissioner Seggos. “It’s remarkable that anglers broke these records back-to-back over a single weekend and from water bodies in different regions of the state. I encourage anglers to share their notable catches with DEC this year on social media and through our Angler Achievement Awards Program.”

Brian Hartman of Alexandria Bay eclipsed the 2009 state record walleye by more than 1.5 pounds when he caught an 18-pound-2-ounce walleye from the St. Lawrence River on May 5 using a swim bait.

**William Wightman with the 4 lb. 1 oz. black crappie he caught from** **Lake Flavia, Cattaraugus County on May 6, 2018.**

On May 6, William Wightman of South Dayton used a black marabou jig to reel in a 4-pound-1-ounce crappie from Lake Flavia in Cattaraugus County, exceeding the 1998 state record by five ounces.

Hartman’s record breaking walleye in St. Lawrence County water was caught on the opening day for walleye season, which runs from the first Saturday in May through March 15. Thanks to DEC’s walleye management efforts, walleye are found in every major watershed and are considered one of the most prized gamefish in New York State. These fish are also highly regarded as one of the best tasting freshwater fish.

Black crappie, also known as strawberry bass or calico bass, are found throughout the state in clear, quiet lakes, ponds, and rivers where vegetation is abundant. Spring is a popular time of year to fish for crappie, as these fish can be found in large schools in shallow water prior to spawning. Not only are crappie fun to catch, but like walleye, they’re great to eat, too.

Wightman and Hartman submitted details of their winning catches as part of DEC’s Angler Achievement Awards Program, which tracks state record fish. Through this program, anglers can enter freshwater fish that meet specific qualifying criteria and receive official recognition of their catch and a distinctive lapel pin commemorating the achievement. Three categories make up the program: Catch & Release, Annual Award, and State Record.

Photos of these and other record fish can be found on the New York State Freshwater Fishing Records page of DEC’s website.

For more information about the Angler Achievement Awards Program, including a downloadable application form, go to DEC’s website. Program details and an official entry form can also be found in DEC’s current Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide (PDF, 8MB).

For additional information on the Angler Achievement Awards Program, call (518) 402-8891 or email fwfish@dec.ny.gov.

New York Spring Turkey Season Opens May 1

Posted on January 23, 2024 by NYS Dept. of Env. Conservation

NYS Spring Turkey Season Opens May 1 at 30 minutes before Sunrise, thru Noon each day
Spring Turkey Season Ends May 31, Bag Limit is 2 male birds/season
Chautauqua County, NY had Highest Hunter Turkey Harvest in 2017

Spring turkey season opens May 1 in all of upstate New York, north of the Bronx-Westchester County boundary. With reproductive success below the long-term average in 2016 and 2017, coupled with harsh winter conditions this year, it is anticipated that the spring harvest will be down from last year. However, good hunting opportunities can be found throughout the state, particularly in regions with good nesting and poult success the last two years. The estimated turkey harvest for spring 2017 was about 17,500 birds.

Summer Turkey Sighting Survey 2017

DEC conducts the Summer Wild Turkey Sighting Survey annually during the month of August to estimate the average number of wild turkey poults (young of the year) per hen statewide and among major geographic regions of the State. This index allows us to gauge reproductive success in a given year and allows us to predict fall harvest potential. Weather, predation, and habitat conditions during the breeding and brood-rearing seasons can all significantly impact nest success, hen survival, and poult survival.

View, print, or download the complete 2017 Summer Turkey Sighting Survey report (PDF) (572 kB).

In 2017, we received over 900 reports of turkey flocks during the August survey, similar to last year, but significantly higher than previous years. The primary reason for the increase in the number of reports is improved awareness of the survey and the ease with which observations can be submitted on-line through the DEC website.

We received reports of 785 hen-flocks and the average number of poults per hen was 2.5. This is a decline from last year (2.8 poults/hen) and is the second year in a row where productivity declined. Reproductive success (as measured by this survey) gradually improved from the low observed in 2009 through 2015, but the past two years have been below the 10-year average. It is also important to note that reproductive success is lower over the past decade (2007-2017) than during the first ten years of the survey (1996-2006).

This year’s poult/hen estimate was the lowest observed since 2009. Only DEC Region 1 (Long Island) and 9 (Western NY) observed above-average reproductive success (about 3.7 poults/hen). About 23% of the hen-flocks observed in 2017 did not have poults. This is higher than last year and above the ten-year average (20%). Data from the National Agricultural Statistics Service indicate that rainfall averaged about 2.6 inches above normal from April through May and 4.8 inches above normal from April through June. Above-average rainfall in May and June likely negatively affected nest and poult success.

Based on the decline in reproductive success from 2016 to 2017 we expect the fall harvest to be lower than fall 2016. In areas with good hard and soft mast production, birds will be less vulnerable to harvest. Based on average to above-average production in 2014 and 2015 and two mild winters, there will be a greater proportion of adult birds on the landscape than last year.

How to Find Turkey Hunting Success on Public Land

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Mike Joyner

Scouting, Listening, Tuning-In
State Game Lands can offer Best Hunt Days!

By Mike Joyner

With a full day’s rest from an epic road trip to Ohio, mother’s day morning hunt proved to be much a surprise in so many ways. Having spotted turkeys in farm fields below public game lands in Truxton, New York – in Cortland County, I thought I might give it a go for a few hours before having to pick up flowers I had on order.

I found myself running behind and arrived too late to just march into the woods without listening for a bit. On my way there I spotted no other vehicles in the usual places and none parked anywhere in the state forest I had decided on for the hunt.

Mid-season on a weekend you would expect a few trucks to be parked along the roads and especially on state game lands. I eased up to where I hoped to start my hunt and to my surprise that along with gobblers sounding off that I knew I would barely able to hear, I had a bird not only on my side of the road, but not 200 yards from the seasonal road. To my advantage a heavy fog had rolled in, and the birds were still on the roost.

Knowing the terrain between us, I was able to cut the distance to a hundred yards and settled up against a big old maple tree. Mind you the bird was gobbling every 60-90 seconds without any encouragement.

With a barely audible set of tree yelps the bird gobbled back with a triple gobble, and spun around to face me as the gobbling got much louder. You could hear him rattle from the tree limb.

Knowing that there would be hens 300-400 yards below the ridge I would space out any calling by only responding after 3-4 gobbles. Even then it was very light confidence calls. Well past fly down time, the gobbler stayed in the tree and I went silent for 15 minutes. I heard his gobble change, become more insistent, and got drowned out with just a few whines and clucks. With a short cackle and a few very light purrs I went silent again as we were past 6:30 and the fog had eased up. I heard better than 70 plus gobbles and was surmising he would call up hens from somewhere out on the ridge.

Just past 6:30 AM the gobbling ceased and I would hear him gobble far to my left and down the hill what sounded to be 200-250 yards and on to private property. After trying him several times I decided to move as far as I could out on a shelf and hoped I could maintain contact with the bird.

After several attempts he gobbled once to let me know he had sailed down a long ways down the ridge. Although gobbling could be heard from birds we had spotted the night before and over a quarter mile from me. My side of the road went quiet.

Although I heard a change in his gobbling, nothing came of it until I made my next series of soft calls. The tom blasted out a gobble well under a hundred yards from me, and what I thought to be closing fast. Thirty seconds later along the edge of the shelf I was set up on, the familiar bright colors of a gobblers head bounced up and down as he ran up along the path he had chosen. At twenty five yards his head came up one last time as I squeezed the trigger.

The entire hunt lasted a little more than an hour and twenty minutes, with a ton of gobbling and a gobbler after all said and done that ran back up the hill in one big hurry. All in all, a very memorable hunt. Every bit as fast and furious as any hunt I have had on private property. It was a very short walk back up the hill to the truck.

I did make it in time to pick up the flowers and spend the rest of the day with my bride and in remembrance of the important women in my life.

Niagara Falls USA Fishing Forecast for May 3, 2018 – from Destination Niagara USA

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Bill Hilts

**Roberto Briones of Ottawa used his Jackson Kayak in the lower Niagara River to catch some nice bass on tube jigs…and even a 45-inch musky!**

Much warmer temperatures blanketed the area this week, bringing winds and some thunderstorms the tail end of the week. The temperature spike did trigger some fish to hit for the 23^rd Annual Niagara Spring Media Event that was happening all week in Western New York waters.

Because of the winds, one of the better spots this week was the lower Niagara River. It was a mixed bag of fish as a variety of trout, walleye and bass were all being photographed by the influx of outdoor media.

Mark Davis of Big Water Adventures TV Show was a photo subject with his 12-1/2-pound walleye caught on a swim bait. Yes, he was fishing for bass. Walleye season opens on Saturday, May 5 by the way, along with pike, pickerel and tiger musky. Just a quick point of clarification that tiger musky is only for inland waters.

Getting back to the lower river, bass anglers were doing well on some big fish. Todd Ceisner of Depew, editor of BassFan.com, hauled in a 5-pound, 9 ounce bronzeback and Gerry Benedicto, general manager with Seaguar Fishing Line, hit the scales at 5 pounds, 10 ounces for their biggest of the trip. Benedicto was chasing his personal best from these very waters a few years ago – 6 pounds, 13 ounces. Capt. Frank Campbell had a bass around 6 pounds for this week’s lunker board.

Roberto Briones, representing Jackson Kayaks, was bass fishing around Youngstown and he was surprised with a 45-inch musky, his biggest ever. Remember that musky season is closed this year until June 16, the 3^rd Saturday.

There are still steelhead and lake trout hanging around, along with an occasional brown trout. Up in the gorge, some good action off the NYPA fishing platform. Mike Rzucidlo and Mark Plennert, both of Niagara Falls, tag-teamed on some nice steelhead on jigs earlier in the week. Mike also hit a 10-pound red horse sucker. Hey, you never know what you are going to catch.

Up in the whirlpool area, Rich Pisa of Kenmore was hitting steelhead on pink egg sacs and jigs. Don’t forget that the Lewiston Smelt Festival is May 4 at Lewiston Landing starting at 5 p.m. Rain or Shine. No word on any smelt runs in case you are wondering.

**Rich Pisa of Kenmore this is steelhead in the gorge on a pink egg sac.**

Above Niagara Falls, Pisa and his dad, Richard of Tonawanda hit some nice lake trout and rainbows. There were some perch and crappie being reported in the canals and marinas around Grand Island, too.

Out in Lake Ontario, things are gearing up for the Lake Ontario Counties trout and salmon derby, set for May 11-20. Check out www.loc.org for details.

Of course, the best place to be on the entire lake is right here in Niagara Falls USA. Check out past leaderboards to see where the winners come from. More than 60 percent of all the winning fish come from right here. King salmon were being caught a bit more consistently just west of the Niagara Bar so timing should be perfect for the LOC event. It’s been a bit tough getting on the lake with all the wind. It looks like a good weekend, though. Trolling stickbaits off boards will be one approach for trout and Coho salmon. Salmon have been hitting plugs, spoons and spin doctors and flies if you want to give that a go. Olcott is hosting an ultimate fishing expo on Sunday, May 6 from noon to 5 p.m. Bring the kids for the NRAA fishing pond or the Niagara County Federation shooting trailer.

LOTSA has their next meeting on May 10 and this one will be on the dock at the Wilson Boat Yard next to the boat of Capt. Rich Hajecki and Yankee Troller. Learn about salmon fishing starting at 7 p.m. and this is open to the public.

Bill Hilts, Jr. – Outdoor Promotions Director

Destination Niagara USA

10 Rainbow Blvd.

Niagara Falls, NY 14303

p: 1-877 FALLS US | 716-282-8992 x. 303

http://www.hodgman.com/hodgman-outerwear-jackets/hodgman-h5-storm-shell-jacket/1447400.html

OUTDOOR GEAR: The Hunt for 4-Season Weather Gear

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Mike Pehanich

Hodgman H5 Storm Jacket and H5 Storm Bib
Hodgman Core INS Jacket and Core INS Bib Liner Pants
No-Nonsense, Easy to Use
Comfortable, Essential, Affordable and Effective

By Mike Pehanich

To choose the right gear…if you’re an avid four-season outdoorsman, the hunt for foul weather outerwear is never-ending.

Hence we return to the sportsman’s eternal quest for reliable weather protection in a selection of relatively lightweight apparel that satisfies a range of temperatures and conditions – and fits in a single suitcase or travel bag!

In late winter, Hodgman released an ambitious 4-piece mix of outerwear that just might simplify the packing decisions of many outdoorsmen.

Hodgman designed its new H5 Storm Jacket and matching H5 Storm Bib to team as needed with the new Hodgman Core INS Jacket and Hodgman Core INS Bib Liner Pants.

The 3-layer V-Tech™ H5combination provides comfort and versatility as an effective shell layer in inclement cold and delivers free movement and breathability as temperatures rise.
The latter Core INSjacket and bib combination comprises an extremely lightweight quilt style Thinsulate layer designed to zip and snap into the Storm Jacket and Bibs.

The modular foursome offers sportsmen comfort through a wide range of temperatures and storm conditions and the option, too, of wearing each item separately.

My first run with the H5 Storm Jacket proved ideal for testing basic comfort and design features. I ice-fished on a day that began below the freezing mark but warmed to the lower 50s before day’s end. With the H5, I wore the Hodgman Core INS Jacket and the matching Hodgman Core INS Bib Liner Pants. (The H5 Storm Bib arrived later, so I substituted a bib of comparable thickness to the H5 Jacket during this initial trial.)

The H5/INS combination was ideal that winter morning. I lugged gear and cut and cleared ice holes without chill or sweat.

Hodgman H5 Technology and Design

My H5 Storm team still awaits the ultimate test of a brutal all-day rain. But simulated storm tests have given credence to Hodgman’s tech claims.

Will it keep you dry in a downpour without generating so much sweat that it negates the value of a “waterproof” outer layer altogether? Every protective garment has its tipping point, but Hodgman likes how it has tipped the odds in the wearer’s favor with the H5’s 3-layer V-Tech material and salient design features.

Hodgman states that its 3-layer V-Tech™ material employs “ultra-breathable vapor transfer technology with a hydrophilic membrane to pull moisture aware from the body.” The outcome is an outer layer with “breathability, abrasion resistance and waterproof protection.” Hodgman credits a “durable water repellant” (DWR) outer coating for one-way moisture passage – from the inside out. Simply put, sweat escapes to the external surface of the garments, but, like the rain, snow, and sleet trying to enter, it can’t seep back in.

Hodgman H5 Storm Jacket Features

Weather exposes the best and worst in outerwear. Flaws in design, material or manufacturing execution at pressure points, pockets, seams, zippers, and openings can create tiny leakage funnels. Hodgman’s design safeguards these junctures with fully taped seams, watertight cinch cuffs, and an adjustable dual draw-cord hem. The most critical design component is the 500-denier Cordura seat and sleeves.

Disclaimer: Our assessment of this new storm wear comes without the test of time and the effects of many wear and wash cycles on the garment.

The new Hodgman storm set provides some nice angler-friendly features that walk the line between functionality and amenity.

Face Shield Hood

Chief among these is the ventilated adjustable wire-brimmed hood and “easy stow” face and nose guard. The former facilitates air passage in the face of wind or 60 mph boat speeds without turning the hood into a ship sail; the latter provides effective face protection with a unique and secure design that permits unobstructed vision.

During a storm years ago, the zipper failed on what was then the most stormproof jacket in my outdoor wardrobe. The storm exposed that otherwise faithful garment’s – excuse the metaphor – “Achilles heel,” the absence of a back-up means of closure. My single-handed grip on my jacket was not up to the task of keeping me dry against a blinding sideways rain and desperate boat run to shelter.

The 3-layer V-Tech™ H5 combination provides comfort and versatility as an effective shell layer in inclement cold and delivers free movement and breathability as temperatures rise

Hodgman heads off such crises by adding a critical redundancy. The YKK Aqua Guard center front zip has a double rain guard, a series of effective loop-and-hook fasteners.

What’s a YKK zipper?

YKK stands for the company founded by Tadao Yoshida, Yoshida Kogyo Kabushikikaisha. Yoshida earned his fame creating customized zipper machines. YKK reportedly manufactures in excess of 7 billion zippers each year.

Hodgman designed its new H5 Storm Jacket and matching H5 Storm Bib to team as needed with the new Hodgman Core INS Jacket and Hodgman Core INS Bib Liner Pants.

Other features include low chest-positioned tool accessory D-rings for forceps, pliers, line clippers, etc.; a soft low profile anchor point for kill switch or small tools; a pair of YKK zip hand pockets that offer easy access to underlayers; two YKK Aqua Guard vertical zip chest pockets; and an inner security pocket.

MSRP Hodgman H5 Storm Jacket: $299.95

Hodgman H5 Storm Bib Features

In its H5 Bib, Hodgman aimed to reduce or eliminate water seepage to inner clothing and the skin when sitting on a wet carpet or boat seat or kneeling on wet ice. The bib incorporates a waterproof shell fabric with a 20k waterproof rating, selected to be effective in all-day rains. The 500 denier Cordura material used in the seat, knees and hem protects against leakage or absorption. The same hydrophilic laminate used for the jacket draws sweat away from the body.

What does a 20K waterproof rating mean?

In static-column waterproof testing, a one-inch tube filled with water stands vertically over the test material. The water’s height in millimeters when leakage begins determines the rating. A 20K rating indicates that the fabric can withstand a pressure of up to 20,000 mm before leaking.

I wear bibs most of the time in cold weather whether precipitation is in the forecast or not! (I’m a strong believer that keeping the lower back warm is critical to maintaining comfort when wind and a short column of mercury are in your forecast.) That’s why I place a premium on a bib that is easy to don, remove and wear all day.

I was impressed with the “articulated R.O.M. fit” that Hodgman boasts. In fact, I wore the bib at my desk and around home and office to test range of motion. I even did some high knee lifts and other calisthenics. Credit a tailored blend of breathable 3-layer waterproof/windproof V-Tech fabric and 500 denier Cordura material for seat, knees and hem for comfort and protection against the elements.

Two-way YKK leg zippers make access to pockets for phone, wallet, and car keys a breeze. These are particularly important features in this age of minute-by-minute photos, videos, text messages and business calls. The H-back elastic suspenders with Duraflex buckles are there for standard bib adjustment. But right and left draw-elastic waist adjustment straps secured by (“Super Grip”) hook-and-loop fasteners all but eliminate shoulder fatigue. Snap leg hems offer three adjustments.

A welcome feature in the Hodgman H5 Bib is its relief zipper. Ancient wisdom holds that when you’ve got to go, you gotta go! A bib that binds you like a straightjacket and takes more time than a mummy’s wrap to unpeel when the bladder is begging for mercy is hard to befriend. Thankfully, the way to relief is simple with the H5. No need to remove jacket, unhinge suspenders, and perform a balancing act on accordion legs when Nature calls. A series of quick zips and…hey, you’re good.

MSRP Hodgman H5 Storm Bib: $299.95

http://www.hodgman.com/hodgman-outerwear-bibs/hodgman-h5-storm-bib/1447399.html

Both the H5 Jacket and Bibs are currently available in Digi Camo Charcoal color in six sizes ranging from Small to 3XL.

The latter Core INS jacket and bib combination comprises an extremely lightweight quilt style Thinsulate layer designed to zip and snap into the Storm Jacket and Bibs.

A note on Hodgman Core INS Jacket and Bib Liner Pant

The cold weather versatility of this outerwear combination comes to fruition with the addition of the Core INS Jacket and Bib Liner Pant to the basic H5 Storm Jacket and Bib combination. These lightweight quilted layers, which can also be worn separately, feature Thinsulate Platinum Insulation fibers that Hodgman claims “are up to 10x smaller than fibers of other synthetic insulations,” and deliver double the warmth. Tune in for a detailed review of these companion garments.

MSRP Hodgman Core INS Jacket: $129.99

MSRP Hodgman Core Bib Liner Pant ; $129.99

In its H5 literature, Hodgman invokes its “Grit Gear Commitment” – “Gear with grit and an iron clad development process that yields performance day after day for years to come and adds “…we don’t sell our gear until we’ve field tested it and beat it up to the point we’re absolutely sure that you can’t find a better protective garment.”

Hodgman gear is now being shipped to retailers across the nation and is also available online for ordering. To learn more about new Hodgman gear now available, please click to visit http://www.hodgman.com.

Give Turtles a BRAKE! Motorists Advised to Be Alert for Turtles Crossing Roadways

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Dave Barus

Painted Turtle

New York Motorists Encouraged to Safely Move Turtles to Side of the Road

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today reminded the public that the state’s native turtles are on the move in May and June, seeking sandy areas or loose soil to lay their eggs. Drivers that see a turtle on the road should use caution-not swerve suddenly or leave their lane of travel–and take care to avoid hitting turtles while driving.

In New York, thousands of turtles are killed each year when they are struck by vehicles while migrating to nesting areas. New York’s 11 native species of land turtles are in decline, and turtles can take more than 10 years to reach breeding age. The reptiles lay just one small clutch of eggs each year, which means the loss of a breeding female can have a significant effect on the local turtle population.

This time of year, it is especially important to be on the lookout for turtles and to drive cautiously, particularly on roads near rivers and marshy areas. If a turtle is spotted on the road or near the shoulder, drivers should safely stop their vehicle and consider moving the turtle to the side of the road in the direction the reptile is facing. Drivers should only stop and move turtles when it safe to do so and should never put themselves, their passengers, or others at risk.

Most turtles can be picked up by the side of their shells. Do not pick up a turtle by its tail. Picking the turtle up by its tail may frighten or injure the reptile.

It’s important to use extreme caution when moving snapping turtles; either pick the turtle up at the rear of the shell near the tail using two hands, or slide a car mat under the turtle to drag the turtle across the road. Do not take native turtles into personal possession. All native turtles are protected by law and cannot be collected without a permit. Snakes can sometimes also be seen crossing or basking on the road. If safe to do so, please slow down and steer around them.

For more information on protecting turtles and other reptiles, visit DEC’s website. Read more about turtles in the June issue of DEC’s The Conservationist magazine. Don’t miss out–subscribe today. Call 1-800 678-6399. View the new digital issue at The Conservationist webpage.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to open brief opportunity for public to shape analysis of Pebble Mine plan

Posted on January 23, 2024 by stoadmin

Anglers and fishing business owners urge comprehensive, thorough impact analysis and extended comment period.

ANCHORAGE, AK - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced it will open a 30-day public comment period, beginning April 1, to collect input on the scope of its analysis of Pebble Limited Partnership’s mine plan. This is the first formal opportunity for the public to comment on the latest proposed mine plan, which was submitted to the Corps of Engineers last December.

“Limiting a comment period to just 30 days is not enough time for public input and participation, especially with inadequate application materials on the table. The Pebble Partnership is attempting to fool Alaskans by submitting an application that covers just the first phase of mine development,” said Nelli Williams, Alaska director of Trout Unlimited. “A giant mine proposal slated for the heart of salmon country demands a thorough process with ample opportunity for public input and that encompasses the full picture of Pebble’s impacts, not just what is convenient for Pebble to release right now.”

The current permit application is limited to the Pebble Partnership’s plan to develop the first 1.2 billion tons of the nearly 11-billion-ton deposit, despite the fact that the Partnership has clearly signaled to potential funders its intention to build a much larger mine.

“Even this initial application for the first phase of the mine makes clear that the Pebble Partnership cannot protect clean water and salmon in Bristol Bay, or the landscape conditions that attract anglers from around the globe, if the mine is developed,” said Williams. “Pebble Mine would fundamentally alter a world-class fishery upon which family businesses and 37,000 recreational fishermen rely, and rivers that are slated to bring 60 million wild salmon to the region this year.”

The Corps of Engineers is the lead federal agency for three on-going permitting processes – the Alaska Stand Alone Pipeline, the Nanashuk Project, and the Donlin Gold Project. For each of these projects, the initial comment periods ranged from 75 to 106 days.

Pebble is by far the largest mine ever proposed in Alaska and threatens catastrophic impacts to the headwaters of the world’s largest wild sockeye salmon fishery, yet the Corps of Engineers is offering a mere 30-day scoping period. This is the shortest of any active permitting process requiring an Environmental Impact Statement overseen by the Corps of Engineers in Alaska.

In December 2017, the Pebble Partnership filed a permit application to the Corps of Engineers with incomplete fisheries and water data and without proof of financial viability. The application contains plans to dredge and fill more than 4,000 acres of wetlands in the Bristol Bay region during initial development of the proposed Pebble mine. The mine and supporting facilities will run continuously for 20 years, according to the current plan.

Take Action: http://www.savebristolbay.org/take-action/.

Trout Unlimited is the nation’s oldest and largest coldwater fisheries conservation organization. In Alaska, we work with more than 100 angling businesses and thousands of individual sportsmen and women to ensure the state’s trout and salmon resources remain healthy through our local chapters and offices in Anchorage and Juneau. Follow TU on Facebook and Twitter, and visit us online at tu.org and savebristolbay.org.

Fish On! Bass Fishing after ICE-OUT on Lake Erie

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Forrest Fisher

Rust-free Jigheads w/Flambeau Outdoors Tackle Storage w/Zerust® Dividers
Abu-Garcia Veritas Rods, SX30 Reels, 8# Seaguar AbrazX clear fluorocarbon line
Strike King Tubes and Paddle Baits (Green Pumpkin)
Safety First! Wear Life Jackets, the Water Temp was 36 degrees
Eastern Basin Lake Erie EARLY SEASON SECRET: 3-Way Rigs, Long Leaders, Live Golden Shiners

**Charlie Puckett (left) and Captain Terry Jones share the fun of catching that first fish of the year on Lake Erie near Buffalo, NY – the water temp was 36!**

By Forrest Fisher

My alarm went off at 6AM, the coffee pot came to life, my gear was ready at the door to move to the truck and it was just then that I looked out there. SNOW?! What?! Can’t be, I thought, but sure enough, the white stuff coated my semi-new truck and made it really glisten. Santa would be proud. I just smiled to myself and said, “It’s ok, I’m going fishing with friends today.”

For the record, spring is here! You know it, I know it, we all know it. So this past weekend on Sunday, I contacted on old friend that is a bass fishing guide on Lake Erie and a new friend who works for Flambeau Outdoors – the tackle box storage company that never fails. We decided to wet a line in Lake Erie where ice-out happened just days ago.

Captain Terry Jones from First-Class Bass Fishing Charters asked us to meet at Anchor Marine boat launch on Grand Island at 9AM, so Charlie Puckett and I did just that. Terry hollered over, “I’ve got plenty of gear guys, just bring the coffee and hop in, got golden shiner live bait too, we’re good to go.” Don’t know about you, but anytime the moment of truth arrives, you know, that a fishing day plan is going to happen for certain, my heartbeat quickens a bit. It’s exciting! Especially when you head out to fish for giant springtime Lake Erie smallmouth bass in a brand new Lund 1875 Impact boat package, complete with a Motor Guide Xi5 electric bow motor and two Lowrance Elite sonar units that can spot fish to give us a little confidence that we might catch a few.

**Motorguide electric bow motor, Mercury 4-stroke main engine, Lowranace electronics, Abu-Garcia rods and reels, Seaguar line…NICE.**

Of course, Mother Nature was doing her best to remind us who is boss after every sunrise. The water temperature had dropped to 36 overnight, the wind was wavering between 5 and 15 mph from the west-northwest, the waves were growing. Not sure why we were all still smiling with wet raingear on after reaching the rocky shoal about 6 miles above the Peace Bridge.

The 4-stroke 150HP Mercury was purring along so sweetly to move us around on the shoal, we couldn’t even hear it. After 45 minutes, Captain Terry said, “OK, let’s go to another spot where we might find some active fish and the wind might be quieter.” I was thinking that’s exactly what other great smallmouth bass anglers like VanDam, McClelland, Hartman and my father – who loved to fish for smallmouth, might suggest too. One thing for sure, we would not be working topwater baits!

We headed for a rock pile near Woodlawn Bar, not far from the shoreline windmill farm near the old Bethlehem Steel plant in Lackawanna, New York. A few minutes later, we switched lures to Strike King tube jig tails (green pumpkin color) with Captain Terry’s custom (home-made) football jig heads inserted, all coated with a dash of his secret smell attractant, and we let our lines down to drift and jig in 33 to 38 feet of water.

**Flambeau tackle box storage divider systems are now coated with Zerust® to help prevent or minimize rusty hooks. It helps to keep your hooks razor sharp.**

As we did that, with Captain Terry’s tackle box open and about 100 jig heads in all sizes looking at us, Charlie shared the latest about the new Flambeau tackle box divider packs. He said, “Yep, these are the best, our storage box divider systems are now coated with Zerust®, a patented, infused plastics technology that emits an odorless, harmless vapor in the container area of your storable latch-down tackle box. It provides rust and corrosion protection. No more rusty hooks!” You can check it out at www.flambeauoutdoors.com. The new gear today, like these dividers, do help anglers “be better out there.” The new stuff never ceases to amaze me.

My 7’-0” Abu-Garcia Veritas rod and Abu SX-30 reel with 8-pound Seaguar AbrazX clear fluorocarbon line was working perfectly. It was throbbing every now and then, my trailing jig tail was navigating the rocks and bottom rubble, hopping, dragging along, moving slowly, and acting attractive and vulnerable. As I was concentrating on the highly visible white rod tip…so easy to see from inside the boat, Captain Terry hollered, “FISH!”

The lone line we had trailing with a 3-way rig and a golden shiner lip-hooked from a size 1 Mustad circle hook suddenly bent clear down to the water. Charlie grabbed the rod and the first fish fight of the day was on. A few minutes later, we slid the net under the 4.6 pound female that was still hard with eggs. The 20-inch fish was also waiting for spring weather. One or two pictures later, we carefully released this healthy bass back to the depths to live another day.

The perfectly-sized golden shiners came from Tony Scime’s Tackle Shop (716-444-1704) in the heart of the Upper Niagara River fishing district on Niagara Street in Buffalo, New York. A good place for anglers fishing the FLW Costa Bass Fishing Tournament out of Buffalo to pick up Strike King jigs, tails, tackle, supplies and the hottest baits at the time. The summer tournament is set for July 26 – 28, 2018, (https://www.flwfishing.com/tournaments/2018-07-26-lake-erie-buffalo).

We tested the Lake Erie Buffalo Harbor waters near the south gap, the middle gap and near Motor Island in the Upper Niagara River before realizing it was already 3PM. How did that happen? When you’re having fun with friends, time flies.

**Dressed for warmth, Charlie Pukett and Captain Terry Jones cross under the Peace Bridge that connects Buffalo, NY with Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada, as the current rushes by at up to 18 mph.**

The Lowrance sonar showed us that fish were present, but they were sluggish and the water color was not the best. It didn’t matter, we were enjoying conversation, fresh air and outdoor camaraderie.

All of us had spring things to do, like everyone, but this day was simply the best way to kick off the Lake Erie fishing year. If you want to do the same, give Captain Terry a call at 716-875-4946 or look him up at www.1stclass-bass.com.

Imagine that sound, “Fish On!”

Be sure to dress in layers to stay warm right after ice-out on the big water lakes, but GO GET ‘EM!

Niagara Falls USA Fishing Forecast (April 26, 2018) – from Destination Niagara USA

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Bill Hilts

Smelt Run is Triggered by Rising Water Temps
Lower River Fishing is HOT for Steelies, Lakers
Warming Trend – Fish are Dropping Back in Trib’s

**Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls, NY, with a nice steelhead he caught fishing from shore off the New York power Authority (NYPA) fishing platform this week with jigs, his lure of choice.**

It looks like the weather is finally breaking. Lower river drifters were doing well again according to Capt. Frank Campbell of Niagara Falls. He has hit steelhead and lake trout all week using minnows, egg sacs, MagLips and Kwikfish throughout the river, all fished off three-way rigs. Water conditions have been good.

The smelt could be running any day in the lower Niagara River if temperatures are the main trigger point. However, the Lewiston Smelt Festival is still on the calendar for May 4 at Lewiston Landing starting at 5 p.m. There will be over 400 pounds of smelt cooked up by the Niagara River Anglers Association.

Speaking of the lower river, the NYPA fishing platform has re-opened. Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls was 5 for 8 on steelhead using jigs on Wednesday.

For Lake Ontario and tributaries, flows were back to normal at 18 Mile Creek and Burt Dam, according to Wes Walker of The Slippery Sinker in Olcott. However, the water was still a bit stained and temperatures were in the mid-40’s in the creek. Those temperatures will start to rise and trout will drop back and leave the creek soon. Fish are still available for now. Egg sacs, egg imitations and jigs are all good baits to try.

Out in Lake Ontario, it’s been a tougher go with the winds. A mud line extended to 120 feet off Olcott earlier in the week, but things should start to settle a bit more by the weekend. Winds have kept people off the piers and smaller boats from chasing salmon and trout.

Remember that some of the bigger fishing contests have been pushed back by a week or two.

The Lake Ontario Counties Trout and Salmon Derby (www.loc.org) for the spring will be held this year from May 11-20.

The Wilson Harbor Invitational Tournament is May 19 (www.wilsonharborinvitational.com).

The Lake Ontario Pro-Am Salmon Team Tournament is June 1-2 out of Wilson and Olcott. Check out www.lakeontarioproam.net.

The Don Johannes/Pete DeAngelo one fish-three fishing contest is May 31. Stop in at the Gas Shack in Wilson or the Slippery Sinker in Olcott for details.

**Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls, NY, with a nice steelhead he caught fishing from shore off the New York power Authority (NYPA) fishing platform**

If you can make it on the lake, the shoreline trolling for browns, the occasional Coho and steelhead can be caught on stickbaits like Bay Rats, Challengers and Live Target lures. For those of you looking for Kings, they’ve been picking up a few, but exact details are sparse with the first tournament of the year kicking off this weekend in St. Catharines, Ontario.

Pen rearing projects are in full swing right now, with pens in place in Olcott, Wilson and the Niagara River out of Youngstown.

The Niagara County Federation of Conservation Clubs has rescheduled its awards banquet, set for May 19 at Terry’s Corners Fire Hall. Call Dave Whitt at 754-2133 for more information or to reserve your ticket.

Good luck out there and enjoy yourself.

Bill Hilts, Jr. – Outdoor Promotions Director

Destination Niagara USA

10 Rainbow Blvd.

Niagara Falls, NY 14303

p: 1-877 FALLS US | 716-282-8992 x. 303

New York DEC Announces 2018 I Bird NY Challenges

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Dave Barus

I Bird NY Engages New Yorkers of All Ages and Abilities in Beginning Birding
Connecting New Yorkers with Nature

**Birds are everywhere in nature, but can be found in surprisingly public places too, like this sweet singing Mockingbird. Forrest Fisher Photo**

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos recently announced the launch of two birding challenges for 2018 through the State’s “I BIRD NY” program. I BIRD NY was launched by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo in 2017 to build on the State’s efforts to increase access to New York’s vast natural resources and promote low-cost opportunities to explore the great outdoors and connect with nature.

DEC Commissioner Seggos said, “Birding can be enjoyed by New Yorkers of any age and ability, no matter where they live. I BIRD NY is making it easier than ever to get outside and enjoy birdwatching. I encourage residents and visitors alike to take a trip and experience some of New York’s prime bird watching areas. For competitive birders out there, I encourage you to participate in this year’s Birder Challenge.”

I BIRD NY encourages New Yorkers to engage in birding all year long. From Montauk to Buffalo, New York is home to a wide array of habitats that support more than 450 different bird species. There are also 59 Bird Conservation Areas across the state. Bird watching is one of the fastest growing outdoor recreational activities that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and experiences in any community.

To help encourage young people to get outdoors, DEC is hosting an I BIRD NY Beginners Birding Challenge (PDF, 892 KB) open to anyone 16 years of age and younger. All participants will receive a completion certificate, an official I BIRD NY bracelet, and be entered to win birding accessories, including binoculars and spotting scopes. To complete the Beginners Birding Challenge, participants must find 10 common New York bird species.

This year, DEC is introducing a new birding challenge open to adults. Current birders are encouraged to take birding to the next level by taking the I BIRD NY Experienced Birder Challenge. To complete the challenge, birders must find at least 10 of 50 listed bird species found across New York State. All participants in this challenge will receive a special certificate, bracelet, and be entered into a drawing for a spotting scope. All entries for the two challenges must be received by September 30, 2018.‎

This year makes an especially good time to engage all New Yorkers in the appreciation and protection of bird species. 2018 has been named the Year of the Bird by the National Audubon Society, National Geographic, BirdLife International, and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

“Audubon New York applauds the DEC’s continued commitment to connect New Yorkers to nature through the joys of birdwatching, and we thank the Commissioner for embarking on this worthwhile and fun initiative”, said Ana Paula Tavares, Executive Director, Audubon New York. “We look forward to working with the DEC to provide opportunities for New Yorkers to engage in these challenges and to enjoy birding through our statewide network of nature centers, sanctuaries, and local Audubon chapter programs.”

The need for outdoor recreation has never been greater. According to the National Wildlife Federation, childhood obesity has doubled over the past 20 years and the average American child spends as few as 30 minutes in unstructured outdoor play each day, and more than seven hours each day in front of an electronic screen. Accessible state lands, parks, and facilities can promote physical activity, an important element of overall wellness. These assets provide low-cost opportunities to explore the great outdoors and to connect with nature.

Birding and wildlife watching also provide significant economic impacts to New York’s communities. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, wildlife watchers spent $4.2 billion on wildlife-watching activities in New York State in 2011.

Visit I Bird NY to find the two challenges, and for information on where and how to bird watch, upcoming bird walks and other events, a downloadable kids booklet, and additional resources.

Hunter Safety System Introduces the Lady Hybrid Harness

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Karen Lutto

Lady Hunter’s Need to be Safe…and Looking Good!

DANVILLE, Ala. (April 23, 2018) – In recent years, the number of women spending time in tree stands and putting fresh meat on the table has continued to rise. In order to keep these women hunters safe, comfortable and looking their best, HSS now offers a Lady Hybrid Harness.

The Lady Hybrid’s streamlined cut is designed to be the most comfortable and most technologically advanced safety harness available. Built on the patented lightweight HSS harness system, which provides unparalleled strength and comfort when seated or standing, the Lady Hybrid upper features a lightweight, breathable mesh to keep the hunter cool during hot days. The lower features six pockets, including four storage pockets and two deep-well hand pockets. The Lady Hybrid also comes standard with an upper adjustable chest buckle for proper fitting.

Unique to new Hunter Safety System harnesses this year, the HSS Lady Hybrid features a convenient integrated USB port. Simply insert a compatible USB battery pack into the vest, and charge devices anywhere.

The new Lady Hybrid will include ElimiShield® Hunt Scent control technology. ElimiShield utilizes a proprietary nanotechnology that kills over 99.99% of odor-causing bacteria at the cellular level and forms a bond with the treated article that lasts for more than 50 commercial washes. By treating the harness with the ElimiShield in the manufacturing process, it will be protected from mildew and odors after being exposed to sweat and moisture while in use and then packed away in storage during the off-season.

Each Lady Hybrid comes with sound dampening buckles, deer drag, suspension relief strap and a Lineman’s Climbing Strap. This new lightweight ladies harness, weighing only 2.5lbs, will be available in limited quantities by mid-June. It is offered in S/M and M/L in Mossy Oak® Bottom Land® Classic and will retail for $119.95.

Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Danville, Ala., Hunter Safety System is a leading designer and manufacturer of innovative deer hunting gear and hunting equipment for the serious hunter. The company has exclusive rights for use of ElimiShield in the hunting industry. For additional information, write to: The Hunter Safety System, 8237 Danville Road, Danville, AL 35619; call toll-free 877-296-3528; or visit www.hssvest.com.

Clam Pro Tackle – Offers New Open Water Tungsten Jigs

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Dan Stefanich

Heavier, Smaller, More Dense Jigs offer Increased Sensitivity and are Environmentally Safe

By Dan Stefanich

The secret to catching fish through the ice is out and being embraced by open water anglers. For many years, Clam Pro Tackle has been helping ice anglers achieve success from enjoying the benefits of tungsten jigs in a vertical presentation. With CPT365, Clam Tackle innovators are giving all open water anglers a new deadly weapon for their arsenal – the Drop Tg (tungsten jig).

The evolution of Clam Pro Tackle continues in the form of the Drop Tg. This industry-first multi-species jig brings the many advantages of tungsten to open water anglers. Bass, walleye, pike and panfish anglers that use vertical tactics will quickly see its benefits.

Heavier and More Dense:

Drop Tg is heavier than lead for the same size.
Smaller profile but heavier offers better jig control and sensitivity.
Punches faster through weeds and cover
Plummets fast to deep water schools of fish
30% smaller in size than the same weight lead jig, offering a smaller profile for pressured or finicky fish
1.7x heavier density than lead- Denser tungsten shows up better on graphs and sonar

Vertical Position Retention

In deep water and current, Drop Tg jigs keeps line vertical to help keep contact with the bottom and detect more bites. The heavier Drop Tg also keeps curls and kinks out of the line for better bite detection, hook sets and increased hook-up ratios.

Increased Sensitivity

Lead absorbs impact. The harder Tungsten does not, instead transferring the energy of impact with a rock, sand, mud, wood structure, log or a bite on through to the line and ultimately to the angler. The result is more “feel” of your jig as you work it through cover, thus improving the bait presentation, felt bites and a higher hookup rate.

Makes More Noise

Lead absorbs sound. Harder tungsten makes more noise to attract fish when coming in contact with rocks, boulders and other structure. Similar to crayfish crawling on rocks or schooling minnow noise.

Less Resistance

Tungsten is less resistant in the water, which is more efficient. Increased sensitivity is the primary benefit.

Environmentally Safe

As a non-toxic hard metal, the Drop Tg is an environmentally safe jig. Being great stewards of the outdoors is critical, and many states have already banned use of lead jigs. Some say “lead is dead”, and it is certainly losing traction with conservation-minded anglers. As an eco-friendly jig, The Drop Tg is the new alternative to lead.

Cleaner Water and Pressured Fish

All of the lakes, rivers and waterways across the United States are getting cleaner by increased water conservation efforts as well as the spreading of invasive species like zebra mussels and rusty crayfish that clean the water. The smaller Drop Tg’s are more compact in size and are perfect for finesse jigging tactics in clean water. Works with pressured fish and helps during cold fronts.

Drop Tg Tungsten Jig:

Made with environmentally safe 99.7% Pure Tungsten.
Mustad Ultra Point, 2x Strong 90 degree Long Shank hook
Same weight as lead but with a smaller profile and higher sensitivity
Welded keeper securely holds soft plastics and live bait
Available in 1/16 oz., 1/8 oz., 3/16 oz., ¼, and 3/8 oz. sizes

“Anglers used to have find fish by time-consuming casting, drifting or trolling tactics. Now with more advanced electronics, they can ‘hunt’ and find the fish first, THEN fish for them,” explains John Crane, Clam Pro Tackle Developer. “Tournaments are being won by an angler that finds that one giant fish, groups of fish or baitfish, then vertically targets them. This ‘Vertical Drop System’ or VDS, is a new and evolving tactic — see ‘em, drop to ‘em, and catch ‘em, and Clam Pro Tackle is providing the tool to help it take off. Feel what you’ve been missing with the Drop Tg.”

For more information, visit http://clamprotackle.com/ or contact Dan Stefanich at dstefanich@clamcorp.com

Niagara Falls USA Fishing Forecast for Wednesday, April 4, 2018 – from Destination Niagara USA

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Bill Hilts

Aidan Pachucinski, an 8-year-old from Collins, NY reeled in this nice brown trout while fishing with Capt. Matt Yablonsky of Wet Net Charters. The 15-pound fish hit a firetiger Rapala behind an Offshore inline planer board while trolling the Lake Ontario shoreline.

April 1 was the designated opener for the NY Power Authority Fishing Platform in the Niagara Gorge and the reservoir is now open for business as of April 1, too. However, a wind storm is ripping through the region today and a high wind warning is in place. Thanks to those winds, the Power Authority Platform is closed today. It’s under water. If you want to check before heading down there so you don’t waste a trip, call 796-0135 Ext. 45 for regular updates. We’d been told that the ice boom wasn’t going to be pulled until there was less than 250 square miles. Someone forgot to tell Mother Nature. The wind broke the ice boom loose today. We’ll have to wait and see what happens.

Lower River action has been up and down, like the water. Egg sacs, beads, spoons and spinners are all working from shore. Boaters are using egg sacs and minnows when the conditions call for it. Capt. Mark Vilardo of Kingfisher Charters reports that his last trip out saw clearer conditions in the Devil’s Hole area, but varying degrees of stain further downriver below the power plants. Clarity depends on wind and runoff. Finding the best color is key. When the winds aren’t a factor, the Niagara Bar has been productive for browns and lake trout. Large golden shiners have been the bait of choice on the bar according to Vilardo.

Out in the lake, Capt. Matt Yablonsky with Wet Net Charters has been working the shoreline from Wilson to Fort Niagara in 8 to 15 feet of water for cookie cutter browns with a few bigger ones mixed in. Aidan Pachucinski of Collins, NY, reeled in a 15 pounder while using a firetiger Rapala. Other hot baits have been Junior Challengers and MagLips in 2.5 sizes, all bright colors along the mud line using Offshore inline planers. Down off Olcott, best depths have been 12 to 18 feet of water with clown-colored Scatter Raps. At least that worked for John Van Hoff and Wade Winch of North Tonawanda over the weekend.

Trout are still available in 18 Mile Creek. Anthony Henley of Buffalo, NY, hit some nice ones over the weekend fishing a jig under a float. When the water clears again, look for perch in Wilson and Olcott harbors and off the piers. With all the north wind, not too much action off those piers, though. The weather has not been cooperative.

If you like fishing for bullhead, the Wilson Conservation Club will be holding its 5th Annual Niagara County Bullhead Tournament from 5 p.m. on April 6th to 1 p.m. on April 8. Call Eric at 628-6078 for details. You can also register at the Slippery Sinker in Olcott.

The Lake Ontario Trout and Salmon Association is looking for some volunteers to help put their pens together and get them ready for the salmon and trout stockings April 9. On April 7, volunteers will be meeting at the Town of Newfane Marina in Olcott at 9:30 a.m. to work on the pens. For more information contact Alan Sauerland at 504-7789.

At the LOTSA meeting on April 12 at Cornell Cooperative Extension Niagara, 4487 Lake Ave. (Route 78) Capt. Vince Pierleoni of Thrillseeker Charters will be the featured speaker starting at 7 p.m. talking spring kings.

Don’t forget that the Niagara County Federation of CC will be holding its annual awards banquet on April 14 at Terry’s Corners Fire Hall starting at 5 p.m. Call Dave Whitt at 754-2133 for advance sale tickets.

Bill Hilts, Jr. – Outdoor Promotions Director

Destination Niagara USA, 10 Rainbow Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY 14303

p: 1-877 FALLS US, 1-716-282-8992 x303, f: 716-285-0809

Plano Weekend Series 3700 Tackle Case (Gray)

HELP WANTED: TACKLE BAG, MUST WORK WEEKENDS AND HAVE EXCEPTIONAL ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Josh Lantz

PLANO’S HARDWORKING WEEKEND SERIES OF SOFT TACKLE BAGS RECEIVES KEY UPGRADES FOR 2018

Plano, IL (April 10, 2018) – If fishing for a living is your dream, don’t let us or anyone else burst your bubble. But until that day rolls around, most of us need to work real jobs to pay for gas, groceries, gymnastics lessons…and our fishing gear. And because we just can’t fish whenever we want, the time we do get to spend on the water becomes that much more valuable.

That’s where Plano comes in; it’s the brand that’s helped anglers keep their valuable fishing tackle protected, organized and readily accessible for over 65 years. Plano protection means your gear lasts longer. Plano organization means you always know what you have and where to find it. Taken together, the result is maximum enjoyment extracted from each precious minute on the water.

For 2018, Plano’s popular Weekend Series includes three distinct, reimagined models that work as hard as you do. Weekend Series Tackle Cases, Weekend Series Softsider Tackle Bags and Weekend Series Speed Bags are each available in Plano’s popular 3500, 3600 and 3700 sizes to build or integrate seamlessly into any tackle management system. And they look better than ever in brand new, classy and clean tan or gray color schemes. In addition to standout new aesthetics, these bags feature upgraded, no-fail zipper pulls and tactical-inspired MOLLE exterior webbing for easy attachment of fishing tools or accessories. Best of all, these handsome and durable standout performers are available at great low prices that any working angler can afford.

Plano Weekend Series Tackle Cases

The largest in Plano’s refreshed Weekend Series, Weekend Series Tackle Cases provide the greatest overall storage capacity and organizational capability. Available in staple 3500, 3600 and 3700 sizes, these soft tackle bags deliver maximum utility for any angler.

The Weekend Series Tackle Case’s spacious main compartment opens and closes securely via an easy-access zippered top. Inside, anglers will find ample room for up to four aptly sized Plano StowAway Utility Boxes – enough capacity for a load of favorite lures and terminal tackle. Two large, zippered side pockets and a generous front zippered pocket provide secure storage for bags of soft plastics, line spools and other essential gear, while an extra measure of welcomed storage for attractants, keys, maps, sunglasses and such comes courtesy of three mesh utility pockets – one on each end and one along the back. A built-in front tool holder and durable MOLLE webbing place pliers and other fishing tools within easy reach, while an adjustable, padded shoulder strap ensures easy transport to and from the truck, dock, garage or boat.

Plano Weekend Series 3700 Tackle Case (Tan)

Plano Weekend Series Tackle Cases

Durable construction
Top-access, zippered main compartment
Available in attractive tan or gray color schemes
Available in 3500, 3600 or 3700 sizes
Includes two StowAway Utility Boxes in corresponding size
Holds four StowAway Utility Boxes in corresponding size
Three exterior zippered pockets plus three mesh pockets
Failsafe zipper pulls
Exterior Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment (MOLLE) webbing
Padded shoulder strap and reinforced top carry handle for easy and reliable transport

Model Numbers, Colors, Exterior Dimensions & MSRPs

Model No. PLAB35111: 3500 / Tan (12.6”x7.87”x5.32”) / MSRP $29.99
Model No. PLAB35110: 3500 / Gray
Model No. PLAB36111: 3600 / Tan (16.14”x9.84”x7.87”) / MSRP $34.99
Model No. PLAB36110: 3600 / Gray
Model No. PLAB37111: 3700 / Tan (18.9”x10.24”x9.25”) / MSRP $39.99
Model No. PLAN37110: 3700 / Gray

Plano Weekend Softsider 3600 Tackle Bag (Tan)

Plano Weekend Series Softsider Tackle Bags

Plano’s Weekend Series Softsider Tackle Bags retain familiar Plano Softsider architecture in fishing-friendly 3500, 3600 and 3700 sizes, but have been updated with exciting new cosmetic choices and features. Available in the new, ultra-sharp tan or gray Weekend Series color schemes, these Softsider Tackle Bags can be matched to any other tackle storage product in the refreshed Weekend Series, allowing anglers to build a complete and unified tackle management system that looks as good as it performs, without busting their budget.

Constructed of tough, 600D Polyester, Weekend Series Softsider Tackle Bags employ a top, camera-bag-inspired flap design that’s secured by straps and easy-opening buckles instead of a trouble-prone zipper. This ensures longevity, as well as quick and easy access to the main compartment, even with wet, cold, or slime-covered hands.

Each Softsider comes with two properly sized Plano StowAway Utility Boxes to hold enough lures for any Saturday or Sunday on the water. They’ll hold up to three StowAways inside the main compartment, but anglers can remove one to create extra space for gear or supplies. Additional pockets round out the Softsider’s hardworking exterior, with large slip pockets for tools, line spools, water bottles and more on either end, plus a large pocket system on the front. MOLLE webbing along the Softsider’s face provides the perfect place to attach fishing tools, hand towels or other accessories. A reinforced top-carry handle and padded shoulder strap help the Softsider to easily go anywhere the fish are.

Plano Weekend Series Softsider Tackle Bags

Durable construction
Zipper-free trouble-free lid design for easy access
Easy-opening buckles for large hands
Available in attractive tan or gray color schemes
Available in 3500, 3600, or 3700 sizes
Includes two StowAway Utility Boxes in corresponding size
D-ring and multiple MOLLE attachment points for extra storage
Three exterior pockets
Reinforced top-carry handle and padded shoulder strap

Model Numbers, Colors, Exterior Dimensions & MSRPs

Model No. PLAB35121: 3500 / Tan (9.45”x5.91”x5.71”) / MSRP $24.99
Model No. PLAB35120: 3500 / Gray
Model No. PLAB36121: 3600 / Tan (11.42”x8.27”x7.87”) / MSRP $29.99
Model No. PLAB36120: 3600 / Gray
Model No. PLAB37121: 3700 / Tan (14.96”x8.47”x9.84”) / MSRP $39.99
Model No. PLAB37120: 3700 / Gray

Plano Weekend Series Speed Bags

Throngs of anglers use venerable Plano StowAway Utility Boxes as the foundation for their tackle management systems, and some of them don’t always want or need to carry a full-featured tackle bag.

Enter the Plano Speed Bag: a no-nonsense nuts-and-bolts soft tackle case with the sole assignment of carrying and keeping three Plano StowAways, protected and at the ready.

Weekend Series Speed Bags are available in the familiar 3500, 3600 and 3700 sizes for easy integration to any tackle transport and storage system, and feature the attractive new tan or gray Weekend Series color schemes. Anglers can match them to their other Weekend Series bags and cases, or use the two available colors to code their Speed Bags by species or technique.

Constructed of durable 600D Polyester with a padded inner lining, lightweight Weekend Series Speed Bags open and close via a reinforced zipper with a new, failsafe and ergonomic loop pull. Up top, a strong, padded handle ensures comfortable and reliable carry. Empty Speed Bags can be folded down for easy storage in small spaces. Like the other bags and cases in Plano’s refreshed Weekend Series, Weekend Series Speed Bags feature MOLLE webbing along the front for quick and secure attachment of all manner of accessories.

Plano Weekend Series 3500 Speed Bag (Gray)

Plano Weekend Series Speed Bags

Patented fold-down easy-access bag
Tough, lightweight construction
D-ring and multiple MOLLE attachment points for extra storage
Available in attractive tan or gray color schemes
Available in 3500, 3600, or 3700 sizes
Includes two StowAway Utility Boxes in corresponding size
Holds three StowAway Utility Boxes in corresponding size
Reinforced and padded top-carry handle

Model Numbers, Colors, Exterior Dimensions & MSRPs

Model No. PLAB35131: 3500 / Tan (9.45”x4.13”x5.12”) / MSRP $17.99
Model No. PLAB35130: 3500 / Gray
Model No. PLAB36131: 3600 / Tan (11.22”x5.91”x7.87”) / MSRP $24.99
Model No. PLAB36130: 3600 / Gray
Model No. PLAB37131: 3700 / Tan (14.57”x5.71”x9.65”) / MSRP $29.99
Model No. PLAB37130: 3700 / Gray

Anglers seeking affordable tackle storage solutions that look great and work as hard as they do can call off the search. Plano’s upgraded Weekend Series Tackle Bags, Softsiders and Speed Bags possess exceptional organizational abilities, and they certainly aren’t afraid of late hours, early hours or weekend work.

The only remaining question is: When can you start? We suggest today.

Coldwater Fish Hitting Baits in Trib Streams, Lake and Off Piers

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Bill Hilts

Niagara Falls USA Fishing Forecast for Thursday, March 22, 2018 – Destination Niagara USA
Tribs are plentiful with Steelhead and Brown Trout
Olcott and Wilson Pier fishing is Good
Bullhead Contest at Wilson Conservation Club – APRIL 6

**Adam Gierach of Pendleton with a 10 pound brown off Wilson.**

Despite a lack of precipitation, steelhead and brown trout are still being caught with regularity in the Lake Ontario tributaries. Water conditions have been low and clear. Small egg sacs, small jigs tipped with a wax worm, and egg imitations are at the top of the list.

In 18 Mile Creek, there’s been good trout action from the piers to the dam according to Wes Walker at The Slippery Sinker.

When you can get on the piers (northerly winds from the most recent Nor’easter have kept people off the last few days), casting spoons or spinners can produce browns or steelhead. They have been getting some big perch off the piers and in the harbor, too. In fact, they were catching perch all the way to the dam until the gobies moved in.

Steelhead were also being caught in Keg Creek.

Over in Wilson, there are steelhead in the 12 Mile Creeks. In the harbor, perch and bluegills were being caught. Bullhead started to hit in Wilson, too.

No sharing on the hot spots because the Wilson Bullhead Derby sponsored by the Wilson Conservation Club is just around the corner. The derby will run from 5 p.m. on April 6 to 1 p.m. on April 8. Sign up at the Slippery Sinker in Olcott or CMC Auto Repair in Wilson. Call Eric at 628-6078 for more information.

Out in Lake Ontario, small boaters have been hitting the shoreline for brown trout. With the northerly winds, the shoreline has a distinct mudline. Working stickbaits in and out of the line is one approach, using planer boards. Keep your lures 100 to 125 feet back. Chartreuse and orange have been good colors lately. If you aren’t getting hits, try bumping your speed up. That’s was John Van Hoff of North Tonawanda and Adam Gierach of Pendleton did last Sunday. Their speed was as high as 2.8 in the cold water and they caught browns up to 10 pounds inside of 15 feet of water.

Walker reports that come boats have been catching browns, steelhead and Coho salmon as deep as 40 feet of water and from 40 to 80 feet of water they have been picking up some lake trout.

In the lower Niagara River, action has been a bit slower with the super clear water. Capt. Matt Yablonsky with Wet Net Charters was picking some trout off using egg sacs before the sun hit the water. After that it was all meat – minnows and shiners. No report from the shore guys this week, but with the super clear water try to downsize your offerings and fish out a bit deeper.

Incidentally, the first meeting of the year for LOTSA will be April 12 and it will be on tournament spring king fishing. The meeting is in Lockport at 7 p.m., Cornell Cooperative Extension.

The 29^th Annual Antique Fishing Tackle Show is slated for March 24 from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Elks Lodge No. 41, 6791 North Canal Road, Lockport. Admission into the show is $5 for adults. Kids 16 and under are free. This is a great chance to get an appraisal on some old fishing tackle that may be lying around your basement or in your garage. For more information contact Dan Bedford at 713-9410.

Every week The Buffalo News gives outdoor sportsmen (and women) a full page of pertinent material as it relates to Western New York and beyond. Check it out at www.buffalonews.com/section/sports/outdoors/ or pick up the paper every Thursday.

Bill Hilts, Jr. – Outdoor Promotions Director

Destination Niagara USA; 10 Rainbow Blvd.; Niagara Falls, NY 14303

p: 1-877 FALLS US; 1-716-282-8992 x. 303; f: 716-285-0809

www.niagarafallsusa.com

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New Justin® Boots Snake Boot Features America’s No. 1 Camo Pattern, Mossy Oak® Break-Up Country®

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Kevin Howard

WEST POINT, MS – Mossy Oak is excited to announce that Justin Boots is now offering America’s No. 1 Camo Pattern, Break-Up Country, on their newest boot made specifically for the hunter.

The 17-inch Shrublands Square Toe boot from the Justin Stampede™ Collection, designed for keeping your feet dry and protected in any conditions, is equipped with a full waterproof bootie construction and Justin’s Snake Guard technology. The Mossy Oak Break-Up Country Camo upper provides clever concealment. Inside, the Stampede Orthotic comfort insole delivers all-day comfort, while the Stampede Dual Density Rubber Outsole provides sure-footed traction in wet and muddy conditions. This boot is designed with a wide square toe and meets ASTM F2892-11 EH safety footwear standards.

“Justin Boots is excited to be launching our new Snake Boot with the Mossy Oak Team,” said Josh Lizotte, Vice President of Sales, Justin Work Boot Division. “Mossy Oak has been a leader in camouflage innovation for many years and we know this pattern on our Shrublands Stampede Snake Boot will be a sought-after item within the hunting community.”

Now available at Cabela’s and JustinOriginalWorkboots.com with an MSRP of $194.95, this boot is just in time for turkey season.

“Justin Boots is a legendary brand we are proud to align ourselves with,” said Chris Paradise, Chief Sales Officer of Mossy Oak. “They are very well known in their category and rightfully so, given their ability to blend functionality, comfort and style in every product they offer.”

For more information on the Shrublands Square boot, visit www.justinoriginalworkboots.com.

To learn more about Mossy Oak, or to enjoy free, timely and entertaining hunting and outdoors content, visit https://www.mossyoak.com.

Justin Boots is an officially licensed partner of Haas Outdoors Inc. Haas Outdoors Inc. is headquartered in West Point, Miss., was established in 1986 and is home of Mossy Oak. For more than 30 years, Mossy Oak has been a leading outdoors lifestyle brand that specializes in developing and marketing modern camouflage designs for hunters and outdoors enthusiasts. The Mossy Oak Brand and patterns can be found on a multitude of products worldwide. Haas Outdoors Inc. is the parent company of Mossy Oak, BioLogic, Capture Productions, MOOSE Media, Nativ Nurseries, Nativ Living, GameKeepers, GameKeepers Kennels and Mossy Oak Properties. Mossy Oak is the official camouflage of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Ducks Unlimited, Quality Deer Management Association, and Mack’s Prairie Wings and the official pattern of B.A.S.S., MLF and Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing Series.

Follow Mossy Oak on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, Pinterest and YouTube.

Niagara Falls USA Fishing Forecast for March 29, 2018 from Destination Niagara USA

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Bill Hilts

**Jack Mings of Amherst his this 17-plus pound steelhead in the lower river while fishing with Capt. Matt Gantress. A peach egg sac made the difference.**

We finally saw some warmer temperatures this week as the thermometer hit the 50 degree mark for the first time in March. We also received some rain which should draw even more trout into the tributaries. More rain is expected tonight. In the lower Niagara River, conditions have been clear and you have to work for trout. Minnows and egg sacs were working for local guides drifting the river this week.

Late March seems to be a time for big brown trout in Niagara. Last year it was Bob Klemm’s 31 pounder that shook things up from the lower Niagara River. This year, Jack Mings hit a 27 pounder while fishing with Capt. Matt Gantress out in the lake. We had no other details other than a photo of the impressive fish. Mings has had a pretty good week. Earlier he caught a 17-plus pound, 35 inch lower Niagara River steelhead on a peach-colored egg sac – again with Capt. Matt. He should buy a lottery ticket!

**Jack Mings of Amherst shows off his 27 pound brown trout caught this week.**

Shoreline trolling for browns with stickbaits like Bay Rats, Live Targets, Rapalas and Challenger lures can all be effective. Use planer boards or inland boards to get your baits close to the shoreline and away from your boat. A good place to start is 100 to 125 feet back in 10 to 15 feet of water around creek mouths. Look for stained water and a distinct mud line.

One creek mouth that isn’t seeing much flow is Four Mile. The north winds the past 2 weeks have silted the mouth in and flow (and fish movement) has been restricted. The piers at Olcott and Wilson are starting to turn on for hardware casters of spoons and spinners. Stickbaits too, as well as live bait and egg sacs. A bunch of perch have been hanging around, too.

The inland trout and salmon opener kicks off on April 1, no foolin’. This is not to be confused with the year-round fishery that is available for salmonids in the Great Lakes and its tributaries.

Every year, the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation stocks thousands of trout across the region for this special day. However, they do some extensive stocking after the fact, too. Most of Niagara County’s stockings are in the Great Lakes. They do receive a couple inland stockings, earmarked for Hyde Park Lake in Niagara Falls and Oppenheim Park Pond in Wheatfield. April 3 is the designated day this year. First up at 10 a.m. is Oppenheim Park Pond, receiving 100 brown trout and 170 rainbows. Immediately following that planting, Hyde Park Lake will receive 1,740 yearling browns and 200 two-year-old browns. In addition, 570 browns will be stocked in Gill Creek, the outlet of Hyde Park Lake. The stocking hotline number for the Randolph hatchery is 358-2050 for updates.

April 1 is also the designated opener for the NY Power Authority Fishing Platform in the Niagara Gorge and the reservoir will be open for business on April 1, too. If you like fishing for bullhead, the Wilson Conservation Club will be holding its 5^th Annual Niagara County Bullhead Tournament from 5 p.m. on April 6^th to 1 p.m. on April 8. Call Eric at 628-6078 for details.

The Lake Ontario Trout and Salmon Association is looking for some volunteers to help put their pens together and get them ready for the salmon and trout stockings in April. On April 7, volunteers will be meeting at the Town of Newfane Marina in Olcott at 9:30 a.m. to work on the pens. For more information contact Alan Sauerland at 504-7789. Don’t forget that the Niagara County Federation of CC will be holding its annual awards banquet on April 14 at Terry’s Corners Fire Hall starting at 5 p.m. Call Dave Whitt at 754-2133 for advance sale tickets.

Bill Hilts, Jr. – Outdoor Promotions Director

Destination Niagara USA, 10 Rainbow Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY 14303

p: 1-877 FALLS US, 1-716-282-8992 x303, f: 716-285-0809

New York State DEC Announces 2017 Deer Harvest Results

Posted on January 23, 2024 by NYS Dept. of Env. Conservation

Hunters in New York Harvested More than 200,000 Deer during 2017-18 Hunting Seasons

**New York offers giant deer and lots of them. Joe Forma Photo**

By NYSDEC

Hunters in New York State enjoyed another successful year, harvesting an estimated 203,427 deer during the 2017-18 hunting seasons Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced today.

“Deer hunting in New York is a cherished and economically important tradition safely enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of residents and visitors each year,” Commissioner Seggos said. “Through the careful work of our conservation experts, hunting is a sound wildlife management tool that benefits all New Yorkers by reducing negative impacts of deer on forests, communities, and crops while providing millions of pounds of high quality local meat to families throughout the state. I commend our staff for once again making this a safe and successful season.”

The 2017 estimated deer take included 95,623 antlerless deer and 107,804 antlered bucks, an estimated five percent fewer deer than the previous year. Statewide, this represents a 10-percent decline in antlerless harvest and a buck harvest nearly identical to 2016. Hunters in the Northern Zone took 25,351 deer, including 18,074 adult bucks. In the Southern Zone, hunters took 178,076 deer, including 89,730 adult bucks.

The decline in antlerless harvest occurred despite DEC issuing more antlerless permits last season. DEC wildlife biologists have noted two important and encouraging items that emerged from the 2017 deer harvest. First, with 53.3 percent of the adult buck harvest averaging 2.5 years or older, hunters took an estimated 57,494 older bucks, setting a record in total number and greatest percentage of older bucks in the harvest.

“This is great news for New York hunters,” Seggos said. “Many hunters are choosing to voluntarily Let Young Bucks Go and Watch Them Grow, and all hunters are now having greater opportunity to see and take older, larger bucks.”

Second, the portion of successful hunters who reported their harvest as required by state law increased from 44 percent in recent years to 50 percent in 2017. Along with our Take It · Tag It · Report It campaign, DEC has made the process of harvest reporting substantially easier for hunters, providing phone, internet, and mobile app options. Harvest reports are critically important for accurate monitoring of deer harvests, and DEC encourages hunters to continue to contribute to the management process by complying with the reporting requirements.

DEC’s 2017 Deer Harvest Summary report (PDF, 6.31 MB) provides a suite of tables, charts, and maps detailing the deer harvest around the state. Past deer harvest summaries are available on DEC’s website.

2017 Deer Harvest Summary & Comparison
	2017 Total	2016 Total	Change (2016 to 2017)	Previous 5-Year Average (2012-2016)
Total Take	203,427	213,061	-4.5%	228,246
Adult Male	107,804	107,006	0.7%	109,778
Adult Female	67,702	78,288	-13.5%	83,809
Antlerless	95,623	106,055	-9.8%	118,468
Deer Management Permits Issued	617,839	588,430	5.0%	628,436
Deer Management Permit Take	74,421	81,507	-8.7%	90,426
Deer Management Assistance Program Take	8,962	9,134	-1.9%	11,078
Muzzleloader *	15,288	15,369	-0.5%	14,617
Bowhunting *	43,708	46,735	-6.5%	38,541
Crossbow	11,758	9,439	24.6%	NA
Youth Hunt	935	1,162	-19.5%	1,250
Harvest Reporting Rate	50.3%	43.5%		43.7%
% Older Bucks (≥2.5 years) in Harvest	53.3%	50.6%		49.4%

* Values for Muzzleloader and Bow Season Take include deer taken on Bow/Muzz tags and DMPs. Prior to 2016, the Muzzleloader and Bow values only reflected take on Bow/Muzz tags.

Notable Numbers

14.5 and 0.5 — number of deer taken per square mile in the unit with the highest (WMU 8N) and lowest (WMU 5F) harvest density.
46.7 percent — portion of the adult buck harvest that were yearlings (1.5 years old), the lowest in New York history and down from 62 percent a decade ago and 70 percent in the 1990s. Excluding units with mandatory antler restrictions, 50.9 percent of the adult buck harvest were yearlings, still the lowest percentage on record.
65 percent — portion of eligible junior hunters that participated in the 2016 Youth Deer Hunt.
14,372 — number of hunter harvested deer checked by DEC staff in 2017.
2,402 — deer tested for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in 2017-18; none tested positive. DEC has tested more than 50,000 deer for CWD since 2002.

Deer harvest data are gathered from two main sources: harvest reports required of all successful hunters and DEC’s examination of more than 14,000 harvested deer at check stations and meat processors. Statewide harvest estimates are made by cross-referencing these two data sources and calculating the total harvest from the reporting rate for each zone and tag type. A full report of the 2017-18 deer harvest, as well as past deer and bear harvest summaries, is available at Deer and Bear Harvests.

“America’s Favorite Fisherman” Joins Lure Lock Pro Team

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Glenn Walker

Innovative New Tackle Box Joins Forces with Legendary Anglers
Bill Dance Joins the Growing Stable of Top-Level Anglers Relying on Lure Lock

Ettrick, Wisconsin – Lure Lock is excited to announce that it has entered into a multi-year partnership with legendary fishing icon and TV personality, Bill Dance. Bill Dance has grown his brand into a multi-media empire, stemming from his success during the early days of the Bassmaster Tournament Trail and into two television shows, Bill Dance Outdoors and Bill Dance Saltwater Outdoors.

“Without a doubt the partnership with Bill is a big for Lure Lock, Bill and his iconic and unique position in fishing industry is something that easily fits alongside the Lure Lock brand,” stated Jessica Kriesel, Lure Lock Marketing Coordinator. “From his recognizable Tennessee hat, to the catchy intro song on his TV shows, Bill introduced many people to fishing and sticks in their minds today, just like fishing tackle sticks in our Lure Lock cases.”

Bill was on hand and in the Lure Lock booth at the recent Bassmaster Classic Expo to greet fans and demonstrate the holding power of the proprietary gel in the Lure Lock cases.

“I can’t even begin to count how many tackle boxes and storage cases I’ve used…and destroyed over the years of fishing tournaments and filming TV shows,” laughed Bill. “It takes a lot for me to lift up my sunglasses and take a closer look at things in the fishing industry these days and when I first saw the Lure Lock cases, I almost even took off my Tennessee hat….almost! These cases will make traveling around filming our TV shows so much easier, as I know my tackle will arrive securely in place, undamaged and ready to go.”

Lure Lock boxes come in three sizes LL1, LL2 and LL3 and are available in Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, Academy, Sportsman’s Warehouse, Tackle Warehouse and key independent sporting goods dealers at $15.99, $17.99 and $19.99. Lure Lock gel kits (for retro-fitting other boxes) range from $6.99 to $9.99, depending upon size.

For more information about Lure Lock products please visit http://www.lurelock.com, or contact Glenn Walker at glenn@providencemarketinggroup.net with media or marketing requests.

About Lure Lock: Lure Lock is owned by Tak Logic, LLC and is located in Ettrick, Wisconsin. Lure Lock tackle boxes feature a patented gel material – all made in the USA. For more information, call 608-525-3636.

Early Spring TURKEY SEASON – a Special Florida Resource

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Tammy Sapp - Florida FWC

Florida Turkey Season is OPEN
Osceola Turkeys are Common in Florida
Wild turkeys are a Conservation Success Story in Florida & Across North America

By Tammy Sapp, Florida FWC

Osceola wild turkeys. *FWC photo by Chad Weber.*

Florida’s spring turkey season opened on Saturday, March 3, on private lands south of State Road 70, making it one of the first spring turkey hunting opportunities in the country. Florida is also the only place in the world where the Osceola subspecies of wild turkey is found. Also known as the Florida wild turkey, abundant populations of this subspecies live only on the Florida peninsula. It’s similar to the eastern wild turkey subspecies, which is found in north Florida and throughout the eastern United States, but tends to be smaller and darker with less white barring on the wings.

Hunting wild turkeys is popular in Florida and throughout North America. One reason people enjoy it is the range of calls wild turkeys make. The most recognized call is gobbling, which is most often associated with male birds, or gobblers, during spring when they breed. The gobbler will fan out its tail, puff out its feathers, strut and gobble to attract hens. Hunters pursue this wary bird by imitating various turkey calls to bring gobblers in close.

Getting to see a male wild turkey’s courtship ritual is exciting for new hunters as well as those with years of experience.

Another benefit of turkey hunting, for those lucky enough to harvest a gobbler, is that the meat is a good source of healthy, organic protein.

“Spring turkey season gives hunters the chance to share a delicious wild game meal with friends and family. It’s also a great time to share the turkey hunting experience with someone who has never tried it,” said Roger Shields, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Wild Turkey Management Program coordinator. “The weather is mild, the spring woods are beautiful, and the thrill of hearing a gobbler respond to your calls is a wonderful memory you can share with a new hunter.”

Wild turkeys are a conservation success story in Florida and across North America. They had almost disappeared by the turn of the 20^th century, with populations remaining only in remote pockets of habitat. However, thanks to science-based wildlife restoration efforts, today Osceola and eastern wild turkeys are flourishing throughout the state.

North of State Road 70, Florida’s spring turkey season on private lands opened on Saturday, March 17. Florida’s wildlife management area system also offers opportunities for turkey hunters, and because dates and regulations can vary, hunters are encouraged to review the regulations brochure for the WMA they plan to hunt.

FWC wildlife professionals use scientific data to conserve wild turkey populations and provide regulated and sustainable hunting opportunities. Hunters also play an important role in wild turkey management by purchasing licenses and permits, and along with other shooting sports enthusiasts, contributing to the successful Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program.

Get a snapshot of Florida’s wild turkey season dates and bag limits by visiting MyFWC.com/Hunting and clicking “Season Dates.” Learn more about wild turkeys by choosing “Species Profiles” at MyFWC.com/WildlifeHabitats.

Niagara Falls USA Fishing Forecast for Thursday, April 12, 2018 – from Destination Niagara USA

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Bill Hilts

Steelhead, Brown Trout, Lake Trout, Bullheads too!
Fish are biting off 3-way Rigs/Minnows
NYPA Platform Still Closed due to High Water and Ice

The signs of spring are all around us!

**Ely Moskal of Albany with a couple Niagara River trout from this week.**

The New York Power Authority started pulling the ice boom at the head of the Niagara River where it meets up with Lake Erie and remaining ice is minimal due to the extreme wind event last week. There is still a pile of ice hanging around the base of Niagara Falls, but the warmer temperatures and rain should break that up in the coming week.

Lower Niagara River trout action took back off when the waters cleared this week. Capt. Frank Campbell of Niagara Falls had a banner day earlier this week with double digit trout, finding a mix of steelhead, browns and lake trout. Minnows fished off three-way rigs were the bait of choice.

**Capt. Nick Calandrelli of Lewiston hit the lower river and caught some nice steelhead.**

No reports on the shore fishing action and the NYPA fishing platform is still closed due to the high water and potential for ice coming down the river (still). No word on smelt, other than the Lewiston Smelt Festival is set for May 4 this year. This will NOT coincide with the Spring LOC Derby as dates have been pushed back to May 11-20 this year. Check out www.loc.org for details.

Over in Wilson and Olcott, ice that was flowing north out of the Niagara River after last week’s wind storm encountered some strong northwesterly winds in the lake. That ended up pushing ice into Wilson and Olcott. It was a mess for boaters and pier casters. With warmer temperatures on the way and rain in the forecast again, things could be back to normal by the weekend. According to Wes Walker at The Slippery Sinker in Olcott, the LOTSA pen rearing project received fish from DEC on Monday and that operation is underway.

Shoreline trolling with stickbaits should resume in 10 to 20 feet of water along any mud line or creek mouth. Seek out warmer water temperatures for best success. Pier casters should do well with spoons or spinners.

**Capt. Nick Calandrelli of Lewiston, Lower Niagara River in the Niagara Gorge.**

Last weekend, the Wilson Conservation Club held its 5^th Annual Wilson Bullhead Contest. Some 43 adults and five youth participated in the spring kick-off event. In the Adult Division, the best two-fish bullhead weight and overall winner was Francis Holly IV of Wilson, with a 4.23-pound total. He was using cider worms at dusk to catch his bigger fish in 12 Mile Creek. Second place was Tyler Morrison of Appleton with 3.70 pounds of bullhead. He was fishing during the day in the west branch of 12 Mile Creek using shrimp. Third place went to John Pittsley of Lockport with 3.46 pounds using shrimp both day and night. In the Youth Division, it was Trever Wilson winning with a weight of .95 pounds.

Bill Hilts, Jr.- Outdoor Promotions Director

In Florida? Go HOG WILD this spring and summer!

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Tony Young

Outta’ the Woods – Monday, April 02, 2018
Where to go hunt

By Tony Young

Wild pigs can reach weights of more than 150 pounds and be 5-6 feet long. Florida Fish & Wildlife Photo

Did you know the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) offers late spring and summer hog hunts on several wildlife management areas across the state? And you don’t even need a hunting license to participate in these great opportunities.

Wild hogs, also called wild pigs, wild boars and feral pigs, are not native to Florida but were introduced over 500 years ago by Spanish explorers. They can be found in all of Florida’s 67 counties within a wide variety of habitats, but prefer oak-cabbage palm hammocks, freshwater marshes, sloughs and pine flatwoods.

Wild hogs are not protected by law as a game species but are the second most popular large animal hunted in Florida (second only to the white-tailed deer). Wild hogs can weigh more than 150 pounds and be 5-6 feet long. They eat plants and animals, and feed by rooting with their broad snouts, which can damage native habitats and ground cover vegetation. It’s easy to spot where hogs have been because they often leave areas looking like plowed fields.

Because of their destructive nature and prolific breeding, and because hunters want more hog hunting opportunities, the FWC, along with help from other public land managers, have been establishing more hog hunts over the past few years. This spring and summer, there will be numerous hog hunts (mostly on weekends) on several WMAs – two of which kick off this month, with the majority of these hunts starting in May. Some offer still hunting for hogs during daylight hours, others are nighttime hog-dog hunts – and half of them offer both.

Most of the areas are walk-in and don’t require a quota permit. All that is needed to hunt hogs on the following areas during these listed spring and summer dates is a $26.50 management area permit, which can be purchased in Florida at county tax collectors’ offices and at most retail outlets that sell hunting/fishing supplies, and with a credit card by calling 888-HUNT-FLORIDA (486-8356) or at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.

But before you go, be sure to go online at MyFWC.com/WMAbrochures and check out the area’s regulations brochure to find out all the specific details on the hunt, including access, allowable methods of take, hunting hours, rules on camping and more.

2018 spring and summer hog hunting is available on these WMAs during the following dates, and no quota permit is needed:

Andrews
(Levy County) Still hunting only: 25 daily quota permits available each day at check station on first-come basis

May 4-6, 11-13

Apalachicola Bradwell Unit
(Liberty County)

Dog Hunt

May 4-6
June 1-3
July 13-15
Aug. 3-5
Sept. 7-9

Still Hunt

May 18-20
June 15-17
July 20-22
Aug. 17-19
Sept. 21-23

Apalachicola River
(Franklin and Gulf counties)

Dog and Still Hunting

May 18-20
June 15-17
July 20-22
Aug. 17-19
Sept. 21-23

Aucilla
(Jefferson and Taylor counties)

Dog and Still Hunting

May 11-13
June 8-10
July 13-15
Aug. 10-12
Sept. 7-9

Beaverdam Creek
(Liberty County)

Dog and Still Hunting

May 11-13
June 8-10
July 13-15
Aug. 10-12
Sept. 14-16

Blackwater
(Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties)

Dog and Still Hunting

May 4-6, 18-20
June 1-3, 15-17
July 6-8, 20-22
Aug. 3-5, 17-19
Sept. 7-9, 21-23

Blackwater Hutton Unit
(Santa Rosa County)

Dog and Still Hunting

May 18-20
June 15-17
July 20-22
Aug. 17-19
Sept. 21-23

Chipola River
(Jackson and Calhoun counties)

Still hunting only

May 11-13
June 8-10
July 13-15
Aug. 10-12
Sept. 14-16

Escambia River
(Escambia and Santa Rosa counties)

Still and dog hunting

May 11-13
June 8-10
July 13-15
Aug. 10-12
Sept. 14-16

John G. and Susan H. DuPuis Jr.
(Martin County)

Still hunting only

April 14-22
May 12-20

Kissimmee Chain of Lakes Area
(Osceola and Polk counties)

Still and dog hunting

Open to year-round hog hunting

Management area permit not required

Kissimmee Chain of Lakes Rolling Meadows Unit
(Polk county)

Still and dog hunting

Open to year-round hog hunting

Management area permit not required

Ochlockonee River
(Leon County)

Still hunting only

May 4-6
June 1-3
July 6-8
Aug. 3-5
Sept. 7-9

Richloam
(Sumter and Lake counties)

Dog hunting only

April 27-29

Royce Unit – Lake Wales Ridge
(Highlands County)

Still Hunting Only

May 5-6, 12-13

Yellow River
(Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties)

Still hunting only

July 13-15
Aug. 10-12
Sept. 7-9

These hog hunts (below) require a quota permit, and they can be applied for between May 15 – June 15 at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com :

Box-R
(Franklin and Gulf Counties)

Dog Hunting Only

May 11-13 *
June 8-10 *
July 13-15
Aug. 10-12
Sept. 14-16

Jennings Forest
(Clay and Duval counties)

Still hunting only

May 4-6 *, 18-20 *
June 1-3 *

Niagara Falls USA Fishing Forecast: April 17, 2018 – Destination Niagara USA

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Bill Hilts

Jeff Redfield of Albany with a steelie taken in the lower Niagara River prior to the last round of storms. He was fishing with Niagara Region Charters.

If you are looking for some sort of a fishing update, the easiest way to describe our situation right now is that it’s a mess. Mother Nature took a few weeks to play some April Fool’s chicanery by throwing up a complete smorgasbord of weather wizardry that included excessive rains, high winds, snow, ice, sleet and unseasonably cold temperatures.

Just prior to this last round of severe weather, some decent trout fishing was reported in the lower Niagara River for boat drifters and shoreline casters. Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls was tossing some No. 3 spinners to take steelhead in the Devil’s Hole area and boaters were drifting minnows on three-way rigs to take a mix of steelhead, brown trout and lake trout.

There was a report of some smelt taken along Artpark two nights ago, but most of the reports are showing very limited numbers if any at all. Some of the boat captains have reported seeing large pods of baitfish showing up on their fish finders and they suspect smelt. Water temps were around 37-38 degrees as of Tuesday and it won’t be long.

Gianni Etopio of Youngstown was fishing the Niagara County tribs prior to the rains and taking some nice steelhead…like this one.

The big smelt celebration is May 4 at Lewiston Landing for the annual Lewiston Smelt Festival. Come on out at 5 p.m. and join in on some of the festivities.

The Niagara River pen rearing project for salmon and trout will be starting up the week of April 25 and if you would like to lend a hand, give Capt. Frank Campbell a call at 716-523-0013. The project will be housed in Youngstown next to Youngstown Yacht Club. The NYPA fishing platform is still closed.

For Lake Ontario and the tributaries, no one has been able to get on the lake to work the shoreline for browns, steelhead and Coho salmon. The piers have been empty because of all of the northerly winds and every tributary is high and muddy. It should bring in any remaining steelhead attempting to spawn this spring and open up any creek mouths that have been closed because of earlier northerly winds.

Bullheads should still be available around Wilson in both branches of 12 Mile Creek and when the waters start to clear, perch should be available again, too, in both Wilson and Olcott harbors and off the piers. Everything is in a holding pattern right now.

Pen projects in Wilson and Olcott are underway and hopefully this weather event will not impact those numbers. The Lake Ontario Counties Trout and Salmon Derby has pushed its dates back to May 11-20 this year and the Wilson Harbor Invitational tournament is May 19. The Lake Ontario Pro-Am Salmon Team Tournament is June 1-2 and the Don Johannes and Pete DeAngelo 3 fish-1 fish contest is May 31. Get those contests on your fishing calendar.

The weather looks clear and 50 this weekend and if things don’t change too much and the waters settle down, it could be good enough for some fishing.

If things don’t settle down you might want to consider attending the Bison City Rod and Gun Club’s annual Outdoor Gear and Flea Market on Saturday, April 21 from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The club is located at 511 Ohio Street in Buffalo. There will be a full-day boating safety class at Fort Niagara from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 21. Call 390-7727 for more info or for future classes.

Bill Hilts, Jr. – Outdoor Promotions Director

Destination Niagara USA

10 Rainbow Blvd.

Niagara Falls, NY 14303

p: 1-877 FALLS US | 716-282-8992 x. 303

Click here to follow Ron’s report that he updates several times per week.

That’s No Coyote! St. Lawrence County, New York

Posted on January 23, 2024 by NYS Dept. of Env. Conservation

Coyote hunter lied to fish and wildlife law enforcement officer when a deer was taken out of season in New York State.

On March 26, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Officer (ECO) Scott Atwood investigated a complaint of a deer being taken out of season in the town of Clifton.

When the officer arrived at a camp described in the complaint, he found fresh blood, drag marks, deer hair, and a pickup truck stuck in the snow at an adjacent camp. A search of the area determined the location of where the deer had been shot. Drag marks led to a small pond where the ECO found a fresh gut pile. ECO Atwood received a phone call from the truck’s owner.

Initially, the man attempted to use a bogus story as to how the deer was killed. ECO Atwood advised the man he had evidence to prove otherwise and gave the subject a second opportunity to tell the truth. The man stated that while he and a friend were coyote hunting, he saw an animal out in a field adjacent to his coyote caller.

Excited to kill his first coyote, the subject took aim using only the moonlight, believing the animal was a coyote. After walking out to the field to where the animal went down, the subject realized it was a doe deer.

Afraid of getting in trouble, the subject chose to gut the deer and keep it. The deer was hidden in the garage at the camp until his return. ECO Atwood charged the shooter with taking deer during the closed season, killing deer except as permitted by the Fish and Wildlife law and illegal possession of protected wildlife.

The man’s friend was issued a written warning for illegal possession of wildlife. The man’s gun and the deer were seized, and the deer was brought to a butcher shop where it was donated to the Helping Hands of Hannawa, which provides meals to the local community.

About NYSDEC: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) enforce the 71 Chapters of NY Environmental Conservation Law, protecting fish and wildlife and preserving environmental quality across New York.

In 2017, the 301 ECOs across New York State responded to 26,400 calls and issued 22,150 tickets for violations and crimes ranging from deer poaching to corporate toxic dumping, illegal mining, the black market pet trade, and excessive emissions violations. If you witness an environmental crime in New York or believe a violation of environmental law occurred, please call the DEC Division of Law Enforcement hotline at 1-844-DEC-ECOS (1-844-332-3267).

“From Montauk Point to Mount Marcy, from Brooklyn to Buffalo, the ECOs patrolling our state are the first line of defense in protecting New York’s environment and our natural resources, ensuring that they exist for future generations of New Yorkers,” said NYSDEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “They work long and arduous hours, both deep in our remote wildernesses and in the tight confines of our urban landscapes. Although they don’t receive much public fanfare, the work of our ECOs is critical to achieving DEC’s mission to protect and enhance our environment.

Orleans County/Lake Ontario Fishing Report – Mar. 21, 2018

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Lynne Menz

Happy 1^st Day of Spring!
Fish Numbers are Good, Fishing Pressure is Light
Oak Orchard Creek, Johnson Creek, other tribs – All have Fish

By Ron Bierstine – Oak Orchard Tackle and Lodge

Happy First Day of Spring!

Clear but cold-ish weather is forecast thru the week with highs in the 30’s. No impact is expected here from the latest Nor’easter. In fact, with no real snow melt going on lately, it’s getting kind of dry. There is a chance for a warm up toward this weekend and although, right here on the Lake Plains – there isn’t much snow, there is some more to the south. Hopefully that will get flows in the Oak back up some when it begins to melt.

Flows in the Oak are moderate and pretty clear, not far off from typical fall time conditions. There were a few more anglers out this past weekend, but overall, the fishing pressure is relatively light. Fish numbers are still pretty good. They are not fresh and dumb anymore so presentations have to be good with generally lighter leads and tippets. A fair amount of fish are still tucked up at the dam with scattered fish spreading downstream.

Way downstream, frog water small craft anglers are into a few steelhead and mainly browns. The next warm -up with any kind of rise in flows should re-energize the fish and action and encourage some fresh fish migrations.

Flows in the smaller area tributaries are hanging in at moderate, with still a little color to the west and clearer to the east. We’re still hearing of hook-ups at Johnson Creek while the reports from other waterways are a little quiet with not a lot of guys out there.

Small boat trollers able to find decent weather and wave windows are into good numbers of fish in the typical in-shore waters.

Visit our Fishing Report on OrleansCountyTourism.com, including weather forecasts and current view of Lake Ontario from the Oak Orchard Lighthouse.

From Point Breeze on Lake Ontario, the World Fishing Network’s Ultimate Fishing Town USA and the rest of Orleans County, let’s make everyday a great fishing day right here in Orleans County! Contact us for more info: Orleans County Tourism, Orleans County Tourism, 14016 Route 31 West, Albion, NY 14411. For more info, click the image below or email: lynne@orleanscountytourism.com.

Spring Break on Sanibel and Captiva Island

Posted on January 23, 2024 by I Need a Break

Where Spring Breakers meet Wave Breakers with Sunrise, Sunshine, Sea Shells & a Sunset Cruise

@pinkhairgreenthumb

A spring break vacation doesn’t have to include spring breakers. If you’re looking for a getaway that’s more laid-back than party-central, there are plenty of beaches to consider – but there aren’t many as memorable as those found on Sanibel and Captiva Islands.

With miles of white sand and inviting lighthouses, there’s no shortage of peaceful beach escapes along these islands’ coastlines. Just because these secluded islands boast uncrowded beaches doesn’t mean they’re shy about events and activities. Read on to discover how to create timeless memories in these coastal communities.

Make yourself at home

Forget all-night parties and opt in to warm, Gulf of Mexico waters, vivid wildlife and seaside charm. Quaint inns like the Beach Cottages of Sanibel offer cozy places to unwind, while properties like Captiva Island Inn offer stunning views of both Captiva Island beach and the bay, leaving you with plenty of options for beachfront dining, water sports, and more.

@love_adventure_sunshine

Discover a shelling state of mind

Shell collectors travel from all over the world to explore the world-renowned beaches of Sanibel and Captiva Islands. Thanks to their gently sloping shores, the north-flowing Gulf Stream rolls hundreds of species of shells onto their beaches every day. There’s no family scavenger hunt like a shell-hunting contest. One that ends with finding natural keepsakes you’ll treasure for years to come.

@sheshorelikestobeach

Let the water take you away

On Sanibel and Captiva Islands, the local marinas, resorts and outfitters offer a variety of cruises, kayaks, sailboats, paddleboats and more to get you safely on the water. Captiva Cruises shows you a Florida sunset the way it’s meant to be seen: On the water. If you’re looking to explore something more remote, book a day trip to Cabbage Key, Useppa Island, Boca Grande or Cayo Costa State Park.

Dive in to sea life

You will be amazed with the variety of wildlife surrounding these laid-back beaches. Cruise to an uninhabited island for a chance to see manatees, dolphins and other wildlife up close. Kayak through mangrove forests and find yourself immersed in the mangrove ecosystem. Let island time sink in as you surround yourself with wading birds, back bay waters, and a natural experience you are sure to remember.

The relaxed, quiet pace of life on Sanibel and Captiva Islands offers a unique charm. For more ways to experience Southwest Florida’s relaxed rhythms and beautiful shorelines, explore all our communities and find the getaway that’s right for your spring break vacation.

**Click on picture to order your free guidebook.**

Help NESTING SEA TURTLES, Keep Beaches Dark and Free of Obstacles at Night

Posted on January 23, 2024 by stoadmin

Bright Beachfront Lighting Can MISDIRECT Nesting Sea Turtles -Turn it Off
Loggerhead, Leatherback and Green SEA TURTLES are Nesting Right Now
Report Sick, Injured or Entangled Sea Turtles to FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline, 1-888-404-FWCC (3922)

Nesting loggerhead sea turtle. Photo by Loggerhead Marinelife Center

Keeping beaches dark at night and free of obstacles will help sea turtles during their nesting season, which begins in Florida on March 1 and lasts through the end of October.

Bright artificial lighting can misdirect and disturb nesting sea turtles and their hatchlings, so beachgoers should avoid using flashlights or cellphones at night. Turning out lights or closing curtains and shades in buildings along the beach after dark will ensure nesting turtles are not disturbed as they come ashore and hatchlings will not become disoriented when they emerge from their nests. Clearing away boats and beach furniture at the end of the day and filling in holes in the sand are also important because turtles can become trapped in furniture and get trapped in holes on the beach.

Florida’s beachfront residents and visitors taking these actions will help conserve the loggerhead, leatherback and green sea turtles that nest on the state’s coastlines.

“Keeping Florida’s beaches dark and uncluttered at night can help protect sea turtles that return to nest on our beaches,” said Dr. Robbin Trindell, who heads the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) sea turtle management program. “Many agency partners, such as nature centers, marine turtle permit holders and local governments, contribute greatly to sea turtle conservation. But caring beachgoers can also make a significant difference in helping nesting and hatchling sea turtles survive.”

Exactly when sea turtle nesting season starts depends on where you are in Florida. While it begins in March on the Atlantic coast from Brevard through Broward counties, it starts later in the spring, in late April or May, along the northeast Atlantic, the Keys and Gulf coasts.

Wherever you are, other ways to help sea turtles include properly disposing of fishing line to avoid entanglements, and reporting those that are sick, injured, entangled or dead to the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) or #FWC or *FWC on a cellphone.

Purchasing a “Helping Sea Turtles Survive” Florida license plate at Buyaplate.com contributes to sea turtle research, rescue and conservation efforts. People also can donate $5 and receive an FWC sea turtle decal.

Go to MyFWC.com/SeaTurtle for more information on Florida’s sea turtles, then click on “Research,” then “Nesting” for more data on sea turtle nesting.

Photos are available on the FWC’s Flickr site: http://bit.ly/2bwCAj5. Sea turtle nesting video B-roll available on FWC’s Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/257783160

Matt Lee joins Lure Lock Pro Team

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Glenn Walker

New Tackle Box Design is Innovative in one area where it is Hard TO BE NEW
Keeps Lures Protected, Keeps Hooks & Weights from Bouncing Around
Multiple Sizes, Durable, Shock Resistant….MADE IN THE USA!
Matt Lee is Young Talent on Bassmaster Elite Series Excited to Use Innovative Cases

ETTRICK, Wisconsin – Lure Lock and Bassmaster Elite Series Angler, Matt Lee, have agreed to terms on a multi-year partnership. Lee has been competing on the Bassmaster Elite Series for three years now, following his win at the 2012 Carhartt Bassmaster College Championship and competing in the 2013 Bassmaster Classic.

“The excitement in our office continues, with the addition of Matt Lee to our pro staff,” Jessica Kriesel, Lure Lock Marketing Coordinator. “Matt is one of the up and coming anglers on the Elite Series and is a genuine, hardworking individual, like all of us at Lure Lock and like the anglers we aim to do business with…the fit was a natural one.”

Matt will be relying on the full line of Lure Lock cases to keep his tackle organized and secured throughout his travels of the Bassmaster Elite Series, including the upcoming Bassmaster Classic.

HOW IT WORKS: The proprietary (non-toxic) gel holds and cradles fishing lures, hooks and terminal fishing tackle into a soft, safe environment, locking it into place while keeping the vibration and movement from dulling the hooks, barbs, paint, and even the overall effectiveness of the lure itself.

“Being a fishing tackle junkie, I’ve spent my fair share of time organizing tackle and looking for the best tackle storage solutions on the market,” stated Lee. “The Lure Lock cases are truly unique in their design and I’m extremely honored to be representing their brand and will gladly demonstrate the cases effectiveness to anyone, so be sure to ask if you see me.”

Patented non-toxic gel keeps everything in place in tackle box. Expensive lures are protected just like new from the box.

For more information about Lure Lock products please visit http://www.lurelock.com, or contact Glenn Walker at glenn@providencemarketinggroup.net with media or marketing requests.

About Lure Lock: Lure Lock is owned by Tak Logic LLC, Ettrick, WI, 54627. Lure Lock tackle boxes feature a patented gel material all made in the USA. For more information, call 608-525-3636.

Niagara Falls USA Fishing Forecast for Thursday, March 15, 2018 – from Destination Niagara USA

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Bill Hilts

**Capt. Nick Calandrelli of Lewiston, NY, shows off a Niagara County steelhead he caught this week on an egg sac.**

It’s March 15 and it’s the final day of walleye, northern pike, tiger musky and pickerel fishing seasons in New York. We’re also less than a week from the arrival of spring. However, someone forgot to tell Mother Nature. We were dumped on again, with another 6 to 8 inches of snow in Niagara. Despite the late white stuff, there are trout in most all of the streams and in the Niagara River.

Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls has been crawling around the rocks in the gorge area and he picked up a few fish in the lower Niagara River this week using a white and silver jig in the Devil’s Hole area. Water was high with visibility at about 10 feet. Water clarity has been an issue for Capt. Mark McGranahan of Sparky’s Charters, too. He was offering trout some egg sacs, minnows and plugs like Kwikfish and MagLips and managed to hook into a few. Action was not consistent though. It appeared there was a large amount of bait in the river, too. If this weather continues to stay cold with a chance of snow or ice, they may not open the New York Power Authority fishing platform or the NYPA reservoir access points. You can check by calling 716-796-0135 Ext. 45.

March 18^th is the 13^th Annual John Long, Sr. Memorial Raffle and Feast to be held at Niagara Active Hose on Lockport Road in the Town of Niagara from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. This is the big fund raiser for the year with the Niagara River Anglers Association. Call Paul Jackson at 731-4780 for more information.

In the Lake Ontario tributaries, conditions have been fair to good for trout. White flies and jigs have been working well. Jig tipped with a wax worm also have been catching some fish.

**Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls his this nice steelie casting a white and silver jig in the Niagara Gorge.**

Next rain or melt-off should produce a solid push of fish. Water has been cold, so fish low (deep) and slow according to Scott Feltrinelli, a local fly fishing guide out of Rochester area. Both steelhead and brown trout are being caught, depending on where you are fishing. If you can make it on the lake, you can troll the shoreline for browns with stickbaits.

The Lake Ontario Trout and Salmon Association is looking for some volunteers to help put their pens together and get them ready for the salmon and trout stockings in April. On April 7, volunteers will be meeting at the Town of Newfane Marina in Olcott at 9:30 a.m. to work on the pens. For more information contact Alan Sauerland at 504-7789. Incidentally, the first meeting of the year for LOTSA will be April 12 and it will be on tournament spring king fishing. The meeting is in Lockport at 7 p.m., Cornell Cooperative Extension.

If you are looking for an opportunity to buy, sell or view antique fishing tackle, the 29^th Annual Antique Fishing Tackle Show is the ticket. This is the longest-running event of its kind in the state, giving you a trip down memory lane as it relates to the fishing industry. The show is slated for March 24 from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Elks Lodge No. 41 located at 6791 North Canal Road in Lockport. Admission into the show is $5 for adults. Kids 16 and under are free. Tables are still available if you are interested in displaying for $15 before March 17, $20 after. This is a great chance to get an appraisal on some old fishing tackle that may be lying around your basement or in your garage. For more information contact Dan Bedford at 713-9410.

**Antique fishing lures will be the focus of a local show in Lockport on March 24 to be held at the Elks Lodge No. 41.**

Bill Hilts, Jr. – Outdoor Promotions Director

Destination Niagara USA, 10 Rainbow Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY 14303

p: 1-877 FALLS US, 1-716-282-8992 x. 303, f: 716-285-0809; www.niagarafallsusa.com

Provided by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

NRA Files Suit Challenging Florida’s Newly-Enacted Anti-Gun Legislation

Posted on January 23, 2024 by stoadmin

FAIRFAX, Va. – March 12, 2018: The National Rifle Association today announced that it has filed a lawsuit challenging the State of Florida’s newly-enacted ban on the purchase of firearms by young adults between the ages of 18-21.

Florida’s ban is an affront to the Second Amendment, as it totally eviscerates the right of law-abiding adults between the ages of 18 and 21 to keep and bear arms. The ban is particularly offensive with respect to young women, as women between the ages of 18 and 21 are much less likely to engage in violent crime than older members of the general population who are unaffected by the ban. Despite this fact, the State of Florida has enacted a sweeping law banning all young adults between the ages of 18 and 21 from purchasing any firearm from any source. Chris Cox, the Executive Director of the NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action, stated, “Swift action is needed to prevent young adults in Florida from being treated as second-class citizens when it comes to the right to keep and bear arms.

We are confident that the courts will vindicate our view that Florida’s ban is a blatant violation of the Second Amendment.” The case is National Rifle Association of America, Inc. v. Bondi, and it has been filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida.

About the NRA: Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America’s oldest civil rights and sportsmen’s group. More than five million members strong, NRA continues to uphold the Second Amendment and advocates enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation’s leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the armed services. Be sure to follow the NRA on Facebook at NRA on Facebook and Twitter @NRA.

Orleans County/Lake Ontario Fishing Report – Feb. 21, 2018

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Lynne Menz

Winter is Waning, Rising Water on All Flows
Look for Steelies in the Smaller Flows
See Fishing Report Updates: http://fishoakorchard.com/steam-conditions/

This week’s fishing report is from Ron Bierstine at Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge.

A nice steelhead after changeable winter weather and a rise in Oak Orchard flows mid – late February. Stained water color means prime chances for good fly drifts and willing biters! *Photo Courtesy of Oak Orchard Tackle and Lodge*

Thanks to last week ending with a couple days of cold temps, flows had actually retreated quicker than anticipated and offered a decent fishable window thru the past weekend on falling and clearing flows. There were some on and off steelhead action and anglers had hook-ups on the smaller tributaries too.

Flows go up, flows go down, flows go back up. Thanks to rain yesterday, with unseasonable warm temps, all the tributary flows are high and dirty, headed shortly, probably, to be blown and dirty.

The forecast is for warm temps thru the mid-week and another chance for precipitation today. After this week, all the tributary shore ice should be moved out and possibly the ice cover on Lake Alice (aka Waterport Pond) too. Look for rising tributary water temperatures now, at least in the short term, if any seasonal cool weather doesn’t return. So dirty and high water color is likely to hang in for a bit on the Oak with no great cool down in sight and lots of upstream supply.

Flows in the Oak are high and stained with about a foot or so of visibility. There are lots of turbine and overflow water at the dam, and overflow levels may increase, so water color may get dirtier.

There are still anglers on the waterway today with unknown success. The other area smaller tributaries are blown and dirty, but look for those smaller waterways to be on the mend toward some state of reasonable fishing by the end of the week.

Steelhead should be well distributed on the backside of some of the highest flows we’ve had in a while.

From Point Breeze on Lake Ontario, the World Fishing Network’s Ultimate Fishing Town USA and the rest of Orleans County, let’s make everyday a great fishing day right here in Orleans County!

The Orleans County Tourism Team, Email: lynne@orleanscountytourism.com

Icarus Update…the Story of an Injured Bald Eagle

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Robin Jenkins - DVM

Peace River Wildlife Center is a Rehabilitation Center for Injured Birds and Wildlife
Burned Feathers, Trauma, but No Broken Bones
Healing Process Details

by Robin Jenkins | Feb 22, 2018

In early January 2018, Peace River Wildlife Center admitted a bald eagle that had been burned by a power pole discharge. While it isn’t a common injury for us to treat, an electrical shock is not unheard of. When we do have an incident like this, Florida Power & Light is extremely responsive. They investigate and repair the pole (and numerous poles on either side of it) to make sure the poles are safe going forward, for both the wildlife and workers who may encounter it.

The word “electrocution” was first used in the late 1880’s in the United States to describe a new form of electrical execution via the electric chair, which was invented by a dentist, who apparently was no longer content to just torture patients in his dental chair. (This will come as no surprise to anyone who was a patient of Dr. Goldy, the pediatric dentist I was sentenced to as a child.)

Originally it referred only to death by that method, but quickly caught on as a term to describe accidental death by shock since no word for that existed. Electrocution is now also used to describe serious but non-fatal injuries due to electric shock, the results of which may vary depending on the strength of current and length of exposure.

**Icarus getting feisty, recovery is in process.**

When an electrical current passes through the body, it can cause immediate death by stopping the heart or respiration. It can also cause more insidious damage when the current flows in one part of the body and out another. Quite often those relatively minor-looking injuries will become life-threatening over the course of the next few days. The tissues—nerves, blood vessels, muscles, and organs—between the entrance and exit wounds can become necrotic, leading to the eventual death of the victim.

Luckily for the eagle, we believe our patient had been burned rather than shocked. (If you can consider being burned all over your body a stroke of luck.) The bird had just landed atop the power pole with a fish he caught in a nearby canal. According to one witness, a large spark arced from the line next to the eagle into the ground a few feet away. Our patient was burned by the heat emanating from that arc. He was blown or jumped into the canal, which seems like adding insult to injury, but may have helped save his life. The intense heat on his feathers and skin was immediately quenched by the cool water.

When he got to PRWC, the eagle’s prognosis was guarded. He could have inhaled the heat or water, causing damage to his lung tissue or pneumonia. He could have broken bones in his wings or legs when he fell. The delicate tissue of his eyes could have been destroyed. A serious incident like this can have long-lasting repercussions.

**Many ways to donate, please click to view.**

We dubbed the eagle Icarus, after the character in Greek mythology who flew too close to the sun and fell into the sea. Whether it was hubris or hunger that initiated the event, our Icarus didn’t drown, and he is now recovering nicely from his injuries. He suffered burns on most of the feathers all over his body, head, and wings. The skin on his face and feet were singed. But the sensitive tissues of his eyes and respiratory systems seem to have been spared. He has no broken bones and with a recent development of his predilection to perch on top of a doorway, we have reason to believe he may be able to fly again someday.

The skin on his feet and face is healing well and his appetite is good. He will be placed in our 100-foot flight cage soon while the rest of his feathers molt. It can take up to three years for an eagle to molt every feather on his body, and Icarus had almost all his feathers affected. With the damage that was done to his skin, we are cautiously optimistic that his body will go into overdrive and replace the seared feathers more quickly.

In the meantime, we will continue to care for this decrepit soul until he is once again the majestic bird he once was—and will be again, thanks to the community’s support.

Chronic Wasting Disease is a Deer Family Disease – Hunters be Aware

Posted on January 23, 2024 by stoadmin

Photo by Warden Micheal Hopper, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a neurological disease in deer, elk, moose and other members of the deer family, known as “cervids.”

The disease was first recognized in 1967 in captive mule deer in Colorado, and has since been documented in captive and free-ranging deer in states and two Canadian Provinces.

The first case of CWD in Texas was discovered in 2012 in free-ranging mule deer in an isolated area of far West Texas.

This disease presents numerous challenges for state wildlife agencies across North America. Of concern is the potential for decline within deer, elk, or other susceptible cervid populations.

In addition, CWD could have indirect impacts on hunting, hunter participation, and economic benefits derived from big game hunting.

In Texas, hunting is a $2.2 billion economic engine, supporting many rural towns across the state.

Learn more about Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) at this Texas Parks & Wildlife website, and sign up for their newsletter for more updates about this serious issue.

Because eradication is thought to be impossible once CWD becomes established in a population, it is imperative that a sound CWD management program is established to reduce the severity of implications resulting from the disease.

Of course, disease prevention is the best approach to protect cervid populations and prevent social and economic repercussions. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) have developed a cooperative CWD management plan to guide both agencies in addressing risks, developing management strategies, and protecting big game resources from Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in captive or free-ranging cervid populations.

Orleans County, NY – FISHING REPORT for March 6, 2018

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Lynne Menz

By Ron Bierstine at Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge

Through the weekend and right now, flows in the Oak are medium or maybe just slightly more than medium. There were reports that flows retreated yesterday and that may have just been a temporary thing. Water color is clearing with 2 ft or more of visibility. By steelhead standards, the conditions are real nice for productive drifts and swings up and down the river.

Weather has cooled and there is no great warm up in the immediate future. Highs forecast in the 30’s°F or near 40°F with chance of rain or snow showers through this week. No significant accumulations are expected.

Fishing pressure is light so far through this week. From earlier warmer weather and higher flows, there was some spawning activity. That may be stalled some now but fish may still be in fast water areas with greater concentrations of fish more upstream then down. Still plenty of fish at the dam that haven’t dropped back looking to stage or spawn yet. Most anglers getting good drifts or swings are into a few or more hook ups in an outing.

Hospitable Lake Ontario conditions (warm water temps) may cause some fish to linger before making a later-in-the-season-run. More fresh fish should be trickling in, especially with the next warm up and/or rise in flows.

Reports are light from the other area smaller tributaries that are dropping down to moderate and clearing flows. To the west there should be scattered steelhead for drifters and to the east there should be a brown trout/steelhead mix for swingers. Niagara and Bar action is reported good for mixed bag species and small boat trollers or casters are into multiple hook ups when wind and waves and water color cooperate for near shore action.

From Point Breeze on Lake Ontario, the World Fishing Network’s Ultimate Fishing Town USA and the rest of Orleans County, let’s make everyday a great fishing day right here in Orleans County! Contact us for more info: Orleans County Tourism, Orleans County Tourism, 14016 Route 31 West, Albion, NY 14411. For more info, click the image below or email: lynne@orleanscountytourism.com.

The Ultimate Ice-Fish Finder, the CIA, the Fish…AND YOU!

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Traditions Media

Sonar-GPS-Underwater Camera Connection Delivers Primo Big Fish Picture

Crosslake, MN (February 28, 2018) – Who knows how far angling technology will eventually take us? Maybe someone at the CIA has a clue. All we civilian anglers know is that things like GPS and sonar make fishing more productive and efficient, which pretty much defines technology itself.

Beyond the traditional fish-finding tools, underwater cameras add realism and adrenaline to the operation. What’s more electrifying, after all, than actually witnessing the strike, whether through polarized lenses or an Aqua-Vu screen?

**Click the picture above to visit the video.**

Cameras, of course, aren’t just about underwater sight fishing and keeping kids entertained. Advanced underwater cams are equipped with probes that reveal water temperature at the depth you’re actually fishing — often a totally different degree than the surface temp shown on your sonar screen. Ice anglers, for example, are discovering the frequency with which fish flock to warmer pockets amid otherwise near-freezing water. Only way to know for sure is to drop the camera optics, and see for yourself the actual temperature and any fish in the neighborhood.

Another step forward has occurred as enhanced sonar screens now do justice to live color video. Consequently, folks who run video-enabled units — such as Raymarine eSeries or the new Raymarine Axiom Pro — gain the bonus ability to plug their underwater camera right into their sonar screen.

Want to watch sonar and live underwater video at the same time? You got it. Sonar, GPS map and video? Yep. How about capturing still images and underwater video clips for later reference, or to share with friends? That’s possible, too. As is using your underwater camera to visually confirm fish species and the real-life appearance of structure, and then saving the spot as a GPS waypoint — all on the same unit.

While we’re at it, why not just deploy an underwater drone? Apparently, someone out there has nearly perfected a such a device and armed it with fish-seeking sonar, an attached LED lure and 4K video that transmits to a smartphone.

Beam me up, Scotty.

For now, in case you’re wondering about the leading edge of current fish electronics, all we can say is, “Watch this.”

About Outdoors Insight, Inc. – Creator of Aqua-Vu, the original Underwater Viewing System, Outdoors Insight, Inc. has led the underwater camera category in design, innovation and quality since 1997. The Central Minnesota based company builds many popular outdoors products, such as the iBall Trailer Hitch Camera (iballhitchcam.com) and Odor Check Moisture and Odor Control System (odorcheck.com) featuring Scent-Lok Technology. For more information on Aqua-Vu, visit www.aquavu.com.

Take Advantage of the Goby Invasion

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Traditions Media

LIVETARGET Goby Paddle Tails and Curly Tails perfectly mimic the Real McCoy

Round goby image courtesy of Shedd Aquarium

Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON (February 22, 2018) – Round gobies have forever altered the ecology, and the angling landscape, of the Great Lakes and connected waterbodies. Since their discovery in the St. Clair River in 1990, these invasive stowaways from the Black and Caspian seas have become key players of their local food webs. Indeed, round gobies are among the few fish that consume undesirable zebra and quagga mussels, themselves transported to the Great Lakes within the same ballast tanks that harbored the first goby colonists. At the same time, gobies have become established as integral components of many gamefish diets.

LIVETARGET Goby Paddle Tail

Smallmouth bass are among the Great Lakes gamefish that have benefited dramatically from the goby invasion. Indeed, a study of Lake Erie smallmouth bass demonstrated that while crayfish were the primary foodstuffs of smallies before gobies appeared on the scene, bronze bass rapidly converted to munching gobies – as often as three-quarters of the time – once the invasive baitfish became abundant. Moreover, juvenile smallmouth bass grew longer, and faster, once gobies became their primary forage base. A similar preference for gobies is now established within other Great Lakes gamefish, including brown and lake trout – a fact that savvy anglers can exploit to enjoy bigger, more consistent catches.

LIVETARGET offers highly refined, purpose driven solutions for anglers chasing gamefish that feast on gobies with their soft plastic Goby Paddle Tail and Goby Curly Tail baits. With an unparalleled combination of biomimetic size, shape, profile, color, and action, LIVETARGET goby-inspired baits stand ready to help anglers put more fish in the net.

LIVETARGET Goby Paddle Tails are staggeringly accurate artificial representations of the Great Lakes smallmouth bass’ preferred forage. These intricately designed soft baits include three-dimensional anatomical features, including dorsal, ventral and pectoral fins, gill opercules and eyes.

LIVETARGET Goby Curly Tail

Goby Paddle Tails have internal weights ranging from ½ to 1 oz,, helping anglers to mimic the behavior of living gobies by maintaining close bottom contact as baits are worked back to the boat. A slow drift or drag across the bottom brings the bait’s paddletail to life, providing strike-eliciting action and vibration. After the bite, the Goby Paddle Tail’s premium hook keeps bass pinned tight, putting more bronze bombers in the net. The LIVETARGET Goby Paddle Tail is available now, in seven ultra-realistic color schemes, with MSRP $13.49 – $14.49 for a pack of three pre-rigged baits.

The LIVETARGET Goby Curly Tail shines when conditions call for a more lively presentation, or one where the bait swims methodically along the bottom. In these baits, the anatomical precision of the LIVETARGET Goby body is united with a robust, high action tail for enhanced vibration and lifelike swimming action. As with their Paddle Tail counterparts, LIVETARGET Goby Curly Tails are available now, in three lengths, three weights, and seven premium color patterns with MSRP $13.49 – $14.49 for a pack of three pre-rigged baits.

The unparalleled design features of the LIVETARGET Goby Paddle and Curly Tail baits are matched only by the simplicity of the presentations needed for their effective use. Living gobies spend the majority of their time sitting atop their pectoral fins on the bottom, hopping and darting from one rocky perch to another. Savvy anglers deliver LIVETARGET Gobies on long casts and let them settle to the bottom. A series of short hops, delivered with twitches of the rod tip, brings the soft plastic LIVETARGET Gobies to life with subtle wobbling body motion and active tail vibration that elicits strikes from nearby bass, trout, and other goby-munching Great Lakes predators.

LIVETARGET Gobies also have a place in your walleye arsenal. Many a walleye feasts on native darter species, which, aside from their more svelte profile, appear quite similar.

LIVETARGET Goby Paddle Tail and Curly Tail baits perfectly mimic the size, shape, profile, color, and action of their living counterparts. When fishing the Great Lakes, or any other northern waters where invasive gobies or native sculpins abound, LIVETARGET gobies are the best choice for enhancing your catch rate.

ABOUT LIVETARGET: Since its launch in 2008, LIVETARGET has grown into a full family of life-like fishing lures that Match-the-Hatch™ to specific game fish forage, with over 750 styles and colors of lures for fresh and saltwater fishing. The lures feature industry-leading designs in realism and workmanship that closely mimic nature’s different baitfish species. Headquartered in Ontario, Canada, LIVETARGET won ICAST Best of Show awards in the hard and soft lure categories in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2017.

Bland, Basic, Boring and Black

Posted on January 23, 2024 by USCCA

By Beth Alcazar // 02/27/2018

Not too long ago, I was working with a group of USCCA Instructor candidates, watching them, as they endeavored to pass their shooting qualification. My teammate noticed that one of the students had an image of the Punisher on the base plates of her magazines. Of course, to those who enjoy firearms (and perhaps a bit of gun collecting), this would not be a big deal. What firearms enthusiast or competitive shooter doesn’t enjoy some modification or personalization? It’s kind of a natural progression to go from out-of-the-box to customized and it’s not necessarily a bad thing. Whether it’s the addition of an aftermarket Crimson Trace laser or an American flag Cerakote finish, owners can gain a lot of extra usefulness and enjoyment from a firearm that’s been modified beyond its original configuration. But these customized magazines happened to go with her everyday carry gun. Her self-defense gun. And that’s where things can get a bit tricky.

I’m far from an expert on legal issues, but in a litigious society filled with anti-gun nuttery, a firearm that’s been modified can mean trouble, especially if the owner has modified the action (changed the trigger so it’s smoother or lighter). To an eager prosecutor, that can translate to a gun owner who’s looking for a fight, hoping to shoot someone and wanting to kill. Of course, we in the gun community know that’s not true in the slightest. But it is something to consider. While a mass-produced firearm follows designs and specifications that can be replicated and supported, an altered firearm could potentially be labeled “unsafe,” “dangerous” or even “more lethal.”

Click on the illustration/link above for membership information to join the USCCA.

If you are ever involved in a self-defense shooting, your gun will be seized as evidence. Firearms experts will study the ammunition used and will inspect the gun (along with magazines and accessories) to make sure it functions properly, the safeties work and the trigger pull meets factory specifications. Any distinctive features or anomalies, possibly caused by modifications, will be noted. So … how would it look if your carry gun had a purple Holoflake glitter finish … or had the Punisher (a fictional vigilante who employs murder, kidnapping, extortion, coercion and violence in his campaign against crime) emblazoned on the magazines? Would a jury look favorably on that? At this point, you may be wishing your gun was bland, basic, boring and black.

Undoubtedly, whether or not you modify your concealed carry handgun is a very personal decision. I’m not saying that people shouldn’t change the grip on a firearm to fit their hands. But if you can’t articulate exactly why you put that whiz-bang trigger in your Glock 19, then don’t put it in. However, if you can explain it and justify it, go ahead and have it professionally installed by a competent gunsmith (with verifiable credentials) if you don’t have an armorer certification. And be able to explain why the original plastic sights were exchanged for better ones or why that Surefire X300 is on there. If the modifications were done to increase accuracy and reliability, then you’re increasing the safety of yourself and others …which is why we carry a self-defense gun in the first place.

All in all, always be cautious and consider leaving your self-defense gun and magazines exactly the way they came out of the box. When it comes to everyday carry, you don’t want your firearm to look unique, function differently or grab attention. Always keep safety at the forefront. Save those bells and whistles for the competition gun! And when in doubt, just remember to think: bland, basic, boring and black.

About the USCCA: The USCCA (United States Concealed Carry Association) is a membership organization that provides education, training and the insurance-backed Self-Defense SHIELD to responsibly armed Americans like you. Since its inception in 2003, and together with its flagship publication Concealed Carry Magazine, the USCCA has proudly supported a community of hundreds of thousands of patriots from all around the country. It’s our mission to arm our loyal members with the tools they need to safely and confidently protect themselves and their loved ones with the utmost peace of mind.

Our USCCA Team is dedicated to providing you with an unprecedented experience. In an ever-changing, fast-paced world, our team still believes in good, old-fashioned American customer service. When you call our award-winning team, whether in an emergency or even just to say hi, you’ll be graciously greeted by a friendly voice—and a warm, Midwestern accent! You’ll never be passed through an unhelpful phone tree or be put on hold with the insurance company.

Questions? Contact us by phone at: 1-855-388-4077 (Central Time), Monday-Friday 8am-10pm, Saturday 9am-2pm, or online at: https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/contact/.

The Mountains Shall Depart …saved by an Alaskan Shaman

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Dave Barus

By Dave Barus

**Click on the book to buy from Amazon, PRIME members receive free shipping.**

A new book about Adventure, Tragedy, Death, Life, Peace, Mystical Intervention, Joy, Leadership.

I couldn’t put it down. This book offers all that in just 122 pages! It’s in the running for the Pulitzer Prize this year.

“The Mountains Shall Depart” by Robert E. Holzhei shares a secret tale about a young man named Luke, as he learns about the life and the outdoors on a farm in the 1940s.

Luke’s journey from childhood provides an intriguing trail where he discovers hard work ethic and uncompromising risk that lead to burden, panic and tragedy.

A spellbinding journey emerges for Luke that becomes mystical, when an Alaskan shaman helps Luke shed a tragedy he cannot erase from childhood. The new trail becomes a spiritual journey where Luke soon discovers new energy and a life-changing path that becomes a life-long journey to coach others in a new role.

Once you start reading the book, you realize that overcoming adversity, realizing new inspiration and linking to new goals is not about fiction. A story where the end is a new beginning.

The well-written book, 122 pages, is hard to put down. You can obtain a copy two ways:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Mountains-Shall-Depart-Robert-Holzhei-ebook/dp/B073QV3JXT
For an autographed copy, contact the author by email at bholzhei@gmail.com or send a check directly for $24.30 directly to Robert Holzhei, 3601 Avery Road, St. John’s, Michigan, 48879.

TRIPLE-UP WINTER FUN in Chautauqua County, NY

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Dave Barus

Anglers – Ice Fish for Walleye
Hunters – Get Ready for Goose Season
Families: It’s Maple Syrup Time and Late Winter Adventures

**Brock Windoft of Lakewood, NY, with a beautiful winter musky caught and released from Chautauqua Lake ice.**

Chautauqua, New York – Feb. 22, 2018: Winter Fishing – Anglers on Chautauqua Lake have enjoyed one of the finest ice fishing seasons in several years. Huge crappie over three pounds, walleye over 10-pounds, lots of toothy musky – some better than four feet long, as well as bluegills and yellow perch, all have been testing the lightweight winter fishing lines of anglers from Mayville to Jamestown. Hard ice off the north side of Long Point has provided excellent fishing, though anglers accessing the lake from the Mayville Town Park parking area have enjoyed good catches as well. With spring warming trends, the once solid ice of 10-12 inches thickness will thin quickly. Open water flows from tributary creeks will soon begin and runoffs from warming canals will initiate the onset of early crappie fishing for hardy anglers, well ahead of the usual calendar start. For the latest fishing news, check with Skip Bianco at Hogan’s Hut, www.hogans-hut.com/, 716-789-3831 or Mike Sperry at Chautauqua Reel Outdoors, www.chautauquareeloutdoors.com/, 716-763-2947.

Shotgun Hunters: Canada geese – they abound as a golden Chautauqua opportunity for 5-bird daily bag limits with the nine-day late Goose Hunting Season that runs March 2-10. Cackling geese and white-fronted geese may be taken as part of the Canada goose daily and possession limit. Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Snow geese season is open now too, they may be taken by special Conservation Order through April 15, daily limit is 25 birds. The geese species, possession limit is three times the daily limit, except for snow geese. Use of non-toxic shot required and hunters should remember that the possession limit is the maximum number of birds with you in the field, at home, in transit or in storage. For special hunter regulations visit: www.dec.ny.gov.

Maple Syrup Family Adventures – the sunny winter weather has been with us, maple tree sap is flowing in Chautauqua County. Maple weekends are just ahead: March 17-18 and March 24-25, 2018. There are three Sugar House Sites that will offer free, family-oriented events to learn about maple syrup making, each site offering different “See & Do Fun,” many with free samples. Mmmm! Learn about boiling tree sap, filtering, bottling, packaging and making maple sugar candy. Enjoy horse drawn wagon rides, hiking tours, other activities. Events run no matter rain or snow or shine. Wear boots. Add these stops to your schedule: Big Tree Maple, 2040 Holly Lane, Lakewood, NY,14750, www.bigtreemaple.com, 716-763-5917; Clear Creek Farm, 5067 Morris Road, Mayville, NY, 14757, www.clearcreekfarms.us/, 716-269-2079; Fairbanks Maple, 9265 Putman Road, Forestville, NY, 14062, www.facebook.com/FairbanksMaple/, 716-965-4208.

For any of these outings, spend the weekend at a bed and breakfast, a warm winter cottage or a deluxe winter water playground hotel. Some options: http://www.tourchautauqua.com/where_to_stay.aspx.

Outdoor Media Contact: Dave Barus – Fishing & Hunting Promotions Associate, Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau, P.O. Box 1441, Chautauqua, NY, 14722; email: dbarus35@yahoo.com; Cell: 716-597-4081. Visitors Bureau Travel/Accommodations Contact: R. Andrew Nixon, Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau, P.O. Box 1441, Chautauqua, NY, 14722; Office: 716-357-4569; email: nixon@tourchautauqua.com; web: http://www.tourchautauqua.com; www.Facebook.com/Tour.Chautauqua.

Phantom Lures Applies Thru-Wire Technology to Bait Line Up

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Jack Gavin - Phantom Lures

Phantom Lures Line Up of Baits Now Use Thru-Wire Technology

Ramsey, MN – Jan 17, 2018: Phantom Lures, widely known for its design and manufacture of high quality, proven baits will now be using Thru-Wire Technology in its lineup of baits. The strong, single wire design connects the tow point and hook hangers, making the Phantom Lures more durable and able to handle violent strikes.

The use of Thru-Wire construction will yield a more consistent build process and open doors to expanded fishing applications. By not relying on screw-in eyelets, the overall strength of the bait is increased, and the need to tune immediately after purchase is eliminated. This technology has proven to be very successful in the Phantom Lures’ Freak and HardHead baits, and will now be expanded into other popular baits.

“Adding thru-wire construction to several of our already effective muskie baits increases the strength and durability of the lure as a whole,” stated Product Manager Jeff Schulte. “In addition, it also provides anglers the added benefit of consistent performance by eliminating the need to further tune the bait. Our thru-wire design delivers superior cast after cast performance.”
The Thru-Wire Technology will be available in the following Phantom Lures:
• Softail
• Softail Live Series
• Standard
• Freak
• Hardhead
• Hardhead Live Series

Please note that Thru-Wire Technology will be immediately available in the 6” and 7.5” baits. The 4” models look to have a later release date. The Standard’s will be sold as a thru-wire bait once we sell out our current inventory of standards.

For more information about the full product lines from Phantom Lures, visit the Phantom Lures website or contact Jack Gavin at: jack@providencemarketinggroup.net.

About Phantom Lures: Since 1996, Phantom Lures has built a strong and loyal reputation in the muskie fishing industry by making excellent, custom, quality baits that are used by first time fishermen, guides and tournament anglers. This reputation is now migrating to the walleye and bass world. Our tournament –winning baits produce actions that put trophy fish on your line, leaving you with great pictures and lifelong memories. For more information about Phantom Lures, visit PhantomLures.com or call 763.951.2902.

St. Croix Starts Spinning Glass

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Traditions Media

Park Falls, WI (March 1, 2018) — America’s most maniacal rod engineers have struck again, answering the call for a spinning version of the immensely popular Legend Glass.

St. Croix’s Legend Glass rod series took home top freshwater rod honors at ICAST 2016 for blending classic fiberglass feel to modern, IPC® tooling technology and a body made of 100-percent, linear S-Glass material. For nearly two years, anglers have raved about the lightweight, sensitive feel of Legend Glass while St. Croix’s Wisconsin manufacturing facility kicked into overdrive to supply a feverish demand.

Crankbait anglers from coast-to-coast are fawning over Legend Glass, and as the spring fishing season gets underway, the new 7’ 2” medium-power, moderate action spinning model (LGS72MM) enters the fray as the number one contender to take midsized and small baits deeper, keeping them in the strike zone longer. The newest Legend Glass model is the perfect partner for windy days, or to deliver small and midsize baits to fish in multiple depth ranges.

“When you grip a Legend Glass rod, you immediately note its weight — uncharacteristically light for a glass rod,” says St. Croix Rods Promotions Manager Rich Belanger. “And once you set the hook, the rod protects lighter lines from hard running bass. And what really strikes you is the rod’s balance, forgiveness, and that familiar St. Croix feel-factor.”

“Legend Glass spinning is going to be a game changer for folks that throw light crankbaits on light line, especially the thin profile baits that like to tumble when cast on rods that are too stiff,” says St. Croix’s Dan Johnston. “The blank bends down enough to protect very light fluorocarbon line with a light crankbait, which is something anglers have been looking for a while.”

“That linear S-Glass on the IPC mandrel made Legend Glass arguably the best fiberglass bass rod ever put on the market,” Johnston adds. “The fact that we just put it on a spinning rod is really exciting. It’s cool to be able to finally throw thin-profile lightweight cranks on light line.”

**Click on Picture for the new Legend Glass Story.**

Now featuring five situation-specific models, St. Croix Legend Glass rods employ Fuji® K Series Concept Tangle Free guides with Alconite rings and polished frames — ideal for all line types. Fuji® DPS reel seat with frosted silver hoods harmonize with super grade split-grip cork handles and Kigan hook-keepers. All Legend Glass rods boast 15-year transferable warranties backed by St. Croix Superstar Service. Retail for the new spinning version is $260.

FEATURES:

Integrated Poly Curve® (IPC®) tooling technology
Super premium, 100% linear S-Glass
Fuji® K-Series tangle-free guides with Alconite® Rings and Corrosion Control™ (CC™) matte finish frames
Fuji® DPS reel seat with frosted silver hoods
Split-grip/super-grade cork handle
Kigan hook-keeper
Two coats of Flex-Coat slow cure finish
15-year transferrable warranty backed by St. Croix Superstar Service
Designed and handcrafted in Park Falls, U.S.A.

About St. Croix Rod: Now in its 70th year, Park Falls, Wisconsin based St. Croix Rod remains a family-owned and managed manufacturer of high-performance fishing rods with a heritage of USA manufacturing. Utilizing proprietary technologies, St. Croix controls every step of the rod-making process, from conception and design to manufacturing and inspection, in two company-owned facilities. The company offers a complete line of premium, American-made fly, spinning and casting rods under their Legend Elite®, Legend® Xtreme, Legend Tournament®, Avid Series®, Premier®, Wild River®, Tidemaster®, Imperial® and other trademarks through a global distribution network of full-service fishing tackle dealers. The company’s mid-priced Triumph®, Mojo Bass/Musky/Inshore/Surf, Eyecon® and Rio Santo series rods are designed and engineered in Park Falls, Wisconsin and built in a new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Fresnillo, Mexico. Founded in 1948 to manufacture jointed bamboo fishing poles for a Minneapolis hardware store chain, St. Croix has grown to become the largest manufacturer of fishing rods in North America.

Niagara Falls USA Fishing Forecast for Feb. 28, 2018 – from Destination Niagara USA

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Bill Hilts

Boat Action and Shore Action is GOOD!
WNY Sport & Travel Expo set for March 8-11, 2018

**Anthony Henley of Buffalo caught this lower river trout on a jig tipped with a meal worm and fished under a float. He used the same set-up to take a steelie at Burt Dam and 18 Mile Creek.**

Today is the final day of the NYS Winter Classic competition. That doesn’t mean the fishing will stop though. Lower river action has been good to very good for boaters bouncing bottom with three-way rigs. When the wind is out of the south or southwest – like it is today – go with MagLips and Kwikfish lures in silver and green or chartreuse. Silver and pink will also work. When the wind isn’t there to help you, switch over to minnows or egg sacs. Use the same three-way set-up if you are fishing from a boat.

If you are fishing from shore, tossing jigs or fishing a jig under a float and tipped with a small worm is very effective.

If the water is clear, you may have to get your bet out a bit deeper.

Anthony Henley of Buffalo was using a slip bobber to get his offering as deep as 14 feet with his jig under a float. You can also cast spinners or spoons to get your bait out and into the fish zone.

Steelhead, brown trout, lake trout and walleye are all available in the system.

If you venture into Canadian waters, make sure you have a current license. The new license year started on January 1. And know your seasons. Walleye season closes Feb. 28 on the Canadian side of the river but closes March 15 in New York.

**Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls will a northern pike he caught in 4 Mile Creek on a spinne**r.

Lake Ontario tributary action has been good for the most part. Four Mile Creek, 12 Mile Creek, 18 Mile Creek and Keg Creek all had fish in them the past week. Mostly it’s been trout, but there have been some pike around, too.

In the streams, trying using a jig under a float and tipped with a worm. Egg sacs will also work. For Taven Lukehart of Pennsylvania, he was finding success with Lick-em-lure eggs, catching his first ever steelhead at 13 years old.

Pike season closes on March 15 as well.

Speaking of kids, don’t forget that the WNY Sport and Travel Expo will be held March 8-11 at the Erie County Fairgrounds. The first 100 kids through the doors on Saturday, March 10 will receive a fully-rigged cane pole. Bass Pro Mike DelVisco will also be giving a seminar on getting kids started in fishing and he is also running a special coloring contest promotion through Texas Roadhouse March 5 and 6 locally. Check out www.eriepromotions.com for details.

This report is early this week because I am heading out to the World Fishing and Outdoor Expo in Suffern, NY early tomorrow morning. Stop in and say hi if you are going to be in the area.

Bill Hilts, Jr. – Outdoor Promotions Director

Destination Niagara USA,10 Rainbow Blvd.,Niagara Falls, NY 14303

p: 1-877 FALLS US; 1-716-282-8992 x. 303; f: 716-285-0809; www.niagarafallsusa.com

So, I Wrote a Letter to Jeep

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Chris Wood - Trout Unlimited

By Chris Wood

So, I wrote a letter to Jeep.

They ran an ad in the Super Bowl called “The Road,” that showed a Jeep running up the center of what looked like a stream. My eight year old son turned to me after it ran and said, “Dad, isn’t that really bad for the stream?”

A few days after sending the letter, I had a very constructive call with the head of communications for Fiat-Chrysler. He explained that the “creek” was actually a flooded county road, and said that Jeep would make that clear on the internet where the ad now lives. He understood my concerns and said he would try to arrange a meeting for me with Jeep, a brand that promotes getting people into the outdoors—something we at Trout Unlimited support, too.

Then the Associate Press picked up the story. I expected that TU members and supporters would back me up, and they did. What I did not expect was the backlash from some in the off-road vehicle community. I was accused of perpetuating the “over sensitivity that is ruining America today”; told that I am “part of what’s wrong with this world;” and cursed at.

I received a few calls, too. One retired veteran called around 9pm frustrated by my letter. He said he longed for a previous era where people weren’t so sensitive, and that he didn’t defend the country for 20 years for a bunch of snowflakes. By the end of the call, he wanted to help out with TU’s Veterans Service Partnership.

One heavy equipment contractor in California wrote me an unhappy note, and I called him the next day. He described how people who lived in the Sierra’s resented people from places such as San Francisco telling them how to use the lands they lived and loved. He is an off-roader, and a stream restoration specialist. I paid particular attention to what he said.

Many people in America today, feel that they are losing control of their traditions, pasttimes, and passions to “urban elites” or “wealthy people from elsewhere.” The backlash against my letter to Jeep echoed and then magnified that sense of losing control. As anglers, we know this, too. How many places that we used to fish or hunt are now posted? The lack of access for fishing (and hunting) is the primary concern of sportsmen and women all around the country. In fact, TU has a group focused on gaining public access by working with land trusts and has invested countless hours fighting for access in state legislatures.

Then I spoke to Pam Harrington, who works for TU in Nevada and Idaho, and the light turned on. So much of our dialogue today is driven by the politics of division. The internet fuels the flames. Conversation and working together are out the window, and replaced by keyboard warriors.

But in the real world, people do work together. Pam sent me a video an off-roader driving up the center of Sinker Creek in Idaho. TU had worked for years with a variety of partners to restore the stream for Owyhee Redband trout, a rare trout species.

What happened next? Not one, but seven different local off-road vehicle clubs worked with Pam and others in Trout Unlimited to repair the damage and improve Sinker Creek. That is what America, and Trout Unlimited, are all about. Not angry rhetoric and flaming emails; we are defined by people coming together to protect and restore the places we live and love.

I look forward to meeting with the people at Jeep.

— Chris Wood

The Letter:

SportDOG® Brand Unveils New Products During SHOT Show®

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Britney Starr

Knoxville, Tennessee (January 12, 2018) – SportDOG® Brand, an industry-leading manufacturer of electronic dog-training products and accessories, has expanded its line of e-collars with the unveiling of the new SportTrainer family. Designed with ease-of-use and durability in mind, the systems are DryTek® – waterproof and submersible to 25 feet and feature an easy-to-read OLED screen where you can view the selected dog, static stimulation level, and mode, as well as battery status, with just a glance. This, combined with large plus/minus buttons to quickly toggle between dogs and stim levels, makes them especially suited for multi-dog hunting situations.

The SportDOG Brand® SD-1275 ($239.95) gives you long-distance control of your dog – up to 3/4-mile range. With additional Add-A-Dog® Collar Receivers, the remote trainer can be expanded to control up to six dogs at once. Ten levels of static stimulation in low/medium/high stim ranges, as well as vibration and tone options in select modes, allow you to customize the remote trainer to fit any situation. The SD-1275’s Lithium-ion batteries charge in two hours and last 140-160 hours per charge. Also available in the SportTrainer family are the SD-575 ($189.95) featuring a 500-yard range and expandable to two dogs, and the SD-875 ($219.95) with a 1/2-mile range and expandable to three dogs.

The SportTrainer 875 and 1275 are currently available from select outdoor retailers and online. The SportTrainer 575 will be available in Q2 of 2018. The new SportTrainer family and current product offerings will be available to view during SHOT Show® in the SportDOG booth – #11349.

In addition, SportDOG will also showcase the below Solvit® by PetSafe® items:*
Pup Step Plus stairs ($59.99) weigh only 5 pounds, support more than 120 pounds, and fold down for easy under-bed storage. Also available in extra-large size ($89.99) that supports more than 200 pounds.

Deluxe Telescoping Ramp ($149.99) allows dogs to access vehicles without stressing their joints. It’s adjustable from 39 inches to 72 inches, and can be used fully-extended for SUVs and pickups.

Premium Vehicle Seat Covers ($94.99 – $114.99) are made from 100% cotton twill with quilting and genuine leather accents. A waterproof membrane prevents seat damage from water, mud, and spills, and waterproof zippers prevent dirt, hair, and liquids from passing through the seatbelt slits. Available in bench, hammock, and bucket style, grey or green color, and regular or extra wide sizes.

Waterproof Vehicle Seat Covers ($39.99 – $49.99) are made from durable, 600d polyester material with a fully waterproof backing and are machine washable. Available in hammock, bench, bench extra-wide, bucket, and cargo liner options.

The Pet Travel Organizer Kit ($59.99) is large enough to hold five days of dry food for a medium-size dog, a full day’s supply of water, hunting accessories, food and water bowl, first aid supplies, medications, and more.

About SportDOG® Brand
SportDOG® Brand is owned by Radio Systems Corporation, a manufacturer of electronic dog-training gear and accessories, based in Knoxville, Tennessee. SportDOG product lines include training e-collars, GPS tracking and training systems, bark control collars, containment systems, a launcher system, and other training aids.

*About Radio Systems Corporation & Solvit® by PetSafe®
Radio Systems Corporation, an industry leader in the development of innovative pet behavioral, containment, and lifestyle products through its PetSafe® Brand, Invisible Fence® Brand and SportDOG® Brand, acquired Solvit® Products in 2017. Solvit Products present a wide variety of travel and home items for your dog.

Kent Cartridge – Three New Loads for Dove Hunters

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Kevin Howard

Dove hunting is a long-standing hunting tradition, especially in the south.

Kent® Cartridge has three new loads designed to specifically help dove hunters fill their limits this fall.

Our Diamond Dove™ loads feature heavier payloads and higher velocities than standard dove loads, making them a great choice for fast, high flying birds like White Wing doves, or late season birds. Our Diamond Dove loads use proprietary Diamond Shot® technology with unmatched uniformity for consistently tight patterns and results in shot that is harder than standard lead, offering increased down range energy.

Our Steel Dove™ loads are the only load specifically designed for dove hunters who are required to use non-toxic shot. Available in both 12 and 20 gauge loads, with velocities up to 1400 fps for high performance, Steel Dove loads use specially blended clean burning powders for reduced felt recoil.

The new First Dove™ loads from Kent Cartridge offer value priced performance for high volume shooting situations. First Dove loads use clean burning powders with quality components to ensure consistent patterns and reliable functioning.

Diamond Dove

K12HD32 12 Gauge 2 ¾” 1 1/8 OZ 1250 F.P.S. #7.5
K12HVD32 12 Gauge 2 ¾” 1 1/8 OZ 1350 F.P.S. #7.5
K12HD36 12 Gauge 2 ¾” 1 ¼ OZ 1300 F.P.S. #7.5

Steel Dove

K12SD28 12 Gauge 2 ¾” 1 OZ 1400 F.P.S. #6
K12SHD32 12 Gauge 2 ¾” 1 1/8 OZ 1350 F.P.S. #6
K20SD24 20 Gauge 2 ¾” 7/8 OZ 1400 F.P.S. #6

First Dove

K12D28 12 Gauge 2 ¾” 1 OZ 1300 F.P.S. #7.5
K20D24 20 Gauge 2 ¾” 7/8 OZ 1300 F.P.S. #7.5

Founded in 1997, Kent® Cartridge produces a line of high-quality shotshells for hunters and competitive shooters, including Bismuth Non-Toxic, Silversteel®, Tealsteel®, Fasteel®, Elite Target™, Diamond Dove™, Steel Dove™, First Dove™, Fast Lead®, Ultimate™ Turkey, ProTrial™ Field Blanks, Tungsten Matrix®, and Elite Bio-Fiber™.

For more information, visit the Kent Cartridge web site at www.kentgamebore.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kentcartridge.

Ice-Fishing Friday: If you only own a single ice-fishing lure, make it this one

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Gord Pyzer

Use the Best Lures
Why Horizontal Jigging Minnows are the ALL-TIME Great Hardwater Bait

**Horizontal minnows such as the Jigging Rap (top) and Hyper-Glide (lower) and the are tops.**

By Gord Pyzer

I love interacting with other anglers at fishing seminars, especially during the question-and-answer sessions, when I can just about guarantee that someone will ask: If you could only ice fish with one lure for the rest of your life, what would it be?

The answer is easy: A horizontal swimming-style lure such as the Rapala Jigging Rap or Acme Tackle Company’s Hyper-Glide and Hyper-Rattle. They’re as close to ice-fishing perfection as the tackle industry has come.

In their smallest sizes, these lures are ideal for nabbing black crappies, bluegills, ciscoes and perch. The biggest versions, on the other hand, weigh almost a full ounce, making them perfect for catching lake trout and pike and the biggest walleye and whitefish in the lake. There are also mid-size models, and they’re all exquisitely painted to resemble baitfish.

I’m particularly impressed with the side wings on the Hyper-Glide and Hyper-Rattle that transform the lures into finesse-style airplane jigs, letting you perform Cirque du Soleil-style stunts under the ice. It’s this very magic you can achieve with these lures that makes them such fatal attractions.

How to fish it? Click here: Simply lift …

Fishing editor Gord Pyzer hones his ice-fishing skills near Kenora, in northwestern Ontario.

Niagara Falls USA: Steelhead, Brown Trout, Late Coho Salmon MOVING with Late Winter Weather

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Bill Hilts

Niagara Falls USA Fishing Forecast for Feb. 22, 2018 – Destination Niagara USA
Stream & River Levels, Coloration – Subject to Weather Swings
Fresh Fish are Entering Streams
Use Caution if Going Ice Fishing
Activities: Boat Show NOW, Outdoor Expo – Mar. 8-11, Alberto Rey at Orvis, Feb. 25 – NOON

**Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls with a nice steelhead he caught in the Devil’s Hole area of the lower Niagara from shore. He was casting a yellow jig.**

It’s been a roller coaster ride for sure – from the fishing end of things, due to the ups and downs associated with the weather. Earlier in the week, record-breaking temperatures shot up to 66 degrees. It’s back down to the 30s but back up to the 50s by the weekend.

Lower Niagara River action for trout had been good. The tributaries off Lake Ontario and Lake Erie opened back up again and anglers were catching trout consistently – before the rains came.

All the tributaries were high and muddy, but as of this morning, both 12 Mile Creek in Wilson and Keg Creek were flowing nicely according to Wes Walker at The Slippery Sinker in Olcott.

Over at Burt Dam and 18 Mile Creek, water flow has already started to come down and there was about a foot visibility.

There should be some fresh fish around.

Ice fishing is questionable. Caution is advised any time you are heading out onto the hard water due to the wind and rain we received last go-round of warmth.

**Captain Taz Morrison caught a nice steelhead on the lower river while drifting a Kwikfish. The next day he was at Burt Dam catching late-run Coho salmon on Lick-em-lure eggs.**

Getting back to the Niagara River, the water condition was affected by the dirty water coming out of the streams, but there was no indication that fishing had stopped. Condition was stained from the power plants on down, but was more manageable above the plants.

Shore fishermen like Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls have been casting yellow jigs to take steelhead and brown trout.

For boaters, use eggs or minnows when the wind isn’t out of the south or southwest. When it is, use a MagLip or a Kwikfish off a three-way rig. Conditions should be better by the weekend downriver of the power plants.

The WNY Boat Show is underway right now at the ADPRO Training Center located at One Bills Drive in Orchard Park. It’s a great way to dream about spring and also check out some of the boats that are available on the market now. After all, we are surrounded by water here in WNY. It continues through Sunday, Feb. 25.

If boating isn’t your thing, the next big indoor event on the outdoors is the WNY Sport and Travel Expo at the Erie County Fairgrounds in Hamburg March 8 to 11. There’s free parking and displays in four different buildings covering everything from fishing to hunting, tourism destinations to outdoor-related products. Check out www.eriepromotions.com for more information.

If you want to learn about fly fishing in the Great Lakes streams, check out Alberto Rey at the Orvis Shop in Williamsville on Feb. 25 starting at noon. Call 716-276-7200 to reserve your spot.

Bill Hilts, Jr.- Outdoor Promotions Director

Destination Niagara USA, 10 Rainbow Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY 14303; p: 1-877 FALLS US; 1-716-282-8992 x. 303; f: 1-716-285-0809; www.niagarafallsusa.com

Outwit the Wiley Spring Gobbler, Fit Right In with X JAGD’s Net Top Layer

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Karen Lutto

How to Morph Into the Woods…Dress Right
Conceal Your Location by Choice

BESSEMER, Ala. (March 1, 2018) — There are few things more agonizing than working a wild turkey almost into shooting distance, only to have him bust you because he didn’t like what he saw. X JAGD, the acclaimed Austrian-based clothing company that utilizes the most high-tech materials in its clothing, offers the Net top-layer line that is the perfect head-to-toe camouflage mesh for the turkey hunter that allows him to dissolve into his surroundings and deceive the wild turkey’s keen eyesight.

For the most part, temperatures during turkey season can range from mild to downright hot, and as such, X JAGD’s Net camouflage can be worn over any clothing to provide complete concealment without body heat retention. The X JAGD line of Net clothing includes the Jacket, Cape, Pants, Balaclava and Gloves. The material is lightweight and produces no noise when moving.

Each piece of clothing in the Net line is available in two specially designed X JAGD Demorphing® patterns that are perfect for turkey hunting: The Woodland Effect (best suitedfor wooded areas) and the Mountain Effect (the perfect choice for areas mainly characterized by stone and rock formations). This clothing packs very small and takes up very little space, so it can be on hand any time it may be needed.

“The X JAGD Net clothing is perfect for the two million turkey hunters that will be heading to the woods this spring in hopes of successfully bagging a wary gobbler,” said Scott O’Brien, CEO of Steyr Arms, the exclusive importer and distributor of X JAGD products in the U.S. “Because the X JAGD Net clothing goes over other clothing for complete concealment, it is perfect for any weather conditions and for any hunt, not just turkey hunting. Just wear the appropriate clothing underneath, and then put on the lightweight and silent X JAGD Net top layer to dissolve into the environment.”

All X JAGD Net clothing is currently available online at www.xjagd-usa.com for the following suggested retail prices:

Jacket – $101 (M, L, XL)
Cape – $118 (M, L, XL)
Pants – $90 (S, M, L, XL)
Balaclava – $53 (M, L, XL)
Gloves – $36 (M, L)

About X JAGD – X JAGD outdoor clothing brand utilizes exceptional, cutting-edge “intelligent materials” to create top-tier performance and reliability. The five X JAGD Demorphing camouflage designs are truly unique and allow hunters to completely dissolve into their environment. Steyr Arms is X JAGD’s exclusive U.S. importer and distributor. For more information, contact Steyr Arms at 2530 Morgan Rd., Bessemer, AL 35022; call (205) 417-8644; or visit www.xjagd-usa.com for more details.

Niagara Falls USA Fishing Forecast

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Bill Hilts

**Anthony Henley of Buffalo hit the lower Niagara River after work on Wednesday afternoon a managed to hook into a couple nice steelhead. He was using a white jig.**

Thursday, March 8, 2018 – from Destination Niagara USA

It’s starting to feel like spring a bit. The time changes on Saturday as we “spring” ahead, the days are growing longer, and the sun is a little higher in the sky.

The WNY Sport and Travel Expo is also here, the final big trade show of the season – slated for the Erie County Fairgrounds in Hamburg March 8 to 11. Kid’s Day is Saturday and the first 100 kids to the door on Saturday morning (March 10) will receive a fully-rigged cane pole.

We are slowly starting to turn the corner on a variety of fronts. On Lake Ontario, the first trollers have started pounding the surf with in-line planers and stickbaits like Bay Rats and Live Target plugs. At least, that’s what was working for Capt. Vince Pierleoni of Newfane recently when he ran a shakedown cruise out of Olcott. While most of the fish were brown trout, he did catch his first salmon of the year – a shaker, but still a salmon. It should be a good year for kings after a record-breaking performance last year in the lake. In 2017, the catch rate for salmon was the best ever in the 32-year history of the open lake creel census.

You can find out more about how the Lake Ontario fishery fared in 2017 and what the plans are for 2018 when the State of Lake Ontario meeting comes off on March 14 at Cornell Cooperative Extension Niagara, 4487 Lake Ave., Lockport starting at 6:30 p.m.

The tributaries off Lake Ontario have been low and clear for the most part. The snow storm last week dumped some significant snow around, but there was no real warm off to melt it off quickly. It’s been more of a slow drain, adding some flow to the systems. There are trout available, but you may have to use a stealthy approach with the clear conditions. Egg sacs, jigs tipped with wax worms and some different fly patterns will catch you fish. Mostly steelhead are being caught but there are a few browns around, too. Remember that pike season closes on March 15 if you are fishing in the harbors of Wilson or Olcott.

**Justin Okrepki of Owego reeled in this dandy brown trout off Olcott while fishing with Capt. Vince Pierleoni of Newfane.**

If you want to help out with the Lake Ontario Trout and Salmon Association’s pen rearing project for salmon and trout, they will be organizing the pens and getting them in the water on April 7 at the Town of Newfane Marina in Olcott starting at 9:30 a.m.

In the Niagara River, action has been fair to good. Yes, the water has been clear and the storm last week really didn’t muddy the water up too much. With less than 20 percent ice cover remaining on Lake Erie, anglers are excited that spring fishing is not too far away.

Shore action can be a bit more difficult with the clear conditions, but fishermen like Anthony Henley of Buffalo is still willing to drift a jig under a float and tip it with a worm and take his chances. Yesterday he stopped after work for an hour or two and managed to catch a few steelhead in the Devil’s Hole area of the river.

Boaters are playing the winds when they head out. If the winds are out of the south, they throw on a Kwikfish or a MagLip plug. Any other time, it’s a minnow or an egg sac. Steelhead dominate the daily catch, but brown trout, lake trout and even an occasional walleye will also show up on the end of a fishing line.

Remember that walleye season closes on March 15, too.

**Matt Keener of Sanborn with a Niagara County steelhead in one of the tributaries. He caught it on a jig.**

Speaking of the Niagara River, remember that the Niagara River Anglers Association will be holding its John Long, Sr. Memorial Raffle and Feast to support the club’s many youth programs on Sunday, March 18. It will be held at Niagara Active Hose on Lockport Road in the Town of Niagara from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. This is the big fund raiser for the year for the NRAA. Call Paul Jackson at 731-4780 for more information.

ill Hilts, Jr. – Outdoor Promotions Director

Destination Niagara USA; 10 Rainbow Blvd.; Niagara Falls, NY 14303

p: 1-877 FALLS US; 1-716-282-8992 x. 303; f: 716-285-0809

Click here to follow Ron’s report that he updates several times per week.

Orleans County, NY – Fishing Report for March 1, 2018

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Lynne Menz

By Ron Bierstine, Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge

High and stained flows gives up some fresh Oak Orchard chrome for the Licorice Man. Fresh steelhead chances for late winter, early spring usually means high and stained and cold water challenging drifts.

Weather forecast has been changeable so far this week. The forecasted storm for tonight and tomorrow is expected to bring more snow then rain. The beginning of the storm is expected for rain south of here and then the overspread on the WNY big Lake Ontario Plain could start as rain or a mix and then go quickly to snow with the chance of a foot or so of wet accumulations thru Friday morning. Temps are forecast highs near 40°F today and then 30ish°F for the weekend and dropping back down below freezing at night.

For now, water levels in the Oak are still on a slow retreat thanks mostly to diminishing overflow levels. Turbine flows are still humping along for something like slightly high to high flows and visibility of 1-2 feet. By springtime standards, that’s pretty good for steelhead chances.

The other area smaller tributaries for now have medium flows and just slightly stained flows going toward clear. If most of the precipitation is realized as snow, then flows in all the tributaries should be more or less maintained with a slower to recharge scenario from future snow melt instead of a quick and dirty runoff scenario from rain. Any significant rain immediately south of the area could still impact flows in the Oak.

For now, pressure on the Oak is pretty light. There’s been good action at the dam and anglers covering some different water in the downstream fast water stretches have been into more steelhead as the drifting has improved on the retreating and clearing flows.

From Point Breeze on Lake Ontario, the World Fishing Network’s Ultimate Fishing Town USA and the rest of Orleans County, let’s make everyday a great fishing day right here in Orleans County!

The Browning Refuge: Versatile New Sleeping Bag with Zippered Armhole

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Dave Barus

Browning Camping is proud to release the Refuge, a new sleeping bag that offers campsite comfort and versatility. The mummy-shaped bag, offers top-of-the-line features that Browning Camping’s customers expect. A center zipper can be zipped from the bottom for additional venting, and TechLoft Gold insulation ensures warmth (the Refuge comes in two temperature grades +15-degrees and -10-degrees). The durable separating zippers glide smoothly, and the outer fabric is nylon ripstop. What makes the Refuge stand out are the zippered armholes that allow venting, or the freedom to drink your warm beverage of choice without leaving the warmth of your sleeping bag.

For more information, visit: www.browningcamping.com.

Browning Camping takes the Browning motto of “The Best There Is” to heart, producing outdoor and camping gear of only the highest quality. This ensures that every item we manufacture is worthy of the world-famous and highly trusted Buckmark. Using only the highest quality fabrics, components and construction techniques, Browning Camping gear stands above the crowd in terms of quality outdoor products. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better air pad, tent, sleeping bag or camp chair on the market today. Backed by an industry-leading lifetime guarantee, Browning Camping gear truly is “The Best There Is.”

ALPS Brands is a proud licensee and distributor of Browning Camping.

About ALPS OutdoorZ, an ALPS Brands Company: Beginning in 1993 with the establishment of ALPS Mountaineering, ALPS Brands is a continuously growing and expanding group of companies dedicated to developing and manufacturing high quality, performance-driven outdoor products. Currently making up the ALPS Brands family of companies are ALPS Mountaineering, ALPS OutdoorZ, Delta Waterfowl Gear, Browning Camping and Cedar Ridge. Using the experience and knowledge gained from manufacturing high quality camping and backpacking gear under ALPS Mountaineering, ALPS Brands established ALPS OutdoorZ in 2007 with the mission of developing affordable, performance-driven hunting gear. Ten years after releasing their first group of hunting products, ALPS OutdoorZ has grown to offer packs, furniture, gun cases, sleeping bags and ground blinds. Brought together by a shared passion for wildlife and conservation, ALPS OutdoorZ is a proud sponsor and licensee of Delta Waterfowl, RMEF and NWTF products. ALPS OutdoorZ items are sold and distributed in the best camping, backpacking and outdoor dealers throughout the entire US and Canada. For more information, please visit: www.ALPSOUTDOORZ.COM.

Niagara Falls USA Fishing Forecast – Feb. 15, 2018

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Bill Hilts

Clear Water, Lots of Fish
Brought to you by Destination Niagara USA

**Gary Hall of Niagara Falls with a Niagara River steelhead caught while fishing with Capt. Frank Campbell.**

With Lake Erie some 90 percent ice covered, the Niagara River is becoming very clear, making things a bit more difficult to be consistent on the water.

One tip is to downsize your presentation with slightly smaller baits like egg sacs or smaller MagLips in 2.5 or Kwikfish in K8.

A silver-green Kwikfish was the hot lure on Wednesday as Terry Belke from WGRZ did some filming for Channel 2 out of Buffalo, fishing with Capt. Frank Campbell of Niagara Region Charters. Wobbling baits fished off three-way rigs were the most effective enticements due to a southwest wind that was blowing in some warmer temperatures.

**How about this Lake Erie walleye caught by Bob Rustowicz of Cheektowaga – 14.67 pounds!**

It is supposed to be 50 degrees here today, drop into the 20s and 30s over the weekend, but shoot back up into the 50’s early next week – bring some rain along the way. That rain, along with melting snow and run off, should add a little stain to the river water.

Earlier in the week, Capt. Chris Cinelli and Capt. Ted Kessler, both of Grand Island, did very well using pink egg sacs to pull in some nice steelhead. Browns and lake trout are also available. Fish can be found from Devil’s Hole to the Niagara Bar.

Walleye can also be caught and the daily limit is only one until March 15 when the season closes.

The warming weather should open up more water at places like 18 Mile Creek and Burt Dam, too. Jigs fished with a wax worm and under a float is one approach. Egg sacs and egg imitations are another. Water flow has been good according to Wes Walker at The Slippery Sinker in Olcott. Water clarity is also good right now. Both browns and steelhead are being reported.

Over in Wilson Harbor, roughly 10 inches of ice was being reported. Pike, steelhead, perch and panfish are all being caught.

Nearby Lake Erie walleye action has been good to very good on the hard stuff. Fish (walleye) up to 15 pounds have reported the last week off Hamburg with 10 to 12 inches of ice thickness. Top baits have been Jigging Raps and minnows.

Bill Hilts, Jr. – Outdoor Promotions Director

Destination Niagara USA, 10 Rainbow Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY 14303

p: 1-877 FALLS US | 716-282-8992 x. 303

Niagara Falls USA Fishing Forecast for Jan. 18, 2018 – Destination Niagara USA, Visit the EXPO

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Bill Hilts

2018 Niagara Outdoor Expo IS ON this Weekend
You can FISH THRU the EXPO
Learn at the EXPO, Over 120 Seminars!

**Ohio writer, Rick Henniger, shows off a beauty brown from the lower Niagara.**

Yes, people are catching fish, but you do have to work for them. More importantly, right now, is the fact that the Greater Niagara Fishing and Outdoor Expo is about to open, slated for Jan. 19-21 at the Conference and Event Center Niagara Falls. Check out the website at www.niagarafishingexpo.com for all the details and make sure you print out your $5 parking voucher for the city parking lots. With 70 guest speakers, 120 seminars and clinics, as well as over 150 vendor display booths, this is a fishing extravaganza like no other. I can’t emphasize enough, how good this event is from an educational standpoint. You are guaranteed to learn something new. There are too many quality speakers to list. Simply click on the website and be amazed.

**Capt. Frank Campbell with a chunky river brown trout as he eyes it up for the camera.**

One of the educational opportunities for the Niagara Fishing Expo already started this morning, when Capt. Frank Campbell of Niagara Falls hit the lower Niagara River and took out a couple brothers for a trout fishing lesson. Yes, on-water lower river trips are available through Monday morning, held in conjunction with the Expo. Despite the cold conditions, Craig and John Austin of Niagara County, still managed to go 4 for 7 on steelhead this morning, they were using MagLips and fished off three-way rigs. It’s been tough fishing with the colder weather, but that should change this weekend when things will warm up into the 40s. Last Thursday, when the temperatures soared into the 60’s,

**Jason Henniger of Ohio with his first steelhead ever!**

quite a few people made it out and took advantage of the spring-like weather. Rick and Jason Henniger of Ohio reeled in a dozen nice browns and steelhead in the lower Niagara fishing with Campbell, using MagLips and Kwikfish in gold and silver. The best fishing was downriver, away from the boating pressure on Artpark. Shore fishermen have it a bit tougher with the shoreline shelf ice and extreme caution is advised.

The last warm up also produced some good walleye fishing in the lower river according to Capt. Chris Cinelli of Grand Island. He reported better than a dozen fish caught last week using minnows and Kwikfish. Just a reminder that the walleye limit in the lower Niagara River is only one fish per person from Jan. 1 to March 15.

Off Lake Ontario, Wilson has some safe ice, but Olcott was busted up with the excessive run-off created by the warm weather and ensuing rain. Water is stained in 18 Mile Creek, but it’s still fishable. Use jigs tipped with a wax worm and fished under a float to take trout and a few Coho salmon that are still hanging around. Things should open up nicely this weekend.

ill Hilts, Jr.; Outdoor Promotions Director

Destination Niagara USA, 10 Rainbow Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY 14303

p: 1-877 FALLS US; 716-282-8992 x. 303; f: 716-285-0809

Dutch Oven Cooking

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Rich Creason

Shared Cooking Secrets
Old Fashioned Cooking in Modern Times
It’s All About the Taste!

By Rich Creason

Cast iron skillet on left, Dutch oven (lid behind) and deep skillet with glass lid (great for frying chicken). *Rich Creason Photo*

Many guys (and some of the ladies) enjoy outdoor cooking over hot coals. A steak cooked on the patio grill tastes excellent. Even at the campgrounds we travel to, most of the guests will have some type of grill for steaks or hamburgers. Some people even cook potatoes and corn on the grill. Of course, I’m different. My outdoor cooking is done over (and under!) hot coals. I do mine in a cast iron Dutch oven.

Dutch ovens were brought to this country when it was new. Cast iron skillets and other pots and pans were also used, but the oven is the most versatile. Nearly anything you can cook at home, on or in your stove, can be fixed in this cooking pot – from meat to pies and cakes.

A true Dutch oven will have three legs on the bottom so the container will be raised above the coals. It will have a flat lid on the inside which can be turned over to use as a griddle for frying eggs, pancakes, or meat, and have a flanged lid on the outside to hold hot coals on top. The lid will have a handle in the center which can be used for lifting (with the proper tool). The oven will also have a heavy wire bail for carrying when empty or full of delicious food.

My favorite is a 12-inch diameter Dutch oven made by Lodge Manufacturing Company (I have three of these). Other sizes are available if you have another preference. Lodge also has cast iron skillets, griddles, cornbread molds and accessories such as lid lifters, heavy gloves and more. These items may be purchased at many Mountain Man Rendezvous like the ones held at Friendship, Indiana, sporting goods outlets, or better hardware stores. Taken care of properly, your Lodge cast iron selection should last a lifetime.

Season your new oven by thoroughly washing it. Allow it to air dry. Next, coat the inside surfaces with a thin layer of salt-free cooking oil. Then heat up in your indoor oven or over an outside fire for about an hour over moderate heat. When done, again wipe the surface with oil. Keep the lid off except when cooking to prevent moisture condensation inside. After cooking, never clean with soap as it will fill the pores and get in the food next time. Use hot water and a soft plastic scrubber. Heat dry it. When cool again, reapply more oil. Never cool with cold water as it may crack or warp the metal.

Dutch ovens can be used for browning, frying, steaming, baking, deep-frying, and more. Stew is one of my favorite meals fixed in a Dutch oven. Meat chunks, potatoes, carrots, peas, corn, tomatoes, or whatever I have available, plus liquid made from two cups water and four bouillon cubes are what I use. I cook it for two to three hours. About thirty minutes before we eat, I cut up two cans of refrigerated biscuits on top of the stew, replace the lid, and get my plate ready. Wild game is excellent in it and some people even cook beef or other weird meats in it.

For dessert, I pour two cans of fruit pie filling in the bottom of another oven, cover with two boxes of white or yellow cake mix, then cut up two sticks of butter on top of that. No stirring of ingredients. The cobbler needs about twenty charcoal briquettes, (hot) below the pot and 15 on top. It should be done in 45 minutes. Many Dutch oven recipe books are available in the library or at stores which sell Lodge cookware.

Dutch ovens have been around for hundreds of years. There has to be a good reason why. Try one and find out for yourself.

The author may be reached at eyewrite4u@aol.com.

Trout Unlimited applauds initiatives recognizing IMPORTANCE of Fish and Wildlife Migration

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Brett Prettyman

Submitted by Brett Prettyman

Story by Paul Burnett

**A native Bonneville cutthroat trout in Utah’s Weber River is released after being caught as part of an effort to track fish in the drainage. Paul Burnett/Trout Unlimited**

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources recently rolled out a Wildlife Migration Initiative, focused on the migration needs of wildlife and native fish throughout the state.

U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke came to Utah last week and applauded state efforts while introducing Secretarial Order 3362, which directs the Department of the Interior to work with state, local governments and non-governmental organizations to improve coordination, project partnerships to advance our understanding of the migration needs of wildlife.

We applaud Secretary Zinke for recognizing the importance of improving priority habitats within important migration corridors.

However, we recommend the idea that the need to improve priority habitats and corridors should include a broad range of species in addition to big game animals specified in the order.

Utah biologists have collected impressive data, often in partnership with Trout Unlimited, illustrating how barriers impact migratory cutthroat trout. The state is also working to better understand the migration obstacles of endangered fish species.

A transmitter is placed in a migratory Bonneville cutthroat as part of efforts to track movements of native trout on the Weber River in Utah. *Paul Burnett/Trout Unlimited*

We hope the Department of Interior and all partners impacted by the order will indeed “Review and use the best available sceince to inform development of specific guidelines for the department’s lands and waters related to inform development of specific guidelines for the Department’s lands and waters related to planning and developing energy, tranmission, or other relevant projects to avoid or minimizing potential negative impacts on wildlife.”

This is something Trout Unlimited has long promoted, most recently with the Sportsmen for Responsible Energy Development coalition in the report “Lessons Learned: A Blueprint for Securing our Energy Future While Preserving America’s Sporting Heritage”.

Trout Unlimited has been working with state and federal agencies for years through Utah’s Watershed Restoration Initiative, and through federal programs with BLM, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Fish Passage Program, and the U.S. Forest Service to protect and improve habitat connectivity in streams.

These recent initiatives further the commitment of land and wildlife agencies in their consideration for important migratory corridors for our fisheries and wildlife throughout the West.

Scientists have asserted in scientific journals for decades, that the long-term sustainability of important fisheries, like salmon and native inland trout, was greatly affected by impediments to movement (barriers) along stream systems. As we have done more research on the needs of trout and salmon, the fact that fish need to move has become more and more clear and an important priority in our restoration strategies throughout the West.

This graphic shows the barriers migratory Bonneville cutthroat face while trying to reach spawning grounds in the Weber River drainage in Utah. *Paul Burnett/Trout Unlimited*

Nearly two decades ago, TU’s own Warren Colyer discovered Bonneville cutthroat trout in Wyoming that he tagged in the Thomas Fork with radio tags, making large-scale migrations downstream into the Bear River, where they then swam upstream into another tributary, the Smiths Fork, and spawned in the headwaters. The migrations were up to 55 miles, traversing a wide range of habitats.

From a purely energetic perspective, it doesn’t make much sense for a fish to put so much energy into moving so far, which leads to the questions of why fish move – questions not as easily answered.

This is an animation developed by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources that illustrates movement of a single Bonneville cutthroat trout in the lower Weber River and the impacts of barriers to its movement. Barriers are indicated on the map with the markers. We are using this movement data to prioritize barrier removal, and in the interim of the movements of this specific fish, we constructed a fish ladder on the concrete culvert to allow it to migrate into spawning grounds that had been inaccessible for over 50 years.

We have a few theories about why fish migrate long distances, ranging from long term spawning success in specific tributary systems that lack predators, to the idea that fish are moving around river systems to track suitable temperatures and food. The important point is that we know that trout and other native inland fish DO need to migrate and when they do, they interface with human infrastructure more frequently, often at their own peril.

As an example, fish migrating downstream are prone to being entrained (sucked into) irrigation systems with no way out. The longer the distance of migration, the higher the number of instream structures fish are likely to encounter.

When an animal’s habitat is chopped up into smaller pieces on the landscape that they cannot move between, it is a phenomenon known as habitat fragmentation. Fragmentation is an important threat to fish because the smaller pieces of habitat are more prone to being destroyed by natural events like fire or floods, or climate change. Fish populations living in fragmented rivers also lack the resiliency to bounce back after a portion of their habitat is disturbed or lost.

When a dam is in the way, or a road crossing stops fish from moving upstream, the results can be extremely problematic. When irrigation diversions sweep the river, fish don’t have a choice, and often don’t know that they are entering irrigation systems. Fish don’t have any other way to get from Point A to Point B, but through the water. If they are blocked…they are blocked.

Sources of fragmentation are varied but can be categorized into four main types:
• Road crossings. Whenever a road crosses a stream, either a bridge, or more-commonly a culvert is constructed. Culverts and bridges are typically designed to be efficient in passing water and sediment. Too-often, the result is a steep culvert with fast water velocities or a vertical drop that fish cannot clear, or a combination of the two.
• Dams and diversions. Throughout the United States, thousands of streams have been dammed for many reasons, whether it is to generate hydropower, deliver irrigation water, store runoff, or power historic mills, the effect has been to block any and all fish species from moving upstream.
• Dewatered stream segments. If there is no water in a stream, then fish obviously cannot move through that reach. This is a well-known challenge throughout the West, and it is emerging as an increasingly important issue as well as the West continues to grow and develop.
• Water quality impaired reaches. As evidenced in streams with abandoned mines throughout Colorado, or excessive sedimentation caused by activities like uncontrolled grazing or timber harvest, the affects in headwaters compound and propagate downstream into tributaries and mainstem rivers, potentially rendering miles of stream habitat unsuitable for trout, and preventing fish from moving through those reaches.

**A typical barrier to native fish migration on the Weber River in Utah, and across the country. Paul Burnett/Trout Unlimited**

TU’s “Protect, Reconnect, Restore, and Sustain” model for restoration has been around for more than a decade. This framework recognized the need to apply different strategies at different locations within our river basins, ranging from policies like the 2015 Waters of the United States rule (WOTUS) that protect headwaters streams, conserving public lands, reconnection within tributary systems, and restoration within main stem rivers.

Key to this strategy is our effort to reconnect priority streams through collaborative actions, oftentimes with nontraditional partners.

This 385-foot culvert on Strawberry Creek, a tributary to the Weber River, blocked migratory cutthroat from reaching historic grounds for more than 50 years. A fish ladder was constructed by TU and partners and fish used it the next spring. Paul Burnett/Trout Unlimited

TU has leveraged tens of millions of dollars to work with water users, landowners, federal land management agencies, and road departments to restore habitat connectivity, oftentimes through infrastructure modernization, such as reconstruction of irrigation diversions, or road crossings that benefit local communities. But we have also restored habitat connectivity through water leases.

A video showing the Strawberry Creek Project in the Weber River Drainage.

Complimentary to our on-the-ground actions is a strategy of sustaining our efforts by fostering collaborative initiatives with land management agencies and state wildlife agencies. We have been encouraged by recent proclamations and initiatives by the Department of Interior and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, respectively to recognize the importance of wildlife migrations to the sustainability of our fisheries and wildlife populations, but also to the idea that our modern economy can coexist with and benefit from robust fish and wildlife populations.

Many improvements to infrastructure and water policy can be made through collaborative, voluntary and non-regulatory actions.

Paul Burnett is the Utah Project Leader for Trout Unlimited’s Western Water and Habitat Program. He is based out of Ogden, Utah.

Wintertime is Outdoor Show Time, NOW On-Line! ALL FREE

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Dave Barus

On-Line Outdoor Show, FREE Entry. Over 70 booths! Click and Go
$50 Free Coupons Just for Entering. Visit on Lunchtime Wherever you Are!
Use Your Handheld Mobil Devices, your iPod, iPad, iPhone, Laptop or Home Computer!

Feb. 6, 2018 – Kansas City, Mo. – The new North American Sportshow is a welcome change that you knew was coming. It’s a free, virtual on-line outdoor show! Don’t imagine, just click and go (https://www.nasportshow.com/). You can hold this entire show in the palm of your hand, you can visit at high speed.

**Click on the picture above to Enter the Show**

The North American Sportshow will accommodate all who might rather stay inside a warm place this winter, especially during the next snow storm. Even the sick or disabled, get a front seat. Forget the freezing wind, blowing snow, long entry lines, parking cost, slippery roads and those 20-minute standing waits to your favorite booth once you finally get inside the outdoor show place.

The North American Sportshow is the new modern outdoor show that is free to enter, free to move about, free to download catalogs, free to purchase outdoor gear goodies at show special discount prices. Newcomers receive an instant $50 worth of free coupons to use just for entering the show.

Visit the Fishing & Marine Hall, the Hunting & Shooting Hall, the Outdoor Travel Hall, the Conservation Hall, and be pleasantly surprised at the Wildlife Art Hall even you are a tough outdoor hombre. The Wildlife Art Hall offers a new and amazing chance to explore what wildlife art is all about. In each of the halls, visitors will find “comfort info,” with free access to boat-makers, lure companies, stay-warm gear and clothing companies, fishing and hunting guides, video seminars and free drawings for gear.

At Tracker Boats, look over show special fishing boat values – like a qualifying Tracker Grizzly boat package, buy one, receive a $1,000 Bass Pro Shop/Cabela’s gift card! Imagine that.

At Trout Unlimited, find a Whitlock 5-fly set of essential flies from Rainy Premium Flies, a 4-piece St. Croix Legend Ultra Rod or a Redington Wayfarer fly rod/reel set at rock bottom cost (nearly half price).

Visit over 70 booths! Tackle Warehouse, Booyah Lures, Gamma fish line – better fishing through science, Phantom Lures, Target Walleye, Qwest stainless steel, Patagonia, Ranger Boats, Simms, the Wilderness Society, Sportsmen for Boundary Waters, Sportsman’s Alliance of Alaska and dozens of others.

With our changing modern times toward hand-held electronics, continuous keystroke adventure and a world-wide bond to wireless communication, you can hit the next outdoor show without any hassle, all for free. Click here: (https://www.nasportshow.com/).

The North American Sportshow supports access to public lands and conservation practices.

***

Show Information Contact: David Gray, david@vexposhows.com; 816-350-9066

Outdoor Media Contact: Dave Barus, dbarus35@yahoo.com; 716-597-4081

Kids Today – Not Wired for Nature, FIND HELP HERE

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Forrest Fisher

Are Your Kids Part of the Keypad Generation?
If So, Find Suggestions for a Remedy Here

By Forrest Fisher

Worried about your kids or grandkids and their continuous attention to some sort of keypad? You know you are, so am I. They are growing up with something missing, but none of us know what to do.

While in Alaska recently, I had the pleasure to meet Richard Louv, a journalist, book author, radio, TV interview guest and fun-related speaker with a focus on bringing more kids and adults into the wonderful world of the outdoors.

Widely accepted as an authority on the outdoors, Louv created the expression “Nature Deficit Disorder,” as data provides evidence that both kids and adults spend less time in the outdoors than at any other me in our American history. Louv cited that this translates an increasing fear of the unknown in nature. Louv is the author of the book, Last Child in the Woods.

In this influential work, Louv cites barriers that impede people from identifying a path into nature. He told me one thing that I think all of us must not forget, “the more high-tech our lives become, the more nature we need in nature.”

Louv explain details about the staggering divide between children and the outdoors. He directly links the lack of nature in the lives of today’s wired generation—he calls it nature-deficit—to some of the most disturbing childhood trends, such as the rises in obesity, attention disorders, and depression.

Last Child in the Woods is the first book to bring together a new and growing body of research indicating that direct exposure to nature is essential for healthy childhood development and for the physical and emotional health of children and adults. More than just raising an alarm, Louv offers practical solutions and simple ways to heal the broken bond—and many are right in our own backyard.

The latest edition reflects the enormous changes that have taken place since the book was originally published. It includes:

100 actions you can take to create change in your community, school, and family.
35 discussion points to inspire people of all ages to talk about the importance of nature in their lives.
A new progress report by the author about the growing Leave No Child Inside movement.
New and updated research confirming that direct exposure to nature is essential for the physical and emotional health of children and adults.

Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder has spurred a national dialogue among educators, health professionals, parents, developers and conservationists. This is a book that will change the way you think about your future and the future of your children.

Learn more here: http://richardlouv.com/books/last-child/.

Niagara Falls USA Fishing Forecast for Thursday, February 1, 2018

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Bill Hilts

As this is being written, it’s February 1 and the temperature is near 40 degrees.

Larry Broad of West Seneca, New York,with a lower river steelhead.

The sun is shining. However, before the day is over the temperatures will plummet into the teens and it is supposed to be cold all weekend. That will continue into next week.

In the meantime, fishing action has been very good in the lower Niagara River for boaters drifting egg sacs or minnows off three-way rigs. If the winds are out of the southwest (like they are today), throw on a 2.5 or 3.0 MagLip or a K8 or K9 Kwikfish to get a trout to hit. Steelhead, browns and lake trout are all being caught with regularity. And if you are using minnows, add in walleyes. There has been good walleye fishing all week, but you have to pick your spots for them. Actually you can catch trout and walleye from Devil’s Hole to the Niagara Bar. If you do catch some walleye, remember that the minimum size is 18 inches and from Jan. 1 to Mar. 15, the daily creel is one fish per person per day. The intent there is to protect the females that are getting ready to spawn soon. While shore fishing is still an option in the gorge, caution is advised due to the shelf ice. Be careful out there. That water is 32 degrees flowing down through the river.

Things are looking promising for the Niagara River Anglers Association’s Roger Tobey Memorial Steelhead Contest on Saturday, Feb. 3. Sign up at the launch ramp in Lewiston early Saturday or stop in to Creek Road Bait and Tackle or The Slippery Sinker. If you are interested in musky, the Niagara Musky Association will be holding their monthly meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 6 at the Eldredge Club, 17 Broad Street in Tonawanda starting at 7 p.m.

Stream fishermen are still picking up some trout at Burt Dam and 18 Mile Creek. Jigs tipped with a wax worm, egg sacs by themselves or egg imitations are still working to trick a steelhead or brown. A variety of flies and nymph patterns will also produce a trout or two, as will some streamer patterns. How long the water will remain open depends on how long the cold will grab hold. It looks like the lower temps will be hanging around for at least a week. While there is no ice left in Olcott Harbor (a few people were seen casting in the harbor earlier this week), there was a little in the Back Bay at Wilson. Be careful if you give it a try. Take no unnecessary chances!

Bill Hilts, Jr.
Outdoor Promotions Director

Destination Niagara USA

10 Rainbow Blvd.

Niagara Falls, NY 14303

p: 1-877 FALLS US | 716-282-8992 x. 303

Please take a moment to tell our elected officials to hold Pebble’s permit application to the highest standards of review possible.

Pebble Mine – SAVE Bristol Bay NEWS UPDATE

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Rachel James

**The world’s largest sockeye salmon fishery is home to Bristol Bay, Alaska.**

Good News from EPA….but We still need your communication support. CLICK BELOW.

Battle is Not Over
Help Us Protect the World’s Largest Sockeye Salmon Fishery
Contact Elected Officials With LINK BELOW

By Rachel James

During January (2018), we received some good news from the EPA about Pebble Mine, however there is still a long way to go to before Bristol Bay is protected.

The mine plan they filed with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers makes it clear that the Pebble Mine in phase one alone would dramatically impact the world’s largest sockeye salmon fishery. And to be clear: the proposal they’ve put forth now is only the beginning.

We’ll likely see a national public comment period on Pebble’s proposed plan in March, 2018.

Until we do, let’s keep the pressure on our elected officials.

Thank you for contacting them about the proposed Pebble Mine today.

Niagara Falls USA Fishing – Destination Niagara USA

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Bill Hilts

Walleye, Steelhead, Trout ON-THE-BITE in Soft Winter Water of Lower NIAGARA RIVER
Forecast/Report for Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018

**Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls, NY, shows off a dandy Burt Dam winter steelie.**

**Ryan O’Neill had a banner day on Wednesday (Jan. 24, 2018) as he shows off a big lower Niagara River lake trout.**

In the ice fishing arena, it’s been a good ice fishing year so far but with the recent rain and warm weather, you will rally want to be very careful out there. The last time this happened a few weeks ago, the ice in Olcott Harbor was affected due to the excessive flow coming through the 18 Mile Creek system. Wilson was not as severely affected and at last report there was up to 6 inches of ice.

There is quite a bit of water open right now at Burt Dam and 18 Mile Creek and with the added flow of water, it should be pulling in some fresh fish into the system. Anglers are reporting steelhead with the occasional brown trout mixed in.

White or black jigs tipped with a wax worm and fished under a float was working for Greg Schloerb of Amherst this past week.

In the lower Niagara River, fishing for trout and walleye has been surprisingly good.

While melting snow, run-off and rain could muddy things up for a bit, there are plenty of trout available from boat or shore. If you are fishing from shore,

**Ryan O’Neill with two lower Niagara River walleye of the four-man, four fish limit.**

again, extreme caution should be taken in the gorge area where most of the fishing is taking place. Jigs seem to be the bait of choice right now.

From boat, the Lewiston launch ramp is the easiest access to get you on the water. Fish can be caught from Devil’s Hole to the Niagara Bar. Steelhead, brown trout, lake trout and walleye are all being caught with regularity and the bait you use is dependent upon the conditions. If the wind is out of the south or southwest, use a lure like a MagLip or Kwikfish off a three-way rig. If the drift is slower, use a minnow or an egg sac.

Several reports came in the last two days of boaters catching a limit of trout and walleye.

If you do target walleye, remember that you only allowed one fish per person from Jan. 1 to March 15.

Bill Hilts, Jr. – Outdoor Promotions Director

Destination Niagara USA; 10 Rainbow Blvd.; Niagara Falls, NY 14303

p: 1-877 FALLS US; 716-282-8992 x. 303; f: 716-285-0809

Raymarine Can Make Your Boat a “Smart Boat”

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Traditions Media

Raymarine Digital Switching offers control, monitoring and automation of boat systems

WILSONVILLE, OR (January 31, 2018) – Anchor Lights, Aerators, Bilge Pumps, Blowers, Cabin Lights, Courtesy Lights…does this sequence sound familiar? It’s the switch panel on your helm, and it’s just part of the A to Z listing of your boat’s electrical equipment. In addition to switches and alarms, indicator lights and gauges cover many portions of a boat’s helm and interior. Remembering what they all do, and making sure they are all in the correct positions can be challenging even for experienced captains.

Digital switching makes it easy and intuitive to control all of the interior and exterior lighting on this high-performance center console powerboat.

To solve this challenge Raymarine has partnered with Sweden-based Trigentic AB to bring their EmpirBus NXT Digital switching technology to the boating market. Trigentic’s systems have been used in hundreds of marine, automotive and industrial applications for over 10 years.

Why should you consider employing digital switching on your next boat or yacht? Quite simply, it makes monitoring and controlling your boat’s systems easy, intuitive, and logical. The EmpirBus NXT system allows you to easily create highly customized power distribution, control, monitoring and alarm management systems for any sized vessel.

Dom Wiseman of BoatAdvice.com.au recently looked at 2 different vessels equipped with Raymarine Digital Switching. Watch their video to see how this technology makes life onboard easier for owners of small and large boats alike.

Digitally-switched systems use logically presented soft switches, indicators and rich graphics to communicate vessel status.

Using digital switching, data from different systems on a vessel can be integrated and centralized, increasing the availability of important information. Status indicators and alarms can be consolidated onto virtual panels that allow you to monitor the entire vessel at a glance.

Digital switching systems offer many ways to interact. Custom pages with soft-switches, readouts, and status indicators can be programmed onto multifunction displays. Short-range, self-powered, wireless switches can be installed at key locations to toggle frequently-used circuits like lighting from multiple locations. Traditional push-button switches can be added where needed for control of specific items. Dedicated, weatherproof keypads can be tied in using NMEA2000 or SeaTalkng networking for convenient control in remote locations. Even remote switching via wireless networks, the internet, and GSM text messaging* is possible.

This luxury powerboat has digitally-controlled lighting, HVAC, power distribution, sun shades, tank levels, lights and much more.

Raymarine’s Digital Switching system is scalable for any-sized vessel, with near limitless capacity and opportunity for customization. Raymarine boat building partners are increasingly adopting Digital Switching systems on new boat models, giving new boat buyers simplified vessel automation control right at their helm station.

If you are boat builder or marine electronic and electrical integrator contact us to learn more about Raymarine Digital Switching solutions.

*GSM text messaging capabilities vary by country. Consult with a Raymarine Digital Switching Specialist for details.

About Raymarine: Raymarine, a world leader in marine electronics, develops and manufactures the most comprehensive range of electronic equipment for the recreational boating and light commercial marine markets. Designed for high performance and ease of use, the award-winning products are available through a global network of dealers and distributors. The Raymarine product lines include radar, autopilots, GPS, instruments, fishfinders, communications, and integrated systems. Raymarine is a division of FLIR Systems, a world leader in thermal imaging. For more information about Raymarine please go to www.raymarine.com.

Colorado Elk Habitat Protected, Hunting Access Improved

Posted on January 23, 2024 by RMEF

2,677 Acres of Vital Elk Habitat is NOW PROTECTED
Colorado Habitat Stamp Funding and Great Outdoors Colorado supplied KEY FUNDING
Grateful Thanks to Rick Tingle for Easement on his Louisiana Purchase Ranch

MISSOULA, MT.— Thanks to a conservation-minded landowner and a key state funding program, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) to permanently protect 2,677 acres of vital elk habitat in northwest Colorado.

“We are grateful to Rick Tingle, a RMEF life member, for placing a conservation easement on his Louisiana Purchase Ranch,” said Blake Henning, RMEF chief conservation officer. “Additionally, this project highlights the critical need for the Colorado Wildlife Habitat Program (CWHP) and its Habitat Stamp which supplied important funding to help push things through to the finish line.”

“With a fast-growing human population, it is more important than ever before to ensure the state’s wildlife has the habitat it needs to survive in perpetuity,” said Bill de Vergie, CPW area wildlife manager. “Thanks to funds provided by Great Outdoors Colorado and CPW’s Habitat Stamp Program, a very valuable stretch of land is now protected through the CWHP. Some limited public hunting access will also be provided so the benefits of this easement will pay dividends well into the future.”

CWHP provides a means for CPW to work with private landowners, local governments, and conservation organizations to protect important fish and wildlife habitat and provide places for people to enjoy opportunities to hunt and fish.

Since the ranch is bordered on three sides by State Land Board and Bureau of Land Management land in a part of the state home to Colorado’s largest elk herds, it provides connectivity for elk and mule deer migration. Thousands of elk pass through the area during the spring and fall. The property also provides summer and winter range for both species and other wildlife.

“This truly is a special place,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO, who has visited the location. “We are grateful to the Tingle family for recognizing and helping us protect the wildlife values of this land.”

Access is improved to surrounding public lands because the landowner will provide perpetual unlimited permission to public hunters for a 25-day period each year with drive-through access. In addition, he signed off on a 10-year CPW agreement to provide access for six elk and/or deer hunters on lands off County Road 23 during a three-day window during Colorado’s third rifle season.

Since 1987, RMEF and its partners completed 726 conservation and hunting heritage outreach projects in Colorado with a combined value of more than $165.2 million. These projects protected or enhanced 447,910 acres of habitat and opened or improved public access to 107,992 acres.

About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation: Founded over 30 years ago, fueled by hunters and a membership of more than 227,000 strong, RMEF has conserved more than 7.3 million acres for elk and other wildlife. RMEF also works to open and improve public access, fund and advocate for science-based resource management, and ensure the future of America’s hunting heritage. Discover why “Hunting Is Conservation™” at www.rmef.org, elknetwork.com or 800-CALL ELK.

FLUORO for the COLD FLOW – Winter Trout Fishing with a Fly Rod

Posted on January 23, 2024 by David Rose

Fly Rods for winter fishing can be honest fun. *Photo courtesy of Jon Ray*

By David Rose

It had been well over a decade since I’d last set foot in the fast-flowing river very near Colorado’s Continental Divide with fly rod in hand. The change in esthetics surrounding the waterway was extreme.

The alteration in environment most obvious was how the once little town at its headwaters had grown so substantially it was now surrounding its banks several miles further downstream. One good thing was there was more angler access to the river; the bad was the rainbows, browns, cutthroat and brook trout in this flies-only catch-and-release section had all been fooled at one time or another by just about every type of fuzz and feather combination one could imagine.

To say the fish that reside here all winter are weary of every offering that wafts past them is an understatement. Luckily, I consulted with those in the know at the local fly shop and was able to catch a few of the finicky fish because of the tips and tricks they shared.

What I found interesting was there was little reform from years ago when it came to the tiny, down-to-size-22 nymph imitations that were suggested I drift under my strike indicator. The one thing the fly-flinging professionals were adamant about this time around, however, was that fluorocarbon leaders were a must if one were to fool a fish into striking.
And it worked.

Winter steelhead can provide an awesome battle, no time to get cold. *Photo courtesy of Jon Ray*

The rod I packed in my carry-on was a 4-piece, St. Croix 5-weight Imperial, perfect for the miniscule nymphs I bought at the shop. A couple packets of Seaguar’s Knotless Tapered Leaders in size 7X (thinning down to 2-pound test at its tip) were also purchased. A few of my casts were actually flawless enough to fool a few fish; in reality, more fish than the last time I was here. And I do believe it was the presentation of my flies and the hook-setting abilities of this thin 100% fluorocarbon line that made the difference.

Fluoro facts for flies:

Fluorocarbon is now a standard go-to for so many fishing applications, including fly fishing.

“First off, you need to get your fly down into the water column faster in winter,” says Jon Ray, a full-time fly-fishing guide with Hawkins Outfitters near my home waters in Michigan’s Northwest Lower Peninsula. “Casts tend to be shorter this time of year, and the fish are in smaller areas of a river; fluorocarbon tippets allow your fly to sink quicker, as well it will stay in strike zone from the top to the bottom of the drift.”
More fluorine atoms and less hydrogen than monofilament is what makes fluorocarbon pack more mass into the same space. It’s more compressed because the fluorocarbon resins give it close to neutral buoyancy. It’s a great choice for vertical personations, like dangling a fly under a strike indicator.

It also has less stretch due to its denseness, which allows an angler to get good hook sets; especially when using the light-pound-tests lines needed for proper presentations of such minuscule bugs during the winter months. “And fluorocarbon is thinner than monofilament, which creates less drag in the water helps your fly drift more naturally,” Ray adds. “And if your fly isn’t drifting perfectly with the current, your bug’s not going to get bit. Period.”

Opposites attract:

But it’s not just nymphing on ultra-light tippets that take trout during the winter months, especially when targeting the largest fish in a system. “While big trout will suck up a little bug once in a while, it’s not their meat and potatoes,” states Fly-Fishing Guide Russ Maddin, who’s created some of modern day’s most popular streamers for trout. “Big fish eat little fish, and I’m not just talking small minnows and whatnot, but other younger, 5- to 8-inch trout in the system, as well.”

Maddin’s been using fluorocarbon tippet material for stripping big streamers for years, and says this tactic is no place for light line and finesse, even when these cold-blooded fish seem lethargic within their ice-water realms.

“You’ll have to slow up your stop-and-go retrieve a little compared to when the water’s warm, with longer pauses in-between pulses, but you really don’t need to lighten up your leaders,” Maddin adds.

Twelve-pound-test (1X in Seaguar’s Max Fluorocarbon Tippet Material) is the lightest Maddin may tie on, but overall 14-pound test (1X in Grand Max Tippet Material) is his go to. No matter the test, it’s the condensed make up of fluorocarbon that keeps his streamers in the strike zone, neither rising or falling on the pause.

Timing and safety:

Two things rookie fly anglers often overlook when their planning a winter’s fly-fishing excursion is the time of day to hit the river, as well, taking a few extra precautionary steps for one’s safety.

Unlike summer months when dawn and dusk may be the best times for catching, smackdab in the middle of the afternoon is usually best for fly fishing in winter. It’s during this time when the waters will warm to their maximum for the day, and all it takes is a half-degree rise in water temperature to turn inactive fish active. And unlike other times of year, the brighter the sun overhead the better the bite can be.

Even if your legs are strong, it’s not only a good idea to have a wading staff with you, but to use it. One quick jab into the river bed and you’ll be able to catch your balance if, say, a rock overturns under foot. Donning ice cleats with small carbide spikes, like the slipover Ice Creepers from Frabill ice anglers wear, will keep you steady-footed if it’s cold enough that ice starts forming on the rocks, or in areas with algae covering the bottom.

Up your odds:

Overall, fly fishing in the heart of winter isn’t all that different than the summer months. Your goal is to imitate nature to a tee with nothing more than feathers and fur that’ve been spun onto a hook.

As I learned from my last trip to the Colorado Rockies, keeping your fly drifting behind a thin, strong, and nearly invisible fluorocarbon leader will up your odds greatly.

Mepps Introduces New Additions to Spinner Lines

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Josh Schwartz

Cover water with the all-new Mepps® Aglia® Flashabou. The new Mepps® Aglia® Flashabou combines the vibration and flash of a classic Mepps Aglia blade with a highly reflective, hand-tied flashabou tail for attractive, shimmering action in the water.
Mepps® Aglia® Flashabou spinners beam prisms of light to attract fish and are available in single and double blade configurations. The Double Blade Aglia® Flashabou produces more flash and loft over weeds and structure than the Aglia® Flashabou.
No other Flashabou style spinner offers the fish catching power and dependability like the Mepps® Aglia® Flashabou. View the Mepps Aglia Flashabou at mepps.com/products/lures or the Mepps Master Catalog. To receive a current Mepps Master Catalog, call 715.623.7556.

The Mepps® Aglia® spinner is the original French spinner. It is the World’s #1 Lure. The Mepps® Aglia® is extremely popular with fishermen world-wide because it will catch just about any freshwater fish and many species of saltwater fish.

Sheldons’, Inc. • 626 Center St., Antigo, WI 54409 • Phone: 800-237-9877

Chicago Team Wins Bassmaster High School Series on Toledo Bend

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Joedee Robinson

Mossy Oak® (Title Sponsor) Sends Hearty Congratulations
Scott Springer and Trust Say are Thrilled to Accept Victory
Win Earns $20,000 Scholarship, Gear, Trophies, More

Trust Say and Scott Springer (L to R) win the Mossy Oak Bassmaster High School Series with a 5-bass limit of 21 pounds – 7 ounces at Toledo Bend. *Photo Credit B.A.S.S.*

WEST POINT, MS – As title sponsor of the Bassmaster High School Series and official pattern of B.A.S.S., Mossy Oak is thrilled to congratulate Scott Springer and Trust Say who took home the top prize at the recent event on Toledo Bend. The pair of 17-year olds from the Chicago area surpassed 241 other teams competing on Toledo Bend Reservoir on Sunday, January 28.

“It’s an honor to play a role in this tremendous program for young anglers at the high school level,” said Ben Maki, Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer of Mossy Oak. “We’re proud of Scott and Trust for their victory at the first Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series event. We’re proud of all the competitors, pursuing their outdoors passion and learning through the experience.”

Springer and Say, who are part of the Christy, Springer and Say Community Club, boated a five-bass limit that weighed 21 pounds, 7 ounces, which was more than two pounds heavier than the second-place duo. That catch propelled Springer and Say into the High School national championship tournament, which will be held at an undisclosed location later this year. In all, 24 of the 242 teams (the top 10 percent) earned a berth in the championship with their showing on Toledo Bend.

The victory provided Springer and Say with a bounty of prizes. They won $2,000 for their fishing team, and they picked up a $250 gift certificate from Mossy Oak, as well as an Abu Garcia rod/reel combo. The win also earned them a combined $20,000 scholarship offer to compete with the McKendree University fishing team.

Christopher Capdeboscq and Forrest Lagarde of Northlake Christian School in Covington, La., finished second with 19-4. That earned them trophies, $1,500 for their school, a $250 Mossy Oak certificate and Abu Garcia rod/reel combos. Grayson Morris and Tucker Smith of Alabama’s Briarwood Christian School placed third with 18-5. They won $1,250 for their school and trophies and rod/reel combos for themselves.

The Big Bass Award went to Colby Miller and Jaden Cedars of Oak Hill (La.) High School who boated a 9-3 lunker. Capdeboscq and Lagarde caught an 8-4 bass to anchor the Northlake Christian bag.

Mossy Oak is also supporting sponsor of the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series and the presenting sponsor of the Huk Performance Fishing Bassmaster Elite Series tournament at Upper Chesapeake Bay. Mossy Oak entered the fishing arena with its launch of Elements Agua last year. Elements Agua provides outdoors men and women with a pattern all their own, one that represents a lifestyle on the water that they love.

For more information on these programs and tournaments, visit www.bassmaster.com. To learn more about Mossy Oak or to enjoy free, timely and entertaining outdoors content, visit www.mossyoak.com.

About BASS: B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2), social media programs and events. For 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing. The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series, Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation presented by Magellan Outdoors, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.

Haas Outdoors Inc. is headquartered in West Point, Miss., was established in 1986 and is home of Mossy Oak. For more than 30 years, Mossy Oak has been a leading outdoors lifestyle brand that specializes in developing and marketing modern camouflage designs for hunters and outdoors enthusiasts. The Mossy Oak Brand and patterns can be found on a multitude of products worldwide. Haas Outdoors Inc. is the parent company of Mossy Oak, BioLogic, Mossy Oak Productions, MOOSE Media, Nativ Nurseries, Nativ Living, GameKeepers, GameKeepers Kennels and Mossy Oak Properties.Mossy Oak is the official camouflage of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Ducks Unlimited, Quality Deer Management Association and Mack’s Prairie Wings.

Follow Mossy Oak on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, Pinterest and YouTube.

Gobble! Gobble! Gobble! It’s Nearly Opening Day in Florida

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Forrest Fisher

2018 Turkey Season is Just Ahead, BE PREPARED
Follow Jim Monteleone in his 3-Part “Turkey Expertise Series”
Learn “HOW-TO-HUNT TURKEY” – Series Starts February 15, 2018

By Forrest Fisher

The turkey view that every turkey hunter would like to see on opening day morning right at sunrise. *Joe Forma Photo*

That’s right, it’s February, but each year in early March, just when many Major League Baseball teams are holding spring training out west and down south, turkey hunters are training too, gearing up for opening day of the turkey season just ahead..

In Florida, the 2018 spring youth season will run Feb. 24-25, the adult season starts March 3, with other southern states are not far behind. Hunters travelling with their families to share in the sandy shorelines of warming saltwater beaches have an opportunity to do more than collect seashells, they can hunt Osceola wild turkey too.

As the spring turkey hunting season nears across the country, the NWTF provides their annual Spring Hunt Guide as an overview of each state’s up-coming wild turkey hunting season.

The 2018 NWTF Hunt Guide provides the most up-to-date wild turkey population and harvest data available from state wildlife agencies across the country. Visit the links provided for each state and assure that regional sectors regulations are clear for exactly where you plan to hunt.

You can also search the NWTF Wild Turkey Records database and discover where the largest birds in the country can be found.

Following this very brief introduction from NWTF in getting prepared for the 2018 spring turkey season across our great country, follow the new 3-part “Turkey Expertise Series” provided for your education and enjoyment from one of the most knowledgeable and humble turkey-hunting experts you may ever meet, Jim Monteleone. He has taken the birds all across America.

It’s going to be an exciting year. Follow us through this 3-part series on www.ShareTheOutdoors.com.

Enjoy!

Red Tide MAROONS Bluebill Ducks

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Robin Jenkins - DVM

By Robin Jenkins, DVM

As of Dec. 28, 2017, Peace River Wildlife Center has had a tragic influx of patients in the past few weeks. We have taken in over 40 lesser scaups (locally called bluebills by many people), mostly found in the Port Charlotte Beach and Bayshore Park areas. Many of them died in transport or shortly after arrival, and more were found dead on site. It is assumed that red tide is the culprit, and we are treating the surviving patients accordingly—with moderate success if they get into treatment early enough.

Thanks to some alert community members, more birds were brought to us while they still had a chance for recovery. PRWC’s volunteer rescuers Barb and Tom Taylor were instrumental in getting many birds to us. They patrolled the areas where most of the debilitated birds were found numerous times daily, at dawn and during tide changes.

One boater pulled a white pelican out of the water near the mouth of the Myakka River. He then drove his boat to the El Jobean bridge where he met PRWC rescuers Lee and Charlotte Dewitt, who in turn drove the bird to PRWC.

A lady hopped the sea wall, scratching up her legs in the process, to collect a scaup who was drowning on the shore of Charlotte Harbor. A man pulled a scaup out of the water and into his kayak, and then paddled for close to two hours to get the distressed bird to us. Another man jumped the fence at TT’s Tiki Bar to rescue a scaup from the rocks.

The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Department Marine Unit patrolled the shores and kept us apprised of what they found. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) also patrolled the areas and helped us with rescues. They also transported the birds that did not survive for necropsy.

Lesser scaups are a medium-sized duck that nests in the boreal forests of Central Alaska and Manitoba. They migrate in late fall, among the last to leave as ponds freeze over. In the winter they can be found in the Gulf region, Mexico, Central America, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean. Males and non-breeding females head out slightly earlier for southern locales. Breeding females stay with their broods as long as possible before embarking on the chicks’ first journey.

Since the lesser scaup is one of the last species to migrate back up north in the spring to begin breeding, their offspring are quite young during their first fall migration. They are a precocial species, and chicks are hatched with their eyes open, covered in down, and able to move around on their own. The youngsters leave the nest within hours of hatching and feed themselves immediately. They can dive the day they are hatched, but are too buoyant to stay down long. By five to seven weeks, they are capable of diving up to 60 feet and staying down for up to 25 seconds.

A rather distinctive diving duck, the lesser scaup is similar in appearance to the great scaup, which is only slightly larger, but rarely frequents Southwest Florida. The male has a black domed head, neck, and mantle. His irises are a brilliant yellow and his bill is slate blue (hence the colloquial name). The female is a greyish-brown, with olive-green irises and a dark bill with white feathers at the base. Both sexes have white bellies and secondary wing feathers with a dark band at the edge, visible in flight.

The lesser scaup is carnivorous. Its diet is primarily comprised of crustaceans, insects, and mollusks. While it is one of the most widespread ducks in North America, it is not well studied, especially in the Southwest Florida region.

The one positive note of losing all these birds, is that FWC will be able to study the ducks that did not survive and learn more about this species, especially as it pertains to those migrating to and through this area. While routinely a late migrator (September to November), the peak scaup migration usually occurs in mid- to late November. This rather late migration, combined with a local red tide outbreak, may have been too much for the birds. If there are any other factors involved, FWC will find out and notify us. The results of those tests will be invaluable to us in treating the current birds as well as future patients.

PRWC wants to commend the local community members who went out of their way to help us with numerous rescues. We are also grateful to those who donated toward care of these critically ill birds, which is quite labor-intensive and demands the use of a lot of expensive supplies. Whether you concur with famed elder statesperson Clinton about the necessity of collaboration for childhood upbringing, it does indeed take a village to conserve wildlife, and we are grateful for the support of our village-community.

Niagara Falls USA Fishing Forecast for Thursday, Feb. 8, 2018

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Bill Hilts

Destination Niagara USA: Where Adventure Comes Naturally

**Gary Hall with a lower Niagara River steelhead.**

Temperatures continue to put a damper on open water anglers in the Niagara River and in area tributaries. However, that’s going to change for the better this weekend as temperatures will shoot up into the 30s and it may even hit the 40 degree mark next Tuesday.

Whether you are fishing in the river or the streams, there’s no rush to get on the water. Let things warm up a little bit. Greg Schloerb of Amherst reported that fishing improved once the slush off the top of the water was gone on 18 Mile Creek at Burt Dam. He caught some dandy steelhead using his homemade olive-colored jigs tipped with a wax worm and fished under a float. He caught steelhead to 12 pounds.

In the lower Niagara River, action has been a bit more difficult with ice floes coming down through the system. If you can find areas that offer a better drift, take them. Gary Hall of Niagara Falls and Gary Fiori of Lewiston both hit the water last Wednesday and caught some nice steelhead, before they got too cold. Dress accordingly. That water is 32 degrees coming down the river.

The Niagara River Anglers Association held its annual Roger Tobey Memorial Steelhead contest last Saturday out of Lewiston

This silver bullet was the winner in the NRAA steelhead contest, reeled in by Dan Spangler of Ohio.

Landing along the Niagara River, a celebration that’s been going on for a quarter of a century. Despite frigid temperatures that saw wind chills dip to below zero, some 32 brave fishermen fought high winds and heavy ice floats to compete for the biggest trout – with a focus on steelhead and browns. When the scales closed at 2 p.m., Dan Spangler of Ohio was the top dog with a 10.26 pound steelhead. He caught the fish on a MagLip lure, fishing with Capt. Mark McGranahan of Sparky’s Charters. Second place was 9.74 pounds, reeled in by Justin Graham of Washington State and fishing with Capt. Chris Cinelli of Grand Island. Third place was Jack Taylor of Batavia with an 8.34 pound steelie. He was fishing with Capt. Frank Campbell of Niagara Region Charters. Taylor also reeled in the big brown trout, a 3.74 pound fish – one of only two browns caught in the contest. Conditions were tough and hats off to the victors, as well as all of the hardy folks who competed.

Bill Hilts, Jr. – Outdoor Promotions Director

Destination Niagara USA, 10 Rainbow Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY 14303; p: 1-877 FALLS US; 716-282-8992 x. 303; f: 716-285-0809

www.niagarafallsusa.com; facebook | twitter | instagram

Cimarron Firearms Company introduces the US MARSHAL 44 MAG CARBINE

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Laura Burgess

Fredericksburg, Texas (January 2018) – Cimarron Firearms, recognized as the leader in quality and authenticity in Old West replica firearms, reveal their exclusive US Marshal 1873 Model carbine at the 2018 SHOT Show, in celebration of “The Gun that Won the West.”

Early in 2017, Cimarron received a request from an active US Marshal. He wanted a duty carbine that honored the US Marshal’s illustrious past but was also functional for today’s lawman. Over the past year, Cimarron worked tirelessly to develop a historic design on the Model 1873 carbine that was ready to serve in the name of law and order again.

Cimarron Firearms based the new 1873 US Marshal on an original 1873 Winchester presented to an active US Marshal in 1880 by his boss, Judge Isaac Parker, of the Indian Territory. The Cimarron is an accurate copy of the original Winchester 1873 carbine, with stock slightly shortened and the barrel cropped by two inches, making it easier for Marshals to carry in their vehicles. Built for the 44 Mag cartridge, the US Marshal 1873 carbine lever-action features the traditional saddle ring, ladder rear sight, sliding dust cover and the iconic semi-crescent steel carbine butt plate, all on a blue steel frame and barrel with US Marshal markings. The US Marshal 1873 has an MSRP of $1,402.70 and will be available end of the first quarter of 2018.

“The 1873 carbine was a very popular firearm used by those men deputized to preserve law and order in what was truly the Wild, Wild West.” Jamie Wayt, vice president of media for Cimarron Firearms, remarked. “To receive this request from an active US Marshall for a firearm that represents their history and service and to make it to be fully functional for today’s Marshals, was not only a challenge, but truly an honor.”

The US Marshals and their deputies have been instrumental as a civil authority in most of America’s major historical episodes over the

**Judge Isaac Parker, image courtesy of Wikipedia**

past 200 years. The US Marshals, created by the first Congress in the Judiciary Act of 1789, fulfilled the function of authority under the Federal Government, and brought law and justice to an ever expanding western wilderness. As each territory was established, US Marshals were appointed as the voice of the law. Besides acting as lawmen, Marshals and their Deputies were also administrators, setting up courts, documenting cases and serving the communities in a civil capacity.

Judge Isaac Charles Parker, known as the “Hanging Judge” for trying more than 13,490 cases, and sentencing 160 people to death, of which 79 were eventually executed, respected the Marshal’s ability to track down fugitives and bring the lawless to justice. Between 1875 and 1889, Parker’s court held sway over the Indian Territory. Cimarron’s new 1873 US Marshal Model pays tribute to Parker’s action of ceremoniously giving a Model 1873 to a US Marshal for his service.

The original 1873 carbine was designed by Winchester® Repeating Arms Company and first offered in the powerful .44-40 cartridge. The gun became every deputy’s favorite side arm for its accuracy and its lever-action repeating assembly performance. Over 720,000 were produced, thus it became the most popular lever-action, long gun in America and was marketed by Winchester as “The Gun that Won the West.”

For more information on Cimarron Firearms and accessories, visit www.cimarron-firearms.com.

CORE ARCHERY, Train Yourself to HIT THE BULLSEYE, then DO IT AGAIN and AGAIN

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Forrest Fisher

Train Mental Skill and Subconscious Mind to Excellence with Proper Back Tension
Building Blocks to Solid, Consistent Arrow-Shooting Form
Learn from a Champion

**Click the picture to obtain a copy of this inexpensive book.**

By Forrest Fisher with Larry Wise

When your form is physically complete and practiced so it operates through the subconscious mind, you develop good mental skills to help you score high under all conditions. CORE ARCHERY will train you to be like this. CORE ARCHERY is a systematic set of archery shooting form steps built around the proper use of your skeleton. It is about proper back tension, and much more, on the building blocks of consistent, solid shooting form. It is a proven, simplified approach to consistent shooting form to achieve your desired results.

Throughout each form step of CORE ARCHERY, the governing theme is to maximize skeleton and minimize muscle. If you do this, your form will be energy efficient, fatigue resistant and highly repeatable.

CORE ARCHERY is a complete system of archery shooting form, presented here as the sequence of proper mental and physical actions required to launch an arrow to the target center. It consists of only the necessary and sufficient actions needed, and it has been validated by many archers.

CORE ARCHERY gives you the insight into good archery shooting form that will allow you to find the form you’ve lost or to gain it for the first time. Most important, when you learn core archery, you’ll be able to repeat your form, shot after shot after shot.

The author, Larry Wise, knows his beans…and his archery. He has been a competitive archer since 1979. His professional record shows 38 individual or team 1st Place/Championship titles, 11 2nd place finishes and four 3rd or 4th place.

He has given more than 300 “Tuning Your Compound Bow” seminars in 20 states; written five books on bow set-up and tuning; been a member of several bow manufacturers shooting and advisory staffs, and has done design consulting. He coaches nationally and internationally.

Since 2004, Larry has coached more than 300 individuals privately, written and edited a national archery coaches study course, taught national-level coaches courses, and coached the U.S. archery team at the 2005 World Indoor Championships (winning 13 medals, including seven gold).

In 2016, he co-authored the “Adaptive Archery Manual for Disabled Sports USA”. In 2014, Larry and Coach Linda Beck co-authored the “National Training System for Compound Bows” for the US Archery Association which is used by the Compound Junior Dream Team for which Larry is an assistant coach.

There are nine chapters and a special insert made from a 30-second video of the author making one well-executed shot.

Intro: Core Archery Explained
Your Shooting Objective
Stance & Build Your Form
Drawing the Bow
Aiming & Sighting
Aim & Release
Learning Back Tension
Muscle Activity during Back Tension
The Mental Game of Core Archery

SPECIAL INSERT – The Shot Sequence in Digital Photos. This is a unique chapter utilizing 44 photos of one shot to show you the steps of a good archery shot as that shot is being built. The photos are on 44 consecutive right hand pages and spring to life as you thumb rapidly through them. Study the flow from one image to the next to identify how each of the 12 form steps leads into the next.

Larry notes, a bit tongue-in-cheek, “Archery is a simple two-step sport. Step One is to learn to shoot an arrow in the ten-ring. Step Two is to repeat Step One!”

CORE ARCHERY is paperback, 8-1/2” x 5-1/2”, 140 pages, it retails for $13.95 plus shipping / handling. Published by Target Communications Outdoor Books (TCOB) as part of its “On Target” series. CORE ARCHERY and other archery/bowhunting books, plus deer, bear and turkey hunting books, are available at www.targetcommbooks.com.

Fishing Southwest Florida with “Fishin’ Frank”

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Forrest Fisher

Common Answers and Fishing Solutions, Eye to Eye
Rods, Reels, Lines, Baits, Hooks and Rigs – Learn for Free
Where to Fish, Where to Park, What to Use, When to Go – Can it Get Any Better?!
Black Bass, Grouper, Snook, Crappie, Redfish, the list is LONG
Saltwater and Freshwater Goodness Tales of Help for Every Angler

By Forrest Fisher

Pier fishing in Charlotte Harbor Park is much easier and much more productive with advice from Fishin’ Frank. *Forrest Fisher Photo*

While visiting a bait shop in Port Charlotte (Florida), I met a young-minded, white bearded, guy that the locals call “Fishin’ Frank.” He was talking to a gentleman angler and his friend in the store about tackle to use in saltwater. The guy was a fisherman from Minnesota. With a half grin, he said, “Frankly, have you ever heard of catching giant gag grouper on plastic-tail black bass baits? How about goliath grouper on a Carolina rig? Or giant snook on a freshwater Storm Twitch stick bait? Redfish on Zoom plastic worms…with a bobber?” The room went silent. “Nope,” the guy answered. “Let’s talk simple,” Frank added.

Making common sense of non-sense is something that this witty expert angler guy in southwest Florida does every day to help others understand how to catch fish in saltwater.

Jeff Liebler loves to catch tasty saltwater sheepshead and this is one species anglers can catch from shore and off common fishing piers all along the gulf in January and February. *Forrest Fisher Photo*

In a few short seconds, I discovered Fishin’ Frank knew more about catching fish than most people who spend all their recreational time fishing might know.

At his bait shop called “Fishin’ Franks” (http://www.fishinfranks.com/) you’ll encounter the best part of your future fishing day: Frank makes it his mission, for the moments with you, to share his knowledge when he senses what you need to know. You need to ask what it is you want to know first, after that just LISTEN (listen good).

Why does he do this? He’s a common sense guy that understands nature, forage, predator fish, the moon, the tides, his budget, your budget, his time, your time and, after a few minutes, your needs. Simply said, Frank likes to help people.

Catch fish or not, it’s fun to talk to this guy. Frank is friendly, accurate, an eternal optimist, and he’s there to come back to…if you catch ‘em or not – to answer more questions from you.

We all like people like this, but beyond that, Fishin’ Frank goes the extra mile to pursue the answers and solutions for you when he asks, “Did I answer your question? Do you have any more questions? Do you wanna know where to go fish while you’re here? From shore or boat?” Yep, hard to find this anywhere else in the country and world, I have fished those places and can confirm there is no other around exactly like Fishin’ Frank…who shares for free.

If you are a fisherman that loves to fish and catch fish, Fishin’ Frank’s Bait and Tackle Shop on Highway 41 (4425 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte, Fl., 33980; 941-625-3888) is your “one-stop/must-go” place to visit. After that, if you’re lucky and there is an open slot, sign up for his free fishing seminars held on the second Tuesday and Wednesday of the month.

Giant crappie are among freshwater fish that abound in the freshwater canals of Port Charlotte. Simple jigs, small blade baits and live minnows are top baits. *Forrest Fisher Photo*

The seminars run from 7PM – 8PM at Luigi’s Restaurant in Port Charlotte, most folks start getting there around 5:30PM, they want a good seat. While there, you can eat, drink and be merry, while asking questions to quiet your quest for more information and savvy know-how and what-to-do stuff from Frank and the charter captain experts that talk with him. Best of all, everyone else there is a fisherman too, you’ll meet others that fish and know the area. Very cool if you are a visitor or resident.

In Frank’s little bait shop (not that little), the only thing you’ll find are hundreds of lures, hooks, floats, plastics, rods, reels and lines and fishing stuff that works in this fishing area for freshwater and saltwater fishing. And, at prices that can match on-line sales. How can Fishin Frank do this? The simple answer: sheer volume. He sells everything he carries right off the wall as soon as it gets there. Franks says, “I order lures by the thousands and still can’t keep up with the hot colors. For some lures like the Storm Twitch, I order 1200 at a time and they are gone very quickly.” If you and I visit there, we’ll find answers and solutions to our fish-catching problems at little cost to us. Quite amazing.

This past week at Frank’s seminar, Charter Cayle Wills of Bad Fish Charters (http://www.reelbadfish.com/home.htm), originally from Warren, Pennsylvania, where he cut his teeth on tiny trout streams, was one of two guest speakers. Captain Karl Butigian, Back Country Charter (https://www.kbbackcountrychartersfishing.com/), local native from Port Charlotte, also joined Fishing Frank to free the confusion about fishing the waters Port Charlotte, Florida. These guys offer charter fishing from their boats, or they will go with you in your boat for half price. Hard to match that offer.

The discussion this week was about using your freshwater lures to catch saltwater fish. Was it interesting? Indeed, it was eye-opening in a world of when it seems common sense is uncommon to find.

This column will begin a multi-part series about using those lures, the how, the where, and the what, from the information shared by this dynamic three-some of fishing experts. Look for Fishin Frank’s – Part 1 next week. To jump start you, need to know where to start fishing from shore? Frank has that for you! Look here: http://www.fishinfranks.com/where_to.htm#wade. You’ll find maps and more. Step by step. Just don’t forget to go back to the store and thank this gentleman giant of the Florida fishing world.

When you’re ready to catch some BIG saltwater fish to satisfy the open space in your freezer, hire a charter captain that knows his business and is not out there to just take your money. Two of these “good guys” are listed in this story. *Forrest Fisher Photo*

Captain Karl conducts hands-on seminars at many locations when he is not fishing. Captain Cayle writes for Waterline magazine, a local fishing publication, and is also staff at Fishin’ Frank’s store. Look to meet both of these angler gentlemen at the Charlotte County Boat Show Jan.11 – 14^th, March 8 – 11 at the Punta Gorda Boat Show, and at the March 24, 2018, Fishin Franks Tent Sale, where about 3,000 anglers meet with manufacturers at the store and adjacent area to make incredible over-the-counter deals on fishing gear. It’s free to attend.

Wildlife is everywhere when you fish Florida. Enjoy every moment. *Forrest Fisher Photo*

Tight lines everyone!

Niagara Falls USA Fishing Forecast for Jan. 10, 2018

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Bill Hilts

Lower Niagara River Fishing is BACK ON
Ice Fishing in Wilson and Olcott Harbors is HOT
Greater Niagara Fishing & Outdoor Show is ON, Jan. 19- 21

**Cameron Huntley with a nice winter steelhead from the Lower Niagara River January shoreline.**

A January thaw is already underway in Western NY and it could spell good news all the way around for anglers. For starters, the lower Niagara River is back in business for boaters and shoreline casters. T he gorge area has been producing lake trout, steelhead and walleye for casters using jigs in green and white. Lake trout to 13 pounds and steelhead to 12 have been reported. Wear ice creepers when walking the shoreline. Boaters started catching fish on Monday and today was pretty good for many of the captains plying the waters in search of trout and walleye. Kwikfish and MagLip lures fished off three-way rigs have been the most effective. Beads and egg sacs will catch fish, too. Be careful of any chunk ice floating down. Fish can be found from Devil’s Hole to the Niagara Bar.

**Shawn West of Lockport, NY, landed this 18-pound brown trout beast on simple “bead bait “this week.**

The streams are slowly starting to open back up again and while the openings are limited, you can do well. Shawn West of Lockport caught his personal best brown trout this week, an 18 pound bomber that hit a bead. Jigs will also work, tipped with wax worms and fished under a float.

**Using a live chub fished a tip-up, Jamie McClelland of Newfane, NY, landed this monster 44-inch northern pike in Wilson Harbor this week.**

There is still good ice in Wilson and Olcott. Biggest fish was a 44-inch Northern pike hauled in by Jarame McClelland of Newfane, his biggest pike ever out of Wilson. It hit a pike chub off his tip-up. Keep your fingers crossed we don’t lose too much ice. Olcott is producing some nice trout through the ice on Voodoo jigs for Roy Letcher.

The fifth annual Greater Niagara Fishing and Outdoor Expo is just around the corner, set for Jan. 19^th through the 21^st at the Conference and Event Center Niagara Falls. We’ve been talking about this for a month – and with good reason. If you want to learn anything about fishing, this is the show for you. As far as education is concerned, it’s one of the best on the Great Lakes. With over 70 speakers and over 120 different seminars, you can’t go wrong finding something that you are interested in. Salmon, trout, bass, walleye, perch, musky, electronics, rigging a boat, getting started with fishing, check out the website at www.niagarafishingexpo.com for a complete rundown of seminars. The speakers are top notch, too. Bassmaster elite pros Shaw Grigsby and Mark Menendez, salmon fishing greats Jake Romanack and Dan Keating, walleye pros Mark Romanack and Lance Valentine – the list is a long one. Go to www.niagarafishingexpo.com.

**Veteran shore angler, Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls, NY, hooked up this beautiful 13-pound lake trout this week.**

The Niagara River Anglers Association will hold its annual Roger Tobey Memorial Steelhead Contest on Saturday, February 3 from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. out of Lewiston Landing (at the launch ramp). Eligible waters are all waters of Lake Ontario and the tributaries, as well as the Lower Niagara River; awards and dinner to follow at the Lewiston #1 Fire Hall on 6th Street, Lewiston. Sign-ups will be taken at Creek Road Bait and Tackle in Lewiston, The Slippery Sinker in Olcott or at the dock on that Saturday morning. For more information call Paul at 998-8910.

Bill Hilts, Jr.- Outdoor Promotions Director

Destination Niagara USA, 10 Rainbow Blvd.,Niagara Falls, NY 14303

p: 1-877 FALLS US; 716-282-8992 x. 303; f: 716-285-0809