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Check out what's happening at your favorite fishing hole. Please feel free to submit a fishing report. Let us know what they're biting and what they're not.

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Date:	Sun Apr 2 01:01:59 2006
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Name:
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Date:	Mon Mar 27 20:57:57 2006
Location of fishing trip:
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Name:	Capt. Kevin Durham / FishFinders Guide Service
E-Mail:	fishfinders1_AT_msn_DoT_com
City/State:	Las Vegas, Nevada
Home Page:	http://www.lakemeadfishfinders.com
Date:	Tue Jan 4 20:28:56 2005
Location of fishing trip:	Lake Mead
Date of fishing trip:	01/04/05
Weather:	Sunny
Temperature:	55
Barometer:
Wind direction:	SE
Wind speed:	07
Water temp:	57
Water clarity:	Clear
Report... Some big Stripers have been caught on large swimbaits and top-water plugs near the trout stocking areas. Bait fishing in deeper water is producing very good results for smaller fish.

Name:	Captain Barry Schultz
E-Mail:	barrys_AT_buffnet_DoT_net
City/State:	Lockport, NY
Home Page:	http://www.captainbarry.com
Date:	Wed May 5 11:20:47 2004
Location of fishing trip:	Lake Erie
Date of fishing trip:	5-4-04
Weather:	Sunny
Temperature:	58
Barometer:
Wind direction:	NW
Wind speed:	15
Water temp:	45
Water clarity:	Clear
Report... Trophy Smallmouth Bass season is now open on Lake Erie and fishing is very good for big fish! I've had a 3rd (11.76 pounds for 2 Smallies) and 6th (10.26 pounds for 2 Smallies) place finishes the first 2 tournaments I've fished. I ran a charter yesterday that we had 23 Smallies with 6 of them over 5 pounds (15 Smallmouths over 5# with 1 at 6.14 pounds)! Water temperature is still only 42-46 degrees and fishing should even improve! The shoreline between Hamburg and Strugeon Point has been best area right now because it has the warmest water. Many fish are still deep and should be moving shallower and dispersing to the various structures from Buffalo to Barcelona. If you would like to get in on some these Monster Smallmouths, I have a few openings available, give me a call at 716-433-5848 or 716-228-7334 email; barrys@buffnet.net or for more info see; www.captainbarry.com

Name:	Captain Barry schultz
E-Mail:	barrys_AT_buffnet_DoT_net
City/State:	Lockport, NY
Home Page:	http://www.captainbarry.com
Date:	Thu Apr 22 10:02:44 2004
Location of fishing trip:	Niagara River
Date of fishing trip:	4-21-04
Weather:	Sunny
Temperature:	55
Barometer:
Wind direction:	W
Wind speed:	15
Water temp:	38
Water clarity:	Clear
Report... The wild weather (75 degrees last week, lots of rain and 50 - 60 mph winds) hasn't hurt the Steelhead, Lake & Brown Trout fishing on the Niagara River. Most days are 10 - 15 fish a day, with the Hopspot being Devils Hole, but there are some Steelhead & Brown Trout spread through out the River on just about every drift (Artpark, Stella, Queenston, Jackson, Pine & Fort Niagara) out to the Niagara Bar where the Lake Trout start to dominate catches. Minnows and egg sacs off 3 way rigs are working on most days. Lake Erie Trophy Smallmouth Bass season opens May 1st! Lake Erie's eastern basin is well know for it's Walleyes but there are also tons of Huge Smallmouths! Last year between my clients and myself we caught and release 59 Smallmouths over 5 pounds with 4 of them over 6 pounds on a Berkley scale! I have a few openings available if you like to get in on any of this action! Don't miss your chance at a fish of a Lifetime! For more info see; www.captainbarry.com give me a call at 716-433-5848 or 716-228-7334 email; barrys@buffnet.net

Name:	Captain Barry Schultz
E-Mail:	barrys _AT_buffnet_DoT_net
City/State:	Lockport
Home Page:	http://www.cpatinbarry.com
Date:	Thu Feb 5 09:31:58 2004
Location of fishing trip:	Niagara River
Date of fishing trip:	2-3-04
Weather:	Sunny
Temperature:	25
Barometer:
Wind direction:	W
Wind speed:	15
Water temp:	34
Water clarity:	Clear
Report... February 4, 2004 The fishing has been excellent over the last week or so and should remain that way if you only keep a few and release most of your fish. There are a ton of Steelhead and big Walleye being caught along with a few Browns and Lakers though out the Niagara River. There are fish on every drift and the amount ice has dissipated some, making boat control and the fishing easier. Arpark, Devils Hole, Queenston, Pine & Stella Niagara drifts seem to hold the most Steelhead. While Queenston, Bombers and just off the Lewiston boat launch are producing some huge Walleye! Please put the big females back to spawn, they are the future of this fishery. Jackson and Fort George drift hold a few Browns. No one's been really fishing the Niagara Bar lately because of the amount of ice or had to (because of the amount of fish in the river) but, I would bet if you can get out there it should be Fantastic! As usual minnows and egg sacs off 3 ways are producing most of the fish. For more info see: www.captainbarry.com If your interested in a Steelhead, Walleye, Brown or Lake Trout Trip, email me at barrys@buffnet.net

Name:	Captain Barry Schultz
E-Mail:	barrys_AT_buffnet_DoT_net
City/State:	Lockport,NY
Home Page:	http://www.captainbarry.com
Date:	Mon Sep 22 10:59:34 2003
Location of fishing trip:	Niagara River
Date of fishing trip:	9-20-03
Weather:	Sunny
Temperature:	70
Barometer:
Wind direction:	N
Wind speed:	10
Water temp:	68
Water clarity:	Clear
Report... September 21, 2003 The water temperature is 68 degrees and the Salmon are starting to show up at Devils Hole in good numbers. Kings are coming on Kwickfish and skein (reds & oranges) drifted off 3 way rigs. They are hitting in streaks, you have to be there when they turn on, usually first thing in the morning, then they turn on a couple times a day for half hour to an hour at a time. Otherwise it's a slow pick but looks like it should be a very good to excellent year with the amount of Salmon all ready in the River. The Smallmouth Bass fishing has been awesome near the River mouth and on the Niagara Bar. 50 - 100 Fish days in the 1 - 3 pound range are no problem depending on how much time you spend fishing for them. Shiners are the hot ticket, with a few fish coming on Tube jigs in smokes, greens and melon-peppers. The biggest decision is; do you wait out the King bite or go fish the Smallie's but, take the chance of missing the sporadic King action. The good news is the Salmon action should start to become more consistent as more fish stack up in the river, also moving & concentrating the Bass action near the mouth and on the Bar. I have a few weekday opening available if your interested in getting in on the awesome action on the Niagara River. See www.captainbarry.com or give me an email at barrys@buffnet.net

Name:	Captain Barry Schultz
E-Mail:	barrys_AT_buffnet_DoT_net
City/State:	Lockport, NY
Home Page:	http://www.captainbarry.com
Date:	Sun Jun 8 22:57:50 2003
Location of fishing trip:	Lake Erie
Date of fishing trip:	6-8-03
Weather:	Partly Sunny
Temperature:	72
Barometer:
Wind direction:	SE
Wind speed:	5
Water temp:	59
Water clarity:	Clear
Report... June 8, 2003 The water temperature hit 59-60 degrees, prompting a lot of the Smallmouth Bass into their spawning process. With this event going on and the near windless conditions, made for some tough fishing at times. We had 40-45 fish each day in the 1 1/2 - 5.4 pound range and in all stages; pre-spawn, spawning & post-spawn. The 5.4 pound beauty was as post spawn female, only if we could have got her a couple days earlier she probably would have went over 6 pounds. We didn't fish inside 20' to leave bedding fish alone and I can't stress it enough, DO NOT TARGET THESE FISH !!! They are producing the Smallmouths, you will want to catch 5-10+ years down the road. There are enough other fish in various stages in the deeper water to go after, we did well in 26-32' west of Dunkirk. Everything was working, but nothing was super hot. Our fish came on Tubes (in white, smoke, green & melonpepper), Grubs (green, chartreuse & white), Spoons (Hopkins & Crippled Herrings in silver) and of course minnows off 3 ways. The fishing should be excellent again in a week to 10 days, after the majority of the Smallies complete their annual spawning ritual, putting on the feed bag and moving into their summer patterns. For more info see: www.captainbarry.com

Name:	Captain Barry Schultz
E-Mail:	barrys_AT_buffnet_DoT_net
City/State:	Lockport, NY
Home Page:	www.captainbarry.com
Date:	Mon May 26 22:45:27 2003
Location of fishing trip:	Lake Erie
Date of fishing trip:	5-26-03
Weather:	Sunny
Temperature:	65
Barometer:
Wind direction:	W
Wind speed:	5-15
Water temp:	51
Water clarity:	Clear
Report... May 26, 2003 Well, the weather man hit it right on the money again, Doom & Gloom, Rainy and Nasty! Yeah right, we had the complete opposite with mild, sunny and light variable winds. A near perfect long weekend, ok it sprinkled a little on Saturday but, still perfect for Fishing! It wound up being Fantastic, the Smallmouth Bass very extremely active all weekend with water temperature finally above 50 degrees (51-52). They were hitting just about every thing for a while, Tubes, Kalin Grubs, Senkos, Fin-S-Fish and spoons (Hopkins & Crippled Herrings) but the bite did slow a few times then you just had to put a minnow down to get bit. Again, 20-26' along the shoreline between Hamburg and Myers Reef was on fire! We had back to back 100+ fish days, with about 20 over 5 pounds and another 6.1 pound Beauty! If you want to get in on some of this awesome action, I have weekend days May 31st, June 1st, 14th & 15th open, so If you would like to catch some of these Trophies. For more info see: www.captainbarry.com , give me a call at 716-433-5848 / 716-228-7334 or email: barrys@buffnet.net .

Name:	Captain Barry Schultz
E-Mail:	barrys_AT_buffnet_DoT_net
City/State:	Lockport, NY
Home Page:	www.captainbarry.com
Date:	Mon May 26 22:31:25 2003
Location of fishing trip:	Lake Erie
Date of fishing trip:	5-26-03
Weather:	Sunny
Temperature:	65
Barometer:
Wind direction:	W
Wind speed:	5-15
Water temp:	51
Water clarity:	Clear
Report... May 26, 2003 Well, the weather man hit it right on the money again, Doom & Gloom, Rainy and Nasty! Yeah right, we had the complete opposite with mild, sunny and light variable winds. A near perfect long weekend, ok it sprinkled a little on Saturday but, still perfect for Fishing! It wound up being Fantastic, the Smallmouth Bass very extremely active all weekend with water temperature finally above 50 degrees (51-52). They were hitting just about every thing for a while, Tubes, Kalin Grubs, Senkos, Fin-S-Fish and spoons (Hopkins & Crippled Herrings) but the bite did slow a few times then you just had to put a minnow down to get bit. Again, 20-26' along the shoreline between Hamburg and Myers Reef was on fire! We had back to back 100+ fish days, with about 20 over 5 pounds and another 6.1 pound Beauty! If you want to get in on some of this awesome action, I have weekend days May 31st, June 1st, 14th & 15th open, so If you would like to catch some of these Trophies. For more info see: www.captainbarry.com , give me a call at 716-433-5848 / 716-228-7334 or email: barrys@buffnet.net .

Name:	Captain Barry Schultz
E-Mail:	barrys_AT_buffnet_DoT_net
City/State:	Lockport,NY
Home Page:	http://www.captainbarry.com
Date:	Mon May 12 13:48:19 2003
Location of fishing trip:	Lake erie
Date of fishing trip:	5-10-03
Weather:	Storm
Temperature:	60
Barometer:
Wind direction:	NE
Wind speed:	5-40
Water temp:	48
Water clarity:	Clear
Report... May 12, 2003 The Smallmouth Bass fishing was beginning to improve with water temperature rising to 48-49 degrees. But with the 40+ mph winds and thunder storms churning up the lake the last couple days (being predicted for another day or so) as well as the 15-20 degree air temperature drop, the fishing will slow down unfortunately. Hopefully, if the water temperature doesn't take a nose dive, it will pick back and continue to improve by this weekend's 3rd annual MAKE-A-WISH Lake Erie Smallmouth Tournament (the biggest Bass Tournament in WNY) at the Buffalo Smallboat Harbor. For late entry info contact: Don Staszczk 1-716-893-0607 or George Ehrenburg 1-716-652-4307. The fishing was starting to improve, basically all the way down the shore from the Breakwalls to Sturgeon Point in 20-30' on just about every piece of structure; Smokes Creek, Ford Plant, Hamburg, Snug Harbor, Myers Reef and Eighteen Mile Creek. My charter on Saturday had about 45-50 Smallies (Biggest was a 5.6# Slob!), most of which came on shiners, although a few came on Tubes (melon pepper) and Kalens grubs (avocado). Most of the other guys did as well as I did or better, but were using only artificials and were tight lipped about what they were using with the upcoming tournament. I have a few weekend openings left for these Monster Smallmouths; May 25th, May 30th, June 1, 14 & 15th. If you would like to catch one these Beauties give me a call at 716-433-5848 or email me at: barrys@buffnet.net

Name:	Captain Barry Schultz
E-Mail:	barrys_AT_buffnet_DoT_net
City/State:	Lockport, NY
Home Page:	www.captainbarry.com
Date:	Sun May 4 22:14:10 2003
Location of fishing trip:	Lake Erie, Buffalo, NY
Date of fishing trip:	May 3/4,2003
Weather:	Sunny
Temperature:	45-60
Barometer:
Wind direction:	NE
Wind speed:	5-15
Water temp:	42
Water clarity:	Clear
Report... May 4, 2003 Well Trophy Smallmouth Bass and Walleye season's finally open! Despite the cold water (42-44 degrees) and ENE winds, the fishing was better than expected for quality Smallmouths. On Saturday, we found the best fishing in 28-35' off Smokes Creek, in front of the Ford Plant and off Hamburg. We had our best luck on a blue/white hair jig and minnows off 3 way swivels. We had 20 Smallies and a nice 28" Walleye, they were all between 3 1/2 - 5.7 pounds. On Sunday, it was better a little shallower between 21 - 27' off Smokes Creek again and in front of the middle gap. While the bite was tough at times, when you found a pod of fish, you could work them for a couple drifts before you caught them all or they moved. We had around 20 Smallies and a Walleye again, but the size varied more from 2 - 6 pounds. Yes, a 6 pound, 21 1/2" Monster! Minnows worked best today by far, only a couple came on jigs. Not bad, 7 Bass over 5 and a 6 pounder in 2 days. From talking to a few guys fishing the tournaments they did about the same as we did, the winning weight of Saturdays Millenium Bassmasters Tournament was 12.08 pounds for 2 bass. So, it looks like the fish are healthy (the fattest I can remember seeing), not stressed from the long hard winter and it looks like it will only get better as water temperature increases. I have a few weekend openings left for these Monster Smallmouths; May 10 & 11, May 30, June 1, 14 & 15th. If you would like to catch one these Beauties give me a call at 716-433-5848 or email me at: barrys@buffnet.net

Name:	Captain Barry Schultz
E-Mail:	barrys_AT_buffnet_DoT_net
City/State:	Lockport,NY
Home Page:	www.captinbarry.com
Date:	Tue Apr 22 22:18:19 2003
Location of fishing trip:	Niagara River
Date of fishing trip:	04/20/03
Weather:	Sunny
Temperature:	60
Barometer:
Wind direction:	NE
Wind speed:	10
Water temp:	38
Water clarity:	Clear
Report... The Niagara River waters cleared up quite a bit this past week, making fishing pretty tough in the river. The water clarity is 10-12' , so you have to lengthen up and go lighter (4-8# Floro-carbon) with your leaders. Smaller eggsacs and minnows were working at Devils Hole, Arpark and Queenston. Depending on amount of rain we get, the fishing should improve if the River gets a little color to it. There are quite a few fish in the river following the beginning of the Smelt run. On the Niagara Bar the fishing improved a lot, with a mix of Browns, Lakers and a few Cohos. Most boats were in double digits for numbers. The west side of the Bar into Canadian water was much better probably because of all the North and North-East winds . Minnows off 3 ways were the best bait, while a few fish were coming off hair jigs, tube jigs and spoons. The trollers were doing very well on various stickbaits (Rapalas,Bombers & Smithwicks) around the Bar (again mainly west into Canada). If trolling, Please use commonsense and courtesy by not Trolling thru the groups of boats drifting on the Bar. This will ensure everyone has a great day on the water, there are plenty of fish surrounding the Bar. I have a few opennings left in May & June for Trophy Smallmouth Bass & Walleye on Lake Erie, If interested Please see: www.captainbarry.com email: barrys@buffnet.net or phone: 716-433-5848

Name:	Captain Barry Schultz
E-Mail:	barrys_AT_buffnet_DoT_net
City/State:	Lockport,NY
Home Page:	www.cpatinbarry.com
Date:	Tue Apr 22 22:14:03 2003
Location of fishing trip:	Niagara River
Date of fishing trip:	04/20/03
Weather:	Sunny
Temperature:	60
Barometer:
Wind direction:	NE
Wind speed:	10
Water temp:	38
Water clarity:	Clear
Report... The Niagara River waters cleared up quite a bit this past week, making fishing pretty tough in the river. The water clarity is 10-12' , so you have to lengthen up and go lighter (4-8# Floro-carbon) with your leaders. Smaller eggsacs and minnows were working at Devils Hole, Arpark and Queenston. Depending on amount of rain we get, the fishing should improve if the River gets a little color to it. There are quite a few fish in the river following the beginning of the Smelt run. On the Niagara Bar the fishing improved a lot, with a mix of Browns, Lakers and a few Cohos. Most boats were in double digits for numbers. The west side of the Bar into Canadian water was much better probably because of all the North and North-East winds . Minnows off 3 ways were the best bait, while a few fish were coming off hair jigs, tube jigs and spoons. The trollers were doing very well on various stickbaits (Rapalas,Bombers & Smithwicks) around the Bar (again mainly west into Canada). If trolling, Please use commonsense and courtesy by not Trolling thru the groups of boats drifting on the Bar. This will ensure everyone has a great day on the water, there are plenty of fish surrounding the Bar. I have a few opennings left in May & June for Trophy Smallmouth Bass & Walleye on Lake Erie, If interested Please see: www.captainbarry.com email: barrys@buffnet.net or phone: 716-433-5848

Name:	Robert Weber
E-Mail:	info_AT_guidesforhire_DoT_com
City/State:	Northern Adirondacks, NY
Home Page:	http://www.GuidesForHire.com
Date:	Sun May 19 17:10:53 2002
Location of fishing trip:	various creeks, rivers and lakes
Date of fishing trip:	05/17/02
Weather:	Storm
Temperature:	38
Barometer:	falling
Wind direction:	SW
Wind speed:	20
Water temp:	48
Water clarity:	Stained
Report... Water levels are very high after all the snow and rain we had this week. Water Temps are mid to high 40’s F. The fishing is still excellent, with nice trout and lakers coming as well as Pike. Action is best fished deep and slow. Fish it as you would early spring ice out conditions and you’ll be happy with the bite.

Name:	Robert Weber
E-Mail:	info_AT_GuidesForHire_DoT_com
City/State:	Adirondacks, NY
Home Page:	http://www.GuidesForHire.com
Date:	Wed Apr 24 20:05:11 2002
Location of fishing trip:	Northern Adirondacks
Date of fishing trip:	04/24/02
Weather:	Sunny
Temperature:	50
Barometer:	steady
Wind direction:	SW
Wind speed:	5kt
Water temp:	44
Water clarity:	Clear to Stained
Report... Fantastic Fishing is Right Now! I’ve been telling you all along the best fishing of the season was coming and you probably did not listen. This past week has seen record setting Landlocked Salmon, Incredible Rainbows, Brookies and Browns, as well as an increasing bite from the Lakers. The trouble we are having is getting the baits past the Smallmouths, spawning Perch and Pike! Water levels are high, normal for this time of year really, it is spring you know? The temps. overall are in the mid 40’s. With very little snow pack the levels are going to drop and stay down unless rain and snow like we had the other day kicks back in. Foliage is ahead of schedule as are weeds, but not enough to call National Geographic. Best bets are anything that makes noise and fish it deep, everything is still light sensitive. Best fishing is north shores in late afternoon, and afternoon on the streams. Fish the warmest water you can find.

Name:	Guides For Hire
E-Mail:	info_AT_guidesforhire_DoT_com
City/State:	Adirondacks, NY
Home Page:	www.GuidesForHire.com
Date:	Mon Apr 15 21:31:57 2002
Location of fishing trip:	various
Date of fishing trip:	04/15/02
Weather:	Sunny
Temperature:	70
Barometer:	rising
Wind direction:	S
Wind speed:	10kt
Water temp:	40
Water clarity:	Clear to Stained
Report... Warm weather has the ice retreating before our very eyes. River levels are excellent for fly fishing and with the climbing temperatures expect an early hatch on the West branch, Saranac and Boquet this month unless something changes. Most ponds are still socked in tight with ice, but look towards the weekend for open water. Upper Saranac just about went out today. Use dark nymphs and wooly buggers fished slow and deep for best results. Watch the thermometer and fish the warmer pockets and stream junctions.

Name:	Robert Weber
E-Mail:	info_AT_guidesforhire_DoT_com
City/State:	Adirondacks, NY
Home Page:	www.GuidesForHire.com
Date:	Fri Apr 5 22:21:59 2002
Location of fishing trip:	various streams and creeks
Date of fishing trip:	04/01/02
Weather:	Partly Sunny
Temperature:	35
Barometer:	steady
Wind direction:	W
Wind speed:	5
Water temp:	38
Water clarity:	Clear
Report... So much for the trip to VA. As is the case almost every year we get so busy with the opening of trout season and preparing for turkey season next month that I can’t get away for a break. With so many people clamoring for an end to winter we took out a record number of anglers this April 1st. The West branch of the AuSable is running near perfect water level but still cold, we’ve been catching fish all winter, but nothing better than an 18” brown. Opening day was much the same with a return to winter. I think the cold spell is going to hold off any early hatches but the snowy conditions should keep the water just about right through May, however the cold will continue to hold the fishing at what I consider to be marginal. We did take a trip south, to Washington County anyway, and landed many excellent trout. One of our best guides is a long time resident down there and has the inside info and leases to the best waters for us. A pile of 18” fat browns and nice 16” plump rainbows came to weighted wooly buggers and marabou muddlers fished dead drift on the bottom. Spinners and bait were producing for those not inclined to use the long rod. In a nutshell nothing much has changed from the last few reports other than all the waters are open to be fished for trout. The best action for those of us who love dries will be in another month or at least several weeks. Al the ponds and lakes are still frozen and other than a few soft ponds the ice is still plenty thick, but you won’t catch me out on it! Using a combination of Ph and temperature readings we pinpointed what should have been the best feeding areas in the creeks and low and behold once again science paid off with big stringers. As you know we are very catch and release oriented to the point of being ridiculous, however, I firmly advocate the killing of any legal length stocked fish in the NY waters, especially Browns, Lakers, Salmon and Rainbows With something over 38,000 trout being stocked in the AuSable alone this spring there are plenty of fish and then some to take out. A big reason our private waters produce 24+” trout and truckloads of 2 and 3 pound fish while the State’s waters can only scrape up a 22” ‘trophy’ is the management and culling of fish done by us routinely with clients. As any farmer can tell you, animals need room and feed to grow. Increasing the numbers in the same space with the same limited food means smaller animals and the same holds for fish as well. I personally would rather have one fish all day that is a smasher than 10 little minnows on my hook.

Name:	Capt Matt Gutchess
E-Mail:	Piratefishingcharters_AT_msn_DoT_com
City/State:	Pulaski NY
Home Page:
Date:	Wed May 23 07:49:00 2001
Location of fishing trip:	Eastern Lake Ontario/ Mexico Bay
Date of fishing trip:	5/20/01
Weather:	Sunny
Temperature:	65
Barometer:
Wind direction:	NW
Wind speed:	10
Water temp:	52
Water clarity:	Clear
Report... Fishing report for 5/21 Hello Fish heads Lets get caught up on all that is going on in the Eastern basin of Lake Ontario. Brown Trout and Steelhead fishing on the Lake has been very good with no immediate signs of letting up. Night Walleye fishing has gotten very good in the last week to ten days. Cooler than normal water temps and ample amounts of bait are holding these big spawners in the shallows for a while to come. There has even been some decent numbers of King Salmon around this spring, that is unusual for the eastern end of the lake this early in the year. So far the spring has been very good to the pirate with many limit catch days and some very notable fish. Three trophy Walleyes have been taken to the taxidermist already in the last two weeks, One that was 30” and 12.2lbs, one that was 31.6” and 13.1 lbs and one brute that was 31.6” and weighed 13.10 lbs a real slammer walleye. All three of these fish have been caught while fishing for brown trout on the charter boat during the day. We have taken multiple browns over 10 lbs with the biggest of the year being a 14 lb slob taken Sunday morning the 20th of may. Fishing has been so good that I cant believe I still have some open days, but I do and these big fish are waiting for you to come up and take your shot at a trophy of a lifetime. Brown trout fishing will stay hot until the middle to end of July. Lake trout fishing will start heating up now thru august. Walleyes will stay inshore for another month or so and then head out off shore, and by the middle of July the big king salmon start to show up and the fishing gets red hot in august all the way thru the middle of September. If you’re looking for a family vacation, or a chance to get away with your buddies fishing on Lake Ontario is a great way to spend a summer day. The pirate is a fully equipped 30’ Penn Yan “persuader” with fly bridge. She is equipped with all the latest electronics, color video fish finder, loran c-map navigation system, furuno 24 mile weather radar, strike vision underwater camera (so you can actually watch the big ones bite) a fully enclosed bathroom on board (for the ladies), a roomy v-berth in the cabin if you wanted to take a rest, and a full galley with a refrigerator. The pirate not only looks good but she knows how to catch fish. Don’t be left out, join in on the fun. We can take up to six customers at a time and for larger groups we have other professional Charters that we work with that can help us out. Call or E-mail me and reserve your spot before there all gone. (315) 625-4802 or Piratefishingcharters@msn.com Thank you Bent rods and Screaming Drags Capt Matt Gutchess

Name:	Capt Matt Gutchess
E-Mail:	Piratefishingcharters_AT_msn_DoT_com
City/State:	Parish, NY.
Home Page:
Date:	Mon Apr 16 09:37:34 2001
Location of fishing trip:	Eastern Lake Ontario
Date of fishing trip:	04/15
Weather:	Sunny
Temperature:
Barometer:
Wind direction:	N
Wind speed:
Water temp:	38
Water clarity:	Clear
Report... Hello Fishheads The ice is finally leaving the lakeshore and trollers are getting their gear ready for the upcoming season. Boats need to be uncovered, rods put together and new line put on reels. This is by far my favorite time of year. Spring browns on light tackle in skinny water. We will start first with a little pre launch prep of your boat. If you didn’t change your oil last fall before you stored it than change it now before you start it up, and then change it after about 50 hours. Oil is cheap, motors are not! I always start my motor in the yard with a hose hooked up, this way I can tune anything and let the motor come up to temperature while flushing out all of the pickling solution that I put in the block and manifold. Nothing worse than getting all your gear ready and when you get the boat in the water it wont start because you haven’t done a thing to it since last fall. Check plugs and at least clean them if not change them. If you stored the boat with less than a full tank of gas than fill it and add a can of dry gas. As trollers we ask a lot more from our boats and motors so we need to take care of them better. Now to fishing. Spring Brown Trout are drawn to the shallows of the shoreline by spawning baitfish. These baitfish become easy prey to schools of marauding browns. The shore water warms first and these fish are seen cruising in 0 – 10 ft of water looking for the all you can eat buffet. Catching browns in the spring is the easy part, finding them is more difficult. The Eastern Basin of lake Ontario is very flat and shallow much like a bowl. There is not much in the way of structure especially in Mexico bay so where do you start your search for browns, Creek and river mouths. With the exception of the warm water “BUBBLE” discharge at nine-mile nuclear plant the only warm water infusion will be supplied by one of many tributaries that dump into Mexico bay. This is a good place to start fishing. Now you’ve found a place to start, even before you put a lure in the water 2 key pieces of equipment that will greatly increase your success is a good speed unit and a temperature sensor. Speed kills, and going too fast is an easy way to ensure that you catch no Brown trout. 1.5 to 2.0 is a good range but you have to pay attention to the fish. If you are running all small spoons and stick baits than before you run it out let 5 ft of line off the tip and watch the action of the lure over the side of the boat. Is the lure spinning too fast, does it have a nice side-to-side action. Slow presentations are crucial to catching browns in cold water. So now you have picked a spot to start trolling. You have used your temp gauge to find the warmest water in the area, and your speed is good, now what to use and how. Stick style straight crank baits, and lightweight trolling spoons, are the ticket. The general consensus is to go small while your going slow. I’m going to tell you that’s not the case, especially very early in the season. The baitfishes that are in these shallows have not spawned yet so they are the biggest they will ever be in the course of the season. Brown trout are cannibalistic feeders, and don’t for one-minute think a 4 lb Brown wont smack a 4-5 in lure. The medium size Smithwick, Thunderstick, and Rapala in size 9 and 11 are great off planer boards stretched at least 100 ft. Remember you want your lures far enough away from the boat so that they are running out there in clean (undisturbed) water away from the noise of the motor and the hull. Spoons should be lightweight and able to run at slower speeds. Alpena Diamonds, Needlefish, Evil Eyes, are all good examples of spring spoons. If I had to choose three spoons for spring Browns they would be: Glow Green, and Silver Blue Alpena, and a fire tiger gold belly Needlefish. Clear water, muddy creek water doesn’t matter they will catch fish. On the Charter boat we run three riggers in the spring, and I stretch my spoons out from 75 to 90 ft behind the ball. I will also run six lines off of the planer boards (3 per side) stretching them 100 to 150 ft or more at times. If you’re in an area of heavy traffic you may be forced into shortening your spread. That is a crash course in how to get started catching spring browns. One nice thing about spring fishing along the shoreline is just that you’re close to shore. This is a very big lake and very unforgiving at times. Fishing in the shallows is open to everybody and you don’t need a big fancy boat to do it in. BUT you do need to be smart about when not to go out on to the water. Unfortunately people drowned on the lake every year because they go out in unsafe conditions. Know your limits and your boats limits and all of us will have another enjoyable and successful year chasing after the trophies of Lake Ontario. Prime dates are still available for a trip aboard the “Pirate” a fully equipped 30 ft Penn Yan predator w/ fly bridge. Browns and Lakers are starting to bite, so act now. Bent rods and screaming drags Capt Matt

Name:	Capt Matt Gutchess
E-Mail:	BlackDogOutfitters_AT_msn_DoT_com
City/State:	Pulaski/New York
Home Page:
Date:	Thu Apr 12 16:14:58 2001
Location of fishing trip:	Salmon River
Date of fishing trip:	04/08
Weather:	Partly Sunny
Temperature:	50
Barometer:
Wind direction:	N
Wind speed:
Water temp:	35
Water clarity:	Stained
Report... Fishing report for week ending 4/8 Hello Fishheads. Spring glorious spring! It’s finally here in upstate New York and not a moment too soon. Cabin fever had me firmly in its grasp; you can only clean lures so many times before your wife starts to think you have a problem. Now that the snow is going away very quickly our thoughts are where is all the water going to go. The Oswego river is over the middle wall and only fishable from a boat in the harbor or from the very bottom of the linear walls on either side of the river. Shore and boat fisherman are just starting to see the spring browns coming in to the harbor. Jigging with white buck tails tipped with a minnow, or casting heavy metal spoons (cleos,crocodiles,or kastmasters) is also a good bet. Boat fishermen are trolling light spoons and stick baits off flat lines and planer boards. (You can read my updates for the lake under the Mexico Bay page). The Salmon River is up and down with the water and the fishing success right now. We are running a very fine line with flood level water and every day brings a change in the rivers flow. The tug hill plateau lies at the base of the Adirondack Mountains and the Salmon River is its main drainage out to lake Ontario. As of the 10th of April there was still 60in. of pack snow up there which translates into roughly 15in. of water, that’s enough to fill our reservoir about 5 x over. So far the melt has been gradual enough so that the dam has been able to control the flow and not been forced into flooding the river. The question lies, how long will controllable melt last? Unfortunately only Mother Nature knows. If we get any sizeable amount of rain right now we would be to flood stage over night. Every creek from Oswego east all the way to the black river is up to the banks, some have crested and are going down now until the rain comes. All these will or already do have fish in them. Now to tell about the fishing on the Salmon River. I’ve been telling you for over a month now that the fish are there, and more of them than we may think. Two things are standing in our way right now as anglers, water temperature and water level fluctuation. The water is hovering any where between 34-38 degrees and that is too cold to allow these fish to go on the spawning gravel in force, and too cold to make them want to expend any more energy than they absolutely have to. So now your next question to me is either, why bother fishing? or what do I do now to be successful ? Three things PATIENCE + PRESENTATION + PERSERVERANCE = SUCCESS. These fish in the river are pre-spawn and can be very temperamental, right now the best advice is to fish the deep slow pools with either flies or bait (egg sacks or worms). Once you get into a spot prepare to fish it thoroughly from head to tail. Your presentation is critical every single cast because you don’t know which drift it’s going to be when that fish takes it. When you get into a hole that your going to fish you should take a moment to look over the water and try to imagine where the fish will be laying, and how best to cover the water from your position. No matter if your using a fly or an egg you want to fish so that as you work your way through the pool you can eliminate water as not holding anything and continue to sweep downstream until you find the lie that’s holding fish. If you don’t find them in the pool you can at least know that you worked the whole hole and didn’t leave any water unfished, but if you eliminated 90 % of the pool and hit a fish right at the tail you know that’s where there holding and now its time to go to work. Fishing is so much more than a Jerk on one end waiting for a jerk on the other. 10 % of the fisherman on any given day catch 90 % of the fish, and those 10 % have a plan. I have many clients that are very good fishermen and if I was on they’re home water could probably teach me a few things, but when they come up here to my house they know I have a plan for how to catch these fish. I live with these fish for 9 months out of the year on the lake and in the river. All the top guides and captains in this area know from experience and knowledge how to catch these fish in different habitats and conditions. Many of us learned what works by eliminating what doesn’t, and then perfecting and fine-tuning what has worked for us. Fish where the fish are and if you don’t know if they’re in a certain spot or not fish it thoroughly enough so that you can move on to the next spot and not wonder if you missed something. There are still a few openings for drift boat trips on the salmon river all the way up till the first week in may, the charter boat is also in the water as of today and we will be brown and lake trout fishing now as well. Coming up in may is of course spring turkey season and Saturday may 5th is opening day of walleye season, prime dates are still available for guided trips for either one or if your adventurous enough both in the same day. Spring cast and blast, nothing beats it. As always thank you and good luck Bent rods and screaming drags Capt Matt

Last revised: February 03, 2001.