L&M

Any chance I can apply for the moderator position?

Have a good one Chad

Dry weather has Great Lakes levels dropping again By The Associated Press May 12, 2010, 6:17PM DETROIT — Water levels in the Great Lakes are dropping because of sparse snow and rain, which could mean hard times for commercial shippers and recreational boaters in some areas, officials say. The drop-off continues a trend that began in the late 1990s but had stalled the past couple of years, which were wetter. “We’re below last year’s lake levels across the board,†Keith Kompoltowicz, a meteorologist with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, told The Detroit News for a Wednesday story. “That’s largely due to the very dry conditions we had during the winter and early spring.†The Great Lakes shipping industry wasn’t able to take full advantage of the higher water since 2007 because the recession reduced demand for materials such as iron ore, coal and limestone. Read our earlier coverage » Low water levels in Lake Ontario could spell trouble for boaters, anglers » Alarmed Fulton man asks: What's going on with Lake Ontario water level? » Great Lake Debate: Setting a Water Level for Lake Ontario The number of vessels operating on the lakes as of May 1 was up slightly from the 42 in the water at the same time in 2009. But ships can’t carry as much cargo as they could a year ago because of lower water, making their runs less profitable. “The biggest ships we have lose 270 tons of cargo for each inch of draft they lose,†said Glen Nekvasil, vice president of corporate communications for the Lake Carriers’ Association. “Even smaller boats, like those that bring in cement to Detroit, can lose 70 to 80 tons of cargo per inch. It’s just another challenge for us in what’s already a very challenging time.†Marina operators also can be hurt if water is so shallow that recreational vessels can’t reach their slips. Boaters must guard against running aground. Lower water also could worsen the spread of algae in Lake Erie, already susceptible because it is the shallowest of the Great Lakes, with an average depth of 62 feet. “If the lake level is down, that’s less water for the sun to penetrate,†said Thomas Bridgeman, a professor at University of Toledo’s Lake Erie Center. “I would say the trend over the last few years has been that it’s getting worse. And there’s no reason to think that pattern is going to change this year.â€

Jerry's got the right idea. Can't beat a small fine tooth file.

Happy Birthday Dick & everything Jim said above. Hank

Shrinks off & ready for the water. PM me for pricing or more info.

http://blog.syracuse.com/outdoors/2010/ ... chery.html

Hum very interesting

Everything from a vid. of the clipping procedure at Altmar to PETA's new "Sea Kitten" campaign. http://www.syracuse.com/outdoors/

PM bc78

Welcome aboard Dave. If I had to guess you bought Jerry's place on T. Pt. ? There's a world of info here, set back, read, ask & enjoy yourself.

Low water levels in Lake Ontario could spell trouble for boaters, anglers By Debra J. Groom / The Post-Standard May 03, 2010, 6:00AM Oswego, NY - Low water levels in Montreal Harbor could hamper fishing and recreational boating this spring on Lake Ontario. On Tuesday, the water level for Lake Ontario was one foot lower than the 100-year average for that date, according to the International St. Lawrence River Board of Control. To some lake enthusiasts, it may seem even worse, because the level is down between 20 inches and two feet from where it has been the last two years. So what does the water level in Montreal Harbor have to do with this? John Kangas, with the Army Corps of Engineers and the Board of Control explains it this way: Montreal Harbor is about six feet lower than normal. Such a low level affects freighters and lakers delivering goods to the city — they can’t carry full loads into the shallower waters. The Board of Control monitors the water levels each day in Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, and can control the level of the St. Lawrence up stream from Montreal and into Lake Ontario. The board would adjust the water levels only if another area wouldn’t be affected adversely. “At the present, Montreal Harbor is very low so we could not (hold water back in Lake Ontario) without harming another interest,†said Frank Bevacqua, spokesman for the International Joint Commission. Adding to the problem this year has been the small amount of snow and lack of spring rain. Kangas and others said snow melt and rain usually keep the lake and river levels high. What would help Montreal Harbor is a good steady rain in the Ottawa River basin, which drains to the harbor. But Environment Canada, that country’s weather agency, said the forecast for May through July calls for lower than normal rainfall. Lake Ontario’s low water could mean trouble for recreational boaters and fishermen, Kangas said. This includes folks like Ronald Lupa, of Fulton, who has a camp on Chaumont Bay on Lake Ontario in Jefferson County. “Water levels this spring are at an all-time low of two feet less than normal,†he said last week, via e-mail. “My new dock system, boat lift and 21-foot Sea Ray are no longer usable in this body of water.†Those who rely on tourism, boating and fishing for their livelihoods also are worried. Shane Thomas, who has run Fishing Charters Lake Ontario for 20 years, said the low water level is going to affect his business. “It’s definitely going to make fishing tougher,†he said. “There will be some places where you can’t get out of the rivers into the lake because the water is too low. And there will be places along the shore, like in Oswego Harbor, where you won’t be able to fish.†Kangas said some places where the tributaries and outlets join the lake also are a concern. For example, waters in the channel leading from Sandy Pond to Lake Ontario could be relatively low, causing problems. Chuck Maahs, owner of Sandy Pond Resorts in northern Oswego County, agrees. Saturday, he opened his marina, but water near the channel leading to Lake Ontario was a mere 10 inches in some spots. Normally the channel is 4 to 4½ feet deep. “Anyone with a big boat won’t be able to get out into the lake,†he said. Cathy Goodnough, head of the Sandy Pond Channel Maintenance Association, said the group has purchased a dredger for $50,000. But it can’t be used until July 15 due to spawning fish, according to U.S. Fish and Wildlife rules, she said. David Turner, Oswego County director of community development, tourism and planning, said disruptions in fishing and boating in Lake Ontario could result in millions of lost dollars in tourism money for the county. “Conservatively, I’d say $40 million†is generated by fishing and recreational boating on Lake Ontario in Oswego County. He said he doesn’t “think the water levels are so low that it will prohibit fishing and boating,†but some money could be lost if people can’t get into the lake or can’t get to favorite fishing or boating spots. Kangas said what the area needs is a long, steady rain in Lake Ontario and the Ottawa River basin. This would increase the water level in the lake and the Montreal Harbor. The National Weather Service extended forecast for May calls for slightly lower than normal amounts of rain, said hydrologist Michael Schaffner. Temperatures are expected to be slightly higher than normal, which could lead to more evaporation of water in the lake, Schaffner said. The outlook isn’t any better for May through July, with normal amounts of rain (about 2.5 to 2.84 inches) expected in the Watertown area. The Eastern Lake Ontario Trout and Salmon Association issued a “word of caution†on its website about Lake Ontario’s low water levels, which “translates into navigation problems on the Little Salmon River and other still water ports.†The site goes on to explain that “concerned boaters have, unofficially, placed a series of alert markers at a four-foot depth extending from Blunt’s to Mike’s marinas.†The site tells boaters to remember to keep to the left of these markers. Jonathan Daniels, executive director of the Port of Oswego Authority, said there is no problem with the port depths now. But he said the levels are what normally are seen in the fall after water levels decreased. “What this means for the rest of the year, I don’t know,†he said. Contact Debra J. Groom at [email protected], 470-3254 or 251-5586. Lake levels The average level of Lake Ontario for the month of April is 245.67 feet. Here is how the average level each April 27 since 2005 compared to the average level for April: 2010: 9 inches below the April average. 2009:up 11 inches . 2008: up 16½ inches. 2007: up 8 inches. 2006: down 1¼ inches. 2005: up 9½ inches. Source: International St. Lawrence River Board of Control http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/ ... t_218.html

Central NY Real-Time News Breaking Local News from Syracuse & Central New YorkCrime & Safety, Oswego County, Outdoors » Two river guides charged in Salmon River fight By Debra J. Groom / The Post-Standard April 28, 2010, 10:14AM Investigators with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Bureau of Environmental Crimes Investigations have arrested two men in connection with a fight on the Salmon River April 8. Patrick A. Mahoney, 42, of 2624 State Route 13, Altmar, NY, and Robert F. Mahoney III, 45, of 1240 county Route 15, Boylston, NY, will be arraigned May 3 in Albion Town Court before Judge Howard Allen. Mahoney and Mahoney each were charged with third-degree assault, a misdemeanor, after engaging in a fight with William E. Murray, 62, of Ithaca. They were also charged with petit larceny for taking and throwing Murray’s glasses and camera into the river. The altercation occurred in the Salmon River at the Ellis Cove fishing area in the town of Albion. Murray suffered a concussion from the fight and was treated and remained overnight at a Syracuse hospital before being released. Both charges can result in fines of up to $1,000 and jail time of up to one year. In addition, the pair was charged with violating the Environmental Conservation Law, which states no person shall engage in a fight or assault any person at fishing-access sites and public fishing rights areas under DEC jurisdiction. This is a violation that can result in a fine up to $250 and imprisonment for up to 15 days. In addition, each Mahoney faces the potential loss of his state-issued River Guide license. DEC may revoke a license guide if the person is found guilty of a violating provision of the Environmental Conservation law or New York state’s Code of Rules and Regulations.

Ditto what Tim said on the 40630.

Two people being charged in Salmon River fight By Debra J. Groom / The Post-Standard April 27, 2010, 6:20PM Albion, NY -- One person will be arraigned May 3 in Albion town court on charges stemming from an April 8 fight in the Salmon River, said Maureen Wren, spokeswoman with the state Department of Environmental Conservation. A second person also is being charged in the case, but he will be arraigned later because his lawyer was not available to go to court May 3. The DEC declined to name the two people because they have not yet been arrested. They are being charged with misdemeanor counts of assault and petit larceny and an environmental conservation violation of fighting in a fishing area. They will be arraigned before Albion Town Justice Howard Allen Jr. William E. Murray, 62, of Ithaca, was injured in a fight while he was fishing on the Salmon River north of the village of Altmar, DEC police said previously. He was treated at Upstate University Hospital and released. State police reported earlier in April that a fight broke out between three men and Murray, who were all fishing in the river about 4:10 p.m. April 8. Troopers said the fishermen know each other and usually use the Ellis Cove parking area. Troopers said the incident occurred in the river off county Route 52, between Tar Hill and Hogsback roads.

Supreme Court stays out of Great Lakes Asian carp dispute By The Associated Press April 26, 2010, 2:21PM The Supreme Court decided on Monday not to get involved in a dispute over how to prevent Asian carp from making their way into the Great Lakes. The justices turned down a new request from Michigan to consider ordering permanent closure of Chicago-area shipping locks to prevent the invasive fish from threatening the Great Lakes. LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- The U.S. Supreme Court decided Monday not to get involved in a dispute over how to prevent invasive Asian carp from making their way into the Great Lakes. The justices turned down a new request from Michigan to consider ordering closure of Chicago-area shipping locks to prevent the fish from threatening the Great Lakes. The locks could provide a pathway to Lake Michigan for the unwanted carp. The court had previously declined twice to order the locks closed on an emergency basis while it considered whether to hear the case. This time, the court rejected a proposal by Michigan and six other states to use a long-standing case involving water diversion from Lake Michigan as a vehicle for seeking to permanently sever a man-made linkage between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River basin. Michigan has led the legal fight to close the locks, arguing that the ravenous carp, weighing up to 100 pounds, could decimate the lakes' $7 billion fishing industry by starving out competitors such as salmon and walleye. Mike Cox, the state's attorney general and a Republican candidate for governor, said responsibility for blocking the carp's advance now lies with President Barack Obama and Democratic congressional leaders. The Obama administration sided with Illinois in opposing closure of the locks. "While President Obama has turned a blind eye to the millions of Great Lakes residents who do not happen to live in his home state of Illinois, it is now up to him to save thousands of Michigan jobs and our environment," Cox said. The justices gave no explanation for their decision. The two-sentence order denied both Michigan's request to reopen the diversion case or, as a fallback, let the state file a lawsuit raising the same issues. Although the high court refused to accept a new lawsuit, Michigan could file one in federal district court, said Nick Schroeck, executive director of the Great Lakes Environmental Law Center in Detroit. But doing so would take months, and "meanwhile, the carp are knocking at the door," he said. Bighead and silver carp were among Asian varieties brought to the southern United States in the early 1970s. Government officials and private aquaculturists thought the newcomers could gobble up unwanted algae at sewage treatment plants and fish farms. But the carp escaped into the Mississippi and have been migrating northward ever since. They have infested sections of the Illinois River and have reached an electronic barrier in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, about 25 miles from Lake Michigan. A team of biologists says it has detected DNA from the carp past the barrier - and even within Lake Michigan itself. But no actual carp have been found between the barrier and the lake, despite an intensive search. The sanitary and ship canal was built a century ago as engineers reversed the flow of the Chicago River to send water from Lake Michigan southward toward the Mississippi. It created an artificial linkup between the Great Lakes and Mississippi watersheds that has provided a pathway for invasive species.

And this one: http://www.kingmarineelectronics.com/

3/16 to carb. 1/4 to pump

Then ya get it deep nuff for Loon bait.

It's normal for that system.

Wrong Port . ifish2fish is talking about Port Bay.

I had the pleasure of having the famous "Eskimo Joe" & his dad Vic (Sliderbite) on the boat Monday for a few hours of fishing & the latest hot tactics from Joe. We had A great day and needless to say he was right on the mark with his lure selection and rod handling abilities. Here's a few shots of the boy in action: Just a word of warning how ever. The boy was a bit stingy when it came to letting his Dad handle a rod.