LongLine

In 2008, the estimated number of alewives was 69% of the last 10 yrs average. In 2007, there was a good spike in the number of yoy alewives due to the mild winter & early spring. However in 08 & 09 the yoy numbers went back down. They live 6-7 yrs. The biggest factor, IMO, reguarding future stocking numbers is the numbers that the DEC arrives at for natural reproduction. They've never had a really good database for that. There have been studies, based on scale sampling (& sponsored by the DEC & ESF), that over 1/2 of the Kings out there for a few years have been naturals. These studies also show there is great variation from one year to the next. This is why the fin-clipping trailer is so important. Another factor to consider is that a couple years ago, stocking was greatly affected by the eye-up problem at the hatcheries. Absolutely correct that Ontario & Huron are different ecosystems. Tom B. (LongLine)

What ever plug you pull, make sure it runs true in the water & doesn't just wobble to one side. Watch it on one side of the boat with a few feet of line out, then watch it on the other side of the boat. The eyelet can be bent (just slightly) to correct any variation from running true. You're already a Believer, so you've already have a big part of the challenge licked. Tom B. (LongLine)

SB41 - You're very close on the thermocline. It's usually around 53-54F and the temps change very fast around it. Tom B. (LongLine)

Thoughts, prayers & crossed fingers for you & your family Ray. Tom B. (LongLine)

Tom B. (LongLine)

BEE-ute-ta-full, Tom B. (LongLine)

Bill? I'm curiois because I have a couple riveria's down in the basement. Tom B. (LongLine)

KS - Don't feel all alone. Tom B. (LongLine) (and you have a new & bigger rig than me)

Hey Rolmops - How bout a picture? Tom B. (LongLine)

Small boat on the lake is generally no problem early in the year. But you never can tell what the lake is going to be like. If I were you I'd plan trip to some place where there is a bay or protected harbor just in case. I-Bay, Sodus, Port Bay, Fair Haven, Oswego, etc. If lake is too rough then you can always fish the bays. They hold some decent fish. Please remember that with the prevailing westerlie winds we have, the east end is usually the roughest. I used to have a 14 ft'r w/ 7 1/2 hp that I used before and after they took the docks out at the I-Bay launch. Tom B. (LongLine)

I think it's great provided they don't put a windfarm around it. Tom B. (LongLine)

"C" is for count-down. (the ones that sink - like the 17 that I have) sure - now you guys tell me about the jointed floaters............. No wonder I can't catch a Brown. Tom B. (LongLine)

Lava - I used to make a lot of wooden toys out of different hardwoods. When I heard that stuff was toxic - oh well, guess I don't use that stuff.... Just wear a good repirator and goggles if you're doing it in the basement. (something better than a painters mask) It's really the sanding dust that might bother you. (unless you decide to take a bite out of it) Chances are outside, building a dock, there was plenty of wind carrying it sawdust away from you so I wouldn't worry about that project. Guess you found out why they call it the "ironwood of the east." It will burn up the blades. All fasteners will require just a slightly larger than normal pilot hole. 45 shouldn't bother it too much. However you may have to move your eyebolt towards the rear a little. Another thing to keep your eye on. When it does get water logged - It sinks. Lets see a picture Tom B. (LongLine) BTW - Honey Locust has a beautiful grain pattern

White oak is used on many boat transoms & kicker brackets. Any oak will turn black when in contact with iron & moisture due tanic acid content. ie nails. You have to use Brass fasteners. Tom B. (LongLine)

You have some good points there. Unfortunately, we’re not lawyers nor have the resources to do what you propose. The fishing club is a good idea –LOTSA had a drive supporting it and I applaud them for it. Others said: “we’ll see if we can get it on the next year’s agenda – in the meantime mail your dues to….†(The downward trend in the number of fishermen affects them too) There’s a lot more to the 3 rod discussion than just this thread. viewtopic.php?f=2&t=14768 viewtopic.php?f=2&t=9630 viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8641 viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8541 viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8608 The poll & petition were done “passively†on purpose, to solicit honest reply of stakeholders from both sides. They were written from the “little guy†point of view. (Mine – purely recreational & 100% C&R). The DEC says they do not support it but they also say they do not oppose it. (Check out the above LOU links especially the post where the DEC proposed it a few yrs back & the fishing club that was put on the spot said no at the time.) Times change & the majority of stakeholders are now for it, per the poll on a stakeholders forum and on a couple other sites. (DEC, by law, must involve stakeholders in decision making) If you look at the petition (on “LOU for change†section), you’ll find the link. No negative comment has been deleted from the petition. No votes have been changed on the poll. A couple loud ones came in however the magnitude of negatives just didn’t come. Specifically as to solid numbers: The 2008 NYSDEC boat creel survey states 41% of the all boats seeking T&S (not anglers) had zero catch. (Sect 2 pg 37) It further states that the overall average boat seeking T&S had 2.98 anglers onboard. (Sect 2 pg 31) The average charter had 5.2 anglers per trip (Sect 2 pg 32). The non-charter boat average catch was 1.69 fish per trip and the charter average catch was 6.08 per trip. (Sect 2 pg 36) http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/fish_marine_ ... 8sec02.pdf Creel limits were established to prevent overfishing and protect the fish populations from exploitation. Lake Ontario fishermen are nowhere near the daily creel limits. In Sect 2 pg37, it states that the number of non-charter boats successfully catching their creel limit of T&S was 1.0% and for Charter anglers 1.8%. The NYSDEC fishing survey published this last summer (covering 7,500 lakes & 50k miles of streams) says that 81% of the angler days people spent fishing in NYS were on the Great lakes. http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/fish_marine_ ... rptsum.pdf It goes on to say that “approximately ½ of the fishermen†were satisfied with the quantity (49%) of fish they caught and 48% were satisfied with the size of the fish. As to the satisfaction part: more than half were not happy with their catch, thus indicating that “catching†is very important to the majority of fishermen. I have previously posted my personal meet-ups with dissatisfied fishermen at the launch. I’ll fish Lake Ontario again & again, but I really doubt they will, especially after they spent all that effort, time & money to give it a shot. Will an unsatisfied fisherman make a return trip to the same area??? Will he spend his time, effort and money in the same area?? Going back to the annual report, (Sect 2, pg 31) there’s a documented downward trend in the number of fishing trips taken on Lake Ontario. If anyone has been following NYS fishing license sales, they’ll also know about the decline in the last few years. We all know about the new license fees and some probably know how the charter fleet has declined in numbers over the years. Where did the fishermen go? Some have left the state. (obviously) Look at the satisfaction survey again. Some have gone inland (Oneida fishermen numbers have risen dramatically.) Fact is, they’re not returning to the Big-O. With declining participation, the state (& agencies) is going to be hard pressed to justify the level of spending on the Big-O fishery. (In fact all over) The petition states: , etc)That petition & poll were an attempt to help get the numbers of people fishing Lake Ontario back up using the DEC’s own data, 1 ½ yrs ago. Specifically, to get the little guy coming back. 3 rods does not mean people will catch more fish. It means “increasing the potential to catch a salmon or trout.†As for being statewide, I have no problem with that, now. At the time of the poll and petition writing, my thoughts were for the NYSDEC to follow Michigan’s example. I.E. try it on the open water, monitor it through the established boat survey then expand it statewide if found favorable. The DEC likes data and statistical analysis so I proposed a methodology for them to get it and to evaluate it. (Subsequently posted) Negative consequences: As for enforcing the laws, the DEC can’t enforce the 2 line rule now. A CO can’t see your lines unless he’s right on top of you. (mono, fluoro, etc) He could see your rods a mile away though. (As for 1 rod for this guy, 2 for that & 3 for that…it would be a nightmare for anyone to enforce & DEC would be totally against that.) As for the catch rate mortality issue: Yes, the more fish harvested the more die. A formal study was done by the Mich DNR and supported by USF&WS & SeaGrant on Lake Trout C&R, long recognized as being the most stressed fish upon capture in the open water of the Great Lakes as they come from great depths. Anyways, they showed minimal loss. http://nsgl.gso.uri.edu/nyext/nyextg87002.pdf What we really have to do is express our opinions to our legislatures. A single report can easily be trashed or deleted with a single stroke. Many letters takes more effort/strokes to trash and will get more attention. Tom B. (LongLine) edit reason - I copied/pasted a paragraph rather than cut/pasted. my oops

Make sure you wear a mask when working with the Blk Locust. It's mod-highly toxic. If you use oak, use the White, Red will split. (Been there, done that) Tom B. (LongLine)

Welcome to the site - Ray - Looks like a Cutthroat. Tom B. (LongLine)

Brian - you like the fast wobble or the slow wobble? I've found the direct tied work best for me. Tom B. (LongLine)

Already said it... but worth saying it again. Happy B'day guys. Tom B. (LongLine)

Hey Skipper - you 2. Tom B. (LongLine) (I just scrolled down)

Happy B'day 10th. Tom B. (LongLine)

Where do the antenna & planner board mast go? Tom B. (LongLine) great job Ray