LongLine

Well, I guess size matters...(or so she said...heh, heh, heh) The DEC has collected data on Chinook size for a long time and has published it in the Lake Ontario Unit Annual reports. Here's their graph from 2021 report. Interesting is the spike in 2011-2013. However looking at their data they didn't have a very large sample size in those years which makes those data points suspicious. (My stat's teacher taught that any less sample than 30 couldn't accurately represent a population.) While I agree there have been ups & downs in the quantity and quality of the Alewife populations, there seems to me that something else is going on here and it's been going on for even longer. My guess is that it is genetics, but not that some lab is playing around. Stocked fish are fed and treated for diseases not size. When did the "big dip" in size (according to DEC data) occur? Back in 2002-2004. When did natural reproduction of salmon come into the lime-light? Actually it was first noticed in '98-'99 but not taken seriously except by some scientists at ESF who showed that it could be happening on a larger scale than anyone thought. Anecdotaly, it was reported that Natural Repo fish were feistier and at one of the annual meetings, it was reported that they were leaner and a little smaller than the clipped fish. (It was theorized that Nat Repro fish weren't as well fed during the 1st few weeks of life. ) When the DEC finally undertook the study, they concluded that a substantial amount of Nat Repro was occurring. Given that the fish reach sexual maturity in 3-4 years, is it possible that some genetic mixing unknowingly occurred at egg-take time? Do the graphs show that? How do you tell the difference between stocked and Nat Rpro fish? Even though there still is some variablity shown on the graphs, the trend is definitely downward. Another question arrises. Namely Pen rearing. While we all agree that it's great for survivalbilty, does having a different diet than the Naturals for those few weeks, have any bearing?

Just got the note: DEC collected 2.4 million eggs from 510 female Kings and 787,000 eggs from 247 Cohos at SR this year.

Please refresh my memory...Has the DEC ever had a shortfall in obtaining eggs due to insufficient numbers of returning fish? (DEC has already changed the stocking strategy in last few years to protect the broodstock there.) If so: (1) Other game fish such as Bass, Pike & Lakers have closed seasons so they can spawn. That river season could be closed for 7-10 days. Other places around the lake would probably love a weeks' worth of additional business during those 7-10 days. or (2) Fire up the Seth Greene & landing barge to net them off the mouth. If not, then it's moot. As to violators during this time of year: (1) Why can't DEC contract local/off duty officers or law enforcement depts to catch snaggers & the over limit catches for a couple week period? Law officer contractors wouldn't have to know all the conservation laws, just the basics like all of us. A one-day class would probably be sufficient training for it. They already know the police/people part of the job. Most of them are fishermen and/or hunters anyways. and (2) Give the fines to the community that catches them, just like speeding tickets & registrations go to the locality? Maybe put a surcharge on them like vehicle violations. After all it is in the local community's best interest to protect the fishery, especially Pulaski. (Vehicular "speed traps" love this part as it's a good revenue raiser)

Had a big nest up in the peakof my house. 1st thought was just get the big ladder out, spray it, knock it down. 2nd thought was what if the buggers come after me & I fall off ladder. (20 ft in air) I called an exterminator. 1/2 of an hour after he sprayed it, he swept up over 200 dead ones in the driveway with a couple still buzzing around the peak. They haven't been back.

Gorge is pretty this time of year & worth the slow cruise.

Definitely a Shad. Years ago, I caught a Northern Pike at Port Bay that had over 20 of them in him.

So how many laws does NYS have? Which are regulations? Ordinances? Not even going to guess at the Federal laws or treaties. (Not to mention daily changes) Even though some people seem to think they know everything, I find that highly doubtful.

Historically, native-Americans /indigenous people have been more conservation minded than any other "group" of people.

Sherman - exactly!

There's a plate between the exhaust manifold and the water jacket. Exhaust on one side, water on the other. If that plate wears thin or develops pin holes due to ethanol gas or additives that cause acidic exhaust, then the outflow of water will get hot. You'll inadvertantly burn some water while running and eventually cook your motor. (Been there, done that) Modern engines use a coated/treated plate that resists acidic exhaust.

S.B. - Funny thing is that just the week before, it ran perfectly. I learned from my Dad, back in the late 50's to always check the outflow when ever I start a motor, which I've done religiously ever since. I've never had this happen before. Impeller was in great shape.

My 75 stopped peeing a month ago or so. Not having the umph to pull the lower unit, took to Hank down at Port Bay. He changed impeller for me but found the outlet tube plugged up. He said it smelled "like pine" and fished it out with wire. Never heard of it before but possible bug slime.

P.H.

WTG Miss D.

A plug very similar to a J-plug.

Day after a cold front...Perfectly clear sky...wind from the east, fishing is least... BULL FEATHERS! Launched solo at the river at 6. Took a left toward the ponds. Put in at 80 FOW. Lots (and I mean lots) of bait suspended in 93-95FOW. Worked about 90 to about 130FOW. Thinking there is a pretty good upwelling in the making this morning. At 2 3/4 downspeed (2.7 GPS) speed with 75 ft of cable out in 110FOW had 54F down but at same speed & cable out in 85 had 42F. Anyways, 3 shakers and 2 respectable. (14 & 22 Lbs) All on mupped rigger down 55, running purple spooks. All above temp & hitting freeking hard! (even the little ones made the reels take off) Bigger one wasn't all that long, but I don't think I've ever seen such a fatty! Thinking she was sniffing the creeks & ready to make the run real soon. Smaller one was still silver but just beginning to show brown towards the tail. Bigger one had a lampry mark, others all clean. I don't think the bigger one survived, even though I tried to resusitate it, as she had lost a bit of blood. All the others flipped me off and swam away. Off at 10:30 as the wind was picking up. Luck to all. Tom B. (LongLine)