chinook

Eric, Nice report and pics. As already mentioned, you have created memories for your friends and family that will last a lifetime. It was nice to finally meet you in person as well. Wish we could have chatted longer-Next time. After you left, the cold water piled in close, and we did well out between the 25-26. Black revelators, hammer fly, black magic, purple thunder gold cup among DW Icecicle and lemon ice once the sun got almost over head. Best of luck this weekend if you head back up. I was late getting home tonight. I'm going to shoot you a PM sometime tomorrow when I get a chance to get caught back up.-Duane

Guys, I cut my teeth on the Great lakes in an open bow 16'. That was 30 years ago. Having done that, has really instilled the utmost respect for these bodies of water. I absolutely positively take no chances with approachng weather in the least with myself but more importantly my crew. Need to tell a story of not to many years ago. One of my major customers' main office manager has a permentant reminder of what can happen due to severe weather. Her son and her brother were out golfing on a supposedly sunny day. Off in the distance which was later guesitmated was a thunderstorm of app. 10 miles out. A stray lightning bolt hit both of these individuals and killing them. I know some will say that their time was simply up. My point is that even though the thunder head is not that close, what can actually happen to exposed individuals. Having said that, I don't care if all rods just took a shot with majors on them. If I had lightning striking close by, those lines would be cut in a heart beat. Those can be replaced. I hope no one takes wrong. But in fact takes it the way it is intended. Safety first.

Bub, welcome aboard. Lots of good folks and info here. Would you happen to be related to Dave by chance?

You will get a number of responses on this one. Mine is out of the Oak. I feel they have some of the most knowledgeable captains around. Not saying that those captains who post here from different ports here, are any less. The western basin I.M.O. provides somewhat of a more diversified fishery at the time you want to go. With the success of the pen rearing projects, the western basin is seeing much better returns on salmon, than just a few years ago. So in closing, the entire southern shoreline offers some phenomenal world class fishing. Don't think you could go wrong with any reputable Captain out of a port of your choice. Mine just happens to be Oak Orchard.

Capt. Bud- sorry to hear about your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers. -Duane-HeavenBound

Rocket, My word of advice and please take it as such, is first and foremost use ALL caution and put safety first. PERIOD- I cut my teeth on the Great Lakes in a 16' and as well have 2 daughters. Who I just saw the oldest graduate the other night as Salutatorian of her class. Point being, all the fish in all the Great Lakes are not worth losing a life over. These are big bodies of water that can and do turn nasty rather quickly. They can be greatly enjoyed, but must be at all times respected. Best of luck in this new sport of yours'. -

Spoon- DW SS Metallic Frog fly- AttomMik-Hammer, slightly over action blue bubble flasher-Coyote pearl fish scale-meat, slightly over chrome-E-chip

That e-chip pattern looks like the Hot Spot White Lightning. The 11'' inch model at first light is often at times on fire, esp. come staging time.

Agree. I'm currently using a FishHawk. Next probe will be the Depth Raider.

Yankee, thanks for your follow up to Gene's post. As mentioned, the Penn 345 is the very reel that my 600' copper is loaded up on.

Ray, I'm not saying that DW doesn't make a super slim in the Steelie Dan. I'm not aware of one however. I only know what the Yeck was referred to. Those SS's are a very good spoon- esp in the metallic frog. That spoon was my hottest for the month of July last year. Off the core was smoking at times. Best of luck this year at the Oak-Duane

Yeck " Zipper" makes the Steely Dan. Smooth silver cup, tinge of pink and orange on opposite edges, silver and orange tape diagonal on face. Size app. of an NK 28

Gene, I sent you a P.M. about a week ago. Did you ever receive it? Sounds like you are well under way with your rig. As you have found out, the group of guys and girls on this site are a great group. So no question is a dumb question. We are all still learning and have been there before. Again best of luck this year, and first and foremost be safe. Play on the side of caution at all times. Not all the fish in the great lakes is worth losing a life over. I cut my teeth on an open bow 16' It made me well aware of the respect that we must give to these open bodies of water. -Duane

Thanks Musky for the follow up. The only reason I made mention of it, was for I know of 2 different people who thought they made reservations for Mem. day weekend ( 9 months in advance), where they in fact made it for the weekend of the 30th. Being it is early this year. They missed it by a week and assumed as such. Best of luck in the Pro-Am- Duane

Rod, good job putting the kids into some very nice fish. Those times with the kids are to be really treasured. Best of luck the rest of the season- Duane

Musky, don't want to sound dumb here, but the original poster wanted to come out on Mem day weekend. That being the 23rd thru the 26th. Your post stated you arrive the on the 30th. Did you mean the 23rd or in fact the 30th the weekend after Mem day.

Reel Bob, Thanks for your input. Always value it. However you can shoot an elk in Pa Maybe I missed something on the Oak site, but whats the latest with the pen project? Was wanting to make it up to lend some hands on help, but it's been extremely busy at work let alone other outside activities. -Duane

Yankee, I think I referenced why the charters you mentioned head to the bar. It is a magnet for targets and most of their clientel are looking for salmon. In my opinion however, some get caught up in dates on a calendar, where as there are other variables that come into play. As I'm sure you are well aware. I don't see this king being caught out of the Oak as fluke however. I p.m. you just last year if you remember and mentioned about points west of the Oak towards Shadigees and such esp in the spring. The Oak doesn't get nearly the pressure that the Niagara Co. area gets in the spring. Obviously, the more fishing a particular area, the greater chance there stands for those numbers to look as such. Again congrats for placing.-Duane

First off, I'd like to say congrats to the winners. That being the boat of 'This is it' These guys put a lot of time on the water. Next, been saying it for some time now, I'd rather fish where there are very few boats than fishing in a convoy. I know alot who want to follow the crowds. Back in '02 we took a 31 pound king off Golden Hill 5 days ( May 11) after the spring LOC. It was officailly weighed on the LOC scale at Capt. Cove. Point being, we didn't see a boat in sight. So when derby fishing, try and get off by yourself. You may not catch the numbers, but quality sometimes makes up for it. When I get a chance to fish the spring LOC, I'll fish out the the Oak to points west. In closing- the bar is obvious a magnet for targets in the month of May. But as now shown the last 2 springs, it is not the only place to be. Best of luck to all in the summer and fall LOC and congrats to all who did place-Duane

This is from the LOTSA site-Know it is a little older than you are looking for but thought I'd throw it out - Starcraft Islander Today at 01:25:33 Quote A member at the meeting Thursday asked me to post this for him. 1989 Starcraft Islander 22 foot I/O Shorelander Trailer. Conv. Top, Side Curtains, Tonneau Cover, full moor cover. Compass, VHF, LMS 350, AM/FM Radio, Live Well, Porta Potty. 4 Cannon Elec. Riggers, Dual Planer Board Mast, Life Jackets. $6,000 / BO. 716-668-9149 or 716-913-2653. Wally

Gene, sounds like you have things underway pretty good. The wallet a little lighter? Best of luck to you and the family this season. Enjoy your time with the little ones. They sure grow up way to fast. Maybe see you on the water sometime-Duane

Gene, just checking to see if you in fact have decided on your boat name yet?

Ray, after this year I'll probably step back in some degree. But I can't see me giving up the girls softball totally. Been doing to long now and will stay involved some how. I want to free up some time in the early spring for fishing. Then again my oldest daughter is off to the the University of Pitt. May be attending ball games there for all I know She plays a pretty good second base.

Tim, I know what you mean. I'm the VP of the Sr girls softball league and our regular season kicks off on Monday. It has been rather time consuming leading up to this point, with all that is involved behind the scenes and such. Got the boat out of storage at least last Saturday. Just need to find the time to use it. But it is my youngest daughters last year to play, so that is my priority as of now. I'll make up for lost time as soon as that is over however

Tim, what you have heard, what are the sizes of the kings being taken? I always used the early tournys such as the spring LOC to help guage what the fall's fish may be like.-Duane PS Best of luck to you if you get to fish the derby this spring. Hoping to get up maybe next weekend.