Mick

Jax my son's first time out on a boat with me,(and our first run of the boat) we hooked a nice 4-5 lb coho on a leadcore which he helped me reel in. First boat, first fish, Many memories to come. Someday when you have a family of your own it will be the same way. The best thing we can do for our children is to teach them to fish.- Mick

I grew up fishing on the first 10 meter Trojan on Lake O, and it is still running strong. When you can still control your speed in 4 foot waves, and still catch fish, there has to be something right going on with that boat. My boat is only 16 and 1/2 feet, and I catch fish out of that but I cannot be out there in anything over two and a half footers. Having your riggers 6 feet apart really helps. Look out at the Niagara pro -am because this year I'm going to be handling the rods on team TROUTMAN. - Mick

Even though I will be fishing on another team that day(not observing for once) if you didn't want to sleep in the same room as Ray, you guys could tent, or park a camper in my yard in Lyntucky. It is about 15-20 Mins from Olcott, and 25-30 Mins away from Wilson to the east on 18. Let me Know.

The world must be changing, or someone listened to my prayers. !!!!!!THE DOCKS ARE IN ON BOTH THE WEST AND EAST SIDE OF THE OAK !!!!!!!!! The dock installer must have had a rough day, but I believe I grilled him an awesome cheeseburger for his lunch. Even though it's their job a thank you goes out from me on behalf of all of us. Time to ROCK and TROLL.- Mick

With the crappy weather we ALL had, this past winter the rivers are running high, which should mean a good spring, right? The docks on the East or West side of the Oak aren't in yet. What are they waiting for!!! The snow is gone, and I have seen 2-5 trucks every day with boats on trailers which would have launched, but without docks for assistance, they couldn't or wouldn't every day for the past week. I did see a few of those boats go out in the lake so I guess they either launched at the marinas, or at captains cove. The time is now for us to start fishing, and we can't even launch our boats!! The public docks at the launch ramps are usually in by April 1st. We already have such a short seasonal season up here that you would think that Orleans County would try and make sure the launch ramps are useable. There is wood and debris blocking the ramps. Promoting one of the main tourist attractions in our area which is our sport fishing should be number 1 on their lists of things to do!!!!!!!! I just have to vent that a county that is trying to pull itself out of a slump, and only has pretty much fisherman to rely on to support it's economy, they should be treating us,(THE FISHERMAN) a little better. The only way for us to further promote our great fishery at Pointe Breeze and Lake Ontario, and every port on Lake Ontario, is to further promote the fact that we do have a great fishery here , and that MANY!!!! PEOPLE depend on fishing to support our living HERE. - Mick

Yankee you are right about them sucking too much gas, but that boat has to be the best boat to be out on in rougher water. Not that other boats can't take the 3-5 footers, but with the length and the 12 foot beam they are way more stable in the water. The gas bill does have to suck though. Not that anyone's gas bill is good these days!!!!!!

No unfortunately not. Those 2 shipwreck divers do though. I don't even have GPS on my small boat yet. I don't go out over 200fow though. I really wonder how many ships are sitting at the bottom of the lake around the Oak? My Grandfather was born in 1912 and his Father was a commercial fisherman on lake O back then. If you have ever been to Browns Berry Patch and seen the old photos, my great grandfather , and some other family are in the photos of the fish catches, and the farming. Those 2 shipwreck divers should have the exact gps coordinates for the Milan, though. Like any of us would be able to get them from those guys? - Rock on -Mick

Wow You guys are talking about pretty much trolling over deep water shipwrecks. Those shipwreck finders would love to have the paper graphs of us fishing over 200ft. in Lake O. I wonder how many times we have trolled our cannonballs over 200 ft deep, and hit some old shipwreck that has been down there for longer years than we have been around. I guess the schooner MILAN is in about 300 ft of water off of the OAK, and that boat still has it's masts up. Old Boat(SUBMERGED) , baitfish sanctuary, feeding grounds, It has got to be a smorgasborg for everything from plankton and all our invasive species to what we are after, trout and salmon.

Those are all natural born fish right>? Can you Imagine A Worldwide Pen rearing Project? How in the :? :? :? would you try to figure out the predator/prey on that one? Only Time will Tell. - Mick

The town didn't have anywhere else to put the snow during the storm. It would probably take at least a tractor with a bucket to clear a path. During the winter when the creek wasn't froze duck hunters were able to launch and get out, but the snow would have to be removed still. The river is flowing pretty fast, and there are some good mudlines out in the lake. I will give a report when they put the docks in. I have seen a few people out fishing on the East side of the creek (perch,browns,steelies?) and there are lots of waterfowl just hanging out on the creek. I will give an update on conditions when things change. Rock on - Mick

Hey all just giving a report. Most of the ice is completely melted on the river, and the lake hasn't had iceburgs for a while. On the East side ramps near the North there is a 4-6 foot wall of snow blocking the ramps still. I do not think they put the docks in until April, but for guys with smaller boats (like me) that can launch without docks, you had better bring a team of people with shovels if you are going to try and launch a boat. I'm not sure about the west side ramps , but it's probably the same situation after that March snow storm we had. I will be down there 5 or 6 days a week again and I will let everyone know when conditions change. Rock on- Mick

Hopefully no more than 52 kbps. My computer won't go much faster :D For now.

I don't think we have enough salt for that, but it is worth a try. Only problem is as soon as the ice is gone, I'll be spending my time putting docks in the water. Oh well it won't be long now. I vote Ray for president.

Just found a new used motor for the boat. Re- spool some of the reels, and I'm Good to go. All of this Spitzer crap makes me want to PUKE. I Don't care if I am a Republican, or a Democrat, or Other. I Just want fish in our lake that we can fish for. Is there? Anyone we can vote for who will continue to keeep what we want.? - Mick

Thanks guys for the vote. If I can't be out there fishing when I'm working , at least I get the awesome view of the lake everyday, and get to see all the boats going in and out, and at least hear from everyone who was out that day fishing how it was and the good times that were had. It would be cool to set up a VHF in the kitchen. I think I would listen to that more than the radio most days. It's a tough job but somebody has to do it. The North Rocks- Rock on- Mick

And get sponsors and a camera crew Musky. I'm all in. - Mick

Musky we could do a show with your chowder, Tom's steak, and one of my secret fish recipes. We could have Ray in the first row so he could sample it all. I could ask my old band to perform if needed.

Tom, great for you that you started a culinary school.I've only been the chef at the North since 2001. I have learned from people who have come and gone for years. It is very cool that you would try and share your talents with others. I have not ever been to Touranadoes, but should in the near future. So in RAY.K's past experiences who is the better CHEF. Tom or Mick? I probably fry more fish than him , but he probably grills more steaks. Nothing against you Tom at all I just want to see what RAY K would say. Rock On - Mick

I was going to start a post last night sort of about the posting on the GLA site. Billy beat me to it. I was going to say even if they aren't famous. The first pick would be my Grandfather who has passed , but got me started into loving fishing since I was 2 or 3. He is the reason I spend countless hours and dollars on this fine sport. I can't think of anyone else I would really have on the boat. It would be cool to meet Jagger, Hendrix, Morrison, Plant/Page/Bohnam, Lennon(John),or any other Beatlles. But I usually bring them along when I'm fishing anyways. I guess I would have liked to also have fished with my great grandfather on my Dad's side since he did work as a fisherman on Lake O back in the late 1890's, and early 1900's. I have seen great old pictures of all the blue pike , and sturgeon they used to catch. Anyways fishing is just in my blood, and I would have to go with a gold or brass cupped NK 28 or mag with half black/half gold with a glow ladder. The second would be any spoon that I had painted and taped myself. Another month or so and we'll be out there battling the browns again. Rock on-Mick

He will be missed by many, including all of us at the North. -Mick

Atlantics are awesome looking fish, and do jump out of the water just like steelhead when hooked. The X's and T's would make a great looking fish mount or Reproduction. I voted Steelies, but any fish in the boat are better than none, (even lakers) I usually release most anyway if they will make it. Way back when, Atlantics were the only Salmon in Lake O.- Mick

We tried them on the boat I worked on in high school, and I believe he went back to the gritty type floor coating. They do work great in the boat used on the floor at the sides just to keep stuff up off of the floor so they aren't wet all the time though. Hope this helps.- Mick

Musky are they talking about farm raised fish , or fresh/ ocean caught. - Mick

Tim I do hope to be there. Your club does a lot of good things for our fishery, and it would be a great start to a good fishing year. This is the first year I have been a member (but I usually work Thursday Nights unfortunately). -Mick

Will do Musky. After working 12 hours and a few Canadian soda pops that was just too funny. Plus my wife buys too many candles anyway.- Mick