Finders Keepers

After an AM outing with Woody I headed out of Port Bay solo at 4:30 and was set-up on the water by 5pm. Started in close at 60 fow and worked out. Didn't go far before the first fish hit my NK28 alewife down 65 over 70 fow - 7lb brown. Continued to work 60 - 80 fow range and managed two more fish: another 6lb brown and a 12lb king. The brown on the alewife again and the king on a silver shiner NK28. Stayed out until 7pm when the flies and tiny bugs drove me crazy!! Didn't mark a single bait pod the entire time and only saw a few fish hovering near the bottom and at 65 ft down. Slipped out to 150 fow water to see if I could find some bait, but the screen was empty beyond 90 fow. Not bad: 3 for 3. Won't be out again until next week sometime. Until then - tight lines everyone!!

I run 30lb FleaFlicker main line with 30' of 50lb seaguar fluoro before the lure and have yet to have more than an inch or two of fleas on the line at most by the end of the main line with little to no fleas at the lure, while my divers sometimes have feet of 'em!! Just make sure you have level-wind reels when using FF line, otherwise it gets too twisted!!

Hey Al - Those are some great looking kings!! Nice job!! What color echips did they like? Woody and I are heading out of Sodus Tues AM probably similar conditions as you had tonight. Were you straight out front, east or west?

Hey Bill, great looking fish and great report! Man, the fishing in our area has been stellar this year!!

Hey Woody, good to see you made it back out on the water and that your vessel is running smooth!! Hopefully I can get out with you this week and we can nail some silvers!!

Thanks Bill! Have you been out at all this week or are you still re-cooping from the Pro-Am? Way to go that first day!! It's too bad you had the misfortunes on the second day. We've all had those days on the water....

Headed out solo both days to take advantage of the beautiful weather on the lake, and boy are my arms tired!! 7-17: On the water at 6am and washed lures until 10am when I got my first hit. From then until 1 pm it was non-stop action and in those three hours I went 11 for 15 with 6 browns (6 to 10 lbs) and 5 kings (12, 14, 18, 20, 25 lbs)! All but one off the riggers 80-100 ft down over 90 - 115 fow straight infront of Port Bay and slightly east. Most came on silver prism dodgers with either aqua or hammer flies, while I also had hits on the silver prism echip/hammer fly combo and Stinger chicken wing and NK blyue dolphin mag spoons. Called it quits at 2pm with no other hits. 7-18: On the water at 7:30am and a half hour later had a nice 8lb brown floppin' in the back of the boat. From then on it was a slow steady bite, except between 11 and 12 it was non-stop action again!! Had a double going with two decent fish, who then decided to do a doe-C-doe and wrapped both lines together!! :evil: I could see the rat's nest quickly developing.... Surprisingly, I was able to get both fish in the boat: 16lb king and 14lb brown! Ended the day at 2pm and was 7 for 12. 2 browns and 5 kings, biggest being 24lbs. Same depths as yesterday, but worked out to 135 fow and mostly east of Port Bay. Today they wanted green echips with white and green flies set 10-15 ft behind the ball. Chicken wing mag also took several hits, including the 24lb'er. Not much on the screen, as compared to previous outtings, but quite a few fish 80ft and deeper on the FF. Good luck if you get out, the fishing is fantastic!!! Don't be affraid to work the so-called "Brown Trout" waters, the kings are there too!!

Got a late start today - set lines running solo at about 9am and pulled lines at 11:30am as the T-storms rolled in. Fished west of Port Bay and worked 80-110 fow. Ended 5 for 8: 2 Browns (8, 10 lbs) and 3 kings (12, 14, 18 lbs). Ran a 2-rigger program and all fish came on dodger/flies: 5 fish on pearl dodger/ultra-violet fly combo and the 18lb king came on a green prochip/green fly. Riggers were set at 70 and 80 ft down, 15' leads, 2.3 sfc speed was the best. Had a great screen on the fish finder the whole time with lots of bait and suspended hooks. I'm hoping to get out tomorrow and/or Friday.

Hey Al, The red lights (flares) you saw were probably what they call the "Ring of Fire", where everyone on the bay is encouraged to place a big red flare at the end of their dock. I know they do it on Port Bay every year, so I would assume that is what that was.

Sorry for the late report, but later is better than never! Headed out with my buddy Kai and Woody. We ended the day at 1pm 5 for 8: one brown (6 lbs), 2 kings (1, 22 lbs), and 2 steelhead (10, 7 lbs). Fish hit silver prism prochip/hammer fly combo, cheerleader, and stinger chicken wing mag. It was bumpy and after a sloooow start we had a slow steady pick at 'em. Marked bait in 60-90 fow and scattered fish down 45-70 over 100-140 fow. 120-130 fow was our best depth range down anywhere from 40-85 ft. Here's Woody with the 22lb'er: Hoping to get out a couple times this week if the storms can hold off.

Nice fish Al!! Way to go!

Hit the water at 6am working a little west of Post Bay and called it quits at 12:30. Finished 10 for 13 today: 6 browns (6, 8, 9, 9, 10, 10.5 lbs), 3 kings (1, 14, 21 lbs), and one 9 lb steelhead, 3 others on and lost. Browns came in 60-80 fow down 50-70 on the riggers on Stinger glow frog mag and green NBK spoons. Kings came over 115-130 fow down 80-95 on silver prism/aqua fly, white pro-chip/white glo fly combos, and a green NBK mag spoon. Steelhead came on a green pro-chip/glow frog fly combo back 300' on a #2 setting on the wire. A great day on the water! On our way in we targeted largemouths in the bay and I landed a monster 5.5 lb 20.5" beast! He's now at Streeter's Taxidermy and will grace my wall in about 10 months. Heading out tomorrow to work the same area. If you can get out, have fun 'cause the fishing is fantastic!!

Headed out solo again today and put the first line in the water at 6:30. Went to set up the second rigger and the first rod fired and started screaming! After a real nice first run and a 20 minute fight, I brought a beautiful 21 lb king into the boat. Any word on solo fishermen being able to enter fish in the LOC's yet?? :? It came on a white pearl dodger/ultra violet fly combo set 10' behind the ball, down 140 over 145 fow. Thought I was in for a banner day, but I couldn't get into any more majors. A couple skippers and 2 shakers rounded out the day for me. Called it quits at 11am and got in before the storms rolled by.

Got out late this morning for a few hours. Worked just east of Port Bay from 80-150 fow with quite a few bait pods and some hooks on the screen. Couldn't get much to go, but I was out solo and had only 2 rods in the water. Ended up with a nice 16 lb king and 6 lb steelhead. King came down 130 over 135 fow on a silver prism dodger/aqua fly and the steelhead came on a stinger green NBK free slider. Will be heading out early tomorrow and looking to keep the net wet!

Got on the water at 7am and worked west of the chute 15-30 fow with not much happening, so we began our trek deeper and hooked up with a 12 lb brown (down 10' over 40 fow on a NBK green stinger mag set 100' back). We kept moving out and found a decent scum line around 100 fow. We worked the northern edge of it eastward and slightly east of Port Bay over 140 fow the port-side riger fired and the line went screamin' out. It was great to feel the power of a king again!! Landed a 16 lb king with a 2' lamprey still attached (he's been sun-bathing in the hedgerow all weekend). It hit my go-to set-up: down 45' over 140 fow silver prism dodger w/ aqua fly set 10' behind the ball. Surface speed was 2.2-2.5 with surface temps around 60. That was it for us. My dad didn't register for the summer LOC, otherwise I think we would be in 5th place or so. :roll: I'm hoping to get out again this coming weekend. I heard that they caught a few kings off of Sodus out in the 300 fow area. Hopefully we can get a bit of a blow this week to stir things up a bit out there.

Looks like I will finally be able to get back out on the big pond this weekend and I was wondering what the fishing has been like between Sodus and Fair Haven. From what I have gathered so far, sounds like Browns in 15-30 fow until the sun comes up and then kings out around 180-220 fow. If you're out in the area Saturday am, give me a shout on channel 68. Last year I had problems responding with the CB, so if I do not respond, please do not be offended. If it is still acting up I will get it fixed asap. I can also give you my cell number, just drop me a pm. Good luck to all who get out!

Got on the water a little late, around 7:30am, and just ran 4 long lines (no planer boards). Ended at 11am and went 10 for 15: 7 browns between 4 and 7 lbs, one 4lb stealhead, and 2 jack perch about a pound each! Saw every other boat in the area pick up fish - plain and simple: if you get out, you'll catch fish!! Also saw Pier One head out to deeper water for quite some time - I wonder if they picked up anything out there?? Our fish came on T-stick Jr's in white glow, yellow glow, and green glow in the new flash series with the white being the best. Picked up most fish within 1/2 mile of the mouth of Port Bay east and west (6-12 fow), with others coming on either side of East Bay. Good luck to all who get out - the fishing is fantastic!!!

The southern end of both Sodus and Port Bays are producing big numbers of bullhead. Last weekend did 68 lbs of 'em Friday night and 46 lbs Saturday night in 3-4 hours each night.

Since most of us are planning on putting our boats in the water this weekend and/or cannot make it Saturday, I have postponed the class until June 2nd, same time (12-6pm) and cost ($30). Registration will be available from now until May 30th - call (315) 594-3141. All participants will receive a free Atommik fly/harness. See previous posts for the class description. If you have any questions, please drop me a PM. Good luck to all those who get out this weekend - looks like it is going to be a banner weekend!

Tom from Atommik has offered to donate a fly/harness rig for each participant in the class! Thank you Tom! Again, registration closes tomorrow!!

On April 21st from 12-6pm, I will be hosting a Lake Ontario Salmon/Trout Fishng Tecniques class held at the North Rose - Wolcott High School in Wayne County. Cost for the class will be $30 taken that day. BONUS: Each participant will receive an Atommik fly/harness!! I was not able to get a lunch included, however, I thought if everyone attending could bring something (dish to pass) we could include a meet-n-greet/lunch break. The number to call to register is (315) 594-3141. I am also asking that all those who register also email me so that I have contact information in case of a cancellation (drop me a PM). All those planning to attend must register by Thursday 4-19. Below is the course description: This course will be focusing on various tactics used to catch Trout & Salmon on Lake Ontario and offer a chance to meet and greet some of the other anglers in our area and share tricks of the trade. Topics covered will include Spring Trout Fishing with planer boards and Long Lines, down-rigging with sliders & cheaters, wire rods with dipsies and slide divers, using/tying various knots, colors/shapes/size/type of various lures, and much more! Live dry demonstrations and simulations of various tactics/equipment will be given using the vessel "Finders Keepers". **NOTE: This is not an on-water course.** If you have any questions please feel free to ask - drop me a PM. I look forward to the class and hope to see/meet many of you who attend!!

Got out today from 1-4pm and managed a full 5-gallon bucket of 50 or so perch. Most around 10", but a dozen or so were 12-15". Had quite a few other lunkers on that spit the hook - a great afternoon to say the least!! Honey hole was on the west side of Leroy Island off the tip of Eagle Island in 12-15 fow.

Ok, let's see... -(2) Blue Diamond wire rods paired with new Tekota 600LC's -About 25 new spoons -Several dipsy colors -A dozen flies -A dozen stickbaits -Several dodgers/flashers That's about it....so far...

Ok, the class has been approved and ready to roll!! On April 21st from 12-6pm, I will be hosting a Lake Ontario Salmon/Trout Fishng Tecniques class held at the North Rose - Wolcott High School in Wayne County. Cost for the class will be $30 taken that day. I was not able to get a lunch included, however, I thought if everyone attending could bring something (dish to pass) we could include a meet-n-greet/lunch break. The number to call to register is (315) 594-3141. I am also asking that all those who register also email me so that I have contact information in case of a cancellation (drop me a PM). Below is the course description: This course will be focusing on various tactics used to catch Trout & Salmon on Lake Ontario and offer a chance to meet and greet some of the other anglers in our area and share tricks of the trade. Topics covered will include Spring Trout Fishing with planer boards and Long Lines, down-rigging with sliders & cheaters, wire rods with dipsies and slide divers, using/tying various knots, colors/shapes/size/type of various lures, and much more! Live dry demonstrations and simulations of various tactics/equipment will be given using the vessel "Finders Keepers". **NOTE: This is not an on-water course.** Any questions, drop me a PM! I look forward to seeing many of you there and putting some new tactics in your arsenal!!

It really depends upon how many you are looking to score to make it worth your while. This early in the season, you can catch a few, but they won't be running heavy until we get a good all-day warm rain, after which the water can litterally boil with them!!! :shock: And you can catch a couple busketfulls in a few hours. I'm waiting until the warm weather/rain returns....