Fishtails

Easy Ace.....I resemble that remark!! Hey, We all know ya can't please everyone. I do think there should be a point a team should go pro, but is that really "punishing" them? I don't know about that. They could double their winnings...that's my kind of punishment!! I personally don't care. Screamer sets the mark very high and I really respect that. I know we are not going to have a shot unless we bring our A game, and I worked as hard as anyone last year, often fishing four to five days a week on the lake to improve my fishing. Luck may get you a fish, but It won't fill your box with 20 lbers. Hard work and dedication does that. Rod K Team Lucky Enuff

Nice report YT......Pretty nice lake, eh? I've fished it a few times and liked It each time. I got too caught up in the salmon gig this year and did almost zero bass fishing. Black is only 15 min from our summer camp, so I really ought to fish it more often. It gets fished heavy....but keeps producing. Decent eye bite there also, from what I've heard. Rod

For me, it depends somewhat on the time of year. The earlier in the season it is, the more spoons I start out with. I don't know why really, that's just what seems to work for me. I've been told I don't run enough spoons later in the season, that's probably true ?? Early on in the spring season, I start out the day with maybe a 75% spoon spread. That tunes down to about 50% to 60% spoons by late June. By mid to late Aug, I was running spoons about 33%. That's my starting point, but I let the fish decide and give them what they want. Rod Team Lucky Enuff

Rich.....your killing me dude !! LOL...you know I'm happy for you and I'm all about getting the kids out. Great report...thanks for sharing ( I think ) Wish I was out there with ya! Next year.... Stay in touch, Rod

Hey guys, Thanks for sharing! It's nice to know I'm not alone with this "post season depression" I seem to suffer from. My wife thinks I'm nuts! My second season for NJ coastal Stripped bass ended before it started. I unloaded the big boat off the trailer to put it in her slip for the next month in Sandy Hook NJ, and spun the engine coupler on the starboard engine at the ramp . Fishing the ocean on one motor ain't for me, so I pulled it and took her in for service. Thanks for all your help Clark (Waterlogged)!! Thanks to you, I think the boat is in good hands. So anyway.....I guess I need a teacher for this river fishing. I've never fished the tribs in winter, but it seems like a good year to start! Rod

From the Salmon Crazy site: Steady Fish Running In the Salmon River October 4th, 2007 by -Lil' Based off of the reports that have been pouring into SC the last few days and seeing the DSR reports I would have to say that the kings are running pretty well right now. It looks as if we are going to have a later run than normal and the hatchery will also be taking eggs later due in part to the temps, numbers and water conditions. ‘Gottum’ is reporting better numbers at the hatchery which also makes me think we are in full swing now. The rippers are out in force, so do you best to educate your fellow fisherman on the SR this weekend. We can still use a hell of a rain storm so continue to do your dances. azy site:

I'm bummed the salmon season is over....no doubt!! I've been working on the boat doing things now instead of waiting till spring, while it's still fresh in my mind. As for the fishing season...we now slip the boat in Sandy Hook NJ and we start our fall saltwater season for stripped bass, blues, etc. It run's till December when weather permits us to get out on the ocean. I'm trying to get our salmon team together for a trip one of these upcoming weeks. Jan to april is the longest freaking time of the year.....isn't it? Have fun doing what you do guys, and keep us posted on your fishing adventures, wherever they may take place. Rod

What port you fishin? I'd base my decision on the wind forecast. If you can get out deeper, take the boat and you should be able to have some fun. We got into them for a short bit last weekend before the wind blew in front of the nuke plant in 135 fow.....only two or three other boats within eyesight. I would have gone deeper but there was a small craft advisory at the time :roll:

We did pay them YT. Like I said, I like having an observer on the boat and have absolutly no issue with it. Still, I bet you'd get twice the amount of teams without the observer rule. There are plenty of ways to get around it and still keep it honest if you think outside the box. Getting 4 observers will be a pain and it raises the cost a lot. For new AM teams, I think that's just another deterant. That being said, I loved the Pro Am just the way it was and I wouldn't care if nothing changed at all!! I'll be in at least 2 next year, but we hope to fish 3 or 4. Ray....you had a female observer?? How'd you stay focused on fishing?

Awesome!! Thanks for getting that started, as well as following through Mark! I personally thank You for all your effort. Also....thanks for listening Dave! It will just make a great derby even better! Rod Lucky Enuff

I'm not opposed at all to keeping the observer. I actually enjoy the dynamic of having them aboard. That being said, If the main objective is to get more teams involved thus bringing more money into each town during the events, than the no/limited observer rule may be the way to go. I guess it comes down to what the main objective is for changing the rules, if they are to be changed at all. As for our team, we'd like to fish all 4 next year. That's the plan at the moment. One big obstacle is all the leg work of lining up 4 observers in 4 different towns. That may keep us from getting into all 4. I can definitely see how a no observer rule would increase the number of participating teams. I'd guess it would be significant. Nothing will make everybody happy....we all know that My idea may not be a very good one....I don't know? But I'm trying anyway Rod Team Lucky Enuff

Okay, you asked for fresh ideas, did you not? Getting rid of the observer will increase the number of teams....correct? But....then a small minority of teams will dend the rules....correct? How about this for a thought for the Am's (and maybe pro too): 9 fish rule for am teams, no throw backs. In each team packet, include 9 color coded papers with the team name and number printed on it (and whatever else). One set for each day, different color for each day. Document the time caught, weight, and gps location on both the colored team paper and the score sheet (same as always) and have the capt sign both. The score sheet must have all the fish in the order they were caught. Turn all paperwork in at weigh-in. In addition....take a photo of the fish and a team member holding the color Id paper. Make a rule that you have to take the photo before putting the fish in the box, within 10 min. or something like that. Also, make a rule that every team has to have at least one digital camera on board and a disposable camera as a back up. If requested , Every team must be able to supply a photo of every fish scored (and this is important) with both time and day on the photo. The time and day on the photo must correspond with the time and day on the score sheet. Failure to be able to provide such a photo could result in disqualification. Just an idea that popped into my head. A no observer rule would increase teams and payouts, we all agree on that I'm sure. Maybe this is a starting point on how to do that and still keep it somewhat honest. I'm sure it can be expanded on plenty...I left plenty of room for impovement Just an idea Rod K Team Lucky Enuff

No Rich....we were the Lucky Enuff team. You remember, don't you? The boat that had two dead batteries and got in under CG power....lol I met you, your dad, Jax and your bro @ Wrights pulling our boats out. Our boat was perfect the rest of the season, but that was pretty embarrasing! The CG makes you wear your life vests coming in so you look like a bunch of little girls Rod

I will definitly stay in touch Rich. No more Henderson, huh? I'm going to have to see how things unfold over the winter, but I'm really interested in buying a lake house in Henderson and selling my camp in the 1000 islands. One place I really like is in the trench, on lower hovey tract road. Just have to wait and see. If it works out, I guess I'll be keeping the boat there so I'll be looking to you for advise on the area. Maybe we can go out fishing a couple times and you can show me around? I'll still be fishing Oswego though, I really like it there! Have a great winter Rich and best of luck on your final trips! Talk to ya, Rod

Thanks Ray.....what do you mean by the Coho rig....red dodger and green fly??

I was a little off on my timetable. Seems we caught our first Coho of the season in Oswego the third week of August. Any Ideas on how we can catch them earlier in the season than that? Rod

Ended our season yesterday with a Salmon feast of summer Kings & Coho's on the grill at a friends house. He really knows how to cook them right and they were really enjoyable. I have to say, the coho's outdid the kings though. Do you all find this to be true? Side by side, the Coho was lighter and much tastier than the King. Do you guys prefer one over the other for table fare? As for catching the Coho's off Oswego, I didn't get into them until early September. Why is that? Where were they all season? Were they there, but at different depths than the kings? Even so, we picked up steelies all season and I know they like warmer water than the kings, so shouldn't we have picked up a stray Coho once in awhile had they been there? I'd like to learn more about them for next year and target them a little more. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks, Rod

Got a late start Sat. morn and headed out of Oswego around 8am. My 8 yr old wanted to do something different and boat down to the salmon river. It was kinda bumpy so we didn't set up with the pack till 9ish. Fished 30 to 40 fow and I guess we missed the bite cause there was nothing going on. We had one release in an hour and I didn't see any boats hook up. As we were running back towards Oswego, in front of the nuke plant I started marking lots of bait pods, so we stopped and set up in 135 fow. Marked consistant bait balls and a rigger fired within 10 min 100 down over 135. Trash can dodger and a hammer fly took the hit. My son battled it to the boat and we dropped it at the net. A mature king about 17-18 lbs. By then we were out over 175 marking nothing so we headed back and found the bait again in 135. Same set up fired again, but like that it was gone so we headed in. Went back to the same spot with 4 other Pa boys around 4pm thinking the lake was calming down....not! Set up in the same 135 line...not as much bait but we had 2 riggers fire with no one home and the dipsey took a rip out 250 on a 2.5 setting and and just like that it was gone, all within the first 45 min. Then the lake got real angry and we found ourselves driving back in 6- 8 ft plus waves. R&R glow frog spoon took a hit, as did the plaid ehip with a pro am fly and a white spinny and white fly off the dipsey. I would have loved to go deep, but the lake was too angry this weekend. Fished Oswego harbor for an hour Sun morning.....marked plenty of fish but couldn't get a hit. Only fish I saw boated was one on The Fish Doctor. Fished another hour in the afternoon.....same result. We decided we had such a great season, there was no reason to stuggle with the fall winds, boat traffic and matures that are shutting down so we pulled the boat for the season and took her home. What an awesome season! Bummed it's over for us but the memories will last a lifetime and we'll be out again in the spring. Best of luck to those still fishing!!!! Rod

Hey Enzo.....I'll be going up this weekend and I'll give a report come Monday. I'll be mostly fishing Oswego though. Rod

Why not the Salmon river area ?? Mexico bay is slightly more protected in certain wind conditions. Then there is always Oswego harbor, if the lake is kicking up.

I'm in total agreement. Rec boats are deserving of their names to be mentioned along with the charter boats. I like the bold red idea for the charter boats, that's a very fair idea. It's true....we want the recognition. There's nothing wrong with that. During the derby, our boat landed a fish that was going to be close to making top 20. It was fairly early in the derby, and we knew it wouldn't hold, but we had it weighed anyway figuring we'd at least be on the board for a day or two. Turns out we were like a half ounce short, or something like that....but had it made top 20 it would have been nice to see our boat up there on the board. Rod Keyser Lucky Enuff

Nice going Brad. Good picture, but that freaking shirt your wearing kinda messed it up!! :shock: Rod Team Lucky Enuff

Welcome to the poor house Eugene. There's a lot of salmon fisherman living in the poor house with you, so you'll never be lonely. I don't have the answer for you, but just thought I'd say hi. Like I said to you before, I think you made the perfect choice with your Lund....I loved mine and it will keep you safe as long as you use your head (like I know you will). Have you gotten out salmon fishing with it yet?? BTW....we we're in Cape Vincent house hunting a few weeks ago. I think we're going to move our summer cottage and I was thinking about your area in Cape Vincent, but have since gotten pretty hot on a log cabin in Henderson Harbor. Only time will tell..... Enjoy rigging that Lund!! Rod Team Lucky Enuff

Gotta bite, It's hard to say where the fish will be from one day to the next. From what I've seen, they are starting to hit the river in small numbers. I see no reason why you wouldn't be able to get into fish without riggers. Maybe add a leadcore or a 300 copper to give yourself a 4 rod spread and increase your chances. Best of luck Rod

I'll chime in Chad. 2007 has been the most enjoyable fishing season I can remember. So many memories and great times it's hard to pick one or two. A few that stand out: My family slept in the boat with me with the intention of fishing in the am. I headed out on the lake around 6am, with the fam still asleep in the cabin. Soon after setting up a rigger fired and I yelled "fish on"!! Nothing.....so I yelled "fish on" again, knowing my son wanted to battle a king. He popped his head out and I said "come on out.....we have a king on buddy". He said "Dad....I can't fight that fish, I'm in my underwear"! I replied "no one can see your bottom, get out here and get on this fish". So. with much embarassment, he fought that king in his underwear. It seems I never have the camera when I really need it. Another time My son and I were out in the evening and he landed a king right at dark. We were late so I gunned the boat and headed to the harbor. After traveling about 2-3 miles I looked back to find the cooler was no longer strapped to the swim platform...It was gone :shock: We needed it the next morning for a tourney, so I turned around and flew back to see it floating on the horizon. We saw the lid had flew off and was 20 yards from the cooler. We both saw a fish surface right by the cooler, so I told Justin his fish was probably gone, but at least we have our cooler back. To our suprise, the fish was still in the cooler!! Getting towed in by the CG was interesting. Meeting many great people at the tourneys was a highlight. Meeting and fishing with Waterlogged and Smitty on Team Lucky Enuff was another very bright spot. Thanks Guys....look forward to next year!!!!! I look forward to reading everyone's "season highlights" So many stories....so little time Rod