Bigfoot

More a question of time and physical ability. It's not that easy for some people to climb under their rigs to manually remove weeds. There was a young man at the Keuka Lake State Park launch last Summer tasked with removing all vegetation from boats and trailers (he was also asking survey data). It took both of us 20 minutes to clean my rig. On another occasion my wife and I worked for over 45 minutes removing hundreds of pounds of weeds (Owasco Lake) and gave up before having it really clean. Occasionally winds just pack launch sites full of vegetation. As I get older it's just not going to be feasible to fish during the Summer months and be in compliance.

Received this today. Public comments accepted through February 24 The New York Department of environmental Conservation is proposing new regulations to prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) at DEC boat launches, DEC Commissioner Joe Martens announced. The proposed regulatory changes require boaters to remove all visible plants and animals from boats, trailers and associated equipment and to drain boats before launching at or leaving a DEC boat launch and waterway access. DEC will accept comments on the proposal through Feb 24, 2014. The full text of the proposed regulation can be found on DEC's website at www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/propregulations.html. Comments on the proposed regulations can be sent via email to [email protected] , or emailed to Edward Woltmann. NYSDEC Bureau of Fisheries, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4753. Hard copies of the full text may also be requested from Mr. Woltmann at the above address.

Apparently to survey was selected at random from the following groups: 1) angler diary cooperators 2) licensed fishermen in Cayuga and immediately surrounding counties, and 3) people who had previously participated in surveys and indicated a willingness to take part in future surveys. I belong to all three groups and still wasn't selected. I have noticed that the lake is rebounding. When the FLTA fished there this fall, 10 boats caught at least 7 legal rainbows with several over 5 pounds and one tipping the scales at 8-6. IMHO the worst tasting walleye you will ever eat is one that has been on a steady diet of sawbellies !!!!

I had signed up to receive this survey at one of the state of the eastern Finger Lakes meetings last Winter. I was very disappointed that DEC didn't send me a survey.......

Why would anybody register their boat trailer in NYS? (Unless you have money to burn). It's 100% legal for you to register your trailer in Maine. You can purchase your registration online for $99. That's for 5 Years and no inspection is required!!!!! Lot's of my friends do this and avoid annual renewal and inspection fees. Just keep your equipment up to snuff and your good to go.

There is a facility on RT14 that has been doing this for 50 years without a problem. They want to build a new and larger facility in the salt caverns- a very stable formation. I have some problems regarding the design of their above ground brine ponds, but I think that the ponds could be built safely. There was a DEC public comment period and they are reviewing the project. The Ithaca crowd that is against everything has been protesting this ( and some have been getting arrested). Because NY lacks propane infrastructure we pay double the national average for propane- or in my case, burn dirtier fuels (out of necessity). I'm sick and tired of people in this state telling me how to use my property, what fuels I have to use, and how many bullets I can load in my guns.....

The FLTA tourney was for "off fish" only- no lakers allowed. Jimmy Stewart's boat took first and lunker with a 6-11 BT.

DEC recently stocked 2,500 ( 6 inch) sturgeon in Cayuga Lake, as part of their continuing effort to establish a breeding population.

Governor Cuomo had a press release and claimed the plan as his own....truth is that the plan came from the conservation fund council and Cuomo stole it. The council objected to the state continuing to collect our license money and not spending it. During the recent past DEC has not been allowed to fill staff vacancies due to across the board state austerity budgets. Meanwhile, fund balances ballooned and DEC programs suffered. Do not be confused. Cuomo is not a friend to sportsmen.

I didn't have any problems when I ordered some online this week. Can't wait to try it- I was never that happy with the Flea Flicker.

Mike, you guys had them figured out.... many other boats did not. We only caught 4 lakers (and dozens of dink salmon) in 7 hours of hard fishing. One boat stated that " it was the worst fishing on Cayuga he had ever seen". I would have to admit that other things were going on besides the bright moon. On the north end we battled brisk winds (equals poor boat speed control) and fierce water currents..... Also, the fact that the lunker fish (which I was lucky to catch) was only 7-5. That's a good indicator that the fishing sucked.....

Dec fisheries biologist know that there are to many- that's why the creel limit on lakers in Seneca was raised from 3 to 5. Laker stocking also has been reduced due to increasing natural reproduction. Taking fish from the lake will result in bigger fish, an over populated lake will result in stunted fish. They also know that many anglers just don't care to keep most of the lakers they catch- little chance that the population will be decimated- truth is, we aren't that good.

Since you asked...... The volunteers at the Watkins Glen weigh station are from the Finger Lakes Trollers Association and the Montour Falls Masonic Temple. The volunteers at the Sampson weigh station are from a bass fishing club and an artillery reenactment group. The volunteers at the Geneva weigh station are from the Geneva Teachers Association and a barbershop singing group. I might have left out one other group...... These people give up their holiday time (in many cases they are giving up fishing time) at NO pay to support the event and their organizations. These organizations split the "profits" from the event to support their activities. I assure you that no one is getting rich from the event. The DEC participates in the event because it is absolutely their best opportunity to obtain fisheries data- which is used to determine things like growth rates, stocking rates and fishery regulations. The purpose of the $50 daily prizes is to get people to bring in small fish to complete the DEC sample (remember, Seneca Lake has too many Lake Trout and you are not helping the lake by releasing lakers). The derby is run by an unpaid board of directors (made up by reps from the various volunteer groups) which meets about 8 times a year. One person ( Colin Morehouse) manages the day to day operations and is paid (last I knew) a stipend of $200 /month. There are plenty of other expenses such as printing and mailing, tent rental, computer and phone charges. In addition, the derby sponsors youth fishing events and sends several area youth to DEC summer camp each year. I was one of the directors representing the Trollers Association, but I stopped participating due to my inability to effect any real change.

The people on the weigh stations are all volunteers from various non profits-most of them aren't fishermen either. Exactly one person (and only one person)is paid. Some of the key leadership have been running the derby for decades, and they are not receptive to change. A lot could be done to improve the derby- I know, I tried.

Your best bet for last minute sign ups is at derby headquarters, 666 Exchange Street in Geneva. Their number is 315 781-2195.

The launch is "open" from 6AM until 11PM. Cost is $10. Parking is limited.

The entry blank shows a weigh station near the site of the demolished chamber building. They will probably work out a tent (like they do at the Watkins weigh station).

The Plasma 44 is an imitation of the Sutton 44. You can see pics and get descriptions (as well as buy them) on fish307.com.