chowder

This guy has it right! Train the lad to use a muzzle loader with open sights (I'd probably go w/ 100 grains of powder and the 245 grain power belt we use in everything else but that's academic) IMHO starting young hunters out with even a .243, although well intentioned, is absolutely the wrong path to go down. Inexperienced hunters are just flat out going to be the most likely candidates for the marginal shot. Marginal shots w/ a small caliber rifle typically leads to heartbreaking results. An inexpensive open sight inline muzzle loader teaches many different lessons about sight picture, follow thru,etc and has the energy essential to creating massive damage even on marginal shots. When you are tracking a kid's first deer is not the time or place to contemplate theoretical ballistic possibilities.

His 'better than original' parts have been a great help to me on several reels & responses to emails on technical issues have been nothing short of incredible! -Andy

Guys on here will have lots more info than you will probably get from one charter captain at a seminar. here's the basic game plan for salmonids on LO. April- Brown trout and Cohos in shallow water w/ flatlines off boards, + an occasional King May- West end of the lake (Wilson,Olcott,etc) depending on temps & wind (which moves around big masses of water) there may be some good early King fishing, Lakers & browns,cohos are often more dependable . On the East end (Sodus to Oswego), good King fishing is rare in May, most target browns that have moved deeper since April. June- West end usually getting very good for Kings (Pt. Breeze "The Oak"),East end variable depending on whether proper conditions and bait are in place. July-West end good (The Oak), East end usually getting predictable for Kings. Aug- typically good east & west leading up to the stage/spawning (biggest fish of the year) You might want to be planning to try & fish the Fingerlakes this winter thru March- then target browns on LO in April into May, then the Fingers again into June. Good Luck! -Andy

That's a slick looking ride, good luck!

I'd pop in on the 29th if you guys aren't too selective about the company you keep! -Andy

Good luck in the new job Scott- you don't need any w/ the fish (nice job w/ the pin rig)

Can't comment- Scott's got all my fixed hook Suttons now! -Andy

Uh.. I'm not getting anywhere near that one Pete but we finished the season up hitting the staged fish pretty hard w/ white paddles or spinnies & yellow flies

Hey Jim, good to see you had a good one, or 2 or 3! -Andy

Jeez, I'd just about given up on him! -Thanx dre!

I'm glad somebody has time to remove ,charge & replace batteries every year but I don't. Have had up to 15 different sets of batteries in different pieces of seasonal equipment at times & have come to the conclusion that there is no set rules on these dam things and that they are all getting cheaper every year. Best rule of thumb is to get a battery that has near to the most cold cranking amps that will fit in the space provided. I use a battery til it acts not right (anywhere from 2 to 7 years). I like to keep a booster box around too but these things don't have an unlimited life either. Charge your batteries b4 you go out if it's been a bit and occasionally check your charging system with an inexpensive multimeter.I do keep the booster box inside & charged cuz I have equip & I fish all winter. I need to spend more time studying bow mount battery issues& don't have any real good advice on that except to start w/ a good one then charge it b4 & after use.-Andy

Very happy for you Bob! Many who write never get to see their work reach an appreciable audience. -Andy

Way,way too cool! Gorgeous Paul. P.S. I feel sick that I didn't get our labor day monster out to you.

Great post Sean, good to see everybody having a good time! -Andy

Actually going to have some smoked salmon here in a couple hours along with some pickled herring,cukes, beets, head cheese, boiled eel, venison salami, kielbasa, Swedish meatballs + a little aquavit to clear the taste buds between courses, -SKOL!! & merry Christmas to all. -Andy

Mike, it's time to start hunting the waters of Seneca! -Andy

I've got a number of core & copper setups. I use the inexpensive 1 piece 7' MH Ugli Stiks and 7' Okuma Classic Pro rods.There's no need for a longer rod, just makes things difficult & gives the leverage to the fish.

Can't say I'd try & get mine thru there. I only use my 16' boat in the winter.

As the season progresses (normally) the opening at T-Falls can get tight (watch your transom toys) and occasionally the bubbler goes on the blink. Usually there is enough people launching after xmas time that the status of the launch becomes common knowledge. Not too far over to Watkins anyway if T-Falls becomes a problem.BRING SAND W/ YOU WHEN U GO WINTER FISHING

With all due respect I wouldn't recommend the 17/22 mag rim fires past 120 yds . I have a 22mag & used to use it during deer season for dogs but have had mixed results w/ it >120yds. I really like the 22-250 for long range yote work w/ the Hornady Superformance 50 grain V-max but did take 2 yotes w/ my new Savage model 11 .243 using the regular Hornady 100 grain BTSP cartridges this past deer season. Both shots were only 80+- yds and quite frankly I didn't think there was a lot of expansion but I don't pelt em anyway.We will carry the 243 as our 2cd rifle this year instead of the 22mag & I'm looking at ammo possibilities for it now. Let us know what you decide to do & how it works out. -Andy

What Sean said. There will be an increasing amount of chatter about winter fishing very soon. Most of us get going after xmas. You do need to work the water column from planer flat lines to 150 fow much more so than summer fishing. Try and avoid hammering the juvey LLs on the surface along the drop off, they are aggressive & dumber than a box of rocks. -Andy

Welcome aboard!

Too busy chattin up the yote huntin & missed the IMPORTANT STUFF. Happy belated birthday Vic! -Andy

Great story & pics Ray! You & bro have had yerselves another batch of adventures that nobody can ever take away.