Sk8man

I think there are some previous threads on here that discuss some of the points you mention in detail. There are a number of fishermen that think there is too much bait in Lake O right now. Chinook salmon are pretty much the apex predator in Lake O right now and they are real good at getting enough to eat . The life span for lakers may be 30 plus years from what I've heard. They are a native cold water species whereas the chinook are much more of a warmer water species in their native habitat. In general colder water species usually have a slower growth rate and longer life spans than warm water species with higher growth rates although there are exceptions to that (e.g. sharks etc.). The situation of the Atlantics is a much more complicated puzzle than food sources and even the fisheries departments on both sides of the pond don't fully understand it although they have some ideas about what might be going on (e.g. spawning problems, stream access, competition factors etc. etc.). In any case it may not be just one thing but a whole complex of issues. Just my take on it others may have other views and points. As far as the fishing goes it is always off and on and June is traditionally a tough month for fishing before and while the temps are setting up. Depending on where you fish there have been some good salmon and steelie fishing results (and lakers) again "off and on" and locating the fish is nearly always at the heart of it. The next few weeks may tell more of the story when the thermocline and water temperatures fully set up.

I still fish solo a lot and in days past I used to even winter fish on Seneca Lake with a snowmobile suit and heavy boots in the middle of snow storms (much younger and more foolish) without a life jacket. Then during the mid to late eighties one of my buddies who was a charter captain went out solo there during the summer and I was the last guy to talk with him at the launch ramp. His empty boat was found washed up near shore hours later. We searched for him for many hours unsuccessfully that day and he was found in 8 ft of water the next day by divers and reportedly his zipper was down. It was a real lesson for me and something that haunts me to this day. The way i look at it now is even if something happens out there you have a "chance" and at least if things went really bad they would find you so that your family would have some closure.....The not knowing would be horrible for family.

Wow at least mine (Fishawk) had a depth indicator and a spool winder on it All i remembered in seeing one of those Lowrance units years ago is the slide was on the front and I think the probe line was real light colored and somehow wound around the center? I tried anyway

Sounds as though one is for "zeroing" and one for up and one for down. Probably all you need is a known (and reliable) temp source to compare with.

If so, you can roughly calibrate it doing as I suggested above turning the slot screw till it matches the thermometer reading or comparing with a known accurate temperature device and doing so.

Haven't seen one in years but I don't remember there being anything to adjust that was visible on it at least to be able to actually change anything. I used to test my old manual Fishawk by getting a mercury thermometer and a plastic pail of water in the sink and then putting both the probe and the thermometer in and gradually adding some warm water and then colder water and compared and they were within a degree or so..worst case is that if you can determine the amount it is off (if constant) you can mentally make the adjustment out on thewater.

Nice going Nick....have to take advantage of the weather window while you can.

I think Mike was born with that copper in his hand Nice going bud.

Used to be a way of doing it here in NYS but not advisable anymore because of the bait regulation restrictions.

I've had my downriggers for a very long time and never have had a problem with them other than the older power cords cracking all to hell making them dangerous. I replaced them twice with same result over the years. The older ones deteriorated from sun exposure and UV damage. These new power cords are made from different material and even after a few years with them they are still like new and they are much more ruggedly built with better connectors (and they should be for the $65 each but in my opinion they are worth it).