Sk8man

Yes Art we're all keeping our fingers crossed....and the wind may also help cut down on potential flooding as it sure wicks away some moisture.

:yes:

The way things are going now....it could be ice fishing for them....off the floating ice floes

My bet is you'll get a bunch of different answers here... . I've experimented over the years with a lot of different setups and now basically for me it depends on what I'm running and even how deep. Browns are notoriously "line shy" which is the main reason for using the lightest fluoro leader you can get away with. Water conditions also play into things. If you are riding the mud line and going in and out of cloudy water the line weight, leader length and terminus selected (smallest black ball bearing swivel, smallest yet strongest duolock snap, or black Fastsnap) become less important than when you are fishing clear water in shallow and especially in the Finger Lakes where the water can be much clearer than Lake O. I also run my lines back much further back than usual (whether on boards or not - varies depending on wind/wave conditions). With that said if I'm running speed "tolerant" stick baits I often go with either a tiny black swivel snap (if changing lures very frequently) or duolock directly to the lure with a tiny black barrel swivel tied at the other end of it to my main mono line. For "fussier" sticks that may even have to be "tuned" beforehand they sometimes work better tied directly to the end of the light fluoro leader with a loop type knot that allows the lure to be free to "roam" a bit (or you can "adjust it for tighter running) or I use Fastsnaps (Size Large is really quite small). With most spoons either a very small black (SOLID RING) ball bearing swivel (for quick changes) or small black duolocks or Fastsnaps with a small black barrel spliced in above where the leader meets the main line. I also run various lengths on my leaders and have even used 4 6 lb test fluoro on the Finger Lakes with a light drag setting (not on Lake O though ) I think this may cover some of the basic ways anyhow.

Hey Jeff you got that Proline ready to go witht he nose pointed toward the driveway as soon as the weather breaks? Don't think I'd be tying all my Seth Greens with it at that price

This might also be one to consider....not sure of pricing though...http://www.garelick.com/Manual-Operated-Easy-Pump-Hydraulic-Lift-Outboard-Motor-Bracket

Very nice! Which GO Pro model are you using? That video looks very clear Sweet>>>

As long as you go with about every choice under the sun in mono and fluoro you should be all set

Hi John - Doing better today at least I've been up and around for most of the day just hoping each day will show improvement but I'm optimistic. This has really been a really long winter (especially the last few weeks) and like all the rest of the guys on here I can't wait till the real fishing begins. The ice fishing is just something to get through the winter. Hope to see you around derby time (if not before). Thanks for the inquiry. Les

I'm with Tim on this one.....I like fluoro for many things especially stuff used shallow and leaders etc. but I think it helps to have a little stretch available on the flies used deeper and behind flashers and Spin Docs. I think it is still debatable whether the stiffness is really a crucial factor and also the only flies I've ever lost have been commercially tied flies using fluoro and the knots broke on them right at the fly section in each instance suggesting to me that the stuff is very brittle and may "cut itself" off at the knots under momentary stress. I know there could be other interpretations too regarding quality of the material, age of it even when tied etc. I guess it amounts to the faith you have in whatever you have had personal success with repeatedly over time (i.e brands of fluoro or mono etc.) in the final analysis. I also tie (and re-tie) all my own flies now

Gambler's point is really something interesting to think about....i guess most of us have just accepted the practices for years without really questioning it but maybe DEC should be reassessing things especially in light of all the recent habitat destruction from storms and flooding and the other man caused problems. The walleye thing on Conesus is also worthy of re-consideration and I also wonder about Otisco isn't that about the same?

Thanks guys. I'm trying to stay positive and Justin the cold weather helps.... every time I look at the boat at the side of the house I think to myself...I'd be freezing my butt off if I were out there right now....cmon Spring!

Thank you lineman49 and I appreciate your posts as well. Les

Thanks Kev. Yes we have a lot of things in common as noted in our PM's. I appreciate the well wishes. I sure hope this stuff straightens out in time for the Crappie fishing>>>>and I know you'll be into them for sure up your way. Good luck this season. Les

I believe the lampricide treatment will be done in Seneca Lake at the Keuka Outlet (mouth area I believe) rather than Keuka Lake proper (which is not thought to have any Lampreys because of the impassible barriers in the outlet)

Thanks a bunch Egoody I look forward to meeting up with you in person as well.

I guess at least we can now be thankful for the one rainbow limit. on Canandaigua and Seneca.....better than nothing right now... and may make the lifters a bit more inhibited from being caught with multiple fish in their possession.

On Cayuga (near you) try right at and after ice out in front at the State Park at north end at dusk through out early evening with fatheads on jigs (bobber). I'm thinking the ice is no good at this point.

Thanks guys...I can't wait either and I know the rest of you out there are like race horses at the starting gate too right now

Wow....I 've been away from the computer (hard sitting for any length of time) but I sure was surprised by the postings here.Thanks very much for all the kind wishes and words...very much appreciated. I went to the doc again yesterday and got taken of most of the meds which were making things worse especially the Oxycodone...pain killer. I'm hoping this anti inflamatory will do the trick and put me back in action by ice out (July this year ....only kidding hope it will be sooner than that for both. Thanks again. Great bunch of folks on this website. Les

HI Ed, Thanks for asking bud. I'm taking 7 different meds right now and waiting to see the doc tomorrow....I think this may be a longer haul than I wish. I'm just hoping to be straightened out by my daughter's graduation and the Seneca trout Derby. How is the rigging of your new ride going? You've got to be pretty excited to get out there too....beautiful boat.

I know the tendency would be to say it may be a great year since most of the spawners haven't come up the creek yet but there is another dimension to the issue; in years where there is a warm spell in Feb/Mar and a bunch of fish go up high in the tribs during the closed season they aren't as vulnerable to poaching as when they come up the stream in numbers later on when the season is open and at least the daytime poachers aren't as likely to be taking a chance on being caught on a stream with a fish in hand. the night timers are a different matter. I remember in the past hearing some locals discussing their poaching efforts in a restaurant there. The DEC guys make a real good effort to keep watch but they can't be every place and some of these "holes" are up back roads near the poachers homes so it is very hard to nail them. I guess we all need to remain a little vigilant....this year because in all liklihood the fish will still be in the streams real late this year the way the weather is shaping up....