Capt Vince Pierleoni

Agree! I dropped my archery buck head off at my taxidermist for a euro. He said he's had more 2.5 yr old bucks come in for mounts than ever and they are huge.

I recognize him from the tourney scene. For those of you that knew him and to family please accept our condolences. Rest in peace angler.

This is a common fallacy. 30 lbers were never "average". I fished a heavy schedule starting in 1985 and the best season we had for 30lb kings was 1989 with two dozen landed. Most of those were 30-32lbs and I was big on accurate scales as I've always been into record keeping. If we are being honest, no matter where we come in on which side of the debate is the size of age 3 Chinooks has changed very little over the course of 40 yrs. What HAS changed is the age structure of the mature Chinook population. The original strain of Chinook planted was predominantly represented by fish maturing at 3 1/2 years old. There was always some "jacks", males maturing at 1 1/2 years old, some males and females maturing in their 2nd year at 2 1/2 yrs old, and a small percentage maturing at 4 1/2 years old that usually resulted in exceptionally large specimens. Today, with the necessary movement towards using holding pens(due to the exploding number of predators at stocking sites) we are seeing a large uptick in Chinooks maturing in their 2nd year as 2.5 yr olds, usually 12-17lbs. I believe this is due to the protection and fast start by regular high quality feedings. It is the opinion of many that the vastly increased survival and the action they provide anglers is well worth the trade off. Now, this isn't ALL of the fish from any pen, just an increased number. 3.5 and 4.5 yr old Chinooks still contribute but in much smaller percentages because the intelligent angling pressure on both the NY southshore and the Ontario Canada Northshore has DRAMATICALLY increased. Everyone wants to target Kings(Chinooks) everyday, all season whenever they are even remotely within boating range. Networking and online information is at an all time high, the fleet on Lake Ontario has changed incredibly with large ocean built sportfishing vessels and modern trailerable rigs with large 4 stroke outboards capable of long ranges. Electronics are better than ever, line is better than ever, hooks are better than ever--the pressure on Chinook is in a completely different realm than it was in the "discovery years" in the 80's. Daily targeting of Chinook April--September did not happen back then. So what does this mean to this conversation? It stands to reason that "the fleet" is cropping off Chinook that may be destined to become mature at 3.5 or 4.5 years old--well before that. There is no right or wrong with this--more people are enjoying the fishery with greater competence than ever before--it just is what it is. Out sized specimens can still exist but with a greater proportion maturing earlier due to fast growth or adaptation coupled with the intense pressure now on any potential older maturing Chinooks it is the new normal. Some suggest cutting stocking to produce bigger fish but the fishery wouldnt result in bigger fish because of extra bait per fish. It would result in bigger fish if the action was slow enough to make many hang it up, seeking other fishing opportunities elsewhere. This would leave that tiny population of potential "30 lbers" to survive their 1st year, 2nd year, and ultimately their 3rd or 4th Summer to reach their ultimate size. Again, in our current fishery, this woulld still remain a small percentage that would even have the potential. Many if left unharvested would still mature in their 2nd year. The Lake is a tale of two strains of Chinook. The natural strain is adapted to our Lake and trib environment. This population experiences wild swings as some hatches are great and others poor. The majority of these fish originate from the Salmon river and Eastern tribs. Early in their life they are caught all over the lake. From mid Summer on any maturing fish will be in the Eastern end of Lake Ontario. Anglers fishing the central and Western end of the South shore are dependent on stocked fish to provide a returning fishery of Chinook. With todays intense pressure on Salmon lakewide, and predation by warmwater predator fish and Cormorants at release sites, this number has become much less significant. This is the new normal. For anglers relying on stocked sites for their returns, the best course of action is to provide the best pen projects possible along with preventing cormorants from eating the released fingerling Chinooks before they are done smolting. Yes, of course another approach is to bump up stocking numbers to provide a higher escapement rate for the released fingerlings.

I will try to post more details soon but here are the top 9 placing teams out of 45 participating teams. Most importantly fun was had by all and money was raised for Ovarian cancer project. 1) "Oh baby's ladies" Boat Captain-- Matt LeClair 158.22 2) "Bass Backwards"-Bills Mafia Captain- Eric DeMarte 143.05 3) "Gill T Hookers"-- Boat Captain Chad Kahler 119.89 4} "Fish N' Chicks"-- Captain Vince Pierleoni 108.20 5) "Dublin Ds"--Captain Carl Martin 107.10 6) "Mitch's ****es"--Boat Captain Mitch Poklinkowski 99.56 7) "Meals on Reels"--Boat Captain Matt Niezgoda 93.73 8)" Size Matters"-- Boat Captain Tom Cosnyka 93.22 9) "Legacy Ladies"--Captain Rob Wescott 88.06

Thank you for the bump! Captains meeting will once again be Thursday night at Maxwell Station in Olcott at 6:30pm. Mike Johannes will collect for a small calcutta for boat owners/Captains at the mtg. This is a true tournament for the ladies while raising money for womens cancer organizations. This years benefactor is Ovarian Cancer Project. Those who cannot participate but would like to make a direct donation go to: reelinforacure.com and click on "donation". Thanks to everyone for their support.

PM sent

PM sent on the net.

Boats can leave both Olcott and Wilson and must return to the port they left from. Weigh in and awards luncheon is in Krull Park in Olcott.

This growing event is a true Ladies Tournament that also serves as a fundraiser for womens cancer organizations. This years event will be Friday August 19th. Details can be found @ reelinforacure.com or on FB-- reelin' for a cure. Currently there are more interested Ladies teams than volunteer boats. You do not need to be a Charter Captain to volunteer your boat for the morning. To pledge your participation as a boat owner(without a team already in place) email [email protected] $13,497 was raised for last years benefactor-- Hope Chest. This years benefactor is Ovarian cancer project, Williamsville NY. Direct donations can be made on the above website.

Sorry I can't make this one. This guy has a wealth of knowledge and experience and is very passionate about what he does. He willingly will go shoulder and knee deep in slime. As long as no one brings up wild Lake trout and Sturgeon recruitment he will stay on topics requested and not go off on tangents! One topic you may consider for the attendees Schreck, is do we need to be concerned with the current administrations effort to clean up the Great Lakes going too far(and affecting the food chain) leaving us with sterile, fishless water? I know that Dr Tanner was against the Feds imposing their management wishes upon the States and their individual goals and strategies, is this something to keep an eye on?

Way to go Joe. Thats gotta feel good with what you've been through.

Wow Joey, I did not know you needed to be hospitalized! Praying for a full recovery for you bud.