Capt Vince Pierleoni

The tunnel drive hull was designed by the legendary original Penn Yan boat company. The company changed hands in 1983, and I don't think full tunnels were built after that. The design, which completely encases and protects the shafts, struts,and prop, was originally developed for the military so boats could be beached without damage. The 24 sportfish is a beast as long as it's in good shape. Pro's: great for shallow trolling and docking, as I think that model drafts 22". Also, every once in awhile you will dodge a prop repair by clunking a partially submerged log off the hull instead of the prop. Cons: a single Tunnel (one engine, one prop) inboard is notoriously tough to dock, but you can learn the behavior in reverse and at low rpms with practice. Twins ( 2 tunnels, 2 engines and props) were easier to dock. Another con with tunnels is once in a great while a small piece of wood can get in a tunnel and bang around repeatedly, causing much more damage than it would with a "straight inboard". Those boats from that era have a lot of history in the Sodus area, and are excellent platforms for trolling for their size. Good luck.

Yes, it would be "Rock Bottom" to lose the one that started it all here on Lake Ontario. When it was imported to Niagara County from Lake Michigan, it was 2 days, no cull, and TWENTY fish for Pros. It was wildly successful in Lake Michigan and then again in Niagara County when run by Lowrance electronics with help from local counties. I'm just going to reiterate, I was at a meeting with gentlemen in attendance from BOTH Niagara and Orleans Counties. The meeting was a Fishery Advisory board meeting, but it was stated that it was their full intention to have those 2 events. Both areas feel these events are critical to their economies. So unless there has been a change of heart and they are keeping it a secret, the events will be held. As for the size of the events that depends on the help in the local areas that comes forth. The Orleans Tourism rep at the meeting said he's actively looking for help.

Looking for a trailer for an ATV in good shape, preferably heavy enough to move wood as well.

At the last Niagara County Fishery Advisory board meeting in early Dec it was stated that the Niagara and Orleans County Pro-Ams are a go in the exact same weekend slots as last year. First weekend in June is Niagara, second weekend in June is Orleans. No other info concerning formats, rules, ect, was available.

We are so sorry for this loss, and our prayers go out to the families and the firemen for their recovery.

Chas, Tim is right down west here, and when talking Salmon and Trout. In your neck of the woods, you are encountering clearer water so it can be different. Also, when trolling Walleyes much longer downrigger leads are the norm.

So sorry to hear of your loss, Richard.

Congrats!

Congrats! They do alot more fighting out west where the buck to doe ratio is tighter. I'm curious, was it an either/or deer hunt (muley or Whitey), or were you targeting Whitetails? Why did you settle on Colorado?

Always blaming the guns. Some people just want to blame the guns. We had this discussion at a family Christmas party today. There are guns, and loaded guns in every house out here in the "sticks" of upstate NY. Like in any rural community, kids are taught at an early age that guns don't EVER get pointed at a person. If you want to blame something other than mental illness, take a look at the video games of today, that glorify killing other humans with guns. That being ingested by an unstable person over and over cannot be good.

Well said Rich. To Rich AND Dex: no, as to what most people consider a committee, there is not. Several people that were asked to be on the committee last year put their best efforts forward and reluctantly compromised in several areas in an effort to "save" what was left of the series. When huge decisions were made(like scrapping the historic "Cup", paying down a ridiculous amount of places despite not hitting the target number of teams, letting teams communicate, turning 2 day events into 1 day events, and letting "Open" teams fish when the main division was left looking at a calm lake), there was no committee. Very few if any of the "committee members" were asked about any of this. After digesting and enduring all of this, I came to the conclusion that local leaders need to build their own successful events, hopefully getting their local supporters and past players back in the game. If a series can then be brought back together, it would be great because all of the "legs" would be solid. Ultimately, the players will support what they want to and we can move forward.

No lumps for you Brian, you speak from the heart. Yes it is tragic to have lost the prestige of the multi species, 2 day Pro-Am tournaments and series. This wouldn't even be a discussion had the rules not been changed. You all know how one bad move can set a series of bad things in place. Yeah, you forget to keep air in the tires, so one of them blows out and the car gets totaled. At that point a tire looks like a cheap fix, but it's too late because the cars a complete loss. Hopefully all events going forward, no matter if one or two days, no matter what format, will heed the message and be closed comm. There is a simple fix if a fair, 12 fish Salmon only tournament was the goal without further enriching the oil companies. A boundry or grid(yes a large one) limiting where the "game would be played" would make sense. If it's a multi species event this would take away too much of the strategy, but if Salmon only it would prevent a "runfest" and be safer too with various sized boats involved. Just food for thought.

Yikes!

I agree Matt. Perhaps a 2 day 12 fish Salmon only tournament is the ultimate event and challenge. It also provides a bigger economic "shot in the arm" for Sodus Pt when it's 2 days.

Congrats!

I grew up fishing there and the area ponds. They used to dredge it in the late 70's. I'm afraid if we have a hard winter there will be quite a winterkill. That place is shallow on a normal year, and the few deep spots can't support all the fish in that bay. Sad.

Thank you for the update, and good call! Perhaps the best move would be to collaborate. The best from the past, with whomever wants to be a part of it, and some new necessary changes/additions. Smart move locking in the date.

Not only is Caledonia the oldest, it is considered by many to be the greatest Great Lakes King Salmon hatchery ever. Too bad it isn't used that way any longer.

Long before "the midnight hour", I hope you get those lobster-sized shrimp and that french onion soup! Happy Birthday Jer!

Its very similar from Barker to Youngstown along the lake. Great trophy potential, giant posted tracts, lots of human intrusion, lots of "blitz" driving and tresspassing. On all but the most perfect rut days, you will find more nocturnal movement than other areas. There are magical spots that guys guard with their life, however. One of my hunting mentors says, "it's not how much you own, but WHAT you own." Check out the property like you would any spot you were looking at to hunt, you may be looking at a goldmine or a desert. If you are new to hunting I will look at it with you.

If there will be new coordination for a Sodus Summer Tournament, please consider setting your dates soon. We are approaching year-end, and many of the participants will need to submit for their vacations and Charterboats schedule their crews. Consider capitalizing on the momentum from last year and keep the same dates. There were several new teams,and quite a few others who would come back with a return to the more popular traditional rules.

Chas, as already stated, when the fawn buck is born determines alot. That 2.5 you describe could have been a late born fawn with only a small spike rack his first year. I'm pretty certain biologists including Dr James Kroll conducted a expansive study years ago determining that spikes are not always inferior, but in many cases just need TIME(age). If I remember correctly, the spike debate found that it was age/and or nutrition in most cases-not genetics. They proved their position by documenting several monster perfect typical 12 points that started as spikes in more than one part of the country. Keep in mind, even in a fairly healthy "fair chase"(not high fence) scenario, with a herd expressing decent buck to doe ratios, there will still be some "late born" fawns. The "2nd rut" is usually healthy fawn does coming into heat and with that their fawns will be smaller and born later. All this doesn't matter if there are "game stealers" on or near your hunting spot. They just caught a scumbag with 4 bucks at night next to where we have hunted and passed small bucks for several years. Pathetic.

Congrats! What a magic day for you both!

Congrats Ray, a "Dream season"! BS master, you are dead on. Still too many guys killing yearling bucks for bragging rights instead of a doe. In my opinion, drawing a bow on a MATURE doe is the toughest thing you will do in the deer woods. It will teach you loads about deer behavior and how to read it. Lets not forget all the button bucks shot as does on drives. Tough to change old habits but everyone needs to know the area they are hunting and if it needs doe harvest or if they need to be let go for awhile.

Congrats!