BSmaster

I have a question. When I lived up there the canal looked like it was full of fish in the summer. All kinds of activity, but in the winter they drained it and I always wondered where do the fish come in and where do they go?

I fished the west end (Chemung and tribs) and there was nothing biting - a lot of dead gizzard shad in the water so I headed east. I never catch a bite when there is dead forage in the water. Saw a bunch of suckers in Elmira trying to get over the dam and I thought that was weird. It got me thinking that maybe the eyes were spawning and the bite definitely goes down when that happens. Went to Vestal and Whitney and had a pick up and a follow but nothing to show for it and no one else around me was doing anything either. The water looked really good too. Again, It got me thinking that they might just be spawning already. As far as the lack of juveniles - yes I have noticed the decline a few years ago on the west end. (won't speculate).

Using you logic Stinger it sounds like you like being spanked

I can not see a scenario where encouraging our youth to do a comprehensive study, investigation, or inquiry into any subject matter has a negative consequence - whether I agree with it or not. It is called learning. If you a worried they won't come to the conclusion that you want them to well then maybe there is something wrong with your position. Nobody says you have to accept it. But those kids will most likely out live you and your ideas. If you are worried that those kids will be used as pawns in a political movement (because it happens all of the time) so be it. I would rather have them formulate their own opinions than have a curmudgeon tell them the way it is suppose to be. Even if that curmudgeon is me. Teachers are opinionated - comes with the job. If you are a teacher and you don't think so. Well, you are. Don't apologize for it either. As far as the sale of perch goes - I am still undecided and need something that falls into my wheelhouse of scientific data. Conclusions and opinions don't do it for me.

Trolling bags are an option too.

I can get behind a statewide plan to reduce commorant population. I'm in 100% on this one. If you want to reduce some lakes from 50 to 30, I can be convinced. But still nothing else resonates with me. Something more complex but not excluding the selling of fish. Dismissing this notion that there isn't a problem is not correct either, The perch fishery in Conesus is an example of how things went away and therefore it is easy to see how some of the elder statesmen can feel anxiety over the changes in Seneca. The sheer colume of people who fish for perch should be able to get the states attention regarding this. I still do not think they are going to do anything.

Definitely off topic... Les, Dr James Haynes (SUNY Brockport) explained why Erie cleaned up quickly and why Ontario will take 1000s of years. I saw the talk 20+ years ago but I can not find the paper online. Deeper lakes have a deep well cycle which doesn't allow them to be "flushed" or diluted in the same way shallower lakes do. This is the summary of which I took from a talk I heard 20+ years ago. Don't hammer me. Seneca is deep so this internal welling effect could be happening in the same manner. I still don't understand how it is eutrophic - that is why I don't get the video's theory. BTW, I hate what they did to Lamoka. I am hopefull the weed beds make it back.

If anyone knows this professor and knows if he gives talks, I would be interested in attending one. A lot seems to be missing for me. I would like to see him in person so he can answer questions/defend his theory. Thanks,

Les, Thanks for posting. Not saying he is wrong - just some things that bothered me. Turbidity?- Scratching my head on that one. What is the problem with zebra muscles then? Everything is going in multiple directions. Runoff- Was worse in years/decades prior. And why an image of a dairy farm and not a winery? Don't know - just saying. If this guy is spot on then maybe liquid propane storage isn't what the residents should be worried about. Also, in smaller eutrophic lakes the problem is often human waste. Is the DEC up to date on septic systems? Nitrates?- What is the testing method? What drainage basins. Farms have to have permits now so it can be tracked. This is a better understanding of euthrophication. https://cee.mit.edu/onbalance/2011/march

This is getting to be as polarizing as fracking. Everytime I visualize my support of a movement, I can find a substantial negative to go with it. Background: I Eat perch - don't sell perch - don't care if people sell perch. 1.)If the kids are pushed to the forefront then it gives me the impression that it is another tree hugging liberal attempt at using propaganda to get their way {the PETA way}. If there is a study done and the data is presented first and then conclusions are offered I would be inclined to support those findings. A lot of what I see these days are conclusions without data. 2.)I really don't have a preference to what is done. I strongly believe in the economics of fishing. You can slice it in many ways. It costs money to fish. people are not going fishing for perch to not catch perch. Therefore the aforementioned fishing pressure should go down (economics) If this results in lower fishing license sales - The state will look into possible reasons why and make changes. I am curious how many of us posting on here are refusing to buy a fishing license because of the perch situation on Seneca? I don't see it affecting the state monetarily. 3.) If the data is there changes can be made - the marine fishery changes constantly. But this is NYS - they don't seem capable of decisive and quick decisions. However, Wait and see approach is not always bad. I don't see a crash and burn for the perch population. I see cycles. Trying to be direct without offending. I apologize if you feel like you have been called a PETA troll and you are not one.

I like it. The 3rd thumbnail is my favorite. It looks like it is ready to swim off the couch. I am curious about the wounded area of the fish. So the lamprey mark reminds me of the special effects art for a Halloween gunshot. Does this entail a lot of (extra) effort from the taxidermist?

PeltHunter, Beauty is in the eye of the beholder (said somebody). If you like your mount that is what is most important. My brother had a 12lb brown trout replica made from pictures that his son caught at 5 years old. The fish looks awesome and life like from across the room but as soon as you walk right up to it, it starts to look fake (to me). His family loves it and reminds them of that day. A story of a 5yr old pulling in a 12lb brown on Keuka lake with no help. Absolutely a fish of a lifetime and should be remembered as such. It is not an option for me but if it were, I would not use your taxidermist. I like the way the second Atlantic pic looks at the top. Each scale with definition and resolution. I also like the fins to be translucent. I bought a 15in replica Crappie for decor and sometimes it annoys me because of the air brushing. I am not trolling, just pointing out the things I noticed most. I do not have the skill so I feel guilty passing judgement. Anybody who can make a fish come to life eternally should be revered as an artist. As in any business not all are created equal and customers preferences can vary. Eat your Popcorn...

The skin mount looks like one of those mass produced plastic ones.

I didn't know this was so polarizing. Everything needs balance... I have not been there so I find the opinions conflicting. I don't blame the wolves or the ranchers for anything. I point my finger directly at the humans governing this debacle. We mettled in everything for centuries and a few do gooders/well wishers think it is as simple as one thing or another and never realize that it is not a tight rope but a net. What do I mean? You pull a string and you move something towards you. You pull a net and and it contorts unevenly in a plane. Logic tells me that all is not well within the park if that many bison are going to be slaughtered. So regardless of what the elk, wolves, grizzlies or the ranchers are doing, the park is not ok. I find that part sad. I do not know enough about the rest to comment. I will leave that to those of you that know more or believe you know more about it.