Rich s

Weathers to warm to hunt and leaves to thick . I could take some cold walks across frozen leafless hills and swamp bottoms about now

I have seen very clear video of fish and matts of mussels in 110 Fow . Is the lake clearer then in the past ?

Boat is out , washed and ready for bed . Ice can come anytime now

I still think NR is a push as contributor on stocking reduction . For the first time , the door is cracked open .

Here is my thoughts . If you keep pushing the natural reproduction card, it will justify the reduced stocking . Reducing the stocking means cutting costs . Now by mo means am I educated enough on the system but I think it's difficult to say there is that much NR without proof to back this up . Without the fin clip or the nose chip study being calculated , other then he said , she said , it's just a guesstimate and not proof from physical data . Now my question is , where are all these " extra " salmon ? We didn't see them in the tribs ( well at leas myself ) and if I recall , folks here were saying last season on the lake was terrible aside from 2 year old salmon . Well others might have had a good season this year but myself , I am truly disgusted at the fishing this season . Should I blame the fishery ? Well in part I can only blame myself but in reading through the forums " how was your season , slowest ever " it seems I'm not alone . As many say , it's the alewives that suffered over the 2013-14 harsh winters . In the history of the lake , it's 2 seasons and a ( guesstimate NR ) that are just now causing these issues ? Honestly I think it has started way before now , this is just a way of pushing the NR and reduce stocking levels . Weren't the steelhead suffering from feeding primarily on alewives ? What happened there that it just went away or less publicity ? Sorry folks , I think there is going to be an all time low in the fishery for quite a few upcoming years . If there are so " many " salmon now , I hate to see what less will bring if the game changer is NR . The only way this could possibly reverse is if the salmon reach an all time low and the alewives an all time high , then it may be reconsidered to increase the stocking levels . I fear we are in for 6-8 years ove tough fishing ahead for salmon . On that note , maybe the lake trout may take the brunt of the harvest which is what I'm reading folks say needs to happen anyway . Good luck at the meetings and happy fishing Rich

I'm with ya but 90 degs out , still gonna be awhile Heading up to the boat for one last 6 day push then tow her home. I will be shopping for some ice gear while out there

April -early June is not an option as we are putting ocean run fish out my back yard on the boat ( grandson) Many , many of these keep friends and family happy at that time of season so trolling the Great Lake is a passion I fill " between " seasons , winter , spring & fall. Detail : humm . I fish year round . Probaly 200 days or more when not in the woods . Married for 32 years . Not sure how much more detail I can give but will take all the advice I can get Thank you Rich ( son and grand daughter ) ( me )

That is a good suggestion for sure . Given this is open water trolling and not stream or structure related , what would be the biggest help in that aspect , in your opinion ? 1. Location 2. Presentation 3. Conditions 4. Habits ( example forage ) 5. Confidence Or all the above. I have taken charter trips and it seems on those trips it is hit and miss but definitely a species target on results. Surly I need to learn more and staging salmon fishing is not what I'm interested in from a price point . Thank you all for the advice given Rich

I have a great attitude leading up to and while on the water out there . It only takes 1 is always my motto . The area is great and the people are fantastic so that's what has brought me to the Great Lake for over 35 years . I understand about details . I was a NYS wilderness camping , hunting and fishing guide for 11 years . Can tell you exactly where to cast for an Adirondack trophy stream trout , troll for a remote pond brook trout, sit on watch for that elusive buck to walk through or hook up with an ocean run spawning striped bass . All this takes skill and understanding of the quarry habitat. I'm frustrated as all heck but not defeated , yet. This season I lost my dedicated crew . Having a crew that knows how to effectively set and change gear as well as opperate the boat was a big loss this year . Very tough to do this alone or with novice fishers as once it gets set it's usually there for awhile instead of changing . Another delemia is knowing the movements and fishing the currents during the summer . I dislike fishing staging fish the most . My wife says I always seem to fish the same water from Oswego to sandy pond . While the depths might vary , the patterns seem to stay the same . Honestly , I don't know what to change in that aspect . Ah well, there is always this last 6 day gasp upcoming from Friday - wends then I will have all winter and spring to dream again . Rich