Lucky13

*If we get the rains like last year, yes. We have already lost a lot of the snowpack, even a lot of the snowmobile areas up on the Tug Hill are showing one to two feet along the trails, sometimes they have 8 feet on the ground. If they keep pumping it out under the ice in the St Lawrence, the Ottawa stays reasonable, and we have a more normal spring rainfall, it may be high but not record high like last year.

You believe everything you see on Television?!!!

Actually, I'd say there has been a lot of good information on Kueka posted here, and Longspurs has been providing an illustrated guide to ice adventures all over WNY. Maybe Walk on Water is like the guys on Iceshanty that post twice and then expect to be told exactly where to set up their little TV, without actually reading back through the recent posts. Also, my sense is that the guys here are NOT fishing Kueka for 'gills, they are a little deeper looking for striped fish and skinny lakers.

To be fair, dIscharge out the Saint Lawrence is higher now than last year at this time(somehow that is not on that chart) and if we get the rain in March and April this year that we got last year, even Donald Trump will have to consider global warming as being valid. The lake is higher than last year at this time, but we've had some pretty heavy snows with subsequent melt off. If they let too much water go, everyone will be clamoring for dredging so they can get their boats in the water! From the news report I saw this AM, it looks like most of the discussion focused on compensation from FEMA and others for damages.

This was posted yesterday on the Iceshanty Sandy Pond thread by New Old Guy, one of the more experienced and well spoken posters there. Looking at the forecast, I'd say it is pretty sage advice for anywhere in western and central NYS. "Yo Guys & Gals, Just a quick note here. Check your 10 day weather forecast for the coming week if you are making plans to hit the ice. Today and tomorrow look to be outstanding, after that the weatherman says we are not only turning warm, but the warmth will be coupled with some rain on Thursday and Friday. The warm weather will extend on into the week end. While we have been blessed with some great ice so far this season, the advent of warmer conditions and the oncoming spring like conditions will warrant a good look see before entering your favorite honey hole in your next week's traveling plans. Some accesses will be better than others, obviously. Remember, those creek flow areas are always the first to go. The gas holes which seemingly disappear with all the snow cover are still there and will be more visible in the coming week . The thinner ice will go first so don't forget to bring your spuds with you that you left home for the last 2 weeks. This is the time of winter we all have to be aware. Let's all stay safe and use good judgement. I want all my friends to be there next year so I can kibitz with them. In closing, I will again use the old admonition ..... SPUD SPUD SPUD"

That looks like a commercial tie of a Grey Ghost, a classic Carrie Stevens Maine fly for Salmon and Brook Trout. The NE flies are generally imitating smelt, or brightly colored, like the Mickey Finn: These flies are usually 4-5" long, Size six or four hooks.

Common in New England and the Adirondacks especially right after ice out. Fast speed and a lot of times right in the prop wash. Make sure you have a really good rod holder or hang on tight!!!

FYI. You may want to look into this program. FYI: Aboard the U.S. EPA ship Lake Guardian. Email is from SeaGrant. View this email in your browser SHIPBOARD SCIENCE ON LAKE ONTARIO The Workshop: The workshop begins when you board the ship in Buffalo, NY on July 9th and ends in Youngstown, NY on July 15th. Educators from Great Lakes states who work with kids at any level from 4th through 12th grade are encouraged to apply. Deadline for applications is March 14, 2018. Other News: Read about Michelle and Michele in our recently-posted Scientist Spotlight and Teacher Feature. Check out all the new Great Lakes curriculum we've added to our searchable curriculum tool. You are receiving this email because you signed up for Educator Opportunities on the Center for Great Lakes Literacy.

With the Pictometry systems a lot of counties are using, you can just about tell the make and model of a compact car in a driveway, and you can measure setbacks etc without a site visit. I'd be careful about that one hole outhouse without checking the codes, while there are still a couple of counties in NYS that will allow an outhouse, it is not all that many, they want to see a properly sited and constructed septic system, as will any nearby people (and maybe you eventually) who might have drilled wells. And just because you're off the roads doesn't mean you can't be seen, a lot of the flyovers get done during leaf off. Code violations are definitely one thing where it is not easier to beg forgiveness than to ask for information (and permission). I was sitting outside a local watering hole with a friend one day when the Google wagon drove by. With the "Little walking man" tool, I can pull up a picture of the two of us to this day, although google blurs the faces. White hair shows up though!!

You will have an easier time finding it if you look for Orchard Park Blvd, north off Empire Blvd just before Empire goes down the hill to Float Bridge, where the creek goes into the Bay, and up to Penfield. Take the left onto Orchard Park until you come to the 90° left turn where you start to see the bay, where it becomes Bay Front South, and follow it to just before the driveway for the Fish and Game Club, just past Sutter's Marina. New out there I would follow the tracks out, and SPUD if you get away from where folks have been fishing. Everybody says stay away from the Condos to the North, lots of bubbler action over there.

Gee thanks, now I really feel like an old.....Luddite!!!!!

If someone can rig up a transducer to a cell phone and write and app, all the millennials will take up ice fishing!!!!! How did anyone ever catch a fish in the old days?????

From what the guys are posting on Iceshanty, the only ice is in the Penn Yan arm, they go out off Indian Pines, they are getting out to about 25 ft of water, but getting some lakers there, and they all say SPUD SPUD SPUD! The up and down temperatures have been wrecking havoc off and on with shore ice, there was a picture of open water off Indian Pines last week, and everyone who went out said stay to the right. And a lot of the Lake is still open water.

Here's some more, where the right of way of sailboats is indicated. § 41. Pilot rules. The following rules shall be observed on all mechanically propelled vessels on the navigable waters of the state and all tidewaters bordering on or lying within the boundaries of Nassau and Suffolk counties: 1. Signals. The signals for passing, by the blowing of the whistle, shall at all times be given by the master as defined in this act. (a) One distinct blast of the whistle shall mean: "I direct my course to starboard"; except when two vessels are approaching each other at right angles or obliquely, when it shall signify the intention of the vessel which is to starboard of the other to hold course and speed. (b) Two distinct blasts of the whistle shall mean: "I direct my course to port." (c) Three distinct blasts of the whistle shall mean: "My engines are going at full speed astern." (d) Four distinct blasts of the whistle shall mean: "I am in distress and need your assistance." (e) Five or more distinct blasts of the whistle shall constitute the "danger signal." (f) It shall be forbidden to use what has become technically known among pilots as "cross-signals"; that is answering one whistle with two, or two whistles with one. (g) When a vessel is under way in a fog, mist, falling snow, or heavy rain storm, it shall be the duty of the master to cause a long blast of the whistle to be sounded at intervals not exceeding one minute. When towing other vessels the long blast of the whistle shall be followed by two short blasts. Such vessel shall proceed at a moderate speed and with caution, having careful regard to the existing circumstances and conditions. (h) The master of a vessel, when at anchor during a fog, mist, falling snow or heavy rain storm, shall, at intervals of not more than one minute, ring a bell rapidly or sound other warning signals for about five seconds. 2. Positions. (a) When vessels are approaching each other "head and head," that is, end on or nearly so, it shall be the duty of each to pass on the port side of the other, and either vessel shall give, as a signal of her intention, one distinct blast on her whistle, which the other vessel shall answer promptly with one similar blast of her whistle. (b) When vessels are approaching each other and the courses of such vessels are so far to the starboard of each other as not to be considered to be meeting head on or nearly so, either vessel shall immediately give two distinct blasts of her whistle, which the other shall answer promptly with two similar blasts of her whistle, and they shall pass on the starboard side of each other. (c) When vessels are approaching each other at "right angles or obliquely" so as to involve risk of collision, the vessel which has the other on her own port side shall hold her course and speed, and shall so signify with one distinct blast of her whistle; and the vessel which has the other on her own starboard side shall keep out of the way of the other by directing her course to starboard so as to cross the stern of the other vessel, or, if necessary to do so, shall slacken her speed, or stop or reverse. (d) When vessels are running in the same direction and the vessel which is astern shall desire to pass on the starboard side of the vessel ahead, she shall give one distinct blast of her whistle as the signal of such desire, and if the vessel ahead answers with one similar blast of her whistle, she shall pass to the starboard; or if the vessel astern shall desire to pass on the port side of the vessel ahead, she shall give two distinct blasts of her whistle as a signal of such desire, and, if the vessel ahead answers with two similar blasts of the whistle, she shall pass to the port; but if the vessel ahead does not think it safe for the vessel astern to pass at that point, she shall immediately signify the same by giving five or more rapid blasts of her whistle (the danger signal), and under no circumstances shall the vessel astern attempt to pass the vessel ahead until such time as they have reached a point where it can be safely done, when said vessel ahead shall signify her willingness by blowing the proper signal, which shall be answered by the vessel astern. Neither vessel shall in any case attempt to cross the bow or to crowd upon the course of the other vessel. (e) If when vessels are approaching each other head and head, that is, end on or nearly so, (as per subdivision (a) and (b)) or crossing each other's courses, (as per subdivision (c)), or desire to pass each other (as per subdivision (d)), either vessel fails to understand the course or intention of the other, from any cause, the vessel so in doubt shall immediately signify the same by giving five or more rapid blasts of her whistle, (the danger signal), and both vessels shall immediately slow their speed, or stop or reverse, as required to avoid collision, until proper signals have been given, answered and understood, or until the vessels have passed each other. (f) When a mechanically propelled vessel shall meet a sailing vessel proceeding in such direction as to involve risk of collision, the sailing vessel shall have the right of way. It shall be incumbent on the master of the sailing vessel to keep a vigilant lookout and change her course, if necessary, to avoid any danger.

Since I qualified for Social Security, I wear a vest anytime I'm in a boat. There are laws that govern boating in New York State: Here is an excerpt: Navigation § 45. Reckless operation of a vessel; speed. 1. (a) Every master or operator of a vessel shall at all times navigate the same in a careful and prudent manner in such a way as not to unreasonably interfere with the free and proper use of the navigable waters of the state and all tidewaters bordering on or lying within the boundaries of Nassau and Suffolk counties or unreasonably endanger any vessel or person. Reckless operation is prohibited. Any person operating a vessel in violation of this subdivision shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable as set forth in section seventy-three-b of this article. (b) No person shall operate a vessel at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing. 1-a. No vessel other than the tending vessel shall be operated within one hundred feet of a red flag with a diagonal white bar which, when displayed on the water or from a boat, indicates underwater diving, or a designated course for racing shells but no such flag shall be placed so as to deny access or use of any boathouse, wharf, harbor, bay, channel or navigable waterway. 2. Except as provided in section forty-five-cc of this part, no vessel shall be operated within one hundred feet of the shore, a dock, pier, raft, float or an anchored or moored vessel at a speed exceeding five miles per hour, unless such vessel is being operated near such shore, dock, float, pier, raft, or anchored vessel for the purpose of enabling a person engaged in water skiing to take off or land. 3. The provisions of this section shall not apply to a vessel while actually competing in a regatta or boat race authorized under section thirty-four of this chapter. 4. The provisions of subdivision two above shall not apply to commercial vessels having a valid marine document issued by the United States or a foreign government. 5. The violation of any of the provisions of this section other than paragraph (a) of subdivision one of this section shall constitute a violation punishable as set forth in section seventy-three-c of this article.

"General take and possession A person may not fish for a species (even if immediately released) during the closed season for that species on a given water. Fish caught during the closed season must be unhooked and released immediately. They may not be handled for any other purpose. A person may not have in possession, or intentionally kill or injure fish other than the sizes specified and allowed for that species on a given water. A person may not possess, kill or unnecessarily injure fish in excess of the daily limit for that species. Any fish an angler catches and immediately releases uninjured will not be counted as part of the daily limit for that species. A person may continue to fish for a species while in possession of a daily limit for that species provided all fish of that species subsequently caught are immediately returned to the water. See below for special provisions made for largemouth and smallmouth bass. A single, uninjured largemouth bass or smallmouth bass that an angler is landing, measuring or in the process of releasing from a recirculating or aerated livewell, is not considered to be part of the daily limit. Any snakehead caught while angling cannot be released back into the water. They must be immediately euthanized and reported to DEC. Transportation Transportation of fish is permitted as follows: Fish caught in New York State No more than two days’ legal take of nonsalable fish may be transported unless a permit is obtained from a DEC Regional Office, or the fish are frozen, processed and packaged for storage. Smelt, suckers, alewives, and blueback herring taken by dip nets or angling, and suckers taken by spearing, may be transported overland by motorized vehicle for consumption purposes only. Once those species are transported away from the water body, they may not be transported back to any water body for use as bait. Salable fish may be transported in any number. Baitfish transportation regulations. Fish caught outside of New York State Fish caught outside of NY may be transported into New York in any manner, except parcel post, in the number that may be legally exported from the place of taking. " The fish in your cooler in your truck that you brought in from Ontario or wherever else are in your possession, but likely not processed and frozen, when you go back out to catch your NY fish. The Encon officer doesn't know, or care, where you caught them, because the regulation says "possess". You might make the argument if you return home and process and freeze each limit, but just because you took them off the boat and stored them in your vehicle does not mean you are not in possession of them. And if you launch from NYS to leave and catch the fish elsewhere, you might get flack on your return if Encon observed you with a limit prior to your out of state fish.

It's supposed to drop down to 9 by Tuesday night, get marginally warm Wednesday and Thursday, and then February is supposed to start the Arctic thing again, very cold into the weekend. And that is in Rachacha, its colder down in the hills.

Carbon Monoxide. We breathe out Carbon Dioxide, carbon monoxide is know for causing headaches at sub-lethal levels.

I always did better on 'gills if I found the drop-off from 8' to 12". A friend who used to fish Walleye and Crappie always fished even shallower for them.

Went over the bay bridge at 15:30, two shanties out south one out even with F+G, one south of that. Came back via Lake Road, no one out NE corner, but 4 guys with a snowmobile out there so looks OK. Stopped at the launch, large area of open water almost to the markers had re-frozen most of the way back in, but nothing north looks safe. except the NE corner. I would say spud anywhere you go, or follow the worn paths on the ice.