chinook

Thanks especially to Capt Bob Songin and many others for this undertaking that has only enhanced our world class fishery. As Jerry stated however, this dilemna will face other sites that currently have been penrearing in the past. So if you can get involved either financially or hands on, wherever you choose to fish, please get involved. I have tried to give each year since the inception at the Oak, since distance often limilts me to do hands on, as much as I'd like. We have all benefitted from these projects, no matter where they are located on the lake.

Mick, the boat's blue, fish out of the Oak and you work at the B.N.I. A take off from Blue Oyster Cult. "Blue Oak Cut"

Rich D., I am thouroughly convinced that it puts extra fish in the box, in putting lures in the cooler . I like to put especially my flasher/cut bait rigs on top and in the mix of a catch for it leaves a film of slime( on flasher and bait head) that I feel puts things in your favor. I put several of my friends onto this some years ago, and now they too are believers as well.

I have been fishing the great lakes for 28 years now. Mainly Ontario along with Erie. Reason being, it provides great "recreation",along with solitude and a sense of accomplishment after having a decent day. Irregardless, the time spent with friends and family on these outings, are memories to be treasured a lifetime, whether a good day numbers wise, or days when fish are tough to come by. I do it for also for relaxation and to get away from some of lifes' hassles that we all face. My point being, that is one reason why I elect to participate in some, but not all of these derbies. No matter what the outcome, there will always be suspicion by some as to the results. As far as the L.O.C and the Orleans and others, where the big fish for the most part take honors, that is where I concentrate with my time off. Not to say that there is suspicion with these. For there has been in the past. It just seems like these Pro-Am's be it on Ontario, Michigan,( as mentioned on the G.L.A. site) are somehow surrounded with controversy. However, I do know that they provide a great format to learn and share info. So whether you fish these or not, is of ones' choosing. Best of luck to those who choose to do so.

Hank, the reason I use the bands or release is mainly once a desired length is established, these will keep line creepage to a minimum especially on those days that are rather rough. I also back my drags off to the point that eventually the band either breaks or the release lets go. Also, I have a couple of the first Takotas' that were known to allow for line creepage. As far as using either mono for flouro, I think that is really a wash. My preferance is mono, but flouro would work as well if one steers clear of Vanish. A premium line such as Seaquar, is what I mainly use for my sliders, whether it be fixed or free. Again, I agree. To those who feel snubbers are necessary. Go for it. I can only say that having used them for many years, I have found them to be really not needed.

Hank, I'm with you. Used them until several years back. I pretty much go with the 40 mono, and eliminated the snubber. I've since used them with backing off the drags (Tekotas) and either using rubber bands or an Offshore release off the rod eyelet as described by Tim Bromund to eliminate line creepage.

Yankee, thanks for the heads up. May have to give it a try this year. I always figured the thermocline to set up around the first of July, give or take on a normal year,with the fleas shortly to follow. However, with the mild winter we are experiencing, we may see a thermocline develop in early to mid June. Obviously that is subject to change if the weather tails off dramaticlly. As far as fishing deeper, that will be left to how many hard N.W. winds we see once the lake sets up. Where have you been purchasing the Mean Green from?

Bill, just an educated guess, is that I feel that the mild winter could only enhance the fishery in and of itself. The fish would be more aggresive,thus putting on more body weight. One would guess that since the temps are not to the point of creating much ice in Erie, that the spring fishing as we know it at the bar may in fact more diverse along the southern shore line at an accelerated pace this spring, which I feel benefits almost all. However, the fact that the lake may not approach those of a standard winter, may also enhance the proliferation of the fleas much earlier than in the past, such as around early to mid June. Time will tell, but I think we should have another phenominal fishery this year.

Chris, you are going to get a lot of different responses to this, so I'll give you just a few to start with. First, your braided line will have to go around the end of June for the fleas will load up terribly with them. So invest in some 30# mono, I like big game,but there are others that will do fine. As far as spoons, N.K's, Mullato's, glow frogs, purple thunder ( both silver and gold cup), green thunder( 42 second spoon taped) Black/silver( spook and laser spook) N.B.K.'s in N.K or Silver Streak. Billly V's Habanero should be in one's arsenol as well. Flashers- spin doctors' white on white, mountain dew, green on black, 8 inch e- chips, green, silver, pulling A-tom-mik hammer flies among others. Cutbait rigs- white, pearl fishscale Coyotes pulling glow frog heads. Don't disregard your smaller spoons for walleyes, they can be deadly for kings as a free or fixed slider. One of my best slider spoons is a mini black magic. Taken a lot of kings with this one. Best of luck in your venture.

Just throwing this out for thought. As far as a fund raiser for the pen rearing project, how about a derby for the members of this board with the greater portion of entry fees going back into the fishery via the penrearing. Since there is now a spring, summer and fall L.O.C. all fish could be somewhat confirmed by weight, although the heaviest king would come undoubtedly in the fall L.O.C. Mainly this would be a donation for those of us who fish, but could give bragging rights (trophy) for a year to a winner in any of the 3 events. It could be lake wide, but all would have to be entered in the L.O.C. for confirmation. I currently support the Oak Orchard penrearing project but would be glad to support others as well. Any other ideas?

Fishstix, we have tried to run a fixed cheater off a wire line dipsey before, with mixed results. One problem I can see if you pin a splitshot on your wire is how are you going to clear it once you need to remove it for it won't go thru the eyelets of you fishing rod. Also, I don't like the idea of putting any extra kinks in my wire line. They seem to happen enough on their own. If you are wanting to pin something why not try a snap weight (small offshore release) instead, for it would be much easier to clear. As I stated, we have taken fish using a fixed cheater, but we usually just half hitched a rubber band app. 15 feet above diver, with a 6 foot lead using a spoon of preference. But in all honesty, the wires are usually hot enough that the extra line is sometimes not needed, but when things do dry up, it does provide that extra line for a "bonus" fish. Good luck trying to tweek your method.

When we are derby fishing, everyone knows and has agreed to the following terms. In the event of anything over $500, the boat gets 10% and actual fisherperson who reeled in the fish gets 60% and the remainder of 30% gets split between the last 2 if a crew of 3 are fishing, for a total of 15% each. I'm on the side that the boat is entitled to a cut for the owner is providing the means to actually partake in the derby itself. However, it is a team event putting a derby fish on board, steering the boat, clearing the lines, netting the fish, etc -thus the format we have adopted. The actual "winner " gets stuck paying the lions' share of taxes, so his take should be higher than those who are a witness. Anything under $500, and the winner takes full share. Been using this for over 20 years and has worked well for us. There has been plenty of lost frienships due to not having a format in place to begin with. Let those know up front what is expected. Saves alot of misunderstanding in the end.

Steve and Mark, again many thanks for your patience in this matter. It is much appreciated by those of us who use this site. May you both be blessed with 30# plus kings this coming season