Reel Doc

Thats a stout fish!!

I give all who fished some props as Cayuga did not look fisherman friendly this weekend.

I think his secret weapon is in that pill vial in the lower right hand corner of that pic.....

That one looks like a dandy. Good way to close down your year. Sorry you had to battle the waves. I was feeling sorry for the tournament guys as from our house up on the hill it looked to be a bouncy ride on the water all day long.

The color of buildup yesterday was different.... More brownish and much more difficult to remove. I think you are on to it that different flea type was causing the troubles. I guess from now on I'll bring a microscope along for definitive flea ID!!

I was out this morning and I agree, the most stubborn fleas I've ever dealt with. They even gummed up my rigger setups that are rigged with the Cortland line Co 30 lb test Flea Flicker. I'm wondering if this flea strain is resistant to the line as typically my rigger rods don't see much buildup. Last week minimal fleas and this morning not bad until 8-8:30 then they started gobbing onto everything. It was the only frustration on a great day for fishing. Found some good sized Silvers down 50-60 that went for spoons off riggers. The lake trout were all about flies on the dipseys 80-100 down. Anyone else find fish?

I think your catch has mine beat by an inch or 2! I felt obligated to release it as clearly it was snagged on the top of the head!

Beautiful mix of fish

Definitely. When I had 6 teens and the dog on board a few weeks ago it was a blast. My son stayed up in the bow while the other 5 learned how to troll for the first time. They took it seriously, set the riggers and dipseys, and when the fish cooperated all but 1 managed to boat a fish. Most struggled with grip on the rods as their previous experience amounted to panfishing with push button reels! Wish I had a video when a dipsey rod fired, and one kid grabbed the reel and 2 others were hoisting up the rod for the entire reel in. It was comical to say the least, but they managed to get the fish in the net! Had to get a pic of the fella with the laker as last night it was his first lake trout catch!!

Beautiful weather so on the water Saturday and Sunday morning running solo then Sunday evening with my son and some old high school buddies. The pattern mid-lake seems to be changing a bit from the past few weeks so new challenges to search and entice some fish. Saturday had heavy boat traffic on the West side which really built up closer to Sheldrake. Slow picking primarily with spoons on the riggers. Picked up Lakers and a teen sized rainbow. Lost the fish of the day in a landlocked that was at the back of the boat until the net minder, (me), rather than net the fish, managed to knock the spoon out of his mouth with the edge of the net. This morning greeted with a beautiful sunrise and very little boat traffic. Cruised North out of Deans and dipsey action came early highlighted by the fish pictured as it fought like very few lakiers do. From hit to the net and all 200 feet in between this fish was a tiger. Expected to see a Landlocked or Brown when it finally came up behind the boat. Opposite of Saturday as 90% dipsey bite. This afternoon after swimming and wake boarding the boys wanted to fish for an hour. They went 1 for 2 and like the am, dipsey hits. Unfortunately the one who lost the fish was the only one of 6 teens who dropped a fish a few weeks back when the whole crew did a quick evening troll and managed to boat a nice mix of Lakers, landlocks and a rainbow . Nice to know the next generation knows how to give each other some lighthearted abuse for failures. All great stuff and a great weekend.

Fall on Cayuga the larger spawning Lake trout start to migrate South from the middle of the lake. You can still catch lakers North of Sheldrake but the majority are in the 2-4 pound range, great to eat or smoke. In Fall, the fish that are spawning will be hit or miss depending on pre or post spawn. You can be the bear and catch some horses and the next day get bit by the bear. Many of us shut down significantly in October/November as the tricky fishing and OBTW, Bow/Gun seasons for some turf to add to our surf. Ive heard of rainbow runs around some tributaries in the Fall but never specifically chased them so hopefully others will chime in. December post spawn fish will be actively feeding but with water temps down could be anywhere in the lake. Tough to find but where congregated you can do well. Depending on weather and water temps, significant numbers of silvers will be in shallow from early Winter until Spring. But, it seems every year is a little different. If weather allows, put on your pfd and give it a go any month from October through March

Interesting. Has there been any reports of successful reproduction in the wild on any stocked Finger lakes? It could really change the fish population in great ways.

After all the slinging on this thread about boats kissing I find it hilarious that you made those shirts! Lets all try to relax and stay safe out there!

Which lake will you fish and which type of trout are you targeting?

Wow. What a fish.