Reel Doc

That is not always true. I didnt have to worry about ID for this one as after winning a lengthy battle I knew regardless of species, it was plenty big enough to go in the box!

Saw this group someone posted that they caught in one of the creeks on the South end last week. Not nearly as dark as Stingers, but same hook jaws.

Never looked at Browns during spawn. I assume the color change is typical?

That is one dark landlocked. How deep was he, or more appropriate question, how far from the creek mouth was he?

It has to be a sight to see right now. Do the landlocks run up there too? I couldn't find a silver fish trolling today so most must be moving into shallow water. Worked the same area (80-200 fow) as last week on the West side South of Sheldrake. Screen showed significantly fewer fish despite bait pods. Picked up only 1 just before reaching Taughannock. Worked North on the East side and found 4 more. All lake trout, some looked about to burst as bloated with eggs. 3 took flies on dipsey close to the bottom in 100-130fow. Other 2 took spoons when ball bouncing. Next few weeks might make for some challenging fishing while spawning is on.

That's a beauty. Does your dog work the net??

Agreed, but.....anytime of year is a great time to be out there!

Got after it again yesterday. Very frosty morning to start but the fishing warmed me up quickly. Dipseys carrying Flasher/fly rigs again dominated the action with several heavily egg laden lake trout females topping 30 inches. Downriggers were less active, though a good rainbow took a sliding cheater. Just a beautiful morning out there and glad to get out as the South wind looks to be making a bigger chop on the water this morning.

Speaking of pumpkins, how was your harvest Whaler?!

DEC should pay you a little bounty for every 1 you get. Seems like you are doing a little damage to lamprey numbers singlehandedly

Catch 22 if the lampricide kills some of the game fish they are trying to protect.

I read the history of lampreys and how they destroyed the lake trout fishery on the Great Lakes last century. How did multiple states and Canada get things righted around all those years ago and how are the Great lakes now? It seems few on this site comment on lamprey or marks on fish caught in Ontario. This Spring was my first chasing Browns there and I only saw one lamprey mark.... On a smallmouth, not a trout. Another ?....any other Finger Lakes have lamprey problems?

Good question on the rainbows being deep. On Cayuga yesterday and 2 weeks ago took rainbows on spoons and flies down 75 to 90 feet in 100-200 fow. I also noted very little on the screen from the surface down to 50 feet, so perhaps the fish are just following the bait. Maybe others can chime in on if this can be a Fall pattern.

Wow. Do you think it's the vibration that attracts them? Not too smart if they hang on long enough to get chopped. Sure hope treatment next Spring knocks the numbers down

A real treat to be out on the water this morning as light winds, moderate temps, and foliage starting to show some brilliant colors. The only negative for the morning was the lack of a spectacular sunrise but we have had a bunch of great ones recently.....super moon rises this week too. Left Deans before sunup and ran South past Sheldrake to get set up. Hadn't set the second rigger when the first fired with a stout Laker. Had another quick strike soon after setting the dipsey pulling a flasher and fly. Another solid laker was on the line. Things went quiet for a stretch, then kept a steady pick of fish, 2 on dypsey for each 1 on the rigger. All lake trout plus 1 rainbow that took a fly and a nice dinner for 2 sized landlock that hammered a spoon off the rigger. Big fish of the morning was this Laker that tipped the scale at 9 lbs. Just a great morning to relax and enjoy the lake with all it has to offer.

I loved that idea but the crew all backed out of an evening or early morning troll. Certainly loads of weedline here to make great predator fish cover.

Good for you to hang in until the fish turned on. You had a beautiful day to be out there.

Can you tell I'm not a bass guy? Any particular style/ color for immitation or use live bait?

"Drop Shot"? Please help me out on what that means. Have to look at topography map and guess on depth as no electronics on the pontoon

"Drop Shot"? Please help me out on what that means. Have to look at topography map and guess on depth as no electronics on the pontoon

Tomorrow we are headed to visit family at the South end of Conesus lake. I've never been on that lake before. Since I like to fish, the crew is expecting me to show them how to catch something. Brother-in-law has a pontoon boat but no gear to speak of. Any thoughts on some options would be appreciated.

So sad to see such a severe infestation of lamprey. Hope more aggressive treatment happens on Seneca soon.

A couple weeks since my last trip and boy what a difference in the weather. Was wishing Chowder was around with his little boat as that thing can keep you warm in the dead of Winter, (Note he's posted it for sale in the Classifieds) Went South out of Deans and for the first couple hours the fish were as cold as I was. Almost drained my coffee when the sun came out and game on. Silvers took the rigger spoons down around 60 and the Lakers went for flies on the dipsey down around 100. About to pick up about 11 when a decent rainbow hit a spoon doubled up with the biggest laker of the day at a bit over 28". No pics of the biggest ones as already had enough in the cooler for a few meals so quick releases at that point in the day. Still great fishing out there but I for one am hoping for a long Indian Summer.