Capt Vince Pierleoni

I want to thank LOTSA members and everyone one who assisted them with the pens today. I missed being there this year. I hope the Cafora's buffet was awesome for all the helpers!

Good point Jimski. The 21inch minimum size on Steelhead is a prime example of that. It is a "feel good rule". DEC themselves said that it was a social issue, not much proof at all of it contributing to more returning Steelies to the tribs. The 3 biggest reasons for better returns to your favorite trib of mature Steelhead, in my opinion: 1) Good numbers of Salmon around--locations and tactics can vary greatly from Steelhead approaches. DEC census, and my own personal records testify to this. 2) Stocking practices, including the addition of penning Steelhead. Guys, there are just way more warm water predators and cormorants around than there were years ago. In fact, in some areas, we are actually stocking Walleye to increase their numbers. West coast fishery managers, our Lake Michigan friends, and most recently Lake Erie managers, have documented a connection between Walleye populations and poor returns of Steelhead. It is the single biggest reason why penning Salmon and trout got started in places like the St Joe river in Michigan, and the Columbia river on the west coast. 3) Cormorant control, or at least stocking in such a way as to lessen the losses to them. There have been many cases where entire plants were eradicated shortly after stocking by Cormorants. The disoriented yearlings are easy prey shortly after being dumped down a tube, sometimes into vastly different water temps. Thankfully, concerned anglers have helped in many ways by becoming involved. The baitfish subject is another very good point. The Niagara is currently experiencing a great smelt run. I know they try, but we don't have a very good handle on smelt numbers, or the incredible emerald shiner boom. These have been contributing mightily to our target species food source. Lastly, that 21inch Steelie minimum makes me crazy for two reasons. 1) Often, lake caught Steelies in that 21" and under range are the most vicious feeders out there. They have to be to get their share. Problem is, they gulp lures deeply, often getting the gills or tongue. They may swim away, but that spells death for them, and a wasted resource. Bothers me to have to return a mortally wounded fish, especially the exact ones that would be great table fare. I have several groups that will only harvest injured fish, and for the ones that want 'em all, we then will take a replacement of some kind that otherwise wouldn't have been taken if we were allowed to keep the one we should have. 2) We all know how important it is to introduce newbies to the fishery, and have our tourist anglers enjoy their experience. That size Steelie is very easy for them to mis-identify as a small Salmon. If they get a ticket for that, when they have only caught a couple fish, it could sour them on the whole deal. Heck, I even see Tourny competitors penalized or disqualified for not knowing their 20inch fish was a Steelie. You are right Jimski, sometimes knee-jerk actions for selfish reasons are counter-productive in the long run for all of us.

Guys, this is incomplete and should not be up yet. The people working on it are excited about what will come out, but thats not it.

Very nice Steelie!!! One of the things about trib fishing is incredible amounts of big fish can end up in very small water. Skilled anglers like yourself can have a "field day". Just a reminder, the gills area of any fish is the most fragile part they have. It is their lungs. Unless you are keeping them for the table or mounting, try to refrain from grabbing them inside the gills if you want 'em to return even bigger for you next time!

This is a common mistake made by newbies. If you shackle Bruce's hands with such a short outing, he will be limited to where he can go, and be in a rush to produce some action. He will have much more flexibility and time to show you things with at least a half-day trip, usually around 5 hrs. If after 3 hrs or so you've had enough and think you have learned enough, tell him so. People are often afraid to tell us to take them in. As long as Bruce gets his rate to justify the run to fish he will surely make, everyone will be happy. I have known Bruce a long, long time, and he is a fine choice in the Genesee area.

Day in, and day out, Raymarine makes great products and has great customer service. If you don't want to go that route, west marine is running in--store specials on their vhfs. They hold up well. Call the one nearest you, but I saw at least two left at the one on Niagara Falls Blvd( Amherst area). They were half-price.

Perhaps you have a trailer that needs some parts, or a damaged trailer. I have a Shoreland'r, combination roller/with front bunks. Has the winch, dolly, 2 good rims, 2 decent tires(one is flat). Frame is painted with some rust. Axle is broken. $200 or best offer. Trailer was originally for a 19-22' boat.

The original reason for designing the DW superslims, WAS for Steelheads. They are fantastic Steelhead producers, and with a little weight should produce just fine off your boards for you. They have many, many Steelhead colors. LaRocks in Newfane, and Slippery Sinker in Olcott have good selections. For online purchases, I'm sure DreamSteelie Pete @ GreatLakes tackle site has all the DW stuff. The NK C-5 is another great surface Steelie spoon, with or without weight. Don't limit yourself to just red with any of these, orange variations are solid producers.

Allen, there is always trade-offs. Lighter line usually means more strikes, but at a cost of lost tackle and fish. 6lb test is too light for trolling with stickbaits(floater/diver plugs) in my opinion. Spoons would be ok, because they have only one hook. The problem that arises, especially with spring Coho, is the rolling/thrashing trout and salmon get the line wrapped into the other hooks on the plugs. This often results in a break-off. I think 10lb. leader is as light as you can go and still not leave a bunch of fish swimming around with your lures. 10-15lb mainline, with slighty lighter leader, is a good compromise for Spring Browns in all but the Clearest of water conditions.

Thanks Dave, great lil' message to read Easter morning. Don't be a HATER. You have to have nerves of steel, and the stomach for livin' on the edge to hang with us. ALWAYS pack 25hrs into 24hr, even if it is a Tourny day! BTW, we made it to my daughters graduation with FIVE minutes to spare. You know what I said? "Damn, poor clock management, coulda fished longer!" Happy Easter to you and Jeannie, oh yeah, and Jessie. I have to get over there, she's probably missin' my pizza crusts.

If they end up making a deal on just the boat, please let them know I am interested in the trailer.

That last pic is absolutely an Atlantic. Nice catch guys.

River has been steady with drop-back and actively spawning Steelhead. The "bar" is a slow pick for "forkies" (Lakers). The water is cold, and there are bazillions of smelt there. The fish are gorged with multiple year classes. Olcott/Wilson can be good if you are not stuck with ultra-clear water on the shoreline. There is very little run-off. With the amount of smelt around the west end, we will soon have a Salmon explosion.

Thanks for the offer on the 68mph bass boat, Yankee Troller! I'm in the clear this year, as my son is only a Junior. 2011, however, is a whole 'nother story. May take you up on that, I could fish 2 more hours!

Happy Easter to all!

We are registered. See everyone there. Gonna hear Dex complain again how lousy the Tim Horton's donuts are compared to Dunkin' (they are). Is it me, or do the counter people move to their own pace over there? REMINDER--- Port Dahlousie deadline is April 12th, Wilson deadline is April 26th. Lets hope it's "Kingpalooza"!

We actually had quite a discussion about this at tues nights Niagara co. fishery advisory board meeting. Seems there is little connection between Steelhead stocking sites and where they return to. Steelhead will always be attracted to flow, particularly the natural kind by rain or snow melt. Many Steelhead observers noted that their favorite streams had runs even prior to ever being stocked. It was the opinion of many at the meeting, that future Steelhead stocking in the county should take place where the survival would be best. Some current sites require high, stunning drops over a guardrail, into a small stream that will soon dry up and leave the yearlings high n dry. Better they survive than become bird or walleye food. The streams that will get the runs will get the runs, and the only way to improve that is to get more to survive in the first place. Now, a stream that has natural repro would be a whole another matter.

Sold-- pending payment. Thank you. Don, I will call you this morning.

Above avg condition, not only does it float a person it drastically slows the onset of hypothermia. Very warm also. Great for cold weather boating or ice fishing. Sells new for over $400, first $100 takes it.

If I remember, you bought a bridge boat. that will help immensely in seeing the logs early. Still, much easier on a calm day. Even a slight chop will hide some of them.

Tony and Dave at LaRocks outdoors in Newfane have been special ordering stuff for guys all winter, give them a shot. 716-778--0068 (10am--5pm) . I can appreciate wanting to replace with the exact same hook, but I have bumped that hook up a size or two because of the twisting Cohos we get here. Similar sized round bend Gammies will hold up well too.

Judging by the amount of phone calls I've been getting asking about the event, should be one heck of a field!

Always tons of wood down west this time of year. I've been watching it drift down the Niagara all winter. Now, to top it off, there seems to be a burgeoning population of beavers working in devils hole. There are several large trees one bite away from toppling into the river and ending up out in the "blue zone". May want to wait for a perfectly calm day to make the run, just for the added visibility. What did you end up with for a new rig, and where are you having it shipped in from? Please rally the troops over there and keep the pollution in the form of windmills out of your side of our Great Lake!

Legacy is right, the orange/silver was a standby. If they still make gold ones, definitely try those. Also, with all the smelt reports we are hearing try some crocodiles if you have some. That hard mudline you are referring to will be great for Cohos when they show up. Out at the end of the piers at the Genny, play the wind. If you go to the Charlotte pier on a Nor' Easter (which we have here in Olcott) you will be buried in mud if the river is running muddy. You will have to burn a few more calories and go to the Summerville pier to catch that edge(mudline). Stop n go and pumping retrieves will produce with the spoons. You are bringing back alot of good memories. Spent many days riding bikes to those piers and casting our arms off! Good Luck, don't forget safety when trying to net off those high piers. The buddy system is a good idea.