bridget

We had a great club at Sodus Point in the late 70's and 80's;, the Sodus Point Deep Trollers. Quite a few member have Charters Captains for years now. While the goal was to support the upcoming fishery, we had a lot of fun and learned a lot. We worked a lot with the Rochester Trout and Salmon Anglers and had yearly fish off and picnic. Also had an annual winter dinner and auction. It was so popular we had a one time to limit member ship, but when the fishery got going and many got into chartering it faded away. We used to meet a the Sodus Bay Sportsman Club on Geneva Road. Having a place to meet and functions was a big factor. I think there might be enough interest?

Two guys from work wanted to go out for a few hours in the A.M. so Bridget stayed at camp and a met them a the launch at 6:00 A.M.. Some breeze from the SE. Set up in 50 FOW right out front. Angled out NE and while setting lines screen looked fairly good in the 70 to 80 foot area. Not a lot of boats out yet but unfortunately got forced out a little deeper and with the breeze were soon out to over 100 FOW before we got turned around and the screen looked bleak. Finally got back to 75 to 80 and headed east and screen soon started to look good again. DR down 75 took off with a glow flasher fly and managed a king about 18 lbs.Unfortunately again by the time we landed the fish with the breeze were in about 95. Turned around and got set back up and as soon as we got back to 75 to 80 the 250 Copper with a glow J-Plug took off. Landed a 22 lb. king. Just got the copper back out and it took off again with a violent shot and started ripping line. Handed it over to my co-worker but after less than a minute it was off. Turned around and headed back through the 75 -80 stretch and soon had another screamer on the Dipsey out 210 with glow SD and fly. My co-workers had never caught a Salmon and were amazed when it was our 500 ft. Finally got it in, about 20 lbs.Unfortunately they had a two hour drive back to work and needed to get back to work after lunch, with fish cleaning in between. They were bummed somewhat with the great screen when we picked up lines. I went back to camp and Bridget and I went back out about 4:30. Set up by the Water Works in about 80 FOW and headed east. Screen not as good as in the A.M. but not to bad. Never got a hit until we got back close to the pier and actually found a little better screen in 85 to 95. A king a little over 20 on the Dipsey out 185 with glow SD and fly. Only about a dozen boats out but everyone in the same area - saw others with fish on. Got back set up and soon took another 20 lb + Salmon with a glow green SD/fly on the DR 75 foot down. Boat traffic was wild with fish on and boats going at crazy angles. Bridget had enough of combat fishing so we never put lines back in and headed in the BNI for dinner. I had to work on Friday and came back up Friday night. Sat at camp Friday night and watched an awesome lightning storm over the lake, that soon reached the camp. We decided to pack up Saturday A.M.and head home.Lake wasn't quite as bad as I thought it would be when we got up, but by the time we pulled out of lakeside it was capping. There seemed to be more silvers than brown salmon in the mix. Could be a a week or two of good fishing out there we thing????

Headed out at dawn on Saturday with a pretty good southerly breeze, but waves not bad. Nice looking screen as soon as we set up in about 100 FOW - 60 to 80 ft down. Had the first rip on the bloody nose glow 70 ft down before getting the second rigger down, but after a rip - gone. Got both riggers down, but before I could get the divers out the bloody nose took off again. This time got her in, about 20 lbs. Best screen during the A.M. was 100 to 120 FOW but kept getting blown out by the wind or forced out by the boats. Limited out by 10:00 A.M., threw some skippers back. Best was 26 lbs. 1 Brown Trout in the mix. SD with glow flies did the best, but spoons not far behind. Nice box of fish. Got three or four on the divers. Matures were a mix of silver and brown. Gave Bridget a break on Sunday after her had work on Saturday and had brunch at Tillmans Village Inn. Very nice brunch and very reasonable. Took a drive to Cabela's in Buffalo. Not bad, but the smallest of the three I've been tbo. Finished the day at Batavia with dinner a Alex's. Great ribs. b Monday the lake was basically clam, which was enjoyable and made hauling the fish in easier, but the bite was down a little. At 65 to 75 FOW out front the screen looked awesome for the first three hours. Boated the first after about 15 minutes, 55 foot down over 65 on the DR with Glow white with green dots with glow fly. 30 minutes later got one with the green / glow flasher with glow fly, 60 / 70 FOW. Never got another DR hit, got two more on the divers (165 and 180 back) with SD and Glow files. All four matures, largest 24 lbs. Three silvers, on kind of dusky, all over 20. We saw quite a few fish on in the early A.M.. At about 10 the screen didn't look so good and boats spread out. We decided to pack it in. Coming in we stopped at the angler survey boats. All four had wires in the snout. Best box they checked yet in the A.M.. Boat next to us coming in at the launch had 1 steelhead caught in 100 FOW. Not sure where they were from, but they were delighted to take our fish for the smoker. Left the boat at lakeside and Bridget is stating for the week in the camper. If I can swing it, plan to come back up Wednesday night through the weekend. I hope we don't get a lot of wind or rain in between. Right now things are set up good.

A friend of mine had a camp in Redfield that he sold for ~ 50K about 8 years ago. We had thoughts on purchasing but decided not to. We decided to get a camper, and it works out well, since I pull the boat and Bridget pulls the camper. Overall we have had more consistent LO fishing at Oak Orchard and Sandy Creek (Hamlin) area over the course of the season. We also like taking trips to the Finger Lakes and Black Lake. We usually camp at Selkirk Shores at least once in late August or early September and fish Mexico Bay, Oswego or in front of the river depending on whats happening. I have the luxury however of hunting from camps up north at Lake Pleasant and down south at Alfred. The guys camp at Redfield was next to state land so that was a plus. Having your own camp also is nice if you just want to drive up without pulling anything and relax (that's basically what my friend did)/ Good Luck.

Left the driveway a little after 5 with some indecision on whether to hit the big lake or Seneca. With a the prospect of calm seas decided go to Hughes. Heard the weeds in Seneca were an issue. Based on reports we motored out 180, pointed her north and set rods. Some bait pods from 60 to 120, but not many fish or anything to get excited about. Radio traffic was sparse, which is never a good sign. By the time we hit 250 things were not looking good, so we decided to head in to maybe 100 and see if the screen looked a little better. Things looked a little better at 170 and at 160 the 250 dipsey took off. Just about the time that fish slowed down the 95 DR started screaming and we thought we were into a mess with crossing lines. Decided to put both rods in the holders and clear the other 4 rods.Good decision. Once the other rods were cleared we put it in neutral and each played a salmon. First to come to the net was a 15 - 20 Kings. A moment after getting that one on the deck the other was ready, and a nice one about 25. We thought we had things figured out and couldn't wait to get the rods back out and go back over the honey hole. Saw another boat net one about where we got ours and we figured it was going to be a productive day? Wrong. Ran into some larger bait pods from 130 to 150, but never had another hit or saw another boat hook up. Packed it in about 11. Cleaning the fish, couldn't tell what was in the smaller king. The larger one had what could be identified as two smelt. Did see a fair amount of bait, but not many hooks.At least it was a beautiful day to be out and we came back with two nice fish, the only two hits we had. We didn't notice much current to deal with. A few fleas did show up on the wire dipseys.

After a week of pan fishing at Black Lake we were anxious to get back to some trout and salmon. With LO reports not sounding to promising decided to try Seneca for the first time since the derby. Launched at the Geneva launch and headed out.Very few boats out and a pretty good south wind.Set down in about 60 FOW and took a look at screen, which was loaded from about 25 ft to bottom. Skipped taking a temperature in view of wind and the promising screen. Set up 3 DR at 45, 55 and 60 with a Copper at ~ 50 and two Dipsey at ~ 40 and 50. Got past the pump house with out a hit and noticed some marks a little deeper so set a DR at 70. Angled across the lake to belhurst where three other boats were working without a hit. Screen looked great, but nothing going on. Went back across to high banks where much more bait started to show up and we saw what looked like a couple trout breaking the surface, although the surface temperature was 69F. Was in the process of putting out a board for a lead core and the 45 DR went off with sliver doing multiple jumps behind the boat, which ended up to be 3 to 4 lb bow. Pulled the 70 ft rigger and but out a 5 color lead core off the board. Screen continued to look great but as we got a mile past high banks. Made a turn to go back and 45 ft Dipsey took off, on it was a very nice 8 lb bow. Changed the 5 color to 10 and made out way back north.Screen did not look near as good, although we were zig - zagging through the previous GPS line.A lot of weeds started to show up, but manageable, along with the following seas as well. Got to the pump house about 9:30 without another hit so decided to pull and go home for some much needed lawn work. Saw only one other boat out at that point. Surprised not to take a laker? I think the temperature was changing rapidly? The last boat we saw out there came in as we were going out. They didn't have a hit. Last week the limited near the surface on lakers. Oh well, I think all over things will sort out as the TC sets up. Thursday we are off for camping and fishing at Hamlin / Sandy Creek.

Most of the resident retired guys at McClears fish plastic and bounce around using their electric trolling motors which is a good plan. I have an ETM on the boat but don't use it to much with my 18.5 Lund set up. May use it more next time up?. One of the residents came in the Friday I left when I was cleaning my fish and had about a dozen or so bluegill but only one crappie. I probably caught over three dozen that A.M.. He was fishing in closer than me. I think that's probably where they had been catching them earlier during the spawn? I like to drift my self and throw out the anchor when I start catching crappie. Of course you are at the mercy of the wind with that game plan. I did fish the shoal north of raspberry - I have it on my GPS but its kind of hard to locate even with that. South of Tin is pretty weed cluttered even now. I'm definitely just learning the lake and have much to learn - but enjoy it very much. Just getting to the point of making friends with some of the resident folks at McClear's. Overall a great bunch of folks, but like anywhere else, some don't immediately share their "secrets" with the short timers. The perception I have at this point is that bobber / jig plan is the way to go early in the season, but post spawn may be different. I do want to try the bobber / jig technique at night using floating lights in August. Thanks for the tips.

We use wire and and crimp on a fairly large Sampo Swivel to attach the Dipsey. Seems to work well, but it you get a kink in the wire, STOP and cut it out. Kinks immediately. Losing a Dipsey, Spin Doctor, Fly and Snubber adds up, let alone if its after a nice rip on a King.

We wanted to share our week at Black Lake. 6/14 Saturday Launched at the State Launch and headed to McClears. White Caps on the lake. It's interesting to launch a relatively fairly large boat by Black Lake standards (18.5) with the water level. down, and the wind up. Bring a long rope or have someone in the boat to motor out. After dinner out on Saturday the lake laid down and the rain stopped so we went out by Tin Island with some left over worms and jig heads. Was out for about an hour and half before the bait ran out and sun went down; the fishing was constant action. The two of us kept about 60 fish, mainly bluegill and perch. Fished in about 12 FOW. Sunday we went out stocked with minnows and set up in the same area just a little deeper (15 FOW). Action was a little slower, but this time many more crappie, and also landed (after a battle) a nice northern pike. Fished Raspberry Island as well and did better on crappie there. Ended up with 40-50 keepers. For the rest of week, fished solo for the most part, mornings and afternoon, and focused more on the crappies off Raspberry in anywhere from 10 to 19 FOW. Fishing shallower caught more perch and bluegill, deeper crappie.Lost count on the number of crappie caught, several doubles on the dual crappie/perch rigs. Crappie at Black Lake have to be 9". As has been the case in the two years I've fished there, the majority of crappie are from 8.5 to 9 ". Not many smaller, and it's typically 3 or 4 throw backs for a keeper, and maybe 1 out of 10 is a nice slab. Relative to Perch, 5 out of 10 are not worth keeping. Maybe one out 10 is what I would consider to be a nice one. 2 out of 3 Bluegills were decent. Caught and released 3 nice Large Mouth Bass. We fish mainly for Trout and Salmon on LO and the FL. I like the change of pace however and relaxation of going out on Black Lake and the constant action on the good eating pan fish. I don't think there was a 5 minute period at any time I didn't have a bite or fish on. Only negative, if you call it that, I would say was the amount of bait I went through, weeding through the small fish. I would buy 5 to 8 perch minnows on each outing and fish until I ran out of bait. Most of the full time guys at McClears fish strictly with plastic, but for us short timers it's hard to resist the constant action of live bait. I did dangle out a jig every now and them and caught fish, but most of time couldn't keep up with it with the constant action on the bait. If you want action,diversity, and to fill your freezer I would highly recommend giving Black Lake a try. We are going up again in early August, which I'm sure will bring the algae bloom, but based on last year, still a lot of action. May try night fishing with lights for crappie and maybe some night walleye trolling???????????

We wanted to share our week at Black Lake. 6/14 Saturday Launched at the State Launch and headed to McClears. White Caps on the lake. It's interesting to launch a relatively fairly large boat by Black Lake standards (18.5) with the water level. down, and the wind up. Bring a long rope or have someone in the boat to motor out. After dinner out on Saturday the lake laid down and the rain stopped so we went out by Tin Island with some left over worms and jig heads. Was out for about an hour and half before the bait ran out and sun went down; the fishing was constant action. The two of us kept about 60 fish, mainly bluegill and perch. Fished in about 12 FOW. Sunday we went out stocked with minnows and set up in the same area just a little deeper (15 FOW). Action was a little slower, but this time many more crappie, and also landed (after a battle) a nice northern pike. Fished Raspberry Island as well and did better on crappie there. Ended up with 40-50 keepers. For the rest of week, fished solo for the most part, mornings and afternoon, and focused more on the crappies off Raspberry in anywhere from 10 to 19 FOW. Fishing shallower caught more perch and bluegill, deeper crappie.Lost count on the number of crappie caught, several doubles on the dual crappie/perch rigs. Crappie at Black Lake have to be 9". As has been the case in the two years I've fished there, the majority of crappie are from 8.5 to 9 ". Not many smaller, and it's typically 3 or 4 throw backs for a keeper, and maybe 1 out of 10 is a nice slab. Relative to Perch, 5 out of 10 are not worth keeping. Maybe one out 10 is what I would consider to be a nice one. 2 out of 3 Bluegills were decent. Caught and released 3 nice Large Mouth Bass. We fish mainly for Trout and Salmon on LO and the FL. I like the change of pace however and relaxation of going out on Black Lake and the constant action on the good eating pan fish. I don't think there was a 5 minute period at any time I didn't have a bite or fish on. Only negative, if you call it that, I would say was the amount of bait I went through, weeding through the small fish. I would buy 5 to 8 perch minnows on each outing and fish until I ran out of bait. Most of the full time guys at McClears fish strictly with plastic, but for us short timers it's hard to resist the constant action of live bait. I did dangle out a jig every now and them and caught fish, but most of time couldn't keep up with it with the constant action on the bait. If you want action,diversity, and to fill your freezer I would highly recommend giving Black Lake a try. We are going up again in early August, which I'm sure will bring the algae bloom, but based on last year, still a lot of action. May try night fishing with lights for crappie and maybe some night walleye trolling???????????

For the last few year we have enjoyed RR live reports and above that some great tips on gear and fishing techniques. Thought maybe RR was getting a late start and fishing the Hudson for Strippers? Hope things are going well and you will be back with insightful reports. While enviously some days at work seeing your reports, couldn't wait to see them.

Glad that the 6/7 post helped. As I said, I'm impressed about the renovations. In the late 70's and early 80's I used to trailer and launch there from time to time. After a decade + gap when I returned there things looked pretty run down from what I remember, but that is radically changing. As much as the Off Shore fishing has been good, back in the day this time of year we used to hammer the football browns in 30 to 40 FOW off the points on small spoons like Andy Reekers (anyone remember those?) Not sure if they are still there with the changing dynamics of things, but I'd like to try again some morning before heading off shore.

Sorry to get back to this string after a few day off line. I'm wondering if you Hughes guys remember my Garlock co-worker Duane Cowles? Me and Duane worked in different departments at different shifts so I didn't see him that much. Back in the 80's when I docked at Arnery's and CB's were in vouge we used to talk a lot. When I got a boat a could trailer 3 years ago I launched at Hughes for the first time in 15 years and ran into Duane who I found had just got the same boat as mine, a Lund Angler (His was Red). In the late summer before he passed away I ran into him when we were coming in and we had a long chat about fishing and Garlock. Duane was a nice guy and a great fisherman (RIP). When we were out Saturday I thought I see his red lund motoring out.

While we live fairly close by, we normally fish Sandy Creek and the Oak, While Sodus is closer I hate launching at the Geneva Road. Launch. It's usually busy this time of year and you have to cut across the road to park. Used to slip at Arney's but that was with my Penn Yan years ago. Launch at Hughes is deep and the docks are new with improvements. Does cost $10 but it's easy, no wait and parking it right there. I'm impressed with all the improvements there.

Started out in front in about 130 FOW. Slow break at about 150 and a lot of trash. Picked up a small king on the copper out 200 foot down the chute. Headed NE and got a screamer on the wire dipsy set at 110. Nice 20 lb. class king on the glow SD. Continued East in the 160 to 180 depth and picked up a 10 lb plus laker on the other wire dipsy set at 140 on a glow green dot SD. Ran into more boat traffic heading out from Sodus and picked up a 10 lb plus Rainbow, 35 down on the DR. Continued on and got another laker on dipsy glow green at 110. Just put down a big Orange and Silver Flasher and green Fly at 50 on the DR, and it fires right away with another 20 lb class king. Things slowed down so we turned around on headed NW. Picked another RT on the 140 Dipsy. Double up with RT (DR and Dipsy) at 250 with the coldest water found - 43F, some trash. Wind picked up at about 11:00 so we headed back in and landed another small king while clearing lines. All and all pretty good day. Switching the boat over today for a week of crappie and perch fishing at Black Lake - leaving next Saturday. By the time we get back, maybe a thermocline will be set up?? For anyone who hasn't been to Hughes lately, its remarkable to see the improvements - looking good. Things were getting run down a few years back - very impressive I think. Ran two 5 color lead cores off the boards with nothing show for it. Not much bait on the screen, what there was down in the 80 foot range. Ran a DR down there for while with no actiion so moved it up to 50.

I can't give you any current info because haven't had the chance to get out yet this year. Maybe Sunday?. For the last few years we have done the best out from Third Creek - it's quite a walk out. Second choice is Maiden Lane / Loop. Our best action for perch has been tip downs. We only Jig when the tip downs quite down. Last time we were out from Maiden Lane we couldn't even get all 10 tip out to even attempt to Jig.