How things have changed .

[Gator]

3 minutes ago, Gill-T said:

Speaking of changes during the derby, did anyone live through the gnat swarms Saturday??  It was hard to breathe. 

Funny how they're localized...nary a gnat to be found off Sandy. But a couple weeks ago they looked like that - cold enough they were "resting" on the boat though rather than adding protein to our diet.

[ChrisS]

16 hours ago, Gator said:

My favorite fishing in the world is a spot in the ADK that I access using my paddling kayak, no fins, no motor, no problem catching 5 lb+ smallmouth.

Before I got my lund, I was a kayak and canoe angler. One of my fondest memories is landing a laker and a landlocked salmon at a wilderness area lake. I didn't have electronics, downrigger, or anything other than a general idea of where the deep water was based on a NYSDEC map. A spinning rod, some spoons, and 2oz trolling sinkers ... 

[Finnagain]

Lots of great observations and points .I’m an out of stater that remembers mexico launch dropping in about 50 boats an hour , had some time away from lake but been back 5 years now on west end . I used to see many boats on drive to NY now none ! Even at lodging only half of the guys are even in the derby and I hate to say it but its all old guys like me (64) not sure what landscape will look like 10 yrs down the road .I like Brians approach  go after each specie in derby and hope I live long enough in retirement to try that. Old prizes f150 2- boats equipped and cash bash to pay taxes was a hell of a prize package .Old days are just that but in age of information I think they could do some advertising and get some more interest it’s a hell of a fishery and maybe someday monster 30 plus will be back but I was up spring derby week and never had so many doubles and triples.

[whaler1]

19 hours ago, Silver Fox said:

And everyone switched to said channel only to hear me say I just took a duece into a bucket……

It was actually the “vegetable of the day” on the radio lol. 

[Gator]

58 minutes ago, whaler1 said:

It was actually the “vegetable of the day” on the radio lol. 

I'm embarrassed to say that I remember that! Before we had Nothing But Net, when I was a graduate student at UR, I used to run a 20' Thompson called Wandering Seamen. You can probably get the joke...
 

In the late '80s, I helped Vic Mason build and pour an acrylic bar top for Skinner's on the west side of Braddock's in return for dockage, until I got too busy and broke to maintain a boat, at which point I punted on fishing Lady O for a few years until a buddy bought a 19' Sea Nymph, which we fished for many years. Lots of history there.

 

God Bless all the younger guys (and gals) who are just starting on their journey. I wonder what it will look like for them in 30 years or so?

[Gill-T]

And yet look at the Walleye Slam and the Fall Brawl in Ohio. Tons of contestants. Low registration fee. Huge payouts. I think a lot of out of staters are getting their derby fix on Lake Erie. 

[King Davy]

Gator I used to live at 7 Bayview Dr a couple doors away from Vic Mason. And I’ve enjoyed many a delicious cocktail on your bar at Skinners back in the day. Ran my charter boat out of there until it got too frustrating to deal with the channel and moved to Sandy Creek At Jim Pascerella’s Marina. 
 

Had a lot of great memories with my dad after trolling the lake and getting a cold beer at Skinners.

[muskiedreams]

To me,  having shorter lines and less complicated angling methods and the closer you are to the basics, the higher the total satisfaction and thrill of the catch. When you personally entice the strike with your lure selection, a twitch of the rod, casting to the right spot, performing, effective boat side maneuver, etc., it is so much more personally satisfying. The fight becomes more between you and the fish than between the equipment and the fish or between you and the equipment. The fight is shorter and more thrilling because the fish still has fight left in it when you get it to the boat. And to me, the more lines you run the more you are battling to keep them all running rather than enjoying the moment.

 

I remember when I was a kid fishing with live bait from the dock at Conesus Lake targeting fish through under the dock trying to get them to strike. Using live scope and giving the lure an extra little twitch or pause at the right time is just not the same. It is kind of like playing a sport and being able to read your opponent's mind rather that having to try and anticipate their next move.

 

And of course, the most important and enjoyable benefit of being on the water fishing is taking in all the beauty and wonders of nature and with the joy of people you enjoy being with.

Edited Saturday at 06:09 PM by muskiedreams

[BRsnow]

17 minutes ago, muskiedreams said:

To me,  having shorter lines and less complicated angling methods and the closer you are to the basics, the higher the total satisfaction and thrill of the catch. When you personally entice the strike with your lure selection, a twitch of the rod, casting to the right spot, performing, effective boat side maneuver, etc., it is so much more personally satisfying. The fight becomes more between you and the fish than between the equipment and the fish or between you and the equipment. The fight is shorter and more thrilling because the fish still has fight left in it when you get it to the boat. And to me, the more lines you run the more you are battling to keep them all running rather than enjoying the moment.

 

I remember when I was a kid fishing with live bait from the dock at Conesus Lake targeting fish through under the dock trying to get them to strike. Using live scope and giving the lure an extra little twitch or pause at the right time is just not the same. It is kind of like playing a sport and being able to read your opponent's mind rather that having to try and anticipate their next move.

 

And of course, the most important and enjoyable benefit of being on the water fishing is taking in all the beauty and wonders of nature and with the joy of people you enjoy being with.

I agree. I use 12lb-14ln line on downriggers with spoons and 20lb flasher flies. I also use sunline, so it is the actual breaking strength. I was using big game but realized it all breaks at a much higher rate, so 20 is like 40lb. I do love divers and have 100 and 150 32lb copper set ups but only use if I have enough people in my boat. I am just out to have fun and catch fish.