Conference wahoo::fishing

    Joe,
       
           I would suggest you go to the outdoor expo at the centrum,
    you can get a ticket form in personnel. There you can meet ALL the
    different outfitters, and possibly get a show special thats what
    I  (we) did last year. Hope this helps you out.
    
                                                  Mike M

    
    Joe,
      the wife and I chartered a boat this past year in september,matter
    of fact it was the first weekend.. we were just in time for the
    coho's and thats what we were after.. we didn't have any luck hooking
    on to one,but we did have some short hits and our captain was great.
    Capt.Bob Sulewski of Syracuse N.Y. was a great help.. he set us
    up with a hotel room,and it was a great place and cheap.. he picked
    us up in the morning and explained that it was a little rough out
    but it was still fishable.. well, after fishing for a half day charter
    and no fish,he was mad at himself and spent another two hours on
    his own time to try to hook one for us.. no luck,on the way in,he
    said if we booked another trip with him,he make sure we caught fish
    or he'd pick up the tab.. thats a bargain and a nice guy..
    here's the imformation on him..
    
           XANADU Charters
           403 Liberty st.
           Syracuse,N.Y.13204
    
           (315)471-2219/422-2905
           CAPT.BOB SULEWSKI
    
    we paid 265.00 for a six hour trip,up to 4 people..
    good luck joe,
    
    arnie

    I can personally recommend Dick Withey of RD # 3, Skaneateles, NY
    (SW of Syracuse). He currently has a new 26' Starcraft hardtop with
    electronics, and I believe his rates are now similar to those quoted
    in 552.2.
     Dick has lived and fished in and around Lake Ontario all his life
    and is a super guy - a real gentleman, and we fish with him every
    year, even though a guide is no longer as critical to us as it used
    to be. He's also excellent bank guiding for Steelhead, but for a
    real treat contact him about light tackle fishing for Browns and
    Rainbows on Skaneateles. He lives on the lake, and at last count
    was the only charter captain on Skaneateles. He also does a fish
    fry as part of the Skaneateles trips which is super, because the
    lake is so unbelievably clean and cold the fish taste great!
     He did 105 charters last year alone, so if you're planning on fishing
    with Dick, get to him early.
     Best months are normally April-May (Browns), and July-Sept (Salmon).
    Lake Ontario "turns over" early in June, which really slows the
    fishing down.
     Give him a call at 315 685-8176, and please mention my name. One
    final thought, you always run the risk of being "blown off" Lake
    Ontario (not Skaneateles) - especially early in the year. In addition,
    if you want to fish for Browns in the Spring, be prepared to get
    up early (we met one charter at the boat dock at 0330), depending
    on where you're going to fish. Again, the big lake is more likely
    to require this.
    
    Tight Lines,
    
    Jack Varley (a.k.a. "The Skoal Bandit").

    Joe,
        Try      Top Line Charters
                 54 Old Post Rd.
                 Fairport, N.Y. 14450
                 Capt. John Sweeney Sr.
    
    We went out with him in Aug. 87 real nice guy and he guarantees
    fish! He is out of 3 prots depending on the time of the year and
    how the fish are running Point Breeze, Port of Rochester, and Sodus
    Point where I was. He also has some connections with Bed & Breakfast
    Inns for real cheap money. It costs us $225 for an 8 hour day when
    we went out and he will be at the Centrum at the fishing expo. Also
    if you go before sunday at the show he will have my 22lb King Salmon
    that I had mounted out there and will be picking up.
    
                                                         Guy

    Joe,
    
    If you want Salmon in the fall, you MUST go to the East end of Ontario!
    From Oswego to Sackett's Harbour. I don't know any charter skipprs
    there because I fish out of my own boat. Suggest you contact one
    of the local chambers of commerce for info. There is also a "Charter
    Captains Assoc", but I'm not sure where they are located.
    I would fish between Aug 15 and Oct 1. This is when the big boys
    (Shinook and Coho) school up prior to spawning runs up local rivers.
    Lots of action and the meat is still firm and sweet.
    
    Good Luck
    Don

    I have chartered Doug Crane out of Sodus Point N.Y. on Aug. 20 &
    Aug. 21. He was highly recomended to me by a local fellow fisherman
    (who just happened to have five nice salmon in his cooler at the
    time).
    
    			Thanks ..........................   Joe W.
    
            Where the Westfield meets the Westfield by the Westfield
                              (in Huntington MA)
              

    On the topic of Lake Ontario, I kind of have this urge to try
    some spring fishing up there. Can anyone provide me with info
    on this. Does the Pulaski area have decent spring fishing in the
    river or lake ? If so, what kinds of fish. When is the ice usually
    out ? What type tackle do people use etc. A friend of mine wants
    me to go the first weekend in april, and I'm probably crazy enough
    to go if I can get the boat in the water somewhere. Do the browns
    or steelheads or rainbows come in at this time ? Thanks for any
    info.
    
    Marty Wood

    Marty,
    April on Ontario is GREAT!! I usually fish Sodus or west as I live
    in Rochester. You should find plenty of browns, rainbows, lakers
    and coho salmon up-top and personal. If you want Shinook (Kings),
    go west. The water should be clear, but cold! A temp gauge is almost
    a nust. Look for high 30 deg temp.

    Thanks for the the info Don ! Is the first week in April pushing
    it at all or is the lake consistentley fishable each year during
    that time frame. It's about a 5 hour ride for me to get there so
    would hate to go all that way for nothing. Also I was wondering
    what you meant about looking for that high 30 deg temp. Do you mean
    surface temp or do you mean to go out into deeper water and find
    a depth that has water in that range ? The method I use on champlain
    is to simply find the warmest areas of surface water. I'll troll
    these spots until the temps get well into the fifties (the aproximate
    ideal temp for whatever species I'm fishing). On the subject of
    water temps, I was also wondering if anyone has ever tried to find
    the outlet of the cooling pipes from the nuclear power plant near
    pulaski (not sure of it's name). It seems that this outlet of warm
    water must attract tremendous amounts of fish to that area. It must
    be way out in the lake. 
    
    How big do the rainbows usually run anyway Don ? I think the
    biggest I've ever caught was maybe 15 inches or so. I bet I'm in
    for a big surprise !!!
    
    Marty
    

    The Bubble - which is what it is referred to - is right off the
    front of the power plant. With waders you can cast - almost -
    into it. It may also be the only place you will see boats trolling
    on some mornings. Its in Oswego, not Pulaski. And the fishing is
    considerably better here during certain times.
    The Skoal bandit and I were scheduled to go there so early one morning
    by our charter captain that it was a question of; do we go to bed 
    early, or do a few beers till "last" call and go straight to the boat.
     . .   0330 in the BOAT!!!!!?????
    

    Well, the trip is set ! We're leaving on Thursday Mar. 31st for
    the little salmon river. we have a charter on Friday with
    Capt. Jim Palmer. He says the ice is already out, and he has a
    brand new 26' boat that we will be his first customers on.
    (I'm not sure this is so good). He has been doing it for 11 yrs.
    though. he claims that it's been super slow in the rivers, but
    the lake fishing is fantastic. We had a hard time finding somebody
    who wasn't already booked up. I think it must be kind of the
    kick off weekend for most of the charter fishing. I'm going to
    tow my boat over with me and we'll fish from it on Saturday and
    Sunday. Nothing better than the charter the first day to find out
    where their at and what to use. 
    Marty (who keeps seeing Giant rainbo trout in his dreams !)
    

    Marty,
    Actually the lake is good all year. It can be dangerous, however,
    because of storms and no one arround to help if you get in trouble.
    My April 1 date is driven by my owning an I/O that I don't pull
    out of storage before April 1 due to the cold and possibilities
    of freezing the  engine. (its not a closed system)
    
    Rainbows should average 8 lbs this time of year. I think the record
    is somewhere near 25 lbs.
    
    Unless you have some great gear, look for warm surface temp. Usually
    the fish are near the surface in early spring and close to shore.
    I use downriggers, but only to add extra lines and keep them away
    from the planner boards and rear surface lines. I usually only run
    them (riggers) 2 ft below the surface and the lures about 15 or
    20 ft behind the weights. Sometimes we will find Salmon down 40
    ft, but unless the water is warm (40 ish), you might as well use
    a depth charge and net!!
    
    If you have planner boards, run them 25 of 50 ft off the shore (one
    side) with a plug, usually a Rapala or similar lure, about 25 ft
    behind the board. Any farther back and you will be going through
    more "fire drills" to get lures off the bottom than is worth it.
    In close like this will get some great Browns. Again in the 8lb
    plus range. More typical is 10 to 15 lbs on Browns. We call them
    "football" Browns here because they are fat in the mid section and
    almost look like a football.
    
    For lure selection; the best bet is a blue/silver or black/silver
    Rapala plus some silver spoons. Many times it doesn't matter what
    you use or what color, but I find these colors to be most productive
    when nothing else seems to work. I'll stay with them until someone
    catches 3 or 4 fish on another combination and ONLY switch then.
    In a typical spring day, we boat 10 to 15 good fish.
    
    Good luck and let me know how you do!!
    
    Don

    Great info Don !!! Just what I was looking for. I don't
    have planer boards. I've been thinking of buying them, but
    when I looked at the cost it blew me away. 130$ a piece for
    a little toy boat that I have to assemble myself. Another 100$
    for the rig to let them out with. With releases, line, tax etc.
    I'm talking 400$. Lot's more than I expected. Now, lets see...
    if I buy one, and hook it onto one of the downriggers to let it
    out...could this work ??? Do they really up your number of strikes
    If I don't get one will I not get many fish just trolling behind
    the boat ? 
    Marty (who just added another day to the trip)
    

    Being that I've never caught a steelhead before, I have a few
    questions about the species in general. All I know is that
    I've heard they are a sea or lake run rainbow trout. Do they
    carry the same markings as the little 12 inch rainbow's I catch
    in the brook or do they change in this different environment.
    I hear that some never leave the river into the lake and these
    are just known as regular rainbow's, but they also can get quite
    large, why ??? How do you know that the one you catch in the river
    is a rainbow, or a steelhead. 
    Marty

    Marty,
    Understand the cost issue on planner boards!!! I saw what they were
    and made my own out of cheap pine. I also made a pole (two poles)
    arangement that sets into 2 tubes (PVC) I mounted up front to run
    them out. The only thing I "bought" was the line for the boards
    and the releases. The line is waxed, a must for getting the releases
    to slide out. The whole thing cost me $40.00 and they work better
    than the real thing!!
    
    You can get fish off the back, but I find browns and rainbows tend
    to be spooked by the boat. Salmon and Lake trout will come right
    up to the stern, but you need quite long flat lines for the others.
    To me, the browns are the best eating anyway. I also find it much
    easier to fish light spoons or small floating plugs off the boards.
    The line release point is down close to the water rather than comming
    off an upright rod tip probably 10' off the surface. Unless you
    have a lot of line out, the spoons pop out and make like little
    boats running along behind. Never caught a fish on one doing that!!
    
    Good luck
    

    Re.15	I was planning on doing what you have already done. My
    questions are; What did you use for a Mast (pole), and what did you
    use to spool the line. Did you use some type of roller on the top? I
    was planning on tying a large single foot line guide. Where did you
    get the line? Any other suggestions? I think I can copy the rest from
    a pamphlet I got at the show.
    
    Thanks in advance
    Rich

    Rich,
    I used two poles. They are 1" x 6' that I found at a local hardware
    store. I think they are handles for some kind of cement trowel (wood).
    I'd suggest finding some 1" od electrical tubing rather than the
    wood as the wood bends under the strain of the boards.
    
    I found some small brass pulleys that swivel on a small base, about
    3/8" diameter pulley. Then I bolted the pulleys to the top of the
    poles. To hold the line, I used two small "Cleats" screwed to the
    pole about 16" apart and simply wrapped the line around them and
    up through the pulley. A lot of guys use old conventional reels
    and use hose clamps to hold them on the poles.
    
    My boat is a "Bowrider" so there are solid verticle surfaces under
    the front seats. I mounted two PVC tubes in the fromt corners of
    the seat frames and then just set the poles into the tubes. I also
    used a strong line to tie between the poles at the top. This helps
    support the pull from the boards very well.
    
    I got the line from the Cortland Line Factory, but any good fishing
    tackle store should carry it. I think it is 150# test and yellow
    in color. At the end of the line, I used a snap swivel that would
    be used to hook weights to a downrigger cable. Again, any good tackle
    shop will have them.
    
    The only "trick" is to be sure the line is attached to the pole directly
    under the pulley.  The other thing I did was to paint the poles
    bright orange! It looks strange, but someone else can sure see I
    have boards out when they are comming at me. The derbys here are
    wall to wall boats. I have seen several guys get their boards tangled
    up with someone elses---a real mess!
    
    I hope this isn't too confusing, but it works!
    
    Don

    Don, thanks for the info. Now I have to find all the goodies.
    
    Rich

    I found a deal on a super ski setup this weekend at a local
    boat show here in Burlington and purchased it. Still big
    bucks though, that 40 dollar set sounds real good now.
    Especially when the mastercard bill comes in. The retrieval system
    mounts in outrigger holders. I have a question though, does
    anyone know if these holders should aim forward or back ?
    To give the retreival pole an angle to the side and slightly
    to the rear the holder would need to angle back. Someone told
    me that if I did this, The pole may get pulled out of the holder
    though. Not fun! If angled forward, they will stick straight up
    in the air in one of the two useable positions, and angle forward
    in the other slot. Seems like either of these two would be kind
    of funky looking, but I don't care, especially if it works better.
    
    Marty
    
    the air o

    Marty,
    
    Run the retreival pole straight up!! The idea is to get the line
    to the ski as high off the water as you can. That way the line is
    out of the water all the way to the board and the releases can slide
    all the way out to the board. Also, they are out of the water and
    release properly.
    
    Another problem you might have is not being able to easily grab
    the line to the board to be able to clip on a (another) release.
    Simple fix---slide a 1" ring over the board line befor you attach
    the board. Tie one end of a 5' line (cord) to the ring, the other
    end to something on your boat where you stand to fish. When you
    need to grab the board line, simply pull the cord in and the line
    comes right to you. I keep about a dozen releases on both sides
    of the boat so I can simply set another one out after a release.
    It eliminates my having to pull the boards back in each time. The
    free release will slide out to the board and drag along until I run
    out of releases and need to pull them all back in.
    
    Good Luck
    Don
                      

    Well, we're back from the years first Ontario trip. The
    weather was great for this time of year, calm each day with
    temps in the 50's. A little rain here and there but not to bad.
    We managed to boat 13 Browns, all in the 4 lb range. Not as
    big as hoped for but tons of fun and a definite good start to
    the year ! I think we we're a little early in the season.
    Another two weeks and the spring steelhead run starts in and
    around the Salmon river. The big browns and lakers should come
    on shore then too. We had a great time (except for the little
    incident when the dock we we're standing on colapsed and we went
    for a refreshing little swim !!!, and the part when the wheel came
    off the trailer on the way home...) I'll be back in the fall,
    
    Marty
    

    Marty,
    
    Not bad for your first time on Ontario!! You probably got the best
    eating fish in the lake. My turn is next week. The E.S.L.O. Derby
    runs from 4/28 to 5/1. I'll be going out of Niagara and fish the
    West end of the lake. Last year I pulled in 18 Salmon from 15 to
    26 lbs (plus a few Browns). Nothing better than a "Shore Dinner"
    of fresh Salmon done over a charcoal fire!!!!
    I'll let you know how I do this year.
    
    Don

    The E.S.L.O. Derby was fun, but COLD!! We fished 2 1/2 days on Ontario
    off the Niagara River about 6 miles on what is knows as the "Niagara
    Bar". With three guys in the boat, we caught 11 Schinook (King)
    Salmon and 1 Laker (threw him back). They ranged from 12 lbs to
    22 lbs 6 oz.
    The derby winner was 30 lbs 8 oz taken off Oswego, NY. (a $53K winner)
    The winning Brown Trout was 18 lbs, forgot what the winning Rainbow
    was.
    
    Back at it again next weekend (no derby).
    
    Don

    Sounds like you guys did pretty good Don. Those 11 kings must have
    been alot of fun ! Is a 30lb fish winning it about normal or is
    this kind of on the small side ? Must have been something when
    they hit off the planer board line. Must almost pull the thing
    right under.
    
    			Marty "who got skunked on Champlain this weekend"
    

    A 30 lb Salmon is about right for the spring. The last two years,
    the winner was 29 lbs+. The Fall ESLO is another story. The winner
    is usually in the low 40 lb range. Usually a fat female on a feeding
    spree before she goes to spawn.
    We didn't use planner boards this year. All the salmon off Niagara
    were down 30 to 50 ' over 60 to 100' of water. We used downriggers
    with "Stacker Releases" at 10' intervals to run multiple lines off
    one downrigger. Mostly 4 downriggers with 2 rods per.
    
    Don (I NEVER get skunked!!)
    

By way of introduction, I'm Tom Urban up in MK0: in New Hampshire.  I used
to be serious about fishing but now its hard to get out in the boat without my
two girls "fishing" with me.  Thier idea of a well stocked tackle box is one
containing binoculars,makeup and a mirror (used to catch boys out fishing with 
their father) and a Ski-Bob (trolled slowly to attract boys).

I just started reading this notesfile.  The notes on fishing Ontario
and reading a copy of "New York Fishfinder" magazine that I picked up at Zyla's
has really got my interest up.  Maybe a September trip might be possible? 
(without the girls) 

     The lake can get pretty rough.  Is a 17.5 foot bowrider too small to
depend on on the lake?   The "fishfinder" mag seemed pretty hot on the area
around Little Sodus Bay, Fairhaven, and Sandy Pond.  Is this a good area for
September fishing?  I guess a more pointed question is, "Is September a 
productive time up there?"  How about the tools...are downriggers a must or
are fish obtainable closer to the surface then.

     Knowing zip about the lake the questions could go on and on...
     How about one of you "fresh water ocean" sailors talking to me?

                                Tom Urban

    Hi, anyone have any info on renting cabins at Sodus Pt?  Would
    also consider a motel room, but a kitchenette would be nice.
    
    Thanks
    Gaff

Re: .27

	Gaff:

		I've got two for you - Both right in Sodus Pt.

			Ken Nayea	(315)-483-8200

			Ed Schickler	(716)-872-5488

		I used Ken in 1988 but he's booked the nights I wanted
	this August so he refered me to Ed with whom I've booked Aug.
	20 and Aug. 21

		Either/Or $40.00 per cabin per night APPROX.



		NOW ........ Want the name of a GREAT Charter Capt. ?

		Read ::Fishing note #1022.4 .......................


	FWIW - In calling Sodus to make plans for August 1990 LAST MONTH
        ohto    I was surprised that the charter Capt. (Doug Crane) and
        ra'r    Ken Nayea were both 90% BOOKED for the month of August!
         tst
           h

                              Joe Whittemore - From where the Westfield
                                                    Meets the Westfield
                                                       By the Westfield
                                                          In Huntington (MA)

    Can anyone send me any information about fishing Lake Ontario
    within the September - early October time-frame?
    
    Examples of what I need:
    
    o What would I expect to catch at this time?
    
    o Any recommended Charter Captains and theifr Phone #'s.
    
    o A good place to stay over nite?
    
    o And anything else that would be helpful.
    
    If you can assist me please send mail to Buffer::Keyes
    Thanks in advance!
    
    

    Two years ago a group of guys and I went to the Big O.  We chartered
    with Vince Pierleoni out of Kent, NY.  Address is 1197 Transit Rd.
    North, Kent, NY. 14477.  Phone is 716-682-3287. Guaranteed fish.  We
    got (in two days) about 20 king salmon with a total weight of and even
    400 pounds.  Biggest was 33# with an average of about 22 - 25#.  The
    capt. worked real hard for us.  Cost was (if I remember right) about
    $450 for the day and a bit more if you wanted to extend the day.  He
    also provided the information as to where might be a good motel to
    stay, can't remember the name though.  I've got a friend who's been out
    with him twice and loved it both times.  Nice boat.  If you are serious
    about going I strongly suggest you call NOW for reservations.  You may
    not even be able to get them this late in the season.  I'd vote for
    going as early as possible as opposed to late Sept.  Reason is better
    quality fish.  One last thing. The Capt. moved his boat to try to stay
    with the fish.  Instead of actually fishing out of Kent, we fished off
    the mouth of the Gennessee river in Rochester.  You might ask where he
    woulkd be fishing, but this would be subject to change anyway.  Good
    luck.

    PLEASE - Anyone who's used  Cpt. Doug Crane  in the past two years and
             told him  'Joe Whittemore sent me.'  Please send me an E-Mail
             (include the date(s) of your charter  if you would) so that I
             can collect the referal discount(s) on our upcoming

                    '1 9 9 0   F I S H I N G   F A N T A S I A'





       We're headed to 'The Big O' to fish with Doug Aug 21st and 22nd.

                     Full trip report pending .........


                  PLEASE  E-Mail to  WFOOFF::Whittemore_J
                                 DTN 242-2514


                              Joe Whittemore - From where the Westfield
                                                    Meets the Westfield
                                                       By the Westfield
                                                          In Huntington (MA)

    Anyone fish Lake O this past weekend?  Just wondering if the
    Kings have made it into Sodus Bay yet.
    
    Thanks
    Gone fishin

    I fished the mouth of the Salmon river last Friday. Fishing was slow
    but we managed a fish apiece on a 6 hour charter. The captain stated
    that it is a funny year since no heavy amounts of fish have gone up
    the river yet. They are really not sure how far the spawn has
    progressed. They claim that the lake had a major turnover in August
    and are not sure if it affected the Salmon. 
     

    
     Is live bait allowed in the river's? I am going up tomorrow to
    Osweigo (sp?) and was hoping to latch into a brown or steely.
    
    		Wayne

     Worms are DEFINITELY O.K. and can be great in low water fished on 4 lb
    leaders. Guys using noodle rods kill 'em with worms when the water's
    down. Try the middle area of the "Sportsman's Pool," or the tailout of
    "The Schoolhouse." You should also use slip bobbers, if you get a
    chance (if you want to try somethin' different. Myself, I'd probably
    fish the "pay area" below town - fewer guys and brighter fish.
    
    --The Skoal Bandit

    pay area?  Do you mean the parking area thats jst off the center of
    town?
    
    		Wayne
    

    I think the Bandit was talking about a 'pay area' in the North side of
    the Salmon River in Pulaski. Not the Oswego. But the technique is the
    same. If you are traveling that far. Look into fishing the Salmon River
    too.
    Jack

    The "pay area" is below town in Pilaski. It's privately owned and is
    patrolled. There is a $10 fee per day to fish, and it is not heavily
    fished. It is a great stretch of water, and the sawbuck fee seems to
    discourage bozos.
    
    --The Skoal Bandit

    
     Well,I'm back. I'll give a update on the trip.
    
     We fished the Pulasky most all the time. I came home with 6 brown's
    2 Steelheads and 2 King's.
    
     The trout hit on spawn sac's. The biggest brown was 9#'s even and the
    biggest steelhead was 8.5#'s. I caught a bigger brown that had maybe 2
    pounds on the 9 pounder but we were leaving soon and i released him
    after several photo's were taken.
    
     The Kings that I kept were hooked in the lip. I hooked and landed 6
    Kings total. Four of them were foul hooked and they were released.We
    had a great time. Oh yea,the kings that I kept were 25 and 31 pounds.
    
    		Wayne