county
Danika Loucks is valedictorian of Bolivar-Richburg; Starlyn Kisel is salutatorian
BOLIVAR — Bolivar-Richburg Central School announced that Danika Loucks is the valedictorian of the Class of 2026, while Starlyn Kisel is the salutatorian.
Loucks, daughter of Tina and Ryan Loucks, will graduate with a cumulative GPA of 98.11%.
Throughout her high school career, she has maintained high honor roll while enrolled in college-level courses and received the Superintendent’s Scholar Award each year. She is a member of the National Honor Society and was recently honored with the Daughters of the American Revolution Award for her
dependability, service, leadership and patriotism.
A three-sport varsity athlete, Loucks has competed in volleyball, indoor track and field and softball. She has also served as a student Board of Education member, class treasurer, NHS vice president and student council member. Outside of school, she has participated in competition dance and club volleyball and remains active in her community through volunteering. In the fall, she plans to attend SUNY Cortland to major in speech and hearing sciences. She has been awarded the Presidential Merit Scholarship.
Kisel, daughter of Mercy and Robert Kisel, will graduate with a cumulative GPA of 97.9%.
She has maintained high honor roll and received the Superintendent’s Scholar Award each year while enrolled in college-level courses. She serves as president of the National Honor Society.
Beyond academics, Kisel has been deeply involved in music, playing lead roles in several school musicals and participating in All-County music festivals. She has also competed on the varsity tennis and indoor track and field teams, participated in Odyssey of the Mind and served as secretary
of the SADD Club and a member of the drama club. She recently became a peer support mentor for younger
students. In the fall, Kisel plans to attend Buffalo State University to study social work. She has been awarded the President’s Scholars Award and the Honors Scholarship Award through Buffalo State.
Storm causes flooding, damage in northern Allegany County
A series of powerful thunderstorms that swept through northern Cattaraugus and Allegany counties the afternoon of March 31 left reports of widespread damage from high winds, heavy rainfall and even large hail.
Reports of flooding were extensive across northern Allegany County, particularly in the Houghton area, leading to multiple road closures and a county-wide state of emergency.
“We had all that
(high winds, flooding), but the worst of the flooding seemed to be in the Houghton area,” said an Allegany County emergency dispatcher, while it was noted that the center received more than 300 calls.
Rainfall totals approached 2 inches in the area.
Sheriff Scott Cicirello reported that there were no storm-related injuries, although the Allegany County Swift Water Rescue Team rescued a mother and her children from a property
off Route 70 in the town of Burns.
W. Brooke Harris, chairman of the Allegany County Board of Legislators, reported that the north central and northeast areas of the county were hit the hardest by the storm, including Houghton, Fillmore, Hume, Caneadea, Granger, Grove and Burns.
The National Weather Service in Buffalo later confirmed that an EF-1 tornado struck southeast of Machias in Cattaraugus County
on that day, packing estimated peak winds of 107 mph.
The tornado — the first to be recorded in New York state in 2026 — carved a 1.4-mile path with a maximum width of 150 yards during its three-minute existence from 3:43 p.m. to 3:46 p.m.
A storm survey team from the NWS investigated the damage and confirmed the tornado rating.
The tornado origi-
Bob Pahl Sketching Awards awarded to trio of Alfred State students
Danika Loucks (left) is the 2026 valedictorian of Bolivar-Richburg, while Starlyn Kisel is the salutatorian.
Photo provided by Allegany County Sheriff’s Office
This aerial view of the village of Houghton shows flooding after a heavy thunderstorm passed through the area on March 31.
Bob Pahl Sketching Awards awarded to trio of Alfred State students
Design were recently honored with Bob Pahl Sketching
Awards. Jacob Rightmyer was honored with first prize, Ruby LaDue was awarded second and Stephen Meeker earned third.
graduated from Alfred State in 1981 with a degree in architectural engineering technology. Pahl donates monetary prizes to the honorees.
traveled to Sorrento with Professor William Dean, AIA, last spring. “Each week the students had an assignment that expands on their sketching and journaling. This award is a great incentive for the students to carefully document their travel experiences and observations.”
work as well. It is very rewarding to see each of the students’ progress through the semester. I am proud of the work they produce.”
The award, which has been given annually since 2012, recognizes three students who kept the top sketch journals while studying abroad in Sorrento, Italy, as part of their Urban Sketching & Journaling course. The architecture professors at Alfred State review and judge the contest.
As a first-year student, Pahl was inspired by the introduction to architecture course taught by the late Jeffrey Johnston who founded the Sorrento Study Abroad program.
Bob Pahl, a Boston-area architect,
The trio of students
“Jacob went above and beyond with his sketches. He sketched all over Sorrento and throughout his travels in Europe. Ruby and Stephen did amazing
Studio Sorrento at the Sant’Anna Institute is a program is open to Alfred State architecture students in their third year of study and provides participants a unique opportunity for a spring semester experience that also includes courses in Italian and Archeology in addition to Studio Sorrento.
Borrello, Blakeman call for audit of NY’s CDL testing procedures
dards are enforced.
State Sen. George Borrello joined New York state’s Republican candidate for governor March 27 to call for a thorough state audit of how commercial drivers are tested, licensed and monitored in the state.
Borrello, R-Sunset Bay, and Bruce Blakeman, the Nassau
County executive who is running against Gov. Kathy Hochul, stated during a press event in Genesee County that a deadly bus crash Aug. 22, near Pembroke, and other recent incidents raise questions about the integrity of the state’s commercial driver licensing system and whether safety stan-
“What happened on the Thruway last August was a devastating tragedy, and the families who lost loved ones deserve more than condolences,” Borrello said. “They deserve accountability.
“The criminal case will run its course, but it raised serious questions about how New
The press event was held near the site of the tour bus crash on the I-90 Thruway near Pembroke, which killed five people and injured more than 40 others. The driver, Bin Shao, 56, of New York, was indicted on five counts each of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide. The lawmakers said, at a court hearing, Bin required a Mandarin interpreter, raising questions about his English proficiency and whether New York properly enforced federal CDL standards.
ALFRED — A trio of Alfred State students in the Department of Architecture and
Photo provided by Alfred State College
Architecture chair William Dean recognized the Bob Pahl Sketching Award recipients. Dean was joined by the honorees (from R): Ruby LaDue, Jacob Rightmyer and Stephen Meeker.
dining & Entertainment
ALFRED — The Alfred State Drama Club is excited to present William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream for the spring play. The show will run April 16-18 in the Cappadonia Auditorium of the Orvis Activities Center.
This classic is filled with magic, mischief, mistaken identity and fairies. Four young lovers flee to the woods to escape the wrath of a less than understanding father and get wrapped up in mischievous fairy drama, along with the troupe of amateur actors
that Duke Theseus has hired for his wedding.
Featuring several of Drama Club’s beloved seniors: Aidan Moska-
luk, Bailey Ashton, Timothy Schmitt and Caleb Green, this show promises some hearty laughs — but don’t worry, it all works out in the end.
Director of Drama Abby Hurley is excited to put on this show.
“I have loved working with the Drama Club for the last three years, and I really appreciate that the students put their trust in me to put on a Shakespeare production for the first time in over
a decade. It has been magical! Everyone has worked so hard on this show,” she said. This show is most appropriate for those 13 and up, but all are welcome. Tickets are now on sale at the campus bookstore and can be purchased with cash, card, or CSA. Admission is $5 for students and $10 for general admission. Tickets will also be sold at the door for cash only. A concessions stand will be available (cash
Alfred State’s Drama Club to present William Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’
only) to benefit the Mary Cariola Center in Rochester, the Performing Arts groups’ civic engagement cause. Performances will be performed at 7 p.m. on April 16, 17 and 18 with a 2 p.m. matinee on April 18.
Questions about the production can be directed to Hurley at hurleyac@alfredstate. edu. This production is an abridged version of William Shakespeare’s original text.
Photo provided by Alfred State College
Brayden Noteware (Demetrius) and Haleena Reygers (Helena) go through a scene at a recent rehearsal of the upcoming Alfred State production of Shakepeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
York screens, licenses and monitors commercial drivers,” the senator continued. “When a bus driver on a major interstate needs a court interpreter because he cannot communicate in English, it is fair to ask whether this state has been doing its job.”
Borrello said the Pembroke crash was not an isolated incident, but part of a broader pattern of failures in New York’s commercial driver licensing system.
In December, federal officials said a driver who obtained a New York CDL despite allegedly being unable to speak English was accused of causing a deadly multi-vehicle crash in Tennessee.
He said a 2025 federal audit found New York had issued roughly 17,000 unlawful non-domiciled CDLs, prompting the U.S. Department of Transportation to label the state the “worst
offender” and order corrective action. Three weeks ago, he added, a non-citizen with a New York-issued CDL struck a pedestrian along I-65 in Indiana, leaving the victim critically injured.
Borrello’s office noted that federal law has long required CDL holders to demonstrate English proficiency, and federal enforcement has tightened over the past year. In May 2025, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy directed regulators to treat English deficiencies as a serious compliance issue, and beginning June 25, such violations again became grounds for placing drivers out of service.
Federal eligibility rules were tightened further on March 16, limiting non-citizen CDL eligibility to holders of H-2A, H-2B, and E-2 visas.
However, the senator said he has “serious concerns that lax
nated from a rotating thunderstorm that moved off Lake Erie, traveling east-southeast at 40 mph. The storm initially passed through Gowanda, with reports of wind-driven and damaging large hail before moving across northern Cattaraugus County.
As the storm progressed, a mid-level mesocyclone intensified east of U.S. Route 219,
enforcement of English proficiency and CDL standards reflects (Gov.) Kathy Hochul’s reluctance to do anything that might upset far-left radical advocates and Democrats’ progressive wing.”
Blakeman, who said “Hochul’s DMV is handing out licenses like they’re flyers on a windshield,” questioned how a driver who can’t speak English was driving a tour bus loaded with people.
“You cannot safely operate a 50-passenger motorcoach if you can’t read a ‘low bridge’ sign, understand a ‘detour’ warning or communicate with a state trooper during an emergency,” he said. “I want to know: who exactly is Hochul allowing on our roads?”
strengthening southeast of Machias but shortlived, dissipating east of Route 16 south of Machias.
Damage began just west of Maple Valley Road, where the tornado uprooted and snapped numerous trees at several residences. The damage path became more concentrated as the tornado moved east into the valley and creek bed between
the Republicans’ press event, received a statement from the New York Department of Motor Vehicles, which defended its CDL practices and called the criticism “misinformation” and “cheap political points.”
“The Department of Motor Vehicles is committed to the safety of New York’s roads,” the DMV stated. “While we cannot comment on ongoing investigations, DMV follows all federal laws when issuing commercial driver licenses. Scoring cheap political points on a tragic crash and spreading misinformation to New Yorkers about what is ultimately an issue regulated by the Trump administration does nothing to make our state safer.”
Maple Valley Road and Ashford Road. Between Ashford Road and Very Road, tree damage became sporadic, leaving nearby farmhouses and residences unaffected. The tornado continued causing scattered tree damage in forested areas south of Gulf Hill Road before dissipating. Additional damage from straight-line winds was observed farther
west near West Valley, where a barn roof was torn off near Roszyk Hill Road. The National Weather Service estimated those winds at 74 mph, occurring before the storm’s low-level mesocyclone intensified into the tornado.
Heavy hail in the Gowanda area shattered windows, damaged siding and roofs and damaged vehicles.
Wellsville CC to host Banter, Business and Beverages
WELLSVILLE — The Wellsville Development Corporation will host its annual Banter, Business & Beverages networking mixer 5 to 7 p.m. April 16 at the Wellsville Country Club, 3006 Riverside Drive. Community members, business owners, employees and local organizations are invited to attend this free event to connect, collaborate and learn more about the WDC. Attendees will enjoy complimentary appetizers and refreshing beverages while networking in a relaxed setting.
“We invite all area businesses, organizations, and agencies to join us at BBB,” said Molly Cole, WDC president. “We will share information on the WDC’s achievements in 2025 and plans for 2026. This event is meant to bring people together. Whether you are looking to make new connections or reconnect with familiar faces, all are welcome.”
While RSVPs are not required, they are encouraged for planning purposes. Guests who RSVP by April 9 will receive a free drink coupon upon arrival.
RSVP at linktr.ee/wlsvdevelopmentcorp
For more information on WDC, visit wlsvdevelopmentcorp.com.
WKBW, reporting on
BY RAY MAGLIOZZI
Dear Car Talk:
I drive a 2014 Honda Civic with only 17,300 miles. My knowledge of cars can be summed up by this: When I turn the key and it doesn’t start, I know there is something wrong. Even with that limited knowledge, I am able to at least check the oil, tire pressure, and coolant level. Regarding the coolant level, however, Honda has placed the coolant reservoir so far down under the hood that it is impossible to see the level of coolant. I have tried to guess at the level, but that proved troublesome
as my car overheated -- luckily right by a gas station.
Any advice on how to check the coolant level in this car?
— Ken
Well, the easiest way to check it would be for Honda to finally add a coolant level sensor to its cars, so you’d see an idiot light on the dashboard when your coolant level got low. A lot of cars have coolant level sensors now. But I’ve found that most Japanese cars are not among them for some reason. So, you’re stuck checking it manually, Ken. And the coolant reservoir is kinda buried on this car. It’s on the driver’s side,
near the radiator, but under other parts of the engine. It looks like a plastic milk jug that got run over by an electric tricycle.
What makes it even harder to see inside of is that the plastic reservoir is kind of milky white, and, as it ages, it gets dirtier, making it harder to see exactly how much of the blue coolant you’ve got in there, especially in the dark of the engine bay.
I’ll give you a few suggestions. First, if you suspect it’s low, just fill it. You won’t do any harm to the car by overfilling the bottle. If the overflow bottle runs out of room when the car gets hot, any excess will just be expelled. So just park in front of your least favorite neighbor’s house.
Take the guesswork out of coolant levels
You can also try shining a high-intensity flashlight through the side of the reservoir, or even down inside it. That can illuminate the coolant, and makes it easier to see its level. Or shake the car a little bit, side to side, and slosh the coolant around a little bit. That can help you see exactly where the level is.
And if you don’t have any luck with those two methods, you can fashion your own dipstick, Ken. You’ll have to go hunting at your local hardware store for something flexible enough to get through the jogs in the coolant bottle’s shape. But maybe you can find
a long, thick pipe cleaner, or a long, thick twist tie that would work. Then you could get in there once with your flashlight, make sure you can thread it all the way to the bottom, and mark the dipstick for minimum and maximum fill points. And then start mass producing them and sell them on eBay to other Honda Civic owners.
automotive
One Tough Animal
home improvement
The smarter home: A
(BPT) — For homeowners looking to refresh their home without taking on a major renovation and renters who are unable to make significant changes to their living spaces, affordable do-it-yourself (DIY) upgrades can be the best way to achieve a significant transformation.
While often overlooked, today’s advanced smart window treatments can be a quick and easy way to enhance comfort, convenience, energy efficiency and style in a single afternoon. DIY motorized shades that are controlled either by remote, voice or an app are becoming an increasingly popular choice for homeowners and renters.
A trusted brand that has been welcomed into American homes for more than a century is turning the heads of designers, home builders and consumers with a new smart shade that is revolutionizing the
way we think about shades available at retail. GE smart shades are premium, reliable, game-changing products that deliver the sleek and modern look and feel of custom shades but can be installed by nearly anyone in five minutes or less.
One standout feature of GE smart shades is the clean design of its hardware. During installation, mounting hardware that can be secured into a wall with only three screws
tucked neatly out of sight, giving the shades a smooth, tailored finish that instantly elevates a room. Today, DIYers can choose from crisp white
beyond the hardware by providing software-driven control. As interior design trends veer toward more responsive, efficient and automated experiences in the home, smart control has quickly risen to the top of the priority list.
GE smart shades can be controlled with simple voice commands or scheduled routines. Users can automate shade movements to enhance privacy, regulate indoor temperatures or manage natural light on a custom
schedule. And for households that still enjoy a tactile option, a prepaired remote allows for instant, no-app-required control.
GE smart shades also appeal strongly to DIY enthusiasts thanks to the quiet, rechargeable motor. Smooth, low-noise operation makes them ideal for bedrooms, nurseries and media rooms - spaces where serenity matters most. Many smart shades on the market now emphasize quiet,
reliable motors as a key performance metric, reinforcing this feature as a meaningful advantage for everyday living. With long-lasting battery performance and simple USB-C charging in place, upkeep stays minimal.
Lastly, craftsmanship
and peace of mind are major GE smart shade selling points. Assembled by hand in Charleston, South Carolina, and rigorously tested to ensure smooth and flawless operation, GE smart shades are backed by a two-year limited war-
ranty. This commitment to quality for which GE-branded products are known is appreciated by DIYers investing their own money, time and energy into home improvements.
boost both function and style without calling in a contractor.
GE smart shades are available now at Amazon.com and Shop. GELighting.com in sizes that are pre-cut for today’s most common window sizes. With prices starting at $299.99, the shades are within reach for homeowners and renters seeking to
Whether refreshing a single room or giving the whole home a modern edge, shades are quickly emerging as one of the most rewarding - and surprisingly simple - DIY upgrades. All signs point toward smart motorized shades as the future of window treatments for homeowners and renters looking to get more from their shades.
Project Prom Dress Extravaganza returns to Alfred State April 12
ALFRED
—The sisters of Delta Chi Omega (DCO) and the Center for Civic Leadership are excited to announce that the annual Project Prom Dress Extravaganza will be held April 12 at Alfred State. The event will be held in the Small Event Space (310) in the Student Leadership Center between 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Project Prom Dress is a student-driven initiative and is the passion and philanthropy of the sorority sisters of DCO. Annually, the sisters collaborate with individuals and local bridal shops to collect new and gently used gowns, shoes, and accessories.
Delta Chi Omega
accepts dresses of all sizes in good condition. They are specifically looking for modern dresses featuring styles from the past 10 years.
“We are thrilled to host this event again, it is so exciting to have a part in making girls feel beautiful on prom night,” said Ciara Gonzales, Delta Chi Omega philanthropy chair.
DCO Advisor Lynn Brennan-White is excited to be part of this event. “The sisters of Delta Chi Omega put in an incredible amount of work throughout the year collecting dresses and accessories to give away during the extravaganza. There
are a wide range of styles and sizes from 0 through plus sizes, so everyone who attends should be able to find a gown they love. We are very appreciative of everyone who has donated to the cause as well, it proves this is an event that is important to the community.” If a community member has a dress or accessories they would like to donate for the event they can drop it off in the DCO Leadership Suite (Student Leadership Center room 302) or contact either Brennan (whitelb@ alfredtate.edu) or Gonzales (gonzalca@alfredstate. edu) to arrange a time to meet.
health & Wellness
Start preparing for spring allergy season with these expert tips
(BPT) — Spring is right around the corner! If you’re among the one in four U.S. adults that suffers from seasonal allergies, it’s time to start preparing for the influx of pollen and other allergens.
“The biggest mistake people make with spring allergies is waiting for the first sneeze to take action,” said Dr. Fred Pescatore, M.D., a Manhattan-based natural physician and author of The Allergy and Asthma Cure. “If you wait for symptoms to show up, you’re fighting an uphill battle. Preparing early is the difference between con-
trolling your allergies and letting them control you.”
Check out Dr. Pescatore’s top tips for preparing for allergy season so you can enjoy spring with minimal symptoms.
Change your air filter
Your HVAC air filter works hard year-round to improve your indoor air quality by removing dust, pollen and other allergens from your home. Change the filter at the onset of spring so it is operating optimally before spring allergy season arrives.
Pro tip: If you have severe allergies, don’t
replace the filter yourself. The old filter will be full of allergens that can trigger your symptoms during the replacement. Instead, have another household member take on the chore and dispose of it immediately.
Manage inflammation
Leading up to allergy season, make an effort to manage inflammation before it starts. Inflammation is a normal immune response to allergens, triggering symptoms like sneezing, congestion, coughing and watery eyes.
A proactive approach can help reduce the
intensity of seasonal symptoms. Foundational habits like limiting excess sugar, gluten and dairy, prioritizing sleep and managing stress all support a more balanced immune response. For those looking to add targeted nutritional support, Pycnogenol® French maritime pine bark extract has been clinically studied for its role in helping to modulate the body’s inflammatory response when taken ahead of allergy season.
While many people rely on over-the-counter antihistamines for short-term symptom relief, some prefer a
more natural approach that supports overall immune health rather than simply masking symptoms. Dr. Pescatore adds, “When recommending Pycnogenol® to my patients, I typically suggest 50 to 100 milligrams daily starting 5-8 weeks before allergy season for best results.”
Reduce pollen exposure
Pollen is one of the most common seasonal allergy triggers, so reducing your exposure is key. This is especially important now, as pollen seasons have become more intense, start
earlier and last longer in recent years - largely due to climate change. Warmer weather creates the perfect environment for pollen to thrive, especially during warm days and cool nights. Even though it’s tempting to let the fresh spring air in, keep doors and windows closed to prevent pollen from entering your home and settling on surfaces. Using a high-quality air purifier with a HEPA filter can also help reduce indoor pollen levels and improve overall air quality. In addition, avoid doing yard work like mowing the lawn before noon, when pollen counts are typically highest, and try to limit outdoor activities on high pollen-count days. Add a shower to your nighttime routine If you don’t shower at night, it’s time to start. During the day, pollen settles on and clings to your hair, face and body. Rinsing off before going to bed prevents pollen from settling on your pillow and triggering allergies while you sleep. Plus, having a warm shower before bed can be incredibly relaxing, allowing you to settle into sleep and wake up refreshed to take on another day. Don’t be reactive. Be proactive. You can’t control allergens, but you can make intentional changes in your life to reduce your exposure to allergens and manage your symptoms before they start. Use these expert tips to get a jump on allergy season so you can enjoy the warmer weather to the fullest!
Photo provided by Alfred State College
Delta Chi Omega will host the annual Project Prom Dress on April 12 in the Small Event Space in the Student Leadership Center. Community members are encouraged to browse the selection of gowns, shoes and accessories.
Cuba Memorial Hospital ushers in new era of leadership
CUBA — Cuba Memorial Hospital announced a “transformative new chapter” in its 100-year history with the appointment of a new executive management team and the addition of strategic expertise to its board of directors.
Leading the new era is chief executive officer Robin Gach, a Cuba resident.
“I am proud to be part of the community I serve,” Gach said. “My vision is defined by trust and excellence. We are not just a hospital; we are a partner in the well-being of our neighbors. I look forward to leading CMH into a chapter where every resident feels supported by outstanding, local care.”
Joining Gach in leadership are two seasoned professionals dedicated to clinical excellence:
• Nicole Jones, RN/ DON (director of nursing): A local resident from Rush-
ford with 34 years of experience, Jones returns to her home community to oversee nursing operations.
“Her extensive background in healthcare leadership and her roots in the Cuba-Rushford area ensure that patient care is managed with both expertise and a neighborly touch,” CMH stated.
• William Robinson, nursing home administrator: Taking the lead of
the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF), Robinson “brings a service-minded approach to resident care. His focus is on creating a dignified, respectful environment where residents and their families feel truly at home.
CMH also has welcomed two new members to its board:
• Jeffrey S. Allen, DHSc, MPA, is the chair of the Department of Public Health at St. Bonaventure Uni-
versity, bridging the gap between healthcare education and community wellness, CMH stated.
“I’m thrilled to extend my service to the community by joining the Board of Trustees at Cuba Memorial and look forward to the next century of excellence at CMH,” Allen said.
• Melissa A. Pingitore, assistant director of the Allegany County Industrial Development Agency (ACIDA), brings experience in operations, human resources and strategic management to the board.
“I am eager to leverage my experience in operational and strategic oversight to ensure we remain a strong, innovative provider,” she said.
The hospital also extended its “deepest gratitude” to its returning board members.
“Their steady hand and
historical knowledge provide the foundation upon which this new growth is built,” CMH stated.
CMH remains a hub for essential medical services, including urgent care, skilled nursing, laboratory services, acute care, sub-acute rehabilitation, diagnostic radiology and ultrasound and physical, occupational and speech-language therapy.
This year, Cuba Memorial is celebrating more than 100 years of service. To honor this
milestone, the hospital is planning a community-wide celebration, with details to be announced soon. Additionally, in its ongoing mission to promote proactive health, CMH said it will soon announce an upcoming Community Wellness Fair, providing resources and education to help residents live their healthiest lives.
“We are honoring our past while aggressively building our future,” Gach said. “The best is yet to come for Cuba Memorial.
Alfred State culinary arts to host 3 Choice Dinner
ALFRED — The Alfred State College (ASC) Culinary Arts department will host a 3 Choice Dinner on April 16 at the Culinary Arts Building on the Wellsville campus. Proceeds of the event will benefit the program’s scholarship fund. The dinner will include:
• Soup: fire roasted tomato bisque
• Salad: house salad with choice of dressing
• Entrees: choice of one
Ossobuco with red wine reduction sauce served with asiago potatoes
House made mushroom ravioli with duck breast in a marsala cream sauce
Crab stuffed sole with Beurre blanc
• Dessert: a trio of chocolate caramel cheesecake, pistachio raspberry tart and tropical pound cake.
BY WADE ROBERTSON
Last April, I positioned myself at an eddy near the top of a large hole. The stream had been stocked three days earlier but the water was dropping quickly, moving many trout formerly holding in the riffles and rapids into deeper waters such as this.
The previous two weeks, mealworms had been surprisingly ineffective; possibly the trout were ignoring this usually productive bait due to the water temperature, which was remaining unseasonably cold.
Since being stocked the area had been exposed to heavy fishing pressure the previous two days and the worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs and lures I
Outdoors
The cost of the sit-down dinner is $50. Reservations are required. Call (607) 587-3170 or email WoodME1@alfredstate.edu to reserve a seating time between 5 and 6:30 p.m. There will be no takeout meals available.
The correct hook is critical to fishing success
tried initially were being ignored. So, my last remaining option was mealworms. Surprisingly, five casts resulted in five hits! Wow, the mealworm bite had finally turned on. However, I missed every one of those light hits. The size 10, wide-bend, bronze hooks, so effective previously, weren’t getting the job done.
Digging through my vest, searching every one of the numerous pockets finally revealed my secret weapon: an Eagle Claw, size 10 XRP, gold hook with an offset eye and turned point. Over the years I’d gone through about 2,400 of these specific hooks and, unfortunately, they no longer appear to be available.
Reverently, tying one of my last remain-
ing XRP’s on, I cast the mealworm upstream, let it settle and simply raised the rod tip at the hit. Six casts latter I had five nice rainbows from 12 to 14 inches.
What just happened? Why was a simple hook change so effective? A closer examination of this hook is eye opening. The eye is bent forward, the needle tip tilted to the side. The bent eye lifts the point as the offset tip rotates, digging in. Genius, it sets itself!
Many years back my friends and I used traditional spinning rods and reels equipped with 6to 8-pound line and size 6 and 8 Mustad hooks. We hooked the majority of our hits. However, when we switched to UL equipment and 4-pound test in the 1970s we were very disappointed in the number of strikes we missed and trout lost. What was wrong?
After some discussion and experimentation we discovered that our light equipment simply wasn’t stiff enough to properly set the hooks we were using. After trying almost every hook available we soon settled on the gold Eagle Claws ± there really wasn’t any comparison in the number of fish hooked per strike to other brands.
Why did the Eagle Claws work so well? If you lay a normal hook flat on the table you’ll notice the eye, shank and point all touch the surface at the same time. However, offset hooks’ points are turned sharply to one side. This hook offset almost ensures the hook point will catch. Imagine the top of your hand. If you move a regular, flat-style
hook carefully across the skin, keeping it perfectly parallel to the surface, the point slides along the top without catching. However, use the down-turned Eagle Claw and the point immediately catches when moved even the shortest distance since the sharp tip is angling downward. The same principle holds true setting the hook on fish, it being unlikely the tip won’t make contact.
So, lighter or heavier equipment demands strict attention to hook size and shape, matching them to the strength of your rod and line. The lighter the rod the thinner and smaller your hooks need to be. The larger the hook and heavier the lure, the more powerful your equipment needs to be.
I also believe electroplated gold and silver hooks penetrate easier because they’re so exceedingly smooth. My hooks of choice for F-11 Rapalas were
chrome-plated trebles by Mustad. They were stronger and hooked excellently. Unfortunately, they are difficult to find. When a fish strikes, a hard initial hookset many times jerks the bait out of the fish’s mouth. Just pulling firmly allows the point the opportunity to catch, then penetrate deeper during the battle. Sharpening hooks and replacing dull ones is a must. Check your hooks often, use a small stone or file to lightly taper the sides and tip of the point making them needle sharp. Again, super sharp points just need to catch initially, once started they then bury themselves. If possible, sharpen the inside, shank-facing point of the hook. That small flat keeps the hook angling in and helps prevent it pulling out. Believe me, this technique works, especially on larger hooks and really helped us land
more fish, especially hard-mouthed muskies. Barbs are designed by people, I believe, who don’t fish much, though lately barb designs are improving. Anyone who regularly unhooks fish realizes the tiniest of barbs can hold surprisingly well. Even the barb on a size 10 hook can be difficult to remove, requiring forceps or pliers to get a good enough grip to twist it out.
Despite this fact, many hooks have barbs far larger than necessary. File larger barbs down 50% or more. They’ll hold just fine and allow deeper penetration. Again, monitor each hookset; if you’re losing fish for no good reason, immediately check the hook for sharpness. Be thinking all the time — after all, since the hook is doing all the work, make sure you’ve chosen the best size and brand to work for you and your style of angling!
Photo by Wade Robertson
All fishing hooks are not created equal; in fact, using the correct hook can make a huge impact on those certain days when the trout are finicky and hitting lightly.