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Hamlin-Clarkson Herald
Westside News Established 1953 Serving the communities of Spencerport-Ogden, Churchville-Riga, North Chili, Hilton-Parma, Hamlin, Clarkson, Kendall, Bergen, Clarendon, Holley-Murray, Brockport-Sweden
May 3, 2020
Issue No. 17
Brownies by T.R. Hendrick I am going to say it again this spring, “Lake Ontario is the best place in the country to catch big brown trout!” Anglers chasing browns here in the spring have a good chance to catch a trophy right on our shorelines of the big lake. Whether it be in a boat or from shore, the numbers and size of the fish you can catch on the right day is impressive to even the most traveled Ron White with a gorgeous spring brown trout. Ron and son angler. Brandon are top notch local fishermen. For the best way to go about contacting these spring browns, #4 - Run a longer leader, we tie 30-foot I checked in with Brandon White. leaders. This increases stealth and Brandon, along with Captain Kip Mam- gives us plenty of leader to retie due to mano, operates Rochester Sport Fishing wear and tear. Charters. Brandon was gracious enough #5 - Fish “dingy water!” We are looking to email me some tips on how to target for “Pea Green Water.” If you can see the these early shallow water trout. Here bottom, the fish can see you, find a difis what Brandon sent me. “Spring is ferent spot. On the other hand, DO NOT here, boats are out, and the fish are fish “Chocolate Milk.” If it looks like you hungry. Just because they’re hungry just ordered a chocolate smoothie, they does not mean they want the whole can probably not see your bait. Again, enchilada in one bite! Don’t overlook find a different spot. Search until you your smaller baits this time of the year. find the muddy water mixing with the Our go-to spring salmon and trout bait clear water. in shallow water is the 3.5-inch Yo-Zuri Salmon and trout typically hit very crystal minnow and even the 2.75-inch ferociously this time of the year beversion. cause they are so hungry. To reduce The warmest water is most consis- foul hookups, and increase our landing tently found close to shore and getting percentage we typically remove both as tight to shore as possible is our goal. stock hooks and replace them with a I’m talking less than ten feet of water. single #4 treble hook on the back only. During the spring season, we rarely This will also reduce the number of break the twenty-foot mark and typi- snags we encounter, as the bill is diving cally stay in the teen depths, with our deepest and the rear hook is sitting just planer boards cruising under ten feet. a touch higher. Our go-to colors in the In most cases, I want my planer boards spring are as follows: Holographic Red within inches of docks if possible! This Head, Hot Tiger, Holographic Perch, goes for you shore anglers as well. and Candy.” Casting the crystal minnow from piers, I want to thank Brandon for passing docks, etc. is a great way to get at these on some of his hard-earned expertise. same fish. On a breezy day or a situation The guy knows his stuff. He can also where you want more casting distance, take you bass fishing in the Finger bump up to the 4.375 crystal minnow for Lakes when the restrictions lift and the a little added weight and distance. season opens. Fishing such shallow water can easAs far as this monster that has come ily spook fish, here are five ways we to wreak havoc, we have wrestled the combat this. beast down, but it is far from dead. #1 - Get your lines away from your boat, Now let us not let it up again by getsend your planer boards out there! (But ting too careless. Social distancing is be courteous to other boaters) the key, though admittedly hard to do #2 - Increase your lead length. Instead in a boat. So, pick your fishing partners of running your baits 100-feet back, run carefully. Shore fishing for browns can them at 125 to 150-feet. be very good this time of year, but again, #3 - Run a lighter fluorocarbon leader. give each other space. As the great In the summer we use 20 lb. Yo-Zuri philosopher, Moe Howard, often said, fluorocarbon, instead, tone it down to a “Spread Out!” (For those under fifty 15 lb. leader. please Google)
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NYS Canal System will not open to through navigation on May 15 The New York State Canal Corporation issued the following Notice to Mariners on April 23: “Due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, the Canal Corporation has suspended all non-essential construction and maintenance activities, therefore the New York State Canal System will not open for through navigation of the locks on May 15 as previously announced. However, to support the Canal’s continued use as a prime recreational waterway, the Canal Corporation is currently evaluating operational options to ensure New Yorkers will have access to the Canal system, if even potentially on a regional basis, this season. We recognize that this is an extraordinarily difficult time and are sensitive to potential hardships Canal stakeholders, as well as many other New Yorkers, may experience. The situation with COVID19 is ever-evolving, and we are trying to adapt our plans accordingly. Future updates will be posted through our Notice to Mariners program. We appreciate your patience.” Lock pump-outs and related construction work ceased along the NYS Canal System on March 17. Impacted locks include E7 (Niskayuna), E13 (Yosts), E19 (Schuyler), E26 (Clyde), E23 (Brewerton), E33 (Rochester), Locks E34/E35 (Lockport) on the Erie Canal, and C12 (Whitehall) on the Champlain Canal. Until this work is completed, boats will not be able to travel between locks and vessels seeking to reach the Finger Lakes, Lake Champlain, Great Lakes, and Canadian waterways via the Canal System will not be able to do so. On April 8, the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor sent a letter urging the New York Power Authority and the NYS Canal Corporation to reconsider their decision to suspend es-
sential repairs and construction in order to safely reopen the entire NYS Canal System as soon as possible. The NYS Canal System generates billions of dollars in economic impact each year for canal communities and businesses. While the safety of canal employees, contractors, and the general public is vital during this pandemic, the argument could be made that a fully navigable canal system is essential transportation infrastructure. Delays in opening the Canal System, or opening the canals on a regional basis, would have negative economic and social impacts on upstate communities. The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor said in a statement, “New York’s canals are an integral part of the social fabric and identity of communities all along upstate waterways. During this extremely difficult time, delayed opening and reduced water levels of the NYS Canal System will further contribute to a climate of uncertainty across the entire state. More than 70 percent of upstate New Yorkers live within 20 miles of the canals. For 200 years, through wars and peacetime, prosperity and recession, the canals have remained navigable. Residents in canal communities celebrate the opening of the Canal System each year and embrace the beauty, history, and recreational opportunities that the canals provide. Opening the entire Canal System in a safe and timely fashion would provide a sense of normalcy and hope to millions. As the National Heritage Corridor tasked with preserving and promoting the NYS Canal System for present and future generations, we continue to stand ready to work collaboratively with the NYS Canal Corporation and New York Power Authority at this critical time.” Provided information
Photo by Karen Fien