OUTDOOR SCENE
By Joe Ognibene: 51 year veteran outdoor  

Sunday September 28 2008  

Ognibene's Final Column - 51+ year career comes to an end.  

           It has been said that all things must end and that includes outdoor columns, namely this one, which ends with today’s publication. I did not come to this conclusion lightly. Let me explain why it is time for me to bow out. My right knee, which I have used, misused and abused over the years, needs replacing. Later this week that will be done and then I enter a period of rehabilitation during which time we will be teaching the new knee how to walk. This means I will be on the shelf, so to speak, and unable to be out and about to gather information to write an informative column.

          Another reason is now that Mary is gone I don’t want to spend the winter rattling around by myself in this big, lonely house. There are too many memories in every room. I have decided as soon as I am allowed to drive the fishing rods will be packed and I will be heading south to chase large-mouth bass. If the sports department wants I can send back periodic reports from Florida and maybe mention any Niagara Falls snowbirds I run across.
 
          Leaving something that has been a very important part of my life for the past 51-plus years is not the easiest thing I have ever done, but I look back with pride and satisfaction knowing I did my best. Not everyone agreed with some of the stances I took and that is understandable, but I like to think I told it like it is. The New York Bowhunters will not be inviting me to their social functions and will no doubt be happy to see me fade away. This column may fade away but the drive to legalize the crossbow will not and sooner or later it will come about. Their argument against the crossbow is the same argument presented by longbow and re-curve enthusiasts when the compound was introduced. I enjoyed writing articles that exposed PETA for the bunch of hypocrites and weirdoes they are.

          Another thing that I am quite proud of is my plunking down $5 to become the first charter member of Niagara River Anglers Association when Mark and Joan Daul told me about it. This is an organization that did what many said could not be done, restocking the Niagara River with walleye that many are catching today. Thanks to the late John Long who donated land for rearing ponds NRAA became the model for other clubs throughout the state to do the same. Now the club has fallen victim to the curse that has befallen other organizations, cliques have formed and dissension is rampant within the group. We can only hope that common sense among the members eventually prevails and NRAA once again becomes the grand and proud organization it once was.

           It has long been my belief an outdoor column should do more than tell readers how to catch a fish or bag a deer. There are too many problems involving hunting, fishing, trapping and, most important, gun ownership that must be brought out into the open. I have tried to alert my readers when legislation needed either support or opposition on subjects involving our outdoor activities. I make no apologies for the political toes I stepped on over the years. They needed stepping on. The column fulfilled its obligation when it drew attention to the sad shape some area launch ramps were in. A few were repaired and others replaced. If this column were to continue it would still thump the drum for blaze orange for all deer hunters. No, I do not advocate mandatory wearing of blaze orange, but I sure do recommend it. Movement not blaze orange is what spooks deer. Now that rifles are allowed in our Southern Tier someone wearing camo and crawling through the brush could be spotted over the sights of a 30:06 and that might not turn out well.
The column sometimes sounded like the town scold when telling everyone to be careful of guns, ladder stands, wading unfamiliar streams, climbing over fences, careless use of a bow and any other blockhead stunts many of us have all pulled at one time or another. It is heartening to see other have taken up the cry for signs to be erected in the lower Niagara River Gorge warning everyone of the deadly danger that rushing water presents. The average tourist has probably never seen water raging as it does in the gorge and the temptation to get close can be tragic.

        This column joined many others in calling for adoption of the Great Lakes Compact by our federal government to assure the waters of our Great Lakes are not exploited and sold to the highest bidder. Earlier last week the U. S. Congress voted to approve the compact and was given assurance the president would sign it. The Great Lakes are now safe from diversion but still need protecting from our own stupidity by ignoring conservation efforts and not halting pollution. In the years to come there is no doubt efforts will be made to undo the compact and vigilance is needed by all the states bordering the Great Lakes as well as Canada
.
       There are many problems in our outdoor world at present and in the future that calls for a voice that refuses to be stilled. Let’s hope someone comes along with a “fire in their belly” to point out what needs attention, correction or elimination and screams to high heaven about it. That’s what I think I’ll miss most, no longer rocking the boat. To all my readers, Thank You, it was one “helluva ride.”
Joe Ognibene”

Mark Daul's Note: We will all miss your column Joe. Your weekly column has been an inspiration to young and old for generations and has always been something to look forward to each week and at one period in time, twice a week. You are right Joe, it's been one "helluva ride" for all of us. Thank you so much for everything on behalf of all of us.

OUTDOOR SCENE
By Joe Ognibene: 51 year veteran outdoor  

Sunday September 21 2008  

            The all terrain vehicle is one of the most versatile machines that an outdoorsman could ask for. You can use it to haul equipment to a cabin, drag a few deer out of the woods, run hunters up the hill in less time than it takes to think about and save old legs from complete collapse. It can also kill you.

           Lately there have been a slew of ATV accidents and most should not have happened. In the past few weeks eight accidents involving ATVs have been reported, two of which were fatalities. Cited as major causes of accidents are speed, inexperienced drivers and alcohol. There have been reports of children as young as eight-years-old driving full size ATVs with tragic consequences. There is no eight-year-old who knows what to do in an emergency situation on a speeding powerful machine. Three-wheeled ATVs are no longer sold in this country and it is feared the four-wheelers have given drivers a false sense of security. Coupled with driving without a helmet and a few beers under his or her belt some drivers think nothing of going upwards of fifty miles per hour on barely marked trail. Most accidents happen on little used country roads where traffic is light. This is when caution is tossed to the winds and chances are taken. When three or four men, young or old, gather with a powerful machine under them testosterone takes over and challenges are issued. Why we men brag about a machine someone else made and we foolishly drive like it’s Saturday night at the stock car races is beyond me. The only thing we prove is that we had the down payment. Any father or mother who would allow their young children to drive an ATV should be charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Snow-mobiles have their share of accidents too, but being thrown into a snow drift is much easier to take than a concrete road surface. If you or any of your party will be using an ATV this deer season caution should be observed at all times. Whatever you do don’t carry a loaded shotgun or rifle as an ATV is treated the same as any moving vehicle. Treat it with respect and care and an ATV can be a valuable tool. Treat it carelessly and you could end your deer hunting trip as a patient in a hospital, or worse.

          With any luck at all the Great Lakes Compact will be ratified by the U.S. House of Representatives later this month followed by the president’s signature. There is some concern about allowing water to be taken from the Great Lakes to be bottled for sale in five-gallon containers. The language of the agreement between Great Lakes states and Canada might allow such a thing to happen. The effort to contain Great Lakes water within the Great Lakes basin has taken 10 years to get to this point and it would be a catastrophe and might never come about if this became a sticking point. Let us hope this is not a ploy to allow final decisions to be made after the fall elections in the hope that south-western states gain control of congress. New Mexico is already on record calling for a national water policy. That means, tap into the Great Lakes and send the water out west.
No one knows why sales of licenses, hunting, fishing and trapping, are up this year about 75,000 over last. It could be that many deer hunters are planning on putting venison in the freezer for winter. Add a few geese and ducks along with a rabbit or two and the grocery bill could be dramatically reduced.
The fall pheasant season doesn’t open until October 18 in Western New York but if you want to hunt for them in Joseph Davis State Park on Saturday Oct. 25 and November 1, you will need a special permit. You can get the permit by mailing a post card to: Mary Kay Dugan, Niagara Frontier State Parks, Regional Operations Office, P O Box 1132, Niagara Falls, NY 14303. On the post card put your name, address, phone number, back tag number and the date you wish to hunt. Forget about sending more than one card as all cards will be entered in a computer to avoid duplication. There will be 126 birds released in the park.

        Zebra and quagga mussels continue their relentless march across the country and have now been reported in Utah. Most of the states now report the presence of the tiny zebra mussel shells that clog water intake pipes and threaten the bottom rungs of the aquatic food chain. It is unlikely the spread of either mussel, brought to this country in the holds of ships from the Caspian Sea, can be stopped.
This coming weekend the Hew York Power Vista will be the location for one of the finest wildlife festivals in the state. There will be hundreds of various animal exhibits, most alive, numerous hands-on displays, talks by experts, a fishing pond stocked with live trout, fishing tackle furnished, and the whole show and parking are free. Hours are 10 a.m. till 5 p.m. both days at the New York Power Vista, Lewiston Road, next door to Niagara University. It’s a show not only will you enjoy but is something your youngsters will be talking about all winter.

OUTDOOR SCENE
By Joe Ognibene: 51 year veteran outdoor  

Sunday September 13 2008  

         We aren’t too far from the bow-hunting season and it would be a good idea to check things out now to be ready on opening morning. The season opens for bow hunters is October 18 and indications point to what could be a successful season for most hunters. It will be a success only if what they do before opening day what needs to be done.

        It’s hard to believe that many hunters, both bow and gun, still use homemade ladders consisting of a few boards nailed into a tree to get onto a platform they call a stand. The boards nailed in last season are not to be trusted this year due to the tree’s growth that probably loosened the nails and deteriorated the wood. Screw-in tree steps are inexpensive and a lot safer than a nailed-in board, but a ladder stand is best. Sending an arrow towards a deer calls for an unrestricted path and a small twig or leaves can send the arrow in a different direction than aimed. If the hunter has his tree stand established and has decided on which direction might be coming from then a shooting lane should be made. That means twigs, branches or leaves that might interfere with the arrow’s flight have be removed. Bowstrings don’t last forever and it is not pleasant when one snaps at full draw so have yours checked by an expert and replace if recommended.

        Now is the time to do a little practicing to not only sharpen your shooting eye, but to also limber muscles that might have gone a little flabby. The advice given by most professional trainers is to start out slowly and gradually increase the number of pulls and length of your draw. If you haven’t done any shooting since last season you will be surprised on how difficult it will be to pull at full draw until you limber up those unused muscles. It would be wise to change positions and distances while target practicing unless you have a guarantee a deer is going to do exactly what you want it to do. If this will be your first year hunting with a bow it would be a good idea to talk with someone who has “been there, done that” to keep your mistakes at a minimum. Be more than careful while carrying broadhead hunting arrows, they are sharp and unforgiving. Sporting goods stores and catalogs are filled with the whistles and bells you can outfit a bow with, but not all are needed or necessary.

         Fall salmon fishing has gotten off to a slow start but should pick up soon. Chinook and coho are beginning to head into all the creeks along Lake Ontario and around here the two top streams are the lower Niagara River and 18-Mile Creek. The other creeks on the lake, 10-Mile, Four-Mile, Keg and Johnson’s will all give you some great salmon and trout fishing. Brown trout along with rainbows will be chasing salmon to gobble their eggs when they spawn out. The more rain we have the better as it will keep the creeks filed with water giving the fish a better chance of going far inland. An exciting spot to take a youngster would be keg Creek on Route 18, east of Olcott three miles. There is a large pool alongside the road where some huge salmon have been taken. During the fall run usually a large number of brown and rainbow trout are also taken from the pool. There is a riffle at the downstream end of the pool and the kids will be fascinated to watch salmon wiggle over wet rocks into deeper water.
 
         The most popular stream, lower Niagara River, has many spots to try. Park at Artpark, walk down the steps and head upstream to a large culvert that descends from the top of the escarpment. It has always been a productive spot and there is no reason why it shouldn’t still be. Devil’s Hole is where most fishermen head for or the fishing platform at the base of the Robert Moses Power Plant. If you fish the platform you can drive your car down, unload your buddies and tackle and someone has to drive the car back up to the parking lot. If you fish in the Devil’s Hole be aware the water rises quickly once the intake gates on the upper Niagara are closed and more water allowed to flow over the Falls filling the river. Don’t be stupid and try wading out to gain an advantage, unless you have a death wish. Boaters will be fishing close to shore and their lines and shore fishermen’s are going to tangle. Be patient and cussing out the other fellow isn’t going to solve a thing.

         On Saturday, September 20, a one-day Walleye Classic will be held and you can sign up either at A-1 Bait, Grauer Road, or at www.Ourdoorsniagara.com  where you can get all the details. The classic will be held at the same time as Fish Odyssey.

         Reserve the 27th and 28th of this month for the Wildlife Festival to be held at the Niagara Power Project’s Power Vista. There is no charge and parking is free. Hours both days will be 10 a.m. till 5 p.m. There will be plenty of wildlife, such as Golden Eagles, capuchin monkey, owls, hawks, pheasants white deer and much more. The youngsters in the family will be fascinate by Mike Randall, well-known weatherman from WKBW, who won’t be talking about weather, but will show his talents as a magician, puppeteer and story teller. The Niagara River Anglers will once again feature their fishing pond loaded with trout youngsters can try for with furnished rods and bait. It will take most of the day to take in all the sights and exhibits and you can get something to eat along with soft drinks while there. This is a premier event and it’s something you or your children shouldn’t miss.

         The “record” Coho salmon many outdoor writers reported on last week turned out to be incorrect. One of the fish was eventually identified as a Chinook, the other, a, whoops, Coho-Chinook hybrid. That means a world record Coho is still swimming in Lake Ontario.

OUTDOOR SCENE
By Joe Ognibene: 51 year veteran outdoor  

Sunday September 7 2008  

             It hardly seems possible that we are well into September and still haven’t fulfilled all our summer plans. Maybe next year we can get an earlier start, but for now let’s think fall salmon. By now you have probably heard about a possible world record Coho salmon  caught in Lake Ontario, not the Pacific Northwest.

            A Pennsylvania fisherman caught the 33-pound, seven ounce fish while onboard a charter boat out of Oswego. On the same day another Coho weighed in at 32-pounds, nine ounces was recorded from the same area. The weight of the potential world record Coho exceeds the present record holder by three ounces and has captured the New York record, but will take a few months before world record status is verified. It hasn’t been all that many years since Coho and Chinook salmon were introduced into Lake Ontario and we now hold the world’s record. The fish was caught on a flasher and cut bait trolled 43 feet deep over 73 feet of water.

            Not only will the lucky fisherman receive the accolades of the fishing fraternity but manufacturers of the rod, reel, line, lure and whatever else they can think of will beat a path to his door with fistfuls of cash. Look for pictures of the fish and fisherman in next year’s fishing catalogs. The charter boat captain will make out pretty well too. After all, future customers will hope lightning will strike again if they get on the lucky boat. It would have been even nicer to report the fish had been taken in Niagara County waters on board a local charter captain’s boat. It’s still possible as fish continue to grow throughout their lifetime and there could be a future world record Chinook or Coho in Lake Ontario that is gorging itself and will eventually be taken from the lake or Devil’s Hole.

            With heavy salmon action almost on us it would be wise to put some new line on your reels and check out the guides on your rods. After a summer of casting one or more of the guide liners could have popped out or had grooves worn in them and should be replaced. If you know how to rewind guides take the old one for comparison so you get the exact size replacement. Otherwise, have an expert do it for you. Replacing line is a no-brainer and you don’t need an expensive line winder to do the job. Thread the line through the guides and onto the reel with a bit of sticky tape and simply toss the spool into a pail of water. The idea of the tape is so that if the fish takes the reel-full of line let him have it rather than chancing a snapped rod. The reason for the pail of water is so the line un-spools correctly and goes on the reel arbor in the same direction as it came off. Use your thumb and a finger to put some tension on the line as you crank, you don’t need much.

            Tackle stores are filled with various types of lines and for the most part they will all do the job, but for heavy duty fishing braided line is superior. Braided line has little, if any, stretch and is more sensitive than monofilament. When setting the hook the less stretch the better. It is thinner than monofilament, size for size, and will last much longer.  It is more expensive than monofilament but in the long run worth the extra cost. In the monofilament category you’re going to find a bewildering array of choices. Buy the best you can afford, as the differences aren’t all the great despite claims of the manufacturers. When salmon are on a spawning run I doubt very much they pay much attention to the color of the line so discount color as a factor in your choice. Color could be a factor when fishing for easily spooked trout in a small stream, but it takes more than color to spook a salmon in the Niagara River. Always remember that when fishing Devil’s Hole or any stretch of the lower Niagara River your lure and line will come in contact with sharp rocks that could knick the line. A knick means whatever the line test was it is now lessened a great deal. A 20-pound test line with a knick in it could be reduced to less than 5-pound test. You increase your chances of a successful trip if you check the first 20 or more feet or line before casting. Simply run the line through your fingers and if you feel a knick cut the line to eliminate that end.

            Don’t be surprised if while on the lower Niagara River you’re stopped by Canadian authorities and checked out. Mike Fox and I were pulled over and when Fox questioned why, as his GPS indicated we were in U.S. water, we were told his GPS must not be accurate and the one in the Canadian boat would be the one used. Words were exchanged, tempers flared and that didn’t help matters. From that point the officer called for every bit of identification and safety item he could think of. He three shot shell like flares to fit the flare gun on Fox’s boat were not acceptable in Canada, something about meters or centimeters. To be legal you must have six of those shot shell sized flares or three regular marine flares. Then the officer asked to see Mike’s flashlight. That’s when I asked why a flashlight is needed on a bright, sunny day. The officer said it could be used to alert anyone on shore if help is needed. There was no sense in arguing over such ridiculous reasoning, after all, he was wearing the badge and who needs an international incident. The only bright spot of the trip was the more than 15-pound catfish Fox caught.

OUTDOOR SCENE
By Joe Ognibene: 51 year veteran outdoor  

Sunday August 31 2008  

         On Monday morning the special goose hunting season kicks off and until it ends on September 25 hunters will be allowed eight birds a day. The regular Canada goose hunting season opens on October 25 and the limit drops to five a day, but not everywhere throughout the state. Rather than go through a long explanation of where you can take five migratory geese and where only three a day are allowed go to www.dec.ny.gov and get a copy of the regulations or from a license issuing agency, if they have any.

        In the 2008-2009 Hunting and Trapping guide on pages 72-73 you will find a map of Wildlife Management Units that will help you to find boundaries between areas where bag limits differ. Changes have been made and you should be aware of where the new boundaries are. The DEC web site will tell you which WMUs allow which limits. It can be a bit confusing so take your time and study the boundaries carefully. Most of Western New York is included in the five a day limit on Canada geese when the regular season opens on Oct. 25. The reason for the increase in the bag limit during the regular season is because it is known migratory and resident geese sometimes mingle for a while before the migrants head south. Whether they are visiting with long lost relatives or not is unknown, but it is impossible to tell a migrating goose from a resident one. The duck-hunting season will also open on the 25th of October. Your current hunting license, HIP number and migratory bird stamp are valid until October 1 when you must renew everything.

         Many of us are still wondering why some Canada geese decided to stop migrating and stay in the north. We still have large numbers of migrating geese that stop in our area, namely at the Tonawanda-Iroquois Wildlife swamp east of Lockport, rest for a short time before continuing south for the winter. The same happens in the spring when the migrants stop in the swamp to rest and then head for northern Canada to breed. It seems strange but the migrants keep going and it is unlikely many of our resident geese join them. Along about the second week of October the migrants begin appearing and unlike our resident geese migrants fly higher and in a more organized manner. Their precise “vee” formation seems to be more orderly and their haunting call as they fly overhead reminds us frail humans summer has passed and we should prepare for winter’s onslaught.
 
          The law requires a shotgun that can hold only three shells, one in the chamber and two in the magazine, and most autoloaders come with a wooden plug so you can’t overload. Don’t do what some hunters who should know better do and use shot shells of smaller caliber to act as a plug. I know for a fact that 20guage shells being used as a plug in a 12guage gun can detonate when the gun is fired. Luckily the fellow who stupidly did such a thing had facial bruises and a ruined, brand new A5 Browning shotgun. A simple wooden dowel or stout twig cut to the proper length to fit the tube will work just fine.

           A lame duck administration that is partial to big business could wreak havoc on our environment if allowed to go through with what is proposed. The Bush administration wants to give power to governmental agencies to decide if projects they wish to build or issue permits for will endanger any plants, animals or part of our environment. This means the Fish and Wildlife Agency would be ignored and bypassed. Can you imagine how the strip mine industry would react if given the opportunity to walk away from land stripped when the coal runs out by declaring the affect “marginal.” Each agency would be allowed on their own to declare what is or is not a marginal threat to wildlife, plants or environment. Put enough marginal affects together and it could spell disaster for a large part of the country. With all the hot air coming from both candidates for president it’s strange nothing such as this is ever mentioned.

          An archery shoot will be held at the Wilson Conservation Club, Route 425, on Sunday mornings starting at 9a.m. The shoots will be held September 14, 21, 28 and October 5.They will be McKenzie target shoots, 20 of them, and cost is $5 for members and $8 for non-members. Children under 12 are free. Food and drinks will be available. The shoots are open to the public. Show up with your bow and target arrows and sharpen your shooting eye for the upcoming season.

         Salmon are beginning to show up in the lower Niagara River and the fishing platform at the base of the Robert Moses Power Plant is as good a spot as any to try. During early morning hours they can be seen rolling on the surface in Devil’s Hole. With salmon nearing spawning time it won’t be long before the lower gorge becomes the hottest place in town for fishermen. Remember that the level of the river changes rapidly once the intake gates on the upper river are closed. Forget wading out for your fish, the current is swift and ever changing.
 
         Last week’s bass fishing trip on Lake Erie was slow due to the east wind that was blowing. It must be that the old saying, “fishing is least when wind in the east” is true. Four hours of trying netted two piddling smallmouth, four gobies and a lumpy boat ride. I shoulda stood in bed.

OUTDOOR SCENE
By Joe Ognibene: 51 year veteran outdoor  

Sunday August 24 2008  

           The recent tragic incident of a young girl from the New York City area who slipped into the raging water of the lower Niagara Gorge should serve as a reminder to all those who will soon be fishing the gorge for salmon that this is a very dangerous place to be in. Witnesses said the youngster ventured onto a sloping rock to cool her feet at the outfall of the Whirlpool, slid on the slippery rock and was swept away by the rushing water. It’s a tragedy that should not have happened.

          It is unlikely the girl had ever seen water as turbulent as in the Niagara River Gorge and did not realize the danger it presented. We all like to get close to the water’s edge it’s a human trait that can have disastrous and deadly consequences. Those of us who have fished the gorge for salmon have seen fishermen who have taken unnecessary and foolhardy chances with their lives trying to gain an advantage in their attempt to catch a fish. The trail is narrow with broken rock underfoot. It can be extremely slippery and many times fallen trees have to be gone around. Walking the trail while carrying fishing rods, net and a tackle box makes the walk all the more difficult. From Devil’s Hole upstream to the Whirlpool the bank drops away and the trail is perilously close to the edge. Slip and you can almost guarantee you will not be coming back. Fishing from a wet rock at the Whirlpool is not the wisest thing a fisherman can do. The rocks are constantly being doused with the spray from the turbulence and in the excitement of battling a salmon you could take that step that could end your life. Besides, if you do hook a salmon in the Whirlpool chances are you will not be able to land it. The fish will immediately head downstream and you will not, believe me, be able to turn him as the strength of the fish and the speed of the current will beat you every time.

           Most sensible fishermen fish Devil’s Hole where they have a reasonable chance of taking their fish. Even there some fishermen do some stupid things, such as wading out into the water at the head of the hole and standing on rocks 50 or 60 feet from dry land. They may not know it but those rocks will be covered with about five feet of water in a short time once the intake gates on the upper Niagara are closed and more water flows over the falls. Crawling onto abutments at the downstream end of the Robert Moses Power Plant is not the wisest thing they could do either. The lower Niagara River Gorge is no place to be wading as you would the Wiscoy or any of our Southern Tier streams.
No one knows how many tourists wander into the gorge from either Devil’s Hole or Whirlpool State Park not knowing of the dangers that are at the bottom. It is my feeling large signs should be erected warning of the potential dangers not only at the top of the gorge, but also along the trail. If the state would allow it erecting signs warning of the danger could be a worthwhile project for the Niagara River Anglers to undertake. It would be impossible to make the trail safe as winter’s snow and ice causes rock erosion and mudslides that constantly change the profile of the trail. If this season will be your first time fishing in the gorge remember it a dangerous and unforgiving area and everything is stacked against you if you take chances. The fish hasn’t been born yet, and never will be, that’s worth risking your life over
In case you hadn’t heard yet licenses for 2008-2009 have been on sale since August 18. You can purchase your Deer Management Permit at the same time as you do your new licenses. Approximately 530,000 permits will be available for this upcoming season. Your current license expires on October 1. If you have reached the age of 65 you qualify for a senior sportsman’s license that includes fishing, small game and big game hunting privileges for $5 per year. Also for those 65 or older a lifetime license is available that includes hunting, fishing, big game and turkey for $50. This means you can move to anywhere you want and still receive your lifetime New York license to use whenever you return to the state. The license will be mailed to you yearly.

           Selling black crappie could be costly for two Rochester brothers, Alex and Robert Doughty, and fish market operator Sungkyo Choi, all face hefty fines and possible prison time. They were caught with more than 1,000 of the small fish. Possession of undersized fish and illegal buying and selling protected fish are charges lodged against the three men. Value of the fish was estimated at more than $1,500. Most of us have caught crappies from Lakes Chautauqua or Black and though they can be fun to catch in early spring they are a nuisance to clean and not all that great in the eating department.

          Expect to be given a “once over” if you’re out on either of our lakes by various law enforcement agencies. The Border Patrol, sheriff’s department, U. S. Coast Guard, DEC Patrol along with Canadian boats are cruising the lakes looking for suspicious activities. The stops are random and take only a few minutes if you have your licenses in order and the boat has all the required equipment. Check yourself out before leaving the dock and you have nothing to worry about.