OUTDOORS Fishing conditions remain challenging

Fishing continues to be slow throughout the area due to higher water levels. Even though the snow pack has melted and there haven’t been the heavy rains lately, most of the area streams are relatively fast and somewhat roily. Although the medium sized streams are fishable, conditions are a bit challenging and the fish have not been too cooperative.

If you are trout fishing your best bet is to use live bait or salted minnows which can be floated along the bottom using split shot. Fish the bottom of the deeper pools where the current is less. Use just enough split shot to get the bait tumbling along the bottom naturally. With the swifter current this can be tough. If there is slack water try fishing that because some trout may be using that to get out of the strong current.

Presentations can be difficult because you need to stay as far away as possible from the areas you are targeting. With little or no leaf cover on streamside bushes the anglers are highly visible to the trout on small streams. Try to use what available cover there is and wear drab brown, green or camo clothing.

Since the water temperatures have risen and the flood conditions have subsided, the DEC has been stocking many area streams. They will continue stocking as time and conditions allow. Many streams will receive another stocking later in the spring.

Steelhead fishing on the Lake Ontario tributaries has been fair. There have been a good number of steelhead but water conditions have been very high on all the rivers and streams and for much of the past few weeks they have been unfishable.

Whittakers Sport Shop on

Route 13 in Pulaski reports that there have been far fewer anglers because many are not comfortable with the higher water levels. The few anglers who have been out are enjoying the solitude. Others have finding some action on steelhead in the smaller tributaries like Selkirk Creek, Trout and Orwell Brooks or the South Sandy Creek.

There are currently drop-back steelhead throughout the entire Salmon River. These are the fish who have already spawned and are heading back to Lake Ontario. They are also hungry and likely to hit a lure or bait if you can get it to them properly. Whittakers also said that there are still fish waiting to spawn on the gravel beds in the upper reaches of the Salmon River.

Anglers have been taking some nice fish on egg sacks, beads, pink worms or nightcrawlers. Fly fishermen have been using nymphs or egg patterns under a strike indicator for best results. Whittakers is open daily at 6 a.m. and closes at 6 p.m., at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Call 315-298-6162 for more information.

It is only about two weeks until the opening of walleye season on May 6.

We hope to have some opinions, suggestions and advice from local anglers before the season opener.

SHORT CASTS

Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame Banquet: The NYS Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame will hold its annual banquet on Saturday, April 29 at the Rusty Rail in Canastota. Registration and social hour will begin at 5 p.m. with dinner served promptly at 6. There will be nine new inductees and several people receiving special awards. One of those special awards will be Scott Faulkner being honored for his work with youth programs including the highly successful Youth Hunts for geese or turkey. Friends of Scott are urged to attend to cel- ebrate this well-deserved award.

Most major area sporting organizations from around the state will be represented this evening. Make your reservations by April 22 by calling (315) 363-3896.

African Safari Auction: The New York State Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame (NYSOHOF) will be auctioning off an African Safari at the annual induction banquet on April 29 at the Rusty Rail Restaurant in Canastota. The seven day safari is valued at over $6,500. It includes accommodations for one hunter and an accompanying observer. The safari is provided by Hercules Safaris.

Hercules Safaris is one of the most prestigious South African hunting agencies there is. They specialize in bow hunting and also offer rifle hunting safaris to persons from all corners of the world. They pride themselves on their motto: Hercules Safaris, where life is measured by breathtaking moments.

Their hunting safaris are aimed at those who have the desire to experience Africa to the full. They are clear that they will not offer you a hunt on a silver platter, instead they want you to earn your prize. The accommodation is of a very high standard and they try to get you as comfortable as possible, relaxed and enjoying the wild African nightlife.

The seven day safari package includes: Transfer to and from OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, South-Africa, one hunter on one Professional Hunter and one observer, trackers and skinners. They also provide cleaning staff, daily laundry, field preparation of trophies, all food, drinks and alcohol. Travel is by 4x4 hunting vehicle. All government taxes are included.

Three trophy animals included in this hunt (additional animals can be added) are: one warthog, one zebra, and one impala.

The NYSOHOF will accept written bids from those not able to attend the banquet. The minimum bid accepted is $1,000. Send a note to wowelko@juno.com for bid information. More information on Hercules Safaris can be found at their website: http://herculessafaris.com/.

OLA Meeting May 3: The annual Oneida Lake Association meeting will be Wednesday, May 3. This year the meeting will be in a new location, the Gillette Middle School. Doors open at 6 p.m. and meeting starts at 7. This years featured speaker will be Captain Tim Caza. There will also be a report on fisheries and the state of the lake.

Great Swamp Conservancy Spring Migration Festival: The Great Swamp Conservancy located at 8375 North Main St., Canastota will hold the Spring Migration Festival on May 6-7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. There will be many attractions including Peaceful Hollow Farm, Wanderer’s Rest, Utica Zoo Mobile, Westy’s Birds of Prey and more organizations. Book author Spider Rybaak will be there along with several wildlife artists. There will be chicken barbeque on Saturday, music and guided bird walks. For more information see the website greatswampconservancy.org.

Permethrin For Turkey Hunters: One of the things that turkey hunters should do to prepare for the season is to spray your clothing, especially your pants with Permethrin. Permethrin has been proven to repel ticks and prevent them from entering inside your clothing.

Turkey hunters are especially vulnerable because many are seated on cushions with their back to a tree and their legs extended on the carpet of fallen leaves. It is suggested that you use some repellent such as Permethrin on your clothing. Even though you will be wearing long sleeves, gloves, etc. it is not a bad idea to spray your skin with some repellent such as Bug Repel.

Under no circumstances should you spray Permethrin on your skin, or allow the liquid to come in contact with your skin. It comes in a spray container and you should give your pants and possibly your boots a good coating and leave them outside to dry for 24 hours. Once it is dry there is no danger or problem if it comes in contact with your skin. One coating will be good for several uses, including getting wet from dew or rain. I also like to wear gaiters that fit snugly around the cuffs of your pants to prevent ticks from entering.

Al LaFrance Memorial Turkey Hunt: The Independent Fur Harvesters of Central New York are holding a spring turkey hunt contest in memory of the late president, Al LaFrance. The contest is open to adults and any youth eligible for the Youth Hunt season. Prizes are $100 for first, $50 for second, and $25 for third. You must enter by April 30 to eligible. If you are interested call Rich Palmer at 315-7205227 for details on obtaining and mailing the entry form.