Make the most of your summer experiences

Leo Maloney provides a plethora of ideas for enjoying the summer in his weekly outdoors column.

Summer is finally here! This is the time we live for and a major reason that most of us love upstate New York. A major problem is that we think of it as a line from the song “Endless Summer Nights” but in reality, it slips away like a line from the song “The Summer Wind.” Don’t let it pass by without enjoying every possible moment.

I realize that this is easier said than done with all the constraints of the job, possibly a second job, conflicting family schedules and a myriad of other distractions and requirements. But if you don’t just sit around and let summer slip away you can enjoy the great things while the opportunity awaits.

Take the kids fishing. Several times! Go where there is some action like panfish or perch which means some deeper water within casting distance. If you need suggestions ask someone or contact me for ideas. Just don’t frustrate them with wasting their time casting at some boat launch or beach area where the only thing they will get is sunburn.

Enjoy the sunsets. There are lots of locations, but the best places to view them are from a hillside or over a lake where you can get the effect of setting sun on the horizon. Oneida Lake offers great sunsets as does Lake Ontario or the St. Lawrence River.

Spend some time gazing at the stars. Pick a clear night at some location away from the “light pollution” of urban and suburban areas. Relax and be amazed at the stars in the sky just like when you were a kid. Be sure to take children several times since that is something most of them rarely see these days.

Go on an old-fashioned picnic. The lunch can be simple but make it something different. Pick a spot that has scenic appeal, places for kids to play, nature trails and a beach for swimming or a spot for fishing. Leave the electronics at home and see what a unique experience it is

to enjoy nature or interact with other people instead of gadgets.

Experience a new area. We all like familiar areas but stretch your experiences and explore a new spot from the many great venues that Central NY has to offer. Maybe it is the Finger Lakes, Adirondacks, Lake Ontario, Thousand Islands, Black River Valley or the Cooperstown area. You will be pleasantly surprised.

Draw a circle on a map of a radius within 45 minutes away. Check out some of the countless fishing spots in that circle. Maybe you will find some great new fishing areas to add to your favorites. At the very least you will get out of your rut and experience something new.

Try camping. Maybe it is renewing old memories. Perhaps it is learning a new skill and experience. Keep it simple. You can borrow or rent equipment for a short weekend. There are countless campgrounds that may be your best bet before you strike off on a remote trip. If you are already a camper, try a new location or type of camping to add to your experiences.

Go hiking. There are countless areas nearby as well as the more distant and exotic ones. Know your own ability and those of the youngest or least physically fit people in your group. Have proper footwear and clothing. Carry plenty of water and snacks, as well as a few emergency items like flashlight, compass, etc. If most of your group is lacking in experience and con- ditioning be sure to pick an easy hike. Look for scenic spots or interesting things along the way. A hike should be an enjoyable experience, not some challenge to check off your list.

Shoot some sporting clays or trap. It is a fun way to spend an evening and it will pay benefits in the fall hunting season. There are lots of clubs that you shoot at, or just grab a hand-trap and some clay pigeons and shoot with your friends.

Go paddling. Even if larger boats and pulling the kids on a tube is your normal thing, try life in the slow lane. Rent or borrow kayaks or canoes and find some short, quiet location to paddle and enjoy the surroundings. You will probably find that it is fun and you have been missing out on another world out there.

It isn’t always easy to enjoy these outdoor pleasures with the demands of family, job and other attractions we enjoy. But these don’t have to be lengthy or involved. We just have to do a little planning and make the effort. But don’t waste your summer by putting them off. The days are already getting shorter!

Thousand Islands Update:

We returned home last weekend from a two-week camping trip at the Thousand Islands. It was a great time as usual, but decidedly different due to the high water conditions. Water all along the St. Lawrence River was the highest I have ever seen it. It was over three feet above normal and went down about seven or eight inches while we were there. They cannot just open the gates more at the Iroquois Dam because it would completely flood out Montreal. Lowering the water level an inch or less on the upper St. Lawrence River results in a rise of a foot downriver.

Many businesses, including marinas, are obviously hurting. Many of the boat launches are closed and most docks are under water. There are some launches such as Cedar Point or Grass Point State Parks where the angle is moderate and people can launch with caution and utilize the floating docks. Other places the water level is too high and the ramp is too steep or shallow for safe launching. Call ahead to various villages, chambers of commerce and tourism agencies or state parks for specific conditions and information on availability of launching and docking.

Fishing was not fantastic, but we generally caught bass and pike. It took some adjustment to find the right areas and depths since what is now “shallows” would normally be a shoal above water in normal years. Probably the biggest hindrance was the cold water temperatures. Generally, the bass had not even moved into the spawning areas yet since the water was colder than normal. We found the smallmouths in deeper water adjacent to the spawning areas.

One of the days that I fished with Mike Seymour near Ogdensburg we did have a lot of action fishing for northern pike. They were deeper in holes surrounded by shallow flats where they could ambush their prey. Our best action came in Canadian waters. They have relaxed the Canadian restrictions that have frustrated an- glers and boaters for several years. You still have to contact Canadian Customs if you anchor or touch Canadian soil but merely fishing or passing through Canadian waters is not a problem.

Boating and fishing are still available and conditions will gradually improve. Meanwhile the attractions of Clayton and the surrounding area are still inviting. Contact the 1000 Islands-Clayton Chamber of Commerce for information or helpful advice at 315-686-3771. Fishing charters are still operating (315-686-2381 1000 Islands Fishing Charters) and are a good idea, regardless of water conditions. If you are looking for a nice family restaurant, check out Tricia’s Rondette on Route 12 between Clayton and I-81. One of the newer wineries is Northern Flow Vineyards at DeLukes Garden Center on Route 12. They have a nice selection of quality wines and very pleasant and knowledgeable personnel at the tasting room.

The 49th Annual Decoy and Wildlife Art Show and Sale will be held July 14 and 15 at the Cerow Recreation Park Arena in Clayton. There will be decoys, paintings, art and carvings on display and auctions. There will also be a traditional shore dinner on Friday from 4-8 p.m. to benefit the museum. Contact the Thousand Islands Museum at www.timuseum.org or call 315-6865794 for additional information.

Don’t avoid the area or change your plans because of the high water. You may have to adapt or shift your activities, but there is still a lot to do and enjoy in this great vacationland.