Don’t let the rest of summer slip away

Go fishing, explore hiking trails when the weather permits, have a picnic by a waterfall, or enjoy a sunset.

It’s August Already. Half of the summer has gone. Have you been enjoying the summer? Or have you let it slip away without doing the special things you thought about for months?

At least make the most of the month we have left and get out and enjoy an Upstate NY summer, whether it is something special or just finding enjoyment and relaxation in the simple things. Go fishing, explore hiking trails when the weather permits, have a picnic by a waterfalls or lake, or relax and enjoy the sunsets. Visit someplace new (there are probably many nearby that you have never experienced).

Try a canoe, kayak, or standup-paddleboard if you aren’t familiar with them. Visit a state park. Remember the “Golden Passport” program lets those 65 or older use state parks (excluding camping and golf) for free during the week. In addition to local attractions, the Thousand Islands, Lake Ontario, Finger Lakes, or the Adirondacks are generally only an hour and a half away.

Adirondack accommodations range from primitive campsites at Moose River Plains Recreation Area to state campgrounds, cottages, and motels. You can fish small ponds or lakes for trout, bass, pike, panfish, and tiger muskies. If you don’t have a canoe or kayak, you can rent them from Tickner’s in Old Forge and spend a day on the Moose River.

Plan ahead for a combination trip. For example, you could camp on Otsego Lake, enjoy boating or fishing, and visit the Baseball Hall of Fame nearby. A trip to the Finger Lakes could involve water sports, fishing, hiking, and wine tasting at the many estate wineries. Consider a tour of the Seneca White Deer Center on Rt. 96-A south of Waterloo or a visit (free) to the outstanding Naval and Air Force military museum at Sampson State Park.

There is nearby Oneida Lake for swimming, boating, excellent fishing, and viewing the unforgettable sunsets. Sometimes we take the attractions nearest to us for granted.

Grab your boat or canoe or borrow one to check out local smaller lakes and ponds like Leland’s Pond, Lake Morraine, Eatonbrook Reservoir, or Lebanon Reservoir in Madison County. Hinckley Reservoir, Redfield Reservoir, and Lake Delta in Oneida County all provide boat

ing, swimming, picnics, and fishing.

Join with friends for a canoe or kayak trip on West Canada Creek, lower Fish Creek, Chenango River, or North Branch of the Moose River. Tickner’s Moose River Outfitters (369-6286) in Old Forge has rentals, shuttle service, etc.

Do some hiking, explore nature, and enjoy a picnic with the family on many state lands or trails a short distance away. State lands, including Wildlife Management Areas are free. Visit Rogers Conservation Center in Sherburne or Beaver Lake Nature Center near Baldwinsville. Visit a nearby zoo.

Take the whole family fishing. There is are lots of areas including small streams like Chittenango Creek or Oriskany Creek to the larger blue-ribbon streams like East Branch of Fish Creek, West Canada Creek, or Black River which offer good fishing.

Do it for your own mental health or the good of the family. Years from now your kids are not going to say “Gee, remember the time we mowed the lawn together or spent the weekend staining the back deck.” Even if you only have one day on the weekend take the family for a picnic and enjoy nature by hiking or fishing

Don’t let summer be a bummer. Enjoy every chance you get for some outdoors fun. After all, we live for summer here in Upstate New York. The best things in life may not always be free, but they don’t have to be that expensive.

Short Casts

Despite High Water, Lake Ontario Fishing Is Great: First the bad news. Water levels remain high on Lake Ontario resulting in eroded beaches, closure of many boat launches and marinas, and significant property damage. Many public boat launches are open but you launch the boat on the approach to the ramp and wade out to the dock.

Wrights Landing in Oswego opened for the first time last week while the DEC launch on North Sandy Pond remains closed. We returned from a week on eastern Lake Ontario this week and saw the damage and disruption first hand. Other public and private facilities have coped in a variety of ways such as using floating docks and building docks on top of the existing structures (now under water). A speed limit of “idle” remains in effect within 1000 feet of the shore.

Despite the problems associated with the high water levels, the fishing on Lake Ontario (and elsewhere) remains great. Angler surveys by the DEC indicate that the catch rate for anglers is the highest in years. Anglers at this time of year are generally concentrating on steelhead trout and salmon and the rate and the size of the fish remains very good. At both ends of the lake there are some big king salmon being caught, especially in the various derbies or contests.

My friend Billy Hilts, who is involved in sport fishing promotion for Niagara County and the different derbies in the western counties said that a lot of kings being weighed in were close to, or even over, 30 pounds. Many were being caught at the Niagara Bar, the shallow area where the Niagara River empties into Lake Ontario. But others were caught out in 150 to 200 feet of water at depths ranging from 50 to 100 feet down. In the eastern basin the kings were found from 100 to 300 feet of water at similar depths.

Most were taken on downriggers using spoons, flasher and flies, or cut bait rigs. Capt. Tom Burke of Cold Steel Charters said that Pautzke bait and ATOM-MIK “meat rigs” (for cut bait) were the key to him consistently taking kings recently. Broad Horizons Charters has been steadily taking salmon and steelhead over depths of 120 feet.

Meanwhile on Oneida Lake the cooler temperatures have led to increasing fish activity. Walleye are reportedly being taken in shallower water as well as depths near the shoals. Worm harnesses, blade baits, and trolling stickbaits have all worked well. Bass are hitting in 5 to 15 feet of water on tube jigs or spinners.

No River & Rail Trips: This year there will be none of the popular River & Rail trips on the Moose River at Old Forge. When talking to Dan Tickner recently, he said that the current administration of the Adirondack Railroad could not guarantee scheduled trips or the availability of the baggage car so the working agreement has been cancelled. Many paddlers are disappointed!

Tickner’s is still renting canoes and kayaks for the Moose River and the extremely popular float trip down the North Branch from Rondaxe Lake or North St. is still available. Shuttle service and rentals are available. Call 315369-6286 for information or reservations.

B.O.W. Lake Ontario Fishing: Due to popular demand more trips have been added to the Becoming an Outdoors Woman Guided Fishing Trips on Lake Ontario for women. Available dates are Sept. 8 (1 pm), Sept. 14 (1 pm), Sept. 15 (6 am or 1 pm). Trips depart the Oswego Marina, Oswego, NY. Enjoy a 6 hour guided fishing trip with Capt. Dave Wilson aboard his 28 foot Baha Cruiser equipped with the latest gear and an enclosed bathroom. He provides all equipment. No experience is necessary. Call Capt. Dave Wilson at 315-481-5716 for reservation and further information.