Trout season opens on April Fool’s Day

We all have images of opening day of trout season. Waking before dawn and having a special breakfast, enjoying a golden sunrise as you hike to your favorite spot, and making great casts as you place your bait or fly where you know trout are waiting for you. Several beautifully colored brook trout are caught before the rod bends beneath the weight of a bragging sized trout that is brought to the net. These images last forever— in our imagination.

The reality of most years is a cold, wet rain that makes your fingers numb and unable to tie a knot or bait a hook. Water is high or muddy and in most areas the current is so fast that it is unfishable. You are forced to cast into some shallow area that no self-respecting trout would linger there. You don’t dare step off the bank.

Not only does ice form in the guides of your rod, but your bait probably freezes.

The most memorable part of you day is likely forgetting your bait or lures. Your line snarls and forms an industrial strength “birds nest” or tangle and you slam the trunk down

on your rod, breaking the tip off.

For example, consider a few of my more memorable ones. One year when opening day fell during school vacation my friend and fellow teacher, Mike Romano, and I decided to fish West Canada Creek. We found water levels high and calmer water covered with a layer of ice. We decided our best chance was to fish a deep hole but to reach it required breaking ice to get to an island, hiking downstream on it, and carefully travelling on a shallow gravel bar in the middle of the river to reach casting distance.

At one point we took a break to thaw our frozen hands when we noticed ice flows coming down the river on a rising water level. They had opened the dams upriver at prospect and we had to get to dry ground as quickly as possible! We re-traced our steps as fast as we safely could but managed to take in some icy water in our hip boots before reaching safety.

A different opening day involved fishing with Bill Lappin and Al Broski in a year when there as still two feet of packed snow in the woods. A previous thaw had removed the ice and left our destination stream open but water temperature was in the low 30s and air temperature was in the 20s. Not surprisingly the fishing was slow but there were a couple spring holes where the water was slightly warmer and a few trout cooperated. I was wading the stream to be able to fish one of these and caught a decent trout.

In maneuvering in the current and slippery rocks, I fell headfirst into the freezing water. While Bill and Al doubled over with laughter, I stumbled through deeper water to reach the bank. Dumping my waders, I ran over the packed snow for a few hundred yards to reach the car. My hands were so numb that I could not hold the key but somehow managed to use two hands to start the car and head home before hypothermia set in. When Bill and Al finally stopped laughing, they realized that I had left them behind without transportation. I did finally thaw out and sent a family member back for them but let them get good and chilled as a payback for laughing at me!

A third memorable opener involved a clear day and manageable weather but nearly two feet of snow on the ground. Hip boots were necessary to get to the streams but the creek I chose was too high to wade. I was fishing from a high bank above a deep hole when I somehow hooked a trophy sized trout. I carefully played and hoisted it high above the stream and over the bank when it flopped off onto the snow. I was desperately trying to grab it while we both flopped and floundered around in the snow but the trout kept slipping through my frozen fingers. Finally, it made a couple spectacular flops and went over the bank to the pool far below. It was the only fish of the day and in an ironic way that was fitting.

Taking a ride around the area earlier this week showed that most of the trout streams were in good shape. But remember that it is another week before the season opener and weather can change quickly. Here’s hoping that your opening day is at least pleasant. But remember that it is not a coincidence that it comes on April Fool’s Day.

SHORT CASTS

Last Chance For Youth Turkey Hunt

Last chance to sign up for the 11 th Annual Youth Turkey Hunt. Youngsters who do not have an adult family member to teach them the skills of turkey hunting, will have the opportunity to hunt with a mentor on April 24 and 25, 2021. Youngsters must be 12 - 15 years of age, and hold a small game license and a valid turkey permit.

On April 17 those youngsters can learn from experienced mentors the basics of turkey hunting. Later in the day they will practice marksmanship under the supervision of certified instructors. Space is limited and deadline is April 1 so sign up now and get an application at the website: www. cnymyhunt.org. For an application or more information you can also call 315225-0192.

Crossbow Bill in Trouble

The Assembly rejected the part of the Budget Bill that would give crossbows the same recognition and rights as other archery equipment and lower the hunting age for youngsters accompanied by a parent or guardian. The NYS Budget is due by April 1. It is urgent to get the Assembly to include Part X into the final budget bill.

Everyone once again needs to reach their legislator, Speaker of the Assembly, Senate Majority Leader, Chairs of the Senate and Assembly Encon Committees, and the Governor. A majority of hunters, NY Conservation Council, the DEC, the Governor, National Deer Association, and sportsmen in general have been in favor of these changes but once again the handful of lobbyists and staffers for the Encon Committee Chair are imposing their narrow view and will upon the majority. No DEC Camps

The DEC recently announced that there will not be any DEC Conservation Camps. Originally they were hopeful that the popular camps could resume in the summer of 2021 but after studying the many possibilities they came to the conclusion that it was not possible to hold the experience with the COVID restrictions. Check the DEC website for details, explanations, and possible alternatives.

DEC Map and New Regulations Take Effect April 1

There has been much talk about the new inland trout regulations that will take effect on April 1. The plan calls for some larger trout to be stocked, different regulations for wild and stocked trout areas, and different creel and size limits for different waters or different parts of the same creeks. Some anglers applaud these plans while others are not happy. But most of them remain confused!

The DEC says that the plans are now final and the interactive trout stream mapper will go live before April 1, 2021. Once the master plan is live, anglers can click on a stream on the Decinfolocator map and get the regulations, stocking numbers, species, stocking timing, and more for the stream reaches involved. Personally it sounds like the trout fisherman will need a smart phone, a couple Apps, a GPS, a guide and set of regulations, a lap-top computer, and a laser measuring device. Rod and reel, bait or lures are optional.

The 2021 trout stocking information will be available on the DEC website soon.

This is in addition to the information found on the interactive map. It sounds like it will save the characters who used to follow the stocking truck around a lot of trouble. Save the Dates April 28 is the date of the popular Oneida Lake Association. However this year the big event will be held on Zoom or You Tube. There will still be the important topics of Oneida Fisheries, hatchery report, proposed fishing regulation changes, and the Conservationist of the Year Award, as well as others but it will be a virtual meeting on Zoom. There will also be a drawing for a kayak. In the meantime be sure to renew your membership for next year.

May 8 will be the Mohawk Valley Trout Unlimited Sportsmen’s Flea Market. It will be held at Whitestown Community Center and feature a wide variety of sporting and fishing items both used and new. Details will be forthcoming.