Fish Odyssey spans from 9/11 to pandemic
Sometimes there is a silver lining in those storm clouds. Keep an open mind. It helps to spend as much time outdoors as possible, maintain a positive attitude and let Mother Nature work her magic.
New York – Bill Hilts Jr
Nedding on the Niagara
(Robert Kirkham/Buffalo News)You never know what is going to work for fishing on any given day. Sometimes it does not matter how you cast, the way you retrieve or where you throw your bait. Ultimately, it is up to the fish to grab your offering. We met at the launch ramp at the foot of Sheridan Drive in Tonawanda with…
Catching gar from a kayak – on purpose
For anyone who knows me, they probably understand that my body is not made for a kayak. I am not very bendy to say the least. So, when fellow scribe Joel Spring of Ransomville asked me to go kayak fishing for longnose gar no less, I was a bit apprehensive. First, because of that whole kayak thing. Second, because who…
Fourth of July trip offers surprises, excitement
It was the 4th of July and it was a reunion of sorts on the water. Capt. Mike Johannes of On the Rocks Charters, who operates his 39-foot Sea Ray out of Wilson, had a few hours available on this explosive holiday and we decided to meet at 6 a.m. at his boat. It should have been earlier but getting family…
Taking the Grandson Fishing … with his dad
Parker Costello with his father, Kyle.In the new world of the coronavirus, the great outdoors has become a diversion of sorts – especially with fishing. License sales for residents have been on the rise because more adults were off work and kids were out of school. They needed something productive and relaxing to preoccupy their time. It did not take…
Boots on the ground for chasing spring turkeys
The thundering gobble echoed through the trees at 5:22 a.m. We had already been sitting in the woods for an hour and it was surprisingly comfortable. It was the middle of May and temperatures were in the 50’s with no pesky insects to speak of. I honestly did not know what to expect and had my trusty ThermaCell wafting up…
A different way to fish salmon and trout
Salmon and trout fishing on Lake Ontario jumped off to a good start because of the mild winter we experienced and the fact that there was little ice on Lake Erie. Kings showed up in early April all along the lake and with the unseasonably cool spring, they have been hanging around for fishermen to catch. Of course, the traditional…
Fishing regs are in place for a reason, but who reads them?
It happens every spring. The state’s Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) stocking trucks, filled with fish, head out to plant fish at designated locations around the state. Many people associate this activity with the April 1 opening day of trout for the inland streams and lakes, and they should. However, there is a disconnect, a lack of understanding with what…
Charter captains to the rescue
It was Sunday, March 22, when charter captains and guides were hit with a “PAUSE” order from Gov. Andrew Cuomo in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, declaring that they were deemed “non-essential.” Nothing could be further from the truth. Charter captains are the ambassadors for our Great Lakes fisheries here in New York. For many non-resident anglers coming into this…
Strange times lead to personal reflection
As we all learn to deal with this pandemic, realize that it could be worse.
Changing times at New York Outdoor News
It was more than 15 years ago that I made the acquaintance of Steve (and Paula) Piatt, when the first edition of the New York Outdoor News (NYON) made its appearance on the outdoor scene. It was probably at a New York State Outdoor Writers Association conference, either Dunkirk or Plattsburgh (or both) and the friendship grew from there. It…
Getting involved: Public input sought on cormorant management
It’s important to get involved, especially when it comes to letter writing and making contacts for various issues that affect all we do relative to hunting, fishing and our natural resources. Some of you might already be thinking: “I’m one person and what I write, say or do isn’t going to make a difference.” I’m here to say that it…
New boating law in New York
A new boating law in New York, referred to as “Brianna’s Law,” is now in effect as of Jan. 1, 2020. It requires all motorboat operators to complete a boating safety course. New age requirements began Jan. 1, with full compliance for all boaters by Jan. 1, 2025. The older you are, the more time you will have to take…
Lake Erie walleye fishing should be superb again this season
At the Greater Niagara Fishing and Outdoor Expo’s State of Lake Erie session last month, based on the information that was presented, it’s an exciting time to be a walleye fisherman.
Niagara expo teaches fishing … and more
If you have an interest in fishing, you have a desire to learn how to catch fish. That’s as simple as it gets. Becoming more proficient at catching fish is an important part of the equation, but it’s not the only thing. You’ll find that out by attending the Greater Niagara Fishing and Outdoor Expo Jan. 17-19 at the Conference and Event Center in Niagara Falls.
End of a hunting era?
Hunting season was a bit more difficult than in years past all the way around. For the regular Southern Zone big game season opener, our traditional trip to Steuben County saw limited participation from our group of hunters. Life seemed to get in the way this year as illness, school and work impacted a brother, my daughter, two nephews and…
A big muskie day on the Niagara River
My phone vibrated while I sat in a seat at the DEC presentation on the forage base in Lockport. It was Capt. Chris Cinelli of Grand Island inviting me along on a muskie trip the next morning. One of the guys on his charter had cancelled and he had room for another body. I had to think about my schedule the…
The case of the missing Niagara River salmon
Among other things, winds have also been blamed, with strong east winds pushing salmon out of their staging areas in September. If so, where did they go?
Capt. Ernie a legend in western New York and beyond
As Capt. Ernie Calandrelli of Lewiston set the hook, there was a big smile on his face. “It feels like a good one,” he said with excitement in his voice. We were fishing on the lower Niagara River along with outdoor writer Dave Barus of East Aurora and it was a beautiful morning. When he pulled the walleye to the…
Mississippi River’s Best Dam Fishing Float
It was a special day on the mighty Mississippi River, a football Sunday, and the Green Bay Packers were playing the Minnesota Vikings. Allegiances are divided here because the river is the boundary between Minnesota and Wisconsin (where Green Bay is for you geographically challenged folks). This turned out to be a great side story as we fished the river…
VIP fishing events important reminder of great resources of western N.Y.
It’s important to educate our elected officials about the importance of our natural resources, whatever they may be.
Erie’s Ohio ‘eyes bountiful, too, and the fishing is on fire
While local populations off New York’s shoreline have been increasing, the real kicker to our walleye population numbers is the migrating schools of fish that show up every year from the Western Basin of the lake. As many as 10 percent of the lake’s Western Basin walleye will take a trip from Ohio to the western reaches of the lake – as far as Buffalo.
Another reminder that Lake Ontario is alive and well and open for business
Behind-the-scenes fishing contest helps dispel some of the myths surrounding the big lake this high-water season.
Lessons learned on every fishing trip
One of the best things about being an outdoor writer is that you have an opportunity to fish with a wide variety of angling professionals, be it of the charter captain or guide variety or people who could be captains or guides but won’t or can’t for several reasons. Seeing how they approach any given situation is an educational lesson…
High water, yes, but Lake Ontario fishing has been fantastic
Fishery on display with annual celebrity gathering, fishing tournament.
Quest for gobbler still leaves lasting memories
The spring wild turkey season is the central focus of my elusive outdoor quest. Just when I think I can reach that attainable goal of tagging a big bird, it slips through my fingers at the last minute due to some unforeseen circumstance or situation we couldn’t have planned for. I should preface this all by saying that May is…
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