“Ice Fishing  Lake Champlain”

Fishing possibilities on Lake Champlain, the largest border lake in upstate New York, may not be well known by many ice fishermen/women from Orange County and the region. I have been on many fishing vacation trips to Rouse’s Point, NY as a youngster, with Uncles, Aunties and families. Back then we fished mostly for Northern Pike mainly by trolling a large red and white “daredevil” generally flat lined behind the boat. We had a lot of fun and caught a lot of fish. Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Walleyes and Yellow Perch were also available but we concentrated mostly on large pike. Some of the largest USA Bass Tournaments are also held there. We traveled back yearly to the North Country in Essex County to hunt deer and bear. And I have many stories about these trips that I will be writing about and sharing with you in future columns.

Most of my ice fishing experiences on Lake Champlain have been for Smelt.  Port Henry, NY, on the western shores of Lake Champlain and located in Essex County is a favorite place for ice fishermen/women to catch smelt through the ice. The NYSDEC maintains a boat launching area in Port Henry. Many of the local residents build their own ice shanties with ice runners and then drag them a considerable distance out on the ice and over deep water. The shanties can be very elaborate with wood stoves, carpeting, table and chairs, TV, and other comforts of home. Many locals also rent the shanties to fisher-folks who visit Lake Champlain during the smelt season. It takes a while to get used to fishing with the special hand held jigs. Once you get used to it you will be able to handle two at a time. Usually the floor of the shanty is designed to be about a foot above the ice and may have up to eight holes laid out in such a way that when you sit down on a bench along the outside wall, a hole in the floor would be positioned over a hole in the ice. You can generally see down many feet in the clear water and view different fish swimming by. It is generally kept very cozy and warm inside by wood burning stoves. Some folks may stay in the shanty for a full day fishing day and night. If conditions permit you can drive your truck or car to the shanty - at your own risk. I have only seen one vehicle go through the ice. If there is snow on the ice there may be roads in the snow on the ice from the shore to the shanties.

Starting around the second week in January through the second week in March “ice shanties’ will be pulled out onto the ice by trucks and cars to get in the best spots for catching the tasty “Fresh Water Smelt. Some “jack-smelt” will be as big as 12-14 inches. From the shoreline it may look like a little city or shanty town a mile or more from the launch ramp. I’ll never forget one particular time that about ten of us drove to Port Henry, including members of the Crisci, Cerone and Carbone families. We were all sitting in the rear of an old pick-up truck and being driven out by one of the guys when we broke through a top layer of ice. Everyone immediately jumped from the bed of the truck. The driver managed to get out of the predicament and some of us jumped back on the truck to continue our ride on the ice. The others elected to walk the rest of the way - I wonder why?

You can contact Howie Swan Jr., of Port Henry, to check on conditions of the lake ice, the smelt run or to rent a shanty. His phone number is 1-518-546-3023. It is a great experience and you don’t have to just fish in the shanty. You can drill or have holes drilled outside of the shanty. Once you get the technique down pat you really haul them in. According to Howie Swan Sr. Yellow Perch and Lake Trout are also caught. And who knows you may just see “Champ” the lake Champlain enigma, swim by under the ice. If you go, the best of luck and have fun!

A 4H Fly-Tying Class is underway in Walden and coordinated by Pam Castro, 4H Youth Development Educator for Cornell University. Pam has been rotating the location of this class around the county. The class is very popular with youngsters and adults alike and fills very quickly. This Cornell Program has been offered throughout the area for more than twenty years. In addition to Pam Castro’s hard work, members of the Southern Catskill Anglers volunteer their time and give their knowledge, so that others can learn of the interesting Art of Fly Tying for enjoyment, pleasure, to catch more fish and possibly a future occupation. Bob Osburn, Bob Ewald and Bob Rueter all three of the best emissary's and representatives for all outdoor folks. These folks are also involved in other important outdoor educational programs for our youth and they are doing a great job of making sure that our youth get the best information on firearm safety and other outdoor pursuits. Pam Castro can be contacted at the Cornell University Co-op Extension - Middletown, 344-1234.

SPARC - The Stewart Park and Reserve Coalition well known throughout the Northeast for their efforts to preserve the 11 square mile (7,000 acre) Buffer Zone West of Stewart Airport and initiating a lawsuit against NYS - is sponsoring an old-fashioned country dance. “The Great Groundhog Stomp“ - on Friday February 2, 2001. Time: 8:00 PM to 11:00PM - Place: American Legion Post 1420, 1169 Union Ave., Town of Newburgh. It is also co-sponsored by the Ramapo/Catskill Group of the Sierra Club. No partners are needed and beginners are welcome. Donation is $12 per person. Call Diana at 562-6249 or Sandra at 564-3018 for info.

SPARC is also holding its Annual Covered Dish Meeting on Friday, January 19th at the Unitarian Meeting House in Rock Tavern - Vance Lane off Rte. 207. The time is 6:00 PM. Please bring a covered dish or beverage to share and meet with old friends and new. For info and directions call 564-3018.

SPARC recently sponsored a cross country ski outing on the Stewart Buffer Lands January 14th. This just another outdoor activity that can be accomplished on the Buffer Lands.

Take someone hunting, fishing, trapping or target shooting.