“Opening Day Anticipation”                                 

Before sitting down at my computer to write this week’s column - I went out to get the newspaper from the paper tube and also put a few pounds of seed out for the birds and other creatures. It was a very quiet morning so it was easy to hear a single song-bird singing in a tree near the house. I also noticed that the channel in Winona Lake was opening up. The hen and drake mallards are starting to pair-up. Good signs that spring is coming - but within an hour the snow was coming down so hard that I could hardly see the other end of our road. We can expect any kind of weather this time of the year and most fishermen/women expect it and are usually prepared. Outdoor clothing and tackle have come a long way. Each year, more and more high-tech equipment is introduced. I am always amazed at the many new and different kinds of tackle, lures and other fishing equipment that is being developed and sold. Fishermen/women and outdoor folks in general contribute a lot to businesses and the  economies of the towns that offer outdoor opportunities for men, women and children.

Opening Day of Trout Season this year is April 1st as usual. This year it falls on a Sunday and if the weather is nice be prepared to have more competition that usual at the “ole fishing hole.” To some “dyed in the wool” fishermen/women “opening day of trout ” is just as important and exciting as opening day of deer season - no matter what the weather may be. Whether you fish a stream, lake or reservoir - using a spinning rod or fly rod - there are many good fishing “holes“ within short driving distances for many Orange County Residents.

If you fish the Ulster/Sullivan County area, especially Rondout Reservoir, I recommend that you stop by Art’s Bait and Tackle Shop on Route #209 between Rte. #52 and Rte. #55, and across the road from the Ellenville Hospital. Art keeps a good supply of live bait, lures, hunting and fishing equipment. Art also takes a lot of pictures of successful hunters and fishermen/women who frequent his shop and he hangs all of them on his shop‘s walls. Art is always willing to make recommendations as to the best lure, bait or fly to use and where to fish. Art’s hours of operation starting April 1st are 5 AM to 6 PM or whenever folks stop coming. They carry a full line of bait fish in season. Art is also a licensed gun-smith and they repair rods and reels. Art predicts that ice will be out on Rondout by opening day but I have seen it almost iced over in past years on April 1st. You can call Art at 647-6559. Art’s tip of the day is to present your lure or bait slowly in the early parts of the season.

I have a lot of fond memories fishing the Rondout Reservoir with family and friends. Brown and Lake Trout grow very large there. I have been successful fishing from both boat and shore with lures and bait. I have had good luck using as light a line as possible with large shiners. I have also had a lot of fun using Ultra-light Spinning tackle with light line and small White Rooster Tails. Be prepared to tie into a very large Laker or Brown.

Fish in the 10 and 15 pound range and up are frequently caught and the proof is in the pictures at Art’s Bait Shop and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection Offices in Grahamsville, NY (985-2275). This is a good location for Orange County fishermen/women to obtain their reservoir fishing and boat permits. If you plan to fish the New York City Reservoirs you will need to get a permit in addition to your state fishing license.

Make sure that you check the Fishing Regulations Guide of 2000-2002 before opening day. The guide is available when you purchase your fishing license and this year it is small enough in physical size to store in your tackle box or one of the pockets of your fishing vest. Please be sure to read the highlights of changes for this year as well as the health advisories. And make sure that your equipment is ready. If you haven’t changed your line for a few years that should be on the list of priorities. Most fishing lines deteriorate fast when exposed to sunlight and fluorescent lighting.

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Following are Orange County Stocking Recommendations and locations (browns and rainbows): Askoti Lake, Tuxedo - March - 100, April -388; Blue Lake, Warwick - Mar. 800, Apr. 800; Greenwood Lake, Warwick - Fall, Tiger Musky - 4300; Island Pond, Tuxedo - April, 1300 (brook trout); Moodna Creek, Cornwall - Mar. - 2,462, Apr. - 359; Neversink River, Deerpark - Mar. - 7,883, Apr. - 473; Queensboro Brook, Highlands - Mar. -2,000; Ramapo River, Tuxedo - Mar. - 3,100, Apr. - 2,100; Ringwood River, Warwick - Mar. - 350; Round Pond, Monroe - Mar. - 970; Rutgers Creek, Greenville - Mar. 2,912; Shawangunk Kill, Crawford - Mar. - 4,568, Apr. - 700; Shingle Kill, Deerpark - Apr. - 728, May - 243; Skanatai Lake, Tuxedo - apr. - 485; Walton Lake, Monroe - Apr. - 3,038; Washington Lake, New Windsor - Mar. - 1,322; Wayayanda Creek, Warwick - Mar. 776; Woodbury Creek, Cornwall - Apr. - 600, May - 250.

Consider taking someone fishing or hiking this year.
Have a good, successful and dry opening day. Remember that “a bad day of fishing is better than a good day of work”.