Skaneateles Lake 1/8 out of Mandana
Guided a full day on Skaneateles Lake today with Mark I. Conditions were much windier than forecast and anticipated, but we tried to make the best of it. Oh yes, and it was cold too! The highs might have hit 38, but not for long! Launching there was a pain (as usual in the winter) with the low lake levels. Water temps are hovering around 42/43.
My hat is off to Mark, as he fly-fished the whole day today in the face of winds averaging around 14 mph and gusting up into the 20s. The fishing was tough – due to the wind (and subsequent difficult boat control) and stirred up water. Some murky water is good for rainbows on this lake, but huge swaths of it can make for tougher fishing. Mark hooked two decent sized silver fish on the day – at least one was a rainbow, but unfortunately none came to the net. One was dropped a ways away and another was hooked nearly boatside but got off before I could get the net. We had reasonably good fishing during the 3 hours that we had fly-fishable conditions. Mark did land a nice jumbo perch but that was it.
According to the DEC fishing hotline (just updated today) the State Ramp is still open, but may close early this week. If you launch at Mandana, angle you trailer slightly towards the dock. Do not go straight out! It’s too shallow and your tow vehicle will wind up too far in the drink. Also bring waders, just in case! It was beautiful out on the lake, that’s for sure. I expect good fishing with the right conditions.