Reports

The docks went in at the State Launch this past week – though the Mandana launch is open all year. Either way, I was psyched to hit Skaneateles this morning for the first trip of the year there with my good friend Craig Nels. Things started out very slow for us as we began our fishing at 10:15 am. We fished a lot of different areas with pretty much the same results – nothing. He did catch one good perch. We kept trying and found an area that produced some good fish for us. Those of you who’ve fished there with me in the past have been there 😉 To make a long story short we boated 4 nice rainbows from 15″ to 22″ and three nice salmon from 15″ to 19.5″. Craig also got another very nice perch. We let go the big bow and a salmon. The rest will be “released into the grease” – providing me (and Craig’s family) with dinner over the next few nights.

Fish are in various depths from probably 5′ to 25′ or more. We marked some schools of fish in around 50′ of water. Lakers, bass or perch? We don’t know. The highlight of the trip was hooking a big fish that turned out to be a carp. Had I landed it I would have tried eating it – as I’ve never tried carp and I figure that one out of a clean lake and 34 to 35 degree water would have to be as good as they can get! Maybe next time! This bite should only get better and I expect it to hold up for another 6 weeks. The best fly-fishing is yet to come. I can’t wait. BTW – lake levels are at full-pool, not too high and not too low.