Spiel

Ice Boom gives Barrett a cold feeling August 09, 2009 Will Elliott / www.buffalonews.com During these warm summer days, Western New Yorkers rarely contemplate the presence and affects of the Ice Boom. For North Tonawanda resident Joseph Barrett, that connected arch of metal “logs” anchored in place when water temperatures drop to somewhere near 38 degrees each fall-winter season is not a boom to ice movement, formation, and the waterway’s ecology in general. “I’ve been a science nut since age 3,” the 48-year-old Barrett said as we inspected the Grand Island shoreline and access site at Fix Road. Coincidentally, the New York Power Authority and Ontario Power jointly began the Ice Boom installations in 1964 when Barrett celebrated his third birthday. Since then, the Boom has often received kudos and condemnation. On the plus side, NYPA officials worked extensively with agencies to find out what effect the Ice Boom and other NYPA structures and designs had on the environment prior to a mandated Federal Regulatory Commission relicensing in 2007. A 2005 study, according to NYPA sources, showed the Boom had no effect on the environment. The collective study, which incorporated more than 40 separate studies, set out to “determine if the Ice Boom [had any] climactic, aquatic, land management, or aesthetic effects.” NYPA designed the Boom to “maintain a stable ice arch or cover that helps restrain ice that would flow down river. In minimizing the flow of ice, the boom also reduces risk of shoreline flooding and erosion.” It also has a positive impact on property such as docks and other structures along the shore. The key benefit of the Boom is to maintain a water flow for New York and Ontario Province power companies and avoid loss of power production from the plant facilities in the lower Niagara River. NYPA met the satisfaction of the Federal Regulatory Commission and in 2007 was relicensed to operate the Ice Boom and other facility functions for 50 years. Since then, NYPA obtained additional properties on which Ice Boom gear can be stored for use at the head of the river. The International Joint Commission can, at its discretion, reexamine the Ice Boom and make changes when needed. At this point, NYPA officials point to the 2005 studies and the relicensing granted in 2007 as proof of the Ice Boom’s functions and effects which Barrett questions. NYPA spokesman said of Barrett’s objections to the Ice Boom, “His issues now are left to the IJC International Niagara Board of Control. That’s all that we would say on his points.” Barrett continues to question both the Ice Boom and erosion studies. The Niagara Power Project’s “Shoreline Erosion and Sedimentation Assessment Study” concludes “Only 3 percent of the upper river shoreline has been identified as actively eroding. Approximately 63 percent is protected by some form of structure.” Barrett replies, “One hundred percent of the shoreline is eroding,” he notes of the 119 miles of shoreline along the river corridor between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. “The 63 percent with protective barriers was most likely the areas that were hit worst and needed protection the fastest,” he added. In general, Barrett sees more changes in the upper Niagara River waterway in the past 50 years than occurred in the past 12,000 years. While most area residents show some concern about Ice Boom presence during colder-than-average spring seasons, Barrett passes on the weather and asks that we look at ecological changes that have negatively affected the river. “As a fisherman, I see so many things the Ice Boom has damaged or impaired,” he said. The Boom could have been a final straw influence on the disappearance of blue pike in Lake Erie, but he’s more focused on the lack of river bottom scouring and silt banking in places such as the flats between Strawberry Island and Grand Island where spawning beds for muskellunge, northern pike, and other fish species have been damaged. “I’m looking for people with photos of the shoreline before the Ice Boom went in to show just how much shoreline has been removed in the past 45 years,” he said. He pointed to the extensive spreads of tree’s root systems as we were wading the shoreline next to the Fix Road Canoe and Kayak Access. Note to those unsure about border security along Western New York waters:We were not in the water more than five minutes when a guy with a navy blue/black shirt with CBP on its back came over to see what we were observing along the shoreline. For Barrett, the steady flow of silting, not just wakes from passing boats, and the signs of earth, not just sand, erosion were signs of insecurity for Barrett. The moss, which had subsided somewhat before we got there, was still heavy on rocks, outnumbering the presence of aquatic weeds. Basically, Barrett contends that the loss of good aquatic weeds, increased shoreline erosion, plus the possibility of botulism outbreaks can be attributed directly to the loss of natural river-bottom scouring and shoreline ice buildup caused by the placement of the Ice Boom each winter. “When ice naturally piles on the riverbanks, it contains sediment that settles on shore when the ice melts,” he contends. “Most people believe the Boom is saving Strawberry Island. In fact, the open current water all winter helps to further erode Strawberry,” he asserts. “The island was once more than 200 acres. They [town and city municipalities] stopped dredging gravel from the island when it was at about 100 acres. But now it’s only about three acres above water,” he said. Barrett maintains a David-and- Goliath status with NYPA and is currently amassing data for a presentation to the IJC. He represents no funding agency, has yet to establish a Web site, works without a committee or staff. He encourages public input, pro or con, Ice Boom functions and acceptance. He wants to connect with people who support or question his theories. To offer input, call him at 866-2930 or write to him at P. O. Box 14120, North Tonawanda 14120.

Times are changing at Gogama Lodge August 02, 2009, Will Elliott / www.buffalonews.com John Wahl and Peter Cook with a full stringer of Gogama walleye, bass and pike. No matter how many fly-in or outback fishing trips one takes in north country, every one presents new ventures and adventures. Our annual run to Gogama offered changes even before we got there. John Wahl of Pendleton, Peter Cook of Cheektowaga, regulars on this northern Ontario run, and I knew that Gogama Lodge had been sold. “The lodge was officially sold as of June 30, after 45 years,” Dick Harlock said when we returned from our ventures and adventures on two separate lakes last week. For more than four decades, Harlock and his late wife, Joan “Midge” Harlock catered to anglers, hunters, and all manner of vacationers seeking outdoors enjoyment and exercised relaxation throughout the spring, summer and fall seasons. During spring and fall bear seasons, Harlock logged more than 500 bear kills out of his lodge through those years. A decade after spring bear seasons were canceled in Ontario Province, he still sees the virtue in an early bear season. “There are more bears around here than ever,” he said after we inspected the framed and caged garbage cans damaged during the bruins’ nightly visits to the village. Harlock had gotten great reports of walleye catches on a small lake east of Gogama, so we booked a short week for that lake with a nice six-person cabin at its northeast corner. I’d fished the lake before—during bear seasons and one summer week— but, as always, every trip is different. Harlock recommended minnows, based on earlier anglers’ successes. They worked. But even the best of minnows can’t draw tons of attention when the wind dies and the sun rises through a cloudless sky. We cooked a few fish for fries, but our faces looked more cooked than walleye fillets after just two days on the water. No complaints. While it’s sad to catch only 20-30 fish per day from a lake that produced 40-50 fish per angler day three to four years back, the pike and walleye we caught on light and ultra-light tackle-plus moose sightings, made the first four days fun. Fly-in trips call for extensive pre-planning. Selections include everything from sites, to lures, to fishing approaches. All take time and consideration. After all, perhaps the most valuable planning aspect of these trips has to be flexibility. Wahl and Cook strongly possess this attribute. When the fish weren’t hitting on the honey holes—two major sunken islands I’d scoped out years earlier— they moved to hard drop-off edges and poked ’eyes all around the lake. Since my last visit to this lake, smaller northern pike—in the 2-to 4- pound range—had gained sway in a lake that clearly showed good forage (bait) schools presence on the sonar. A scheduling wrinkle brought Harlock to our lake on Friday afternoon with a request to leave a day early and fish another popular walleye lake so that a couple could take that cabin and lake on Saturday. Flexibility here prevailed. We packed and readied for a last-day run to another lake. The lack of gear and a steady rain all that Saturday couldn’t dim or dampen our day. John Wahl fishes a good number of popular Western New York and southern Ontario lakes and bays throughout the summer and winter. Peter Cook enjoys analyzing every fishing site—going in and throughout the stint on that section of water. For four days we had poked and prodded for good places to pull fish. At the second lake, Wahl and Cook found a massive school of walleye on their first drift north of a mid-lake island in a steady, 5-10 mph southeast wind that brought overcast and rainy skies all day. Plus, it brought walleye, bass, and northern pike up the sides of reefs and sunken islands throughout the day. Wahl and Cook kept their limit of walleye—four each—and also took a few bass and a couple northern pike. “We got them there all day,” Wahl said of their drift that kept them over fish near the south-central part of the lake. A father-and-son team worked around a rock pile at the north end of the lake. Like Wahl and Cook, they never moved. Later, during dinner, they said they caught all the fish they wanted. The Saturday night dinner at Gogama Lodge was the first time I had to chat with the new owners, Mark and Tracy Smith, formerly from Guelph, Ont. “We sold out there [in Guelph] and plan to keep open here year round,” Mark Smith said of the lodge and its facilities. Smith has been taking bookings for the promising bear season, which opens Aug. 15. “We’re also going to set up for snowmobilers,” he said of the hundreds of miles of north country snow trails that connect with Gogama. To check on the new Gogama Lodge offerings, go to gogama.com. To arrange for fly-in and fish-camp outings, call Harlock at (705) 894-2150.

I had a 5 horse Ted Williams (Sears) that would have served me better as an anchor!

Insane! I guess dropping in on you last week would have been pointless.

I've been trying to avoid this thread on account of I couldn't go. But admittedly I was curious, wish I'd been there. Thanks for the expected state of depression Joey.

Exactly right Mr. Mike and the job of replacing a few guides on the tip end is no biggy, Bill, even on your Loomis'.

Exactly! Glad you're both Ok.

Nice tank!

True enough. But without knowing the details I can only go by what I know as a joint custody father of three. I wouldn't trade any paridise in the world for being an involved father.

Sounds like a great day Brian. There's definitely a lot more to the big lake than just droppping a ball down and driving aimlessly in circles.

Flippin awesome report Kevin. Interested in adopting an ole man.

Amen Steve.

It sure seems to be if your name is Simon. You've got every right to be proud, handsome little boy you have there!

I think we've just about exhausted this one (the post). Nice fish, kudos for releasing it.

That's a solid looking Coho Dave. When will it be coming out of the smoker.

I gave you all the votes I could Brian, most everyday. While the numbers don't look good at this time Lord knows you're more than deserving of winning. Best o-luck my friend.

Too funny! God loves ya Glen, even if no one else does. Too funny.

Good shoot'n Aaron. Your doing better than some of my friends are doing down there.

I feel for you Doug, I'm sure it was a tough decision. Great boat for somebody though and I do remember driving her that one time at Dalrymple. It was in part the reason I started looking for my own Lund.

You're gonna love it! I did the Nipigon (met DanC as well), Eagle Lake trip a few years back with TEP and it was incredible. I have an invite to do it again this year with Lake of the Woods also on the bill but unfortunately for me it's not doable. Lookin forward to the big report upon your return.

Great Slave Lake fish may be new species A fish biologist in the Northwest Territories says he may have found an entirely new species of cisco in Great Slave Lake. The male Coregonus googelii, or 'googly-eyed cisco,' was captured by Paul Vecsei's team in October 2008. / (Submitted by Paul Vecsei) 27/07/2009 / CBC News Paul Vecsei of Golder Associates said he and some federal government researchers were at the Sub Islands near Yellowknife in October, pulling up nets, when they hauled up the unusual-looking cisco with large fins, enormous eyes high up on its head and an upturned mouth. The male fish, 27.8 centimetres in length, has been named Coregonus googelii, or the "googly-eyed cisco." "It had enormous eyes for the size of the individual. It had eyes that were unlike other cisco or fish in general," Vecsei, whose company is based in Yellowknife, told CBC News in an interview that aired Monday. "The eyes are positioned very high, so when you look at it from a dorsal view, the eyes are almost joining at the top and you have just a narrow separation." Vecsei said researchers are trying to determine if the fish is a relic of a very old species, a newly-evolved species, or just a variation of cisco that's specific to the Sub Islands. "At the time, I frankly didn't even consider that maybe we discovered something," he said of the find. "Rather, I thought it's just some of the lesser-known species that exist elsewhere, and we thought it just may look a little different here." New and different species? Already common in Great Slave Lake, ciscos can range from tiny fish that live in fast-flowing rivers, to fish as large as whitefish that live in deep lakes. After checking with other fish experts across Canada, Vecsei realized what he had found was new and different. But whether it's a separate species is up for debate, said Jim Reist, head of Arctic fish ecology with the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans in Winnipeg. "What one individual may conclude and defend and say, 'This is the way the world is,' another individual working in the same area and on the same material may come up with a differing opinion," he said. Reist said the definition of what constitutes a new species can change on a case-by-case basis. He added that the line between cisco species is blurry and especially difficult to establish in Canada's North, where plants and animals have only been around since the last Ice Age and continue to evolve today. The decision on whether Coregonus googelii should be a new species will come down to a professional judgment call, Reist said. Even after that call is made, he said the matter could remain up for debate.

Just messing with you. I did spend many years though in electro plating.

Brass = copper & zinc Bronze = copper & tin

Sturgeon resurgence in Lake Erie The ancient fish remains endangered, but more are beginning to show up Sunday, July 19, 2009 Deborah Weisberg / www.post-gazette.com Erie County's Dick Brozell lands an endangered sturgeon June 24 in Lake Erie. / Chuck Gnarra Chuck Gnarra's eyes nearly popped when client Dick Brozell of Erie County, jigging for perch on Lake Erie party boat the Edward John, hooked a kind of fish he'd never seen before. "A lot of the 40 people on board moved to the front of the boat to watch it," said Gnarra, who was captaining that day, June 24. "It jumped out of the water and someone said, 'I think that's a sturgeon,' and other people went, 'Nah! Can't be. Sturgeon aren't around anymore.'" But that's exactly what it turned out to be -- all 37 prehistoric-looking inches. Given sturgeon can grow to nearly 8 feet and hundreds of pounds, this fish was young, said the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission's Chuck Murray, who added he was delighted and surprised by reports of the catch, especially since it was the second caught that day. Brozell released the sturgeon off the Edward John, while John Homchenko of Erie released one of a similar size. Both fish hit on live bait in about 50 feet of water. "We hadn't had reports [of sturgeon] in two or three years, then two in one day. That's notable," said Murray. "Let's put it this way, I've never brought one onto our boats since I've been with the commission, and that's 17 years." His agency hasn't put many resources into studying lake sturgeon, although, coincidental to this year's catches, that is about to change. The commission is partnering with the state-run Tom Ridge Environmental Center in a new sturgeon work group, and will also help launch a sturgeon "watch," designed to enlist public participation. Small informational cards soon will be distributed to anglers, asking them to contact wildlife agencies with information about sturgeon catches or sightings. "They're an endangered species, so you've got to return them to the water immediately if you catch one," Murray said, "but we're asking folks to call us since we want to collect data." Murray surmises Brozell's catch probably came from Lake St. Clair or the Niagara River, where sturgeon populations are robust enough to support a recreational fishery. Given its size, it was probably 20 years old, the age when sturgeon sexual maturity and can reproduce. Sturgeon can live for more than a century and spawn once every three to five years, choosing shallow, flowing water where their eggs can adhere to rocks and logs. The two recent catches may even have been on a virgin spawning run, Murray said, since May and June are when they spawn. It's debatable, though, whether they are reproducing in the open waters of Lake Erie. "Historically, there were open lake spawning populations, but that doesn't seem to be the case anymore. The most notable spawning populations are in the rivers, like the Niagara and the Huron-Erie corridor," said Murray. "We have the shoals and other areas where there's the wave action they like for spawning, but is the habitat enough for a viable population? I think that's doubtful, but it's one of the things the sturgeon work group may look into." Sturgeon are as ancient as they look, dating back to the last Ice Age. They have scutes -- an armor-like covering -- instead of scales. And they are indigenous to the Great Lakes, although 25 other strains of sturgeon live in Europe, Asia and elsewhere in North America. Some types of sturgeon are anadromous, meaning they dwell in the ocean but swim inland to spawn, but Murray said Lake Erie sturgeon are a freshwater species, which may occasionally venture to brackish waters of the St. Lawrence River, but not the open sea. Sturgeon have protected status in many parts of the world because of historic exploitation and impacts to their habitat. Beluga sturgeon, for example, have suffered overharvest because their caviar is so coveted. Overharvest also took a huge toll on Lake Erie sturgeon in past centuries, and their numbers have never rebounded, Murray said. "People took millions of pounds of sturgeon out of Erie in the late 1800s because they considered them a nuisance that tore up fishermen's nets," he said. "They'd pile them up like firewood and burn them. Then they discovered there was a market for them, especially for their roe, so millions more pounds were taken for their flesh. That continued until the early 1900s. In less than 20 years, they were practically wiped out." Given their tough hides, once they reach 4 inches Great Lakes sturgeon have few natural predators, although they've taken a hit from lampreys, an exotic invasive species that can latch onto their soft undersides and suck out their body fluids. About a decade ago, pollution-related botulism killed several Erie sturgeon and the carcasses washed up on shore. The last recorded commercial harvest on Erie was on the Ontario side in 1983, when just 200 pounds was reported for the entire year. "And that was probably one fish," Murray said. "They can get pretty big." The largest recorded Great Lakes sturgeon was 310 pounds and almost 8 feet long, caught on Lake Superior in 1922. Because the Fish and Boat Commission has no sturgeon assessment program, it cannot estimate sturgeon numbers, but Murray said perch fishermen would be catching them regularly if their population were abundant. "They feed off the bottom like perch, sucking in everything they can find in the mud, so they're eating zebra mussels, crayfish and gobies," Murray said. "In fact, the gobies and zebra mussels, as well as improvements in water quality, may be why we're seeing a relative resurgence of sturgeon." Murray said it will be a long time, if ever, before they are removed from the endangered list, but this summer's catches are encouraging. Other Great Lakes states once stocked sturgeon as part of a restoration effort, but Murray said creating suitable spawning habitat is the preferred approach to fostering wild reproduction. "With stocking, there are concerns about genetics and the risk of introducing disease," he said. "And it seems sturgeon, so far, are holding on. I'd like to see them make a comeback on their own."

Sportfishing Industry Awards 2009 "Best of Show" Honors July 20, 2009 / www.great-lakes.org Orlando, Florida - ICAST 2009, the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, the world's largest sportfishing tradeshow, was in full swing from July 15-17, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. Over 7,200 representatives from the sportfishing industry, including over 2,200 buyers and over 500 media representatives, were gathered to see the latest innovations in tackle, gear and apparel and network with the global sportfishing community. The sportfishing industry's premier trade event is produced by the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), the industry's trade association which is headquartered in Alexandria, Va. This year, the 52nd year of ICAST, the New Product Showcase, the tradeshow's flagship event, was more competitive than ever. Sponsored by ESPN Outdoors/BASS, 208 exhibiting companies entered 600 tackle products and accessories into the New Product Showcase. The product category with the most product submissions was the hard lure category. This year the Hobie Cat Mirage Pro Angler, both a boat and a kayak, was voted by buyers and media as the most innovative product in the ICAST 2009 New Product Showcase in both the Marine category and the overall "Best of Show." This year's New Product Showcase winner's also included first-time ICAST exhibitors Cablz, Inc., USA Custom Rods and Better Bait Systems. Eight returning ICAST exhibitors were also first-time winners. They are: Durasafe, Master Vision, Ross Reels USA/Ross Worldwide Outdoors, Sebile USA and Hobie Cat. Three 2008 showcase winners - Shimano, Pure Fishing and Plano Molding Company - also won Best of Show honors in 2009. "Each year, I am amazed by the quality of new products that are unveiled at the New Product Showcase and this year was no different," said Mike Nussman, ASA's president and CEO. "I congratulate all of the winners and everyone who participated in the New Product Showcase, from the companies who worked hard to develop these innovations to the buyers and media who served as judges." Making up a special section of ICAST's 400,000-square-foot show floor, the New Product Showcase provides special visibility for the industry's latest innovations in gear and accessories. Buyers and media representatives judged the products based on their levels of innovation, execution, workmanship and practicality to select "Best of Show" honors in 17 categories, as well as the overall "Best of Show" winner. 2009 ICAST New Product Showcase Award Winners For product details, images and other information please contact the individual award winners listed below. Overall Best of Show - Hobie Cat - Hobie Mirage Pro Angler Apparel - Cablz, Inc. - Cablz Electronics - Lowrance-Navico - Lowrance HDS-10 Eyewear - Costa Del Mar Sunglasses - Zane Fishing Accessory - Durasafe - Codeable Locks Giftware - Master Vision - Mini Lantern Kids Tackle - Ross Reels USA/Ross Worldwide Outdoors - Journey Youth Fly Fishing Outfit Line - Pure Fishing - Berkley Trilene TransOptic Soft Lure - Sebile USA - Magic Swimmer Soft Pro Model Hard Lure - Sebile USA - Spin Shad Marine - Hobie Cat - Hobie Mirage Pro Angler Freshwater Reel - Shimano - Stradic CI4 Saltwater Reel - Daiwa - Saltist Lever Drag Freshwater Rod - USA Custom Rods - Camo Stix Saltwater Rod - G. Loomis - Pro Green 882S Tackle Management - Plano Molding Company - Liqua-Bait Locker System Terminal Tackle - Better Bait Systems - Circle Hook Rig In 2010, ICAST will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, from July 14-16, 2010. ICAST 2011 will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, from July 13-15, 2011.