This weekend

Man, I am having some issues on what to do, the bugs are hatching in the catskills and have someone who wants to go there, could go smallie fishing up here or some brookie fishing, or will the stripers be in? Why does everything get good at the same time?
Do you think the stripers will actually be in by the weekend? or does it take a little while after the herring are in.

the bugs are starting on the big rivers though, tribs are nice but there are more bigguns in the big rivers, if you go down during the week give a report please.
Especially if the BK is stocked, once they stock that I head to the other rivers.

How about throwing steelhead in the mix ?   I know I will be heading to the great lake tomorrow night and fishing for steel on thurs, fri & possibly sat.  This week is an easy choice. Next week when the ponds open up will be the hard choice, but then I think I'll be ready to fish for some little guys.. 
 
Stripers ? well maybe the smaller school fish might be up now but If I were targeting the big boys & gals give it another 2 weeks.
Should I make a prediction ?
April-30th the brutes will be around from catskill north.
 
And so starts May, never enough time in May... Stripers for me take the back seat, you guy's have at'em
 

ihear that just tied some more hendricksons and quills. steelies huh, would love to but don't think i will. anybody been up to champlain or the bouquet?

Don't bother striper fishing yet unless you're headed south.....as anxious as everyone is i have NEVER, EVER seen it hot enought to really make it worth fishing this early in the season.......it's always late april or early may before they stack in well enough to really make it worth chasin em ..
 
having said that i have seen an occasional year where there are decent numbers early...and my biggest fish ever was on 4/21 a few years ago but it's a fish here and a fish there and never an all out hot bite. 

I showed you pic's of what 1,800 looks like and brings. Nice thing is it scares some folks off. 2,000+ is just 2 much for me but 1,800 works.
I was heading up tonight but forgot some items and forced to come home so it will be a 2am run.
I will be there until friday night staying @ foxhollow lodge. it's $40. per night and if you could swing that + your travel I can put you on fish and maybe it may calm your storm towards guides. (please just busting stones on that last part) I'll be fishing thurs & fri. if anyone wants to hit the river give my cell a call.
 
                                   Peace & Tuna

Brian, I got home late from work, finished a renovation bathroom and doors and packed my truck with ten rods for everything till sunday.  RJ, wish I could be everywhere but, you will see some pics when I get back

Headed to Saratoga for some CRAPPIES!!!!!!!!!!

 
last night I decided I had enough. Made the drive back barely able to lift my right arm (man am I out of shape). The steelhead were so thick it looked like salmon season. it's been many years since I have seen them this thick, the 1 limit law has proven to be a very successful one. On the down side however they seem to run all at or below average size meaning those 12 > 15 pounders are few and far between. The area I fished it's almost impossible to land them in 1,800 without a second hand to use a net. Well I did not have one so with well into double digit fish on, I landed a big fat ZERO....
You can see fish actively digging and spawning (should have taken pictures) so just swing a streamer through there and hold on.
I know I always seem to be a little negative but I kind of think I'm more a realist. Some things just I look at and say "is this for real ?"
The fishery as a whole.. It is just way to popular and it shows the ugly side of what some call "fishing". The best areas are ALWAYS staked out and their ground is held. People know day in and day out where the fish are and stake out them well before daylight and in some places even if it is clearly posted No Trespassing After Dark. People are unwilling to rotate and let others have a chance at catching fish but are more concerned at seeing how many they can catch. I watch it all the time. Personally I am always willing and encourage to rotate, it makes a more pleasant day with good company.
Next on my list is fishing ditch water.. With the high water those tiny diversions are packed , I mean you could walk across the fish in there. Sadly most of these fish will not make it back out to the main river and will be stranded to their death. Is it really sporting to fish this type of water ? I don't feel it is, **** you don’t need a rod at all , just reach down and grab a hand full. Better yet why not volunteer to help returning them to the river where they may fight for another day.
Finally, in my twisted look at things, how much water can you cover in a swing ? What’s next , 20' rods and laying out 100 yards of line ? Man, come on fish a lake or pond if you want to cover that much area at one time.
All this is just an observation of what the fishery has become. For me it may be over for another year and I'm really looking forward to the solitude of the Adirondacks.
So in store this weekend, cleaning out my garage and taking some time out on the trails with my atv..
 
Next stop Brook trout PONDS