Yep had enough of being cold this winter so I am hanging by the wood stove this afternoon.   I like  350 to 400 up there and thats what it is right now, but If I was going to drive up north I would keep on trucking up to Chaumont bay or Lake of the isles  for some perch or slime logs through the ice

db & clint, you guys read my mind exactly !!
we are making ice not loosing it in the ADK's.. Dug my ice gear back out and will go the 75 mile trip friday instead :)
Bring it on baby !!

NOPE- stayin in by the fire- when the Gnasty Gnats come out so will I.

Tuna good for you man... if things keep up like this youre gonna go right in to striper season from the ice...lol...

Trevor, my tobacco of choice is black cavendish... a phat bowl of that packed in to my sherlock keeps the flies away just fine ;)

Hey, has anyone ever targetted pike spawn??? Ive read its shortly after ice out... ive been scouting a few ponds and lagoons in the area that may be a good target spot... some of them are probably only able to be reached by canoe and navigating channelz near the river mouths... has anyone here done anything like this before?

Ahhhhh Andy- we practice  a similar  Gnat buster philosophy. Cept I use Capt. Black.

Well here I am in Ohio itching to play with Steel,but the entire week the forecast is snow/ice/rain/wind and of course COLD! Good thing I have my fly tieing stuff with me
The forecast shows the temps in the low 40's next week,then I will hit them!

Dime,
 
The pike were runnig with the steel down here two weeks ago.  But the season closed on Friday, until the first Saturday in May, and it is not legal in NY to target fish in their closed season.  You could probably argue that a crappie jig was intended for crappie, but an 8" streamer or a big rapala could get you a ticket.  They spawn in very shallow water like flooded flats, and they are very vulnerable then.  They will still be in similar spots when the season opens.
And with the way the winter is holding on, you should have no shortage of chromers and dropbacks until May, if you can find time to go after them!
 
L13

Lucky thanks for the heads up on the regs... early may was probably gonna be when i ventured out... im looking to target them in the waters you described from canoe most likely.I plan on bringing a fly rod and a spinning rod... ive caught pickerel when i was very young but ive never caught a pike... id prefer to do it on the fly, but i am not too proud to pick up a spinning rod... ive yet to find a partner if anyone wants to join

I have no such reg.  problems. Vermont even has a pike SHOOTING season.
The New York side of Champlain had one into the 70's. It's still open all year for pike  angling.   I also fish the Hudson where it's C and R , open all year.  Andy, try to get them as soon as possible after the spawn, the large ones will head for deep water immediately after spawning and sulk for awhile. Smaller fish will be around, but I'm sure you have intentions of  gettin a gator.The last fish I got in open water last  year ( Dec.) out of my yak were pike.  Often the first ones in are also.  I usually fish big Deceivers- Chartreuse over yellow over white with a red gill and some silver and red tinsel. 8" of Cortland Tyger wire- double uni knot to the leader- figure 8 to the fly.   Back in the dark ages before I became a fly snob, i used big spinnerbaits,  slow rolled. White with chartreuse willows was my favorite. Fire tiger original rapalas, too.  I'm planning on hitting a good size river estuary (Otter Creek) where it flows into the  southern end of Champlain  next month, besides the Hudson 20 minutes from home.   Hope you're successful. 
On another note- Jack, I hope you get lots of time to chase steel in Ohio.
 HT- may your Sabikis be full.......   A little later than last year,  maybe.  I talked to some dude in Schodack that scores major big carp on bait  and wants me to show him how to sightfish with flies for  them.  He says he fishes  a big flat where they go unmolested and are there in dense numbers. May be fun.  He seems legit.
I hope I can scare up a few steel the end of the month. No vacation this spring for the first time in 15 years. The 4 days on the river is it.
Probably get skunked....
 
 
 
Charlie
 
 
 
 

Knew you would have some good input charlie... based on what ive heard and read, different regions will spawn at different times due to ice conditions... is this true??? If so, how long after ice out do they look to spawn in the shallows? Some of the tribs to the north of me empty in to some nice ponds and lagoon type water... something tellls me it will be prime water for them... now, on the other hand if its gonna fall during spring steely prime time i may put it off one more year as my time for some steelie action is way over due... my free time is pretty limited just like yours and rainbows are usually always #1 on my list. Maybe if im lucky i'll get to join you sometime during your 4 day trip...