On my rides around Saratoga Lake on the recent subzero days, I saw quite a few ice-fishing anglers out all around the lake. This tells me they are biting.
There was a Rotterdam group of four fishing on Mariaville Lake that did very well. Jeremy Addison, Ryan Shultis and Matteo Tiscione hauled in 20 nice pickerel. They caught the pickerel using live shiners.
Dave Pirrone’s Lakeside Store on Mariaville Lake will be hosting his 5th Annual Kids Fishing Derby on Feb. 17. Fishing hours are 8 a.m. until noon. Registration will begin at 7:45 a.m. and there is no entry free. All kids 16 and under can fish. There will be free giveaways for just showing up. Free pizza will be provided in the afternoon prior to the prize giveaways. Coffee and donuts will also be available. If you don’t have gear, they will drill the holes and set your kids up for fishing, and that includes bait. Other sponsors are the Schenectady County Conservation Council and New York Conservation Council. Should there be rain, the derby will be re-scheduled for Feb. 24.
On Saturday, NYSDEC and the city of Troy will co-host a free ice fishing clinic from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Tomhannock Reservoir anglers’ parking lot at the corner of Route 7 and Lake Shore Road in the town of Pittstown. DEC Region 4 Director Keith Goertz says it is a great opportunity for the public to learn more about the unique sport of ice fishing and how better to enjoy New York’s natural resources in the winter. DEC will supply the bait and tackle, but experienced anglers are encouraged to bring their own gear. And should you get cold, there is a warming hut. While neither a DEC fishing license nor a city of Troy access permit will be required for the event, all fishing regulations remain in effect. Also, gasoline- and propane-powered ice augers are prohibited on the reservoir. For more information, call the Region 4 Fisheries office at 607-652-7366.
The Fish House Fish & Game Club will host a Walleye Ice Fishing Contest on Feb. 10 on Great Sacandaga Lake. Contest hours are
6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Early entry fee is $20, or $25 day of contest. Weigh-in will be 1/4 mile north of Fish House Corners at the Town of Providence parking area, County Road 110. Top three walleye payout will be $500, $250 and $100. Northern pike will be $250, $150 and $100. Perch $250, $150 and $100. The biggest trout weighed in will receive $150.
VIVA, LAS VEGAS
They say what happens in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas, but not for the National Shot Show Foundation, which will hold the 49th “Shot Show” from Jan. 23-26 at the Las Vegas Sands Expo. If it has anything to do with shooting, it will be on display at this show. Last year’s show attracted over 1,600 exhibitors and buyers and media from 100 countries.
Last year, there were over 65,000 industry professionals in attendance, showcasing over 500 new products. Now these “booths” come in all sizes. A good example — REALTREE’S “booth” is a full-size, two-story log cabin.
If you go to my blog at http://noonanpics.blogspot.com/, you will find info and photos of a new survival .22 rifle, a “real-way” camo to let you blend into the hunting woods, a crossbow that will do the job and is priced right and a new and better way to clean and protect your firearms.
PROJECT HEALING WATERS
Have you ever heard of it? I didn’t until a good friend told me about it. Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Inc. is dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active military service personnel and disabled veterans through fly fishing and associated activities, including education and outings.
My friend, who lives near the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, told me about a very active Project Healing Waters group led by Michael Rist, and they are always looking for donations.
I researched all the information about this group and was very impressed. You can contact Rist at [email protected], call him at 315-681-3654 or you can contact the home office at www.ProjectHealingwaters.org. I am sure you have fishing gear you could donate or, even better, start your own Project Healing Waters Chapter in our area. If you do, contact me at [email protected].
CLAY TARGET LEAGUE
Last week, fellow outdoor writer friend Dan Ladd of Fort Ann and I met with Jane E. Havens of the Southern Adirondack High School Clay Target Association in Hudson Falls to deliver a $500 donation from the New York State Outdoor Writers Association.
The USA High School Clay Target League is a non-profit corporation and operates state high school clay targets leagues for students in grades 6 through 12 who have earned league-approved firearm safety certification.
Right now, there are 370 students from 19 New York state high school teams. The only one in this area is at the Hudson River Fish & Game Club.
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Categories: Sports
