Since I have become unable to do as much hunting and fishing since I had COVID-19, I am considered a long hauler now with
The aftermath of the virus is I no longer drive. But with the help of my wife, son, daughter and friends, I am still able to hunt and fish and enjoy the outdoors because of them. I want to take the time to thank those of you that have kept in touch.
My wife, son and daughter make sure I have friends with me as I enter the woods. I don’t want to fall. If it is fishing, it’s the same thing.
On opening day of spring turkey hunting last Saturday, I was accompanied by my good friend Neal Hopkins of Saratoga Springs. I had my new Dickson 12-gauge shotgun.
Last year, while turkey hunting on opening day, I let a small bearded turkey go by without me shooting. It was followed by Neal yelling, “Shoot, you don’t eat the beard.”
I also have to do some fishing this season, with friends and family helping out that I don’t end up with the fish. Again, thanks to all that makes me able to keep doing what I love.
OSWEGO AREA FISHING
I received a report from fellow outdoor writer Leo Maloney of Sherill. He said the flows come and go lately, but the fishing remains good in the Oswego River and shoreline of Lake Ontario despite conditions that make it tough on certain days.
Fishing along the west side of the Oswego River has been good for big trout. Casting swim baits seems to be the best technique but jigs, beads, egg sacks under floats are also taking fish.
SALMON RIVER STEELHEAD
Meanwhile, up on Salmon River, Mahoney reports there are large numbers of steelheads spread throughout the river. It is a mix of fresh-run chromers, spawning fish and spawned out drop-back fish ready to head back to the lake. The bite remains up and down because of constant changes in the water levels, often cooler water in the 30s, and colored water.
Bead fishing has been productive, but egg sacks and pink worms have also been getting bites. Fly fisherman are having success on pink squirmy worms and stone fly patterns suspended under an indicator. Bright colors are working, and changing your bait regularly can make a difference.
BIG EAST CAMPING AND OUTDOOR SHOW REPORT
My friend Steve Zahurak of Schenectady gave me a call and told me the opening day of trout season did not look promising.
Instead, he decided to attend the Big East Camping and Outdoor Show at Turning Stone Casino in Verona, NY on April 1. Since time was a factor, he focused on outdoor related vendors. Four Leaf Custom calls and Gooseman Calls had quality turkey, deer, squirrel and predator calls.
Before leaving the show, Zahurak stopped at the NY Crossbow Coalition booth and made a 30-second video explaining that he was a bowhunter and bowhunter instructor who supports full inclusion of crossbows in archery season. If you want to hear more about Zahurak’s visit, you will probably have to look for him on one of the trout streams in the Capital District.
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