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Posts Tagged ‘Guide Wayneo’

Don’t lie….it’s about the fish

Posted in Stories, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , on June 25, 2022| Leave a Comment »

As I was walking along the river this morning I starting thinking it’s not about the fish. I thought for me it is about seeing the sunrise and getting exercise in a way that I enjoy.

Then I thought, well that is a bunch of crap. You are only thinking that because the fishing is slow. I have had plenty of customers tell me the same thing. They tell me it’s not about catching fish it is about being outside or hanging out with friends or family. I have come to realize they were probably lying and didn’t even know it.

I have never thought or heard that on a good day. It is only the slow days or at the start of the day when we don’t yet know how the fishing will be. If the water had no fish would we still be there? The answer is likely no or at least not in the same capacity. I doubt many people would pay me to just drive them around the lake.

At the end of the day it really is about the fish. We go fishing to catch fish. Are we mad if we don’t? Probably not but we are no where near as happy as when we do catch fish. Enjoy your time on the water. Enjoy the beautiful places fishing can take you. Soak it all in. Just stop lying because at the end of the day we all are here because of the fish.

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Cayuga and Oneida Lake

Posted in Reports, Stories, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on July 13, 2021| Leave a Comment »

If you follow this blog or my social media sites you know I am always fishing different bodies of water. This week is no exception.

Sunday I hauled the Lund down to Cayuga Lake to fish with my friends Mark and Jamie. While the fishing wasn’t what we had hoped for it was still good. Mark caught his first ever lake trout and reminded me that catching seven trout and missing a few others isn’t a bad day.

Today I had a charter on Oneida Lake. I was hoping to send Bob, Eric and John home with a limit of walleye but mother nature had other plans. After 2 passes trolling we had 7 in the boat and needed just 2 more. As we were setting the lines for the third pass we noticed a storm moving along the south shore. Checking the radar we realized we better keep a close eye on it. As we were discussing our plan the first bolts of lightening were seen and the scramble to pull lines and get to the launch begain. We made it back before the storm hit and it was very clear we made the right move. A big thanks to Mike from Full Tank Charters for backing my truck in and speeding up the take out process as everyone was trying to get off the water at the same time.

If you are looking to get out for trout, salmon, or walleye give me a call.

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Guided Ice Fishing Trips

Posted in Trips, tagged , , , , , , , , on December 18, 2018| Leave a Comment »

I have decided to take a new approach to guided ice fishing trips.  I have found that there are a lot of people who have never ice fished and would like to give it a try but don’t want to spend a bunch of money.  Given this I am going to be offering 2,4, and 6-8 hour ice fishing trips.

The two hour ice fishing trips will be either intro to ice fishing or learning something specific.  Intro to ice fishing would include the basics of jigging, tip ups, tip downs, and electronics. It would also include the basics on where to start when trying to locate fish and what moves to make if your first spot doesn’t pan out.  Specific two hour trips would focus on just one thing. That could be setting tip ups for pike or walleye, using a Vexilar, jigging for pan fish, or using tip downs. A third option is just going out and trying to jig up a pile of fish in two hours.  Many days you can end up with at least a meal if not two or three in two hours. These trips will be priced at $100 for one person or $150 for two people. This price includes all gear and bait along with coffee for morning trips.  If available additional time can be purchased for $75 per hour.

A four hour trip can be a more detailed intro to ice fishing. This would again cover all the basics. However, the extended time frame will allow you to get further instruction where desired. This will likely also lead to more fish being caught.  Another four hour option is to go out and target one species of fish such as pike, perch, crappie, or bluegills.  Four hours most days is enough time to catch a fair number of fish while also learning new techniques.  It is also a good amount of time to learn how to use a Vexilar if you have never done so before.  Four hour trips will be priced at $250 for one person or $300 for  two people. This price again includes all gear, bait, and a pot of coffee if desired. If available additional time can be purchased for this trip as well for $50 per hour.

The 6-8 hour trip is a full day of ice fishing fun. There will be two options. The first is a run and gun perch and panfish trip. We will stay mobile using jigging rods inside the shanty and only setting a few tip downs if we are really on the fish.  This approach will allow us easily move if and when needed to find the fish or stay on the fish.  The second option is to set up for pike and or walleye with tip ups and then jig near by.  Using this approach we will run a large spread of tip ups and tip downs then work around our spread jigging.  This allows us to target larger game fish and still fish for panfish at the same time. It is a much less mobile approach as it takes time to set 10 to 15 tip ups. It is hard to beat the excitement of hearing someone yell flag followed by everyone running to see what is on the end of the line.   These trips will be priced at $350 for one person or $400 for two people. Larger groups can be accommodated as well.  This price again includes all bait and gear. All you need to bring for any of these trips is warm clothes and boots.

If you have any questions or would like to book an ice fishing trip call me @315-529-3886.

Disclaimers:

Additional time will not always be available to be purchased. Please book the time that you think you will want. If you book a 2 or 4 hour with the plans of adding time that time may not be available. I may have another trip booked or might have other plans. It is also possible I will not have enough bait left to stay out as I will be buying bait based on the time frame booked.

Pike bait is expensive. Please do not tell me you want to fish for pike and then change your mind. One I have purchased minnows we will be fishing for pike.

My limit will not be kept.  The rules will be the same on the ice as they are on the river or lake. You are welcome to keep your legal limit.

We had 7 tip ups and 3 tip downs set up.
Northern Pike caught on Sandy Pond

 

 

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Taxidermy – Make the right choice

Posted in Tips and Tricks, tagged , , , , , on August 5, 2017| Leave a Comment »

You have just landed the fish of a lifetime and you want more than just a picture to remember it by. Taxidermy is the first thing that comes to mind. You would love to see a mount of the fish on the wall.  The question is who do you take it to.  This is where it can get complicated.

If you already know someone who does taxidermy and you like the work they do then your choice is easy. However, if you are out of town or don’t know any taxidermists then you need to make a decision.  The first decision is do you want a skin mount or a reproduction. The big plus to the reproduction is with a few good pictures and measurements you can release or eat the fish and still put it on the wall.  Once that is decided now where do you go.

If you are fishing with a guide there is a good chance they will have someone they recommend. Personally I recommend people to Anglers Choice Fish Mounts as he does excellent work. I have not seen a fish he has done that didn’t look good.  His prices aren’t the cheapest but also not the most expensive and you get what you pay for. Actually sometimes you don’t get what you paid for and that will leave you with an ugly fish on the wall ruining the whole memory of the catch.  The last thing you want is to pay top dollar for a mount and be unhappy with it. This brings me to my next point.

If you aren’t with a guide ask your fishing friends or a local tackle shop for a recommendation. Many tackle shops are drop off locations for taxidermist.

Even if you have been recommended to someone look at their work first.  Make sure the fish they do look good. Everyone has different tastes when it comes to fish mounts. Make sure the work they do matches what you like. If possible go to the shop in person and look at the fish they have there.  DO NOT just agree to have your fish mounted with out seeing work first. I know of multiple people who have had fish mounted and were unhappy with the results. You want the fish to look like it did when it was caught.

Price is normally a concern when it comes to taxidermy. I am all about shopping around and comparing prices but only if you are happy with the quality of multiple peoples work. DO NOT compromise quality to save a couple bucks an inch.  Remember most likely you aren’t getting fish mounted that often and it is going to be hanging on your wall. You want to be proud to show it off to your friends.

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Echo Ion XL 10′ 7 weight review

Posted in Product Reviews, tagged , , , , , on December 18, 2016| Leave a Comment »

Today I finally was able to fish one of the Echo rods I purchased a couple months ago. The rod has been fished by multiple customers and I have made some demonstration casts with it but never had time to fish it myself. 

This morning that changed when I decided to head to the river for a couple hours. As I hiked to a couple holes that I have only fished by drift boat I imeaditly noticed how light it felt to carry. I have it paired with an Echo Ion reel and Airflo line.

The rod fished very well. I was casting a 1″ Air Lock indicator four size b split shot and an egg pattern with no problem. I was able to cast overhand, roll cast, and single hand spey cast this rod with no issues. The 10 foot rod makes mending line a breeze. It was a typical steelhead day so I was fishing in rain, sleet, and snow all just two hours. Oh and add wind gusts of 20 mph which made casting tough but the Ion got the job done. 

Unfortunately I didn’t find a steelhead that wanted what I had to offer so I still haven’t fought a fish on it. However, my customers tell me it handles fish very well. At around $160 I think it’s a top choice for someone who wants a high end performing rod without the high end price tag. Pair it with an Ion reel for another $100 and you have a killer combo for under $300. 

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Lake Ontario Spring Brown Trout

Posted in Reports, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on March 6, 2016| Leave a Comment »

It is only March 5th and I have already been on Lake Ontario. This is the earliest I have been trolling the lake by about 10 days.  It was a great deal of work to break up the ice at the launch to get the boat in the water. Then we broke through the ice to get to the river and more ice on the river to get to the lake. Even though we only fished for about a hour and a half after it was all worth it when we landed a nice brown trout that weighed in at 10 pounds on the boga grip. The fish was brought home for dinner tomorrow.

Over the next week we are supposed to see some warmer weather which will take care of the ice and should kick the brown trout fishing along the shoreline into full gear.  Today there was very little colored up water due to the lack of run of at the moment. The warmer weather will change that as the remaining snow melts.  I am guessing next weekend will be an excellent time to be on the water.  I will not be on the water Saturday as I will be selling tackle at the Eastern Lake Ontario Salmon and Trout Association flee market at the fire hall in Brewerton.  I am available for a trip on Sunday though.

The tough part of booking a drift boat trip trolling along the lake is it is very wind dependent.  If the wind is blowing hard we can’t fish the lake with a drift boat. However there is always a plan b and c.  We can go to Oswego and troll the harbor or go to the Salmon River or Black River and fish for steelhead.

If you are set on trolling the lake I recommend hiring a charter boat such as Irish Knots Sport fishing or High Adventure Sport fishing.  The benefit of going on a charter boat is that the wind is not as big of a factor. They are able to fish in a fair amount of wind and waves.  The cost will be more but you can also split that cost between 4 to 6 people instead of 2.

Spring brown trout fishing is a trolling trip most of the time. If you are fishing on a charter boat it will definitely be trolling. If you are on a drift boat most of the time we troll but if you wanted to cast that is an option. We could even try fly fishing for them. Trolling will produce the most fish though. I also have two trolling fly rods that can be deployed if you wanted to catch them on the fly.

With warmer weather right around the corner now is the time to think about booking a spring brown trout trip. I will be having my gallbladder removed on the 14th of March so I am not booking any trips until April but I have other guides that I work with that I will gladly set you up with if you wanted to go before April. If you would like to book a charter boat give Chris Yard (Irish Knots Sport Fishing) or Troy Creasy (High Adventure Sport Fishing)  a call and they will set you up for sure.

 

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Some pictures from last weekend

Posted in Reports, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 10, 2015| Leave a Comment »

I am a bit late posting but Saturday I set up and ran a 2 boat trip. The fishing wasn’t hot and heavy but we had some action and managed to get one into the net. The guys were very happy as they had struck out on their trip the day before. (It wasn’t with me) The one that came to the net smashed a Finger Lakes Tackle Blades of Steel spinner. We also took hits on beads. Overall it was a great day. The weather was good and we all had a good time.

Sunday I had the chance to be guided rather than be the guide. It was great. I set up the trip for my friend Steve’s bachelor party and we had a blast. We landed 4 steelhead and lost many others. A big thanks to Mike Kerstetter and James Kirkland for taking us down the river.

This is a short report as I am tired but I will say fishing has been a lot like it used to be. You have to work for them but they are there and if you put in a bit of effort you will be rewarded. Spinners and beads have been the hot baits the last couple weeks. Fly guys that know what they are doing are getting them too.

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8-16-10 Fishing Report

Posted in Reports, tagged , , , , , , , on August 16, 2015| Leave a Comment »

I had the pleasure of taking Jimmy and his nephew Timmy fishing yesterday. We met at All Seasons Sports at 6 am and headed out hoping to catch some bass, rainbow trout, and walleye.

The fishing was slow and it seemed like every time we has the fish figured out the bite would stop. We did manage to put 17 fish in the boat by the end of our trip. The trout eluded us but we did get 2 walleye, a few smallmouth bass, a bluegill and a bunch of perch.

We were fishing from the drift boat and most of on fish came on crawler harnesses or Berkley Flicker Shads.

Salmon season is quickly approaching but if you want to get out and fish an area with the opportunity to catch multiple tasty species give me a call. We can even fly fish. Both casting and trolling flies.

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I am offering an afternoon trip fishing from 4 pm until dark for just $225 for 2 people.

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Walleye Fishing Sandy Pond New York

Posted in Reports, Stories, tagged , , , , , on May 7, 2013| Leave a Comment »

I fished Sandy Pond last night for a few hours on my friend Nate’s Boat. Nate is a local Charter Captain specializing in Walleye and Brown Trout.
We ended up hooking 2 and landing this nice 24″ fish. Both hits came on my secret walleye lure.
Our goal last night was to try out a couple spots including one new one we where recently informed of. The new spot proved to be a good one as it was where we hooked both fish. I believe if we had stayed there we would have caught more but again the goal was to try a few different places so we kept moving. Now that we have the new spot dialed in I can not wait to get back out there.
Walleye fishing on Sandy Pond has drastically improved over the last few years. The best part is that not very many people know about the great fishing that can be had on Sandy Pond so most nights you can have the whole pond to yourself. If you are interested in a walleye fishing trip contact me. Nate or I would be glad to take you out there.

This walleye was caught while fishing Sandy Pond New York.

This walleye was caught while fishing Sandy Pond New York.

Sandy Pond New York has some nice walleyes.

Sandy Pond New York has some nice walleyes.

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