Holliday's World Famous Fishing Thread - 2023 Version

[Holy Holliday !]

Where there is a will, there is a way. When I was a kid my Uncle had a wooden boat up on Youghiogheny reservoir in SW PA. I would see lots of small boats just left on shore. Early pontoon boats where just oil drums welded together with a platform bolted on top.
I never understood why they drained the water so low. Usually it was very high, a big 17 mile long lake, and lots of deep spots. Now it is so low that the old roadway and ancient stone bridge are exposed. We used to stay all night and listen to the Pirates games on the radio. Very few fish caught at night. Dawn was better. The second pic is what I remember- the water was almost up to the US 40 bridge.

The upper pic has some similarity to what I can the big res which is always low in later fall.
Lots of big bolders and varying sized shale etc. Great Smallmouth habitat not so much for Largemouth of which I have only caught 2 there.
Reasons for drawdown: 1) it may be hydro 2) if it's city/town water, it will be lower as summer moves on due too lower rainfall and home/garden/lawn use, people washing their cars etc. 3) it may be used to replenish recreational waters such as a river or trout stream, or boating/kayak water. We have all of those things here in various reservoirs. Looking at the NYC reservoir system, the most distal waters are always the lowest of the chain after early spring.

 

[oldslowandugly]

That makes sense. Back then, no one did kayaking, tubing, or any of that stuff. But I do believe it is a hydro dam. So that meant you need a regulated outflow all year long or you get no power. I guess rainfall is not what it used to be either.

 

[Holy Holliday !]

That makes sense. Back then, no one did kayaking, tubing, or any of that stuff. But I do believe it is a hydro dam. So that meant you need a regulated outflow all year long or you get no power. I guess rainfall is not what it used to be either.

. This year has been drier than most. Reservoirs are over 10% lower than historical averages. Of course as population grows usage increases so if capacity isn't increased reservoirs will be at lower levels.

 

[oldslowandugly]

Yes, the drought in the Northeast is for real. The lawns suffered and watering restrictions were put in place. Of course the aristocrats out in the Hamptons kept watering anyway. That was all over the news.

We worked on my buddy's 1980 Trans Am this Summer. Some days felt like 100°.

 

[Holy Holliday !]

Yes, the drought in the Northeast is for real. The lawns suffered and watering restrictions were put in place. Of course the aristocrats out in the Hamptons kept watering anyway. That was all over the news.

We worked on my buddy's 1980 Trans Am this Summer. Some days felt like 100°.

No way !
. Rich people having their way.
I will be calling my representatives.

 

[oldslowandugly]

Check this out. Asian carp invasion. I know they even put an electric net system across the Illinois River to keep them out of Lake Michigan. Looks like someone finally found a use for these guys. Fish tacos?

 

[Holy Holliday !]

Check this out. Asian carp invasion. I know they even put an electric net system across the Illinois River to keep them out of Lake Michigan. Looks like someone finally found a use for these guys. Fish tacos?

They say eat em. Are those the ones that jump out of the water and have killed people who get hit by them? I'm thinking St Lawrence River - Great Lakes area on that.

 

[Holy Holliday !]

Check this out. Asian carp invasion. I know they even put an electric net system across the Illinois River to keep them out of Lake Michigan. Looks like someone finally found a use for these guys. Fish tacos?

Horrifying

 

[oldslowandugly]

Yes, lots of videos showing hundreds of fish leaping into oncoming boat traffic. About time they found a way to send an invasive pest back where it came from.

 

[oldslowandugly]

I just stumbled across this. I have never found a good hook remover that really works. I think I will try this. For the price of a bicycle spoke I can try to make one.

 

[Holy Holliday !]

Yes, lots of videos showing hundreds of fish leaping into oncoming boat traffic. About time they found a way to send an invasive pest back where it came from.

So many invasives, plants, animals, virus' are from Asia. They make very hearty and adaptive stuff there.

 

[oldslowandugly]

I get off on killing the Lantern Flies. You have to smack them from above. I was floating along one day and watched as thousands flew too low and hit the water. They struggle a bit- then sink. Not good swimmers. Fish food!

 

[Holy Holliday !]

I get off on killing the Lantern Flies. You have to smack them from above. I was floating along one day and watched as thousands flew too low and hit the water. They struggle a bit- then sink. Not good swimmers. Fish food!

I don't think the fish have really bought in to eating them. Yet to see one taken off the water. No take yer Dragonfly. I see Bass launch themselves like missiles out of the water to get those. Must be deeeeelicious.

 

[oldslowandugly]

Must be deeeeelicious.

Well, they eat mosquitos, which feed on blood, so I guess that makes them a bloody treat? I did read that some birds or other bug took a liking to the Lantern Flies. Mother Nature will make it right.

 

[Holy Holliday !]

Well, they eat mosquitos, which feed on blood, so I guess that makes them a bloody treat? I did read that some birds or other bug took a liking to the Lantern Flies. Mother Nature will make it right.

They are sort of pretty.

 

[oldslowandugly]

They are sort of pretty.

I almost feel bad squooshing them. But I value our trees more. Remember the Asian long horned beetle? Branches would fall off trees after they borrowed in.

 

[Holy Holliday !]

I almost feel bad squooshing them. But I value our trees more. Remember the Asian long horned beetle? Branches would fall off trees after they borrowed in.

Ash Borers are really bad. Saw a lot of that in PA.
Most of the time, by the time we squoosh them they have already done their reproducing.
I think those traps are the best option to control right now, but there aren't nearly enough set out.

 

[oldslowandugly]

They had teams out looking for the Asian beetles. I had pulled my truck over to make a delivery and brushed against the tree branches. I saw what I thought was an Asian beetle jump off the leaves and onto my windshield. I grabbed the bug and looked for the team. When they inspected it- they said it was an AMERICAN Longhorn Beetle. I asked WTF is the difference? Ours doesn't have the dots on the antennae. And that is OK? I still don't get it.

 

[oldslowandugly]

I have considered a portable kayak for some of the hike-in spots I fish.
. I have no practical experience with them, and don't know too much on the subject.
The Oru Kayak has one called the Lake Sport which might fit the bill at about 500 beans I think.

Here's a comparison vid Tucktec and Oru (Inlet not Lake though):

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Holliday- check this guy out. He has a few good videos all over NYC waters.. He is riding a fold-able kayak- out in NEW YORK HARBOR!!! Holy shit! This is big water- real boats are not even safe. I guess these fold-ables are pretty capable.

 

[oldslowandugly]

I just stumbled across this. I have never found a good hook remover that really works. I think I will try this. For the price of a bicycle spoke I can try to make one.

I went ahead and made one of these. The bicycle spoke was too weak for what I do. I used an old car antenna. You know, the stainless steel whippy kind. It was harder to bend but I got it done. I stuck the ends into a drilled out wooden dowel, then epoxied that into the butt handle of a broken rod. More epoxy to seal it all up. It is very sturdy. You need sturdy with salt water fish. And long. You don't want to get too close to those sharp teeth. I tested it on a Bluefish hook. I can see that it should work well. Too bad I have to wait until next season to try it out.

 

[oldslowandugly]

I have been doing rod and reel maintenance. I have a couple of fly rods that cleaned up nicely. The reels are old and small but work well. Need new line. Ever fly fish? We have the Connetquot River State Park here. Fly fishing only. I always sucked at that. Might be time to learn.

​

 

[oldslowandugly]

Damn man, banned again? Oh well, tackle maintenance time.

 

[ESAD TIA]

Damn man, banned again? Oh well, tackle maintenance time.

He decided to tempt fate again, I hope your fishing doesn't suffer as a consequence again this time.

Please continue to post fishing updates though, I'd still read and conversate with you about fishing.

 

[Seamajor]

In deed. I love fishing, and foraging

 

[oldslowandugly]

I'm sure he will bounce back. In some form or another.

I am working on fly fishing tackle right now. I have a fly rod I bought when I was a kid, never used. I also have one my Uncle that taught me to fish, left to me. They both got new line, a cleaning, and greasing.

I am getting a headache learning about fly fishing. Way too complicated. Maybe once I get out there and practice it will make more sense. I need something to do in winter. Trout are a cold water fish that is available to me not too far away. My NY State DEC gave me a lifetime fresh water license for almost nothing because I am so old. Might as well use it.

 

[Seamajor]

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I knew this older guy in CR, Marco. He used to make these lures out of beer cans and feathers. Naturally hed use a hand line. He regularly caught Roosters inside the rocks on the beach. He was a cool guy. Owned 2 pair of shorts and his fishing gear. Passed away a few years ago

 

[oldslowandugly]

My kind of guy. That is some big fish. I could live on fish forever. Did he coil the line around the beer can and throw it out like a spinning reel? Then pull it in by hand and wind it around the can? That is standard procedure in many poor areas. I have even seen it used at far Rockaway. It works!

 

[Seamajor]

My kind of guy. That is some big fish. I could live on fish forever. Did he coil the line around the beer can and throw it out like a spinning reel? Then pull it in by hand and wind it around the can? That is standard procedure in many poor areas. I have even seen it used at far Rockaway. It works!

He used a round plastic reel that he wound with his hand. He would spin his lure over his head and fling it out into the water and jerk it back. Naturally hed eat it all. Roosters were generally released because they are game fish, and difficult to clean. He was a good guy. His Spanish was difficult to understand. A mixture of slang with a Nica accent.

 

[oldslowandugly]

He used a round plastic reel that he wound with his hand.

Kind of like the Alvey reel they use in Australia? Or just a wire spool? The Alvey is a very old design. Some swear by it and use it exclusively. It pivots so you can toss the line. Then it swings back so you can crank the line in. Very simple and durable.

As I investigate fly fishing I am amazed at how small and simple the old reels are. No drag, some just use the clicker for spool control. I also have a new one, graphite, has a drag, a faint clicker, and huge capacity. I figured I would try it on salt water next year. I loaded it with 100 yards of weight forward floating line. Then it needed a lot of braided backing. I was cheap and figured I would use some old 50lb braided dacron Codfishing line I had. Amazingly, it took the entire spool of a Penn Senator 4/0 reel to fill the fly reel. YIKES! I guess I am prepared now if a Bluefishs take me for a ride.

This is the Alvey reel.

 

[oldslowandugly]

Holliday, come back! Holliday? Bueller? Bueller?