Stream Chronicles News Letter V.1 #2
President’s Message
Welcome to 2022!
I hope you all had a safe, warm, healthy, and happy Holiday Season.
As the new year begins, we are still beset with Covid and the Omicron variant. Sadly, that means in-person meetings will not be called for a few more months. The board will continue to meet via Zoom for now.
We have updated our website and posted board minutes and agendas there, as well as this newsletter. I have reached out to the Madison County Chapter to see if there are volunteer opportunities and stream projects on which we can cooperate. I’ve also talked to Matt Weber of the local Izaak Walton League about partnering on stream projects. As opportunities to volunteer arise, I will share them with you!
Since we can’t meet in person, we will be sending out regular communications to you, our members via email, through our Chapter website, and sometimes via postal mail. We will work on our ability to host electronic chapter meetings that are informative and meaningful without a lot of technical glitches. We will keep you informed of Chapter business, and seek your input on matters of importance to the members. Please reach out to me with your comments, concerns, ideas, and issues regarding the Iroquois Chapter and the cold water streams in our area.
We are going to attempt a Zoom meeting for the chapter membership on March 2, from 6:00 - 8:00 PM. Keep an eye out for a Zoom invite from me to join that meeting. Eric Stanczyk will provide an update on the Carpenter’s Brook Fish Hatchery and Spring stocking efforts in Onondaga County.
We are also looking into where, when, and how we can resume fly tying night. No decisions have been made yet, but we will let you know!
A couple of topics to update everyone on:
TU Priority Waters:
We will partner with the NYS DEC, with US Fish and Wildlife, with TU State Council, with TU National, and with you to identify priority waters in our area, and projects that we can work on to improve the streams, aquatic habitats, and fishing access in our area. If you know of projects that need attention please let us know! A survey was sent to all members last month on this topic. As a result of responses received, we will be advocating for Limestone, Butternut, and Nine Mile Creeks, to be included as priority waters in New York state. These were the streams named in the survey, but that does not mean that we will ignore other waters, or other potential projects.
Skaneateles Creek:
We have been working with member Ken Crane, who is also on the County Fisheries Commission, to see if we can help with monitoring flows in Skaneateles Creek after the low water event that occurred this past August. More on this as details and partnerships emerge.
Tight Lines,
Steve
Next TU Board meeting:
February 9, 2022 @ 6 pm
Notify Steve Weiter if you would like an email with the Zoom link
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Next TU Chapter Meeting:
March 2, 2022 @ 6 - 8 Pm
*request Zoom link email*
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Check out the Iroquois TU
Website: iroquois.tu.org
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New season expands trout fishing opportunities for 2022. Use this link for the DEC Freshwater Fishing Guide
https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/fish_marine_pdf/fishguide.pdf
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WIN ~ Women In Nature
President Steve received an email from Onondaga County Federation of Sportsman’s Clubs announcing the 14th Annual Outdoor Skills Workshop for Women In Nature, set for April 30, 2022. Last year’s event was cancelled.
Members of
After a pause with the program - we are anticipating a great turn out &
slots will be limited.
Thanks for your help & support
Ed (from OCFSC)
315-263-6699
REQUEST
for fly tying donations
Iroquois TU would like to consolidate a supply of fly tying materials, equipment, etc. to store all in one place. Supplies will be used by the chapter for events and for charitable purposes. Please contact Steve Weiter or any Board member if you have supplies you would like to donate, and we will arrange a drop-off or pick-up time and location. Thank you!!
STREAMSIDE ~~~~~~~
Limestone Creek: Fayetteville Stream Improvement Project Mid-Winter Update
From Bob Alexander
With the floods of November in the rear-view mirror and the stream settled to normal winter flows, we re-visited the site of the improvement project on December 29th behind the Town of Manlius offices in Fayetteville to see the result of the improvements on the streambed and streambanks after the flooding.
The stream came through in remarkably good shape, showing once again nature’s resiliency in the face of adversity. The contractor’s efforts to re-direct stream flows have been largely successful, although a good portion of the designed separation between the mid-stream retaining structure to create a retention pond downstream of the pedestrian bridge was swept away.
In early December the contractor was able to retrieve their equipment stranded by the flood waters and remove the temporary diversion structures in the stream. The result of their efforts has been the creation of additional holding structure above and immediately below the old canal diversion dam, which should result in better hold over and survival of the trout and other fish that call the stream home. Winter fishing has yielded a couple of brown trout willing to come out and play, more on that later. Pictures here offer some glimpse into the current state of the stream in the area.
Winter Trout Fishing In
Central New York
From Bob Alexander
For years the traditional trout fishing season in New York State began on April 1st and ran to September 30th. During the later part of the 20th century that season was extended until the middle of October in most waters of the state, exception being tributaries of the Great Lakes, some Finger Lakes tributaries, and certain inland streams in upstate areas of the state.
Here in Central New York we were very fortunate to be able to fish on a catch and release basis during the winter months on Chittenango, Limestone, and Butternut Creeks north of Route 20. This all changed with the enactment of new inland trout stream regulations effective in the spring of 2021, when all areas of inland streams were opened to catch and release trout fishing from October 15th to April 1st.
While trout in the winter do not feed as aggressively or as often as they do during the warmer months, they do feed at some time on an almost daily basis. During the winter months, a sunny day most often provides the best fishing on local streams between the hours of 11 am to 3 pm, after the sun has had a chance to warm the water from freezing temperatures. Local
experience has shown that Butternut downstream of Jamesville Reservoir tends to provide the most consistent winter action, possibly due to the slightly warmer water streaming from the bottom gates of the reservoir. That said, both Chittenango and Limestone Creeks have their good days, particularly sunny afternoons when the weather hovers around 35 to 40 degrees. Warmth above 40 often provides for faster snow melt into the streams, which tends to lower the water temperature, shutting down the feeding window.
Most of the time, low and slow is the way to go. The heads of pools can be the best places to find actively feeding fish. With the lower water temps, they’re not chasing food far and you really have to get your offering right in front of them to be successful. For fly fisherman, successful patterns include smaller black and olive wooly buggers sizes 8-12, zebra midges size 18-20, and small prince nymphs in sizes 14-20. For those utilizing spinning gear, small jigs like those employed by ice fisherman can be effective, especially if tipped with a couple of mousy or spike grubs. In either case, you need to be ticking the bottom to be successful.
While this report focuses on streams in the eastern part of Onondaga County, with the new regulations some good streams located in the western part of the county such as Nine Mile Creek and Skaneateles Creek now offer winter opportunities too. We’re very fortunate in our part of the state to have so many places within 30 miles of downtown Syracuse. For most residents of Onondaga County, good trout fishing exists within 20 minutes of home!
From The Fly Box
Kelley Romano, Editor
Even though Iroquois TU has suspended in-person meetings, a great deal is happening in the world of fly fishing and cold water conservation. Many chapters across the country and in New York State are currently discussing the possibilities for identifying priority waters for TU National. Pres. Steve Weiter mentioned the three streams our chapter hopes to win projects for. Our neighbors in Rochester at Seth Green TU held a chapter meeting last week which included a presentation by Lisa Green, TU State Region 8 VP, and Cal Curtice, TU State Conservation Council. The meeting included an update on the details of Oatka Habitat Project on Oatka Creek.
Further down the I-95 corridor (although we tried to avoid that route during the snowstorm home), Mike and I traveled to Virginia a few weekends ago for their 21st Annual Virginia Fly Fishing and Wine Festival. We attended classes presented by Pat Dorsey and Jen Ripple, and enjoyed the camaraderie of other fly fishing folks in the greater community.
Mike learned the secret to Pat Dorsey’s homemade yarn strike indicator (using an orthodontic rubber band to secure it on the tippet). I learned all about the history of women pioneers in fly fishing since the 1800s. Jen Ripple’s passion is contagious! As an extra bonus, our puppy was also welcomed in the venue and loved by all.
We hope our meetings here in CNY will resume in person very soon. An outdoor picnic in late spring at the hatchery might be our best best!
Fly Fishing School:
It has been a couple of (covid) years, but Iroquois TU is planning to bring back our fly fishing school for beginners in person for 2022 ~~
Four classes will be taught by Marty Ivery on consecutive Thursday evenings:
April 21 * April 28 * May 5 * May 12
Time:
5 pm - 9 pm
Location:
Carpenters Brook Fish Hatchery
The cost:
$65.00
or $50.00 if you sign up before March 17
All equipment will be provided!
Contact Marty Ivery: 315-626-6453 (home) or 315-374-5776 (cell). Look for the flier soon on our Facebook page.
Fishing In A Dress,
a story by Kelley Romano
I work my way down the steps to the dock, wearing a fish print sundress and sandals. I’m going to practice casting my new nine-foot fly rod on our little piece of waterfront on Otisco Lake. As I pull line off the reel, a pontoon boat floats close by. A woman is spin-fishing the weeds solo near my camp’s shoreline. She notices me and politely drifts down a few yards to give me space. On this still afternoon, the lake belongs to the two of us.
Gray clouds roll in overhead and the fish are biting. I stretch the rod behind me, pull more line out, and let the fly sail forward over the weeds. The white, leggy bug lands delicately, and in seconds I have a fish on: a bluegill.
“I’ve always wanted to try that!” the woman calls.
“It’s really fun!”
With words spoken, we become instant soulmates.
“I have the flies, just gotta get a rod and try it out.”
“It’s not that hard to learn.”
She pulls one in, a sunny like mine, and throws it back.
“I’m just catching sunfish,” I admit.
“Yeah, me too, but it’s still fun! I love to see women fishing out on the lake.”
We cast in silence, but within moments, giant raindrops dot the water as the sky deepens to charcoal. It is going to rain, and rain hard.
I imagine myself jumping on her boat and teaching her how to fish with a fly rod, an afternoon spent in female fishing camaraderie.
“This is a great little spot here. Wouldn’t you know the fish are biting and it looks like a storm is coming,” my new friend laments.
We both wait until the last second to quit. When a stronger breeze picks up, she revs the motor.
“I’m outa here. But if the storm passes, I’ll be back!”
“Ok, good luck,” I call.
“I hope you slam them!”
“Thanks — you too!”
I watch her disappear as her boat arcs away from shore, leaving me in her wake. I don’t know her name.
Every day since I look for her when I fish off the dock at my camp. I wish I had caught that friend when I had the chance.
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If you have a suggestion or submission for our next newsletter, contact Kelley Romano,
Editor: ka.romano@gmail.com
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