BACK TO
BASICS - by The Bandit
This column,
as our dedicated readers know, is designed to provide basic tips
and techniques in a compact format. It is hoped that through the
information provided here, the readers time spent on the water
will be more fruitful and thus more pleasurable. Unfortunately
there are a few folks who share our waterways whose pursuit of
pleasure eclipses the needs of others, at least in their minds. It
is for those irresponsible individuals that this month’s column is
aimed, with the hope of a small measure of enlightenment. Here
are a few tips, to be a more considerate angler or boater: If you
fish from shore, never leave food containers, drink cups, bait
containers, old line or any other trash behind. Always carry a
plastic bag with you for any waste material you may have, and if
you spot anyone else’s junk, why not pick that up too? Can it
hurt?
If you like
to troll, as I sometimes do, make sure not to get too close to any
anchored or drifting boats. These anglers are attempting to fish a
small amount of water, so give them a chance. Also, never troll
planer boards in any navigational channel. Not only does this
provide an obstruction to boat traffic flow, but also can create a
deadly potential for a boating accident as boats try to go around
the boards, often against the incoming traffic. When trolling
around piers or docks, remember that the anglers fishing from them
can only fish in one direction, away from the structure. Give them
room, at least double the normal casting range. Hey, they don’t
have the mobility a boat provides; use yours to give them plenty
of room.
If you enjoy
fishing derbies, as I do, don’t use the fact that you are in a
derby as license to encroach upon other anglers who are already
working a portion of water you want to try. Nothing irks me more
than quietly drifting into a spot, quietly lowering the anchor and
plunking out some bobbers, only to have some BoBo in a bass boat
motor up and try to fish every inch of water around my boat. Boy!
The things you see when you don’t have a gun! (Only kidding) And
lastly, if you have a p.w.c. or other “pleasure” craft or are into
such things as skiing or tubing, please remember: The anglers use
the whole water column, not just the surface, and while you may be
enjoying the “wheee, look at me” aspect of water usage, doing so
too close to someone who is fishing may spoil their action and
thus their sport.
Well, that’s
enough venting for me, at least in this column. I hope all you
decent considerate folks will continue to be so and don’t become
soured by the handful of individuals who have “a need for
courtesy”. Have fun and fish safely.
The “Bandit”
IF I DO SAY
SO MYSELF –
Soon, every
species of gamefish will be open for their respective seasons. If
you include the non game species, such as Carp, Panfish, Bullhead
and Catfish, then anybody, and I mean anybody who can get their
hands on some fishing gear, should be able to catch a fish. New
York has thousands and thousands of miles of lakes, rivers,
creeks, ponds and reservoirs, and if it has water in it year
round, you can be sure something is swimming in it.
What’s more,
if you’ve never tried fishing before and think you’d like to give
it a shot, you won’t even have to buy a license to fish if you go
on the weekend of June 28th and 29th. Hey,
they let you test drive the cars at the auto dealership, right?
Well, here’s a chance for you non fishers to test drive fishing!
Take the whole family out and catch some fish. If none of you have
fished before, bring along a friend or relative or neighbor who
has fished, to help you get started. Have a picnic lunch by the
lake, and those who discover that fishing just isn’t for them can
still have a good outing of it.
I want you
all lto welcome Jim Jared aboard. Jim is going to cover the
Chenango, Otsego County area for the magazine. It’s been quite
some time since we’ve had any coverage in this area, and now you
can get the skinny on what’s hot and what’s not in places like
Otsego Lake/Cooperstown area, Cherry Valley, Canadarago, Norwich,
the Upper Susquehana, Unadilla, Chenango Rivers, Crumhorn Game
Management Area, the Eastern Delaware and more...
If you’ve got
any good fish or game pitures you’d like us to print on these
pages, send them to Jim, or send them on to us. The address is at
the top left of this page.
Next month
we’ll be celebrating our independence, as well we should, but many
of us will be celebrating with fireworks. Fireworks can be great
fun, but they can do great harm if not used carefully and wisely.
I’ve been working as a firefighter for many years now, and I’ve
worked the Fourth of July more often than not, so I’ve seen a lot
of tragedies and near tragedies, so I know of what I speak.
I could take
the standard line over this, and say they are illegal so don’t get
or buy any, but I know better. The explosions that send every dog
and most of the cats cowering in the evening light are not my
imagination. Lot’s of people, OK, it seems like most people, are
setting them off, legal or not. So I’ll simply say, please be
careful. Even if you are not going to set off fireworks, (and many
of us do not) there are still a few basics to keep in mind.
First of all,
I mentioned Fido and Felix a few minutes ago. Almost all dogs and
many cats are scared spitless by all those explosions. Put them in
the house. They may still be cowering or nervous, but at least
they will feel a little safer closed up in a familar place.
Secondly, no
matter how much your children beg you, tell them that you alone
are going to light the fireworks. Children tend to panic a little
quicker than adults. Let them watch, don’t let them light.
Thirdly, make
sure your garden hose is hooked up and you know exactly where it
is. If you have a fire extinguisher, keep it close by too. Have
your phone and a list of all emergency numbers laid out nearby
where you can reach them quickly. Keep your fireworks in a large,
open area, away from brush, trash, debris and buildings. Keep all
others away from this area. If you are in a more urban area,
sometimes neighbors, will be shooting off fireworks, and often
times they are too close to your house, or garage, or the dead,
dry brushpile you’ve been building for bird cover. Sometimes the
more moronic of these folks will actually be aiming their
fireworks for specific targets. My recommendation is to simplly
call the police, but many of you will not. If you must speak to
them yourselves, ask them politely to move the operation a little
farther from your property, but only ONCE. Do not argue with them.
Simply call the police and let them deal with it.
My last point
is probably the most important. I don’t wan’t to be sitting in the
emergency room at 1 a.m. I’m sure you don’t want to either. If
nothing else, think through what you are going to do, before you
do it. With a little forethought, you may realize that the great
idea you had about how to set off the next round of fireworks
isn’t really such a great idea after all. I recall when I was
about ten, a certain child who kept throwing a sparkler in the
air, despite being told numerous times not to. When it landed in
the upper branches of a nearly dead juniper, the branches ignited,
and the cedar shakes on the house were catching. A nearby ladder
and a garden hose solved the problem quickly. The Fire Department
was called, but the fire was out. Better safe than sorry. Disaster
averted. No more sparklers for the ten year old. Grounded for two
weeks. I got over it eventually. So you see, I really do know of
what I speak. Have a safe Fourth of July. See you next month.
