HENDERSON -
SACKETS - DEXTER - BLACK RIVER - CHAUMONT
What a great
area the “Golden Crescent”! With the month of June upon us, it is
time to get geared up for summer. Fishing, canoeing, sailing,
four-wheeling, kayaking, backpacking, bicycling or just visiting
this unique area can be a real treat. Henderson Harbor, Chaumont
Bay and Dexter on the Black River have a great fishing atmosphere,
while Sackets Harbor has extraordinary history. Very few places
can offer such a great place to sail as Henderson Bay, Black River
Bay and Chaumont Bay. Sailors love this area as it has great
versatility and picturesque scenery.
Also, stop
and enjoy the outstanding state parks in the Golden Crescent.
Southwick’s
Beach State Park is four miles south of Henderson; Wescott’s Beach
State Park is between Henderson and Sackets Harbor and Long Point
State Park is out on Point Peninsula in Chaumont Bay. All have
great facilities. June marks the start of bass season. There are
so many places in the Golden Crescent to fish bass it’s hard to
mention them all. Some of the local favorites are Drowned Island,
mouth of Stony Creek, Clark’s Point, Sawyer’s Bay, Ray’s Bay, High
Rocks, Stony Island, Galloo Island, Hardscrabble, Grenadier
Island, Chaumont River, Herrick and Johnson Shoals, Guffins Bay,
Cherry Island, Black River, Horse Island and Henderson Bay just to
mention a few. Usually minnows, crabs, worms, leeches, crankbaits
and jigs work best. Don’t forget to sign up for the Henderson
Harbor Classic Bass Derby on June 21st and 22nd.
Entry fee is only $10.00 and paying out 10 prize places and also
there is a youth division, paying 3 places.
Usually in
June, the walleye are found in deeper water than in May. Depths of
30-60 feet seem to be more productive using stickbaits like
Thundersticks, Rapalas, Bombers, Reef Runners and Bagley’s or
similar baits. Some of the better places to fish them are
Grenadier Island, lakeside of Point Peninsula, entrance to
Chaumont Bay, off the foot of Stony and Galloo Islands, Black
River Bay and Cherry Island.
Many lake
trout caught this month can be in the 15-24 pound class. Fishing
off Stony Creek, Stony Point and south of Galloo Island is best in
120-170 feet of water. Cowbells in blue-silver, chartreuse-silver,
chartreuse-red and any glo’s are favorites. You can match up
Peanuts, Spin and Glo’s, Flat Fish and KwikFish behind the bells
and fish close to bottom for best results. Perch fishing is steady
this time of year in Chaumont Bay around Herrick Shoal, Johnson
Shoal and Cherry Island. Also, Black River Bay, Association
Island, Campbell’s Shoal and the sailboat mooring area in
Henderson Harbor can be really hot at times. Worms, leeches, jigs
and perch minnows work the best. Don’t forget to get kids involved
in this fishing, as it is fun and relaxing for kids of all ages.
Salmon
fishing starts later this month in the shipping lanes and south of
Galloo Island. Spoons are most productive this time of year that
are similar to NK-28’s. Running speeds from about 3.0 to
3.7m.p.h. work best. Best colors are black-silver, silver-glo-green;
black-orange-white; silver-orange; silver-blue and of course the
local favorite the silver banana (chartreuse-green-orange with
silver back). You will catch browns and steelhead using same
lures for kings, except next size down from the 28’s or similar.
Call now and
make arrangements for that fishing trip with a golden crescent
charter guide captains: Arden Greene of Greene Connection; Lew
Wescott of Salmo; Ron Stein of ‘Cr’ Charters; Bob Dick of Moby
Dick Charters; Bill Saiff III of Saiff Fishing Charters; Dave
Gardner of LAKE EFFECT CHARTERS; Scott Lennox of Pole Position and
John Delorme of Jon-Boy Charters. These captains will work extra
hard to make your trip exciting, comfortable and safe. When you
are in the Chaumont area and you need food and refreshments for
that fishing, camping or boating excursion, stop and see Bill
Wiseman at Dick’s Neighborhood Market. They have a deli, bakery,
groceries, propane, gas and are your NYS lottery agent. While you
are in the Chaumont Bay area, stop and see Bret and Sharon Turner
at Little “T’s” Resort. They offer a motel, RV hookups, efficiency
cottages, playground, a marina, gas, bait and tackle. They also
rent small boats with motors for easy access to great fishing.
They have plenty of free parking.
While you are
still in the area, go to Three Mile Bay and stop in at Little
Debby’s Country Inn, and see Debby and the Walker Boys. They offer
daily specials with home cooked meals and “homemade” desserts.
They also serve buffalo tenderloin steaks and burgers. Thursday is
Italian night; Friday is fish fry and Saturday is steak. Her hours
are 7am-till and she is open 7 days a week – located at Route 12E
and Empie Rd.
Remember to
contact the local Chaumont-Three Mile Bay Chamber Of Commerce and
have them send out information on any upcoming events in the area
to help in planning your trip to our area.
Stop in at
B&J Bait Shop in Dexter next to the launch and see Judy Kirch. She
has tackle, live bait, crafts, rods and reels and the coffee pot
is always on. She will also have the information on where and what
they are getting the walleye, steelhead or catfish on. While you
are fishing in the area and if you want to get that trophy or
special fish mounted, give Charles’ Taxidermy a call or drop your
fish off at B&J Bait in Dexter or Henchen’s in Henderson Harbor.
They are a drop off/ pick up point. Taxidermist Charlie Rawson
does a fantastic job with years of experience and will also do
reproductions if you release that special fish.
When passing
the four corners of Route 3 and Sackets Harbor, stop at the Nu
Pier Restaurant and see Chrissy, Bob and her staff. You can have a
sandwich or a meal. Whatever you order, you will get a heaping
plate of food. Make sure you save room for their delicious
homemade desserts.
While at the
Route 3 – Sackets Harbor corners, stop and see new owners Sandy
and Rob Delong of the Trading Post Convenient Store & Motel. They
offer gas, groceries, subs, cheeseburgers and many other much
needed items. Have some of their fresh fudge and cheese curd.
If you need
information on any upcoming events and don’t forget those derbies,
please contact the Henderson Harbor Chamber Of Commerce and have
them get that information in the mail to you. It will help in
planning that trip to our area. You can reach them at
1-888-938-5568.
Remember to
stop at Henchen’s Marina & Fishing Camp and see Bob and Diane
Gamble and make arrangements for lodging with all the
conveniences. They offer all your fishing needs and furnished
cabins with air conditioning and cable TV, groceries, beer,
fishing licenses, tackle, bait, gas and diesel. They have an ATM
machine and Diane has many new items in her gift shop. She offers
lamps, puzzles, note cards, dolls, stuffed animals and much more.
You must stop in and see it all for yourself. They are also your
LOC derby weigh-in site. While in the Henderson Harbor area, The
Charter House Inn offers comfortable accommodations on the water
with superb dining. Steaks, fresh seafood and sautéed specialties
and on the weekends they serve breakfast. Your hostess, Marylou
Edmonds, also offers an excellent catering service for special
occasions. If you are looking for deep water docking with fine
dining and spacious rooms, stop and see Hal & Carolyn Horton at
Westview Lodge & Marina in Henderson Harbor. They have great
hospitality in the heart of the harbor. Sporting a whole new look
is Ryan’s Lookout –a family dining restaurant offering
Italian-American cuisine. They offer steaks, pasta and fish, and
will be open 7 days a week from 4pm-10pm. They are located on
scenic Route 3 near Henderson Harbor (formerly Verrilli’s). Stop
and say “Hi” to Jasper and Marylou and enjoy their great
hospitality and quality food and scenic view. While you are in the
Henderson area, be sure to stop at the Cherry Tree Inn on Route 3
and Route 178. They offer sandwiches and excellent lunch and
dinner specials along with breakfast, which is their specialty.
All are offered with great hospitality from the families of Jack &
Deb Warner and Ron & Colleen Stein.
If you are
looking for a place to stay in Henderson Harbor, give John Delorme
a call at Captain’s Cove Motel. John has much to offer with
waterfront units, sun-decks on the water, and dockage. He also has
vacation rentals and smoked fish.
While in
Henderson, stop at Alexander’s Corners General Store. They are
located on Route 3 two miles south of the Henderson Harbor at
Rhodes Greenhouses in the big green building. They have a deli, a
full line of groceries, beverages, beer and cigarettes. They sell
hunting and fishing licenses, worms and propane. A tourist
information center is open in the summer months. They also offer
hard and soft ice cream. They are open 7 days a week from 6am-9pm.
Stop and say HI to Gary & Jolene Rhodes.
While you are
on Route 3 and feeling hungry, stop in at Cooper’s Landing Family
Restaurant. Owners Sue & Harvey Grimshaw and Mark & Sue Sugden
offer daily specials while specializing in American, Italian and
seafood. They are open 7 days a week.
For all you
boaters looking for a place to dock your boat for the summer, give
Jeff Cohen a call at Lake Ontario Mariner’s Marina in Henderson
Harbor. Jeff offers inside or outside dockage for $500 and up and
is a full service marina. He will also store your boat for the
winter.
O.D. Greene
has two locations to serve all your building or repairing needs.
One is in
Sackets Harbor, and the other in Adams. Whatever you might be
looking for, be sure to check with the staff at either location as
they are very helpful and pleasant and willing to assist you in
every way possible. This is a good time to make plans for the
Henderson Harbor Smallmouth Bass Derby on June 21st and
22nd. Make you plans now to come to the harbor and
enjoy this great weekend of bass fishing.
The
In-Fisherman April issue, which is known as the journal of
freshwater fishing, came up with criteria for if you were going to
buy a home near great fishing, where would it be? Number one was
greater Portland, Oregon; number two was the Golden Crescent of
New York. Henderson Harbor, Black River, Chaumont Bay, Three Mile
Bay, Sackets Harbor and Lake Ontario with all its’ islands has all
the structure to make this the perfect fishery. Not only is there
a fishing atmosphere in places like Henderson Harbor, there is
extraordinary history in places such as Sackets Harbor. The
houses, churches and commercial buildings represent nearly two
centuries of cultural and economic history. Give the advertisers
in this area a call or stop and see them as they can inform you of
many of the other quality resources in this area. If you are
looking to advertise YOUR business, give me a call toll-free at
1-888-232-2827.
Well, let’s
get out and enjoy this great area, the Golden Crescent and
remember to introduce a kid to the great outdoors! Capt. Bob Dick
