Why Can't I Meet Women Like This?

The visually stunning young lady with the beautiful smile is Miss Erin Ehlers, who graced the cover of the Long Island Metro edition of The Fisherman (November 30, 2006).

She is certainly every young, single fisherman's dream.

All That's To Come

As the weather gets noticeably colder, many fishermen have to decide when to put their gear away for the winter.

For me, the time is now.

I didn't get do everything I wanted, but it's a been a good fishing season. I enjoyed success fishing the Hudson River in Dobbs Ferry, Long Island Sound in New Rochelle, and the Kensico Reservoir.

Obviously, I won't be posting anything until late March or early April.

So I'll see you then.

All That Is Now

The three of you who regulary read my blog are probably wondering where I've been in the last five weeks. No, I haven't stowed away my fishing gear for the winter. I've been a little tired, distracted, and occupied with personal matters. Since I don't want to bore you, I won't go into details.

Yesterday (Saturday), I woke up early, and I headed up to Hudson Park in New Rochelle. I stopped into Hudson Park Bait & Tackle. Unfortunately, the shop owner had no fresh bunker. So I bought two frozen bunker. It would be a while before they thawed out, so I had breakfast at the International House of Pancakes in Mamaroneck.

I was expecting a cloudy day, but the sun was out. It was pleasant and mild.

I started fishing around 11 AM. A few seconds after putting my first line in the water, I got some action. Although it didn't hook, I became hopeful. I was thinking I might have as a great a day fishing as I had back in July when I caught five fish up here.

As it turned out, I didn't catch anything.

I had lots of bites but nothing got hooked. I kept losing the bait. It must have been the crabs. I thought they just went after worms.

For most of the day, I was using Eagle Claw hooks. I switched to Mustad hooks, but I still had no luck.

I was also annoyed by a couple of bees that took an interest in the bait and my fishing rods.

By 1 PM, I ran out of bait. So I went home.

A Weekend of Rest

No fishing this weekend. It was bright and sunny both days although less hot. I had some personal business to attend to, and I also needed some rest.

We'll see what next weekend brings.

"I Don't Know If It Was Divine Intervention or the Kinship of all Living Things, But I Tell You, Jerry, At That Moment, I Was a Marine Biologist"

A manatee, a large aquatic mammal, has been spotted several times in the Hudson River. It was seen off the coast of lower Manhattan and as far north as Westchester.

Manatees, which are classified as an endangered species, usually eat plants, so they pose no threats to swimmers, boaters, or fishermen.

Still, given the manatee's enormous size, I wonder if it's spooking the fish in the Hudson River.

Something Else I Never Thought I'd See While Fishing

At one point, I turned my head left and noticed a seaplane on the river. I never saw it land.

It headed to shore and disappeared from view.

Maybe a half an hour later, it came back out and took off. (My fishing line is clearly visible in both photos.)

Condition Grounded But Determined to Try

Today, I returned to Dobbs Ferry for the first time in over a month.

I picked up three fresh bunker at Jack's. I got to the dock around 1:30 or so. I was shocked to see how dirty the area has become. Beer boxes, plastic bottles, and other garbage were strewn nearly everywhere. A few months ago, the individual who owns the property nailed a metal sign to a tree warning visitors not to litter or access to the area would be closed. (Some dumbass wrote, "You're Bluffing," on the sign with a magic marker.) I don't think it's too much to ask to make an effort to keep the area clean. Also, garbage attracts rats and other animals that can disrupt the joy of fishing.

It was past low tide. It was a little hot but not unbearable. There were a few clouds in the sky, but the sun was shining bright. There was no wind, and the water was calm.

A few seconds after I put my first line in the water and set the rod down in place, I noticed it tipping back and forth, indicating that a fish was attacking the bait. I thought this was going to be a very good day for fishing.

It wasn't.

Early on, I had a lot of bites, but nothing got hooked. I kept losing the bait. I got my line caught several times. Unlike yesterday, I went through the bunker fast. I also noticed that the bunker gradually deteriorated in the heat. My last one got mushy, and it was difficult to attach to the hook. Next time, I should keep it in water to keep it fresh longer.

A short time after I started, a couple of other fishermen showed up. One of them caught about four small perch using bloodworms. (The other guy just sat down and watched his friend.) They left after about an hour.

The only exciting thing that happened was that a seaplane landed in the water downriver and went to shore. It later came back out and took off.

By 4 PM, the bites stopped. I was nearly out of bait.

I finished very early around 5 PM. I guess this just wasn't my day or my weekend. (Maybe I am deservedly punished for many recent sins.)

I packed up and drove home, reeking of bunker.

Unladen, Empty, and Turned to Stone

After a two week layoff, I went fishing today. I went up to Hudson Park in New Rochelle, where I caught five fish two weeks ago.

I picked up three fresh bunker at Jack's. I had some personal business to take care on City Island, so I went to Jack's top pick up bait. Unfortunately, they were out of frozen herring.

I started fishing around 5:20. The tide was coming in. The sun was out. Temperature-wise, it was quite pleasant. The heatwave passed. A slight breeze made it feel cooler.

I had three lines in the water, all with fresh bunker. I waited for a bite. And waited.

I didn't get a single bite all day. I passed the time perusing Toby Young's memoir, How to Lose Friends and Alienate People (2002).

I was fishing in the same spot I was when I first tried Hudson Park one month ago and had only one bite. Two weeks ago, when I caught five fish, I was fishing no more than 30-40 feet away. Today, that spot was occupied when I got there.

I didn't notice anyone else catching anything.

What went wrong today but right two weeks ago? Was it the rain and clouds? Is there some sort of structure under the water where I cast my lines two weeks ago and where fish congregate? Was it cooler? Was it because I fished in the late morning? Did the fish happen to be very hungry?

I recast my lines several times. I changed the bait on each line once. I didn't even get through one bunker.

I gave up at 8:20 PM. I packed up and went back to City Island, where I had some dinner.

We'll see what tomorrow brings.

Middle of a Heatwave

No fishing this weekend.

Another heatwave is baking the New York area. I just didn't feel like fishing in the searing heat in the bright sunshine. Anyway, on both days, I had a few things to do.

The heatwave is expected to pass by the end of the week, so I will definitely go fishing next weekend.

Visitors

These swans stopped by to take a bath. (I guess the two white swans adopted the seven gray ones.)

Yesterday's Catch

This was the first thing I caught, a striped bass. It looked like it was about a foot long. (A note outside of Hudson Park Bait and Tackle reports that striped bass fishing is "excellent.")

The black thing in the lower left-hand corner is my foot.

There's No Sensation to Compare With This

Yesterday, I went up to Hudson Park in New Rochelle. I fished there for the first time less than three weeks ago and didn't catch anything.

I bought two fresh bunker and a dozen sandworms from Hudson Park Bait and Tackle. I asked the nice lady there for some advice. She said that fishing worms off the bottom would attract crabs.

I started fishing around High Noon. It was cool and very overcast. The forecast called for rain. The tide was going out. At first, I used only two rods because there were some people fishing near me. I used bunker on one line and a sandworm on the other.

In my first hour, I didn't get any bites. It soon began to rain really hard. I retreated into the car and waited for the downpour to pass. (The same thing happened last time as well.) Eventually it stopped, and I got out. The rain came back a short time later, so I went back into the car.

I seriously thought about cutting the day short and going home. But I decided to stay. It stopped raining, and I could finally fish.

At one point, in frustration and despair, I asked God to let me catch at least one fish.

He answered.

Around 2 PM or so, the fish started biting. The first thing I caught was a striped bass with a piece of bunker. It was about a foot long. I didn't get a chance to measure it. I impressed a couple of kids fishing near me with lures. I threw it back.

I kept losing the worms. I would check the line, and the bait was gone completely. It must have been the crabs just like the lady said. So I switched to bunker. The people next to me eventually left, so I got to use my third rod.

I caught four more fish. They were each about a foot long. I don't know exactly what they were. They were green with a yellow band around their eyes. I didn't get a chance to photograph them. They might have been perch, but they were longer than the ones I've usually caught in the Hudson River and the Potomac.

All five fish put up a fight. When I was reeling them in, I thought they were much larger. At one point, I lost a fish when the hook broke off the line.

I fished in the parking lot. There's about a 10-foot drop to the water. I had to pull all five fish up into the air to get them out of the water. I'm concerned that if I hook something really big, the line could snap.

I used 17-pound test. A few weeks ago, I wondered whether it was too heavy. I guess not.

Around 3:30 or so, I called it a day. I just ran out of bait.

I made a couple of mistakes. I couldn't measure my catch because I left the tape measure in my car. I also should have photographed the four mystery fish. But I was in a rush to get the hooks out of the fish's mouths and get them back into the water quickly.

It was a great afternoon for which I am thankful to God. I'll definitely try Hudson Park more often now that I know there are lots of fish waiting to be caught.

Tired of Lying in the Sunshine

Today, I had planned to explore Wampus Pond in Armonk. It offers boat rentals at hourly and daily rates. But the thought of spending hours roasting in an aluminium boat in the hot sun in 90+ degrees didn't appeal to me.

So I decided to go to Kensico. The trees would provide some shade. I picked up a dozen sawbellies at Wade's. I also bought a new fishing rod there. This morning, I found one of my trout rods broken. I have to get it fixed.

I got up at the rock around 11 AM. It was hot, and the sun was shining bright in the sky.

In almost four hours of fishing, the only thing I managed to catch was seaweed. I didn't have a single bite. I should have remembered the advice of the fishermen I got last time and try Kenisco only at daybreak.

In mid-afternoon, the wind picked up. So I gave up.

I took a quick drive to Wampus Pond to check it out. I found it easily. Earlier the gentleman at Wade's told me sawbellies wouldn't work because of the weeds. He advised nightcrawlers, shiners (minnows), rubber worms, and frogs. I noticed a lot of lilly pads near the shore.

The disadvantage is that boats have to be returned by 5 PM, and boats are only available from Memorial Day to Labor Day. I know I'll try Wampus Pond at least once before Labor Day.

While driving back, I noticed my glasses were missing. I couldn't find them in the car. So I returned to Kenisco, where I found them on the rock.

At Golden Kensico

Catching one decent-sized fish and also seeing this beautiful sight in the late evening made this truly a great day.

Thank you again, God.

The Only Catch of the Day

This is the only fish I managed to catch during my six hours at Kensico. This trout (I think) measures 14 inches. It's the biggest trout I've caught at Kensico in 10 years. I nearly lost it when the line snapped, but I managed to retrive it before it fell into the water. It was a welcome change from all seaweed I hauled in and scattered all over the rock.

All Alone in the Dream of the Proud

After Wednesday's misadventure, I decided to try Kensico again.

I stopped at Wade's to pick up the bait. The young gentleman there said he finally got some "monsters," large sawbellies which should attract bigger fish. He suggested using egg sinkers exclusively and not bother with a bobber.

I made my way to the rock. I had two lines in the water by 2:30.

Then the wait began. I wasn't getting any bites.

A few times, I reeled in the lines to check the bait and recast. In about six hours of fishing, I caught enough seaweed and grass to create salads for an entire wedding party.

In the last couple of times I fished Kensico, my sawbellies died quickly. The gentleman at Wade's told me they need constant oxygen. To keep them alive and able to swim in the reservoir, I minimized the amount of time I took in getting them out of the bucket, attaching them to the hook, and casting them in the water. A couple of times, I even put them back in the bucket while they were still hooked to my line as I made some adjustments. Today, they seemed to last longer. I don't know if it was due to their larger size or my caution (or both).

The weather was cooperative. It was mostly cloudy with a slight breeze. The temperature was a little cooler, and that made it more pleasant.

Later in the day, I tried a Krocodile lure. I must have cast it at least 15 times before it got snagged on the bottom.

As I waited for a bite, I passed the time by reading the Wall Street Journal, which is delivered every morning on my doorstep, and the New York Post. I also laid back on the rock, looked up at the sky, and did some thinking.

The day got really frustrating. The gentleman at Wade's had told me that the best place to fish from shore is by the bridge. I was thinking that, next time, I should switch and try the bridge.

I saw at least three rowboats. In one boat, three fishermen made their way near the dam. Sound seems to carry well in the reservoir. Judging from their glee, which carried hundreds of feet to where I was, I could tell they had a better day fishing than I did.

At one point, I asked God, the Virgin Mary, and St. Peter, the patron saint of fishermen, to catch just one fish before I went home. I even said one Our Father and one Hail Mary.

By evening, it got very beautiful. The passed behind some clouds, and the sky and water were bathed in a golden light.

As the day came to a close, I put one of the largest sawbellies I had on one line.

A short time later, I saw the line move. I cautiously picked up the rod. The line didn't go any further. I gently put the rod down. A minute or two later, I saw the line move again. I picked up the rod. I held onto the line, then gave it more slack. I saw it move away from shore. I reeled it in. I could tell I had something besides seaweed.

God answered my prayer to which I am thankful once again.

I caught a decent-sized fish. As I pulled it up, the line snapped. But it fell into a rocky plateau below. I climbed down and was able to retrive it. In the dusk, I thought it was a smallmouth bass, but it turned out to be a trout (I think, but I'm not exactly sure what kind). It measured 14 inches. This is the first trout I caught at Kensico in seven years. (I hope it's not another seven years until I catch another one.)

I guess I've caught too many catfish and think all fish will strike in the same way. Catfish violently attack the bait and nearly pull the rod into the water. Typically, the tip of the pole bends indicating a strike. This fish (and the two others I caught at Kensico back in May) were more passive and subtle. In all three cases, I wasn't sure that I hooked anything until I was reeling them in and saw them in the water.

I left the reservoir before darkness at 8:30. On the road, I ran into other fishermen who were on their way home. One man said he and his friends caught "a couple of small fish." I asked when was the best time to fish at Kensico in the morning or evening. They all agreed it's at dawn when I'm dead asleep. In 1996, during my summer of fishing, I made it to Kensico at daybreak a couple of times.

It's something I should try again.

Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth With Money in My Hand

Yesterday (Wednesday), I went up to Kensico. It was a beautiful cloudy day. I was hoping to finally catch one trout.

When I got to Wade's in the early afternoon, it was closed. I forgot that Wade's is closed on Wednesdays.

So I went back home. I thought about going to Hudson Park or even Dobbs Ferry, but I decided against it. I had a few things to take care of.

As a rule, plan ahead and make sure you know when bait and tackle shops are open.

We'll see what the rest of my vacation brings.

Steps Taken Forward

Yesterday afternoon (Monday), I went up to Hudson Park in New Rochelle to fish the waters of Long Island Sound. (Yankee great Lou Gehrig lived in New Rochelle at 9 Meadow Lane.)

In researching Hudson Park on the Internet, I learned that all non-residents have to purchase a fishing permit. After parking my car, I went to an office in the nearby marina. I got there just in time. They were about close early for the Fourth of July holiday. The permit costs $25.00, and the gentleman told me there's "no expiration date."

I got my bait at Hudson Park Bait & Tackle, on 94 Hudson Park Road. It's easy to spot. I bought two fresh bunker and a dozen nightcrawlers. (There's also a bar right next to it.)

I had to spend $3 to buy a parking permit.

I drove into park and looked for a place to fish. I parked my car in lot right by the water. I saw some other people fishing there.

This was my first time fishing in Hudson Park. It's a nice area. What's ironic is that I've been driving past Hudson Park for nearly 16 years. For some strange reason, it never occured to me to take a right and explore it. I can see that I've been missing out.

I got started. Since there's no current, I used one-ounce sinkers rather than two-ounce. Judging from a red buoy I saw, the water was 10-feet deep. I saw lots of boats coming and going.

I tried worms and bunker. I fished two lines off the bottom and one at the top with that double-bobber I used Sunday but with no sinker.

A gentleman fishing about 20 feet away from me caught a big flounder using some bunker.

I wasn't so lucky. I didn't catch anything. I did have one small bite, but whatever it was didn't get hooked.

At one point, it started raining. It got really bad, so I retreated into my car. The radio said it was a passing storm. It stopped after 20 minutes, and I got back out. By the time I left, the sun came back out.

I should have explored area more thoroughly before fishing to see if I could find a better spot.

Hudson Park has its advantages. I can fish from the parking lot and be near my car. (I left my tackle box in the trunk and would go back there to get what I needed.) There are plenty trash baskets around, so you can get rid of garbage easily. Ice cream trucks make frequent visits. It's also a quicker commute for me than Dobbs Ferry. There's also a bait and tackle shop nearby, so I don't have to make the long detour to Jack's on City Island.

I talked to a guy fishing near me. He told me that once he spent an entire day here fishing and didn't catch anything.

Next time, I ask the man in the bait shop for some advice. Fishermen may brag about the size of the fish they catch and the ones that got away, but they are always humble enough to ask for advice.

I left at 7:30.

But in the words of General Douglas MacArthur, "I shall return."

Sunday's Catch

This is the first thing I caught on Sunday, an eel. They are quite messy and unpleasant to handle. (Next time, I'll bring some rubber gloves.)

I removed the hook from its mouth using my new pliers, and I released it back into the river.

Down This Road We've Been So Many Times

I'm officially on vacation this week. I have lots of free time to go fishing.

On Sunday, I went up to Dobbs Ferry with my new tackle box filled with the new stuff I bought recently. I was hoping to try a few different techniques for the purporse of catching different fish besides the usual catfish.

I got there around 1:30 PM or so, a couple of hours before high tide on the Hudson. It was windy and sunny but tolerable.

I picked up three fresh bunker, three frozen herring, and one dozen bloodworms from Jack's.

I upgraded to 17-pound test.

For one line, I used something (I forget the exact name) I bought at the Sports Authority. It has two bobbers with hooks and a swivel to attach a sinker. The advantage, when using a sinker, is that it keeps the hooks off the bottom and getting snagged. I used bunker, herring, and a bloodworm at different times. I didn't catch anything with this.

A couple of times, I tried a bobber on another line with a bloodworm and some herring, but I couldn't cast it far enough.

Early on, I caught an eel. It was about a foot long. Eels secrete some type of residue that makes them slipperly. The stuff, which I understand is a type of mucous, got on my hands and clothes. When it dries on the skin, it becomes flaky. It was tough to wash off. I threw the eel back.

In the late afternoon, the wind died down, and the water calmed.

Later in the day, I caught another eel. This one was well over two feet and looked exactly like the one I caught in late May.

I didn't catch any fish. I had only a few bites.

Was my line too heavy? Or was it just an unlucky day? A woman fishing a few rocks away from caught a couple of perch.

The only other eventful thing that happened was that I was visited by a beaver. I saw him earlier crawling on some rocks. Later, I caught a glimpse of him in the corner of my eye and was startled out of my chair. He disappeared into a hole in the dock. I then saw him in the lot standing a few feet away from me. He was about a foot long. He disappeared before I got a chance to photograph him.

Around 7:30, some thick, black colds rolled in. The wind returned, and it started to drizzle. Since the tide was going out, I gave up and went home so I could catch the Yankee game.