Norm Brust and a few other Chapter members fished the high mountains of southern Utah last October and will make a slide presentation of the trip that includes pond fishing to big rainbows, small stream and tail water fishing for rainbows, splake, browns and cuts.  The high point of the trip was dry fly fishing for wild brook trout at mountain lakes 10,000+ feet above sea level.  And the ride there was also amazing.  Sure to be an entertaining evening.

Please feel free to bring a friend (always welcome).  50-50 raffle with new prizes. BUT ... more important come to hear some TU Chapter Trout Bums show and tell about their trip last October to Utah.

  <"))))>< <"))))>< <"))))><

Oatka Creek Fishing Invitation
The Founders’ Circle of the Genesee Country Village & Museum invites members and guests of the Canandaigua Lake Trout Unlimited Chapter to join them for an afternoon and evening of catch-and-release fishing on beautiful Oatka Creek.
WHEN?  Thursday, May 1, 2008, from 12:00 noon until 8:30 p.m.
WHERE?  On a scenic, meandering stretch of Oatka Creek not open to the general public.  Sign in at the Stone Lodge, across the road from the Museum entrance.
WHAT?  Single-Fly contest, with awards for the biggest fish and most fish caught.  Casting demonstration, coaching and contest.  Picnic supper, beer and soft drinks from 4:30 to 5:30.  Raffle drawings for Up The Creek gift certificates at 5:00 p.m.
HOW MUCH?  $15 covers everything!  (Free for Founders’ Circle members).  Raffle tickets are $10 with only 100 to be sold.
RSVP?  Please RSVP by April 25^th at (585) 538-6824, ext. 253. 

We look forward to seeing you there!
Sincerely,
John Dwyer and John Tyler
Co-chairs, the Founders’ Circle Fly-fishing Committee

  <"))))>< <"))))>< <"))))><

NY Windfall Settlement
Anglers in New York state have a windfall in a settlement from a decades-old pollution case.

If you can remember back into the 1970s, you may recall the pollution that took place in the Love Canal and ultimately into the Lake Ontario basin. Occidental Chemical's predecessor, Hooker Chemical, discharged chemicals from the company's main plant in Niagara Falls that eventually made their way into the Lake Ontario ecosystem. In addition, Occidental also was linked to chemical contamination from other sites it owned or operated along the lake.

New York state initiated a lawsuit against the company in 1983, finally reaching a settlement with Occidental Chemical in 2006.

The 2006 settlement of the natural resources damages claim totals $12 million and will be divided among various projects around Lake Ontario and its various tributary streams. The plan to revitalize fisheries along the lake will produce 42 projects designed to enhance fish habitat and research, improve public fishing access, and promote angler outreach.

To determine the most worthy projects to help the fishery, a series of public meetings was held in the region. The state Department of Environmental Conservation considered 150 proposals and 42 projects made it through the selection process.

Among the projects selected, 25 will be used to improve public access. These projects can include items like new boat launches. There will also be 14 projects to enhance habitat and resources, and three that will promote fishing in the region.

In Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties, for example, a total of around $3 million in projects will be funded. Hatchery improvements will be implemented at Cape Vincent Fisheries Station to help improve stocking programs for walleye, northern pike, and muskellunge. These counties will also receive new boat launches and a rehabilitation project for historic northern pike spawning grounds which will cut back mats of cattails that have choked off a historic spawning area.

Jefferson County will get an additional pike spawning ground project near Cranberry Creek where a water control structure will be repaired.

Moving west, the Salmon River in Oswego County is one of the best-known fisheries in the state, famous for its trout, salmon, and steelhead runs. The 18-mile stretch of the river from the lake upstream has been hurting from all the attention. Some banks are eroding from the foot traffic.

The good news is that the Salmon River will receive a $500,000 boost out of the settlement to add new habitat and repair bank erosion. There will also be a major upgrade to the Salmon River Fish Hatchery to bolster trout and salmon production at the facility. In addition, planned habitat work will also benefit the river.

The projects will benefit areas around the lake at specific locations, and other projects will benefit the lake as a whole.

People rely on the fishery to make a living, including charter captains, guides and tackle shop owners.

In addition, restaurants, motels, gas stations and marinas all depend on quality fishing to draw people to the lake.

Many of these folks (up to 40 percent) come from other states to take a crack at the trophy fishery in Lake Ontario.

This financial benefit from the pollution case is certainly a welcome aid to the Lake Ontario area.

  <"))))>< <"))))>< <"))))><

For Sale:  ??? 
Email jpc@travela.com with the details and we will list your item(s) for sale. 
How else can we say it?
It's a free Want Ad.

  <"))))>< <"))))>< <"))))><

West Branch of the Delaware Trip
Several spots are still available for the
May 29-31 weekend trip.
Contact Craig Dennison at 585/507-9655 or craigdennison1@yahoo.com

  <"))))>< <"))))>< <"))))><

Notes From March 2008 Meeting
Jean Chaintreuil brought the meeting to order and welcomed everyone.  Visitors were invited to introduce themselves, quite a few visitors stood up to say hello.  Any visitors wanting to join the Chapter, get our free newsletter, and participate in our events should see Norm Brust or contact him at nbrust@rochester.rr.com.  Further information on the Chapter can be found at www.canandaigualaketu.org .

Al Kraus indicated that he was once again helping to organize the annual “Float Stocking” of the Cohocton River.  Three, two day stocking sessions will be held this Spring…the first two being on 26 and 27 March.  Al described how the Float Stocking Program works and indicated that if anyone wants to participate in this very important program they should contact him at krausengr@earthlink.net, he also sent around a sign-up sheet.   

Dave Morrow announced that the Chapter was once again donating the attendance fee so that two young people from this area can attend a fly-fishing school down in the Catskill Mountains.  This is an outstanding opportunity.  If anyone wants to nominate a young person to attend they should contact Dave or Andy Yudichak. 

Jerry Luzum reported that the Fly-Tying School was over and that many of the students were very complementary about how the classes were organized and the quality of the classes received.  Jerry thanked all the members who helped to conduct the school.  And, in turn, Jean thanked Jerry for all his hard work organizing the Fly-Tying School this year.  

Steve Coleman indicated that a decision has been made to not conduct a Fly-Fishing School this year.  One main reason being that several of the main instructors are not going to be available to help teach the classes on the required date.  Another main reason being that by going to a biennial schedule we have a better chance of getting a full class of students versus using all of the same resources, two years in a row, to handle only half as many students each time we conduct the School. 

Dick Steinheider reported that the Chapter’s Advanced Fly-Tying Session, which was held on 1 March, was very successful.  Dick thanked Craig Dennison for the excellent job he did teaching some of his favorite Salt-Water Flies.

John Tyler indicated that Chapter was being invited to attend an afternoon and evening of catch-and-release fly-fishing at the Genesee Country Village and Museum private section of the Oatka River on 1 May.  The outing, which will cost $15, will include a Single-Fly Contest, casting demonstrations, picnic supper, and raffle.  Members wanting to attend must call 585-538-6824, extension 253, by 25 April. 

Andy Yudichak briefly talked about a recent trip he took to a sports show where some dealers where available who would appraise and buy old (antique) fishing lures.  Andy indicated you would be surprised how valuable some of your old lures are.  So, if you have some old lures you would like to get rid of it may be worthwhile to attend one of these shows or seek out one of these dealers.  

Craig Dennison talked briefly and handed out a flyer about the two fly-fishing trips to the West Branch of the Delaware that he is arranging for 2008.  The first trip will be 29 to 31 May and the second 13 to 15 June.  The June trip is close to being full, but there are still a lot of openings for the May trip.  Participants will be staying at the White house at the West Branch Anglers Resort.  Anyone wanting further information or to make reservations should contact Craig at craigdennison1@yahoo.com .

Jean asked if there were any fishing “hot spots”…no reports were given, apparently we are in a between seasons (Winter to Spring) lull. 

The regular raffle, which is held each meeting, was conducted.  Several members won various prizes: cash, flies, and donated fly-fishing goodies. 

Jean gave an overview of the next meeting which will be held on 21 April 2008.  The guest speaker will be Norm Brust who will talk about and show a lot of pictures from his October 2007 fly-fishing trip in the high mountains of Utah.   

Jean also explained that Carl Coleman and Jay Peck, who were originally scheduled for the March meeting, had to change their presentation to the May 19^th meeting.   

Jean adjourned the business meeting and introduced Craig Dennison, an ardent Chapter member and the guest speaker for the evening.  Craig gave an outstanding talk and slide show about fly-fishing on the West Branch of the Delaware…a great primer for the two trips to the West Branch that he is organizing for this summer.
                                                                                                  ~ ~ Al Kraus

  <"))))>< <"))))>< <"))))><

SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS

  <"))))>< <"))))>< <"))))><

Letter from the Outdoor Writers Association of America
I wish to thank the Canandaigua TU for the generous donation  of $200 to the Outdoorsmens Fishing Derby for Hillside and St. Joe’s, May 10 at Powder Mills Park.   

If any of the chapter members would like to assist, working with kids streamside, we are having an instructors informational meeting, Monday, April 28 at 7pm at Durf’s Restaurant on North Main Street in Fairport.  If anyone is interested please have them call me.  Thanks again.

John Fisk, Co-Chairman
585/425-3219
jfisk40@frontiernet.net

  <"))))>< <"))))>< <"))))><

Meetings are held on the third Monday of each month,
and are held at the Wegmans Market Café, Eastern Boulevard,
Canandaigua, beginning at 730pm.

Please mark your calendar now. Meetings are open to the public.
Hope to see you there.