Angling has apparently taken a back seat to small game and big game hunting recently but that’s understandable when one considers all the hunting seasons opening within the next few weeks. In reality, we’re in one of the best fishing periods of the year now.

On trip to Northville last week I saw only a smattering of boats out on Great Sacandaga despite the fact that it was as fine a boating day as one could ask for. Surprisingly, there were few anglers to be seen though there were a number of kayakers enjoying a trek along the shoreline and even several jet skiers flitting around.

The lake level is still high but we can thank our run of rainy weather for that. The last time I checked the HRBRRD site the lake level was at about 766 feet, a good five or six feet above normal and I suspect that means good fishing for this time of year.  

The fishing may be good but if you’re into hunting as well, why not consider a “cast & blast day?” Go partridge, turkey or squirrel hunting in the morning and then walleye, bass or trout fishing in the afternoon. I’ve done that a number of times and it makes an interesting, enjoyable and productive day and the Great Sacandaga area is well suited for that type of adventure.

I understand the Great Sacandaga Lake Fisheries Federation’s annual ice fishing contest will be held concurrently with the one-day Walleye Challenge event on the lake on Jan. 28. While the Challenge is strictly a walleye event, the GSLFF contest will offer the opportunity to enter other species of fish not covered by the Challenge. In other words, if you’re registered in both the Walleye Challenge and the GSLFF event, and you catch a sizable walleye you can enter it in the Challenge but if you catch a northern you can enter it in the GSLFF event. It’s a win/win situation for everyone - the Walleye Challenge sponsors, the Great Sacandaga Lake Fisheries Federation and the anglers entered in both events.

NYSOWA MEETS

Last weekend was a busy one for me. The New York State Outdoor Writers Association held its 2011 conference in Fulton County last weekend. The event was headquartered at the Holiday Inn on Route 30A in Johnstown and over 50 outdoor writers and other media representatives as well as supporting members from throughout the state attended.

As is normally the case with NYSOWA gatherings, we were greeted by a cold front and plenty of rain. But then, that seems to be the case at most of our conclaves, so it came as no great surprise. I’ve often said that if we could hold a conference in the Sahara Desert it would soon be known as the Sahara Forest.

NYSOWA normally meets twice a year, in May and October, and the formal business meeting is held at the October gathering. The May assembly is reserved for a “safari” in which the participants gather for fishing and or hunting but at which no business is conducted.

This is strictly a social event. Both annual conclaves are held at various locations throughout the state, giving the participants an opportunity to visit other places and sample the recreational opportunities that particular area offers. Some NYSOWA members, and spouses, arrived here on Thursday while others arrived Friday.

The agenda included a “meet and greet” session with DEC Commissioner Martens on Thursday evening, various hunting, fishing and other outings in Fulton County on Friday and Saturday, including a reception showcasing the Wildlife Sports and Educational Museum, the NYS Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame, a dinner at Lanzi’s on the Lake Friday evening, a lunch at the Pine Tree Rifle Club on Friday and then Peck’s Lake on Saturday, and an annual dinner at the Nick Stoner Inn on Saturday evening , at which various Excellence in Craft awards were presented.

The Sunday morning agenda included the formal annual business meeting, following which the attendees departed for their home areas, with some pleasant memories of Fulton County which they’ll hopefully share with their viewers and readers.

Teri Swierzowski of the Fulton County Chamber of Commerce, Dan Ladd of NYSOWA, Ed Noonan and myself co-chaired the event with immeasurable assistance from Albie Peck and Clarence Chamberlain of Peck’s Lake.