If you’d care to comment on this proposed change you can do so by emailing your thoughts to: wildregs@gw.dec.state.ny.us by Oct. 4. It’s really a good, sound idea, but you’ll have to remember to report your take by the time the seven days are up. It sure beats the current two day reporting requirement.
HAPPY LABOR DAY
Next weekend we’ll be celebrating Labor Day and I extend my sincerest best wishes to all of you for a very happy, safe and thoroughly enjoyable holiday weekend. Weather predictions for this upcoming final hurrah of summer look generally OK but that’s always iffy this far ahead so enjoy it but please drive and boat safely and responsibly and keep an eye on the weather.
You’ve made it through the entire summer so get through this weekend safely as well. The Labor Day weekend is one of the “big three” boating and relaxation weekends, along with Memorial Day and the July 4th holiday, and it’s one of the prime times for boating mishaps as boaters and revelers seek to get in at least one more good weekend of boating, sun and fun. There’ll be plenty of other boaters out there that may not be as considerate or safe as you, so be alert, obey the rules of the road and operate your vessel defensively, just as you would do behind the wheel of your car.
Many boaters will begin hauling their vessels out of the water right after the Labor Day weekend, even though Autumn doesn’t officially arrive until Thursday, Sept. 23. If the lake level remains up there, and you’re able to trailer or keep your boat docked, don’t hesitate to continue boating. September and even early October can bring some of the very finest boating and fishing days of the year with milder temperatures and less boat traffic on the lake. Enjoy these waning days of summer and the rapidly approaching days of autumn.
It’s interesting to note that seven of our New York State record fish were taken during the month of September - chinook salmon, largemouth bass, muskellunge, our Great Sacandaga Lake northern pike, pink salmon, sauger and white perch. In many respects, September and even October can be the best fishing months of the year, surpassed perhaps only by the month of May. The lake level is lower, the air temperature is milder, the water temperature is cooler, the fish are hungrier and most fish spend more time at shallower depths.
Don’t give up fishing now. Also, don’t forget that the Great Sacandaga Lake Fisheries Federation’s annual fall contest takes place on Saturday, Sept. 11. The event will be headquartered at Sport Island Pub and offers $1,800 in total prize money in the trout, bass, walleye and northern pike divisions. I’ll review that event in more detail in next week’s column.
NHF DAY
Saturday, Sept. 25 will mark this year’s official observance of National Hunting & Fishing Day.
Congress established NHF Day as the fourth Saturday in September, to recognize hunters and anglers for their leadership in fish and wildlife conservation. First launched in 1972, this special day has been formally proclaimed by every US President and countless governors and mayors.
Our Olympic Shooting Teams have been among the most decorated athletes in US Olympic history and in recognition of this fact, the entire USA Olympic Shooting team has been named as honorary chairpersons of this year’s National Hunting and Fishing Day.