Hook Line and Sinker by Judy Van Put

Cheryl Myers of Pepacton Bait and Tackle in Arkville has announced the winner of their April Trout Derby. Jack Jordan of Pine Hill caught the prize-winning fish, a beauty of a brown trout that weighed 10 pounds, three and-one-half ounces. Jack caught his fish while fishing in the Pepacton Reservoir using a shiner for bail.
Cheryl and Tom are hosting a Trout Derby in May as well. For a $10 entry fee, anglers have a chance at a cash prize (and other prizes) to be awarded for the biggest trout brought in this month. Stop by Pepacton Bait & Tackle in Arkville, or call 845 750-5061.

Recent rains have brought some much-needed water to our rivers and streams; as there was a lack of significant snow in the woods and mountaintops that would normally have provided runoff in the early spring. Winter seems to be hanging on, as evidenced by the continued chilly temperatures we’ve had, especially at night. Many of us are still burning wood and reluctant to put our woolens away for the season.

The first week of the trout fishing season was a successful one for trout fishers, and the prospect of a good fishing season looks promising. Despite chilly temperatures this past week there have been a number of trout anglers fishing the rivers and streams, as well as casting from shore on the Pepacton Reservoir.

It will still be a while before boats are allowed on the reservoir, as the upper end is still covered with ice. In fact, on a drive over the Barkaboom Road this past week, Big Pond and a few other small lakes appeared to be covered with ice thick enough to fish on.

Opening Day Outlook
The opening day of the trout season in New York, April 1, will feel more like a traditional early-spring day as compared to the balmy 75-degree weather we experienced in 2012. The past month of March seemed more like February, with a bit of snow falling almost every day; evening temperatures in the teens and single digits, and days barely reaching into the 40s.

Big Pond Ice Fishing Contest
Big Pond was the destination for ice fishing enthusiasts on Saturday and Sunday, as well as for dozens of people participating in an ice fishing contest sponsored by Tom Phillips of Pepacton Bait & Tackle in Arkville.

Big Pond, located in the Town of Andes, is a 51-acre state-owned coldwater lake located along Big Pond Road. It is a unique fishery, in that ice fishermen have a chance at catching trout through the ice, and it is a popular choice for many ice fishermen.

Fishing is a pastime that is enjoyed by young and old – a lifetime sport that has no age limits – and one of the few outdoor sports that one can participate in all year long. Many are passionate about their favorite type of the sport, whether it is reservoir fishing, fly-fishing, salt-water fishing, bass fishing, trout fishing. There are some fishermen who only fish during the winter; and those whose passion enables them to walk on water (frozen water, to be sure!)

This Saturday is the opening day of the regular big game season here in the Catskills. It’s a day long anticipated by many who love to hunt, and venture out into the woods on a cold crisp morning, dressed warmly with a thermos of coffee in the backpack, and the prospect of a deer to provide the family with a freezer full of delicious and healthy meat for the long winter.

The second half of September can bring good fishing, given enough water in our rivers and streams. With the trees just beginning to preview the colorful fall foliage to come, and a cold snap in the air, it’s a great time to be out of doors. This year, however, has brought unusual weather conditions, in that we started with a drought, had some early summer rain, several days of thunderstorms and showers, and then receded back to a drought.

Al Carpenter of Al’s Sports Store in Downsville reported that trout fishermen on the Pepacton Reservoir have been seeing better numbers of fish, and that the fish are starting to look a little bit heavier; “fairly healthy, not fat, but a little bit better,” he said.

The last week has brought us showers and thunderstorms, with some much-needed rain. Our vegetable garden shot up appreciatively and lawns looked somewhat less parched. However, even the three inches of rain that fell last Sunday and additional inch or two this past week didn’t seem to do much as far as bringing up the water level in the Beaverkill and other free-flowing streams.