Many Central New York fly fishing anglers and others around the world will be saddened to hear that Leon Chandler, fly fishing ambassador, died last week.
Chandler can almost be single-handedly responsible for starting the fly-fishing revolution that has spread around the globe.
Chandler, still just a teenager at 19, left the farm that he grew up on in the Missouri Ozarks to take a job at Cortland Line back in 1941. Chandler worked for Cortland Line for over 40 years until his retirement in 1982.
During those 40-plus years, Chandler became known as the "Fly Fishing Ambassador" not only in North America but all over the world.
After tireless efforts to promote fly fishing on this continent up to the 1950's, he switched his sights on promoting the sport of fly fishing to countries such as Finland, Poland, Hungary and Japan.
Chandler was known for not only his fly fishing diplomacy but also for several fly-fishing innovations as well. Today's current fly line ratings in weight such as WF7 was his doing that improved labeling over the older style of classifying by diameter.
After his retirement from Cortland Line, Chandler resided in the village of Homer. He enjoyed his retirement by fly fishing on New York streams and on others throughout the west.
Chandler, who held many positions with the Cortland Line Company, was the key reason for the Central New York fly fishing company's rise as a leader in that angling field.
"For those of us who cast flies, opening day this year will be dark and cloudy no matter how bright the sun," said noted outdoor writer Rod Cochran.
DEC Waterfowl Task Forces to help set season dates in all three zones
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Erin M.Crotty recently invited waterfowl hunters to submit their recommendations for the dates of the fall 2004 duck hunting season to regional waterfowl hunting task forces or DEC's waterfowl season-setting team.
"Hunter task forces have been successful in helping DEC establish season dates that provide the best opportunities for waterfowl hunting in specific regions," Crotty said. "We look forward to working with waterfowl hunters and task force members to ensure an enjoyable and successful season in 2004."
Waterfowl hunters can actively participate in the season-setting process by providing comments directly to task force members.
Comments should be sent to members by March 31, to be considered for this year's seasons.
The task forces are scheduled to meet in April 2004 and DEC plans to announce tentative hunting season dates in June.
New York is divided into five waterfowl hunting zones: Western, Southeastern, Northeastern, Lake Champlain, and Long Island.
DEC recently appointed task forces for the Western, Southeastern, and Northeastern Zones to assist in making recommendations for the fall. Locally, contact Tim Noga (NYSCC-R7), 7320 Laraway Rd., Cayuga, N.Y. 13034
No watercraft training needed to run a boat
We've had a bunch of local boaters and fishermen inquire into the new training courses needed now to run a boat. Many people have misconceptions on the new law.
I recently inquired into the law with Mark Hanafin, a large marine dealer from Endicott who is also the President of the Central New York Boat Association. According to Hanafin, the new law only applies to folks who will becoming 16 and who will be running personal watercrafts and not regular boats.
Tri-County Winter Trap League results
Even though they had to shoot in the strong wind, Camillus won over Weedsport last week.
With only one week to go, Camillus hangs on to first place.
Total birds to date are as follows Camillus - 247; Weedsport 240; Falcons 239; Otisco 234. Total points accumulated are - Camillus 44 1/2; Weedsport 44 1/2; Falcons 35 1/2 and Otisco 25 1/2.
Dennis Billington of Camillus, shot an outstanding 150 straight last week. 50s for the day were shot by Rich Calloway, and Bob Weigand of Camillus. 25s for the day were registered by Pete Kehoskie, Joe Parfitt, Glen Polmanteer, Matt Salvatore, and Urb Womer of Camillus, Dusty Archambo, Gary Cole, and George Warren of Weedsport, Chris Landon and Jeff Sheppard of Falcons, Joe Macewicz and Al Reich of Otisco.
Today's league ending shoot is at Otisco. The shoot off for individual classes will be at Weedsport on April 4 starting at 8 a.m. Cut off for sign up is at 1 p.m. The public is invited.
TRAP NOTES: Start of the CNY league is Tues., April 6. The Tri-County Summer Trap League starts on Wed., April 14 at Weedsport.
Sunrise League starts at Falcons Club on March 23 and runs from 9 a.m. to noon. The Falcons will be holding open trap practice on Monday nights starting on April 5. For more information contact Don Wells at 252-6208.
Tax time is boat deduction time
The IRS tax deadline of April 15 is approaching fast. BoatU.S. wants boaters to know that as long as your vessel meets the criteria for a second home, the IRS should have a deduction for you.
If you have a secured loan on a boat, the IRS allows a tax deduction on the interest paid on the loan. The IRS defines a second home as having "basic living accommodations such as sleeping space, toilet and cooking facilities.
For more specific tax information, boat owners should consult their own financial or tax advisors or visit the IRS Web site at www.irs.gov.
"Dedicated to the Great Outdoors, forever wild, clean & free!
GEORGE'S TIP
OF THE WEEK
While real fresh trout eggs may be one of the best baits for springtime trout, there are other imitations that can work when the real thing is not available. Try using such lures as cut up balls the size of a dime made from yellow or orange sponge, Vaseline balls tied up in stocking mesh and even just plain kernels of canned corn. It's always best to add a scent such as cod liver or anise oil.
Fiorille, an outdoors communicator, is The Citizen's outdoors columnist.
He can be reached at lakecountry@hotmail.com
Chandler, still just a teenager at 19, left the farm that he grew up on in the Missouri Ozarks to take a job at Cortland Line back in 1941. Chandler worked for Cortland Line for over 40 years until his retirement in 1982.
During those 40-plus years, Chandler became known as the "Fly Fishing Ambassador" not only in North America but all over the world.
After tireless efforts to promote fly fishing on this continent up to the 1950's, he switched his sights on promoting the sport of fly fishing to countries such as Finland, Poland, Hungary and Japan.
Chandler was known for not only his fly fishing diplomacy but also for several fly-fishing innovations as well. Today's current fly line ratings in weight such as WF7 was his doing that improved labeling over the older style of classifying by diameter.
After his retirement from Cortland Line, Chandler resided in the village of Homer. He enjoyed his retirement by fly fishing on New York streams and on others throughout the west.
Chandler, who held many positions with the Cortland Line Company, was the key reason for the Central New York fly fishing company's rise as a leader in that angling field.
"For those of us who cast flies, opening day this year will be dark and cloudy no matter how bright the sun," said noted outdoor writer Rod Cochran.
DEC Waterfowl Task Forces to help set season dates in all three zones
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Erin M.Crotty recently invited waterfowl hunters to submit their recommendations for the dates of the fall 2004 duck hunting season to regional waterfowl hunting task forces or DEC's waterfowl season-setting team.
"Hunter task forces have been successful in helping DEC establish season dates that provide the best opportunities for waterfowl hunting in specific regions," Crotty said. "We look forward to working with waterfowl hunters and task force members to ensure an enjoyable and successful season in 2004."
Waterfowl hunters can actively participate in the season-setting process by providing comments directly to task force members.
Comments should be sent to members by March 31, to be considered for this year's seasons.
The task forces are scheduled to meet in April 2004 and DEC plans to announce tentative hunting season dates in June.
New York is divided into five waterfowl hunting zones: Western, Southeastern, Northeastern, Lake Champlain, and Long Island.
DEC recently appointed task forces for the Western, Southeastern, and Northeastern Zones to assist in making recommendations for the fall. Locally, contact Tim Noga (NYSCC-R7), 7320 Laraway Rd., Cayuga, N.Y. 13034
No watercraft training needed to run a boat
We've had a bunch of local boaters and fishermen inquire into the new training courses needed now to run a boat. Many people have misconceptions on the new law.
I recently inquired into the law with Mark Hanafin, a large marine dealer from Endicott who is also the President of the Central New York Boat Association. According to Hanafin, the new law only applies to folks who will becoming 16 and who will be running personal watercrafts and not regular boats.
Tri-County Winter Trap League results
Even though they had to shoot in the strong wind, Camillus won over Weedsport last week.
With only one week to go, Camillus hangs on to first place.
Total birds to date are as follows Camillus - 247; Weedsport 240; Falcons 239; Otisco 234. Total points accumulated are - Camillus 44 1/2; Weedsport 44 1/2; Falcons 35 1/2 and Otisco 25 1/2.
Dennis Billington of Camillus, shot an outstanding 150 straight last week. 50s for the day were shot by Rich Calloway, and Bob Weigand of Camillus. 25s for the day were registered by Pete Kehoskie, Joe Parfitt, Glen Polmanteer, Matt Salvatore, and Urb Womer of Camillus, Dusty Archambo, Gary Cole, and George Warren of Weedsport, Chris Landon and Jeff Sheppard of Falcons, Joe Macewicz and Al Reich of Otisco.
Today's league ending shoot is at Otisco. The shoot off for individual classes will be at Weedsport on April 4 starting at 8 a.m. Cut off for sign up is at 1 p.m. The public is invited.
TRAP NOTES: Start of the CNY league is Tues., April 6. The Tri-County Summer Trap League starts on Wed., April 14 at Weedsport.
Sunrise League starts at Falcons Club on March 23 and runs from 9 a.m. to noon. The Falcons will be holding open trap practice on Monday nights starting on April 5. For more information contact Don Wells at 252-6208.
Tax time is boat deduction time
The IRS tax deadline of April 15 is approaching fast. BoatU.S. wants boaters to know that as long as your vessel meets the criteria for a second home, the IRS should have a deduction for you.
If you have a secured loan on a boat, the IRS allows a tax deduction on the interest paid on the loan. The IRS defines a second home as having "basic living accommodations such as sleeping space, toilet and cooking facilities.
For more specific tax information, boat owners should consult their own financial or tax advisors or visit the IRS Web site at www.irs.gov.
"Dedicated to the Great Outdoors, forever wild, clean & free!
GEORGE'S TIP
OF THE WEEK
While real fresh trout eggs may be one of the best baits for springtime trout, there are other imitations that can work when the real thing is not available. Try using such lures as cut up balls the size of a dime made from yellow or orange sponge, Vaseline balls tied up in stocking mesh and even just plain kernels of canned corn. It's always best to add a scent such as cod liver or anise oil.
Fiorille, an outdoors communicator, is The Citizen's outdoors columnist.
He can be reached at lakecountry@hotmail.com
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