It almost didn't happen this year, and by February many believed it was too late for Skaneateles Lake to freeze over. But when the Valentine's Day storm hit, some were guardedly optimistic that they might get in some decent ice fishing before year's end.
The storm, followed by days of freezing temperatures and nights below zero accelerated the glacial event that many winter anglers anticipate.
It was enough of a hope for George Tario to give his equipment a quick once over.
The age-old sport doesn't require much - an auger to make some holes, a few tip-ups (stationary poles that send up a flag when a fish bites), a couple of jigs (short hand-held fishing poles), a strainer to keep the ice from forming in the hole and some tackle.
However, today's sportsmen sometimes enjoy the luxury of a few extras like a power auger to make fast holes without breaking a sweat, a fish finder and even an underwater camera. But the ultimate in 21st century ice fishing is GPS #- to track schools of fish and to tell you where you found them the last time you were there.
It used to be that having painted wooden fish decoys to float down the hole, a stool and some real-estate like a six-by-six shanty for wind and snow protection were considered luxuries, but technology has even spilled over into ice-fishing.
“You're usually out there for three or four hours and sometimes longer, so it makes sense to pack for comfort and convenience,” said Tario, who mainly goes out on weekends and evenings, unlike some who are retired or are seasonal employees that have more time.
Skaneateles Lake has gorge like sides that drop off quickly, and because it's the highest of the Finger Lakes, at 867 feet above sea level, it's called the “Roof Garden of the Lakes.” But that doesn't mean it freezes any faster. In fact, it freezes slower because of its depth relative to its surface area. It tends to hold the heat and resist freezing much later than the other lakes.
“For safety, you want at least four inches of ice,” Tario said. “Some guys go out on three, but I prefer four to eight inches.”
The first ice that forms is actually black ice, but then rain and sun turn it white. It takes a good four or five days of freezing temperatures to get it set up good.
“When the ice is free of snow, Skaneateles is so crystal clear that you can actually see through the ice and often see the fish,” he said. He added, a lot of rain and fog makes the water percolate and form something like a honeycomb underneath, which eventually leads to poor ice that won't support weight.
For about four weeks, anywhere from one to 10 people could be seen fishing roughly two to 300 feet from shore at either end of the lake. Perch is a favorite catch. It's tasty and easy to clean, with a daily limit of 50.
Anglers like George Joyce, who's been at it for more than 60 years, say that his catches are down. He might drill 10 to 15 holes with no luck, but then other days might be better. His favorite lure is the Swedish pimple.
“Many grassy beds are gone so the fish don't school up,” Joyce explained. Combine that with the fact that they're cold blooded and therefore swim slower and cover less ground.
The Department of Environmental Conservation reported that there's been some decent action for yellow perch in the early morning and late evening hours using jigs tipped with a spike or mousie bait.
You can nickel and dime yourself with tackle over the years, but the preferred live bait are a dozen minnows for a $1.50. Shiners, the larger minnows, are $3.75 a dozen.
Anglers either love ice-fishing or not. They love to challenge the elements and beat the odds.
On the plus side, it's much quieter and more peaceful than summer fishing, and it's cheaper because you don't need a boat. But lake access on Skaneateles can be difficult with just the town ramp at the north end, and ice doesn't usually make it as far south as the State or Mandana Launch.
Private property surrounds the south end, so most access from the water works on the lower west side.
Rarely does Tario's sled go out without a thermos of coffee or cocoa, sandwiches and cookies and sometimes a Nerf football to pass the time. Although the March winds are breaking up the ice for this year, he's just glad the season offered some opportunity to put a few fish in the freezer.
Ann Adams lives and writes in Skaneateles
It was enough of a hope for George Tario to give his equipment a quick once over.
The age-old sport doesn't require much - an auger to make some holes, a few tip-ups (stationary poles that send up a flag when a fish bites), a couple of jigs (short hand-held fishing poles), a strainer to keep the ice from forming in the hole and some tackle.
However, today's sportsmen sometimes enjoy the luxury of a few extras like a power auger to make fast holes without breaking a sweat, a fish finder and even an underwater camera. But the ultimate in 21st century ice fishing is GPS #- to track schools of fish and to tell you where you found them the last time you were there.
It used to be that having painted wooden fish decoys to float down the hole, a stool and some real-estate like a six-by-six shanty for wind and snow protection were considered luxuries, but technology has even spilled over into ice-fishing.
“You're usually out there for three or four hours and sometimes longer, so it makes sense to pack for comfort and convenience,” said Tario, who mainly goes out on weekends and evenings, unlike some who are retired or are seasonal employees that have more time.
Skaneateles Lake has gorge like sides that drop off quickly, and because it's the highest of the Finger Lakes, at 867 feet above sea level, it's called the “Roof Garden of the Lakes.” But that doesn't mean it freezes any faster. In fact, it freezes slower because of its depth relative to its surface area. It tends to hold the heat and resist freezing much later than the other lakes.
“For safety, you want at least four inches of ice,” Tario said. “Some guys go out on three, but I prefer four to eight inches.”
The first ice that forms is actually black ice, but then rain and sun turn it white. It takes a good four or five days of freezing temperatures to get it set up good.
“When the ice is free of snow, Skaneateles is so crystal clear that you can actually see through the ice and often see the fish,” he said. He added, a lot of rain and fog makes the water percolate and form something like a honeycomb underneath, which eventually leads to poor ice that won't support weight.
For about four weeks, anywhere from one to 10 people could be seen fishing roughly two to 300 feet from shore at either end of the lake. Perch is a favorite catch. It's tasty and easy to clean, with a daily limit of 50.
Anglers like George Joyce, who's been at it for more than 60 years, say that his catches are down. He might drill 10 to 15 holes with no luck, but then other days might be better. His favorite lure is the Swedish pimple.
“Many grassy beds are gone so the fish don't school up,” Joyce explained. Combine that with the fact that they're cold blooded and therefore swim slower and cover less ground.
The Department of Environmental Conservation reported that there's been some decent action for yellow perch in the early morning and late evening hours using jigs tipped with a spike or mousie bait.
You can nickel and dime yourself with tackle over the years, but the preferred live bait are a dozen minnows for a $1.50. Shiners, the larger minnows, are $3.75 a dozen.
Anglers either love ice-fishing or not. They love to challenge the elements and beat the odds.
On the plus side, it's much quieter and more peaceful than summer fishing, and it's cheaper because you don't need a boat. But lake access on Skaneateles can be difficult with just the town ramp at the north end, and ice doesn't usually make it as far south as the State or Mandana Launch.
Private property surrounds the south end, so most access from the water works on the lower west side.
Rarely does Tario's sled go out without a thermos of coffee or cocoa, sandwiches and cookies and sometimes a Nerf football to pass the time. Although the March winds are breaking up the ice for this year, he's just glad the season offered some opportunity to put a few fish in the freezer.
Ann Adams lives and writes in Skaneateles
