WCO Report for Erie County 08/04/2004: Erie area, PA,
WCO Report Posted: August 03, 2004

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Posted by DWCO Randy Leighton on August 03, 2004 at 23:48:03:

WEST ERIE COUNTY, DWCO Randy Leighton, WCO Brook Tolbert

Conditions:
Walleye have been hitting well west of Walnut Creek in 32 to 45 feet of water. A fair number of limits have been reported and catch rates seem to be increasing. Planer boards, small dipseys, reef runners, and crawler harnesses are the combinations of choice. A number of charter captains have reported landing steelhead in the deeper waters of the trenches while trolling for walleye. Stingers (purple is a good choice) and other spoons have been netting the steelhead.

Perch fishing should be good into the Fall months wind and waves permitting with the largest schools settling in between 50 and 65 feet of water north of Walnut Creek.

With the summer weather finally hitting the area, now is a good time to target panfish in and around Presque Isle Bay. Presque Isle Bay is a great place fill the cooler with slab gills and sunfish. Other good local "Gill spots" include areas along the South side of Presque Isle Bay, Edinboro Lake, and the State Line ponds just South of I-90 at the Ohio line. Bluegill will eat anything they can get into their mouths. Worms and crickets are anglers favorite baits, but bluegill will take, small poppers, flies, small spinners and jigs. At times they will even hit cheese baits and corn. Bluegill are gregarious, so when you catch one, there are usually more in the same place. A frying pan full of fresh filleted bluegills and sunfish are mouthwatering tablefare.

Current Lake Erie water temperature as of this writing is 73 degrees.

A Few USCG Safety Tips On Waterskiing and Tubing:
Don't take unnecessary risks while water-skiing. The following tips will help you safely enjoy this thrilling sport:

ALWAYS have an competent observer in the boat. This is a legal requirement in Pennsylvania and most states. The boat driver cannot watch the skier and operate the boat safely at the same time.

ALWAYS wear a Coast Guard approved wearable Personal Flotation Device (PFD) designed for water skiing. Ski belts are not permitted in Pennsyvania nor are inflatable PFDs

Never ski in rough water. High waves or a choppy sea will prevent the tow boat from maintaining a steady course and speed and can make retrieving a downed skier dangerous.

Stay well clear of congested areas and obstructions. Water-skiing requires a lot of open area.

Don't spray or "buzz" swimmers, boats, or other skiers. Such stunts are dangerous, discourteous, and could cause an unintentional collision.

NEVER ski after dark. It is hazardous and a violation of the law. Watersking and other similar activities are not permitted between the hours of sunset and sunrise. Any boat traveling fast enough to tow a skier is traveling too fast to navigate safely at night.

NEVER water-ski while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Such activity is extremely dangerous because of the impairment to your judgment and ability to respond. A recent study conducted with expert skiers who were deliberately intoxicated indicated that even their ability to ski was dramatically reduced.

Use hand signals between the skier and observer. Agree before you start what each signal means so there is no confusion at a critical moment.

Retrieving a Downed Skier:
Falling down in the water while water-skiing is a common occurrence, especially for beginners. If a skier has fallen or made a water landing, pick them up as soon as possible, since floating skiers are difficult for other boats to see.

While waiting to be picked up, the skier should hold up a ski to increase their chances of being recognized in the water. The boat operator reduces speed immediately while the observer maintains visual contact with the skier and directs the operator. Return to pick up the fallen skier with the boat at reduced speed and headed into the wind or current, whichever is stronger.

Always turn off engine when approaching the skier. The observer is to watch for the skier's signal to indicate the skier is all right. If the signal is not seen, the operator must assume the skier is injured and needs immediate assistance. If the skier is injured but is able to grasp and hold a line, maneuver the boat upwind and close to the injured person. Turn off the engine, throw the injured skier a line and gently haul them in. If they cannot grasp and hold a line, follow the same procedure, but let the boat drift towards them without power.

Always keep the operator's side toward the victim and NEVER retrieve anyone from the water with the engine running. Put a swimmer in the water to retrieve a skier only as a last resort.

Boating Tip of the Week:
Taking a moment to unplug your boat trailer lights before backing into the water can greatly increase the life of the bulbs. Often, a lit trailer light bulb will crack from the bulb heat hitting the cool water.

Local Weather:
Wednesday night
Showers and thunderstorms likely. Lows around 60. Northeast winds 15 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60 percent.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers in the morning. Partly cloudy in the afternoon. Breezy with highs in the lower 70s. North winds 15 to 25 mph.
Thursday night
Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 50s. North winds 15 to 20 mph.
Friday
Partly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers. Highs in the upper 60s.
Friday night
Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 50s.
Saturday
Partly cloudy. Highs in the lower 70s.
Saturday night
Partly cloudy.
Lows in the mid 50s.
Sunday
Partly cloudy. Highs in the mid 70s.
Sunday night
Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 50s.
Monday
Partly cloudy. Highs in the mid 70s.
Monday night
Partly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 60s. Chance of rain 30 percent.
Tuesday
Partly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 70s. Chance of rain 30 percent.




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