WCO Report for Erie County 10/27/2004: Erie area, PA,
WCO Report Posted: October 26, 2004

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Posted by DWCO Randy Leighton on October 26, 2004 at 22:16:54:

WEST ERIE COUNTY, DWCO Randy Leighton, WCO Brook Tolbert

Conditions:
Steelhead season seems to be in full swing now with good numbers of fish and anglers spread throughout the area tribs. The access areas at Elk and Walnut Creeks have been crowded and the angler pressure intense. The rains from last week have all but run off leaving conditions clear again with fair water levels and some flow. Spin anglers along the wall and the Project waters were doing well on the powerbaits, fresh skein, colored egg sacks and live shiners. Fly anglers were doing well on single egg patterns, small woolly buggers, and suckerspawn patterns in pink, white, cream peach, and red at times. A good number of fish in the 10 LB plus range have been brought in for weighing this year.

Anglers have been doing well in the upper stretches of the tribs around Whitman's bridge in Girard, the Struechan Flats area in Fairview and the areas on Elk Creek around Foleys End Campground.

Crooked Creek has been giving up fish with far less crowded conditions.

Anglers fishing the Lakeshore at Trout and Godfrey run at have been doing very well on calm days and evenings. Egg sacks, single eggs, and the egg imitation patterns have been popular in these areas.

Current Lake Erie water temperature as of this writing is 59 degrees. West County tributary conditions as of this writing are clear to slightly stained with fair water levels and some flow. rgl

Walnut Creek Marina Basin to Open for Fishing:
Docks are scheduled to be removed from the Walnut Creek marina opening the basin to shore anglers. Fishing will be permitted at 2:00 PM, Wednesday, November 3rd assuming that weather conditions do not impede dock removal. For more information, contact the Walnut Creek Access area office at 814-833-2464. The marina basin opening has become an annual tradition at the Walnut Creek Access with anglers often lined up around the perimeter eager to make that first cast. The basin is a great area for introducing the youngsters to steelhead fishing and is a good area for handicapped folks or those that just want to pull up a chairs and sink a line. A fair number of fish have been seen surfacing in the marina the last few weeks. rgl

Area Law Enforcement from WCO's Tolbert, Edwards, and Kerr:
This past weekend saw a considerable amount of activity in the area and area officers were on top of it. 17 officers both local WCO's and DWCO's and officers brought from other parts of the state worked together on the East and West county tribs on one of many seasonal details. Working day and night and putting in long and tireless hours they utilized night vision and other survalience equipment, unmarked vehicles and patroled both uniformed and in undercover plain clothes. This detail alone netted (no pun intended) over 40 written citations, over 45 issued warnings, and fines levied in excess of $3000.00 These citations included violations for fish in excess of the legal creel limit, possessing trout without a Trout Stamp, camping on PFBC controlled property, litter, not adhering to posted traffic control devices on PFBC controlled property, snagging and attempted snagging, using illegal methods for fishing, blocking access on private property, possessing weighted snagging hooks and hooks modified specifically for snagging, fishing in state Nursery Waters, wading in state nursery waters, possessing fishng gear along state nursery waters, disturbing nursery waters, interference with an officer, PFD violations, and fishing where prohibited. Officers seized a significant number of illegal fishing devices including a good number of large weighted treble hooks set up for snagging.

Three subjects from Central Pa. fishing the Walnut Creek Project Waters were cited for snagging, netting, possessing snagging hooks, litter, interference with an officer, and fishing where prohibited. Officers issued appropriate citations, seized fishing gear and fish and released the subjects. Three hours later officers found the same individuals engaged in the same activities and issued additional citations. Hard to believe but true.

A family from Southwest Pa. was apprehended while netting fish from local state nursery waters. The excuse was that they were unable to catch any fish by legal means and did not want to go home empty handed. Area officers obliged the family by sending them home with a significant amount of expensive paperwork.

A Few Significant Boating Statistics from NWRM Robert Nestor:
From 1994 to 2003 Pennsylvania has suffered 116 documented boating fatalities. Of these fatalities 23.3 percent (27 people) were wearing a PFD. 44.8 percent (52 people) had PFDs on board but were not wearing them. 27.6 percent (32 people) had no PFDs on board and 4.3 percent (5 people) accounted for the unknown. In short, at least 72.4 percent, or 84 people out of the 116 people that died were not wearing a PFD either because they did not have them on board or simpley chose not to wear them. Staggering statistic that strongly emphasize the importance of wearing your PFD.

Of the 116 fatalities, it was determined that alcohol was a possible factor in at least 25 percent (29 people )of these cases. It was also determined that Hypothermia and/ or sudden emersion in cold water was a possible factor in at least 37 (43 people) percent of these cases

Hunting Season:
With hunting season upon us, anglers fishing in the outlying and heavily wooded areas will be wise to wear a some fluorescent orange or at least, some brightly colored clothing and avoid being zeroed into a hunters sights.

Election Time:
With a number of election issues affecting the sportsmen of our country combined with a pending race that may be too close to call, voter turnout will likely be a deciding factor this Tuesday. Regardless of your political affiliation excercise your right to vote and make your voice heard.

Local Weather:
Wednesday night
Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 40s. Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy. Highs in the lower 60s. East winds around 10 mph.
Thursday night
Mostly cloudy. Lows in the upper 40s. Southeast winds around 10 mph becoming south.
Friday
Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 60s. Chance of rain 30 percent.
Friday night
Partly cloudy in the evening, then becoming mostly cloudy. A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 50s. Chance of rain 40 percent.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers through the day. A chance of thunderstorms in the morning. Highs in the mid 60s. Chance of rain 40 percent.
Saturday night
Partly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers. Lows in the mid 40s.
Sunday
Partly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers. Highs in the upper 50s.
Sunday night
Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 40s.
Monday
Partly cloudy. Highs around 60.
Monday night
Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers. Lows in the upper 40s.
Election day
Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers. Windy with highs in the lower 60s.




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