WCO Report for Erie County 5/17/2006: Erie area, PA,
WCO Report Posted: May 16, 206

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Posted by DWCO Randy Leighton on May 16, 206 at 17:50:48:

West Erie County, DWCO Randy Leighton, WCO Brook Tolbert

Conditions:

Bass anglers, Walleye hunters, and those targeting Lakers, especially off the Northeast Marina area have been doing well, as evidenced by the near record Lake Trout recently brought in by Shane Hackworth of Harborcreek. This lunker weighed in at a mean 27 LBS. 12 1/2 ounces. Small mouth fishing has been good to excellent in 25 to 35 feet of water off the old Hammer Mill site on the east side of Erie. Catches in the four to six pound range have been common with anglers reporting a variety of baits bringing success. Tube jigs are always popular this time of year along with different varieties of the rattle trap baits and vertical jigging spoons. Live baits would include shiners and live crawfish when available. The perch have not really begun any serious schooling yet and although a few are being caught, there has been no consistency yet. Presque Isle Bay has been productive for slab crappie taken with shiners off the South shore of Presque Isle State Park and now is a good time to target pike in and around the lagoons area of the park and throughout the west end of Presque Isle Bay. The lake Erie water temperature off Toledo is 57 degrees, off Cleveland, 54 degrees, and off Erie, 51 degrees.

Photo:
Lake Trout weighed in at 27lbs. 12 1/2oz. nearly tying the state record.
Caught by Shane Hackworth of Harborcreek, photo Courtesy of WCO Jim Smolko

Walnut Creek Sunset Garden Memorial Recognition Wall Update for April 2006 from Christie Ferrier:

It’s Spring again and while the garden is still asleep, we have been receiving requests for more wall pavers to be engraved! Most of you who regularly log on to this web site know about the garden and the wall. For those of you who are new, the purpose of this community garden is beautification and education for the visitors to the Marina. The wall is a means to preserve memories and recognize important persons or events in the lives of people who use this beautiful Marina to fish, boat, walk their dogs, watch the sunsets, take walks – even fly kites!

The sale of the pavers brings in the money needed to maintain the garden and the wall, and when it reaches $10,000 (we are at $9,000), it will be put into the Erie Community Foundation so that the garden and wall will be maintained into perpetuity.

The wall is now structurally finished – the large cap stones are in place and several have already been engraved. There are still 6 sides of these stones available, one of which can be yours to engrave as you wish. These are very special and would make wonderfully meaningful memories for your family or business. Think how exciting it would be for your grandchildren – great grandchildren – to see their family name on this wall in 50 to 100 years from now!

I now have about 6 new orders for pavers, and they will be processed when the weather becomes warm and dry. So, if you are interested, either contact me at the address below or see the ladies in the Administration Bldg.

For more information contact Christie Ferrier at 814-474-2577 or cbfbeach@aol.com

Boating Season is Here for Many, Are You Ready:
The traditional boating season in our area kicks off over the Memorial Day holiday but with the wonderful fishing opportunities in our area many boaters have been hitting the water for weeks. If you haven't already, now is the time to ready your vessel, large or small, for the water. If you did a proper job of winterizing your boat, spring maintenance should be minimal and a quick check should be all you need.. Boats stored outdoors are inviting homes for critters that love to gnaw on wires and make nests out of PFD stuffing. Doing a thorough preseason inspection of your boat can prevent problems and surprises on the water and unnecessary embarrassment at the launch ramp that first time out. Any local boat dealer or repair facility can help you with a preseason check if you are not comfortable doing it yourself. Free safety inspections are always offered by the Coast Guard Auxiliary, the Erie Power squadron or any area PFBC officer to assure that your boat meets all legal requirements. The following suggestions will provide a basic guide however, be sure to refer to your owners manual for your particular vessel and if any maintenance procedures are beyond your skill levels, always leave to the professionals.

General: Do a general cleaning of hull, deck and topsides using a mild detergent
Make sure drains and scuppers are clear
Put on a good coat of wax
Clean and polish metal with a good metal polish
Clean teak and oil
Clean windows and hatches
Clean canvas
Clean interior including bilge
Check spare parts and tools and replace as necessary
Make sure registration is current and onboard and that numbers are legible
Check and replace wiper blades if necessary

Hull:
Check for hull abrasions, scratches, gouges, etc., and repair
Check and replace zinc's
Check for blisters and refinish is necessary
Check rub rails
Check swim platform and/or ladder - be sure they are secure
Inspect and test trim tabs if applicable
Check shaft, cutlass bearing, strut and prop
Check rudder and fittings
Touch up or replace antifouling paint

Decks and Fittings:
Check stanchion, pulpits and lifelines for integrity
Check ground tackle, lines, fenders, etc.
Check chainplates and cleats
Check hull/deck joint
Check deck, windows, and port lights for leaks
Inspect anchor windlass and lubricate
Clean and grease winches
Check and lubricate blocks, pad eyes, etc.
Check dinghy, and life raft

Below Decks: Check, test and lubricate seacocks
Check condition of hoses and clamps
Make sure below waterline hoses are double clamped
Check bilge pumps for automatic and manual operation
Check for oil in bilges
Check limber holes and make sure they are clear of debris

Electrical Systems and Components:
Check battery water level
Check/recharge batteries
Check terminals for corrosion, clean and lubricate
Inspect all wiring for wear and chaffing, replace anything questionable
Test all gauges for operability
Check shore power and charger
Have spare fuses on board
Inspect all lighting fixtures (including navigation lights) and make sure you have spare bulbs on board
Check all electronics for proper operation
Inspect antennas

Required and Recommended Equipment:
Check that boat is currently registered if necessary and that insurance is in order
Be sure that sound signaling device is working
Inspect visual distress signals and expiration date (Required on Lake Erie)
Check PFDs, be sure there is one for every potential person on board and that they are out of their wrappers
Inspect life rings and cushions (A throwable device is required on boats over 16' in addition to required PFDs)
Inspect fire extinguishers and recharge or replace if necessary
Check and adjust compass
Check navigation lights for proper operation
Check charts if used, and replace as necessary
Check radar reflector
Inspect and replace first aid supplies as necessary
Check bailer and hand pump or bilge pump operation as applicable
Change batteries in all portable devices such as flashlights, handheld GPS units and marine radios Inspect anchor lines for fraying, fish hooks, and weak spot

Inboard Engines: Change oil and have spare filter on board
Check and change fuel filters - have spares onboard
Check and change engine zincs (anti corrosion devices)
Check cooling system, change coolant if necessary
Inspect belts for tension and wear
Check power steering and transmission fluids
Inspect and clean backfire flame arrestor (required in Pennsylvania)
Check bilge blower operation

Head System:
Checked for smooth operation - lubricate and clean as necessary
If equipped with treatment system, have chemicals on hand
Y-valve operation checked, valve labeled & secured

Water System:
Flush water tank
Check water system and pump for leaks and proper operation
Check hot water tank working on both AC and engines
Check for tank cap keys on board
Check and clean shower sump pump screens

Galley: Fill propane tank, check electric & manual valves, check storage box vent to make sure it is clear
Check refrigerator, clean and freshen, operate on AC and DC
Clean stove, check that all burners and oven are working
Check microwave, if fitted

Outboard Motor:
Replace or clean spark plugs as necessary
Check plug wires for wear
Check prop for nicks and bends
Change/fill lower unit gear lube
Inspect fuel lines, primer bulb and tank for leaks
Lubricate and spray moveable parts per manufacturers instructions

Trailer:
Check for current registration
Check rollers and pads
Look for broken springs
Check and lubricate wheel bearings
Clean and lubricate winch
Lubricate tongue jack and wheel
Test lights and electrical connections
Check tire pressure and condition. Tires with excessive dry cracks should be replaced
Check brakes (if equipped)
Check safety chains
Check tongue lock
If you are new to trailering, spend a little time in an open lot learning how to manuever.

Sails:
Check general condition
Look for wear and chafing
Check battens and batten pockets
Check all sail attachments
Inspect bolt rope

Mast and Rigging:
Check mast and spreaders for corrosion or damage
Inspect spreader boots and shrouds Inspect rivets and screw connections for corrosion
Check reefing points and reefing gear
Clean sail track
Check rigging, turnbuckles and clevis pins for wear and corrosion
Inspect stays for fraying and "fish hooks"
Check forestay and backstay connections
Check masthead fitting and pulleys
Check and lubricate roller furling
Check halyards and consider replacing or swapping end for end

Local Weather: Wednesday Night Showers and thunderstorms likely. Lows in the upper 40s. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph.

Thursday Showers and thunderstorms in the morning...Then showers likely in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 50s. South winds 10 to 15 mph...Becoming west 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph in the afternoon.

Thursday Night Cloudy with a 50 percent chance of showers. Lows in the lower 40s. West winds 10 to 15 mph.

Friday Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers. Highs in the upper 50s.

Friday Night Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers. Lows in the lower 40s.

Saturday Partly cloudy. Highs around 60.

Saturday Night Mostly cloudy in the evening...Then becoming partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 40s.

Sunday Partly cloudy. Highs around 60.

Sunday Night Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 40s.

Monday Partly cloudy. Highs in the mid 60s.

Monday Night Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 40s.

Tuesday Partly cloudy. Highs in the upper 60s.




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