WCO Report for Erie County 06/13/2007: Erie area, PA,
WCO Report Posted: June 14, 2007

Conditions:

Lake conditions have been relatively calm over the last week and warm temperatures have finally arrived in Erie, at least for now. The good conditions have sent anglers out on Lake Erie in large numbers especially this past weekend. Walleye catches have been very good with many limits brought in. Prime trolling areas have been in 25 to 45 feet of water west of Walnut Creek as far as the Ohio line with the "trolling lanes" somewhat crowded at times. The small "cookie" size dipseys or flat lines with crawler harnesses are bringing them in. Boards have been helpful on the calmer days. The long awaited perch schools are starting to form both off the point at Presque Isle in 40-42' of water and due north off of Walnut Creek. Long term forecasts indicate warm weather and little rain through the weekend laying the ground work for busy launch ramps all week. Current Lake Erie water temperatures off Toledo are 67 degrees, off Cleveland, 62 degrees, and off the Port of Erie, 64 degrees as of this writing.

From Our Good Friend John Fuhrmann: 9th Annual Red Cross Bass Classic --- Sunday -- 24 June
Tourney Site - Wolverine Moorings -- Bayfront & State Street, Erie Pa.

$10,000 Cash to 1st place* winner based on three fish limit total weight. Weigh-ins and $20,000 in cash awards begin Sunday afternoon at 2:30. Tournament boat launch of expected 80 + two man teams begins at 6 AM from Wolverine Moorings tourney site. * Cash awards based on 80 boat field. This is an X- Series (Extreme Productions) live -no-kill tournament.

Bring the youngsters to see some huge bass, top competitors, weigh-ins and awards.

We expect to weigh-in and release more than 200 smallmouth and largemouth bass from the tourney site. Special handling procedures will be employed to maximize bass survival and successful release back into the lake. Any mortality fish will be utilized for table fare by local organizations.

All proceeds support local American Red Cross disaster assistance, Armed Forces member and families support and ongoing Red Cross training and education programs.

Best Wishes John: As many of you already know, John Fuhrmann will be moving from the Erie area to retire in Arizona. John was the past president of the Pennsylvania Steelhead Association and was a driving force in taking the club to new levels and record membership. John has been a tremendous liaison between the local angling community and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. When it comes to angling, they just don't get any more enthusiastic than John. John's hard work and dedication to the American Red Cross along with his volunteer efforts and interests will surely not go unrewarded. His enthusiasm and good natured attitude will be missed in our area. We wish him the best in his retirement and a wealth of great fishing opportunities and will look forward to welcome him back to Erie as often as he is able.
Visual Distress Signals:
Through out the boating season, many questions arise regarding Visual Distress signals. Visual Distress Signals are required when operating on Lake Erie and although not required in other areas of the Commonwealth, they are recommended for all boats.

Between the hours of sunset and sunrise, boats less than 16 feet in length must carry VDS suitable for use at night. This of course does not apply to personal water craft since they are not permitted to operate between sunset and sunrise.

Boats 16 feet and over must at all times carry VDS suitable for both day and night use. Approved day use devices include orange smoke and orange signal flags. Flare type VDS or Pistol launched types must be carried for night use and typically will meet the requirements for both day and night use.. A minimum of three flares or shot gun shell type devices must be carried and they must be U.S. Coast Guard approved. All flare devices have an expiration date and to be legal the flares cannot be older than the expiration date. When purchasing new flares be sure to check the expiration date to assure that you are not buying outdated stock. Visual distress signals that are expired may continue to be carried onboard for backup in an emergency but be sure at least one set is current.

Anchoring:
Although a lowering anchoring is relatively simple operation, many people tend to over look a few simple procedures that are necessary to assure that their vessel is secure. Several things that affect anchoring are water depth, length of the anchor line, wind, type of bottom structure, type and size of the boat, and the type of anchor.

It is generally pretty easy to spot a novice boater attempting to anchor. He will typically be the one standing in the boat swinging the anchor line in an attempt to throw the anchor as far from the boat as he possibly can in a style that could only be bettered by a cowboy roping a calf. Typically this effort is rarely successful in securing the boat and is an unsafe practice as well.

Anchors hold best when the pull of the rode (fancy nautical term for line) on the anchor is as near to horizontal as possible. The holding power of an anchor increases as the scope ratio increases. A ratio of 7:1 is standard; 10:1 is better in rough water. For example, if boating in eight feet of water and the bow is two feet above the waterline, 70 feet of rode is recommended. Boaters should carry at least two anchors (not required, but recommended). A smaller, lighter anchor is good for use in calm weather and for positioning a boat, and a larger anchor is best for bad weather or when anchoring overnight. Boats should never be anchored from the stern (back of the boat), especially in current or high wind.

To anchor properly, the boat should be headed bow into the wind or current. The engine is then reversed or the boat is allowed to back off. When the boat starts to go backward through the water, the anchor is lowered from the bow (front of the boat). As the line goes over the side of the boat, no one should be standing on any part of it. The end of the anchor rode (called the bitter end) must be secured to the boat. When about a third of the rode is out, the rode is tied off to a forward cleat to make the anchor dig into the bottom. Once the anchor digs in, the remaining rode is let out. A sight bearing is then taken on some stationary objects to make certain that the anchor is not dragging on the bottom. Typically, the best sight bearings are stationary points on land if close enough to shore. Do not use other boats for sight bearings.

Arguably, the best anchor, or at least the most popular on Lake Erie is the Danforth anchor. This type of anchor has 2 blades that pivot and when dragged horizontally along the bottom, will do a good job digging in. Danforth anchors come in a variety of sizes for most boats

Local Weather:

Wednesday Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 60s. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday Partly cloudy. Highs in the mid 70s. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday Night Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 60s. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph...Becoming southeast after midnight.
Friday Mostly sunny in the morning...Then becoming partly cloudy. Highs in the upper 70s.

Friday Night Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 50s.

Saturday Partly cloudy. Highs in the lower 80s.

Saturday Night...Partly cloudy in the evening...Then becoming mostly cloudy. Lows in the mid 60s.

Sunday Partly sunny with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 80s. Chance of rain 30 percent.

Sunday Night Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 60s.

Monday Mostly sunny in the morning...Then becoming partly cloudy. Highs in the mid 80s.

Monday Night Partly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 60s. Chance of rain 30 percent.

Tuesday Partly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 80s. Chance of rain 30 percent.