WCO Report for Erie County 12/07/2011: Erie area, PA,
WCO Report Posted: December 07, 2011

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Posted by DWCO Randy Leighton on December 07, 2011 at 08:57:27:

December 7th, 2011

West Erie County, DWCO Randy Leighton, rglerie@msn.com

Conditions:

Heavy rains Tuesday sent the Erie tribs into blow out mode with with conditions high and muddy. The week's forecasts seem to indicate that these levels should subside and again creating good to excellent conditions. Anglers had been having fair to moderate success prior to the blowout. Fish are still stacked heavily at Trout Run. This is usually a good indication that fish are still moving in from the lake, conditions permitting. There have been a good number of calm days on both the Lake and Presque Isle Bay making shoreline fishing good and trolling for for Bay steelhead worth a try. Savvy anglers are finding the perch bite to be good in the Bay especially along the Bayfront highway area. There is significant public access along the South side of the Bay with Dobbins landing being a recent hot spot for perch. Snow is finally in the forecast bring a change in fishing conditions and tactics. Winter has been delayed a bit this year having had a number of big snowstorms much earlier the last few years. West County tribs were high and muddy as of Tuesday afternoon.

Support Your Local Sportsmen's Clubs:
The Elk Valley Sportsmen's club will host it's highly popular annual reverser raffle on February 18th, 2012 at the St. Johns Social Hall in Girard, PA. Tickets are $50.00 per couple if paid for by December 31st and %60.00 per couple after the 1st of the year. This exciting annual event offers a a great dinner, most all legal beverages, great music and dancing, and a variety of games of chance and raffles, all for one inclusive price. Tickets for this event are available now by calling Bruce at 814-572-2780

The PA Steelhead Association will have their monthly meeting Wednesday December 14th at 7:00 PM. at the American Legion Post on Route 5 just East of the Airport. The PA Steelhead association was founded in 1996, and was created by avid steelhead anglers to develop landowner cooperation, maintain a professional relationship with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, and actively support the 3 C U Trout Association. As always the public is welcome and new members are appreciated.

Simple Method for Curing Skein at Home:
Fresh skein can be a great bait for steelhead during the winter months. When removing roe from a fish keep away from water. A quick rinse is ok to remove blood but will require a drying process to remove the extra moisture. Never freeze eggs in water for later use. Always cure roe as soon as possible. Roe will keep in a refrigerator sealed in Ziploc bag for up to a week before curing, but it is recommended that curing be done as soon as possible for better quality.
Place roe in the refrigerator in paper towels over night to drain
Unwrap and place on news paper in
Cover with borax (get into seams of skeins)
To have colored eggs mix in a small package of sugar free Jell-O (Optional step) or buy Procure instead of borax. Dry food coloring can be added to the dry powder to get desired shades.
Cut Into bait size pieces
Cover in borax
Spread out individual baits on newspaper
Let air dry until crust has appeared on one side
Flip over baits until the form crust on top side again
Place in container and cover with fresh borax
Label and date the container
Freeze or place in refrigerator up to two months
If frozen, a quick zap in the microwave can be used to thaw.
Hide them well in the fridge so the wife doesn't"t see them

Reminder on Regulations Regarding Fish Eggs:
It is unlawful To sell, offer for sale, purchase or barter any fish parts or fish eggs obtained from fish taken from waters of this Commonwealth including boundary waters. This prohibition does not apply to fish parts or fish eggs:
(1) lawfully taken or sold or offered for sale by holders of Lake Erie commercial fishing licenses if the particular species of fish is authorized for taking by commercial licensees, or
(2) those obtained from fish taken lawfully from waters outside of this Commonwealth.

Cold Weather Safety on the Tribs:
With the winter weather upon us in Erie, safety should be a concern when fishing the area tribs. With angling pressure lightening up it is very conceivable to be fishing alone at times. Cell phones are great however in some of the less elevated areas along the tribs signals can be weak. When going out for the day let someone know when you plan to return. Dress warm and in layers and cover the ears and head. Take frequent breaks and short walks to keep the circulation moving. We so often see folks wading in ice water to the point where they are numb and can barely move. Water flow in the tribs can be strong at times. Take small short steps with caution and consider using a wading stick to help your balance. Take a snack or two for energy and keep a warm thermos in the car or truck for the day's end.

Burbot:
Anglers are beginning to target Burbot along the North Pier as the water temperatures start to drop. Most Burbot are accidentally hooked by unsuspecting Perch anglers using minnows and perch rigs however, more and more anglers are going after them. Anglers specifically targeting Burbot will typically use the largest shiners they can get, often using two on one hook and fish them on the bottom. Large jigging spoons worked on the bottom can be worth a try as well. Burbot are a fresh water cod that enjoy the coldest depths of Great Lakes. As water temperatures drop, Burbot will move into shallower water and can often be caught from the North and South piers. Burbot has a mild taste and can be enjoyed fried, baked, or broiled.

Local Weather:

Wednesday Night...Partly cloudy in the evening...then mostly cloudy with a chance of snow showers after midnight. Brisk with lows in the upper 20s. West winds 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 30 percent.

Thursday...Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow and rain showers. Breezy with highs in the upper 30s. West winds 20 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. Chance of precipitation 30 percent.

Thursday Night...A chance of rain in the evening. Cloudy with a chance of snow. Brisk. Near steady temperature around 30. West winds 15 to 25 mph. Chance of precipitation 40 percent.

Friday...Cloudy. Snow likely...mainly in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 30s. Chance of snow 70 percent.

Friday Night...Snow showers likely. Lows in the mid 20s. Chance of snow 70 percent.

Saturday...Mostly cloudy in the morning...then becoming partly cloudy. A 40 percent chance of snow showers. Highs in the upper 20s.

Saturday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 20s.

Sunday...Partly cloudy in the morning...then becoming mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 30s.

Sunday Night...Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 20s.

Monday...Mostly sunny in the morning...then becoming partly cloudy. Highs in the lower 40s.

Monday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows around 30.

Tuesday...Partly sunny. Highs in the lower 40s.




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