WCO Report for Erie County 01/16/2008: Erie area, PA,
WCO Report Posted: January 15, 2008

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Posted by DWCO Randy Leighton on January 15, 2008 at 23:34:11:

January 16th, 2008

West Erie County, DWCO Randy Leighton, WCO Brook Tolbert

Conditions:
Area tribs are still open and flowing on the clear side. Warm temperatures over the last week have kept conditions good to excellent. Frigid temperatures are expected through the week end likely bring back slushy to icy conditions. Late January into early February is typically the most brutal part of winter here in Erie. Catches have been very good with little angling pressure. Current West County trib conditions as of late Tuesday afternoon were clear with good flow.

Elk Valley Sportsmen Reverse Raffle..Don’t Miss It!
The annual Elk Valley Sportsmen Reverse Raffle is just around the corner. Your ticket gives you a chance at the $2,000.00 Main Prize, dinner, drinks, music, games of chance, & dancing. It is being held on Feb. 16th @ St. John's Social Hall / Girard with Happy Hour starting at 5:30 ... Dinner @ 7:00 ... Dancing from 9:00 to Midnight. At a bargain price of $60.00/couple, it is one of the best buys out there. This is the only Fund Raiser held by the Elk Valley Sportsmen Club for the year. This helps to fund the Annual Kid's Fishing Derby & improvements at the Girard Boro Pond as well as Turkey Feeding, Hunter's Safety Courses, and many other community projects. Tickets are available at McDonald's Meats on Route 20 in Girard (near the Overlake Golf Course) or by calling Lee Weaver at 922-3412 (area code 814 if needed) or any Club Officer. This is the sportsmen's social event of the season in Northwest Erie County. Tickets are limited to 200 couples so get yours now !!

Basic Boating Class, Sign Up Early:
Area officers from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, will be conducting a safe boating class on Tuesday and Wednesday. March 25th and 27th from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM each evening. The class will be held at the Girard United Methodist Church at 48 Main Street Girard PA 16417 with plenty of room for anyone interested. This comprehensive 8 hour class is designed for the novice boater or boater to be, as well as the experienced boater who would like to refresh his knowledge and is especially recommended for the new boater and their families. The class covers basic boating safety, boating laws and regulations, and equipment. Successful completion of the course qualifies the individual for a Pennsylvania boating education safety certificate (card). There is no charge for the course or materials, although registration is required. This class typically fills up and early sign up is recommended. To register for this class, email DWCO Randy Leighton at rglerie@msn.com with your name, address, phone, age, and number of people you would like to register or you can phone WCO Brook Tolbert at (814) 774-4672
Upon successful completion of the course , the Agency will require a processing fee for your Basic Boating Safety Card if one is desired.

Alternative Area Angling Opportunities:
Braving the winter elements, anglers have been spotted on the North and South piers along the Erie Channel targeting Perch and Burbot. This can be a great alternative to our winter steelhead fishing and can produce some mouthwatering table fare. The bait of choice is shiners, especially the larger ones when targeting Burbot. Weighted perch or crappie rigs with tandem hooks work well. Perch and other panfish are being caught on calmer days along the Bayfront near the Dobbins Landing especially at daybreak and just before sunset. Crappie and other panfish can be targeted along the dock areas in Marina Bay, at the park, and off the wall near the Perry Monument.
Preparing for Ice Fishing Season if it Ever Arrives: Consider the following check list of items (enhanced from year to year) to make your ice outing more enjoyable and productive:
Fishing rods - Large guides, sensitive tip, with some backbone, preferably the short ones made specifically for ice angling
Reels - Micro-spinning reel
Line - 2 to 6 LB test ice line
Bobber stops with beads
Split shot, a variety of sizes
Foam ice fishing bobbers
Fingernail clipper or line cutters to cut line
Ice scoop/ladle/dipper - for removing slush from the hole, a must have item
Micro and ice jigs and spoons, hooks...etc.
Bait - wax worms, fatheads, crappie, minnows, grubs etc. Small jigging blades tipped with shiners are good bait.
5 gallon bucket to sit on, and carry fish in
Hand warmers (I still like the Jon E's best)
Needle nose pliers or forceps
Fishing License with appropriate stamps (current of course)
Proper Personal Identification (regulations require an additional form of ID when fishing)
Ice auger (Regulations permit hole diameter to be 10")
Sled for auger and gear (The light weight kids plastic toboggans work great)
Bait bucket
Small light weight shovel, collapsible if possible
Ice picks - could be a lifesaver! (A couple of screw drivers tied on the end of a light cord will work in a pinch)
A compass (can be easy to loose sense of direction in a blizzard)
Mouth spreader (for the fish of course)
Gaff for larger fish should you get lucky
Hook sharpener
Ice Shelter
"Another sled for more gear"
Propane heater
Spud bar (for checking ice thickness)
Tip-ups - preferably the freeze-free type
Leaders for tip-ups
Quickstrike rigs for tip-ups
Bait for tip-ups, smelt, shiners, etc.
Cell-phone
GPS (a white out on Presque Isle Bay can be pretty confusing)
Camera (disposable works best and you wont fret if you lose it)
Ice cleats
Small flashlight
Lantern, Matches or Lighter (for propane heater)
Sun glasses, You'll appreciate them when coming out of your hut on a bright sunny day
A buddy whenever possible
Neoprene waterproof gloves
Tasty snacks and beverages
"Another sled for more gear"

Local Weather:
Wednesday Night...Becoming mostly cloudy. Lows in the lower 20s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday...Cloudy with a chance of snow early...mixing with rain in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 30s. South winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation 50 percent.

Thursday Night...Rain and snow showers likely in the evening...then a chance of snow showers after midnight. Little or no snow accumulation. Blustery with lows in the upper 20s. South winds 15 to 25 mph. Gusts up to 40 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation 60 percent.

Friday...Snow likely. Windy with highs in the lower 30s. Chance of snow 60 percent.

Friday Night...Cloudy with a 50 percent chance of snow. Breezy and colder with lows 15 to 20.

Saturday...Snow showers likely. Breezy with highs in the lower 20s. Chance of snow 60 percent.

Saturday Night...Snow showers likely. Breezy and cold with lows around 10 above. Chance of snow 70 percent. Wind chill values as low as 10 below.

Sunday...Snow showers likely. Breezy with highs around 15. Chance of snow 70 percent. Wind chill values as low as 10 below.

Sunday Night...Cloudy with a 40 percent chance of snow showers. Cold with lows around 10 above. Wind chill values as low as 10 below.

Martin Luther King Jr Day...Cloudy with a 40 percent chance of snow. Highs in the lower 20s. Wind chill values as low as 5 below in the morning.

Monday Night...Cloudy with a 40 percent chance of snow. Lows 10 to 15.

Tuesday...Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of snow showers. Highs in the upper 20s. Wind chill values as low as 5 below in the morning.

Elk Valley Sportsmen Reverse Raffle..Don’t Miss It!
The annual Elk Valley Sportsmen Reverse Raffle is just around the corner. Your ticket gives you a chance at the $2,000.00 Main Prize, dinner, drinks, music, games of chance, & dancing. It is being held on Feb. 16th @ St. John's Social Hall / Girard with Happy Hour starting at 5:30 ... Dinner @ 7:00 ... Dancing from 9:00 to Midnight. At a bargain price of $60.00/couple, it is one of the best buys out there. This is the only Fund Raiser held by the Elk Valley Sportsmen Club for the year. This helps to fund the Annual Kid's Fishing Derby & improvements at the Girard Boro Pond as well as Turkey Feeding, Hunter's Safety Courses, and many other community projects. Tickets are available at McDonald's Meats on Route 20 in Girard (near the Overlake Golf Course) or by calling Lee Weaver at 922-3412 (area code 814 if needed) or any Club Officer. This is the sportsmen's social event of the season in Northwest Erie County. Tickets are limited to 200 couples so get yours now !!

Basic Boating Class, Sign Up Early:
Area officers from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, will be conducting a safe boating class on Tuesday and Wednesday. March 25th and 27th from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM each evening. The class will be held at the Girard United Methodist Church at 48 Main Street Girard PA 16417 with plenty of room for anyone interested. This comprehensive 8 hour class is designed for the novice boater or boater to be, as well as the experienced boater who would like to refresh his knowledge and is especially recommended for the new boater and their families. The class covers basic boating safety, boating laws and regulations, and equipment. Successful completion of the course qualifies the individual for a Pennsylvania boating education safety certificate (card). There is no charge for the course or materials, although registration is required. This class typically fills up and early sign up is recommended. To register for this class, email DWCO Randy Leighton at rglerie@msn.com with your name, address, phone, age, and number of people you would like to register or you can phone WCO Brook Tolbert at (814) 774-4672
Upon successful completion of the course , the Agency will require a processing fee for your Basic Boating Safety Card if one is desired.

Alternative Area Angling Opportunities:
Braving the winter elements, anglers have been spotted on the North and South piers along the Erie Channel targeting Perch and Burbot. This can be a great alternative to our winter steelhead fishing and can produce some mouthwatering table fare. The bait of choice is shiners, especially the larger ones when targeting Burbot. Weighted perch or crappie rigs with tandem hooks work well. Perch and other panfish are being caught on calmer days along the Bayfront near the Dobbins Landing especially at daybreak and just before sunset. Crappie and other panfish can be targeted along the dock areas in Marina Bay, at the park, and off the wall near the Perry Monument.

Preparing for Ice Fishing Season if it Ever Arrives: Consider the following check list of items (enhanced from year to year) to make your ice outing more enjoyable and productive:
Fishing rods - Large guides, sensitive tip, with some backbone, preferably the short ones made specifically for ice angling
Reels - Micro-spinning reel
Line - 2 to 6 LB test ice line
Bobber stops with beads
Split shot, a variety of sizes
Foam ice fishing bobbers
Fingernail clipper or line cutters to cut line
Ice scoop/ladle/dipper - for removing slush from the hole, a must have item
Micro and ice jigs and spoons, hooks...etc.
Bait - wax worms, fatheads, crappie, minnows, grubs etc. Small jigging blades tipped with shiners are good bait.
5 gallon bucket to sit on, and carry fish in
Hand warmers (I still like the Jon E's best)
Needle nose pliers or forceps
Fishing License with appropriate stamps (current of course)
Proper Personal Identification (regulations require an additional form of ID when fishing)
Ice auger (Regulations permit hole diameter to be 10")
Sled for auger and gear (The light weight kids plastic toboggans work great)
Bait bucket
Small light weight shovel, collapsible if possible
Ice picks - could be a lifesaver! (A couple of screw drivers tied on the end of a light cord will work in a pinch)
A compass (can be easy to loose sense of direction in a blizzard)
Mouth spreader (for the fish of course)
Gaff for larger fish should you get lucky
Hook sharpener
Ice Shelter
"Another sled for more gear"
Propane heater
Spud bar (for checking ice thickness)
Tip-ups - preferably the freeze-free type
Leaders for tip-ups
Quickstrike rigs for tip-ups
Bait for tip-ups, smelt, shiners, etc.
Cell-phone
GPS (a white out on Presque Isle Bay can be pretty confusing)
Camera (disposable works best and you wont fret if you lose it)
Ice cleats
Small flashlight
Lantern, Matches or Lighter (for propane heater)
Sun glasses, You'll appreciate them when coming out of your hut on a bright sunny day
A buddy whenever possible
Neoprene waterproof gloves
Tasty snacks and beverages
"Another sled for more gear"

Local Weather:
Wednesday Night...Becoming mostly cloudy. Lows in the lower 20s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday...Cloudy with a chance of snow early...mixing with rain in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 30s. South winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation 50 percent.

Thursday Night...Rain and snow showers likely in the evening...then a chance of snow showers after midnight. Little or no snow accumulation. Blustery with lows in the upper 20s. South winds 15 to 25 mph. Gusts up to 40 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation 60 percent.

Friday...Snow likely. Windy with highs in the lower 30s. Chance of snow 60 percent.

Friday Night...Cloudy with a 50 percent chance of snow. Breezy and colder with lows 15 to 20.

Saturday...Snow showers likely. Breezy with highs in the lower 20s. Chance of snow 60 percent.

Saturday Night...Snow showers likely. Breezy and cold with lows around 10 above. Chance of snow 70 percent. Wind chill values as low as 10 below.

Sunday...Snow showers likely. Breezy with highs around 15. Chance of snow 70 percent. Wind chill values as low as 10 below.

Sunday Night...Cloudy with a 40 percent chance of snow showers. Cold with lows around 10 above. Wind chill values as low as 10 below.

Martin Luther King Jr Day...Cloudy with a 40 percent chance of snow. Highs in the lower 20s. Wind chill values as low as 5 below in the morning.

Monday Night...Cloudy with a 40 percent chance of snow. Lows 10 to 15.

Tuesday...Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of snow showers. Highs in the upper 20s. Wind chill values as low as 5 below in the morning.




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