Fishermen were out in force this morning across Central New York as the annual trout fishing season has opened.  Local hot spots to fish include Chittenango Creek, the Chenango River, Cowaleson Creek and the Chenango Canal near Solsville.  Madison County has a thriving population of brown trout and the fishing this time of year can be quite exciting.  Send us your pictures of opening morning of trout season and we will post them right here!

 
 

Last week my in-laws were in town from Southern California which included my wife's step dad who is pictured to the left.  We will call him Barry to protect the innocent.  He is a avid trout fisherman in places we can only dream about back east, places like the High Sierras where the trout are trout and the men are scared, well not really.  Anyhow I digress.  My father, let's call him George, suggested asking TJ Dobbs of Oneida Charters to take us out on Oneida Lake. Barry had never fished for bass before and if we could catch two or three a piece it would be a successful day.  I made the plans this past winter when I was at an outdoor show that TJ was at and we were all set to go.  I called TJ on Monday to confirm and he said the fishing was terrible, but we would give it a go.  We launched out of the state boat launch on the south side of the lake and headed west.  We set up in about 3-5 feet of water, and I cast my line, ready for a lousy day of fishing and then BAM it was on!  My very first cast, and very nice small mouth.  We let him go and started to enjoy the best day of bass fishing the three of us had ever had, we even got into some walleye, yellow and white perch and a stray freshwater drum.  All told, that day we must have caught and released over 30 fish including over 20 small mouths.  Many thanks to TJ for another awesome charter.  I highly recommend him and if you are coming to the area on vacation, or you already live here, give him a call at 315-264-6624 and you will have a great time. 

 
 

We are already half way through the month of June and while the start of catch and keep Bass season on the lakes and rivers of Madison County is still a week away you can catch and release fish with your dad and have just as much fun.  Fishing is just one of the great things you can do with dad this weekend.  Here are a few of the best bets for a fun time:
1. Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Muesum Canal Fest:  This annual father's day event features a chicken BBQ, canal exhibits, activities for the kids and so much more.  Here is a complete list of their event this Sunday.
2. 16th Annual Peterboro Civil War Weekend:  This annual event celebrates the abolitionist history of the hamlet of Peterboro and is a great educational event on the Civil War and life in general during the mid 1800's.  Peterboro is home to the Abolitionist Hall of Fame and was the home of famed abolitionist Gerrit Smith.  Activities are scheduled for both Saturday and Sunday.
3. Farmer's Markets in Cazenovia and Hamilton will be open.  Head on out and purchase some nice steaks from a local farmer and take them home to grill up for father's day.  The farmer's markets are on Saturday.
4. The 7th annual DeRuyter Auto and Engine Show and Flea Market.  This show will be held at the fairgrounds on Mechanic Street, rain or shine, 9am - 5pm.
5. Limestone Creek Hunt Trail Ride: Starts 10am-noon at Crosswinds Farm, Peth Road, Cazenovia---riders grouped according to ability/speed they wish to go. $20 per rider. All breeds/tack welcome, approved helmets for riders, coggins/rabies for horses.
Find out more about great events this weekend and make a day of it with dinner at one of the county's outstanding restaurants.  Happy Father's Day everyone.

 
Great Fishing 05/23/2008
 

Every once in a while we get a chance to take a day off and enjoy tourism in Madison County ourselves.  Yesterday Captain Ted Dobbs took us walleye fishing on Oneida Lake.  TJ as he is most widely known, owns Oneida Charters.  He specializes in Walleye and Bass Charters on Oneida Lake.  Wind, rain and cold combined for less than optimum conditions, but three of us boated our limit of 9 15 inch or larger walleye.  The fishing is great all year long here in Madison County, and if you are having success send us your pictures and we will post them right here on the blog.