NNY Outdoors Spring/Summer 2014

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Volume 1 No. 1Spring / Summer 2014

Thousand Islands l Lake Ontario l Tug Hill l Adirondacks

Guidingfor the big

CATCHVeteran outdoor guides share their greatest fish tales

*PLUS

Angling for

spring bass.

Two-wheeled

adventures

and more!

2 NNY OUTDOORS >> SPRING / SUMMER 2014

3SPRING / SUMMER 2014 >> NNY OUTDOORS

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C OV E R

22 Guiding lights A pair of longtime north country fishing guides share their favorite tales from years on local waters.

24 A real ‘river rat’ The late Walter Boname inspired a love of the outdoors in those he led.

F E AT U R E S

14 Island guardians The Thousand Islands Land Trust has worked to preserve thousands of acres for generations of outdoor enthusiasts.

28 Destination outdoors A Syracuse developer has given new life to a former elementary school as a fishing resort on the Salmon River.

32 A river recipe Shore dinners have been a tradition of fishing guides in the Thousand Islands Region since the early 1900s.

C OLU M N S

12 The right angler Brown trout are biting in Eastern Lake Ontario as waters continue to warm.

18 A guy on a bike Five rides that are guaranteed to whet your appetite for two-wheeled fun.

38 Treestand chronicles One local naturalist takes on gray squirrels from a unique vantage point.

DE PA RT M E N T S

6 Contributors

7 Editor’s view

8 Outside in brief

30 Outdoor adventures

Spring-Summer Season 2014Spring-Summer Season 2014Opening shot

20


AIB Insurance ...................................... 13Before & After Marine Detailing ......... 35Bill’s Feed Service ................................. 4Blevin’s Motors .................................... 37Burrville Power Equipment ................... 9Carthage Market .................................. 4Clayton Chamber of Commerce ..... 27Clayton Marina ................................... 17D&D Power Sports ............................... 10D. Laux Properties ............................... 31Equipment Rentals .............................. 17FISHCAP ............................................... 25Fishing for Freedom Thousand Islands ................................ 39Fun Unlimited ........................................ 4Gamble Distributors .............................. 4GEICO .................................................. 34Gold Cup Farms .................................. 37Happy Camping RV ........................... 35Herb Philipson’s ................................... 11Lewis County Chamber of Commerce ....................................... 3Moby Dick Charters ........................... 38Montague Inn ....................................... 4

Moser’s Custom Trim .......................... 16New York — The Bass Federation ..... 11Nice ‘N Easy .......................................... 4NNY Community Foundation ............. 19North Country Storage Barns ............. 40Northern Marine .................................. 27Precision Marine ................................. 25RC Congel Boats ................................. 33Reiter’s Marina .................................... 36S&L Tree Service .................................. 36St. Lawrence River Outfitters .............. 19St. Lawrence River Walleye Association ........................... 35Stratton Hardware ............................... 13The Antique Boat Museum ................... 7The Blue Heron ...................................... 4Thousand Islands Land Trust .............. 16Thousand Islands Realty .................... 26Tobacco Free New York State ............. 2Waite Motor Sports ............................... 8Watertown Savings Bank ................... 31WD Bach .............................................. 36Wratten’s RV’s ...................................... 34

Chairman of the BoardJohn B. Johnson Jr.

PuBlishersJohn B. Johnson

Harold B. Johnson II

VP news oPerationsTimothy J. Farkas

magazine editorKenneth J. Eysaman

staff writer / editorial assistantGrace E. Johnston

PhotograPhyNorm Johnston, Justin Sorensen,

Jason Hunter, Melanie Kimbler-Lago, Amanda Morrison

direCtor of adVertisingMichael Hanson

magazine adVertising managerMatthew Costantino

ad graPhiCs, designBrian Mitchell, Heather O’Driscoll, Scott Smith, Todd Soules, Rick Gaskin

CirCulation direCtorMary Sawyer

NNY Outdoors is published twice each year by Northern New York

Newspaper Corp., 260 Washington St., Watertown, NY 13601, a Johnson Newspaper

Corp. company. © 2014. All material submitted to NNY Outdoors becomes property

of Northern New York Newspaper Corp., publishers of the Watertown Daily Times,

and will not be returned.

editorial suBmissionsSend all editorial correspondence

to Editor Ken Eysaman [email protected]

adVertisingFor advertising rates and information in Jefferson and Lewis counties, email

[email protected], or call 661-2305In St. Lawrence County, e-mail

[email protected], or call 661-2507

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Please recycle this magazine.

GRACE E. JOHNSTON is a staff writer and edito-rial assistant for NNY Magazines. In this issue, she writes about the Thousand Islands Land Trust, its history and mission. She also visits a former elementary school that was given a new life as an upscale fishing resort. (pgs. 14, 28)


CONTRIBUTORS

MARKETPLACE

HOLLY C. BONAME is a freelance writer and former television reporter. In a special feature this issue, she remembers her father, Walter B. Boname. A longtime north country outdoor guide and ‘river rat,’ Walter died last year while on a trip to the Bahamas. (p. 24)

NORAH MACHIA is a freelance writer and veteran Watertown Daily Times reporter. In our cover story, she profiles seasoned fishing and outdoor guides Ron Ditch and Mike Seymour. In features, she writes about shore dinners, a Thousand Islands tradition. (p. 22, 32)

BOB DICK is a licensed U.S. Coast Guard captain who owns and operates Moby Dick Charters in Henderson Harbor. He is a member of the New York State Outdoor Writer’s Association. In ‘The Right Angler,’ he writes about fishing Eastern Lake Ontario for spring browns. (p. 12)

CHRIS BROCK is a veteran Johnson Newspapers staff writer and avid bicyclist. In ‘A Guy On A Bike,’ he takes readers on five different rides across Northern New York that appeal to all abilities as spring finally gives way to two-wheeled fun on many local roads. (p. 18)

JAY M. MATTESON is an outdoorsman, naturalist and Boy Scout leader who holds a degree in wildlife biol-ogy. In ‘The Treestand Chronicles,’ he writes about his adventures in the woods, taking on gray squirrels near his home in southern Jeffer-son County. (p. 38)


Ken Eysaman

EDITOR’S VIEW

SOME OF MY MOST CHERISHED CHILD- hood memories took place in Northern New York’s great outdoors. Growing up in southern Jefferson County, I always looked forward to summer

stays at my grandparent’s camp on Lake Bonaparte some 50 miles away in the foothills of the Adiron-dacks near Harrisville. There, my cousin Johnny and I would spend nearly every hour of daylight outside, embracing the endless bounty of nature. We would hike, explore islands, canoe, fish, swim, boat and waterski, losing ourselves in places that, to a pair of teenage boys, seemed like heaven on earth. After the sun set, we’d spend hours in the yard or on the dock, staring into a night sky salted with stars, waiting for our parents to call us in to sleep. By summer’s end, we felt like we had conquered new worlds and looked forward to exploring yet-uncharted sections of forest and lake as soon as the pages of the calendar turned to June again. When I couldn’t spend time at our camp, my friends and I would let loose in the outdoors closer to home, often at Southwick’s Beach State Park or in swimming holes on the South Sandy Creek, taking in the trappings of our boundless outdoors. Few can argue that we are blessed to live in a part of the country that puts no limits on outdoor adven-ture. From world-class fishing to hiking, cycling,

hunting, paddling and nearly every water sport imaginable on a wildly diverse num-ber of lakes, rivers and streams, the north country life is as much of heaven on earth as I remember some 25-plus years ago. We are excited to deliver our first edition of NNY Out-doors. Our second edition heads to press in late September, in time for hunting season and fall colors. In this, our premier issue, you’ll find a wide range of features that take aim at two distinct categories of the outdoors: sportsman activities and lifestyle activities. From fishing and hunting to the environment and cycling and adventure sports, we present broad content that should appeal to all who enjoy our amazing outdoors scene. Our cover feature this issue is a colorful story of two longtime outdoor guides — Ron Ditch and Mike Seymour — who regale writer Norah Ma-chia with tales from the open water as they lead clients in search of the great catch. In a separate

feature, Norah visits Clayton where she is intro-duced to shore dinners, a century-old tradition of Thousand Islands fishing guides. You’ll also find feature stories by magazine staffer Grace Johnston about the history and mission of the Thousand Islands Land Trust and Tailwater Lodge, a fishing resort that opened on the Salmon River last Febru-ary in the former Altmar Elementary School in northern Oswego County. This issue also includes columns about fishing, cycling and hunting. You’ll meet Bob Dick, a Henderson Harbor fishing char-ter captain who knows the waters of Eastern Lake Ontario like few others; Chris Brock, a Johnson Newspaper staffer and cyclist who has logged thousands of miles on north country roads; and Jay Matteson, an outdoorsman and naturalist who runs the blog “The Treestand Chronicles.” Future issues of NNY Outdoors will feature photo galleries of prize-winning fish and trophy wildlife. If you have a shot you’d like to share, please send it to me at [email protected]. Mean-while, get outside and explore. There is an entire world in front of you that you might be missing.

See you on the trail,

Northern New York delivers outdoor fun


OUTSIDE IN BRIEF

The site dedication comes as the DEC finalizes work at a waterway access site in the town of Lyme at the isthmus onto Point Peninsula where Golden’s Marina once stood. The 12.3-acre parcel, purchased by the DEC in 2002, has a two-lane trailer-improved boat launch, two float-ing docks, parking for 25 vehicles with trailers and an additional 10-vehicle parking area. That project has cost about $888,000.

Riders must register ATVs All-terrain vehicle riders are required to carry proper registration and insurance when riding in New York. New York honors out-of-state registrations. If a rider’s home state does not require ATV registra-tion, a New York State registration must be obtained before operating in the state. Riders may obtain a New York State registration at any New York State Department of Motor Vehicles office. Visit www.dmv.ny.gov and click on “DMV offices” to find the nearest location. The Department of Motor Vehicles offers a guide to the basics of ATV operation. Riders can download it www.dmv.ny.gov/broch/c29.htm. Riders will also find information and current events on the New York State Off-Highway Recreational Vehicle Association site, www.nysorva.info. There are several active ATV clubs throughout Northern New York, including: n Black River Valley 4-Wheeler Club, Branting-ham, www.blackrivervalleyfourwheelerclub.org n Black River Valley Riders, Carthage, www.blackrivervalleyridersofcarthage.com n Highmarket Wheelers ATV Club, Consta-bleville, www.highmarketatvclub.com n Northern Oneida County ATV Club, Boon-ville, www.nocatvclub.com n Oswego Valley ATV Club, Hannibal, www.oswegovalleyatvclub.com n Rivergate Wheelers, Clayton, www.river gatewheelers.com n Tug Hill Adirondack ATV Association, Lowville, www.tughilladirondacksatv.com n Tug Hill Wheelers, Copenhagen, www.tughillwheelers.com

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DEC dedicates Three Mile Bay fishing access site A new Chaumont Bay access point for anglers and boaters recently opened. Work at the access point, 8786 Route 12E, was finished last fall. A dedication was delayed until April to coincide with Earth Day and to take advantage of warmer spring weather. The access point features a single-lane concrete launch and a floating dock. It can hold up to six vehicles with trailers and 10 additional vehicles. “I don’t think I’ve been out here when there were not trailers here,” said Judy Drabicki, director of the state Department of Environmental Conservation’s Region 6. The access point was dedicated to town residents Leonard and Jean Bach with a sign at the site’s entrance. According to the DEC, the site was a result

of a Lake Ontario Natural Resources Damages settlement in 2006. The state acquired the site in 2010. Among the work required before the site’s opening was the demolition of the existing building, which included asbestos abatement. The total cost of the project was $277,000. Among the nearly two-dozen people attending the dedication were Betty L. and Donald R. Reed Sr., sporting jackets for Bachy’s Marine, which they owned for 28 years at the site of the access point. The pair sold it in 1994 to their daughter and son-in-law, who sold the site to the DEC. Mrs. Reed said the opening brought back mem-ories from their time owning the store, from saving turtle eggs left near the store to a major windstorm that ripped off the building’s back doors. A key element of the new access point, Ms. Drabicki said, is its outreach to residents. “This is one place where they said they wanted it,” she said. “That ensures it will be successful.”

R E C R E AT I ON

Bob Smith, Brownville, fishes near the new Three Mile Bay Waterway access site with his granddaughter, Jocelyn Makri. The state Department of Environmental Conservation boat access site was dedicated in April.

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OUTSIDE IN BRIEF

H U N T I N G

DEC targets larger take for antlerless deer ’14 New York State hunters took 243,567 deer in 2013, a 3 percent increase over the 2012 kill of 242,957 deer and a 6 percent increase over the 2008-2012 five-year average harvest of 229,439 deer. The 2013 harvest was comprised of 114,716 adult bucks 1.5 years old or older and 128,851 antlerless fawns and adult does. The adult buck kill represents a 3.6 percent drop from the 2012 take of 118,993 bucks, but a 5.5 percent increase over the five-year average harvest of 108,752 bucks. The 2013 antlerless kill represents a 3.9 percent increase over the 2012 harvest of 123,964 antlerless deer and a 6.8 percent increase over the five-year average take of 120,687 antlerless deer. Officials with the DEC made two assessments about the 2013 harvest: more antlerless deer need to be taken and older bucks are becoming a larger portion of adult buck harvests. In many Wildlife Management Units, including portions of southeastern New York and the Lake Plains region of western New York, harvest trends indicate that deer populations are too high, above levels recommended by groups that live, hunt, or manage land in those areas. Even with very liberal opportunities for take of antlerless deer, not enough females are being taken to reduce populations to desired levels. In those areas, officials said, the DEC and hunters “must begin considering new ways to increase the antlerless deer take to achieve deer populations that are compatible with ecosystem health and consistent with the public’s interest.” Regarding older bucks, the DEC said, “Hunters took a record number of bucks — approximately 55,300 — aged 2.5 years or older in 2013.” These older bucks, which many hunters desire, accounted for 48 percent of harvested adult bucks statewide in 2013, compared with only 33 percent — 45,350 — in 2000 when New York’s deer population peaked and only 28 percent — about 33,000 — in the early 1990s.

DEC: 2013 bear harvest second highest on record Hunters in the state took 1,358 bears in 2013, the second-highest bear harvest on record, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation. Bear hunters killed a record 636 bears from the Southeastern bear-hunting area and a near-record 342 bears from the Central-Western hunting area, while they killed 380 bears in the Adirondack region. The DEC said the high harvest numbers reflect the state’s increased bear population in the past decade. It also said higher harvest rates will be needed to stabilize bear population growth and, in the case of the Catskill region, reduce their growth. Full statistics for the season can be found at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/42232.html.

E N V I RON M E N T

State now meets higher EPA air quality standards New Yorkers can breathe easy: the state’s air quality now meets particulate-matter standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency. Reductions in particulate matter, also known as soot, in the New York City metropolitan area were the final hurdle for the state to reach its goal. The state Department of Environmental Conservation recently announced the findings, which Commissioner Joe Martens said were “vi-tal to protecting our environment and the health of New Yorkers.” The department recommended to the EPA that the state meet a stringent annual standard of 12 micrograms per cubic meter. Exposure to particle matter can cause irritation and breathing trouble, and worsen lingering medical conditions like asthma and heart disease. Numbers are limited for measuring particulate matter in the north country. The closest places with such data are East Syracuse and Utica. In East Syracuse, the annual mean pollution from

2009 to 2011 was 7.8 micrograms per cubic meter, while in Utica the same variable was measured at 8 micrograms per cubic meter. The DEC’s monitoring station at Perch Lake, La-Fargeville, measures only ozone levels. Average outputs from 2009 to 2011 at the station, 0.71 parts per million, were less than federal limits. Air-quality concerns hit the U.S. Supreme Court recently when the court ruled 6 to 2 in favor of EPA regulations that imposed limits on smokestack emissions that cross state lines and burden downwind areas. Mr. Martens, in a statement, said the ruling “will require polluting upwind sources to do their share, providing New Yorkers with cleaner, healthier air.” F I SH I N G

Fishing season under way The 2014 season for walleye, northern pike, pickerel and tiger muskellunge opened to a robust start last month, the state Department of Environmental Conservation reported. Catch-and-release fishing for black bass – largemouth and smallmouth – in many waters across the state and the special trophy black bass season on Lake Erie where anglers can take one 20-inch or longer fish per day also kicked off in May. Bass anglers should check the New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide at www.eregulations.com/newyork/fishing to ensure the water they desire to fish is open to catch-and-release angling. Anglers are reminded that muskellunge fishing season and regular harvest season for black bass open June 21. “Waters such as lakes Ontario, Erie, Oneida Champlain are routinely ranked by national magazines and fishing organizations as provid-ing some of the best fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass in the nation,” DEC Commis-sioner Joe Martens said. Channel catfish, a popular sport fish in Southern and Midwestern states, are abundant in many of New York’s larger lakes and rivers, provide a very tasty meal and are generally


OUTSIDE IN BRIEF

underutilized by anglers. Other popular spring-time targets include yellow perch, sunfish and crappie. These species are common throughout the state and provide easy fishing for even beginner anglers. A complete list of warm water fishing hotspots recommended by DEC biologists as well as tips and locations to catch big channel catfish and panfish are online at www.dec.ny.gov. While chain pickerel and tiger muskellunge are consistently active most of the year, walleye and northern pike fishing can be particularly good in the cool water conditions of spring. Due to stocking and other DEC management efforts, walleye are now found in more than 140 waters throughout the state and quality fisheries exist in every major watershed. Advice for catching walleye can be found at www.dec.ny.gov/out-door/7749.html.

DEC: Use baitfish wisely Anglers who use fish for bait are cautioned to be careful with how these fish are disposed of and used in local waters. Careless use of baitfish is a primary means by which non-native species and fish diseases are spread between waterways. Unused baitfish should be discarded in an appropriate location on dry land. A “green list” of commercially avail-able baitfish species approved for use in New

York is established in regulation. In most cases, these fish must also be certified as disease free. Personal collection and use of baitfish other than those on the state’s “green list” is permitted only on the water from which they were collected, and may not be transported over land by motorized vehicle except within one of three defined over land transportation corridors. Baitfish regulations are available for review at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/47282.html. Anglers are also advised not to dump bait water into water they are fishing to help avoid the spread of aquatic invasive species and fish diseases. If it’s necessary to refresh bait water, do so at home or on dry land. Fishermen are also reminded to clean, dry or disinfect fishing and boating equipment, includ-ing waders and boots, before entering a new body of water. Boaters should be particularly conscious of plant materials that can attach to boats and trailers and should be sure to drain all water holding compartments before leaving a water body. Methods to clean and disinfect fishing gear can be found at www.dec.ny.gov/animals/50121.html.

Interactive fishing map now available online Anglers searching for places to fish should visit

the state Department of Environmental Conserva-tion’s fishing site at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/fishing.html. An interactive map of public fishing locations can also be found on at www.dec.ny.gov/pubs/42978.html.

DEC reminds anglers of license requirements All anglers age 16 and older are required to have a fishing license to fish New York’s fresh waters. Licenses can be purchased by phone at (866) 933-2257 or online at www.licensecenter.ny.gov. Online licenses can be printed from a home computer. Anglers who purchase by phone will receive a confirmation number to use immediately as proof of holding a license until their actual license is received in the mail. Licenses can also be pur-chased from the numerous license-issuing agents located throughout the state, including town and county clerks, select discount stores and many tackle and sporting goods stores.

T E C H N OL O G Y

Fishing, hunting, wildlife app available to download A new smartphone app for New York anglers, hunters and outdoor enthusiasts is now available to download for free. The state Department of Environmental Conservation, in partnership with ParksByNature Network, announced the launch of the New York Fishing, Hunting & Wildlife App for iPhone and Android. The mobile app gives novice and seasoned outdoorsmen essential information in the palm of their hands. Powered by Pocket Ranger technology, this official app for DEC provides up-to-date informa-tion on fishing, hunting and wildlife watching and serves as an interactive outdoor app for leading mobile devices. Using the app’s advanced GPS features, users will be able identify and locate New York’s many hunting, fishing and wildlife watching sites. They will also gain immediate access to species pro-files, rules and regulations, and important permits and licensing details. The app provides plenty of additional features to maximize any outdoor adventure, including a real-time calendar of events, news, advisories, and weather alerts, social network-ing and photo sharing and potentially life-saving alerts. It also features cacheable map tiles for offline use and advanced GPS mapping that includes a built-in compass. Download the app from the Apple App Store, the Google Play store or from Pocket Ranger at www.pocketranger.com.

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THE RIGHT ANGLER

MANY FISHERMEN ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH the eastern end of Lake Ontario and what it offers in the spring and summer. It is a unique region that not only features wide open lake with areas of flat, sandy bottoms, but also rocky points, shallow to deep walls, and many islands with exceptional structure that hold a ton of bait and a vari-ety of fish species. Brown trout are one of the favorite fisheries that provide excellent fishing action and great table fare. Our home port of Henderson Harbor is a great central location from which to navigate and chase these elusive footballs. Brown trout fishing on Lake Ontario’s eastern end, nationally known as the “Golden Crescent,” has been outstanding the past few years with many factors influencing fishing. Stocking programs are working, less cormo-rant predication, more knowledge fishing clear water due to quagga and zebra mussels and advanced technolo-gy in our electronics are all part of the success. How do you locate these football browns with miles and miles of beach? What should I use and what is the best method to put more fish in the box? Where do I fish for them when they migrate to deeper water in the summer? These are the most frequently asked questions. In early spring, the sun starts to heat the sand, warming the water close to shore from Stony Creek to Sandy Pond. Warm water dis-charge from Stony Creek and the north and south branches of Sandy Creek adds more temperature, which provides many warm water breaks. Smelt and Alewives start to hug the shorelines looking for these warm breaks and browns follow to feast on their favorite food. Warm water plumes from the tributar-ies are typically one of the best spots. The edge of murky water can produce fast action on many days. Temperature units are a must to chase browns as you can sometimes have as much as a 10-degree change in water temperature. Planer boards, downriggers and flat lines all produce, but boards generally are more pro-

ductive getting lines away from the boat and boat noise. We have had outstanding success using masts and bases made by Great Lakes Planers. These planer board accesso-ries have many options for posi-tioning and are nearly indestructible as they’re made with the highest-quality material. They also make accessory racks and rocket launchers that are easy to install and adjust to any height. There are so many fishing lines out there to use on your reels but most captains have a favorite. The importance of using 100 percent fluorocarbon leaders can never be stressed

enough. Fluorocarbon ensures near invis-ibility under water with low stretch and near zero memory. Our favorite is P-Line with “UV-guard” that blocks harmful sun rays, ensuring much longer life on the reels without losing valuable breaking strength and abra-sion resistance. We stick with 10- to 12-pound test leaders. We run 15-pound test on our main lines with some of the captain’s favorites being Trilene, Big Game, Cortland and Stren. Line counter reels really help ensure you’re putting out the same amount of line each time and how far the fish is away from the boat when hooked. Diawa SG27 or 47LC are a reasonably priced quality line counter reel that lets you know right where your lure is for precision presentations. We’ve used 7½ foot Diawa Heartland graphite rods for many years for browns and they’ve always been highly dependable. Captains run 60-foot leads out to as far as 250-foot leads off boards, depending on boat traffic and clarity of water.

When using downriggers, many run about 80 to 100 feet behind the ball. Flat lines can be run about the same. Most spring fishing is done in 3- to 15-feet of water, but move to deeper water as winds and temperatures change. Speeds are critical, especially on days when the browns are finicky. Most experiment with speeds between 2.1 to 3.1 depending on lures being used, which answers one of the most frequently asked questions in fishing: “What are you using?” Many fishermen have favorite lures they like to use when fishing shallow water in the spring to hook up lunker browns. Michigan Stinger spoons are our all-around favorite. These spoons have proven effec-tive in a variety of speeds while being able to take abuse from constant action from a fish jaw. Some of our favorites also include Hud special (Houdini), Green Wiggler, Sunkist, Yellow Jacket, Emerald Shiner,

Natural Born Killer, Orange Shankster, Alewife, Tuxedo, GBT Brown Trout and Michael Jackson. One thing about Michigan Stinger spoons is that browns love them and they’re also an excel-lent choice for king

salmon, steelhead, walleye and northerns. Our preference with body baits are old reliable Junior Thundersticks. They have always produced. Smithwicks, Yo-Zuri’s and Rapalas will also fill the box. For the last 30 years your normal colors of blacks, orange and gold have been mainstays, but if you look at the wall of your favorite sport shop, it’s amazing how they come up with so many color schemes. It’s easy to see why wives try to keep husbands out of these fun stores. When browns start to move off shore to 40- to 70-foot depths, downriggers are the preferred weapon. We’ve always been happy with cannon downriggers and never had reason to switch. Some days lunker browns sit right on bottom so it’s always best to stick the lures right in front of their face. Again, the importance of fluorocarbon leaders is immeasurable. Best places where this transition happens are usually in front of Stony Point, Stony Creek, Rays and Saw-

Bob Dick

Spring brown trout provide great fishing and excellent table fare

Most spring fishing is done in 3- to 15-feet of water, but move to deeper water as winds and temperatures change. Speeds are critical,

especially on days when the browns are finicky.


yers Bay and “the trench.” Make sure you have up-to-date maps of the area. Some things to consider when fishing foot-ball browns: Early mornings can be hot as fishing can slow down as noon approaches. If you are looking for wall hangers some-times less lines are better. And stay away from heavy traffic while running longer leads off boards and rigs. Most bait starts heading toward structure or thermoclines as spring progresses and the browns are right behind. Browns can be found in water temperatures between 48 and 65 degrees, so it’s good to have a qual-ity graph that can pinpoint exactly where they are. When it comes to electronics, there are plenty of choices on the market today. New boaters always ask what fish finders they should buy and I always ask if they have a marine radio. First thing to buy is a radio, one of the most important pieces of equipment needed. For the past 30 years we have had a variety of sonar, GPS and lorans on our boats, but Lowrance products have always been very dependable. When buying sonar GPS, I would suggest one with at least 480-by-480 pixel resolutions for superb target detail and exceptional chart definition. Captains like to use fixed or sliding cheaters to get lures away from downrigger weights. “Wingers” are one of the most valu-able pieces of equipment off the downriggers that help put more fish in the boat. These at-tach to the cable and will spread your pattern out to fish farther away from the boat. Locally you can buy them at Great Lakes Planers and Henchen’s Marina in Henderson Harbor. Browns have a great sense of smell and some captains like to use scents. Some that have produced are herring, anchovies and WD-40. If fishing shallow water, you can add weight to get your spoons deeper. Keel sinkers also work fine, or add split shot above your leader swivels, which are easy to add or subtract any time. Deep-diving body baits can also get your bait down to the active fish. Cormorants and seagulls working an area is a definite sign of nearby bait. Gulls alone are still a good sign as they might be working injured or dying bait. I hope these few small, basic tips will help put some extra browns in the boat. Don’t be afraid to experiment as sun, clouds and wind affect areas you fish and the color of lures you use. But perhaps the most important thing you should remember when on the water is to have fun and take a kid fishing.

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A pieceof pArAdisepreserved

By GRACE E. JOHNSTON | NNY OUTDOORS

THE AVAILABILITY OF UNTOUCHED OPEN SPACE TO HIKE, BIKE, FISH, HUNT, birdwatch, kayak or canoe is a major draw of the 1000 Islands region and all are activities the public can enjoy on many Thousand Islands Land Trust preserves. The expressed mission of the Thousand Islands Land Trust, or TILT, is to work to conserve the natural beauty, wildlife habitats and recreational opportunities of New York’s Thousand Islands region. Since 1985, TILT has helped safeguard the regional landscape by accepting conservation easements, acquiring property for preserves and establishing areas accessible for public enjoyment. The trust was founded in 1984 by a group of year-round and seasonal residents of Grindstone Island who shared a strong love and passion for the region but were concerned about increased development, which they saw as having the

Land trust protects a lost way of life in bucolic island region


Left, Kenneth J. Deedy, founder and first

executive director of the Thousand Islands Land Trust, and Jake Tibbles, executive director of the Thousand Islands Land

Trust, stand near a pond on the trust’s Grindstone Island conservation site.

AMANDA MORRISON | NNY OUTDOORS


potential to affect the unique habitats, diverse wildlife and scenic beauty charac-teristic of the Thousand Islands. If a balance between land conservation and land devel-opment could not be found, they feared for the very foundation of the region’s ecologi-cal health and quality of life. “Natural resources are the foundation for

an economy,” said Jake R. Tibbles, TILT executive director. “We want to see prosperous communities for today and tomorrow. And that means protect-ing, enhancing and restoring the natural environment today.”

For Mr. Tibbles, following his passion for the outdoors led to an internship in TILT’s Summer Land Steward Program in 2007. Monitoring the preserves, maintaining the trail systems and managing various com-munity programs allowed him to experi-

ence the full extent of the unique work done by the land trust and he became, as he said, “addicted to land conservation.” Mr. Tibbles was named TILT’s sixth execu-tive director in May 2012. About 4,000 acres within TILT’s purview are managed through conservation ease-ments. Such voluntary legal agreements between a landowner and TILT entrusts it with property protection. Every easement is different based on the ecological needs of the land and the wishes of the land-owner. However, TILT stewards the land in perpetuity, ensuring that the terms of the easement are met. The property remains private and on the tax rolls. “We’re not opposed to development,” said Kenneth J. Deedy, the trust’s first board presi-dent. “We’re looking for balance between the natural world and the built environment.” It was the first, and is presently the only land trust to focus exclusively on the con-servation, protection and restoration of the environmental integrity and water quality of the Thousand Islands region and St. Law-rence River Valley. The trust protects more than 8,200 acres of land from Grenadier Island near Cape Vin-cent to Morristown. This includes eight main preserve sites and more than 40 miles of trails that are open to the public year-round.

When asked about the importance of land trusts, Mr. Tibbles explained, “Strong, well-managed and financially stable land trusts provide the local community with effective caretakers of their critical land re-sources, and safeguards the land for future generations to enjoy in perpetuity.” Some of the preserves under TILT’s care are Potters Beach, Zenda Farm Preserve, the Grindstone Island Nature Trail, the Sissy Danforth Rivergate Trail, the Macsherry Trail on the Crooked Creek Preserve, the S. Gerald Ingerson Preserve and the future Otter Creek Nature Trail on the Otter Creek Preserve. “A land trust is nothing more than a non-profit,” Mr. Deedy said. “We just open our private property up to the community.” The conservation mission of TILT, which is to achieve greater quality of life, an im-proved foundation for the economy, and an enhanced environment, is one in which TILT board members, staff and volunteers pas-sionately pursue. “We want the community to feel a sense of ownership in what TILT does,” Mr. Tibbles said. To that end, during the spring and summer months, TILT hosts its annual TILTreks & Talks, TeenTreks, KidsTreks and TILTKids camp programs to promote living, learning and conservation in the Thousand Islands. In addition to those events, year-round hiking, biking, ATV, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing trails are open. Quiet hikes on the Macsherry Trail at Crooked Creek Preserve, Grindstone Island Nature Trail, or the newly constructed Zenda Farm Walking Trail offer stunning natural beauty. For bike enthusiasts, TILT’s 27-mile multi-use Sissy Danforth Rivergate Trail takes trail riders through the historic inland towns of Northern New York. Through land conservation, steward-ship and education, TILT has been at the forefront of land conservation efforts in the Thousand Islands and will likely continue. “TILT sort of does it all,” Mr. Deedy said.n GRACE E. JOHNSTON is staff writer and editorial assistant for NNY Magazines. Contact her at 661-2399 or [email protected].

FAST FACTS: The Thousand Islands Land Trust owns 4,197 acres and holds conservation easements on 3,833 acres. TILT successfully manages approximately 1,500 acres of wetlands on Grindstone Island, Crooked Creek Pre-serve, Otter Creek Preserve, and Black Ash Swamp and approximately 2,500 acres of forest, shrub land, and grassland habitat. TILT also manages the aforementioned 40 miles of recreational trails.


THOUSAND ISLANDS LAND TRUST: A TIMELINE OF PRESERVATION1985: TILT is founded on Grindstone Island. Land preserved: 197 acres (Total preserved: 197)

1986: Patten Corp. donates Fort Haldimand and easements on all of Carleton Island. Land preserved: 1,340 acres (Total preserved: 1,537)

1987: First Summer Gathering on Bluff Island. Land pre-served: 2 acres (Total preserved: 1,539)

1988: Land preserved: 128 acres (Total preserved: 1,667)

1989: Peter Marks sells TILT and the Trust for Public Land his 189-acre farm on Grindstone Island. Landowner places an easement with TILT on Oak Island near Chippewa Bay. Land preserved: 380 acres (Total preserved: 2,047)


1991: Louise “Sissy” Danforth named first executive direc-tor. Palisades easement donated. First summer land steward hired to monitor conservation easements annually. TILT pur-chases Eagle Wings Shoals. Land preserved: 518 acres (Total preserved: 2,757)

1992: Congress introduces Open Air Preservation Act. Land preserved: 18 acres (Total preserved: 2,775)



1995: Aaron Vogel hired to design nature trail; becomes summer land steward. TILT purchases Grindstone’s Potter’s Beach. Land preserved: 711 acres (Total preserved: 3,700)

1996: Rivergate Trail opens at 4.5 miles. Land preserved: 130 acres (Total preserved: 3,830)

1997: John and Lois Jean MacFarlane donate first Zenda Farm parcel, which included the iconic steel Jamesway barns. Howard-Smith Farm easement on Grindstone. TILT awarded grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Service to purchase Crooked Creek preserve. Land preserved: 244 acres (Total preserved: 4,074)



2000: Grindstone Island Nature Trail connecting New York State Parks at Canoe and Picnic Points completed. Macsherry Trail opens on Crooked Creek Preserve. Land preserved: 90 acres (Total preserved: 4,909)

2001: First Zenda Picnic. Membership Mondays offered in summer. Land preserved: 232 acres (Total preserved: 5,141)

2002: Zenda barns painted original silver patina. Land pre-served: 165 acres (Total preserved: 5,306)


2004: Bob Quinn named executive director. Tuesday Treks begin. Land preserved: 0.5 acres (Total preserved: 5,756.5)

2005: Aaron Vogel named executive director. Land pre-served: 41 acres (Total preserved: 5,797.5)

2006: TILT Treks and Talks begin. Land preserved: 46 acres (Total preserved: 5,843.5)

2007: Louise and Guthrie Birkhead make largest donation

in TILT’s history. TILT acquires 24-foot Stanley work boat. Land preserved: 421 acres (Total preserved: 6,264.5)

2008: TILT acquires 17-foot Logic boat. Land preserved: 0.2 acres (Total preserved: 6,264.7)

2009: Andrew Wood named executive director. Black Ash Swamp donated. Zenda forest parcel donated. Community Garden created at Zenda. Land preserved: 55 acres (Total preserved: 6,319.7)

2010: TILT celebrates 25th anniversary. TILT Cookbook pub-lished. Butterfield Marsh conserved. Otter Creek island do-nated. Murray Isle parcels donated. Land preserved: 419 acres (Total preserved: 6,738.7)

2011: Martin Yenawine named executive director. Zenda Farm Preserve Management Plan collaboration with SUNY ESF. The Lois Jean and John MacFarlane Trail opens at Zenda Farm Preserve.

2012: Jake Tibbles named executive director. Otter Creek parcel acquired.


A GUY ON A BIKE

NORTHERN NEW YORK IS BLESSED WHEN it comes to cycling. Road bikers and off-road cyclist have a range of options, from deep woods to wide open roads. Ken Eysaman, editor of Northern New York Magazines, asked me to write a cycling-related column for NNY Outdoors. He and I often talk “bike shop” when we see each other in the office, ranging from his breath-taking downhill crash some 25 years ago, to the lat-est gear and tech. Ken said I have helped to inspire him to get back on his bike. So maybe I also can do it for others. I have been an avid road cyclist for, well, let’s just say for thousands of miles, with many races, centuries and tours recorded. Riding never gets old for me, and each spring, as I embark on that first ride, a child-like joy returns, as the dust of winter collected on my frames (personal and mechanical) fly off. The older I get, the more joyful it is, likely because I feel lucky to be given the good sense and good health to continue riding. For this first column, I’ll focus on five day rides that have been my favorites over the years. They stretch from St. Lawrence County, where I grew up; Jefferson County, where I live now; to Oswego County, where I lived for a decade.

ST. LAWRENCE RIVER VALLEY AND THE ADIRONDACK FOOTHILLS Waddington, my hometown along the St. Lawrence River, is the perfect base for a day trip. If you go northeast, toward Massena, or southwest, toward Ogdensburg, both along Route 37, it is mainly flat. If you head south, toward Madrid and Potsdam, you hit rolling hills, appetizers to the Adirondacks, that will build up your leg muscles. From State Route 37, head south on Route 345 toward Madrid (9 miles) and cross the bridge over the Grasse River in the hamlet. Continue on 345 toward Potsdam. This is where the big hills kick in. At routes 345 and 11 in Potsdam, take a left and follow Route 11 through the village and over the Raquette River until you hit State Route 56, which will take you out of town. If you feel like stopping, Route 56 passes through the village of Norwood, Norfolk and Raymondville. The highway links up to route 37 just west of the village of Massena. Take a left and head back to Waddington. It’s mainly flat with majestic views of the St. Lawrence on your right. But with the prevailing winds

in the valley, I have found that odds are you will be going into a headwind at this point and back to Waddington. Total distance: 57 miles.

CLIMB OUT OF WATERTOWN On most sum-mer Saturday mornings, you will find me climbing out of Watertown on Route 126, also known as the State Street Hill road. This ride may be challenging for those not used to hills. But it will certainly improve climbing skills. Once you get past the first big hills out of Watertown, it’s a gentle incline with a few rolling hills to Champion. At the bottom of the hill where the Champion Fire Depart-ment is on the right , take a left. It could be a tricky left if there’s traffic in back. I often pull into the fire department’s driveway to let traffic pass. After taking the left, head onto County Route 47 for a 5.5 mile ride to State Route 3 and Great Bend. If you want to shave off a few miles, instead of Route 47, take Peck Road, Card Road and Staplin Road to State Route 3. The latter route will get you 2.5 miles further west when you come out on Route 3. From 47 and Route 3, it’s about 4 miles to Black River. But for the final push to the home-stretch, you won’t be taking Route 3 to Watertown. At the Stewarts’ shop on Route 3, take a left onto Middleton Road. You will face a climb that is beastly, mainly because there is no rolling downhill beginning. It’s the only hill in the area where I have to utilize the smallest of my three chain rings. Once at the top, pump your fist, shout and take a right and roll along Ridge Road back to Watertown. Of note: be wary of hikers on the Black River trail, who cross the road from the park-ing lot on Ridge Road to get to the trail along the Black River. I have found they don’t hear or look for a fast-moving cyclist barreling down the hill before entering the crosswalk. Total distance: About 37 miles

SOME DISTANCE TO ‘WINE’ ABOUT This next trek combines some hefty dis-

tance, about 80 miles, with wine; not a good combination in general, but the wineries could offer respites. Or break the ride up into a shorter, more leisurely stop- and- sip event by parking your car and cycling to one or two wineries. With new wineries being added, options for the Thousand Islands Seaway Wine Trail keep expanding. But here is one trip that will get you in touch with several of them. For this route, starting point would be in Sackets Harbor. Cross Route 3 and head onto County Route 62 and follow it for about a mile. Take a left onto County Route 66 (look for the old Hounsfield stone schoolhouse). Shortly after a creek on the right, a large yel-low barn with a burgundy roof is an atten-tion-getter. It’s the site of Yellow Barn Winery. From Route 66, the trail crosses Route 3 and onto Route 180, where the shoulders become wider. At Gunns Corners, this par-ticular wine route takes a left onto Route 12. The trail then eases into Depauville. It’s time to stretch the legs as the first serious hill of the trail beckons. A few miles before Clayton, you have the option of going right off of Route 12 and onto east Line Road and to Coyote Moon Vineyards. At the traffic light in Clayton, the trail takes a right and continues along Route 12, passing privately operated campgrounds and cabins along the St. Lawrence. As you near Alexandria Bay on Route 12 just past the bait store, you can take a left onto Seaway Avenue and you’d soon hit the Thousand Islands Winery. Its website says it has the most awarded wins in Northern New York. If you want to stay a while, there’s a three-bedroom cottage available for rent but at a two-night minimum. At the traffic light in Alexandria Bay this route takes a right, heading east onto Route 26. You’ll pass through marshland, the Indian River Lakes region and the small hamlet of Plessis and the Flat Rock restaurant. The course gets a bit confusing at the intersection of state routes 26 and 37. The two roads combine, but Route 26 takes a right and follows Route 37 for a few miles. Take a left at the ice cream stand onto County Route 193 and head into the village of Theresa. Otter Creek Winery is two miles off Route 26, left onto Halls Corner Road, about a mile from Philadelphia.

Chris Brock

Spring gives way to two-wheeled adventures in the north country


At Philadelphia, head onto Route 11. The final wine-related business along this route is a nursery, Seaway Cold Hardy Grapevines and Vineyard off Route 11 in Evans Mills. Take Route 11 back to your beginning point. Total distance: About 80 miles.

GO FOR A ‘LOOP’ This ride in Oswego County is the of-ficial route of the Tour de Loop race, held in mid-August for the past 18 years. It’s a roller coaster-like trek of hills with many of them along the shoreline of Lake Ontario. In the past few years, there has been a 30-mile and a 50-mile option along with a children’s ride. The event begins and ends at Rudy’s Lake-side Drive-In, 78 County Route 89. The restau-rant, Oswego YMCA and Ontario Orchards are traditional co-sponsors. For a map of the 30-mile ride, go to http://wdt.me/tNrv9a Total distance: About 30 miles.

A SPRINT OR A BEGINNING The following ride is a morning sprint to enjoy on those long summer days when the sun rises early. It’s a short ride, about 12 miles, and is perfect for beginners. I like to use it on summer mornings before work as a break from my daily run. Go onto Ives Street and head onto Ives Street Road (County Route 65). At 2 miles out, take a left onto Gillette Road. It’s a stretch of about a mile. At the end of Gillette, take a right onto Route 11 for a short distance and onto Route 232. Head back onto Ives Street Road. You will usually have a tailwind to get you pumped for the day. Total distance: 12 miles.

DOWN THE ROADn The 12th annual Whiteface Mountain Uphill Bike Race in Wilmington is at 8 a.m. on June 21. The race is part of the BUMPS (Bike Up the Mountain) series that comprises 10 races on mountains in the Northeast. The course is 11 miles at an 8 percent grade. The cost is $60 but $40 for active military members and $40 for junior riders age 19 and younger. On the Web: http://wdt.me/LEk2Q5

n The 12th annual SpokerRide, which begins in Sackets Harbor, is July 26. It ben-efits the American Cancer Society and the Livestrong Foundation. Both the 30-mile and 50-mile rides begin at 9 a.m. Cost is $35 in advance and $40 day of ride. On the Web: www.spokerride.net

If you have any cycling-related stories or events to share, contact the author at [email protected]. He often posts his “Map-MyRide” trips with comments on his Twit-ter and Facebook pages.n CHRIS BROCK is a Johnson Newspapers staff writer Contact him at 661-2409 or [email protected].

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K a y a k i n g p r o s t a m e t h e B l a c k R i v e r


K a y a k i n g p r o s t a m e t h e B l a c k R i v e r

northern New York is home to miles of world-class rapids. From Class III, to the highest challenge, Class V, thrill-seekers can hitch a ride with a professional rafting guide or put in on any one of several north country rivers for the water adventure of a lifetime. The white

water on the Black River in Jefferson County impressed a group of internation-ally renowned kayakers so much that they decided to return to the area this spring several years after competing in the International Kayak Championships here. Cockwise from above, waves surge in the Black River near Maggie’s on the River in Watertown early this spring. Increased water levels were a result of spring rainstorms that set heavy ice and snow free in the river. Dane Jackson does a flip while riding a wave. Despite the skill level of the touring profes-sionals, many people were concerned about the men being out on the water. Mr. Jackson cuts through a wave at Hole Brothers. Mr. Jackson takes a deep breath as he heads back into a wave at Hole Brothers. Nick Troutman rides the waves of the Black River after struggling to stay afloat.

P H O T O S B Y A M A N D A M O R R I S O N | N N Y O U T D O O R S


ONE OF THE BEST FISHING STORIES that 78-year-old guide Ronald J. Ditch has to tell involves much more than a fish. It’s a tale about a federally pro-

tected bird, a small-town revolt, and 10 fish-ing guides who ended up with ankle bracelets and six months of home detention. But the story, which made national head-lines, is also about a group of men trying to save their livelihood, said Mr. Ditch, who still operates Ron Ditch & Son charters in Hender-son Harbor. “That bird population was devastating to our business,” he said. There were also many others who de-pended on the industry, including restau-rants, campgrounds, marinas and motels. For more than a decade, Mr. Ditch said he and other fishing guides who made a living on the waters of Lake Ontario had pleaded

with federal and state wildlife officials to help them deal with the expanding population of cormorants on Little Gallo Island, several miles from Henderson Harbor. The guides had claimed the cormorants were depleting the supply of smallmouth bass and other fish species in the area, threatening the Lake Ontario sportfishing industry and the livelihood of those who depended on it. But the birds have been protected under the federal Migratory Bird Protection Act since the early 1970s, and it was against the law to shoot them. In 1998, a group of fishing guides, including Mr. Ditch, took matters into their own hands. Frustrated with what they viewed was a lack of progress on the part of government officials, the men traveled by boat to Little Gallo Island and shot hundreds of the birds. Federal and state wildlife officials soon dis-covered the dead birds on the island, collected evidence including 12-gauge shotgun shells,

and eventually identified and charged the fish-ing guides with the illegal bird killings. Their case was heard in the Federal Court-house in Syracuse. The amount of support during their court proceedings was over-whelming, Mr. Ditch said. “We had people all over the country donat-ing to help with our legal fees,” he said. Others sent letters of support for the men, who were sentenced to six months home detention, two years probation, along with $7,500 in fines and restitution. They did get the attention, however, of wildlife officials. The following year, the state Department of Environmental Conservation started to oil the eggs laid by the cormorants, thereby killing the chicks inside. Their efforts have significantly reduced the cormorant population on the island. “It took the fishing guide industry quite

COVER STORY

Please see GUIDES, page 24

Guiding on north country

WATERSFishermen help reel in the big catch

while clients net a lifetime of memories

By NORAH MACHIA | NNY OUTDOORS

Fishing guide Mike Seymour stands on

his boat on the St. Lawrence River

in Ogdensburg.

MELANIE KIMBLER-LAGO | NNY OUTDOORS


a few years to come back,” Mr. Ditch said. “But the fishing is much better now.” Each year people come to Henderson Harbor to fish for smallmouth bass, trout, walleye, salmon and Northern pike. Last month, it was announced that Hen-derson would host the New York B.A.S.S. Federation’s 2014 final Points Tournament in September. The town will also host the fall Lake Ontario Tournament, which it agreed to host last year. Mr. Ditch has been taking people out on Lake Ontario to fish since he was 12 years old, when he filled in for this father, the late Ruddy Ditch, who had a fishing party ready to go out on the water, but he became too sick to take them. In 1954, Mr. Ditch obtained his charter license, which must be renewed every five years with a test from the U.S. Coast Guard. More than 90 percent of those he takes out on the water are repeat customers. It’s not 100 percent because “I’ve out-lived a great number of my customers,” Mr. Ditch said. He and his wife, Ora, who met in the ninth grade at the former Henderson Central School, have four sons — Andrew, David, Thomas and Mark. Three of the sons also work as part-time fishing guides along the Lake Ontario waters. The couple traveled to New Zealand several years ago, where they shared their fishing techniques with the locals, Mr. Ditch said. Mr. Ditch can name a few well-known customers that he has taken out over the years, including Eddie Bauer. “I had been making decoys that were sold through his catalogs,” said Mr. Ditch. He also took out the late Walter Weber, an illustrator for the National Geographic Society, who gave the couple a drawing of the lakeshore that hangs in their living room. Mr. Ditch’s customers also included the late Robert Wehle, an owner of the Genesee Brewing Co. Rochester, and also profes-sional fisherman Jimmy Houston, host of the Jimmy Houston Outdoors show featured on national television for years. Mr. Ditch’s story about the cormorant kill made the New York Times, the Smithson-ian Magazine and was included in a book written by Richard King titled “The Devil’s Cormorant: A Natural History.” He has no plans to slow down. “As long as I feel good and I have all my marbles, I plan to keep doing this,” Mr. Ditch said. Mike Seymour of Canton started fishing at a young age after his mother, Rose, had saved up enough Green Stamps from the grocery store to buy his first reel. He took it on fishing trips with his father, Jim, and his grandfather, Clarence Seguin,

C A P T. WA LT E R B . B ONA M EF E B . 2 9 , 1 9 5 6 — F E B . 3 , 2 0 1 3

MANY PEOPLE SEARCH THEIR ENTIRE lives to find what makes them the happiest. But my father, Capt. Walter

B. Boname, knew from an early age that nothing could resonate with him so strongly as the natural landscape and energy therein. That energy would mold his career, educate his relationships, and deeply influence every other aspect of his life. Walter was a true “River Rat.” He worked for more than 25 years as a New York State-licensed outdoor hunting and fishing guide. He was equally happy trolling Lake Ontario on his charter boat, floating down the St. Lawrence jigging for perch or pike, rafting the Oswegatchie on days-long float trips, or fly-ing into remote lakes in the Adirondacks. He loved the land, too. Spending a day foraging and hunting in the woods or educating his many clients gave my father a stoic sense of pride. I was lucky enough to have adventured on many of Walter’s journeys throughout the Adirondacks and Thousand Islands region. As a young man, Walter spent summers traveling to the Thousand Islands with

his father, Walter C., and his grandfather, Dr. Mat G. Boname. The trio would stay at their family cottage in Cape Vincent where Walter’s love for the St. Lawrence River grew while hunting and fishing and exploring the many islands and natural environments. Walter graduated from South Hampton University on Long Island with a degree in marine biology. In 1989, he moved his family — wife, Audrey, and daughters Julia and me — to Cape Vincent. Soon after, he established LindaVue Adventures, through which he op-erated guided hunting and fishing trips across the region and into the Adirondacks. Walter’s business blossomed as he attended many sporting shows with the New York State Outdoor Guide Association. His knowl-edge of the natural world and all its creatures drew many people to him. His clients started to return each year, bringing with them friends and family members. “Walter definitely had an impact on the guiding profession. He was a role model to those who knew him. In 25-plus years of friendship, never did I hear a negative word. He was always positive, outgoing and helpful

By HOLLY C. BONAME | NNY OUTDOORS

Please see WALTER, page 26

GUIDES, from page 22

Outdoorsman Boname was the soul of the St. Lawrence River

Artist Sina March of Colorado painted this portrait of the late outdoor guide Walter B. Boname titled ‘Captain.’

IMAGE COURTESY HOLLY C. BONAME


who was known as a St. Lawrence River fishing legend. Although he pursued a teaching career (he taught for 33 years, and 30 of those were at Canton High School), Mr. Seymour also started his own fishing charter business more than 25 years ago — Captain Mike’s Fishing Charters. He is a New York State and U.S. Coast Guard licensed guide. “People are drawn to the St. Lawrence because of the river’s beauty, its international reputation, the species it contains, and the size of the fish,” Mr. Seymour wrote in response to questions about the area. He stated that he receives a variety of requests for trips on the river, “such as a family outing, getting a youngster to catch his first northern pike or other species, catching fish for a camp cookout, learning how to fish for walleyes, taking Dad out on Father’s Day, fishing a certain area of the river, pursuing a specific species, or wanting to experience the St. Lawrence River.” “Also, people come to the area to hunt turkeys, geese, or ducks, and since those are generally morning activities, the hunters want to do something the rest of the day, so they opt for fishing,” he said. Mr. Seymour has written numerous articles that have appeared in the New York Sportsman, New York Game and Fish, New York Outdoor Times, Lake Ontario Outdoors

and Central New York Outdoor Journal, just to name a few. He also writes an outdoor column, Hooks and Antlers, that appears in the Watertown Daily Times, the Advance News and the St. Lawrence Plaindealer. In 2012, Mr. Seymour wrote his first book about fishing titled “The Smart Guide to Freshwater Fishing,” which details best loca-tions, techniques and equipment for fishing. The most popular species for fishing in the St. Lawrence River 25 years ago were muskies, Northern pike, and smallmouth bass, but in recent years, “the ranking of client requests has run smallmouth bass, walleyes, muskies, Northern pike, and yellow perch,” Mr. Seymour said. Smallmouth bass are popular because most people take vacations and hire guides in July and August, “and those months are good ones for bass fishing,” he said. “Northern pike and walleye fishing is good during May in my stretch of river,” Mr. Seymour said. “Fall is an excellent time for walleye fishing, and fall is the tradi-tional time for muskie fishing, although I fish for walleyes and muskies throughout the summer, too.” St. Lawrence County’s stretch of the St. Lawrence River is known for “its excellent, season-long walleye fishing; and now that communities along the river are hosting

major bass tournaments, professional anglers are ranking the river at the top of the list of the best smallmouth waters in the country,” Mr. Seymour said. Mr. Seymour is also on the board of directors for FISHCAP, an initiative that was launched to attract anglers from across the world to St. Lawrence County for its many varieties of freshwater fish. Spearheaded by former St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Pat McKeown and Town of Massena Supervisor Joseph D. Gray, the FISHCAP program is coordinated by noted angler and PBS star Don Meissner. It receives support from both the public and private sectors. Last summer, the organization played a key role in attracting the Bassmaster Elite Se-ries fishing tournament to Waddington. The FISHCAP Advisory Board includes commu-nity leaders as well as local fishing experts. Mr. Seymour said his best “fishing stories” have really been about the people he has taken out on his boat, including two men in particular who “had the river in their souls.” One of those men is Ed Scarpette of Erie, Pa., who served in the U.S. Coast Guard in his younger days and was stationed aboard “The Maple” at Ogdensburg. “Ed fell in love with the river then, and he would return annually to fish for muskies,”

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with a kind word for everyone,” said Craig Tryon, a New York State outdoor guide and owner of Adirondack Wilderness Experience. “This definitely rubbed off on every person who was with him. His fellow guides set their standards to reflect Walter’s standards. His personality was definitely infectious.” Walter used his passion for the Thousand Islands to open the eyes of city residents across the Northeast and beyond to a world that seemed untouched and plentiful. Guiding on the St. Lawrence offered many avenues for education, an opportunity Walter relished. He believed his responsibility as a guide wasn’t just to help people catch fish or shoot the biggest buck, but to give clients the tools necessary to deepen their understanding and appreciation of the sport. For Walter, being sur-rounded by the outdoors was not just a way to earn money, it was a way of life. His home in Cape Vincent soon became a retreat and second home for many clients. It was because of his relationships with others that word spread to different groups and orga-nizations across the north country. Tulip Travel hired Walter for many years. The Liverpool-based organization served developmentally disabled and special-needs clients. It provided experienced teachers, residential counselors and recreation specialists as escorts and would bring five or six people to spend a day on the

St. Lawrence River, fishing and exploring. “Whoever he had with him, either as a friend, associate or client was in for a treat. He never hesitated to share his vast knowledge. His ability to express his love for the waters, woods, wildlife and fish showed in every guide trip or outing he took,” Mr. Tryon said. “He could tailor his discussions down to the middle school age or up to the Ph.D. level as necessary. Walter was a very talented, caring and special person.” Walter found this partnership particu-larly rewarding. He looked forward to Tulip Travel visits each year and stayed in touch with people from the group in the months that followed. Partnerships were very important while guiding on the St. Lawrence and in the Adirondacks. Fellow guides like Wayne Failing, owner and founder of Middle Earth Expeditions, would join Walter on large fly-in trips to remote inland lakes across the Adirondacks and live off the land. The trips provided a chance to demonstrate forag-ing, wilderness survival and environmental conservation and skill. Walter’s sense of adventure and love for teaching others quickly took him to the Ba-hamas, where he shared his knowledge and expertise with a completely different demo-graphic in a new environment. While in college at South Hampton University, Walter had the

opportunity to charter a sailboat with fellow students to the island of Eleuthera in the Baha-mas. In 2002, after 20 years away, he returned to the small island to teach islanders fishing and conservation techniques. Walter’s friends and clients joined him on the island to free-dive for native fish and crustaceans while he spent time with a young native fisherman named Edmonton. The trip to Eleuthera became an annual adventure after his first return to the island 12 years ago. On Feb. 4, 2013, Walter died in a car accident on Eleuthera, returning his body to the wind of the trees and the rushing waters of a stream. Fellow guides, clients, friends and extended family members have since expressed their affection for the inspiration they drew from knowing my father. For 56 years, Capt. Walter B. Boname lived his passion to educate others and share his love for the St. Lawrence River and 1000 Islands. The New York State Outdoor Guide As-sociation has established a “Kids to Camp” fund to help youths pursue conservation and outreach efforts and hone their outdoors skills. To learn more about how you can help spread environmental awareness and develop the next generation of outdoor leaders, contact Craig Tryon at [email protected].

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n HOLLY BONAME is a freelance writer and former television reporter who lives in Clayton. Contact her at [email protected].

WALTER, from page 24


Mr. Seymour said. “Over the years, Ed caught some big muskies, pike, and walleyes, but it wasn’t the fish that were special for Ed, it was spending time on the river.” Mr. Seymour said the men always took evening trips, and “I don’t think an out-ing ever went by when Ed didn’t scan the lights along the river and the stars over-head and say, “I love this river. Boy, I miss being out here.” Another faithful client and friend was the late Bob Fitzgibbons of Rochester, who had grown up in Ogdensburg, but spent his adult life in Rochester. Mr. Fitzgibbons arranged a number of fishing trips annually with Mr. Seymour. In August, he set up “family” trips that typically included men and women and three generations of anglers, Mr. Seymour said. In September, he would bring along a “trio of professional peers.” Mr. Seymour recalled how “Bob was fond of saying things like, ‘Boy, this water is so clear! Boy, what a beautiful fish! Boy, what a great day!’” “Any trip with Bob was an outing full of good-natured kidding because he liked to keep the catch for a fish fry, and I encouraged the practice of selective harvest,” Mr. Seymour said. “Unfortunately, Bob died last Septem-ber, but on his last fishing trip he caught and released the biggest bass of his life.” “Today, I can visualize Bob fishing in heaven and catching a 20-inch smallmouth and saying: ‘Boy, Mike can’t make me throw this one back,’” Mr. Seymour said. “Eighty percent of my trips every year are repeat customers. Any fishing guide will tell you that repeat customers are not clients; they become friends,” he said. Many more of his clients are practicing “catch and release,” Mr. Seymour said. “When people want to keep some fish for eating, I urge them to practice selective harvest where we release the larger fish and keep smaller and medium ones for eating,” Mr. Seymour said. “The thinking behind selective harvest is that anglers release the larger fish so that they can spawn and produce more of the species,” he said. “Also, smaller fish are tast-ier. Selective harvest is a common practice among walleye anglers who generally like to keep some of their catch because walleyes make such excellent table fare.” Mr. Seymour and his wife, Mary Sue, have two adult sons, Matthew, an avid fly fisher-man who lives in Baltimore, Md., and Luke, Canton, who is described as having a case of “muskie fever.”

n NORAH MACHIA is a freelance writer who lives in Watertown. She is a 20-plus-year veteran journalist and former Watertown Daily Times reporter. Contact her at [email protected].

Upcoming Summer EventsFOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS DISPLAY

JULY 3RD (THURSDAY) DOWNTOWN CLAYTONFree community fi reworks show 9 -10pm downtown on the River. 1000islands-clayton.com

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By GRACE E. JOHNSTON | NNY OUTDOORS

Guests at Tailwater Lodge along the Salmon River in Oswego County will have a chance to fly fish during their stay.

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Tfor the future Tailwater Lodge were cast. It was early 2012 when Syracuse native Thomas J. Fernandez made his beloved seasonal trek north to fly fish on the Salmon River. He entered Altmar village limits and immediately spotted the unmistakable aban-doned school building, particularly noticing the “for sale” sign in the front lawn. “I immediately called my boss,” Mr. Fer-nandez said. “I knew we had the potential to do something really cool with this.” His company specializes in the conver-sion of old hotels and residences. The Woodbine Group is a commercial real estate holding and development company. And as auspicious luck would have it, they were all in favor of renovating the former elementary school. “It’s sort of in our wheelhouse to bring life to under-utilized proper-ties,” Mr. Fernandez said. In Syracuse, the company owns and operates the Genesee Grande Hotel, Parkview Hotel and Hotel Skyler, a former Jewish temple built in 1921. “Fishing is a multimillion-dollar industry in this area,” Mr. Fernandez said. “We knew the investment into the lodge was going to be a good one.” He and the team at Woodbine wanted to build something that would showcase the Salmon River and what the north country has to offer. “We want this to be a world-class fishing lodge on the Salmon River,” Mr. Fernandez said. At 42,000-square-feet of angler luxury, Tail-water Lodge opened Feb. 20 this year as an upscale resort and convention center featur-ing a classy restaurant and bar, large meeting

rooms and former classrooms retrofitted into hotel rooms, well balanced between Adiron-dack rugged and plush comfort. Rates start at around $180 per night. The school’s design made for an easy con-version to a hotel. During renovation, each classroom was split into two living spaces for a total of 42 guest rooms. “The basic layout for the lodge was al-ready there,” Mr. Fernandez said. The exterior is slightly modified with a large, green drive-under veranda that imme-diately suggests a remote Adirondack-style lodge. Inside, the suggestion is confirmed: Common areas are appointed with leather chairs, fur rugs and a fly-fishing shop stocked with high-end clothing and gear.

Its restaurant offers upscale comfort food-that includes seafood, fine wines and gourmet sack lunches for anglers on the move. In a dining room that seats up to 100, Tailwater staff turns over tables at the eatery twice on weekend evenings. “The restaurant side has been great,” Mr. Fernandez said. Management didn’t expect to see this sort of bump to the business, but the restaurant’s popularity is demonstrated by the fact that they need to keep hiring more kitchen staff. The lodge sits on 2,000 feet of reserved river frontage and offers connections to locally guided fishing excursions. The staff is working to coordinate fly fishing workshops.

J.P. Ross of J.P. Ross Fly Rods & Co. is a lo-cal designer and manufacturer of high-end fly rods who manages the Woodshed retail store at the lodge. Based in Whites-boro, Mr. Ross runs his main business out of a humble cabin where he has built more than 5,000 fly rods since he started in 1997. “Custom fly rods are what I do” he said. The retail store not only sports some of the world’s highest quality fly rods and leather worked goods, but is also the largest Patagonia dealer in the area. The Woodbine Group believes Tailwa-ter Lodge will lure people from across the

Northeast, Mr. Fernandez said. Its research found that people visit the Salmon River from across the tri-county area, throughout New England, downstate New York, New Jersey and the Syracuse area. “We’re located about equi-distant from the Watertown-Canadian area, Syracuse and Utica, so we’re looking to attract

the transient leisure traveler and mid-week business traveler from those areas,” Mr. Fer-nandez said. Current occupancy has averaged 30 percent with bookings rapidly filling up in prepara-tion for salmon season, which runs from September to November. “Upscale fishing and hunting lodges have been gaining popularity in the West,” he said. “But Tailwater is the first of its kind on the Salmon.” It’s less than 10 minutes from Pulaski off exit 36 on Interstate 81. Head east on Route 13.

n GRACE E. JOHNSTON is staff writer and editorial assistant for NNY Magazines. Contact her at 661-2399 or [email protected].

TAILWATER LODGE IS ar-guably one of the best-kept secrets in the north country. In its previous life, it was Altmar Elementary School, built in 1929 near the Salmon River in Oswego County. It was left abandoned for two years until the eyes of busi-ness development director and avid fly fisherman Tom Fernandez laid sight on it. In stepped Syracuse-based Woodbine Group and plans

Fishing is a multimillion-dollar industry in this area. We knew the investment

was going to be a good one.— Thomas J. Fernandez, The Woodbine Group, Syracuse

‘‘

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Clayton F. “Muskie Ferg Jr.” Ferguson of Ferguson Fishing Char-ters, Clayton, with his 1951 mahogany-plank Chris-Craft, is a longtime river guide who puts on shore dinners.

JUSTIN SORENSEN | NNY OUTDOORS

FOR MORE THAN 48 YEARS, LOCAL FISHING guide Clayton F. Ferguson has been taking his classic mahogany-plank boat on the St. Lawrence River to catch just about every fish that can be caught in those waters. Mr. Ferguson has done extensive restora-tion work on his 1951 Chris-Craft that he bought for $1,100 when he started his fishing guide business back in 1966. Although he’s equipped it with some high-tech electronic fish-finding gear, which has become standard on sport fishing boats, he still relies on his instinct and knowledge of the waters. At age 68, Mr. Ferguson is considered one of the most senior “River Rats.” He has earned several nicknames, including “Muskie Ferg Jr.,” after his specialty catch in the river — the muskellunge (he has won the state Muskie tournament numerous times).

His father, also named Clayton, was a disabled World War II veteran who had served as a fish-ing guide for more than 30 years and held the senior title of “Muskie Ferg.” His business, Ferguson’s Fishing Charters, expanded many years ago to offer a shore dinner service for those who did not wish to hop on board the boat. Shore dinners have been a tradition of fishing guides in the Thousand Islands since the early 1900s. Guides would take a fishing party out on the water in the morning, and then typically bring them to an island, where the guide would cook all the fish caught that morning, along with other food. While this type of fishing trip and shore dinner combination is still offered by many fishing guides, including Mr. Ferguson, the shore dinners have also found their way to the mainland. Mr. Ferguson decided to start offering them after he realized that many people liked the idea

of eating fresh-cooked fish, but didn’t necessar-ily want to go out on the water to catch them. “A lot of people want the experience of a shore dinner in their own back yard,” he said. “About 15 years ago I took it to the mainland. I brought the islands to the people.” The menu has stayed the same, though — a traditional shore dinner that consists of the pan-fried fish. Some of the most popular are the Northern Pike, Small Mouth Bass, Walleye or Perch. The fish are served with a “fat-back” and onion sandwich appetizer, tossed salad with Thousand Island Dressing (of course), corn on the cob, salt potatoes and his famous “French toast” for dessert. “Once people try that, they never forget how good it tastes,” Mr. Ferguson said. There is always plenty of good coffee and conversation as well, he added. Mr. Ferguson has put on numerous shore dinners, including one that fed as many as

A taste of the riverShore dinners a north country food tradition like few others

By NORAH MACHIA | NNY OUTDOORS


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270 people. He’s done private parties, wed-ding receptions and birthday dinners. He has also put on shore dinners at the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton, including helping with one in 1992 when former state Sen. H. Douglas Barclay, Pulaski, was joined by President George H. W. Bush’s brother, John, for a special dinner at the museum. In 2010, he was one of three north country residents honored with a Heritage Award by the Canton-based organization Traditional Arts in Upstate New York. The award recognizes individuals, families or community groups who have mastered traditional arts or customs identified with the region and are committed

to passing them on to future generations. Mr. Ferguson has also received recognition from outside the north country. He has been featured in National Geo-

graphic, Field and Stream and the gourmet magazine Saveur. He cooked shore dinners for several years for the Northern New York-Fort Drum chapter of the Association of the United States Army, said Peter J. Whitmore, a board mem-ber who helped organize the annual dinners. The dinners were held as a “casual event” to bring military leadership and civilians together in a relaxing atmosphere, he said. “When the change of command would take place at Fort Drum, we held the shore dinner to introduce the new leaders to the communi-ty,” Mr. Whitmore said. “A lot of military folks may not have seen the Thousand Islands area, and this was a great way to introduce them to area and the north country.” Mr. Ferguson “did a great job providing us with a delicious, hearty dinner” and the ABM offered their venue at a discounted rate for the organization, he said. Between 50 to 100 people attended the shore dinners, a combination of military, AUSA members, guests and spouses. The museum also opened for the evening and provided boat rides along the St. Law-rence River, an ideal way for those new to the area to see the Thousand Islands up close, Mr. Whitmore said. The dinners haven’t been held recently because of the “dynamic troop movement” at Fort Drum, but the door remains open for future dinners at a time when the military does another change of command, Mr. Whit-more said.

MORE INFO: To learn more about Mr. Ferguson’s charter and shore dinner service, contact Ferguson Fishing Charters at (315) 686-3100 or visit him online at www.fergusonfishingcharters.com

n NORAH MACHIA is a freelance writer who lives in Watertown. She is a 20-plus-year veteran journalist and former Watertown Daily Times reporter. Contact her at [email protected].


OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

RU N N I N G

SpeculatorSUNDAY, AUG. 3n Lane 10k Lake Run, the toughest 10k in the Adirondacks. Registration, 9 a.m., Speculator Pavilion. Start at Lake Pleasant Firehouse, finish at Speculator ball field. Entry fee $22; pre-registration $25, day of race. Information and registration: www.speculatorchamber.com

Watertown-Sackets HarborSUNDAY, AUG. 31n The 18.12 Challenge and Half Marathon returns to the Watertown and Sackets Harbor areas for the third annual race. Field limited to the first 812 runners to register. Both the 18.12 Challenge and Half Marathon start at 7 a.m. near Immaculate Central High School, 1316 Ives St., Watertown and end at the historic Sackets Harbor Battlefield. Participants should be at the start by 6:30 a.m. Race participants receive a 2014 dri-fit race shirt, a custom med-al, and a custom race bib. In addition, $1,812 in cash awards will be awarded to the top men and women finishers in each race. Information, register at www.1812challenge.com.

Saratoga SpringsFRIDAY, SEPT. 26 & SUNDAY, SEPT. 27n Ragnar Relay Adirondacks. Teams of six or 12 compete in a 200-mile run from Saratoga Springs to Lake Placid. Register in advance.

Team of 12, $115 per runner; team of 6 (ultra) $160 per runner. Information and registration: www.ragnarrelay.com.

WilmingtonSATURDAY, SEPT. 13n 37th Annual Whiteface Uphill Footrace. Climb 3,500 feet up the scenic Whiteface Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway to the top of New York’s fifth-highest peak for a 360-degree panoramic view of the Adiron-dacks, New England and Canada. Sponsored by Whiteface Mountain Regional Visitors Bureau. Register in advance. Details and regis-tration: www.whitefaceregion.com.

ChestertownSATURDAY SEPT. 27 & SUNDAY, SEPT. 28n Adirondack Marathon Distance Festival. Sat-urday: 5k and 10k races, 9:30 a.m.; kid’s fun run, Schroon Lake, 2 p.m. Full and two-person


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marathon relays, Sunday, 9 a.m., Schroon Lake. Half marathon, Sunday, 10 a.m., Sch-roon Lake. Register in advance. Event details and information: www.adirondackmarathon.org

PA DDL I N G

Old ForgeSATURDAY, JUNE 28n Kiwanis Old Forge Paddle Classic — NYMCRA Canoe & Kayak Points Races. Six- and 12-mile canoe and kayak race, starting at the Town of Webb dock on South Shore Road. Registration and sign in, 7:30 to 8:45 a.m. at Hemmer Cottage. Racing starts at 9 a.m. Entry fee, $25/adult, $10/10 years old and younger. Post-race BBQ by Kiwanis Club of the Central Adirondacks. Information and registra-tion: www.oldforgeny.com

SUNDAY, JUNE 29n 5th Annual Black River Challenge, 23-mile canoe and kayak race from Glenfield to Castor-land. $30/paddler. Stand up paddleboards al-lowed. Registration and information: 376-2213 or www.lewiscountychamber.org.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 5 — SUNDAY, SEPT. 7 n Adirondack Canoe Classic. This three-day, 90-mile flat water race follows the original highways of the Adirondacks from Old Forge to Saranac Lake. Course offers a mix of lake and river flat water paddling with several carries. Participants receive a T-shirt, mileage pins, awards, camping, snacks, boat shuttles and a post-race meal. 90-mile race limited to 275 boats. Entry deadline is July 25. Entry fee, $150 per paddler, $125 for AWA members. Information: www.macscanoe.com

H I K I N G

Lake GeorgeSATURDAY, JULY 5n Hike-A-Thon! Choose from nine differ-ent guided hikes or a paddle with the Lake George Land Conservancy. Register by June 27. Information: 1 (518) 644-9673 or


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SATURDAY, JULY 12n Full-Moon Hike, 8 p.m. Take a guided walk to the Lake George overlook to watch the moonrise with Up Yonda Farm, Environmental Education Center, Bolton Landing. Information: 1 (518) 644-9767 or www.upyondafarm.com

North RiverSATURDAY, AUG. 16n History Hike, Garnet Hill Lodge, Garnet Hill Road Section 2, 10 a.m. to noon. Learn about Ad-irondack logging and mining on this two-mile loop

to William Blake Pond and Old Hooper Mine. Register in advance. $15 per person, discount for lodge guests & families of four or more. Information: 1 (518) 251-2444 or www.garnet-hill.com

T R IAT H L ON S

Tupper LakeSATURDAY, JUNE 28n Tupper Lake Tinman Triathalon, 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike and 13.1-mile run. Start at Raquette Pond to Tupper Lake, 8 a.m. Register in advance. Event information: www.tupperlaketinman.com.

Henderson HarborSATURDAY, JULY 12n 23rd Annual Henderson Harbor Triathlon, Boat Launch, State Route 178. Olympic race begins at 8:30 a.m., Sprint at 9 a.m. Olympic event consists of 1.5k swim, 40k bike, 10k run; Sprint with a .75k swim, 20k bike, 5k run. Event proceeds benefit the Children’s Home of Jefferson County’s Community Based Programs and the CREDO Community Center. See web-site for complete details. Information: Stacey Finley at 788-7430, [email protected]. Register online at www.hendersonharbortriathlon.com, www.active.com or www.nnychildrenshome.com.

Lake PlacidSUNDAY, JULY 27n IronmanUSA, 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike and 26.2-mile run. Qualifier for Ironman World Championship. Register in advance. Event details and information: www.ironman.com/triathlon/events/americas/ironman/lake-placid.

BleeckerSATURDAY, AUG. 2n Peck’s Lake Sprint Triathalon. Fifth annual event co-presented by Fulton Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce and Peck’s Lake Protective Association. Check-in, 7 a.m. at Sunrise Bay, North Shore Road. Half- mile swim, nine-mile bike and three-mile run. Register by Wednesday, July 30. Entry fee, $50 for individual athletes, $40 for each team member participant. Information: www.fultonmontgomeryny.org

Lake Georgen SATURDAY, AUG. 30 & SUNDAY, AUG. 31Lake George Triathlon Festival, Beach Road, Lake George. Saturday: Olympic distance and kids’ splash-n-dash. Sunday: Half-iron distance. Event information and registration: www.adkracemgmt.com


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ClaytonSATURDAY, JULY 5n Grindstone Island Kayak Trek with the Thou-sand Islands Land Trust. Head of Grindstone Island, 9 a.m. (Meet at the TILT office for trans-portation.) Free for TILT supporters. TILT Trustee Jane Carver has kayaked throughout the 1000 Islands and will lead the trek. Trek concludes at TILT-owned Potters Beach. Limited kayak rentals available for $15. This TILTrek is reserved for TILT supporters only and has limited space. If you’d like to become a member and join the trek (and let us know if you need a kayak), call the office at 315-686-5345 or visit TILT online at www.tilandtrust.org to make a contribution.

Lake PlacidTUESDAY, JUNE 24 — SUNDAY, JUNE 29n Lake Placid Horse Show. Watch riders from across North America compete, North Elba Horse Show Grounds, 8 a.m. each day. Event schedule and details: www.lakeplacid horseshow.com

MONDAY, AUG. 4 — SUNDAY, AUG. 10n 25th Annual Summit Lacrosse Tournament, North Elba Horse Show Grounds. Check website for tournament information: www.lakeplacidlax.com


THOSE BLUEBIRD-CLEAR SKIES AND CHILLY mornings that give way to baked-biscuit warm days in early October are always treasured from the side of an oak tree. All summer I look forward to hanging from the side of a sturdy tree in autumn, especially on mornings when there’s no breeze, just the stillness of the air and my wisps of breath to signal I’m alive in the woods. Walking in before sunrise, I place one foot in front of the other, delicately so as to avoid disturbing the forest with my arrival. Finding my tree with its metal platform hanging by straps some 20 feet in the air, I ascend to the small seat that will support my observations of this forest-canopied community that I will join for the next few hours. My autumn journeys into the woods are a time of restoration, observation and simpli-fication. As I await the first peak of sunlight to break the horizon, everything about me slows down. Sounds become more acute. The snap of a twig, the squeak of a mouse 20 feet below; the rustling of leaves behind me becomes important. What happens in Wash-ington, New York City, or even Watertown doesn’t matter to me when I’m here. Each step up the solid oak tree washes the week’s problems away. My tree stand is where I go back to a simpler being, unless, of course, gray squirrels are around. I’ve learned that gray squirrels in these woods are dangerous and require the utmost attention to their presence. My first experi-ence with the squirrels in this particular forest began peacefully. I had climbed into my stand and was enjoying one of those

bluebird morn-ings. As usual I listened to the sounds of the forest waking up to a new morn-ing. Slowly the calls of chicka-dees and pileated woodpeckers cracked the silence of the woods. I saw the gray squirrels come out of their dens, too. I watched as they climbed the great oaks in search of the acorns hanging on the branches above. With five squirrels in the area, it didn’t take long before acorns were dropping onto the leaves that blanketed the forest floor. That is when the trouble started. One particularly big and scruffy-looking squirrel came to visit in my stand. It climbed the tree I was in and stopped on the arm rail just two feet away. He slightly cocked his head at me, twitching his nose. I wondered just how stupid this squirrel would be as it climbed into the same nest as a potential predator. And that’s when the squirrel uri-nated on the armrest and scampered rest of the way up to the crown of the tree. Proud of the fact that I didn’t shock the squirrel, which felt comfortable enough to urinate on my armrest, I took it as a sign of how well I had become a part of the forest. Then it started.

First, the clink of an acorn as it dropped onto my metal tree stand. That will hap-pen in a forest full of acorn-laden oak trees, regardless of scruffy big gray squirrels. Then, I heard a second clink. A minute later, another. I looked up. There was the gray squirrel in the tree branches. The big scruffy squirrel was looking down at me. I looked away and adjusted in my seat, my arrogance sending the message to the squirrel that his nuisance was of no matter. Thud, onto my hat an acorn fell. I looked up. There was the big scruffy gray squirrel straight above me, peering down from a branch. Okay, squir-rel, I see you. Down came another acorn, bouncing off my shoulder. I stood up and rendered a defiant gesture to the squirrel. The squirrel scurried off, leaping to another tree. “Okay,” I thought, “that squirrel was obnoxious but I won that battle.” As the season went on I spent a lot of time in my oak tree stand. It seemed like each time I came out, shortly after first light, I would hear the sound of leaves rustling on the forest floor and then I would watch the big scruffy gray squirrel ascend to heights above me. Eventually he ran out of acorns. Yes, I love my time of restoration, observa-tion and simplification, even if it means a scruffy big gray squirrel urinates on my tree stand while I’m in it and drops acorns on me until there are no more.

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In man versus squirrel, a battle for trees and tranquility is waged

n JAY M. MATTESON is an avid outdoorsman, naturalist and Boy Scout leader who lives in southern Jefferson County with his wife and son. He gradu-ated from Unity College in Maine with a degree in wildlife biology. His column appears in every issue.

THE TREESTAND CHRONICLES


Organized by, and to benefit, the USO Fort Drum and Carthage Area Hospital to further help support our military service members and their families.

Hourly Big Bass Tournament July 26th, 2014

(BBQ Dinner Party the night before) Bonnie Castle Resort, Alexandria Bay, NY

1st P lace Gua ranteed 1st P lace Guaranteed OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

Spectators: Adults $5

Children $3 Under 5 FREE

Spectator Attendance on the day of the Tournament is

highly encouraged!

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Special Thanks to Waite Toyota, Waite Motorsports and Polaris Top 5 Bass Every Hour

1st Place: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $400 2nd Place: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $300 3rd Place: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $200 4th Place: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $150 5th Place: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $100

6th Place: $100 (Biobar bonus)

Friday, July 25th Registration & Meet the Pros

BBQ Raffles Live Auction Food & Drinks DJ

Saturday, July 26th Hourly Weigh-Ins

Live Music by

Guest Speaker,

Kim Munley, who

saved countless lives

during the terrorist

attack at Fort Hood on

November 5, 2009

260 Washington St.Watertown, NY 13601

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED


NNY Outdoors Spring/Summer 2014

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Transcript of NNY Outdoors Spring/Summer 2014