nature & waterways

29-pound Chinook takes $4K top prize in fishing derby

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 August 2015 at 12:00 am

Holley man catches second biggest fish in derby, wins $700

Photos by Tom Rivers

CARLTON – Paul Czarnecki holds a 29-pound Chinook salmon that won the Orleans County Fishing Derby, which started Aug. 1 and continued until Aug. 16.

Czarnecki is a charter boat captain and owner of Tri-State Charters. He took Georgia Barkdoll of McConnellsburg, Pa., out fishing and she reeled in the 29-pound fish, which won the $4,000 grand prize in the fishing derby.

Barkdoll was unable to attend today’s awards ceremony at the Carlton Recreation Hall. Czarnecki said the fish was caught about 300 feet below the surface of Lake Ontario just off the shore from Point Breeze.

Bill Silpoch of Holley holds a 26-pound, 8-ounce Chinook, which won the $500 prize for first place in the salmon disvision and also another $200 for biggest fish caught by an Orleans County resident.

Silpoch, a senior building maintenance worker for Holley Central School, caught the fish on Friday at about 5 p.m. off Point Breeze. He was fishing on the Intimidator Sport Fishing charter owned by Mike Lavender.

Silpoch said he takes about three charters a year with family, including his sons, ages 11, 10, and 7. The winning fish was the biggest one he’s ever caught. It was about a 20-minute battle to land the salmon after it was hooked.

Mike Ayotte, former owner of Captain’s Cove in Carlton, caught the biggest rainbow trout at 12 pounds, 14 ounces. Ayotte now lives in Port Charlotte, Fla. Each of the division winners received a $500 check for first place.

Jared Wise, 17, of Rochester was fourth in the lake trout divsion with this fish that weighed 15 pounds, 0 ounces.

There were 644 participants in the derby, which is organized by the Albion Rotary Club. There were $8,800 in checks given to the top five anglers in four fish divisions, plus the grand prize winner.

Stan Allen, one of the derby volunteers, reads off the winning number for a prize held by Bill Downey, president of the derby. The Albion Rotary Club has been organizing the derby for more than 30 years.

For more information on the leaderboard and the derby, click here.

It will be hot the next few days

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 August 2015 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers

POINT BREEZE – A boater heads out of the channel at Oak Orchard Harbor on Saturday while some ducks are out in Lake Ontario.

It’s going to be hot the next few days. The National Weather Service is forecasting a high of 87 today, followed by 88 on Monday, a high of 86 on Tuesday and 82 on Wednesday.

The Weather Channel is warning of extreme heat today and Monday with the heat index at 90.

29-pounder is new leader in fishing derby

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 August 2015 at 12:00 am

POINT BREEZE – A 29-pound Chinook salmon caught by a Pennsylvania resident is the new leader of the Orleans County Fishing Derby with only three days left in the contest.

Georgia Barkdoll of McConnellsburg, Pa., reeled in the 29-pound, 0-ounce fish on Thursday. It is in the lead for the $4,000 grand prize. It knocked a 25-pound, 5-ounce salmon off the top of the leaderboard.

The derby started on Aug. 1 and continues until Aug. 16. The Albion Rotary Club puts on the annual event.
Other division leaders include:

Salmon: 25 pounds, 5 ounces – Joseph Miller of Harrisburg, Pa.;

Rainbow trout: 12 pounds, 14 ounces – Michael Ayotte, Port Charlotte, Fla.;

Brown trout: 14 pounds, 5 ounces – Chad Kennedy of Marlborough, Mass.;

Lake trout: 17 pounds, 12 ounces – Mike Engle of Hamlin, NY.

There is $8,800 in cash prizes up for grabs in the derby.

For more information on the contest, click here.

Pennsylvania woman is new leader in OC Fishing Derby

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 August 2015 at 12:00 am

There is a new leader in the Orleans County Fishing Derby, which started on Aug. 1 and continues until Aug. 16 with $8,800 in prize money up for grabs.

Nicole Brown of Hummelstown, Pa., leads the derby with a 24-pound, 12-ounce Chinook salmon. Grand prize in the derby is $4,000.

The first place winners in four divisions – Chinook, rainbow trout, brown trout and lake trout – all receive $500.

The first place winners, as of the end of Friday, include Salmon: Charlie Eulitt of Oak Harbor, Ohio, 24 pounds, 5 ounces; Rainbow trout: Nicole Brown of Hummelstown, Pa., 11 pounds, 5 ounces; Brown trout: Chad Kennedy of Marlborough, Mass., 14 pounds, 5 ounces; and Lake trout: Mike Engle of Hamlin, NY, 17 pounds, 12 ounces.

Terah Slack of Medina also is leading with the $200 bonus award for biggest fish caught by an Orleans County resident. She reeled in a 22-pound, 2-ounce salmon.

Besides $4,000 for the biggest fish and the $500 for the four division leaders, there is $300 for second place, $200 for third, $100 for fourth and $50 for fifth.

For more information on the derby, click here.

NY approves new boat for OC Sheriff’s Department

Staff Reports Posted 6 August 2015 at 12:00 am

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo today announced six new patrol boats that will assist local law enforcement agencies across the state with keeping waterways safe.

One of the new vessels is assigned to the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department.

“More people than ever are taking advantage of the recreational opportunities at New York’s many lakes, rivers and coastal waters and we’re committed to ensuring that they remain safe for residents and visitors alike,” Governor Cuomo said in a press release today. “These new patrol vessels will assist local law enforcement efforts and will provide them with additional means to ensure those out on the water are abiding by the law.”

In addition to the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, the new Brunswick Justice patrol vessels are assigned to the Babylon Police Department (Suffolk County), Irvington Police Department (Westchester County), Lewis County Sheriff’s Department, Livingston County Sheriff’s Department, and Port Chester Police Department (Westchester County).

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation purchased these vessels, which range in value from $70,000 to nearly $130,000. The transaction was made possible through the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, administered by the U.S. Coast Guard, which provides funding to states to assist with recreational boating safety. Local police agencies will use the patrol vessels to enhance recreational boater safety and enforce New York State Navigation Laws.

“With our exceptional lakes, rivers and bays, New York State has a strong tradition of boating and fishing – and we want to make sure people visiting our waterways stay safe,” State Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey said. “Local marine patrols help keep our waterways safe by discouraging dangerous boating practices and serving as first responders in on-the-water emergencies.”

The State Parks Marine Service Unit is responsible for the general coordination of boating safety programs and supports marine law enforcement efforts across the state, including patrols, training and funding for local marine enforcement activities.

23-pound salmon now leads OC Fishing Derby

Staff Reports Posted 5 August 2015 at 12:00 am

There is a new leader in the Orleans County Fishing Derby after a Pennsylvania man reeled in a 23-pound, 4-ounce Chinook salmon on Tuesday.

Mark Cippel of Ford City hooked the fish that holds the top spot – the $4,000 grand prize in the fishing derby that continues until Aug. 16.

There were other additions to the leaderboard after Tuesday, including Jeff Newman of Lyndonville. He leads the salmon division with a 21-pound, 7-ounce Chinook. He also is in the lead for the $200 bonus prize, given to the Orleans County resident who catches the biggest fish in the derby.

The leaderboard also includes a 14-pound brown trout caught by April Johnson of Rochester to lead that division and 17-pound, 12-ounce lake trout by Mike Engle of Hamlin.

The derby is still waiting for its first fish in the rainbow trout division.

The derby, which is sponsored by the Albion Rotary Club, gives out $8,800 in total prize money. Besides $4,000 for the biggest fish, the four division leaders each get $500, followed by $300 for second, $200 for third, $100 for fourth and $50 for fifth.

For more on the derby, click here.

New leader in fishing derby

Staff Reports Posted 3 August 2015 at 12:00 am

Day 2 of the Orleans County Fishing Derby brought changes to the leaderboard.

A 17-pound, 12-ounce lake trout caught by Mike Engle of Hamlin is the new leader in the derby, which started on Saturday and runs until Aug. 16. The angler who catches the biggest fish in the derby wins $4,000.

The leaderboard also includes a 14-pound brown trout caught by April Johnson of Rochester to lead that division.

The top lake trout include a 15-pounder caught by Jared Wise of Rochester, and a 14-pound, 1-ounce lake trout reeled in by Garrett Rusin of Brockport.

The derby is still waiting for its first fish in the Chinook salmon and rainbow trout divisions.

The derby gives out $8,800 in total prize money. Besides $4,000 for the biggest fish, the four division leaders each get $500, followed by $300 for second, $200 for third, $100 for fourth and $50 for fifth.

There is also a $200 prize to the Orleans County resident who catches the biggest fish.

The derby is sponsored by the Albion Rotary Club. Last year, a 27-pound, 7-ounce Chinook salmon won the derby.

For more on the derby, click here.

N-O legislators go to DC to fight Lake Ontario plan

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 July 2015 at 12:00 am

File photo by Tom Rivers – Lake Ontario splashes against the south shore in this photo from last August, taken at the shores of the Golden Hill State Park in Barker.

Two county legislators travelled to Washington, D.C. last week to meet with federal officials and argue against a new plan for regulating the water levels in Lake Ontario.

It’s unusual for county legislators from Orleans and Niagara counties to travel to the nation’s capital on official county business. But for Lynne Johnson of Orleans County and David Godfrey of Niagara, the issue demands every effort from the southshore counties that stand to lose valuable real estate and have fishing and tourism industries effected.

“We wanted to drive our point home that this will be devastating to the lakeshore,” Johnson said.

She and Godfrey represented the Niagara-Orleans Regional Alliance. They met with Department of State officials, as well as staff for U.S. Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand. The two county legislators also met directly with U.S. Rep. Chris Collins, who arranged for a meeting with the Department of State.

The International Joint Commission regulates the lake water levels. It includes representation from both the U.S. and Canadian governments. The IJC has endorsed a plan that could lead to bigger fluctuations in lake levels. Many southshore county leaders fear higher water will erode private property and lower levels will leave marinas too shallow for boaters, hurting the fishing and recreational industries.

Johnson and Godgrey said they were armed with facts about the potential harm of the IJC plan. The six southshore counties from Niagara to Oswego have 10,025 parcels of lakefront land with a total assessed value of $3.7 billion. If they suffer a 10 percent loss, those communities would lose $370 million in value.

That difference would be spread to other property owners in the counties, raising their taxes, Johnson said.

“Everyone will suffer if we continue to take away properties on the lakeshore,” Godfrey said. “If the assessments are dropped because of this, we have to redistribute it to the other property owners in the county.”

The southshore fishing industry also generates about $100 million in economic impact annually. If that industry suffers, resulting in fewer sales tax and other revenue, that impact will have to be made up from other sources, Godfrey said.

He worries a higher lake will also swell inland streams, leading to more damage for those property owners.

A higher lake could also stir up radioactive waste in the town of Porter, Godfrey said. Radioactive waste material is buried near the shore with three feeder streams nearby, he said.

“If the lake levels fluctuate it will increase the draw and could flush it into the lake,” Godfrey said. “That’s very concerning to us.”

Collins spoke against the IJC plan during a news conference at Oak Orchard Harbor on July 2. He is working out another meeting in Washington with IJC and Department of State officials, Johnson said.

“On the heels of what I heard from local legislators and residents at last week’s press conference, it is clear this plan is not in the best interest of homeowners and other stakeholders along the Lake Ontario shoreline,” Collins said in a statement. “I am glad we had the opportunity to voice our concerns to the State Department, which is currently undergoing an interagency review of the IJC’s proposal. I remain committed to working with my colleagues in state and local government against its implementation.”

Collins and the county legislators say the plan goes against a binational treaty for the water levels that says no side of the lake should bear a “disproportional” harm from the water levels.

Johnson and Godfrey would like the IJC to continue the existing lake level management plan which dates back to the 1958.

“Our hope is in the end this goes nowhere,” she said about the new IJC plan. “We will continue to drive a nail into the coffin.”

Medina celebrates panel by Canal Culvert, an architectural marvel

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 July 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

RIDGEWAY – The Medina Tourism Committee, State Canal Corp. and some passing cyclists celebrated a new interpretive panel on Monday morning explaining the Canal Culvert and other culverts along the Erie Canal system.

The panel is along the towpath on the north side of the Culvert.

Jim Hancock, chairman of the Medina Tourism Committee, said many cyclists, walkers and other canal users pass by the spot without realizing the remarkable culvert below.

The new panel draws attention to spot, the only place on the 363-mile-long canal where a road goes under the canal.

“This will let people know there is a significant architectural structure there,” Hancock said. “It’s one of a kind.”

Hancock helped organize the panel dedication on Monday. He wanted the event to express appreciation to the Canal Corp. for putting up the panel, and for also being a good caretaker of the nearly 200-year-old manmade waterway.

“We just wanted to say , “Thank you,'” Hancock said.

Here are some highlights of the panel, which also includes information on other culverts on the canal:

The panel notes the original culvert in Medina was dismantled in 1854 and rebuilt the following year. It was further upgraded in 1895.

Medina doesn’t have the only significant culvert on the canal system.

Cyclists get a warm welcome in Orleans

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 July 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Volunteers with the Albion Merchants Association handed out free bottles of water and also had some local merchandise for sale this morning when 600 cyclists passed through Albion on the 17th annual “Cycling the Erie Canal” bike tour.

Merchants President Carolyn Ricker, left, is pictured with Amanda Wolford and Lisa Stratton at the welcome table. The Merchants and Pawlak’s Save-A-Lot paid for the free water for the cyclists.

Cyclists have name tags on their bikes as well as where they are from. There are participants from 36 states on the 400-mile ride that started Sunday in Buffalo and ends this Sunday in Albany.

The Village of Holley also had water and baked goods available for free for the cyclists at the Holley rest station along the canal. Mayor John Kenney secured donations for the items.

He has been part of Holley’s welcoming committee for the cyclists since 2003. He said he welcomes the chance to give the cyclists a favorable impression of Holley.

“We always stop to say ‘Hello’ to the people,” Kenney said. “We receive many, many compliments.”

Volunteers also gave cyclists rides on golf carts to the Holley Waterfalls and the Holley-Murray Historical Society Museum.

These cyclists stopped in Albion and were happy to see the lift bridge in action with a boat passing along the Erie Canal.

Sherri Swift takes a photo of the lift bridge in Albion. She is joined by her daughter, Cadence, who is only 2 and the youngest person on the tour. (She sits in a cart on one of the bikes.) The Swifts, along with Sherri’s husband Sean, came up from Tulsa, Oklahoma, for the bike journey.

“This is what we enjoy doing, getting out and experiencing cool stuff,” Mrs. Swift said.

One of the cyclists waves to a boater in Albion.