For my father, brother and myself, the four seasons were defined by which sporting activities were available. The calendar shows March 21st as spring, but to us it marked the end of winter because in the 1950’s-1970’s, muskrat trapping season closed March 21st, though it was also the beginning of spring for us for we now speared fish, fished for bullheads, dipped smelt and, lastly, fished for large lake run rock bass!

We speared mostly carp from a boat and were able to sell most carp. Living and having a boat and fishing business on Oak Orchard Creek in Orleans County, gave us easy access to spear carp. Having a fleet of 36 rental boats also made it easy. From March 21st thru April spearing large suckers that ran upstream from Lake Ontario was very popular. After some warm spring rains, large schools of big lake-run suckers brought many spearers to the bounty.

Suckers were a bony fish, some ate them, most were canned or pickled. All too often, they were speared and left to rot. There were also some large Northern pike in these same streams that were speared and left to the same fate.

By the late 1970’s, an outstanding spring steelhead fishery was developing in these same streams. Soon there was a conflict between fishing and spearing as some spearers could not resist sticking some of these large steelhead and leaving their crime behind. The DEC had to address this issue and put up the practice of spearing for public comment in the 1980’s.

Little or no positive feedback favored the practice of spearing rough fish. Now fishing regulations list the taking of fish with a spear as prohibited at all times. While I do miss spearing carp, it was probably a long running spring tradition that had outlived its usefulness, besides, the opportunity to catch huge steelhead was a fair trade.

Bullhead fishing was our next tradition that started in late March and lasted until early May. About mid-April until mid-June our rental boats were often rented 2 or 3 times a day on weekends. Bullhead fishing was best after dark when the bullheads moved into the shallow water. Often Oak Orchard Creek and Johnson Creek in Orleans County were well lit up with Coleman lanterns from bullhead fishermen on shore or in boats. Between spearing and bullhead fishing, our business sold over 100 gallons of white gas each spring. I have about 15 Coleman lanterns in storage, but being too lazy to get them running again after years of neglect, I decided to purchase a new multifuel Coleman double mantel lantern. They’re quite scarce in stores and had to special order it. The price was a bit of a surprise and it would have easily qualified for a “3 easy Payment” plan! The cost was worth it because I could share the experience of the roar of the lantern and catching bullhead with my grandkids.

Years back my brother and I often fished all night for bullhead, now I go 3 or 4 times each spring after a heavy rain which really gets bullheads biting in the daytime. Bullhead fishing is still popular in some areas on Lake Ontario, but in my area this spring tradition has lost its appeal.

Smelt dipping was usually early May in small Lake Ontario tributaries in Orleans County. The salmon and trout of Lake Ontario preferred smelt as forage so their numbers fell to zero in these tribs. The world class salmon and trout fishery that the DEC developed was worth the trade.

Rock bass fishing was the next spring rite. Oak Orchard was famous for its rock bass fishing. Every year from late April to mid-June, thousands of large rock bass were taken when they came from the lake to spawn.

They were fun to catch, fought hard on ultra-lite tackle and were good table fare. During this time, our rental boat fleet was rented out 3 times a day with customers always waiting for a boat to return. Worms, small crankbaits, spinners and jigs put as many as 100 in some boats. Weekends were pretty busy and wild, except Mother’s Day, that day the boat livery was deserted. About 15 years ago the rock bass numbers started to decline and in recent years, the huge run of spawning fish from Lake Ontario are history. You never know what you have until you lose it. To us when the warm weather of mid-June and the rock bass fishing was finished, it was summer.

Spring rites change and now we have spring steelhead fishing in these same streams and trout and salmon in Lake Ontario. There a resurgence in perch and walleye in the spring thanks to the salmonids reducing the alewife population. I kind of miss some of our old spring rites, but there are new adventures now to satisfy most sportsmen.

NOTICES

• Spring Meeting Minutes are on our website. Thank you to all those that attended & Presented at the meeting!
• Our new website will be up soon, we will send out a constant contact email when its ready for you to enjoy. With the new website we will be working the rest of the year to update content. If there is something you would like to see, please let us know.
• Starting Mid-May, Casey may be out on maternity leave. While she doesn't plan on being out too long, if it isn't an urgent matter feel free to email her. If it is urgent please contact Chuck Parker at [email protected] and please be patient as he is taking on a lot of duties.
• Save The Date: 2023 Fall Convention will be held August 11-13 at Delta Lake. Full details including lodging prices and agenda to come.