September 15th,. 2010 West Erie County, DWCO Randy Leighton, rglerie@msn.com Conditions, They're Here: Yes they're here. Steelhead have slowly begun moving into the West County tribs. The Walnut channel seems to be holding a fair number of fish as of this writing as evidenced by the number caught this past weekend and earlier this week A fair crowd was lined up along the wall through out the weekend during the morning and evening hours. A few of limits were observed at the Walnut Creek and Elk Creek Accesses. A number of fish were caught between sunset and sunrise with activity slowing around 7:00 am or so. Water levels are good near the mouths due to good Lake levels, however, up stream conditions are low and clear in most areas making daytime steelhead fishing difficult, but not impossible. Anglers were also doing fair to good at the mouths of Trout and Godfrey runs along the lakeshore and angler reports indicate that some fish are holding in the "mud hole" at the mouth of Elk Creek. For now, there are steelhead to be had, close to the mouths with upstream movement depending upon a little more rain and cool temperatures. Water temperatures in the tribs are still rather warm with mild temperatures forecast over the next week. Anglers targeting perch still have plenty of good fishing remaining as long as the wind and waves cooperate. Perch are still schooling in and around 60' of water due north of Walnut Creek and off the lighthouse at Presque Isle. Walleye have begun to scatter, although there are still good numbers to be caught once they are located. Current lake Erie water temperature as of this writing is 67 degrees. Current west side tributary conditions as of Tuesday afternoon were low and clear with little flow. Sandbars Are Building In the Walnut Creek Channel: Boaters entering and exiting are advised to use caution when entering or exiting the Walnut Creek channel. Wind and waves can be heavy during the seasonal transition and will build shallow sandbars throughout the channel and the entrance. Typically, the shallow water will be towards the west side of the channel with the deeper water on the east side. Trimming your engine up as much as possible and keeping an eye on your depth finder will ease navigation through the channel as well Anglers are again advised when fishing the Wall along the channel at the Walnut Creek Access, boaters coming in and out of the channel have the absolute right of way over angler's lines. Anger's are required to yield to the boaters by completely pulling their lines out of the water as the boats pass to avoid tangles in the boater's lower units and out drives. Anglers not yielding their line are subject to citation. The question came up this past weekend.. "but what if I have a fish on shouldn't the boat stop an yield to me?" The answer is simple a fish in play simply does not override the boaters right of way and often because of channel depths and conditions, the boater may not be able to stop and wait for a played out fish. Tangled lines can destroy out drive seals and in some cases cause thousands of dollars in damages. An angler causing such damage to a boater's out drive can also be exposed to the cost of repairs. It should be considered that the Walnut Creek Marina Channel was designed as a pathway for boaters in and out of the Marina. The fishing opportunities along the Wall became a by product of the original design. Although not a law, boaters exiting the channel are asked to sound there horns to alert anglers that a boat is coming through the channel...this is a courtesy...not a law. The wall is filling up!!! We still have room, however, for Memorials or a Birthday or Anniversary gift. The pavers are wonderful and meaningful gifts for those of you who have friends or family who are hard to buy for --consider a paver as a long lasting gift which they can enjoy seeing for many years to come. There are now only 2 of the large capstones left on the garden side of the wall and one slightly smaller on the south side. These are much larger than the pavers and can be yours for $325 for the larger and $275 for the smaller. If you have not been to the Walnut Creek Marina in awhile, stop and see the wall and the garden and see what some of the capstones and pavers say. It is touching and interesting. The Walnut Creek Access Office is still open, so you may pick up a brochure in the office or get in touch with me at the addressees below. The money from the sale of any paver or capstone goes in to a fund at the Erie Community Foundation to pay for upkeep and maintenance of the garden and wall into perpetuity. For more information contact Christie Ferrier at 814-474-2577 25th International Coastal Cleanup September 25th: The 25th International Coastal Cleanup is scheduled for Saturday September 25th. Erie County will again be looking for local help in this world wide effort. You can join volunteers at any of the 15 sites in the Erie region and become a part of this world wide effort. For more information on this great cause go to International Coastal Cleanup A list of local cleanup areas and contact information is listded below. - Raccoon Park
Thursday...Showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 60s. Southeast winds 15 to 20 mph...becoming southwest in the afternoon. Chance of rain 90 percent. Thursday Night...Cloudy with a 50 percent chance of showers. Lows in the mid 50s. Northwest winds 15 to 20 mph...becoming north after midnight. Friday...Partly sunny. Highs in the mid 60s. Friday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 50s. Saturday...Partly cloudy. Highs in the lower 70s. Saturday Night...Partly cloudy in the evening...then becoming mostly cloudy. Lows in the mid 50s. Sunday...Partly sunny. Highs in the lower 70s. Sunday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 50s. Monday...Partly sunny. Highs in the lower 70s. Monday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 50s. Tuesday...Partly cloudy. Highs in the upper 70s |
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