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February 20th, 2008 West Erie County, DWCO Randy Leighton, WCO Brook Tolbert Conditions: Monday afternoon and Tuesday found the Erie County tribs opened up with much of the ice pushed down stream and the water flowing high and mighty. Temperatures dropped into the teens again late Tuesday afternoon created slush and some icing again. As far as hard water fishing goes, caution can not be overemphasized with the rapid freezing and thawing. Anglers were out this past weekend with reports of ice thickness anywhere from 3 to 5 inches of relatively soft ice. There have been reports, both confirmed and unconfirmed of angler "fall throughs" Common sense dictates to the experienced ice angler that in Erie, it typically takes a good solid week of temperatures in the low teens to take the Bay from soft water to stable, hard ice. The constant freeze and thawing we have experienced has been forming multiple layers of frozen ice and slush and not a lot of hard "black ice". The experienced ice angler knows that just because someone is out there the ice is not necessarily safe for fishing or for any other ice activities for that matter. Ice conditions again, are not monitored and in these cases there are no laws for stupidity. When venturing out on to the ice....you are on your on, and for many anglers venturing out on the Bay in marginal conditions, that can be a long way away from rescue. Use your head and be careful. Cabin Fever?, Basic Boating Class, Sign Up Early: Area officers from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, will be conducting a safe boating class on Tuesday and Thursday, March 25th and 27th from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM each evening. The class will be held at the Girard United Methodist Church at 48 Main Street Girard PA 16417 with plenty of room for anyone interested. This comprehensive 8 hour class is designed for the novice boater or boater to be, as well as the experienced boater who would like to refresh his knowledge and is especially recommended for the new boater and their families. The class covers basic boating safety, boating laws and regulations, and equipment. Successful completion of the course qualifies the individual for a Pennsylvania boating education safety certificate (card). There is no charge for the course or materials, although registration is required. This class typically fills up and early sign up is recommended. To register for this class, email DWCO Randy Leighton at rglerie@msn.com with your name, address, phone, age, and number of people you would like to register or you can phone WCO Brook Tolbert at (814) 774-4672 Upon successful completion of the course , the Agency will require a processing fee for your Basic Boating Safety Certificate (card) if desired. Who Needs a Boating Safety Certificate: Boating Safety Certificates (Actually a plastic card) are required for anyone operating a personal watercraft (jet ski) and anyone born on or after January 1st 1982 operating a boat powered by motors greater than 25 Horsepower. Walnut Creek Fishing Hours Change, Effective Immediately: Erie Outdoor Sport and Travel Expo: Local Weather Wednesday Night...Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of snow showers. Cold with lows around 9 above. Northwest winds 10 to 20 mph...becoming west 5 to 10 mph after midnight. Thursday...Partly cloudy. Highs in the lower 20s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Thursday Night...Becoming cloudy. A chance of snow late. Lows around 15. South winds around 5 mph...becoming southeast after midnight. Chance of snow 30 percent. Friday...Cloudy with a 50 percent chance of snow. Highs in the upper 20s. Friday Night...Cloudy with a 40 percent chance of snow showers. Lows in the lower 20s. Saturday...Partly sunny. Highs in the lower 30s. Saturday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows 15 to 20. Sunday...Partly cloudy. Highs in the mid 30s. Sunday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows around 20. Monday...Partly cloudy. Highs in the upper 30s. Monday Night...Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of snow showers. Not as cold with lows around 30. Tuesday...Cloudy with a 50 percent chance of rain showers. Highs in the lower 40s. |
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