A few days skiing

I spent the past weekend at Lapland Lake
skiing. The photo I posted is of the sign post
directing skiers to the most difficult trail at the
ski center. Since 1982, when I skied my first
50 Kilometer race here, I have been skiing at Lapland
Lake. It is my favorite ski center. Originally it was
designed for classic Nordic skiing but the owner
has widen the trails to allow for both classic
and skate Nordic technique to be used by skiers.

Classic Nordic skiing uses "tracks" or groves made
in the snow for the skier to follow while skiing.
Skate Nordic skiing or sometimes called "free style"
does not require tracks; although the skier can ski in
tracks when they are available.

Speak softly but carry a big stick

Since my last carp outing, I've been using one
of my switch fly rods to fish. This is the Buelah
10'6", 4 piece, 7/8 rod. It is loaded with a Rio skaget
fly line. As my timing gets better, I will take it
carp fishing. Maybe then I 'll be able to reach
the carp that are usually beyond my casting
reach.



I made a visit to the main part of Prospect
Park lake this afternoon. I was there to put
some boilles in the water for the carp. Temperature
was in the low 40Fs but the sun was out.



Afterwards, I walked to the Lullwater for some
fly fishing with the long rod. I tyed on a rarely used
#14 Bead head wooly bugger. I made a cast near
a downed tree. The water is still cold so I let the
fly slowly sink into the water.



It wasn't long before I felt a slight tugging on
my line. It was a fish. I was surprised because
a wooly bugger that size normally does not hold
a big fish, unless it is a golden shiner. The shiner
has a profile similar to a trout. However, the
mouth of the shiner is as big as a #2 pencil.



Normally any hook larger than a #12 will not
fit into a shiners mouth.

It has started.

My buddy Dennis & I fished for carp this afternoon.
I provided the carp pellets, Dennis provided the
dog biscuits. We had the carp actively feeding on
the surface of the lake after about an hour.
That was the easy part. The hard part was getting
the clooping carp to take our flies.



Dennis hook one as soon as his presentation was
made with a 5X tippet. He found that even
winter carp are leery of a sixteen pound tippet.
I on the other hand was still stalking my first
winter carp. As I patroled the edge of the pond
I looked for tell tale signs of actively feeding
carp; tails, bubbles and shadows that move slowly
along the bottom of the pond. Some young carp were
actively feeding on dog biscuits but only in the very
middle of the pond.





I continued to search for feeding carp. I did
see the orange koi lurking in the deep part of the
pond, near the ponds edge. I was careful not to cast a
shadow on the water. Even walking too close
to the edge can spook carp.

Full Moon

There is an old Gypsy poem which reads:
"Even a man who is pure of heart and says his
prayers at night, may become a carp fisher
when the mulberry bloom and the summer
moon is bright."



I took these pictures of a full moon this evening.
In two months time the mulberry trees will
release their goodies again. Get ready!

Prospect Park on a sunny afternoon

We experienced a warm spell this afternoon
the forecast called for a high of 70F. I started
fishing on the main part of the lake with the
hope of catching a carp.



Carp have been caught in this area.
In the summer, this is a known carp hangout.
I've been chumming this spot and expect to hook
a carp on a fly rod here soon! I have also caught some
big bluegills here too.



This couple hangs out here too.



In addition to the nice yellow perch, I caught
a small bass and this bluegill near the boat house
I fished a bamboo rod.

New Cane fly rod

A few weeks ago I bought a cane fly rod on e-bay.
I plan to use it for some carp this season. I've been testing
the rod with different lines. I started with a 4 weight line
that was too light. My next test was done with a 6 weight
line; again not right. This evening I tried an
Orvis 8 weight bass taper. The rod really likes this.
I was able to spey cast the line and I got good
distance!



I fished with my traditional spring set up, a bead
head nymph tied about 18 inches above a non
bead head nymph.



I hooked a really nice yellow perch two days ago
on this set up and this evening I hooked a blue
gill and a golden shiner. I used a #14 hook.



All the ice that covered the lake and the Lullwater
has melted. Even carp are active, I saw lots of bubbles
on the water surface. I received some ground bait for
carp which I plan to use in Brooklyn and the Bronx.
The ground bait, I hope will encourage carp to eat and
allow me to catch carp in those two counties.

Almost spring

I was out this afternoon as the temperature rose
to 60F. It was warm but the wind was gusting to
15MPH and the sun was behind the clouds.
There is still ice on the lake and the Lullwater is
completely covered by ice.



I brought my new cane fly rod for some practice
with several fly lines. I'm not sure if I will under
or overline this rod. While I was walking the shore
line, I noticed this furry creature running for cover.
A possum in broad daylight! I'd heard they are in
the park but until this afternoon I had never seen
one.



This picture was taken at the Boat House. I thought
that this area would be free of ice. Oh well maybe
next week.



I'll take a look later this coming week.

Things are looking good!

It looks like March has come in like a lamb.
Another day with warming temperatures and
the ice is receding.



Just the other day this area was a sheet of ice
I suspect by this weekend I will be fishing for the
first time this year.



But this is hard to believe almost over night, water.



This is the area known as 3 island because there
are three islands.