bobcat spotted on the Bronx River

 

First beavers and now bobcats on NYC's Bronx River!

The bobcat (Lynx rufus), also known as the red lynx, is a medium-sized cat native to North America from southern Canada, most of the contiguous United States to Oaxaca in Mexico. It is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List since 2002, because it is widely distributed and abundant. Although it has been hunted extensively both for sport and fur, populations have proven resilient though declining in some areas.^[1]

It has distinctive black bars on its forelegs and a black-tipped, stubby (or "bobbed") tail, from which it derives its name. It is smaller on average than the Canada lynx, with which it shares parts of its range, but is about twice as large as the domestic cat. It is an adaptable predator inhabiting wooded areas, as well as semidesert, urban edge, forest edge, and swampland environments. It remains in some of its original range, but populations are vulnerable to local extinction ("extirpation") by coyotes and domestic animals. Though the bobcat prefers rabbits and hares, it hunts insects, chickens, geese and other birds, small rodents, and deer. Prey selection depends on location and habitat, season, and abundance. Like most cats, the bobcat is territorial and largely solitary, although with some overlap in home ranges. It uses several methods to mark its territorial boundaries, including claw marks and deposits of urine or feces. The bobcat breeds from winter into spring and has a gestation period of about two months.

Carpin during covid with ultra light fly rod

I'm continuing my ultralight fly fishing campaign for carp using the Advantic automatic

fly reel.  While the company Advantic has named their reel "automatic" it is a reel that is based

on the Vivarelli design. Franco Vivarelli made semi-automatic fly reels for years.

I have chummed this spot for several days. after 1 PM.  Based on this method of 

chumming, by the third-day fish get use to this type of buffet-style feeding and expect their food

Unfortunately, so do other bottom feeders like catfish.  

 As the evening approached, I made what I thought would be my last cast.  I  cast to a

place that I know has produced carp in the past.  It was difficult to reach using a 3 weight rod;

somehow I reached the area.  Pictured is the result of chumming every day with corn.

Rare fantail carp caught with the Advantic automatic fly reel

I caught a fantail carp today.  I'm still testing the Advantic reel and so far it is working well.

I used an ultra light 3 weight glass fly rod.  It was fun to be able to play the carp because this

is really technical fishing.  No horsing the fish, just technic.  I consider this to be the best way for me to see what the reel is capable of handling.  So far I'm impressed with this forty dollar fly reel.

Normally, reels like this cost hundreds of dollars.  But finally, there is a semi-automatic reel that 

any fly fisher can buy without selling an arm and a leg to get this reel.

 

The Franco Vivarelli semiautomatic fly reel and The Aventic Automatic fly reel - side by side

Carp taken using the Aventic automatic fly reel and a 3 wt fiberglass fly rod!

This reel is sturdy enough for fly-fishing for carp but this is for experienced fly fishers.

Here is a picture of what is being described as an automatic fly reel.  It is not.  At the very lest

it is a copy of the Franco Vivarelli carbon semiautomatic fly reel.

When I exam the Aventic reel, I see a reel that is almost a duplicate of the Vivarelli reel

Side by side photos of the two reels shows almost identical insides

The back of the spools look alike too

The only difference I see here is the difference between the spool caps.

However, both have a quick release to release the spools from the reel.

Almost identical screws for the reel seats

The only difference I see here is that the nameplate has not been inscribed.

The line guides are in the same place as the Vivarelli.  The Vivarelli once sold for about $250.00

  The Aventic automatic retails for about $40.00!  It comes with two spools one a large arbor.  

The reel and the extra spool come in a nylon carry-all case.

 

New fly reel from Aventik " The Automatic"

• Rapid Automatic Trigger System - allows for swift and efficient line retrieval in any circumstance. This is just plain fun for the angler. A totally different experience to feel the rotation of gear inside.
• Lightweight and Convenient - ideal for those seeking a tranquil and stress-free approach to fly fishing, only 130g / 4.59oz. No tired casting for all day
• Large Arbor Design and Line Capacity - 76mm out diameter with a large arbor design to limit the line memory. Enough for 2wt to 4wt fly line with 25 meter 20lbs backing
• Designed for Fast Water fishing - a fast line retrieval capacity of two meters per cast to catch any high speed fish. A lovely toy for any fly fisher.

 Side by side of the Franco Vivarelli carbon fiber semiautomatic fly reel and the Aventik "automatic"

fly reel.  This is a copy of the Vivareeli reel but it cost less than $40.00 for the time being.  I will fish this reel and give an evaluation soon.

Skagit crappie first cast

I took out my skagit set up and tried to catch carp this afternoon.  On the first cast, I had a take.

the line moved smoothly through the water.  I was excited to hook a fish.  It seemed to be a small carp.

But it wasn't.  submitter for your approval is one crappie!   
 

Fall carp fishing eleven foot 2 weight fly rod

After fishing with my 11 foot 6 weight fly rod, I thought why not try something different?

So , I grabbed the sister rod of my 6 weight, my 11 foot 2 weight.  The rod is loaded with

4 weight forward line on the Maxcatch "automatic fly reel.  This is the first time for this rod and

carp.  I felt it would be okay since double-digit carp are a rarity here now.

I arrived at the lake late this afternoon.  This meant I had less than three hours to catch carp. Years ago

I fished this lake with my Japanese, fiberglass 2 weight.  I broke the spring on my Franco Vivarelli fly

reel that day.  But I have had years of experience fishing for carp using various fly rods since then.  I've become skilled at landing the fish on the mossy covered boat ramp.  It allows onlookers to see what I do and gives them an opportunity to photograph the carp.   

I feel like a matador, sometimes as I fight and bring in the fish while standing on the ramp

Bystanders stand behind me as I use my 2 weight.  Experience has taught me to be patient

and careful as I maneuver the fish to shore.  It seems that the smaller carp fight hardest.  People gawk

as the graphite rod bends and bounces.  I can hear the orchestra playing "March of the Toreadors"  

The Two Weight and the reel

 

Long Pond Park

This is the last of the 30 lakes that  make up The Great Lakes of NYC!  It  is unique because

it sits 65 feet above sea level.  This Kettel Pond was formed during the last ice age ,some 15,000

years ago

Long Pond gets its water from an underground source and therefore, the pond water is

crystal clear and not subject to runoff water contamination.  The park is almost primitive.

Deer roam freely in the park.

Looking south from an apparent watering hole used by the wildlife.

The pond produces bass and panfish

Another watering hole used by deer and other inhabitants

Looking east, across the pond

Deer tracks left in the mud at this watering hole. looking southeast.

 Long Pond is one of the most pristine ponds in the New York City area. Located 65 feet above sea level, it is fed completely from underground springs. Due to its elevation, the pond does not receive surface water, thus it resists pollutants that often flow into bodies of water from surface run-off. With its special level of purity, the pond is a vital habitat supporting many species of animals.

Long Pond’s history stretches back for thousands of years, beginning with the Wisconsin Ice Sheet. Twelve to fifteen thousand years ago, a huge sheet of ice blanketed the area, hundreds of feet thick. The pressure of the ice caused depressions in sections that had weak underlying rock layers. As the ice receded, these sunken areas formed wetlands such as Long Pond and Pam’s Pond. As a result, areas of stronger underlying rock were left above sea level. This topographical feature, known as “knob and kettleterrain,” can be seen throughout much of Staten Island. The extreme southern and southeastern portions of the island were not covered by the Wisconsin Ice Sheet and therefore do not exhibit this type of terrain.

Long Pond and other bodies of water in the park have been incorporated into the Bluebelt water drainage system by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. Encompassing several parcels of state-protected wetlands on the island’s south shore, the Bluebelt system was specifically designed to provide storm water drainage for the neighboring communities. Mature beech, oak and hickory woodlands provide much of the foliage in the park, with many of the trees over sixty years old. They help to support an understory layer of spicebush (Lindera benzoin), blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) and many herbaceous plants.

Goodhue Park Allison Park Pond

This is a newly acquired park called Goodhue.

This small pond has panfish and suckers.

A short hike away is Allison Park Pond.  Goodhue and Allison share hiking trails.

Allison Pond has carp

Parks has acquired 15 acres of Goodhue Park, thanks to a generous allocation of $5.6 million from Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and $1.5 million allocated by the City Council. Parks has been working since 2006 to acquire 38 acres of this property, owned by the Children’s Aid Society, to create a new public park for the North Shore of Staten Island. The property is located in the Randall Manor community and is comprised of 26 acres of woodlands, with the balance consisting of a meadow, stream, pond, open field area, indoor gymnasium, and 11 buildings which are planned to be used for recreational programming and maintenance and operations purposes. The new park is situated between Allison Pond Park and Jones Woods.

 Allison Pond, adjacent to the Sailors’ Snug Harbor Cemetery, once provided part of the asylum’s water supply. When a borough-wide municipal water system was implemented in 1939, the institution had no functional use for the pond. The trustees of the property deeded the pond site as a gift to the City, which transferred it to Parks in 1943. Since that time, the local community has used the pond and brook for fishing and strolling its banks.

A stone pedestrian bridge spanning the mouth of the pond adds interest to the landscape, as do the many mature trees and grasses. The park was renovated in 1990. New additions to the site included tree guards, new fencing, and railings. Boulders were placed around the pond and several new trees and flowers of many species were planted, including red maples (Acer rubrum), American beeches (Fagus grandifolia), tulip trees (Liriodendron tulipifera), swamp white oaks (Quercus bicolor), downy shadblows (Amelancier arborea), sweet bay magnolias (Magnolia grandiflora), witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), blackhaw viburnum (Viburnum), pink summer sweet (Clethra), northern bayberry (Myrica), Redosier dogwood (Cornus), swamp azalea (Rhododendron), mountain laurel (Laurus), various ferns (Osmundaceae), including columbines (Aquilegia), dwarf bleeding hearts (Dicentra), sensitive (Fabaceae), Solomon’s seal (Polygonatum), and marsh marigolds (Caltha palustris).

First carp of October

I hooked three carp today.  October is usually a slow month for me so I'm starting early.

This lake since the dredging no longer has large fish but I'm hoping that things will

improve as time moves on.  It is encouraging to see minnows in the lake.  I also see

young largemouth bass swimming near the boat ramps.  Youngsters are catching larger bass too.

It was a nice day to be out in spite of the virus.  The third carp buried itself in the lilly pads

and broke me off

 

First carp of September using Skagit fly line

First time fishing here this season.  I got here at about 1:30 in the afternoon.  I chummed a 

little bit and put my rod together; all eleven feet of my six weight with the ATP 37 semi

automatic fly reel.  The reel is loaded with a 300 gram Skagit fly line.

The weather could not be better.  The sun was shining and no wind.  The Skagit line works

well.  It takes almost no effort to casts.  The only problem, there are no fish feeding where my

casts are reaching.  Carp appear to be about 20 -30 feet from the shore.

For some reason, the traditional feeding behavior of the carp here has changed completely.  

Normally, carp will feed on the surface late in the day.  Usually, it is dry fly fishing time with

deer hair flies and long cast to the very center of the lake.  That is why I bought the Skagit

fly line.  Well, the skagit line works and I can easily reach the center of the lake but now

there are no carp feeding there or anywhere that I can see.  It may be that since the dredging, there

is more to eat underwater in the deep channel that was dug in the lake.

I saw alot of fingerling bass swimming near the shore.  These fish are about four inches

in length now.

My rod and the William Joseph back pack, I use for carp fishing.  I think it will last forever.

 

Skygager fly fishing in korea - Fly fishing Episode 33

Ed Ward and Dave Pinczkowski: "Just Bassin'"

Fluke on a fly

I went to the park to mostly practice using my new skagit line and my new ATP 37 fly reel.  I used a # 10 hares ear fly.  I placed my line in the water before making a cast. the line lay in the water for about a minute or two.  I stripped off some more line and began to form a "D" loop.  As I tried to cast, something was preventing the line from coming up.  I thought it might be a small fish.  I attempted to roll cast again.  So I squeezed the lever to pull in my fly line. There was a fish, a crappie on my line with the hares ear in its mouth.  This fish was caught by a fluke, a mistake!

 

 

Olympic Pennisula Skagit Tactics In NYC

The virus and fishing have not mixed well with me trying to catch fish and stay safe.  This morning I managed to get out of the house and into Prospect Park for some "social distance" fishing with my new

ATP 37 graphite semi automatic fly reel.

The reel is loaded with my new skagit set up.  For the past couple of seasons, I have been unable to reach carp feeding in the center of Hughes Lake.  If I get to fish for carp this season, I plan to use 

The eleven foot six weight fly rod to reach faraway places where the big carp feed freely.  This set up uses the OPST floating commando line ( 300 grams).

I present for your inspection one green woolie worm; used for catching panfish in the lake at Prospect

Park .  

A squash blossom growing out of an old tree stump!