Kirtley Howe

Born in 1949. There was no such thing as a computer during my high school days. MY keyboard skills came from typing class, on an Underwood manual typewriter. Went to college in 1968...still no computers. My first experience with computers came when I got a job a Cornell University. Apple provided computers to educational institutions, so we had them, and had to learn to use them. They were dial-up, of course. The computer for all store business was a Honeywell, and it was 7 ft. wide by 6 ft deep by 6 ft high. It ran a Ratex program, which had to be programed in Basic. I was in the Operations Department, so taking care of it ended up being my responsibility for several years, until they finally hired a Programer/IT guy. Our cash registers were NCR 280 models that were state of the art at the time. After a few years, we switched to glorified PC to run everything, and had dumb terminals that connected to that as our cash registers. We were one of the very first locations in the country to use this set up, and we beta tested a lot of different equipment for computer companies. I learned a lot during this time period. I got my very first cell phone through work...a flip phone from Cellular One (they were later bought out by Verizon). All that phone could do was make phone calls, but it worked great. Wish I still had a phone that worked that well. Now I have a smart phone....all I use it for is to make calls, and take pictures, and occasionally use the gps features. I really don't like to text, so I cancelled that option. If someone needs me, they can (gasp) call me and talk to me. If I want to do computer like functions, I use my home laptop, which has a screen I can see, and a keyboard that I can actually type on. I am not computer illiterate, and am abreast of most modern technology, but for the most part I don't see much reason to use all that stuff. I can add, subtract, multiply, divide, and do higher math functions on my own, in my head or with paper and pencil. I get very frustrated when I go to a store and the cashier can't make change unless the computer/register does it for them. Maybe I am just an old fart, but I really believe that all these gadgets are making a lot of people dumber. I enjoy using my brain and wish more people could use theirs.

I usually try for 1 to 2 feet....but use your fish finder to see if the fish are suspended. I find that most of the time the active fish are close to the bottom in very cold water (feeding on crawfish?). But if there are baitfish suspended in the water, the bass may well move up just under the school of baitfish, so fishing the bottom will get you nothing.

I would try a crawfish imitating crankbait worked super slowly. Around here, the bass feed mostly on crawfish (crayfish) in the winter months. Also try a smaller (4") plastic worm on a ned rig. I have had some luck with tube baits slowly dragged on the bottom. As others said, a float and fly, and a suspending jerkbait can work...but do very long pauses between the jerks (5 to 10 seconds). Also try yo-yoing a lipless crankbait. Sometimes that can be very productive in cold water. Another thing that sometimes works for me is to put some splitshot about 2 feet above an F7 original floating Rapala lure. Use spit shot that are heavy enough to keep the lure down near the bottom. Just pop the lure up and down and let it rest for a few seconds, then repeat. Kind of like working a jig, but slower. I have had smallies absolutely crush this lure with this presentation. Good luck.

I have a Great White 36 volt trolling motor. I have only ever had 12 volt trolling motors in the past. So....stupid question...will a 36 volt trolling motor function on 12 or 24 volts? If so, would there be any damage to the trolling motor from this? I realize that at the very least, the pounds of thrust would be reduced, but I don't want to damage the motor, and the price of buying 3 deep cycle 12v batteries is a bit daunting financially speaking. Sorry if I sound dumb, but this is really not anything I am familiar with. Thanks.

Worse yet....idiot who backs down the boat ramp and THEN starts getting the boat ready to launch.

Screwed up posting this before so here is a condensed version.. Fishing for carp on a flat in a lake. Use one of my Smallmouth set ups (7' spinning rod/reel with 6 lbs test mono and a small hair jig.) Casting accuracy and gentle lure entry is key. Too far away from the targeted fish and jig will be ignored, Too close and the fish will be spooked. Off to one side or the other and the jig will usually be ignored. Too large a splash on lure entry and fish will be spooked. Basically, this is just like fishing on a salt flat for Red Fish, Bone Fish, Snook, or Snappers. Always lots of fun. The potential to stalk, target, and catch a fish that is often over 10 lbs on light tackle is fairly common in my area (Cayuga Lake in NY state). Aside from being so much fun, it can turn a boring day into a real experience. It will also improve your sight fishing, casting, and presentation skills. Give it a try if you haven't already.

I do, but I use my phone. I record the info (time, weather and water temps and condition (muddy, stained, clear, etc), lure info (color and pattern, size, manufacturer, etc), presentation, location, and anything else I think of at the time. Record on phone, with picture of lure and fish if possible. I also record general notes of what did NOT work. When I get home, I write it all in a journal. Before going fishing for a specific species, or to a location I have been to before, I look up the info, and make up a "cheat sheet" to take with me. I often review the journal to look for patterns, and to try to see what I have done that has worked or not worked. I doubt that my journal would make any sense to others, but it works for me.

Does anyone else do this? I am left handed by nature. If I cast with my left hand, I reel with my right. I have taught myself to cast with my right hand also, and when I do that, I reel with my left hand. This saves me from having to switch the rod from one hand to the other between casting and reeling. It also prevents the problem of being unprepared when a fish strikes the moment the lure touches down. At first blush, you would not think casting with one hand and reeling with the other would save much time, but over the course of a day, it can really add up. Is doing this a common technique? What are your thoughts on this?

I always carry a 13 gal (kitchen trash can size) trash bag with me, and before I leave an area I pick up as much trash as I can fit into it and take it out with me. Only takes a couple of minutes, costs me next to nothing, and makes me feel good about doing "my part". If all "concerned" anglers did that, the trash problem could be pretty much eliminated. I would, of course, prefer not to have to do this. People SHOULD know enough to pick up after themselves, but it seems many do not.

The attitude that you want less fisherman seems a bit selfish to me. I strongly encourage others to get into fishing...especially youngsters.

and use dielectric grease on every connection

1) Original floating Rapala in a 7 or 9 size. 2) Hard plastic jerk bait in 4" or 5" size 3) 3 1/2 inch grub tail on a 3/16 or 1/4 oz round jig head

North End of the lake is best for Largemouth. Mid lake is better for small mouth. At the northern part of the lake you can launch at Deans' Cove, or Pirates Cove or at Cayuga Lake State Part, or even at Hibiscus Harbor and run north. Mid lake you can launch at Taughannock Falls State Park, or from Myers Point, or Long Point State Park. (a little farther north). At the South end, you can launch at Roger Treman State Park. The Lake is only about 45 miles long, so you really can launch just about anywhere and run the whole lake. with out much problem. And the lake is only 2 miles wide at the widest point. As far as tips....just use your usual approach and let the fish tell you what they want. The lake is very deep (like 475 feet at the deepest), so you should brush up on drop shoting and deep finesse techniques. There are not a lot coves or bays, but there are shallow weed beds at the north end, and weeds near shore along most of the east side of the lake. Be sure to check out fishing near the Yatch club on the west shore...they don't fishing inside any of the Marinas, but you can fish the outside (lake side) of the docks. Also not a lot of boat houses to fish. There are some awesome vertical stone walls, with ledges and drops on the east side above Taughannock Falls State Park. Good luck.

I do plan on getting an up to date fish finder, but I own this one, and my plan at this point is to just use it a depth finder. My original though was to find a speed and temp transducer to add to it, but it seems such a thing does not exist, and if it did it would cost about as much as a new fish finder.

I purchased a Shimano reel. Used it 3 or 4 times, and it stopped working. Opened it up and found a gear had broken. Took a couple of pictures, attached them to an email and sent it off to the company. I included my phone number, email address, and street address. Never heard a word from them in 2 weeks, and was starting to get a little hot under the collar. Went out to the mailbox one day, and there was a package from Shimano. In it was a brand new reel which was an upgrade from the one I had that broke, and a gift certificate for $25.00, and a letter of apology for my reel breaking. I was more than pleased, and always consider buying Shimano for any product they have in what I am looking to purchase. Overall, I would say they had great customer service.

open iron sights. At 300 yards, I shoot from a bench. If standing and shooting, I don't try anything over 150 yards if I want accuracy.

Just remember even the most successful pros sometimes mess up. I have seen Kevin Vandam cast right into a tree, about 25 feet above the water. Stuff happens.

Ah...I understand now. Here in the Southern Teir of NY, every legitimate (as opposed to "casual") storage place I have delt with do not add a special fee for the insurance. It is just built into the storage price. Casual storage places (a local farmer who rents out space in his barn for storage for example) may well insist you have your own coverage, or have you sign a waver saying you will find him blameless if something happens. Interestingly enough, in NY, most wavers of rights are not worth the paper they are written on, unless they are with a government agency. In most cases you could still sue the farmer, and it would be up to a court to decide who has to pay, and it could go either way.

Not sure I understand what you are saying....a wading belt will not help you if you are swept off your feet by fast current. Wading belts are great for keeping water from going over the top of your waders and filling them up. You will stay dryer, but a belt makes no difference if you are knocked off your feet. If you should be able to regain your feet (not likely in that kind of current), it will be easier for you to get up on shore, but while in the water it does not matter if your waders are full of water or not, as the water in your waders is neutrally buoyant while you are in the water. It is only when you try to get out on shore that the water weight becomes a problem.

Think about this....you take your car to a repair shop, and leave it there while they are working on it. While there it gets stolen, or catches on fire while they are working on it, or it falls off their lift and is damaged. The repair shop has insurance to cover that sort of thing, and their insurance is what pays out. They are not insuring your property as much as they are insuring against their liability. Same is true of a storage business, no matter what they may be storing...furniture, household goods, a car or a boat......doesn't matter. As I said, acts of God are usually not covered, but fire, theft, vandalism and incidental damage is. Is it different in Missouri than it is here in NY?

I only own one gun at this time,,,,a Marlin .444 lever action saddle gun. I have it for home defense, and for when I need to stop a charging elephant <G>. Very nice rifle. Pretty accurate up to about 300 yards. Not a lot of fun to shoot for extended periods, but I seldom fire more than 15 or 20 rounds in a sitting. I do that a couple of times a year to keep my accuracy up. I have never (and will never unless I am starving) hunted with it, as I do not hunt. I have no problem with those that legally hunt, it is just not something I enjoy.

I don't know if it is standard, but the few places I have stored a boat indoors they had insurance to cover those scenarios. Boats stored outdoors at a dealer or marina is a different matter. Some have insurance that covers the boat for theft and vandalism, but not "acts of God". (Weather, fire, flood). And some offer no insurance coverage at all, and will ask you to sign a waiver of liability and/or proof that you have your own insurance.

Yup... Leto island is an area that is famous for that. Every year some one... Often several "someones" drown there because they did not hear the siren or see the flashing lights on the dam, or were sure they could fish "for just a few minutes more". NO...when the siren goes off, you have about 5 minutes total to get out of the water and up the bank. When they open the gates, the water can rise between 5 and 12 feet very quickly. If you are still in the water, you are either going to drown, or at the very best, be swept downstream and into the lake...if you get that far without being battered to death on the rocks. As the movie said....Stupid is a stupid does.

I would use a PH test strip like for a pool or spa to test the liquid. I would never put suspected battery acid on my finger, much less in my mount. Are you by chance being sarcastic with your response?

I would disagree with the PS It is very advantageous to learn to cast with BOTH hands. You can reduce your fatigue on a long day of fishing. Sometimes it is advantageous to cast from the opposite side than you normally would, for better access under or around cover. With practice you can become equally proficient with either hand.