2020
Picking Your New Tent
Our last backyard campout ended in a disaster at 6AM, when we awoke to our dog trying to get to high ground, as a river of water streamed towards her bed. Our 1996 cabin tent’s tension support rod had collapsed, along the lip of the tent to sag into the river of water and have it run down the center of the tent. Given that as a family, we had decided to start real camping, our old guy had to go.
This article is written for the level of folks that have had some minor camping experience, be it with scouts or just backyard fun. Before purchasing your own tent, I would highly recommend you borrow one from a friend/family member and try it out first in your own backyard. Camping is not for everyone, and you or your family doesn’t enjoy it, it’s best to try it first rather than spending the money.
(more…) Read MoreFishless
You ever plan a trip and get yourself all worked up hoping it’s a productive and fun trip? Especially planning a fishing/ camping trip with a small group of people that really don’t camp often? Talk about anxiety! Now, imagine those people being family. The last thing you want is to plan something poorly. You want it to be the best, something memorable, and fun. Especially, because it’s family! Yup, that was me last month.
My teenage daughter led us, the family, to the shores of the Atlantic in her high school performance with the indoor percussion band. On this particular Thursday, the band competed and qualified for the championship that was being hosted on that Saturday. Well, that gave us Friday off and a chance to explore the southern Atlantic coast. We wandered to the terminal of the Cape May-Lewes Ferry and there was the spot that our brilliant plan came in to action. While watching the ferry dock, my father-in-law, Joe, who we affectionately call “Poppy”, suggested we have a guys’ weekend. The guy’s weekend was to include fishing. But more surprisingly was the idea of camping too. I immediately seized the opportunity and began to send text messages to my brother-in-law. Both took the bait! Hook, line and sinker (Hahaha!! See what I did there? Ahem)! The guys’ weekend was on!
Our adventure leads us to the Wilsonville Recreation Area. A lake front campground nestled on the shores of Lake Wallenpaupack, located in northeast Pennsylvania. There you have the amenities of several restrooms with running water (some rustic) and showers. Boat slips are available to rent should one like to bring their own vessel. A small camp store to purchase essentials is available, playground and swimming beach. Lake Wallenpaupack boasts 52 miles of shoreline; it’s approximately 5,700 acres and has an average depth of 30 feet (sixty feet at its deepest). An ideal location to guarantee great fishing…. or is it? The first night lead to some torrential rain with a gloomy look ahead for fishing. We huddled in the camper sitting around the table playing games. A bit snug but everyone was comfortable.
The next morning was slightly overcast but there was sun and with a cool breeze – pretty awesome for a day on the lake. I rented a 17-foot whaler to accommodate us for 5 hours. A bit long but my reason was sound. We were going to fish all day and pull all kinds of fish out of the lake. I mean, it’s guaranteed right!? I mean how do you go “fishless” fishing for five hours on 5,700 acres of water? You don’t… Five anglers on a boat, most, well versed in the intricateness of fishing because, after all, we’ve watched YouTube videos. We’ve watched the Michael Iaconellis and the Skeet Reeses catch lunkers on television. The techniques that pros have are practiced among us. The bait the lures, the lines, the reels… We can do the same thing they do! We will not be “fishless”!
Well, five hours goes by and we are “fishless”. At first, my lid is blown. I’m thinking, “I let these guys down. I wasted time and money getting here. How is this possible? How can five guys….”. As we’re heading back to shore, I hear conversation. Not negative conversation but conversation with laughter. Not one person disappointed that we caught zero fish on the lake. Conversation that suggested “Hey, next time, instead of a whaler, let’s get a pontoon.” Next time? Hmmm, next time as in “maybe we can do this again”?
After docking the whaler and returning to our campsite, the fellas are determined to catch something. So they headed out to the shoreline and cast out. Boom! A Crappie! Boom! A Bass! Boom! Sunny!!! Boom…The fishing was more abundant off shore than on the boat. And the guys were having a blast. Memories were created right in front of my eyes. Everyone having fun and stories to be told, in the making. Unfortunately, it rains again that evening. We do the same. We huddle in the camper and tell tales of the day’s adventure. I sigh in relief. Although raining, we got in some fishing.
As the weekend drew to a close, everyone had a bit of a somber look. And then you hear those words, “Man! That was fun. Let’s do this again in the fall!” In the fall!? Ummmm, sure! Despite the rainy nights and the fishless boat ride everyone had a good time. And to me, that was worth the trip.
2018
Expedition Nockamixon 4/21/17
Having already fished most of the north side of Lake Nockamixon, we decided to try our luck on the south side.
The weather was a bit chilly off the lake, so our boys were bundled up, but in good spirits. The first spot we found was through a random access road. It was an extremely easy stroll down towards the water.
Lou and the boys started fishing around an old pier using lures, while I stuck to my bottom fishing with night crawlers.
We had spent close to an hour there when fortune finally struck and I landed a 21 inch channel catfish. Our “guide in training” was able to help wrestle the line out of the weeds as I went to land it.
The next spot was near the Spillway. While we did not catch anything, we found it to be a fantastic spot for families. There is a long stretch of a grass area that is perfect for a picnic and plenty of room for little ones that run around. The stretch is completely wide open with absolutely no tree overhangs, which is perfect for beginner fishers.
While we did not have any luck, we did manage to get a few bites along the beach.
Our last stop was another spot off of an access road. The access had limited casting room, but after hiking down the shore a bit, we found a few open casting opportunities.
Lake Nockamixon has some amazing fishing opportunities, but more importantly a lot of opportunity for exploration and some amazing scenery.
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2018
Winter Fishing
It’s hard to believe that four months ago Jeremy and I were walking along the Schuykill River spending the day fishing the river and it’s canal. Trying to land that ever-elusive Carp. Yes, it’s still a sensitive subject. Now, we are in the fast lane to Christmas and the new year. And with that comes the colder days of winter. Long, cold, days. Boring, long, cold, days waiting for the first nice, spring day to get out fishing. Well, wait no more! Just because it’s winter, fishing doesn’t have to stop. That’s right! Pennsylvania still offers fishing on a variety of fresh water species from Bass, large and small mouth, to Pike to, yes, dare I say, Carp. Specific dates, limits and sizes can be found in the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Guide.
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2017
Ice Fishing
December has come in like a lion and it has proven to be a worthy, artic opponent. Typically, January and February are the really cold months. But, the 12th month of 2017 has brought some really cold temperatures and several snowfalls that can only mean one thing….Ice Fishing! Yes, us “hardcore” anglers have been treated to an early frosting and that makes the perfect recipe for a jumpstart on the ice. So let’s pull out our thermals, snow gear and tackle box and “LET’S GO ICE FISHING!”
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2017
Always Explore
Memorial Day Weekend, our family took a trip to a park we had not explored yet. Ralph Stover State Park, located in Bucks County is a gorgeous park with plenty of great trails and an excellent stream (Tohickon Creek).
Down from the parking lot there was a very promising spot. A beautiful covered bridge with shade and a big pylon in the middle of the creek. Usually in slightly deeper creeks, the pylons create fantastic pools where a lot of larger fish lurk.
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