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First Day of Autumn on Oak Orchard Creek

By JIM NIGRO

Boats are moored to their slips and the first tints of autumn are seen along the banks of Oak Orchard Creek. It was a great day to be outdoors. However, before we motored upstream, we began the morning on Lake Ontario.

John Lawrence, in back, Mike Ficarella in foreground, enjoying a balmy day. We're about two miles west of Point Breeze, off Lakeside Beach State Park.

That's the Somerset smokestack...... its actually located a short distance offshore, located around the point to the right and down the shoreline a few miles. Back in May I posted a photo of the smokestack as seen from Wheeler's horse farm on top of Molasses Hill in Wyoming County.

A gobi decided to make a meal of Mike's wobbling spoon.

A non-native species, this is a closeup of the gobi.

Out on the lake the wind began to pick up so John opted to motor up the creek.

John removing the weeds from his flatfish.

Heron scanning the creek while perched high in a tree.

 

Mute swan preening.

Turkey vulture swoops in for a closer look.

A bend in the river.

Another heron, this one doing its hunting closer to the water.

Soon it was time to head back downstream and lunch at the Black North Inn. Thanks John, for a great day!

JIM NIGRO

Tiffany, I would say that depends on an individual's experience and conditioning. There is considerably less boat traffic this time of year, particularly upstream of the route 18 bridge. If you've logged a few miles in a kayak I would think it to be a relatively easy trip under ideal conditions (weather).

Sep 26, 2010, 7:30pm Permalink
Susan Brownell

Thanks for posting these pictures. We had a boat docked at the marina right there under the twin bridges for 2 years. Loved cruising the Oak. I recognize all those places. I sure do miss it!!!!

I hear the salmon are running already. Did you see any?

Sep 26, 2010, 9:13pm Permalink
JIM NIGRO

Maureen, you guessed right. Fishing wasn't anything to write home about. Had we been on the water at first light maybe things would have been different. Nonetheless,it was a good day to be on the creek.

Sep 26, 2010, 9:42pm Permalink
JIM NIGRO

Hi Susan - word has it the salmon are staging near the mouth of the creek. Their were several larger boats working maybe 200 yards offshore. We didn't see anyone taking fish. By this time a few fish are usually breaching the surface on their way upstream...neither did we hear any crashing back into the water...must have been a lull in the action!

Sep 26, 2010, 9:50pm Permalink
JIM NIGRO

Hi Susan - word has it the salmon are staging near the mouth of the creek. There were several larger boats working maybe 200 yards offshore. We didn't see anyone taking fish. By this time a few fish are usually breaching the surface on their way upstream...neither did we hear any crashing back into the water...must have been a lull in the action!

Sep 26, 2010, 9:51pm Permalink
Andy Pedro

I was out a week ago Sunday on a charter driven by Jeff Frisbee. Overall there wasn't a lot of action but I was lucky enough to land a beast. A salmon 3' long and weighed 26' lbs. I can send you a picture if interested in seeing it?

Sep 27, 2010, 12:27pm Permalink

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