Events & Activities
Members need to contact the trip leaders in advance to ensure
that participants are notified of last minute changes. Trips leave
promptly, try to be at the meeting spot at least five minutes early.
Participants should always bring water or juice along on each outing.
Mark Your Calendars
February 17 (Sat) - Snowshoe Trip to Clear Pond - This trip
will be included as part of the Indian Lake Winter Festival. An
easy snowshoe of about 2.2 miles, round trip. This trail is through
an open forest and ends at a neat pond tucked in the woods with
great views of the adjacent mountains. Meet at the One-Stop parking
lot at 1PM. Trip Leader - Mike Brooks 648-6470.
February 25 (Sun) - Snowshoe trip to Sprague Pond - This
pond is less than a mile off Cedar River Road. The hike in is easy,
but the pay off is great, a gem of an Adirondack Pond awaits. Meet
at One-Stop parking lot at 1:00 PM. Bring something to drink or
perhaps an orange. Trip Leader Bob Bradley 648-0005.
March 4 (Sun) – Snowshoe trip to “Little Sawyer” Mountain
– A bushwhack through open forest off Cedar River Road, tracing
the marsh bed between two peaks forming Sawyer Mountain. The trip
ends in about a mile at an unusual boulder, 30 ft. or so high. The
terrain does not change much in elevation until the vicinity of
the boulder. To reach the prize you have to make a short climb.
Meet at the One-Stop parking lot at 1PM. Trip Leader – Chuck Jordan
648-0310.
March 11 (Sun) - Fourth Annual Cabin Fever Dinner -This
year's dinner will be held in the American Legion Hall in Indian
Lake, pot luck style. This has been a "good time" in the past few
years. Here is an opportunity to recognize members who have contributed
their efforts to the Fish and Game over the past year, to share
a few tales, and to sample some really creative food, based upon
the dishes which were brought in last year. Social hour starts at
5 PM, Dinner at 5:30 PM. Appetizers will be provided for the social
hour. Cost : Free to members, guests are requested to donate $5
per person at the door. Free to all under 16. Fire safety rules
limit registration to 45 people. Sign-up closes on Monday, March
5. Register today. To register, call one of the dinner committee
members: Chuck Jordan 648-0310, Bruce Lewis 648-5819, Mike Brooks
648-6470.
Looking Back on 2007
Jan. 28. “Hot Dogging Snowshoe Trip” or A Good Day in the Woods!
– Fifteen intrepid members attended this hike, a record I would
guess. It was a pleasant day, 20 degrees or so. Much warmer than
the preceding days of below zero. We found the trail with a modest
amount of snow but enough so it was best to use snowshoes for traction.
Some trees were also across the trail, a testimony to recent high
winds. Firewood was wet enough to discourage even the most determined
arsonist but perseverance prevailed and we were able to produce
results ranging from mildly warm hotdogs to the incinerated variety.
All tasted great though, proving once again even the lowly hot dog
can be a culinary delight when out doors and with good company.
There were more snacks and treats than could be eaten on one trip.
All said, a very enjoyable day. P.S. George Wager set a new record
– 6 hot dogs and he survived! (Chuck Jordan)
Looking Back on 2006
October 15 – Hike to Watch Hill – Seven spry serious sojourners
sortied at the One- Stop and led by scout Chuck Jordan sallied forth
to the Watch Hill trail. Soon the path to the summit stood before
their feet, a mere saunter up the soggy trail among stately spruce.
Surrounding sights from the summit were smeared with snow squalls
which shortly swept singular snow flakes over the smooth out crop
of satin rock seemingly on the side of a serious drop. Shared succulent
summer squash muffins sated their simple appetites. Surely the return
would be a sashay, however they subsequently became suspicious as
the serpentine trail seemed slanted to the secluded silvery lake.
The scout, stepping a semi-circle sequence settled on the superior
path, up and down the slope, over the sloshing stream and back to
the autos safety sequestered along the seemingly silent road side.
September 30 – Turkey Shoot - The last range event of the
year was held on Saturday September 30th -- our Second Annual Turkey
Shoot! We had a great turn out; the weather was nice, and the company
was even better! We had a few new faces, always good to see! We
shot a total of 14 matches for chickens and 2 for turkeys. We had
some challenge shooting as well. Zack Mitchell, Danielle Mitchell,
Kim Mitchell, Matt Quinn, Bob Blanchard, Charlie Secore, Shelby
McGill, Mark Monthony, Kim Monthony, Bruce Hutchins, and David White
all won at least 1 match! A wide variety of shoots were held. We
shot handguns; rim-fire and centerfire rifles. All were shot with
open sites or scoped, bench-rest and offhand. The participants keep
their 3 best targets (1 bench-rest and 2 off-hand) to submit to
the judges to be scored. This would determine the Turkey Shoot Champion:
Kim Monthony scored 170 2006 Turkey Shoot Champion! David White
scored 160 winning Second Place! Charlie Secore scored 143 winning
Third Place!
September 30 – Youth .22 Spinner Shoot - Once again, our
young participants at the Turkey Shoot shot the spinners. My favorite
part of the Turkey Shoot! The 2006 Spinner Winner is Shelby McGill!!!
Shelby won the camouflage BB Gun generously donated by Nemec’s Sport
Shop of Warrensburg! Shelby told Grandpa (Bob McGill) the next morning
that the Turkey Shoot was the best day of her life! Nemec’s also
donated all the ammo used in the spinner contest. A big thanks to
George and Chris at Nemec’s!
September 10 – Annual Barbecue at Byron Park – Another great
day. Kevin Elkin was a committee-of-one who planned and ran the
barbecue. We had about 52 members and guests join in with wonderful
food contributions to complement the steaks cooked by Bob and Becky
McGill. The McGills have the steak preparation, seasoning, and barbecuing
down to a fine art, with a little bit of Texas savvy thrown in.
Kim Mitchell and Mike Brooks also brought grills and apprenticed
with the master chefs. After dinner, we had the two horseshoe pits
fully engaged, with points almost as sparse as the fish on Forked
Lake. It was great to see the socializing going on and the general
atmosphere of everyone having a good time.
August 29– Forked Lake Canoe/Kayak Trip and Hot Dog Roast –
What a great day. We had nine paddlers, 3 canoes and 4 kayaks making
up the fleet. The best of weather and a nice paddle from the State
campground to the Raquette River spill into Forked Lake, 6.3 miles
round trip measured by Bob Fay’s GPS. (No more exaggerating on the
lengths of trips due to this technology. Is this good or bad?) With
contributions from everyone we were able to turn roasted hot dogs
into a gourmet lunch at the lean-to campsite. As for the fishing,
the bass hadn’t read the Newsletter and none jumped into our boats
as promised by Trip Leader Mike Brooks.
July 17 - Bog River Canoe/Kayak Trip or How We Beat the Heat
- On a sweltering summer day, eight members enjoyed a beautiful,
cool canoe/kayak outing on the Bog River. Enjoying the day together
were Bob Bradley, Mike and Christa Brooks, Linda and Bob Fay, Patty
and Chuck Jordan and Arlene Kien. One of the highlights, besides
the spectacular day, was the sighting of a magnificent eagle perched
in a large pine. Spotted also were several lovely loons. After a
leisurely two-hour paddle we arrived at Lows Upper Dam where we
landed and checked out the stately ruins and gardens of A. A. Low.
Here we saw foxgloves, coreopsis and lots of lilies. We had lunch
and a swim then started our slow meander back, fishing along the
way. The trophy went to Mike Brooks with his twelve-inch small mouth
bass. Bob Fay also had a few exciting catches and Linda thought
the weeds put up a good fight as well.
July 1 - Kids Fishing Derby: The Kids Fishing Derby run
on July 1 at Lake Adirondack once again met all expectations of
the kids, their adult supervisors, and all of the Association members
who had a part in sponsoring, preparing, or working at the derby
itself. It was amazing how a window of fairly good weather found
its way after days of rain, thunder storms, and even a little hale.
We hosted 156 kid fishers who caught a total of 470 (yes, 470) fish.
Approximately a third of the participants were girls. The largest,
a 5.5 lb. pike caught by a nine year boy, and the smallest winning
fish a 5.5 ounce sunfish. Ten kids won prizes for fish caught and
there were smaller prizes available for every one who came to fish.
See photos in the Gallery.
July 1 - Youth .22 Shoot: The Youth .22 Shoot, following
after the Kid's Fishing Derby, was a great success with 14 junior
shooters showing up with parents in tow. Each child took 10 shots
at spinner targets and 5 at a bulls-eye. Ribbons were awarded to
the most spinners hit and the highest scoring group. The Association
also benefited with a few new members joining during and after the
shoot.
June 18 - Father's Day Trap Shoot: Fathers Day trap was
a fun day again this year with 11 shooters coming out to enjoy their
day.
June was basically a washout for canoeing and hiking trips.
The message here is to remember to call trip leaders if you plan
to participate so you can be notified of cancellations or reschedules.
April 30 - Hike to Castle Rock:- Clear blue skies, a cool
temperature, and no bugs made for a perfect hiking day. We had ten
participants, meeting at the One Stop at 1:30 PM and then going
on the hike; Mike & Christa Brooks, Arleen Kien, Patti & Chuck Jordan,
Einar Winge-Sorensen, Ernie Pollman, Jack Valentine (guest), and
Donna & Bob Bradley. As the leaves were not as yet on the trees
it made for good views on the way up which you don't get in Summer.
We reached the summit without incident and were rewarded with the
spectacular view of Blue Mountain Lake shinning in the sun below
us and rows of our mountains stretching to the horizon. After taking
in these great views and relaxing we descended on the shorter but
steeper trail to our cars. All agreed that it was a great hike.
(Bob Bradley)
April 1 - Hike to Hot Springs in the Blue Ridge - This
trip never got off although trip leader April Fuller called in disappointed
and suggested that we try again in May. She later agreed that a
hike to the hot springs in the Blue Ridge is best left to April
1st.
March 5 - Cabin Fever Dinner: Thirty-nine members of the
Fish & Game turned out for the pot luck dinner and were treated
to an evening of great food, a gathering of old friends and new
acquaintances, and recognition for members who contributed their
efforts in the past year. Range Manager Kim Monthony handed out
Range Booster awards to about a dozen members in appreciation for
the support he was given at the range last season. The Association
awarded Kim and Regina Monthony the Association's 2005 Man and Woman
of the Year for their hard work and leadership. Kim was especially
recognized for his efforts at the range and Regina for her support
of the range activities and for her efforts in establishing and
maintaining the Association's web site. A special thanks to all
for the wonderful food that was prepared and brought to the dinner.
The extra effort by everyone really made the night a gourmet treat.
February 26 - Snowshoe Hike to Sprague Pond: Just when
the lack of snow in the woods made us think that we could hang up
our snowshoes for the season, Mother Nature gave us a great ten
inch snowfall on Saturday Feb 25th, the day before this trip. That
and the fact that Sunday Feb 26th was a beautiful crisp cold winter
day brought out a very good turnout for our Sprague Pond Snowshoe.
We had fifteen participants, meeting at the One Stop at 1 PM and
then going on the hike; Mike & Christa Brooks, Arlene Kien, Patti
& Chuck Jordan, George Wager, Ernie Pollman, Jack Valentine, Mary
Edith Culp with her dog Tisha, Jean & Oscar Hauer, Millie and Dick
Anzalone, and Donna and Bob Bradley.
February 18 - Snowshoe Trip to Clear Pond: With only a few
inches of snow on the ground and poor weather conditions, this trip
was almost canceled. Five of us completed the trip into the pond
in hiking boots, snowshoes certainly not required. In spite of the
conditions, we all enjoyed the trip and were happy to have turned
lemons into lemonade. ( Mike Brooks)
February 13 - Moonlight Snowshoe to Rock Pond: This was
another one of those trips which was rewarded by the persistence
of the group wanting to get out. With a sparse snow cover and an
overcast sky eleven members made the hike into Rock Pond, sans snowshoes.
At the lake we ventured out on the ice just enough to get a view
of the moon trying to break through the cloud cover, enjoyed about
twenty minutes of winter stillness, shared some hot muddled tea,
and were led back out by Trip Leader Kevin Elkin.
Long Lake "Hot Dogging It" Snowshoe: January 29, 2006 –
The "Hot Dog" snowshoe trip had a very good turnout with eleven
participants; Bob & Donna Bradley, Arlene Kien, George Wager, Bob
Blanchard, Ron and Lillian Reyer, Mike & Christa Brooks, and Patti
& Chuck Jordan. The snow was thin but ice on the trail made snowshoes
with crampons welcome. George made the trip sans snowshoes, clenching
his pipe upside down in case he ended up that way. (He didn't).
We were lucky to gain temporary ownership of the lean-to where we
munched on all kinds of goodies including snacks, chips, cookies,
and cheeses as well as the dogs with sauerkraut and all of the condiments.
The weather held until the return hike when it snowed lightly, making
it all the better. Being out doors, tasty food and the pleasant
kidding of friends make these trips very enjoyable. Another perfect
day! -- Chuck Jordan. See photos in the Gallery.
Ice Fishing Contest on Adirondack Lake:
January 21, 2006 – It was a great Spring morning at 5:30 a.m., 40
degrees F. with 8" to 12" of ice and 6 plus inches of "slop" on
top. 126 Participants enjoyed this year's warm weather as opposed
to the 20 degrees below zero for last year's event. Cash prizes
were awarded every hour for largest pike, $100 for first, $50 for
second, and $25 for third. $50 Was also awarded for largest perch.
The largest fish of the day was a 9 lb. 15 oz., 34 inch northern
pike. The weather turned horrible during the day with blowing rain,
wind gusts to 50-60 miles per hour and then snow by 3:00 p.m. This
did not discourage too many participants. See photos in the Gallery.
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