DEC Announces Proposed Changes to Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations

Changes to the current freshwater fishing regulations designed to enhance fishing opportunities and protect the state’s freshwater fisheries were announced today by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). DEC will accept public comments on the proposals through April 2, 2012.

“New York provides some of the best fishing in the nation and every two years DEC modifies existing freshwater sportfishing regulations and proposes new regulations to help ensure this remains the case,” said Assistant Commissioner for Natural Resources Kathleen Moser. “We encourage anglers to review these proposed changes and provide DEC with comments.”

The proposed regulation changes are the result of careful assessment of the status of existing fish populations and the desires of anglers for enhanced fishing opportunities. Several of the changes being considered are to remove special regulations that are no longer warranted.

In order to receive input early in the process, changes under consideration for this proposal were available on DEC’s website earlier this year for comment. This feedback, in addition to comments received from angling interest groups, provided essential input to the development of the regulation changes that are now being formally proposed. Below are highlights of the proposed changes.

Draft regulation changes that pertain to walleye:

• Establish a special walleye regulation of 18-inch minimum size and three per day in Lake Pleasant and Sacandaga Lake (Hamilton County) to aid restoration of the walleye populations in these waters.
• Prohibit fishing in the following stream sections from March 16 until the first Saturday in May (opening day for walleye) to protect spawning walleye: Lake Pleasant outlet to the mouth of the Kunjamuk River (Hamilton County); Little Sandy Creek (Oswego County) from the intersection of the channelized area next to Koster Drive downstream of the State Route 3 bridge to the lower boundary of the public fishing rights section located upstream of the State Route 3 bridge; and Catskill Creek (Greene County) from the Route 9W bridge upstream to the dam in Leeds.
• Remove special walleye regulations (18-inch minimum size and three per day) and apply the statewide regulation (15-inch minimum size and five per day) for Lime Lake (Cattaraugus County) and Bear and Findley lakes (Chautauqua County) because these populations no longer require the added protection provided by the special regulation.
• Change the walleye daily limit for Lake Erie and the Upper Niagara River to six per day to harmonize limits with bordering jurisdictions.

Draft regulation changes that pertain to black bass:

• Eliminate the special black bass closed season for Oneida Lake and implement statewide regulations to create additional fishing opportunities and expand statewide consistency, as continuance of this special closed season is not warranted.
• Apply statewide black bass regulations for Allen Lake (Allegany County) and Cassadaga Lake (Chautauqua County) as recent surveys have shown stable bass populations in these waters.

Draft regulations that pertain to trout and salmon:

• Extend the catch and release only regulation for brook trout into tidal streams in Suffolk County to provide additional protection to brook trout populations that spend part of their life in marine waters and offer a unique angling experience.
• Eliminate Suffolk County tidal trout regulations and apply freshwater stream trout regulations to these sections because the anticipated sea run brown trout fishery did not develop.
• Change minimum length for salmonids in the Upper Niagara River to “any size” because the current 12-inch minimum length is no longer necessary and this will also eliminate the need for special tributary regulations.
• Change the trout regulations for the Titicus Outlet (Westchester County) and Esopus Creek, Shandaken tunnel outlet to Ashokan Reservoir (Ulster County) to a daily limit of five fish with no more than two trout longer than 12 inches to increase catch rates of larger trout.
• Delete the 12-inch size and three fish per day limit for kokanee salmon in Glass Lake (Rensselaer County) because DEC no longer stocks this species.
• Open Lake Kushaqua and Rollins Pond (Franklin County) to ice fishing for lake trout as these populations are considered stable enough to support this activity.
• Open Blue Mountain Lake, Eagle Lake, Forked Lake, Gilman Lake, South Pond and Utowana Lake (Hamilton County) to ice fishing for landlocked salmon and reduce the daily limit for lake trout in these waters from three per day to two per day. Combined with an existing regulation this change will create a suite of nine lakes in Hamilton County that will have the same ice fishing regulations for lake trout and landlocked salmon.
• Delete the catch and release trout regulation for Jordan River from Carry Falls Reservoir upstream to Franklin County line (St. Lawrence County) because this regulation is considered inappropriate for this remote stream section.
• Implement a 12-inch minimum size for brown trout in Otisco Lake (Onondaga County) to increase the opportunity to return more brown trout to the creel.
• Reduce the limit of rainbow trout from five to one in the western Finger Lakes and three to one in the tributaries to provide further protection for this species. Western Finger Lakes include Seneca, Keuka, Canandaigua, Canadice, and Hemlock Lakes.
• Remove the restriction of no more than three lake trout as part of the five trout limit in the western Finger Lakes to foster harvest opportunities and reduce competition with other trout species and impacts on the forage base.
• Eliminate trout catch and release section for Ischua Creek (Cattaraugus County) in the village of Franklinville to enhance angling opportunities by allowing beginner and young anglers to use the section of stream and keep fish.
• Change the minimum size limit for rainbow trout in Skaneateles Lake (Onondaga, Cayuga and Cortland counties) and Owasco Lake (Cayuga County) from nine inches to 15 inches. This would create consistency with the other Finger Lakes as most of these lakes have environmental conditions that support excellent growth of trout and would provide angling opportunities for large fish.
• Add the tributaries of Beaverdam Brook (Oswego County) from their mouths to the upstream boundary of the Salmon River Hatchery property to the current Beaverdam Brook fishing closure (which also currently prohibits fishing within 100 yards of any DEC fish collection device). This addition of the tributaries would make oversight and enforcement of this area more effective in safeguarding fish returning to the hatchery.
• Delete the special trout regulation for Palmer Lake (Saratoga County) to match the statewide regulation. This minor adjustment would extend the season 15 days.

Draft regulations that pertain to pickerel, muskellunge and tiger muskellunge:

• Institute a catch and release only regulation for chain pickerel in Deep Pond (Suffolk County) to allow the pickerel population to recover from over exploitation and increase needed predator control over panfish.
• Implement a 40-inch size limit for muskellunge and tiger muskellunge in the Chenango, Tioughnioga, Tioga and Susquehanna rivers (Chenango, Cortland, Broome and Tioga counties) and a 36-inch size limit at Otisco Lake (Onondaga County) to increase the trophy potential of these species in these waters.

Draft regulations that pertain to ice fishing and baitfish:

• Delete special ice fishing regulation for Square Pond (Franklin County) because this water will no longer be managed for trout.
• Eliminate the existing ban on the use of tip-ups in Crumhorn Lake (Otsego County) because this is an unnecessary regulation.
• Allow ice fishing on stocked trout lakes in Allegany, Niagara, Wyoming, Chautauqua, Erie and Cattaraugus counties unless otherwise stated. These lakes are managed for put and take trout fishing and they contain warm water fish species that should be available to anglers during the winter months through the ice.
• Open specific waters to ice fishing currently deemed as trout waters in the counties of Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Oneida and St. Lawrence Counties as ice fishing can be allowed for at these locations.
• Provide for ice fishing at a privately managed water in Hamilton County (Salmon Pond) that is stocked with trout by a private party, as requested.
• Include Cayuta Lake (Schuyler County) as a designated water from which baitfish may be taken as the commercial harvest of alewife should have no negative effect on the alewife population or the lake’s ecology.

Draft regulations that pertain to gear and angling methods:

• More clearly specify that attempting to take fish by snagging is prohibited.
• Permit the use of multiple hooks with multiple points on Lake Erie tributaries to provide additional angling opportunities.
• For the Salmon River (Oswego County) allow a bead chain to be attached to floating lures. The distance between a floating lure and hook point may not exceed three-and-a-half inches when a bead chain configuration is used. This was determined to be an effective angling method and was not considered an attractive snagging device.
• For the Salmon River (Oswego County) implement a “no weight” restriction (i.e., only floating line and unweighted leaders and flies allowed) from May 1 – 15 for the Lower Fly Area and from May 1 – August 31 for the Upper Fly Area to provide further protection to vulnerable fish.
• Explicitly and clearly indicate that the catch and release requirement for New York City waters does not apply to snakeheads and that any snakeheads caught while angling are not to be returned to the water.

DEC is proposing additional regulation changes to remove special regulations that are no longer relevant, to provide more clarity in the current regulations and to make minor adjustments to current language. The full text of the draft regulation as well as instructions for submitting comments can be found on DEC’s website at: www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/propregulations.html.

Comments on the proposals can be sent via e-mail to fishregs@gw.dec.state.ny.us, or mailed to Shaun Keeler, New York State DEC, Bureau of Fisheries, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4753. Hard copies of the full text can be requested from Shaun Keeler at the same addresses listed above. Final regulations, following full review of public comments, will take effect October 1, 2012.

Press release provided by the DEC:

With the onset of winter, the thoughts of many anglers often turn to ice fishing and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today reminds ice anglers about a recent change to the Environmental Conservation Law.

In waters where ice fishing is permitted, anglers will be allowed to use up to three lines and five tip-ups except as noted in special regulations for specific waters. Previously, ice anglers could only use two lines with five tip-ups.

“Ice fishing provides a great opportunity for people to get outdoors during the long winter months,” said DEC Assistant Commissioner for Natural Resources Kathy Moser. “According to a recent DEC survey, ice fishing participation has doubled over the past 10 years.”

The use of fish for bait is very popular when ice fishing, and bait fish may be used in most but not all waters that are open to ice fishing. See DEC’s website for a list of special regulations by county to find out where bait fish can and cannot be used: www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/71546.html.

Anglers are reminded to take these important steps when ice fishing:

• Follow the bait fish regulations to prevent the spread of harmful fish diseases and invasive species.
• Use only certified disease-free bait fish purchased at a local tackle store or use only personally collected bait fish for use in the same waterbody in which they were caught.
• Check for sufficient ice thickness before venturing onto the ice.

A minimum of three to four inches of solid ice is usually safe for anglers on foot. However, ice thickness varies on every body of water and anglers should be particularly wary of areas of moving water and around boat docks/houses where “bubblers” may be installed to reduce ice buildup. DEC cautions that the presence of snowmobile tracks or footprints on the ice should not be taken as evidence of safe ice conditions. Individuals are strongly encouraged to check ice conditions for themselves and avoid situations that appear to present even a remote risk.

How to Ice Fish and Ice Fishing Basics Video

Click here to view the embedded video.

For more information on ice fishing, ice safety, and places to ice fish, you may be interested in the following:

• Sacandaga Lake Fishing
• Ice Fishing Basics
• New York’s Freshwater Fishing Regulations

1. Timing for Success

Foods take more or less time to heat/bake etc. Know which foods should start being heated first and at similar temperatures so that the majority of foods come out hot and aren’t absent from the table for the first half of the meal. If you have a small oven, this is really hard as nothing else will fit except the turkey. If a relative lives close that is attending, think about using their stove then run the food back home when it is turkey time.

2. Frozen in Time

Allow enough time for the turkey to defrost. A 20lb turkey can take days to defrost, if you need to accelerate the thawing process it is recommended to use a cold water bath (not hot, as this promotes salmonella bacteria growth which will have everyone spending Thanksgiving in the E.R.).  If you are going to deep fry your turkey, a frozen turkey will kill you and set your house on fire if you drop them in a turkey fryer.

Click here to view the embedded video.

3. Buy Enough Booze

Most stores are closed, so know who the drinkers are before the holiday and provision at least 8 beers or 1 bottle of wine for each of the lushes in your family.  Having a well stocked bar around the holidays is never a bad idea, so always have a bottle of vodka, rum and whiskey in your bar. (Not advocating getting trashed, but better to be prepared)

4. Don’t Feel the Burn

Keep checking the rolls, once you put them in the over they can burn in a second or end up too crusty, or as hard as a rock.  Rolls are one of the best part of the dinner; good for dipping in gravy, lathering with butter and for leftover turkey sandwiches.   You don’t want to make something that is better off being used as a self defense tool?

5. Don’t Talk Politics

November is election month, and nothing incites a family gathering smack down like opinions on spiked eggnog.  Unless there is a soapbox in the middle of the dining room, politics are really best left for another occasion.

6. Sides not Sidelined

Make as many side dishes as you can the day before, not the day of.  Green bean casserole, Squash, Cranberry Sauce (fresh, can doesn’t count) etc.  If it can simply go into the oven and bake or warm up, you will be ahead of the game on T-day and you won’t find yourself in a panic or not even enjoying the holiday because you are being held prisoner in the kitchen.

7. Turkey Time

Know how long the turkey will take. Poultry takes an average of 15 minutes per pound at 325 degrees, that means that a 20lb bird will take up to 5 hrs. and if you stuff the bird add additional time.

8. Don’t Goof the Gravy

Gravy sounds easy, but can easily be screwed up (trust me).  If you don’t know what a roux is, this could prove to be a minor challenge.

My recommendation is that if you opt for the Wondra, this is a great quick-mixing flour made by General Mills that makes making gravy a snap. Just follow the directions on the back of the can and you really can’t screw this up.

9. Make Enough Pie!

A typical pie yields 6 pieces, and those people who can really pack it in will want to try the pumpkin and the apple, so make that about 1.5 pieces per person.  With 10 people at your thanksgiving table you will need 15 pieces or 3 pies (which gives 18, so you should be safe).

10. No Crappy Card Tables

Have enough seats at the main table as well as place settings. Don’t send your adult guests to the the little side table so they can use kid size cutlery.

Most adults have already did their community service at the crappy card table when they were five years old, those torturous memories have been repressed and don’t need re-awakening.

From all of us at Sacandagalife.com, Have a safe, wonderful Thanksgiving everyone!

*Card table image courtsey of Flickr user bardgabbard

A lot of people see the fall and winter as a time to just pack it up until spring.  Surprisingly however, if you’re the type that feels the allure of having something in the garden to look at, and which perhaps might help to attract those long sought-after colorful birds of winter, you might be relieved to know there are ways you can keep your garden magic alive even in the depths of winter.

The secret to garden enjoyment in winter is just a little strategy.  Fall and early winter are a great time to plant bulbs. Bulbs can often be the first flowers to bloom in late winter and early spring. Some of the best bulbs for planting in the fall and winter include daffodils, day lilies, iris, and, famously, tulips, which are widely celebrated in our region because of the Dutch settlers of early New York and Fort Orange.

There are also a number of options for planting ornamental plants in the fall that thrive in winter, and which will add color to your garden in the winter months.  The secret is to plant them in the fall.  Holly is an obvious choice here.  It sports very colorful, crimson berries and is a festive plant to have around for the holidays.  Other options include Junipers and other evergreens.

If you are looking to get your hands in the dirt, try growing houseplants, windowsill gardens and some of your favorite herbs. To effectively grow plants indoors, choose a spot that gets plenty of sunlight, and use terrarium to trap the sun’s heat and keep in valuable moisture.  Still another option for winter gardeners is the greenhouse.  If you are a serious gardener and have the space on your property to accommodate,  greenhouses can help you grow a variety of plants in a controlled environment. Today, there are many companies that are selling greenhouse kits that are fairly easy to assemble and fit just about any budget.

Winter is an important season for gardening in fact, more so than you’d think.  Winter is a great time to grow cover crops that will help improve the soil for the next season, as well as for composting.  With just a little planning, you can enjoy your garden all year long!

Halloween Hayrides at Ellms Farms

Friday & Saturday Evenings in October
Take a ride through the woods past Halloween scenes on this family-oriented hayride (It’s not haunted, so it’s kid-friendly!). There is a stop halfway where visitors will enjoy fresh cider and apple cider doughnuts, which are included in the cost of admission. While your there, stop by the corn maze and pumpkin patch! $8.50 admission, children under 2 are free. Please note that these hayrides differ from the ones included with daytime general admission.

Corvette Cruise-In

October 1
Check out some super cars as Eagle Mills Cider Mill host their eighth Corvette Cruise-In in conjunction with Vettes In Perfection. A show that is open for all Corvette owners, and public viewing. Live entertainment, great food and children’s activities will be open, too. Cider Mill in operation. Free Admission, with nominal charge for children’s activities/food.

Northville Fall Fest in the Park

October 8
Northville fall fest will be the final culmination of the summer’s activities with the last and largest farmers market on Friday the 7th which will include vendors, crafters and food vendors… Saturday October 8th will be a vendor and craft fair along with rides, games and food vendors in the village park. 10am-5pm. Free admission.

Chowderfest

October 8
This year Chowderfest will be held at the Sport Island Pub from 2:00 to 5:00. Last year we had 11 fantastic chowders entered in the competition and we hope to exceed that number this year. The cost is $ 8.00 per person at the door. Music will be provided by Pat Decker. What a way to spend a fall Saturday afternoon ! We are asking for business and personal chowder entries again this year. Plaques will be awarded to the chowders with the most votes for first, second and third place in both divisions. Chowders must be at the Pub by 1:00 p.m. If you need more information you can contact me at hawkdrilling@aol.com. We hope you can take one more boat ride, enjoy the beautiful foliage and the awesome chowders that we expect to have. See you on October 8.

Eagle Mills Ciderfest

October 8-9
Eagle Mills celebrates cider this weekend!! Free Admission into Mill for entertaining and educational demonstrations of how water-power operates our Mill. Samples of our sweet cider, cider donuts, apples galore..it’ll be a fun day for the whole family. Gem Mining, Dino Dig, and Train Ride will be open all day. Free admission, free parking. Nominal charge for children’s activities/food.

Redneck Cocktail Party

October 20
We have a new event planned for this year. The First Annual Redneck Cocktail party which will be held at Sport Island Pub on Thursday October 20 from 7:00 until 10:00. The cost is $ 100.00 per couple in advance and $ 125.00 at the door. The cost will cover food and drinks. There will be an auction of items donated by GSLBA members that night. Proceeds from this event will go to the Sacandaga Protection Committee. GSLBA feels it is important to support the SPC in order to preserve our rights to continue to work and play on this lake as it was intended.

Redneck Cocktail Party Invitation
Redneck Cocktail Party RSVP and Donation Letter

Evening on the Lake Fundraiser

October 20
Live music, the fall foliage over Sacandaga Lake, delicious food, a signature cocktail, and an array of wonderful silent auction items…. Join us for our “Autumn Evening on the Lake” fundraiser open house at Lanzi’s on the Lake to benefit the David and Helen Getman Memorial Home from 5pm-8pm

The David and Helen Getman Memorial Home is a not-for-profit Home that has been in continuous operation since 1918. We are licensed by the New York State Department of Health as an adult home and provide care and services for low-income Fulton and Montgomery County seniors who otherwise would not likely be able to live safely at home. We provide private rooms, three meals daily, a coordinated activities program, transportation, utilities, housekeeping, maintenance, medication management and individualized assistance with personal care tasks such as bathing, dressing and grooming. Most of our residents have an income of less than $15,000 per year. Since government subsidies are not available to pay for Adult Home services, we rely on the support of our community to help us provide these critical services to needy seniors.

Tickets are available by calling 505-1670 or 725-9114. Tickets are $25.00 per person and the fundraiser is an Open House- Come any time and stay as long as you like! We look forward to seeing you there!

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK! Search “David and Helen Getman Memorial Home”

Northville Pumpkin Fest

October 29
Pumpkin Fest II is a day long event of fun and activities in the park: crafts, food, games, music, a mass dance to the “Time Wart” from the Rocky Horror Picture Show, bounce house, headless horseman and a magician.

If you want to have a booth contact Teresa Greenhill (Northville Parade Committee) 863-6591 or tag13purple@gmail.com. Booth size is 10 x 10 for $25.00

All proceeds benefit 4th of July Parade and Memorial Day Parade in Northville

History of the Hatchet

Mankind has been making hatchets for nearly as long as we have been making told. While our ancestors needed to cut wood, they also needed a tool that could be used to defend themselves against enemies or predators, start fires in a pinch, as well as clean kills after a hunt. These tools were usually made with flint heads attached to a length of branch with a leather tong, and many examples of such hatchet heads still exist in museums today.

More recently, the hatchet has played a major part in American history. The first US Army Rangers carried hatchets for survival purposes, as well as finishing off enemies, with experienced soldiers able to accurately throw a hatchet at a distance of up to twenty yards. These versatile tools have been a part of Army Ranger history since their founding in 1676, and a good hatchet is still part of a Rangers kit.

Parts of the Hatchet

Let’s talk a bit about the anatomy of the hatchet and what it means. The main components of the hatchet are easy enough to remember, there’s the head, which is usually metal and does all the cutting, and the handle, which is where the user grasps the tool.

The head of a hatchet usually weighs anywhere from a pound to a pound and a half, and while most commonly made of steel, they can be made of anything from flint, to steel, to ceramics in the latest models. The part of the hatchet that does all the cutting is called the cutting edge. The area just behind the cutting edge, known as the bit, also plays a major part in the cutting action of the tool but is not typically considered. Typically, an ideal bit is ground at a very shallow angle compared to the rest of the head behind it.

Handles are usually about a foot long, and while they have historically been made of hickory or other hardwoods, other materials such as fiberglass, high-impact plastic, or even lightweight metals are used. If a wood handle is used, care is taken to make sure the grain of the wood runs in the same direction as the cutting edge, otherwise the handle may split, possibly injuring the user.

Types of Hatchets

In today’s modern times, the hatchet has evolved even further and there are several different types to choose from. These hatchets can have a variety of uses, from construction to hunting to the noble camp ax. Choosing one is as easy as knowing what you’re looking for.

A construction hatchet is the most common found, although perhaps “construction” is a misleading term since they are normally used to demolish. These will usually have a very thick wood or metal handle, though fiberglass isn’t unheard of, and will often have a hammer on the opposite side of the ax head, as well as a groove to help pull nails. For camping, these hatchets are usually too heavy, and they don’t seem to chop wood as well.

Hunting hatchets are usually intended to aid in the field-dressing of animals. Typically lighter in weight, their smaller heads and larger bit angles are better for splitting bone or cutting through flesh, and the handles may not always be up to snuff for chopping wood. These hatchets will usually double as a camp ax in a pinch, though, but you might run the risk of damaging the blade.

A camping hatchet will usually fall between these two categories, with a moderately stout handle of either wood, fiberglass, or another lightweight material. These hatchets are designed to walk the line between precision and power, able to be used for both delicate carving tasks as well as chopping firewood or building structures, though this is far from the only things this versatile tool can do.

Practical Camping Applications

While there are several different uses for our camp ax, first and foremost among them is chopping wood. The hatchet is excellent at this as long as it is used correctly. The easiest way to do this is to set the wood on the ground, preferably with a backstop in case the hatchet breaks through, this will prevent damage to the cutting edge.

Instead of swinging directly into the wood at a ninety-degree angle, try to come in at about forty-five degrees. Imagine a V in the wood with its bottom point on the opposite side of the log. As you chop, you will loosen chunks of wood which can then be removed with a flick of your blade. Once you have chopped through about half the log, flip it over and begin the same process on the other side.

Splitting wood is another easy task for hatchets, and is typically done by setting the wood on end, with the grain running up and down, and firmly but carefully embedding the hatchet in the top. Once that is done, the ax and wood are both lifted into the air and brought down with force. This will split off a chunk of wood, which can then be used to fuel a fire. When you’re using the hatchet to split larger logs, try to position the hatchet on the corner of the log and shave off a smaller piece at a time.

Carving is something a hatchet does well that nobody expects it to. By either lathing the cutting edge against the wood, or using short chopping motions well away from your fingers, you can remove wood much faster than with a knife.

If you’ve ever read the Gary Paulsen book ‘Hatchet’, you know what a useful tool a small ax can be in a survival situation. Depending on the make and model of your hatchet, you can use it to strike flint and start a fire, chop wood for a shelter, fashion weapons or traps for hunting, and if your hatchet is made of a shiny material, it can be used to signal passing aircraft in case you find yourself stranded. While some say a knife is the ultimate survival tool, the test of time has show the hatchet to be a more versatile accessory.

Safety & Maintenance

Hatchets are very low maintenance, requiring regular sharpening and an occasional rub-down with oil, if you’re using a wooden handle. Aside from that a good hatchet should last a while without any real upkeep. Check the handle for splits or weak spots every so often, and assure that the handle is securely attached. Inspect the cutting edge for chips and cracks, sometimes if found soon enough they can be ground out with a sharpening disc on a grinder.

Safety is always of the utmost importance when you are using any hand tool, especially a sharp one like a hatchet. Gloves and eye protection, while not always practical, are both highly recommended. Never put your hand near the area you intend to swing the hatchet. When using the hatchet, try to kneel on the ground so as not to accidentally chop your leg if you miss. Hatchets are useful for many things, but stopping arterial bleeding isn’t one of them.

Safe use and regular maintenance will ensure that you enjoy the use of you hatchet for many years. Whether you’re hiking through the jungles of South America on an archaeological expedition, or backpacking through the Adirondacks, a hatchet will serve to be supremely useful no matter your situation.

*Chopped wood photo by Flickr user davidjwbailey.

*2010 ididaride! Adirondack Bike Tour photo courtesy of the Adirondack Mountain Club

Saturday, July 30th

Chinese Auction – 9:00am – 2:30pm at the Edinburg Fire House

Steak & Chicken BBQ and Music by County Line Rebels – 2:00pm – 7:00pm at the Hope Fire House and Pavillion

Brook’s BBQ – 4:00pm – 7:00pm at the Mayfield Servicemen’s Club

Ice Cream Social & Raffle – 5:00pm – 8:00pm at the Northville Public Library

Monday, August 1st

2nd Annual Family Fun Festival – 2:00pm – 6:00pm at the Speculator Pavillion

Saturday, August 6th

Free Plane Rides for Kids – 9:00am – 2:00pm at the Fulton Country Airport

Wells Old Home Days – Both Friday and Saturday at 1pm at the Wells Community Hall

Gloversville Railfest – 10:00am – 8:00pm at Rail Station Park in Gloversville

Saturday, August 13th

Dam Tie-up – 12:00pm – 5:00pm at the dam

Sunday, August 14th

ididaride! Adirondack Bike Tour – First event begins at 8:30am at the Ski Bowl Park Pavillion in North Creek

Saturday, August 20th

Run-Pedal-Tube Triathlon – 9:00am at the Canoe take-out in Hadley

Prepare Yourself for Camping

Failing to prepare for a camping trip can quickly turn your dream vacation into a nightmare that you can’t wait to forget. It’s important to familiarize yourself with your equipment, surroundings, and vacation plans before hitting the road.

• Learn as much as you can about camping. Reading our camping guides is a good place to start (Congratulations, you’re already working on this one!)
• Spend a night camping out in your back yard. This will get you familiar with sleeping outside in your tent, while you can still run into the house for supplies, a bathroom, food, etc. This is an especially good idea if you have kids. A back-yard camp out isn’t very intimidating, and as long as you have marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers, they’ll love it!
• Research area campgrounds – You definitely don’t want to be out in the wilderness for your first time camping, so take some time to investigate the campgrounds around the . Some are state-run, some are private. Some are on the lake or river, and some are just in the woods. Find out what works best for you and your family. Tip: Kids love water, so choosing a campground on the lake will make entertaining the kids more manageable.
• Buy your gear – If you’re not sure what to get, take a peek at our camping check-list. Most of your equipment can be found at a sporting goods store.
• If you have some borrowed gear, or gear from a few years ago, You should should do a thorough check of the equipment to make sure there are are no rips, tears, or other signs of wear. Borrowed tents and sleeping bags may need some airing out.

Plan Your Trip

Now that you know what campgrounds are available, pick one and make a reservation. It’s a good idea to reserve a campsite, especially during peak season and holiday weekends.

Know how many days you are staying. You should plan the right amount of meals, and prepare what you can ahead of time. We have plenty of camping recipes and easy meal ideas for you to try. This will make your trip much more relaxing, and you won’t be running out of food (or lugging around way too much of it).

What town is your campground in? What nearby attractions can you visit during your stay? You should find these things out before you arrive at your campsite (and we have all the resources you need!). You should also know where you find camp wood for sale, plus ice, bait, and other items that you will need to purchase during your camping trip.

If you need some help choosing activities, check out our things to do page. It’s chalk full of ideas including from boating, hiking, local beaches, shopping, and other great attractions!

What to Pack and How to Pack It

As mentioned before, we have a great camping checklist to guide you as you prepare for your vacation. Start collecting your gear in a vacant corner of your home and add things as you buy them or think of them.

Pack your in a sports bag. They are flexible, easy to carry, and easy to tuck in a corner of your tent.

Pack dry food items and disposable tableware in a large plastic bin.

Setting Up Camp

When you first arrive at the campground, stop at the front desk to sign in. They will either assign you a camp site or you will have a chance to pick what site you want. If you are given a choice, look for a campsite that is level, and close to a water source. It may sound practical to pick a location close to a bathroom, but trust me, it’s a bad idea. If you plan to sleep in, look for a campsite with ample shade in the morning (tree cover in the south-east). If you get up after the sun does, your tent will become an oven, and you’ll be extremely uncomfortable.

So you’ve chosen (or have been assigned) your campsite. First, make sure the site is clear of all sticks, rocks and debris that would make you uncomfortable. Now it’s time to start setting up camp! Decide where your tent is going to go (keep it far away from the fireplace provided). First, lay down a tarp, then spread your tent out over top of it. Put the poles together and guide them through the sleeves on the outside of your tent according to your tent’s instructions. Then start attaching the end of the poles to the corners of the tent. It’s best to have 2 people working on this. After you have your tent set up, stake it down with tent stakes.

Next, I recommend setting up a large tarp over your campsite, especially if there is rain the forecast. Use some pieces of rope to tie the corners of the tarp to trees around your campsite. Be careful that you do not cause any damage to the trees! When you are setting up the tarp, plan where the rain water is going to run off, you definitely don’t want water to pool up in the middle and come crashing down on your head!

Things to Do While Camping on the

Once you’ve got everything set up, what’s next? Well, you can sit back and relax for a few hours, or you can find something fun to do! There are plenty of great activities for people of all ages.

Sand, Sun and Surf
Okay, so not a lot of surf, but there are some great public beaches on the lake where you can soak up some rays, build a sandcastle with the kids, and take a dip in the water. Many private campgrounds also have their own beaches. These are great because they’re usually quieter and more secluded. Find out where to go swimming at a public beach on the Great Sacandaga and surrounding lakes!

Kayaking, Water Sports, and Boating
There’s no better way to take advantage of the lake than to head out boating. Whether you want to paddle quietly around the shoreline, or speed around on a jet ski, you have plenty of options! Check out our boating page for more ideas. You can also find places to rent, store, and dock your boat. If you do go boating, please remember to always wear a life-preserver!

Hiking and Biking
Ready for some exercise? By foot or by bike, head out and explore what the Adirondacks have to offer on any of it’s numerous hiking and biking trails. Just remember to stay on the trails and don’t disturb wild animals! Take a map and compass with you in case you get turned around (and know how to use them!).

Breaking Down Camp

As your vacation draws to a close, start to collect your belongings, which by now are probably scattered throughout your campsite, and pack them away neatly.

As you take down your tent and any other shelter you erected then you arrived, try to shake out as much of the dirt and water as possible. It may be helpful to leave a rope between two trees while you pack, so you can hang tarps, clothing, and even your tent out to dry before folding them up and stashing them in your vehicle.

When everything is packed away and you’re ready to head out, take a final sweep of your campsite to make sure that you haven’t forgotten anything (such as that rope for drying!). It’s also important that you pick up any garbage that you dropped on the ground.

Remember: If you carry it in, carry it out!

Make your last pit-stop at a restroom, and have something to munch on during the trip home!

After You Return Home

It can be tempting to abandon a car full of equipment in favor of a hot shower and a soft mattress, but it’s crucial that you take care of all your camping gear as soon as you get home. Take everything out of your cooler and either store it back in your fridge or throw it away. Rinse the cooler out with a hose and a little mild soap, drain it, and dry thoroughly. Then take care of any other food items that you have left over.

Unfold any tarps, and tents. Clean them up or leave them out to dry, as necessary. Then fold them up neatly and store in a dry place for next time!

Wash out your clothing. Clothes that are damp from being out on the lake will get really gross really quickly, Trust me on this one!

Tell Us About your Trip!

If you’ve had a wonderful experience camping in the southern Adirondacks (or anywhere, for that matter!), Tell us about it in the comments below! You can also send stories and pictures to photos@sacandagalife.com, and we’ll post them on the site.

If you have your own tips or advice for beginner campers, share them with us as well! We love to hear from our readers

• Setting up campsite photo courtesy of flickr user AlishaV
  
• Packing for camping photo courtesy of flickr user Mike Burns

Saturday, July 2nd

Speculator Annual Fourth of July Celebration: Parade at 7:00pm; Fireworks 9:30pm. Stocks Amusements Carnival Friday and Saturday at the Speculator ball field.

Pine Lake Fireworks: A fireworks extravaganza at 9:30pm hosted by Pine Lake Park & Campground!

Northville Waterfront Park July 4th Celebration: National Guard Rock Climbing Wall; Fife and Drum Corp; Parade: 1pm; Bounce houses after the parade; Music 3pm-5pm; Pony Rides; Fireworks @ 9:30pm

Sunday, July 3rd

Fireworks at Sport Island Pub: 9:30pm

Monday, July 4th

Fireworks at Lanzi’s on the Lake: 9:30pm