Captain Art's thought for the day - when can we fish again????

The question is, when can we fish again? Here in Northest Ohio it has been one thing or three others while waiting for our river & stream conditions to improve. If its not high muddy waters it has been the ice. Now they are predicting more rain to come & if that happens we may not have good conditions until next year.

I guess the old adage of a bad day of fishing is better than a good day at work would still hold true as long as you can fish.........in the meantime if you would like to see more about the captain visit him on his website at http://www.lakeeriecaptain.com/

Good friends and fishful thinking, God bless America........Captain Art

Captain Art's thought for the day - winter blues

Yes winter is upon us and Christmas nearly here. It is a rough time for the boating charter captains of the great lakes who only do the boating end of their fishing. When the boating season has ended for the year for me I immediately get started fishing the Lake Erie tributaries for steelhead trout. I guide the streams and rivers until it's time to get the boat ready again. So there are no winter blues for me - just winter hues!

God bless everyone who has visited this year & I hope to see you next season. Prime dates are starting to go so visit us on the web at http://www.LakeErieCaptian.com and reserve yours today!

Tight lines & holiday pocketbooks,

Captain Art

The fun never ends

I was just told the fun never ends on the Lucky Strike.......& it doesn't. Here in the central portion of Lake Erie we have been hauling the walleye in on a regular basis since May. Recently our charters have been targeted far offshore where limit catches have been coming in with regularity. Combine that with 5 -10% of the catch being fish Ohio awards and you have some very satisfied customers.

Visit us on the web at http://www.LakeErieCaptain.com and see what the endless fishing fun is all about.

Good weather, great friendship and better fishing, what else could you ask for!

Captain Art

Captain Art's thought for the day

I'm only one person........

Have you ever been asked for help? How about getting asked from so many different people for so many different things that you would have absolutely not have enough time in a day to get even half of the things done.

I feel bad for refusing people who need help & are asking but some things are just impossible. Maybe I should have never learned a thing and paid for everything I ever needed done. Then I would have never been asked.

So for all those who need my help but have been refused...........I apologize.

Take a break, visit our web at http://www.lakeeriecaptain.com and go fishing!!!!

Tight lines, good friends & calm seas,

Captain Art

Captain Art's thought for the day

Winter had a hold on us for such a long time. I put my snow shovels away just in time to bring them out for some excellent snowfalls during April and were even blessed with some on Easter Sunday!

But now we'll see the true signs of what spring fever is all about. It was 73 degrees today and I saw some serious activity in the marina and harbor areas.......boats being uncovered & worked on, docks being set in the water, etc. Yes in the next month we will be in full boating season swing.

The walleye fishing should provide a good 2007 season so if anyone is interested in a walleye charter on Lake Erie plus log onto http://www.lakeeriecaptain.com/ for more information concerning a charter.

Tight lines....calm seas......good friends.......God bless America.............Captain Art

Captain Art's thought for the day - take a kid fishing

It's a delight to see the expression on a childs face when they hook into some of their first fish. I have seen this many times within my friends, my own children who are now adults with children of their own, and of course my grandchildren. I never get tired of doing what I love to do and sharing the wealth of what I have learned with others.....especially if they are trying to help a child fish.

One excellent place to do this locally in the Northeast Ohio area is the Conneaut Fish & Game Club's 41st annual youth trout derby scheduled this year on May 19th, 2007. Bring a child fishing and share a wonderful day with them. There are door prizes, refreshments and plenty of trout for the kids to catch.

For more information on this event look for our news page from our homepage at:
http://www.LakeErieCaptain.com

Put a smile on a childs face & God bless America..............Captain Art

Captain Art's thought for the day - Lake Erie guides

The steelhead trout have been in the shallows and we have just been hammering fish. But I have had the dis-pleasure of some guides taking their customers who should have learned a little fishing etiquette before doing anything else.

When the fish are in the shallows they are very spooky. Yesterday evening I was fishing and this guide walked with his customer, upstream of me no more than 20 feet away. Needless to say the fish I were after were spooked and swam away. What is wrong with these people? Apparently they never developed any manners as they were growing up. My dad taught me many, many moons ago to give another fisherman room. This meant if I had headed to a favorite spot of mine and someone was already there I simply went somewhere else.

These guides leave a lot to be desired. I do things right & do them by the book and manage to do pretty well for customers as a river guide or boat captain.

So for you guides out there who do not know any better.......maybe you could do something other than fishing, ie: work in automotive or landscaping if you wish to visit the outdoors. If you would like to speak to a good captain visit me on the web at http://www.LakeErieCaptain.com


Good friends, tight lines & no visits by people who leave a lot to be desired with their manners

Unhappy Captain Art :(

Captain Art's thought for the day - suckers are fish

Well, the river waters have receded enough to go steelhead trout fishing again. We were fishing yesterday and had fish on all day long. The bad part is that most of them were suckers which had moved upstream in the muddy water. We caught at least 10 suckers to one steelhead trout.

I looked at my friend Shawn and said suckers are fish too! Both of us agreed that catching fish, no matter what kind was better than catching nothing at all. There is fishing & there is catching & both are fine with me.

Hopefully when you book a fishing trip with us you will experience both of them. A bad day on the water exceeds the best day of working.

Visit us on the web to see what is biting ....... http://www.LakeErieCaptain.com

God bless America and her fishermen!!! Captain Art

Captain Art's thought for the day - in the blink of an eye

I had heard many times that life is too short & can be taken away in the blink of an eye. Over the weekend I was in town for a funeral and certainly experienced it first hand again. A long time friend and fellow local charter captain who had just retired had a freak accident while looking at the roof on his house, fell, hit his head and died.

We spoke a week or so ago and since I had retired in 2006 we talked about doing so many things this year together that we both loved to do and now he is gone. It is very sad and so am I. He never had a chance to enjoy that retirement.

I enjoy every day I have and certainly thank God for everything in my life. I am one of those who is living that American dream and every day is special.

My advice if you wish to do anything: Do it now if you are capable of it because you may never get to see tomorrow.

God bless America and all of you and thank you for visiting us on the web at http://www.LakeErieCaptain.com

Captain Art - Lucky Strike Sport fishing

Captain Art's thought for the day - expectations

When I was in industry I used to tell people to know their limitations. I used to also say that you can't push yourself forward by patting yourself on the back.

Speaking mechanically for now I never felt that I had limitations on what I could accomplish. I also felt that doing anything was worth doing it right and this means paying attention to details. Anytime I worked on something mechanical you could not tell I was ever there. Keep it neat, keep it original. What has made me feel best of all over all the years and many different things I have got myself into was doing a job and having someone actually understand what I had undertaken and accomplished......that was the greatest reward!

And over the years and seemingly impossible tasks I have accomplished I think to myself that I must always exceed others expectations. Today, for example I looked at my friends boat with him. ( I have this wonderful task this year to get it completely re-wired) I had already cut many wires and removed components and this was his first time to see it since this was done. I asked what he thought and he replied, (I don't know....I'm getting worried)

So this means when the boat is finished and ready for the season once again I have exceeded someones expectations. My reward will be his acknowledgement of the difficulty of the task and understanding what was accomplished.

Always do a good job no matter what you're doing and if you need mechanical or marine help you can see what else the captain offers by visiting his web at http://www.LakeErieCaptain.com

Tight lines & tighter fuel dollars as the costs continue to rise........Captain Art

PS.....Fishing is the same way......pay attention to detail and always do a good job

Captain Art's thought for the day - expectations

When I was in industry I used to tell people to know their limitations. I used to also say that you can't push yourself forward by patting yourself on the back.

Speaking mechanically for now I never felt that I had limitations on what I could accomplish. I also felt that doing anything was worth doing it right and this means paying attention to details. Anytime I worked on something mechanical you could not tell I was ever there. Keep it neat, keep it original. What has made me feel best of all over all the years and many different things I have got myself into was doing a job and having someone actually understand what I had undertaken and accomplished......that was the greatest reward!

And over the years and seemingly impossible tasks I have accomplished I think to myself that I must always exceed others expectations. Today, for example I looked at my friends boat with him. ( I have this wonderful task this year to get it completely re-wired) I had already cut many wires and removed components and this was his first time to see it since this was done. I asked what he thought and he replied, (I don't know....I'm getting worried)

So this means when the boat is finished and ready for the season once again I have exceeded someones expectations. My reward will be his acknowledgement of the difficulty of the task and understanding what was accomplished.

Always do a good job no matter what you're doing and if you need mechanical or marine help you can see what else the captain offers by visiting his web at http://www.LakeErieCaptain.com

Tight lines & tighter fuel dollars as the costs continue to rise........Captain Art

PS.....Fishing is the same way......pay attention to detail and always do a good job

Captain Art's thought for the day

I just came back from a meeting at our local fish & game club. My wife & I donated a complete set (similar to hard cover encyclopedias) of fishing books. They cover everything from how to fish for nearly every game species to recipes on how to cook that catch. I had to laugh to myself because an inside joke for people who know me and ask me a question about how to do something my reply will be "read the book"

When I was younger that is just what I did......if I did not know how to do something I would read up on it and find out. Whether it be something mechanical, automotive, fishing, or whatever it may be, it did not matter. I would read, learn and succeed which developed into a well rounded knowledge base and helped in a good career.

Nowadays, with our computer generation, it is much more easier to have a wealth of knowledge at your fingertips. Research, learn and develop your skills. Become well rounded and you will be the next resource which people flock to for answers they seek.

Therefore, the captains suggestion for the day has to be "read the book"

For those who may need to talk to the captain visit him on his web at http://www.LakeErieCaptain.com

Calm seas, tight lines and smart answers....read the book......Captain Art

Captain Art's thought for the day

I'm really not certain of the origin but I heard long ago that bananas were bad luck on a boat. I know this old wives tale gets a lot of respect from the Hawaiian Island region as evidenced in much of their fishing charter advertising. I'm not superstitious but I just happened to pass this on to some fellow charter captains last week at the conference. Most of them had never heard this before.

Perhaps some stories long ago were told of vessels which had problems or even sank at sea and they just happened to have bananas as their cargo. Needless to say I don't want to stretch my luck as the fishing and fishing charters on Lake Erie have been good for me. So let me say just leave your bananas at home & bring meat in your lunches while charter fishing with us.

For more information on what you can bring aboard please contact the captain via his website at http://www.LakeErieCaptain.com

Fair weather, tight lines, and no bananas allowed.............Captain Art

Captain Art's thought for the day

We've all heard the old fish story, "you should have been here yesterday." Well I was there yesterday (fishing through the ice in Conneaut Harbor, Ohio) and I did not get a hit. But I was told today by a friend that it was the place to be today. So I guess you should have been here today is more in order.

I did look for open water in Conneaut Creek today. It was difficult to get to as you had to climb over ice jams and through huge slush piles. But I was rewarded with a couple of steelhead trout and a few more missed hits.

Conditions were steadily improving while I was there but if the weather predictions for this weekend are correct no one will be able to fish any open water as it will be a raging river of ice flow again.

More from the captain and Lake Erie can be found on his Lake Erie fishing charter web at: http://www.LakeErieCaptain.com

Tight lines, good company & fair weather............Captain Art

Captain Art's thought for the day

Well, I didn't have a trip of any sort today so I went fishing through the ice in the harbor. I had to laugh to myself because this must only happen to me.......I fished for about three hours for trout through the ice in the harbor and never got a hit-nothing!

The reason I had to laugh to myself is that I was thinking about how fishermen get a reputation of being liars. This is because many of them never tell the truth. When was the last time you heard of a fisherman, and especially charter captain/fishing guide tell you that they never got even a hit while fishing?

But for anyone who knows fishing this is how it is.........it comes & goes........there are good days and there are bad but there are never bad fishing days!

Visit the captain for Lake Erie charter fishing information at http://www.LakeErieCaptain.com

Tight lines, calm waters, good company..........Captain Art

Captain Art's thought for the day

Well Captains'........ have you heard about the new regulation and upcoming changes for your charter captains licenses? We had the Toledo Coast Guard at the conference last week. They encouraged anyone within 1 1/2 years of their Merchant Mariners license renewal to get their processes started asap.

Some REC's will be closing their licensing processes and many who went to certain places will in the near future have to go to a national center. One national center they told us about happened to be in WV!

Combine that with REC's taking our finger prints.......seems they do not trust police departments who took them before and the new Twic identity cards which will definately cost us more $$$.....it certainly doesn't get any easier. You can read more about the new Twic at:
www.tsa.gov/twic

If you'd like to speak to Captain Art to learn more about the regs you can visit him on his website at http://www.LakeErieCaptain.com

Until then........tight lines and tighter wallets! Captain Art

Captain Art's thought for the day

Back to the walleye outlook for 2007 - During the charter captains conference the other day in Sandusky Ohio it was good to hear a positive note about the 2007 walleye outlook in Lake Erie. The Ohio DNR was present with speakers who have banner expectations once again for the Lake Erie walleye population. If you happened to miss 2006 it was nothing short of spectacular fishing on the big lake.

If a fishing charter on Lake Erie may be in store for you during 2007 please visit the captain's website at http://www.LakeErieCaptain.com for more information.


Tight lines & fair weather........Captain Art

Captain Art's thought for the day

Well winter just does not want to let up. Temperatures dropped again along with some snow flurries. I took a ride yesterday & visited the Ashtabula River & Conneaut Creek. There was some open upstream water which was ugly & muddy. Downstream in both areas were huge ice jams. So for the time being the only fishing taking place will still be through the ice in the harbor areas.

Want more fishing or charter fishing information? Visit the captain's web at http://www.LakeErieCaptain.com

Captain Art

Captain Art's views of the day

Back from the charter captains conference & was enlightened to some new federal regulations which affect charter boat captains as well as people in other industries (more on this later) As suspected the streams in northeast Ohio are near flood stages flowing huge pieces of ice, debris & logs. It will be a few days before anyone should attempt to fish it.

More of our charter fishing information can be found on our website by visiting http://www.LakeErieCaptain.com

Captain Art

Captain Art's views of the day

What a rain last night! I'm sure it is going to blow the ice off the streams and keep us off the ice in the harbors. But afterwards we will probably be able to wade again. I'll post you after I get back from the charter captains conference.

Visit the captains website at http://www.LakeErieCaptain.com for other news.

Lucky Strike Sport fishing - fishing charters on Lake Erie

Captain Art's views of the day:

I'm going away this weekend to a charter captains conference in Sandusky Ohio. I will post news I find out there about the Lake Erie walleye outlook for 2007. Fished on the ice yesterday for steelhead trout. The bite was slow but the company good.

Visit the captain's website at http://www.LakeErieCaptain.com for other news