Introduction

[calvins]

I ran across these forums and thought I should give a brief intro. I didn't see an area for that so I picked this one.

I'm 52 (goin' on 53) and live in Poughkeepsie, NY. My "better half" and I just bought some land around Salisbury Center in Herkimer County and I'm in process of trying to learn more about the area. It looks like these forums will be a great help.

I practically grew up in the Allegahany Mountains in NW PA before moving here 32 years ago. PA's still "home" though, even after all those years.

I've hunted and fished since I was a boy and don't plan on stoppin' anytime real soon.

Our property isn't far from East Canada Creek but from what I can tell by just reading, West Canada Creek 'seems' to hold better trout prospects.

Not really much clue as to what to expect from that area from a deer, black fly, etc point of view but I expect to have first hand knowledge very shortly.

We did locate Arthur's Rest. in Dolgeville which seems to be the closest place for goin' out. Had lunch there once and it was pretty decent.

Well, I s'pose I've babbled on long enough for an intro.

Just wanted to say hi.

[sacco]

hey calvin, welcome.

you heard right, the WC is a much better fishery, especially if you're looking for size. the EC is more of a typical large adk stream - it's a truly beautiful creek with some decent fish and great if you want solitude, but very few fish get that big. The WC on the other hand is a great tailwater with a nice growth rate (and it helps that it's stocked with a kajillion fish each year, many over 16" to start)

the hunting is generally pretty good in the area, a nice mix of ag. and forest land.

there's a few of us on this board who live or play in your area. if you check out some threads in the fishn huntin section you can't swing a dead trout without hitting a nice serotonin pic. you can hire him as a guide for the WC. i believe his rate is still 1 beer per hour before 5pm, 2 per hour after 5pm.

also, you may want to check out the fly fishers anglers association www.goflyfish.org

the site is still in it's infant stages, but the club's been around a few years now. our club does some good work for the WC and other local streams, including stocking the trophy section ourselves with some really nice fish.

once again, welcome!

[trouthunter]

Welcome! Always good to have experienced sportsmen on the forum.

[calvins]

Thanks!

Guide?!? Naw, I'll wing it. I kinda like figuring out hunting and fishing spots, it's half the fun.

The boards seem to have more of a foot-hold in the northern 'Dacks/hiking scenario, at least that's my first impression. Not that there's anything wrong with that, just what it seems like so far to the resident "newbie". I'm definitely into hiking if it's getting to my stand. ;-D

Headed up this Sunday to meet a guy to see about getting some gravel in for the "driveway" so we can get in and out for this year. Plan on going up for whitetail the week of Nov. 10. I realize that it opens this Sat for rifle but I just can't get everything taken care of by then. We just wrote the check for the land last week.

Not really going to be much of a hunting trip, more like just getting the "lay of the land" hopefully.

Without having spent much time on it, I'm guessing from what I've seen that it's more of a travel corridors so I've gotta work on clearing some areas and getting some food plots in to try and give 'em something to hang around for.

As for the fishin', that's not as big of a passion for me as hunting but it's sure a great way to spend the day when you can weasel outta workin'

I used to fish some very remote streams in PA, maybe once I get there and back into that the fever will hit again. Around where we are now it's WAY too populated for our tastes.

[sacco]

i was only kidding about the guide comment (but not about the beer fee if you go with him)

how many acres ya got? i live on 60 a few miles from of herkimer. we bought it 3 years ago. similar problem, it's a decent funnel corridor but i have to work on the food.

[calvins]

We only got 27 acres right around Stratford. All woods. The neighbor on one side has an additional 35 acres and on the other 25. All wooded except for the home sites. Across the road is the beginning of the ADK park so that's all wooded as well.

I'll know more after spending a week up there shortly. When we were looking at it We stopped at the one neighbors house just to get a feel for the folks in the area. Very nice woman, 65ish who lives there year around by herself. Very nice southern lady. We talked for a bit and she then said "well, you seem like nice people I guess that you can buy the land next door under one condition". I asked what it was of course and she said "you've got to agree to keep those three g.d. bears over there!" I personally don't hunt them so they're safe as far as I'm concerned. The bear proof garbage cans were delivered yesterday though.

[sacco]

ahhhh, stratford...

interesting area. anyone i meet in that area is either the nicest person in the world - or they belong in the movie deliverence... it's funny cause its always one extreme or the other.

wildernessphoto has some property not too far from you as well.

[calvins]

Gee....

wonder which group I'm in?!?

[calvins]

sacco:

I've spoken with quite a few folks in that area to get some things done on the property and so far <knocking on wood> they all seem nice.

When I'm up there this Sunday to meet with a couple of them hopefully I can find out some more about what's where up there.

[Adirondack_hunter]

Steve, I grew up in Dolgeville and live not too far from there still.
Welcome to the area. Have any questions just shoot them out there. I'll do my best.

Dave