WCO Report for Erie County 09/15/2004: Erie area, PA,
WCO Report Posted: September 14, 2004

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Posted by DWCO Randy Leighton on September 14, 2004 at 20:47:25:

WEST ERIE COUNTY, DWCO Randy Leighton, WCO Brook Tolbert

Conditions:
Are they here? Not quite yet although we are prepared. Dredging of the Walnut Project Waters is nearly complete as of this writing and we had enough rain last week to rival the spring ice melting. Area temperatures have approached 80 over the last week although night time temperatures have begun to drop into the 60s and occasionally a little lower. A few steelhead are being caught by the patient anglers but catches are still infrequent. Anglers are beginning to line the wall at Walnut Creek with a few late night and early morning catches. Crawlers, Cleos (especially the glow in the dark variety), egg sacs (especially the colored ones available locally) and the power baits have been popular.

Angler numbers increased this past weekend along the shoreline at Trout Run along with a few tubers and boats trolling close to shore. Fish were porpoising at daybreak and evidence of a good number of fish close to shore is there although strikes were seldom. In short, it should be anytime with a few cool nights.

Perch fishing is still excellent off of Walnut Creek and Godrey runs. Good schools can be found in 55' to 67' of water.
Walleye fishing has picked up dramatically over the last week with a good number of limits and fish of size being brought in for weighing.

Lake Erie water temperature as of this writing is 72 degrees. West County tribs are up a little and clear as of this writing.

Walnut Creek Project Waters:
PFBC maintenance has completed the Project Water Holes dredging with only some removal of gravel and material piled along the banks left to complete the project. Much of the dredged material and gravel has been spread along the banks filling in much of the washout from the recent flood rains. The remaining material will be trucked to the PFBC access area along Elk Creek and recycled as filler.

Hurricane Frances Changes the Area:
Hurricane Frances brought considerable rain and flooding to Erie and Crawford Counties as many of you are aware. There has been significant change in many areas and reading the tributary waters may be a whole new experience this year. Along with these new challenges, anglers should be aware that that tributary changes can mean new pockets and varying depths that are different from last year. A little extra caution when wading the tribs this year is advised.

Many of you are also aware that Route 5 at the bottom of the hill west of the Elk Creek Sports Store was washed out from the recent rains. The damage was extensive although some initial repairs have begun. It is unclear at this time as to how long the repairs may take. We will keep you posted as the repairs progress. Anglers traveling west on 5 to the Elk Creek Access on the West side of Elk Creek along with Crooked Creek will find detours posted for now. Access to the PFBC access area on the East side of lower Elk is unobstructed.

A Few More Regulations Pertinent To The Walnut Creek Access:
We so often hear an individual say "I didn't know" or "am I allowed" when it comes to regulations in our area. The following are a few more regulations directly affecting the Walnut Creek Access Area which is controlled by the PFBC. These are areas of concern and regulations that cover many of the typical problems we encounter with the large crowds and congestion in that area.

Boats have the right of way over fishing from boat launch areas or boat docks. It is unlawful for persons fishing from a boat launch area or boat dock to permit their fishing activity to interfere with boat traffic into and out of the boat launch area or boat dock.

Overnight camping, building or maintaining open fires, swimming, and picking, cutting, or digging flowers, plants, shrubs and trees is prohibited.

The leaving or disposal of any rubbish on Commission property is prohibited unless placed in containers, if provided for this purpose. Disposal of any refuse accumulated off Commission property is prohibited.

Any personal, organizational or commercial use other than normally intended fishing and boating activities is prohibited, except that the executive director or his designee may issue permits to organizations for the use of Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission properties, when it is determined that such use will not damage Commission property and will not interfere with normal usage by others.

The removal or defacing of any sign, poster or property is prohibited, and it shall be unlawful to damage in any manner any lands or to interfere with any device or structure, or to alter or interfere with the flow of water over or through any structure.
Vehicles must be parked in designated areas only. Blocking or obstructing driveways, access roads or launch ramps is prohibited.

No person may construct, place or maintain any structure, fixture or any other tangible property on or in Commission-owned or Commission-controlled property or waters without a permit from the executive director or his designee. Persons are further prohibited from encroaching upon Commission property in any manner incompatible with public use.

A vehicle properly registered and operated in conformance with the Vehicle Code (except all-terrain vehicles) is permitted on Commission-owned or Commission-controlled property on those areas that are open to vehicular traffic such as roadways, driveways, launch ramps and designated parking areas. It is unlawful to operate a vehicle on Commission property on (a) roads not open to the public, (b) in a negligent or reckless manner, (c) in a manner that obstructs or impedes public access to driveways, access roads and launch ramps, (d) in a manner not in conformance with the posted traffic control signs or devices, (e) on forested areas, grasslands, wetlands and lands under cultivation, and (f) on frozen lakes, ponds, rivers or streams. The use of off-road motorized vehicles, including trail bikes, Tote Gotes, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), air-cushioned vehicles, track vehicles, hydrofoils and the like, is prohibited.

Snowmobiles may be used on Commission-owned or Commission-controlled property that has been designated for such use by the executive director and is so posted. The operation of snowmobiles on frozen lakes, ponds and streams is prohibited. Parking areas on Commission-owned or Commission-controlled property shall not be used for general snowmobile operation.

Walnut Creek Access, Channel and Basin- Boats have the right of way over shore fishermen. Fishing from boats is prohibited in channel and basin. Shore fishing is allowed in the basin ONLY at places and times designated.

Trespassing on Fish & Boat Commission property is prohibited where posted.

Walnut Creek Memorial Wall, Update from Christie Ferrier:
I hope you all have enjoyed how pretty the garden has looked this year. The wall is now structurally finished - the large cap stones are in place and several have already been engraved. There are still 7 sides of these stones, one of which can be yours to engrave as you wish. If you will contact me or one of the ladies in the Administration Bldg. they will get in touch with me. These are very special. Christmas is coming up and Anniversaries, I'm sure, are too. Think how exciting this could be to your grandchildren or great grandchildren to see your name on this wall 50 - 100 years from now!!!

The regular pavers are also still available. If you are interested in one of these, the application forms are in the Administration Bldg. The 4x8's are $50 and the 8x8's are $100. All the proceeds from the sale of these pavers and the large cap stones go to the fund for the Erie Community Foundation so that the garden may be maintained into perpetuity for all who come to visit the Marina now and into the future.

I have 6 more orders for the pavers right now. These will be engraved sometime this fall before the weather changes. If you want a paver or cap stone for this year, let me know right away, otherwise all orders after this fall's engraving will be done late next Spring.

Please feel free to contact me about any of the above.

Christie Ferrier - 814-474-2577 ---cbfbeach@aol.com

Local Weather:

Wednesday night
Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 60s. South winds 10 to 15 mph.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 70s. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50 percent.
Thursday night
Mostly cloudy. Lows in the upper 50s. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph
Friday
Mostly cloudy. Highs in the upper 60s.
Friday night
Mostly cloudy. Lows in the mid 50s.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of rain. Highs in the upper 60s.
Saturday night
Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of rain. Lows in the upper 50s.
Sunday
Partly cloudy. Highs in the mid 70s.
Sunday night
Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 50s.
Monday
Partly cloudy. Highs in the lower 70s.
Monday night
Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 50s.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers. Highs in the lower 70s.




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