CAPTAINS JOURNAL.TIMESTWOCHARTERS.COM

Hamburg NY Outdoor Expo

2010-03-11T05:13:00Z

Just a quick note....

This weekend is the Hamburg NY Sports and Outdoor Expo at the Hamburg Fairgrounds. We'll be
there with Capt. Bud (Alibi Sportfishing) in the Main Exhibition Hall. It promises to be a very busy
show, so please be sure to stop by our booth and say hello!

And, next weekend (March 20/21), Bud and I will be in Mayville, NY (along Chautauqua Lake)
at the Chautauqua Suites Hotel for the Steelhead Expo. This is a great smaller show for all of
you that are steelhead enthusiasts!

Hope to see you at one of these events.....

John

Catchin' Up a Bit

2010-02-05T03:17:00Z

I'm not a hunter, nor a hard water fisherman, so I'm biding my time until it gets warm again! In the
meantime, just thought we'd catch up a bit....

CONGRATULATIONS to our team member and mate, Gary who has recently completed and passed
his Captain's Test! Way to go, Captain Gary!!

We recently talked to our friends over at Dreamweaver Lures, and as usual, they have plenty of exciting
new colors coming out in 2010. On Lake Erie, the WD series spoons have become our number one
walleye spoon, and we believe made a big difference between success and failure on many days last
summer!

Be sure to check our their products at www.dreamweaverlures.com; or click on the picture below:

Remember our first show of the year is the LOTSA Fishing Show in Lockport, NY on February 28th! We'll
be there with Capt. Bud (Alibi Charters) and Capt. Gary; and we're looking forward to seeing some of
our old friends!

Think warm!
John

Happy New Year!

2010-01-04T03:07:00Z

Greetings! I hope you all had a great Holiday Season!

We are pleased to announce that once again, in 2010, we will be on the Dreamweaver Lures Pro-
staff!! Their spoons have been awesome for walleye, and turned around more than 1 day for us
last year.   Be sure to check out all their great products at www.dreamweaverlures.com.



We also are currently planning on attending the following fishing/outdoors shows....be sure to stop by
and say hello!

On February 28^th, I will have my booth at the Lake Ontario Trout and Salmon Association fishing
show in Lockport, NY (suburb of Buffalo). You can check this out at www.lotsa.org.

On March 11^th -14^th, Captain Bud Marsh (Alibi Sportfishing Charters) and I will have a booth at the
Western New York Outdoor and Travel Expo in Hamburg, NY (also a suburb of Buffalo).

      On March 20 & 21, I will have a booth at the “Future of Steelhead Fishing Expo” held in Mayville, NY
      (on Chautauqua Lake).

Please check back as we will update this post.....

Gift Certificates Available

2009-12-13T03:35:00Z

Are you looking for a great last minute gift idea for your fisherman (fisherwoman)? How about
a gift certificate for a 2010 date on Lake Erie for walleye? Give us a call today and we'll be sure
to work a deal that is great for you!

Thanksgiving Day

2009-11-27T01:53:00Z

I got up this morning, kind of expecting rain, but fortunately it wasn't. So I decided to get my waders, my
fly rod and hit the local Lake Erie tributary, not knowing if deer season and the holiday would increase
the pressure, or give me some space.   I really enjoy getting on to the streams every once in a while, but
I'm not the kind of fisherman that likes the close quarters you sometimes can get.



I drive past the first parking area...not too many guys, and get up to where I wanted to start. Again, not
too many cars.   So I head upstream, and much to my surprise, the two pools I wanted to fish are
loaded with guys....they must have come downstream from the other parking area.   Darn!

But I had kicked a couple of fish on my way up, so I worked those for a while to no avail, and decided
to try one other spot.   Get there...not a soul around...perfect....and see a few fish in there. In the meantime,
I needed to change my leader, and another angler I've known for years was making his way up, carrying a
couple of nice fish.   We chatted for a bit, and he gave me a sucker spawn fly to try. Wouldn't you know, several
casts later I hooked into a nice fresh steelie, 'tween 7-8lbs. After a brief battle he was gone. Thanks Bill!

Fished a bit longer with no other takers, then decided it was time to grab a Tim Horton's coffee, make my way
home and get ready to head to my mother in law's for turkey!

I hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving, and I hope you didn't eat too much!

Perch

2009-11-19T03:52:00Z

With the really nice weather we've been having the last 2 weeks, we've continued to shoot over to Long
Point on Chautauqua Lake to do some perch fishing. Each time over, we've landed a lot of fish, keeping
only those that we need for a meal and releasing the rest. Our best so far was last Wednesday, with my
son; my regular first mate Gary and his daughter, where we easily had over 200 fish between the 4 of us in
under 3 hours. Literally as fast as your bait hit the water you had a fish on. Size seems to vary depending
on the day, but we have had some really nice ones too.

We've continued to use the panfish worms from Walmart, on a #6 hook, with a couple of split shot and
a float. Simpy rig, on light rods. And a blast for the kids!

Personally, I'd rather be cleaning walleye than perch, but hey, they taste pretty darn good too!

More perchin' and Lake Ontario tribs

2009-11-04T03:46:26Z

Sunday (11/1), headed back over to Long Point on Chautauqua Lake with my son to see if we could
get into the perch again. This time from shore.   Got there at 11 a.m.; quit when he got cold at 1 p.m.
Landed between 120-130 perch; including a couple of nice "jacks".   Panfish worms and float combo
again, this time casting distance from shore.   Ended up keeping enough for dinner, and released the
rest.

Tuesday (11/3); headed up to hit some Lake Ontario tributaries with my friend Capt. Bud (Alibi) on our
annual election day "tour".

Left at 4 am; and were standing in 18 mile creek to get a spot well before sun-up. Sparse crowd to start
and we were able to get set up on a nice run just under the trestle. Early fishing was really pretty good.
I got a king pushing 20lbs, and 5-6 lb fresh steelie, and a 7lb brown, plus broke off a king on one
of Bud's hookups.   Had a few other pickups too. Bud did much better, landing 6 browns, a coho
and a spent king.

Then the fun began with the arrival of a lot more anglers. While some were cordial, there were quite
a few that literally worked their way right into the waters we've been fishing all morning, some went across
to do the same, so that you had to time your cast with theirs so you did not tangle.   After Bud had a fish move
downstream, one of our "fellow anglers" promptly took over his spot!   I hate to lump all of the guys
there into one category, as there were many that moved out of the way if you hooked up, etc, BUT there
were more than a couple "anglers" that don't seem to care about anyone but themselves.   Its a shame
as it was a great start to the day up until then.

SO we moved...east to Johnson's Creek. Not much happening there, although Bud hooked up twice,
so we moved again, this time to the archer's hole on Oak Orchard.   Not to much happening there either.

Time to head back, but since we were in the neighborhood, Bud and I stopped in to grab a bite and
a beverage at the Black North Inn. My lucky day, as Steve had my favorite soup (Cajun Chicken) on the
menu. Great to see you guys again!

Overall, a really nice weather day (we didn't get the rain/snow until the way home), Bud and I got to
travel around a bit and hang out, we hooked some fish and got to stop for a bit at one of our favorite
places!   Ain't all bad!!

10/25 Chautauqua Lake Perch

2009-10-26T01:57:00Z

Headed over to Chautauqua Lake today with my son, and my brother to see if we could hook into the
perch like we had over Columbus Day weekend.   Got to Long Point State Park about 10:45; fishing
by 11:00 a.m.

We landed between 130-140 perch between the 3 of us from 11 a.m. to 2 pm. Panfish worms
on a #6 hook on a 3-4 foot drop below the float worked for us. Got most right at the drop off along
Long Point, 15 fow.

They were running smaller than last time for the most part, but I'd say 25% of our catch was in
the 10 inch range.   My son even caught 4 at the dock while we got the boat out of the water.


                                                              (Note: PFD off for photo)

new truck logo

2009-10-22T02:48:00Z

I'm kinda of a fan of stickers and decals for the companies that we pro-staff for and use on a regular
basis, as anyone who has seen my truck's rear window can attest.   But, I've been thinking of making
a change, and getting a nice big "Times Two" logo.

Turns out that there is a guy that works at the same place I do, that does vinyl graphics on the side
for fun...so we gave him a shot!   I really wanted to include an outline of the border of the Great
Lakes, as that has been on my main logo since Day 1; but we opted for a simpler design..that I think
came out great!



If anyone reading this needs some graphic work, at very reasonable prices, let me know and I
can get the contact information to you.

And don't forget....for fishing line, we can get you 15% off an Gamma Line order with our
special code....drop me an email, and I'll hook you up!

John

Columbus Day Weekend

2009-10-13T03:12:00Z

Well, my brother rented a cottage over on Chautauqua Lake for the Columbus Day weekend, so I decided
to take my son, and meet up with my brother and long-time Times Two crew, Doug.   Jack and I got up
there mid-afternoon Saturday, and got my little boat right in the water and headed south.   Once we got
tucked in behind Long Point to get out of the wind, we boated 30 perch in about and hour. Kept a few,
but released most.

Went back again Sunday morning, boated over 100 fish in 3 hours...awesome action for the little guy..
and kept a few more....

Monday, decided to take a walk on a local trib, not much water and no fish.   I had to shoot over to Erie
to work on a boat, but Marty, one of our regular mates, took his son and my son to a different spot and
ended up getting them hooked onto a few Lake Erie steelhead.

Hopefully the cold coming up this weekend won't kill this great fall fishing!

By the way, if you'd like try your luck for a steelhead like the one Jack is holding, be sure to check out
Marty at www.canadawaycreekoutfitters.com!

End of the Lake Season

2009-10-05T01:34:00Z

Every year about this time, I get nervous every time I see the marine forecast. I know that we are just
pushing that envelope a bit with Mother Nature to try to get that one last day in....and this year was no
exception!   We, along with several of our friends, spent a very nervous late Sunday, Monday and Tuesday
checking and rechecking our lines, as Lake Erie was pushing 14+ foot waves behind gale force winds.
Fortunately, we came thru with no damage, and only the remaining question is, how did one of my nets
that was laying along the port rail, ended up in the water on the starboard side.....hmmm!

I generally try to keep the boat in long enough to take advantage of the 3 day Columbus weekend (last
year was flat all 3 days!), but yesterday morning I took a look at the forecast for the week, the falling temps
and winds and decided that maybe it "was time".   A quick call to my friend Marty for some assistance,
and we had her out of the water for the season.   And today, I talked to the place we store her and managed
to put her to bed before the afternoon rains came..... the saddest day of the year for boaters.....



But, despite the very up and down fishing this year, we had another great year!   We had some really great
people on board again, and the regular crew was as fun as usual. Throw in the trips up north, and to
Lake Ontario, and I guess I really have nothing to complain about......    Well, maybe just one thing: We
need to learn how to master the art of a successful Day 2 in these tournaments!

In the shameless "plug" section, this was our first year running exclusively Okuma Convector reels and
Blue Diamond rods, which were awesome! This was our third year with Power Pro Braided line on some
of our setups, and in 2009 we added a couple of Okuma setups with braid for our big slide divers. I liked
those so much I hardly ran our wire rigs!

We also changed over our mono and flourocarbon to feature all GAMMA line, which also was great! (Note:
If anyone is interested in further information about GAMMA and a discount for on-line orders, drop me an email).
And finally, last but not least, we were added to the Dreamweaver Lures Pro-staff in 2009, and can honestly tell
you that we liked the WD's and Super Slims so much that by the end of the year that's pretty much all we ran.

There's still some fishing left before winter sets in on the local tributaries...time to get those waders out....and
I'm sure there will be other items of interest along the way.    Feel free to stop back from time to time.

We SINCERELY APPRECIATE the business we had this year, and hope you all enjoyed your day(s) on the lake
with us.   Hopefully, we'll see you again soon!

John

September 20

2009-09-21T01:59:00Z

Well, Mother Nature threw northeast winds at us the last week or so, and successfully knocked out
my last three charters of the year. One of the most stressful parts of running charters is trying to figure
out if the forecast is accurate, and deciding when to make the call to cancel. On the one hand,
how many times have they been wrong, but at the same time, you want to try to make sure your clients
have a chance to change plans, cancel hotels, etc.....

Anyway, today was CALM, so my son and I took a shot offshore.   We fished about 2 hrs before his attention
span waned, and boxed 1 nice 28" walleye. Lots of bait, but not a lot of fish moving on it.   165 on the slide
diver, mag ring with a copper turtle watermelon harness. VHF sounded SLOW......



The boat is in for a few more weeks yet...weather permitting....so hopefully we'll have a chance to find a
few more 'eyes.....

birthday ramblings......

2009-09-17T01:54:00Z

So today was my birthday.... For as long as I can remember, it never is really that big of a deal. I don't
like the attention or the fuss, and am at a stage in my life that it can just come and go quietly and that's
ok. My only little thing....that I try to do every year...is to look at the clock at the time I was born. I know,
a bit odd, but hey...if that's my birthday thing...so be it....

So work has been really hectic, and today was no exception, and on top of that I'm monitoring the wind
and wave forecast the last couple of days, as I have charters the next 3 days to finish out this season,
and of course the forecast is bad..... and I don't want to cancel the guys too soon...but they are coming in
early and it looks like it will be rolling at best......so I finally make that call, and second guess that the rest
of the day....

But then I'm thinking....we had a really nice man on the boat the other day who was going in for a potentially
serious medical procedure the next day, and although we didn't get a lot of fish, he seemed to have a good
time with his group and with us; and then I had a group call for information later that evening, and when I
returned the call the next day, found out they weren't going to be able to book a day because one of the guys
had a heart attack between their call to me, and mine to them...

and I'm thinking... you know what, I got up today and was breathing, and even though I had to cancel the charter
(for which I always feel bad for the people), the boat's going to be in for a few more weeks so there will be a few
more days yet...and my wife and son took me out to dinner for my birthday, and got me some Guiness and a
Tim Horton's card for tomorrow morning's coffee....and our good friend Sean McGraw did sing Happy Birthday
to me during his show on Sunday at the Merritt Winery Fall Festival.....

so I guess compared to how it could be....things are pretty good.....

Labor Day Weekend-Sat/Sun

2009-09-11T01:24:00Z

Well, had a great group of guys on board to start the weekend, on a beautiful day and a nice lake.
Fishing started out to be pretty good, as we got a couple on the first run, and bigger then we've
seen most of the year.   Added a couple more, then a steelie and a couple of junkers...then it just
died.   By most accounts, everyone out experienced the same type of shut off. Still fishing the
80-95 fow west of the harbor.   Deep continues to be the ticket.....225 and 245 on the slide divers
with mag rings; 65-70 riggers and the 10 color down the chute.   We got our fish on that "clean"
but we've heard reports of up to 4 oz of extra weight.

Sunday, I went with my son, and Gary (one of the regular crew) and his daughter. Figured we'd go
for a while, but not push the kids hard.   Lost a nice steelhead right at the boat (DW blueberry muffin
on the 70 rig); dropped a fish on the 225 diver, then got a nice one on the 245 diver (DW chicken wing).



Forecast for the next week still looks good, and we have a few dates left to get in, so hopefully September
will make up for July!

Sean Patrick McGraw, Part II

2009-09-03T02:24:00Z

Our pal, Sean Patrick McGraw, has spent a good number of days this summer as the opening act
for Toby Keith and Trace Adkins on "America's Toughest Tour".   For all you Buffalo readers, they are
at Darien Lake this Friday, September 4th!

So, here's the plan....

Sean has a video on CMT entitled "Dollar Ain't Worth A Dime", which his "people" are feverishly working
to get on national radio.  We tried a phone tree thing earlier this year, but since WYRK 106.5 is a commercial
venture, they only would play Sean if he hit top 40.   Kind of a catch 22....he cant' get the airplay until he is top
40, but how will people know to request him?

In any event, in light of his concert appearance here this week, we have been given the green light to call into
WYRK 106.5 (Buffalo) to request that they play this song! All calls add up, so be nice when you call....but make
that call!

Thanks!

John

Dunkirk 9/1

2009-09-02T02:01:00Z

After the winds and waterspouts of this past weekend, I figured it wouldn't be much of a shock
if it took a few days for the fishing to crank back up, if at all.   But I heard good reports from another
local captain for Monday, and with a calm lake, and the start of school looming on the 2nd, I decided
to take the afternoon off from work to take my son walleye fishing.

By the time we got out and set up in 75 fow, it was already 2 pm; but we took 2 walleye pretty quick
on the 10 color/chatterstick combo.   After a couple of junkers and a lull, we got a tip from Capt. Dana
on Mojo to try 225 back on 2 on the slides, and promptly hooked up with a 3rd eye, and then lost another
on the 10 color set.

Ended up with 3 in the box for just over 2 hours of fishing, before my son decided it was time to introduce
the walleye to some hot peanut oil! Mmmm!

Weather looks good for the balance of the week, so hopefully the fish will stay put for a few days!

THE OAK (August 21-25)

2009-08-29T02:39:00Z

Well, headed up to Oak Orchard on Lake Ontario for our annual trip. Fishing was fair on the inside waters,
and it seemed as though we did as well as the next guy in there.   Offshore, we heard some great reports
the last couple of days, but we opted to stay inside to try to land that derby winner! Maybe next time!

We had a bunch of steelies in the 4-10lb range anywhere from 80 fow to just over 300 fow, and a handful
of kings, with 2 in the 17-20lb range.

The second full day up there was so-so weather, and we had a couple of neat experiences. The first was
to be west of a smaller dangling waterspout. Kind of neat to see how it developed...of course wishing the
whole time it didn't! Then a little bit later I told my crew to look behind us...(that day there was a fairly good
chop)...but there was a small area that was actually calm looking, surrounded by water that was a bit more
churned up then the rest of the water around us.   Boy, did we all scan the sky fast to make sure a 'spout
wasn't coming down on us!!!

We also had a great fish fry with some of our Oak counterparts and friends, featuring deep fried walleye, Igor's
great tomato/cucumber salad, and chocolate pudding pie.....doesn't get much better than that!

A special thanks to our friends at the Black North Inn: Steve, Tracy, Karen, Kailee, Chef and the rest of the
great BNI staff.   The best burgers anywhere, cajun chicken chowder (thanks for honoring my request) and plenty
of cold beverages! Check them out via our links page and make sure you stop in if ever in the Point Breeze
neighborhood! We had a great time again! Thanks!! We are already looking forward to next time!

Here are a couple of the bigger fish we had.....

August 15, Dunkirk

2009-08-16T02:02:00Z

Today we had the winners of the Brooks Memorial Hospital raffle, Andy, Chris, Zach and Lydia.
Another nice calm day on the lake.

Started out pretty good, boxing 4 as we made our way back to our numbers from yesterday,. Fish
seemed to have moved some, and the flat lake and heat was clearly pushing them down. Got
a call from Capt. Dan (Sea Cin), and made a couple of adjustments and starting picking them
up again. Boxed 12 'eyes and a perch, and kicked 1 eye (too small). Loads of sheepies too,
not surprising in the shallower water.

Basic 5 rod set again. 10 color. green chatterstick was good early then died. Big slides with
rings, 190-195 back on 3, DW Chicken Wing was good. Rigs 60-66 fow, DW WD;s on those,
Buffalo Bill, Copper watermelon and mixed veggies.

Lydia and Zach were great on the rods...thanks for the help Andy and Chris.

Dunkirk 8/13; 8/14

2009-08-16T01:43:00Z

Ok....let's catch up a bit....
Took off Thursday afternoon (8/13) to spend a bit of time with my son. Even though it was the heat of the
day, we decided to take one shot thru my numbers from last Saturday.... dropped 1 eye on the 10 color
(very tough rod for a kid), and an bunch of junkers.   Lots of fish tight to the bottom...figured they'd move
up in the morning.   Ran out to Lake Trout country, had one go on a DW glow frog...Jack couldn't move it
and we lost it. 4 more whacks, then we got one around 6 lbs. Beauty was that Jack got it on a DW super
slim blank that he taped up special...now he's calling it the "Jack Lure". He also got this big silver bass....
210 back in 140 fow!



Friday, had a charter, so we ran back to just short of the numbers we ran last time out. As I suspected,
the fish moved off the bottom and were active! We boxed 16, nothing huge, but good eaters, a bunch
of junkers and 2 smallmouth, the largest of which was probably pushing 6lbs! Green Chatterstick
of the 10 color, Buffalo Bill and copper watermelon off the rigs, and the MOJO and an orange stick
off the big slides. Kept it simply with a 5 rod set. N-S troll, 85 on the outside, 55 on the inside. But
get this...biggest fish..pushing 7 lbs....49 feet down in 52 fow!

August 8, 2009 Report

2009-08-09T01:46:00Z

So here's the story.......

I have a very enthusiastic group for today.....so I get on the NOAA forecast yesterday morning for Saturday,
and it says 10-20 mph, going to 15-25 mph, chance t'storms and showers.....so I call the guy and tell him
that it doesn't look good, but let me check the 4 pm update......SO I do that, and it is slightly better, but still
not great, so I tell my wife that I think I need to move these guys....and she says....why don't you wait until
the morning....so then I call the guys, and they say, we want to come, its not that bad a drive, if we can't go
we'll go out to breakfast.......LET'S WAIT UNTIL MORNING.......

OK...call Gerb (my mate today)....tell him we are in...........

SO I check the 4 AM update today, winds are knocked down to 10-15 mph, no rain on doppler, guys are
early all is GREAT....so I tell them....the fishing hasn't been very good of late for walleye at all, but the lake
trout fishing has, so lets slide out west, try for 'eyes for a while and see if the lake rolls as expected....if not,
we may move out to try the lakers.....group is cool with that...just wants to catch a fish....

So we set up and mark some good stuff 8 miles from the harbor, and pop a walleye really quick, not big, but
a good start, ......I tell the guys, Man, last week in the Con Club derby we would have killed for a couple of  fish
on Saturday....and we get a sheepshead, then another, then another, then another, then another.....I tell my
Gerb who is driving for us, we need to get the heck out of here...so he turns us out, but all of the sudden,
bam....3 more 'eyes in the box....now I'm NOT moving....

Long story short, we box 18 walleye today, plus a bonus brown trout, and easily lose 8-10 other 'eyes, and
land a couple of smallmouth in the 5lb range!! On a calm lake!! Unbelieveable!!     10 color with a big green
chatterstick, DW WD's in copper watermelon and buffalo bill of the 50-60 riggs; a couple on a big watermelon
harness on the slide at 160; a couple on the chicken wing DW SS; 145 no ring and the MOJO DW SS on a big
slide, mag ring, 125. AWESOME!!