Great getaways close to home – the 1,000 Islands
Anytime I get to visit the Thousand Islands region of the state is special, and so my recent trip to take part in the NYS Outdoor Writers Association’s (www.nysowa.org) Annual Safari was no different. In addition to this region being a perennial tourist favorite for all ages and interests, it produces some of the state’s best fishing opportunities.
The contingent of NYSOWA writers and photographers met at Cal’s Cottages (615-686-1743), a short distance out of Clayton and located right on the river. Day One didn’t appear all that promising, as strong winds and rain were pummeling the area, but our accommodations, consisting of snug, roomy cabins and a large main lodge building -- complete with spacious living room and kitchen -- quickly created an improved attitude as we anticipated the rapidly moving front passing on downriver. Cal’s facilities are open from May 1 to October 1 so tourists and anglers have nearly the entire open-water year to plan and reserve their visits.
That evening we had dinner in the main lodge and then lounged in the living room and swapped stories about what everyone had been doing since the last time we’d got ten together.
The first morning broke clear but cool, and fellow writers Kathy Balbierer, Wayne Brewer, Leo Maloney and Mike Seymour joined me on the Thousand Islands/Clayton’s (www.1000-Islands.com), A.B.’s Office, aboard Capt. Al Benas’ roomy charterboat, to fish for pike. Other anglers went with Capt. Myrle Bauer (315-686-2122) Normally each drift over prime pike spots will yield dozens of strikes, but the abnormally cold water had delayed the pike spawn and the fish were very lethargic, unlike their aggressiveness after they finish spawning. But we did entice a dozen or so fish up to six pounds to smack our lures. Besides, even a slow day for fishing doesn’t take away from cruising and drifting among the numerous islands and scenery on this portion of the big river.
Several of the writers had opted to hunt turkeys in the nearby woodlands just south of Clayton. Still others opted to roam the area, taking photos and touring Wellesley Island and to hike the trails and take photos at the Minna Anthony Common Nature Center. Still others visited the nearby wineries and the Classic Boat Museum in Clayton. That evening we all amassed back at the historic Thousand Island Inn in Clayton for dinner. There were abundant fishing stories as well as of near chances at taking turkeys, but no one complained they didn’t have a great day.
The weather forecast for Saturday was iffy, with gusty winds and a chance for thunder storms. That morning we made the short drive to the Alexandria Bay marina to meet our guides and charter captains for the day. Writers Leo Maloney and Mike Seymour joined me aboard Capt. Pat Simpson and partner Phil Bonaduc’s large charterboat. As we motored out of the harbor, already the whitecaps were beginning to show on the big river beyond. But one advantage of this area is you can always leapfrog from sheltered island to island to be downwind and escape the winds and larger waves, and that’s exactly what we did.
We began casting jigs tipped with a shiner to shorelines and work them slowly down the drop-offs. We caught several pike before a distant rumble warned of an approaching storm funneling eastward down the river. Then the rain and lightning came. We hugged the shoreline as the lightning bolts popped down to various island areas around us. Then one struck a large white pine on the island nearest us, shaking the whole boat in the process. At that point we sought shelter under the cabin canopy until the storm passed When we resumed fishing, the pike activity had slowed, but we still managed to connect often enough to keep things interesting.
Despite a couple additional fast-moving storms, the weather began to clear, as though on cue, since we were scheduled to enjoy a traditional shore dinner on Morgan Island’s Kring Point, put on by the Alex Bay guides and Thousand Islands Tourism Council. If you’ve never had one of these sumptuous feasts, you’ve missed out on one of life’s truly memorable events. Here’s a hint -- appetizers, BLTs, salt potatoes, salad, and fresh fish fillets deep-fried in the bacon grease, and everything topped off with a special type of French toast and topping.
f fishing isn’t your thing or bad weather keeps you landlocked, there’s plenty to do and see – the Antique Boat Museum, Boldt Castle, Thousand Islands Winery, Thousand Island Museum, Minna Anthony Common Nature Center on Wellesley Island, and numerous shops and eateries.
For more information contact Al Benas, Thousand Island Charters at 877-544-4241; Myrle Bauer, Net Results Charters at 315-686-2122. Also for more information, check out the web site www.alexbayfishingguides.com or Pat Simpson (482-4503), Matt Heath (408-6798), John Evans (324-6523), and Larry Kernehan (482-3750) for fishing. Also visit the web site www.visit1000islands.com or call 1000 Islands International Tourism Council at 1-800-847-5263 and the 1000 Islands-Clayton Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-252-9806
With the economic downturn, rising gas prices, and concerns about the future, increasingly more people are discovering that you don’t need to travel long distances or spend a lot of money to enjoy a weekend or even week’s getaway. And considering all it has to offer, the Thousand Island region should certainly be on everyone’s “to do list” this summer
The contingent of NYSOWA writers and photographers met at Cal’s Cottages (615-686-1743), a short distance out of Clayton and located right on the river. Day One didn’t appear all that promising, as strong winds and rain were pummeling the area, but our accommodations, consisting of snug, roomy cabins and a large main lodge building -- complete with spacious living room and kitchen -- quickly created an improved attitude as we anticipated the rapidly moving front passing on downriver. Cal’s facilities are open from May 1 to October 1 so tourists and anglers have nearly the entire open-water year to plan and reserve their visits.
That evening we had dinner in the main lodge and then lounged in the living room and swapped stories about what everyone had been doing since the last time we’d got ten together.
The first morning broke clear but cool, and fellow writers Kathy Balbierer, Wayne Brewer, Leo Maloney and Mike Seymour joined me on the Thousand Islands/Clayton’s (www.1000-Islands.com), A.B.’s Office, aboard Capt. Al Benas’ roomy charterboat, to fish for pike. Other anglers went with Capt. Myrle Bauer (315-686-2122) Normally each drift over prime pike spots will yield dozens of strikes, but the abnormally cold water had delayed the pike spawn and the fish were very lethargic, unlike their aggressiveness after they finish spawning. But we did entice a dozen or so fish up to six pounds to smack our lures. Besides, even a slow day for fishing doesn’t take away from cruising and drifting among the numerous islands and scenery on this portion of the big river.
Several of the writers had opted to hunt turkeys in the nearby woodlands just south of Clayton. Still others opted to roam the area, taking photos and touring Wellesley Island and to hike the trails and take photos at the Minna Anthony Common Nature Center. Still others visited the nearby wineries and the Classic Boat Museum in Clayton. That evening we all amassed back at the historic Thousand Island Inn in Clayton for dinner. There were abundant fishing stories as well as of near chances at taking turkeys, but no one complained they didn’t have a great day.
The weather forecast for Saturday was iffy, with gusty winds and a chance for thunder storms. That morning we made the short drive to the Alexandria Bay marina to meet our guides and charter captains for the day. Writers Leo Maloney and Mike Seymour joined me aboard Capt. Pat Simpson and partner Phil Bonaduc’s large charterboat. As we motored out of the harbor, already the whitecaps were beginning to show on the big river beyond. But one advantage of this area is you can always leapfrog from sheltered island to island to be downwind and escape the winds and larger waves, and that’s exactly what we did.
We began casting jigs tipped with a shiner to shorelines and work them slowly down the drop-offs. We caught several pike before a distant rumble warned of an approaching storm funneling eastward down the river. Then the rain and lightning came. We hugged the shoreline as the lightning bolts popped down to various island areas around us. Then one struck a large white pine on the island nearest us, shaking the whole boat in the process. At that point we sought shelter under the cabin canopy until the storm passed When we resumed fishing, the pike activity had slowed, but we still managed to connect often enough to keep things interesting.
Despite a couple additional fast-moving storms, the weather began to clear, as though on cue, since we were scheduled to enjoy a traditional shore dinner on Morgan Island’s Kring Point, put on by the Alex Bay guides and Thousand Islands Tourism Council. If you’ve never had one of these sumptuous feasts, you’ve missed out on one of life’s truly memorable events. Here’s a hint -- appetizers, BLTs, salt potatoes, salad, and fresh fish fillets deep-fried in the bacon grease, and everything topped off with a special type of French toast and topping.
f fishing isn’t your thing or bad weather keeps you landlocked, there’s plenty to do and see – the Antique Boat Museum, Boldt Castle, Thousand Islands Winery, Thousand Island Museum, Minna Anthony Common Nature Center on Wellesley Island, and numerous shops and eateries.
For more information contact Al Benas, Thousand Island Charters at 877-544-4241; Myrle Bauer, Net Results Charters at 315-686-2122. Also for more information, check out the web site www.alexbayfishingguides.com or Pat Simpson (482-4503), Matt Heath (408-6798), John Evans (324-6523), and Larry Kernehan (482-3750) for fishing. Also visit the web site www.visit1000islands.com or call 1000 Islands International Tourism Council at 1-800-847-5263 and the 1000 Islands-Clayton Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-252-9806
With the economic downturn, rising gas prices, and concerns about the future, increasingly more people are discovering that you don’t need to travel long distances or spend a lot of money to enjoy a weekend or even week’s getaway. And considering all it has to offer, the Thousand Island region should certainly be on everyone’s “to do list” this summer
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