Pulling alongside Upper Lake in Yaphank at lunchtime on
Wednesday, it was easy to tell that fishing season had finally arrived. Buoyed by moderate temperatures, a bevy of anglers lined the south bulkhead while casting small gold or silver spinners in hopes of connecting with their first trout of 2008.
Several more trout fans stood guard along the west bank, using red and white floats to dangle earthworms 12- to 16-inches beneath the surface. Nothing seemed to be biting, however, and enthusiasm was clearly waning until a big white truck rolled into the parking lot - filled with trout fresh from the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Catskill Fish Hatchery in Livingston Manor.
In a smooth-working bucket brigade, DEC personnel, with aid from an angler who volunteered to help, quickly transferred 400 eight- to ten-inch rainbow trout, and 150 10- to 14-inch browns, into the lake. Before the day was done, Lower Lake in Yaphank, Hards Lake in Southaven Park, the tidal portion of Carmans and Nissequogue Rivers, Canaan and West Lakes in Patchogue, Belmont Lake, and Upper Twin Pond in Wantagh would also receive fish. Approximately 30,000 trout will be stocked this year among 29 Long Island locations. (View a complete stocking list, license information and state regulations at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/fishing.html.)
The trout wagon had barely left the parking lot when 4-year-old Ryan McCarthy, assisted by his aunt, Linda Stastny of Medford, reeled in his first fish ever. A huge smile spread across his proud face as uncle Ed Stastny helped remove the hook. Ryan inspected the perfect, mostly golden fish, examining carefully the tan and black speckles.
"It was strong," he announced, describing the fight. For the record, the 13-inch brown ate a worm.
"I can't believe our luck," offered Linda Stastny. "We had a little business in the area and our own kids were in school, so we took Ryan along hoping we would have enough time to introduce him to fishing. Who knew the stocking truck was on its way?"
A few steps down the bank, Adam Uhlich and Joseph Schwartz, both from Farmingville, were battling browns. They had already returned several fish and placed aside a rainbow trout each to later barbecue on cedar planks for dinner.
"This is the best trout fishing I've ever had," said a grinning Schwartz. "And it's all luck - I had no idea the lake was getting stocked this afternoon."
Just then, Schwartz stuck his biggest fish of the day, a chunky 14-inch brown that glistened spectacularly in a bright sun beam momentarily piercing through the clouds. But as he held it up proudly for a photo, the fish shimmied, shot out of his hand and landed in the lake with a loud ker-plunk.
Another day, the loss of such a beautiful fish might have been tough to swallow, but not this day. Schwartz rolled back his head and laughed, and then Uhlich and I joined along in the chuckle. There were plenty more trout to catch and luck was in the air.
Even for some fish, and at least one outdoors columnist.
