Fishermen Turn Out for Opening Day

By Liz PageBLOOMVILLE – The fishermen were few and far between first thing Saturday morning, butthose who stuck it out were treated to a beautiful, sunshiny day, after midmorning.Tara Fairbairn, of Stamford, has been going out on opening day since she was a kid and herpartner, Kenny Palmatier, is also an avid fisherman. Missing from their annual rite of passage onSaturday was their son, Andrew, who was feeling a bit under the weather and didn't want to getwet.The rain on Saturday morning went from steady to intermittent, producing some soaking rain inbetween. It was wet and Friday's showers had turned many waterways into a chocolate brownthat made it difficult for the fish to see the bait. The water was high and swift, which is nothingunusual for opening dayTara was using a lure at the bridge in Bloomville, a favorite spot to cast a fishing line for manyanglers. She said they usually don't go there on opening day, opting for some quieter spots, butbecause it was muddy, she said they were starting at Bloomville and would work their way to theless muddy water where they could hopefully switch their bait to worms.One of the keys to catching a fish is that the water is clear enough for them to see the bait.Fairbairn and I stood there for a time, marveling at how calming it was to stand at the edge ofthe streambank, cast a line and watch it feed downstream. "It is calming. That's why I likefishing," said Fairbairn.She said she was only one in the family to catch a fish on opening day last year, which wascold, with a couple of inches of snow. The conditions were not ideal. "I was the only one whocaught a fish," she smiled.It is a family affair for them and Fairbairn is an avid angler. She said she invested in a rod lastyear that allows you to feel the fish strike the line. "It took a little getting used to, but I do like it."It started to rain fairly heavy again and I decided to leave. Fairbairn made her way to the car towait out the rain again. Her only regret, she said, was not bringing a book to read while she wassitting in the car. Once the rain let up, she would go back to the streambank.Cliff Mueller was out early opening day, but said he didn't last long. "The streams looked likechocolate milk and I didn't see any other fishermen. I lasted about 20 minutes," he said.Many believe the opening day falls on April Fool's day, because the weather most of the time isnot ideal. It is a teaser for anglers to get out into nature and enjoy the outdoors.So the annual rite of spring has taken place, marking one more sign of spring and soon thestate Department of Environmental Conservation will be stocking local streams and ponds. Tosee where and when the stocking takes place, visit the DEC website at dec.ny.gov or to get thelatest regulations.