The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is warning everyone to avoid touching this very large invasive plant that can cause painful burns and scarring.
Salmon are some of the best fresh water gamefish in the world. If you have ever had a 25-pound Chinook Salmon ripping line from your reel, you would know why they boast that reputation.
Back in the late 1980's, I went out to visit some college friends that lived near Syracuse. As we drove around, I saw this beautiful body of water. Being summertime, I suggested that we should go swimming. The car load of friends broke into laughter. "The lake's dead!" one friend exclaimed. "And you'll be if you swim it." Looking at the polluted, lifeless body of water was like a punch in the stomach. People that lived around the lake dealt with that feeling everyday, until now.
Hiking can be, and should be, an adventure. However, most don't want it to be a dangerous activity. Deadly snakes can add some anxiety for the every day hiker. In the New York, certain venomous snake sightings are on the rare side, maybe until this year.
Sunday was the first day of spring. Most of the snow has melted in the Capital Region and the last remnants of ice on the ponds and lakes are slowly disappearing. All of these signs are good for trout fisherman and the best sign is the calendar. April is just around the corner.