1. sports
2. fishing

S.O.N.S. of LAKE ERIE,
SAVE OUR NATIVE SPECIES, INC.
PO BOX 3605
ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA 16508
TIME DATED MATERIAL
A not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization
NONPROFIT ORG.
US POSTAGE PAID
ERIE PA
PERMIT NO. 480
North East Marina
11950 East Lake Road
North East, Pa. 16428
“The Bucket” published monthly
by the S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie
431 East 3rd Street, Erie, PA
Dr. Jeanette Schnarrs, director of the Regional Science Consortium
at the TREC center, will talk about the new wind and weather buoy
to be placed off of Erie in 2014.
(814)459-0666
814/825-3456
Presque Isle Auto
Paint & Collision
34 STATE ST - ERIE - PA - 16507
(814) 874-0698
owners
David A. Brennan
Port Erie Boat Works
City Council Member
Ken Handman, Owner
2730 W 12th St. • Erie, PA 16505
814.450.4152 or 814.838.0300
www.porterieboatworks.com
Erie’s Largest Full Service Boat Repair
GEM CITY
OUTDOORSMEN
CLUB
6701 Van Camp Rd.
Fairview, PA
814- 474-3126
814- 474-2492
The City of Erie
City Hall
Paid for by Friends of
Dave Brennan
Silkscreen Unlimited
1701 West 8th St
Erie, PA 16505
814.453.4543
800.724.1683
fax 814.455.3911
www.silkscreenunlimited.com
Screen Printing • Embroidery • Advertising Specialty
Promotional Products & Awards
626 State St, Rm. 104
Erie, PA 16501-1128
814-870-1291
dbrennan@erie.pa.us
317 Peninsula Dr. • Erie, PA 16505
(814) 838-2850
West End Hardware, LLC
1912 Liberty Street
Erie, PA 16502
Jeff Earll, Jr.
Phone: 814/452-2342
Fax: 814/461-1289
Cell: 814/881-4569
westendhardware@truevalue.net
Presque Isle Passage
CAMPGROUND
Just 500 feet N of I-90 (Exit 18)
Full Hookups • Pull-Thru Sites
30 & 50 AMP Service • Modern Restrooms
Laundry Facilities
Cabins • Store • Rec Room
ULTRACRAFT
FISHING
BOATS
MISTY
HARBOR
PONTOON
BOATS
814/833-3233
713 West 26th Street
Phone 455-1007
www.thomasleeprinting.com
JOHN FRIES
3027 WEST 12th ST • ERIE, PA 16505-3892
(814) 833-7749
DRAFT WAGON perfect for
Graduations • Stags • Weddings
USED CARS & TRUCKS
Jeffrey Howell
Owner
Gary & Dottie
Heubel
ONLY $60 PER SEASON FOR S.O.N.S. MEMBERS
AUTO SALES, INC.
1500 West 12th Street
Erie, PA 16501
BEST LITTLE
LURE HOUSE
IN PA
Tohatsu Outboard
ICE • POP • CHIPS
454-3676
since 1967
1540 West 26th St.
Erie, PA 16508
UNLIMITED ON-THE-WATER TOWING
24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE
LICENSED - INSURED - ACCREDITED
Richard A. “Mickey” McMahon
Proprietor
Perch (50-60 ft)
and Walleye (45-50 ft. down) are still being landed. Steelhead
are being taken along with the Walleye.
T-shirt at our Sept 23 meeting
453-4302
KEGS & TAPS
• TRANSIENT DOCKAGE
• BOATING SUPPLIES
• NAUTICAL CHARTS
• BOOKS AND GIFT ITEMS
Fishing Report: As of this writing
Picnic, You may get your Perry 200 SONS
(814) 453-6387
VHF CH 16
34 STATE ST
ERIE, PA 16507
3102 CHERRY STREET
ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA
WOLVERINE PARK MARINA
& SHIP’S STORE
219
NOTE: If you could not attend the Volunteers’
www.lakeshoretowing.com
Beals-McMahon
Painting
“A Replenishing Species”
THE POLISH FALCON’S CLUB
DOCKAGE - STORAGE
TACKLE - BAIT - ICE
SERVICE - GASOLINE
FISHING LICENSES
BOAT SALES
(814) 725-8244
Fax (814) 725-2957
Volume 10 • Issue 9
SEPTEMBER 2013
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
MONday
September 23rd 7:30 P.M.
SOUTH ERIE BEER
North East Marine
Services, Inc.
John Fries Paul Fries Bill Goodwill
John (Scotty) Szkotnicki
• Specializing in Automotive Repair •
• Tune ups and Carburetor Service •
• Fuel Injection Cleaning • Dayton Tires •
• Towing Service • PA State Inspection •
Erie’s New Perch Fishing Head Boat
“The O’Danny O”
Get $3 off with this coupon
Docked in the East Slip, foot of State St
Bait included
Call 814-450-3571 for more info
On line at http://Tinytimfishing.com
PETER S. HOWARD
CAI,AARE, S/CRPA
Realtor • Appraiser • Auctioneer
Lake Erie Custom Charters
Office (716) 769-7300
Fax (716) 769-7341
Cell (716) 499-7447
Toll Free 1 (888) 876-4999
The ultimate Lake Erie experience...
Welcome aboard!
6821 West Lake Road
Fairview, PA 16415
814-474-5623
10438 Main St, #1 Alexander Findley Square
PO Box 496, Findley Lake, NY 14736-0496
findleylakeproperty@gmail.com
www.findleylake-property.com
12 East Dobbins Landing Erie, PA 16507
(814) 459-4440 • Fax (814) 459-4441
ABigImagination@aol.com
We are here for the fishing community.
We strive to keep emerald shiners on hand every day.
We offer a broad selection of fishing tackle.
We offer ice and various items at our concession area.
We offer on the water dock-side boat parking.
We are going to be your preferred Bait & Tackle center.
Edinboro outdoors
Sporting Goods
Ken
Chernicky
Buy • Sell • Trade
Jim
Buschak
211 Mill Street • Edinboro, PA 16412
(814) 734-4727 • (814) 734-4927
www.edinborooutdoors.com
Monday, Friday, 9 - 8 • Tuesday, Wednesday,
Thursday, 9 - 6 • Saturday, 9 - 5
Party
Boat
Fishing
Aboard
$32 Adults • $27 Seniors • $22 Kids
$3 off with this coupon
All bait is included
details: 814/881-7611
www.EdwardJohnPerchFishing.com
WORKING TO IMPROVE FISHING AND THE FISHERY OF LAKE ERIE FOR 31 YEARS SINCE 1981
The
Official Publication of the S.O.N.S.
VOLUME 10 • ISSUE # 9
SEPTEMBER 2013
Bucket
S.O.N.S. PHONE NUMBER 814-453-2270 (ALSO FAX NUMBER)
sonslakeri @aol.com • www.sonsoflakeerie.org
THE PERRY 200 FISHING CHALLENGE IS CONCLUDED
The summer-long Perry 200 Fishing Challenge contest was
concluded at 11:59 PM on Labor Day, Monday Sept. 2. It began
on Memorial Day, May 27th. The contest was cosponsored by
the Perry 200 Commission and the S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie as part
of the celebration of the 200th anniversary of Commodore Oliver
Hazard Perry’s naval victory during the battle of Lake Erie on
September 10th, 1813. Many of Perry’s crew stayed on in Erie
and became fishermen. It seemed appropriate that a fishing
contest be part of the Perry 200 Celebration.
The rules of the contest were simple: catch the longest fish
anywhere in Erie County in any one of 20 categories and win a
prize. There were two divisions, senior and junior.
There were 142 fish that were measured at eight participating
measuring stations. The winners in each division (see table)
will receive a $100 gift certificate from one of the participating
bait stands. There were some very significant fish that were
UPCOMING
EVENTS
Sat. September 28 10 AM
to 4PM. LEAF Festival at
Frontier Park, 6th Street
side. Volunteers needed to
help kids with casting
PLEASE
DON’T LITTER.
WANTED:
Old photographs of Erie’s
Waterfront-Ships, Boats,
Buildings, Fishing and
Fishermen, Railroads, etc.
Call Jerry at 814-452-6291.
I would like to borrow and
scan them for my slide
presentations.
For Sale:
1970’s 19 foot fiberglass boat
with 65 hp Johnson outboard
and trailer $600 Engine needs
some work. Call Joe at 814602-8418.
Boat 7 foot Rubbermaid
fiberglass car top boat. Great
for Lake Pleasant. Asking
$300. Call Ed at 814-453-2270.
entered into the contest. Most notable, however, are the kids in
the Junior Division. Three siblings from Edinboro, R.J., Monica,
and Niko Garde, each won in separate categories including the
longest Crappie, Largemouth Bass, and Musky. Alex Baldi, age
12, caught the longest Brook Trout, Lake Trout and Rainbow
Trout winning three $100 gift certificates. A father-daughter
team, Jeremy and Jovie Scott, won prizes. Jeremy caught the
longest Northern Pike and his daughter, Jovie, caught the longest
Sucker and Sunfish. The winners will also receive a certificate
acknowledging their great catch.
Of the 142 fish that were entered, there were 51 fish that
were entered by SONS members which did not win. These
participating members will have their entry entered into a drawing
for consolation prizes which will be held at our September 23
meeting at the Falcons Club.
To see a complete list of all entrants go to our web site
sonsoflakeerie.org
Perry 200 Fishing Challenge Winners
Fish.............. Senior Division...... Junior Division
Blue Gill....................9.75 in. Eisenmann, Dick......... 9.0 in. Marshall, Eric
Brook Trout...............
.......... 15.0 in. Baldi, Alex
Brown Trout..............33.0 in. Stahon, Joe................. 26.0 in. Anker, Jordan
Bullhead....................23.0 in. Dittman, Ron............... 13.25 in. Haschalk, Matt
Carp..........................41.0 in. Rearic, Dallas J........... 36.0 in. Horvath, Zack
Catfish......................35.0 in. Serafine, Andrew......... 30.0 in. Ramey, Aiden
Crappie.....................13.0 in. Steadman, Scott.......... 14.0 in. Garde, R.J.
Lake Trout................37.25 in. Henderson, Randy.... 23.25 in. Baldi, Alex
Largemouth Bass.....21.0 in. Wenner, Michael.......... 18.75 in. Garde, Nico
Muskellunge.............
........... 43.5 in. Garde, Monica
Northern Pike............31.5 in. Scott, Jeremy..............
Rainbow Trout..........13.5 in. Testa, Mike.................. 22.0 in. Baldi, Alex
Rock Bass................10.25 in. George, Wesley......... 13.0 in. Cathers, Hunner
Sheepshead.............30.75 in. Silvaggi, Vince........... 27.0 in. Collier, Owen
Smallmouth Bass......21.75 in. Paulack, Mark........... 18.0 in. Lutch, Logan
Steelhead Trout........33.5 in. Whipkey, Anthony........ 29.75 in. Sehnert, Tor
Sucker......................20.5 in. LaFung, Lou................ 16.0 in. Scott, Jovie
Sunfish......................9.5 in. Hemphill, Dan................ 8.25 in. Scott, Jovie
Walleye.....................32.75 in. Wilson, Scott............. 32 in. Gonda, Hunter
Yellow Perch.............15.5 in. Himmenger, Jules........ 14.0 in. Glendenning, Guy
The S.O.N.S 2013
membership badge
commemorating the 200th anniversary of
the battle of Lake Erie is available at all of
our meetings or events or by mailing $2 to
S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie, PO Box 3605, Erie,
PA 16508, with your membership form and
money, to cover mailing costs.
JOIN
A
FRIEND
TODAY!
MAIL TO: S.O.N.S., PO BOX 3605, ERIE, PA 16508
RECORD OF MEMBERSHIP
Name
Address
City
 Renew  New
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________
Phone
2013
_______________________________________________________________________
_________________________________
$5.00 ADULT
State
Date
___________
Zip ________________
_______________________________
$4.00 SR. CITIZEN (over 65)
$3.00 JR. (under 16)
WEATHER AND WAVE BUOY
TO BE ANCHORED OFF OF ERIE
The Regional Science Consortium which is headquartered at the
T.R.E.C. has announced that they are to be the recipient of the
Great Lakes Observing System’s (GLOS) funding opportunity,
which will provide a Coastal Storms Nearshore Community
Buoy.
Here’
is
a Fish!
The new buoy will be deployed by May 15 – November 1, 2014
and will upload data to the RSC website, Great Lakes Observing
System ( GLOS) website, and the National Weather Service for
reporting real-time lake conditions on Lake Erie. The buoy will
collect data on the following parameters: wave height, wave
period, water temperature, air temperature, wind speed, wind
direction, and air pressure. A temperature profile will be created
by collecting readings at multiple depths. Additionally, the buoy
system will measure pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, conductivity,
and solar radiation. Finally, a video camera will also be included
taking visual images of the lake at predetermined time intervals.
The data and images will be accessible via the internet.
The possibility of obtaining this type of buoy has been under
discussion and study by PA Sea Grant, the Regional Science
Consortium , PA DCNR, PA DEP, Coastal Zone Management
and the S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie all in support of the project. We are
currently working on plans for maintaining the buoy which may
require funding from all of the interested parties.
This photo of a typical
buoy was taken from
the GLOS website along
with the following:
The purpose of this buoy
will be to fill observing
gaps in the nearshore
region by providing
critical meteorological and
physical data to support
National Weather Service
(NWS) forecasts while at
the same time supporting
local community needs
for information. This
funding opportunity is
made possible through
the Coastal Storms
Program, a nationwide
effort led by the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) to
make communities safer
by reducing the loss of
life and negative impacts
caused by coastal storms.
This 513 pound
Halibut was caught
with a rod and reel off
of Norway
PETE KASCHACK PASSED AWAY
Peter Kaschak, age 96, of
Brevillier Village and formerly
of 9273 Wattsburg Rd.,
passed away on August 20,
2013. Pete was our oldest
SONS member and longtime
supporter. He was a wellknown businessman, charter
captain and good friend.
In 2008 Pete provided the
funding to purchase a wind
warning light at Shade’s
Beach boat launch ramp.
The light is designed to flash when wind velocities reach 14-20
mph thereby warning boaters of increasing dangerous waves.
We’ll miss you, Pete!
S.O.N.S. SPONSOR VETERAN’S
FISHING TRIPS
Twenty Eight veterans were treated to a fishing trip on the O Danny
O on August 8th. There were some of our members who went along
to help. On August 22 another 30 vets went out on the Edward
John for a day of perch fishing. We have been working with the
Veteran’s outreach office in Erie to plan these trips. Thanks for
your service, guys!
S.O.N.S. ANNUAL OUTREACH FISH FRY
FISHING PIER DEDICATED
For over thirty years the
S.O.N.S. have hosted a fish
fry for our community leaders,
environmental specialists,
and others who work with
us on a daily basis to bring
improvement to our fishery.
The fish fry provides the
opportunity for our officers
and directors to meet with
this group and put faces to
names.
The first fish fries were held
at Bob Zawadzki’s boat
house and then moved to the
grounds around our hatchery
at the foot of Chestnut St.
We have maintained a guest
book throughout these years.
It is literally a who’s who of
famous Erie people.
This year we were invited
to hold our event at the Erie
Western Pennsylvania Port
Authority facility at the foot of
Holland St. The building was
perfect. We did not have to put
up tents. We had the use of a
kitchen and our guests had a
real restroom available.
There were 172 guests (the
most ever) that signed in.
Twenty volunteers including
Will Richardson,Gerry
Vollentine, Joe Chmielewski,
Conner Grabinski, Bill
Stewart, Jack Klapthor,
Don Benczkowski, Terry
Pfeffer, Rich Smith, Char
Markiewicz, Frank Kuzma,
Jack Bock, Jim Mattson,
Larry Lipinski, Bill Brown,
Chuck Miller, Ray Halt, Mike
Felege, Bob Zawadzki and
Ralph Corvaglia prepared
110 lbs of walleye which were
coated with our secret recipe
beer batter and served in
sandwiches. We joined 104
new members. Thanks to
everybody for a great job and
especially Bob Zawadzki for
his great planning.
The comments from our
guests indicated that our fish
fry was an absolute success.
(Top) Crowd gathered at the pier dedication ceremony, (left middle) State Rep. Pat Harkins and
County Exec. Barry Grossman, (right middle) Mnsgr.Snyderwine blessing the pier, (bottom left) Mr.
Toth’s daughter and EWPPA Dir. Ray Shreckengost unveil the plaque, (bottom right) officials, and
family pose for group picture.
The fishing pier at the foot of
Chestnut Street was completed
last year by the Erie Western
Pennsylvania Port Authority as
part of the new access road
project west of the Chestnut St
boat launch. On Friday August
9th a small ceremony was held
at the pier dedicating it to Mr.
Lawrence Toth. Mr. Toth was
a former member of the PA
Department of Environmental
Protection Agency working in
the Coastal Zone Program.
He was a staunch advocate
of free public access along
Erie’s bayfront and the Lake
Erie shoreline. He dedicated
his whole career promoting his
vision that access to the waters
and shoreline of Lake Erie should
be held in the public trust and
always available to the general
public. The EWPPA dedicated
the fishing pier in his honor.
The ceremony was attended
by Mr. Toth’s family members,
friends, DEP officials and public
officials. State Rep. Pat Harkins
presented proclamations from
the PA House and Senate to
Larry Toth’s daughter. County
Exec. Barry Grossman spoke
and presented another to
her. EWPPA Exec. Dir. Ray
Shreckengost and S.O.N.S.
VP, Ed Kissell also spoke to
the accomplishments of Mr.
Toth. EWPPA Port Chaplain,
Monsignor Tom Snyderwine
blessed the pier.
Fish Pictures!
(Top) Cooks prepared 110 pounds of walleye (Middle Left) Guests were served fish sandwiches,
( Middle Right) sandwiches were prepared, (Bottom) our guests enjoyed them
“It is impossible to grow
weary of a sport that
is never the same on any
two days of the year.”
Theodore Gordon
Mike Brown holds up two walleye caught
on July 16
SONS Secretary Ralph Corvaglia poses with
his Great Grandson Judah with two nice
walleye they recently caught
Bill Brown holds up two walleye he caught
on August 28