Though I have a fishing license and live on the lake, I don’t consider myself to be a true fisherman. I observe fishermen daily, but I don’t usually put a line in the water unless one of my grandchildren wants to fish.

In winter, on the ice, fishermen pretty much dominate the scene. However, in summer, they have to compete with pleasure boats, water skiers and, of course, jet skis. It is the latter which fishermen seem to dislike the most. “The people who operate these jet skis don’t seem to think there is anybody on the lake except them,” as one fisherman friend told me.

Another embellished on this theme a bit saying: “Back in the old days, when we just had sail boats and a few power boats, I think we had more respect for one another on the lake.” There is probably some truth in that. Today, we have found more ways than ever to enjoy the lake including riding surfboards or wakeboards which float along behind a boat and the “surfer” can just let go of the tow line.

But, back to fishing, it still looks to me like there are a lot of fish being caught on Chautauqua Lake, and it is amazing to see the great variety in types of fishing boats. Recently, in the early morning, as I went to pick up the newspaper at Hogan’s Hut — I observed probably five different fishing rigs pulled in front getting gas, food and bait.

There was a relatively small, well-used aluminum boat with a 25 hp Mercury outboard being pulled by an old pick-up truck. Next to it was an immaculate new bass boat which probably cost close to $90,000 with a brand new 250 hp Yamaha on the back being pulled by a fancy SUV. Yet, both boats would soon be delivering the same service to their owners — getting them out on the lake for a day of fishing.

The lesson here is that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to go fishing, or you can spend a lot of money to do it. My bet would be that the occupants of both boats probably had about the same amount of fun that day once they got out on the lake.

I have been told that the recent herbicide treatment in the south basin of the lake did not diminish the fishing there, though the fish seemed to have moved around somewhat. Based upon where I see boats in the north basin, the walleye seemed to have moved into deeper water. The bass still congregate in the shade of the docks, and when you see down-riggers trolling for musky–they pretty much stay right in the middle and deepest part of the lake.

Of course, the best time of the day to fish is at dawn and dusk, just like it is for the ice fishermen. That is also the time of day when there is less recreational boating and the lake is quieter.

Soon, after Labor Day, most of the humanoids will leave the lake and it will revert to the herons, eagles, waterfowl and, of course, the fishermen. They are a hardy bunch and will continue to fish up ’till the ice comes, and then they will be out there again sitting on their buckets, digging holes into the frozen lake to withdraw that delicious walleye which tastes even better after you have been sitting all day in an ice shanty trying to catch one!

Rolland Kidder is a Stow resident.