Coffee, fish tales and the bottom bite
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Some of the best fishing stories are told nowhere near the water.
The other morning, I had the pleasure of sharing breakfast with Gerald Brydalski, founder and president of the Western New York Steelheaders Association. Like a lot of longtime outdoorsmen, Gerald doesn’t need a podium to teach. A booth at a breakfast diner, a hot cup of coffee and someone willing to listen will do just fine.
Our conversation started where many friendships do -- swapping fish tales and trading a few "war stories." Between us, military service and law enforcement had provided plenty of both. Before long, though, the talk returned to what we enjoy most: fishing, the outdoors and introducing others -- young and old -- to the experiences that have shaped our lives.
Gerald, now 71, is recovering from a lengthy hospital stay. Fortunately, he’s healing quickly and you would hardly know he’d been through a medical survival ordeal once he started talking about fishing. His eyes lit up as he recalled the Niagara Falls Outdoor Show earlier this year, where members of the Western New York Steelheaders Association worked with Joe Yeager organizing seminars to present on spring and fall steelhead fishing. They covered everything from rods and reels to flies, presentations and tactics that have made Western New York one of the finest steelhead destinations in the country.
But the story that brought the biggest smile wasn’t about catching fish.
His team became involved in supporting a remarkable program that provides free charter fishing trips for children battling cancer. Together they helped raise $5,000 for the effort.
"I've never had so much fun," Gerald said, "or felt so much satisfaction."
Sometimes the biggest fish aren't measured with a tape -- they're measured by the memories we help create for someone else.
Naturally, our conversation drifted to Lake Erie walleye. That's what happens when two fishermen finish breakfast. We compared favorite tactics before settling into a spirited debate over trolling lures. Spinner-and-worm harnesses still put plenty of fish in the boat, but both of us smiled when remembering some old favorites: rainbow trout-colored Bomber Long A's, classic Renosky stickbaits from the 1980s, and Storm ThunderSticks that have been fooling walleyes since the 1990s.
Some lures simply refuse to retire.
Gerald prefers running those classics on lead core or Dipsey Divers, while spinner-and-worm rigs shine near the bottom. His favorite setup? A 12-ounce trolling iron fished almost straight beneath the boat, trolling slow, starting around 60 feet and following the fish into deeper water.
"If we're looking for an 18-fish limit," he laughed, "10 or more will come on that one rig."
When I asked whether lure color really mattered, he didn't hesitate.
"No," he said with a grin. "The natural crawler matters on the spinner-worm rig. I think it's the scent and staying right near the bottom. There's always fish there."
It's hard to argue with decades of experience.
Anglers looking to duplicate that setup can find the larger trolling irons at Colville Outfitters and Custom Tackle in Hoover Beach, just north of Woodlawn Beach State Park.
Gerald also enjoys spending part of his winter tying flies and building lures at The Hairy Trout on Seneca Street in West Seneca, where craftsmen gather to share the art of creating handmade flies, jigs, streamers and other specialty baits. It's another reminder that fishing isn't just about catching fish -- it's about passing along knowledge before it disappears.
As breakfast wrapped up, I couldn't help but think that windy mornings and rainy days may not always be bad luck. Sometimes they're invitations. I shared that Chautauqua steelhead expert Don Gee provides similar teaching seminars at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club from September to May on Mondays (6-8 p.m.), and Gee joins retired Professor Emeritus Alberto Rey as his occasional partner at evening sessions at SUNY Fredonia on Tuesdays (6-8 p.m.) in the winter months.
Not every memorable day outdoors begins with a boat sliding off the trailer. Occasionally, it starts with bacon, eggs, coffee and an old friend who reminds you that the greatest catches in life are the stories, friendships and lessons we share.
If it's been a while since you've called one of your fishing buddies for breakfast or a cup of coffee, make that call. You never know what new fishing trick -- or life lesson -- you'll bring home before the check arrives.
Gotta love the outdoors.
CALENDAR
Aug. 6: WNY Walleye Association, monthly meeting, Knights of Columbus, Hamburg, 6:30 p.m.; info-Dennis Young, 716-316-4974.
Aug. 8: Chautauqua Lake Association Dragon Boat Festival, Lucille Ball Memorial Park, Celoron; Visit www.chautauqualakeassociation.org/chq-dragon-boat, or call 716-763-8602 for info.
Aug. 9: Kids Fishing Derby, Elma Conservation Club, 600 Creek Road, Elma, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., sponsored by the Mary J. Tempski Foundation and WNY Walleye Association.
Aug. 9: Muzzleloader Shoot, West Falls Conservation, 55 Bridge St., West Falls, 10 a.m. start, $5 members/ $8 nonmembers, metal swinging targets.
Aug. 9: Ellington Rod & Gun, "Don't Know Partner Trap League," 1045 Hagerdon Hill Road, Ellington; Info: 716-287-3987.
Aug. 9: Introduction to Upland Hunting, Chautauqua County Bird Dog Association, 3974 Fluvanna Townline Road, 8 a.m. to noon; lunches and up to 125 rounds of ammo provided. Limited to 20 participants: must be at least 21 years of age; Contact Paul Steward at 716-397-2855. Will also include a mentored pheasant hunt in October.
Aug. 12-23: Erie County Fair, visit the Conservation Building, Erie County Fairgrounds, 5600 McKinley Pkwy., Hamburg. Info: 716-649-3900.