More on Ice Fishing Findley Lake NY

Here's some more information about ice fishing on Findley Lake. I stumbled on this video on YouTube and it gives you a great understanding of the lake and how to ice fish here. The animated map is super! First and foremost, you don't have to walk the length of the lake. It's obvious that these guys parked in greater down town Findley Lake and started walking (and fishing) heading south. Note that where they really started to catch fish was near the "waist" of the lake almost half way between the ends. On the east side right at the waist are the public picnic tables and parking area that parallels Sunnnyside Rd (Rt. 426 heading out of town towards Corry PA). Just park there and you will be near the best area that they found.
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMfpy8O7StM&feature=related[/url]

Bald Eagles of Findley Lake

The last three weeks have provided numerous sightings of the two Bald Eagles that make Findley Lake their home. While the waters were still pretty open, you could see both Eagles (one smaller than the other) sitting on the trees on the big island. Now that the lake has mostly iced over, we have only been seeing one of the Eagles.

Yesterday morning, it landed in the trees on the small island, right off downtown Findley Lake. It sat there probably for 1/2 hour while crows dived at it. Undoubtedly there was also a lot of avian name calling. Eventually the Eagle lifted off, showing an admirable disdain for the squawking crows.

Today there was an even better show. We first glimpsed the Eagle as it flew from the lake, over Sunnyside and up towards the ridge, near the church camp. It swooped back over Sunnyside near Point of View cottage and flew up the lake to an area of open water just opposite Addie's Restaurant. It was just outstanding to watch this big bird swoop over the open circle of water, back and forth, braking and hovering, obviously with the intent of catching a meal. One of our party thought they saw something in the water, possibly a duck, but nothing surfaced while we slowly drove up Sunnyside. It was one of those "why didn't we bring the camera?" moments.

If you are traveling near Findley Lake, take a drive down Shadyside and up Sunnyside while watching the trees on the islands, open water areas, and trees along the lakeside near open water areas. The Bald Eagles of Findley Lake are thrilling to watch.

14 Tundra Swans today

After our usual breakfast in Greater Downtown Findley Lake, we took our regular ride around the lake. Ninety-Nine percent of the time we go counter clockwise by heading south on Shadyside. Once we turn north on Sunnyside, the road is at a distance from the lake. Where the lake edge curves around to border the road, the swans were close to the edge of the water. It's the first time that I've had a chance to see them feeding. They upend just like geese and apparently they they are happy to associate with the the geese. It was a funny sight to see, large white bird fannies and small white bird fannies, all flashing skyward as the birds chowed down on the goodies Findley Lake has to offer.

A Year of Housing Changes

I found the task of keeping up with the building/remodeling changes in Findley Lake during 2008 were daunting. Here's a brief update of what has occurred over the last year.

Probably foremost in change and scope was the demolition of John and Barb Henry's house on the point. The new house, still under construction by the Schwartz's, is taking full advantage of the views up and down the lake that the property provides. I hope it will continue to give shelter and respite to generations of families to come.

Continuing on down Shadyside from the Woodland Shores point, one house was damaged by mold/mildew necessitating a controlled burn to remove the superstructure. That house has now been completely rebuilt and should also provide years of enjoyment.

Approaching the south end of the lake, major dock work has disrupted the fine lawn and gardens of the Lewis's. Everything comes with a price and I'm sure that the Lewis's are looking forward to the completion of this necessary repair. It takes a lot of hard work to maintain waterfront property.

One house down has seen a complete exterior remodel including expansion and siding. That's one of the great things about living in Findley Lake. Property owners are constantly improving their homes.

Several homes have opted to re-roof using metal roofing. It's an excellent choice of materials for this area. The past winter saw 306" of snow. That's over 25' of snow. Fortunately it didn't all fall at once but accumulations over several days of over two feet were normal. With metal roofs, you sometimes get unintended consequences when the snow slides off in one massive whoosh. Two interesting situations included snow ending up piled in front of the garage doors and a chimney knocked to a sixty degree angle (and subsequently removed).

Starting up Sunnyside from the bottom of the lake, Mulkearn's new house continues to evolve. Working full time and trying to build a new house must be terribly hard.

The new house which had been built at the site of the former skating rink is soon to have a second floor deck. So far the framing has been constructed. The new deck should provide lovely views both of the lake and of the woods behind the house.

Sunnyside Restaurant has been purchased and reopened. The new name is Addie's and they are continuing the ice cream shop tradition. Currently it is open on the weekends. The new owners are spiffing up and refurbishing the restaurant area and plan to open that at some point soon.

At the corner of Sunnyside and Main Streets, the former EUB church was sold at auction. It is currently being dismantled. The large Jesus painting on the end has been removed, as have the stained glass windows. Anyone interested in buying this memorabilia can contact Gordon Post at Post Scientific in North East PA. The building, when dismantled, will be come a home when the materials are reused.

The north end of Shadyside saw one severe fire this winter at the Ball home. Fortunately the family and pets were either not at home or were able to evacuate safely but the home and contents were a total loss. As of this date, rebuilding has not started although the site was recently leveled.

For those who have followed my blogs on home exterior colors in Findley Lake, the new/remodeled homes have continued the pattern of muted shades. The most popular have been shades of moss green/light olive, with light gray/slate a close second. Trim color continues to be white.

All in all, it's been a year of change in Findley Lake.

February 9th Storm

Had an interesting time storm watching on Saturday, Feb. 9th. We knew that the weather was going to change radically so made a Jamestown trip to Sam's Club and Home Depot. Heading back on I-86, you could see the clouds on the leading edge of the front coming at us. We had expected to see the temperature start dropping but strangely enough, it didn't. The clouds looked like the animated sand storm in the movie "The Mummy". They formed a roiling line across the horizon with misty gray haze in front, pushing our way. Arrived home safely and decided to drop off some venison and paperwork down at Ed Mulkearn's. There had been some small sprinkling of rain on our drive home, sporadic and light, then a little hail while we were in the house. By the time we reached Ed's back drive, the rain was really coming down. In the time it took to hustle to the back door, deliver the goods, and return to the car, it had turned to true snow showers. As we headed home on Sunnyside, the temperature dropped 6 degrees in less than one mile of driving. You could barely see across the lake. It was a very good lesson in just how caprecious Mother Nature can be. Around here, forewarned is forearmed (and safe).

That Sunday, my nephew arrived on his way from Arkansas to New Jersey. Having been a helicopter pilot in Iraq and now flying helicopters out to the oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico, he knows a thing or two about weather. He came through the front door saying that our snow storms were the equivalent of the sands storms in Iraq. Dangerous and difficult to maneuver through. Fortunately, we were able to hunker down and ride out the cold weather and icy conditions safely at home.

Sunday Ice Skating

A super Sunday in our little community. More congenial conversation with the "after church" crowd from St. Matthias while we ate breakfast. While the sky was high and gray, the lake ice proved to be smooth and clear. Driving down Shadyside, we saw people ice skating in a cove on Sunnyside. One person skated south with great speed, very reminiscent of "Hans Brinker". (I used to read that book yearly as a child.) Near the south end, there was finally activity at the Shadyside ice rink, three skaters with other adults and children milling around. What a jolly way to spend a Sunday! Rounding the lake we came up to the skaters in the cove. It turned out to be a man, a boy, and a dog working on their ice hockey. In my minds eye, I can see skating races. Skaters speeding south through the narrows, around the big island, then back north to the finish line. Bonfires, hot chocolate, and the CD from the skating rink playing. Wouldn't that be great entertainment? My husband wants to start a curling club in Findley Lake. Anyone interested in curling here in Findley Lake can drop me a note.

New Color Schemes in Findley Lake

With the sky a solid light gray and the lake a solid off white, the morning ride around the lake today became a six mile ride through the changing landscape of exterior house colors. Up until recently, giving directions for destinations on Shadyside could always be handled by referring to "the pink house". With new owners now readying their lake house, the exterior is being prepared for new siding. What color will it be? A quick survey of the other on-going remodels showed a distinct shift in lake decor. Stronger colors like white and brown (and pink) are being replaced by shades of beige, taupe, and light slate. Sunnyside may follow Shadyside but the jury is still out. The three new houses have yet to be sided. The formerly blue house is currently plywood brown and Tyvek white, probably waiting better working weather.

Today the temperature hovered around 35 degrees, a slow melt. The Shadyside skating rink has a slushy appearance. We still haven't seen it being used but hear that they have a very small Zamboni to smooth the ice. Deer browsed on the uplands along Sunnyside. No sign of the Bald Eagle but it's probably hunting along French Creek where there is open water.

Hope the siding job on Shadyside progresses rapidly. New community members bring new energy and new "color" to our town. Change isn't always comfortable but we'd still be living in caves if we weren't created flexible. It's a good exercise in flexibility to embrace the change, even if it means learning to give new directions.

Sixteen married years in Findley Lake

Absolutely gorgeous day in Findley Lake NY today! While the ice is still covering the lake, the sky was a beautiful blue with cotton ball clouds and the SUN was shining. A banner day to celebrate our 16th wedding anniversary. Nothing beats starting the day here with breakfast down by the lake. Fortunately the Blue Heron Inn was open for business. After a congenial breakfast, (and a surprise anniversary gift of a large red onion), we took our normal "ride around the lake". I don't think I'll ever tire of riding around the lake. Early in our marriage, my husband couldn't believe that I would ask for a ride around the lake after dark. Today, we admired the various remodelling/construction projects as we rode. Keeping tabs on what the other residents are doing is a time honored activity in a small town and we've learned how to do this. We checked out the new skating rink on Shadyside. Wonder if they will rent skates? Three new houses being built on Sunnyside, plus a number of major remodels. Nice to see the neighbors improving their property. All in all, had a lovely anniversary. As for the red onion, I think it's a commentary on our marriage, colorful, spicy and sharp, many layered, and an acquired taste. And yes, I do love onions!