Although there are different opening days for baseball, football, etc., nothing comes close to the anticipation elicited from that of April 1, trout season.

However you want to put it, whether it be "true to form" or "keeping with tradition," my opening day results remained the same, a big fat zero.

There were some fishermen that faired much better, and to prove this point I would like to introduce you to the Hight brothers, coming from Oneonta, Frankfort, and points beyond.

Chuck, Henry, and Leland along with Leland Jr., had good luck behind Bassett Hospital just below the spillway. The boys caught these three salmon that ranged in length from 18" to 19". The length was there, but not the weight. Just a simple worm rig with a fat night crawler was used to land these Bad Boys.

Pictured also is one Mr. Craig Jones from Canajoharie. Craig told me that he caught this nice 19" brown trout, away from the crowd that was gathered by the spillway on the Susquehanna, at 7:30 a.m. on a yellow "Mr. Twister."

I also had the pleasure of talking to a true sportsman in his own right, Mr. Pappy Coleman, about his opening day catch. Pappy informed me that he, early in the morning, had caught and released three beautiful brook trout in the headwaters of the Otego by Hartwick, landing all three brookies with, again, just a worm rig. Something to be said for the virtue of simplicity for sure.

The small amount of rain we received opening day did not appear to dampen spirits.

Sunday, April 2, was a beautiful day, perhaps just a little cooler. A perfect day to enjoy our very own Glimmerglass Lake.

I had counted 13 trailers at one point in the Lake Front parking lot. I was able to speak with a few fishermen as they came bakc in, and all seemed to have the same amount of luck - slim to none.

Robert Kobb, captain of the fishing vessel "Fishin Bug," told me he also did not do so well, but noted that the surface temperatures at various points were running only about 36 to 38 degrees on average.

I would have been on the lake myself, except that when I pulled the boat out of storage, I discovered that a family of mice moved in over the winter and set up camp in my outboard 25 Hp Mariner. I can't figure out how they gained access; bottom line is that my wires were nibbled on to bare copper. Thankfully, a good mechanic, Doug from Portlandville, is helping me to get on the lake. Have any of you good people ever experienced something similar with mice and winter? Let me know.

I am happy to inform you folks that this season "Tight Lines" will be having multiple giveaways. Thanks to the good folks at the Town Crier, and various other sponsors, some cool stuff will be given free to one lucky reader.

The first giveaway is made possible by the Lake Front Restaurant Tackle Shop, and the Triple Play Cafe.

The prize is a brand spanking new Penn 309 lead core combo rod and reel, complete with 20 colors of lead core line and corresponding terminal tackle. Also to the winner will be a gift certificate for lunch for two at the Triple Play Cafe. You only have just a few short weeks to send your name, address, and phone number on a piece of paper to: The Cooperstown Crier, 21 Railroad Ave., Cooperstown, N.Y., 13326, Attn: Tight Lines.

Until next week then, let me say it's good to be back. Don't forget to enter our little contest, and take a kid fishing whenever you can. Till then, good luck, God bless, and tight lines.