Growing up, I didn't think of April 1st as April Fools Day as much as I thought of it as the first day of trout season in New York State.


I remember my Dad getting his fishing gear, hip boots and warm clothes (since it was still a bit chilly weather) together in anticipation of the big day. My relatives were all very much into fishing and hunting. For me, smelt fishing was the most fun. We'd head to Taughannock Creek in Trumansburg, next to Cayuga Lake, and fish in the evening since that's when smelt do their run upstream to lay eggs.

It was so cool to be among the adults with our nets, buckets, lanterns and flashlights, scooping for the New York State limit of 200 smelt. What I didn't care for, was cleaning those 200 once we got home. I wasn't grossed out, it just seemed like an endless task.

Back to the trout, good luck to all who get to jump in the creek beginning Wednesday. For me, the beginning of trout season is the true beginning of Spring. For more information about trout season in New York State, click on the blue button below.

More From 99.1 The Whale