A Fishing Story, April 1, 1949

       April 1^st is a date many connect with April Fools Day while others recall or plan for the start of trout fishing. And what is more enjoyable than seeing someone holding a fish they have caught? Just look at Facebook and you can see all manner of catches. My favorite is this picture of my granddaughter holding an early morning catch.

        My great-uncle, Dewitt Bassette, was an avid fisherman and his diaries contain many references to fishing, catches and who he went fishing with.

       On March 29, 1949, he recorded, “Rode to Montour Falls and Millport with Bunny H to see rainbow trout in Catharine Creek. It was a grand sight. Hundreds of fish and they were big.”

       Catharine Creek, between Montour Falls and Millport in Schuyler County, has long been a favorite spot for many on opening day of trout season.

       A few days later, April 1, 1949, Dewitt recorded, “two inches of snow on the ground. Went to Catharine Creek with Bunny, Ed Hayward, Jim Wilkins. I caught two fine trout, 8 pounds 8 ounces and 4 pounds 8 ounces. I lost four others. Bunny caught one and Ed caught one, 3 and 2½ pounds. Wilkins and Bunny each lost one. A great day.”

       Great catches were not unusual for Dewitt. The May 12, 1939, Interlaken Review noted, “Dewitt Bassette of Interlaken was awarded first prize at the Seneca County Fish and Game Banquet Tuesday night at Lodi. The prize was for landing the largest small mouth bass. Mr. Bassette’s catch weighed 4 pounds and 14 ounces.” He caught the bass in August 1938 fishing near Interlaken Beach on Cayuga Lake as noted in the Interlaken Review August 12, 1938.

       Over the years the number of people out fishing and the activities of the Department of Conservation in releasing fish and monitoring them has changed. People still flock to Catharine Creek for the opening days. You will also find food vendors along the way.

       And that fish that Dani caught a few years ago? After taking the picture the fish went back in the water, to swim and may be caught again. Such are the memories of youth and fishing. 

Dewitt’s Diary April 1, 1950, Leland and I went to Catharine Creek this morning. Thousands of fishermen and no fish caught that I saw. There was so many fishermen that they were in each other’s way all along the creek.