Alle-Kiski anglers, golfers take advantage of warm late December weather

With free holiday time on their hands and relatively balmy temperatures, Alle-Kiski Valley residents have been playing golf, catching walleyes in the Allegheny River or simply going outside more.

The higher temperatures — 62 degrees Thursday and around 57 degrees Friday — are unusual but not unheard off, according to Lee Hendricks, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Moon Township. The warmup came courtesy of a significant storm system moving out of the Southwest, combined with a strong ridge of high pressure pumping warm air into the Gulf of Mexico, Hendricks said.

Given the warmer temperatures, residents acted like it was summer, showing up at parks, golf courses, bait stores and local rivers.

“It’s so unnatural,” said Linda Altany of Harrison, who took her toddler granddaughter to Harrison Hills Park on Thursday. “We were out in the yard, thinking, ‘This is way too warm.’ ”

More boats, particularly people fishing, are on the river at a time of year when typically there’s nary a recreational boat and ice is starting to form, according to Alex Strobehn, response head for U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit in Pittsburgh.

While the Coast Guard and other agencies are still patrolling the rivers, Strobehn cautions boaters that there’s less staffing. If there’s a boating accident, response time could be a little longer, he said.

Water temperatures Friday were 35 degrees in the Monongahela and Allegheny rivers, Strobehn said. That’s low enough for someone to be shocked by the cold water and drown. Usually, the shock of the water temperature causes a person to swallow or inhale water, causing them to panic and lose control.

“If they are wearing a life jacket, at least they can stay above water,” he said.

Because of the danger of cold water, state law requirements are stricter in the winter: Boaters must wear life jackets in a vessel less than 16 feet in length or any canoe or kayak from Nov. 1 through April 30, according to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

No accidents have been reported.

Fishermen seek walleye

The number of anglers on local rivers surged.

John Bish, of Lock 3 Bait & Tackle in Harmar, reported brisk business with anglers “catching lots of big walleye in the Allegheny River.”

Lock 3 Bait & Tackle is selling minnows and shiners and a good bit of artificial lures, Bish said.

“I wish it was like this all winter,” he said.

So do the anglers.

A Friday morning customer at Allegheny Angler near the foot of the Tarentum Bridge bought a dozen nightcrawlers. “The river looks beautiful,” he said. “I’m going to get some fishing in.”

The Allegheny Angler saw a slight uptick in fishermen stopping by as people got off work, said Matt DeMichele, one of the owners.

“Everyone is fishing for the big walleyes, followed by lots of muskies,” he said.

Golfers take advantage

Trevor Lindstrom, golf professional at Birdsfoot Golf Course in South Buffalo Township, credited the warm weather with bringing in loads of customers.

“Thursday was amazing with well over 100 golfers,” he said. They kept coming Friday, with Lindstrom expecting up to 70 golfers.

Although the course is open year-round, much rides on the weather.

“These guys and ladies are nuts — golfers just want to get out,” Lindstrom said.

Josh Schreckengost, director of golf at River Forest Country Club in Allegheny Township added that because people start back to work next week, they are “champing at the bit to get out — especially anyone who got new stuff wants on that golf course.”

An unusually high number of golfers showed up Thursday and a good number were playing Friday, according to Schreckengost.

But the warmup won’t last long.

Hendricks said the mild weather will continue through the weekend and into Monday, with temperatures dropping Monday afternoon, Dec. 31.

By New Year’s Day, temperatures will be in the upper 20s, he said.