Category: New York

Giving Back to the Outdoors – 22 Brands Will Raise Funds in Fifth Annual “We Keep It Wild” Campaign

Posted on by Dave Barus

Funds raised will help the Conservation Alliance protect wild lands and waters across North America for future generations to enjoy.

  • “We Keep It Wild” program set for needed help from Outdoor Industry
  • EVERYDAY PEOPLE Can Support this program through product purchase and donation 
  • Together, we have helped protect 51 million acres, 3,107 river miles, removed or halted 34 dams, purchased 14 climbing areas & designated 5 marine reserves

A diverse assortment of 22 companies are hosting fundraisers and online promotions during the month of April to benefit The Conservation Alliance in the fifth annual “We Keep It Wild” campaign.

Funds raised will help the Alliance protect wild lands and waters across North America for future generations to enjoy.

“Participation in our We Keep It Wild campaign is another example of how our members come together around a common purpose,” said Josie Norris, program manager at The Conservation Alliance. “We work with these brands throughout the year to protect North America’s wild places through grant-making and advocacy. We are proud to see our members taking additional action to support our mission by raising money for The Conservation Alliance during the month of April.”

Fundraising efforts in April include:

Other confirmed partners include: FootZone of Bend; Bronwen Jewelry; Farm to Feet; Klean Kanteen; Last Exit Goods; Lifestraw; Nau; Nuu-Muu; shār; Superfeet; and Waypoint Outdoor. All donations are additive to the annual membership dues for each brand.

For information and details on all #WeKeepItWild promotions, please visit: http://www.conservationalliance.com/event-flyer/

About the Conservation Alliance: The Conservation Alliance is an organization of like-minded businesses whose collective contributions support grassroots environmental organizations and their efforts to protect wild places where outdoor enthusiasts recreate. Alliance funds have played a key role in protecting rivers, trails, wildlands and climbing areas. Membership in the Alliance is open to all companies who care about protecting our most threatened wild places for habitat and outdoor recreation. Since its inception in 1989, The Conservation Alliance has contributed more than $22 million, helped to protect more than 51 million acres of wildlands; protect 3,107 miles of rivers; stop or remove 34 dams; designate five marine reserves; and purchase 14 climbing areas. For complete information on The Conservation Alliance, see www.conservationalliance.com.

Orleans County Oak Orchard River and Lake Ontario Fishing Report for April 18, 2019

Posted on by Dave Barus

Intimidator Sportfishing Charters fishing Lake Ontario off Orleans County is heating up with anglers catching Brown Trout.

This week’s STREAM fishing report is from Ron Bierstine from Oak Orchard Tackle and Lodge, April 16, 2019. 

11.4 lbs Brown Trout caught off Johnson’s Creek in 10′ of water. Courtesy of Intimidator Sportfishing.

Thanks to the rain toward the end of the weekend through early Monday, flows in the Oak and other area smaller tributaries are back up.  There are real nice conditions to help preserve the steelhead action and maybe draw in some more fresh fish.  Flows in the Oak are slightly high with what looks like a good head of turbine water.  There has been no overflow water and water color is stained at about 2ft of visibility that may get a little dirtier through today.  Seasonably cool temps are in the forecast today and tomorrow with warmer temps and a chance of more precipitation by the end of week.  Look for flows to hang in around high levels or even higher if there is any more significant precipitation.

Water temps are flirting with 50°F but cold nights have stalled the rising temperatures for now in the high 40’s°F.  By the end of the week and weekend with warmer weather, sun and dark water, look for a rise in water temps probably into the 50’s.

Guys are into good steelhead action on mostly spawning and staged/-back fish and some fresh fish.  Light to moderate fishing pressure has allowed the few persistent anglers to take advantage of the good flows and stay on the fish now later in the season for mid-April and likely through the end of April.  The other area smaller trib’s have medium to slightly high and dirty flows.  Those flows should be crested and on the retreat now at least before there is any more significant precipitation.  There is mixed bag action all around, mid-sized trib’s like the Oak or Burt are hanging on to steelhead with a few fresh fish thrown in. The Niagara and bar are coming into its own now with spring warm up and the near shore big Lake O small boat trolling or casting action is productive when wind and waves cooperate.

This week’s LAKE ONTARIO fishing report is by Capt. John Oravec, Tight Lines Charters, April 18, 2019. 

10.3# Brown Trout caught using a Bay Rat stick bait 110 ft. east of the Oak, past Flats. Courtesy Intimidator Sportfishing

What happened to Spring? This week the south shore shallows of Lake Ontario were stirred to mud by cold fronts and rough water. Yours truly has seen over 44 such Spring seasons so in lieu of glowing catch reports, how about Plan B?! When faced with chocolate water, troll north seeking the milky green edge switching to downriggers, leadcore, divers and a slow spoon program. Seek out the 40 to 80 foot drop off and tune in your fish finder looking for Lake trout and kings.

Plan C is to carry a stream combo with a simple kit of terminal tackle, a pair of waders and head for the Oak where steelhead are available.

 

Myself, I am making good brown trout catches on live minnows drift fishing at the Niagara River where the waters are clear. So there you go!

By being versatile, well equipped and ambitious, any visiting fishermen can score a catch when the skinny waters inside 15 feet are unfishable! Part of making the most of your visits to Orleans County is knowledge. Now you have it!

See you on the Water! Troutman out!

 11.4 lbs Brown Trout caught off Johnson’s Creek in 10′ of water.  Courtesy of Intimidator Sportfishing

His twin, a  10.3# Brown Trout caught today using a bay rat stick bait 110 ft. east of the Oak past Flats. Courtesy Intimidator Sportfishing

 

Bill Hilts Fishing Forecast for April 18, 2019 – Niagara Falls USA

Posted on by Bill Hilts

Sean from Pittsburgh, Pa. caught this wild 10-1/2 pound Coho salmon last weekend fishing with Capt. Vince Pierleoni of Newfane.

  • Boat and shore anglers scoring on Lakers, Browns, Coho’s and some King’s too
  • Lake Erie ice boom still in place
Rich Pisa of Kenmore, NY, reeled in this lower river steelhead while fishing from shore in the gorge.

Some ice chunks continue to come down through the Niagara River system, serving as obstacles in the upper and lower river sections. This stems from the fact that the ice boom is still in place at the head of the river between Buffalo and Fort Erie. Winds from the southwest will push ice pieces over the flexible boom. As of Tuesday morning, there was 372 square miles of ice left. There needs to be 250 square miles of ice or less before the boom is pulled. Ice thickness varies right now from 6 inches to 28 inches. We will keep you posted.

Phil Mills from New Hampshire caught this brown trout off Olcott fishing with Capt. Vince Pierleoni of Newfane

In the upper river, Jeff Pippard at Niagara Outdoors in North Tonawanda reports that perch have been hitting around Beaver Island State Park at the marina and in many of the bays around the Island. Just look for the emerald shiners. A few rainbows and lake trout have been taken off Gratwick Park in North Tonawanda (NY) on spinners, too.

There has been good trout action in the lower Niagara River around Devil’s Hole and Artpark from boat and shore, according to Lisa Drabczyk at Creek Road Bait and Tackle in Lewiston.  Boat drifters are using minnows, shiners and egg sacs. Shore casters are using spinners, spoons, jigs and egg sacs or egg imitations. Some captains insist that there are some smelt in the river, marking large pods of bait away from the shoreline. However, none have been dipped yet at night. Some local smelt dippers insist that this could be the week. Remember the Lewiston Smelt Festival will be in Academy Park in Lewiston on May 3 starting at 5 p.m. New this year is a smelt eating contest. If you want to sign up, call the Niagara River Region Chamber at 716-754-9500.

For Lake Ontario and the tributaries, steelhead are hitting flies on the surface in some of the creeks. Browns have been hitting eggs, so sacs and beads will do the trick.

Ethan Bronschidle of Newfane shows off a tributary steelhead caught off Lake Ontario.

Pier action has been good in Wilson and Olcott according to Karen Evarts at The Boat Doctors in Olcott. Spoons, spinners and eggs.

Out in the lake, trolling stickbaits in shallow water is working in front of 4 Mile Creek and Wilson Harbor to take browns. Capt. Matt Yablonsky of Youngstown reports good action on a mixed bag, including a number of Coho salmon on Dreamweaver Super Slim “Get ‘er Done” spoons and Jr. Challenger Lady Bug lures off the boards, the downriggers and flatlining off the back of the boat in relatively shallow water. Capt. Alan Sauerland of Newfane was fishing spoons and stickbaits to take lake trout, brown trout and bass. The lakers were coming from 65 to 70-feet of water in front of Wilson.

A few Chinook salmon are also being caught.  Just a reminder that if you are fishing the lake and catch any Coho salmon, the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is still conducting a study to help them determine the success of stocking spring yearlings versus fall fingerling plants. DEC biologists are asking anglers to donate any Coho salmon heads and the information of your catch, whether the fish has a tag or not.

The process is straight forward. Catch a Coho and check for an adipose fin clip. Mark all the information at a freezer site such as Fort Niagara State Park, Wilson Harbor (Bootleggers Cove and the Wilson Boat Yard) and Olcott at the Town of Newfane Marina to name a few. Bags and labels are available in the freezer. Make sure you provide the information of where you caught the fish, whether it had a clip and total length of the fish. For more information contact Mike Connerton with DEC at 315-654-2147.

Richard Brant of Amherst caught some nice brown trout like this one trolling the shoreline in Lake Ontario with Capt. Matt Yablonsky of Youngstown.

Bill Hilts, Jr. – Outdoor Promotions Director

Inline image 2
Destination Niagara USA, 10 Rainbow Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY 14303

New York Youth Turkey Hunt set for April 20-21

Posted on by Dave Barus

Jim Monteleone Photo

  • NYS Annual Youth Turkey Hunting Weekend Set for April 20-21
  • Junior Hunters must be 12-15 yrs of age
  • Junior Hunters must hold a hunting license and a turkey permit

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced today that spring turkey season opens May 1, in all of Upstate New York north of the Bronx-Westchester County boundary. In addition, DEC’s annual youth turkey hunting weekend will take place on April 20-21. The youth turkey hunt for junior hunters ages 12-15 is open in all of Upstate New York and Suffolk County.

“Hunters across New York are looking forward to the excitement of spring turkey hunting, which requires an understanding of turkey behavior, navigation, and field skills, an ability to locate and call in birds, and take a good shot,” Commissioner Seggos said. “I encourage hunters to act responsibly, follow regulations, and adhere to the cardinal rules of hunting safety.”

Turkey hunters took an estimated 19,000 birds in New York during last year’s spring season. Of this number, an estimated 2,000 birds were taken by approximately 5,400 junior hunters during last year’s two-day, youth-only hunt. Poor turkey reproductive success in summer 2017 may mean that hunters see fewer adult gobblers this spring compared to last year, but this may be offset by opportunities for jakes resulting from improved reproductive success in 2018 and good overwinter survival.

Important Details for the Youth Turkey Hunt on April 20 and 21

  • Hunters 12-15 years of age are eligible and must hold a hunting license and a turkey permit;
  • Youth 12-13 years of age must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or adult over 21 years of age with written permission from their parent or legal guardian. Youth 14-15 years of age must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or adult over 18 years of age with written permission from their parent or legal guardian;
  • The accompanying adult must have a current hunting license and turkey permit. The adult may assist the youth hunter, including calling, but may not carry a firearm, bow, or crossbow, or kill or attempt to kill a wild turkey during the youth hunt;
  • Shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to noon each day;
  • The youth turkey hunt is open in all of upstate New York, north of the Bronx-Westchester County boundary and across Suffolk County;
  • The bag limit for the youth weekend is one bearded bird. This bird becomes part of the youth’s regular spring season bag limit of two bearded birds. A second bird may be taken only in upstate New York, north of the Bronx-Westchester County boundary, beginning May 1;
  • Crossbows may only be used by hunters age 14 or older; and
  • All other wild turkey hunting regulations remain in effect.

Other Important Details for the Spring Turkey Season, May 1-31, 2019:

  • Hunting is permitted in most areas of the state, except for New York City and Long Island;
  • Hunters must have a turkey hunting permit in addition to their hunting license;
  • Shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to noon each day;
  • Hunters may take two bearded turkeys during the spring season, but only one bird per day;
  • Hunters may not use rifles or handguns firing a bullet. Hunters may hunt with a shotgun or handgun loaded with shot sizes no larger than No. 2 or smaller than No. 8, or with a bow or crossbow;
  • Successful hunters must fill out the tag that comes with their turkey permit and immediately attach it to any turkey harvested; and
  • Successful hunters must report their harvest within seven days of taking a bird. Call 1-866-426-3778 (1-866 GAMERPT) or report harvest online at DEC’s Game Harvest Reporting website.

For more information about turkey hunting in New York, see the 2018-19 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide or visit the “Turkey Hunting” pages of DEC’s website.

DEC Continues to Encourage Hunter Safety:

While statistics show that hunting in New York State is safer than ever, mistakes are made each year. Every hunting-related shooting incident is preventable, and DEC encourages hunters to use common sense this season and remember what they were taught in their DEC Hunter Education Course.

Firearms Safety:

  • Point your gun in a safe direction;
  • Treat every gun as if it were loaded;
  • Be sure of your target and beyond; and
  • Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.

DEC also encourages all hunters to wear blaze orange or blaze pink to make themselves more visible to other hunters. Hunters who wear hunter orange are seven times less likely to be shot. When hunting in tree stands, use a safety harness and a climbing belt, as most tree stand accidents occur when hunters are climbing in and out of the stand. Also, hunters should never climb in or out of a tree stand with a loaded firearm. New York has an extremely safety-conscious generation of hunters, largely due to the annual efforts of more than 3,000 dedicated volunteer hunter education instructors. A hunter education class is required for all new hunters. To find a hunter education class in your area, visit DEC’s Hunter Education Program website or call 1-888-HUNT-ED2 (1-888-486-8332).

Citizen Science Opportunity: DEC Seeks Turkey Hunters for Ruffed Grouse Drumming Survey

Turkey hunters in pursuit of that wary gobbler in the spring are ideally suited to monitor ruffed grouse during the breeding season. Turkey hunters can record the number of grouse they hear drumming while afield to help DEC track the distribution and abundance of this game bird. To get a survey form, go to DEC’s website or call (518) 402-8883.

To participate in DEC’s Summer Wild Turkey Sighting Survey or other wildlife surveys, visit the “Citizen Science” page of DEC’s website.

http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/press.html

Big Spring Fish “ON THE BITE” near Niagara Falls…Steelhead, Browns, Lakers & Bullheads Too!

Posted on by Bill Hilts

Chris from Lancaster, Pa. had some fun in Lake Ontario off Olcott fishing with Capt. Vince Pierleoni of Newfane. Here he shows off a lake trout.

  • Bill Hilts Fishing Forecast for Niagara Falls USA – Niagara County, NY
  • Fishing forecast for April 10, 2019 

The lake fishing out of Wilson and Olcott, NY is really starting to turn on. Brown trout have been hitting closer to the shoreline on stickbaits and spoons.

Michael Xu caught this big Niagara River steelhead fishing with Capt. Frank Campbell of Niagara Falls this week.

Capt. Vince Pierleoni of Newfane was focused efforts in 10 to 14 feet of water around Olcott with Bay Rats and Live Targets off the planer boards. On the riggers it was Dreamweaver SS spoons producing some nice browns, but a mix of other species including an Atlantic were also caught. Lake trout are out a bit deeper. A few king salmon are starting to show up in the lake.

Eric from Lancaster, Pa. shows off an Olcott brown trout he reeled in fishing with Capt. Vince Pierleoni aboard the Thrillseeker.

Chris Kempf of Cheektowaga hit a nice one on Saturday, a fish he reeled in while fishing with Capt. Joe Gallo of Amherst. They were fishing a flasher-fly 70 feet down over 125 feet of water when the bruiser hit while fishing out of Wilson. He also caught lake trout in 100 to 130 feet of water on spoons and flasher-fly.

In the tributaries, the action has been consistent for steelhead and brown trout according to Scott Feltrinelli of Ontario Fly Outfitters.

Water quality in the creeks is pretty good.

The rain recently should help bring up water levels and add a lightly stain.

Karen Evarts at The Boat Doctors reports decent pier action off Wilson and Olcott for browns. Bass are starting to hit, too.

Wilson has long been known for its excellent spring bullhead fishing.

Roy Letcher of Olcott reeled in the top prize for the Wilson Bullhead Contest last week. His two fish totaled 4.36 pounds.

However, after last weekend’s performance by Roy Letcher of Olcott and Jeff Herman of Newfane, Olcott Harbor might be vying for the bullhead title in Niagara County. The bullhead contest ran from 5 p.m. on Friday to 1 p.m. on Sunday. Letcher and Herman caught 350 bullheads and cleaned 200. The best weight of Letcher’s best 2 fish was 4.36 pounds. Red worms and night crawlers were the baits of choice.

There was a tie for second place between Brud Holly IV of Wilson and Jeff Budziszewski of Newfane with two-fish totals of 3.68 pounds each. Holly won the tie-breaker based on length of the fish. Brud was using crawlers and shrimp in Wilson-Tuscarora Park and Jeff was using the same baits in 12 Mile Creek. A total of 93 entries participated in this year’s contest, including 14 kids. Youth winner was Jace Greene of Newfane with a two fish total of 3.55 pounds. Runner-up was Olivia Lampman of Newfane with a two-fish total of 3.33 pounds.

Some ice chunks have been coming down through the river system, serving as obstacles in the upper and lower river sections.

Chris Kempf of Cheektowaga shows off his first king salmon of the year fishing out of Wilson with Capt. Joe Gallo of Two Bulls (right).

Lower river trout action has been a bit more difficult due to winds and clear conditions, although not as clear as previously according to Lisa Drabczyk of Creek Road Bait and Tackle.

Minnows have been producing steelhead and browns in the river, as well as egg sacs. Cast spinners or jigs from shore.

Lance Chamberlain of Texas with a Niagara River steelhead, caught while fishing with Capt. Arnie Jonathan of Lockport.

No reports on smelt yet. The Lewiston Smelt Festival will be May 3 in Academy Park in Lewiston this year.

The ice boom is still in place since there was still over 400 square miles of ice in the lake as of Monday. It needs to be 250 square miles or less.

 

Bill Hilts, Jr. – Outdoor Promotions Director
Inline image 2
Destination Niagara USA, 10 Rainbow Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY 14303

Orleans County Fishing Reports: Lake Ontario (Pt. Breeze)/Oak Orchard River

Posted on by Lynne Menz

This week’s STREAM fishing report is by Ron Bierstine from Oak Orchard Tackle and Lodge, Albion, NY – April 9, 2019.

Ideal fishable flows in Oak Orchard River are at about medium with 2 feet or so of stained visibility.  Reports of some water level fluctuations through yesterday probably as a result of a hydro plant emergency shutdown, and today looks like the good flows are restored.  A bit of rain early Monday should maintain flows so look for medium flows to prevail through the week provided there is no new significant precipitation.  After a couple of warm days, the forecast ahead this week looks seasonably cool so look for the good conditions to hang in without any great water temp spikes in the near future.  Windy conditions are expected today.

Through the past weekend guys reported good action Saturday and a little tougher through Sunday.  Steelhead are spread through the river and mostly on gravel or adjacent staging spots around gravel.  Concentrations of fish at the dam will probably be less as the calendar clicks toward spring.  For this mid-week period, so far there’s lite fishing pressure at best.  The other area smaller tributaries have medium flows and slightly stained water color.  The latest precipitation should help maintain flows there.

In all the waterways, anglers will find a mix of spawning, staged, drop back or fresh fish.  So far this spring, it looks like the action will continue to be spread out much like the previous winter was with ups and downs in the action.  Remember though, the water temps warm up none-the-less through April so now, while cool conditions prevail, is the time to try for steelhead.  A few bass are in the mix in the lower reaches and suckers are more numerous too.

This week’s LAKE fishing report is by Capt. John Oravec – Tight Lines Charters – April 9, 2019.

First king of the season! Courtesy Intimidator Sportfishing

The April Spring setup of the shallow waters along the Orleans County coastline is underway! Already, charter and recreational anglers are hitting typical brown trout with bonus Lakers and a rogue king salmon. The outflow of the Oak Orchard River along with other trib’s, create warm fish-holding pockets right against the shoreline so spread your lines out with long line/planer board tactics in 5′ to 15′ depths and watch your rods. It’s prime time for shallow running stickbaits like Challenger’s, Rapala’s and Bay Rat’s in vivid colors. You will be hearing a lot more from Capt. Johnny Oravec!

For now, go get ’em! Fish On!

Pen Rearing Update

NY DEC delivered 90,590 Chinook salmon and 10,000 steelhead to pens at Ernst’s Lake Breeze Marina Monday, 4/8/19. They will be penned for approximately 3 weeks where they will double in size before they are released into the lake.

From Point Breeze on Lake Ontario, the World Fishing Network’s Ultimate Fishing Town USA and the rest of Orleans County, let’s make everyday a great fishing day right here in Orleans County!

Sincerely,

The Team at Orleans County Tourism

 

 

 

 

New Firearm Laws Benefit Firearms Industry…the Data Speaks

Posted on by Dave Barus

Photo courtesy of National Shooting Sports Foundation

  • Firearms Industry Economic Impact Rises 171% Since 2008
  • Since 2008, federal tax payments increased by 164 percent
  • Pittman-Robertson excise taxes to support wildlife conservation increased by 100 percent
  • State business taxes increased by 120 percent

From the National Shooting Sports Foundation®, the firearm industry trade association in Newtown, Connecticut, we learn that the total economic impact of the firearms and ammunition industry in the United States increased from $19.1 billion in 2008 to $52.1 billion in 2018.  That’s a 171 percent increase.

The total number of full-time equivalent jobs rose from approximately 166,000 to almost 312,000. That’s an 88 percent increase in that same period. 

On a more recent year-over-year basis, the firearm industry economic impact rose from $51.4 billion in 2017 to $52.1 billion in 2018, ticking higher even while the industry came off-peak production years. Total jobs increased from nearly 311,000 to almost 312,000 in the same period.

“Our industry is proud to be one of the steady and reliable producers and manufacturers in our economy as Americans continue to exercise their fundamental right to keep and bear arms, and to safely enjoy the shooting sports,” said Stephen L. Sanetti, NSSF CEO. “Our workforce is steadily adding good jobs to our local economies averaging $50,000 a year in wages and benefits. In addition, since 2008 we increased federal tax payments by 164 percent, Pittman-Robertson excise taxes that support wildlife conservation by 100 percent and state business taxes by 120 percent.”

The Firearms and Ammunition Industry Economic Impact Report: 2019 provides a state-by-state breakdown of job numbers, wages and output covering direct, supplier and induced employment, as well as federal excise taxes paid. Access the full report here.

About NSSF: The National Shooting Sports Foundation is the trade association for the firearms industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of more than 12,000 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers. For more information, visit nssf.org.

Fishing Report for Orleans County, NY – April 1, 2019

Posted on by Lynne Menz

By Ron Bierstine from Oak Orchard Tackle and Lodge,

Try the Oak Orchard River public fishing access for winter/spring steelhead fishing. Angling pressure is typically less in spring than the popular fall months.

Try the Oak Orchard River public fishing access for winter/spring steelhead fishing. Angling pressure is typically less than the popular fall months.

Trout season is open today so time to fish for some steelhead. No wait. Oh yeah, there is no closed season!

Thanks to rain through the weekend all the tributary flows are high and dirty. Flows in the Oak are high consisting of lots of turbine water and some overflow water. Water color is one foot or less of visibility. There are some anglers on the water today with unknown success. The other area small tributaries are high and dirty. Through Sunday night there was 2 – 4 inches of wet snow, and 6 inches along the lakeshore. That is melting now and will add to the most recent runoff. Forecast is for warmer temps thru the rest of the week but no unseasonable warm up so no major water temp spikes expected for now.

Lake Ontario Fishing Updates: Charter Boats are being prepped and docked at the marinas! Unfortunately, Mother Nature played a trick on us April Fool’s Day dumping 6″ of snow along the lakeshore. Temps are on the rise this week and I expect some anglers will soon be chasing Brown Trout on the open waters of Lake Ontario. Hope to have Lake fishing reports next week!

Steelhead Pen Rearing at the Oak

Pens were assembled this past weekend and ready for the fish deliveries. We will post specifics on our Facebook page when we expect their delivery.

Volunteers are needed for 3-4 weeks during April for feeding, cleaning and supporting steelhead pen rearing. Steelhead along with salmon have been pen reared at the Oak since the inception of pen rearing efforts. Last year steelhead were not reared at the Oak, as they were direct stocked. Pen reared fish always have greater survivability over direct stocked fish and hopefully better imprinting.

NYSDEC oversees pen rearing efforts and a large part of the financial burden for supplies which contributes greatly to Orleans County being a World Class fishing destination. This year, 2 new pens have been assembled by Spencerport BOCES students. Many thanks to past volunteers, NYSDEC and students for their support. This year, many Rochester Seth Green chapter TU volunteers have stepped up and we are looking for additional help. Please indicate your willingness to help in the workload in any capacity by contacting Ron Bierstine at 585-682-4546. If you’d like to help out for salmon pen rearing efforts Ron can direct you for that too.

We support all pen rearing efforts and any efforts for the betterment of the tributary and open lake fishery.

Check our website: http://orleanscountytourism.com/fishing-report/.

If you are a charter captain or guide fishing in Orleans County and would like to provide us with a fishing report, please contact lynne@orleanscountytourism.com.

 

 

 

 

Fishing Groups Formally Object to “Sustainable” Stamp on Menhaden Fishery – TRCP asks for Action

Posted on by Kristyn Brady
  • Mining the base of the food chain is neither sustainable nor economically justifiable

By Kristyn Brady

There are rising concerns about volume of harvest and unregulated bycatch. Stephan Lowy photo

Today, three recreational fishing groups filed a formal objection against the Marine Stewardship Council’s recommendation that Omega Protein should receive a certification of sustainability for its U.S. Atlantic menhaden purse-seining operations. The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, American Sportfishing Association, and Coastal Conservation Association signed onto the objection, filed with MSC’s leaders in the United Kingdom.

The industrial harvest of this important forage fish by a single foreign-owned company, Cooke Inc.’s Omega Protein, has a negative impact on striped bass and other sportfish that rely on menhaden for food. Earlier this month, MSC—a private international organization, not a government entity—signaled that it would likely put its stamp of approval on Omega’s menhaden reduction fishing operation, in which the oily baitfish is harvested and reduced into meal, pet food, and other products.

MSC reached this conclusion in spite of the fact that menhaden stocks are less than half of what they would be without industrial harvest, which currently suppresses the striped bass stocks on the East Coast by about 30 percent. Striped bass are the single most valuable marine recreational fishery in the country.

“This certification would put a blue ribbon on the practice of robbing sportfish of their forage base, even as striped bass numbers decline in the Atlantic,” says Whit Fosburgh, president and CEO of the TRCP. His organization collaborated with a legal team to object to MSC’s findings and rallied individual anglers to sign an open letter opposing the certification. “We felt it was important to put pressure on MSC, in every venue possible, not to do this. It is irresponsible to call Omega’s operation sustainable when it affects striped bass numbers and the recreational fishing economy.”

MSC’s published assessment indicates that the certification of sustainability would be granted on the condition that Omega reach certain milestones over four years—not because the operation can be considered sustainable now. Sportfishing groups objected to the rationale behind two of these conditions and the MSC’s overall method of assessing the stock’s status.

“The MSC certification undermines ten years of work by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to establish ecosystem reference points for Atlantic menhaden, a process expected to be concluded in the next year,” says Mike Leonard, vice president of government affairs for the American Sportfishing Association. “For sportfishing businesses on the East Coast, the stakes are very high going into the striped bass season. Menhaden are an important food source for striped bass, and the latest striped bass stock assessment shows a continued decline in spawning stock biomass. This is the worst possible time for MSC to make a misstep like this.”

“In Maryland, anglers are concerned with the health and future outlook for many different recreational fisheries in the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic coast, and menhaden are a major piece of the ecological foundation and balance in the region,” says David Sikorski, executive director of CCA Maryland. “This is why we anxiously await management options to be unveiled after nearly 20 years of conversation on how to manage these important fish for their role in the ecosystem. It would be negligent for MSC to hand out its certification just as the game is about to change.”

 

 

 

 

Bill Hilts Fishing Forecast for Niagara Falls USA – Niagara County, NY

Posted on by Bill Hilts
  • For April 3, 2019 from Destination Niagara USA
Keegan Walczak of Amherst, NY, caught this stream steelhead near Olcott Harbor.

The NYPA fishing platform is open!

April 1 is traditionally the opening of the lower Niagara River’s fishing platform at the NY Power Authority, as well as the reservoir access off Upper Mountain Road and the water intakes area in the upper Niagara River. Icy conditions kept it from opening Monday and Tuesday this week, but the platform’s official opening is April 3! Feel free to check before heading down at 796-0135 Ext. 45 because the platform could be shut down temporarily if we have poor weather conditions.

Allyson Balcom of Williamsville is happy she caught this steelhead while fishing with Capt. Nick Calandrelli of Lewiston.
Eli Davila of Wheatfield caught this steelhead in the Niagara Gorge while fishing with his father.

It’s good timing because the lower river trout fishing has been pretty darn good since the weekend. Egg sacs or egg imitations are working well for steelhead and brown trout. Some lake trout are also available. Big minnows or shiners have been working on all three species according to local boat drifters. Shoreline casters are using egg sacs, spoons and spinners to take trout.

Tributary action has picked up off Lake Ontario, even though the water levels are up and the conditions are stained.  Jigs and egg sacs or egg imitations are working. Casting the mouths of the creeks is another option, such as off the mouth of 4 Mile Creek in the Town of Porter. Small boats are fishing in the harbors and some are out trolling the shoreline in 6 to 18 feet of water with spoons and small stickbaits. The piers are producing a few trout, too. Cast spoons and spinners off Wilson and Olcott.

We’ve had reports of bullhead being caught in Wilson – perfect timing! The 7th annual Wilson Bullhead Contest will be starting April 5 at 5 p.m. and running through April 7 at 1 p.m. Best total weight of 2 fish earns top prize. For more information call Eric at 628-6078. Weigh in will take place Sunday morning from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wilson Conservation Club.

Keith Currence of West Virginia with a big lower Niagara River steelhead he caught while fishing with Capt. Jim Rores of Grand Island.

Some area waters that receive inland trout stockings include Oppenheim Park Pond in Wheatfield, as well as Hyde Park Lake and Gill Creek in Niagara Falls. The stocking date will be April 11 starting at Oppenheim at 10 a.m. followed at 11 a.m. by the other sites.

The Lake Ontario Trout and Salmon Association will be assembling and floating the net pens for the 2019 project season starting at 9:30 a.m. on April 6. This will take place at the Town of Newfane Marina in Olcott. LOTSA will also be holding its first meeting of the year at a new location. April 11, the group will be meeting at the North Amherst Fire Company, 2200 Tonawanda Creek Road, Amherst starting at 7 p.m. The April meeting will feature Capt. Damian Kuzmin speaking on early spring salmon fishing techniques out of the port of Wilson, where he runs his boat.

Bill Igo of Harrisburg, Pa. boated this lower Niagara River steelhead fishing with Capt. Ted Kessler of Grand Island.
Ricardo Davila of Wheatfield found good trout fishing in the Niagara Gorge last weekend.

Bill Hilts, Jr. – Outdoor Promotions Director

Inline image 2
Destination Niagara USA,10 Rainbow Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY 14303

Venison Reuben, from the kitchen of Charlie Killmaster – Georgia State Deer Biologist

Posted on by Dave Barus

Each year that goes by, I search for recipes that are worth sharing because they meet the rules of “Easy-To-Make” and “Delicious-To-Eat.” Charlie Killmaster from Georgia has several great game recipes. Here is one of them and there are more at this site: https://georgiawildlife.blog/2018/12/12/oh-deer-7-venison-recipes-youve-gotta-try/.

Charlie Killmaster’s photo of his delicious Venison Reuben.

Ingredients:

  • Venison roast, preferably shoulder/neck, 1 to 3 lbs.
  • Thick-cut rye bread
  • Spicy brown mustard or Thousand Island dressing, your preference
  • 1 tablespoon pickling spice
  • Morton’s Tender Quick, or your salt/sugar brine of choice
  • Sauerkraut
  • Swiss cheese
  • Crock pot

Charlie says, “I always prefer bone-in roasts from the front of the deer for this recipe. Start by making a brine using the directions on Morton’s Tender Quick or any other recipe for a salt and sugar brine. Make enough brine to totally submerge the meat and mix in the pickling spice. You can marinate anywhere from 1 to 5 days, but I find 3 days to be ideal before it gets to be too salty.

Whenever I’m processing a deer I harvested, I like to go ahead and brine 3 or 4 chunks of meat before I freeze it so I don’t have to wait on brining each time. Just thaw and cook when you’re ready. Next, rinse the meat and cook in a crock pot with plain water for about 8 hours. Shred the meat and assemble the sandwiches with the mustard or dressing, sauerkraut, cheese, and toasted bread.

To prevent a soggy sandwich, I like to heat up the sour kraut and squeeze with a paper towel to soak up excess moisture. Serve with fries or your favorite side dish and enjoy!”

 

 

Buck 110 Folding Hunter Knife, Under $20! You Kidding Me?!

Posted on by Dave Barus

By Dave Barus

I have carried one of these to my deer woods for more than 50 years now. Today, there are more options to choose from, lightweight handles and more, but the reality of the device as a tool for sportsmen is unchanged. I cannot believe this is selling for less than $20 on sale right now.

The 110 Folding Hunter® is one of America’s favorite knives, this version, the 110 Folding Hunter® LT, will undoubtedly follow in suit. Weighing barely over 3 ounces, the LT is created with lightweight molded nylon, drastically reducing its weight while maintaining the same quality as the original Folding Hunter®. The clip point blade is finished with Buck’s advanced Edge2x blade technology for unbelievable sharpness and edge retention out of the box.

Closed Length: 4 7/8″ (12.4 cm), includes a black, polyester sheath and is made in the USA.

  • BLADE THICKNESS: 0.120″
  • BLADE LENGTH: 3 3/4″ (9.5 cm)
  • WEIGHT: 3.2 oz (90.7 g)
  • HANDLE: Nylon
  • CARRY SYSTEM: Sheath
  • ORIGIN: Made in the USA

Buck 110 Features:
420HC STEEL – This is Buck’s standard blade material because it approaches the wear resistance of high carbon alloys while delivering the corrosion resistance of chromium stainless steels. Add the Buck Knife exclusive heat-treat process and you have a very user-friendly combination of superior corrosion resistance with excellent strength for wear resistance and durability. You also have a blade that is easy to resharpen. For best performance Buck hardens to a Rockwell hardness of Rc 58.
CLIP – The crescent tip makes the blade thinner with a sharper point. This shape provides good control for detail work and cutting in tight places. It is also well suited for intentional punctures like new holes in your belt, etc. While the point of the blade is effective for detail work, it’s not as strong as the thicker points on drop points and skinners.

The special sale is here (unreal):

Bill Hilts Niagara Falls USA Fishing Forecast

Posted on by Bill Hilts
  •  For March 28, 2019 from Destination Niagara USA
Roy Letcher of Olcott with a big 41-inch Niagara Bar laker.

The inland trout and salmon opener is April 1, but the Great Lakes are open all year! In the Lower Niagara River, there are plenty of trout available. However, the river water is super clear and fish are getting really picky according to Capt. John DeLorenzo of Niagara Falls. Your presentation must be perfect, or you won’t get the bites. Long leaders with 6-pound test fluorocarbon fishing line are a must. Downsize your baits with small egg sacs about the size of a pea in pink or yellow. Chartreuse micro yarn flies have been working for DeLorenzo and that bait produced a 16-pound steelhead over the weekend that was caught by George Peterson of North Tonawanda. Shoreline casters have been using jigs, spoons and spinners, as well as egg sacs. April 1 is traditionally the opening of the lower Niagara River’s fishing platform at the NY Power Authority, as well as the reservoir access off Upper Mountain Road and the water intakes area in the upper Niagara River. It looks good for that to happen on Monday. Feel free to check before heading down at 796-0135 Ext. 45.

Capt. Taz Morrison shows off a lower Niagara River Steelhead.

Tributary action has been good off Lake Ontario in waters big and small, and with rain in the forecast for this weekend, look for some fresh fish to arrive. Jigs and egg sacs or egg imitations are working. Casting the mouths of the creeks is another option. Small boats are fishing in the harbors and some are out trolling in the shoreline in 6 to 18 feet of water with spoons and small stickbaits. The piers are producing a few trout, too. Cast spoons and spinners off Wilson and Olcott. Lots going on right now!

Gianni Etopio with a tributary trout.

DEC does plenty of stocking in its inland waters. Call the Randolph Hatchery stocking hotline at 716-358-2050 for details. Some area waters that receive inland stockings include Oppenheim Park Pond in Wheatfield, as well as Hyde Park Lake and Gill Creek in Niagara Falls. The stocking date will be April 11 starting at Oppenheim at 10 a.m. followed at 11 a.m. by the other sites. Another sure sign of spring is the 7th annual Wilson Bullhead Contest starting April 5 at 5 p.m. and running through April 7 at 1 p.m. Best total weight of 2 fish earns top dog. For more information call Eric at 716-628-6078. Weigh in will take place Sunday morning from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wilson Conservation Club.

The Lake Ontario Trout and Salmon Association will be assembling and floating the net pens for the 2019 project season starting at 9:30 a.m. on April 6. This will take place at the Town of Newfane Marina in Olcott. Remember that April 6 is also the Niagara County Federation of Conservation Clubs annual awards banquet starting at 5:30 p.m. at Cornell Cooperative Extension Niagara. Call Dave Whitt at 716-754-2133 for tickets.

Bill Hilts, Jr. – Outdoor Promotions Director

Inline image 2
Destination Niagara USA, 10 Rainbow Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY 14303

Turkey Hunting Lingo – Tom or Hen? Keep this handy pocket guide! FREE

Posted on by Dave Barus
  • Did you know what they call a SNOOD of the turkey? 
  • What are Turkey Caruncles?
  • Tom or Hen? Easy way to tell is illustrated below

By Forrest Fisher

As hunters, we never stop learning.  Folks in different parts of the country call turkey by different local slang terms at times, not counting the different turkey breeds, but overall, turkeys are turkeys. Their parts have names and as a veteran hunter or beginner, it’s a good thing to know what I what. Feel free to print this illustration from the NWTF out and keep a copy handy in your pocket.  We get smarter every day.

Good luck in the woods!

 

 

Bill Hilts Niagara Falls USA Fishing Report

Posted on by Bill Hilts
  • Forecast for March 21, 2019 from Destination Niagara USA
  • Clear waters, active fish in river and streams
  • Shore casters and boaters doing well

Happy Spring!

Rich Pisa of Kenmore, NY was fishing the lower Niagara River gorge and caught this steelhead this past week.

Stream and river action are both strong right now and this week’s weather doesn’t look too bad as of right now, especially on Sunday.  In the lower Niagara River, Ricardo Davila of Wheatfield has been doing well in the Niagara Gorge from shore casting spoons.  Water has been very clear there. Hopefully we will see a little snow melt and rain to help stain that water up a bit.  Still, he’s been taking some nice steelhead from shore.  Boaters have more opportunity to move around and steelhead and brown trout are both producing consistently by anglers drifting shiners, egg sacs or plugs like Kwikfish or MagLips off three-way rigs.  If you are looking for browns and lakers, try drifting the Niagara Bar with a shiner near the green buoy marker.

Greg Schloerb of Amherst with a Burt Dam steelhead.
Ricardo Davila hit the Artpark area from shore in the lower Niagara to take steelhead like this one casting spoons.

The tributaries are opening up nicely and if there’s good flow, there will be some fresh trout in there.  The most popular area in Niagara Falls USA off Lake Ontario is 18 Mile Creek near Burt Dam.  Egg sacs and jigs are working to produce some feisty steelhead with an occasional brown trout. Don’t forget about the piers in Wilson and Olcott, too.  Those should start to turn on soon. And speaking of Wilson, the 7th Annual Wilson Bullhead contest is coming up soon, April 5-7.  Make sure that’s on your fishing radar screen.

Speaking of brown trout, it appears a few boats have been trolling the shoreline out near Fort Niagara and picking up some browns in 6 to 8 feet of water.  Use small stickbaits, either flatlining off the back or working the shoreline with in-line planers.

Brad and Terry Harris of Missouri hoist up some steelhead they caught in the lower Niagara River last weekend fishing with Capt. Ernie Calandrelli of Lewiston.
Capt. Nick Calandrelli of Lewiston holds a steelhead and Bill Blanchard of West Seneca shows off a walleye on the final day of the walleye season in the lower Niagara River last Friday.

On Saturday March 23rd, there will be a Lake Ontario Fisheries Symposium sponsored by NY Sea Grant and the Lake Ontario Sportfishing Promotion Council from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Finger Lakes Mall (adjacent to Bass Pro), Auburn. Expert panels and presentations on Lake Ontario will be offered up. Register for free at www.ilovenyfishing.com.

Also, on March 23rd, the 8th Annual Fisherman’s Paradise Flea market and Swap Meet will take place at the Alexander Firemen’s Rec Hall located at 10708 Route 98 in Alexander.  Admission is just $2.  Kids 12 years of age and under are free.  For more information, call Joe Kugel at 440-0004 or Jim Thompson at 585-591-0168.

April 1 is opening day of the inland trout and salmon season.  DEC does plenty of stocking in its inland waters.  Call the Randolph Hatchery stocking hotline at 358-2050 for details.  Stocking will take place in Niagara Falls at Hyde Park Lake and Gill Creek, as well as Oppenheim Park Pond in Wheatfield on April 11.

Capt. Matt Gantress of Amherst, NY shows off a Niagara Bar brown trout.

The Lake Ontario Trout and Salmon Association will be assembling and floating the net pens for the 2019 project season starting at 9:30 a.m. on April 6.  This will take place at the Town of Newfane Marina in Olcott.  In addition to holding over 67,000 salmon in pens, they will also be holding 7,000 steelhead in pens to improve survival rates and imprint the fish to these waters. 

Remember that April 6 is also the Niagara County Federation of Conservation Clubs annual awards banquet starting at 5:30 p.m. at Cornell Cooperative Extension Niagara in Lockport. Call Dave

Bill Hilts, Jr. – Outdoor Promotions Director

Inline image 2
Destination Niagara USA, 10 Rainbow Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY 14303

Custom Fishing Rod Builder: Tom Marks

Posted on by Bob Holzhei
  • Rod length, sensitivity, power, flex…all these factors matter
  • Setting the hook, it’s the best feeling with a rod you helped design
  • Rattlesnake skin and other custom handles personalize rods to the individual

By Bob Holzhei

Custom rod handle options that include rattlesnake skin personalize the custom rod.

“The sensitivity in any fishing rod can be determined by placing the tip of the rod against your throat while another person holds the other end of the rod.  At that point, the person who has the tip of the rod against their throat begins to talk and at the other end, the vibration can be felt,” says expert angler and custom fishing rod-maker, Tom Marks, who vacations and fishes in Florida during the winter months.

Marks has been building custom rods for the past six years. “It usually takes me about 48 hours or three days to build a rod,” says Marks.

“I ask the perspective customer which type of rod they want me to build for them, whether it’s a spin casting rod, an all-purpose rod, and also ask if they are throwing crankbaits, need a worm rod, like to drop shot, if they are skipping docks, tossing jerk baits, Carolina rigs, need a bottom-bouncer for walleye, jig-flipping and pitching, or if they use a frog topwater bait or other top water bait. They’re all slightly different,” stated Marks.

Sanding the guide feet insures a smooth thread wrap and long life for the rod.

“The purpose for which the rod will be used helps me decide on the power and speed of the rod. The power, which is how stiff the rod needs to be and the speed, which refers to how much flex is in the tip, both affect the style efficiency.  Flex is the amount of bend in the upper 1/3 of the rod. The faster the rod, the more sensitive it will feel. For crankbaits, or moving baits which are trolled, a slower rod is sufficient because the strike or bite is much harder. The slower rod helps absorb some of the initial shock of the bite and also keeps the fish from throwing the hook,” added Marks.

Marks custom decorates his precision fishing rods according to customer wishes.  Nylon and metallic threads can be used on the guide wraps, and many other variations.  Marks also uses real rattlesnake skin on the handle and other decorative skins and wraps in the split grip and fore grip.

“I place a decorative thread band 12 inches from the front edge of the handle.  Decorative work might include thread work cross-weaved with multiple colored threads or chevron patterns.  Occasionally I marbleize the colors,” added Marks.

Marks began purchasing his rod building materials after he saw a Mudhole display at an outdoor show, located in Oviedo, Florida.  Mudhole is a Rod Building and Tackle Crafting Company that can provide helpful process instructions and all the supplies for rod building. Visit www.mudhole.com or call 866-790-RODS.

Charter Captain Tom Marks is right at home with all the gear for making his custom fishing rods in the garage.

Marks explained the steps in building a rod. “After the materials are ordered and arrive, I first take the order out of the package,” Marks replied while laughing.     “First the spline in the rod is found, this is the backbone of the rod.  I take the rod and put tension on it, while rolling the rod. The area of the spine will snap or hop.  The spline is the heaviest part of the rod. The theory is the spline is found in one spot, it provides a keyway for guide location and better angler control later,” stated Marks.

Second, Marks determines what kind of rod he will make.  The handle or grip is put on the rod.  He reams out the handle to fit the blank.  Then Pro-epoxy paste is put on to secure the handle.

Third, the guides are put on after measuring and marking the rod blank for the spacing between the guides.  Mudhole provides suggestions on where to place the guides.  Marks runs a line up and down the tip to insure the guides are lined up.  He also uses a laser beam to insure the guides are correctly aligned.  After the guide are mounted, protective clear epoxy is added.

Fourth, two additional coats of clear epoxy are put on and then 400 grit sandpaper removes any imperfections. Marks then field tests the rod to assure quality.

“If I catch a big fish while testing, I know that particular rod is a real good one,” kidded Marks with a grin.

“Building fishing rods is a great hobby and I never stop learning.  I began fishing with my dad when I was 4 years old, and when I was 10, I really got into fishing and loved it.  I learned from my father how to fish for walleye, since we lived within walking distance of Lake Erie near Derby, New York,” stated Marks.

I tagged along with Marks as he fished with the rod and learned as I watched his fishing strategy from a distance.

“The presentation is the key. The bite is what keeps me interested.  When I set the hook – it’s a great feeling. There’s a rush of adrenaline!  I could fish all day for the bite,” concluded Marks.

For more information: e-mail address – capt.tommarks@gmail.com; 716-997-6919.

Here we are testing my new rod, I’m sitting, Tom is demonstrating the secrets to catching bass where we are fishing in Florida. Sure was fun!

New York Inland Trout Season Opens April 1

Posted on by Dave Barus
  • Trout Season Opens April 1 for Inland Streams

Although the opener is traditionally met with snow, high flows and cold temperatures, April 1 is nonetheless the opening day for trout and salmon fishing throughout the State of New York and an indication that spring is just around the corner. Look for best fishing in more temperate areas of New York including Long Island, the lower Hudson Valley and southwestern New York. DEC has a number of new publications that will prove helpful to those new to trout fishing. The I FISH NY Guide to Trout Fishing with Synthetic Bait describes a very effective technique to catch early season trout in ponds. The I FISH NY Guide to Trout Fishing in Streams (PDF) provides good information for those who prefer trout fishing in moving waters.

Each year, DEC stocks over 1,200 waters with trout and salmon. Visit DEC’s website for the planned listing of 2019 stockings by county.

Looking for a place to fish? Review the 2019 Coldwater Fishing Forecast.

Orleans County/Lake Ontario/Oak Orchard Fishing Report for March 26, 2019

Posted on by Lynne Menz
  • This week’s Orleans County Fishing Report is from Ron Bierstine from Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge – March 26, 2019.

Nice flows in the Oak are still somewhere near slightly high or just less. Good upstream supplies have been keeping these “high turbine flows” going. Chance of flows are coming down some toward, say, medium, through this week with no significant precipitation in the near forecast. Forecast is a chance of precipitation toward the weekend and slowly warming temps through this week. Any precipitation for maintenance of flows and some stain to the water would help preserve the nice tributary conditions. Water color on a slow clear in the Oak with still some cold nights. Water color is going on 3 ft of visibility.

Fishing pressure seems light through this mid-week period, some guys are still at the dam and some anglers are able to move around – fishing other downstream fast water spots. Action has been good for deep and slow drifters covering the fast water spots on mostly fresh steelhead that are giving themselves a good account in hard battles. That seems like an encouraging sign for steelhead conditions. There is some evidence of spawning from the earlier higher water but right now most fish seem tight and fresh. Water temperatures are nearing 40° F and with warmer days and especially not cold nights ahead look, for the water temperatures to continue to warm.

Other area smaller tributaries have medium flows and just slightly stained water color. Guys are spread out on all the waterways with reports of browns and some steelhead on those smaller tributaries. There are good opportunities now and ahead while cool conditions may hang on for spring steelhead action and some browns spread over all the different waterways.
Provided by Ron Bierstine, Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge. 

Visit our Fishing Report on Orleans County Tourism.com, including weather forecasts and our “At the Oak, Orleans County” Facebook feed.

Steelhead Pen Rearing at the Oak

Volunteers are needed for 3 -4 weeks during April for feeding, cleaning and supporting steelhead pen rearing. Steelhead along with salmon have been pen reared at the Oak since the inception of pen rearing efforts. Last year steelhead were not reared at the Oak, as they were direct stocked. Pen reared fish always have greater survivability over direct stocked fish and hopefully better imprinting.

NYSDEC oversees pen rearing efforts and a large part of the financial burden for supplies which contributes greatly to Orleans County being a World Class fishing destination. This year, 2 new pens have been assembled by Spencerport BOCES students. Many thanks to past volunteers, NYSDEC and students for their support. This year, many Rochester Seth Green chapter TU volunteers have stepped up and we are looking for additional help. Please indicate your willingness to help in the workload in any capacity by contacting Ron Bierstine at 585-682-4546. If you’d like to help out for salmon pen rearing efforts Ron can direct you for that too.

We support all pen rearing efforts and any efforts for the betterment of the tributary and open lake fishery.

From Point Breeze on Lake Ontario, the World Fishing Network’s Ultimate Fishing Town USA and the rest of Orleans County, let’s make everyday a great fishing day right here in Orleans County!
Sincerely,
The Team at Orleans County Tourism

Chestnut Tree Food Plot Philosophy – Bucks Fight For It

Posted on by Morgan McCalla
  • Hard Mast Crop Logic, Peter Fiduccia Explains in the Video
  • Wildlife Nutrition
  • Cost Effective, Easy to do

Join host Peter Fiduccia and his special guest Bob Wallace from Chestnut Hill Outdoors as they share step-by-step details on planting chestnut trees. They are an ideal mast tree to supplement any wildlife food plot program.

Carrying Capacity is defined as the number of a given species that a particular area can support without detriment to the wildlife or their habitat. If you as a landowner are content with the wildlife currently on your land, you need only sit back and enjoy.

However, if you’re like most landowners who want to attract and hold more and healthier wildlife, including deer, turkeys and a host of other species, you need to increase the carrying capacity of your land by providing the proper amount and type of natural food to meet their year-round nutritional needs.

Building food plots with annual or perennial herbaceous crops is one popular way to increase available nutrition, but often results in nutritional gaps during certain parts of the year. Your property will be far more attractive to, and beneficial for wildlife, if you can strive to keep fresh food sources on your property for as long as possible throughout the year.

In early summer, newly born or hatched young of many wildlife species are at their most abundant. Young fawns are putting tremendous nutritional stress on nursing mothers. Meanwhile, antler growth rates have kicked into overdrive and rapidly growing wild turkey poults, not to mention the young of dozens of other bird species, are scouring the landscape searching for food. Yet, important sources of soft mast may be lacking if you haven’t planted early producers like plums and mulberries.

Though all is lush and green, mid to late summer is actually an often unrecognized period of nutritional stress. Herbaceous vegetation is maturing and dying while rapidly growing young wildlife now need more nutritious food than ever. Summer fruits like blackberries, raspberries, blueberries and grapes can help wildlife bridge this nutritional gap before the next one arrives.

As the leaves start to turn and the temperatures drop, wildlife must start the process of fattening up for winter. That job becomes easier, and can begin sooner with late summer and early fall mast species like persimmons, apples and pears. They’ll hold and nourish more wildlife until crucial hard mast species like chestnuts and acorns start dropping, and if you’ve planted a good variety of species, will continue providing high-energy, high-calorie hard mast well into winter.

Planting soft and hard mast orchards is a great way to significantly increase available wildlife nutrition over longer period. It should be done in addition to, other wildlife habitat improvement practices. By incorporating mast orchards into a larger coordinated plan that could include timber harvesting, herbaceous food plots, controlled burning and other practices, the end result of the whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts.

Chestnut Hill Outdoors is more than just a nursery. In order to ensure you receive the maximum benefit from their products, they also provide sound advice and instruction on proper planting and care. For more on Chestnut Hill Outdoors products and how to care for them, visit ChestnutHillOutdoors.com, or call (855) 386-7826.

Chestnut Hill is the best place for you to purchase your food plot and deer attractant plants because they offer a large selection, their plants are specifically bred to attract deer, and they offer customers different sized plants at different levels of growth.

For more information, please visit WWW.CHESTNUTHILLOUTDOORS.COM

Let’s Talk Turkey: Pot and Box Calls

Posted on by Dave Barus

Georgia turkey hunting, the real thing.

  • Condition your Calls, Learn How
  • Friction Calls: Pot Call, Box Call
Click the picture to WATCH the VIDEO

No matter where you live, turkey season is not far away. In Florida, the gobbler season is already open! In Georgia, it starts two weeks away. Other states too, not far away.

Yelping, clucking, purring…pot calls, box calls, locator calls – it can be confusing, especially if you’re new to turkey hunting. Even if you are a veteran turkey hunter, there is always more to learn. Here is a 13 year old hunter with expertise for all of us to learn from.

In any case, it’s time to start practicing those turkey calls!

Learn more about the “HOW” from Georgia DNR biologist Kevin Lowrey and competitive turkey caller Chase Crowe, as they share some tips on how to call a gobbler into your neck of the woods.

 

‘WomenHuntFishNY’ Photo Contest Winners from NYSDEC

Posted on by NYS Dept. of Env. Conservation
  • Six Winners Selected out of 2,000 Entries

In celebration of International Women’s Day (March 8) and Women’s History Month, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced the winners of the 2018 “WomenHuntFishNY” statewide photo contest.

“In DEC’s first-ever statewide photo contest to celebrate women who hunt and fish in New York, we received an overwhelmingly positive response from women across the state. New York’s sportswomen were eager to share their photos and stories from their outdoor adventures,” said Commissioner Seggos. “We thank everyone who participated in the contest for their amazing submissions and appreciate their support for DEC’s ongoing efforts to encourage more New Yorkers to get outside and enjoy hunting and outdoor recreation.”

After the contest was announced late last year, DEC received more than 2,000 photo entries, accompanied by hundreds of inspiring stories. The winning hunting images were divided into six categories:

Winning entries will be featured in this year’s New York State Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide and future issues of the Conservationist magazine, in social media posts, on the DEC website, and other outreach efforts. While this fall’s contest focused on women hunters, DEC also received hundreds of fishing photos that will automatically be entered in a fishing photo contest that will be announced later this spring.

According to the most recent National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and

Lower Niagara River Anglers CATCHING BIG FISH

Posted on by Bill Hilts
  • Bill Hilts Niagara Falls USA Fishing Forecast for March 13, 2019 from Destination Niagara USA
Greg Schloerb of Amherst, NY, with a Lake Ontario tributary steelhead.

Action has picked back up again in the lower Niagara River according to Lisa Drabczyk of Creek Road Bait and Tackle in Lewiston. Steelhead fishing was good in Devil’s Hole and along Artpark on pink egg sacs and Kwikfish. Some fish have also been caught on MagLips. There was no ice and water clarity was good, for now anyway. Best color of Kwikfish was gold.

Tim Thomas of Kenmore, NY, with a Lake Ontario tributary brown trout.

Some browns are still hitting downriver and walleye are still being caught. Emerald shiner fishing has been consistent off three-way rigs. Remember that walleye season closes in the state on Friday, March 15.

From shore in the gorge, be careful of the shelf ice. Artpark only had a foot or two, but more could be found further up into the gorge toward the Whirlpool.

Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls was using jigs and spinners from shore to catch steelhead. Others were using egg sacs in pink, purple and chartreuse.
If you can find some open water in the tributaries, you should be able to catch steelhead and the occasional brown trout. One area is 18 Mile Creek near Burt Dam but don’t be afraid to try some exploring in the smaller streams.

Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls was casting a jig off Artpark to take this lower river steelie.

Temperatures are getting close to 50 today and near 60 tomorrow and 50 on Friday so that could make a difference along the streams. Egg sacs, egg imitations and jigs fished under a float are all good approaches for this time of year.

Nick Calandrelli of Lewiston with a lower Niagara River steelhead.

We just received word from DEC that Oppenheim Park Pond will be stocked with 300 trout on April 11 at 10 a.m. and Hyde Park Lake and Gill Creek in Niagara Falls will be stocked on April 11 at 11 a.m. with over 2,500 trout.

The winners were announced for the Niagara County Federation of Conservation Clubs Conservation Awards for 2018.  Check out the Buffalo News on March 14 for who they are.  The dinner is April 6 in Lockport at Cornell Cooperative Extension starting at 5:30 p.m.  Call Dave Whitt at 754-2133 for tickets or more information.

Mike Goostree of Cleveland, OH, with a 14-pound brown trout he caught in the lower river fishing with Capt. Chris Cinelli of Grand Island.

Bill Hilts, Jr. – Outdoor Promotions Director

Destination Niagara USA, 10 Rainbow Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY 14303
p: 1-877 FALLS US | 716-282-8992 x. 303, f: 716-285-0809
www.niagarafallsusa.com

facebook | twitter | Instagram

Orleans County/Lake Ontario Fishing Report

Posted on by Lynne Menz

This week’s fishing report is from Ron Bierstine from Oak Orchard Tackle and Lodge, March 19, 2019.

Temperatures are improving for this mid-week period with highs forecast in the 30’s or 40°F.  There is a chance of rain showers going to snow showers toward the end of the week.  Overall it looks like a break towards more spring-like conditions.  Flows are all pretty typical of springtime, higher and stained.  Just what steelhead like for fresh migrations and staging to spawn.  Even a tiny water temp warm-up is likely to bring some steelhead to gravel.  There is still ice cover on Lake Alice and when that goes away look for warming temperatures in the Oak.  Flows for now are high with about 1 – 2 ft of visibility.  Flows look wide open in the turbine channel with diminished overflow water.  Look for continued high-ish flows in the Oak, maybe falling back to toward just slightly high.

Reports are of some hookups at the dam.  Some guys are still plying the downstream frog water that is pretty big and froggy thanks to rising big Lake O levels.  All that heavy fast water in between will take careful big and deep and slow drifts or swings for hook up chances.

The other area smaller tributaries are medium to slightly high and stained with about 1 foot of visibility.  For now before any new significant precipitation occurs, those flows are dropping and clearing.  Look for warming water temperatures at the Oak with the window of steelhead spawning sooner then later.  There’s always the chance for some drop back browns or some fresh silver browns.  Any kind of high water fish could be well upstream in the system.

Provided by Ron Bierstine, Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge

Visit our Fishing Report on OrleansCountyTourism.com, including weather forecasts and our “At the Oak, Orleans County” Facebook feed.

2019 Lake Ontario Fisheries Symposium

March 23, 2019    10 AM – 4 PM

Finger Lakes Mall, 1579 Clark Street Rd., Auburn, NY

Free registration required. 

Symposium Goals:

1.      Raising awareness about Lake Ontario fisheries and fishing opportunities;

2.    Providing new and useful information to a broad range of anglers from the established to the aspiring;

3.    Appeal to aspiring anglers to support angler recruitment and retention in sustainable fisheries.

Click here to view the complete schedule. 

Click here to register by March 22.

From Point Breeze on Lake Ontario, the World Fishing Network’s Ultimate Fishing Town USA and the rest of Orleans County, let’s make everyday a great fishing day right here in Orleans County!

Sincerely, The Team at Orleans County Tourism

 

Giant Fish are in Niagara Falls USA Fishing Forecast

Posted on by Bill Hilts
Lynda Curiale of Long Island, NY, caught this huge walleye in the lower Niagara River this week fishing with the Troutman, Capt. Johnny Oravec.
  • Feb. 21, 2019: Fishing has been good the past week in the lower Niagara River.

Capt. John Oravec, the Troutman, has been catching a mix of steelhead, brown trout and walleye – not necessarily in that order – using emerald shiners and egg sacs off three-way rigs. One of the most noteworthy catches was a 12-1/2 pound walleye that was caught and released by Lynda Curiale of Long Island.

Kenny Mikolajek of Boston took this steelhead in the lower Niagara River fishing with Capt. Ted Kessler of Grand Island.
Chris Paul of Boston caught this steelhead in the lower Niagara River fishing with Capt. Ted Kessler of Grand Island last weekend.

Capt. John Delorenzo of Niagara Falls caught 20 steelhead and 10 brown trout – catch and release – using pink egg sacs on the steelies and minnows on the browns earlier this week.

When you can slide out on the Niagara Bar, lake trout can be added to the mix as well.

Some of the Lake Ontario tributaries have opened up again and it looks like it’s going to be another crazy weekend weather-wise. The rain from last night could pull some more steelhead into the streams and Sunday looks like 50 degree temperatures and wind gusts as high as 70 mph.

Ice fishing in Wilson Harbor has been producing a few nice northern pike up to 40 inches long, as well as perch and a few trout. Be careful with the recent rain and warm temps. It will be in the 20’s again next week.

The WNY Boat Show is finishing up this weekend, concluding on Feb. 24 at the Adpro Center at One Bills Drive in Orchard Park. If you’d like to do a little dreaming or you are truly in the market for a boat or a personal watercraft, this is one great way to do a little research and help you “think spring.” Check out www.wnyboatshow.com for details.

March 2 is when the Niagara River Anglers rescheduled its Roger Tobey Memorial Steelhead contest for the lower Niagara River and Lake Ontario tributaries. The hours are sunrise to 2 p.m. with awards to follow at Lewiston No. 1 Fire Hall. You must be a member of the club to compete. Call Paul Jackson at 998-8910 for more information.

Buffy Frank of Lockport, NY, shows off a bomber Lake Ontario steelhead caught in a Niagara County stream.

March 2 is the 30th Annual Antique Fishing Tackle Ice Breaker show at the Elk’s Lodge on North Canal Road in Lockport from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring your old fishing tackle in.

On March 7, DEC will be holding its next State of Lake Ontario meeting at the 4-H Building of Cornell Cooperative Extension Niagara, 4487 Lake Avenue, Route 78, Lockport starting at 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 28 is the deadline to comment on new fishing regulations in Lake Ontario. Find out more information at www.dec.ny.gov.

Shawn West of Lockport caught this steelhead in a favorite Niagara County tributary.

 

Bill Hilts, Jr. – Outdoor Promotions Director
 
Inline image 2
Destination Niagara USA
10 Rainbow Blvd.
Niagara Falls, NY 14303
p: 1-877 FALLS US | 716-282-8992 x. 303
 

Niagara Falls USA Fishing Forecast for Feb. 28, 2019 from Destination Niagara USA

Posted on by Bill Hilts
Eric Heim of North Tonawanda, NY, with a lower Niagara River brown trout caught while fishing with Capt. Matt Yablonsky of Youngstown.

More snow and cold arrived on the local fishing scene, but that hasn’t stopped boaters from hitting the lower Niagara River for walleye and trout. Action was hot just prior to the big blow last weekend that filled the river with ice. However, some boaters were planning on hitting the water today to check to see if the fish are just as hungry.

Egg sacs, emerald shiners, minnows and lures like Kwikfish and MagLips were all catching fish off three-way rigs. It may be cold out, but the fishing has been hot! Perfect timing, too.

Lewis Pastor of North Tonawanda caught this lower Niagara River brown trout fishing with Capt. Matt Yablonsky of Youngstown.
Dominic Kahn caught this lower Niagara River steelhead fishing with Capt. Chris Cinelli of Grand Island.

Saturday, March 2, is the Niagara River Anglers rescheduled Roger Tobey Memorial Steelhead contest for the lower Niagara River and Lake Ontario tributaries. The hours are sunrise to 2 p.m. with awards to follow at Lewiston No. 1 Fire Hall. Call Paul Jackson at 998-8910 for more info.  You can sign up at the Lewiston Launch Ramp, Creek Road Bait and Tackle in Lewiston or The Slippery Sinker in Olcott.

There has been some open water below Burt Dam on 18 Mile Creek and a few steelhead have been reported.

Shawn West of Lockport, NY, with a nice tributary steelhead caught in eastern Niagara County.

Ice fishing in Wilson Harbor is producing some perch, panfish, pike and the occasional trout.

Ethan Bronschidle of Newfane, NY, hit 18 Mile Creek to catch this steelhead last weekend.

March 2nd is also the 30th Annual Antique Fishing Tackle Ice Breaker show at the Elks Lodge on North Canal Road in Lockport from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring your old fishing tackle in or just see the amazing history through tackle here in WNY.

The NYSDEC will hold their Annual State of Lake Ontario meeting on March 7 at Cornell Cooperative Extension Niagara, 4487 Lake Avenue (Route 78), Lockport, starting at 6:30 p.m.

The WNY Sport and Travel Expo is just around the corner, set for March 7 to 10 at the Erie County Fairgrounds in Hamburg. Admission is $10. Kids 10 and under are free. Check out www.eriepromotions.com for more details. One popular speaker returning will be Bass pro Mike DelVisco. He will once again be hosting a coloring contest for kids 6 years old to 12 years of age March 5 and March 6 at area Texas Roadhouse Restaurants from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. March 5 is in Tonawanda and March 6 is in Cheektowaga. The top four kids from each location will be invited to a private fishing contest at the fishing pond in the Expo on Saturday morning, March 9 at 9:30 a.m.

Bill Hilts, Jr. – Outdoor Promotions Director

Inline image 2
Destination Niagara USA, 10 Rainbow Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY 14303

Master Coyote Hunting…the How-To, What-To and When-To

Posted on by Forrest Fisher

COYOTE HUNTING MASTER TACTICS...read the story.

  • Locating and Luring Coyote to You
  • Gaining Access to Productive Properties, How to Find These Properties
  • Caliber, Ammo, Scopes, Lights, Calls…It’s All Here
                                      Click Picture to Purchase the Book.

By Forrest Fisher

Hunting veterans and novices alike will become better coyote hunters after reading this book written by award-winning author and expert coyote hunting guide, Michael Huff.

This book provides the most detailed and comprehensive information and tactics for coyote hunting ever written. Explained in the chapters is everything you need to master the difficult art of locating and luring coyotes to your gun or camera.

Included is information on how to find productive properties and gain access, select the ideal caliber and firearm, effective use of field shooting supports, successful techniques to use electronic and mouth calls, proper operation of lights for night hunting, organizing a vehicle, creating perfect setups to bring in coyotes, advanced hunting strategies and techniques, making long-range shots, selling pelts for profit, field care and taxidermy. All in one place.

The expertise shared by this award-winning author, speaker and popular professional guide will shave years off your learning curve.

This is the Michael Huff’s second book and further authenticates his well-earned reputation as a coyote expert, a reputation formed from years of pursuing scholarly research while hunting and guiding for coyotes across the United States of America.

His first book is the award winning, “Understanding Coyotes: The Comprehensive Guide for Hunters, Photographers, and Wildlife Observers.”  In his spare time, Huff provides instruction in handgun and long range shooting skills, and gives back by operating a volunteer outreach program providing meals to homeless individuals ni need.

Huff is a full-time licensed professional coyote  hunting guide and operates Master Predator Hunting LLC, one of the largest predator hunting outfitters in the USA.

Click logo to Visit Mike Huff at his website.

 

Niagara Falls USA Fishing Forecast for Feb. 7, 2019

Posted on by Bill Hilts
  • From Destination Niagara USA
Rich Pisa of Kenmore, NY, with a beautiful Lower Niagara River winter fish.

After a bit of an ice storm yesterday around Western New York, temperatures will be shooting up into the 40s and 50s today, bringing with it high winds with gusts to 60 mph through late Friday afternoon. With this end of Lake Erie still open, it will undoubtedly have an effect on Niagara River fishing by pushing ice into the river and also have an effect on water conditions. Wind that strong out of the Southwest has a tendency to stain things up, but with colder temperatures in the forecast for the weekend, it should help things out.

Ricardo Davila of Wheatfield, NY, caught this steelhead from the Niagara River shoreline this week.

The Niagara River was busy from both boat and shore the past week and trout and walleye dominated the catching scene.

We heard about walleyes up to 12 pounds. Steelhead, brown trout and lake trout were all being caught by casters and boat drifters.

Boaters were pulling Kwikfish and MagLips off three-way rigs to catch fish. Minnows were also working.

From shore, spinners and jigs were both catching some fish.

18 Mile Creek in Newfane saw some things open up again and jigs tipped with a wax worm or egg sacs were working under a float.

The Back Bay in Wilson was still producing perch, crappie and the occasional trout in Tuscarora Bay through the ice.

Paul Czamara of West Seneca, NY, with a lower Niagara River lake trout he caught on a spinner.

With the recent warm ups, make sure you check the ice thickness before heading out and when heading back in.

Don’t forget next weekend is a free fishing weekend in New York State, Feb. 16 and 17. You don’t need a fishing license, but you do need to abide by the regulations for the body of water you intend to fish. Check out the DEC website at dec.ny.gov for more info.

The WNY Boat Show is coming up Feb. 20 to 24 at the Adpro Center in Orchard Park. Check out www.wnyboatshow.com for details.

Finally, the Niagara River Anglers has announced that they have rescheduled its Roger Tobey Memorial Steelhead Contest for March 2 in the lower Niagara River and Lake Ontario tributaries. The contest, for NRAA members, runs from sunrise to 2 p.m. with the awards to follow at Lewiston No. 1 Fire Hall in the village. Call Paul Jackson for more details at 998-8910.

Kerrianne Mesiti of Chili, NY with her first walleye caught on a minnow with Capt. Arnie Jonathan of AJ Guide Service while fishing the lower Niagara River.
Parker Cinelli of Grand Island with a 12 pound lower Niagara River walleye.

DEC has also announced new regulations proposals for Lake Ontario and the Niagara River. Go on the DEC website at www.dec.ny.gov to find out what they are and pass along your comments.

Bill Hilts, Jr. – Outdoor Promotions Director

Inline image 2
Destination Niagara USA, 10 Rainbow Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY 14303

Valentine’s Day – Perfect Time to Search for BIG BUCK Antler Sheds…on the Ground

Posted on by NYS Dept. of Env. Conservation
  • Shed hunting in the Northeast can be fun and is a good way to scout new hunting zones for next fall 

In late December and continuing through March, New York State whitetail bucks shed their antlers as testosterone levels drop in response to lengthening days. When the snow begins to melt in late winter, some hunters and antler enthusiasts head out to the woods and fields in search of these hidden treasures.

Antler sheds from NYS Whitetail bucks begin to become visible as the snow melts on those early warming days of winter. NYSDEC Photo

Antler sheds from NYS Whitetail bucks begin to become visible as the snow melts on those early warming days of winter. NYSDEC PhotoTo the inexperienced, the thought of walking the countryside in search of randomly dropped antlers can seem like an unsurmountable task, but for the avid shed hunter with a trained eye, it’s worth the effort.  Some call it another way of scouting for next year, especially if you hikeand search in new areas that include state land, etc.

Some shed hunters enjoy having a trained canine friend with a keen sense of smell accompany them into the woods. Others rely on hard work and visual scouting to determine where deer have frequented over the winter months.

If the idea of searching for shed antlers intrigues you, be cautious not to begin searching too early. Deer may still be congregated on their winter ranges and susceptible to disturbance. Shed hunters should also refrain from making “antler traps,” which are baited devices intended to snag an antler as the deer feeds. Not only is it illegal to feed deer, but these devices can cause antlers to be pulled off prematurely, potentially leading to infection and slow death of the deer.

For those that do it the right way, shed hunting can be a fun family activity and a rewarding reason to get outdoors in the late winter and early spring.

As hunters choose to Let Young Bucks Go and Watch Them Grow, shed hunting can also provide clues as to what type of bucks might be around during next hunting season. Give it a try, you might discover your next hobby!

For more, see the New York State Conservationist magazine articles that can eb found at these links: “Searching for Sheds” and “Antlered Art”.

 

Hardwater and Softwater Fishing is in the Forecast at USA Niagara – It’s Free Fishing Weekend! Feb. 16-17, 2019

Posted on by Bill Hilts
  • Niagara Falls USA Fishing Report for Feb. 13, 2019 
Denis Kreze of Fort Erie (@deniskreze on Instagram) shows off the Atlantic salmon he caught in the upper Niagara River this week.

It’s a free fishing weekend in New York!

Feb. 16 and 17 are designated Free Fishing Days in the state, originally approved to help promote ice fishing in the state.  It looks like there will be plenty of that going on, but thanks to some untimely warm-ups…make sure you check your ice thickness, especially around the shoreline.  While you don’t need a fishing license, you do need to abide by the regulations for the body of water you intend to fish. Check out the DEC website at dec.ny.gov for more info.

The only hardwater action going on in Niagara County is Wilson Harbor in Tuscarora Bay.  Steelhead, pike and panfish are the species of fish being caught.

Tonya Vechnak of Mercer, Pa. caught this lower Niagara River steelhead fishing with Capt. Matt Yablonsky of Youngstown.
Michael Walaszek of Burt caught this personal best brown trout last weekend fishing in the lower Niagara River on a golden shiner. It weighed 10.7 pounds.

Soft water action in the lower Niagara River has been on fire, at least when you can get out there. Heavy winds last week pushed lots of ice into the river and created problems for a few days around the launch ramps. When the ice was gone, though, it was game on. And it’s blowing again right now!

Capt. Matt Yablonsky has been doing well on trout and walleye using a mix of minnows, egg sacs and plugs like MagLips or Kwikfish. These are all fished off three-way rigs.

All the main drifts are holding fish and they are eating everything. Incidentally, the daily limit on walleye is ONE FISH in the lower Niagara River.

Shore anglers in the gorge are also catching some fish using No. 4 spinners, jigs and egg sacs, but caution is advised due to the icy shoreline.

Danny Jankowiak of Buffalo, NY, shows off a Lake Ontario brown. If you can find open water in the trib’s, you can catch fish.

In the Lake Ontario tributaries, these are tough to fish right now with the ice and varying temperatures. Look for open water near the first impassable barrier upstream, like Burt damson 18-Mile Creek, and similar barriers. 

Above Niagara Falls, walleye action has been good for jiggers in some of the deeper holes. Denis Kreze of Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada,  even caught an Atlantic salmon this past week. A very rare catch indeed for this stretch of upper Niagara River.

The Niagara River Anglers have rescheduled its Roger Tobey Memorial Steelhead contest for the lower Niagara River and Lake Ontario tributaries. The new date is March 2nd and the hours are sunrise to 2 p.m. with awards to follow at Lewiston No. 1 Fire Hall.  You must be a member of the club to compete. Call Paul Jackson at 998-8910 for more info.

Also on March 2 is the Antique Fishing Tackle Ice Breaker show at the Elk’s Lodge on North Canal Road in Gasport, NY, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring your old fishing tackle in.

Jim Dunkleman of Gasport and Seth Halter of Gasport with a pair of lower Niagara River steelhead. They were fishing with Capt. Matt Yablonsky of Youngstown.

Lastly, the WNY Boat Show is coming up next week, set for Feb. 20 to 24 at the Adpro Center at One Bills Drive in Orchard Park, NY. Admission is free on Wednesday and Thursday. Check out www.wnyboatshow.com for details. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Bill Hilts, Jr. – Outdoor Promotions Director

Inline image 2
Destination Niagara USA, 10 Rainbow Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY 14303

New York DEC Announces $3 Million in Grants Available for 2019 Invasive Species Projects

Posted on by Dave Barus
  • Grant Applications Accepted through Feb. 15, 2019
Hydrilla plant (NYSDEC Photo)

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced that $3 million is available in the first round of the State’s newly consolidated Invasive Species Grant Program. To support projects that target both aquatic and terrestrial invasive species across the state, DEC combined previous funding opportunities, including the Aquatic Invasive Species Spread Prevention and the Aquatic and Terrestrial Invasive Species Early Detection/Rapid Response grants, into a single grant program. DEC is accepting applications for these grants through Feb. 15, 2019.

“New York is an international center for trade and tourism, making the state vulnerable to invasive species,” Commissioner Seggos said. “Once established, species such as hydrilla, emerald ash borer, and Japanese knotweed spread rapidly, causing harm to the environment, the economy, and human health. The invasive species grants announced today increase our ability to reduce the impacts of these invasive pests through control, removal, research, and prevention.”

State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “Invasive species pose a threat to our agricultural economy, potentially causing harm to our crops and our forestry industry. The new grant program provides the targeted resources needed to help the State combat the introduction and establishment of invasives statewide.”

Under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, the 2018-19 state budget included $13.3 million in the State’s Environmental Protection Fund targeted specifically for invasive species related initiatives, $3 million of which was made available for these grants. Municipalities, academic institutions, and not-for-profits may submit applications for funding for eligible projects in up to two of the following categories:

  • Aquatic invasive species spread prevention;
  • Terrestrial and aquatic invasive species rapid response and control;
  • Terrestrial and aquatic invasive species research; and
  • Lake Management Plans.

Grant awards range from a minimum of $11,000 to a maximum of $100,000, with a required 25 percent match. Project locations must be located wholly within New York State and priority will be given to projects that include opportunities for public participation, are on or close to public lands or waterbodies, and emphasize long-term success. For full details about the grant opportunity including eligible projects and scoring criteria, visit the Request for Applications on DEC’s website.

Applications are due by 3:00 p.m. on Feb. 15, 2019. All grant applicants must register in the NYS Grants Gateway System (link leaves DEC’s webpage) before applying. Not-for-profit applicants are required to prequalify in the Grants Gateway system, so DEC recommends that applicants start the process in advance of the grant application due date.

The New York State Invasive Species Council, comprising nine agencies, recently adopted a new Invasive Species Comprehensive Management Plan, with assistance from a 25-member Invasive Species Advisory Committee. The Invasive Species Grant Program will provide opportunities to implement various actions identified under the eight focal initiatives around which the Plan is framed.

Niagara Falls USA Winter Fishing Report

Posted on by Bill Hilts
  • Fishing Report for Jan. 24, 2019 from Destination Niagara USA
  • Steelhead, Lake Trout and Walleye…Winter Bite Fun

Ely Moskal from Albany, NY, made the trip west to fish the Niagara River for whopper winter fish like this.

 After the heavy rains yesterday, much of the Niagara River shoreline snow and ice was melted away. However, more cold weather is on the horizon and we saw about an inch of snow this morning to make the going a little slippery along the Niagara River shoreline rocks. Be careful out there.

Spinners in orange and chartreuse are still working to take a mix of trout that include steelhead and lake trout. Jigs will also produce some fish according to Mike Rzucidlo, of Niagara Falls, who caught lake trout on orange and steelhead on white in the Niagara Gorge area.

Matt Yonkin with a nice steelhead from the Niagara gorge.

From boats, add in brown trout and walleye to the mix, depending on where in the river you are fishing. Pink egg sacs, Kwikfish, MagLips and live minnows will all produce fish for you. If you run plugs, make sure the lures are working properly.

Fishing was very good yesterday in the rain for Ely Moskal and Matt Yonkin of Albany, New York. They caught all three trout species on Pautzke brined eggs and MagLips while fishing with Capt. Frank Campbell of Niagara Falls. It should continue into the weekend.

Ely Moskal with a beautiful brown trout from the Niagara River.

The Niagara River Anglers Association (NRAA) will be hosting the Roger Tobey Memorial Steelhead Contest on Saturday, Feb. 2 from sunrise to 2 p.m.  Sign up at the Lewiston Landing launch ramp the morning of the event or register at Creek Road Bait & Tackle or The Slippery Sinker in Olcott. You must be a NRAA member to participate. Eligible waters include the lower Niagara and Niagara County tributaries off Lake Ontario. www.niagarariveranglers.com.

In the upper Niagara River, we have to mention the huge lake trout caught by Denis Kreze of Fort Erie when he reeled in a 30-plus pound fish this week. We are trying to find out more details. What a trophy!

For the Lake Ontario tributaries, the heavy rains yesterday opened up some water in the creeks, but we’ve not had any reports on turbidity or fish cooperation. The precipitation event should have pulled some more fish into the streams. Egg sacs, jigs tipped with wax worms, egg imitations like Lick-em Lures should all work to catch you a trout or two. Streamers and woolly buggers can also be very effective. We’re not sure what the rain did with the ice in the harbors. With more cold weather on the way, you might want to wait until safety on the ice is assured again. Use a spud to check ice thickness.

Don’t forget the Birds on the Niagara Festival – a winter celebration is going on Friday and Saturday of this week with the opening ceremony at 5 p.m. at Tifft Nature Preserve in Buffalo.  Saturday, Jan. 26, there will be seminars, vendors and demonstrations at Niagara University from noon to 5 p.m. Check out www.buffaloaudubon.org for details.

Bill Hilts, Jr. – Outdoor Promotions Director

Inline image 2
Destination Niagara USA, 10 Rainbow Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY 14303

Niagara Falls USA Fishing Forecast for Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019 from Destination Niagara USA

Posted on by Bill Hilts
Aaron Horvatits of Buffalo shows off a brown trout just before the storm hit. He was using jigs fished under a float.

With a severe winter storm blanketing the region in snow and cold temperatures, there hasn’t been too much fishing action going on other than some diehard ice fishermen. Wind chills as low at minus 30 has kept most people home for the most part with hundreds of schools and businesses being closed throughout Western New York.

The Niagara River Anglers announced that the Roger Tobey Memorial Steelhead Contest set for Saturday, Feb. 2, is postponed. If you want to find out more information, give Paul Jackson a call at 731-4780.

With the combination of cold and wind, the Niagara River has quite a bit of ice flowing through its waters. The Lewiston launch ramp was filled with ice at last report and we won’t see any movement there until the weather starts to turn for the better. The end is in sight though. Saturday temperatures are vaulting into the 30’s and Sunday will see the 40’s. Monday it could hit 50 degrees with some rain. If that happens, it could open a few fishing opportunities, but it will depend on what the storm does with the waters of the Niagara River.

Danny Jankowiak of Buffalo found some open water just before the storm and caught steelhead using Janky jigs in black and white.

Steelhead, brown trout and lake trout are all available in the river system below Niagara Falls. If you fish from shore, jigs, egg sacs and spinners will catch fish. Take extreme caution walking the shoreline and use some type of ice grippers on your boots. From boats (if you can get out), top baits include MagLips and Kwikfish, egg sacs, minnows and imitation egg flies or beads. Bounce your offering along the bottom using three-way rigs from boat. From shore, using a float can be productive.

Ice fishing in Wilson Harbor was good for perch in Tuscarora Bay for hardwater anglers using minnows. Over 6 inches of ice was last reported.

In 18 Mile Creek, the last open water we heard about was below Burt Dam, but with the recent wind chills and actual temperatures, things are probably locked up at this point. Wait for that warm up before you give it a try.

If you are looking for something indoors, Bass Pro Hank Parker will be coming to the Oak Orchard Assembly of God Church in Medina on Friday night, Feb. 1, as the guest speaker for its 15th Annual Dinner and Seminar. For more information Call Merle Fredericks at 585-765-2839. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

Bill Hilts, Jr. – Outdoor Promotions Director

Inline image 2
Destination Niagara USA, 10 Rainbow Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY 14303

Niagara Falls USA Fishing Forecast – from Destination Niagara USA

Posted on by Bill Hilts
  • 6th Annual Greater Niagara Fishing Expo is running Jan. 18-20
  • Tough Weather…Great Time for an Outdoor Show, BUT WE STILL HAVE great fishing
  • REPORT FOR Jan. 17, 2019
Gary Laidman of Eden caught this 12 pound walleye in the lower Niagara River. He also caught some nice steelhead on pink egg sacs fishing with Capt. Chris Cinelli of Grand Island.

The 6th Annual Greater Niagara Fishing Expo is almost here, set for Jan. 18-20 at the Conference and Event Center Niagara Falls. The website is  www.niagarafishingexpo.com.  There is a winter storm advisory but it appears to be more of a southern track right now with 6-7 inches expected Saturday night. Don’t let that scare you off! The show will go on!! Here are a few small tidbits worthy of consideration in making your way to the Cataract City with over 200 seminars, 96 speakers and over 170 vendor booths:

  • Antique Fishing Tackle – Mark Schmitkons of Wilson will be showing off some of his antique fishing tackle. More importantly, he will be happy to appraise your own old/antique fishing equipment to see if it’s of any value. He will even store your old gear, so you don’t have to walk around the show with it.

Harry S. from Pittsburgh, Pa. caught this nice steelhead in Devil’s Hole on an egg sac Monday while fishing with Capt. Vince Pierleoni of Newfane, NY.

  • Capt. Lance Valentine of Walleye 101 is a Pro Staff representative for Lowrance Electronics and Sonar/GPS whiz. If you have a Lowrance unit on your boat that is Gen 2 or newer, his booth will be offering free updates and set up on Lowrance Sonar/GPS units.
  • DEC Bureau of Fisheries Chief Steve Hurst will be mingling with anglers at the show. He will be sitting in on Capt. Bob Songin’s Lake Ontario Niagara Bar salmon seminar at 5 p.m. and answer some questions then. He will also have his own Q and A on Saturday at noon, fielding questions from the audience. Lake Erie Unit biologists Dr. Jason Robinson and James Markham will be around on Friday to give talks on walleye movement and steelhead study updates.

    Connor Cinelli of Grand Island was fishing the lower Niagara River on Monday and caught this nice steelhead on a pink egg sac.
  • Make sure you check the website out at www.niagarafishingexpo.com and print out the $5 parking voucher. Pay just $5 for the day. Park in the city ramp. The Expo will go on no matter what the weather or conditions.
  • Four different Bass pros will be hanging out in the Rapid Fishing Solutions booth, at the Hawg Trough and in the seminar rooms. They are Billy McDonald, John Murray, Brad Knight and Mark Menendez. There are also many other local bass experts sharing their insights on fishing local waters.
  • Need a fishing license? Stop in at The Boat Doctors booth at the show and pick one up.

And on to the local fishing. They are still catching some nice trout and walleye in the lower Niagara River, but conditions have been brutal. Capt. Chris Cinelli of Grand Island took his son Connor out to catch some steelhead on pink egg sacs. The following day it was steelhead and walleye, including a 12 pounder reeled in by Gary Laidman of Eden. What a fish!

Ricardo Davila of Wheatfield reports that the bite was slower than expected from shore recently while casting the gorge area of the lower Niagara River.

Dan Ettipio of Tonawanda caught this hawg lake trout on a shiner while fishing with Capt. Chris Cinelli in the lower Niagara River.

Water had good visibility, but he couldn’t get the reaction strikes he wanted with spoons and spinners so he switched over to a gulp minnow on a jig head. With the move, he managed 3 steelies by bouncing the jig off the bottom very slowly.

Gary Laidman with a nice steelhead from the Lower Niagara River.

Learning how to read the water and fish your baits accordingly is part of Davila’s seminars this weekend at the Fishing Expo in Niagara Falls. Be sure to check them out at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday to learn how to fish from shore there.

With some snow, cold and wind scheduled for the weekend, it’s a perfect time to attend the fishing Expo! Don’t forget that the Niagara River Anglers has their steelhead contest Feb. 2. Mark your calendars! Call 731-8710 for more information. Sign up at Creek Road Bait and Tackle or The Slippery Sinker.

For the Lake Ontario tributaries, most creeks are frozen partially or fully according to Scott Feltrinelli of Ontario Fly Outfitters. Finding open spaces to place your bait or fly is going to be a challenge right now. Fish the faster water at the top of big pools where things don’t freeze as much. Feltrinelli managed to find some open water in some Lake Ontario tributaries, and he needed to fish it low-and-slow to take brown trout and steelhead due to the cold water temperatures. Check his seminar out at the Expo. Ice fishing in Wilson and Olcott harbors are a more likely scenario, but we’ve not had any reports.

Bill Hilts, Jr. – Outdoor Promotions Director

Inline image 2
Destination Niagara USA, 10 Rainbow Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY 14303

Brown Trout, Walleye, Steelhead Dominate the Niagara Region Winter Fishing Action

Posted on by Bill Hilts

Buffy Frank of Lockport with her 34-inch, 15-plus pound brown trout caught on a jig.

The Niagara Falls USA Fishing Forecast for Dec. 13, 2018 from Destination Niagara USA beckons to all anglers.

Richard Pisa of Tonawanda caught this 16-pound upper Niagara River lake trout on a jig.

Brown trout and steelhead are dominating the Niagara Region fishing report this week, with walleye not far behind. Buffy Frank of Lockport caught a monster brown trout yesterday while fishing a favorite Niagara County Lake Ontario tributary. Using a black marabou jig tipped with wax worms, she hauled in a 34-inch brownie that tipped the scales at better than 15 pounds. She didn’t get an actual weight because she wanted to get it back into the water and release it as quickly as possible. She did get a quick photo though. Nice fish!

Buffy Frank of Lockport with her 34-inch, 15-plus pound brown trout caught on a jig.

Tributaries seem to be offering moderate to medium flows. Egg sacs, single eggs, egg imitations and a variety of flies are all working to take fish. Surprisingly, there hasn’t been a lot of fishing pressure the past week. We could see a little bit of rain and temperatures into the 40’s over the weekend.

In the lower Niagara River, fishing was good from both boat and shore. Brown trout, steelhead and walleye have all been caught with consistency.

Nick Calandrelli of Lewiston used a jig to take this nice Devil’s Hole steelhead.  

Boaters are using three-way rigs to entice fish to hit with MagLips, Kwikfish, beads, egg sacs and minnows. A minnow is what worked for Matt Gerhart of Spring Mills, Pa. when he was fishing with Capt. Chris Cinelli of Grand Island. He reeled in an 11-pound walleye fishing the lower river.

Matt Gerhart of Spring Mills, Pa. caught this 11-pound walleye in the lower river on a minnow.

Some nice browns and steelies into the double-digits have also been caught by drifters. Shoreline casters in the gorge are using spinners, jigs and egg sacs to take trout and the occasional walleye, too. Even a few late salmon are hanging around.

Musky season ends on Saturday, Dec. 15.

Above Niagara Falls in the upper river, Rich Pisa of Kenmore grabbed his boat and hit some favorite spots with his dad, Richard of Tonawanda. Using jigs, they managed to catch 3 lake trout up to 16 pounds, 10 walleye and some silver bass. Water conditions were near-perfect.

Rich Pisa of Kenmore hit the lower river gorge around the Whirlpool to take some nice steelhead like this one, using a pink egg sac.

We’re only a month away from the Greater Niagara Fishing and Outdoor Expo, set for Jan. 18-20, 2019 at the Conference and Event Center in Niagara Falls. Check the website out at www.niagarafishingexpo.com and see what all the buzz is about.

Captions:

Nick Calandrelli of Lewiston used a jig to take this nice Devil’s Hole steelhead.

 

Bill Hilts, Jr. – Outdoor Promotions Director
 
Inline image 2
Destination Niagara USA
10 Rainbow Blvd.
Niagara Falls, NY 14303
p: 1-877 FALLS US | 716-282-8992 x. 303
 

Big New York Bucks TAKEN OVER BAIT

Posted on by Dave Barus
  • Hunting over Bait Piles is illegal in New York
  • Shooting a firearm while Hunting within 500 feet of a house is illegal in New York
  • Carrying the Tags of Another Person not signed over to you is illegal in New York

There are quite a few rules to hunt inn New York State, but they are designed to keep people safe and to keep the wildlife herd of deer well-managed. Most of the rules are common sense.

ECO Tabor (L) and ECO Gates (R) with bucks taken illegally with bait.

On Nov. 30 in Herkimer and Oneida Counties, several complainants were called in to New York State Environmental Conservation Officer Ben Tabor about a buck suspected of being taken over bait in the town of Ohio. The deer had been entered in a local big buck contest.

ECO Tabor determined where the deer had been shot after finding a large bait pile with the gut pile next to it. The ECO interviewed the suspect, who admitted to taking the buck illegally. The deer was seized as evidence and summons were issued for hunting over a pre-established bait pile and the illegal taking of a deer.

On Dec. 2, ECO John Gates received a call from an informant stating that a large buck had been killed by a suspect that had posted pictures on Facebook of him feeding deer close to his camp. As the officer pulled onto the property, he noticed piles of alfalfa and corn. The hunter claimed he had shot the deer halfway back into his 100-acre parcel. Officer Gates followed sled tracks to a gut pile within 30 yards of the bait. The man admitted to shooting the deer and was charged with illegal taking of deer, hunting over bait and carrying the tags of another person. The deer was seized as evidence and the charges are returnable to Forestport Town Court.

It just doesn’t pay to cheat.

Fishing 411 TV Show – Mark and Jake Romanack on the Lower Niagara River

Posted on by Bill Hilts

Niagara Falls USA Fishing – from Destination Niagara USA…the FISHING REPORT for Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018

Mark Romanack with Fishing 411 TV Show hit the lower river this week and put a show together on brown trout with his son Jake and Capt. Frank Campbell.

After some muddy water slowed things up earlier in the week, anglers are catching fish again in the lower Niagara River. You never know what you are up against after a storm in Western New York. Winds, rain and snow can have an effect on water conditions, especially in the Niagara River. There is a difference, though, and fishermen and fisherwomen need to be cognizant of that difference between stained and dirty conditions.

Capt. Frank Campbell of Niagara Falls caught this brown trout on a MagLip plug fishing with the Fishing 411 TV Show that airs on the World Fishing Network.
Connor Cinelli of Grand Island caught this 8 pound lower Niagara River walleye using a Swedish pimple tipped with a minnow.

Mark and Jake Romanack of the Fishing 411 TV Show that appears on the World Fishing Network, visited town on Monday to put a show together on the lower Niagara River. The water was stained, but definitely fishable. Capt. Frank Campbell of Niagara Falls met up with them and they fished the afternoon using 3.0 MagLips in Double Trouble and Green Machine colors.

In 2 hours of actual fishing time they boated 9 browns on 9 hits, enough for a show. The next day the water was dirty. After 4 hours, not a single hit, but the crew was able to take some drone footage and film some tech tips before the headed back to Michigan.

As of today, the shore guys were already catching fish again according to Lisa Drabczyk of Creek Road Bait and Tackle in Lewiston. Along Artpark, pink and chartreuse spinners are working for steelies, orange for the browns. Chartreuse egg sacs and beads are also producing for the shore guys, as well as the boat drifters. Shore casters are out-fishing the boat guys right now, but that will change a bit as the waters start to clear a bit more.

John Keeler and his son, Shawn, were fishing the lower Niagara River last weekend and they caught nice steelhead like these fishing with Capt. Jim Rores of Grand Island.
Shawn Keeler with a nice lower Niagara River steelie last weekend.

In the Niagara Musky Association John Henning Memorial Musky Contest last Sunday, Andrew Lacko of Kenmore took top honors with a 41-inch fish caught on a Bondy bait. It was the only fish caught for the event held in the lower Niagara River. Musky season continues in the lower river and Lake Ontario until Dec. 15. Lake trout season is now open on the Canadian side of the lower river, but closed until Jan. 1 on the New York side of the river.

For the Lake Ontario tributaries, weather conditions have not been the best with a mix of rain, snow, wind, warm and cold temperatures. Still, trout are being caught. Not too many anglers have been hitting the streams according to Karen Evarts at The Boat Doctors in Olcott, but for those that are making the effort to wet a line, they have been rewarded with some nice brown trout, a few steelhead and even some late salmon. Spikes and wax worms are the baits being talked about most, usually tipped on a small jig and fished under a float. Fishing your bait slow with the slightly cooler conditions could help increase your chances for a hook-up.

Scott Feltrinelli with Ontario Fly Outfitters reeled in some nice brown trout this week from a favorite Lake Ontario tributary.

Scott Feltrinelli of Ontario Fly Outfitters caught some impressive fish yesterday in a favorite Lake Ontario stream. You might have to do a little searching. When you find them, the rewards are great.

Christmas Yule:

  • The Lake Ontario Trout and Salmon Association has its Christmas meeting on Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. at Cornell Cooperative Extension Niagara, 4487 Lake Avenue, Lockport. It’s a joint meeting with the county’s Fisheries Development Board.
  • The Niagara River Anglers will hold their Christmas meeting on Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. at the Sanborn Historical Society. Call Paul Jackson at 731-4780 for details.
  • The Niagara County Federation of Conservation Clubs will hold its Christmas meeting on Dec. 12 at the Hartland Conservationists Club, Orangeport Road, Gasport. Doors open at 5 p.m. Bring a dish to pass.

Christmas Week Fishing is Spectacular in Niagara Country!

Posted on by Bill Hilts
Ray Richards hit Burt Dam and his this brown trout this week on a jig, not tipped with anything.

Many of the tributaries off Lake Ontario have been low and clear with the lack of precipitation. That said, there will be a significant rain event tonight that could bring up to an inch of rain. Today the high is 50 degrees but it will get cooler by the weekend. Ray Richards of Amherst has been hitting the tributaries several times a week, picking up browns and a few steelhead. When the water is stained, he will use a jig, normally tipped with a wax worm or a salted minnow. However, this week when he went out, he thought he forgot the waxies and still produced a big brown on his marabou jig. The rain should pull some fresh fish into the system and don’t forget about some of the smaller streams like 12 Mile in Wilson, Keg east of Olcott and 4 Mile in Porter.

Jeff Rioux caught this lower Niagara River steelie fishing with Capt. Vince Pierleoni of Thrillseeker.

For the lower Niagara River, the action has been good for most. Capt. Frank Campbell of Niagara Falls did well last weekend using swim baits to take bass and walleye, minnows and egg sacs to take steelhead and salmon.

Eddie Verost of Grand Island caught this walleye to celebrate his 16th birthday with his buddy Parker Cinelli, who was also celebrating his 16th birthday, too.
Capt. Chris Cinelli of Grand Island caught this big northern pike fishing for walleye with a shiner.

Two Grand Island 16-year olds – Eddie Verost and Parker Cinelli – celebrated their birthday fishing with Capt. Chris Cinelli of Grand Island (Parker’s dad) and hit the lower river last weekend. They did well on walleye and steelhead. MagLips worked for the steelhead, shiners worked for the walleye. Chris managed to catch a 36-inch pike on a shiner, too. Lisa Drabczyk with Creek Road Bait and Tackle reports egg sacs and beads are also working to entice fish to hit off three-way rigs. For the Jan. 1 lake trout opener, try around the green buoy marker at the mouth.  They’ve been stacked up out there according to guys fishing for bass, walleye and browns.

If you are looking for a last minute gift item, consider a lifetime license (if you are a state resident). If you need a present for dad or grandpa and they are 70 or older, you can pick up a lifetime license for just $65 – hunting and fishing together! Also, a guided fishing trip from area charter captains is a great way to get the family out for some fun in the sun – river fishing or lake fishing! Check out https://www.niagarafallsusa.com/things-to-do/outdoor-adventure/fishing/charters/ … and don’t rule out a gift certificate from your local tackle shop, too.

Here’s wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!

Bill Hilts, Jr. – Outdoor Promotions Director 

Inline image 2
Destination Niagara USA
10 Rainbow Blvd.
Niagara Falls, NY 14303
p: 1-877 FALLS US | 716-282-8992 x. 303
 

Niagara Falls USA Fishing Forecast – Jan. 2, 2019…from Destination Niagara USA

Posted on by Bill Hilts
  • New Year, New Fishing Rules…Check Them Out
  • Fishing is GOOD, really good for January
Ethan Bronschidle of Newfane, NY, with a nice steelhead from a Lake Ontario stream the final day of the year.

Happy New Year’s! Now that the ball has dropped on 2019, area fishermen should be aware of some changes in regulations. Lake trout season is now open below Niagara Falls in the Niagara River and on the Niagara Bar in Lake Ontario.  Also, walleye fishermen must note that the daily limit drops from 3 to 1 fish per person from Jan. 1 to March 15 in the lower river.

If you fish the Canadian side of the river, in either the upper or lower stretches, the new license year also started up Jan. 1.  Be aware of these changes if you take advantage of the mild winter conditions we are now experiencing.

Gianni Etopio of Youngstown, NY, with his biggest brown trout of the season, a 28 inch fish caught in a favorite Lake Ontario tributary.

As far as Niagara River fishing conditions, it was a little spotty before the last wind and rain storm New Year’s eve.  Fortunately, water conditions weren’t destroyed.  Action should be good going into the weekend with mild conditions in the forecast.  Lisa Drabczyk at Creek Road Bait & Tackle in Lewiston says there are steelhead, brown trout and walleye all being caught.

Ken Jackson of Sanborn caught this huge steelhead while fishing a favorite Lake Ontario stream on the first day of 2019.

Anglers seem to be using more pinks and oranges when using egg sacs, beads and spinners.  Kwikfish and MagLips are also hot lures off three-way set-ups at times.  Minnows are working to take fish, too.

In the Upper Niagara River, lake trout and walleye are being caught around the Thompson’s Hole area on jigs.

Gianni Etopio of Youngstown with his biggest steelhead of the season, stretching the tape at 29-1/2 inches long. He was using a mix of egg sacs, jigs and beads to catch trout off Lake Ontario.

In the Lake Ontario tributaries, Gianni Etopio of Youngstown caught a dozen trout to start off the New Year using jigs, egg sacs and beads in 18 Mile Creek. His biggest brown was 28 inches and his biggest steelhead was 29-1/2 inches. Karen Evarts at The Boat Doctors in Olcott reports that wax worms are also producing a few trout – on a single hook or on a jig and fished under a float.

The Greater Niagara Fishing and Outdoor Expo is Jan. 18-20 at the Conference center in Niagara Falls. Check out www.niagarafishingexpo.com for details.

Mark your calendar for the new “Birds on the Niagara” Festival set for Jan. 25 and 26. More to come on that one before the event.

Bill Hilts, Jr. – Outdoor Promotions Director 

Inline image 2
Destination Niagara USA
10 Rainbow Blvd.
Niagara Falls, NY 14303
p: 1-877 FALLS US | 716-282-8992 x. 303
 

Great Fishing All Winter, Greater Niagara Fishing & Outdoor Expo is Just Ahead

Posted on by Bill Hilts
  • Niagara Falls USA Fishing Report for Jan. 10, 2019 – from Destination Niagara USA
Scott Feltrinelli of Ontario Fly Outfitters with a Lake Ontario brown trout he caught last Tuesday (Jan. 8, 2019).

It’s hard to believe that the 6th Annual Greater Niagara Fishing and Outdoor Expo is here already Jan. 18-20 at the Conference and Event center Niagara Falls. And it’s also hard to believe that it keeps getting bigger and better with even more education to teach Western New York anglers. If you are someone who enjoys fishing but would like to learn more about this popular outdoor pastime, this is the show for you. If you want to get started with fishing, look no further. Want tips on bass fishing? Four professional bass fishermen will be sharing their insight. Want to learn how to walleye fish? There are more than 20 seminars on different aspects of going after old marble eye. Some of the top experts in the country will be sharing their knowledge on fly fishing, salmon and trout fishing, tributary fishing, electronics, boat rigging, kayak fishing and more. All told there will be more than 200 seminars on fishing in quiet seminar rooms over the three days, plus over 170 booths of top quality fishing equipment and expertise. It can all be found at www.niagarafishingexpo.com. It’s $10 a day or $20 for the weekend. See you there!

Rich Pisa of Kenmore hit the Niagara River gorge for some steelies last week.

Winter has arrived back on the local scene and conditions are bit difficult with snow and cold temperatures. Thanks to some excessive wind, the Niagara River is turning off-color and may be tough to fish the next few days.

Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls caught this steelhead in the Niagara Gorge on Tuesday.

In the lower Niagara River, fishing from both boat and shore had been good for steelhead and brown trout, with the occasional lake trout and walleye.

Silver Kwikfish worked well on Tuesday, patterned with chartreuse or green, for drifters, along with egg sacs and minnows.

Shore anglers are using jigs or spinners. Hot colors have been pink, chartreuse and green. Lake trout were available on the Niagara Bar area in better numbers, when the wave action will allow you to access the lake. If this continues, the Fishing Expo could be the perfect escape to fine tune your programs in the waters of WNY. The seminar speakers have them all covered as far as species, tactics and locations.

Joshua Marshall (left) caught this walleye at the foot of Ferry Street this week in the upper Niagara River.

In the upper Niagara river, the foot of Ferry Street has been good for fishermen. Many have been doing well on walleye with the occasional lake trout and steelhead according to Joshua Marshall of Alden, involved with the WNY Walleye Fishing Facebook page. Baits have been mainly live minnows and crankbaits. Bite is up and down, but producing fish.  Jigs tipped with plastics will work, too.

Buffalo Joe Pavalonis took the early lead this week in the Rudd Division of the Capt. Bob’s Outdoors winter fishing contest by measuring in an 18-inch upper river fish at the Clarence store. He was using a crappie tube jig.

For Lake Ontario, tributary action has been fair to good for steelhead and brown trout according to Scott Feltrinelli with Ontario Fly Outfitters. Before the storm, he did well on Lake Ontario tributaries, but the water was clear. His bait options included olive and brown-colored streamers, not whites or brights. He was 12 for 12 on catching fish Tuesday, as he bounced to Lake Ontario streams, releasing all of his fish. Action should improve when we start seeing some snow melt and warmer temps.

Don’t forget the new “Birds on the Niagara” Festival set for Jan. 25 and 26. Check out www.buffaloaudubon.org for further details.

Chris Walczak of Amherst with a nice steelhead caught in a favorite Lake Ontario tributary.The Niagara River Anglers has their Roger Tobey Memorial Steelhead Contest on Feb. 2 in the lower Niagara River and Lake Ontario tributaries. Check out the NRAA Facebook page.

Bill Hilts, Jr. – Outdoor Promotions Director

Inline image 2
Destination Niagara USA
10 Rainbow Blvd.
Niagara Falls, NY 14303
p: 1-877 FALLS US | 716-282-8992 x. 303
 

NOVEMBER MUSKY MADNESS! Niagara Falls USA

Posted on by Bill Hilts

Niagara River Mucky Madness! Happening Now.

Musky, Brown Trout, Coho, Walleye, Bass…Fish-Catching Madness: Niagara Falls USA – Full Report, Nov. 21, 2018

Double on Musky! Brad and Virgil Mosiman were fishing with Capt. Ted Kessler of Grand Island on the upper Niagara River this week.

The place to be this week is the Niagara River both above and below Niagara Falls. The musky are on their usual hot fall bite.

In the Upper Niagara River, Capt. Ted Kessler was reporting some good musky action recently, including a double-header for two brothers – Virgil Mosiman of Kenai, , and his brother Brad from Warsaw, NY, with 47-inch and 38-inch ‘skies while fishing with Capt. Ted Kessler of Grand Island in the Upper Niagara River. The musky season closes on Nov. 30 in the upper river and Lake Erie, as well as the rest of the state, except for the Lower Niagara River and Lake Ontario.

Gary Hall of Niagara Falls with a nice lower Niagara River musky. The season is open until Dec. 15 in the lower river.

Gary Hall of Niagara Falls had a good day fishing with Capt. Frank Campbell on Monday and he was rewarded with a big musky on a MagLip lure in silver and chartreuse. The musky season is open until Dec. 15 in the Lower Niagara River and Lake Ontario. The Niagara Musky Association will be hosting the John Henning Memorial Musky Tournament on Dec. 2. Call Scott McKee at 225-3816. You must be a member to participate.

Ethan Bronschidle of Newfane caught this nice steelhead at Burt Dam.

Also at the top of the list the past week in the lower river has been the steelhead and brown trout. As of Monday, river conditions were near perfect according to Capt. Chris Cinelli of Grand Island. Pink egg sacs were the ticket for steelhead in Devil’s Hole and along Artpark. Head down river for brown trout. Egg sacs were working on them as well.

Lake trout continue to be caught too, as part of incidental catch. Lake trout season is closed until the end of the year.

Dick Hill of Maryland caught this lower Niagara River steelhead this week.

One popular fishing spot will be closing for the winter on Nov. 30 at dusk – the NYPA fishing platform in the gorge, including the parking area and stairs. They’ll be shutting down for the season due to the winter conditions. This also includes the Upper Mountain Road access point for the reservoir.

Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls is still picking up a few fresh salmon and some walleyes at the NYPA fishing platform on spinners and jigs. Swimbaits work, too.

Action in the streams off Lake Ontario has slowed for browns and steelhead, as well as the occasional late king salmon. We’ve heard a few Coho’s being caught, too. Water has been slightly stained and conditions aren’t too bad, but fish have been finicky.

It’s a good bet that many people are hunting. There hasn’t been a lot of fishing pressure.

Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

Bill Hilts, Jr., Outdoor Promotions Director

Destination Niagara USA, 10 Rainbow Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY 14303
p: 1-877 FALLS US | 716-282-8992 x. 303, f: 716-285-0809
www.niagarafallsusa.com

facebook | twitter | Instagram

Loaded Gun on ATV Leads to Illegal Deer Harvest in New York

Posted on by Dave Barus

Joe Forma Photo

On Nov. 17, Environmental Conservation Officer Shea Mathis spotted two hunters walking along the railroad tracks in the town of Wheatfield, Niagara County, NY.

The two claimed they had a lousy morning hunting and had not taken any deer.

ECO Mathis checked their licenses and found their deer tags attached. A third member of the hunting party pulled up on an ATV with a loaded muzzle-loader over his shoulder. While issuing a ticket for possessing a loaded firearm on a motor vehicle, ECO Mathis was contacted by ECO George Scheer, who had received information that a male had shot two bucks with a muzzle loader that morning in the same area.

While ECO Mathis was issuing the ticket, one of the hunters left on the ATV and headed to a residence. ECO Scheer traveled to the location and found the subject. After a brief interview, ECO Scheer located a nine-point and 10-point buck, both untagged, in the back of a pickup truck. One of the hunters admitted to shooting both bucks that morning, just minutes apart.

Tickets were issued for possessing a loaded firearm on a motor vehicle, taking big game over the limit and failure to tag deer as required. The second buck was seized as evidence and donated.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) enforce the 71 Chapters of NY Environmental Conservation Law (ECL), protecting fish and wildlife and preserving environmental quality across New York. In 2017, the 301 ECOs across the state responded to 26,400 calls and issued 22,150 tickets for crimes ranging from deer poaching to corporate toxic dumping and illegal mining, the black market pet trade, and excessive emissions violations.
If you witness an environmental crime or believe a violation of environmental law occurred, please call the DEC Division of Law Enforcement hotline at 1-844-DEC-ECOS (1-844-332-3267).

“From Montauk Point to Mount Marcy, from Brooklyn to Buffalo, the ECOs patrolling our state are the first line of defense in protecting New York’s environment and our natural resources, ensuring that they exist for future generations of New Yorkers,” said Commissioner Basil Seggos. “They work long and arduous hours, both deep in our remote wildernesses and in the tight confines of our urban landscapes. Although they don’t receive much public fanfare, the work of our ECOs is critical to achieving DEC’s mission to protect and enhance our environment.”

Orleans County, NY – STREAM fishing report – November 27, 2018

Posted on by Lynne Menz
Griffin Howey’s Brown Trout caught from Oak Orchard Creek.

Thanks to rain yesterday/last night AND a return to above-freezing temps, AND a little bit of snow melt, AND no more thirsty vegetation, AND groundwater now reasonably recharged after the droughty summer/early fall – all the tributary flows are on the rise and off color.
Flows in the Oak are slightly high consisting of turbine water with about 2 plus feet of visibility.

Water color may get dirtier over the next day or two, but should stay short of getting muddy. Flows are pretty similar to the earlier fall flows we had during Erie Canal supplemental water feed. The other area smaller tributaries have slightly high and dirty flows with one foot or less of visibility. Any earlier icing conditions should be clear now with a forecast through at least this week and weekend showing no real good prospect of those icy conditions returning in the short term.

Griffin Howey’s with a nice November steelhead from Oak Orchard Creek.

Smaller tributaries should be cresting about today and then slowly clearing and on the retreat. Flows in the Oak are likely to stay up as they are now through the week, give or take, depending upon hydropower operations at Waterport Dam or any more precipitation.
It’s a real nice, later fall-style fishery, good flow window to redistribute browns and draw in late fish, and/or some more steelhead. Some of the zombie salmon should be flushed out too.

No major lake effect snow (LES) forecast here, some wet snow with little to no accumulation is expected today, changing over to better chance at a few inches of accumulations Tuesday and Wednesday. Heavier accumulations are expected south of here.
Fishing pressure has measurably decreased for the beginning part of this week thanks to the calendar and likely PA and OH big game season openers.

Anglers should look for a mix of spawning and post spawn browns and some steelhead.

Provided by Ron Bierstine, Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge.
Visit our Fishing Report on OrleansCountyTourism.com, including weather forecasts and our “At the Oak, Orleans County” Facebook feed.
From Point Breeze on Lake Ontario, the World Fishing Network’s Ultimate Fishing Town USA and the rest of Orleans County, let’s make everyday a great fishing day right here in Orleans County!
Sincerely, The Team at Orleans County Tourism

Niagara Falls USA Fishing Forecast for Nov. 30, 2018

Posted on by Bill Hilts

 

Nancy Colavecchia and Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls show off a double header in the lower Niagara River.

It’s November 30 and there are quite a few noteworthy occurrences that take place.

For example, muskellunge season closes today with one exception – the lower Niagara River and Lake Ontario. The upper Niagara River produced a few nice late-season fish, like the 50-inch trophy reeled in by Rebecca Gaulteri of Hamilton, Ontario. She was fishing with Capt. Chris Cinelli of Grand Island over the weekend and managed to catch the fish of a lifetime. Joining her was her husband, Francesco and her dad Chris Mills (who also caught a 45-inch fish the same morning).

John Anthone of Sanborn shows off a 49 inch upper Niagara River musky he caught Nov. 29 while fishing with Capt. Chris Cinelli of Grand Island.

John Anthone of Sanborn hit a 30-plus pound 49 inch musky on Nov. 29, also fishing with Capt. Chris Cinelli.

Below Niagara Falls, water was stained, but still fishable after the most recent storm. The lower river had been hot the past week as waters cleared and trout fishing took off. Lisa Drabczyk at Creek Road Bait and Tackle in Lewiston reported that beads, egg sacs and Kwikfish/MagLips lures (all fished off three-way rigs from boats) has been good to very good for a mixed bag of trout.

Just ask 87-year-old George Gregory of Lewiston who was fishing with his son Kurt and Capt. Joe Marra of Lewiston. They caught double-digit trout over the long weekend using primarily egg sacs, catching steelhead up to 13 pounds and some nice browns. What had them talking though, was a lake trout that both father and son caught at the same time. Remember that lake trout season is closed on the NY side until Dec. 31. However, on the Canadian side of the river, the lake trout season opens on Dec. 1.

Shore fishermen are still doing well with the good conditions, especially off the NYPA fishing platform. However the platform closes at dusk on Nov. 30.  Nancy Colavecchia of Niagara Falls caught her first-ever steelhead with a green egg sac while fishing off the platform.  She was fishing with Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls who caught nearly double-digit steelies on egg sacs and 4 walleyes on jigs. Drabczyk also reported that spinners and beads are also working in chartreuse, orange and pink colorations.

Nancy Colavecchia of Niagara Falls caught her first steelhead off the NYPA fishing platform this week.

The Niagara Musky Association will be hosting the John Henning Memorial Lower River Musky Tournament, a catch-and-release event, that will be held Dec. 2 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. You must be a member of NMA. Contact Scott McKee at 225-3816.

Fishing has been a bit slow in some of the Lake Ontario tributaries for steelhead and browns. Karen Evarts at The Boat Doctor in Olcott says that there are fish (mostly browns) around, but not much pressure from anglers. Hot baits in the tributaries have been spikes, egg sacs and beads. Gianni Etopio of Youngstown has been using his own hand-tied marabou jigs to take a mix of salmon, steelhead and browns.

Dec. 1 starts up the catch and release season for bass fishing. The only exception is for Lake Erie were anglers can keep one fish if they so desire, but the minimum size is 20 inches in length. Consult the DEC regulations at www.dec.ny.gov.

Bill Hilts, Jr. – Outdoor Promotions Director

Inline image 2
Destination Niagara USA; 10 Rainbow Blvd.
Niagara Falls, NY 14303
p: 1-877 FALLS US | 716-282-8992 x. 303;f: 716-285-0809
 

 

Niagara Falls USA Fishing Forecast for Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018

Posted on by Bill Hilts
Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls has been hitting his salmon using a No. 4 spinner.
Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls with a walleye off the NYPA fishing platform in the lower Niagara River.

After a week of muddy water in the Niagara River, the fishing is slowly starting to improve to the delight of boaters and shore anglers. Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls saw a slight green tint show up in the lower river on Tuesday and he grabbed his gear to head down to the New York Power Authority (NYPA) fishing platform in the gorge. Using a pearl zoom swimtail, he took a couple of walleyes. He switched to a No. 4 spinner and caught a couple of late-run king salmon. When he switched to a jig he managed to catch a small rainbow trout. The fishing platform is normally shut down for the winter on Dec. 1, unless we see some ice. If we do, the platform will be shut down early. Keep that in mind. A couple of boats hit the lower river yesterday under marginal conditions and the fish were hungry. Gold 3.0 MagLips worked off three-way rigs, as did beads and egg sacs. They caught a mixed bag of fish that included steelhead, brown trout and lake trout.

Ethan Bronschidle of Newfane had this brown trout hammer his black jig just before dark.

Remember that lake trout season is closed so be sure to release those fish quickly and unharmed. Bass are still available in the lower river, too. If you want to try and target smallmouth, head down river from Lewiston and bounce swim baits off the bottom.

Justin Lee of Niagara Falls hit the Lake Ontario tribs and caught this dandy brown recently.

With the start of the Southern Zone regular big game season on Saturday, Nov. 17, look for fishing pressure in the Lake Ontario tributaries to lessen considerable. Burt Dam and 18 Mile Creek, as well as 12 Mile Creek in Wilson have both been good for trout fishing the past week according to Karen Evarts at The Boat Doctors.  There have been quite a few brown trout hanging around, some late-run salmon and a few steelhead. Eggs, jigs tipped with wax worms and spikes, crystal meth and sucker spawn, beads and more beads are all catching fish. Colors seem to be changing every day. White woolly buggers, pink and orange eggs, egg sacs with a white bead – plenty of options to use and many (if not all) seem to be working.

We will try and update this by next Wednesday but if we don’t have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

Bill Hilts, Jr. – Director, Outdoor Promotions

Niagara Tourism & Convention Corporation, 10 Rainbow Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY USA 14303
p: 716.282.8992 x.303| 1.877 FALLS US, f:716.285.0809
website | facebook | twitter | blog

Sportfishing has a $30 million annual economic impact in Niagara USA!

Orleans County, NY – STREAM fishing report – November 13, 2018

Posted on by Lynne Menz

By Ron Bierstine, Oak Orchard Tackle and Lodge

Some cool, fall weather is hanging in with slightly colder temps forecast through the mid-week and a chance for snow or rain showers. No significant lake effect snow is expected here on the immediate WNY big Lake Ontario Plain. The greatest impact is forecast for south of the area. Flows in the Oak are still real good by typical fall standards – slightly high and slightly stained. These higher than average fall flows are no doubt, in large part, responsible for drawing in the good mixed bag action that has been going on in the Oak. Kings are fading some now with the occasional greener fish, but it’s mostly older and zombie fish. Browns are spread out and well upstream with what’s been plenty of quality fish hooked up. Good to see plenty of those fish released. It’s been mostly males, but just lately some more females. There should be plenty of good action ahead if there are reasonable flows and weather.

Steelhead are a little less common now then earlier. It could be less over all fish numbers (a good case for an earlier season catch and release) or they could be in tight at the dam. Monday’s reports were generally good for most guys having good or better action on the Oak and other area smaller tributaries.

Smaller tributaries are now back on the drop and clearing to about moderate flows and mostly clear water color. Although fishing pressure is still up there, it is lessening and more manageable now with the chance to fish some different spots through the day as guys move out or around. All that water can, for the most part, handle the fishing pressure on the Oak. Look for continued lowering flows in the smaller waterways and the chance for sluggish fish with any more drop in water temps that could occur with some cold nights. The consistent Oak action should continue as long as there are no major or prolonged change in water flows.

Visit our Fishing Report on OrleansCountyTourism.com, including weather forecasts and our “At the Oak, Orleans County” Facebook feed.

Oak Orchard River – Lake Ontario, FISHING REPORT (Orleans County, NY)

Posted on by Lynne Menz

Rochester Amerk Nathan Paetsch and his Brown caught at the Oak (Courtesy M. Walsh)

This week’s STREAM fishing report is from Ron Bierstine from Oak Orchard Tackle and Lodge, November 6, 2018.

Rochester Amerk’s hockey player,  Nathan Paetsch, with a nice Brown he caught on Oak Orchard River (Courtesy M. Walsh).

We had a bit more rain last night and this morning that should maintain flows. Forecast is for any serious precipitation to have moved out of the area this morning and then followed by a wind advisory through tomorrow. Next chance at precipitation and colder temps is this weekend. Flows in the Oak are slightly high with slightly stained water color of about 2 ft of visibility. Flows consist of turbine water and fluctuating overflow levels thanks to hydro-power operations. During this leaf fall period, and especially with wind and rain, look for at least daily water level fluctuations.

Some anglers remark that when flows temporarily go down, the numbers of fish revealed in the Oak is a little humbling! There are a lot of browns and some steelhead, and of course still Kings. Plenty of greener Kings are still around, look for still some non-zombie Kings through November.

Smaller tributaries, especially, will have Kings later in the fall since that salmon run really didn’t crank up for upstream gravel action until just last week. Fishing pressure is definitely intense at times, seems less now through this mid-week period. Most all anglers report good action for mixed bag chances on browns and steelhead and Atlantics and Kings and Coho’s.

Rochester Amerk’s Adam Wilcox & Nathan Paetsch at the Oak (Courtesy M. Walsh)

The Oak’s higher stained flows can at least help tolerate a bit more fishing pressure. Other area smaller tributaries perhaps stalled some now from dropping back down (thanks to that precipitation last night and today) for this mid-week period. Look for medium, slightly-high and stained flows in the tributaries to the west and quicker retreating medium flows in the tributaries to the east. Green Kings, browns and steelhead are now spreading out upstream in those smaller waterways.

Provided by Ron Bierstine, Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge

 

Visit our Fishing Report on OrleansCountyTourism.com, including weather forecasts and our “At the Oak, Orleans County” Facebook feed.
From Point Breeze on Lake Ontario, the World Fishing Network’s Ultimate Fishing Town USA and the rest of Orleans County, let’s make everyday a great fishing day right here in Orleans County!
Sincerely, The Team at Orleans County Tourism
Stay Connected
Facebook   Twitter   LinkedIn   Pinterest

 

Niagara River / Lake Ontario Trib’s – Fishing is GOOD! Fishing Report for Niagara County, NY

Posted on by Bill Hilts

Paul Carlone of Hamburg caught this lower river lake trout while he was fishing for steelhead.

  • Free Fishing Day in New York State: Nov. 11, 2018
  • Upper Niagara River Musky Fishing is Hot
  • Burt Dam has a Fresh Run of King Salmo
  • Niagara Falls USA Fishing Forecast for Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018
Danny Jankowiak of Buffalo took this steelhead in the lower Niagara River on a jig.

Make sure you mark Nov. 11 on your calendar. That’s now a “free fishing day” in New York State. No license is required and it’s a great opportunity to reach out and take a vet fishing. Remember you do have to abide by the NYS fishing regulations wherever you are going to wet a line.

Winds are continuing on the local front today which created a mess of the water conditions in the lower Niagara River. If the shore casters can locate a little clean water along the shoreline, you might have a chance at catching a trout. For sure, the land-bound fishermen will be fishing before the boaters in the lower Niagara River. 

Michael Cardmone with his brown trout caught from the NY Power Authority Fishing Pier.

Just prior to the winds, action in the lower river was good for trout. Steelhead were hitting MagLips and beads for boaters and shoreline anglers were tossing spoons, spinners, jigs, eggs or egg imitations to take fish. Along Artpark, steelhead are available, but the lake trout have been very aggressive. Remember that lake trout season is closed and fish should be released quickly and unharmed. Downriver, bass are still hitting swimbaits on a consistent basis.

Paul Carlone of Hamburg, New York, caught this lower Niagara River lake trout while he was fishing for steelhead.

In the upper Niagara River, the muskellunge fishing action the past week improved for Capt. Chris Cinelli of Grand Island as he saw fish up to 51 inches come to his boat the last several days. The big one was caught by Ray Dietz of Youngstown. He also caught a 48-inch fish the same day.

In the Tim Wittek Memorial Catch and Release Musky Tournament run by the Niagara Musky Association last Sunday, first place when to Anthony Scime of Tonawanda with a 46-inch fish that was caught on a Red October Baits tube. Second place went to John Miller of Lackawanna with a 42-inch fish, also caught on a Red October Baits tube. Third place went to Hans Mann of Alden with a 35.5-inch musky and caught on a Red October Baits tube for a sweep of the winners. A total of 19 anglers competed in the “iron man” contest. Musky fishing will stop for now until the water can clear.

In Lake Ontario, water was high and stained in many of the streams but that didn’t stop people from trying to catch both salmon and trout according to Karen Evarts at The Boat Doctor’s in Olcott. There were plenty of fish around.

Gianni Etopio of Youngstown, New York, caught this salmon in a favorite Niagara County stream.

A fresh batch of silver kings came into Olcott and headed up to Burt Dam. Many of the smaller streams to the east and to the west are also holding fish because of the recent rains. We heard 12 Mile Creek had some fresh salmon in it. Egg sacs, beads, jigs tipped with wax worms or spikes were all catching salmon and trout. Bait or lure colors keep changing from day to day because of the unpredictable water conditions. Green and orange egg pattern flies have been taking some fish, too.

Pier action has been spotty. If you see any illegal fishing activity going on, please call the toll-free hotline at (844) DEC-ECOS and report it with as much information as possible. You can remain anonymous.

The regular big game season (whitetail deer and black bear) opens in the New York State Southern Zone next Saturday, Nov. 17.  It might not be a bad idea to wear an orange hat when you go fishing. Pressure on the streams will probably be less due to the opener.

Good luck out there and stay safe.

Bill Hilts, Jr. – Outdoor Promotions Director

Inline image 2
Destination Niagara USA, 10 Rainbow Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY 14303

NY Hunters Voluntarily Choosing to Pass Up Young Bucks Pays Dividends

Posted on by NYS Dept. of Env. Conservation

A hunters first deer provides an unforgettable smile into the heritage of our ancesters. Forest Fisher Photo

In the southeastern Hudson Valley (Wildlife Management Units 3F, 3G, 3N, and 4Z) of New York, the proportion of older bucks in the deer harvest has never been higher. In 2017, three out of every four antlered bucks were 2.5 years old or older, and this remarkable accomplishment happened with hunters freely able to choose what type of buck they want to harvest.

graph

For decades, hunters in this area were accustomed to taking mostly small-bodied, small-antlered yearling bucks, and these 1.5-year-old bucks comprised 65-75 percent of the buck take each year. Around 2000, that tradition really began to change. By 2008, the balance had solidly tipped towards older bucks with more than 50 percent of the annual buck take being 2.5-years or older with larger bodies and larger antlers. In recent years, the ratio has fully flipped with 65-75 percent of bucks being older-aged bucks.

bucks

To be sure, other things have happened with this deer population. Overall, there are fewer deer in this area than 20 years ago, and as a result, hunters are seeing and taking fewer deer than they did previously. However, the smaller population size doesn’t explain the shift towards older bucks in the harvest.

Some might suggest the shift towards older bucks is due to fewer hunters or reduced harvest rate which could result in greater survival of young bucks.

While we don’t have data specific to these variables for the southeastern Hudson Valley, we know the number of deer hunters statewide has been fairly stable for the past decade.

Too, we can reasonably assume that if shifts in hunting pressure and harvest rate were the primary driver affecting buck age structure, the same would be true for the adult does. However, the proportion of older does in the female deer harvest has stayed virtually unchanged for the past 40 years.

We know many hunters in New York are voluntarily opting to pass up shots at young, small-antlered bucks.

The effects of hunter choice in the southeastern Hudson Valley are dramatic and a great example for hunters everywhere of what can be accomplished when hunters choose to Let Young Bucks Go and Watch Them Grow!

aging
Skulls and antlers of three bucks taken off the same property. Photo courtesy of Jeff Peil, retired DEC biologist.

NY Big Game and Small Game Seasons are Underway

Posted on by Dave Barus

Giant gray squirrels are not uncommon in the southern tier forest lands of New York State. Forrest Fisher Photo

Hunters and Trappers Favorite Time of Year…Open Season

Hunting seasons for big game like whitetail deer and black bear are underway with the archery season. Likewise, many small game species, like ruffed grouse, pheasant, rabbit, squirrel, and wild turkey, are also open and in progress.

Hunting and trapping seasons for bobcat, raccoon and fox, and trapping seasons for fisher and mink began in some regions of the state on October 25th. Be sure to check the New York State Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide for the season dates and regulations for your hunting or trapping area.

Wild turkey hunting in the Southern Zone began October 20th and runs through Nov. 2nd. Hunters are required to have a turkey permit, and the statewide season bag limit is one bird of either sex.

Remember, harvest reporting is critical to wildlife management, and by regulation, hunters must report their harvest of a turkey within seven days of taking the animal. DEC encourages hunters to, “Take it, tag it, and then report it.”

Trappers should note special permit requirements are required for fisher and marten trapping seasons. Fisher season began on October 25th in many WMUs and fisher and marten season began today in the Adirondacks. All fisher and marten trappers must obtain a special, free permit from their regional wildlife office, submit a trapping activity log, and submit the skull or jaw from harvested fishers and martens.

Giant gray squirrels are not uncommon in the southern tier state forest lands of New York State. Forrest Fisher Photo

DEC’s wildlife managers rely on the information supplied by trappers to help manage populations of these popular furbearers. To obtain a free fisher or fisher/marten permit, trappers should contact their regional wildlife office or apply by e-mail at wildlife@dec.ny.gov.

Only one fisher or fisher/marten permit is needed to trap these species anywhere in New York where the season is open. For more information, see page 54 in the Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide. 

As always, please follow the basic rules of hunter safety to protect yourself and other hunters this season.

Oak Orchard River Fishing Report – Orleans County, New York

Posted on by Lynne Menz

Photo courtesy of Ron Bierstine

Depending upon your perspective, the area escaped the most recent heavier precipitation.  Most of the past weekend’s significant rain hit south of here and so the Oak flows should be maintained at what’s been a real nice medium flow or barely greater and mostly clear. 

The other area smaller tributaries with local, smaller watershed might have come up from real low to just low for now. 

With greenery slowly capturing less water and the ground now a bit wetter, the next significant precipitation could show some runoff for higher flows in the smaller tributaries.  Showers are in the forecast Wednesday and there is the chance for a soaking rain Thursday and Friday.  Any rise in flows in the smaller tributaries will likely move a bunch of staged up salmon and trout upstream for good action.  Forecast temperatures thru this week look pretty agreeable with highs around 50 F.

Fishing pressure was high last weekend and now seems down and more agreeable so far thru this week.  Water temps are dropping back into the high 40’s now with colder nights.  Kings are definitely still present and still strong at or nearer the dam.  Some are showing signs of zombie wear while green stragglers are still moving upstream. 

Downstream frog water or lower river or river mouth action for Kings is probably more hit or miss now. 

Upstream fast water and dam action on the Oak is real good for mixed bag chances at browns, steelhead, Atlantics, Coho’s and Kings. Some guys remark that the Kings are real active biters. 

As we’re moving into November, look for more guys concentrating on trout chances and less on Kings.  We’re in a bit of a transition between camps right now so I think that’s why the fishing pressure has eased some.  Should be lots of good action still ahead.

Provided by Ron Bierstine, Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge

Visit our Fishing Report on OrleansCountyTourism.com, including weather forecasts and our “At the Oak, Orleans County” Facebook feed.

From Point Breeze on Lake Ontario, the World Fishing Network’s Ultimate Fishing Town USA and the rest of Orleans County, let’s make everyday a great fishing day right here in Orleans County!  Sincerely, The Team at Orleans County Tourism

Musky, Bass, Brown Trout, Coho’s, King Salmon…ALL BITING NOW in Niagara County, NY

Posted on by Bill Hilts
  • Tribs hold king salmon, brown trout and steelhead now
  • Egg sacs in chartreuse, orange or pink and nymphs, glo bugs, woolly buggers are HOT
  • Upper Niagara River musky fishing picks up with downturn in water temps
Ethan Bronschidle of Newfane caught his personal best brown trout over the weekend, a 14 pound Niagara County trophy.

Oct. 31, 2018 – Niagara Falls, USA: Burt Dam and 18 Mile Creek continue to be good for king salmon, brown trout and steelhead according to Karen Evarts at The Boat Doctors in Olcott. Skein, egg sacs or egg imitations are the way to go. Maribou jigs and beads are also working.

Sandy Troutman of Butler, Pa. with her first King Salmon from Burt Dam.

Chartreuse, orange and pink egg sacs have been working, along with nymphs, glo bugs and woolly buggers in purples, browns and blacks. Peach and orange beads have been catching fish, too.

The Olcott and Wilson piers have been producing some pike and steelhead for casters using spoons and spinners. Water flow is still an issue in many of the smaller streams in the lake. When they do get water, it pulls fish in and many times those fish will be stranded in some of the deeper holes. If you notice any illegal activity, use your phone to call 844-DEC ECOS.

Anthony LaRosa of Lewiston with a NYPA fishing platform King Salmon.

Lower Niagara River fishing is switching from salmon to trout, and some lake trout are starting to move in. Remember lake trout season is closed right now. Shore fishing guru Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls has been tossing jigs and No. 4 spinners to take salmon, walleye, steelhead and lake trout (all released quickly and unharmed) off the New York Power Authority Fishing Platform. If we don’t see any snow and ice, expect the platform to remain open until Dec. 1 at least.

Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls with a Lower Niagara River lake trout caught from shore.

Rzucidlo has also done well in the gorge, especially along the Artpark trail. If you would prefer to target smallmouth bass, the bronzebacks have been on a fall feed and Capt. Frank Campbell of Niagara Falls reports that his hot bait was a Strike King Rage Swimmer producing fish up to almost 6 pounds. They were taken downriver and action was fast for the most part.

In the upper Niagara River (above Niagara Falls), Capt. Chris Cinelli of Grand Island reports decent musky action as waters start to cool and fish move in to winter over.

Local angler Joe Soldaczewski caught this 49-inch muskellunge in the upper Niagara River Sunday while fishing with Capt. Chris Cinelli of Grand Island.

This past week he caught fish up to 49 inches long using a three-way rig and a special set-up involving live bait. Timing is perfect for the Tim Wittek Memorial Catch and Release Musky Tournament on Sunday, Nov. 4. It is hosted by the Niagara Musky Association from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. You must be a club member to participate. Cost for tourney is $25. For more info call Scott McKee at 225-3816. The club’s month meeting is Tuesday, Nov. 6 at the Eldredge Club, 17 Broad Street, Tonawanda starting at 7 p.m. Five different members will talk about different fall musky fishing points. It should be a good one. As of Nov. 1, you are now required to wear a personal flotation device if you are on or in a water craft 21 feet in length or smaller. It’s a good idea anyway.

Capt. Frank Campbell of Niagara Falls shows off a 5-plus pound smallmouth from the lower Niagara River caught on a Strike King Rage Swimmer over the weekend.

Bill Hilts, Jr.- Outdoor Promotions Director

Destination Niagara USA; 10 Rainbow Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY 14303
p: 1-877 FALLS US; 1-716-282-8992 x. 303; f: 716-285-0809
www.niagarafallsusa.com

facebook | twitter | Instagram

 

Lake Ontario – Orleans County STREAM FISHING REPORT from Ron Bierstine from Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge – October 23, 2018

Posted on by Lynne Menz

By most all accounts, there is good action on the Oak.  Brown trout numbers are definitely picking up and fish reportedly are on the move.  Some steelhead have been reported every day too.  The end of this past weekend and beginning of this week have been good for hookups around the Archers Club and it sounds like plenty of fish are in the downstream frog water too.  Legit light line deep drifts have been the ticket there. 

Oak Orchard stream-run King Salmon. Patrick Carl photo

Salmon numbers are still strongest at or nearer the dam.  Kings in smaller numbers are still migrating from downstream and that will probably be the MO from here out with fish trickling in over a prolonged period.  There are not a lot of dying or zombie fish yet so that tells me there are still plenty on the “run” ahead.  Look for Kings well into November which really hasn’t been a new scenario these past few years.

Fishing pressure was high over the weekend but thus far seems more manageable this week.  Flows are real nice at medium-ish on the Oak compared to lower and clearer flows in the other area smaller tributaries.  Scattered numbers of fish are in those smaller upstream watercourses.  There was some precipitation last night and a decent downpour today so the flows in the smaller waterways may bump up slightly while flows in the Oak should be pretty well maintained. 

Big Joe on the Oak. Patrick Carl photo

Leaf fall is becoming more prevalent so look for the chance for water level fluctuations on the Oak thanks to hydro-power operations.  Seasonably cool weather, if not cold, in the forecast through the week should put more Kings on gravel and keep encouraging what has already been pretty good numbers of steelhead and brown trout migrations.

Provided by Ron Bierstine, Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge

Visit our Fishing Report on OrleansCountyTourism.com, including weather forecasts and our “At the Oak, Orleans County” Facebook feed.

From Point Breeze on Lake Ontario, the World Fishing Network’s Ultimate Fishing Town USA and the rest of Orleans County, let’s make everyday a great fishing day right here in Orleans County!

Sincerely,

The Team at Orleans County Tourism

Woodstock Snake Too Close for Comfort

Posted on by NYS Dept. of Env. Conservation

Northern Copperhead safely captured from the backyard and released to a nearby woods habitat.

On October 3, Environmental Conservation Officer Jason Smith received a call from a resident of Woodstock (New York) regarding a snake close to his home.

The caller was not certain of the species, but was concerned the snake might be venomous. ECO Smith met the caller at his residence and found the snake in a small rock pile next to the back door.

The ECO identified the snake as a Northern Copperhead, one of New York State’s three venomous species.

After coaxing the snake into a bucket, ECO Smith released it in nearby state lands with more suitable habitat.

Editor Note: While venomous northern copperheads are not commonly noted in western New York, timber rattlesnakes have been more commonly observed and recorded (Facebook reports with pictures and site location) with increasing frequency in central and south central New York, including areas of Letchworth State Park and southward into Pennsylvania.  Hikers and campers be aware that many areas of New York State are home habitat for these snakes that have useful purpose in nature.  Watch where you walk and be prepared with a Johnson’s Snake Bite Kit (Walmart – about $12), a handy vacuum suction kit, that is also useful for bee stings, wasp stings, etc. – take care. Dave Barus 

 

Statewide Survey of New York Landowners about Black Bears is Underway

Posted on by NYS Dept. of Env. Conservation

Bear

DEC is partnering with the Center for Conservation Social Sciences (CCSS) at Cornell University on a survey of roughly 11,000 randomly-selected New York landowners to better understand public perceptions of and preferences for black bear population levels. The survey is being sent out this fall to owners of both large and small residential properties, and covers both rural and urban areas.

The questionnaire asks about positive and negative experiences people have had with bears, their perception of population trends, and their views on the potential benefits of and detriments to living among bears. The information from this survey will be used in conjunction with biological data about bear abundance and information on conflicts between people and bears to set population objectives for various parts of the state.

People who receive the survey are encouraged to respond. Collecting information from the public on their view of appropriate wildlife population levels and the potential impact of wildlife on people is an important part of decision-making in wildlife management.

Questions about the survey can be directed to CCSS at 607-255-2828 or wfs1@cornell.edu. For more information, visit the DEC website on Black Bear and read the “New York State Black Bear Management Plan”. Questions about the black bear management program can be directed to 518-402-8883 or: wildlife@dec.ny.gov.

A Hunter’s Role in New York State Wildlife Management

Posted on by NYS Dept. of Env. Conservation

Cory Dente of Delmar NY with a 10 point buck he harvested in the 2018 early bowhunting season. Cory reported his harvest through the HuntFishNY mobile app.

Did you know that only about 50 percent of hunters report their deer, bear and turkey harvests each year, even though it’s required by law?

Did you know that a hunter can be fined up to $250 for failing to report?

Reporting a harvest within seven days of take is not only your legal obligation, it’s also essential to proper wildlife management.

When hunters report their harvest, they are playing a crucial role in the management process, providing important biological data which is used to help estimate the number of deer, bear and turkey in each area of New York State and set management objectives.

At a time when hunter numbers are declining, it’s more important than ever for hunters to take seriously their role in wildlife management, to be good role models and mentors for younger generations, and to do their part to preserve their hunting traditions.

Reporting your harvest is easier than ever, so this fall please remember to Take It, Tag It, Report It!

Visit our website for details on Game Harvest Reporting.

 

Salmon & Trout Time is NOW for Niagara River/Lake Ontario

Posted on by Bill Hilts

Michelle Jones of Pittsburgh, Pa. reeled in this nice Burt Dam brown trout this week.

Gabriela Yip from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, came to fish with her dad, Tom Warda of Niagara Falls and Capt. Joe Marra of Niagara Rainbow Charters in the Lower Niagara River.

Lower Niagara River salmon fishing is still going on and some trout are starting to move in. There are salmon and trout at Burt Dam, too, but things have been a hot and cold, depending on whom you talk to.

Karen Evarts at the Boat Doctor’s in Olcott, NY, reports only fair action off the piers, usually early morning or at dusk for spoon and spinner casters. There has been quite a few salmon and trout being reported off the Route 425 pier, but don’t rule out the Wilson piers off the main harbor for browns and steelhead with an outside shot at an occasional salmon. Egg imitations will also work at any of these spots.

A pink bead worked for one angler on 18 Mile Creek for a beautiful Atlantic salmon. At the dam in Burt, brown trout top the list of preferred targets, followed by steelhead and salmon.

Practice catch and release when you can. Small boaters have been fishing some of the deeper holes with egg skein and picking a few salmon up, too.

Trolling with J13 Rapala’s is another option in the creeks at Olcott and Wilson. In the lake, there aren’t too many people heading out, but fishing can be good out deep (over 300 foot depths) for a mix of salmon and trout. Staging fish off the creek mouth has been limited so far at Wilson and Olcott.

Michelle Jones of Pittsburgh, Pa. reeled in this nice Burt Dam brown trout this week.

In the Niagara River, it’s been more of a mixed bag with salmon still leading the way. Boaters are bouncing bottom with three-way rigs and a chunk of treated egg skein to take Kings, Coho’s, steelhead and a variety of other fish. Casting from shore, Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls scored on 4 different species of fish one day while tossing No. 4 spinners off the NYPA Fishing Platform.

The Niagara Gorge is still producing salmon up to the Whirlpool and the steelhead are starting to show up, too. Using a float to drift eggs or egg imitations is starting to work.

This is also a good time to target big smallmouth bass downriver toward Fort Niagara and on the Niagara Bar if the winds cooperate. Upper river bass action can also be good. And as waters finally start to cool down, muskellunge fishing should start to improve as fish start to move in and winter over. There should still be some walleye around, too.

In New York, pheasant hunting season opens up for all hunters on Saturday, Oct. 20th and your best bet is to head to those areas that have been stocked by the state Department of Environmental Conservation. Take note that three state parks in Niagara County – Joe Davis, Wilson-Tuscarora and Golden Hill – these are “permit-only” for the first three Saturdays. However, there are other stocked locations in Somerset, Newfane and at the Tonawanda State Wildlife Management Areas.

Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls took a salmon and a steelhead, one off the NYPA platform and one in the gorge.

Next Saturday, Oct. 27, is the start of duck and goose seasons in the Western part of New York State. If you want to go for a blind at Joe Davis, Fort Niagara, Wilson-Tuscarora or Golden Hill state parks, drawings will take place on Thursday’s starting Oct. 25 at the Fort Niagara Maintenance Building, 6:30 p.m. Sharp! There may be some issues at Wilson-Tuscarora due to launch ramp renovations. Those are being worked out right now. If your preference is the upper river at Beaver Island, the West River Parkway, Motor or Strawberry islands, the lottery drawings will take place every Monday, Wednesday and Friday starting Oct. 26 at the Beaver Island Clubhouse starting at 6:30 p.m. When attending these lottery drawings, make sure you have your license, a signed duck stamp, your HIP number and your waterfowl identification certification card.

Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls

Bill Hilts, Jr.- Outdoor Promotions Director

Destination Niagara USA; 10 Rainbow Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY 14303
p: 1-877 FALLS US; 1-716-282-8992 x. 303; f: 716-285-0809
www.niagarafallsusa.com

facebook | twitter | Instagram

Lake Ontario – Orleans County, Stream Fishing Report for Oct. 16, 2018…from Ron Bierstine, Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge

Posted on by Lynne Menz
Courtesy of Mike Walsh at the Oak

Most guys are targeting salmon, although more trout anglers are in the mix now too.
There’s likely to be plenty of Kings around for a while yet. Guys are reporting good numbers of fish massed in the last of the slow water areas and there are likely salmon still passing through the lower river. Don’t look for many fish to linger downstream and it looks like most of the angling pressure there is easing up.

The nice cool weather continues after some strong winds yesterday and forecast again later today. I don’t doubt these westerly strong winds are pushing salmon and browns from the Lake and into the Oak.

There was a little bit of rain yesterday and there are more showers in the forecast tomorrow. Any chance at snow should be southwest or southeast of the area.
Fishing pressure has been pretty spotty on the Oak with the most consistent water flow at medium or just greater and clear. For this mid-week period, so far, it may ease up some.

In the Oak, the Kings are spreading out now on different days. Most of the salmon are still in real good shape. No real zombie presence yet. Steelhead numbers are good to excellent, a real nice fall bonus so far. Browns are showing up more and more and most of the browns hooked up so far are bigger males. Some have been in the teens. A few Coho’s and Atlantics are in the mix too.

The other area smaller tributaries have those low to moderate flows, but determined salmon are still making their way upstream for scattered numbers of fish. In the Oak, expect daily water level fluctuations especially on windy days thanks to hydro-power operations. The Archer’s Club catch and release fly fishing contest is scheduled for the latter part of this week. Details as follows…


From Point Breeze on Lake Ontario, the World Fishing Network’s Ultimate Fishing Town USA and the rest of Orleans County, let’s make everyday a great fishing day right here in Orleans County!
Sincerely,
The Team at Orleans County Tourism

Orleans County, NY – King Salmon Lake and Trib Fishing Report for Sep. 25, 2018

Posted on by Capt. John Oravec

This week’s FINAL LAKE fishing report is from Capt. John Oravec of Tightline’s Charters, September 25, 2018. 

Get Ready! The coming weeks are an exciting time for big fish, kings and browns and are now available to the small boat angler fishing in close, out to 20 ft. of water, as well as the shoreline/pier and creek boat anglers.

I finished my tremendous 1000+ fish season with a brace of 22 pound kings for a local couple who recently walked on Troutman 2 for a late day troll. Be sure to come rigged with J-Plugs, jointed Rapala’s and assorted, diving, rattle style crankbaits in bright glo and florescent colors.

Make sure hooks are in top condition, extra sharp too, as river run salmonids grow teeth and their jaws get leather tough! There has been a lot of rough stormy weather limiting boats, so the catch report right now is light. But this same weather sets up favorable conditions for anglers who frequently fish the estuary piers and river mouth flats with stained river outflow plumes that hold river bound monsters!

I want to thank all Great Lakes Anglers who have come to Orleans County this open water season on Lake Ontario. Everyone who did, shared exciting fishing action that was consistently terrific from May to mid-September. Wow, 2018! Yeah Baby!

“Troutman,” Captain John Oravec, Email: captjohnoravec.com  

Tight Lines Charters
1857 Countyline Rd * Lyndonville, NY 14098
boat/mobile 585-590-2045 

Capt. Johnny Oravec is a 43 year veteran of Orleans County charter captain of the 33 foot Trojan the “Troutman 2”. Capt Johnny has been helping Great Lakes anglers learn and develop fishing techniques by writing for the In Fisherman Magazine TV and Radio.

Myself, I must move onto the St. Lawrence/1000 Islands and the Niagara River so this fisherman is deferring the fresh Orleans County Fishing Report to Orleans County expert  Ron “the Licorice Man” Bierstine of Oak Orchard Tackle and Lodge for the Fall action from the Oak’s mouth upstream as well as other area streams. 

I am available at captjohno@netzero.net and 585-590-2045 (boat/mobile)  for questions or info. Thanks and Fish On!  Troutman -Out!

THANK YOU, Troutman, for your weekly reports!

Orleans County Stream Fishing Report for Sep. 24, 2018, is from Ron Bierstine, Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge

So far, kind of a mixed bag of salmon catching opportunities.  We have now finally strung together a few nights of cool weather helping to lower water temps some.  Still no big precipitation events – next chance of rain thru tonight and tomorrow. 

Lakeshore winds remain mostly non-prevailing between East or South.  It would be interesting to see what a few days of westerly winds would do for on shore movements of fish. 

Anglers are catching some salmon from the Oak river mouth to the lower river to the last of the slow water to the fast water gravel and to the dam.  No big slug of fish reported in any one particular spot.  Fishing pressure remains moderate and spread out thru all those spots. There are now reports of a few fish in fast water areas downstream of the dam and in the typical staging spots in the last of the slow water areas.  Those fish are likely moving to those spots stealthily some at least because there is not a lot of Lower Oak boiling around staging. 

So in other words, fish for now don’t seem to be hanging around the lower river area much in traditional spots like say at the Bridges.  Flows in the Oak (supplemented with Erie Canal feed 24/7) remain good if not up some and certainly higher and more productive then the natural runoff. So far, low flows of the other area smaller tributaries.  

Provided by Ron Bierstine, Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge

Visit our Fishing Report on OrleansCountyTourism.com, including weather forecasts and our “At the Oak, Orleans County” Facebook feed.

From Point Breeze on Lake Ontario, the World Fishing Network’s Ultimate Fishing Town USA and the rest of Orleans County, let’s make everyday a great fishing day right here in Orleans County!

Sincerely,

The Team at Orleans County Tourism

KING SALMON on the Bite! Niagara Falls USA Fishing Forecast, Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018: from Destination Niagara USA

Posted on by Bill Hilts

Fall is in the air.  Oct. 1 is the opening of a long list of different hunting seasons, including the Southern Zone opening of the early archery season for deer and bear.

With so many things going on, it’s the perfect time to go fishing! The rains that fell Tuesday night into Wednesday morning were a welcome sight. Early season salmon action in the lower Niagara River finally turned on the past week. Devil’s Hole is the place to be, fishing from a boat. Drift treated egg skein from a three-way rig.

Capt. Tony LaRosa of Lewiston with a Devil’s Hole salmon caught this week.

Shore anglers are picking up a few fish by casting spoons and spinners or drifting egg skein under floats. That action has already improved since the rains. Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls was three for five on salmon last night with salmon egg skein. Bass and walleye are still available downriver toward Stella Niagara and the Fort.

Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls caught this 20 pound salmon from shore in the gorge using salmon egg skein.

In the upper Niagara River, some bomber bass have been caught the past week on live bait and tubes.

Over in Wilson and Olcott, good salmon and trout action is still being reported out in deep water, 300 to 400 foot depths. Pierhead trolling is still working for king salmon from boat. Spoons, J-plugs and meat are all working according to Karen Evarts at The Boat Doctor’s in Olcott.

Pier action had been a little sporadic, but things have turned on for salmon and the occasional trout off the piers casting spoons or spinners. Yesterday there were reports of large numbers of salmon hanging off the ends of the piers in Olcott. Cast orange or firetiger color Cleos or Gems.

Vince Cerrone and Gordie LaPorte, former local captains, hold up king salmon caught while fishing with Capt. Ernie Calandrelli of Lewiston.

A few salmon and trout are being reported at Burt Dam and 18 Mile Creek, but the big run hasn’t really started there. We’ll see what happens as a result of the rain. It could be happening right now.

A few notes, like lake trout season closes on Sep. 30 in Lake Ontario.

There are a few youth hunts coming up like the Youth Deer Hunt Oct. 6-8, the youth waterfowl hunt Oct. 13-14 and the youth pheasant hunt Oct. 13-14.  Oct. 1 is the deadline for applying for Deer Management Permits.

Bill Hilts, Jr. – Outdoor Promotions Director

Destination Niagara USA
10 Rainbow Blvd.
Niagara Falls, NY 14303
p: 1-877 FALLS US | 716-282-8992 x. 303
 

 

Niagara River Salmon-Snagger Lawbreakers are Caught

Posted on by Dave Barus

Observant anglers spotted a shore angler snagging salmon and breaking the law. Time to blow the whistle.

  • Weighted snag hooks drop below the fish and when an angler lifts sharply, the hook points snag the fish in the body, often injuring many fish never caught. The snagging method is illegal in New York. NYSDEC Photo

    Salmon Snagging is Illegal in New York State

On Sep. 19, Environmental Conservation Officers George Scheer and Shea Mathis were on boat patrol in the Lower Niagara River when they were approached by a group of fishermen in another boat.

The anglers reported an individual in a red shirt blatantly snagging fish from shore about a mile upriver along the Gorge Trail in Niagara Falls. From their patrol vessel, the ECOs could not navigate that far upriver due to strong currents and underwater obstructions.

The ECOs piloted their vessel back to its mooring in Youngstown and drove to Niagara Falls, hoping to catch the subject before he left the scene.

In Niagara Falls, the ECOs walked the trail and spotted the subject in the red shirt making repeated and exaggerated jerking motions of his fishing rod. Three other individuals were with him.

The four were ticketed for attempting to take fish by snagging, possession of snatch hooks, and fishing without valid licenses.

Good job gentlemen!

Lake Ontario – Orleans County, Stream Fishing Report for Oct. 2, 2018…from Ron Bierstine, Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge

Posted on by Lynne Menz
  • Salmon are Staging
  • Look for Big Runs to Begin in Oak Orchard River soon

So far, it is kind of a mixed bag for salmon-catching opportunities.  We have now have strung together a few nights of cool weather helping to lower water temps some.  Still no big precipitation events – next chance of rain thru tonight and tomorrow. 

Lakeshore winds remain mostly non-prevailing between East or South.  It would be interesting to see what a few days of westerly winds would do for on shore movements of fish.  Anglers are catching some salmon from the Oak Orchard river mouth to the lower river to the last of the slow water to the fast water gravel at the dam. 

No big slug of fish reported in any one particular spot.  Fishing pressure remains moderate and spread out thru all those spots. There are now reports of a few fish in fast water areas downstream of the dam and in the typical staging spots in the last of the slow water areas.  Those fish are likely moving to spots, stealthily, some at least, because there is not a lot of Lower Oak boiling around staging.  So in other words, fish for now don’t seem to be hanging around the lower river area much in traditional spots like say at the Bridges. 

Flows in the Oak (supplemented with Erie Canal feed 24/7) remain good if not up some and certainly higher and more productive then the natural runoff so far low flows of the other area smaller tributaries.  

Provided by Ron Bierstine, Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge

Visit our Fishing Report on OrleansCountyTourism.com, including weather forecasts and our “At the Oak, Orleans County” Facebook feed.

From Point Breeze on Lake Ontario, the World Fishing Network’s Ultimate Fishing Town USA and the rest of Orleans County, let’s make everyday a great fishing day right here in Orleans County!

Sincerely,

The Team at Orleans County Tourism

Niagara Falls USA Fishing Forecast for Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018 – Destination Niagara USA

Posted on by Bill Hilts


The Niagara River salmon action is still going strong according to reports from shoreline casters and boat drifters. From shore, Ricardo Davila of Wheatfield was doing well tossing Booker glow in the dark spinners. Rich Pisa of Kenmore was drifting egg skein under a float along the shoreline around the Whirlpool. Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls was tossing No. 3 spinners to take his first lake trout of the year off of Artpark. At the Sanddocks in Lewiston, Gianni Etopio of Youngtown was using a soft splittail plastic on a jig to take some walleye and even a salmon the last week. Charter guys like Capt. Frank Campbell of Niagara Region Charters are still reporting success in Devil’s Hole drifting treated egg skein on a three-way rig. Mike Cardamone of Lewiston was 5 for 8 on Salmon on Tuesday. A few steelhead are starting to show up, too. With air temperatures plummeting into the 50s this weekend, look for fishing to turn on again.

Olcott fishing action has not been consistent, but when it’s on it’s great according to Karen Evarts at The Boat Doctors. Pier action is a bit spotty for hardware chuckers tossing spoons and spinners. Egg skein will also work, off the piers and up the creek from a boat. Burt Dam is seeing some salmon and a few brown trout being caught. Over in Wilson, Joel Spring of Ransomville caught a big salmon off this kayak, dragging him around the harbor for a while. Pier casters are picking up some trout and an occasional salmon there, too. Out in the lake, head out deep for a mix of salmon and trout if the weather cooperates.

This weekend is the youth hunters for waterfowl and pheasant. Early archery season is still going on and other small game opportunities are also available such as for woodcock, rabbit and squirrel.

If you are into fly fishing or you are looking for a way to start up the activity, look no further than the Orvis Shop in Williamsville. This coming Saturday are two sessions on steelhead fishing – Steelhead fly fishing 101 and steel-heading Cattaraugus Creek. Sunday has a steelhead tube fly seminar and a fly tying session focusing on steelhead favorites. Call 276-7200 to see if openings are still available.


Bill Hilts, Jr. – Outdoor Promotions Director

Destination Niagara USA
10 Rainbow Blvd.
Niagara Falls, NY 14303
p: 1-877 FALLS US | 716-282-8992 x. 303
f: 716-285-0809
www.niagarafallsusa.com

facebook | twitter | Instagram

Niagara Falls USA Fishing Forecast for Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018

Posted on by Bill Hilts

The King Salmon are on the big bite in the Lower Niagara River and Lake Ontario...read the details!

Ashley Dobbs of Ocala, Fla. was in town attending Travel Media Showcase in Niagara Falls USA and took a side trip fishing. She caught her first fish every – a 20 pound salmon…on a worm harness while she was fishing for walleye. What a story!

National Hunting and Fishing Day is Saturday, September 22, a tradition since 1972. As you look around Niagara Falls USA, there are a number of exciting events going on this weekend, including the two-day Wildlife Festival sponsored by the New York Power Authority and the Niagara Co. Federation of Conservation Clubs. The event is held at the NYPA Visitors Center in Lewiston next to NU and it runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days with a huge emphasis on getting the kids in tune with nature and the outdoors. In honor of NHF Day, New York State has announced that Sept. 22 will be a free fishing day in the state.

The Niagara River Anglers Association’s fishing pond is a popular attraction at the Wildlife Festival every year at the Power Vista in Lewiston, the area’s National Hunting and Fishing Day celebration Sept. 22-23. Photographer: Anne Dykstra.

No one needs a fishing license, but you do have to abide by the fishing regulations in the state and on the body of water you intend to fish. This is a great opportunity to share your expertise with someone who you’ve always wanted to take on the water. It could be a neighbor or friend, a co-worker or a family member. Make the effort and it could make a huge difference in a person’s life. There is a kids fishing derby on Saturday morning at Hyde Park Lake in Niagara Falls from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., followed by canoeing and kayaking starting at 12:30 p.m. The fishing derby is for kids ages 6 to 16 years old. Get down there and get the next generation fishing.

Gianni Etopio of Youngstown, NY, caught this king salmon from shore off the NYPA fishing platform in the Lower Niagara Rive this week.

Lake Ontario salmon and trout fishing continues to be very good, especially out deep from 300 to 400 feet of water off Wilson and Olcott. Quality steelhead in the double digit range have been reported consistently on a spoon bite along with a mix of mature and immature salmon. If you are looking for some big boys, try trolling the pier heads at Wilson and Olcott at first light with J-plugs, cut bait behind a flasher, flasher-fly or a magnum spoon.

Shawn West of Sanborn caught this salmon off the Olcott pier this past week on a KO Wobbler.

Pier casters are picking up some fish tossing spoons with anything blue in the color pattern according to Karen Evarts at The Boat Doctors. Wilson harbor has been producing some nice pike according to Joel Spring of Ransomville. Fishing with a jointed X-Rap, he managed 3 nice pike fishing off his kayak on Tuesday of this week. Bowfin were hitting in the west branch of 12 Mile Creek.

Mike Cardamone of Lewiston caught this king salmon in Devil’s Hole fishing with Capt. Frank Campbell of Niagara Region Charters

Lower Niagara River fishing is continuing to improve for salmon in the Devil’s Hole area and boat captains have switched from plugs to treated salmon egg skein fished off three-way rigs. While it’s far from the peak, they are picking up some fish consistently. The fishing platform at the power project is producing some kings on spoons, jigs and eggs. During the Travel Media Showcase event hosted by Destination Niagara USA in Niagara Falls at the Doubletree, four of the attendees were participating in a “Hooked on Adventure” fishing tour. Ashley Dobbs of Ocala, Fla. was fishing with a worm harness along the Stella drift in the lower river when she hooked into a 20 pound salmon. On a worm! That’s one of the best things fishing the lower river – you never know what you are going to catch. She was one happy camper for sure and hooked for life. It was her first fish ever!

Joel Spring of Ransomville is still using his kayak to take some pike from Wilson harbor. This one hit a jointed X-Rap plug.

Bill Hilts, Jr. –Outdoor Promotions Director

Inline image 2
Destination Niagara USA, 10 Rainbow Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY 14303

Orleans County LAKE ONTARIO and STREAM fishing report for Sep. 18, 2018

Posted on by Capt. John Oravec

Orleans County LAKE fishing report for Sep. 18, 2018, is from Capt. John Oravec of Tightlines Charters

Well, the weather for many enjoying the Orleans County fishing action, it has been wonderful this week!

There are a few matures in the mud-line area in the estuary and up the Oak Orchard River to the Waterport Dam. Most of the hookups at the river mouth are low-light morning flurries by trollers using bright J-plugs in silver bullet and various glow patterns. Don’t forget the venerable J -13 Rapala, Rattle Trap and Crocodile spoons for flat-lining. Please remember the big majors run extra-long when hooked in the shallows so be careful leaving the channel. 

The in-shore ledge and shallow flats action has typically slowed for the big fatties under clear, calm-water conditions. Also, when trolling the flats, move away when someone that hooks up and keep your planer board close to the boat. They will still give you an edge.

Because of the stable, calm weather, a large gang of trollers have located a strong down temp break/alewife raft of schooling silver fish over 300 to 400 ft of water and WOW!  By fishing a north/south troll pattern with rigs at 35 to 70 feet we found crazy king/steelhead action with the best steelhead action of the year!

The fleet is widespread west to east, uncrowded, so when you find a hot spot circle back, play with speed and direction and watch your rods fly! Most of the kings are skips to low teenager class.  The steelhead show plenty of 22″-25″ keepers, but it’s the 7 to 11 pounders that are ripping up the surface. Just tons of fun! Some charters have returned to running spoon sliders with fast action results reporting 30 hit mornings and early limit boxes.

One important note: please cull your catch, releasing smaller size fish. Those 1 to 5 pounders are the next year’s tackle breakers! I don’t see this mid-water 300 to 400 ft fishery moving much, but please remember it’s mid-September with cold fronts and hurricane remnants frequently passing with windy conditions. Stay in a group, have updated forecasts and at the hint of incoming weather and wind, pull rods and boogie to the inshore waters and try there or call it a day. Upcoming windy, wavy rainy weather is forecast this late week and that combination will stir sulking matures for good big fish action close to the Oak’s harbor mouth. Count on it!

“Troutman,” Captain John Oravec, Email: captjohnoravec.com     

Tight Lines Charters
1857 Countyline Rd * Lyndonville, NY 14098
boat/mobile 585-590-2045 

Capt. Johnny Oravec is a 43 year veteran of Orleans County charter captain of the 33 foot Trojan the “Troutman 2”. Capt Johnny has been helping Great Lakes anglers learn and develop fishing techniques by writing for the In Fisherman Magazine TV and Radio.

Orleans County Stream Fishing Report for Sep. 17, 2018, is from Ron Bierstine, Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge: 

So far, the area can’t catch much of a break for some consistent cool weather or precipitation or a good NW blow on the Lake.  Winds are mostly light, E or SE making for mostly stalemate conditions.  Forecast is for still warm temps thru the beginning part of this week and then cooler toward the mid and end of week.  A chance of rain yet most of the remnants of Florence are forecast mostly south of the area. 

For now, there is sporadic salmon action at the Oak Orchard river mouth and lower Oak by persistent casters.  A few legit still-fishermen and bobber-drifters are now plying the migration routes or staging spots with eggs or skein.  Usually, greater concentrations of fish are required for good egg/skein success.  A few casting anglers report some brown trout and steelhead hook ups too.  There are some anglers drifting the mid to slightly high (reported) and mostly clear flows at the Waterport Dam.  There are a few salmon there – the typical early fish that don’t linger downstream.  Probably the only survivable coolish and oxygenated water is there at the dam. 

The other area smaller tributaries have mostly low and clear flows with probably scattered migrations and some salmon scouting those trib mouth and lower river areas in the low light or at night periods.  Hopefully with some consistent cooler or wetter weather, or favorable winds, there will be more salmon near shore and river mouth and lower river staging action.

Provided by Ron Bierstine, Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge

Visit our Fishing Report on OrleansCountyTourism.com, including weather forecasts and our “At the Oak, Orleans County” Facebook feed.

 From Point Breeze on Lake Ontario, the World Fishing Network’s Ultimate Fishing Town USA and the rest of Orleans County, let’s make everyday a great fishing day right here in Orleans County!

Sincerely, The Team at Orleans County Tourism

Niagara Falls USA Fishing Forecast for September 6, 2018 – Destination Niagara USA

Posted on by Bill Hilts

Pier Fishing is just beginning to "Get Hot!"

  • Fall Lake Ontario Counties Trout and Salmon Derby Winners – BIG FISH!
  • Kings are coming in closer to shore each day, BE READY
  • New York Power Authority hosting Wildlife Festival Sept. 22/, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Braden Petrucci with his winning 14 pound steelhead caught out of Olcott Labor Day weekend.

The days are getting shorter as Pacific salmon slowly migrate closer to their home ports.

Last Saturday morning, Keegan Walczak of East Amherst was casting a spoon off the Olcott pier when he caught the first salmon of the year. A few more were caught over the weekend by other anglers. This is the first sign that we’re getting close to some fall fishing, but we still have a ways to go. High temperatures will be in the 60’s over the weekend and we will see some cool rain on Sunday so that should make a difference.

In the meantime, the Niagara Bar is holding fish at the drop-off according to some mixed reports.

Keegan Walczak of Amherst with the first salmon off the Olcott piers this year.

Off Wilson, the salmon were stacking up in 40 to 80 feet of water according to Kyle Duncan of Newfane. He was fishing with Capt. Carl Martin of Dublin Up Charters and doing very well on matures. Duncan says use spoons and cut bait early in the day and switch over to spoons later, using your electronics to help identify prime areas. These fish could feed at any time so stay on them until you figure out what they want. Flasher-fly combos were also catching numbers of fish, including brown and rainbow trout while boaters are targeting salmon.

Kyle Duncan of Newfane caught this salmon with Capt. Carl Martin of Dublin Up Charters.

Off Olcott earlier in the week, 60 to 90 feet was a good depth contour to follow. J-plugs, flasher and cut bait, flasher-fly and magnum spoons were all producing fish early in the day.  Russell Pray of Kesseville went fishing Labor Day weekend with his buddy Rick Coon of Kesseville and they were greeted with a torrential downpour out on the waters in Eastern Lake Ontario. In the middle of the downpour, a rod went off so Pray went and started to fight a king salmon – a fish that took nearly 400 feet of line in a matter of seconds. Twenty minutes later, after fighting (and losing) another salmon, 4 foot waves and a very long leader on their dipsy diver, they netted a 31 pound, 4 ounce salmon – his biggest ever in the lake – to take home the Grand Prize check for $25,500 to win the Fall Lake Ontario Counties Trout and Salmon Derby that ended on Labor Day. That story would have been secondary had Kyle Kraft of Ohio insisted to his buddy that he get into the derby. Fishing with Capt. Frank Campbell, they caught a 32 pound salmon on the Niagara Bar – but everyone on the boat must be in the derby.

In the salmon division, Eric Beaver of Locust Gap, Pa. was just 3 ounces behind Pray when he reeled in a 31 pound, 1 ounce king, winning a check for $5,500.

Taz Morrison of West End Charters shows off a daily brown trout winner while fishing out of Wilson.

One angler who didn’t wait until the last minute was David McGowan of Rush who reeled in the winning brown trout – a 16 pound, 4 ounce fish reeled in on the first day of the 18 day derby while fishing off Braddocks Bay. Jason Dale of Lockport caught the second place brown trout off Wilson on Monday morning of Labor Day (the final day of the derby), a 15 pound, 12 ounce brownie on a customized Stinger spoon.

Braden Petrucci of Coal Center, Pa. caught the winning steelhead out of Olcott Labor Day weekend, a 14 pound fish caught on a Moonshine spoon – his biggest steelhead ever. The second place steelhead was caught the same day – September 1 – a 13 pound, 11 ounce fish reeled in by Anthony Alonzo of Monongahela, Pa., also fishing out of Olcott. No salmon yet in the lower Niagara River, but bass and walleye are still snapping.

Some nice walleye are coming from shore along Artpark. Here’s one Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls caught this week on a No. 3 spinner.

Shore anglers have been using plugs and spinners off Artpark to take some nice walleye and bass both. The better fishing has been at night.

Remember that Sept. 22 is a kids fishing derby on Hyde Park Lake in Niagara Falls starting at 8 a.m. and NYPA will be hosting a Wildlife Festival Sept. 22 and 23 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day to honor National Hunting and Fishing Day weekend.

Good luck and good fishing!

Bill Hilts, Jr.- Outdoor Promotions Director

Destination Niagara USA, 10 Rainbow Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY 14303

Niagara Falls USA Fishing Forecast: Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018 – from Destination Niagara USA

Posted on by Bill Hilts

Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls was fishing along Artpark when he hooking into this lunker bass on a No. 3 spinner

Buffy Frank of Lockport was casting a Booker wobbler when she reeled in this big northern pike off the Olcott pier.

Fall was in the air last weekend as cooler temperatures and rain triggers some early movement into the Niagara River and closer to the mouths of area streams.

Staging kings off Wilson and Olcott were finicky the past few days, forcing boats to head out for more stable conditions starting in 300 feet of water off Wilson and Olcott. It was a spoon program for Capt. Mike Johannes of On the Rocks to take a mix of salmon and trout out deep. His last trip he was 7 for 13 on salmon and trout – not as good as it’s been but it kept his customers happy.

Clarence “Peanut” Chamberlain caught this staging king salmon off Wilson fishing with Capt. Taz Morrison of West End Charters.

Staging kings should be cooperating again soon. Use J-plugs, flashers with cut bait, flasher-fly or magnum spoons for the kings and some trout are also available in the same waters.

Chris Trzaska of Buffalo caught this steelhead off the Wilson pier on a Booker No. 4 spinner.

The piers at Olcott were hot on Monday and Tuesday according to Karen Evarts of The Boat Doctors in Olcott.  J13 Rapalas in perch and firetiger were working for Mark Vogt of Newfane Tuesday, but Booker glow spoons and spinners have been catching fish, too, according to Evarts.

Nothing to speak of in 18 Mile creek yet.

In the Niagara River below Niagara Falls, small schools of mature salmon were seen moving up into the gorge area. Lisa Drabczyk of Creek Road Bait and Tackle was reporting salmon action off the NYPA fishing platform in the gorge over the weekend and early this week. Nothing from boats in Devil’s Hole. Bass and walleye are still hitting from shore along Artpark and further down river, too, for boaters dragging crabs, shiners and worm harnesses along the bottom on 3-way rigs. The river water temperatures dropped 5 degrees from last week, but so far that has not made a huge difference. If cooler temps prevail, it could trigger more of a river run of kings.

In the meantime, make sure you mark Sept. 22-23 on your calendar for activities. Sept. 22 is a kids fishing derby at Hyde Park Lake in Niagara Falls from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Young anglers from 6 to 16 are eligible. Register at the Oasis Pavilion off Robbins Drive in the park.

Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls was fishing along Artpark when he hooking into this lunker bass on a No. 3 spinner

Sept. 22 and 23 is the NYPA’s Wildlife Festival, co-sponsored by the Niagara County Federation of Conservation Clubs in honor of National Hunting and Fishing Day. The event is held on the visitor center grounds adjacent to Niagara University both days from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

And just so you know, Saturday Sept. 22 is a free fishing day in New York State being declared by the state in honor of National Hunting and Fishing Day. Everyone 16 years of age and older do not need a license, but you must abide by the regulations.

Good luck and good fishing!

Bill Hilts, Jr. – Outdoor Promotions Director

Inline image 2

Destination Niagara USA, 10 Rainbow Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY 14303

Orleans County, NY – Fishing Report from Capt. John Oravec, Tight Lines Charters – August 28, 2018.

Posted on by Capt. John Oravec
  • Alert! The big sows are in!!!
Capt. Johnny Oravec is a 43 year veteran of Orleans County charter captain of the 33 foot Trojan the “Troutman 2”.

After a long day on Monday 8/27/18, guiding two2 separate veteran groups to a bunch of  mature Kings 80 down over 120 on cut bait, I switched programs. Troll moved to rough structure in 60′ of water and got more 15 to 22 pound Kings!

The Oak Orchard River is running from heavy rains and the sharks are whiffing river scent already! There is no need to fly around 5 to 10 miles out. You may be leaving big fish action!

On that subject, everyone in the Orleans County area mourns the loss of Mr. Carl Hazel from Barre Center, NY. Carl and a fishing partner were trolling a 20 ft. rig and went down in extremely choppy water many miles out. We all appreciate the big efforts by the Orleans County Sheriff, USCG, Canadian Coast Guard, civilian anglers and a skilled Canadian Freighter Pilot in the recovery efforts in tough conditions. Please use every possible source of weather and lake condition information. Be prepared with USCG survival gear, anchor, rope, signaling kit, cell phone and distress flag. Make part of your strategy on big water to leave a float plan.  Stay with the pack, watch the weather and keep your speed reasonable.

The LOC Derby runs to Labor Day. The winner lurks off the Orleans County coastline and this angler is fishing in close!

Now go get ’em!

Captain John Oravec
captjohnoravec.com  

Tight Lines Charters
1857 Countyline Rd * Lyndonville, NY 14098
boat/mobile 585-590-2045 

Capt Johnny Oravec is a 43 year veteran of Orleans County charter captain of the 33 foot Trojan the “Troutman 2”. Capt Johnny has been helping Great Lakes anglers learn and develop fishing techniques by writing for the In Fisherman Magazine TV and Radio.

Visit our Fishing Report on OrleansCountyTourism.com, including weather forecasts and our “At the Oak, Orleans County” Facebook feed.

Niagara Falls USA Fishing Forecast for Wednesday, August 29, 2018 – Destination Niagara USA

Posted on by Bill Hilts

Chris Taylor of Grand Island is holding a 29 pound, 7 ounce Niagara Bar king salmon he caught Sunday morning to win the Salmon Division of the Fish Odyssey Derby. He's also leading the Salmon Division of the LOC Derby that ends on Labor Day. Mike Mongan (L) and Walt Zebker, both of Grand Island, were also fishing on the boat.

Capt. Frank Campbell of Niagara Region Charters holds up a 32-pound Niagara Bar king salmon caught by Kyle Kraft of Ohio. 

Mature king salmon are moving closer to their natal streams and are starting to darken up in Lake Ontario.

Crazy winds have riled things up a bit, making fishing a bit more difficult.

The Niagara Bar finally turned on for big fish as a 32 pounder was caught, as well as a 29-pound, 7 ounce king. Flasher-fly and flasher with cut bait top the list of enticements on the drop off near the red can.

Chris Taylor of Grand Island is holding a 29 pound, 7 ounce Niagara Bar king salmon he caught Sunday morning to win the Salmon Division of the Fish Odyssey Derby. He’s also leading the Salmon Division of the LOC Derby that ends on Labor Day. Mike Mongan (L) and Walt Zebker, both of Grand Island, were also fishing on the boat.

Olcott Harbor reports have some fish in close. but hit it early, before the sun comes up. One of the better areas has been 250 to 350 feet of water out in  front of Olcott. The microwave tower and the power plant are both good landmarks for fall fishing, too. Fish 70 to 90 feet down. Out a bit deeper, 400 to 500 feet of water, steelhead have been hitting spoons. Just ask Gabby Hovak of North Tonawanda and Tom Milleville of Sanborn, a couple of winners in the Fish Odyssey this past week.

Speaking of the Odyssey, the 42nd Annual Greater Niagara Fish Odyssey Derby concluded last Sunday and plenty of big fish and last minute heroics came to the scales by both young and old alike. For the adults, Robert Geiger of Lackawanna won the bass division with a 5-1/2 pound Lake Erie smallmouth bass and then proceeded to win the $3,000 Grand Prize in a special drawing of all first place winners. Chris Taylor of Grand Island caught the biggest salmon on the final day of the derby, a 29 pound, 7 ounce Niagara Bar king that is currently first place in the LOC Derby. It also won a special $700 LOTSA prize for the biggest salmon caught by a member.

Chris Walczak of Amherst caught this northern pike off the piers at Olcott while casting for salmon and trout this week.

Milleville of Sanborn caught the big steelhead, a 12 pound, 7 ounce fish reeled in off Olcott. Top lake trout came from Lake Erie when Jerry Bielicki of Akron hauled in a 22 pound, 14 ounce fish. Jason Henning of Machias was first in the carp division with a 23 pound, 4 ounce Lake Alice carp and Eric Majka of Niagara Falls took top honors in the walleye division with an 11 pound, 1 ounce lower river ‘eye. He also took a special $500 for the largest walleye caught by a Southtowns Walleye Assn. member. Grand prize in the Junior Division went to Ethan Bronschidle of Newfane, earning the right to be in the drawing by catching a 35 pound, 3 ounce carp. Wow! Top salmon was caught in the last hour of the derby, a 22 pound, 10 ounce Olcott king weighed in by Alex Heath of Sanborn. That’s 2 years in a row! Gabby Hovak of North Tonawanda had the big trout at 13 pounds, 7 ounces, a fish that’s also leading the Steelhead Division of the LOC Derby. Gabriella Geiger, Robert’s daughter, was top bass catcher with a 5 pound, 1 ounce Lake Erie fish and Abigail McGrath of Niagara Falls took top panfish with a 10 ounce rock bass from Lake Erie. The walleye division winner was Ethan Brolinski with a 10 pound, 6 ounce lower Niagara River fish. He was dragging a Berkley Flicker Shad on the bottom when the fish hit. He also won the drawing for a bike from the Primate Sanctuary.

The LOC Derby ends on Monday, Sept. 3. If you are going fishing, get in the derby. One unlucky angler caught a 32 pound salmon last weekend, only to find out one person wasn’t in. He could have won $25,000.

Niagara River action has been good for walleye and bass with no confirmed reports of salmon in the gorge yet. They should be there very soon. Michael and Alyssa Cardamone of Lewiston had a banner bass day earlier this week when they caught more than 15 bass in just a couple hours of fishing. They were caught on crabs.

Good luck and good fishing!

Bill Hilts, Jr. – Outdoor Promotions Director

Inline image 2
Destination Niagara USA
10 Rainbow Blvd.
Niagara Falls, NY 14303
p: 1-877 FALLS US | 716-282-8992 x. 303
 

ENDLESS OPPORTUNITIES – Chautauqua County, New York is a premier destination for anglers

Posted on by Tyler Frantz - Natural Pursuit Outdoors

Chautauqua Lake is noted as a popular Musky fishery.

  • Bass, Walleye, Lake Trout, Musky…Imagine
  • All-you-can-eat Crab Legs
  • Sandy Beaches for kids and family fun
  • More than 20 Wine Tasting Vineyards within 20 minutes drive
Imagine this….6-pound smallmouth bass, daily limit walleye catches (6/person), musky, very large lake trout…it really is an opportunity for Endless Fun. Tyler Frantz Photo

By Tyler Frantz

DUNKIRK, New York- As the 150 Mercury engine on Buffalo-native Ken Christie’s Triton bass boat sliced across choppy roller waves, sending a chilling spray of Erie lake water onto our exposed faces with each downward smack of the bow, I felt the nervous excitement of a daredevil kid preparing for his first BMX stunt in unchartered territory.

It was my first time fishing lake Erie, and though the skies looked a bit ominous, my outlook was bright for the incredible angling opportunities I’d been told exist there.

Just the afternoon before, Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association’s newly retired Executive Director Dennis Scharadin and I had arrived at Sunset Bay Beach – home base for Chautauqua County Fish Camp – surprised to find a bustling Jersey Shore-like beach scene with sand, lakefront condos and upbeat tiki bars just a few miles down the road from the rural backwoods territory owned by the historic Seneca nation.

It had been a welcoming reception into camp, featuring a colorful dinner discussion with fellow writers at Cabana Sam’s Restaurant, where crab legs came “all you can eat” and Schuylkill County-folk would be happy to learn there was Yuengling Gold Pilsner on tap.

But the light-hearted banter of the previous evening now shifted to a serious focus on fishing, the real reason for making the 5-plus hour drive north- to sample some of what northwestern New York has to offer the traveling outdoorsman.

It took scant convincing, for with the first cast of a drop-shot tube into 27-feet of water, my rod tip was pulsing under the weight of a six-pound smallmouth- my very best bass to date.

Moments later….(Click the picture below to learn the other exciting details of this incredible trip.)

Cabana Sam’s (in the background) and their sandy Lake Erie beach is near and dear to the hearts of families looking for summer fun. Tyler Frantz photo

Orleans County, NY – Fishing Report from Capt. John Oravec of Tight Lines Charters, Sep. 4, 2018.

Posted on by Capt. John Oravec

Orleans County King Salmon in Lake Ontario are on the BIG BITE!

From a tired Captain, the day after Labor Day…

Fish on and Happy Labor Day from everyone at Orleans County Tourism, the Fishing Fleet and the supporting area merchants that make coming to the “Oak” the top Great Lakes Fishing Package again this year!

Whether you are a local fisher-person going out for a couple of hours of great fishing with our famous sunsets or one of the out-of-state rigs I see every day slipping out the harbor at sunrise – go get ’em!

Weather systems typical for Labor Day week have repositioned the thermocline from 25 to 40 down early in the week to 70 feet down over the weekend.

More boats had good luck in the mid-water (150-250 feet). Another hotspot developed in 50 to 70 FOW west from Johnson’s Creek to Chrome Dome. Remember, mature river-bound kings, browns and coho sniff out duckweed lines and Johnson Creek can be a strong drawing force.

A NOTE ABOUT THE CURRENT NOW: THE RIP IS PUSHING FROM NORTHEAST TO SOUTHWEST SO WATCH YOUR GROUND SPEED ON ANY KIND OF WEST TROLL. IF FISH AREN’T LOOKING AT AND HITTING YOUR SPREAD, THROW OUT THE BAG! THEN, WHEN ON THE EAST TROLL, THROTTLE UP and WATCH YOUR GPS SPEED…AND MAKE THE RODS POP! THIS CAPT HASN’T CHANGED LURE COLORS IN A MONTH (300 fish later). I focus on speed, vary lead lengths, use flouro-carbon line and stealth spreads. It matters!

While some may think that with derbies now over, that’s it! Don’t believe it! With the high percent of mature fish in the daily catch, plus good soaking rains pushing rich water out of the tributaries, ledge-staging big mature Kings will become the target in the coming weeks. Then followed by pierhead, shallow water J-plug trolling and pier casting. River runs can start early in a year like this.
There is plenty of big fish action ahead.

There is less overall boat traffic, good availability with area charters and lodging operators and plenty of fish. Fish on! Oil the reels, get fresh, strong line, tie new knots.

Shark wars are coming!

See you on the Orleans County Ledges no deeper that 120 ft.

“Troutman” – Captain John Oravec; Tight Lines Charters
1857 Countyline Rd * Lyndonville, NY 14098
Boat/Mobile: 585-590-2045; Email: captjohnoravec.com

Capt Johnny Oravec is a 43 year veteran of Orleans County charter captain of the 33 foot Trojan the “Troutman 2”. Capt Johnny has been helping Great Lakes anglers learn and develop fishing techniques by writing for the In Fisherman Magazine TV and Radio.
Visit our Fishing Report on OrleansCountyTourism.com, including weather forecasts and our “At the Oak, Orleans County” Facebook feed.

Lake Ontario – Orleans County LAKE and STREAM fishing report: September 11, 2018.

Posted on by Capt. John Oravec

Capt. Johnny Oravec is a 43 year veteran of Orleans County charter captain of the 33 foot Trojan the "Troutman 2".

LAKE REPORT from Capt. John Oravec of Tightlines Charters: 

Happy Fisherman from Minnesota with one of the 3 Salmon he caught. Not bad for his first time fishing on Lake Ontario. Courtesy of Mike Grager

This week we were blessed with two fisheries, both in shore with red hot action! Fishery #1: lots of anglers found a cooperative mixed bag of “feeder” kings, steelhead, Choo and rogue brown trout in the 90 to 130 ft. of water band (FOW). Many reported consistent spoon bite 50 to 70 ft down, 350 coppers and flasher “meat” rigs on 210 divers.
Fishery #2: Several charters (specifically Free Spirit, Rally Killer, Troutman 2, Pisces) moved east and up the ledge to 65 FOW and discovered dense mature kings. I have to say this inner ledge action rivaled the dodger crush of the 1980’s!!!
By 6:30 pm, my guys said “uncle”, worn out from hauling on screaming reel 20 pound class chinook. Many boats agreed that multiple hook ups were the norm and my boys scrambled during a 4 timer – all big, all runaway freight train fighting kings using custom  “O” Frawg Northern King Spoons. By looking at the calendar, this schools depth (65 ft.), the pink belly on most of the fish and forecast for days of east winds, I expect these salmon are Oak Orchard River bound. (Pink belly kings indicate laying on bottom where chafing zebra mussels occurs.)
Expect big fish 10 to 40 FOW very soon! The forecast for the upcoming late week/ weekend is for 80° weather and lighter winds so get ready with flasher fly combos, j plugs and screaming reels. The mature fish are in! Have fun, since the Orleans County Lake Ontario waters are, after all, “the Home of the King!”
T-Man out!
“Troutman”, Captain John Oravec, captjohnoravec.com
Tight Lines Charters, 1857 Countyline Rd * Lyndonville, NY 14098
boat/mobile 585-590-2045
Capt Johnny Oravec is a 43 year veteran of Orleans County charter captain of the 33 foot Trojan the “Troutman 2”. Capt Johnny has been helping Great Lakes anglers learn and develop fishing techniques by writing for the In Fisherman Magazine TV and Radio.
STREAM REPORT  from Ron Bierstine from Oak Orchard Tackle and Lodge, September 11, 2018.
Well, we got our change in the weather and on the cusp of that change before the Lake got too roiled up there were a few salmon hooked up at the Oak river mouth on Saturday and Sunday, Sept 8th and 9th.  Some strong winds and cool if not cold water near shore have kept some guys at bay thru the start of this week.  There was something like 1 – 2 inches of a nice soaking rain here on the Lake Plains thru Monday, Sept. 10th.
You’d be hard pressed to see much effect on tributary levels though since things were starting so low.  But no doubt its cooled things down some and coupled with that previous mentioned wind, some salmon have come into the the lower Oak and maybe a few have fired all the way to the dam.  The Lake has gotten so cold in the near shore waters from the most recent weather that it may have made a cold water “fence” that trout and salmon may not want to cross – for now.  I haven’t seen any obvious concentrations of staged up salmon in the lower river typical spots just yet.  Forecast is for a return to warmer temps and with some lakeshore prevailing westerly winds there should be a return to more typical staging fish movement.
Oak Orchard River mouth King early Sep 2018
Oak Orchard River mouth King, early Sep 2018
Provided by Ron Bierstine, Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge
Visit our Fishing Report on OrleansCountyTourism.com, including weather forecasts and our “At the Oak, Orleans County” Facebook feed.

Lake Erie Walleyes – Wow! Mixed Western New York Bag Includes Lunker Lakers, Slammer Smallies, Marauding Muskies

Posted on by Ken Perrotte
Lake Erie walleyes near Dunkirk, New York, in Chautauqua County, are schooled and easy to catch with the right gear. Kenn Perrotte explains all. Dave Barus photo

By Ken Perrotte

I’ve often heard Lake Erie described as the best walleye fishing in the United States, but never made an opportunity to fish this lake and see just how “Great” it is. After seeing how quickly we were able to catch two boat limits of fish in early August – in some tough weather, to boot – I’ll readily, it’s pretty great!

We fished out of Dunkirk, in Chautauqua County, the westernmost county in New York that borders Lake Erie. It’s a beautiful area with many small farms and gentle hills that feed down to fertile lowlands and wine country as you near the lakefront. 

Editor Note: Click on the link below to watch two video’s and a long list secrets from charter captains, including lures to lines to photos of rods and reels, and who to call to enjoy this…all thanks to Ken Perrotte:

https://www.outdoorsrambler.com/single-post/2018/08/22/Lake-Erie-Walleyes—Wow-Mixed-Western-New-York-Bag-Includes-Lunker-Lakers-Slammer-Smallies-Marauding-Muskies.

.

DEC Announces Special Waterfowl Hunting Permits Needed For Opening Weekend of Duck Season at Oak Orchard & Tonawanda Wildlife Management Areas

Posted on by Dave Barus

Duck Seasn Dates announced for New York State. Joe Forma Photo

2018-19 Duck Season Dates announced for New York State. Joe Forma Photo

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) recently announced that special permits will be issued for the opening weekend of duck season to hunt waterfowl at two popular state-managed locations.

The permit requirement applies to waterfowl hunting at the Oak Orchard and Tonawanda Wildlife Management Areas located primarily in Genesee and Niagara counties (with small portions in Orleans and Erie counties). The intent of the special permits is to promote hunter safety and increase the quality of hunting on days when the areas receive the greatest use.

The special permit is required to hunt waterfowl at these wildlife management areas on the duck season’s first Saturday and first Sunday. These two days are the only times the special permits are required. Waterfowl may be hunted without a special permit during the remainder of the season. The permit system has been used successfully at both wildlife management areas for many years. No special permits are required to hunt other game species at Oak Orchard or Tonawanda Wildlife Management Areas.

DEC has announced 2018-2019 duck hunting season dates. Western New York’s opening day/weekend dates for duck hunting are Oct. 27 and 28. This year, goose season will be open during the opening weekend of duck season, and goose hunters are also required to obtain the special permit.

Opening weekend waterfowl hunting permits for the two Wildlife Management Areas will be distributed by a random lottery. For each of the two days, DEC typically issues 100 permits for Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area, and 50 permits for Oak Orchard Wildlife Management Area. This year, with the current drought conditions, the number of permits issued may be reduced. The decision regarding how many permits will be issued will be made closer to the date of the lottery, and a news release with an update will be issued at that time.

To apply for the lottery, hunters must send in a postcard with their name, address, and their first three choices, in order of preference, clearly indicated. Hunters must choose from four options: Oak Orchard first Saturday; Oak Orchard first Sunday; Tonawanda first Saturday; and Tonawanda first Sunday. Phone numbers are optional on the postcard, but if a phone number is available, applicants can be contacted if there is an issue with their card.

Applicants must also have completed a Waterfowl Identification Course, and their course certificate number must be indicated on the postcard. Applications will be accepted through Sept. 15, 2018, and must be mailed to:
New York State Bureau of Wildlife
1101 Casey Road, Box B
Basom, New York 14013

Each permittee will be allowed to bring one companion over the age of 18 and an additional companion 18 years old or younger.
Issued permits are nontransferable and are not valid for companion(s) unless the permittee is present and hunting within 50 yards.

The permittee is responsible for completing and returning the questionnaire portion of the permit to the New York State Bureau of Wildlife by November 15, 2018. If the completed questionnaire is not received by November 15, the permittee will be ineligible for next year’s (2019) lottery.
http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/77537.html

African Snake Bites Man on Staten Island

Posted on by stoadmin
  • Lucky Man Survives Gaboon Viper Bite
  • Snake Was Illegal
  • Man Had No Permit

New York – A Staten Island was bitten on the hand by a deadly Gaboon Viper (Bitis Gabonica) while the man was

Decapitated head of the Gaboon Viper snake that bite a Staten Island man while cleaning the cage of the snake. The man survived.

cleaning its cage and was transported to Jacobi Medical Center in Bronx County.  The Gaboon viper is a snake species found in the rainforests and savannas of sub-Saharan Africa and is venomous.

On March 11, Environmental Conservation Officer (ECO) Wesley Leubner was on patrol in Westchester and Putnam counties when he heard a news report of a venomous snake bite in Staten Island.  ECO Leubner contacted Richmond County ECO Michael Hameline regarding the report.

ECO Hameline and ECO JT Rich visited the NYPD 121st Precinct in Staten Island to obtain detailed information about the snake.

After being bitten, the subject cut the snake’s head off with a knife and called 911.  NYPD arrived on scene and located the deceased Gaboon Viper, as well as a Red-Tailed Columbian Boa. Both snakes were secured by NYPD’s Emergency Services Unit and transported to the New York City Animal Care and Control office in Manhattan.

The subject was fortunate that the bite was a “dry” bite, meaning that no venom was injected into his hand.  He was able to check himself out of the hospital Saturday morning.  On March 12, ECOs Hameline and Rich interviewed the subject, who admitted to possessing both snakes without the required permits.  The subject was issued a summons for violating NYC Law pertaining to illegal pets, as well as a summons from the DEC for possessing a venomous reptile without a permit.

The case will be heard in Richmond County Court in May. The deceased vi

A Red-Tail Columbian Boa was also an illegal pet (due to no permit) in the same household.

per was seized into evidence; the constrictor is being cared for by NYC animal care and control.

 

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Environmental Conservation Officers (ECOs) enforce the 71 Chapters of NY E

nvironmental Conservation Law, protecting fish and wildlife and preserving environmental quality across New York.

 

In 2016, the 286 ECOs across the state responded to 26,400 calls and issued 22,150 tickets for crimes ranging from deer poaching to corporate toxic dumping and illegal mining, the black market pet trade, and excessive emissions violations.

“From Montauk Point to Mount Marcy, from Brooklyn to Buffalo, the ECOs patrolling New York State are the first line of defense in protecting New York’s environment and its natural resources, ensuring that they exist for future generations of New Yorkers,” said Commissioner Basil Seggos.  “They work long and arduous hours, both deep in our remote wildernesses and in the tight confines of our urban landscapes.  Although they don’t receive much public fanfare, the work of our ECOs is critical to achieving DEC’s mission to protect and enhance our environment.”

Angling Tips to Help Trout and Salmon Beat the Heat…from NYSDEC

Posted on by NYS Dept. of Env. Conservation

Heat stressed fish often seek pockets of cold water.

In New York, trout and trout anglers have benefited from abundant rainfall and cool weather conditions this spring that promote the growth and survival of trout and salmon.

Heat stressed fish often seek pockets of cold water.

However, with the forecast for high temperatures this weekend through next week, it is important to remember that trout and salmon are coldwater sportfish that can experience serious physical stress whenever water temperatures climb above 70° Fahrenheit. Heat stressed fish often seek pockets of cold water created by upwelling groundwater, small feeder streams, or water released from deep reservoirs. These refuges allow trout to avoid or recover from potentially fatal levels of heat stress. You can help by taking the following precautions during your warm weather fishing trips.

  • Avoid catch and release fishing for heat stressed trout. Trout already weakened by heat stress are at risk of death no matter how carefully they are handled.
  • Don’t disturb trout where they have gathered in unusually high numbers. Because these fish are likely to be suffering from heat stress and seeking relief, responsible anglers will not take unfair advantage of their distress.
  • Fish Early. Stream temperatures are at their coolest in the early morning.
  • Go to Plan B! Have an alternate fishing plan ready in case water temperatures are too high at your intended destination. Consider fishing a waterbody that is less prone to heat stress or fishing for a more heat tolerant species like smallmouth bass.

When fishing tailwaters, such as those below New York City water supply reservoirs, remember that the cooling influence of reservoir releases will not extend as far downstream during periods of intense heat. By paying attention to water temperatures and adapting fishing strategies to changing conditions, anglers can help New York State’s trout and salmon beat the heat.

Only you can prevent aquatic invasions. Clean, Drain and Dry your fishing and boating equipment after every use.

Autumn Color, Nature, Wilderness Air and Fresh Coffee at Lake George

Posted on by Forrest Fisher
  • Business Takes a NEW Direction
  • Lure of Autumn Bass Fishing, Lake Trout, Landlocked Salmon
  • Sights of Colorful Foliage
  • Plans for Waterfowl Hunting, Stream Fishing for Brook Trout

By Forrest Fisher

Rising fog from mountain valleys appear like slices of horizontal white pie resting between high, dark mountain peaks of the Adirondacks in the Lake George area. Forrest Fisher Photo

My workday plan was busy with a business trip from New York City to Montreal.  The airport traffic was heavy, the security lines long, longer than ever, the sky was clear and it was a beautiful day.  I was not happy with bumper to bumper traffic conversation between the interstate roadway vehicles and the morning disc jockeys were in a rant about their bummed weekend.  They made the congestion worse.  Then I suddenly realized, “I can drive!”

About two hours or so up the northbound highway, the traffic was gone and I discovered a wonderful sense of peace and quiet.  I left the long lines of airport security, the chaos of baggage, laptop checks and body scans behind.  All gone.  All replaced by a road trip drive that would change my persona for the day, maybe forever.

There was a faint sliver of fog rising from the valleys that appeared like slices of horizontal white pie resting among the high and very dark mountain peaks of the Adirondacks in the background.  Driving down Highway 87, the road signs announced Lake George and despite the near-darkness, I noticed that the autumn scenery was stunning in this particular area.  Signs advertised fly fishing, Hudson River rafting, rail trail bikes, historical sites, boating, biking, hiking and more.  These diverted my mind and were tempting me to consider a new daytime destination, maybe as just a momentary, side-of-the-highway, homesteader.  Yes, I thought, pull over, if only just to watch the enchanting sunrise.

Highway 87 runs north-south and Exit 21 and 22 provide easy access to Lake George Village and Dunham’s Bay Resort, where I found morning coffee. Photo: www.visitadirondacks.com

Rocky bluffs jutted upward and outward along the freeway, as I tried to focus on driving and not the scenic beauty.  That was just not possible.  The scenic views were an immediate visual award, an instant lottery prize win, just for making this drive.  I sensed myself grinning to the view, perhaps that was one honest measure of my sheer contentment.

A few minutes later, in the distance, the brilliant orange ball of morning sun began to tiptoe upward.  It was only a dull orange color sky at first, and then the first sliver of the sun crest rose just above the lowest horizon in the east.  I pulled off the roadway at Exit 21 and decided I needed a cup of java just to watch the morning light.  Driving down Beach Road in Lake George Village, sort of exploring too, my business trip had become an adventure.

I continued along Highway 9L just for a few minutes, it was October and many business places were already closed for the season, but it was so quiet, so enjoyable.  Then I came to Dunham’s Bay Resort (www.dunhamsbay.com).  I went in and asked about coffee. Yes!  They had fresh java and all the mixings, it smelled so good.  I toasted a cup to my decision to drive and thought about those poor folks that were probably still waiting in the airport line, grinning again.

A cup of fresh morning java from Dunham’s Bay Resort catered to my view of the morning sunrise at Lake George. Rose Barus Photo

I moved to the front of the resort and sat in one of the outdoor lawn chairs.  The warm Lake George water and chilly mountain air caused a fog to form on Dunham’s Bay right in front of the resort.  It became thick and started to settle before it started to rise.  I went back in for more coffee.  With cup number two, I realized I was looking at the highest mountain tops to the west, visible above the fog.  They suddenly emerged into a sea of brilliant color as the sun lit them up.  A flock of ducks went squawking by in flight, high overhead, that I heard, but could not see.  My brief adventure continued.  The natural intense lighting of the sun was doing everyday work.  I was inspired by the dazzling beauty and the coffee tasted so good.

An immediate urge for home ownership in the area seemed an almost immediate necessity.  How did I ever miss this Lake George area before?  Perhaps, if only for now, I might try for a short stay.  No.  Maybe on the way back, I thought, that way I could stay a day or maybe two.  Today, back to reality, there were meetings planned and work to do.

Vibrant autumn foliage was evident along Highway 87 and the pristine upper Hudson River. Rose Barus Photo

I realized that with the flight reservation and airport plan from the start, my fly rod was not with me.  On the next drive north, there might have to be a stopover.  Imaginary fog would be the cause, I’d need to pull over to stay safe.  Again, I’m grinning.  What a plan.  I realize that this drive to a brief coffee stop has me totally energized.

A new essence for realizing the seasons of the year was added to my list of “important things,” the autumn colors of October on Lake George are unforgettable.  Perhaps I must remember to do this again, maybe when NOT ON BUSINESS next year, I thought to myself.  It is a family type of destination, I could bring everyone, the grandkids too.

Historic sites abound near Lake George Village, adding the need for a second or third trip to “see it all.” Forrest Fisher Photo

My cellphone is activated and the calendar is reserved one year ahead around the seasons and the scenery just recorded only to memory.  Of course, I’ll never forget this day.

The backcountry is a new priority.  I return to the ribbons of roadway heading north with a new vision of the stunning foliage and clean, spring-fed, waterways that are abundant here.  These waters are filled with trout and untainted crustaceans.  Pleasantly now, I’m in a new comfort zone for effective business and again, I’m grinning.  Driving was such a good idea.

Time spent in the Adirondack Mountains of New York during autumn are positively special.  October is the month of color transition in the Lake George area of the Adirondack Mountains and lush green leaves turn to brilliant colors of bright yellow, orange and red.  They are unforgettable.

Color and visions from morning light to sunset are remarkable all around Lake George.  Accommodations are at low rates and fishing charters are still running.  The crisp air is right for a fall getaway.

Not sure I can wait for next time!

For Lake George information, visit www.visitlakegeorge.com or call the Warren County Tourism Department at 518-761-7653.   

Barcelona Walleye RUSH OUTDOORS to Offshore Bite for TV

Posted on by Forrest Fisher
  • WHO: Rush Outdoors TV & Barcelona Charters Teams Up to Catch Fish
  • WHERE: Eastern Basin Lake Erie, Barcelona Harbor, Chautauqua County, New York
  • WHAT: Catching Walleye and Lake Trout
  • HOW: Troll Speed: 2.3-2.5mph; Water Depth: 130-135 feet; Fish Depth: 75-85 feet; Water Temp: 66 degrees
  • GETTING TO THE FISH: Downriggers, Divers, 8-color and 10-color leadcore
  • PROVOKING A STRIKE: Custom-painted Stickbaits, Homemade Spoons, Handmade Spinner/Worm Rigs

By Forrest Fisher

Tim Andrus, outdoor mentor and star of Rush Outdoors TV, lands a nice 5-pound walleye near Barcelona Harbor, New York.  Forrest Fisher Photo

NY Outdoor News editor, Steve Piatt, (http://www.outdoornews.com/new-york/) gave me a ring last week and asked if I could fill in for him to do a Rush Outdoors TV Show taping with network outdoor stars, Tim Andrus and John Lenox.  You know my answer! “Uh, let me think about it Steve.” ….clear the decks!  “No I’m not busy, why?” 

The next day, I received a phone call from John and we met yesterday at dockside at Barcelona Harbor in Chautauqua County, New York, and I was introduced to Captain Brad Smith and his wonderful wife and 1st Mate, Darcy, of Barcelona Charters (http://barcelonacharters.net/). Their 28-foot Marinette Fisherman boat is docked near Monroe Marina.   

Captain Brad Smith ran 10 well-equipped lines with no tangles and 31 fish boated over the day. Forrest Fisher Photo

It was about 8AM, the winds were SSE at 8mph, the sky was clear and blue, the sun was coming up quick in the eastern horizon and there were 14 rod/reel rigs set to go aboard this comfortable, well-outfitted, boat. 

Tim said, “I think we’re ready to go Captain Brad.” With a friendly and crisp response and a “welcome-to-my-boat” grin, Captain Brad answered, “Wait a minute, I gotta get my coffee cup and give the fish a chance to wake up.  I’ll be right back.”

That’s how our day started.  Very relaxed.  The stage was set for a fun day with fun people aboard a big boat with a kitchen and rest room, built to find fish, catch them or release them, store the keepers in a cooler and bring everyone back to port safely with pictures and reality fish tales to share.

“Which way we going honey,” Darcy asked Captain Brad.  “I think we’ll try east today, if that doesn’t work, we’ll swing back to west.”  Captain Brad took the helm and we skirted the excavator rig barges still working on clearing the harbor-mouth after last winter’s storm seige.  The storm opened the breakwall and after it was breached, the harbor filled with sand, stone and debris. 

Action outdoor star of Rush Outdoors TV, Tim Andrus, was aboard and John Lenox, co-star, activated several camera’s throughout the day to capture the non-stop action we found fishing with Barcelona Charters.

With Captain Brad Smith setting and running 10 lines without a single tangle, and Darcy Smith running the boat to waypoints and adjusting the trolling speed, the twin 318 Chrysler engines came alive as we headed for a secret offshore shoal about 3 miles away in 78 feet of water.  Slowing down a half-mile short of the waypoint, Captain Brad hopped down and started setting lines. 

With John Lenox on the left, Tim Andrus on the right, we enjoyed 7 double-headers through 4-hours of fish catching. Forrest Fisher Photo

This guy should have a different name, perhaps “Flash.”   That name would be more suitably correct for this elderly, young-minded, genius fisherman.  By the time we arrived, the lines were all in and we were ready for action. 

As the bottom came up, Darcy keep us all up to date with live reports. “There’s big fish at 75 feet, there’s a bait school at 55 feet, there’s two fish at…,” and so on.  “The water temp is 66 degrees.”  Tim and John and I were enjoying the live feed of all this data.

As Darcy read off depth, speed, water temp and fish sightings, Captain Brad would adjust the lines.  He had three 10-color Sufix non-stop (very thin) 18-pound test lead core lines on the starboard side, three 8-color lead core on the port side, two wire-line diving planes on each side and two downriggers, with all the lines set to the fish depth that Darcy monitored.  What a team. 

“Berkley XT Fluorocarbon leaders are part of my fish attack,” says Captain Brad.  “The leadcore lines, divers and riggers all use different leader lengths, but I think the nearly invisible line is important, and it has different flex to the lure too.”

John Lenox caught many walleye like this one, perfect table fare, over the trip. Forrest Fisher Photo

As the water depth dropped off, we hooked up with our first fish, a small walleye, then another, then another.  Double headers happened over the next three hours…SEVEN TIMES.  Imagine that.  “Hey Tim, can you slide to the right, I gotta net John’s fish,” Captain Brad would say.  “Hey Forrest, can you slide to the left, I gotta net Tim’s fish.”  What a day. We shared fish stories from times past – we all hunt, fish and share passion for the outdoors.  There was not time for many stories.  We were busy catching fish.  Fun busy.

What makes a fun fishing day like this happen?  The word is out that the “deep walleye bite” is pretty much over in eastern Lake Erie.  Guess we know the deep bite is still VERY GOOD.

There were only two boat trailers at Barcelona Harbor this day, and these were bass boats. 

A fish-filled day like this happens when you find a charter captain that understands how to use his gear to find the fish and can figure out a way to meet them half-way to provoke a strike.  He knew which lures to switch to, colors to try.  He understood the difference between tape flash differences underwater and sun angle relationships with the lures he used.

Tim Andrus landed his biggest ever lake trout, a 20 pound-7 ounce monster fork tail, on a Captain Brad Smith homemade spoon. Forrest Fisher Photo

There is much to learn from this gentleman of a charter captain and his 1st mate who fish like this.  The fine points of successful fishing are in the details.

Captain Brad Smith (left) and his 1st mate and wife, Darcy Smith, offer a friendly, enjoyable fishing day aboard their 28-foot Marinette Fisherman charter boat, rigged and moored at Monroe Marina, Barcelona Harbor, Chautauqua County, New York. Forrest Fisher Photo

Leader length, type of line, knots, terminal connection hardware, hook types and sizes, flash, glow tape, these things all matter. 

Captain Brad is well booked for the next 7 days or so, but there is still time to catch fish after that.  Don’t call ghostbusters.  Go check your calendar.

The fish were DEEP, 75 down in 130 feet, but once we found them, running the lines over the fish produced big time.  Have never witnessed a more efficient charter crew.  

Amazing fun that ended with a cooler made to lift with not less than 4-people!  We landed 31 fish in four hours, keeping 17 walleyes for the pan, 3 lake trout for the smoker and several giant, sweet-tasting, silver bass.

That’s a fun fishing day!  If you plan to come visit, just click on http://www.tourchautauqua.com for lodging and general information about this area.  Watch Rush Outdoors TV (http://www.rushoutdoors.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/rushoutdoors.uncut/) to note several more visual details I agreed not to disclose in writing.  See you then.

(left to right) Forrest Fisher, John Lenox and Tim Andrus,with a nice photo summary of the bigger fish caught on the fun trip. Captain Brad Smith Photo.

Big Birds Keep ECO’s Busy – Onondaga County, NY

Posted on by NYS Dept. of Env. Conservation

ECO Damrath untangling fishing line from the great blue heron

Injured Bald Eagle from Cross Lake. NYSDEC Photo

  On July 6, Lt. Dave McShane and ECO Paul Sherman responded to a report of an injured Bald Eagle on an undeveloped island on Cross Lake. The eagle had been spotted by kayakers unable to provide specific information on the location of the raptor.

The two officers searched the island, but failed to locate the bird. The following day, DEC received additional reports of eagle sightings with detailed location information. ECOs Don Damrath and Mark Colesante responded and searched again, eventually spotting the injured eagle in a blown-down tree.

Approaching cautiously, ECO Damrath persuaded the eagle into a cage. The injured eagle, a two-year-old female, was taken to a raptor rehabilitator where it was determined the bird likely had a broken left wrist. The eagle was transported to the Cornell University Wildlife Health Center for X-rays and further evaluation.

ECO Damrath untangling fishing line from the great blue heron

On July 9, ECO Damrath was dispatched to the Seneca River Dam in Baldwinsville after receiving reports of an injured great blue heron. ECO Damrath arrived to find the bird entangled in monofilament fishing line after going for the bait being used by a 14-year-old fisherman. Moving quickly to prevent additional injury as the line tightened around the bird’s body, the ECO freed the bird from hook and line. The bird immediately flew off.

The young fisherman’s mother thanked ECO Damrath for his assistance and shared her son’s desire to become an Environmental Conservation Police Officer when he grows up.

Best Walleye Fishing in 30 Years! New York’s Eastern Lake Erie

Posted on by Forrest Fisher
  • 2017 Angler Survey Catch Rates are nearly THREE TIMES GREATER than 30-Year Average
  • Anglers Harvested More than 70,000 Walleye in 2017
  • Walleye Fishing Expected to Remain Exceptional for Years to Come
While fishing Lake Erie with Captain Dan Korzenski of Hooked-Up Sportfishing from Dunkirk Harbor, NY, Ted Kokur and his three buddies landed more than 20 walleye in a morning of fishing. Korzenski is a noted trolling expert with charter openings for 2018 (716-679-9320, dkkorzenski@hotmail.com).

Stickbaits, spinner/worm rigs and spoons fished in, or just above, the thermocline in summer last year, produced limits of walleye for anglers near and far.  The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced that walleye fishing on Lake Erie during the 2017 season experienced the highest recorded success in nearly 30 years.

Captain Korzenski is a local professional charter captain and shares his fish-catching success methods with all of his clients on each trip, if they want to know how.  A good thing if you own a boat and want to come back and try walleye fishing with your own tackle.  The local stopover bait and tackle store for daily catch rate success is Bill’s Hooks (5139 W. Lake Rd., Dunkirk, NY; 716-366-0268), just a few miles south of the city of Dunkirk on Route 5.  Visit with Gerri Begier there and allow yourself to learn about hot lures, snaps, swivels, fluorocarbon, leadcore line, rods, reels and a dozen other things you never knew about walleye catching, lure making and finding fish if have the time.

Commissioner Basil Seggos said, “The New York State waters of Lake Erie are world famous for outstanding angling opportunities for walleye, smallmouth bass, and yellow perch,  Our Lake Erie waters have consistently ranked among the top three most heavily fished waters in the state and the fishery generates more than $26 million in economic activity annually.  Anglers should take advantage of Lake Erie’s current conditions and experience this world-class walleye fishery for themselves in 2018.”

DEC has conducted an angler survey on Lake Erie to estimate fishing quality and fish harvest annually since 1988.  In recent years, walleye fishing quality has been generally increasing.  Survey results for 2017 revealed record-high walleye catch rates that are nearly three times greater than the 30-year average.  DEC estimates that anglers harvested more than 70,000 walleyes in 2017, a level not achieved since 1989.

Walt Gaczewski of Elma, New York, 80 years young, full of smiles, has his hands full walleye fishing with charter captains from the Eastern Lake Erie Charter Boat Association (www.great-lakes.org/ny/elecba; 716-672-4282) last summer.  Steelhead, giant smallmouth bass, yellow perch and white bass are also secondary catches during Lake Erie walleye fishing outings off Chautauqua County, NY.

This exceptional fishing was due in large part to contributions of strong walleye reproduction in 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2015.  Recent evidence also suggests that walleye reproduction was strong again in 2016.

Walleye are one of the most popular gamefish in New York, as they put up an exciting fight during the catch and make for a tasty meal on the table.  Walleye are aptly named because of their unique eyes that have a reflective layer of pigment called the tapetum lucidum, which allows them to see very well at night and during other low-light periods.  This layer also gives walleye their “glassy-eyed” or “wall-eyed” appearance.

Lake Erie is continually ranked among the world’s top walleye fishing destinations by angler publications with an abundance of trophy-size walleye ranging from 8-10 pounds, with local tournament winners often landing fish exceeding 11 pounds.

If you are looking to organize an office party outing, Captain Lance Ehrhardt from the Lake Erie Charter Boat Association (716-672-4282) can provide a listing of local charter captains that catch fish.  Erhardt prefers to keep the live bait worms on shore – he is a stickbait expert, but has clients reporting summer catches of more than 40 walleye a trip during hot summer outings.  Imagine that!

Given that walleye typically live 10 years or more in Lake Erie, combined with excellent reproduction rates in recent years, anglers should experience continued, exceptional walleye fishing in future years.

For the latest Lake Erie fishing hotline report updated weekly in summer, visit http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/9217.html.  For lodging and other information for vacation planning, wine country tours, microbrewery locations, campsites, boat launches and more, visit http://www.tourchautauqua.com/.

Boat speed, surface temperature, bottom temperature and frequent turns into “secret lake areas” where fish are found allow anglers to reap schooled walleye benefits.

 

Big Beast Bass Adventures at Conesus Lake (NY)

Posted on by Forrest Fisher
  • Silent Presentation is KEY
  • Simple Fishing Rigs can be MOST EFFECTIVE
  • Quality Line, Sharp Hooks, Stiff Rod can help ASSURE Hookup & Catch
Simple Fishing can be effective, things to consider and details are part of this fish-catching story. Forrest Fisher Photo

By Forrest Fisher
When does the adventure of a short fishing trip become special?
After that unforgettable connection to big fish success.
When the fun is non-stop spontaneous.
When you realize something very good happened that was not totally expected.
When you’re fishing with your grandson!
That’s when. Grandkids grow up too quick, but they sure create some great memories that become more than special. Here’s one trip story that is time-honored in my “greatest gift” memory scrapbook.
Bass boats with 250HP engines whizzed from spot to spot around the lake, their engines echoing brilliant monotones of sheer power among lake cottages and the luscious green hills. You could sense the connection to new technology watching them.
There were jet-ski rigs too, and water skiers, and brave stand-up paddle board folks, and kids in tow on floating rafts behind family-sized pontoon boats – there was lots of mid-afternoon activity. Fun activity.
There was also one bright-yellow 12-foot Mirrocraft aluminum boat with two anglers and only two fishing rods. In the sun, the yellow boat rig was easily visible from a half-mile, but looking from the bottom up, it was so bright that it matched the sunshine. An uncommon mode for fishing stealth.
There was no gas-powered engine on the transom. It was a very common, simple, durable, car-top fishing boat with wooden oars for normal motion, except for one thing: On the bow was mounted an old-time, cable-drive, foot-pedal controlled Johnson 12V electric motor on a cross-piece of pressure-treated board. The battery was in a case in the back of the boat for weight distribution and a shielded electric cable, duct-taped along the side of the boat, made the power connection. A Lowrance X-50 sonar unit, tiny in size and volume, but effective, was also hooked in, providing underwater eyes for depth awareness.
The rig offered stealth movement in sheer silence. It provided more ability to work a quiet fishing line around weedbeds, docks, and rocks and buoy markers, maybe even more stealth than one of the new $85,000 bass boat rigs.
With a 15-pound cannon-ball anchor for holding position in the wind, it was simply efficient. In fact, it was a pretty slick-looking fishing rig in a class all by itself. Even with movement, it did not spook fish – big bass, that were nearby.
The fella driving the boat was my grandson. I’m so proud that he shares a similar passion for the outdoors, like I do, and that his father does too – now a long-standing family tradition. It’s the kind of passion and tradition that keeps us all curious to learn more about new things we find when we spend time in the outdoors. It helps to bring us back to meet adventure in the outdoors time and again, and that next time can never be far away.
His fishing rigs are simple, but like the boat, are totally functional. He has thought this out. The boat and fishing rigs are assembled to hook and land big black bass.
His humble Shimano open-face spinning reel is mounted on a 7-foot long, semi-stiff graphite rod (Carbon-X, S-15) with 10-pound Gamma braid line that has 6-feet of 16-pound fluorocarbon Sun Line leader tied to the end. The leader is dock-tough line, thin in diameter and is nearly invisible. The 10-pound braid allows feathered casts for short pinpoint casting, or into the wind with a little “wrist-reach” for long distance.
Terminal tackle includes heavy-wire size 3/0 VMC hooks, the same kind used by many of the Elite Series pro anglers. His favorite bass bait? Friend and bass pro-staffer, Scott Callen, recommended the Sun Line and the 6-inch Big-Bite-Baits “TRICK STICK” plastic worms. My grandson rigs them Texas-style to be weedless (not wacky). An assortment of worm colors is visible in the clear plastic Plano tackle box on the boat seat, and there is only one box. My grandson adds, “Why complicate simple fishing, but just gotta make sure you have that green-pumpkin red flake in there.”
A check with Ted’s Bait & Tackle in Lakeville, N.Y. (opens at 6AM every day, (585) 429-0587), helped with the plastic worm color selection. Proprietor Ted Decker and associate, Bill Brizzee, know the lake and what’s working, and they provided advice about the Big Bite Bait worm colors. Brizzee says, “Yeah, you know they’re priced right ($1.99) in a 5-pack package and we go through ‘em pretty quick when the fish are biting – like this time of year, especially that green-pumpkin color and black w/red sparkle color.”
My grandson stood up in the rig and said, “This little boat is so easy to take places, it is so stable in the water and so safe, and so crafty inside the areas I like to fish. The weed lines, the tree blow-downs near inlet and outlet creeks, the docks, and if you splash-cast up into the shade of whatever structure you can find – even in 6-inches of water, so that your worm entry makes little or no sound, it just settles and sinks – the fish just jump on it. Getting the presentation right is fun! It took me a few years to get better at good casting though.” I knew about those fun years, “Look, you caught a 40-foot hemlock tree!” More good memories.
He went on to show me his nearly perfected casting technique,splash-casting, and on the second cast, he said, “There he goes, he’s movin with it.” He reared back and set the hook two-handed. “Got ‘em! Fish on!” He smiled with that look of fun and approval. Not using the net, he reached over the side and lipped the big bass. One picture later the fish went back to swim another day.
He did that 11 more times in the next two hours. The largest for this day was a healthy 4.65 pounder and the smallest was a 13-incher. All of the fish were plump and with good color.
Sunfish and perch make up a large part of the bass diet here, but why they like plastic worms is still anyone’s guess. I suppose they look like a salamander, leech, snake, nightcrawler or other edible live bait forms too, but one thing for sure, the fish like ‘em – or hate ‘em, because they seem to destroy them.
Before fishing, we reviewed the Conesus Lake Fishing Forum on Facebook at this link: https://www.facebook.com/ConesusLakeFishingForum/. We noted that there is a weekly, 3-fish, Tuesday evening fun bass contest open to all anglers that begins at the state launch in the central portion of the lake.
Exactly where did we fish? We launched at the north end of the lake and followed the directions and advice provided by the NYSDEC to fish the lake. Visit this link: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/25575.html.
We worked the weedbed edges, shadow side of some of the docks, and we also did some deep jigging in 25 feet of water. Found success there too, but switched to using sonar-style vertical jig baits there.
Advice for the next trip? Leave no docks and weedbed drop-offs unexplored, don’t forget the water bottles and the peanut butter/jelly sandwiches.
Tight lines everyone.

Bass Fishing Escape to Cassadaga Lake

Posted on by Forrest Fisher
  • Drop-Shot Rigs Simplify Lure Location
  • Venom Worms Offer Unique Action on Drop-Shot Rigs
  • Colors, Bottom-Weight, Make a Difference

By Forrest Fisher

Scott Gauld showed us that big smallmouth bass and big largemouth bass can live together in the unique, healthy underwater habitat of Cassadaga Lake. Forrest Fisher Photo

When the wind on Lake Erie kicks up waves that churn over the top of the 7-foot breakwall at Chadwick Bay in Dunkirk, New York, it’s too rough to go bass fishing there.  In Chautauqua County, though, there are many other inland lake options that can offer the green light on those days. 

Mike Joyner and I had joined fishing educator, tournament bass angler and longtime friend, Scott Gauld, at Cassadaga Lake, a little waterway located near the village of Lily Dale, just 15 minutes away.  See: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/26964.html.   

We launched at the state boat access located on the Middle Lake, the scene was pristine, not crowded and offered two floating docks for launch and retrieve. 

Giant fluffy clouds masked a brilliant blue sky and there was a rising red glow of sunrise glimmering over the trees in the eastern horizon.  But surprisingly, to the north, there was another cloud line of demarcation, as a cold front with dark rain clouds was visible in that direction.  They seemed to hover there and we hoped they would stay away.  They did and we didn’t get wet. 

A Drop-Shot rig and “Standout Hook” are effective when used with a properly hooked Venom plastic worm. Forrest Fisher Photo

Scott explained that we would try our luck by fishing the weedline in the Lower Lake (there were three lake parts to Cassadaga Lake: Upper, Middle and Lower) and that would put our lures in about 10-12 feet of water.  He described the details that we start out by trying one of his old favorite baits he had used successfully there several times before, while fishing with his dad. 

He reached into a storage compartment on his new Nitro bass boat to hand each of us a 4-inch Salty Sling plastic worm (Venom Lures), then helped us rig up in drop-shot style using rather unique Size 1 “Standout hooks.” 

Green-pumpkin copper and green-pumpkin candy were the plastic worm color choices.   

We were using 7-foot Quantum rods with Sixgill open-face fishing reels loaded with 8-pound test Berkley Nanofil braided line that had 6-feet of Stren fluorocarbon leader (8-pound test) tied on to the end of the braid.  Scott said, “The braid will give us better feel and the fluorocarbon will help keep us in stealth mode so the fish can’t see our line.” 

I felt like we had a distinct advantage, such was the confidence in Scott’s voice.

The “Standout Hook” allows for perfect presentation and perfect hook set to allow release of the fish unharmed in any way. Forrest Fisher Photo

The plan was to toss the drop-shot rigs a few feet in front of the boat and allow them to reach bottom, then lift slightly and check, sense, feel for the slightest tap from a feeding fish.  Both smallmouth and largemouth bass lived in the lake, but so did crappie, walleye and musky too.  Lots of possibilities.

The standout drop-shot hook was tied about 8-10 inches above a specially made 1-1/4 ounce sinker made by the Western New York Bassmasters fishing club, that allowed for quick descent and positive contact with the bottom.  Scott demonstrated what to look for and how to react with a demonstration.  “Cast out, let it hit the bottom, lift the rod ever so gently, feel for a fish, watch the rod tip, if you get no reaction from a fish, then lift the rod tip and gently swing the bait toward the boat a foot or two – watching it the whole time, then drop it to bottom again and repeat.” 

We observed this process while he cast a few times and visually showed us how to work the bait back to the boat.  What he stressed for us to know and learn was to sense for that possible VERY LIGHT TAP, the strike signal, from a feeding fish.  A moment later, he said, “There’s one! Fish on.”  He lifted his rod tip to set the hook and started reeling.  A beautiful, healthy, 3-pound largemouth bass came aboard about 30-seconds later.  My camera woke up to capture this really handsome fish. 

We were having a friendly contest with two buddies in another boat. Hardy, old time anglers and long-time friends, Leon Archer and Wayne Brewer, were fishing with pro bass angler, Scott Callen, in another bass boat.

Mike and I grinned at each other because it seemed that Scott had insight and skill for this Cassadaga Lake waterway.  The fish went into the live well to be released after we weighed them and finished fishing later in the morning.  The plan was for each boat to weigh in a three fish bag of bass for the top-gun honor.  A little friendly competition.

One moment later, Mike hooked a smallmouth bass and brought it aboard.  We caught several fish along the weedline and enjoyed just working the baits and learning this new fishing method.  

The Rattle-Shake swim jig lure tipped with a white Venom Skip Shad tail fooled at least one musky while I had been casting for bass. Fun! Forrest Fisher Photo

We caught many other fish, smaller bass, a perch, and then I even hooked-up with a giant musky.  He looked like about 45-inches or so, maybe a 30-pounder, using one of Scott’s Rattle-Shake swim jig lures tipped with a white Venom Skip Shad tail.  The big fish swirled at my bait, grabbed it, and took off with my line like a freight train to Texas.

Then, in less than five seconds, he spit it back toward the boat, the line went twang, and the bait went airborne as it came flying back right past my ear.  WOW!  The rod was a just little too light to set the hook into the jaw of that monster, but what a huge fishing moment! I’ll never forget that fish.  Unforgettable memories are made of this.  Pure fish power.

Our three biggest bass tally weighed in at a little under 10-pounds.  A very nice morning of fishing, fun, good natured joking, busted laughing and serious hook setting above talk-to-fish expressions.  There were one or two comic expression, “Oops, that one got me,” or “I should’ve set the hook sooner,“ or “Thought that was a weed.”  Fishing with friends, it’s the best.

One other new secret to learn on this trip was the covert hooking of the plastic worm.  The worm was hooked by pushing the hook point right through the worm diameter about a half-inch from the heavy end of the worm, so the rest of the worm just dangled freely.  It looked so very real in the water.  Tantalizing.  

The rod, the line (type and size), the hooks, the weight, and where you cast was important too, but the most important thing was the technique of hooking up the Salty Sling worm to the hook.  That’s what gave the worm the action that provoked the fish to strike.

It was deadly.

The best part of the fish day can be the rabble-rousing jokes that fly among fishing buddies that share their love for the outdoors with a rod and reel. From L to R: Leon Archer, Wayne Brewer, Scott Callen, Mike Joyner and Scott Gauld.  Forrest Fisher Photo

I added a little diagram to the “fishing secrets” book I keep after each trip for future use and to share with some youngster learning to fish along the way when the chance to help a kid occurs.

Cassadaga Lake is a sleeper lake for sure.  When the bigger nearby waterways of Lake Erie and Chautauqua Lake are too rough with wind or rain, this is one secret spot to be aware of. 

Lots of cooperative fish for catching and releasing for the fun of fishing. Especially with friends. Right now, you know at least one way to fish and what to do when you get there.

Tight lines everyone!

Big Cash for Eastern Lake Erie Walleye Anglers – Southtowns Walleye Association Tournament

Posted on by Forrest Fisher
  • Hot Walleye Bites, is it YOUR TURN?
  • CHANGE Lures, Speed, Turn Radius, Time of Day You Fish
  • CHECK Colors, Leaders, Hooks – Control Hand Odor Scent
Catching big walleye during tournament time is about making changes to adapt your style to the fishery of the day. Learn from what the lake offers each day.

By Forrest Fisher

Many anglers in the Northeast USA and especially in Western New York, have a preference for Lake Erie walleye fishing.  Many of them are ready for Southtowns Walleye Association (SWA) Tournament action that will begin very soon. 

Walleye fishing is center-stage over the first few weeks of June, especially June 10-18, when many anglers will be entered in the 33rd annual Southtowns Walleye Association Walleye Tournament.  This is a 9-day/1-fish tournament where the single biggest fish wins. That means any lucky angler can win.

BIG CASH PRIZES: SWA offers cash awards for the top 200 places, with the top 10 places winning big money.  The top prize can be as much as $8,000 in cash plus prizes.  Last year, Jim Horbett took 1st place with his 11.63 pound walleye.  See Bob Fessler or Don Mullen for info, or call 716-462-9576, or visit www.southtownswalleye.org to enter, but do it soon, as registration is closed after the tournament begins.    

The Lake Erie eastern basin walleye resource is healthy and getting bigger with local spawning stocks that can also include migratory western basin fish, which may begin to arrive when summertime is imminent.  We’ll have to wait and see if the area will receive some hot weather to make that west to east migration happen before the tournament ends.

Moving around, making changes, searching the shallow water, the mid-depths and deep water – out there, look for suspended fish in the top 25 feet, these changes can be the key to finding an isolated school of walleye whoppers.

POST-SPAWN WALLEYE:  Local walleye anglers already know that the fish are around and are here in good numbers after the last few weeks of spring fishing. The males that have been caught at night are beautiful fish in the 3 to 7 pound range, not prize winners, but freezer fillers, or are perfect for pictures and catch and release fishing fun.  As the season evolves after the area experienced a very rainy May, the larger females will be recovering from their post-spawn doldrum period and will be hungry. 

The fish will be deeper during the day, but at night, will be feeding in the shallow upper water layer offshore, and also, some fish will be very near to shore during the early part of the tournament (at night).  This fishing can be hit or miss, but if you don’t try it, you’ll never know.

EARLY START:  If you have been fishing like many do, early riser at 330AM, trailer hook-up, travel and launch before sunrise, lights on, lines in, great bite and then suddenly, NO BITE.  What happened?  Simple to figure out if you think about it.  Most of the fish have been on the feed all night, especially during full moon or bright moon periods.  They’re done eating! 

Notice I said, “most of the fish.”  So don’t give up, there will be isolated schools that have yet to feed, but think about night fishing once or twice during the tourney.

Spinner-Worm Rigs are often a top choice for local area anglers, but color, blade shape, bead size and boat speed can make a sound (noise) difference that matters. Willow leaf? Colorado? Indiana blade? Copper? Nickel? Brass? Pick on and vary from there.

LURE OFFERINGS:  What about your lure offerings?  Well you never know what will work until you try, but most anglers use shallow running sticks or spinner-worm rigs and weight the lines to reach the fish at whatever their level, usually 15 to 25 feet from the top.

COLOR & LIGHT PENETRATION: Colors matter for some of us, though not sure the fish care much of the time, but the variable with color is light penetration. If the fish are on the feed, wham!  There will be fish on your line no matter what you are using.  If not, check your lure for action, assure your leaders are healthy, hooks too, then get out there.

The rest of the time when the goggle eyes are not on the feed, you may have to provoke them.  By nature, walleye are night predators, but most anglers in SWA fish daytime. Maybe some anglers are getting old?  Nahhhh!  We just like to see the hooks and jawbones we need to avoid burying in our hand with natural light.

Matching bait offerings to forage options can produce instant fish on the line. Color matters in shallow line sets.  Don’t be afraid to change to something nobody else is using! Old lures can work today too.

BIG FISH CONSISTENCY:  Anglers that win the prize for most fish and biggest fish are often the same anglers year after year.  Reasons why may be widely varied, but not for them. Winning anglers are adaptive.  They change lure style, lure size, color, shape, and they consider all their tackle box options.  Get creative, know what you have in your tackle box.  Know to change your boat travel orientation with wind direction.  Turn more, turn less, swing wide and slow, or wide and fast, but change.

AVOID NO-CHANGE: Be careful not to get into that same “catch-no-fish” pigeon hole that happened once or twice last year or that last time that you never told anyone about.  If you are fishing with the same lure and using the same technique at the same speed and wondering what’s going on, you know it’s time to consider CHANGE.  Explore a bit. Get creative. In your heart of hearts, you know when something needs to change, so do it.   

THINK ABOUT CHANGE: Should you change WHEN you go fishing?  Start at 3PM instead of 3AM?  That’s your call, but what you change is up to you when you’re not catching fish.  Fish move, water temperatures swing with wind shifts, eddy currents push forage to new locations, creek outflows can attract or repel forage and predators, take advantage of these things. Talk with others.  After all that, there is one more thing, keep it simple so you can do it again.  Write it down if you have to, add it to your logbook.  Keep a logbook. Update after every trip.  You will not believe what you learn from your own notes a week from today.

The Rainbow Smelt Banana Bait from LiveTarget Lures offers another option for lure selection.  It made some novice anglers feel like old pro’s last year. It has wiggle, wobble and a sound-making shake.  When it’s time to CHANGE, you will know.

MAKE YOUR OWN CHANGE: Look at a lake map, study your sonar map, evolve to get smarter with each trip on the water and rationalize what is going on, or you can call a best friend that seems to be catching fish!  It’s really up to you to discover the new methods that will work for you. 

After each tourney, I’ve always shared what was working for me and my friends in the boat with others.  It’s what every fishing club is all about.  It’s why some friends share their secrets during the tournament.  It’s how many anglers invent their next new change, by combining what they do with others that have shared to create a new approach.

WALLEYE TRACKING STUDY: Lastly, a new research initiative on Lake Erie – east to west and USA to Canada, that started in 2015 uses acoustic telemetry to track walleye movement. Researchers are studying the west-to-east and east-west fish migration that affects the New York walleye fishery.  A $100 reward can be yours if you catch one of the walleye that have a tracking device, just call DEC (716-366-0228) and report each tagged fish along with returning the internal acoustic tag.

Good luck on the water!

 

Fishing Report from Capt. John Oravec of Tightlines Charters: Aug. 7, 2018 – Lake Ontario, Orleans County, NY

Posted on by Capt. John Oravec

Lake Ontario King Salmon are on the bite near Orleans County, Lake Ontario, NY.

There is a lot of great fishing going on this week off the “Oak” in Orleans County. One group of fishermen, charter and “Rec” boats are coming back to port happy by trolling 55 to 135 ft of water, mainly east of the harbor from the west end of the “Flats” to the “Devil’s Nose”. Actually, I think that if anglers launched at Bald Eagle, they will find a pile of big fish right out front and save a lot of fuel in the process.

FYI, if you have a hankering for pudgy brown trout try smaller stingers, slims and the like. Downrigged and slow-trolled weaving from 50 to 60. If a hot morning bite is your cup of tea, set up at daybreak then set up at 120 ft overall, get your speed right and watch the rods fly! One special tip: these king salmon are on the feed, low light activity is crazy. Try not to waste this prime time running gobs of lines early. Put down two or three riggers, vary your leader, drop back lengths, mark fish, vary your speed and direction and get in on the action!

Update! A little bird told me yesterday that several boats had crazy fishing fun out on the “30 line” on a big mixed bag of Chinook and whopper Steels 55 to 75 down with a 12 pound weight. This location corresponds to roughly 450 feet to 550 feet of water for any newcomers. I believe this area will become very consistent, next week as well.

Remember to go over your rig for all safety equipment which includes fresh flares, working VHF marine radio, and a fully charged cell phone. There are certain basics for a solid offshore fishing trip plan including an AM start, staying with the fleet, weather updates, plenty of fuel and an adequate crew to handle the action. This zone is shared by both up bound and down bound freighter lanes so always be aware of shipping traffic. Go to www.Boatnerd.com for updated vessel locations and vessel names.

Orleans County waters are now a double banded red hot fishing area. Have fun, be safe and please cull your catch, keeping larger adult fish and just the fish you wish to enjoy on the table.

Captain John Oravec, captjohnoravec.com
Tight Lines Charters
1857 Countyline Rd.,  Lyndonville, NY 14098
Boat/Mobile: 585-590-2045

Capt. Johnny Oravec is a 43 year veteran of Orleans County charter captain of the 33 foot Trojan the “Troutman 2”. Capt Johnny has been helping Great Lakes anglers learn and develop fishing techniques by writing for the In Fisherman Magazine TV and Radio.Visit our Fishing Report on OrleansCountyTourism.com, including weather forecasts and our “At the Oak, Orleans County” Facebook feed.

Niagara Falls USA Fishing Forecast for August 15, 2018 – from Destination Niagara USA

Posted on by Bill Hilts

Paige Rosenberger got into the NIagars County Lake Ontario fishing fun this week, fishing with her family aboard On The Rocks Sportfishing with Capt. Mike Johannes.

  • East wind has shifted action, but the bite is HOT
  • Spoons and flasher-fly combo’s are effective
  • Look for Kings to start staging off Niagara River mouth 

The Rosenberger family with a great salmon catch out of Wilson, fishing with Capt. Mike Johannes of On The Rocks.

Lake Ontario has three different fishing derbies going on this weekend.

The Orleans County Rotary Derby has been going on for 2 weeks, ending this Sunday, August 19 and Niagara County is part of it. On Friday, August 17, the Fall Lake Ontario Counties or LOC Derby started up for 18 days, offering contestants a chance to earn $25,000 for the largest salmon. Finally, the


Jay Zuppa and his crew display their salmon catch out of Wilson, fishing with Capt. Joe Gallo of Two Bulls Sportfishing.

Greater Niagara Fish Odyssey Derby is set for August 18 to 26 in Erie, Niagara and Orleans counties. Cash prizes for the adults, merchandise prizes for the kids. If you were to catch a big salmon or trout, and you were entered in all three contests, you could conceivably win all three competitions. For the LOC Derby, find out more information at www.loc.org. Species categories include salmon, brown trout and rainbow/steelhead trout. For the fish odyssey, check out www.fishodyssey.net. Species categories include salmon, smallmouth bass, lake trout, walleye, carp and brown/rainbow trout. Kids can fish in a special youth division for free.

The leading fish in the Orleans County contest is currently a 29-pound, 14-ounce king salmon reeled in by Joseph Miller of Harrisburg, Pa.  Top rainbow trout is a 12 pounder caught by Dan Heglin of Gardner, Mass.  Big brown is 14 pounds, 13 ounces, weighed in by Michael Grager of Lyndonville.  Brian Gambell of Hilton is still leading the lake trout division with a 17 pound, 12 ounce fish.  The Orleans derby ends Sunday.

The bite has been good offshore since the big east blow on Friday, that according to Capt. Matt Yablonsky of Wet Net Charters.  There are fish spread out from 300 to 450 feet of water off Wilson and Olcott.  The hot spot has been changing every day.  Start shallow and go north till you start getting bites according to Yablonsky.  He has been using a mix of spoons and flasher-fly combinations.  He hasn’t had to run any meat yet.  As things settle back in, look for staging fish off the creek and river mouths.  Target the area out front of Wilson and Olcott for mature kings in 50 to 150 feet of water. J-Plugs, magnum


Sara holds up a 20 pound salmon that was reeled in by Frank Davis of E. Amherst. They were fishing with Capt. Joe Gallo of Two Bulls Sportfishing.

spoons, flasher-flies and cut bait were all working on kings.  Don’t forget about the Niagara Bar for staging fish, too, as we advance later into the summer.  Some salmon have been seen Porpoising in the lake.

Capt. Arnie Jonathan of AJ’s Guide Service found walleye fishing to be very good in the lower Niagara this past week.

Capt. Arnie Jonathan of AJ’s Guide Service says that the walleye fishing in the lower river has been good the past week.  Leeches fished off three-way rigs have been effective.  Some anglers prefer the old standby, a Yellow Sally fly, spinner and a worm fished off a three-way rig.  Standard worm harnesses will also work, but you will catch other species of fish too, when using live bait…like sheepshead. S mallmouth bass action has been good for crab drifters.

The NYPA fishing platform is still producing a mix of fish. Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls caught 6 bass and a couple big sheepshead the last time out using a small white tube that he super-glues to a small jig head. While standing on the platform looking down, you will often see muskies, gar pike, carp, bass, suckers and more.

The 5th Annual “End of Summer” Free Kids Fishing Derby will take place on August 25 at Widewaters Marina in Lockport.  Registration starts at 8 a.m. and fishing will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Niagara Falls USA Fishing Forecast for Wednesday, August 22, 2018 – Destination Niagara USA

Posted on by Bill Hilts

Scott Rohe of Cheektowaga with his leading Odyssey salmon at 22 lb. 14 oz.

  • Lots of fish near Lower Niagara River and Lake Ontario
  • Tournaments offering large prizes for many age groups
  • King Salmon on the big bite with right winds
Taven Lukehart, 14, caught a 21.5 pound king salmon out of Olcott Harbor to take over the early lead in the Junior Salmon Division of the Greater Niagara Fish Odyssey.  He weighed it in at the Boat Doctor’s in Olcott.

We’re at the half-way point of the Greater Niagara Fish Odyssey Derby, ending on Sunday, August 26 at 1 p.m. It’s still not too late to enter, especially for the kids who can fish for free in a special Junior Division. There is over $1,000 in kids prizes up for grabs. Check out www.fishodyssey.net for details.

Some nice fish have already come to the scales, like the 10 pound, 6 ounce walleyes weighed in by Charles Hoy of Niagara Falls in the adult division AND by

Gabby Hovak of North Tonawanda caught this 13 pound, 7 ounce steelhead east of Olcott to take over the trout division of the kids in the Fish Odyssey AND the Steelhead Division for the Fall LOC Derby! She caught it on a Finn Tackle spoon.

Ethan Brolinski of Lewiston in the Junior Division! Both were caught on the Niagara Bar at the mouth of the Niagara River. Biggest salmon so far is a 22 pound, 14 ounce king hauled in by Scott Rohe of Cheektowaga, caught out in front of Olcott on a spin doctor and cut bait. Steve Olay of Ransomville has first place rainbow/brown so far with a 11 pound, 1 ounce steelie. Richard Barber of Niagara Falls is the top laker taker with a 19 pound, 2 ounce Niagara Bar fish. Dave Stahura, Jr. of Lackawanna has the big bass so far, a 5 pound, 7 ounce smallmouth from Lake Erie. Michael Boncore of Buffalo is leading the carp division with an 18 pound, 6 ounce Lake Ontario fish. For the kids, Gabby Hovak of North Tonawanda is leading the trout division in the Odyssey. She is also leading the entire field in the Fall LOC Derby with her 13 pound, 7 ounce steelhead caught east of Olcott on a Finn Tackle spoon over 400 feet of water. Taven Lukehart of Reynoldsville, Pa. has the top salmon at 21 pounds, 5 ounces out of Olcott on a spoon. Gabriella Geiger of Lackawanna is current leader in the bass division with a 4 pound 8 ounce Lake Erie smallmouth caught on a tube. Jacob Velesko of Middleport is leading carp catcher with an 18 pound, 15 ounce fish from the Oak and Abigail McGrath of Niagara Falls is leading the panfish division with a 10 ounce perch. Get out there and catch some fish!

Congratulations are in order for the “Reelin’ for a Cure” tournament held last Friday out of Wilson and Olcott. Top ladies team in the 3rd annual event was the Legacy Ladies captained by Rob Wescott of Hamlin. They scored 166.30 points for their best 6 fish based on 10 points per fish and a point per pound to best 20 other boats in the fun contest. They also raised funds for “Look Good, Feel Better” as a support for ladies suffering from cancer.

Niagara River walleye action has been good the past week with worm harnesses or yellow sally-spinner-worm rigs catching fish. Bass action has been good in the river, too, with crabs and shiners at the top of the list for getting fish to hit according to Lisa Drabczyk at Creek Road Bait and Tackle.

In the lake, the salmon and trout fishing has been hampered a bit the last few days from an east wind that has brought in cold waters. Head out deep to 350 to 450 foot depths in the top 100 feet to target a mix of salmon and trout. There were some trollers working the waters from 180 to 220 feet picking up some matures on Tuesday, but it’s a blow day today again so we don’t know what’s happening inside right now.

Scott Rohe of Cheektowaga with his leading Odyssey salmon at 22 lb. 14 oz.

Best baits for mature kings have been spin doctors and flies, flashers with cut bait (Karen Evarts at The Boat Doctors in Olcott says the N & D Cut Bait has been flying out the doors) and J-plugs first thing in the morning. Spoons are also catching fish. Hot colors have been white, black and green.  The LOC Derby runs through Labor Day and the leading fish right now is a 28 pound, 6 ounce fish for the $25,000 Grand Prize. It ends on Labor Day. Check out the leaderboard at www.loc.org.

Don’t forget the kids fishing derby at Widewaters Marina on the Erie Canal in Lockport August 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration starts at 8 a.m.

Bill Hilts, Jr. – Outdoor Promotions Director

Inline image 2
Destination Niagara USA, 10 Rainbow Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY 14303

Orleans County, NY – Fishing Report from Capt. John Oravec of Tight Lines Charters, August 14, 2018.

Posted on by Capt. John Oravec

Lake Ontario King Salmon are on the bite near Orleans County, Lake Ontario, NY.

It is the “high season” off the Oak for Lake Ontario salmonid sportfishing and the fleet is crushing quality silver fish in many areas!

Fishermen, Fisherwomen and especially Fisherkids are seeing ACTION from 200-550 ft of water, running spoon programs 45 to 75 ft down.

The big northeast winds early Thursday rolled cold water onto the ledges raising the thermocline to 30 ft inside of the 100 ft hump. Capt. Mike Grager and son Jason made a great read, hitting a 14#+ football brown which is leading the Albion Rotary Derby in the Brown Trout division!  

A couple tips from CJO: upcoming #1 strategy this week is to try and fan out setting up off Johnson Creek or Shadigee westbound or the “Little Flats” to Bald Eagle Harbor to the east. There is a river of good fishing water flowing past Orleans County.  The fleet is here because yes, fish concentrations are wonderful, but also, Orleans County merchants offer services like lodging, tackle, dining, marina support and boat ramps for the complete fishing trip package, not to mention a savvy fleet of charter boats.

See you out there!

Captain John Oravec
www.captjohnoravec.com   

Tight Lines Charters
1857 Countyline Rd * Lyndonville, NY 14098
boat/mobile 585-590-2045 

Capt Johnny Oravec is a 43 year veteran of Orleans County charter captain of the 33 foot Trojan the “Troutman 2”. Capt Johnny has been helping Great Lakes anglers learn and develop fishing techniques by writing for the In Fisherman Magazine TV and Radio.

Visit our Fishing Report on OrleansCountyTourism.com, including weather forecasts and our “At the Oak, Orleans County” Facebook feed.

Triple Spur Turkey taken in New York Woods

Posted on by NYS Dept. of Env. Conservation

There are only two reports of birds with triple spurs, this one was taken by a veteran hunter in Columbia County, New York.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Hunting & Trapping Newsletter brings news of a veteran spring turkey hunter from New York that bagged a bird with rare triple spurs

This spring, retired DEC biologist and avid turkey hunter Bill Hollister knew he had found something rare after he bagged a gobbler in Columbia County. Once he had the bird in hand, he saw that it had three spurs on each leg!

In general, most gobblers have spurs and the length of the spurs is an indication of a bird’s age. On rare occasions, a gobbler will fail to develop one or both spurs and even more rare still, is a gobbler with two spurs on a leg. A bird with triple spurs is almost unheard of.

There are only two reports of birds with triple spurs, this one was taken by a veteran hunter in Columbia County, New York. 

Over the past decade, DEC staff have examined thousands of legs from turkeys killed by hunters in the fall and have seen missing spurs and double spurs, but never a triple spur.

From the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks: “Mature gobblers without spurs, or with only one spur, comprise less than two percent of the total harvest. It is more common for gobblers to be missing a spur on only one leg than to not have any spurs. Another abnormality is when gobblers have multiple spurs.

According to Lovett Williams, a renowned turkey biologist in Florida, less than two dozen gobblers with double spurs have been reported.

There are only two reports of birds with triple spurs – one of which is from Mississippi.”

A triple spur is quite the find!

For more New York hunting news, visit https://www.dec.ny.gov/.

 

 

King Salmon on the MOVE TO YOUR LINE near Niagara Falls USA

Posted on by Bill Hilts

David Salvalzo of Derby with the winning king in the Summer LOC Derby, 28 pounds, 10 ounces while fishing out of Wilson. Click for Story.

  • Kings are on the move Early and Close to Shore!
  • Spoons, Lures, Meat…all working
  • Fishing Forecast and Tournament Results (August 2, 2018) 
Alicia Joyce Salvazo, holds up the winner caught by her husband, David, after weighing in at the Wilson Boat Yard.

August is a crazy time of year for fishing because of the number of fishing contests and because the fishing is usually so darn good. Salmon are reaching their peak size as they slowly migrate back to the areas they were stocked or the places they were spawned and call home.

Niagara County is blessed with 30 Miles of Lake Ontario shoreline and the ports of Wilson and Olcott top the list of popular locations. One great spot is the Niagara Bar, launching at Fort Niagara and Youngstown at the mouth of the Niagara River. There are mixed reports across the board on what people are doing for success. Kings have been reported as close (to shore) as 100 feet of water and as deep as 400. Other good lake depths have been 165 feet, 200 feet, 275 feet and others. Depth for lures have been 60 to 100 feet down, depending on temperatures and where fish are on the graph.

Capt. Mike Johannes was hitting fish this morning 75 feet down over 400 foot depths off Wilson using a Green Jeans spoon and 400′ copper with a paddle and meat.

If you look at the LOC Derby leaderboard for the winners, magnum spoons by Moonshine, Michigan Stinger and Dreamweaver were all in the mix. Spin Doctors and flies, as well as meat offerings will catch fish for you, especially if you are targeting matures.

Speaking of the LOC Derby, David Salvalzo of Derby caught a 28-pound, 10 ounce king salmon while fishing out of Wilson to win the $10,000 Grand Prize in the Lake Ontario Counties Summer Trout and Salmon Derby. He also won the $1,000 weekly prize for the biggest salmon. Jim Maziekien of Blairstown, NJ was just 3 ounces back to place first in the Salmon Division. Big Brown trout was a 19 pound, 5 ounce fish reeled in by Aron Brophy of Montgomery Center, Vermont. His fish was just one ounce bigger than Kurt Charland’s Orleans County fish. For the lake trout, Steve Burkowski of Rochester took top honors with a 21-pound, 15-ounce Braddocks Bay fish. You guessed it, the fish was one ounce bigger than the runner-up that was caught on the Niagara Bar by Ed Klejdys of North Tonawanda. Top steelhead was a 14 pound, 8 ounce fish caught by Rick Droshin of Oswego. The next LOC Derby is August 17 through Labor Day.

Matt Wilson of Lewiston releasing his big sturgeon, was caught in the Lower Niagara River on a crab while bass fishing.

The next derby on the lake is the Orleans County Rotary Derby August 4 through 19.

The Reelin’ for a Cure ladies tournament for cancer is August 17 out of Wilson and Olcott.

The Wilson Bicentennial salmon tournament was finally held last Saturday and the winning team was Claire Bear out of Wilson with a three-fish weight of 88.24 pounds. Second place was Dublin’ Up with 84.74 pounds and third was Summer School with 83.38 pounds. Big fish was Papa Smurf with a 20.98 pound king salmon.

In the Lower Niagara River, the moss is pretty much history and bass and walleye are the order of the day. However, every once in a while you end up with a surprise catch. For example. Matt Wilson of Lewiston was bass fishing with a crab and hooked into a 6-foot long sturgeon that was estimated at 100 pounds. It was quickly released. These fish are a protected species.

Bill Hilts, Jr. – Outdoor Promotions Director
Inline image 2
Destination Niagara USA, 10 Rainbow Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY 14303

Niagara Falls USA Fishing Forecast: Aug. 9, 2018

Posted on by Bill Hilts

Scott Rohe of Cheektowaga caught this 23.4 pound salmon while trolling off Olcott with a flasher-fly combo.

  • King Salmon are Staging in Lake Ontario off Niagara River
  • Bass and Walleye Hitting in River
  • Contests in Progress and in the Future, Sign-Up

Scott Rohe of Cheektowaga, NY, caught this 23.4 pound salmon while trolling off Olcott Harbor with a flasher-fly combo.

Salmon fishing in the lake is moving along at a steady clip and the Niagara River action is improving.

In the Niagara River, it won’t be long before the first salmon will be making their way through the system. In the meantime, bass and walleye suffice. Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls hit the Artpark shoreline for action and he managed to catch 5 bass using 2-inch tubes in 2 hours of fishing. Then he hit the New York Power Authority fishing platform and caught some huge Rudd by tossing those same 2-inch tubes. In the 13th Annual Bass Derby run by Independent Living of Niagara County at Lewiston, George Rohr, fishing with Capt. Arnie Jonathan of Lockport, reeled in the first place bass with 15 minutes to spare – a 3.72 pound smallmouth that hit a crayfish.


Mike Erdt of Williamsville, NY, with an King he caught off Olcott Harbor last weekend.

In Lake Ontario, Salmon have started to show the early signs of staging with mature kings available in 80 to 150 feet of water during the morning; maybe even closer than that with J-plugs, meat and flasher-fly before the sun comes up. Out deep, it’s been easy picking for a mix of salmon and trout.

Scott Rohe of Cheektowaga hit the water Sunday with Mike Erdt of Williamsville and they went 8 for 11 on kings with the biggest being a 23.4 pound salmon that hit a flasher-fly combo. There was no specific pattern as they hit fish on the riggers at 45-55-65 feet and off the divers 120 and 220 feet back. Spoons, flasher-flies and cut bait all caught fish.

In the Orleans County Rotary Derby, in which Niagara County waters are eligible and Olcott is a weigh station at The Slippery Sinker, the current Grand Prize leader is a 26 pound, 14 ounce king salmon weighed in by Mike Schaeffer of Sligo, Pa.  Top Rainbow trout is a 12 pounder reeled in by Dan Heglin of Gardner, Mass. First place lake trout is 17 pounds, 12 ounces caught by Brian Gambell of Hilton. There’s plenty of room for improvement though and still lots of fishing left through August 19.

The next LOC Derby is August 17 through Labor Day. Grand Prize for the biggest salmon is $25,000. Find out more info at www.loc.org.

The Greater Niagara Fish Odyssey is set for August 18 to 26 and people are already starting to sign up. Kids 15 and under can fish for free. Check out www.fishodyssey.net.

Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls with a big Rudd caught off the NYPA fishing platform.
Greg Pratt caught his first walleye ever while fishing the lower Niagara River.

The Reelin’ for a Cure ladies tournament to benefit a cancer-related charity is August 17 out of Wilson and Olcott. Put together a ladies team and compete for just $250. If you need a boat, tournament organizers may be able to find one for you. Entry fee is $250. Contact Stephanie Pierleoni at 481-6388 for more information or go on the Reelin’ for a Cure facebook page or website.

The 5th Annual End of Summer Free Kids Fishing Derby will take place on August 25 at Widewaters Marina in Lockport. Registration starts at 8 a.m. and fishing will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lots of prizes! See you there!

Bill Hilts, Jr., Director, Outdoor Promotions

Niagara Tourism & Convention Corporation, 10 Rainbow Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY USA 14303
p: 716.282.8992 x.303| 1.877 FALLS US, f:716.285.0809
website | facebook | twitter | blog

Sportfishing has a $30 million annual economic impact in Niagara USA!

Orleans County, NY – Fishing Report from Capt. John Oravec of Tight Lines Charters, August 21, 2018.

Posted on by Capt. John Oravec

Capt. Johnny Oravec is a 43 year veteran of Orleans County charter captain of the 33 foot Trojan the "Troutman 2".

Giant Brown Trout caught off the 50′ Ledge by Cleveland Angler “Big Pat”

Long days + heavy catches + loads of high quality silver fish = the “High Season” for anglers that are visiting and fishing the Trout and Salmon Grounds of Orleans County! Longtime known as “Home of the King”, the ongoing migration offers all year classes of Chinook plus a “mambo” brown trout ledge fishery.

Right now, mature Kings…15 to 22 pound average (yes, the Sharks!), are staging along 20 miles off the Orleans County coast. Search the 45 to 100 foot drop offs.  Take advantage of boat launch access at Bald Eagle, Golden Hill and of course the “Oak”, public as well at the East Lake Breeze ramp.

Tactically, try mixing a flasher, fly rig or flasher – cut bait set up on wire Dipsies, keeping spoons on the riggers for big Browns. Try bright glow, chartreuse, frog patterns that local merchants like Narby’s carry along with the fresh herring, aka “meat”.

The offshore at 250 -500 feet is again a consistent band for medium Kings, coho and steelhead.  Please try to release steelhead for breeding. Everything is hitting 40 to 70 down. A Long Island boat, Total Chaos, reported big coho over 600 ft. 

The LOC Derby is underway so make sure to support and enter. Follow minimum weigh-in sizes, release a few and have fun.

Now go get ’em!

Captain John Oravec
captjohnoravec.com  

Tight Lines Charters
1857 Countyline Rd * Lyndonville, NY 14098
boat/mobile 585-590-2045 

Capt Johnny Oravec is a 43 year veteran of Orleans County charter captain of the 33 foot Trojan the “Troutman 2”. Capt Johnny has been helping Great Lakes anglers learn and develop fishing techniques by writing for the In Fisherman Magazine TV and Radio.

Visit our Fishing Report on OrleansCountyTourism.com, including weather forecasts and our “At the Oak, Orleans County” Facebook feed.

Why We Fish…Eastern Basin Lake Erie

Posted on by Forrest Fisher

How sweet it is to fish Eastern Basin Lake Erie for WALLEYE! Mike Joyner Photo

  • Plentiful Walleye, Bass, Yellow Perch, Steelhead, Lake Trout, Musky
  • Fun, Adventure, Camaraderie, Unforgettable Memories
  • Tasty Eating, Extraordinary New Friends, Discovery
Ken Perrotte (L) and Mike Joyner head for the fish cleaning station at Dunkirk, a busy place after a 4-hour fish trip from Chadwick Bay Marina. Fishing secrets and happy moments afloat are shared within these walls. Forrest Fisher Photo

By Forrest Fisher

For all of us that fish Lake Erie for walleye from New York or Canada, this summer has been one to remember. The fish have been cooperative, close to home and more plentiful than ever before. The eastern basin has finally become much like the western basin, in that you can catch walleye by many means when 41 million fish reside nearby and you are fishing with something that represents a forage item that walleye savor.

Boat launch action at Buffalo Harbor State Park, Erie Basin Marina, Sturgeon Point Marina, Sunset Bay State Park, Hanover Launch, Dunkirk Harbor and Barcelona Harbor has been busy and steady. Boat trailer plates can be noted from many states in the parking lots, not something that is new to WNY, but the sheer repetitive volume each day and each weekend is new. Visitors fish for walleye, perch and bass too, and catch bonus 20pound lake trout and leaping steelhead that provides an additional test of angler durability. It’s pretty exciting to say, “Fish On!” You never know what species might be there, though walleye are the norm.

Like kids in search of candy, these repetitive fishermen need more. They need a fish-catching refill whenever time allows and, even if they must drive a few hours, they come. Even Ohio anglers are heading to WNY! Now that’s a switch!

If we ask the visitors or locals why they fish, the answers are far and wide. Some say, “It’s just fun, I like the way they taste.” Others say, “I eat, therefore I fish.” Many of us say the same about hunting. Still others add, “I want to fill my freezer for winter, I don’t ice fish and fish are expensive in the store.” Add, “I like just like it” or “I wanted to fish with my grandkids,” or “My wife wanted me to cut the grass so I came fishing,” or “I just love being here, I don’t care if I catch fish.” There’s more, you’ve heard them now and then.

Mike-Joyner (L), NYS Outdoor Writers Association – President, and Capt. Jim Steel (Dreamcatcher Sportfishing Charters) share a picture moment after a nice catch near Van Buren Point in Lake Erie.  Forrest Fisher Photo

I asked Captain Jim Steel, a Lake Erie charter captain (Dreamcatcher Sportfishing) who works the Sunset Bay-Dunkirk area, why he fishes. The soft-spoken master captain says, “Because I Iike to fish. I like to share our incredible resource with others. My first mate is Rich Fliss, both of us never stop thinking about fishing. Even when we’re deer hunting, we text each other from the tree stand and exchange ideas for gear and new rigs to try next, to fish better with. My wife (Diane) is also a coast guard certified first mate, we are first aid/CPR certified too. We are all drug-tested. We follow the rules and people know, they’re safe here.” Captain Jim Steel has a big heart and he shares his tactics, his gear choices, line sizes, snap-swivel choices, all that. Even his thinking about strategy for the fish day and why. He explains gear choices for the day, right down to lure picks (Renosky’s, Bay Rat’s, Challenger’s, Chatterstick’s, etc.), colors, actions and depth placements. Visit his website at www.dreamcatchersportfishing.com or call 716-983-7867 to visit aboard his 31-foot Tiara (w/rest room).

Lures that make a difference, like this one, include color, buoyancy, hook size, snap connector choice and leader length. Forrest Fisher Photo

While some people fish to simply fill their freezers, fishing for Lake Erie walleye is more than a grocery trip for most anglers. For Captain Jim Steel and so many others, it is a passion. It is a new experience to enjoy each and every time. Steel adds, “You know, each trip is such fun because so often we take people fishing that have never been here before. Watching them enjoy reeling in a big catch is an unlimited fun moment for them and for us.”

Steel says, “The fishing changes day to day and so while it may appear that all of our tackle rigs in the rod holders are a bit overwhelming, many are often quite different from each other. Some rod/reel rigs have light line, some have heavy line, some are rigged for lead-core line, others for downriggers, still others for other specific purpose. We use varying types of leader lines too. Whatever the fishery demands for us to do to catch fish that day, we are prepared. That’s one of the reasons why we are busy with repeat anglers using our services all summer. We use new Okuma rod-reel tackle each year, it all works and we avoid malfunctions to be sure folks enjoy the best day without problems.”

Like a hunter looking through his binoculors for game in the deer woods, Steel and others that have stepped up to the now affordable hi-tech sonar gear, can search with down scan and side scan electronics to find fish. The sonar adds excitement to the trip. “There’s one,” says a client watching the screen. “You can sense the excitement and anticipation in their voice.”

Modern sonar can identify schools of walleye and other fish species, making the fishing a bit more fun with anticipation. Forrest Fisher Photo

For many of us regular fishermen, we share our fishing spirit all summer long, all the while, in pursuit of our quarry, the wily walleye.  We share our enthusiasm. We share our reverence and respect for the fishery, big fish and little fish. We embrace the army of anglers that enjoy and share in these same things. Together we are a brotherhood of men and women and kids that love the outdoors with a passion that cannot be equaled. As a brotherhood, we define a time-worn trail to pass along to younger generations.  First encounters, indescribable moments in time – the one that got away, the one that didn’t, the one that won the prize.

Dan Tone, mentor of the Erie County Federation of Sportsmen and founder of the Western New York Environmental Federation, and an honored member of the NYS Outdoorsman’s Hall of Fame, shares his humble smile while fishing Lake Erie last month. Forrest Fisher Photo

We share in orange sunrise moments, peaceful sunsets and at night, even the Milky Way and twinkling stars in their constellation positions add to our unforgettable moments during our fishing time. Each of these, we share with the same appreciation of where we are and what we are doing when we are fishing. We embrace such moments and they help make us who we are. We are fishermen. We are special, especially in today’s world.

Each fishing day, the goal is to encounter that first fish. Sometimes it takes a while longer, so we change lures, colors, and tactics. That’s fun too.

Last month (August), my grandson and I were set up to troll a few miles from the south gap of Buffalo Harbor. Using 5-color lead core lines, short leads off the downriggers and diving planes too, we fished for about 45 minutes to catch 7 walleyes on stickbaits and weighted-willow blade spinner-worm rigs. About an hour of no strikes, my grandson asked, “Ya know Dziadz, I sort of miss how we used to fish for bass. Can we do that again sometime?” I answered, “Sure! How about now?” He quickly asked, “We don’t have any of our lightweight rods do we?” They were in the storage locker, so off we went to the rocky structure of Seneca Shoal.

Using Heddon Sonar’s, jigging Rapala’s, drop-shot rigs with ElaszTech plastic worms in peanut butter/jelly color rigged 20 inches off the sinker with size 2 VMC hooks, fished with 20# Gamma braided line and 8# Gamma fluorocarbon leaders, and casting Storm 360GT 5-inch jig tails, we landed 24 bass and 7 more walleye in the next 2 hours. Wow. The afternoon was unforgettable. For all time. Reasons why we fish are simple. Indelible. Fun. It keeps us ageless wonders from the 50s young for a day.

We live in an incredible time on an incredible fishery because the resource of Lake Erie is in our backyard. We are the lucky ones. Why we fish? It’s about expectations, adventure, friends, fun and working hard to make it all happen. Checking gear, camaraderie, sharing secrets and embracing the spirit of the catch, even when we don’t catch ‘em, that’s why we fish.  You might have many reasons. All good.

The future of fishing, our clean waters and our kids depend on you sharing why we fish with that youngest generation of today. Kids today need to hear it from their master mentors. Parents. Grandparents. Charter captains. Those expert Southtowns Walleye anglers that go to those long meetings on Southwestern Boulevard. That’s us. The future depends on us. That’s you and me.  So get busy, go tell those kids you know why we fish and invite them along. Be gentle, be thorough. Laugh hardy. Create special moments not to be forgotten. This year, our fishery will help.

Share some of the best time to be found on the planet in WNY fishing for Lake Erie walleye.

For more information on eastern basin Lake Erie, accommodations and access points, visit www.tourchautauqua.com.

For the latest fishing report, visit the Lake Erie fishing hotline: www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/fishhotlines.html.

For maps, fish details, charter captains and fishing clubs, visit: http://www2.erie.gov/hotspot/index.php?q=fishing-maps.

Editor Note: Forrest Fisher is one of the 17 original founding members of the Southtowns Walleye Association, is a syndicated outdoor columnist over the last 36 years with feature stories in local newspapers, state, regional and national outdoor magazines.

THE RIGHT SIDE: The Problem with America is Liberal Leftists

Posted on by Budd Schroeder

Freedom is not free and military veterans know that better than anyone else. Forrest Fisher photo

Birds understand freedom of expression, but answer to an order of rule that many have yet to understand. Forrest Fisher Photo

By Budd Schroeder – July 16, 2018

America is heading for deep trouble and it is because of the actions and philosophy of the liberal leftists and socialists. Actually, socialism is high on the agenda of the left and is getting big pushes from the major media and many colleges and universities.

The state of New York seems to be one of the test markets for this movement and because of it, falls in the top three categories having the reputation of the highest of tax burdens, political corruption and bureaucracies.

New York is a leader in corruption which is now getting the publicity it deserves regarding the pay for play activity in Albany.  While Washington has the accusation of being a swamp, the state’s capital can be likened to a sewer.  The way it is being governed with its “three men in a room” is what is creating the stink of deliberate corruption.

At the head of the problems and the leader of the leftists is Governor Andrew Cuomo. He passes obnoxious and unpopular bills literally in the middle of the night with a “message of necessity.”  It is a pet bill of his to deny constitutional rights to honest, law abiding gun owners.

The way he did this would make logical people believe that he no longer views himself as an elected official, but rather fancies himself to be a king.  He loves to act as if his word is law, and the SAFE Act gives credence to that opinion.

The liberal media will denigrate President Donald Trump because of a Tweet made or a sentence in one of his speeches that does not come under their definition of “politically correct.”  The comparison gives credence to the complaint by conservatives that the liberal media and politicians are more than willing to use a double standard in reporting and speaking.

Just look at the history of the Muller investigations.  It is another good example of the differences regarding the left and the right.  It is obvious that the commission started out with bias and a double standard regarding corruption.  Hillary got a pass with her destruction of her emails.  The left didn’t make an issue out of that event, but had it involved Donald Trump they would have called for criminal penalties.

But, true to their code, the liberals pursued the Muller investigation with biased staff, lies, accusations and questionable FISA documents. The investigation has not shown any collusion between Donald Trump and Russian hacking of emails and other data.  The reporting of the involvement of a couple of FBI management people is now drawing attention where it belongs – with corrupt individuals within an honorable division of government.

The details of the exposure of the mistakes of this investigation are proving to be very damaging to the Obama administration as it has been shown that much of the hacking of government data by Russian operatives was done during the Obama administration. However, the liberal media seems to believe that it isn’t worth their time to dig into it.

Back to the “test market” in New York.  At one time, Andrew Cuomo put together the Moreland Commission to “root out corruption.”  Not much value came out of it and when it looked like the AG was getting close to the head of the dragon who could be the major influence in corrupt practices, the governor disbanded it.  In politics, timing is a huge consideration when making decisions.

This is an important year for the citizens in New York.  Two major seats are up for election.  They are for governor and senator.  Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is the senator and doesn’t seem to have much competition in this race.  Her opponent is running a very low key campaign.  A future column will address this.

However, it is worth mentioning that Senator Gillibrand has been very vocal about her anti-life stance on abortion and that she will do whatever she can to oppose the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh for Supreme Court of the United States.  He is the most highly qualified, but not to her standards.  She deserves input from her constituents.

The other person, Governor Andrew Cuomo has a viable opponent in Marc Molinaro who is a candidate making his run on a platform almost opposite to the practices of Cuomo.

Molinaro is campaigning on a platform of lower taxes to give the working public a break and debt reduction instead of debt increases with more borrowing. He proposes having a state auditor to review state contracts to eliminate the sweetheart deals and the pay for play practices currently used, and makes the government more transparent in its lawmaking and enforcement policies. The scandal of the Buffalo Billions is just one example of the corruption,

In a recent interview he expressed his problems with the SAFE Act where honest law abiding gun owners can lose their Second Amendment rights on accusations and false reports.  Many New York gun owners suffered the loss of four constitutional and civil rights because of the current provisions and have no hope under the present administration to get relief from the injustice.  Also, it did nothing to curb the criminal misuse of firearms.

Molinaro is now traversing the state to inform the citizens that there is hope for this state to keep it from being a socialist haven with sanctuary cities. It is rumored that Cuomo wants to make New York a Sanctuary State and inviting illegal immigrants (actually invaders) to partake in benefits paid for by taxpayers. The pardoning of more than 20,000 criminals and giving them the right to vote is another disagreement by this challenger.

It will be an interesting year for politics and almost a decision of good versus evil when it comes to government.

Hopefully, the citizens will be motivated to break the chains of corruption and choose to improve the quality of legislators who are chartered to represent, not rule them.  Go for it.

EDITOR NOTE: The opinions expressed here are the solely the opinions of the author and are provided for independent thought and comment.  

Orleans County, NY – HOME OF THE KING!!! – Lake Ontario Fishing Report, July 30, 2018 –

Posted on by Capt. John Oravec

Ready at the Ready! King Salmon are everywhere when you fish Lake Ontario in the right place off Orleans County, NY!

This week’s fishing report is from Capt. John Oravec of Tightlines Charters.

Ready at the Ready! King Salmon are everywhere when you fish Lake Ontario in the right place…Orleans County, NY.

As Sonny and Cher once sang: “And the Beat Goes On!” There is a steady traffic of fishing boats. I counted over 50 on the weekend rigged for Salmon action and getting it! Boats from Vermont, Ohio, New Jersey, Michigan, Indiana, Connecticut, Maine and Pennsylvania.

The stable wind pattern has created a broad pattern of fishing depths which will let you catch fish anywhere from 160 to 350 feet of water – AKA the mid “28 line”.  The salmon and now “bonus steelhead” are lying 60 to 80 feet down.  Remember that when to trolling in deep water currents, wily trollers add extra cable footage to consistently reach feeding fish.  Please remember to release the steelhead and smaller salmon! Those immature fish are the future fish population!

Watch the changing weather systems mid-week and bring rain gear to be sure.  Also, be ready, pull your lines and boogie to home port at any sign of thunderstorm activity. Be safe.

I saw many charters heading in early Sunday, limited out, their boats full of happy “salmon whooped” anglers.  My boys from Columbus are already set on coming back in 2019.

If you are still considering a fishing visit this year, go to www.OrleansCountyTourism.com for all your trip planning info.  See you on the water in Orleans County – Home of the King!!!

Capt. John Oravec, www.captjohnoravec.com, Tight Lines Charters, 1857 Countyline Rd. Lyndonville, NY,  14098; Phone (boat/mobile): 585-590-2045.

Capt. Johnny Oravec is a 43 year veteran of Orleans County charter captain of the 33 foot Trojan, the “Troutman 2.” Capt. Johnny has been helping Great Lakes anglers learn and develop fishing techniques by writing for the In-Fisherman Magazine TV and Radio.

Visit our Fishing Report on OrleansCountyTourism.com, including weather forecasts and our “At the Oak, Orleans County” Facebook feed.

From Point Breeze on Lake Ontario, the World Fishing Network’s Ultimate Fishing Town USA and the rest of Orleans County, let’s make everyday a great fishing day right here in Orleans County!

Sincerely, The Team at Orleans County Tourism; www.OrleansCountyTourism.com, 14016 Route 31 West, Albion, NY 14411; 1-800-724-0314

 

Lake Erie Walleye Hammer Forage off Chautauqua County, New York, during Summertime TV Shoot

Posted on by Forrest Fisher

Rush Outdoors TV Star, TIm Andrus, had a great day on Lake Erie from Barcelona Harbor in Westfield, NY, fishing with Captain Brad Smith of Barcelona Charters.

  • Secrets to Finding Out Where Summer Walleye Live?
  • Color is a Factor, Pearlescent Coatings Improve Attraction Rates
  • Check Terminal Tackle and Leaders to Assure Hooked Fish come to Net
When the bite is on, walleye can wack two planer board lures on the same feeding surge. Hungry fish! Forrest Fisher Photo

By Forrest Fisher

Captain Brad Smith had an ear to ear grin as we walked up to his dock at Monroe Marina on Barcelona Harbor in Westfield, New York.  “Good morning guys!” He greeted us. His sweetheart 1st mate, Darcy Smith, was right by his side and shared, “It’s going to be a great day.”  John Lenox and Tim Andrus, stars of Rush Outdoors TV, and myself, couldn’t agree more. It was so good to be on the water at sunrise with a calm wind and a fishing crew that understood the changing moods of the megapixel walleye (see them on your sonar) that migrate to eastern basin Lake Erie during summer. Summer walleye can be tricky to catch. I had a feeling today would not be one of those days. The big smiles when we arrived were way too happy!

Captain Brad said, “Let’s get on board and ready up guys.” The 28’ Marionette was so big and solid with a large deck area out back, rest room down below and state of the art electronics, there was no doubt about safety, comfort and fun for everyone aboard.  The rig can accommodate seating a fishing party of 6 guests.

Captain Brad Smith (L) and Rush Outdoors TV Star, Tim Andrus, share line setting strategy as the day begins. Forrest Fisher Photo.

As we shared conversation, coffee and Tim Horton donuts, Captain Brad explained that the area had sustained some extended north wind and the stable water layers that had been setting up may have moved. He pointed to the dashboard sonar, “Look there, the water temp fell about 8 degrees overnight to 66, so we may have to search a bit, but I have a good idea on where to start.” Being a curious fisherman, I asked, “How do you figure that out?” Captain Brad replied, “You make sure you have friends that are scuba divers and share your fillets once in a while. It’s easy after that!” Everyone laughed a bit.

Captain Brad pointed over to the boat moored right alongside his common dock, it was the giant scuba diving boat of Barcelona. “My friend runs that one over there and he shares where the fish are with wind changes, I’ll share some of that with you all as gear up.”

After checking the leaders on the 12 rods set to fish, then helping us understand the secrets to good line terminations with top notch snap and swivel hardware, and good knots, he looked up at Darcy and said, “Are you ready honey?” Darcy smiled back,”Just waiting on you dear.” The inboard engine exhaust fans had already been on for a few minutes. Captain Brad gave the all clear with a circle wave with his thumb up. “Let’s start ‘em up!” The sheer power and growl sound from the twin 418 Chrysler engines roared to life. It was satisfying to be here.

Tim didn’t miss a word on the plan for where we might find fish, John was double-checking the camera gear.  We slowly backed out of the dock and headed for open water along the Chautauqua County shoreline toward Pennsylvania (southwest). Boat speed was slow at first, checking sonar and probes, the water temp was coming up.  When we reached the “right zone” about 8 miles out, the temp had quickly changed to 74 degrees, Captain Brad started to set lines. Nothing more exciting than fish-catching expectations when those reel clickers start sounding off.

Walleye averaging 3 to 5 pounds are common off the Barcelona Harbor deep in eastern basin Lake Erie. Forrest Fisher Photo

The pro that he was, Captain Brad dropped two very large planer boards in the water, one on each side of the boat, two sea anchors, also one on each side. When the boards reached about 150 feet out, he set three 4-color leadcore lines on one side and three 7-color lines on the other. “It’s a school effect thing, it works,” He shared. Then two dipsey lines were set on each side and one downrigger line on each side. A total of 12 lines! He made that all look so easy. In between line deployments, Darcy was reading off sonar observations, “Four fish at 40, two fish at 35, one lone fish at 90 – probably a lake trout. We are in 115 feet of water.” “What’s our speed dear?” Captain Brad asked. “2.2 miles per hour, changing a bit from 2.0 to 2.4 with the quartering chop,” Darcy replied.”  “That’s a good start for now,” Brad shared with his usual ear to ear confidence grin, sunshine gleaming a bright, self-assurance flash off his white teeth.

The dive boat that was next to us at the dock passed us as we slowly went looking for those occasionally elusive walleye, but no sooner did the distant wake reach us, when one of the planer lines soared backward. “There’s one! Who’s up?!” Brad said. We all shared on the hookups to bring the fish in.  Just a few minutes later, a nice 4-pound walleye was aboard. Tim held up the healthy fish for a film shot and another line popped. It was going to be a great day indeed.

The Barcelona Harbor Dive Boat Service usually has a full complement of divers on weekends, as they search deep water offshore wrecks for fun and adventure. They share fish information too! Forrest Fisher Photo

Captain Brad had deployed an array of spoons, stickbaits and spinner/worm rigs, most of them non-commercial homemade lures with homemade colors that he had learned to use through the years, mostly from his mentor, Captain Mike Cochran. Additionally, Captain Brad’s son is also innovative with colors and unique lure designs, stickbaits and spoons, that complement catching fish aboard Barcelona Charters. “Born here, built here, I like the way my kid makes lures, especially the colors,” Captain Brad added. “Renosky lures work too,” Captain Brad added.

Many of the lures had a sort of clear pearlescent attraction film color on them, all handmade at home. Many wish the lures were for sale, but they’re not. They work, maybe that’s what counts.

A handmade clear shiny film applied to the lures was a trigger that worked to perfection on this trip. Forrest Fisher Photo

The first fish came aboard at 7:50 a.m., after that, we caught one fish on an average of every 6 to 10 minutes through 11:16 a.m., it was busy fun! The longest stint of no fish through that time was 19 minutes. Quite amazing.  John tossed a quarter in the drink one time, after 15 minutes of no releases, with Tim quipping, “It’s a tradition when it slows down, a toast to Odin.” TV star, Tim Andrus, was taking abuse from John too, as John said, “Captain Brad, don’t know how you did it, but you got Tim to work today!” Tim was helping out with setting and resetting lines to the boards. Actually, it was a busy time, a good busy time.

Tim responded, “Hey Forrest, what’s that sound, can you hear that snap, crackle, pop? Oh, oh, sorry, that’s John’s bones, it happens every time he is landing another fish.” We laughed and joked the whole trip. Tim was helping net and stow the fish after catching and caught a fin on the thumb. John didn’t let that pass, “Don’t worry Tim. Pain heals, chicks dig big scars and glory lasts forever!” We all laughed again.

John Lenox caught a few coldwater fish species, incuding steelhead, Coho salmon and a large lake trout. Forrest Fisher Photo

Not to allow any silence to sneak in between reel drag sounds, Brad chided in, “Know what’s the best part of a trip out here with Barcelona Charters? It’s Brad and Darcy!” Saturday Night Live would be proud this group. Hardy fun! Laughing all the way.

Lots of camera footage was recorded and my camera shutter made history, frequent click and shoot mode in action. Already, more than 30 fish had entertained us through the morning, 26 of them came to the boat net. That tally included one steelhead, one lake trout and one Coho salmon! The rest were mostly walleye, some to 7 pounds, but we also caught yellow perch, silver bass and white bass. Seven species! A great day of fun and fish-catching.

Captain Brad Smith shows off the future of the walleye fishery for years to come, as this size walleye is prevalent in the 2018 walleye catches. The Lake Erie fisheries scientists estimate that 41 million walleye reside in Lake Erie right now. Forrest Fisher Photo.

How do you spell fun? W-A-L-L-E-Y-E! Especially if you ask Tim or John, as our catch rate may have exceeded expectations. The bottom line? We forgot life for a moment, we had so much fun. The viewers will too, when they see this show. John wasted no time in booking another charter for his family a few weeks down the road.

One thing to remember when you fish with a charter captain and first mate that understand their job, they like to share. We all learned a lot, including new ways to fillet fish, as we watched Captain Brad after returning to the dock.

Time to fillet, the best part of a succesful walleye adventure. Forrest Fisher Photo

If you’re out this way, contact Captain Brad of Barcelona Charters at 814-602-9899 or email: brad@barcelonacharters.net. Look for the fishing TV show by checking on-line at http://www.rushoutdoors.com/.

Tight lines!

Niagara Falls USA Fishing Report & Forecast: Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Posted on by Bill Hilts

Kurt Charland of Victor caught this Orleans County brown that is the new LOC Derby leader at 19-pounds, 4-ounces.

King salmon fishing continues to be good to very good on Lake Ontario. With the good is the bad though. The sea fleas have been a nuisance. A new LOC Derby leader came to the scales out of Wilson this past week when Scott Foster of North Tonawanda recorded a 26-pound, 15-ounce King to take over the lead for the $10,000 Grand Prize. Another notable catch was a 19-pound, 4-ounce brown trout that tipped the scales for Kurt Charland of Victor, NY, while he was fishing out of Bald Eagle Marina in Orleans County. A 21-pound Niagara Bar lake trout was weighed in by Steve Klejdys of North Tonawanda this week, to take over the lead for the weekly prize as he sat in 4th place. The leaderboard is posted at www.loc.org.

Mike Schweizer of Orange County, NY holds up a decent Niagara Bar King Salmon.

If you want a reason to get into this month-long derby, ask Capt. Tom Pearse of Grand Island. His customer, Cole Welcomer of Harrisburg, reeled in a 36-pound, 41-inch long king salmon while fishing out of Olcott this past week. It’s not a fish story. There are pictures. No. They weren’t in the derby. If you are looking for mature kings, run flasher-flies or meat rigs 90 to 110-feet down over 90 to 140 feet of water according to Wes Walker at the Slipper Sinker in Olcott.

Cole Welcomer of Harrisburg, PA, shows off a 36-pound King Salmon he caught last week while fishing with Capt. Tom Pearse and the Summer School Boat out of Olcott Harbor.

Boaters are also picking up Kings 60 to 80 feet down over 150 to 250 feet of water, fish the top 60 feet if you want to try for steelhead or Coho salmon with spoons. On the Niagara Bar, John Van Hoff of North Tonawanda had good success over the weekend fishing spin doctors and flies as well as spoons over 150 to 200 feet of water.

In the Niagara River, action has been slowed by the excessive moss. Live bait, like shiners and worm harnesses, can still produce some fish, including bass and walleye, but you really have to work for them.

The popular Erie Canal Fishing Derby is going into its final weekend and some impressive catches have already been weighed in from Albion to the Tonawanda’s. Check the 22 pound carp reeled in by Lee Hathaway of Gasport or the 10 pound sheepshead hauled in by Michael Boncore of Buffalo! Rob Robel of Newfane is leading the catfish division with nearly a 10 pounder and top walleye is almost 9 pounds, caught by Joe Torregrossa of Grand Island. Richard Hawes of Lockport picked up the leading pike at nearly 8 pounds and Judy Woolson of Lockport is tops with a 1-1/2 pound bullhead. Mike Wrobel of Newfane is the bass division leader with a 3.77 pound fish. For a complete leaderboard check the website at www.eriecanalderby.com. The derby ends at 9 p.m. on Sunday. The awards will be at the Gasport Fire Hall on July 22 starting at 3 p.m.

The Lake Ontario Trout and Salmon Association has its club tournaments coming up July 20 and 21. Find out more at www.lotsa1.org.  On July 22, there will be a Wilson Bicentennial Tournament fun event and $10,000 in prize money for a big fish, three fish format out of the 200 year old port. Call Mike Johannes at 523-1727 for info.

Bill Hilts, Jr. – Outdoor Promotions Director

Destination Niagara USA, 10 Rainbow Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY 14303

p: 1-877 FALLS US | 716-282-8992 x. 303, f: 716-285-0809

www.niagarafallsusa.com

facebook | twitter | Instagram

 

DEC Seeks Pool Owners for Citizen Science Survey of Invasive Beetle

Posted on by NYS Dept. of Env. Conservation

Asian Longhorned Beetle. NYSDEC Photo

  • Finding Infestations of Asian Longhorned Beetles Early Saves Money and Trees
Asian Longhorned Beetle. NYSDEC Photo

State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today encouraged New York pool owners to participate in DEC’s annual Asian Longhorned Beetle Swimming Pool Survey during the month of August. This is the time of year when Asian Longhorned beetles (ALB) emerge as adults and are most active outside of their host tree. The goal of the survey is to look for and find these exotic, invasive beetles before these pests cause serious damage to our forests and street trees.

“The majority of invasive forest pest infestations are found and reported by members of the public, making citizen science a vital component for protecting our urban and rural forests,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “Pool monitoring offers a simple, economical approach to surveying for Asian Longhorned Beetles and gives the public a chance to take an active role in protecting the trees in their yards and communities.”

DEC is requesting that people with swimming pools periodically check their pool filters for any insects that resemble ALB and either email photos to foresthealth@dec.ny.gov or mail insects to DEC’s Forest Health Diagnostics Lab for identification, Attn: Jessica Cancelliere, 108 Game Farm Road, Delmar, NY 12054.

People without pools can also help by learning how to recognize the beetle, as well as the signs it leaves behind:

  • ALB are about 1.5 inches long, black with white spots and have long, black and white antennae.
  • These pests leave perfectly round exit holes, about the size of a dime, in branches and tree trunks.
  • Sawdust-like material called frass will collect on branches and around the base of the tree.

ALB is a wood boring beetle native to Asia that was accidentally introduced to the United States through wood packing materials. These pests attack a variety of hardwoods, including maples, birches, and willows, among others, and have caused the death of hundreds of thousands of trees across the country.

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (DAM) has worked diligently to manage the ALB infestations in our state and succeeded in eradicating the invasive beetle from Staten Island, Manhattan, Islip and Eastern Queens.

For more information on ALB and the Pool Survey visit DEC’s website.

Niagara Falls USA Fishing Forecast for Wednesday, July 18, 2018 – from Destination Niagara USA

Posted on by Bill Hilts

Steve Nichols of Connecticut caught this 27 pound, 3 ounce salmon while fishing with Capt. Mike Johannes of On The Rocks Charters out of Wilson. No, they were not in the LOC Derby.

Niagara Falls USA Fishing Forecast for Wednesday, July 18, 2018 from Destination Niagara USA

Scott Rohe of Cheektowaga was doing well on kings off Olcott in 200 to 300 feet of water, hitting double-digit kings like this 22 pounder with spin doctors and flies.

Salmon fishing continues to be very good in the lake out of Wilson, Olcott and out of Fort Niagara on the Niagara Bar. It’s too late to sign up for the Lake Ontario Trout and Salmon Association’s club tournaments July 20 and 21, but it’s not too late to sign up for the Wilson Bicentennial Trout and Salmon Tournament July 22. Call Mike Johannes at 523-1727. The contest is only $100 per boat and it’s a Big Fish, 3-fish tournament. Make sure you are in line for the weigh in at Bootleggers Cove Marina in Wilson by 3 p.m. There is $10,000 in prize money up for grabs as the community prepares to celebrate its 200th anniversary.

Scott Rohe of Cheektowaga did well off Olcott in 200 to 300 feet of water. His best rigger was 60 feet down, 20 feet behind the ball with a spin doctor and fly. The two-face spinny and a stud fly did the trick. His 85 foot rigger also took a couple of fish as did some divers set back 180 feet on a No. 3 setting. A green Pro Troll paddle in front of a green hammer fly was the ticket. His biggest was 22 pounds.  With the Lake Ontario Counties Trout and Salmon Derby going on until July 29, your odds of catching a winning fish are better than playing the lottery. Time and time again, possible winning fish are caught by people who did not enter the contest.

Steve Nichols of Connecticut caught this 27 pound, 3 ounce salmon while fishing with Capt. Mike Johannes of On The Rocks Charters out of Wilson. No, they were not in the LOC Derby.

Steve Nichols and his son Arri are the latest victims of fate. They were fishing east of Wilson with Capt. Mike Johannes of On The Rocks Charters over the weekend and Steve reeled in a 27-pound, 3-ounce king salmon on a 400 foot copper rod rigged with a custom painted flasher and meat. Nope, no derby ticket.

The leading fish is a 26-pound, 15 ounce Wilson fish hauled in by Scott Foster of North Tonawanda. Of course, that could change this weekend with a flurry of fishing events from LOTSA and the Wilson Bicentennial contest.

Bob Migra of Lorain, Ohio heard about the good king fishing and decided to give it a try. Most of their fish were 15 to 26 pounds. Yes, 26 pounds. No, they weren’t in the derby. The 26 pounder was caught in the afternoon in 140 feet of water just east of Wilson. They also caught steelhead over 10 pounds in 400 feet of water.

In the meantime, Capt. Joe Gallo of Two Bulls Sportfishing hit the water last weekend outside Wilson in 250 feet of water using a meat rig on a long copper line. His reward was a 26-pound king that is in third place on the LOC board.

In the Niagara River, the dreaded moss situation is slowly starting to dissipate, giving local anglers more of a reason to chase bass and walleye both above and below the Falls.

A big bass tournament is coming to Buffalo next week when the Costa FLW Series Tournament hits Safe Harbor Marina July 26 to 28. Weigh-ins each day will be at 2 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. Saturday’s weigh-in for the Top 10 anglers, based on the first two days of fishing, will be at Cabela’s in Cheektowaga at 3 p.m. The FLW Foundation will be sponsoring a Unified Fishing Derby out of Safe Harbor Marina on Saturday morning, July 28, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is for any kids under 18 years of age and special Olympic athletes of all ages. To pre-register contact tom-bassman@hotmail.com.

Bill Hilts, Jr. – Outdoor Promotions Director

 
Inline image 2
Destination Niagara USA, 10 Rainbow Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY 14303

King Salmon Move Near Shore RIGHT NOW! Lake Ontario, Orleans County, NY – July 24, 2018

Posted on by Capt. John Oravec

It's Spoon Time!

Lake Ontario Fishing News from Tightline’s Charters – July 24, 2018.

By Capt. John Oravec

It’s Spoon Time! See more photos – http://captjohnoravec.com/photos.htm 

The Lake Ontario waters off Point Breeze – simply put – are teaming with big king salmon after a big nor’easter storm caused the inside water to roll over.  A classic upwelling, the salmon are feeding closer to the shoreline and near the surface!

I heard from a duo hailing from New Jersey and West Virginia that they had super action in close, plus one of the biggest salmon yet for 2018 – a 40″ 27 plus pounder!

Another group of trollers plowed thru fog only to find lots of schoolie kings and scrappy steelhead 30 to 40 feet down over 400 feet depths. Hot lure wise the consensus is spoons! Spoons! Spoons!  Try to simplify a lure spread with a couple downriggers and a trailing 10 color leadcore or 250 ft. copper Flatline. The water is very clear, less can catch more.

Your local tackle shops have the prime baits and accessories to repair all the breakage during salmon wars like this! Be careful when running offshore. Have plenty of fuel, safety gear and stay in sight of the boat fleet.

Go get ’em!

Capt. John Oravec, www.captjohnoravec.com, Tight Lines Charters, 1857 Countyline Rd., Lyndonville, NY, 14098; Phone: boat/mobile 585-590-2045

Capt. Johnny Oravec is a 43 year veteran of Orleans County charter captain of the 33 foot Trojan the “Troutman 2.” Captain Johnny has been helping Great Lakes anglers learn and develop fishing techniques by writing for the In-Fisherman Magazine TV and Radio.

Visit our Fishing Report on OrleansCountyTourism.com, including weather forecasts and our “At the Oak, Orleans County” Facebook feed.

From Point Breeze on Lake Ontario, the World Fishing Network’s Ultimate Fishing Town USA and the rest of Orleans County, let’s make everyday a great fishing day right here in Orleans County!

Sincerely, The Team at Orleans County Tourism

Farlow Leads Day 1 on FLW Lake Erie Bass Tourney

Posted on by Colin Moore

Jared Rhode did well catching giant Lake Erie smallmouth bass near Buffalo, NY.

FLW Costa Series/Northern Division: Lake Erie – Buffalo, NY

  • WHEN: Early Bite was Best
  • WHAT: Rigs – TOP 5 PATTERNS…Drop Shots and Tubes were effective
  • WHERE: Sand/gravel and rock/gravel bottom areas held fish
  • Fishery: 4lbs-4oz separates top 44 places!
  • Big Bass of Day: 6lbs-6oz
JT Kennedy – FLW Photo

by Colin Moore/Courtesy of FLW

EDITOR NOTE: Day 2 and Day 3 of this contest were cancelled. The leaders shown here on Day 1 are the contest winners and placements for day 1 are the final placements. Congrats to all the competitors. Lake Erie can offer windy days that are dangerous to bass boats and FLW chose to be safe to protect the anglers and their gear from any possible tragedy. Hats off to Ron Lappin and FLW Tournament Management.  Dave Barus, Editor

July 26, 2018- Buffalo, NY: Lake Erie’s exceptional fishing was on full display in the opening round of the Costa FLW Series Northern Division tournament presented by Polaris and hosted by Buffalo Niagara Sports Commission. Forty-four limits weighing at least 20 pounds each were caught. Even co-anglers got in on the smallmouth bonanza, as nine of them brought back limits that totaled 20 pounds or better.

Though Neil Farlow of St. Catherines, Ontario, leads the 169 pros fishing the event with 24-4, there’s not much daylight between him and the rest of the top 50. Farlow is one ounce ahead of Ben Wright of Peru, N.Y., and a difference of 4 pounds, 4 ounces separates the Canadian from Bill Chapman of Salt Rock, W.Va., who’s in 44th place with 20 pounds.

Farlow didn’t provide many details about his day, except to say that he fished spots in Canada and the U.S. and culled a couple of times.

“I used drop-shot rigs and tubes, and tubes seemed to work better when the wind got up in the afternoon,” says Farlow, whose 6-6 smallmouth was the big fish of the day. “I’m running a Ranger 522D deep-V, so the wind wasn’t that big a problem for me. Tomorrow [Friday] I’m going to do what the wind lets me do. Either I’m going to run my spots or stay longer on some and really fish them out.”

Farlow says mixed bottoms of rock and gravel, or gravel and sand, produced best for him. Perhaps even more critical is the timing of the bite. Many of the anglers with the 20-pound-plus sacks were in the first few flights and reported that the smallmouths started eating as soon as the anglers reached their first destinations. As the day progressed, however, the bite got slower.

Though the wind was manageable Thursday morning, it built during the day, and by late afternoon 6-foot waves could be seen crashing over the seawall that shelters the harbor from the wind’s main force.

Stronger winds ranging to about 15 mph and gusting to more than 26 mph caused Friday fishing competition to cancel.

Tournament director Ron Lappin said, “Current plans call for the tournament to continue Saturday morning with all of the 169 boatloads of pros and co-anglers fishing. That presumes the weather forecast will be better and the heavy waters topping 5 feet on Friday morning will subside. As it now stands, Saturday’s round will determine the final standings.”

With the change in schedule, Saturday, July 28th will be the final fishing day with weigh-in’s starting at about 1:00 p.m. at Buffalo Harbor State Park and Safe Harbor Marina, not Cabela’s. Check this link for other possible updates: https://www.flwfishing.com/tournaments/costa.

Day 1: Top 10 pros

  1. Neil Farlow – St. Catherines, Ontario – 24-4 (5)
  2. Ben Wright – Peru, N.Y. – 24-3 (5)
  3. Charles Sim – Nepean, Ontario – 23-3 (5)
  4. JT Kenney – Palm Bay, Fla. – 23-2 (5)
  5. J Todd Tucker – Moultrie, Ga.  – 22-15 (5)
  6. Austin Felix – Eden Prairie, Minn. – 22-12 (5)
  7. Moo Bae – West Friendship, Md. – 22-8 (5)
  8. Travis Manson – Conshohocken, Pa. – 22-6 (5)
  9. Philip Jarabeck – Spout Spring, Va. – 22-5 (5)
  10. Jason Kervin – Auburn, Maine – 22-3 (5)
  11. TJ Lacey – Selwyn, Ontario – 22-3 (5)

Full Results

Top 5 FLW Angler Patterns from Lake Erie – Day 1

Buffalo Harbor State Park, Safe Harbor Marina – Buffalo, N.Y.

Neil Farlow – FLW Photo

Neil Farlow ­– St. Catherines, ON. – 24-4

Even under the best of circumstances Neil Farlow isn’t much of a talker, but he let his fishing do the talking for him on day one of the Costa FLW Series Northern Division derby presented by Polaris and hosted by Buffalo Niagara Sports Commission on Lake Erie out of Buffalo, N.Y.

Farlow, of St. Catherines, Ontario, was tight-lipped about his spots and his lure choices in the opening round, but probably he’s not doing a lot differently from the rest of the field. Drop-shot rigs and tube jigs, in that order, seemed to be the approach du jour among pros and co-anglers alike. Farlow also indicated that bottom composition changes were key and attracted more smallmouths.

Friday’s semi-final round is expected to produce more exceptional stringers, and perhaps changes in the top 10, where only a pound and an ounce separate 10th place from first place. Meanwhile, here’s a look at some of the anglers trying to tip Farlow out of the top spot.

Ben Wright – FLW Photo

Ben Wright ­– Peru, N.Y. – 24-3

The New York angler brought in one of the biggest smallmouths of the day, a 5-pound, 7-ounce fish. He caught it and others dragging a drop-shot rig around the Waverly Shoal area. Wright culled five times and says the fish he was on didn’t show any particular preference to the bait color he was using.

“I was fishing a shoal with a lot of rock and where the bottom changed from gravel to chunk rock,” he says. “There was also a breakline in 31 to 39 feet down. The fish bit pretty good early in the day, but it really slowed down around midday.”

Wright was fishing with a Lew’s reel with Seaguar Finesse Fluorocarbon.

Charles Simms -FLW Photo

Charles Sim – Nepean, Ontario – 23-3

Sim hedged his deep-water bets by trying to get a shallow jerkbait bite going along the Canadian shoreline. It didn’t work, so he did what just about everybody else was doing: He fished a 30-foot-plus breakline that featured a rock-to-sand transition.

“I wound up with a drop-shot rig in my hand. I culled about five fish during the day,” he sats.

JT Kennedy – FLW Photo

JT Kenney – Palm Bay, Fla. – 23-2

A lot of people have mistaken Kenney as a shallow-water specialist more accustomed to flipping and pitching jigs and rigs into shallow cover. Kenney fished like a local on day one and was culling fish by midmorning. His best spot was a rocky bottom in 30 to 33 feet of water.

“I could see all kinds of bait at the bottom, and when the drop-shot got around the bass they ate it,” says Kenney. “The slower I fished it, the better they liked it. I thought they would bite better later in the day when the sun came out and the wind got up, but it didn’t seem to make much of a difference.”

Kenney credited his 7-foot, 3-inch Halo spinning rod fished with 10-pound-test Sunline Super FC Sniper Fluorocarbon line with helping him feel faint bites better.

J. Todd Tucker – FLW Photo

J. Todd Tucker – Moultrie, Ga. – 22-15

“I caught about two dozen keepers today – all of them on a drop-shot rig,” says the Georgia pro.

Tucker went against type as one of the few U.S. anglers to travel into Canadian waters to catch his limit. He ran about eight miles from the takeoff point at Safe Harbor Marina to fish a rock bottom in about 35 feet of water. Isolated rocks were critical to his approach.

Tags: colin-moore  headline-story  2018-07-26-lake-erie-buffalo

First-Time Grant Opportunity for Trees for Tribs Program

Posted on by NYS Dept. of Env. Conservation

Trees for Tribs has engaged about 10,000 volunteers in planting more than 114,000 trees and shrubs at approximately 650 sites across New York State. NYSDEC Photo

Projects must use native trees and shrubs for planting, and must occur within the eligible funding locations. See www.dec.ny.gov/animals/113412.html for a map of eligible areas. NYSDEC Photo

Approximately $525,000 in grant funding, made available by the state’s Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), is now available through the new Trees for Tributaries Grant Program to support riparian tree planting projects for communities across New York State. This funding is available to municipalities, academic institutions and not-for-profits, for projects that will plant trees and shrubs along streams to improve wildlife habitat, water quality and storm resiliency.

Projects must use native trees and shrubs for planting, and must occur within the eligible funding locations. Visit www.dec.ny.gov/animals/113412.html for a map of eligible areas. Grant amounts will range from a minimum of $11,000 to a maximum of $100,000. Priority will be given to projects that engage community partners and volunteers in their tree planting activities, as well as those that create a stream buffer width of 35 feet or more.

Applications are due by 3:00 p.m. on September 7, 2018. The Trees for Tributaries Grant Program Request for Applications (RFA) is available on DEC’s website www.dec.ny.gov/animals/113412.html and through the NYS Grants Gateway website grantsreform.ny.gov/. All grant applicants must register in the NYS Grants Gateway system before applying. Not-for-profit applicants are required to “prequalify” in the system, so it is recommended the process be started well in advance of the grant application due date.

Trees for Tribs has engaged about 10,000 volunteers in planting more than 114,000 trees and shrubs at approximately 650 sites across New York State. NYSDEC Photo

A “How to” webinar will be offered Wednesday July 25th, 2018 at 10 AM to educate potential applicants on the grants process, see Trees for Tributaries Grant Program webpage for details. General questions about the grants program may be directed to Mary Hegarty, DEC’s Trees for Tributaries Statewide Coordinator, NYS DEC, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4250, treesfortribs@dec.ny.gov.

The grant program is a part of the New York State’s Trees for Tribs Program, which works to restore plant buffers along New York’s tributaries (small creeks and streams that flow into larger rivers and lakes) using native bareroot trees and shrubs provided by the Saratoga State Tree Nursery. These restored buffers stabilize streambanks, prevent erosion, increase flood water retention, protect infrastructure, and improve wildlife and stream habitat. Since 2007, Trees for Tribs has engaged about 10,000 volunteers in planting more than 114,000 trees and shrubs at approximately 650 sites across New York State.

To learn more about the Trees for Tributaries Program, visit www.dec.ny.gov/animals/77710.html.
To learn more about the Saratoga State Tree Nursery, visit www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7127.html.