Heating Up

I apologize for my serious lack of updates for the past couple of months.  I will say that you haven’t missed much.  The heat and lack of rain has left all area streams LOW and HOT.  The Catt is into the mid 80’s daily so you can expect all streams that aren’t spring fed to be the same.  This heat puts serious strain on the trout themselves even those in spring fed streams.  The trout require cold water and lots of oxygen.  The absence of rain has left the trout streams much warmer than the trout would like.  With that being said the streams are also significantly lower than usual leaving less water to flow through classic riffles to oxygenate the water.  All in all for the betterment of the trout please refrain from fishing for them until further notice.  

As for the warm water fishing it has progressed nicely into the summertime swing.  The smallmouths have moved back into the lake and the only things left in the tribs are the creek chubs.  The Niagara River has been productive when you can get your fly deep enough to fish structures for the bass and you might even pick up a walleye or two.  Musky fishing has been slow but they are definitely there.  The relatively breezy days has made the fishing difficult due to the casting of a wet sock all day (haha).  If you do fly fish for muskies or just conventional fish for them please please please exhibit PROPER handling for these fish.  Holding them vertically is terribly bad for the fish.  Their organs aren’t meant to be vertical and without support the gill plate can tear off the fishes head.  Use large coated nets to protect their slim coat.  Last but not least don’t put the fish under any unnecessary stress.  What I would consider unnecessary is holding the fish out of the water for longer than 10 seconds.  Measuring can be done in the water and pictures take less than 10 seconds.  Be prepared and have everything ready for the picture before you take the fish out of the water.  The hot water that we have been having doesn’t help with the stress factor and I tend to stay home for muskies when the water temperature is over 72 degrees.  

I know I might be getting a little ahead of myself here but salmon season is coming and it’s coming fast.  I will be hopefully doing updates every other day on stream conditions, productive patterns, and productive techniques for the big boys.  My calendar for guided trips is starting to be booked so if you would like to spend some time on the water fishing for the biggest salmon and trout in the lake then feel free to send me an email at wnyflyguy@gmail.com.  If you are interested in casting lessons or fly tying instruction you can also send those inquaries to the address above.  Thanks again for reading and hopefully you can get out to enjoy the weather we have been having and catch some fish to boot!!  Tight lines everyone!

Current Stream Information: 

18-Mile Creek (Burt):  July 18th, 2016

Light/No fishing pressure.
Low/Clear flows.

55 CFS

Cattaraugus Creek:     July 18th, 2016

Light/No Fishing Pressure

Low/Clear Flows
118 CFS
68.4 to 85.5 °F

Oatka Creek:   July 18th, 2016

Light/No Fishing Pressure
Low/Clear flows
36 CFS