November 15th Meeting
Tarpon and Bonefishing
in Venezuela
Dick Steinheider has now made two trips to Venezuela for tarpon. Last month, Dick, Max Hillring and Jean Chaintreuil went to Venezuela for both tarpon and bonefish. Come to the November 15th meeting of the Canandaigua Lake Chapter of Trout Unlimited and see an excellent slide show on these trips and learn first hand information about catching "so many tarpon, that I didn't care when I lost one". The meeting is at the Canandaigua VA Medical Center, Building 5 Auditorium, 400 Fort Hill Avenue, Canandaigua. The meeting will begin at 730pm and is open to the public without charge.
Please feel free to bring a friend (always welcome).
We will have our usual raffle.
So . . . Remember to bring dollars or flies!
Need directions the to VA Medical Center? Click directions
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Fly Tie and Fly Fish Schools Set ...
We are now preparing for both a Fly Tying School to begin in January and run for the normal eight weeks of classes, each building on a new tying technique. Gerry Luzum has again agreed to be the "Head Professor", but he will need help in many areas. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with Jerry if you can offer some assistance in any way.
The Fly Fishing School will also be held again this year. Jim Cantin has stepped up to the plate and says this year will be better yet. The date will be April 30th. Again, help is needed, so please volunteer a little of your time or experience.
Further details will be available shortly.
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Prez sez . .
I am excited that we will again be holding both of our annual events -- the Fly Tying Classes and the one day Fly Fishing School. At our Board meeting last month, both Gerry Luzum and Jim Cantin agreed to chair the respective events again this year. Please offer your help.
Last month we will elected three members to the Board to serve for a three year period. Well, actually, the three members whose terms were expiring were re-elected to serve another three years. So, Mike Linse, Max Hillring and Gerry Luzum remain on the Chapter Board.
Kevin Kram is now an advertiser in our Newsletter. Kevin helped out at a fly casting meeting we held at the Ravenwood Golf Club. Give him a call if you need help or just a "tune up". I now that several members have already used his services and instruction.
I'm goin' fishin'.
~~ C
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Guide to Steelhead Fishing in Western New York
Western New York has a number of streams that offer high duality lake-run steelhead fishing from November through March. Streams included in Niagara, Erie, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua Counties are; the Lower Niagara River, Cattaraugus Creek, Eighteen Mile Creek and it's South Branch, Silver Creek, Walnut Creek, Canadaway Creek and Chautauqua Creek.
The majority of the steelhead in these streams are the result of smolt stockings by NYS-DEC. There is some natural reproduction of steelhead that adds to the fishery, particularly in the Cattaraugus Creek system. Studies are ongoing to evaluate the contribution of these wild fish to the angler catch. Projects are being planned and implemented to increase the contribution of wild steelhead.
This is a brief overview of these streams. For more detailed information, please call the Olean Fisheries Office at (716) 372-0645 or the Lake Erie Fisheries Unit at (716) 366-0228. Please note that very little of the property along these streams is publicly owned, so be sure to ask the landowner's permission.
Lower Niagara River: The Lower Niagara River offers a totally unique steelhead experience to anglers in the eastern United States. From below Niagara Falls to Lake Ontario, anglers will find 18 tiles of large river that varies from breath taking rapids to wide, deep, fast-moving flat water. From the falls to Lewiston, the river is as brawling as any western river and from Lewiston to Lake Ontario, it is wide and deep. Below Lewiston, the river can be fished from a boat, while the river above there can only be fished from shore.
There are numerous areas to access the river including; Whirlpool and Devils Hole State Parks, Artpark, Joseph Davis State Park and the Sand Docks in Lewiston, the New York Power Authority fishing platform and Fort Niagara State Park.
Cattaraugus Creek System: Cattaraugus Creek offers over 34 miles of steelhead angling opportunities from Lake Erie to the Springville Dam. A portion of the stream and it's lower tributaries are on Seneca Nation of Indian Lands, so if you plan to fish there, you will need a license for the Reservation. The Cattaraugus is a large stream, averaging over 100 feet wide and varying from slow water near Lake Erie to boulder filled rapids in the scenic Zoar Valley Area upstream of Gowanda.
Several tributaries to Cattaraugus Creek offer steelhead opportunities in a small stream setting. Some of these streams include: Clear Creek and it's North Branch, a short section of the S. Branch of Cattaraugus Creek, Derby Brook, Coon Brook, Spooner Brook, Waterman Brook and Utley Brook. Check for special fishing regulations on some of these waters.
Smaller Streams: Eighteen Mile Creek and it's South Branch are medium size streams that offer a total of 15 miles of water upstream to impassable barriers. Silver and Walnut Creeks are fishable for a total of 14 miles. Canadaway Creek is accessible to steelhead from Lake Erie to Laona Falls, a distance of 6 miles. Finally, Chautauqua Creek provides 5 miles of fishing up to the Village of Westfield Water Works.
Steelhead Tackle: Steelhead in Western NY generally average 3-6 pounds, but fish from 8-12 pounds are common so fairly heavy equipment is required. Fly rods from 8'-10' in length that handle 6-10 weight lines work well for landing these fish, although sometimes in low, clear flows very light tippets of 2-4 lb test are required.
Catch and Release: The steelhead of western New York are a magnificent resource that can be enjoyed by anglers more than once. By voluntarily releasing some or all of the steelhead you catch you can help to ensure high catch rates for yourself and other anglers throughout the season.
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SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS
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For Sale / Help Wanted --
10 weight outfit: Sage Xi2 9 foot, 10 weight. 4 pieces. Ross BG6 reel with extra spool. Retail is $630 rod, $415 reel, and $195 spool. Call Bob Mulcahy at 585/889-8591. Best offer.
Wanted: Someone who can help re-design the Chapter web pages. Please contact Jean Chaintreuil if interested: 585/360-1812, or by e-mail, jpc@travela.com. Knowledge of CCS very helpful.
Items For Sale: ???
E-mail jpc@travela.com with the details and we will list
your item(s) for sale.
How else can we say it?
It's a free Want Ad.
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Fly Fishing the Salmon River
The Salmon River located in Northern New York State is a tremendous fishery consisting of prolific runs of King and Coho Salmon as well as Steelhead and Brown trout from Lake Ontario. Flowing out of the Salmon River Reservoir, this dynamic river makes a 13 mile journey before emptying into Lake Ontario at Port Ontario. Pulaski is a renowned and popular town due to the Salmon River and its awesome fishery.
Depending upon water flows and temperatures, late August is generally the start of the fall run of King salmon. This enormous run of fish lasts till late October when the steelhead start their annual jaunt (water levels and other factors dictate when these fish begin and end their run). The King Salmon (also known as Chinook Salmon) are large, averaging twenty to thirty pounds. Fish to forty plus pounds have been caught.
Most of the fishermen during the salmon run use spinning outfits. Unlike Steelhead and Brown trout the King Salmon do not "take" as well. Although they are in the river to spawn and feeding is their last priority, these fish will strike out of aggression when they are fresh from the lake and have not seen many flies. Once the fish have been in for a long period of time they tend to not strike with the same aggression. There has been controversy about fishermen "lifting" salmon. "Lifting" is when they try to snag the fish, which is an unfortunate part of the entire Great Lake's fishery. Snagging has been outlawed and game wardens patrol the river to issue fines to anglers that are caught violating the rules that govern this fishery. Check all the Special Regulations before fishing. If you do not understand the regulations, there are many shops in the area that will explain them.
Another factor about the salmon run is the amount of fishermen it draws to the river. It is not uncommon to see anglers shoulder-to-shoulder for a hundred yards in a likely hole. A few popular fly patterns for the salmon are large krystal buggers, egg patterns, and estaz flies all tied on extra strong hooks.
Steelhead are what most fly fishermen come to the Salmon River for. The steelhead average eight to ten pounds and fish over twenty pounds have been caught. They can be in the river anytime from late September to May. There are also summer run steelhead called Skamania which are not as dependable but can be in the river during the summer months providing that water conditions allow it. Steelhead are very aggressive, especially from October to late November, because they are in the river to feed with the abundance of salmon eggs available and optimum water temperatures. This is also a good time for them, because the weather near the Great Lakes is still tolerable. Estaz flies, egg sucking leeches, woolly buggers, and yarn eggs work best this time of year. Winter Steelhead fishing from December through late February can be very productive and also very cold. Make sure to bring along plenty of warm clothing if you go. Temperatures will drop below zero and lake effect snow squalls can pop up at any time. At this time generic nymphs, small black stone fly nymphs, and small egg patterns work best. Remember that the winter fish tend to be more lethargic because of the extremely cold water temperatures. Fish slow and look for some of the softer seams where they do not have to fight strong currents. March through April is a good time for steelhead as well. Like the fall the weather is generally more tolerable then during the winter months. The fish at this time of year are generally less active then during the fall and are there more to spawn, although they will feed and the fishing can be excellent. Starting around late April and May the steelhead will drop out of the river back to the lake. This is a good time to fish for drop-backs that are extremely aggressive after spawning. They need to feed and will take dries, streamers and wet flies (spey flies) eagerly.
Coho Salmon, also known as Silver Salmon, can be in the river anytime during the fall from September to December. They are more aggressive then the King Salmon and will strike eagerly at a fly (especially the males). Cohos are hard fighting acrobatic fish similar to steelhead. Most people do not come to the Salmon River specifically for the coho salmon fishing, but come across them while fishing for other species.
Brown trout can also be in the river along with the Steelhead. The best time for browns is usually from late September to early December. The brown trout migrating into the Salmon River from Lake Ontario are very large averaging five to eight pounds and browns to fifteen plus pounds have been caught. Steelhead flies will work effectively on the brown trout.
The Salmon River is made up of churning pools, deep runs, riffles, glides, and pockets. The river bed is mostly slate and gravel and cleated waders are necessary to keep your footing. Water conditions on this river can change rapidly (within minutes) with the water releases used for generating power. If your not familiar with the water be smart and pay attention to changing conditions. The upper end of the river is made up mostly of deep pools and runs and is generally less swift. Below Route 81 the river picks up speed on its way to Lake Ontario. This area is made up mostly of hard pushing pools, glides, swift runs, and pockets. The upper end of the Salmon river near Altmar has two fly fishing only sections. Check the special regulations. Fishing in the vicinity of Altmar can be good since the fish tend to hold up well there. This area can also be very crowded so remember that the fish entering the Salmon River are migrating in from the lake and can be anywhere in the river. Below Altmar the river flows through pools such as School House, Wire, Ellis Cove, Trestle, Sportsman's, Compactor, Papermill, Ball Field, and Black Hole as well as many others. Below the Black Hole the river enters the Douglaston Salmon Run which is an area you need to purchase a permit in order to fish. This area is excellent and offers angling for fish fresh from the lake since it borders the mouth of the river. These fish tend to be less selective and will eagerly take a well presented pattern. Overall there is approximately 12 miles of very productive water to fish. Some areas tend to hold fish better then others but remember that they are migrating fish and have to get through one area in order to get to the next.
Access to the river is generally easy. There are numerous designated access points as well as other areas to pull over and fish. Routes 13, 11, 81, and 2 as well as other roads provide access to the river. Fish an area and move if your not successful. Sometimes its a matter of finding the fish. Other times it may be waiting for the water temperatures to warm enough for them to take. Either way be patient with the fishery. The opportunity is there to hook or catch a good number of large fish. If you put your time in you will most likely be largely rewarded!
The Salmon River is New York State is a famous fishery for migratory Salmon, Steelhead, and Brown Trout. Every year anglers flock to the river from all over to try their skills with these powerful acrobatic fish. Steelhead have been known to empty anglers reels in a heart throbbing battle to escape being caught within seconds. If you plan on coming to the Salmon River, it is within 5 driving hours of New York City and Montreal, located along the Southeastern shore of Lake Ontario. Many anglers come from all over the Northeast and Canada for the opportunity to catch a "fish of a lifetime."
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November 15, Chapter Meeting. Dick Steinheider, baby tarpon fishing in Venezuela.
November 22, Healing Waters meeting, 7pm at the VA.
December 22, No Chapter Meeting.
January 17, Chapter Meeting. L.L. Bean store now at Eastview.
February 21, Chapter Meeting. Loren Williams and USA Fly Fishing Team.
March 21, Chapter Meeting. Trout fishing in north central PA.
April 18, Chapter Meeting. Howard Beemer, fly fishing the West from a trailer.
May 16, Chapter Meeting. Jay Peck, Atlantic salmon fishing in Central NY.
June 20, Chapter Picnic. Canandaigua VFW.