As summer 2019 fades into the annals of history, cool evening temps command the forecast for the foreseeable future. For anglers, cooler temps herald the arrival of lake run species, which abound in Great Lakes tributaries throughout western NY. We are expecting to see another phenomenal year for steelhead, salmon, and lake trout. In this region, we get a piece of the action from Lake Ontario as well as Lake Erie. Guided fly fishing slots are filing in daily. Now is the time to book your fall steelhead trip.
Fall species overview:
Lake trout: One of the few places in North America where you can catch a lake trout from shore is the Lower Niagara River! Lake trout, which are actually part of the char family, can really test an angler and their equipment. Lake trout are fairly easy to target at the right time of year. Known for bulldogging an angler to the bottom of the river, they arrive some time in October and continue through January. Using heavy gauge gear, anglers have opportunities to hook lake trout weighing 15 pounds or more! The Niagara Gorge’s spectacularly picturesque setting 5 miles downriver of Niagara Falls is like stepping into the pages of a photographer’s coffee table book. The combination of idyllic scenery and reliable fishing make this area a favorite among local anglers.
Chinook Salmon: Another heavy weight of the Great Lakes, these fish will eat your flies and head back to the lake if they take a mind to it. Often referred to as “King” salmon, they come into the tributaries around August to September for spawning. King salmon run through the fall with some seasons lasting as late as mid-December. Averaging around 10 pounds, king salmon are one of the most exciting freshwater species to target.
Lake Run Brown Trout: Similar in appearance to their inland cousins, lake run browns are normally are longer and heartier than river browns due to the abundance of food during their lake time residence. Lake run brown trout normally enter tributaries in November, both for spawning and to feed on salmon and steelhead eggs. Averaging10 pounds, and maxing out around 30 inches, the natural aggression of brown trout provides anglers the exciting experience of swinging or stripping streamers in pursuit of that gratifyingly explosive smash.
Steelhead: Last but not least is the mighty steelhead. These fish provide excitement from the time water temps dip to 65 degrees, which can be as early as September, and continues throughout the winter months. Reaching an average of 25 inches and 8-10 pounds, these fish are apt to take you into your backing with some incredible acrobatics. Steelhead are the bread and butter of our lake run species, with high number runs in almost every lake tributary in western New York.
In addition to lake run species, our inland fishing for trout really starts to pick up with the cooler temps. Browns, rainbows and brook trout feed voraciously in preparation for winter. Additionally, predator fishing REALLY gets going. Targeting species like musky and pike can be exciting and highly gratifying as these fish grow up to 40 inches or more! Rivers like the Allegheny have fantastic predator populations. If you If lake fishing suits your pace, join us to fish one of four local lakes holding Musky, Pike and Tiger Musky (Musky/Pike hybrid).
Adventure Bound is just 25 minutes from the famed Cattaraugus Creek. When you book a half day guided fly fishing trip with us, we will get you on the water after your morning coffee and get you home in time for lunch. Or better yet, book a full day trip and enjoy a shore lunch provided by your guide so you don’t miss a minute of time on the river.
Dates are filling quickly. Contact us at info@adventureboundonthefly.