Me and my buddy had a good time when we went in the fall so we went back on Friday. We hired a guide and fished a number of drifts from the Lake Ontario through to the Devils hole. My friend has a boat but this stretch of the river is not for the timid. We were hoping for browns and stealhead as well but only the Lakers seemed to be biting.
The bites were light and we missed a couple until we dialed them in. We landed 7 fish and an OOS smallie; We lost about 7 or 8 fish; I lost a beast on our last drift. Would likely have been the biggest for the day but the line got cut on some rocks. All fish were caught on UL rods; the fight the fish gave aided by the current meant each fish landed was a real challenge. The UL rods really helped with the light bites. Detecting light bites when your drifting downtream and your lead bounding off the rocks is really tough to get the hang of but determination pays off.
Really got a chance to knock the dust off of all off my rusty fishing skills and get back into fighting shape in a hurry.
For those interested the smelt run is full swing.
Drifting for Lakers on the Niagara River
Re: Drifting for Lakers on the Niagara River
Great report ZippyFX!
Glad you got on some fish.
Glad you got on some fish.
Kerrazy
"Everyone should believe in something. I believe I'll Go Fishing!"- Thoreau
I'd like to thank my sponsors:
Interac - Be in the Black
Jerry, my neighbour, who foolishly leaves his shed and truck open, so I can try all the latest gear!
"Everyone should believe in something. I believe I'll Go Fishing!"- Thoreau
I'd like to thank my sponsors:
Interac - Be in the Black
Jerry, my neighbour, who foolishly leaves his shed and truck open, so I can try all the latest gear!
Re: Drifting for Lakers on the Niagara River
Great report Zippy!! Fine looking lakers, Niagara sure is a treasure chest for adipose fins...
Re: Drifting for Lakers on the Niagara River
Very NICE!
Re: Drifting for Lakers on the Niagara River
Awesome stuff..
Something I have always wanted to, but haven't make the trip yet.
Something I have always wanted to, but haven't make the trip yet.
MEAT - Grind it, stuff it, smoke it.
Re: Drifting for Lakers on the Niagara River
Great report Zippy.
- lapointeric
- Silver Participant
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Re: Drifting for Lakers on the Niagara River
Too bad you lost the beast, but sounds like a fun trip regardless!
E
E
Re: Drifting for Lakers on the Niagara River
Easily in my top 3 places I've ever fished. Love the river.
Thanks for sharing!
RJ
Thanks for sharing!
RJ
-
- Diamond Participant
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- Joined: Wed Mar 03, 2004 3:29 am
- Location: A Superfishery Near You.
Re: Drifting for Lakers on the Niagara River
Trip worth taking dood! Seven greasers in the boat is a great days worth of fishing. Love them lakers.
- jjcanoe
- Bronze Participant
- Posts: 128
- Joined: Mon Aug 13, 2007 9:37 pm
- Location: London ON/ Eels Lake
Re: Drifting for Lakers on the Niagara River
Nicely done! Grew up on the banks of the upper Niagara and have fished just about every inch between Fort Erie and Queenston from shore. My pb walleye, musky, Chinook, coho, and Rainbow are all from the lower river either from the whirlpool, the glen, queenston, or the Maid of the Mist (when you were still allowed to ride your bike down there) Got my pb perch from the upper, as well as a couple of golden trout, and palomino trout ( I think Pennsylvania stocked both at one time) . Always enjoyed fishing the lower even though it was a good hour bike ride to get to the whirlpool. So much variety in that river it's unbelievable. The power of the fish that live there, fighting the current all their lives is amazing to experience.
2015 Crestliner Vision 1700
115 Mercury 4 stroke
So long, and thanks for all the fish.
115 Mercury 4 stroke
So long, and thanks for all the fish.
Re: Drifting for Lakers on the Niagara River
Nice lakers Zippy!