This was my PM email to Ronnie TO, I hope it helps others as well:
Never leave items visible in the car during a fishing time, Niagara fishing area is prone to car vandalism in the past. So I bring extra collapsible fishing rod with reel as a back up equipment, hidden in the trunk space.just in case something goes wrong with my main fishing equipment, to not ruin my long driving fishing trip . During past salmon season fishing at a pier, one fellow broke his long rod after fighting with a salmon within the first 10 minute of his arrival, and curse the **** word 10 times or more, non stop, his other two friend landed 5 more fish within that half an hour of fishing frenzy. Funny was he landed another fish using his half broken rod section.
Google fishing location, Anglers Atlas is one I used that helped my other US fishing trip, also email US local fishing board, etc.many were helpful when I inquired. Plan and research before you go across. I always fish in USA state all the way to Florida on my vacation, occasionally stop along the way on specific location if necessary, but all planned trip. I do decent and catch fish, but I do tons of research for potential spot, otherwise, a big waste of time wetting my line blindly. Check Water clarity issue after a rainfall, then wind direction, they are all important for trout fishing. Olcott pier or Oak orchard pier also good fishing now and no hiking. North windy conditions are bad to these areas. Salmon river, Syracuse, was the best salmon and trout fishing spot in USA, but it gets crowded. Rochester have some good fishing spot as well. Some US state allow anglers to fish on their river dam. Burt's dam near lockport NY, is one of them, but anglers fishing close to one another. At Rochester high fall downtown is another one.
Detroit and Frankenmuth, have excellent Museum and history, one of our best place to travel so far, safe to stay, and inexpensive branded motel, near Henry ford musuem, Dearborn MI. For Bank of america card holder, Free museum entrance on every first weekend of the month. I will use AirBnB this time to stay. even cheaper. Detroit river has some good shore spot for walleye fishing. Easy to apply for a CC at BOM, I believe BOM has a TOronto branch. The advantage of having USA CREDIT CARD, and Us mailbox address, i can punch in the zipcode when I get gas, I also want to establish some credit history, in case I want to buy a inexpensive property in Florida. some condo or houses, cost only under $100,000. RBC here has US credit card , so we can apply for a US credit card for establishing US credit history, RBC has branches in florida, but the US Credit card has a minimal yearly fee.
I have flexible work hours, so I plan my trip around fishing condition in buffalo, window shopping with my wife is always the major event. I never go across black Friday, chaos human traffic condition over there and the border crossing can be up to two hours wait. We are normally at the border before 8am avoiding the change of the custom guard time ,which creates some more delay. It is my wife birthday month, free to dine in many restaurant in US states. I am going with Corsara again to fish niagara when conditions permits. Then I will go again with my wife after the black friday week sale. My wife and I will probably stay overnight this time. Traders Joe, specialty food store is one of her favorite place to shop. For me it is just Dollar tree! I buy lots of craft material from dollar store, such as nail polish, glue, yarn material, etc... to improvised to tie streamers. Burlington and TJmaxx, Ollies, harbour freight, DicKs sporting and Big lot are all stores we normally go to look, lots of digging around just to find a deal! . Ollies bargain outlet has some fishing stuff during the season.BLVD mall area are way cheaper than Galleria Mall, so we avoid Galleria mall stores all the time. Too pricey for us. Except another Ollies bargain outlet , Cabelas and Dicks sporting store(just to browse these two), Michaels and Burlington coat factory, all near Galleria Mall. Ollies send me 15% coupon via email all the time, they do have good deal stuff. Michaels craft store has 40% off coupons, I buy the beads,acrylic paint, feathers, yarn, and shoe goo flexible glue, the best all round glue Imo. Michael's craft CA store here are way too expensive.
If you buy truck accessories, then get them installed across the border, custom will never know what was added to your truck. I buy tires there installed if I need them. The more people inside your car when going across, the more import allowance, and less likely Custom charge HST. They are actually very lenient. just avoid buying electronics, you will be taxed if you buy above your import allowance. The most I spent going by myself ,was under $100 for 6 hrs across and never got charge HST taxes, especially when I say I went over to fish. Many male Custom officer on both borders, loves fishing. A US custom officer wanted to see my improvised lure once and asked me where to fish. In spite of long line up of cars waiting behind me, he took his time to chat about fishing. Many officer are fed up of hearing Torontonians, especially new Immigrant going across to just shop , So when I say I am going fishing or bowling or visit museum ,they get to hear something different, I am also a good bowler, cost less then a Dollar per game to Bowl in most US states. I bought a bowling ball once,costing $80 coming across and declared it, The custom officer baffled and said..........." A BOWLING BALL?" Just last Feb winter months, I bought a used great deal Tennis ball machine off Craiglist buffalo. No taxed even if it was $120US .They cost close to $1000 here. Extremely hard to find used in GTA. Many wanted them, the lowest price I saw was around $350 and gone the same morning it was posted off Kijiji.
I am in a hunt for a new or used Fishfinder with Chirp, sonar and downscan imaging features. no hurry to use till spring, but I open up my buying pick up location including NY ,Ohio, PA and Mi neighboring state. Whatever savings I can get , I will spend them on my wife , for being with me to go across to get them.
Military naval park in buffalo is impressive, Two WW2 battle ship plus a small submarine, a 3 hour or more to enjoy it . Get Groupon coupons for excellent deal at $13 for two. NIagara CA side have special hotel deals now, at US$49 wyndham hotel stay with some extra dinner voucher coupon . Watch out for niagara CA side extra hidden tourist fees, unknowing to most tourist, the fees exist on many niagara tourist retail establishment , restaurant and hotels, they just illegally pocket the money. The fees range from 4-8% extra, hotel parking there is $10-15 per day. Call to inquire if they charge and tourist Niagara restoration fees or you wish to decline to pay it or go elsewhere that do not charge the fees. Upper niagara shore fishing spot, with no hike, close to peace bridge are known for walleye,........ shoreline accessible.
There is a company in Mississuaga called Crossborder pickup, they pick up package across the border for $9 per package plus whatever HSt on top. You still have to pay your US address mailbox fee. Other extra fees you need to pay, if delivered to your home address.
My wife and I go across from 6 to 10 times a year. In 25 years of shopping across the border, we got charge HST only twice. I buy many things I need from ebay, amazon US , Walmart on line, harbour freight ,etc But I plan my trip ahead all the time. Car parts from autozone or ebay , Amazon.com,
walmart.com. can be cheaper. I always do comparative shopping. Even with the currency exchange, every prices here have been getting higher. I ship many of my online purchases to the motel where I will be staying, very safe to do that, since many of their guest were businessman, so the motel are used to receiving packages. this will ensure the motel gets my business in return. No need the US mailbox address.
I used the American Mailbox at 265 main street niagara falls 14303 , just 5 minutes across rainbow bridge, they charges $4 per package(price just went up), and no time limit. I used the address to acquire Bank of america credit card and Sam's club card. Chris Chirello is the owner, a one man operation. I used them in years. Another Mailbox company is across lewiston bridge, the mailbox and crossing the bridge gets the busiest among the three bridge or other mailbox address. They are all good companies and get busier this time of the year.
Hope my info help others! Joshua