fishfight
Well-Known Member
My buddy and I fished niagara on monday , I have not been out fishing for almost 2 months due to being too busy, thought it was about time to reward myself. Weather forecast was -14 and windchill 15km/hr in the morning, we decide to leave at 10am instead , Weather forecast became 0 degrees, and sunny by 12 noon . Hardly any wind down there as well, blocked by the hills of the gorge. I did not even have to wear my final windbreaker layered outfit since it was considered a warm day for a winter month.
Unfortunately by the time we hiked down below, to our disappointment, SLUSH ! SLUSH! SLUSH everywhere! just unfishable condition. Water was 2-3ft visiblity and greenish, water flow speed were slower than the last time which cause ice to stay on calmer spots, I would consider a perfect condition to fish down there if not ice. Witness at least 15 guys fishing, all spread out in different places. Most anglers I spoke to did not catch any as well, and gave up by 1:30 pm. Some hiked for a kilometer trying to find more suitable conditions, came back disappointed, and were not able to find any spot ice free. I fished for half an hr and gave up .
The Hike on the snowy ground was challenging, with the help of a tree branch as a walking shaft, we were careful on our way down, some of the steps were slippery, the hike back up was little bit easier after doing it for a while. It was a beautiful warm hiking day for us. It would have been a perfect day to be outdoor.
Those who do not float fish with centerpin reel, all you need is to use heavy spoons, or at least 3/8-1/2oz jigheads on white,black,or pink grubs. Use at least 3/4 -1 oz weight spoon. Here are some sample improvised spoon with 2-3 pennies or 2 nickel, bend and glued(use epoxy and not super glue) to the spoon as added weights ,most effective lure I used to fish down there in years. In case we lose them, it will not be too costly. Spoon from Le barons cost around only 60cents , any other lighter weight spoon or lures will have a hard time getting down deep enough due to the current.
I posted these lure improvised tips few months ago that I used at the NIagara river
1. http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd294/bassfighter_album/IMG_0008-2_zps0d87178d.jpg I aaded some Fluro pink for stained water application.
2. http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd294/bassfighter_album/IMG_0003-5.jpg Many of the spoon has 4 pennies glued on it , it does not matter where the pennies are glued inside and some outside, even if the coin sticks out a little bit to the side of the spoon, as long as they are bend and glued properly to the shape of the spoon, they will move fine and catch fish. Lure has to get close to the bottom without getting snag. Has to ensure hooks sharp as well.
Headed to Timmys and then went to Port Delhousie, St catherines by 3:30pm. water flow speed was slower than normal as well, 3-4ft visibility. 12 guys fishing but no takers as well. I spoke to Ben, a veteran expert angler, who live in the area , and fish almost every day, He said he has been skunk for the past 5 weeks. That was his longest dry spell he had experience in years. I fished for 45 minutes on different spot, quit and decided to head back. My philosophy was if Ben can't catch one , nobody will! Without enough current flow at Port D, less fish will enter inside the bay. This has been the issue lately at Port D, less water being release at the dam due to some construction work.
We will try again , I did not anticipate and hope for no floating ice the next time we plan to fish Niagara. To be Positive, it turned out to be a good hiking tanning outdoor day for us.
Unfortunately by the time we hiked down below, to our disappointment, SLUSH ! SLUSH! SLUSH everywhere! just unfishable condition. Water was 2-3ft visiblity and greenish, water flow speed were slower than the last time which cause ice to stay on calmer spots, I would consider a perfect condition to fish down there if not ice. Witness at least 15 guys fishing, all spread out in different places. Most anglers I spoke to did not catch any as well, and gave up by 1:30 pm. Some hiked for a kilometer trying to find more suitable conditions, came back disappointed, and were not able to find any spot ice free. I fished for half an hr and gave up .
The Hike on the snowy ground was challenging, with the help of a tree branch as a walking shaft, we were careful on our way down, some of the steps were slippery, the hike back up was little bit easier after doing it for a while. It was a beautiful warm hiking day for us. It would have been a perfect day to be outdoor.
Those who do not float fish with centerpin reel, all you need is to use heavy spoons, or at least 3/8-1/2oz jigheads on white,black,or pink grubs. Use at least 3/4 -1 oz weight spoon. Here are some sample improvised spoon with 2-3 pennies or 2 nickel, bend and glued(use epoxy and not super glue) to the spoon as added weights ,most effective lure I used to fish down there in years. In case we lose them, it will not be too costly. Spoon from Le barons cost around only 60cents , any other lighter weight spoon or lures will have a hard time getting down deep enough due to the current.
I posted these lure improvised tips few months ago that I used at the NIagara river
1. http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd294/bassfighter_album/IMG_0008-2_zps0d87178d.jpg I aaded some Fluro pink for stained water application.
2. http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd294/bassfighter_album/IMG_0003-5.jpg Many of the spoon has 4 pennies glued on it , it does not matter where the pennies are glued inside and some outside, even if the coin sticks out a little bit to the side of the spoon, as long as they are bend and glued properly to the shape of the spoon, they will move fine and catch fish. Lure has to get close to the bottom without getting snag. Has to ensure hooks sharp as well.
Headed to Timmys and then went to Port Delhousie, St catherines by 3:30pm. water flow speed was slower than normal as well, 3-4ft visibility. 12 guys fishing but no takers as well. I spoke to Ben, a veteran expert angler, who live in the area , and fish almost every day, He said he has been skunk for the past 5 weeks. That was his longest dry spell he had experience in years. I fished for 45 minutes on different spot, quit and decided to head back. My philosophy was if Ben can't catch one , nobody will! Without enough current flow at Port D, less fish will enter inside the bay. This has been the issue lately at Port D, less water being release at the dam due to some construction work.
We will try again , I did not anticipate and hope for no floating ice the next time we plan to fish Niagara. To be Positive, it turned out to be a good hiking tanning outdoor day for us.
