Salmon River. Oswego river, lake ontario, Oak orchard, niagara river fishing Report

Still on the back-up computer, but here we go.

Last weekend was tough as wind driven rain, ice and snow made conditions interesting to say the least.

Tony Polley and his wife Sue hung tough and we managed to do OK

Check out the snoot on this ironhead!! It hammered a hot shot and looked healthy dispite it's abnormalties.

The river is running at a good flow, 1150 plus run-off. Fish are scattered from top to bottom and it is March. We have pre-spawn, post-spawn, fresh fish, browns, a few salmon running around and Spring can not be far away. The bite changes day to day and hour by hour. Thre good news is the fish are here.

From Jay Peck www.jaypeckguides.com

The thaw we had caused considerable amount of run off.  This runoff brought the Oak Orchard River back up.  The Oak is finally starting to settle back down, right now the water flows are high with about a foot in half of visibility.  I suspect the Oak Orchard River will be in excellent fishing conditions anyday.  Do not expect any rise in the water temperature until the ice clears off from the Oak Orchard reservoir.  Until then water temperature will be on the flowing side of 32 degrees.  Productive flies for the Oak, has not changed much yet.  Stay with your favorite winter fly patterns.

All of the smaller area creeks are now free of ice, and in excellent fishing conditions.  The main issue with these creeks is water temperature.  The water is so cold that it is hard to tell if you have touched the bottom or you have a bite.  I recommend fishing with indicators even if you are working a streamer.

A word of warning when fishing this time of the year, you need to keep watch upstream while you are fishing.  Large chunks of ice can and often get dislodged from the shoreline.  You wouldn't want one of these big pieces of ice to take your legs out from underneath you while you're standing hip deep 31 degree ice water.  This can happen at both the smaller area Creek and the Oak Orchard River.

Winter is taking it's toll on the local wildlife and these turkeys are loving Shelley's bird seed!!

Between trips and the magazine, I am spending all my free time (yeah right) on the new boat.

Here are some pics. I have the new electronics on, riggers, rod holders, bottom is painted, boat is lettered, waxed, new carbs, bilge pumps, oil changed, tune-up, impellers and the list goes on and on. What was I thinking??

Still a ton of cleaning and wires to route, but we are geting there. A special thanks to Mike & beth at Mike's Marina for the great job they always do. 

 Back on the water for 8 days, stay tuned.