Niagara river fishing

Ive been in Canada for about 6 months now and havent done nearly as much fishing as I would have liked with work taking most of my time. When I first arrived I was pretty keen for some fishing, but was told not to expect much with the water too warm. Gave it a shot anyway and had some fun with a few carp. 

Tried again a few weeks later, this time after bass, but it was a pretty poor effort with a bunch caught but none any bigger than a small herring lol.

I was hoping to get into the salmon run around October but things were crazy busy at the time and that didnt happen unfortunately. A while back I saw KenTse's post about his sturgeon fishing and remembered we had a fishwrecked member in Toronto, which is not far from me. So I hit him up for some info and got some great advice re rigs, bait, gear and spots. Thanks again Ken!

So with this new info I tried for some Niagara river trout and after striking out the first time I came away with a 55cm steelhead (migratory rainbow trout). Was good fun with the 8lb leader and these fish know how to use the current to their advantage! I wasnt fishing for a feed but the guy who netted the fish for me assured me it was perfect eating size. Gotta admit he was right, probably the nicest tasting fish Ive caught from shore.

Such a strange style of fishing for someone with no freshwater experience. Casting upstream and letting the rig bounce along the bottom with the current. Every rock the sinker hits feels like a bite and takes a while to get used to. Also seems like tiny hooks with size 8 or 10 the standard, but I guess its all about deception with trout.

Anyway was good fun. Got down again this morning and lost a good fish right at the bank. Hopefully will get a bit more time for fishing over the next couple of months while work is quieter. Goddam itss getting cold though, had to buy an ice fishing suit just to get through a few hours of fishing. Literally have to scrape the ice off the rod guides every few casts. Hopefully will get out on a charter or something in spring so might have something a bit more impressive to report

Cheers guys and have a good xmas!

Adam

 

Image Upload: 

soupster51's picture

Posts: 2724

Date Joined: 29/11/06

Canada

Mon, 2012-12-24 05:36

A beautiful spot to live/visit. At least you getting into some fish, big or small its all great fun.

____________________________________________________________________________

The best reason for doing what's right today is tomorrow.

aalfred's picture

Posts: 669

Date Joined: 13/06/09

Great Report

Mon, 2012-12-24 07:50

And nice pics!

And that steelhead is a good looking fish!! Well done!!!

Having to clear the rod of ice is a experience that not many ppl know! At least over here;-)

Thanks for sharing!

 

Cardinal's picture

Posts: 364

Date Joined: 28/05/12

Awesome

Tue, 2012-12-25 09:05

Wicked report and awesome to those steelheads. Looks way to cold for me though

____________________________________________________________________________

 

Sponsored by Atomic HardZ Lures 

Chris fish's picture

Posts: 847

Date Joined: 23/02/11

Good stuff

Tue, 2012-12-25 10:50

 Good to see your still getting into some fish over there and good eating ones to. I've been doing a fair bit of small fish fishing and it's just a completely different thing to what I'm used to and takes a lot more skill that's for sure. And the ice on the guides that's not normal haha to cold for fishing that's for sure!!

____________________________________________________________________________

always looking for a new challenge!!

cuthbad's picture

Posts: 1266

Date Joined: 22/04/09

Thanks guys, yea its been a

Wed, 2012-12-26 11:18

Thanks guys, yea its been a real learning experience.

Hoping to give ice fishing a go some time over the next couple of months as well. Down to minus 11 on friday, just getting colder and colder....