Guiding
I follow the fishing as the seasons change throughout the year, as fishing opportunities come and go. In early spring I will be fishing steelhead in the Lake Ontario tributaries. When the opportunities present themselves, I will make a few side trips to fish the inland trout streams during the Hendrickson hatch. I will stay with the tributaries fishing steelhead until mid May, then move to the inland trout streams and spring creeks for the summer. By late August or early September, I will be back to the tributaries for the beginning of the salmon run. Winter will find me fishing both the tributaries and the open trout streams and spring creeks.
Tributary Fishing Schedule
September thru October
Fishinf the Salmon River in Pulaski New York for salmon and steelhead.
November thru January
Fishing Western New York, lower Genesee River, Sandy Creek in Monroe County and Oak Orchard River for giant brown trout and steelhead.Salmon -- late August thru November
Steelhead -- early October thru mid May
Brown trout -- late October thru mid winter
Inland trout -- all year -- hatches start in mid April and run thru July
How I fish the Lake Ontario trout and salmon
All fishing is catch and release, traditional fishing. There is no running line or slinky used. I have spent over 25 years perfecting the techniques I use. These methods have been adopted from West Coast steelhead fishing, Atlantic salmon fishing and trout fishing. All of these techniques have been blended together to take advantage of the behaviors of the trout and salmon and the changing conditions in which we find ourselves fishing.
How a typical day of fishing works
There is no hard set starting or stopping time, but I like to establish this just a few days ahead of time. I will let the fishing conditions dictate what part or portions of the day we will fish. This can be as simple as working with water temperatures, fish movements, or a trout stream's insect hatch. What I try to do is have you on the water during the most productive time of the day. For example: Fishing for Brown trout and steelhead in early December, there's no sense in starting early in the morning. The water temperatures will be the coldest of the day so we would start mid morning and fish in until dark. Or, on a trout stream, if the insects are hatching in the afternoon that's when we will fish. We fish on the fish's schedule. As for the rivers that we will fish, I will take into consideration all the conditions. Then pick the river that will give you the best outing. Sometimes these will be on more popular rivers and sometimes on smaller less known rivers. What I want is for you to have an enjoyable outing.
Since River conditions and fish behaviors can change considerably in a short period of time. I will supply all the flies and leaders that you will need. However, if you are like me, and like to catch fish on flies that you have tied I will be happy to talk to you about the fly patterns and their recipes so you can tie a few of the flies that you may need. If extra equipment is necessary, I can supply you with all the equipment that you may need. Just bring the appropriate clothing for the weather and your waders. Unfortunately I do not supply a lunch, but I can help to make arrangements. One last thing, do not forget to bring a camera! -Jay
