Super User S Hovanec Posted February 11, 2013 Super User Posted February 11, 2013 Took a trip to fish the Lower Niagara over the weekend. Here's the story that my buddy Capt. Matt attached to his album of the trip.....I couldn't have said it any better myself: Scott, Alex and I grew up together and were basically inseparable. Over time, as we got older and went our separate ways, it has been harder to get together. The last time we fished together was about 6 years ago. We have been planning another trip since then but it never worked out. Well we finally were able to get together again to do some fishing. We were hoping to fish 2 days but a "few to many" and watching the sun come up put a little damper on Saturdays fishing. Sunday was a different story. We were up early and ready to go. With temps in the single digits and few jam-ups at the launch (due to the cold), we had a slow start but that didn't last long. We hooked up on the first drift and the action stayed pretty steady all day. We had a good mix of fish Steelhead, Browns and Lakers. All in all it was a great visit with my two buddies. We told old stories, made new stories and learned a few things. Now that we are all "40" and the "baton" has been passed down...it makes you think about a few things. As we try to hang onto our youth and try to avoid the inevitable, are you ever really ready? Well, we may not be as good as we once were, but one thing still holds true...WE CAN STILL FISH! Here's a few pics from Sunday's fishing portion of the trip. My first laker....ever. Me and Alex with a double. Alex with a little brownie Capt. Matt providing some moose antler action We got the boat in the water about 9:30 and fished til 2pm. We had 20 hook-ups and landed 13 of them. One of the lost fish was a monster laker that could have eaten the one I caught for a snack! Alex hooked it too low in the drift and we couldn't get it up through the ice. Quote
Super User Dwight Hottle Posted February 11, 2013 Super User Posted February 11, 2013 Sounds like you guys had a great time. I have fished that venue in February before and it was cold, cold & more cold. Looks like you had plenty of ice & slush to deal with. The ride up to devils hole in that current & winter weather always got my attention. Quote
wnybassman Posted February 11, 2013 Posted February 11, 2013 Nice trip! I've always wanted to do a mid winter trip there. I've been up past the power plants in my Ranger before. Never again! lol That was summertime and it still got my attention. Quote
Super User S Hovanec Posted February 11, 2013 Author Super User Posted February 11, 2013 I've been up past the power plants in my Ranger before. Never again! lol That was summertime and it still got my attention. Can you believe there was a 15' deep-v Tracker with a 25hp and another 16' something-or-other tin with a 30hp up there in the hole? I've fished it a few times in May from my 17' deep-v and it was unnerving. One thing is almost a guarantee in that stretch of river: If you fall overboard, you're gonna die.......winter or summer. Quote
Lucky Craft Man Posted February 11, 2013 Posted February 11, 2013 Nice trip report, Scott. I always feel that any fishing trip in the winter is a bonus, especially when you do as well as you guys did. I have always wanted to hit that stretch in the early Fall for the Chinook run, but haven't had the time yet. Someday... Quote
wnybassman Posted February 11, 2013 Posted February 11, 2013 Can you believe there was a 15' deep-v Tracker with a 25hp and another 16' something-or-other tin with a 30hp up there in the hole? Yes. When I was up there there were a couple tiller motors on tin boats. Not sure of the HP, but they seemed rather small. My problem was when I started going down the river I didn't want to get on plane, and had a hell of a time keeping the boat straight due to the water mushrooming up from the power plants and the whirlpools it created. So I didn't want to get too close to the shore, but couldn't go down the middle because the big whirlpool jet boats for tourists were racing up and down the middle. lol I stick to the waters downstream of the Lewiston ramp now. Quote
Super User S Hovanec Posted February 12, 2013 Author Super User Posted February 12, 2013 It's amazing how that water will push and pull a boat, even on plane. The jet tours make it interesting too. it's tough to fish the shoreline with the big wakes coming off of them and then the heavy current right above the plants. Quote
The one that got away Posted February 12, 2013 Posted February 12, 2013 That's a cool report and photos, nice job. Quote
Super User 00 mod Posted February 12, 2013 Super User Posted February 12, 2013 Awesome trip! Looks to cold for this southern boy! What was the air temp? Jeff Quote
Super User Tuckahoe Joe Posted February 12, 2013 Super User Posted February 12, 2013 That scenery looks beautiful with all the snow and you guys have some good looking fish there. Congrats on an awesome trips! Quote
Super User S Hovanec Posted February 12, 2013 Author Super User Posted February 12, 2013 What was the air temp? My truck said -1 when we left Capt. Matt's house. It was 5 at the ramp and worked it's way to the lower 30's by the time we pulled the boat out. Water temp was.........ice! Quote
Super User 00 mod Posted February 12, 2013 Super User Posted February 12, 2013 Nice. That is dedication! Jeff Quote
Super User J Francho Posted February 12, 2013 Super User Posted February 12, 2013 Epic. Great report! Quote
Super User Bankbeater Posted February 13, 2013 Super User Posted February 13, 2013 Nice catching! Too cold for me though. Quote
Super User S Hovanec Posted February 15, 2013 Author Super User Posted February 15, 2013 Here's a little boat ride for ya! http://youtu.be/y_2V2H8cQks Quote
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