Fishing Trip 8/1

[Scott McKee]

Carrie and I decided to hit the River this morning for a few hours before she had to go to work. We decided to speed troll.  I caught a 37" and a 32" one good cast off the weed edges in UN1 and 2.  Both fish smacked a Brown Pikie (I guess that's what it's called, whatever Larry's little Chautauqua Hottie is) 5" jointed Wiley Musky King.  The boat was traveling just over 7 MPH on my GPS for both fish.  We tried a little casting and jigging, but didn't see anything.  Two fish in two hours.  The Niagara is like Sturgeon Lake was in 1999 and the early 2000's.  I love it.

[Tony Scime]

Scott's right. Maybe a little exaggerated (like the Kawarthas?). But may be getting there.

I fished this morning from 6 to noon. It was the first time in many years that I actually expected to catch a muskie. It had nothing to do with the weather. Post mild coldfront and light north wind.

It worried me, my expectations. There was a time I always expected to catch muskies. And most times we did. More than ten years ago. I worried about being too confident. Over-confidence, or high expectations tend to bite you hard.

With the north wind (actually a light breeze) I decided to troll. After talking a few minutes with Carl S. about the virtues of UN11 and 12, I hooked and landed a muskie in UN2. The fish fought hard and I had to net it and cut a hook. But total water release and she took off immediately. Mid-30s on a Depthraider Firetiger (vote now!).  7:00 am. That Carl has been a bit of good luck for me. Last time we spoke on the water I had boated a fish almost as soon as he left.

Took a west river troll. At about 8 I hooked another, this one on the edge of the trench (24 feet)leading to Staleys. 32 inch but quite the fighter. Another one I couldn't shake and had to net, cut a hook, and release. After wallowing for a few seconds, she/he took of strong. Depthraider Firetiger (vote now!).

At about 9 I was making a turn up to what I call Staley's and hooked another. Depthraider Firetiger. Was able to unhook without cutting or netting. Stick measured 34. Strong release.

Two daytime fish at Staley's, one at Black. I remember what happens there at night (right John P.?) That's when the big ones prowl. I'll have to see what's there after midnight.

I fished down to Black Creek before returning upriver to try some tubing without any further action.

All the fish, though small, fought hard - breaking the surface several times each. One almost jumped into the boat. But all were solidly hooked. They fight a lot harder with the trolling gear than with the tubing gear, probably because I'm not horsing them in.

I had no problem releasing any of these fish, even though I netted and had to cut hooks on two. Water temp was 74. The longest it took any to swim away was a few seconds. So if you stick to water releasing your fish, you shouldn't have a problem. If you're having a problem, you have to improve your release skills.

Almost like old times. Working my way downriver, hooking a fish here, there, and anywhere. Next time I think I have to get to Bayer.

I know this is getting old, but ....

I love the Muskie Gods!

[Scott McKee]

Two fish in two hours reminds me of my Kawartha' experiences when I first started fishing there in '98.  Throw in the fact that all of the fish I'm catching are small and I can safely say the Niagara is producing (for me) like the Kawarthas did years ago.

As far as voting goes... yes, please vote now!  I don't want to have to cast or troll one lure color all day (even though I do that pretty much anyway)!

[Jay Nannen]

Way to go Scott and Tony!!  I give up....next time I go out I am going to troll and try to

learn how the big boys do it.

Scott McKee said:

Two fish in two hours reminds me of my Kawartha' experiences when I first started fishing there in '98.  Throw in the fact that all of the fish I'm catching are small and I can safely say the Niagara is producing (for me) like the Kawarthas did years ago.

As far as voting goes... yes, please vote now!  I don't want to have to cast or troll one lure color all day (even though I do that pretty much anyway)!

[John Miller]

I even have two fish trolling this season and lost a third trolling.   Who'd of thought.

[Scott McKee]

You want to hear weird... I've caught a few jigging!  That trumps anything.