Ideal wind conditions

[Peter McConnell]

Hey all!!

There certainly has been a lot of wind the last little while. Being a musky fisherman for a few years now I get the advantage this brings. However, my experience is on smaller Northern Ontario lakes where we typically look for the various structures and how the winds are hitting them.

The Niagara river is a different animal than a northern lake, and I am trying to learn as much as I can to try and tame the beast. Learning to fish current, especially when trolling has been a learning experience.

Can anyone provide some input on wind direction and the impact it has on the upper Niagara?

thanks

Peter

[Scott Kitchen]

Peter, 

Most folks I know like to fish southerly winds on the river.  Although you will hear west is best and east is least from some folks, I have some good experiences with both west and east winds.  One factor about the wind direction that maybe different on the moving waters of the upper Niagara is the combined effect when the wind is opposing the current.  A northerly wind fights against the current in most locations and makes the water more choppy than the wind would alone.    

The big issue for the wind with drifting bottom lures, e.g. tubes and swim shads, is that the speed of the drift can slow considerably and cause excessive snags and an unproductive action for your lures.  

For WSW to ESE winds I fish everywhere in the river.  For northerly winds I either fish between the peace bride and the railroad bridge or the beach and marina at beaver island staying closer to shore.  A westerly especially northwest wind will make the west branch of the river from Strawberry westward choppy and slow your drifts.  

I like the Strawberry drift on east winds as it helps me follow the drift line that I like.  Normally the current there pushes me to the east.  

Hopes this helps. 

[Peter McConnell]

Great response! VERY helpful. Thanks Scott!!!

[Scott McKee]

North wind got you down? No problem! Get out the deep divers and crush bottom trolling downstream.