Big Water Fishing “Down East” Style
By Bob Reynolds and Mark Anderson

We had just crossed 23 miles of big, open water, and I had to chuckle as I mused to myself, “what would a good-ole western boy think about this scene?” it was kind of a surreal scene to-say-the-least. I was scanning through an imposing spread of trolling gear looking out onto an even more imposing span of lightly rippled water framed by the beautiful Toronto, Canada skyline. We’d been biding our time in a little western New York port for the better part of three days. An unusual August northeast flow had put us on hold. Mercifully, I didn’t have to wait long, once the trolling spread was set. From the corner of my eyes, I got a glimpse of motion as the mate jumped toward one of the outside rods rigged with a diving plane, as it surged precariously downward toward the surface of Lake Ontario.

Matt Cipollitti (a Niagara County, New York, deputy sheriff in real life) scooped-up the rod and handed it to me as the “silver-fish” headed skyward with a little green spoon dangling from its lip. The familiar surge of excitement and uncertainty was washing over me as I wondered who would get the upper hand here. My answer would come soon, as the “steelie” decided to show me a few tricks. After the initial jump the fish started a run that lasted over a minute. Finally, he started to slow and I was able to pump him toward the boat a few yards, but he had other ideas and decided to show me some more “skin” and soared skyward once again. When it landed the fish started running again with seemingly renewed strength (boy what an attitude)! This time, however, the run was shorter lived and we settled into a rhythmic give and take. I soon maneuvered what appeared to be about an 8 or 9 pound steelhead to the stern. Captain Bruce Blakelock calmly instructed me to move straight backward with rod tip high in order to “sled” the fish through the maze of trolling rigs at the stern. Unfortunately, I reacted with old instincts to keep the rod low to the water and to one-side of the boat. I wanted to minimize the chances of a jump on a short line with a hook-worn mouth, which often has meant loosing a fish in other settings. In this setting, however, as I soon found out, a very busy trolling spread with heavy wire downrigger lines “in your-face” means opportunity to a “silver fish” and this one lost no time in teaching me to follow Captain’s orders. The fish instantly darted toward that wire, momentarily fouled my line, shook his head in defiance, broke the line, and was gone. Bummer!!

Well, not only did I lose a long anticipated fish, but also I was now the subject of a relentless, albeit, good-natured, (albeit thorough) ribbing for the rest of the day. I then proceeded to lose two more fish. I pleaded my case arguing, “a hook –worn mouth permitted the hook to slip-out after a long fight, blah, blah, blah…” (it’s my story and I’m sticking to it) but my shipmates on the 27-foot Sportcraft, Riverside, showed no mercy. I decided to give it a rest and let the other fisherman on board and my long-time fishing partner/ photographer, Mark Anderson, do the honors. As fate would have it, he did very well and soon produced the largest fish of the day – a 28.5-inch steelhead. Not to fear, I soon made a comeback and over the next couple of hours we took turns landing some more beautiful steelheads and a couple of coho and one king salmon. We even had a couple of “hair-raising” doubles during which my shipmates shouted encouragement. “Don’t screw it up again Bob!” We learned later there would be more kings and bigger fish in the days to come, but the deep-water summer feeding pattern had been slow development this year due to a series of unusual weather events. All we could say in answer to this news is, if it gets much better we couldn’t stand it! Wow, what beautiful fish, and what a beautiful fishing setting in every respect.

For you folks in the west who are interested in a new angling adventure or have wanted to visit your relatives (in-laws and outlaws) or to seek your “roots” down east, but harbor the notion that easterners might be a bit abrupt or unfriendly, this is your place. This is a very visitor friendly spot. In addition to these good things, there is plenty of history here going back to the French and Indian War, and you’ll get to see one of the natural wonders of the world in bargain—Niagara Falls.  This attraction is no tourist hype routine. Passing over just the Canadian segment of the Falls, Horseshoe Falls, we are talking 600,000 gallons of water a second coming into a river gorge through which more water flows than any other river in the world.

The “silvers”, according to Captain Bruce, gather in certain deep-water areas of the lake from mid-July to early September. Feeding on schools of baitfish (alewives, stickleback, etc.). Later moving briefly into “staging areas” outside the tributaries, prior to their fall move into the rivers, at which time they spawn. The kings move in first to spawn followed by the other salmon species, the browns and lakers. The steelheads come in as well to feed on salmon eggs, as do some of the other salmon species. Steelhead stay in the rivers until spring, creating a marvelous winter fishery (the steelheads spawn in the spring).

If you would like friendly help, travel particulars, guide information or fish cooking tips, contact a very friendly guy—Mr. Bill Hilts of the Niagara Department of Tourism 1-800-388-7890 or 716-439-7303 or William.Hilts@niagaracounty.com. I think you’ll be glad you did. Thanks for visiting. Tight lines and good fishing to you all.