Buffalo NY Fishing Report – Observations from 03/18/2024 – 03/24/2024
Here’s our latest Buffalo NY fishing report: Finally, I was able to get back on the water. It felt good to knock off the “winter rust.” After not guiding for over a couple months, reconnecting with the flow of the Niagara was therapeutic to put it mildly. Although this will be a short report, it marks the beginning of the busy season. The “normal” rhythm of weekly reporting starts today. Keep reading for more details.
Days on the Water: 1
Who we fished with: friends/clients
Where we fished: Lower Niagara
What we caught: lake trout, steelhead, brown trout, smallmouth bass.
Tactics: 3-way rig with live bait, beads, or plugs; drop shots, bucktail jigs, swimbaits
Episode 77 of Two Angles on Angling: Although Jordan and I didn’t get to fish much this past week, we at least spent some time on the water getting in some reps in advance of the busy season. This podcast will discuss what it felt like being back on our local water, what we noticed when we were out, the wild swings in weather, what to expect in the upcoming weeks, the differences and similarities between our generations, and more. https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/two-angles-on-angling
Detailed Reporting/Daily Observations
03/24/2024 – First day back in the saddle. Although it was a super cold start, the day warmed up nicely and action was consistent. Good times with some great folks that I haven’t seen in a few years.
Seasonal Assessment/General Observations
On the Conditions
I’m not going to spend too much time discussing the fishing this past week. For one, I only fished one day. Secondly, a light, but consistent N wind blew all day, so we could only fish half the river. All things considered, we did very well, and I was pleased with the outcome of that one session.
As you likely noticed from the photos, there is a mix of chrome and winter holdover steelhead in the system. I’m encouraged by the presence of those fresh fish from the lake. In the upcoming weeks, more should make the run upstream as the water warms and the steelhead spawn reaches its peak. I’ll be there waiting for them.
On a Personal Level
It felt good being back on our local waters. I was a little nervous this morning. It was almost like how I felt back in year one. After all, I hadn’t guided since late December – something like a 3-month hiatus. I forgot how good that that little bit of anxiety feels. I don’t know about you, but it makes me sharp and when those first few bites happen, it’s like fishing for the first time. I’m happy I got to share that with a great group of folks.
With the guiding drought behind me, I think I’m ready to provide my thoughts about taking a winter hiatus. In short – I have no regrets and I wouldn’t change much. I stayed physically fit, ate well, read a lot, travelled a bit, and spent a lot of time with my wife and daughter. What is there to complain about?
Now that the busy season is nigh, what I’ll miss most is all that family time. It was awesome spending so much time with my family. My wife and I were talking about that last night. She even remarked that she was going to miss all this time we were able to spend together. Our daughter echoed that sentiment – which is saying a lot for a 13 year old.
Nature calls though – time to get fully engaged in the awakening of things here in the Buffalo Niagara Region. It’s one of the most spectacular I’ve ever seen – which is why you can’t peel me away from here this time of year. Time to put in work, my friends! Looking forward to it!
Buffalo NY Fishing Report – Forecast for 03/24/2024 – 03/31/2024
Forecast Commentary
This upcoming week looks excellent. If the days unfold as predicted, there will be a lot of stability around here. Wind will be manageable. Rain will make an appearance, but not much and mostly in the PM hours. Water clarity will be primo. In other words, there are going to be options.
I’d love to get on Lake Erie this upcoming week and I’m fairly positive that’s going to happen. I’m booked most days, and the weather looks good enough to spend a day poking around for some pre-spawn smalljaws. The only problem is that the water temps dropped a couple of degrees after all these freezing days and snowfall. As last check, it dropped from 40 to 38 in the matter of a week. That’s a shock to a fish’s system – but the forecast for this upcoming week will get them into a better mood.
It also looks like the Lake Ontario bar will be in play by mid-week if not a little earlier. I’ll spend some time there for sure – as well as out on Lake O poking around for some lakers in the deep water.
The Upper Niagara needs some exploring too. It’s a little early but a little poking around wouldn’t hurt. Decisions, decisions. Luckily, it looks like we’ll have the weather to pull it all off.
Stay healthy my friends – mentally and physically,
Ryan