Western NY Steelhead/Brown Trip

[akoop]

Hit the Lake Ontario tribs over the past few days. Our guide service cancelled on us the night before we were leaving. Needless to say we won't be using them anymore. My buddies and I decided to still take the trip and try it ourselves. Rain pushed in and muddied up the rivers which made it even tougher for us.

We did OK and got some nice browns. I only hooked up with one steelhead which broke me off while trying to get one of my buddies to grab the net and help me out.

Here are a few photos from the trip.

[FASTEDDIE29]

Dude! Awesome job finding them on your own. Awesome fishery they have out west on the tributaries!!! Beautiful Browns all around!!! YEA BUDDY!!!

[akoop]

Originally Posted by FASTEDDIE29

Dude! Awesome job finding them on your own. Awesome fishery they have out west on the tributaries!!! Beautiful Browns all around!!! YEA BUDDY!!!

Thanks Eddie, It was tough to find good water and stay away from the crowds of idiots. We tried one spot on Saturday morning that was so packed with people we actually saw a fight break out over a spot. Guys told us they got there at 2:30am in the rain to stake their claim.

I do not find that kind of fishing enjoyable.

[AndyS]

Always amazed at the size of those trout in the rivers and streams there. Looks like a great time, really nice trout !

Beautiful browns and congrats doing it on your own. Only downside of an otherwise world class fishery are the idiots you mentioned. Don't blame someone if they want to get to the river at 2:30 to secure a spot but chances are if you have to get there that early you're going to be have a lot of company around you all day. I can tolerate that. Whats a shame to see is the lack of class shown by too many to other anglers and trophy fish with lining, snagging and dragging fish out on stringers that were caught illegally.

Few years back I fished the Oak. Was doing very well with a dead egg pattern on the browns and a few chrome. Five guys come walking up on my downstream side, proceed to walk 15 to 20 ft into the river in about 3 feet of water right in my drift. They were using spinning outfits rigged with what looked like 2 oz chartreuse spros and started snagging browns sight casting. Every one went on the stringer including some real trophy fish. Absolute zero class and if you say something you risk an altercation. Called the DEC hotline to report it but no one showed up, just too much area for them to cover. It's a put and take fishery but no way for trophy fish to meet their fate. Have seen it too often which is why it pays to stay away from the well traveled areas if you have the luxury to do that.

Either way, beautiful browns and nice job hooking up the steelhead.

[Jigman13]

Those are sick browns dude. I'm drooling lol. Congrats and good job making lemonade.

[thmyorke1]

Wow :0

You're catching lots of great looking trout this season. Nice to put that trip back together yourself and catch em.

[Mikey topaz]

Great fish, beautiful!

[JDTuna]

Beautiful fish man! Great work!!!

[Hookmanski]

I'm dying to go up there on a trip like this!! Next year for sure, just need to find some fishing buddies. Awesome job making things happen!