Going to Niagra Falls beginning of Sept. We have a day or two to maybe get some fly fishing in up there. Anybody know the area or areas to do some decent fly fishing? One suggestion was Oak Orchard NY and I was told it was in close proximity to the falls. Dont know anything about it?.. Open to all suggestions and or contact information , as I am not familiar with the areas up there…Thanks .Ed
Never fly fished there but a Google search things:
I used to spend a fair bit of time in Buffalo for work. I did quite a bit of fishing up there. I could have sworn I posted a bunch of info and links for fishing up there at one point, but I can’t seem to find it. Might have been on another fishing forum (that no longer exists). Oh well.
One good spot IF the Steelhead are running is in Whirlpool State Park on the Niagara River a little bit below “the” falls. There is a picture floating around here of me with a pretty good fish from this exact spot (about middle of the run along the shoreline). Park in the parking lot above, and hike down into the canyon. It is fairly steep though.
I also fished in two rivers, both known as “18 mile”. 18-mile creek (near North Evans), and 18-mile creek below Burt Dam (near Newfane). I also thew spinning gear on occasion at the inlet to the Niagara on the West side of Buffalo. Another spot I fished spinning gear was featured in the movie “Bruce Almighty”.
Bill Hilt’s fishing report is also good to look at.
Finally, some of these guys might be able to help you out further. HTH.
PS - Oak Orchard and Cattaraugus Creek are also good spots.
I never seem to have all that much luck with the lake-run trout and salmon in September (probably because I’m not that good at fishing for 'em), but for an hour or so drive south, there are plenty of inland trout to be had. The NYS DEC website has a lot of info on the public fishing areas for trout in the Southern Tier. The best info is probably from the local fly shop though, Oak Orchard Fly Shop (only fly shop left in the area other than the big box stores, I think…) in Williamsville is the place to go around here. Those guys would be the people to ask if you want to try your hand at the lake-run fish. Anyways, Niagara Falls is surrounded with great fishing you shouldn’t have a hard time finding a place to go. Good Luck!
Another recommendation for Oak Orchard Fly Shop.
Go see Nick when you get there and get set-up with Flies (tied in the US) and some local info. Nick is a good guy and knows his stuff.
He also has some great deals on any equipment you are lacking.
Your only real shot at any lake-runs at the beginning of September will be the Salmon River, which is fully 4 hours from the Niagara Falls area, probably closer to 5 hours. The Lower Niagara might have some kings around, but the Erie tributaries will still be too warm (and maybe even too low) as will the Ontario tributaries in western NY.
The boys at OOFS will help you figure out what you want to do and where you should go, but you’ll most likely be limited to inland trout (which is a fine alternative). Another option is warm water fishing the Upper Niagara which won’t be far to travel. There are smallies, pike and carp at the very least within an hour of Niagara Falls.
Here’s the deal. The wife conned me into going to niagra falls. I can only look at the falls so long. The fishing is my idea and she is only a novice fly fisher. I am not set on lake runs , I am only looking for a place near there that we would be able to fish for inland trout and is relativley easy wading. If it were just me it’d be different. So there is a re-clarification, any more ideas? thanks…Ed
There is definitely some trout fishing with 1.5 hours of the falls. You might consider Oatka and Spring Creeks which are east-southeast of Barfalo (closer to Rochester, really) as well as upper Cattaraugus Creek. That should be a good time of year to fish all of those streams if that area continues its precipitation trend to this point.