Special End of Season Rod and Reel Sale going on NOW! You can take 10% OFF on any rod OR reel alone and then if you purchase a combo (both rod and reel) you can take 20% OFF that more expensive second item. Ask about free line and set-up incentivies. Watch for the updated list of tackle available coming on the Big Tackle Sale Red Button or just give us a call 585 682 4546.

The Sportsmen Archer's Club Fly Fishing Catch and Release Contest was held Oct 21 - 23, 2009. Everyone surely enjoyed the great hospitality and comradorie of the Archer's Club. Their cooperation with out of the area fishermen is greatly appreciated by all. Join them next year Oct 20 - 22, 2010.

There is a great opportunity right now to voice your opinion on the generous daily limit of three brown trout in the tributaries. We support a creel limit reduction for brown trout. There has been growing support for tributary trout creel limits from reasonable anglers for some time illustrated by the existing rainbow/steelhead tributary creel limit. The NYSDEC is considering proposed changes for the new 2012 fishing regulations cycle. The 2010-2012 regulations are already set. Your comments are best directed now and thru the spring to the NYSDEC Regional Fisheries Managers. For the Oak Orchard River area that is Region 8, telephone 585 226 2466 or email wepearsal@gw.dec.state.ny.us. Anglers can also comment on open lake steelhead creel limits which currently differ from the tributary creel limit.

Another Tributary Creel Survey will be initiated in Sept 2010 by the NYSDEC and respondents will be able to voice their opinion on brown trout tributary creel limimts. Please consider the impact on improved tributary brown trout fishing if the daily creel limit were less then the existing limit of three brown trout.

We are on summer operating schedule now. Shop is open Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun mornings. Lodging is available everyday. All calls and inquires will be returned promptly. Thanks for all the support this past fall, winter and spring trib fishing season.

Conditions as of Apr 17...
Not that much new to report in the way of fishing action, although with light angling pressure the last of the cold water steelhead chances are there for the few guys out and about... Cold temps for the weekend coupled with still decent flows in the Oak Orchard could perk up some steelhead action and encourage the last of the steelhead migrations. Thanks to rain over a week ago the Oak Orchard and area tribs got a nice shot of water to help prolong the cold water steelhead action. Temps have moderated also some back to seasonal cooler temps which should help hold down the trib water temps. Previously the unseasonal hot weather had caused the water temps to spike high and accelerate the steelhead spawning.

The action has been hanging on in the Oak Orchard for mostly some drop back fish. Now on the backside of higher and stained flows again there may be a few fresh fish. The previous unseasonable hot weather spiked trib water temps. The weather has now cooled back down some offering a nice fishing window to prolong the action thru the mid part of Apr. There has been a mix of few dropback and spawning fish in and around holding water or gravel areas located primarily mid river. The downstream slower slack water has also produced some action for a mixed bag of steelhead and warm water fish. Some fresh steelhead might still come in and suckers and even a few smallmouth bass are becoming more numerous. Oak Orchard overflow levels are minimal. Some big steelhead have been hooked in the Oak Orchard. Check out the 3rd pic below for what's available to be caught by anglers fishing early spring high water. Anglers still looking to get a big trout fix can also try the rivermouth and shoreline areas for some trout and coho action now and thru approx Apr/May. Check out the brown trout in the 4th pic below for what's available for the spring time spoon caster.

Flows are receeding in most waterways and the largest area watershed, the Oak Orchard, has remained higher relative to the other waterways. Oak Orchard flows consist of turbine and diminished overflow water. Most fish are done spawning with water temps rising, especially in the smaller tribs. Moderate precip would be nice to keep flows up. Any more precip without a deluge should not blow the tribs out since now there is some greenery and much more silty runoff can be captured.

Mostly dropbacks are still being caught in the Oak Orchard along with a few lonely darker males. Smaller numbers of fish are well spread out in the smaller tribs so anglers covering the most water might get some hook-ups. Turbine flows have been slowly receeding thru the past week, and overflow levels have fallen offering that typical small window of decent float fishing in that channel. Anglers might consider re-releasing any fish caught there back into the turbine channel to help prevent those fish from getting stranded this spring. Now for Apr, fishing opportunities are spread out in the tribs and lakeshore for the angler fishing from his own two feet. The fishing pressure is generally light. Guys are pretty well spread out on the different waterways now or looking toward the smaller inland waters. That can leave less crowded angling opportunities in the mid sized or larger tribs like the Oak Orchard, Genesee River, Niagara River or Cattaruagus Creek for spring anglers. I for one will take all the big trout action for as long as I can get it in the spring!

For a perspective... anglers got hook-ups on some fresh fish under what were ideal conditions on the backside of higher flows in late Jan/early Feb. Check out the 1st and 2nd fish pics below. That good action in late Jan/early Feb meant good action again for Mar on another rise in flows with new steelhead migrations. Check out the 3rd pic below. Once again now with precip and milder temps prevailing, anglers will find good fishable flows in the Oak Orchard for the last chance at some steelhead and a few browns. Cool weather and good water flows will help keep steelhead action underway in the Oak Orchard thru the spring. High and stained water flows are typical for the best steelhead action. Anglers who will do well are those who can make good, slow drifts in the higher flows. With a warming of water temps with fresh or spawning fish, a swung fly or similar presention should also be productive. Any higher cold or cool water flows in the Oak Orchard can draw fish. Good water flows are the number one trigger for trout and salmon migrations so anglers who can still make good slow drifts will enjoy the best fishing under higher and off color flows, especially steelhead. Fly anglers can take a cue from float fishermen who do pretty well by making good, checked (slow), natural, dead drifts.

Oak Orchard River flows are at mod - med levels with stained water color of about 3 feet of viz. Overflow levels are diminished but could go back high and off color with any more precip. Turbine flows might fluctuate some due to hydro power operations. Oak Orchard flows should begin to be supplemented with seasonal Erie Canal water feed sometime around the end of Apr. The other area smaller tribs have low - mod flows and mostly clear water color.

What does the Oak Orchard River, Lake Ontario and WNY offer? The chance to fish from your own two feet for trout and salmon you measure in pounds, not inches, for 7 - 9 months depending upon weather and water conditions. Sure these recent economic times may make it more difficult to make a fishing trip to WNY. We would point out though, that a day or few day trip here to the Oak Orchard River and WNY to fish for World Class trout and salmon is still easily the best bargain in trophy fishing. The working man's big trout and salmon trip is still here, and it's not even a contest compared to the other exotic, far off angling destinations. We believe our web reports are the straightest poop by far about Oak Orchard and most WNY conditions. We are living and experiencing all the fishing action directly or thru trusted reports of other die hard anglers as it happens, so consider a fishing trip here to the Oak Orchard or any of the other WNY tribs.

So how do you know if trophy trout and salmon will be catchable upon your travels to the Oak Orchard and WNY area? All the best web info, bulletin boards, angler skill and top notch equipment cannot replace getting out there and actually fishing! The nuances of fish migrations is an inexact science and we cannot predict the future. Fish as soon as reasonable conditions allow instead of waiting for supposed better conditions that may or may not materialize. Be one of the lucky few that experiences good fishing as it takes place instead of hearing that famous quote, "you should have been here yesterday!"

Tight lines and smooth drags!
Licorice Man