Upper NY Tributary Conditions
Posted on April 23rd, 2009
Ron Bierstine reports: Thanks to all who helped for the Oak Orchard River spring clean-up on Sat, Apr 18. Volunteers included John, Cheyrl and Josh from Lake Alice Cottages, D. Agness, Professor John and the Licorice Man who picked up trash along the stream from the Waterport dam to the Archer’s Club and the Town of Carlton parking area.
Oak Orchard turbine flows are so far hanging in at slightly better fishable levels compared to other smaller waterways that have been dropping down low. Water color is going mostly clear with approx 3 feet of visibility. The rain and cool temps thru this week has perked flows up only slightly. There is a forecasted unseasonable warm-up thru the upcoming weekend. Seasonal Erie Canal water feed should commence soon toward the end of this month and that should start some smallmouth bass spawning migrations. Anglers can target these feisty fighters now before the season opener on a catch and release basis. Anglers can still get in on some late season action with a few steelhead hook-ups. Right now anglers putting in something like a day’s effort usually getting a few hook-ups by intercepting some drop back fish or being lucky enough to come across a few fresh steelhead. River mouth and shoreline casting action is underway with spoon casters taking advantage of slowly warming in-shore waters. The action is mostly for hungry brown trout with a few Coho’s or steelhead in the mix. Persistent east or north winds can make for slower action. For more info., you can contact Ron at, info@orleansoutoors.com .
