Published: August 01, 2008 08:41 am      

FISH FORECAST: Bassmasters arrive in Buffalo; Orleans Derby starts Aug. 2

1. Lake Ontario and tributaries

The Orleans County Rotary Derby is under way tomorrow and continues through Aug. 17. The Slippery Sinker is a weigh station in Niagara; there are several in Orleans County. Fishing for salmon and trout, for the most part, has been decent. But water conditions can change overnight and you need to be prepared to run to where active fish are.

Boats out of Wilson ran west to the Niagara Bar dropoff to target mature kings earlier in the week according to Capt. Mike Johannes of Ransomville. They were fishing 50 to 80 feet down over 200 feet of water just off the drop. Best bait was a green Spin Doctor and green fly behind his dipsies. Wire dipsy divers were set back 220 to 230 feet on a No. 3 setting. Mono divers were 250 feet back, also on a No. 3 setting. Both size Spin Doctors were working, trolling at a speed of 2.2 to 2.4 mph.

Off Olcott, fishing was good until mid-week when warm water rolled in and scattered fish. Curt Meddaugh of Pendleton found a pocket of brown trout in 55 to 60 feet of water, using spoons on the bottom to take fish up to 16 pounds.

Other boats like Destiny, run by Capt. Eric Bickel of Burt, headed out for more stable water at the 30-32 line of their GPS. That’s about 12-14 miles out, fishing the top 60 feet of water with spoons. They were catching mature kings and some big steelhead in the process, some of the kings topping out at 30 pounds.

Point Breeze boats were also doing well according to Capt. Mike Waterhouse. The 26 to the 30 line was working, 45 to 80 down with flasher-flies or spoons.

2. Lower Niagara River

Two local bass contests are going on this weekend — the Lower River Bass Contest being run by A-1 Bait and outdoorsniagara.com Saturday; and the Independent Living Projects bass contest Sunday. It’s still not too late to register if you contact them today. You must be registered by today, though, to compete in either. The A-1 Bait contest should sign up at their store located at the base of the Silo Restaurant. Call 754-1895 for more information.

The ILP event, being run out of Fort Niagara State Park, has a big picnic at the 3-F Club immediately following the fishing. If you’re interested in lending a helping hand, call 836-0822, ext. 108. The other way you can help is to participate, with the event from the mold of the John Daly Memorial Derby formerly held by the YMCA. If you’d like to find out more, call 284-4131, ext. 31.

The New York Power Authority access road leading down to the Fishing Platform will be closed for a few weeks, from Aug. 4 to 22, while they clean up some rocks along the gorge wall for safety concerns. It’s better that they get it done now before the salmon start to run up into the river.

The fishing? Bass fishing has been decent on crayfish and shiners throughout the river; the walleye bite has been improving on worm harnesses and the local favorite, a Yellow Sally fly, spinner and a worm. Fish can be taken in the river or around the green buoy marker.

3. Upper Niagara River

Congratulations go out to the Erie Canal Derby winners after another successful event. Justin Cook of Shelby was the big winner when he won a boat, motor and trailer. He earned the chance to win the boat by placing first in the bullhead division with a 1.5-pound fish.

Other winners were: Norm Schultz of North Tonawanda with a 22.53-pound carp; Lynn Bensley of Albion with a 5.28-pound walleye; Alonzo Maxwell of Lockport with a 4.55-pound bass; Dale Benny of Wilson with a 14.50-pound catfish; Steve Pallone of Ransomville with a 5.24-pound northern pike; and Vince Hackmer of Lockport with a 11.20-pound sheepshead. Jacolun Schaffert of Lockport won the bike in the kids division. For a complete breakdown of the winners, log on to www.eriecanalderby.com.

Bass fishing continues to be good around the upper river, for either largemouth or smallmouth, depending on what your preference is. Crayfish, shiners, spinnerbaits and crankbaits are all good baits to use. If the winds get tough out on Lake Erie, there’s a chance that the pro bass boats could invade the river. If that happens, look for some surprising catches. The head of the river is still a good spot for walleye and bass in the Emerald channel.

4. Lake Erie and tributaries

The Bassmaster Elite Series event is under way out of the NFTA Boat Harbor in Buffalo. This Empire Chase event will have professional anglers chasing down a check for $100,000 through Sunday. First and foremost, let’s pay these guys some respect while they’re on the water. Don’t get too close to their boats and crowd them out of their spots — even if it is a favorite hole of yours. It’s only for a couple days and it helps with the image of the area.

Of course, most bass fishermen are tight-lipped about what’s going on out there and what’s working to take some of the bigger smallmouth. If you want to follow the tournament cast-by-cast, one great site is www.bassfan.com.

Walleye fishing continues to be good if you’re where the fish are. Mike George, Capt. Doug Stein and Capt. Roy Larson teamed up earlier in the week to take a limit catch while trolling off Sturgeon Point in 70 to 80 feet of water. That works out to be more than 10 miles out.

Worm harnesses in watermelon, copper with watermelon tap, black and purple were all catching fish, fished right on the bottom with dipsy divers, jet divers and inline planers all combining to get baits into the fish zone.

5. Chautauqua Lake

Musky casters are doing well in the channel between the bridge and the ferry, but closer to the Bemus Point side of the lake in 12 to 14 foot of water. Cast out orange and black bucktails over the top of the weeds, casting your offering towards shore. Largemouth bass are hitting spinnerbaits around Warner’s Bar. White and/or chartreuse with a Colorado blade works best in 12 to 20 feet of water around the weeds. Smallmouth bass have been hitting around the Mayville flats in 6 feet of water on crayfish. A few walleyes are being caught in Upper Dewittville Bay outside the weeds with a split shot and a leech.

6. Finger Lakes-Inland Waters

Honeoye Lake — Not too much fishing pressure on the lake according to Dan Sharp at Honeoye Bait and Tackle, but those that are going out are doing week. Some walleye are being caught under low light conditions on worm harnesses or jigs tipped with a leech. Slow trolling the worm harnesses can prove effective. Largemouth bass fishing has also been good around the weeds. If you want panfish, you have to go a little deeper, using small jigs tipped with spikes or wax worms.

Oneida Lake — Walleye fishing seems to be better in some of the deeper spots. Target 40 to 50 feet with worm harnesses trolling or drifting. Black and purple jigs tipped with crawlers will also work, as will blade baits jigged off the bottom. Try off Shackelton Shoals, Dutchman’s Bar, Lewis Point or Godfrey Point. Bass have been snapping, too. Just locate shoals, drop-offs or rocky bottom areas and toss soft plastics, crankbaits, spinnerbaits or live bait like crayfish and nightcrawlers.

Bill Hilts Jr. is a past president of the New York State Outdoor Writers Association. Contact him at bhiltsjr69@cs.com.