Musky Guide Mike Sperry, right, with a recent happy client sharing a picture of a revered musky catch from Chautauqua Lake last week.
Photo courtesy of Chautauqua Reel Outdoors
The recent onslaught of multiple nights of Northern Lights, a natural phenomenon of charged atmospheric particles, has provided a beautiful spectrum of color for late-night sky watchers.
Followed by the stiff west wind on Wednesday that blew across Chautauqua Lake, noted Chautauqua Lake musky guide, Captain Mike Sperry, said, “The fall musky bite is on! We’ve had a fun time with great clients.” Articulating further, Sperry shared that Leo Jerkbait’s, Medusa’s and TnT’s are working for casters and trollers have been using Leo’s musky lures. Chautauqua Lake, located in the western part of New York State, is a popular musky, walleye and crappie fishing destination also known for its scenic beauty. Visitors can access more information for lodging, eateries, wineries and places to visit at https://www.tourchautauqua.com.
If you’re looking to catch a musky, Sperry shared that casting has been the way to go for his recent booked-up charter business. He noted that lots of bait and fish are up in the weeds, and so are the predators, adding, find healthy weeds, and you’ll find fish.
The Chautauqua Lake walleye bite is one nice spinoff that has occurred with the weather changes in the last few days. It’s been very good. Anglers using jigging Rapala’s in 20 to 30 feet of water have been effective, with silver or chrome colors best. Gotcha lures and spoons vertically jigged along those same depths have also been effective. I watched a group of three boats drifting with the wind in the north basin about 400 feet offshore from Point Chautauqua earlier this week, catching walleye and crappie. On some days, they drift west to east; on other days, the reverse. Sperry said the water temp this past Wednesday was 62 degrees. Fall is here. Call Chautauqua Reel Outdoors Guide and Tackle Shop at Ashville Bay Marina for more info and to check on bait choices in stock at 716-763-2947.
Elsewhere, the usual autumn run of steelhead in our local Lake Erie tributaries has been delayed by the lack of rain and related lack of stream flow. One exception has been Cattaraugus Creek, where fish have been able to make the long run all the way to the village of Gowanda and the Springville dam. In other sections of Catt, there are about 3.8 miles of public fishing rights in the Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area; elsewhere, anglers need landowner permission. Most steelhead in our streams result from smolt stockings by the NYSDEC, though there is some natural reproduction of steelhead in Cattaraugus. Steelhead can also be found in the South Branch of Cattaraugus Creek from the mouth to 3.5 miles upstream and in Connoisarauley Creek for about two miles from where it joins the Catt. Canadaway Creek, Chautauqua Creek, Silver Creek and Walnut Creek all need more water flow.
While walleye fishing along the north shoreline, a nice catch of tasty crappie can also occur in the fall.
Photo courtesy of Chautauqua Reel Outdoors
Steelhead are known for their acrobatic leaps and long, drag-screaming runs with head shakes, an exhilarating angler experience, and the reason why steelhead are so popular with autumn and wintertime anglers. Spinning rod rigs, fly rods, and center-pin fishing rigs are the usual gear to fish for stream steelhead to present egg sacs, beads, spinners, spoons, stickbaits and an assortment of flies that mimic egg sacs, nymphs and minnows. It’s fun.
Last, this weekend, the Western New York Youth Pheasant Hunt is set for Oct. 12-13. Youth hunters 12 to 15 must possess a hunting license and be accompanied by a licensed adult hunter mentor. Only the junior hunter can carry the firearm or harvest birds during the Youth Pheasant Hunt. It’s important to remember that safety is paramount during any hunting activity. Always keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction, be sure of your target and what’s beyond it, and keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to shoot. There is nothing like a dog and bird hunt mentor with solid advice when you see the bird flush and a cackling rooster takes flight over grassy cover. It’s an unforgettable encounter for kids of all ages. Even us old kids.
Gotta love the outdoors!
Outdoor Calendar
Oct. 12-13: Western New York Youth Pheasant Hunt weekend for junior hunters 12-15. Must be accompanied with a licensed mentor.
Oct. 12-14: NYS Youth Big Game Hunt Weekend for junior hunters 12-15. Must be accompanied with a licensed mentor.
Oct. 14: Fly Tying Class, Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club, 6:30 p.m. start; Info: 716-366-8836.
Oct. 15: Fly Fishing and Fly-Tying Class, FREE, 7-8:30 p.m., with Alberto Rey, Costello Room, Rockefeller Arts Center, SUNY Fredonia. Info: email reya@fredonia.edu.
Oct. 15: Erie County Fish Advisory Board meeting, 7 p.m., open to the public, Bison City Rod & Gun, 511 Ohio St.
Oct. 19: Regular WNY pheasant season opens.
Oct. 19-Nov. 1: NYS Southern Zone fall turkey season.