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Post by jcollins77 on Jan 6, 2015 13:03:05 GMT -5
Hello Everyone,
I was looking for a thread on fishable CFS for local tribs especially the Erie ones but couldn't find anything. Can anyone provide a link or give some info on good CFS levels to fish these waters? I don't think this is too much of a secret. If it is please let me know and I apologize for asking. I love fishing those streams but it has been some years and I would hate to make a 45-1hr drive to not be able to fish them.
Thank you for the knowledge.
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Post by jeffraz on Jan 6, 2015 18:29:07 GMT -5
The reason that you probably couldn't find any CFS information on the Erie tribs is because there are no gauges for them. Our largest trib does have a gauge, but the fishable CFS really changes on that one every year. Usually 180-500 cfs is fishable but I stress the word usually. The clarity usually dictates the fishability on that one more than the flow. As far as the small and medium ones are concerned, you just have to watch the weather. I know I didn't tell you much but there really isn't much to tell. If you come out and the bigs and mediums are blown go for a small one. If everything is shot drive around and look for access points. The Oak Orchard Fly Shop, the namesake of this blog, is unquestionably the headquarters for fly-fishing equipment in the region. The shop is a great place to go on those unfishable days. Buy some materials, talk trout, etc...the boys there would be happy to help you.
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Post by jcollins77 on Jan 7, 2015 8:58:00 GMT -5
Thank you Jeff. That is enough good info to get me started. I appreciate it.
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Post by johnjarosz(jj) on Jan 7, 2015 15:04:48 GMT -5
Collins77...I like to look at the specific flow on the graphs that are shown under this site's "Current Conditions" as compared to the average flow for a particular time of year. I read somewhere years ago on one of the graphs that the average flow data is shown by the "yellow triangles" but I can't find that explanation now. Maybe it was taken off.
Anyway, if the flow for a particular day is in the ballpark of the line of triangles, I'll go (ballpark is relative). If it's way out, then I know that the stream is blown out.
Depending on the size of the stream, it could become fishable in two or three days or maybe even more than a week. If the ground is frozen & a thaw comes or a warmup, the stream might stay high for longer than usual. If the ground is dry & thawed, it might drop quickly because the ground will absorb excess water.
Like Jeff said, there are a lot of factors. You might want to try to pick a couple of local streams & make note of their levels after weather events & also make note of ground conditions, temps, etc. Then, I think, you'll get a feel for how a remote stream might behave.
Good luck
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Post by byronfishpaw on Jan 7, 2015 18:11:37 GMT -5
Nick's conditions report typically gives you the info.
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Post by jcollins77 on Jan 8, 2015 8:22:23 GMT -5
Great info Guys. It is much appreciated! Thank you for taking the time out of your day to help a newbie out. Hope to see you on the streams one day. Planning on Sunday if it is at least 18 degrees and water levels are good.
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Post by RileyVacinek on Jan 8, 2015 9:27:09 GMT -5
On that note, shelf ice is a serious consideration. You may be searching quite a bit to find open water after these temps we've been having
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Post by jcollins77 on Jan 8, 2015 10:19:46 GMT -5
Good point! I hadn't thought about that. I want to go but don't like the Lower Niagara as I have never had much luck on the fly rod down there.
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Post by SteveKowalski on Jan 8, 2015 11:00:09 GMT -5
the dammed (damned) streams up north may be your only options.
"Discharge, cubic feet per second
Most recent instantaneous value: Ice"
Even the river had ice flows this morning (too much to cast/drift through)
" if it is at least 18 degrees " - you must be brave and young,
I set my lower limit at 25 deg. these days, don't have quite the circulation as I used to...
I fished at 10 deg. in the past (= young and dumb),
but you spend more time clearing ice from the guides and warming your hands then fishing.
Good luck, if you go,
ol' guy
Steve
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Post by johnjarosz(jj) on Jan 8, 2015 15:08:56 GMT -5
...and one of the worst that usually happen(ed) to me was casting the fly out there where the line & fly land on an ice flow, instantly freeze to the chunk of ice 'cuz it's so cold & then you watch as your setup is taken downstream & I'm holding a bending rod.
Some of the best fights I've had on the flyrod has been with ice (ha!) Man, they can put up a good battle!
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