Captain Tony Buffa

Fishing Report #20

07/23/07

Hello my fitch'in frenz:

It's all Ontario for me from this point forward. Although I will not be fishing the little "o" I am in contact with friends who keep me informed on the vagaries of walleye fishing. Capt. Ray Brown has reported moderate to good success jigging in 30 to 32 feet. A very slow stroke with a small to negligible hop as in finesse jigging is mandatory. Trollers are also reporting success. This is not slam-bam limit catches in no notes...you will earn your catch with a dogged effort extended over 4 to 6 hrs.

Now for the BIG "O". Lake Ontario salmon and trout fishing is beyond superlatives. This has to be the finest July on record for catching king salmon and brown trout. Day after day, outing after outing impressive catches remain the norm rather than the exception.

To what is this attributable? Consistency in the temperature profile and an abundance of baitfish. Temperature and bait provide definition to the open waters of Lake Ontario especially in depths of 150 to 300 feet. Salmon and trout have been fixed in 100 to 140 feet below the surface for the last two weeks primarily due to the presence of adequate bait (alewives) and temperature ranging from 55 to 44 degrees Fahrenheit.

A variety of spoons and dodger/fly combinations have accounted for the lion's share of the catch with a preference for white and green attractors fished with silver, blue, and chartreuse Mylar fly patterns. Notably the Smart Fish which has an adjustable rudder fished in tandem with a TG A-TOM-Mik fly has been a steady producer under a variety of conditions. White attractors during low level light and then green attractors during sunny conditions.

In the spoon category, the R&R bleeding belly series with alewive colors, chartreuse, or purple glo, as well as Silver Streak's Black Fin Tuna, and Michigan Stinger's NBK (natural born killer) and now add Finlander's Purple Frog and you will have an array of proven salmon spoons to fish in conjunction with you attractors and flies.

Here are some catches from the previous week.

Marshall and Kathy Lamberton, Canastota, of BarLam Construction took an afternoon off to simply relax together on a Lake Ontario charter. They did get their chance to relax but they also got plenty of exercise hauling in their limit of king salmon and brown trout.

Bass Pro Shops managers led by fishing department manager Bob Ryan had a very productive morning on Lake Ontario. This catch included king salmon, steelhead, and brown trout. Bob's salmon tipped the scales at 24 lbs.

Judy and Doug White and Fran and Andy Bouma all from Moravia decided to opt for a lake Ontario charter and experience the big water for trout and salmon. This was a productive afternoon charter with kings, steelhead and brown trout.

Dr. Ed Kantor (dentist from Marcellus) and wife Judy along with neighbors Jim and Arlene shared a late afternoon charter on lake Ontario. Their catch of 3 kings and a lake trout occurred over 300 feet of water with the fish suspended at 130 feet below the surface. Jim's big salmon weighed 25 lbs.

I had a cancellation come in for this Wednesday, afternoon, July 25 from 1:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. If any of you are interested in this date call me at (315) 427-2278 or respond to this email. If I get four people at $125.00 each I will schedule the outing or if you have your own group that will work as well.

I will dedicate the next fishing update to the results of the Mustad Challenge derby out of Oswego marina. In the meantime make sure you sign up for The Little Salmon Challenge out of Mike's Marine on the Little Salmon River for this Saturday, July28 . The rules are the same as they were for the Mustad Challenge and a picnic will follow the weigh in. For questions call Mike and Beth D'Alonzo at Mike's Marine, Mexico Point, 315-963-3119.

Lord of the "kings",

cap'n tony