Summer Fly Fishing in WNY

I hope everyone had a great 4th of July, and a great weekend with friends and family - I know I did!

Before this past weekend, my three kids and I met up with Luke and his daughter for some warm water fly fishing on Black Creek. The weather could not have been more perfect - Lots of sun, and warm! Our plan was to wade the shallow water of black creek below the dam, where we would search for the many bass, panfish, and carp that make it their home. And on this day - we had the water all to ourselves! Fishing is usually easy. In fact, I have taken my oldest son here with me in the past during the summer, and he has caught lots and lots of fish all by himself. But for whatever the reason, fishing was not easy on this morning.

We worked the water directly below the dam, throwing streamers in every place that should hold a fish. But we hooked nothing. So we moved the whole crew to another spot just below were we started.

The water that lies below the dam eventually narrows and becomes more of a shallow stream. It is here that we often go to as our second option because it usually holds lots of small smallmouth bass that like to ambush anything that swims by, even if the fly is 3/4 of the size of the fish. And it was here that we started to find a few fish willing to eat a fly. Over the next hour or so we caught enough fish to keep it interesting - even if they weren't big. We were taking fish on #8 woolly buggers in brown and in white. The kids had a blast walking along with both Luke and I as we explored every little piece of water. They took little breaks from fishing to play in the water and collect the many crayfish that were everywhere. In fact - that may be why the fishing was not as good as it usually is. With that many crayfish in the water, the fish probably don't have to work that hard to get a meal.

And that was our morning - we spent some time catching fish, and playing in the stream. And then it was time to go. Knowing when to end a morning when fishing with kids can be a tough call. If they get bored - you’re done! Make sure to keep them moving and bring lots of other things with you to keep them busy. Bringing a small pail to put bugs and crayfish in is a great idea (along with a net to catch them with.) Letting them play in the water right near you is also a good idea. And I know that splashing and stomping around may not be the best thing to do while trying to catch fish, but the alternative is frustrated kids who want to leave. I came to the realization a while ago that it had to be about them and not me! If I wanted them to enjoy the sport, and come with me again and again to the stream, I had to make it fun for them. Besides...it is nice to see fishing from their perspective every once in a while. They don't care about catching trophies, or about catching the most, or how good their casting is - they just want to be with their dad and enjoy catching a fish. It is a perspective that I find refreshing!

I did spend some time with my family this past week at my parent’s house in Inlet, NY. Lots of fishing with the kids, and lots of photos! I'll write a report as soon as I get it all straightened out.

Posted July 6th, 2010 at 7:34 AM by Brian Bradfield