The Catt is a great stream when it's on, but it's always a major roll of the dice to plan in advance. I used to make the drive from Maine every fall, and probably hit fishable conditions on it once in every five trips. The riparian soil is largely clay in that drainage, so it only took the slightest amount of rain or snow melt to turn the river to chocolate milk, and then several days of dry weather for it to clear. Even in the depths of a prolonged drought (which I hit one year), the water is still pretty cloudy. The good news is that there are plenty of other tribs within reasonable driving distance, but most are much smaller and not well suited to swinging with a two hander. Great for the single hander, though. If I had the time and means to fish anywhere in the GL basin double fisted, I'd probably pick Michigan.

 

Thanks Aldo, that's kind of what I've been told. I steered clear of the Erie tribs b/c I like a river big enough to swing. Any experience on the Genesee, or even those Ohio tribs, like the Chagrin? It's looking like we may end up in Michigan somewhere (we'll have to fly I suppose) but I am continuing to poke around.

 

I used to live in rochester and fished the genesee from time to time. It is swingable but there is really a very limited section that is wadeable. Not worth a special trip. The oak is swingable but is not exactly an exotic location. The genesee even less so as it flows right through rochester (in what was a kind of sketchy part when i lived there)

I can't speak to the ohio tribs in particular, but other than the catt the erie tribs at least in ny and pa can be devoid of fish in april if the water drops. Those fish will get out pretty quickly. if it is a cold spring with good water they will stick around but there is no guarentee. The catt will hold them through the month and even into may.

If it were me i would either fish the salmon or take a chance with the catt. The lower niagara would be an option if you wanted to try something else in the vicinity of the catt.

Nick is a great resource if you can get ahold of him but if not try vince tobia. I believe nick guides for him.

 

Call/reach out to Nick Pionessa - He is the top choice for WNY

 

I second that. Nick is the man...

 

Thanks you, fellas. All valuable advice. I know Nick P. is a great source/guide, I'm just concerned about water height/turbidity issues at that time of year, which may dictate some sort of tailwater situation where water release is controlled.

 

"Sandy and Johnson are small, and definitely single hand water, but offer the chance to get away from the crowds a bit more. "

HaHaHa!!! Apparently you have't been up here in a while Aldo. As crazy on most days as the Oak


Emel

 

It has been four years...We could always find a bit of solitude week days by walking in a ways from the nearest road crossing. Sad to think it has changed that much in that span...

 

If you did Ohio there is a good bit of water from Cleveland to eastern border. The run is a spring run so you would be hitting it at prime time. Most of the rivers are smaller but do provide opportunity for swinging and single hand work. Fishing outside of the weekend will provide lots of water and less people. All the rivers are run off rivers so blow outs are very possible. If your looking for a guide I can recommend one of the best on the Great Lakes.just shot me a PM. The Ohio DNR website has very good maps of access locations on all the rivers. If you are looking for more info just let me know. Also you will start seeing smallmouth arriving around that time.

Andrew