Buffalo NY Fishing Report – Observations from 08/31 – 09/06/2026

Here’s our latest Buffalo NY fishing report:  This week was another chaotic one—some excellent fishing, some ugly weather, a lot of bouncing around, and a little wrench-turning in between. The walleyes continue to cooperate, including a first-ever walleye for a couple young anglers, while the smallmouth action is picking up. A couple of weather-related disruptions forced some improvisation, but there were plenty of good days on the water, including a pair of productive Buffalo trips over Labor Day weekend. Summer is coming to a close – I’m ready for the change.

Days on the water: 5

Who we fished with: friends/clients

Where we fished: Lake Erie,Lower Niagara

What we caught:  walleye, smallmouth bass, freshwater drum

Tactics:  trolling worm harnesses, casting finesse baits, drifting live bait

Detailed Reporting/Daily Observations

08/31/2026 – Back to the Catt    

Fished Lake Erie out of Hanover with Ryan, Ayden, and Hayden. I’ve been fishing with Ryan and Ayden for a couple of years, but this was Hayden’s first trip with me. He’d never caught a walleye and had been looking forward to changing that.

As has become the norm lately, the forecast was questionable. The wind and waves weren’t terrible, but the lake was rolling, and intermittent rain occasionally turned into downpours. It didn’t matter much—the guys were hearty and stayed engaged through the worst of it, landing fish throughout. 

The bite was consistent all morning. Ayden landed the biggest fish, while Hayden caught the most—including his first-ever walleye. I was stoked for him to check that species off his list…and then some.

It also felt good to be back at the Catt. Not much has changed since my last trip out of here a week ago. The fish have moved a little deeper, but otherwise, it’s was business as usual.

09/01/2026 – Maintenance Day

I had this day blocked for engine and gear oil changes for my main engine and kicker.  Fall insanity is right around the corner so I wanted them to be fresh for all the action

09/02/2026 – Dodging Chaos

Fished the Lower Niagara with new clients Dale, Adam, and Bucky. Dale called me the night before and explained that they were supposed to fish out of Dunkirk the following day, but their captain had cancelled because the forecast called for torrential rain, thunderstorms, and big wind. He was hoping I might be available and wondered if I could get them out on the river. Thankfully, I wasn’t booked.

I told him we’d have to keep an eye on the forecast, but we could tentatively meet in Lewiston around 8:00 AM and see what happened. As I drove over the escarpment, the sky was nearly black. Large thunderheads blanketed the horizon. Chaos was imminent.

I met Dale in the parking lot while I was prepping the boat. We chatted for a minute before I felt the first couple drops of rain. We agreed it was probably smart to wait a bit and see what happened. Moments later, the sky opened up and chaos ensued.

Rain came down in sheets and the wind howled. I sat in Dale’s truck with him just to get acquainted, but we could barely hear each other over the noise of the wind and pelting rain.

Then, as quickly as it arrived, it was over.  We saw a window and took advantage of it.

The bite, unfortunately, was lackluster. We caught a lot of small bass—a younger year class than I’ve ever seen down there. While I was happy to see so many young fish around (it’s a good sign of successful spawns), catching small bass isn’t exactly the experience I want my clients to have.

Still, we made lemonade and at least got on the water rather than sitting around inside all day. I’m sure I’ll see these guys again.

09/03/2026 – Fun Family Outing

Fished Lake Erie out of Hanover, NY with Lauren, Jason, and Joe. Lauren booked the trip for Joe, a young and enthusiastic angler who also happens to love eating fish. On the way out to the lake, I told him he was in for a real treat—he was going to catch a LOT of walleyes and leave with enough fish to keep him supplied through the winter. He already had a few recipes picked out and was looking forward to putting them to use.

As promised, the family hammered fish all morning. Joe caught the bulk of them, but Lauren wasn’t far behind. Everyone had a blast, and so did I.

It’s always great seeing a family genuinely enjoying their time together on the water. This was one of those trips that was just fun from start to finish.  I’m sure I’ll see them again.

09/04/2026 – Last Minute Cancellation

Had a trip on the docket but received a text early morning the day prior that one of the crew was running a high fever so they needed to cancel.  

09/05/2026 – Back to Bassing

Fished Lake Erie out of Buffalo with new clients Josh, Doug, and Mark. The goal was to put the guys on some biggie smalls, so that’s exactly what we set out to do.

It was a gorgeous day—no wind, mild temperatures, and scattered clouds. Perfect conditions for fishing, but unfortunately it was also Labor Day weekend, which meant everyone with a boat was out there enjoying their final summer weekend on the water. In other words, it was a zoo.

I did my best to avoid the crowds, but there was only so much dodging I could do. We had fun nonetheless. The crew was competitive, everyone managed to put a few tankers in the boat, and we even had a couple of personal bests mixed in.

Not a bad way to spend the last big weekend of summer.

09/06/2026 – Where’s Waldo

Fished Lake Erie out of Buffalo, NY with Chris, Roman, and Tino. Chris and the boys had a hankering for some Lake Erie gold.

Currently, launching from Hanover, NY is the best play for a short run to the fish if you live around Buffalo, NY.  However, with it being Labor Day weekend and the weather looking perfect, I had visions of long lines, crowded ramps, and an even longer wait at the cleaning station. So, I decided to launch from Buffalo and make the long run offshore instead.

It was a beautiful morning and the lake was flat. We were in the zone in about 30 minutes and started looking for Waldo.  The bite was a little slow at first, but it steadily improved as the morning went on. We had our limit in the boat after a few hours and headed back in.

The best part? There was nobody around us all morning—and when we got back, the cleaning station was a ghost town.

Sometimes the long run is worth it.

Seasonal Assessment/General Observations

Buffalo NY Fishing Report – Forecast for 09/07/2026 – 09/13/2026

The forecast for this week is calling for more chaos, albeit with a little respite from what we’ve been seeing lately. Other than Wednesday and Thursday, which look pretty dicey with big wind and rain, the rest of the week looks pretty good.

The docket is a little light this week. Thankfully, the only two days I don’t have booked are Wednesday and Thursday, which I probably would’ve had to reschedule anyway.

Walleyes and bass will continue to be the targets, but I’m planning on doing a fair amount of bouncing around. If all goes well, I’ll fish out of Barcelona, the Catt, Buffalo, and Lewiston this week. It’s that time of year when I start getting the itch to shake things up and see how the fall is developing around the region.  Stay tuned!

Stay healthy, my friends.  Mentally and physically,

Ryan

Buffalo NY Fishing Report – Observations from 08/24 – 08/30/2026

Here’s our latest Buffalo NY fishing report:  Another week of mixed weather and conditions, but plenty of good fishing when we could get on the water. The walleyes and bass continue to cooperate, although wind and waves dictated where and when we could fish on several days. There was also some downtime and a meaningful reminder that there’s a lot more to this job than simply catching fish. We finished the week with some great family time on the water—a fitting way to wrap up August.

Days on the water: 5

Who we fished with: friends/clients

Where we fished: Lake Erie,Lower Niagara

What we caught:  walleye, smallmouth bass, freshwater drum

Tactics:  trolling worm harnesses, casting finesse baits, drifting live bait

Detailed Reporting/Daily Observations

08/24/2026 – Whispering and Assassinating    

Fished the Lower Niagara with the Whisperer and the Silent Assassin.  Remember, these guys never cancel. So, with the potential for rain and big WNW winds—and a small craft advisory on Lake Erie—we opted to fish the Lower Niagara instead.

In a rare turn of events, the Whisperer—who is definitely not a bass guy—absolutely hammered the ‘jaws. Don’t get me wrong, the Assassin caught more than a handful himself, but none of them met the standards required for a photo.

After a fruitful bass session, we switched over to walleyes for a couple of hours. We landed a few, including a nice one caught by the Assassin.  Unfortunately, I somehow managed to drop it before handing it over for a photo.

This is an extremely rare occurrence. I attribute it to the cocky and lackadaisical attitude toward walleyes that I’ve developed after landing well over a thousand of them so far this summer.  It won’t happen again.  Well…anytime soon, anyway. LOL.

08/25/2026 – Happy Belated Father’s Day

Fished a half-day trip on Lake Erie out of Buffalo with Tom and his twin daughters, Alexis and Alyssa. The girls had purchased the trip for Tom as a Father’s Day gift, and the family was excited to spend some time together on the water—it had been a long time since they’d last done so.

The lake was fairly big to start. Southwest rollers left over from the day before were colliding with northwest winds, making for some interesting conditions. When facing situations like this, I leave the protection of the harbor walls, motor out a bit, cut the engine, and let everyone get a feel for the conditions.

I gave them a choice – fish though sporty conditions on the lake, or head to the river.  Everyone looked around and said they were down for an adventure.  Music to my ears.

Within five minutes, Alexis and Alyssa doubled up, and the action continued throughout the session. We caught plenty of fish, laughed a lot, and had an excellent morning on the water.

Father/daughter trips are some of my favorites. They’re almost always lighthearted, relaxed, and a lot of fun—and this one was no different.  I’m looking forward to seeing them again.

08/26/2026 – Paying Our Respects

I spent the front half of the day detailing my boat in preparation for the evening ahead—spreading the ashes of my friend and colleague, Hans Mann, on Lake Erie.

That evening, a small group of captains and members of Hans’ family departed from Sturgeon Point and made their way out to “the line,” where we said our final goodbyes and spread his ashes.

I’ve avoided talking much about Hans’ passing in these reports. For some reason, writing about it here has felt a little selfish.  But the truth is, I owe a lot to that man.

Hans was always there for me.  When I needed someone to bounce ideas off of, trade knowledge with, ask for advice, or simply vent about captain stuff, he made time to talk. He was a mountain—both in stature and personality—and his presence was impossible to miss.

I miss him.  It’s not the same out there without him.

08/27 – 8/28/2026 – Men Arise/Thumbs Up Assist

Fished for walleyes out of Sturgeon Point as part of a large group of captains organized by Joe Fonzi of Thumbs Up Guide Service. Together, we took more than 170 men fishing over two days. The guys were part of an organization called Men Arise, which focuses on equipping men in mind, body, and spirit.

The plan was straightforward: starting at 9:00 AM, each boat would take four guys out for three hours, return to the harbor, swap groups, and do it again.

Mother Nature had other ideas.

Day 1 started with 2–4 foot waves, and the conditions quickly took their toll. About half the boats didn’t last long—seasickness and general discomfort sent them back to the harbor. Those of us who made it through the first session didn’t catch much. The waves made it difficult to get offshore to where the fish were, and as the lake continued to build, we eventually had to scrap the second half of the day altogether.

Day 2 was much better. It was still rough first thing, but we were able to get farther offshore and, as a result, found more fish. By late morning, the waves settled down enough that the second group was able to put together a good box.

I didn’t take any photos. It was just super busy work from start to finish.

I will say this, though: there are plenty of fish off Sturgeon Point. The problem is that you need to get offshore quite a ways to find a consistent bite. Given that, you’d be better off launching somewhere else.

08/29/2026 – Last Minute Cancellation

Had a trip on the docket but received a text at 4:30AM from the guy I was supposed to fish with stating that he had a nasty sore throat and was fighting a cold and needed to cancel. So, I went to the gym, cleaned the boat, and enjoyed the rest of the day off with my daughter. 

08/30/2026 – Father and Son Session  

Fished Lake Erie out of Buffalo with Steve and his son, Charlie, who is 8 years old. I’ve been fishing with Steve since before Charlie was born. If you’ve been reading these reports for the past couple of years, you probably recognize him. We usually fish together a day or two in the spring and fall, chasing salmon and trout.

For the past couple of years, Steve has asked me what age I think is best to get a kid on a charter. It’s a good question. I’ve taken kids as young as four, and I’ve fished with plenty of five-year-olds. The problem is that kids between four and eight can be wildly different in their ability to spend several hours on the water. Strength, patience, curiosity, and attention span are all over the place at that age. Some are an absolute blast to fish with. Others become a burden to their parents and don’t last very long.

Eight-year-olds, in my experience, are almost always capable of making it through a full session and getting something out of the experience.

Charlie was a perfect example. He was patient, curious, excited, strong, and focused—and Steve has clearly taught him well. He fought every fish like a champ, and despite sporadic rain throughout the day, he never complained once.

The fishing itself was a little grindy. We had enough action to keep the anticipation high, but it certainly wasn’t on fire. Most of the fish were on the smaller side, with one notable exception: Charlie hauled in a 10+ pound drum.

Unfortunately, I didn’t take any photos—Steve handled that responsibility. But that’s okay. I was too busy watching Charlie outfish his father.

Not a bad way to spend your first charter.

Seasonal Assessment/General Observations

Buffalo NY Fishing Report – Forecast for 08/31/2026 – 09/06/2026

It looks like the chilly mornings will continue throughout the week. Rain may make things uncomfortable from time to time, but nothing looks prohibitive. Thankfully, wind shouldn’t be much of a factor either, aside from perhaps a little on Tuesday and Wednesday.

School starts here on Tuesday, tourism season is all but wrapped up, and many freezers are already full of walleye meat. In other words, we’re entering the transition month.

For all of those reasons, September has always been one of the tougher months for me to fill with bookings. The fishing should remain excellent, but the number of anglers looking to get on the water is about to drop precipitously.

I’m booked most days this week, but not all of them. I’ll be using some of that extra time to work on a little project I’ve been developing for next summer.  Think multi-day event, excellent lodging, incredible food, and plenty of good times.  More to come as it develops.

Stay healthy, my friends.  Mentally and physically,

Ryan

Buffalo NY Fishing Report – Observations from 08/17 – 08/23/2026

Here’s our latest Buffalo NY fishing report:  This was one of those weeks where I somehow managed to fish but spent an unfortunate amount of time dealing with everything required to make fishing possible. Between trailer hubs, truck brakes, thunderstorms, and small craft advisories, maintenance and weather kept me off the water more than I would’ve liked. The time I did spend on the water was worthwhile, though—from a deep-water chrome hunt out of Barcelona that turned into another easy walleye limit, to an Upper Niagara tour for a visiting angler from the UK, and a father who endured an absolutely miserable bout of seasickness so his son could keep catching fish. Not exactly the busiest week on the water, but definitely one with plenty of stories.

Days on the water: 4

Who we fished with: friends/clients

Where we fished: Lake Erie,Upper Niagara

What we caught:  walleye, smallmouth bass, freshwater drum

Tactics:  trolling worm harnesses, casting finesse baits, drifting live bait

Detailed Reporting/Daily Observations

08/17/2026 – “You’re a Good Dad, Trevor”

Fished Lake Erie out of Hanover, NY with new clients Trevor, Matt, and Trevor’s son, Brody.  Northwest winds kicked in earlier—and stronger—than expected. It wasn’t huge out there, but it was a washing machine. The northwest wind was colliding with southwest rollers left over from the day before. When the wind makes a quick change and waves from the new direction collide with waves from the previous direction at a 90-degree angle, things can get messy.

The boat was listing side to side and front to back. It’s an unsettling motion and almost guaranteed to trigger seasickness if you’re susceptible to it.  About 30 minutes into the trip, Trevor looked at me and said, “Ryan, random question: What do you do if you have to throw up?”  My heart sank.

The vomiting began shortly afterward—and didn’t stop.  Brody and Matt were doing fine, although Brody did throw up once before recovering completely. Trevor, however, was in rough shape. Still, with his son catching fish and having a good time, he told me he’d battle through.

Thankfully, the fish cooperated at a rapid rate, and we were able to catch our limit and get back to land so Trevor could finally recover.  That’s a good father—willing to endure a whole lot of misery so his son could catch some fish.

08/18/2026 – Checking in on the Lower

Fished a half-day trip on the Lower Niagara with Brian and his son, Issac.  It was a grind in nearly every zone except for one. We caught a lot of bass, although all but a couple were small. Issac is new to fishing, and while he enjoyed fighting them, he wasn’t particularly interested in holding them for photos.

I struggle with situations like this. I’ve had a few kids lately who don’t want to hold the fish they catch. I’m very happy their parents are getting them out on the water, but, in my mind, holding a fish is part of the fishing experience.  So, when a kid refuses, I always wonder what they’re there for.

I usually try to encourage them by showing them how I handle the fish and explaining that there’s nothing to worry about. At the same time, every kid (and parent) has his or her own pace. There’s a balance between encouraging them to step outside their comfort zone and turning the experience into something stressful.

Issac made some progress.  Hopefully, I’ll see him again and we can work on it a little more.

08/19/2026 – Maintenance Day

I’ve mentioned before that this is the “Year of the Trailer.” This is my 11th year chartering, and up until this season, I’d never had an issue with a boat trailer. I’ll be honest—when buddies had problems with theirs, I often found myself thinking, What the hell are they doing to those things?  Well…I get it now.  I’ve had issue after issue with mine this year, and it’s been incredibly frustrating.

It’s weird to think about, but rarely is the boat itself—the actual fishing platform—the problem. The greatest vulnerabilities are the main engine, the trolling motor, and the trailer. They all carry nearly equal weight when it comes to your ability to fish. If one of those things goes down, you ain’t fishing.

Anyway, when I pulled the boat out of the water the day prior, I noticed grease bubbling out around 3 of the hubs. Clearly, that wasn’t normal. So, I called Dr. Trailer in Tonawanda, and he was able to get me in right away.

It turns out the manufacturer had overfilled the hubs with grease. For context, all the hubs were newly replaced during the work I had done back in mid-June.

I’m not going to get technical about what happened next—because, as many of you now know, I tend to break things when I have tools in my hands. All I know is that Dr. Trailer inspected everything, installed new caps, and called me to let me know the trailer was good to go.

Another crisis avoided – but I lost a day of fishing.  It would’ve been a tough session dodging thunderstorms anyway.   

08/20/2026 – Whispering and Assassinating    

Fished Lake Erie out of Barcelona, NY with the Whisperer and the Silent Assassin. The plan was to find some steelhead first, then finish the day by getting our limit of ‘eyes.

Why Barcelona? It’s the New York launch closest to deep water. My hypothesis was that if we were going to find steelhead, we’d have to go deep—really deep. Over 130 feet, where there would be plenty of cold water for them to hold.  So, that’s where we went.

After a couple of hours of fishing, we caught plenty of lake trout and a few walleyes, but no steelhead. Eventually, we gave up the chrome chase and converted to gold.  Rod-in-hand game.  We caught our limit with ease.

It felt good to fish out of Barci again. The last couple of years, the Whisperer and I made our first walleye pilgrimage of the season out of there in early June. This year, the walleyes moved in close to Buffalo early, so we never made the trip.

It ended up being a downright enjoyable session. Despite some big-ish waves, the bite was consistent, the air was cool enough that I wore a jacket for most of the day, and the wind kept the bugs away.

Relaxing fishing, good company, and a box full of gold.

08/21/2026 – Another Unplanned Maintenance Day

After dropping off the Whisperer and the Assassin the day before, I started hearing a harsh grinding noise coming from the front wheels of my truck.

Going back to my earlier commentary about maintenance, I forgot to mention one pretty important piece of the equation: the truck. I guess it’s obvious, but it’s often understated. If you want to get the boat on the water, the truck is just as important as everything else.

When you’re trying to maximize your time on the water, maintenance of all these big assets becomes a significant part of the operation. You can schedule preventative maintenance (and I do)—oil changes, recommended outboard service, the 1,000-hour service, and so on—but that means setting aside days when you could otherwise be chartering and earning.

Then there’s the stuff you can’t schedule. Flat tires—I’ve already had one this year, on the trailer of course—and deteriorating brakes just pop up, especially when you’re running as many trips as I do.

Fortunately, Certified Auto Brokers, where I buy my vehicles, was able to get me in quickly. Although I had the truck’s brakes replaced last year, I spent close to nine months towing the boat while the trailer’s brakes weren’t functional. That put a lot of additional stress on the truck brakes.

So…yet another charter canceled because of emergent maintenance.

At this point, I can’t think of much else that could go wrong this year. Other than an accident on the water or on the road—which, admittedly, probably shouldn’t even have been said out loud. 

Lately, I’ve spent quite a bit of time thinking about boat and vehicle depreciation curves overlaid with maintenance costs throughout the ownership cycle. Non-sexy business operations stuff, but important nonetheless.

I’ll publish my conclusions at the end of the year.

08/22/2026 – Returning the Favor

Fished the Upper Niagara with Jaime—my wife’s cousin’s daughter’s fiancé. You get all that?

He was in town for my wife’s sister’s daughter’s wedding. In short, my niece. A large contingent from the UK came over for the ceremony, and Jaime was among them.

My wife, daughter, and I visited my wife’s family in the UK in the summer of ’24, and that’s when I first met Jaime. He’s an angler, and when he found out I wanted to fish while we were there, he was stoked to help me chalk up the UK.  So, naturally, he put me on carp.

This time, it was my turn to return the favor.  With a bass tournament making Buffalo off-limits and a tight timeline—we had to be at the wedding by 3:00 PM—I decided to give Jaime the grand tour of the Upper Niagara. We hit some reliable zones, explored a few new ones, and caught fish throughout the morning.

It wasn’t on fire, but that hardly mattered.  Jaime’s mind was blown.

8/23/2026 – Weather Day

Scattered thunderstorms and a small craft advisory forced me to reschedule my trip. 

Seasonal Assessment/General Observations

Buffalo NY Fishing Report – Forecast for 08/24/2026 – 08/30/2026

This week looks more like fall than summer.  Day-time highs will be cool – staying below the mid-70s with lows in the 50s.  If the forecast holds, rain and big wind/waves will make the front part of the week difficult to get on the lake(s).  However, the back half of the week looks wonderful.

I’m booked daily, but I might miss a day due to weather – hopefully not.  Walleyes on Erie will continue to be the main focus but I’ll do a little bassing out there too.  I’ll check in on the Lower and Upper at least once.

Stay tuned!

FINAL REMINDER

This is the last time I’ll annoy you with this notice.  If you haven’t booked your fall trip yet, now’s the time to get in touch.

I only have a couple days open in September, and it’s one of my favorite months of the year. The crowds begin to thin out, the weather is often outstanding, and both the walleye and smallmouth bass fishing can be exceptional.

I don’t have much left in October, only a couple days at the end of the month —another fantastic month for walleyes and smallmouth. On top of that, there’s a chance to target fall-run king salmon and giant Lake Erie lake trout.

Finally, I have a handful of openings in November, which coincides with the peak of the fall trout spawning run. No matter which month you choose, fall offers some of the best fishing of the year and plenty of opportunities to get after it.

Stay healthy, my friends.  Mentally and physically,

Ryan

Buffalo NY Fishing Report – Observations from 08/10 – 08/16/2026

Here’s our latest Buffalo NY fishing report:  Another 7 straight days on the water, folks, with a little bit of everything thrown into the mix. The walleye bite remained ridiculous, with limits coming easily most days despite crowded launches, dead-calm conditions, and a few questionable forecasts. Smallmouth cooperated when the conditions were right, including one particularly wild day of Warrior weather. We had some memorable moments along the way—a birthday trip, an 8-year-old catching his biggest fish and out-fishing Dad and Grandpa, a long-time neighbor finally getting his first walleye trip, and a newly engaged couple overcoming a stolen-passport fiasco just to make it to the boat. Throw in a few last-minute opportunities and a couple of weather-related curveballs, and it was another week full of good fishing, good people, and good times!

Days on the water: 7

Who we fished with: friends/clients

Where we fished: Lake Erie,Upper Niagara

What we caught:  walleye, smallmouth bass, freshwater drum

Tactics:  trolling worm harnesses, casting finesse baits, drifting live bait

Detailed Reporting/Daily Observations

08/10/2026 – Getting one Over on the Meteorologist   

Fished Lake Erie out of Hanover, NY with Fritz and Craig.  Fritz has been fishing with me for years. He usually comes to town in the spring and fall with his childhood friends, Mike and Tom. This time, he and Craig were passing through Western New York on their way home from a stay at Craig’s family cabin in Georgian Bay. Fritz figured he’d reach out and see if I could get them on some walleyes. I happened to have an opening, so it worked out perfectly.

In the days leading up to the trip, the forecast looked ugly—rain, scattered thunderstorms, and strong winds. To make things even more dramatic, NOAA had issued a small craft advisory for Lake Erie beginning late that morning.  It wasn’t looking good.

However, it looked like so long as we started early, we might be able to get a decent window before things deteriorated. As it turned out, that window was there—and then some.

The rain never touched us, and the wind didn’t kick up until after we were off the water. We hammered walleyes for a couple of hours before pivoting to bass fishing. The walleye action was so good that I barely had time to take photos.  The bass action was good too.

Fritz and Craig were blown away by how incredible the fishing was. I’d say we got one over on the meteorologist.

Awesome session!

08/11/2026 – Birthday Session

Fished Lake Erie out of Buffalo, NY with new clients Bill, Jacob, and Johnny.  It was Jacob’s birthday, and all he wanted was to go fishing. He didn’t care what we caught—he just wanted to bend some rods and have a good time. Bill, Jacob’s dad, was on board with that, but added that it would be great if we could get into some walleyes. I told him we could make that happen.

The walleye bite was grindy at first. We were seeing more drum and perch than ‘eyes, and with the lake dead calm, I didn’t want to waste the morning. I made a long run offshore to see what we could find.  We found them—and hammered.

With our limit in the box, we pivoted to bass fishing. Jacob spends a lot of time catching crawfish in the creek near his house and wanted to learn how to rig them as bait. I was happy to oblige.

Not a bad way to spend a birthday.

08/12/2026 – Thumbs Up Assist

Fished Lake Erie out of Buffalo, NY with A.J. and Dwayne, along with Jimmy Rores of Big Greek Charters.  Joe Fonzi of Thumbs Up Guide Service had a scheduling conflict and needed a couple of boats to step up and cover a trip. Jimmy and I were happy to fill in.

The forecast was way off—this time, NOT in our favor. Lake Erie was rolling, and it was classic Warrior weather. The guys were blown away by how well the boat handled the conditions.

As is usually the case when the waves are cranking, the fishing was excellent. The smallmouth were fired up and feeding aggressively. We caught MANY before the thunderheads started building.

This was a corporate trip focused on getting clients together and having some fun, so there wasn’t much interest in sticking around to test the weather. We called it early and headed in.

It was a blast while it lasted.

08/13/2026 – Ruined at 8 years Old

Fished Lake Erie out of Hanover, NY with Jeff, Taylor, and Max—who is 8 years old.  This was one of my favorite kinds of trips: three generations of men spending the day together on the water. There’s something pretty special about that.

As we were leaving the launch, I noticed Max was wearing gloves. I asked him why, and he told me he wasn’t comfortable holding fish. I told him that would probably change by the end of the day.  It did.

After he reeled in his first walleye, Max held it for a photo without the slightest hesitation. It was great watching him overcome that fear almost immediately.

The family proceeded to hammer walleyes throughout the morning, putting together their limit with ease. We had a nice west wind blowing, so we switched over to bass fishing—and that was excellent too.

Max proceeded to land a biggie smalls, several more bass, and a tanker walleye. By the end of the morning, the 8-year-old was out-fishing both Dad and Grandpa.  He’ll fish for many years and may never again have a day quite like the one he had at eight years old.

Awesome day!

08/14/2026 – Friday is the New Saturday

Fished Lake Erie out of Hanover, NY with Jim, Ron, and Riley.

To start, the launch was once again jammed. It was a gorgeous day—clear skies with light and variable winds. I should’ve known it was going to be a zoo.

I headed east, away from the crowds, and we proceeded to hammer immediately. Lately, the walleye action has been so good that I’ve been fishing only three rods—and I haven’t been using a net. I simply grab the leader and snatch the fish out of the water by the belly or gill plate.

Who needs a net?  It just takes longer to get the fish from the water into the box. You might be wondering, “What if you lose them?”  So what. We’ll catch another one in a couple of minutes.

Before long, the bugs came out and it got HOT and humid. Still, we put our limit of ‘eyes in the box with ease. We attempted to do a little bass fishing afterward, but that was a dud. With almost no wind, we were roasting out there and barely moving.

Friday is definitely the new Saturday.

08/15/2026 – A Day to Remember

Fished Lake Erie out of Buffalo, NY with Cody and Sydney, who were in town from Ohio.  Sydney booked the trip as a surprise for Cody’s birthday. The night before, she surprised him with the fishing trip.  Much to her surprise, he returned the favor by surprising her with a marriage proposal.  Then the drama started.

They were staying in Niagara Falls, Ontario, and we planned to meet at 5:30 AM to beat the crowds. The forecast looked beautiful and summer is coming to a close soon – I knew it’d be a zoo out there.  Unfortunately, that’s not when we linked up.

At 4:30 AM, I received a text from Sydney: their passports had been stolen.  Apparently, someone had broken into their car and taken everything—including their passports.

They called the police to file a report.  Six hours later, the police still hadn’t shown up. At that point, I encouraged them to try crossing the border and see what happened. Worst case, customs would pull them over and they’d finally get the attention they needed.

So that’s what they did.

Meanwhile, I’d already been through half a French press of coffee when I got the original text. I was way too amped up to go back to bed, so I headed out and fished the Upper Niagara by myself. I found some fish—not a ton—but I did catch fish in a location I’ve never fished/been meaning to fish for years. 

Around noon, Sydney messaged me to say they made it across the border and were on their way.  Yes!

We ended up fishing a half-day around Buffalo for bass. It was crowded, mostly with pleasure boats, and the fishing was a little grindy—but it had its moments.

After everything they’d been through that morning, I was just happy to get them on the water and give them a chance to end a very dramatic day on a much happier note.

Oh, and congratulations again to the newly engaged couple!

08/16/2026 – Harvest with the Neighbors

Fished Lake Erie out of Hanover, NY with Tony, Mike, and Martin.  Tony is my next-door neighbor. We talk almost daily while I’m in my driveway cleaning the boat after a day of fishing. We’ve been neighbors for 10 years, yet somehow I’d never taken him walleye fishing.

A last-minute cancellation opened up a spot, so we decided to fix that.  Another 24 walleyes saw their first—and last—nightcrawler.

Seasonal Assessment/General Observations

Buffalo NY Fishing Report – Forecast for 08/17/2026 – 08/23/2026

Once again, the forecast for this week looks very nice.  Cool temperatures will dominate the front half – then back to heat over the weekend.  The wind might be a factor here and there – but nothing concerning.  Scattered showers will make an appearance too – but nothing prolonged. 

I’m booked daily – most will be walleye trips but as per usual, I’ll check in on the smallies too.  However, that’ll be in the river because the Turtlebox Bassmaster Open at Lake Erie starts this week. 

That tournament will make the Buffalo Safe Harbor Marina a no-go zone through the weekend.  I stopped by there on my way home today to spray down my boat and the parking lot was already jammed with lots of branded trucks and bass boat trailers.    

Stay tuned!

REMINDER

If you haven’t booked your fall trip yet, now’s the time to get in touch.

September still has plenty of availability, and it’s one of my favorite months of the year. The crowds begin to thin out, the weather is often outstanding, and both the walleye and smallmouth bass fishing can be exceptional.

I also have a few dates available in October—another fantastic month for walleyes and smallmouth. On top of that, there’s a chance to target fall-run king salmon and giant Lake Erie lake trout.

Finally, I have a handful of openings in November, which coincides with the peak of the fall trout spawning run. No matter which month you choose, fall offers some of the best fishing of the year and plenty of opportunities to get after it.

Stay healthy, my friends.  Mentally and physically,

Ryan

Buffalo NY Fishing Report – Observations from 08/03 – 08/09/2026

Here’s our latest Buffalo NY fishing report:  This week had a little bit of everything—annual checkups, old Marine Corps connections, returning clients, last-minute trips, and three very different days with Paul and Henry. The fishing stayed strong despite some challenging conditions, including crowded water, scattered fish, thunderstorms, and some serious waves. We found plenty of walleyes, discovered some new water on the Niagara, and had excellent smallmouth action mixed in with the inevitable drum. Throw in a few personal bests, a lesson or two for the captain, and some classic Warrior weather, and it was another busy but memorable week.

Days on the water: 6

Who we fished with: friends/clients

Where we fished: Lake Erie,Upper Niagara, Lower Niagara

What we caught:  walleye, smallmouth bass, freshwater drum

Tactics:  trolling worm harnesses, casting finesse baits, drifting live bait

Detailed Reporting/Daily Observations

08/03/2026 – Medical Day  

I blocked off a day this week to knock out my annual preventative care appointments at the VA. One of the reasons I schedule them in the middle of summer is because I want my dermatologist to see me when I’m at peak sun exposure. Good news—I got a clean bill of health.

Other than wearing a sun hoodie every day on the water, I use a little zinc oxide on my nose—that’s it. After spending virtually every day outdoors from mid-March through late fall, I’ve found my skin adapts to the point where I don’t feel the need for much additional sun protection. I know that’s not the prevailing view these days, but it’s been my experience. It does strike me as unfortunate that so many of us spend so little time outdoors that we think of the sun as something to fear rather than something our bodies need exposure to.

Now for the bad news. At 48, my eyesight has apparently decided it’s time to humble me.  I also saw the optometrist this week. My long-range vision is still excellent. However, lately, I’ve noticed it’s tough for me to read the fine print in low light conditions. I just thought the fine print was getting “finer” these days. Then came the close-range vision test.

I could read every line, but that bottom one was just a little blurry.  The optometrist swapped a lens and asked, “How does it look now?” My heart sank. It was perfectly clear. I’m still in denial.

08/04/2026 – Small World

Fished Lake Erie out of Buffalo, NY with new clients Joel and Bennett.

On the run out of the harbor, Joel asked what I did before becoming a charter captain. I told him I was in the Marine Corps. He followed up by asking where I was stationed, and before long we realized we’d both served under the same command. He checked into the unit not long after I left. Small world.

As it turns out, Joel also knows my buddy Brian—who many of you have seen in my travel blogs—as well as several other Marines I served with over the years.

After retiring from the Corps, Joel moved back home to Buffalo to take over his father’s business. His son, Bennett, loves fishing, but catching has been a little harder to come by. Joel figured a charter might improve the odds.  It did.

The walleye bite was outstanding, and Bennett spent the morning setting “personal best” after “personal best.” The bass fishing, on the other hand, was surprisingly slow. We had to work for them, but we still managed to cap off a memorable day on the water.

08/05/2026 – I Need Some “Yellows” in my Life

Fished Lake Erie out of Buffalo, NY with Ron.  Ron has been fishing with me for the past few years. Health issues kept him off the water for much of last season, and he told me he really missed having a stash of Lake Erie walleyes in the freezer over the winter. He wasn’t about to let that happen again.  So, we made sure it didn’t.

The walleyes cooperated, we put together a great box of fish, and Ron’s freezer will be well stocked for the months ahead.

08/06/2026 – Paul and Henry’s Annual Visit (Day 1)

Fished Lake Erie out of Buffalo, NY with Paul and Henry.  This father/son duo has been fishing with me for three years now—always three days over the summer. Henry was only getting into fishing when they first started fishing with me. Now, at 13, he’s become an avid angler. It’s been great watching him develop over the years.

For Day 1 of their visit, we targeted walleyes. We got our limit, but it wasn’t easy. And that’s entirely on me.  I’ll admit it—I’ve been on such a long streak of getting limits by simply putting out a spread and covering water that I became complacent.

Here’s the thing about fishing out of Buffalo right now: it’s not easy. Well, not compared to the Catt, that is. There are millions of fish around Buffalo, but they aren’t all walleyes. You’ll encounter large schools of drum, white perch, and yellow perch, all of which can bog you down when you’re trying to target ‘eyes.

In other words, simply putting out a spread and covering water isn’t always the best strategy in this situation. It has worked for me every day for nearly two months, but scenarios arise—as they did on this day—where it pays to be more minimalist and work a school when you find it.  That’s how I used to fish for walleyes in years past – somehow, I buried that down and forgot to employ it as a tactic on this day.  Lesson re-learned.

08/07/2026 – Paul and Henry’s Annual Visit (Day 2)

As a rule, when I have anglers in town for more than two days, I always spend at least one of those days on the river. I think it’s important—for everyone involved—to change the scenery.

For me, it keeps me sane. It breaks up the routine and keeps me from feeling like I’m doing the same thing over and over again. For my clients, it keeps them more engaged, exposes them to the different options we have in this region, and gives them new challenges. In other words, I think it makes their trip more interesting.

The river is typically hit or miss in the summer. Weeds, boat traffic, and scattered fish can all make things difficult. Every once in a while, though, something magical happens.

We started the day on the Lower Niagara, but there was a charity tournament underway and the river was congested. We picked away at a few small bass on the bar and managed a walleye between all the boats. After about an hour, though, I’d had enough. I decided it was time to move to the Upper Niagara.

We ended up covering a lot of water and eventually settled into an area I’d never fished during the summer. We hammered.  There were plenty of fish, including some quality ones, and we had a blast figuring it out. A day on the water when I learn something new is always an awesome day for me.  Henry and Paul had a pretty good time too.

08/09/2026 – Paul and Henry’s Annual Trip (Day 3)

We delayed our start due to thunderstorms and torrential rain. The skies were dramatic—the lightning and fast-moving clouds were captivating, to say the least. Once it all passed, we made our way out in pursuit of smallies and the inevitable drum.

Henry had himself a day. He landed some quality ‘jaws, a nice white bass, MANY drum, and a walleye—a grand slam!

As the morning progressed, the waves built to consistent 2–4 footers. It was awesome out there. I even got in on the action, standing on the back deck and surfing those big waves.

I love those conditions. I call it Warrior weather. There’s something about being out there when the adrenaline is flowing, whitecaps are everywhere, and the boat is riding those big waves. Even when you’re mostly catching drum, everything screams DRAG!

Until next time, my friends!

08/09/2026 (morning) – Back to Gold Mining

Fished Lake Erie out of Hanover, NY with Mark, Ryan, and Ansley.  It was ridiculously busy, but it didn’t matter.  The action was insane as per usual.  I stretched the day out as best as possible – but we still got our limit with ease. 

The wind died off as the day went on – so the bugs came out and it got HOT and humid.  Thankfully, they were happy to get off the water and on to “necropsy time!”  Fun session with a great family. 

08/09/2026 (afternoon) – Last Minute? Why Not?

Fished Lake Erie out of Buffalo, NY with Josh, Trisha, and Josh Jr.  I was driving home from the Catt when Josh gave me a call. The family was in town from Pennsylvania to attend Bills training camp and wanted to squeeze in a little fishing before heading home. I told them they were in luck—I was getting close to Buffalo and could meet them shortly. They were staying at LECOM, so it was only a short commute to the launch. Couldn’t have worked out better.

Despite the heavy boat traffic and dead-calm conditions, the bass action was excellent. Of course, the drum came out to play too.  It was a short but very productive session, and everyone was very happy with how it worked out.

Seasonal Assessment/General Observations

Buffalo NY Fishing Report – Forecast for 08/10/2026 – 08/16/2026

The forecast for this week looks very nice.  Much cooler temperatures are supposed to set in for most of the week.  The wind might be a factor here and there – but nothing concerning – just adventurous. 

I’m booked daily – most will be walleye trips, but I’ll check in on the smallies at least a couple of times throughout the week. 

Stay tuned! 

REMINDER

If you haven’t booked your fall trip yet, now’s the time to get in touch.

September still has plenty of availability, and it’s one of my favorite months of the year. The crowds begin to thin out, the weather is often outstanding, and both the walleye and smallmouth bass fishing can be exceptional.

I also have a few dates available in October—another fantastic month for walleyes and smallmouth. On top of that, there’s a chance to target fall-run king salmon and giant Lake Erie lake trout.

Finally, I have a handful of openings in November, which coincides with the peak of the fall trout spawning run. No matter which month you choose, fall offers some of the best fishing of the year and plenty of opportunities to get after it.

Stay healthy, my friends.  Mentally and physically,

Ryan

Buffalo NY Fishing Report – Observations from 07/27 – 08/02/2026

Here’s our latest Buffalo NY fishing report:  The last week of July rolled into August with about everything Lake Erie can throw at us. Forecasts looked threatening more than once, northwest winds forced a change of plans, and the weekend crowds turned the boat launches into absolute chaos. Despite all of that, the fishing never really missed a beat. We consistently put together limits of walleyes, mixed in some bass and freshwater drum, and shared the boat with a great group of anglers who brought plenty of humor and good conversation. As is often the case, the fish were only part of the story—the people, the unexpected twists, and the laughs along the way made for another memorable week on the water.

Days on the water: 7

Who we fished with: friends/clients

Where we fished: Lake Erie

What we caught:  walleye, smallmouth bass, freshwater drum

Tactics:  trolling worm harnesses, casting finesse baits

Detailed Reporting/Daily Observations

07/27/2026 – Whispering with Captain America and Bruce  

Fished Lake Erie out of Hanover, NY with the Whisperer, Captain America, and Bruce. With ruthless efficiency, we boxed our limit, cleaned the fish, and were back home in plenty of time for an afternoon nap. It was one of those rare mornings where everything clicked—from the weather, to the bite, to the pace of the program. It would be hard to script a more perfect summer walleye session.  Pictures?  Who needs those – we took one to prove we were out there lol.   

07/28/2026 – F-ing New York!

Fished Lake Erie out of Hanover, NY with Troy, Wayne, and Ritchie, who were in town from the Hudson Valley.  As the trip approached, the forecast looked dicey, with heavy rain and thunderstorms in the mix. The guys told me they were willing to fish through anything as long as it was safe. My kind of anglers.

Thankfully, the storms moved through overnight. By the time we arrived in Hanover, the weather had cleared, but the harbor was nearly empty. Aside from Jimmy Rores of Big Greek Charters, we were the only charter heading out. Even the harbor master hadn’t shown up yet. It seemed everyone else had looked at the forecast and decided to stay home. I’m glad we rolled the dice.

The gamble paid off. We put together an easy limit of walleyes, then switched gears to smallmouth bass and freshwater drum. Ritchie landed a few quality ‘jaws, while Troy and Wayne stayed busy battling drum. Great crew, great fishing, lots of ball busting, and laughing nonstop.  Fun day.

07/29/2026 – We Might be Old, but We’re not Weak!

Fished Lake Erie out of Buffalo, NY with Troy, Wayne, and Ritchie.  BIG NW winds and a small craft advisory left us no choice but to fish out of Buffalo where we would be sheltered from the wind and waves.  It was…adventurous out there.  We got soaked from the waves, laughed our asses off, and caught fish.  The action was grindy, but we put together a nice box of ‘eyes with a bycatch of plenty of drum and a bonus smalljaw.  Another awesome day!   

07/30/2026 – Do Any of you Have a Bad Back?

Fished Lake Erie out of Hanover, NY with Jeff, Tim, and Dan. When I talked with Jeff the night before, I suggested we push our start back to 9:00 a.m. to give the lake time to settle down. The forecast called for calmer conditions by then. Well…that didn’t happen.

Driving down I-90, I noticed the trees bending a little more than I’d like from a stiff northwest wind. It was enough to make me call Jeff and tell everyone to bring rain jackets—not because of the forecast, but because getting sprayed was almost guaranteed.

When I pulled into Hanover, the harbor master told me another boat had already tried to head out but turned around to wait for better conditions. I checked the Dunkirk buoy on Seagull and saw consistent 3-foot waves. My response? “The Warrior was built for this. We’re going.”

When the crew arrived, I asked if anyone had a bad back. I’d fished with Jeff several times, and Tim was actually one of my very first clients. We’d been through some rough days together, so I wasn’t concerned about either of them. Dan—the newcomer—admitted he had a bad back. I told him I’d take it easy. Tim immediately chimed in, “If you bitch out, it’ll definitely end up in Ryan’s weekly fishing report.”

The ride offshore turned out to be far less dramatic than the forecast suggested. We stayed dry, the guys spent most of the run laughing and telling stories, and about 30 minutes later I turned the boat back toward the Catt. From there, we rode the waves in and hammered walleyes the entire way.

07/31/2026 (morning) – Trading Stories, Harvesting Gold

Fished Lake Erie out of Hanover, NY with Mike, Lauren, and Jeff.  The walleye bite was ridiculous – we got our limit in no time.  In fact, all we had time to talk about was how crazy the action was.  So, we pivoted to bass fishing for a while to slow things down and hang out, chat, and trade stories.  Unfortunately, the wind died by that point, so we didn’t have much of a drift.  We managed one, and as many drum as you could catch.  Wonderful people – fun day!

07/31/2026 (afternoon) – From “F-ing Todd” to “T-Money”

Fished Lake Erie out of Hanover, NY with a wonderful family in town visiting from Iowa.  Todd, the patriarch, had a rough start to our session – getting a little wild on the hook sets and dropping more than a handful of fish.  He became an easy target for playful ridicule – “fucking, Todd,” would be the chant from the group when he lost a fish.  That didn’t last long though.

Todd made the transition to “T-Money” in short order – hooking and landing the bulk of the fish by the end of the day.  Classic walleye session – heartbreak, frustration, chaos, and victory all in one outing.  Good times with fun people!

08/01/2026 – Chaos and the Zoo

Fished Lake Erie out of Hanover, NY with Brian, Eric, Dylan, and Justin.  I arrived at the launch at 5:40 AM—and there was already a line stretching out to the street. In short…it was a zoo.

There’s nothing more horrifying (or entertaining, depending on your perspective) than watching a busy boat launch first thing in the morning. Everyone is jacked up on caffeine, many have added a healthy dose of nicotine to the mix, and the result is plenty of shouting, near collisions, and general chaos. Some people genuinely enjoy watching the spectacle. To be honest, I wish I did. Instead, I find it to be one of the least appealing displays of human nature in all of angling.

Fortunately, once we finally escaped the crowds and got out on the lake, everything changed. We picked a lane, set our spread, and got to work. The crew were quick learners and were into fish almost immediately. As has been the case lately, the action stayed steady throughout the morning.

Back at the launch, however, it was right back into the madness. The ramp was jammed, the fish-cleaning station was packed, and by the time we finished waiting in line and cleaning fish, we’d spent nearly as much time dealing with crowds as we had actually fishing.

What a zoo—but that’s the price of fishing on a summer weekend when both the weather and the bite are outstanding.

08/02/2026 – Glory Favors the Bold

Fished Lake Erie out of Buffalo, NY with Zach and Jordan.  The forecast called for steady rain throughout the day—more than an inch. In the days leading up to the trip, I asked Zach if he was willing to fish through that. “No pressure,” I told him. He said he was, but wanted to make sure his girlfriend was just as willing. As it turned out, Jordan was a trooper too and was all in.

Well…the rain never really found us.  We watched storm cells slide by on either side, delivering little more than an occasional drizzle. In fact, the sun even broke through a few times. We were incredibly lucky, and the changing skies made for some great scenery and photo backdrops.

The fishing matched the weather. We boxed our limit of walleyes in excellent fashion, even after releasing a few of the bigger fish following some quick photos. With our walleye limit secured, we spent a little time chasing bass and freshwater drum to wrap up the day—and they were more than willing to cooperate.

Seasonal Assessment/General Observations

Buffalo NY Fishing Report – Forecast for 08/03/2026 – 08/09/2026

The forecast for this week looks excellent. We’ll have a chance of rain here and there, but nothing concerning. More importantly, the wind looks minimal—or even non-existent—for most of the week.

I’m booked every day, with most trips targeting walleyes. That said, there’ll be some bass fishing mixed in, and maybe even a Lower Niagara and/or Lake Ontario trip. It’s August, folks—which means it’s time to start poking around and exploring options for the fall.

Speaking of fall, if you haven’t booked your trip yet, now’s the time to get in touch.

September still has plenty of availability, and it’s one of my favorite months of the year. The crowds begin to thin out, the weather is often outstanding, and both the walleye and smallmouth bass fishing can be exceptional.

I also have a few dates available in October—another fantastic month for walleyes and smallmouth. On top of that, there’s a chance to target fall-run king salmon and giant Lake Erie lake trout.

Finally, I have a handful of openings in November, which coincides with the peak of the fall trout spawning run. No matter which month you choose, fall offers some of the best fishing of the year and plenty of opportunities to get after it.

Stay healthy, my friends.  Mentally and physically,

Ryan

Buffalo NY Fishing Report – Observations from 07/20 – 07/26/2026

Here’s our latest Buffalo NY fishing report: This past week was a classic snapshot of what makes Lake Erie fishing so special. The walleyes were absolutely on fire, with several trips producing nonstop action and some of the best bites of the season. I fished with anglers from Missouri, West Virginia, Arizona, and Florida, along with local regulars. We battled some challenging weather, made the right calls to keep clients safe and comfortable, and switched gears when needed—putting plenty of smiles on faces while chasing walleyes and smallmouth bass. From kids’ trips and family traditions to surprise gifts and mid-summer “rod-benders,” it was another week filled with great people, great stories, and plenty of Lake Erie gold.

Days on the water: 5

Who we fished with: friends/clients

Where we fished: Lake Erie

What we caught:  walleye, smallmouth bass, freshwater drum

Tactics:  trolling worm harnesses, casting finesse baits

Detailed Reporting/Daily Observations

07/20/2026 (morning) – In Town from MO  

Fished Lake Erie out of Hanover, NY with Ron, Jim, and Curtis. Ron and Jim were in town from Missouri visiting Curtis and his wife (Jim’s daughter), and they wanted to stock up on some Lake Erie gold. I was happy to help make that happen.

Simply put, the water out of Cattaraugus Creek is absolutely loaded with walleyes right now. It was, without question, the best bite I’ve experienced all season. I started in over 80 feet of water, but honestly, I could have fished much shallower—I marked fish nearly the entire run offshore.

Within minutes of sending the first baits down, we were hooked up…and the action never let up. The bite was so ridiculous that we imposed our own slot limit (18-22″) just to stretch the morning out a little longer.

07/20/2026 (afternoon) – Boxing out with the Boys

Fished Lake Erie out of Hanover, NY with Killian, Jackson, and Cole. Killian is an alumnus of the Summer Fishing Camp I used to host, and Jackson and Cole are his cousins. The boys wanted walleyes, and I was confident we could get them a limit and home in time for a fish fry dinner.

I returned to the same zone I fished that morning, and the chaos started almost immediately. Jackson and Cole landed their first walleyes within a few minutes and many more followed.

I’m a big fan of kids-only trips—they’re always a blast. For one, I know everyone on board genuinely wants to be there. They pay attention, follow directions, and fish hard, which makes for an efficient program and high catch rates. Just as importantly, I enjoy spending time with the next generation. Having a daughter, I don’t get much insight into what today’s young men are interested in, so I always appreciate the conversations. It keeps me connected to a world that’s a little different from the one I grew up in.

07/21/2026 – Weather Day

A small craft advisory and a ton or rain in the forecast kept me off the water.  I thought about going, but the clients I had on the docket were new to angling in general – I didn’t want that kind of adventure to be their first experience fishing with me.  That was the right call – it didn’t get huge out there, but 5’+ waves were common and the rain came down harder than it has all year.   

07/22/2026 – Weather Day

2-4’ waves were the norm for the day.  Fishing in that would’ve been OK – but I had a dad and his two young sons on the docket.  I’ve fished with kids in those conditions – and it can go both ways.  Some love it – others get seasick or go internal. My clients were able to reschedule we opted to take the safe route. 

07/23/2026 (morning) – Chalking Lake Erie

Fished Lake Erie out of Buffalo, NY with Mike. Mike has worked in the defense industry for more than 40 years and has traveled to Western New York several times on business. He’s always wanted the opportunity to wet a line for Lake Erie smallmouth bass, and we finally made it happen.

I haven’t targeted bass since the spring. Admittedly, I’m not a big fan of summer bass trips because they often turn into drum fests. Mike, however, just wanted to spend some time on the water. Since he wasn’t keeping fish, he didn’t mind catching drum—a bent rod is a bent rod. Plus, having caught black drum in the Gulf, he thought it would be interesting to see how their freshwater cousins compared.

As it turned out, the bass cooperated far better than expected. Mike landed more than a handful of quality smallmouths, mixed in with a few drum. It made for a fun session and a great day on the water.

07/23/2026 (afternoon) – Annual Outing with Larry and the Boys

Fished Lake Erie out of Buffalo, NY with Larry, Ian, and Fin. I’ve been fishing with Larry and Ian for about six years now. Fin joined the crew a couple of years ago after Larry finally decided he was old enough to handle the program.

The guys live in Florida but spend a week or so in Western New York each summer visiting family. While they’re in town, we always make sure to get a trip on the calendar. Chasing smallmouth bass and freshwater drum has become an annual tradition, and we kept that tradition alive on this outing.

In previous years, Fin always seemed to find plenty of drum, but for whatever reason, the smallmouth bass never cooperated for him. This year was a different story. He put a hurting on the bass and left little doubt about who won the friendly competition.

07/24/2026 – Bro and Sis Sesh Round 2

Fished Lake Erie out of Hanover, NY with Robin and Terry. This brother-and-sister team had so much fun on our trip earlier in the month that they booked another day before we got off the water. Fortunately, I had an opening.

Just like the first trip, the walleyes were waiting for us. Wanting to stretch the morning out a little longer, we intentionally fished with only two rods instead of the usual spread—and still absolutely pounded Lake Erie gold. It was one of the most ridiculous bites of the season.

07/25/2026 – Surprise!

Fished Lake Erie out of Hanover, NY with Justin and Chandler. A couple of months earlier, Justin’s wife booked this trip as a surprise birthday gift. The plan was to tell him the night before—and to make it even better, his cousin Chandler drove up from West Virginia to spend the weekend with him and join the trip.

From the way Justin told it, the surprise couldn’t have gone any better. He called me the night before, completely caught off guard and genuinely excited for the chance to chase Lake Erie walleyes. I told him not to worry—catching walleyes wasn’t a possibility, it was a certainty. We backed that up the following day – fun trip!

07/26/2026 – Bassing with Chris and his Boys

Fished Lake Erie out of Buffalo, NY with Chris, Roman, and Tino. I’ve been fishing with Chris for nine years, usually with his buddies Jay and Nick. This time, he wanted to get both of his boys on the water for some summer bass fishing.

Lake Erie had a perfect summer chop—not too big, just enough movement to make drifting live bait ideal. The boys got into fish immediately, and the action stayed consistent throughout the day. Of course, a little competition developed. Chris took home the big fish honors, but he and Roman ended up tied for the most fish. Tino stayed in the hunt, but in his words, he “needed a 21-incher.” Unfortunately, that fish never showed up.

Any disappointment disappeared on the ride back in. Surfing the waves at the end of the day was the perfect way to finish an awesome father-and-sons session.

Seasonal Assessment/General Observations

Buffalo NY Fishing Report – Forecast for 07/27/2026 – 08/02/2026

It looks like another week of challenges is on the horizon. Heavy rain could impact Tuesday and Wednesday, and the wind may get interesting mid-week as well. Nothing the Warrior can’t handle, though. I’ve got some hardcore clients scheduled during that stretch—they claim they’re ready for whatever Lake Erie throws at them. We’re about to find out.

The back half of the week looks much more favorable, with calmer conditions and plenty of opportunities to get after it. I’m booked every day, so fingers all those trips happen. Stay tuned!

Stay healthy, my friends.  Mentally and physically,

Ryan

Buffalo NY Fishing Report – Observations from 07/13 – 07/19/2026

Here’s our latest Buffalo NY fishing report:  This past week had a little bit of everything Lake Erie could throw at us: flat-calm mornings, five-foot rollers, thick wildfire smoke, thunderstorms, a surprise maintenance day, and even a reminder that summer walleye fishing isn’t always easy. Through it all, we caught plenty of fish, shared some unforgettable adventures, and welcomed anglers ranging from seven-year-olds catching their first walleyes to longtime friends chasing another freezer full of gold. The week also reinforced a lesson I’ve learned over the years—it’s rarely the easy days that stick with you. It’s the challenging conditions, the emotional roller coaster of walleye fishing, and the people you experience it with that I’ll remember most.

Days on the water: 6

Who we fished with: friends/clients

Where we fished: Lake Erie

What we caught:  walleye, smallmouth bass, freshwater drum

Tactics:  trolling worm harnesses, casting finesse baits

Detailed Reporting/Daily Observations

07/13/2026 – Whispering and Assassinating  

Fished Lake Erie out of Buffalo, NY with the Whisperer, the Silent Assassin, and my father. Captain America couldn’t complete Clan Jarosz this time around. His response to the invite was something along the lines of, “I’d love to, but some people actually have to go to work.” So, I called my father join us on the gold mining mission.

It was a picture-perfect summer morning with a light northeast breeze and plenty of sunshine. The walleyes cooperated from the start, and the action stayed steady all morning. We had our limit in just a couple of hours—getting the Whisperer home in plenty of time for his afternoon nap.

07/14/2026 – Getting Nautical

Fished Lake Erie out of Buffalo, NY with Mark, Chris, and Darren. In the days leading up to the trip, Mark and I talked about the forecast, which called for southwest winds gusting into the 20s and the potential for some serious waves. He assured me nobody in the group gets seasick, so they were all in. Honestly, I was looking forward to some Warrior weather.

Thankfully, the guys were willing to start early while the lake was still manageable enough to make the run offshore without taking a serious beating. A quick aside: whenever I’m dealing with big southwest winds—or big waves in general—I always troll with the wind and waves. Boat control is much easier, the ride is smoother for clients, and the fishing is simply more efficient. The downside is that once you commit to a line, turning around and resetting is a major undertaking. You need to run far enough offshore to make one long pull—maybe two—and make them count.

We blasted through 1- to 3-footers for about a half hour before I turned the boat back toward the city. The Warrior handled the ride beautifully, and the guys were impressed with how smooth it was. The bite had a couple of lulls, but there were enough periods of chaos to keep us catching more than six fish an hour.

By late morning, we were fishing in consistent 5-foot waves—and still catching walleyes. I also found the upper limit of planer boards. They’re incredibly effective in rough water…right up until the waves consistently top 5 feet.

Days like these are memorable—but rarely because of the conversation. I absolutely love fishing in big water, but it demands my full attention, so I’m not nearly as chatty as I am on calmer days. If clients can handle the waves, they usually walk away feeling like they took on something wild and came out the other side. In the few minutes before we said our goodbyes, I realized we’d talked more at the dock than we had during the entire trip. What an adventure. Awesome day.

07/15/2026 – Surfing with the Boys

Fished Lake Erie out of Buffalo, NY with Jason, Callan (age 7), and Weldon (age 10). With the forecast calling for big waves, Jason and I talked daily leading up to the trip to make sure everyone was comfortable with the conditions. At one point he joked that he was surprised nobody had ever called CPS over some of the waves he’d taken Callan out in. In short, these boys were ready for an adventure.

The lake was supposed to settle down overnight, but that didn’t happen. We ran offshore through consistent 2- to 4-footers, with plenty of 5-foot waves mixed in. After a little more than 30 minutes, we turned around and started trolling back toward the city.

The action was pretty slow for the first hour and a half. Then, in classic Lake Erie fashion, we crossed paths with a massive school of walleyes and chaos ensued. Baits barely had time to settle before they were getting crushed. What started as a stressful morning turned into one those boys won’t soon forget. And Jason was right—they loved every minute of it. They didn’t want to get off the water. Fun day.

07/16/2026 – Fishing Through the Smoke

Fished Lake Erie out of Buffalo, NY with Lisa, Scott, Henry (age 12), and Diesel (age 12). Thick smoke from the northern wildfires hung over the lake, giving the morning an almost eerie feel. There were plenty of boats out, but visibility was limited to about a half mile, so I decided to make a long run offshore, get away from the crowds, and troll our way back toward the city.

The action started immediately, but so did the heartbreak. We dropped a pile of fish early on. A quick aside: every now and then, there are days when walleyes just don’t seem to stay buttoned. I still haven’t figured out why. Sometimes it’s only an issue at the beginning of the trip before everything settles down. Other times, it happens all day.  When “Ls” become prominent, I start using very small pieces of worm – only the dark portion – and that seems to resolve it…maybe.  Anyway, this was one of those mornings where we lost far more fish than usual before things finally turned around.

One of the things I’ve come to appreciate about walleye fishing is the range of emotions it brings out. Excitement, boredom, frustration, confidence, doubt, and pure elation can all show up in the span of a few hours. It’s a roller coaster, and that’s part of what makes it so rewarding.

This crew experienced just about every one of those emotions—both individually and as a team. Our final fish came in a flurry of chaos – followed by cheers all around.  Another awesome day on Lake Erie.

07/17/2026 – Maintenance Day

The client I had scheduled for this day cancelled a week out, so I decided to block the date and take a much-needed day off. This has officially become the “year of the trailer” for me. Part of it failed back in May, and more recently the calipers and rotors gave up—the unfortunate result of years of winter trailering through ice and salt.

I was able to drop the trailer off at Dr. Trailer on Monday while keeping the boat in the water at Collins Marine for the week. The trailer was repaired by Wednesday afternoon, and I picked it up Thursday.

A huge thank you goes out to both Dr. Trailer and Collins Marine for helping keep me in the fight.

I used the day off to clean the boat, knock out some errands, and get a workout in. Not every day off is a bad thing.

07/19/2026 – Awesome…Until it Wasn’t

Fished Lake Erie out of Buffalo, NY with Brian and his son Eli. The forecast deteriorated quickly in the hours leading up to the trip. The night before, NOAA issued a Small Craft Advisory beginning in the morning, and thunderstorms were expected to roll through around daybreak. We agreed to meet at 6:00 a.m. and make the call at the ramp.

One thunderstorm cell slid just past us shortly after we met, and the radar looked clear for the rest of the morning. It was breezy, but nothing we couldn’t handle, so we decided to give it a shot.

It took a little while to find the walleyes, but once we did, the action became steady. Seven-year-old Eli landed a beautiful fish, posed for a few photos, then walked up to the bow next to his dad, leaned over the side…and got his first real taste of Lake Erie seasickness. We decided that was a good time to call it a day.

So, the young man checked off two milestones in one trip: his first Lake Erie walleye and his first bout of seasickness. Fortunately, once we got back to the dock, he bounced right back as if nothing had happened. He even jumped in to help during the fish-cleaning process. I’d say he’ll remember this trip for a long time.

07/19/2026 – Then they Disappeared

Fished out of Buffalo, NY with Steve and Broadie. It was a short session since Steve had to get to work. They wanted to target walleyes, but they were flexible if things didn’t pan out—spending a few hours on the water together was the real priority.

I started the morning searching the areas that had been producing lately, but the walleyes simply weren’t there. We covered a lot of water, picked up one walleye, and caught plenty of freshwater drum along the way. With time working against us, we decided not to make the long run offshore and instead converted to smallmouth bass. We found a few of those…and, of course, plenty more drum.

I’ll admit, I was a little apprehensive about fishing out of Buffalo. After the big west winds earlier in the week, I suspected the walleyes may have slid farther offshore. Normally I would have made the run to check, but with the Sunset Shootout taking place, Buffalo was the right call for this trip. Getting humbled is never fun—I’m still stewing over it as I write this—but we still bent plenty of rods, had a good time, and every fish Broadie caught was the biggest of his life. That’s a win in my book.

Seasonal Assessment/General Observations

Buffalo NY Fishing Report – Forecast for 07/20/2026 – 07/26/2026

It looks like it’ll be another week with sporadic challenges.  Rain might make an appearance a couple of times.  Big wind only looks like it’ll be slightly problematic on Tuesday.  The rest of the week looks wonderful.  Walleyes will continue to be the primary target – with one, maybe two rod benders in the mix. I’m booked daily – stay tuned! 

Stay healthy, my friends.  Mentally and physically,

Ryan

Buffalo NY Fishing Report – Observations from 07/06 – 07/12/2026

Here’s our latest Buffalo NY fishing report: This past week was one of those reminders that guiding is about far more than catching fish. I spent time with travelers from Virginia, Indiana, Maryland, South Carolina, and beyond, along with returning clients and local regulars. Some wanted a freezer full of walleyes, others simply wanted to experience Lake Erie, and several checked “first walleye” and “first smallmouth” off their bucket lists. The fishing remained outstanding, with limits coming quickly on most trips before we shifted gears to bass and freshwater drum or simply enjoyed the conversations and scenery. Aside from one maintenance day that kept me off the water, it was another memorable week filled with great people, plenty of laughs – the kind of fishing that makes a Lake Erie summer so special.

Days on the water: 6

Who we fished with: friends/clients

Where we fished: Lake Erie

What we caught:  walleye, smallmouth bass, freshwater drum

Tactics:  trolling worm harnesses, casting finesse baits

Detailed Reporting/Daily Observations

07/06/2026 – Fun with Falls Enthusiasts

Fished Lake Erie out of Buffalo, NY with Joe and Evie, who were visiting the Buffalo Niagara Region from Virginia. They were an absolute blast to fish with—and even better to spend the day with. They travel the country in search of waterfalls big and small and enjoy wetting a line wherever they go, so we had plenty of stories (and travel tips) to exchange.

Since they weren’t interested in keeping fish, I put them on what I call the Lake Erie Summer Trifecta: a pile of walleyes, followed by smallmouth bass and freshwater drum. It made for a fun day and a great way to experience everything Lake Erie has to offer this time of year.

07/07/2026 (morning) – Out with the Indiana Boys

Fished Lake Erie out of Buffalo, NY with Nick, Chris, and Corey. The guys were in town from Indiana for a Williams Syndrome convention—Chris and Corey’s sister was born with the condition—and wanted to spend a day exploring the lake.

Since they were traveling and bouncing between hotels, they weren’t interested in keeping fish. That made it the perfect opportunity to put them on the Lake Erie Summer Trifecta: walleyes, smallmouth bass, and freshwater drum. None of them had ever caught a walleye or a smallmouth bass before. We fixed that.

07/07/2026 (afternoon) – In Need of Fish for a Fry…and then Some

Fished Lake Erie out of Buffalo, NY with Jim, Dave, and Larry. The guys needed some walleyes for a fish fry, and I was happy to help make that happen. They put together a quick limit – it was chaotic and blood lust kicked in so I didn’t take many photos. 

We followed that up with a drop-shot session for smallmouth bass and freshwater drum. The bass didn’t cooperate, but the drum certainly did.

07/08/2026 (morning) – “Want a Water?”   “No, a Shotgun”

Fished Lake Erie out of Buffalo, NY with Ed, Don, and Greg (Don’s son). I’ve been fishing with Ed for a few years now, usually with his kids, Kristina and Matt. Every summer, though, he likes to stock the freezer with walleyes, so he rounds up a few friends and makes it happen.

This crew was hilarious—as is usually the case when Ed’s on the boat. Don, a retired teacher in his 80s, had stories for days and an outstanding sense of humor. One thing I’ve noticed over the years is that when I’m fishing with folks over 55 or 60, the conversation almost always turns to health and getting older. Don’s the kind of guy who’s aging gracefully, and it shows. We hammered walleyes, shared plenty of laughs, and had a great morning on the water.

Unfortunately, I spent so much time laughing and netting fish, I failed to take many photos.  Here’s a couple though. 

07/08/2026 (afternoon) – In Town from MD

Fished Lake Erie out of Buffalo, NY with Joe, Kelly, and Joey.  Kelly grew up in Lackawanna so they were in town visiting family.  Joey is an avid angler back home in MD so mom and dad wanted to get him on the water while in town. 

Keeping fish wasn’t on the agenda.  So, it was another excellent opportunity for a Lake Erie Summer Trifecta.  Good times – especially when Kelly yelled, “oh shit,” every time a drum started ripping drag.   

07/09/2026 – Riverborn Fishing Co Assist

Fished Lake Erie out of Buffalo, NY with Shawn, Ethan, and Jenny. Mike Trifiletti of Riverborn Fishing Company brought me in for this trip. The crew was in town for a funeral after losing an uncle. They’re a large, close-knit family, and more than 50 relatives made the trip.

Shawn had fished Lake Erie before and knew what the fishery had to offer, so the plan was simple: catch enough walleyes to feed the family. We did exactly that.

It was one of those sessions where the conversation flowed, the fish started cooperating almost immediately, and the hours disappeared. They headed home with plenty of walleyes for a big family fish fry.  Awesome morning!

07/10/2026 – Maintenance Day

I had a trip scheduled, but the forecast in the days leading up to it called for heavy rain. Since my client was local, I asked him to pick a backup date just in case.

As it turned out, the weather didn’t end up being a problem.  However, a couple of urgent maintenance items popped up on the boat and truck that needed immediate attention. Thankfully, the crew was flexible and willing to reschedule, giving me the time I needed to get everything repaired before heading back on the water.

07/11/2026 – No “Gamble” – Action Very Likely

Fished Lake Erie out of Hanover, NY with Kevin, Stephanie, Max, and Cole. I fished with Stephanie and her boys last summer, and they had such a good time they wanted to come back for another walleye trip.

Originally, it was just supposed to be Kevin and the boys. When I talked to Stephanie a couple of days beforehand, though, she admitted she was disappointed she couldn’t go because I only take three anglers. I decided it wouldn’t be the same without her, so I made one of my rare exceptions and took four, knowing this was the kind of crew that would handle the extra chaos just fine.

A quick aside: I only take three anglers for a reason. My boat is just shy of 22 feet, and while there are enough seats for five people, there’s simply not enough room for five people to fish comfortably. Three anglers is the sweet spot. Everyone has space to work, nobody’s tripping over each other, and the boat fishes efficiently. I’ve taken plenty of foursomes over the years, and more often than not, they’re not nearly as enjoyable. Every once in a while, though, I’ll make an exception. This was one of those times.

We launched into bigger waves than expected thanks to a stiff northeast wind and absolutely hammered walleyes. There were a couple of slow stretches, but they were always followed by doubles—and even a triple. It was a classic summer walleye session: moments of calm, bursts of chaos, and a cooler full of fish to carry them well into the winter. Awesome day.

07/12/2026 – Oh, How I Miss that Southern Accent

Fished Lake Erie out of Buffalo, NY with Young and Cindy, who were in town from South Carolina. A quick aside—I spent most of my adult life in the South before moving back to New York to start my charter business.  Most Yankees would have a hard time understanding folks from the deep south.  Personally, I love the way they speak – passionate, deliberate, always with a story attached.  I can listen to that accent for hours and be captivated.  Young and Cindy were no exception – they were an absolute pleasure to spend the day with.

Through a program started by their church, they’ve been making trips north to help repair churches in need. Whenever they travel, they make a point of fitting in a little fishing on the front or back end of the trip. A few years ago, they fished Lake Erie out of Ohio, fell in love with walleye fishing, and have wanted to come back ever since. So when Young called and asked if I could help fill his freezer, I was happy to oblige.

They did their part. In fact, they caught their limit so quickly that we had plenty of time left in the day. Instead of heading straight back, I gave them a little tour of the Buffalo waterfront and surrounding area while we swapped stories about our travels. It was a great way to wrap up an excellent day.

Seasonal Assessment/General Observations

Buffalo NY Fishing Report – Forecast for 07/13/2026 – 07/19/2026

It looks like another outstanding week for walleye fishing. The wind may be a factor a day or two, but nothing that should keep us off the water. There’s also a chance of a passing shower here and there, but nothing that looks particularly concerning.

The gold mining will continue all week, and I’ve got a full docket with a great mix of new clients and long-standing regulars. I’m looking forward to another week of good fishing, good conversation, and plenty of walleyes. Stay tuned.

Stay healthy, my friends.  Mentally and physically,

Ryan

Buffalo NY Fishing Report – Observations from 06/29 – 07/05/2026

Here’s our latest Buffalo NY fishing report: The first week of July brought plenty of variety—and plenty of heat.  Between family trips with my nephews, birthday fishing, two days of fly-fishing sessions, and a reunion with a pair of salmon anglers learning to embrace the slower pace of walleye fishing, there was never a dull moment. The fish cooperated, limits were the norm, and one memorable photo opportunity even turned into a quadruple. If there was one consistent theme this week, it was simple: start early, beat the heat, and let the walleyes do the rest.

Days on the water: 6

Who we fished with: friends/clients

Where we fished: Lake Erie, Upper Niagara, Lower Niagara

What we caught:  walleye, smallmouth bass, freshwater drum

Tactics:  trolling worm harnesses, casting finesse baits, casting flies

Detailed Reporting/Daily Observations

06/29/2026 – Out with the Nephews

Fished Lake Erie out of Buffalo, NY with my nephews Mason and Gabriel and their friend Reese.  I like to get the boys out a couple times a year and this was our first outing.  They brought Reese along who had never caught a walleye before.

It was a grindy bite – super calm, HOT, and very buggy.  The further offshore we went, the better the bite got.  I ended up further offshore than I’ve ever gone out of Buffalo, NY.  I might as well have launched from Sturgeon Point or the Catt. 

We eventually caught our limit and went drumming.  Then I went home and scraped all the dead gnats from my seats and hull. 

06/30/2026 – Birthday Session with Clan Jarosz

Fished Lake Erie for walleyes out of Hanover, NY with the Whisperer, the Silent Assassin, and Captain America.  I always fish on my birthday (big 48 this year) – and it’s always good.  This one was no different.  We solved the world’s problems and caught walleyes along the way. I had the Whisperer home in time for his afternoon nap. The one picture I took came out blurry.  I thought I got all the blood off of the lense – I guess not.   

07/01/2026 – Fly Fishing (and ROASTING) with Chris – Day 1

Fished the Upper Niagara with Chris.  You might remember him from a report back in March.  He’s a fly or die kind of angler and an excellent caster.  Being new to the area and about to pick up a boat, he wanted to dabble with some drum and post spawn smallies on the fly. 

The bass bite was non-existent.  The drum cooperated though. 

Oh yeah, it was windy and ridiculously HOT.  We were baking out there by late morning.  Thankfully we started early and ended early.  Still, when I got to my truck at the end of our session, the temperature reading was over 90 degrees. 

07/02/2026 – Fly Fishing (and ROASTING) with Chris – Day 2

Fished the Lower Niagara with Chris.  It was another fly fishing session.  This time, we focused on smallies.  He made more than a handful of connections throughout the day.  Nearly all were visual takes.  It was cool watching those fish emerge from the weeds and T-bone flies.  

07/03/2026 – Bro and Sis Sesh in Pursuit of Gold

Fished Lake Erie for walleyes out of Hanover, NY with Robin and Terry. I had fished with Robin a couple of times a few years ago, and she impressed me with her angling skills. We finally got back on the water together—this time with her brother.

Neither of them had fished for walleyes in decades, as both are avid salmon anglers living near Lake Ontario. They brought the same intensity to walleye fishing that they use for salmon. More than a handful of times, I had to remind them, “Relax! This isn’t salmon fishing.”

Eventually, they settled into the “walleye vibe” and put together their limit in short order. It was an excellent session with steady action from start to finish. At one point, I was getting ready to take a photo of a double – that turned into a quad.  Summer walleye chaos at its best. 

Thankfully, they’re both early risers, so we hit the water at 6:00 a.m. and were off the lake before the wind and heat really kicked in.

07/04/2026 – 4^th of July

I had a client on the docket, but we opted to reschedule.  It worked out well – I ended up attending my 30-year high school reunion the night prior.

I needed the day off anyway.  I think all the heat throughout the week fried my brain a little bit. 

07/05/2026 – Another Gold Mining Sesh with New Clients

Fished Lake Erie for walleyes out of Hanover, NY with Maddie (daughter), Dan (son in law), and Darrin (dad). 

It was another classic Catt session.  I went out to 70’ – deployed baits – and caught the hell out of walleyes for a few hours.  The team – a doctor, an engineer, and a lawyer – caught on quickly and did very well. 

Weirdly, it was one of those days where it wasn’t chaotic – just a steady bite all morning.  Although I generally prefer chaos, it was nice chatting and netting fish at a consistent pace for once.  

Seasonal Assessment/General Observations

Buffalo NY Fishing Report – Forecast for 07/06/2026 – 07/12/2026

If the forecast holds for this upcoming week, we’ll get a small reprieve from the heat.  Rain will make an occasional appearance, but not enough to be a deterrent. Wind might pose a small issue here and there, but only if you go out in the afternoon – even then it looks manageable

I’ll be out daily.  Walleyes will be the primary target but I’ll check in on the bass and drum too.  Stay tuned!     

Stay healthy, my friends.  Mentally and physically,

Ryan