Buffalo NY Fishing Report – Observations from 11/02 – 11/08/2026

Here’s our latest Buffalo NY fishing report:  This past week was a true test of adaptability, marked by a weather-packed mix of brutally clear water, high winds, rain, and a much-needed late-week weather day that finally brought some stain back into the system. Fishing across both the Upper and Lower Niagara—and leaning heavily on the Lake Ontario bar when conditions allowed—meant grinding through plenty of slow stretches, but it also delivered some fantastic late-day flurries and unexpected bass action with returning clients and new faces alike. While Mother Nature kept us on our toes and forced a few tough calls, the week served as a great reminder of why I guide: it’s never just about mindless catching, but rather creating a memorable, well-rounded experience complete with a little adversity, exploration, and a strong finish.

Days on the water: 5

Who we fished with: friends/clients

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

What we caught:  smallmouth bass, walleye, lake trout, steelhead

Tactics:  casting finesse baits; drifting live bait and beads

Detailed Reporting/Daily Observations

11/02/2026 – Lower to Upper Combo

Fished the Lower and Upper Niagara with Jim and Seth. It was a gorgeous day—warm temperatures, sunny skies, and almost no wind. Wonderful weather to be on the water, but not ideal fishing conditions with water clarity exceeding 20 feet of visibility. We spent a few hours pursuing trout with marginal results.

We followed that up with some bass fishing downstream, which was also a grind. So, I pulled the boat and made the move to the Upper Niagara, where we hit a couple of honey holes and finished the day in a flurry. That worked out well.

11/03/2026 – Upper Niagara 360 Program

Fished the Upper Niagara with longtime clients Fritz, Mike, and Tom, who were back in town for a few days after a two-year hiatus. I was happy to see this trio again, but Mother Nature wasn’t particularly interested in cooperating for the reunion. Ridiculously clear water and less-than-ideal winds from a couple of directions proved to be significant obstacles to productivity.

We executed the 360 program around Grand Island and found flurries of action throughout the day, but nothing consistent.

11/04/2026 – Lower Niagara and the Bar

Fished the Lower Niagara and the Lake Ontario bar with Fritz, Mike, and Tom. We started the day upriver, targeting anything that would bite, with the hope that a few walleyes would be part of the mix. We got a couple of waldos, but what really surprised me was the bass bite. It was excellent, and I must admit I’ve never spent much time targeting them up there this time of year. It was a lot of fun, and we landed some quality fish.

After a couple of hours drifting bait, we pushed downstream in pursuit of trout. That bite was, once again, a grind. So, we headed even farther downstream to target bass. We made a few connections, but the action was inconsistent at best.

11/05/2026 – Lower Niagara and the Bar   

Fished the Lower Niagara and the Lake Ontario bar with Fritz, Mike, and Tom. Facing STIFF SW winds, we really had no other option than to fish the Lower again. However, with gusts approaching 30 mph, it would prove to be a much tougher day than the one prior.

We started off trout fishing and picked up two fish and dropped another during the first two drifts. After that, the grind ensued. Like me, the guys prefer action over seemingly mindless perseverance, so we spent some time experimenting with other options throughout the river. We picked up fish here and there, but nothing noteworthy—until we made it out to the bar.

It took a couple of drifts to dial things in, but once we did, we got into a healthy dose of bass action. The waves were big out there (the way I like them), and the fish were stacked up in a narrow zone. So, we built a bracket around that area and hit it repeatedly until the end of the day.

11/06/2026 – Weather Day

Facing NW winds and consistent rain throughout the day, I opted to reschedule my trip.  I was happy to have the day off after another long stretch of days.  I spent the day running a lot of errands and checked out the water after the prior day’s wind.  I was happy to see that it picked up some stain.  FINALLY—an end to ridiculously clear water.   

11/07/2026 – Upper Niagara 360 Program

Fished the Upper Niagara with Brian, Steve, and Jared. With sporadic rain, a significant drop in temperature, and a NW wind in the forecast, I gave the guys the option to reschedule. I was happy to hear they were willing to go for it. In fact, I was pretty pumped to see how the newly stained water would impact the fishing.

The day started off excellent. We landed numerous fish shortly after first light, and I was optimistic that things would continue in that fashion. Unfortunately, they didn’t. We spent much of the day grinding through areas around Grand Island. Every zone produced, but only a fish or two here and there. I could find consistent action in just a couple of places, so after spending time prospecting, we settled into those productive zones and bent rods consistently to close out the day.

ASIDE: You might be wondering why I wouldn’t just stay in those productive areas all day. There are a few reasons. 

First, it’s mindless and boring to me. When an area is on fire, I’m happy to bend rods there for a while, but before long, it starts to feel a little gluttonous.

Second, I think people who book fishing charters should get an experience, not just a day of catching fish. Spending seven hours in the same mile or less of water, especially when the scenery isn’t all that great, doesn’t make for much of an experience in my opinion. 

Finally, if you soak an area for too long, the fish get beat up and eventually shut down, especially when multiple boats are working the same water. That’s another reason I believe it’s important to keep searching for other productive zones.

Most of the time, that search turns up something awesome. At the very least, it’s always educational.

This is my personal philosophy on guiding, shaped by years of experience—not only taking people fishing but also fishing with numerous guides around the country. I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what makes a day on the water worthwhile beyond the number of fish caught.

I want to explore, learn, adapt, expose clients to different water, and give each day some shape. Sometimes that means leaving fish to find more fish. Sometimes it means accepting a slower stretch because the alternative doesn’t deliver the experience I want to provide.

There are certainly legitimate arguments for the opposite approach. Some clients measure a successful charter almost entirely by numbers. Some guides specialize in putting clients on as many fish as possible, and there’s nothing inherently wrong with that. But that’s not the experience I’m trying to create.

The part that’s most important to me is the arc of the day. I want some excitement early on, followed by a little struggle or adversity, then the challenge of figuring things out, and hopefully, something memorable to finish. I’m thinking about the experience while it’s happening, not just managing rods and trying to maximize catches.

Ultimately, contemplating the experience and trying to create it is what makes me who I am as a guide. It’s what I enjoy, what challenges me, and what keeps me invested in this business. I don’t expect every guide to operate this way, and I don’t expect every client to value the same things. But after years of doing this, I’ve come to understand that this is the kind of experience I want to deliver.

11/08/2026 – Day Off

I had a trip on the docket for this day, but out of an abundance of caution, we decided to reschedule. The forecast called for WSW winds gusting into the upper 30s. That much wind severely limits your options, regardless of where you fish.

Unfortunately, the wind showed up much later in the day than forecast. In hindsight, it would have been doable. It hurts to make a bad call like this, but thankfully, my clients were able to reschedule.

Seasonal Assessment/General Observations

Buffalo NY Fishing Report – Forecast for 11/09/2026 – 11/16/2026

Sure, we’re past peak foliage and there are more leaves on the ground than on the trees around here. However, Saturday was the first day of the season that truly felt like fall. My hands were cold, and tying knots got a little tough throughout the day with the reduced dexterity.

Looking at the forecast, it seems fall is here to stay. Daytime highs will occasionally break into the mid-50s, but most days will start off in the upper 30s and peak in the 40s. True to typical fall fashion, the wind is going to be an obstacle, and it looks like a lot of rain might pass through late in the week.

I’m booked daily, but I doubt I’ll fish every single day unless my clients are hardcore enough to brave the harsh conditions. Based on what I’m hearing about the Lower Niagara, though, anyone who goes for it will be rewarded. I’m also holding out hope that the forecast beyond 72 hours will be way off—like it has been all season.

If you’re on the docket for this week, be ready for some last-minute calls. Nothing in the forecast is unsafe—every day is fishable. It’s just that every day might not be entirely “enjoyable.” Then again, glory often favors the bold. I’m ready to go if you are.

Stay healthy, my friends.  Mentally and physically,

Ryan

Buffalo NY Fishing Report – Observations from 10/26 – 11/01/2026

Here’s our latest Buffalo NY fishing report:  Another seven days straight on the books! October ’26 was my best October yet in terms of days on the water and earnings. A big thank-you to all my clients who fished with me last month. It was a ride.  Last week brought another gorgeous stretch of weather, with mild temperatures, sunny skies, and only a few wind obstacles along the way. I spent most of the week bass fishing, with some walleyes and trout mixed in. Clear, warm water has been the biggest obstacle lately. I’ve been able to see the bottom in over 20 feet of water, and when you combine that with sunny skies and windless days, you’ve got some challenging conditions.  Despite those obstacles, every day was productive. Once again, I managed to fish my way from Erie to Ontario and have a little something to report from all of them this week.

Days on the water: 7

Who we fished with: friends/clients

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

What we caught:  smallmouth bass, walleye, lake trout

Tactics:  casting finesse baits; drifting live bait and beads

Detailed Reporting/Daily Observations

10/26/2026 – Another Relaxing Day on the Water

Fished Lake Erie with the Whisperer and the Silent Assassin.  The goal was to cover ground, see what’s going on out there, and hopefully pick up some walleyes and perch along the way.  So, that’s what we did.

We had perfect conditions at first – 2′ or less waves and a nice drift speed.  Unfortunately, it was a grind out there.  Still, we had a good time solving the world’s problems as we always do.  The guys caught enough food for a couple meals/to top off the winter stockpile.  No pictures taken.

10/27/2026 – Jim and Ryan (Day 1)

Fished the Upper Niagara with new clients Jim and Ryan, who were in town from Ohio. We had nearly perfect conditions: light winds, bluebird skies, and cool temperatures. Wonderful weather for a day on the water. However, that might’ve been part of the problem.

We executed the 360 program around Grand Island with lackluster results. Don’t get me wrong—we caught a good number of fish, but compared to what I’ve experienced lately, it was a tough day.

I’m not sure why. The guys were good anglers, so that wasn’t the issue. The only explanation I can come up with is the water clarity. I could see the bottom in over 20 feet of water. We had a stiff WSW wind the day prior, but overnight, it shifted to the east. By the time we launched, water levels had dropped nearly two feet from the previous day, and the water was SUPER CLEAR. It was a classic big seiche rebound setup.

My guess is the fish were a little apprehensive about having a big object floating overhead, especially after a couple of weeks of fishing pressure.

Oh well. The guys were fun to spend a day on the water with.

10/28/2026 – Jim and Ryan (Day 2)

Fished the Lower Niagara with Jim and Ryan. When folks are in town for a couple of days in the fall, I try to spend at least one day on the Lower. It’s incredibly beautiful down there, and the guys got to enjoy peak fall foliage as a backdrop throughout the day.

The bite started off well. Jim landed a nice walleye and dropped a very nice steelhead on his very next cast. Ryan also hooked a steelhead but lost it. At that point, I thought we were in for an action-packed day. Unfortunately, that’s not how it worked out.

There was just enough of a north wind to make everything downriver from the boat launch tough to fish, so we stayed upriver and went to work. The guys kept their heads in the game all day and were rewarded a few times, but it was a grind.

It hurts when guys come to town for a couple of days and have to work hard for their bites. Thankfully, Jim and Ryan are anglers. They know how it goes sometimes.

10/29/2026 – Freshman Adventure   

Fished the Lower Niagara with Emily, Braxton, Brandon, and Teddy. The boys wanted to catch something big, so we gave it a shot. They’re all freshmen in high school and passionate young anglers, but they were brand new to the Lower Niagara bottom-bouncing game. Accordingly, I spent the first hour sharpening their skills before we entered the gauntlet.

Facing a stiff SW wind, we were constrained to areas upriver from the boat launch.  Well, we spent most of the day upriver, but made a quick trip toward Lake Ontario just to see how wild it was down there.  The wind howled and the current speed was…prohibitive.  We made one short drift in a somewhat sheltered area caught a few smallies. 

It was a tough go for the boys. Bottom bouncing the Lower Niagara isn’t an easy skill to learn on your first outing, especially when you only have an hour to get the hang of it before getting after the fish. Still, they kept their heads in the game and made a few connections throughout the day. Emily, Braxton’s mother, rode in the passenger seat, cheering the boys on while keeping me entertained with some adult conversation.

I’ll give the boys a lot of credit. They never lost their patience or got frustrated. It was a tough outing, but they learned a lot and walked away with a greater appreciation for what it takes to fish the Lower Niagara well this time of year.

10/30/2026 – Not the Same—but Still Awesome

Fished the Upper Niagara with Justin and Jeff. I fished with these brothers for the first time last fall, when their father, Joe, joined us as well. We had a blast. All three were good anglers, and we caught some big fish and great numbers. They had so much fun that they scheduled another trip for the same time this year.

Unfortunately, Joe got sick over the winter. He’s been battling cancer and couldn’t make the trip. As the date approached, the boys were hesitant to go without him, but Joe insisted they go for it, with one caveat: they had to send him pictures throughout the day.

I wasn’t thrilled with the conditions we faced—a stiff but manageable NW wind. Anyone who fishes around here knows that a NW is one of the toughest winds to deal with in the region. It nearly halts the current in much of the river and kicks up big waves on both Erie and Ontario. There are a few places to tuck away from it, but those spots are few and far between. Still, good anglers can make it work, and thankfully, these brothers had the skills to do just that.

I executed the full 360 program, and the guys hammered throughout the day. We hit a couple of spots that were only marginally productive, but overall, the bass were cooperative. Pictures of doubles and a couple of biggies went to Joe throughout the day.

It wasn’t the same without him, but the guys enjoyed themselves. It gave them a respite from the stress of watching someone they love suffer.

10/31/2026 – Halloween Session

Fished the Lower Niagara with Jay, Jesse, and Joe. Jay has been a client of mine for over eight years. He, Chris, and Nick are the usual crew, but Chris and Nick had to bail on this trip, so Jay brought along his two cousins. Thankfully, they knew their way around a rod and reel and were an absolute blast to fish with.

The weather was gorgeous, and being a Saturday, there were plenty of boats out. Unfortunately, there weren’t a lot of fish around to keep that many boats engaged. We picked away at the trout for a few hours in the upriver sections before following that up with some bass fishing downstream.

Although it was a slowish day, we still had a blast. There was nonstop conversation and plenty of ball-busting. Oddly enough, Jay—the guy with the most experience fishing down there—had the lowest catch rate, despite fishing the best all day long. That, of course, kept him squarely in the line of fire for ridicule.

Non-stop laughs.  Fun day!

11/01/2026 – Terry Session

Fished the Upper Niagara with longtime friend and client Terry. I’ve been fishing with him for over eight years, and we always have a blast. Over the past couple of years, I’ve watched him get younger rather than older by making some significant changes in his life. Improvements to his diet, nutrition, and exercise routine have helped him markedly improve his health. It’s been great watching him put in the work.

It was a feast-or-famine kind of day. We caught fish nearly everywhere we went, but only a few zones were really active. Numbers were OK, and size was good. Still, the combination of super-clear water, bluebird skies, and next to no wind made for suboptimal conditions and a tougher day than I would have liked.  

Seasonal Assessment/General Observations

Buffalo NY Fishing Report – Forecast for 11/02/2026 – 11/08/2026

The forecast looks OK. Every day should be fishable, although some will present more challenges than others. As usual, wind will create problems here and there, but nothing particularly problematic appears to be in store.

I’m booked daily and expect to fish every day. Most of the week will be spent on the river, although I may dabble on Erie toward the end of the week, depending on conditions.

Smallmouth bass will be the primary target, with some trout on the side. I’m confident the bass fishing will remain strong, especially if we get some color in the water. My bet is that the trout fishing will improve as the week progresses, but only marginally. I’ve got a lot of skilled anglers on the docket, so they’ll make it happen.

Stay healthy, my friends.  Mentally and physically,

Ryan

Buffalo NY Fishing Report – Observations from 10/19 – 10/25/2026

Here’s our latest Buffalo NY fishing report:  It was a productive week with plenty of variety. Despite a couple of way-off forecasts, I managed to fish Lake Erie, the Upper and Lower Niagara, and the Lake Ontario Bar catching bass, lakers, and walleyes along the way. The Upper Niagara bass bite was strong on every outing with a few biggies and ridiculous numbers. Lake Erie action came in flurries, but we landed plenty of walleyes and lakers on every session. Best of all, I finally got to run my full 360 program on the Upper Niagara and explore some new water I’ve wanted to fish for years.  The fall frenzy is nigh folks, it’s been awesome so far and it’s only going to get better.

Days on the water: 6

Who we fished with: friends/clients

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

What we caught:  smallmouth bass, king salmon, walleye, lake trout

Tactics:  casting finesse baits; drifting live bait; trolling spoons

Detailed Reporting/Daily Observations

10/19/2026 – Another Off Forecast

Fished Lake Erie and the Upper Niagara with the Whisperer and the Silent Assassin. The plan was to go perch fishing, as the forecast called for waves of 1’ or less. These guys have been nudging me to give perch fishing a shot for years, and I finally caved, especially with such an ideal forecast.

Unfortunately, when we got out on Erie, consistent 3’+ waves were rolling. We set up on the first spot, and the Whisperer hooked up immediately. Then, nothing for a long time.

I said something along the lines of, “I don’t know much about perch fishing, but what I do know is that it’s tough when there are big waves.” The guys concurred, so we moved to the river to do some bass fishing. That bite was picky at first, but after a little hunting, we got into them.  

10/20/2026 – “Leave the Bait at Home”

Fished the Lower Niagara and Upper Niagara with new clients, Keith and Jason, who were in town from PA. When I spoke with Keith the night prior, I gave them two options: fish for lakers and walleyes out of Barcelona, NY, or target smallmouth bass in the Niagara River. Keith said they prefer fishing with rod in hand, ideally casting. I explained that smallmouth bass would be their best bet, but I fish bait a lot this time of year because it’s far more productive. Keith told me I could leave the bait at home. Both he and Jason were competent anglers who just needed a little orientation to make it happen.

Over the years, I’ve had clients book trips and tell me they’re good anglers, only to discover after a few minutes of fishing that they’re not. That’s not a problem—I adjust the plan for the day accordingly. But it does happen. I explained this to Keith, and he assured me I wouldn’t have to worry about them. He was right.

These guys were excellent anglers and willing to cover a ton of water and explore throughout the day. We caught fish everywhere we went, prospecting with blade baits and hooking up often. It was a blast and made me feel like I was fishing the Upper Niagara in the fall for the first time.

10/21/2026 – Something New to Do

Fished Lake Erie out of Barcelona Harbor, NY, with Steve and Alex. If you’re a regular reader of these reports, you’ve seen their faces many times. These guys like catching big trout and salmon, and we usually cast cranks in Devil’s Hole this time of year. However, with the salmon bite up there all but dying off last week, I offered them a Barci experience. They had never been there before and were all about a new experience.

The bite was good for both lakers and walleyes, but it came in waves. We’d go long periods without action, followed by a stretch of chaos. We caught some beastly specimens of both species.

10/22/2026 – My New Happy Place in the Fall   

Fished the Upper Niagara with new clients Alan, Jarod, and Shane. Alan organized the trip to treat a couple of his clients and friends to a day on the water. The forecast looked perfect, so the plan was to execute the 360 program on the Upper Niagara—hitting spots around the entire circumference of Grand Island. I’ve wanted to do this all October, but strong winds have prevented it. I was stoked to finally run the program without any issues.

I’m happy to say we covered a ton of water and caught fish in every zone. I also fished three new areas I’ve wanted to explore in the fall for years, and we found plenty of fish in all three. I’ve said this a few times over the years in my reports, and I’ll say it again: nothing makes me happier while guiding around here than learning something new or catching a fish in a new place. It was an awesome day.

10/23/2026 – In Town from Philly

Fished Lake Erie out of Barcelona Harbor, NY, with new clients Peter and Steve. These buddies were in town from Philadelphia, PA, for the Sabres/Flyers game and wanted to do a little fishing while they were here. They don’t have many walleyes back home, nor do they have any lakers. Wanting to catch something new, Barci sparked their interest, so we made it happen.

Once again, action was spotty. We caught fish, but the bites came in flurries. For most of the morning, there was only a light chop out there—until around 11:30 a.m., when things started to change. Despite a forecast to the contrary, the waves grew to consistent 3-footers, with the occasional 4- to 5-footer. It got a little sporty out there, and considering we already had a very healthy box of fish, the guys decided to call it a bit early.

Note: the ramps at Barcelona Harbor will be out by the time you read this.  The cleaning station at the Buffalo Small boat harbor was open when I stopped there on the way home.  However, I don’t know how long that’ll last.  Also, the hoses at the washdown station by the ramp there are turned off—I wasn’t happy to find that out the hard way.

10/24/2026 – Last Minute Cancellation

One of the clients I had scheduled for this day called to tell me he had to get emergency surgery earlier that week.  Although he wanted to fish badly, he needed time to heal.  Although I really wanted to get back out there, I was also happy to have the day off.  I took the time to detail the boat, go to the gym, do some end-of-year inventory, etc. – you know, relaxing stuff.   

10/25/2026 – Post Wedding Relaxation

Fished the Upper Niagara with Bill, Derrick, and Derrick’s father, Sal. After Friday, Derrick is now Bill’s son-in-law. Derrick and Bill’s daughter got married near Seneca Lake, and Bill and Sal came to town for the wedding. The guys wanted to follow that up with a day on the water, and I was happy to make that happen.

I executed the full 360 program. The bite started off kind of grindy. We caught fish everywhere we went, but the action was sporadic at best. That all changed in the back half of the day—the crew rallied and managed to catch quality fish in excellent numbers. Although I wasn’t happy with the slow start, I’d rather finish strong than crush it early and end on a dud.

Gorgeous weather, plenty of action to go around, and a super-relaxing day. A wonderful session.  

Seasonal Assessment/General Observations

Buffalo NY Fishing Report – Forecast for 10/26/2026 – 11/01/2026

For the most part, the forecast for next week looks good. There are a couple of days when the wind will create some problems, but every day looks fishable. I’m booked daily and expect to be out every day.

Once again, I expect to fish Lake Erie, the Upper and Lower Niagara, and Lake Ontario. Bassing will take priority, but I’m confident we’ll get into some trout and walleyes at some point. Stay tuned!

Stay tuned!

Stay healthy, my friends.  Mentally and physically,

Ryan

Buffalo NY Fishing Report – Observations from 10/12 – 10/18/2026

Here’s our latest Buffalo NY fishing report:  This past week on the water was ABUSIVE, with wind and cold temperatures limiting our options almost daily. Still, it’s a testament to the region and my clients that we had solid action throughout.  The smallmouth bite in the upper and lower Niagara was consistent, we put together a nice box of walleyes on Lake Erie with some lake trout in the mix, and despite tough conditions, good times were had daily. Well, one day of nasty weather finally forced me off the water, and after 14 days straight, I wasn’t complaining. Through it all, my clients were game for the adventure, and we made the most of what Mother Nature gave us.

Days on the water: 6

Who we fished with: friends/clients

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

What we caught:  smallmouth bass, king salmon, walleye, lake trout

Tactics:  casting finesse baits; drifting live bait and skein; trolling spoons

Detailed Reporting/Daily Observations

10/12/2026 – Danny and Jen Day 2

While we were wrapping up our smalljaw session the day prior, Danny mentioned that if conditions allowed us to target something different the following day, they’d be up for an adventure. I suggested lakers and walleyes. Aside from the fact that catching both in the same session is awesome, it would shave about an hour and a half off their commute back to Ohio. Both said that sounded like a blast.

So, we met at Barcelona Harbor, NY, and went for it. In typical fall fashion, the lake forecast was off—Lake Erie was rolling out there, far bigger than predicted. Nothing too crazy, but it wasn’t comfortable.

After hunting for a bit, we got into some lakers, mostly small ones. Walleyes were fairly consistent throughout the morning. As the day went on, the lake got bigger and bigger, and the current was raging. Before I knew it, we were well on our way to Dunkirk. Not wanting to get too far from Barci, I pulled the lines and made our way back.

That ride was a wild one. By the time we got in line with the harbor, I asked Danny and Jen if they wanted to keep fishing in those conditions. I told them I was totally down but wouldn’t be upset if they wanted to call it a half day. Fairly weary from what we’d endured up to that point, we made our way in.

Memories made, plus a box full of walleyes.

10/13/2026 – Let’s Go For It!

Fished the Lower Niagara and Upper Niagara with Larry, Jim, and Tom. This trio has fished with me for years and is always a riot—lots of ball-busting and trash-talking. I aspire to be that way with my friends when I get to their age, lol.

When I spoke with Larry the afternoon prior, I mentioned that it was going to be a tough outing. We’d be dealing with a huge south wind that would have the current raging.  IN other words, I gave them an out.  However, I followed that up by telling him that if they wanted to go for it, I was confident we’d do well. They were all in.

This is as good a place as any to mention that Larry likes to use his own rod and reel whenever possible. He’s got a Zebco Bullet spincast reel mounted on an Ugly Stik. I’ve made fun of him for using it in the past—you know, being a grown man and all. However, for some unknown reason, he excels with that rod compared to mine, so I allow it.

Anyway, despite the wind, we did very well, landing A LOT of smallies, including some nice ones.

10/14/2026 – Steve and Zan Day 1

Fished the Lower Niagara and Upper Niagara with Steve and Zan. We spent a couple of hours casting crankbaits and fishing skein for kings to no avail. So, we went downstream to see what we could make happen despite a consistent NW wind. Unfortunately, the bass bite downstream was a grind.

I moved to the Upper Niagara and covered some ground. The bite was picky there, too, but we closed out the day with a few nice fish.

10/15/2026 – Steve and Zan Day 2   

Fished Lake Erie out of Buffalo, NY, with Steve and Zan. Conditions were about as good as you could ask for—partly cloudy skies, slightly stained water, and a nice chop on the lake. We should’ve done well. Instead, it was a grind. I’m still scratching my head over this one.

We marked fish everywhere we went, but all we caught were small ones. Despite the cold, a steady NE wind, and a tough bite, the guys stayed in good spirits and gave it their all until we called it a day.

Days like this sting. You put in the effort, the guys are great, the conditions look good, and the fish just don’t cooperate. After a decade of chartering, a day like this still bothers me as much as it did when I started. That said, I’m thankful to have spent it with guys who understand that sometimes, that’s just how fishing goes.

10/16/2026 – Weather Day

Facing a huge SW wind and consistent rain, I opted to reschedule my trip for the day. I took the time to run errands and hit the gym. After 14 days straight, I was happy to spend a day off the water.

 Maybe I’m getting old, but I don’t remember getting this beat up by the weather in the fall. My memory is likely flawed, but the conditions I fished through over the prior two weeks felt more abusive than any stretch I can remember from previous falls.

You might notice in my pictures that I fished the same beat more than a handful of times. I covered a ton of water and didn’t spend much time in any one area, but in my defense, my options were limited.

I’ve mentioned this in previous reports, but no matter how wild the weather gets this time of year (within reason—I get it, that’s subjective, but the Warrior can take it), there’s always somewhere to tuck away. Unfortunately, I had to “tuck away” almost every day.

Anyway, all that abuse from the wind had me exhausted.  I forced a gym session—mainly to see how much it affected me.  I figured out that taking 2 weeks off of training at my age hurts.  Gotta re-balance

10/17/2026 – Greg and Tanner Day 1

Fished the Lower Niagara and Upper Niagara with Greg and Tanner. After six years of fishing with me, these guys have seen it all—insane bass sessions, as many walleyes as they wanted, kings through tempests, beautiful weather, and absolute grinds in horrendous conditions. Bottom line, they don’t cancel. They go for it no matter what, and it’s always a blast.

I called Greg a couple of days prior to let him know it was going to be another adventure and to dress for the worst. They’ve been in this situation before and were well prepared.

We faced 40-degree temps and a STIFF N wind that cut right through you. When that’s the hand you’re dealt around here, options are limited. We made the best of it, as per usual.  

10/18/2026 – Greg and Tanner (plus Nicki) Day 2

Fished the Upper Niagara with Greg, Tanner, and Tanner’s girlfriend, Nicki. As I mentioned above, these guys have been fishing with me for years. Nicki almost always comes up with them, but usually stays at the hotel to relax. Finally, the guys got her to join us, and I’m glad they did. We had a blast!

“Sometimes it’s a rock. Sometimes it’s a fish. If you’re lucky, it’s a potluck.” — Best line of the day, courtesy of Nicki. She’s not an angler, but she kept up with the guys and landed the biggest fish of the day. Of course—women outfish dudes every outing.

The photos say it all. It was an awesome session.

Seasonal Assessment/General Observations

Buffalo NY Fishing Report – Forecast for 10/19/2026 – 10/25/2026

I hesitate to comment on this in case I jinx it, but the forecast for this week looks wonderful. Wind, precipitation, and temperatures all look mild. It’ll likely be peak fall foliage, too. Get outside and enjoy it.

WNY weather is chaotic this time of year, but things eventually revert to the mean. What I mean by that is three-plus weeks of abusive weather is an anomaly. That trend always ends, and when it does, it’s usually followed by a long stretch of stable weather. If the forecast holds, that’s what we have in store.

I’m booked daily, and all my clients are solid. Unless something changes, I’ve got another seven-day stretch ahead, with plans to fish everything from Erie to Ontario at least once.

Stay tuned!

Stay healthy, my friends.  Mentally and physically,

Ryan

Buffalo NY Fishing Report – Observations from 10/05 – 10/11/2026

Here’s our latest Buffalo NY fishing report:  I want to send a huge thank you out to my clients from this past week-they fished through conditions that would keep most anglers inside. Wind made for challenging conditions, but we found ways to get it done across Lake Erie, the Upper and Lower Niagara, and the Lake Ontario Bar. The bass bite was excellent, including some giant smallmouth in rough conditions, while the walleye bite was tougher than expected despite plenty of fish and bait around. We also had a few shots at kings and got into some giant lakers. Fall fishing is in full swing, and there’s plenty to keep us busy.

Days on the water: 7

Who we fished with: friends/clients

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

What we caught:  smallmouth bass, king salmon, walleye, lake trout

Tactics:  casting finesse baits; drifting live bait and skein; trolling spoons

Detailed Reporting/Daily Observations

10/05/2026 – Rick and Von Day 1

Fished the Lower Niagara and Upper Niagara with Rick and Von. These guys have been fishing with me for a long time now and always crush it—they set the boat record for numbers of smallmouth last spring.

Facing a STIFF NW wind, the plan was to stay in the river and tuck out of it as best we could… except for one spot.

We spent about an hour and a half fishing for salmon in “the Hole” but didn’t get one. Then, we ventured to the Lake Ontario Bar. Consistent 5’+ waves greeted us, and I couldn’t have been happier to see them.

When it gets huge out there, the bass bite is incredible. It’s a roller coaster ride, but if you have the right constitution and can endure the chaos, you’ll be rewarded—and we were.

We hammered out there, landing numerous giants. We followed that up with a little recon on the Upper Niagara, where we caught a TON—mostly smaller fish, though.

Awesome Day 1 with these guys.

10/06/2026 – Rick and Von Day 2

Fished Lake Erie out of Hanover, NY with Rick and Von. After an awesome, albeit physically demanding, bass session, the guys wanted to try for some Lake Erie gold. I was all about it—I hadn’t fished walleyes in weeks, before the big temperature drop, and wanted to see what was going on out there.

I was pleasantly surprised by the number of walleyes and the amount of bait out there. I’ve never seen so many clouds of bait on Lake Erie. To my dismay, it was tough getting those walleyes to bite. We put our limit together, but the pace was nothing like it was during the summer.

Was I rusty? Doubtful. I know my baits were crossing numerous fish. Maybe, with the temperature drop and the presence of all that bait, they need to eat less, and what’s available to them is MORE than adequate to keep them satiated.

It was weird. We’d go long periods without a bite, and then they’d fire. If you failed to capitalize on that window (i.e., dropped a fish), you’d have to wait a long time for the next one.

We did everything we could and worked our asses off to put a box together. From what I hear from the old timers, that’s what walleye fishing used to be like.  I’m not going to say that I enjoyed getting humbled by those fish, but the sensation had me intrigued if I could pull off a better outcome on a session later in the season. 

10/07/2026 – Frank, Walt, and Oliver Day 1

Fished the Lower Niagara with Frank, Walt, and Oliver.  We started the day off with a couple hours in “the Hole” targeting kings.  We made a few connections. 

We followed that up with an excellent bass session down river.  Awesome first day of their trip.  

10/08/2026 – Frank, Walt, an Oliver Day 2   

Fished the Lower Niagara and Upper Niagara with Frank, Walt, and Oliver. The day prior, Oliver was the only one who didn’t connect with a king, so the guys wanted to give it another shot for a couple of hours in the morning. Unfortunately, they didn’t connect.

Wanting to cover some new water with the crew, we migrated to the Upper. We had an absolutely wild session up there. Facing huge SW winds, we were confined to only a handful of areas. Thankfully, there were PLENTY of fish around.

Awesome session.

10/09/2026 – Frank, Walt, and Oliver Day 3

Fished Lake Erie and the Upper Niagara with Frank, Walt, and Oliver. Again, wanting to fish a new area with the crew, we opted to hunt giants on Lake Erie. Unfortunately, we didn’t connect with any biggies before the wind kicked up. Facing increasingly large waves, we retreated to the shelter of the river and repeated what we did the day prior.

These guys were in town for three days, and every one of those days, the weather was inhospitable, to say the least. Wind nearly wrecked our plans daily. However, that’s what’s awesome about the Buffalo Niagara region in the fall. There’s always somewhere to get out of the worst of it and have a good time. I’m thankful these guys were ready and willing to endure a little hardship—it paid off.

10/10/2026 – Back to Barci

Fished Lake Erie out of Barcelona Harbor, NY, with Don, Colby, and Tanner. Tanner reached out back in the summer looking for a unique fall angling experience. I offered him what I think is one of the best times on the water in October—catching giant lakers and walleyes at the same time. He didn’t take much convincing.

It took me a little while to find the lakers, but once I got on them, the action was consistent. We spent a couple of hours catching these beasts, with the occasional walleye mixed in. With sore arms, the guys asked if we could switch over to walleyes, so that’s what we did.

The walleye bite was similar to what I experienced on Tuesday. There was plenty of bait and fish around, but the bite came in flurries. We connected with plenty over a couple of hours, but didn’t get our 24. That was a little heartbreaking, but considering we only spent a couple of hours getting after it, everyone was happy with the result.

10/11/2026 – Danny and Jen Day 1

Fished the Lower Niagara with Danny and Jen, who were in town for their 30th wedding anniversary. When Danny called me, he asked if we could target smallmouth bass. I told him not to tempt me with a good time—fall ‘jaws are my favorite pursuit. Since they were in town for a couple of days and staying in Lewiston, NY, I decided to fish the Lower on Day 1.

This couple was an absolute blast to spend time on the water with. We caught a ton of bass and traded married-couple stories all day. There was never a dull moment.

Seasonal Assessment/General Observations

Buffalo NY Fishing Report – Forecast for 10/12/2026 – 10/18/2026

Thanks to some hearty clients, I was able to fish seven days this past week despite the wind forcing many anglers off the water. That trend will continue this week.

Strong winds, rain, and temperatures near freezing are all in the forecast. Thankfully, I have more hardcore anglers ready to go. I’m booked daily and ready to fish—we’ll see what happens.

If all goes well, I’ll fish Lake Erie, the Upper, the Lower, and Lake Ontario, targeting bass, walleyes, lakers, and kings.

Stay tuned!

Stay healthy, my friends.  Mentally and physically,

Ryan

Buffalo NY Fishing Report – Observations from 09/28 – 10/04/2026

Here’s our latest Buffalo NY fishing report:  This week was a bit of a transition, both personally and on the water. I came home from vacation in a rather unpleasant fashion, then spent the week getting a feel for the changes brought on by Lake Erie’s temperature drop. The Lower and Upper Niagara both produced some solid bass sessions throughout the week. There was also a great opportunity to talk fishing from an anthropological perspective and some much-needed downtime before finishing the week with a couple of family-focused trips.  Weather is increasingly becoming a factor—it’s October folks.  There are a lot of hardcore anglers on the docket poised for chaos.  Time to get after it!

Days on the water: 5

Who we fished with: friends/clients

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

What we caught:  smallmouth bass

Tactics:  casting finesse baits; drifting live bait

Detailed Reporting/Daily Observations

09/28/2026 – Hellish Vacation Ender

I was supposed to fly home from my bro Brian’s house in Richmond, VA. That didn’t happen.

I boarded the plane in Richmond and sat on the runway for close to two hours. My connecting flight—LaGuardia, NYC—was in the center of that “Nor’easter” that hit the Northeast. Apparently, there were too many planes grounded on the runway, so there’d be nowhere for us to land.

I’m not sure why it took two hours to tell us that, but… anyway, we weren’t going to depart anytime soon.

That messed up my connection. The next available flight was at 9:30 PM. Fearing that would get canceled, too, I opted to get a refund for my flight, rent a car, and drive home. I had a free day with National, so I used it.

And yeah, I drove 9.5 hours home.

I’ve done the drive from Fredericksburg, Quantico, and Woodbridge too many times. It’s very painful. This drive? Add another 1.5 hours to the pain.

I got home at 11:14 PM.

09/29/2026 – Back at It

Fished the Lower Niagara and Upper Niagara with Scott, Brian, and Rich. Since it was my first day back from vacation, I wanted to cover a lot of water to get a sense of what I’d missed.

While I was gone, consistent NE winds caused Lake Erie to flip. The water temperature on our side of Lake Erie dropped over 10 degrees. Our fish tolerate some wild swings in temperature very well, but no cold-blooded creature reacts positively to that kind of temperature drop.

So, covering water is what we did. I wasn’t thrilled with the result. We caught fish, but it wasn’t on fire by a long shot. Maybe it was just an off day. Maybe they’re still settling into the colder temperatures. Maybe I was off my game.

Anyway, it felt good to be back out there—albeit a little frustrating at times. Great company, though!

09/30/2026 – Charity Tournament

Fished the Lower Niagara for Frank Campbell as one of 15 boats participating in a charity tournament supporting Casting for Dreams. I fished with Stan, Stan Jr., and Jim. The bass bite was OK—we caught a lot of fish, but MANY small ones.

I fished with these guys last year and was happy we were able to fish together again. They’re a blast to spend time on the water with. Non-stop conversation.

10/01/2026 – Anthropology and Fishing   

Fished the Upper Niagara with Sedonna, an anthropology PhD candidate at UCLA. She’s working on a project that’s trying to better understand anglers and angling across cultures—motivations, behavior, ethics, morality, conservation, etc. She’s been fishing with guides around the country and interviewing (and fishing with) them. I was her latest interview.

As those of you who fish with me know, all you need to do is introduce a topic, pull my string, and I’ll go for hours. Sedonna was a blast to talk with—and she knows her way around a rod and reel!

We caught many. Here are a couple photos of the bigger fish she caught.

10/02/2026 – Day Off

The clients I had scheduled for this day had to reschedule. It was just as well—it rained all morning, and I needed the time to sleep in. After driving 9.5 hours on Monday and getting only a handful of hours of sleep, followed by crappy sleep and a busy schedule for a few days, rest was in order.

So, I slept in, went to the gym, did laundry, cleaned the boat, did a tackle inventory—you know, the basics.

It felt great to recharge.

10/03/2026 – Back at it with Kristina and Crew

Fished the Lower Niagara with Kristina, Matt, and Dave. I’ve been fishing with this crew for a few years now. In that time, Kristina has lost nearly half her body weight. It’s been an awesome transformation to see, and I’m proud of what she’s accomplished. She’s all smiles these days, and I always have a blast with whoever joins her.

We tried kings in Devils Hole for a couple of hours. There were 15, sometimes more, boats up there. It almost felt like the twenty-teens, when the salmon bite used to be good.

I saw four or five connections to salmon during that period.  I’ll say this much—it’s certainly possible to have an awesome session targetting salmon on the Lower right now. However, your timing would have to be perfect. In other words, there’s a lot of luck involved. You could go up to “the Hole” and find that a fresh pod of fish just stopped there to rest…and there are only a couple of boats around. If that happens, you’ll slay. You could also go up there and find that very few are in there, plus there’s a dozen boats…and that doesn’t change for hours.

Bottom line, if you really want to connect with a king on the Lower Niagara, you have to be willing to grind. Something awesome will likely happen over the course of a day, but plan on putting in work to make that happen.

Enough of that rant.

Wanting to bend rods, we went bass fishing. They did very well. The sun was out, the weather was gorgeous, and the bass wanted to play.

10/04/2026 – Family Session

Fished the Lower Niagara with Bill, Jim, and Anna. I followed that up with another trip, this time with Bill, Brooke, and Matt. This warrants some explanation.

Last spring, Brooke and Anna, Bill’s daughters, purchased him a gift certificate to fish with me. Wanting to fish with both his daughters, plus Jim and Brooke’s husband, Matt, Bill asked me if I would be willing to do two half-day trips. I said yes, and that the Lower Niagara would be perfect for that.

The morning session was excellent—calm conditions and sunny skies. Action was consistent, and we had a blast.

I returned to the dock to pick up the second crew, and on my way downstream, I noticed some rain coming in from the west. The wind picked up, the clouds rolled in, it rained for a few minutes, and everything changed.

We caught fish, but it was a grind compared to the morning. Still, we had fun, and it was great getting Bill together with his daughters for the day.  

Seasonal Assessment/General Observations

Buffalo NY Fishing Report – Forecast for 10/05/2026 – 10/11/2026

We are in the thick of the fall pattern right now. Just a few weeks ago, I was able to fish seven days a week without weather being much of a consideration. That’s over. It’s that time of year when weather cancellations become a reality, and enduring a little bit of pain for big rewards becomes a couple-times-per-week situation. This upcoming week is no different.

Wind will be problematic a few of the days. The good thing about this time of year is that regardless of the wind, there’s always a place to fish where you can tuck out of the worst of it and still expect excellent action. That’ll surely happen this upcoming week.

I’m booked daily. I intend to spend time on Lake Erie, the Upper Niagara, the Lower Niagara and MAYBE Lake Ontario. I hope Mother Nature gives me the windows I need to make that happen.

Either way, expect to see some more bass action, some Lake Erie gold, and possibly a king or two.

Stay tuned!

Stay healthy, my friends.  Mentally and physically,

Ryan

Buffalo NY Fishing Report – Observations from 09/14 – 09/20/2026

Here’s our latest Buffalo NY fishing report: This week had a little bit of everything—big Lake Erie waves, excellent walleye and lake trout action, some good smallmouth fishing, and a trip back to the Lower Niagara. I also continued experimenting with the laker/walleye program out of Barcelona, including some excellent jigging. There were plenty of firsts for clients this week, along with some memorable fish and good conversations. One cancellation finally ended the September streak, but it gave me a chance to get some boat maintenance done and hit the gym.  The Autumnal equinox is upon us folks, let the fall insanity begin. 

Days on the water: 6

Who we fished with: friends/clients

Where we fished: Lake Erie, Lower Niagara

What we caught:  lake trout, walleye, smallmouth bass, freshwater drum

Tactics:  trolling worm harnesses, spoons, and stickbaits; casting finesse baits; vertical jigging; drifting live bait

Detailed Reporting/Daily Observations

09/14/2026 – Gold Mining Continues

Fished Lake Erie out of Hanover, NY with Mike and Mike, in town from Florida and Michigan. This father/son duo made the trip to the Buffalo-Niagara region to check out the Falls and do a little fishing. They wanted enough walleyes for a family fish fry that evening, and I told them I was confident we’d make that happen.

The lake was bigger than expected once we left the protection of the Catt. There was a stiff N wind blowing and consistent 1–3’ waves rolling out there. After a few minutes, Mike (the dad) remarked that he’d never been on the water in waves that big. He seemed somewhat excited about that idea. I replied that I do it all the time—it’s my favorite way to fish.

Weirdly, the bite started off super slow. We only landed a few fish in the first 45 minutes or so. There were plenty on the sonar, but only a handful of bites.

Then—chaos ensued, and we went on a tear.

Before we got our limit, the waves started to lay down. I proposed that we jig the last six fish, and the pace of that bite was just as fast as it had been earlier.  The calmer conditions also let us chat for a while and trade stories.  Conversation flowed and we caught fish throughout.  Awesome trip with great folks!

09/15/2026 – Day 1 with John and Friends

Fished Lake Erie out of Buffalo, NY with John, Paul, and Ken. The target was smallmouth bass, and we had near-perfect conditions for it—stiff wind out of the SE with just the right amount of chop.

We started in deep water, but the guys were having a hard time detecting bottom through the wind and waves cutting through the braided line. So, I made the move to shallower locations, and we got into them at a steady pace.

Numbers were excellent. Size was OK. Fun day getting out there in the waves, and we had the lake to ourselves. 

09/16/2026 – Day 2 with John and Friends

Fished Lake Erie out of Barcelona Harbor, NY with John, Paul, and Ken.  We started off targeting lake trout—that bite was excellent.  However, we didn’t land many big fish.  After wearing out the arms a little bit, we converted to walleye fishing.

We started off pulling worm harnesses for them.  That bite, as per usual, was consistent.  After we got close to our limit, we converted to jigging and closed out the day strong. 

After 2 days on the water, there were a lot of firsts for this crew.  John has been fishing with me for years and has caught everything there is to catch around here.  However, Paul caught his first bass and laker (and many more).  Ken caught his first walleye.  All had a blast and I’m thankful Mother Nature gave us good enough conditions to pull it all off.

09/17/2026 – Ernie Calandrelli Assist

Fished the Lower Niagara out of Fort Niagara with Turk, Chris, and Eugene. This was part of a multi-boat trip for Ernie Calandrelli. The goal was our limit of walleyes, so we got after it.

The crew was an absolute blast—conversation and ball busting flowed all morning long. Oh yeah, they landed some giants, too. It was the biggest box of nine walleyes I’ve ever put together.

I don’t spend much time on the Lower this time of year, as Erie commands my time and interest. Over the years—and this changes as the fishery changes—I’ve developed an annual pattern that works for me.

Folks always ask me what my favorite fish is to target or where I like to fish most around here. My favorite fish is a smallmouth bass—casting finesse baits for them is my favorite thing to do. However, I couldn’t—or wouldn’t—want to do that daily. My best response to the question is that variety is the spice of life for me. I like change.

I’ll be spending a lot of time on the Lower in the upcoming months. It’s showing signs of awesomeness already.

09/18/2026 – Choose Your Own Adventure

Fished Lake Erie out of Barcelona Harbor, NY with Dan, Jeff, and Brian. I fished with Dan and Jeff back in June—we landed our limit of walleyes and went bassing afterward. The day before this trip, I asked Dan what he wanted to do.

He said that he and Jeff still had some walleyes left over from the last trip, so they were interested in trying something new—with the caveat that it would be nice if we could get some walleyes, as Brian wanted to take a few home. My response was that I had just the itinerary: meet me at Barci and we’ll go giant hunting.

There was some BIG chop caused by ENE winds so the ride to the fish was adventurous to say the least.  The lake trout bite was ridiculous. We had at least four doubles and caught countless more. As I mentioned in last week’s post, I’m super careful with these fish and only take pictures sparingly in favor of keeping them wet and alive. Below is a small sample of what happened.

For all of them, these were the biggest fish they’d ever caught. After a few hours of this, with worn-out arms, we pivoted to walleye fishing. We jigged a couple and pulled harnesses for the rest.

Another awesome session out of Barci.

09/19/2026 – If it Ain’t Broke…

Fished Lake Erie out of Barcelona Harbor, NY with Jonathan, Darryl, and Zach. I fished with Jon and Zach for the first time back in April. That was a brutal day of bassing. The action was excellent, but the wind, rain, and cold froze our hands and caused us to end early. It was so cold that Jonathan couldn’t get his hand into his pockets to grab his wallet at the end of the day. I recommended that they book another day when it was warmer and that I’d take them on a different adventure.

So, we met at Barci and executed the laker/walleye multispecies program I’ve been doing lately. It was a gorgeous morning—light chop from an ENE wind, partly cloudy, and temperatures in the 60s. The laker bite was consistent. After a couple of hours, sore arms welcomed a change to walleyes.

The Waldo bite was OK—about a six-fish-per-hour pace. A lot of the fish were on the skinny side. There was no shortage of fish around, but for some reason, they were a little picky. Take that with a grain of salt, though—I’m comparing it to a summer of slaughter sessions.

It was a great day—a lot of firsts for the crew, plus biggest fish ever caught.

Making memories!

09/20/2026 – Sickness Cancellation

I was supposed to take out a father/son duo today.  However, the son called me the afternoon prior to tell me he’d been fighting a nasty flu all week and hadn’t recovered from it enough to enjoy a day on the water.  So, my September streak came to an end. I used the day off to detail the boat and hit the gym. 

Seasonal Assessment/General Observations

Buffalo NY Fishing Report – Forecast for 09/21/2026 – 09/27/2026

I’ll be out of town next week—taking a trip to VA to visit my bro Brian. We’ll likely fish Smith Mountain Reservoir and maybe some of the Shenandoah National Park creeks. It’ll be nice to take a small break before fall insanity gets into full swing.

The mornings have been chilly of late, and some of the sunrises have been incredible. Wind is a near-daily consideration. Every day that passes, I can feel anxiousness building around me (and internally if I’m honest). It’s hard to describe, but you can feel it when you’re outside every day. Anyway, my fall schedule is packed, and things are about to get really wild.  Stay tuned. 

Stay healthy, my friends.  Mentally and physically,

Ryan

Buffalo NY Fishing Report – Observations from 09/07 – 09/13/2026

Here’s our latest Buffalo NY fishing report: This week had a nice mix of family fishing, experimentation, and some excellent Lake Erie action. The walleye bite remains strong, and I’ve been spending more time experimenting with jigging, which looks like it will become part of the program. The lake trout action was especially good out of Barcelona, including some first-time deep-water jigging, and the fish were consistently healthy and robust. A few trips also provided the kind of time on the water that makes this job rewarding beyond just catching fish.

Days on the water: 6

Who we fished with: friends/clients

Where we fished: Lake Erie

What we caught:  lake trout, walleye, smallmouth bass, freshwater drum

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

Detailed Reporting/Daily Observations

09/07/2026 – Labor Day Fish Fry

Fished Lake Erie out of Buffalo, NY with Dylan and Colton. These boys are the sons of two of my closest friends. About a month ago, we planned a multi-family fish fry for Labor Day, with the boys and I responsible for harvesting the main ingredient that morning and bringing it home for a fresh-from-the-lake meal.

It was a gorgeous day—dead calm on the lake. We ran far offshore and got into fish almost immediately.  Everything was chunky. The walleyes hanging around the mid-60s seem to be eating a lot of perch, and that diet is making them thick and healthy.

We had an excellent meal that night, thanks in large part to the boys’ efforts on the water. They got plenty of high praise from the family.  It felt good catching dinner and eating it with a bunch of people you care about.

09/08/2026 – Poking Around with the Whisperer and Captain America

Fished Lake Erie out of Buffalo, NY with the Whisperer and Captain America. These guys fish with me often, and their freezers are already packed with walleye fillets. So, instead of adding to the stash, the goal for the day was to jig exclusively and see what happened.

When we set up, there was a light offshore breeze that had us drifting just under 1 mph. That allowed us to cover some water, and we started catching fish almost immediately. Then the wind died, the drift disappeared, and things turned into a grind.

A lot of folks have been jigging for walleyes lately to add a little challenge and, more importantly, get a better fight out of these deep-water fish. I’ve been hesitant to incorporate it into my program because what I’ve been doing is very effective—and I’m used to it.

But after fishing most of the summer one way, September is a good time to experiment, and I must admit—I’m sold. With the right conditions, jigging is an awesome way to catch deep-water walleyes. It’ll be part of the walleye program from here on out.

No pictures taken—all “eater” sized fish caught. 

09/09/2026 – Day Off

I wasn’t booked and the weather was kind of nasty – wind, waves, and rain.  So, I stayed off the water, hit the gym, and relaxed.  

09/10/2026 – Enjoying the Weather with the Whisperer

Fished Lake Erie out of Sturgeon Point with the Whisperer. My walleye supply was looking a little lean, and the Whisperer wanted to get out and enjoy a nice day on the water before heading off on a little vacation.

Quick aside—what exactly is “vacation” when you’re retired? There’s gotta be another word for it. A trip, maybe? Anyway, we decided to make a day of it.

We started off jigging and picked up a couple, but the fish weren’t stacked nearly well enough to make jigging particularly productive. So, we went back to my normal program and proceeded to hammer them.

No pictures. 

09/11/2026 – Back to Barci

Fished Lake Erie out of Barcelona Harbor, NY with Steve and Dan. I fished with these brothers for the first time back in March, when we ground out a day on the Lower Niagara in frigid temperatures. During that trip, they mentioned wanting to get into some big lake trout. I told them September on Lake Erie was an excellent time to make that happen.

It was a gorgeous day—calm, sunny, and not too hot. We got into lake trout immediately.  As soon as I sent the first rigger down, it got bit before I could even send the second one down. It was a frantic bite, and both brothers landed some quality fish within the first hour.

Feeling satisfied and confident, Steve asked if we could try jigging a few. I told him I’d never jigged for lakers in water this deep, but figured, why not—let’s give it a shot.

I joined them, and it wasn’t long before I hooked one. The brothers did the same, and we even had a few walleyes mixed in.

If you’ve been reading my reports for a while, you know I get giddy when I get to try something new—whether it’s a technique, a location, or just some goofy idea that might work. This was a lot of fun, and I’m thankful Steve and Dan were willing to give it a shot.

A quick note on targeting lake trout this time of year: It’s a blast, but unless you’re keeping fish, you need to be careful with them. These fish are coming up from below the thermocline—from roughly 50-degree water into 75-degree water—and they’re very stressed by the time you get them to the net.

Don’t muscle them up. Take your time and keep them in the water, even while unhooking them. If you want a picture, take it straight from the net, which should still be in the water. Quick snap, back into the water. The whole process should take less than 20 seconds.

Do that and they’ll swim away strong. Don’t, and there’s a good chance they’ll float away—and you’ve needlessly killed a fish that’s older than at least half the people reading this

09/12/2026 – Where’s Larry and Waldo

Fished Lake Erie out of Barcelona Harbor, NY with Owen, Jim, and Matthew. I’ve been fishing with Owen for at least six years. Until this day, we’d done just about everything that can be done around here—except Lake Erie lakers. So, that was the mission. Well, that, and Owen had a powerful lust for some Lake Erie gold.

There was a stronger-than-expected offshore wind kicking up waves big enough to occasionally roll over the stern. However, the lake trout were in a frenzy, and we did very well for the first couple of hours. Owen generously landed all the small fish and allowed Jim and Matthew to fight the bigger ones. Weirdly, we didn’t connect with any giants, but the numbers were excellent.

Feeling satisfied with the laker session, we converted to gold mining. That bite was surprisingly grindy compared to recent sessions. However, I likely feel that way after being spoiled by so many “quick box” sessions throughout the summer.

Quick side note: Matthew is a senior in college. He’s a late bloomer to angling but has become a huge fan of it. Everything he caught was bigger than anything he’d ever caught before. I love being part of memories like that.

09/13/2026 – Getting Deep – Mentally and Physically

Fished Lake Erie out of Hanover, NY with long-time clients and friends Matt, Natalie, and Rich. I’ve been fishing with Matt and Nat for over six years now, and we’ve gone on many different missions around the region. This time, Matt wanted to mine some Lake Erie gold, so we got after it.

The lake was WAY bigger than forecasted. Although it slowed us down getting into position, it didn’t hurt the bite at all. We absolutely hammered.

After boxing our limit, we hunted smalljaws for a bit. Unfortunately, that was a total dud. Not sure why. We marked plenty, but had few takers.

When I fish with Matt and Nat, conversations run wild. We cover everything from music, history, movies, and books to whatever else comes up. We got so deep into conversation today that time flew by.

Good times as usual.

Seasonal Assessment/General Observations

Buffalo NY Fishing Report – Forecast for 09/14/2026 – 09/20/2026

The forecast has been so incredibly inaccurate lately that I hesitate to comment on it. But, since that’s what this section is all about, I’ll say this: if it’s even close to accurate, it’s going to be an incredible week. Wind will rarely be a factor, and rain will be intermittent at worst. In short, every day should be fishable.

I’m booked daily and hope to execute all those trips. The plan is to fish out of Buffalo, the Catt, Barci, and the Lower.  I’ve been on a nice tear lately, and I’m looking forward to maintaining it.

Stay healthy, my friends.  Mentally and physically,

Ryan

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