“2025” Floods, Droughts, Suckers & Muskies

WHAT a year 2025 was.

We spent more days on the water than any of our previous seasons, and I sincerely want to thank everyone who fished with us.

Spring was full of ups ( and some downs ) with some of the best dry fly fishing we’ve seen in years, but also multi week stretches of the most water we’ve had to fish in years.

I had the largest inland brown enter my boat, ~ 28”. This fish was truly a specimen. We we’re so stunned and shocked, we planned to get a measurement of length and girth but let it go before that happened. Looking back, I REALLY wish we got some measurements as the fish was soooo thick.

Thats a 27” basket net …

My angler Scott who caught it, is 6’ 3” and makes every fish look small. I kindly asked him to not make this one look small but alas once again, he did…

The great floods of May

The summer was full of memories…. After the great spring floods occurred, we abruptly began “The great drought of 2025”.

Late June we began our summer program, Carp, Bass, Musky, Pike and well Suckers too.

One of the favorite fish to come locally this summer was our friend Mike’s, Redhorse Sucker. This thing ate like a train and in RH sucker terms, was a STUD!

Thankfully, splitting my summer season up was a first time trip to Alaska. One HELL of an adventure. Its truly amazing being able to swing 13’+ spey rods for King Salmon, many of which we were able to time coming fresh from the Bering Sea. We get to enjoy some marginal swinging locally; Yes, you can swing the Cattaraugus, which has some great water for it, and yes, you “can” swing 18 mile, but this was big dog territory and one of my first adventures utilizing a 2 handed rod the way it’s meant to be. Blessed to be able to enjoy an adventure like this, and it has opened up thoughts for some future hosted trips for some ocean run species.

As we progressed through “ The Great Drought”… we continued to leave our trout friends alone and target a variety of other species. Pike, Carp, Suckers, Musky and Bass. It was truly amazing to see how low the water recessed to in most of our freestone systems. The fall inland brown spawn was in record low water for most areas and it will be interesting to see how that affects the YOY success in 2026.

One positive, it pushed us to run more Musky trips with clients this season that we have any year prior, and our success rate was pretty dam good. This Musky caught by our friend Joel was one of four encounters he had this day, with 2 being landed.

As we progressed into the fall, our lake run friends began to make appearances. With low water well into October, things were by no means easy, but we got it done.

We were able to once again spend some time down in Zoar Valley, with the Cattaraugus truly being one of the only fishable bodies of water.

A quick note..

Any angler or client that fishes with us, knows we take pride in targeting waters that create a challenge. Some low, clear waters do require that, but when you have steelhead stacked in the shallow pools like this fall provided, barely able to sit without their backs showing, where’s the sport in that? Most of our tribs were extremely low, so we spent our time on the Niagara and Cattaraugus, the one system fish had some swimming room in.

I think thats one of the negatives we have been running into with the surplus of lake run guides, and tough fishing conditions. Is there a standard? I think its more of a respect, as we know anglers come from far and wide and services cant always cancel or move a trip due to conditions, but seeing MANY guides fish the 10-20 CFS tribs this fall ( sometimes less than 10cfs ) and call it a “success” is kind of disheartening and disappointing.

Alas, it’s the way she goes with having the great lakes fisheries we do and the numbers of fish that enter the systems. Many seasoned clients that have fished locally with other services, i’ve absorbed over the years, and you start to realize why. I am thankful we do the things we do, and will continue to not only our lake run friends, but ALL species we target.

One of our favorite fish came from one of our last outings of 2025.
Our long time friend Pj, Owner of Quiet Creek Fence in Buffalo, worked hard for YEARS on getting his first musky. We were able to join our friend Mike Kainec from Chagrin River Outfitters near Cleveland, and make it count in the last few moments of daylight.

As we move into 2026, we have lots to look forward to:

We have 1 remaining slot left in our hosted trip to the Henrys fork region in Idaho! If you’d like some details on this adventure, visit the “Destination Tab” in on our website, or click on this link: 2026 Hosted Idaho trip

Our spring season is 3/4 filled up already. If you looking to take advantage of the hatch season in New York & Pennsylvania, REACH OUT!

Current available dates for spring Steelhead & into dry fly season.

February - Mix of inland and lake run

17, 19,24-25

March
( drift boat season begins… excellent nymphing and streamer fishing )

5th - 7th, 11-13th, 17, 20, 24, 28, 30-31

April ———- DON’T SLEEP ON APRIL - ONE OF OUR FAVORITE MONTHS

4-5th, 7-10th, 18th, 25th

May —— ANOTHER HOT MONTH

1st, 2nd, 6th, 12-14th