Orleans County Fishing Report 11/2/21
Orleans County Tourism
November 3, 2021
Oak Orchard Creek - Freshwater Fishing Report
This week's fishing report is from Ron Bierstine, Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge:
Here we are into November with cooler temps and on the backside of higher flows. That sounds like a recipe for fresh fish migrations in all the waterways and the chance for brown trout and steelhead hook ups! The past days, since the weekend, rains and high water have been tough for most. After a cold night last night, look for a further drop in flows all around and clearing water color. Forecast is for continued seasonable weather thru the week with highs around 50°F and dropping back into the 30's°F at night. No significant Lake Effect Snow expected here on the WNY Lake Ontario Plain. There's a chance of an inch or two maybe south of the area off lake Erie.
Any emergency Canal drainage flows are now tempered and so that leaves tribs like the Oak and Sandy mostly to regular run of the river flows. Flows in the Oak are high and stained with about 1 foot of visibility. Without overflow levels now, some might be inclined to call it only slightly high. Either way, flows consist of a strong head of turbine water that could be close to full bore. Flows should stay up thanks to exceptional upstream supplies even as water color should continue to improve.
Plenty of salmon are spawning now in the higher flows and some of the post spawn zombies will be flushed out along with lots of other weeds and debris. (Some fresh salmon are still likely to be in the mix easily thru November). That should make for cleaner drifts, although with a late leaf fall, look for continued usually daily water level fluctuations thanks to hydro power operations.
Anglers started out with a tough bite yesterday but reported better later in the day. No doubt as flows drop and clear even a little guys should get onto more fish, especially brown trout. Other area smaller tribs east and west are coming back into slightly high and stained flows. Sandy Creek is probably remaining stubbornly stained from that Canal drainage but definitely dropping back some. Look for fish to be well spread upstream thru all the waterways with anglers wise to spread out too and try different spots to find fish.
Target Species:
Salmon, Steelhead, Brown Trout
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