Riparian's
At The Oak...Fishing Report

While uncommon, attheoak.com does occasionally experience some down time. To ensure our pages are always available, we have mirrored them at www.attheoak.net.

Thank You...3/18/09 - I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to mail a card, send an e-mail or post a tribute on the LOU Messageboard in recognition of Joe's passing. And a special thank you to all who sent donations to Rudy's Rescue For Labrador Retrievers in Joe's memory. The kindness of our friends and some complete strangers is something I'll always remember...Shirley

Please Read...In Joe's honor we will be continuing to provide reports to the Stake Holder Community who have become regular visitors to the "At The Oak" site fishing report. I hope that I can do at least half as good of a job as Joe did at providing valuable and concise information to all the visitors. If you have fishing information that you would like included please send it to reelxite@rochester.rr.com. I will do my best to include your valuable info in the report if it is received in a timely manner.

Please direct any questions me at reelxite@rochester.rr.com. I will do my best to provide an answer since I will be responsible for the site content...From Capt. Bob Songin

Sunday, September 20, 2009

This will be the last report of the season. We would like to thank everyone who has contributed to reports this year. We have added some new contributors and unfortunately lost some long time contributors. It has been an interesting season with Mother Nature throwing us many curves from the weather perspective, which had major impacts on our fishing success both good and bad. But over all it was another good season 'At The Oak¯.'

Where do we stand right now? There is offshore fishing for immature kings and mixed year class steelhead anywhere from 30 - 33 north and 10 - 18 west coming down 50' - 90' and out on divers 160' - 200'.

There are mature kings at the wall and in 50 - 60 fow in front of the wall. J plugs in various colors seem to be the ticket and there should still be some good opportunities on the lake over the next few weeks. There is also a large number of kings up at the dam with some browns mixed in for those anglers that love stream fishing; it is now your time to enjoy this great Lake Ontario/New York State fishery.

I did my best to post as much information as possible and as often as possible my first year authoring the 'At The Oak'¯ reports. It did get difficult at times due to my commitment to my customers as a Charter Captain. But I do hope to get more info out next year to keep everyone up to date on the happenings in the harbor. For us this year was fairly good, we as almost every captain had been impacted by the economy but fishing remained good.

One little fish story I wanted to share with everyone. The biggest fish we caught this year was a 43 inch 32 lb salmon that had a large lamprey on it that I believe had a major impact on the fish's weight. But the real interesting thing about this fish is that it was a triploid...that is a fish that never sexually matures the fish had eggs but they were not in a skein and were very small and lose.

I look forward to contributing next year...Sincerely, Captain Bob Songin, Reel Excitement Charters

Friday, September 18, 2009

The weather is still having its way with us. We did not fish Tuesday or Wednesday because Mother Nature thought we needed a break and kept everyone off the lake with high winds, but we did get out yesterday and today. Yesterday we fished offshore and found the fish right where they had been at 34N - 35N and 12W - 18W, same depths on the riggers 50' - 80' and divers 160' - 200' with the same lures as always.

Today we fished the wall with a number of other boats...there are big fish there, though not a lot of them. The fish wanted DW Mag Gators, DW Mag Frogs, Mag Silver Oranges, red headed silver Js and silver Js with green glow ladder backs.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Very little has changed...offshore continues to be the only game on the lake at the Oak. Some fish are being caught at the 25N line but 34N - 35N seems to be the most productive ticket. The question is will our matures come back like they were before the weather got so unstable...only time will tell.

The offshore program continues to be the current answer, but unfortunately it has been further and further offshore. Today it was 34.5N - 35N and 12W - 18W. The setups were DW gator mags at 70', Stinger Stingray nucs at 60' and Spin Doctor Dalmatians at 80' with A-Tom-Mik Hypnotists behind it. The divers continue to work with Spin Doctor/A-Tom-Mik Gator/Gators and 42/42s out 160' - 220'.

Inshore has been slow for big fish since the Labor Day weekend and we had the NE blows this last week. Lets hope they do come back soon, I am hoping we will go out one morning and they will be crowding the wall...only time will tell. There was some action at the wall on Saturday, but it seemed to evaporate by Sunday Morning.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Things may be looking up for mature fish...a number of boats worked the wall to 30 fow and did manage to pull some matures (average 3 - 4 / boat) on #4 silver Js trolled long lining.

Offshore, the fish became more scattered with the NE winds...fish were taken anywhere from 30N - 35N from 12W - 18W on many of the same baits and depths as have been mentioned in earlier reports.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

First, I am sorry to say that we are cancelling the Tournament event for this weekend. Part of the reason is, that being as late as it is, many of the usual participants do not have plans to fish, have pulled their boat already or are out west hunting at this time. The other part of the reason will be evident from today's report.

Cold water continues to dominate the inside, driving even the most ardent inside fishermen and captains offshore to satisfy the need to catch fish. We hope this will change soon, but with the continued EAST¯ wind forecast, it is hard to predict. The offshore fishing remains good for immature salmon and big steelhead. Riggers continue to work 50' - 80' down and the continued favorites are DW Gators both mags and regulars. Divers continue to work out 160' - 200' with 42/42s. The area remains the same 29N - 31N by 12W - 18W.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Fishing inside was very tough today, but the outside bite from 28N - 31N continues to produce big steelhead and mixed year classes of kings.

The result of this years One Man Tournament:

Paul Czarnecki/Free Spirit
Shawn Fitzgerald
Bob Songin/Reel Excitement
Big Fish: Paul Czarnecki

Monday, September 7, 2009

Labor Day Weekend Wrap Up... Sorry the reports were slim this weekend, but between running double trips, attending events and spending time with family and friends, time was pretty tight. The inside fishing was pretty good this weekend with an average of 7-12 big kings being caught per boat if you got the right program down. A lot of fish were being caught on meat and flasher fly combinations that included Spin Doctor 42/42s, Spin Doctor Dalmatians with the A-Tom-Mik Pro-AM Lives, large White on White with the A-Tom-Mik Hypnotist, also the ProTroll Green Nuclears with A-Tom-Mik TG Hammers behind them.

A courtesy comment about fishing inside waters at the Oak, I received a lot of feed back about a few boats running boards out a long ways with coppers on them. This does cause some problems when everyone is fishing at the same depth of water where kings are staging and boats are trying to stay on that same line. If you choose to run coppers off boards in these tight fishing conditions, it definitely will be your responsibility to make sure you stay clear of the other boats in the area, the risk will be yours as far as the safety of your equipment. This is feed back I received from over 20 boats (both charters and recs).

The off shore fishing remains good anywhere from 28N - 32N straight out with a good mix of steelhead and immature kings with an occasional big guy.

We would like to thank everyone who participated in the Second Annual Johnny V. Tournament to support pen rearing. It raised $420 for the support of our annual pen-rearing project. The winners were:

Dream Team/Pisces
Tracker
U-Betcha
Maverick
Free Spirit
Big Salmon - 27.5 lb. Dream Team
Big Steelhead - 10.8 lb. Wharf Rat

This is a picture of the Captain of Dream Team:

Thursday, September 3, 2009
(Posted at 9:15 AM on 9/4/09)

The bite remains the same...a few big kings inside and lots of steelhead and mixed year classes of salmon from matures to 2 year olds off shore anywhere from 31N - 32N and 12W - 15W. A lot of the same setups as mentioned many times in this report are working offshore. Inshore anywhere from the pump house to the flats in 80 - 120 fow it has been mostly flashers and fly combinations. The best have been Spin Doctor 42/42s, Spin Doctor Dalmatians with the A-Tom-Mik Pro-AM Live, and the large white on white with the A-Tom-Mik Hypnotist. Also the ProTroll Green Nuclear with A-Tom-Mik TG Hammer has been taking fish. Divers have been working out 160' - 220' and riggers down 80' - 90'.

We will be having our Third Annual One Man Tournament on Tuesday September 8th. Entry is $100 per man/boat, fishing commences at 6:00 AM and ends at 11:00 AM... Mike Lavender and Bob Songin will accept entries up until the morning of the event at 6:00 AM. The format is very easy one man, one boat and two rods...you must fish from the Oak. Minimum fish size is 25 inches; total weight of your 3 fish limit determines winners. Weigh in will be conducted at Lake Breeze Marina you must be in line by noon. Awards will be presented immediately following.

A little on the tournaments we have been having over the summer...they are all setup to benefit some good causes: Pen Rearing, Juvenile Diabetes, and the annual Pro-Am in June. They are also here to help bring more interest to our port and a little fun competition to fishing. The schedule for this year's events got a little crowed lately and earlier did conflict with a few other important events. Next year we will take more time to space events out so there are no conflicts with other events and so we are not having one every weekend.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

The fishing continues to be very good at the 31N - 32N lines anywhere from 10W - 14W...riggers from 50' - 80' down and divers from 180' - 220'. Hot rigger spoons DW Gators, Get R Duns and Trannies. Divers are firing with White on White Spin Doctors and A-Tom-Mik Ultra Green Glows, also 42/42 Combos remain hot. The inside waters are starting to produce a few fish, usually later in the day. This should get better as time goes on since the salmon should beginning to stage to run the river.

Don't forget the One Man tournament next Tuesday. Mike Lavender of Intimidator is the point person for this one. There will be more info to follow.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

This message is from Capt. Bob Stevens: "Don't forget the second annual John Visich tournament to benefit pen rearing in Oak Orchard is Sunday September 6th. It will be the same three fish format we have been using for the Condor events, with prizes for the biggest King and Steelhead as well. Entry is $100/boat and weigh-in is at Lake Breeze Marina you must be in line by 3PM for weigh-in. See Capt. Bob Stevens of Sunrise II or Capt. Bob Songin of Reel Excitement to enter. The prizes will be awarded at Red Breeze campsite, with Bob Friedle doing the cooking! My email is bob@salmonfishin.com if you have any questions. This year's event should be a great one."

Now the fishing: The inside water remains dominated by warm water after Sunday's blow and the majority of the fishing is anywhere from the 28N - 33N lines and 12W - 14W. Fish are coming anywhere from 50' - 80' on the riggers and 180' - 220' on divers. 42/42s and white on white with A-Tom-Mik ultra green glows were working on the divers, along Gators and Get R Duns on the riggers.

Monday, August 31, 2009

The only report I received was from Capt. Bob Stevens of Sunrise II. He told me that the water inside was warm again after Sunday's hard west blow. He fished out at the 31N line where he had a good mix of Steelhead and Kings, but they were also deeper with riggers working at 90' - 100' and divers out to 260'.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

The first 'Fishing for a Cure'¯ tournament was a success for the Oak and will grow into and annual event. There were 33 boats and the weather did cooperate for the most part...the top 5 were:

Tracker
Salmo
Irish Thunder
Wharf Rat
Mailman

Everyone was a winner at this event with plenty of prizes to go around and some great food put on by Bob Friel. We would also like to thank the many sponsors which included: Dreamweaver, The Jack Rosenswie Company, Protroll, Michigan Stinger, Dave's Ka-Boom, Carbotex Line, Baitrix/Davis Baits, Proflo Bib Baits, Amish Outfitters, Hayward Nets, Sunbuster Glasses, Hook-Em Pads and Fish On Bait.

Since the lake had flipped with 44 degree water on the beach, most sought more stable water offshore. The fishing was very good and most fished out from 30N - 32N both east and west.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Today's report is short...the NE wind blew hard and drove most off the lake by noon. Some big kings were taken inside of 150 fow first thing, but the picture cleared up early and the fishing slowed. The 30N - 31N lines continue to give up big steelhead and kings anywhere from 50' - 80' down and 160' - 200' out on the divers. Again, many of the same set-ups mentioned in earlier reports continue to work.

Remember, the 'Fishing for a Cure' tournament is tomorrow.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

The NE wind came hard this morning stopping everyone from going out first thing, but about 10:00 AM it settled down enough for a few to get out. The only report I received was from Captain Keith Poland of Snow Pirate who fished from 28N - 29N and 8W - 9W and was doing well on a mix of kings and steelhead.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

With the warm water still inside, the place to be is the 29N - 32N from 12W - 16W. Riggers are working anywhere from 50' - 90' and divers from 160' - 220'. Hot diver baits are Gator/Gator (again for those who do not know the fly we call the Gator is the A-Tom-Mik Green Crinkle Live Series #L202) and white on white with A-Tom-Mik Ultra green glow. Spoons that have been good the last few days: Tranny, Gator, silver green glow and Get R Done.

I received this info on the up coming Tournament this Saturday:
"Drews Crew would like to remind everyone about the upcoming tournament to Fish for a Cure¯ for Juvenile Diabetes on Saturday, August 29, 2009.  The registration fee is $50, and entries are available at Lake Breeze Marina, Four C's Marina, Narby's and Captains Cove.  We will have a tent, tables and chairs in case of inclement weather.  Speaking of bad weather, we have decided to extend the registration deadline to 7:30 the day of the event just in case smaller crafts are on the fence regarding lake conditions. We have received a huge amount of products from some fabulous sponsors to give away.  We are really looking forward to a fantastic day of fishing, and supporting a worthy cause. A special thanks to everyone who has helped us out, your time and efforts are greatly appreciated!...Ursula & Bill (CropDuster)¯ Rosenswie"

Monday, August 24, 2009

The NW wind pushed warm water back inside, so the place to be seems to be north 29 - 31 lines and west 15 - 18. Irish Thunder and Snow Pirate both had decent days out in that area. The steelhead are coming down anywhere from 50' - 70' and the kings are coming under them. I received no specific information on lure selections or diver locations.

I would also like to remind everyone of the upcoming tournament event this weekend the "Fishing with Drew's Crew" event to benefit juvenile diabetes. We will post more info in the next few days.

Saturday, August 22, 2009
(Posted at 12:30 PM on 8/23/09)

We had our third Condor Tournament today and the weather and fishing was very cooperative. The winners were:

First: Nina (Capt. Dan Rowcliffe)
Second: Pisces (Capt. Butch Cooley)
Third: Free Spirit  (Capt. Paul Czarnecki)
Fourth: Rally Killer (Capt. Clarence Crisp)

The fishing remains good with two groups of fish in the 24N - 26N area east and west of the harbor which contains mature Salmon and Steelhead and one from 29N - 32N mostly west which is a mix of all year class Salmon and Steelhead.

Note...sorry for the delay in posting this report. Our server had a 'technical problem.'

Friday, August 21, 2009

With the weather threatening all day, most of the captains and recs were reluctant to venture very far from the harbor today. Which turned out to be a positive thing for most. A good mix of Kings and Rainbows were caught in the 24N - 26N range. Most boats were west from 12W - 14W, but a few did slip down east as far as 7W with success. The water temp was 49 degrees down 65 feet and there was bait and individual fish any where from 50' down to 90'...this was also the best depths for the riggers. Capt. Joe Toomey of Irish Thunder had a hot rigger setup for Kings with his Bloody Death Flasher and an A-Tom-Mik Ultra Purple Glow firing at 72' down on his middle rigger. He also had a Stinger Gold 42 down 50' back 30' that was working most of the morning. Other spoons that were working good were DW Gold 42s and trannies at 55' and 65' for some of the other guys.