Who knows what lunkers lurk in the hearts of the rivers?

Saturday, May 18, 2013 – the day I’ve looked forward to for 2 years, ever since I heard about the smallmouth bass bonanza every spring on the Cattaraugus.  My friend Joe told me about a 20 plus smallie day, 2 springs ago with Dr. Ron’s son Chris.

I missed the run last year by 2 months, and since I really like fishing for smallmouth bass, I wanted to get in on the action this year.  Back in February, Adam S. at Orvis in Eastern Hills Mall told me the run is best mid-April –to mid-May, so I thought I was good for this weekend.  The Lake Erie hotline said the best action was on the lower river, so that’s where I headed.

Rise on the lower Cattaraugus

 But who knows what the fish will be doing when I have an opportunity to go fishing?

Conditions were really promising – no wind, overcast skies, fish jumping – most likely for the schools of emerald shiners, and only 2 – 3 others fishing – no competition – what else could you ask for?  That’s another story.

I started out matching the hatch with a DFB laser ice minnow that resembled an emerald shiner.  I had a few strikes, but no hook-ups.  As I changed flies, I discovered that the point on the hook was bent – lesson learned!

DFB laser ice minnows

I tried 'em all!

From there, I spent the next three hours switching flies, practicing casting and working my way upstream.  

At the Rte. 20 bridge, I noticed what looked like small hatchery trout not only rising, but jumping clear out of the water.  It looked promising, but I had the strangest feeling that someone or something was following me. 

Rt. 20 bridge on the lower Cataraugus

Anyway, I tied on a black stonefly nymph and worked a slick just above the riffles.  I saw several rises about 40 feet away, made a cast that was not my best, and while mending line, I saw a splash.  I didn't think it was near my fly, but – wrong again – I was fast into a brown trout. 

After a brief struggle, my 9 weight conquered the 9 incher.  I’m still not sure how that little guy got the fly in its mouth, but, ain't no skunk on this trip!

Brown trout and black stonefly

While I didn't catch them, there were some other fish lurking in the river.  While landing the mini-brown, a 24” Longnose Gar snuck up within a rod’s length of me, took a couple gulps of air and maybe an emerald shiner or two and slid back to the depths.

Longnose Gar - photo courtesy of  Wikimedia Commons

And on my way back to my car, I saw several pods of 2-3 silvery sided fish about 15 inches long, as well as one that was struggling in about an inch of water.  With a little help from my friend Joe, we identified the fish as a Gizzard Shad.  

15" Gizzard Shad

I’m guessing that it completed its spawning run, and while I tossed it back into deeper water, it probably had worse luck than I did.

But, that brings me to the end as well – just the blog post – and I think I know what was following me and the answer to my first question – “Who knows what lunkers lurk in the hearts of the rivers?”

The Shadow knows! (some of you old timers saw that one coming!)

Me and my Shadow!

If anyone’s had any success on the spring smallmouth bass run on the “Cat” – 

I’d love to hear about it and post your pictures – let me know!