Went to the Catt Thursday morning. Actually drove to my cabin Wednesday afternoon to meet my bud from NJ and then we left for Gowanda at 3:00 a.m. Thankfully he drove and I snoozed. Arrived around 8:00 a.m. Very chilly, around 37 degrees. He fished and I watched. The river was low. Just 200 cfs. Lots of pinners, some spin guys and a few fly fishers. My buddy used his spey rod and caught nothing. We moved in, and out, of the reservation and tried four different areas. No action anywhere and only a few people caught any fish and that was at first light. We fished from 9:00 - 1:00 Friday and again had no action. Admittedly we didn't get out early but after the lackluster day on Thursday we weren't very enthused to get out early. The flow was down to 170 cfs on Friday. Decent clarity. It is difficult to get to the Catt since it is in the middle of nowhere. Doubt I will return any time soon.
Cattaraugus Creek, Cattaraugus Co., NY, 10/10/19
- Thread starter wbranch
- Start date
You would have been in cattaraugus county. This stream can be tough to crack sometimes. Very long undammed section of river by erie / ontario trib standards. Around 1/4 of the steelhead are wild per the DEC.
Harder than most erie/ontario tribs, but without a doubt the closest thing to a real steelhead fishery on the us side of lake erie and lake ontario.
I wish they would outlaw centerpinning here...
Harder than most erie/ontario tribs, but without a doubt the closest thing to a real steelhead fishery on the us side of lake erie and lake ontario.
I wish they would outlaw centerpinning here...
We tried to get in to the I-90 access trail but it was a quagmire of ruts and mud. I'd driven down about 300 yards and realized it would be foolish to continue as the path was all mud. There was no place to turn around so we had to back out all the way to the main road.
We did go down to the Route 5 bridge and drove right onto the cobble at the river. Normally at the tail of the bridge pool there is a really nice riffle about 60 yards long that holds fish. The water was so low that there was no riffle at all. We saw one guy staning in the middle of the river and the water was not even up to his knees.
We did go down to the Route 5 bridge and drove right onto the cobble at the river. Normally at the tail of the bridge pool there is a really nice riffle about 60 yards long that holds fish. The water was so low that there was no riffle at all. We saw one guy staning in the middle of the river and the water was not even up to his knees.
gulfgreyhound
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Did you try Chautauqua Creek? GG
No water. Literally. The flow was like 15 cfs. The Catt is 600 right now and all the PA streams got blown out from long needed rain. By Saturday the streams will be fishable and every Tom, ****, and Harry will be ropin' dem steelheads.
CRB
Well-known member
Need water everywhere. Last week was a little but until the leaves drop and the first killing frost little water will reach the streams. Pa Streams have been very thin until Wednesday Thursday this past week. Lot of fish in the lake.
Prospector
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We crossed Chatauqua and Cattaraugus creeks going to Oak Orchard on Thursday and both were high and muddy. So they should have fish now although they probably will need a sustained slow rain to keep levels up.
gulfgreyhound
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Prospector, if your at The Oak you should check Marsh Creek. GG
Aren't you the lucky guy! It is a 5 hour 282 mile drive for me. Once i get off I-80 at the Penfield exit the remainder of the trip is all rural two lane roads with 40 mph speed limits. I only go when PA & OH streams are too low. I very recent colored buck.
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Acristickid
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Nice. How are the leaves?
Haven’t made it to Erie this year, waiting for another blowout rain- wondering if that will ever happen.
Haven’t made it to Erie this year, waiting for another blowout rain- wondering if that will ever happen.
The leaves were brutal on Wednesday. Pretty much unfishable for a few hours when the wind was howling. We took a break. It appears there was a significant rain event in Erie over the weekend and all the creeks should be getting a big push of chrome.
troutwilleatflies
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- Mar 3, 2007
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The flow gauges show a spike and then a drop to low levels,it needs a SUSTAINED rain to get a good flow going.
