Daily Report

On Sunday it was cold and windy with the temperature in the 20's along with scattered snow showers, but because of the strong high winds we had very little accumulation. As of this morning we had just a dusting and the heavy lake effect snow stayed north of us up around the Watertown area. The dam release was increased and is now running 500cfs and around 740cfs at Pineville. With last nights temperatures dropping into the teens, slush ice was a factor this monring in the lower end of the river.  The upper end of the river between Altmar and Pineville has been getting the most fishing pressure on a daily basis. If your willing to walk the mid to lower section of river would be a good choice if your looking for some solitude. With the current water level look for fish to be holding in and around the deeper holes and larger runs which are the normal winter holding areas. For those anglers who are fly fishing, dead drifting with nymphs, indicator fishing with egg patterns or swinging streamers with sink tips or sinking leaders have all produced results. For those anglers who are bottom bouncing or float fishing, egg sacs, beads, marabou jigs and pink worms have all been productive. 

Suggested patterns;

Egg patterns: Steelie omelette in size 10, Estaz eggs in chart, blue, purple, size 10. Glo-bugs in chart, pink, orange, size 10. Sucker spawn in chart, pink, blue, size 6.

Nymphs: Prince nymphs in size 10, Hare's ear in size 10, Pheasant tails in size 10, Flashback nymphs in size 10, Wiggle stones in size 10, Steelhead hammer in size 12, Beadhead stones in size 10. Rusher nymphs in size 10. 

Streamers: Black or purple egg sucking leeches in size 6. Woolly buggers in black, olive, brown, white, size 6. Fish skull zonkers in black, white, olive size 6.