Fishing Season: Spring, Summer, Fall

Cattaraugus Creek - NY

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

44

Orvis Buffalo's Tip of the Week

Fish elsewhere! Recent rains have made conditions un-fishable, however the river is dropping. At the time of writing, the Cattaraugus is flowing at 850 CFSwith 29.1 turbidity. We need the Cat to come down around 150-350 CFS with 20 turbidity for to be safe and productive. https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ny/nwis/uv?site_no=04213500

Directions open in app

Map of Cattaraugus Creek

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Alberto Rey

5-Day Outlook as of 4/21/24

Continue to watch the gauge and see if it comes down to a fish-able level (100-300 CFS and 20 turbidity). https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ny/nwis/uv?site_no=04213500

Techniques & Tips as of 4/21/24

- Streamer fishing with leech or baitfish patterns are the best way of targeting fish. We are nearing the end of our Spring steelhead fishing. With most fish in their post spawn mode, look for fish to be aggressively feeding on baitfish patterns. Using indicator rigs with a bigger stoneflies and egg patterns will also produce fish. Look for evidence of spawning fish and target the areas downstream of these areas to potentially find fish feeding on eggs. Please respect the resource, fish ethically, and leave visibly spawning fish alone! Soon we will have runs of smallmouth bass entering the system to spawn as well. These fish will chase anything that looks like a minnow or crayfish. Slow swing and strip beaitfish patterns with sinking leaders to get gown in the deeper pools. I. some of the longer and slower pools, strip your fly and keep it moving.

Local Species Available Spring, Summer, Fall

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    Brown Trout

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    Steelhead

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    and Small Mouth Bass

Orvis Buffalo's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Bead Head Woolly Bugger Streamer Olive, Black, White, 4-10
Senyo's AI Intruder sculpin and rainbow sz 1
Conehead Bunny Muddler White, Brown, Olive 4-10
Flashback Hares Ear Nymph Natural, olive, Blac 10-16
Phesant Tail Natural, Golden, Oli 12-16
Holy Grail Natural, Olive, Blac 12-16
Shaky Worm Pink, Red, Brown 12
Vitso's Psycho Spawn pink, chartruese, orange 12-16
crystal meth chartruese and orange 12
egg sucking leech black, olive 4-10

Bead Head Woolly Bugger Streamer

Every angler needs an assortment of these weighted attractor Bead Head Woolly Bugger Streamer flies.

2.49

Item #0311

Buy Now

Orvis Buffalo's Recommended Gear

Description: About Cattaraugus Creek

https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/fish_marine_pdf/cattcreeksteelhead.pdf

Nearest Airport:

Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF)

Hatches:

Stoneflies, black #14-16 Caddis, Tan / Olive 14-16 BAITFISH!

Best Time to Fish:

Anytime is a good time

Best Stretch:

RT. 5 & 20 bridge to Scoby Dam

Best Access:

https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/fish_marine_pdf/cattcreekhosmer.pdf