Rayno's Fishing Excursions

Come experience legendary fishing on Lake Ontario and it's tributary waters, including the famed Salmon River in Pulaski, NY with Captain Zack Rayno.

Mid-Winter Fishing...Deal With The Cold and Reap The Rewards!

As I sit here in Oswego, Lake Ontario continues to drop inch after inch of snow.  Of course, this amounts to endless shoveling, challenging driving conditions along with a chill from the northwest wind now and again.  

But!  To a weirdo fishing dude like myself, the barrage of lake effect in it's solid form only brings one thing to mind..."Ahhh, deep-winter steelhead fishing..."

As a full-time fish-head, I truly appreciate the annual cycle I participate in.  I follow Lake Ontario's Pacific salmon and trout through it's tributary rivers right into the open water and back again.  Each time of the year holds it's merits, no doubt, but there is something special about trudging through feet of snow in pursuit of Mr. or Mrs. Steelhead.

Once I start seeing those flashes of chrome in early fall, I am usually in a T-shirt and enjoying a mild October day, but a part of my mind ventures to layer upon layer of clothing, frozen hands and slow drifts.  

It's a sickness, what can I say?

Although winter steelhead fishing is not for the faint of heart, the pay-off is sweet.  It's almost a right of passage in calling yourself a true steelheader.  After-all, who doesn't love 65 degrees, sun shining and a vicious bead bite?  Now come talk to me with a windchill in the single digits, a super specific color combination on a jig and they're only sitting on the inside of this particular seam.  

Challenge accepted.

As for the fishing lately!

The Salmon River in Pulaski, NY has been kind to us willing to venture on it's snow-filled shores lately.  As per typical winter fishing, they're layered in certain holes.  Trick Em' Jigs as well as Trick Em' Plastics have been clutch for my fishing successes.  

With my time-off, I was also fortunate enough to hit the ice in the Adirondacks.  Nothing like a change of pace, chasing marks on the Vexilar rather than float drops in a run.  

Brothers Frankie and Angelo braved the cold this week and hit the water with me.  Although we didn't start off with the hot hand, we ended on a good note finding an area chock-full of willing fish.  Angelo got to experience a little winter-steelheading, which was a change of pace from his typical Florida Fishing.  Easy to love your job fishing with guys like them!

Enjoy the photos and find some time to hit the water, don't just read the report..make one!

See ya out there.

Goodbye 2014....Hello 2015!

Well, 2014 is a wrap!

As with all seasons, I was very happy to spend time on the water with everybody.  The fishing wasn't always easy, but it did prove to be a fun time on the water, day in and out.

I was bad about updating the blog here with photos and all, so I have the conclusion of Fall 2014's photos below.

I've also included a few photos from my fun fishing with my buddy McKenzie!

Currently, we are seeing plenty of change on the Salmon River here in Pulaski, NY.  The flows are coming down from a significant bump.  I would think that as the flows decrease, we will see our typical minimum winter flow and with that, our typical winter fishing conditions.

As January and February approach, I look forward to days on the water.  There is something special about cold, blustery days with snow covered trees and empty river around every turn. That's what steelhead fishing is all about!  If you aren't faint of heart, I invite you to join me!

Otherwise, I invite 2015.  There is a lot to look forward to, as always.  Winter steelhead will slip into spring (eventually!) which will soon turn to trolling for brown trout on Lake Ontario.  Yes, I am getting ahead of myself, but I'm always excited to see what each new season holds in store!

Currently, my spring dates are filling up, but I have plenty left.  Don't wait, give me a shout!


Quite A Fall!

Well, judging by the weather currently, I think it is safe to assume fall has come and gone.  It sure was a busy one!

Beads, beads and then try beads.  The Salmon River had a vicious 10mm bite, which is expected behind all the Chinook Salmon, with top producers being Super UV Orange, All-In, Egg-Zacktly, UV Ontari-Roe and Atomic Yellow Trick Em' Beads by Great Lakes Steelhead Company.  After I had worked an area over, I would put a few natural 8mm beads through to pick up any educated fish. In said conditions, I make those morning hours count.  Also, after the morning bite had passed, I stayed on the fish.  Grind them! 

As fishing goes, some days were tougher than others, but my overall observation is the sheer number of steelhead in the river.  This fall brought us low and clear water with a lot of fishing pressure (as usual), but, this winter should be one to remember.  As the snow begins to fall, the crowds begin to thin!

This fall was nothing but a pleasure to see familiar faces as well as some new.  Each day I was happy to be on the water, doing what I enjoy.  I am looking forward to what the winter steelheading has to offer, get your jigs and soft plastics ready!

 

Also, take note of the photo of the boat in the slideshow below, I have upgraded!  I am happy to welcome my 18' x 60" ClackaMax to the RFE fleet.  What a comfortable and spacious ride!

See you out there.

Salmon Season...Here and Gone!

Well I have finally run in to a day to myself in my office and realize I still have photos from trolling Lake Ontario to post! 

Wrapping up our season on the lake was certainly bittersweet, as usual.  It's always hard to leave the trolling tackle in the corner and switch gears to the river.  This year was exceptionally tough, in that it felt as though something had been left incomplete.  The fishing was a grind right up to the very last trip for us on the Dixie Dandy and I was left hoping the next day would be the breaking point with some truly furious fishing!

Now, we found our successes and had plenty of fun doing it with some stellar people.  I was lucky to have spent another season on the water with a great group of fishermen here in Oswego, NY and trolled alongside some of the best on Lake Ontario.  I was sincerely left hungry for whatever Lady O has to bring in 2015.

Anyhow, enjoy some trolling photos!

Now that I have climbed behind the oars in the drift boat, the techniques have changed but the mindset remains the same.  Take each day 1 bite at a time!

Fall 2014 has proved to be challenging, but persistence and a positive attitude have seemed to be key.  Just get a little creative and find some willing fish!

Our night bite was never consistently extraordinary, but we always found some finned friends willing to tango.  Again, photos in the dark, in a rocking drift boat, with slimy hands are just not my specialty.  Try to enjoy them anyways!

Day trips were tough in September, but they have become increasingly better as we enter October.  Our typical mixture of Skein under a float as well as back trolled plugs have been successful where you can find groups of angry kings.

Every day I float the Salmon River I see more and more Kings piling up, there will still be a few weeks of crushing plug bites to come!

With that in mind, it's time to start thinking CHROME as well!  Just the other day I saw a few silvery steelhead devouring eggs in a run.  I was just a little pumped!!!

I still have some awesome November and December dates open, don't wait!  As I say, make a report, don't read it!

See ya out there.

Where'd August Go?!

Well just like that it's gone! As I type this, tomorrow will be September 1st and our season on Lake Ontario is coming to an end in a few short weeks.  Time to soak up every moment, good or bad, boys!

As you'll notice I have a picture heavy gallery attached, I neglected to post a new report, my apologies!

The fishing has been good the past few weeks here in Oswego, NY.  Strong winds from various directions have had us chasing our thermocline in depths from 180 feet below the surface to 30 feet below the surface, anywhere from 60 feet of water to 650 feet of water.  It's been wild!  

As of late, the kings have begun their migration toward the rivers, most fishing has been 150 feet of water and shallower.  My successes have been due to ATOMMIK flies behind Michigan Stinger Pro-Trolls as well as Dreamweaver Spin Doctors.  Tom at ATOMMIK has some new UV flies worth checking out, including the UV Big Fin.  Hot to the touch!

My greatest piece of advice during this time of year would be to get a little crazy.  High sun? Try a white attractor.  Thermocline is down 80 feet?  Leave a rod at 60 feet for a while.  It seems the staging kings decide not to follow the "rules" of trolling Lake Ontario sometimes!

 

With September here, it's only right to mention night fishing for salmon!  If you haven't heard of this, check out my description here. I am looking forward to rowing around in the drift boat and I still have a few great dates left for night or day trips.  Don't wait, they'll fill up!

See ya out there!

The East End Continues To Produce...

The pursuit of Lake Ontario's Chinooks maintains a pay-off out of Oswego!  

Some days have required a little more work than others, but so goes fishing.  The tough days seem to parallel a thermocline high in the water column coupled with bright sun and very little surface disturbance, this amounts to an afternoon grind for bites.  

Another challenge has been the spiny water flea, wow!  They are brutal on the small diameter lines, turning them into rope within 20 minutes of being in the water.  Constantly checking and cleaning rods along with larger diameter line has helped, but I'm still impatiently waiting for them to die off.

As far as fishing location, not much has changed.  The Dixie Dandy's successes have still come from 150 feet of water to 350 feet of water.  The big lake's currents have required some finesse in finding the best direction of troll, but nothing impossible.  

The items also remain the same.  Michigan Stinger E-Chip attractors with ATOMMIK flies behind them have been the most productive.  I stick to my favorites, Crinkle Green Glow and Glow Hammers in the low light conditions and Pro-Am, Big Fin and Hammer flies as the day progresses. With the high sun afternoons I have also had success on Mirage flies.

 

I am looking forward to fishing August, it seems like summer sped by, as it usually does.  I have been receiving emails and calls about September's night fishing for kings, it's gotten my mind wandering!  I still have plenty of awesome dates left, so don't hesitate! 

See ya out there.

See ya out there.

Holy Tyee!

First, I'll admit I sucked at keeping up with the camera this past week.  Sometimes the urge to get an item back in the water is just too damn strong and I pass up the photo-op.  My apologies!

But, on a positive note, holy big kings!  Hold on tight, they've been awful mean lately.

Earlier in the week, our successes have come from 150 - 300 feet of water.  The thermocline was hovering around 75-85 feet below the surface, which has reached 72 degrees.  Say hello to the fleas!  Be vigilant in checking your wire divers and lighter line rods every 15-20 minutes or you will regret it, I promise!

The morning bite has been vicious, I've relied on your basic white glow and green glow Michigan Stinger pro-chips with A-TOM-MIK Glow Hammers and Green Crinkle Glow flies behind them.  

As the day progresses and light levels heighten, I've gone to running chrome attractors such as the Pig Pen with a Hammer or Big Fin fly behind it.  I also keep a high rod in the warmer water with a spoon.  Stingray Mongoose or Tuxedo is always a favorite.

Currently there is more transition occuring.  Oswego is enduring the aftermath of a heavy Northeast wind, which means an influx of cold water.  As with all things in nature, this will balance out eventually, but in the meantime fishing can be tricky.  With a thermocline so close to the surface the morning bite becomes even more important.  Remember, where there is a will, there is a way!

Lastly, the Dixie Dandy is coming in to a very busy August.  We still have a couple morning dates available and some afternoons.  Give us a shout and as I always say, don't read a report, make one!

See ya out there.

We Wait All Year...

...for this fishing!  Here in Oswego the west wind has surfed in plenty of King Salmon to target.  Our thermocline shifts with wind direction, but the fish are ready and willing.  Lately the early AM bite has been chaotic, but with simple adjustments like lure selection and depth, it's been easy to keep steady action through the afternoon.  

My program has been simple, load up on attractors with ATOMMIK flies behind them and troll. The standards remain the producers, Crinkle Green, Hammer, Shredded Hammer, TG and Mirage in the high sun.  

I am still seeing a mega-current toward the west end of the lake, so finding the most consistent direction of trolling speed has been helpful.  A few days ago I remember going 5.0 knots on the surface to achieve a 2.1 knot downspeed.  Brutal.

I expect the fishing to keep getting better, as more and more kings show up on our end of Lake Ontario.  I'm ready to welcome them with shiny lures and open nets.  

I am a big believer of living in the moment, but, before you know it August will be here. I can't help but think of September not being far behind...which also marks the beginning of another true love.  Night fishing for kings!

Until then, soak in those riggers popping.

See ya out there.

Fantastic Fishing Continues!

What a week here in Oswego!  As I had anticipated, the thermocline has set itself in our water column and the kings are here to play. As usual, ATOMMIK flies such as the Glow Hammer, TG and Green Crinkle have been my go to's behind Michigan Stinger E-Chip's.  I've also kept some spoons handy, my favorite being a Stingray size Tuxedo, for the high sun.

The brown trout haven't let us down either.  They've become compact to the bottom 10 feet in 80-110 feet of water.  Again, Stinger spoons have ruled supreme in colors such as Glow Back Alewife, NBK, Rosemary's Baby and Green Glow Alewife.  Mind your riggers and divers are close (not too close) to the bottom and troll in search of bait, which usually has our square-tailed friends near-by. Expect the incidental Lake Trout as well.  Hey, they make the rod bend!

I will do my best to keep up at least a weekly report, as I am on the water quite a bit for the remainder of our lake season.  No complaints on this end!

See ya out there.

 

Looking Back On Our June

The fast and furious fishing experienced throughout this year's June sure did make it fly by. Now we are slipping in to our transitional period, where our thermocline will set up and concentrate our fish.  As of late, the inshore brown trout bite has been great in the early AM hours, but teeters as the sun rises.  We have still found lots of lake trout and the occasional steelhead offshore as well.  

The brown trout have been pasted to the bottom 20 feet of the water column in 40-70 feet of water, experiment with your presentation using riggers, divers and leadcore to find where you need to focus your efforts that particular day.  I have been catching most of my browns on Michigan Stinger spoons in the Stingray size in colors such as Rosemary's Baby, UV Tuxedo, Mongoose and Yellow Tuxedo in the high sun.

The key to our offshore fishing is finding a break in surface temperature and working that.  Trolling out of Oswego, this means point the bow north and keep an eye on your graph.  An array of lures in the top 50 feet should serve you well, mix in some brighter reds and oranges for your steelhead while keeping the basics out.  I've also kept an attractor with an A-TOM-MIK fly behind it a little deeper in search of the nomadic king.  Glow Hammer or TG are my go-to selections right now.

As July approaches, we can look forward to Lake Ontario showing us how great her king salmon fishery really is.  The Dixie Dandy has some great dates available this month still, don't just read the reports, make one!