Late May is the best time of year for dry fly fishing on many northeastern trout waters. Hatches can be plentiful. Sulphurs, Green Drakes and remnants of the March Brown hatch make up the balance of the menu. I had two enjoyable outings on local waters the past few days which included landing a couple memorable fish. The recent rains we received here in Western New York were much needed and will help prolong the good fishing into early June. 

Last week I filmed a segment for 2 the Outdoors which airs on the Sunday morning news on WGRZ, the NBC affiliate in Western New York. 2 the Outdoors is filmed and produced by Terry Belke who is equally talented with his camera work and editing. Check it out. 

http://www.wgrz.com/news/daybreak/2TheOutdoors/article/215023/325/The-Art-Of-Fly-Fishing

I fished Lake Erie and the upper Niagara with old friend Arnie Jonathan on Sunday with perfect conditions that included a light south wind. The fishing wasn't easy but we found enough interested smallmouth to make for a great day on the water. I used my standard big water rig which includes a 300 grain line and silver shiner Clouser Minnow. With the cold water the takes were mostly quite subtle and we each missed on a few takes. But overall it proved why this area is considered some of the best smallmouth fishing in the country.