by Bret Amundson

Here are pictures from our recent AGLOW media camp to the Niagara River area. We stayed at Niagara Crossing and utilized a few of the local guides for fishing. Special thanks to Frank Campbell at Destination Niagara USA for the hospitality.

More pictures and videos will be coming and there is a podcast from us available to download or watch now here. Here are a bunch of pictures from our crew that attended. Bret and Dan Amundson, Jim Willes, Lew Freeman, Joe Henry, Karen Lutto and Mark and Lori Smith spent two days exploring the Niagara Falls area.

Weather was beautiful on Tuesday April 16th, our first day on the water, so we fished out on Lake Ontario. Recent winds had muddied up a good portion of the river and the lake but we were able to sneak along the shoreline near old Fort Niagara and find fish. We trolled Mag Lips, stick baits and other crankbaits and caught browns, cohos and even a chunky smallmouth in our boat. You never really know what you might catch. Other members on the trip caught king salmon using the same method. Jim Willes even broke his personal best smallmouth record TWICE, finishing with a 6.5lb, 20″ football.

Day 2 was set aside for the river. The wind was blowing harder and rain was in the forecast. The Niagara River may be one of the more unique places I’ve fished. It widens out near Lewiston but as you travel up river towards Niagara Falls, it narrows and the banks rise up on each side, reaching over 200 feet. As we passed under the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge, the current started to pick up. Whirlpools caused the boat to slip from side to side as our guide, Dave Scipione from Scipione’s Fishing Charters motored between the two hydroelectric power plants that towered on each side. This route was nothing new for him, but for anyone venturing to the Niagara with their own boat, it can be daunting.

Once you reach the other side of the steep concrete structures, the river resembles something out of Colorado with whitewater rushing in all directions. This is deceptive however as it isn’t rocks causing the disturbance, it’s pure volume of water. The depths are actually over 30 feet deep in the middle, with a 10-25 foot hole on the American side behind some visible rocks, that will hold lakers, steelhead, smallies, walleyes, muskie, sturgeon, browns – pretty much every species that swims can be found there at one time or another. This hole, is the legendary “Devils Hole.”

We spent all day on Wednesday there, out of the wind, but taking the full brunt of whatever rain we were going to get. Overall, the rain wasn’t too bad and we did battle some colorful steelhead and fiesty lakers. As with any fishing adventure, it’s never a guarantee, but with a place like the Niagara River, even a slow day can be memorable. Because every fish you catch can be considered one of the harder fighting fish in North America. Combine those heavy headshakes with a fast moving river and you will be in the ride of your life.

Consider booking a trip to this beautiful area with your fishing buddies or make it a family adventure combined with a trip to see Niagara Falls. You won’t be disappointed. Here is a list of the guides we had on our trip:

Frank Campbell: Niagara Region Charter Service
Dave Scipione: www.scipionefishing.com
Jeff Draper: www.niagaraguides.com
Joe Marra: https://www.niagarafallsusa.com/directory/niagara-rainbow-charters/

Dining Options Near Niagara Crossing:
Apple Granny’s – I had the Baked Haddock with Lobster. It was a solid choice!
Brickyard – I had the brisket here and I would get it again!

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