Ken Kieser: The fabulous Niagara River

Niagara Falls is world famous for romantic escapes and daredevil feats.  Several people have gone over the falls in barrels surviving “certain death” while a few perished. Nik Wallenda will walk across the falls this month, the first to attempt this feat since The Great Blondin 150 years ago.

Wallenda, of the famous Flying Wallenda Family, will walk over this incredibly power waterfall on a 2-inch steel cable. There are many who have accidentally or on purpose fallen over the falls without a barrel, only a couple survived.

The danger of this stretch is millions of gallons of water falling down a big cliff to create immense pressure that crashes bodies into large rocks and boulders. This very dangerous reason is exactly what makes the Niagara River a fisherman’s paradise. The conditions are rough but rewards are great in big lake trout and trophy smallmouth bass.

I recently watched Ernie Calandrelli maneuver his boat through exceptionally rough currents and fast-moving water two miles downstream from the famous waterfalls in search of a spot called Devil’s Hole, a boulder-filled chute of terror for an inexperienced river fisherman. This powerful stretch helps create electricity in a nearby power plant while providing trophy fish with a wealth of bait washing down stream.

Soon Calandrelli turned his boat toward the bank and gave the order to cast Lazy Ike-style lures in chrome and green colors. I cast toward the bank and soon we were slipping downstream while our well-made lures bounced off rocks and boulders. The rods made a slight bend and constantly vibrated, making watching closely for a bite seem necessary. We quickly found out that there was no doubt when the strikes came.

The vibrating rod suddenly bent double as a big lake trout took the lure and dove. Calandrelli turned his boat sideways to allow for an easier fight in the rough waters. There are many species in this stretch, but a big lake trout makes his presence known by stripping off a lot of line in short order and making the reel’s drag system squeal.

The suggestion to “pump and reel, pump and reel,” made fighting the fish easier. Then, when the fish decided to make another run and strip off line, hanging on and waiting was necessary. Reeling against a strong run put added pressure on the already well-stretched fishing line.

Finally the big fish tired out and I looked at my first lake trout, not a trophy at 10 pounds by any stretch, but a good fish just the same. The beautiful fish had put on quite a fight while Calandrelli skillfully handled the boat in rough conditions.

Minutes later, fellow outdoor communicator Mike Seymour set the hook while I reeled my line in to avoid an entanglement. I sat back and watched Calandrelli move his boat to “the” position where fighting the fish was most possible.

Seymour, a guide on the St. Lawrence River, skillfully played the fine lake trout that finally gave up to the net. His fish was closer to 12 pounds, but the veteran angler was gracious in not rubbing it in.

Soon we maneuvered up to Devil’s Hole to try another drift. I watched the rough waters roaring down this narrow chute and quickly understood why few survive its fury, especially after plunging several hundred feet down a cascading shaft of water.

My daydream ended when a 5-pound smallmouth bass slipped out of his rocky hiding place to engulf my lure. I lightly set the hook and hung on. Setting the hook harder rips the lure from their mouths.

The bass seemed determined to not be outdone by the lake trout and made several fine dives. I fought the big female until it was done and quickly released her for a later day. There are many 7-pound smallmouth bass in this stretch. I had little doubt that the healthy fish would someday reach this trophy status.

We caught a couple more lake trout in the 8- to 9-pound range before the trip ended – much too soon. I sat back and enjoyed the ride with current back to our dock, totally amazed at the power of these fish that survive in extreme conditions.

Want to add this amazing fishing opportunity to your bucket list? You can call for more information from the Buffalo-Niagara CVB at: 1-800-buffalo or the Niagara Tourism or Convention Corp. at: 1-877-fallsus. To fish with Ernie Calandrelli or to request a brochure, call: 716-609-3064.

Ernie Calandrelli’s fabulous but easy fish soup: I tried a bowl of Ernie’s soup and finally stopped at three.

Recipe: Bagged Shore Lunch cream of potato soup mix, several cups of water (8 to 12), fish fillets or walleye cheek meat and Cajun seasonings. Cut the fish in small bits, add all ingredients and cook on low heat. Bon appetite! Serves 10.