Niagara River Steelhead

As so often happens, the big one got away today. That said, I'm sure not complaining.

The big one, an Atlantic salmon that Capt. Frank Campbell estimated in the 20-pound range, did two huge jumps and made a couple of sizzling runs - before it got free. It provided big excitement, though, as did a half a dozen steelhead, a lake trout and a smallie that did find their way into the boat today.

A couple of the steelhead were at the mouth of the Niagara River, close to Fort Niagara. The others were a handful of miles upriver, in a classic steelhead holding area known as Devils Hole. All ran hard and treated us to some acrobatic jumps.

It was a fun day on the water with Capt. Frank and with fellow writer and longtime friend Vic Attardo.