Cattaraugus Creek Outfitters

The home stream is Cattaraugus Creek, shortened locally to the Catt, and the operation holds private property on it in Zoar Valley with pools the guides rate for both swinging and nymphing. Fish begin entering the creek in September, October and November are the prime autumn months, and the fishing stays strong into December for as long as the water is free of ice. Spring is a second season: March through May brings a mix of fresh arrivals and post-spawn drop-backs heading down to the lake, aggressive fish that will chase a streamer. From mid-April into June the same runs hold two- to five-pound smallmouth on a fly rod. The guides lean on traditional presentation and spey casting, fishing full floating or sink-tip lines with speys, wets and streamers, and turning to nymphs when conditions demand; spey and switch rods earn their keep on the larger streams. The stated steelhead season runs 15 September to 15 May. A full day is eight hours on the water at $450 for one angler, $600 for two and $750 for three, half days are $300, $475 and $550, and flies, leaders, tippet, lunch, snacks, drinks and digital photographs are included while the licence and gratuity are not. The guides note that the creek’s bed is regularly rearranged, so the holding runs move from year to year and sometimes within one.