tibbs Posted November 29, 2009 Report Share Posted November 29, 2009 (edited) I'll start with a little intro. Back at the start of school my Dad told me that if i did well in school i would be able to do something special as a reward. Last week i got my report card with an average of... 87% . That was definitely good enough for my parents. So after some thinking i decided to book a trip out on the mighty Niagara! I heard good things about Paul Castellano on OFC, so i contacted him. He responded and said he was booked that day, but recommended another guide named Steve Piggott who is the guide for Angler's Way. We set the trip up and i was pumped for Saturday morning! I was thrilled it was finally time to go after restless sleep. We left the house at around 6:00 AM and headed towards the Queenston boat launch. We eventually made it to the ramp at 7:30. We then met Steve who already launched the boat and had all the rods ready to go. I then got into the float suit. Steve said the water was a lot dirtier then he would like it to be, but It didn't matter since I already knew it was going to be a great day. We then headed onto the almighty Niagara River... It was a brisk morning, but i was prepared for it with multiple layers of sweaters and socks, the float suit and my clean pair of wool gloves... Steve finally got to the spot, put the trolling motor down, and picked up a rod. He then showed me how to bottom bounce. This technique was brand new to me. I'm use to just watching my float move threw the current, but bottom bouncing requires you to feel the fish hit. It is hard to decipher if your getting a hit or your just tapping the bottom. I eventually caught on and we hooked 3 out of season lake trout which were promptly returned to the numbingly cold water. We then decided to change spots after a quick chat with Paul Castellano. We both started to head up river. I sat back and enjoyed the beautiful scenery of the Niagara River. We got to the spot and started to fish. It wasn't to long until we hooked a fish. After that fish Steve started the motor and headed back to the start of the drift. I then hooked into a monster. I could tell it was a massive fish. I fought like a champ and i finally landed it... My PB Steelhead! I was pumped after that fish. We subsequently hooked into a smaller bow. Then i hooked into to the Frankenstien of steelhead. I'll let the pictures do the talking... After that seeing that guy I didn't feel like eating my lunch anymore. We then got one more steely. We did a few more drifts and sadly it was almost the end of the trip. Steve said that we would do one more drift before we head back to the launch. I then felt a hit, but it wasn't moving. I thought it was a rock and was about to snap it off... until i felt a head shake. It then started to pull line off super fast. I knew it was massive. Steve started to chase it with the electric motor. All the while I'm wondering what i had on. I finally got it to the surface and saw what it was. We netted it and there it was... a Sturgeon :o And on 8lb mono to boot!!! It wasn't my biggest sturgeon, but I was shaken after that experience! Paul should have some great photos since he was following us and some taking pics. We then headed back to the launch after the epic battle. I thanked Steve for the great day and left. I fell asleep in the car dreaming about my next visit to the almighty Niagara. I would like to thank Steve Piggott of Angler's Way for my great day. He's a swell guy and i would highly recommend him for a great day on the Niagara. Now I've got exams to study for. Edited December 1, 2009 by tibbs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Posted November 29, 2009 Report Share Posted November 29, 2009 some real nice fish there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIFTER_016 Posted November 29, 2009 Report Share Posted November 29, 2009 Awesome Trip!!!!!! That steelie is a tank and the bonus sturgeon is sweet!!!! I hope to be fishing there next month. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leecher Posted November 29, 2009 Report Share Posted November 29, 2009 Beautiful report and awesome pics tibbs Love to pic of the sturgeon Nice surprise to hook into one and bet he gave you a great fight Kudos to Steve to put you into quality fish I've only caught a couple of sturgeon in my life time and the biggest one was a 49" while I was ice fishing..... caught on a still line and still to this date, don't how he got to suck in my 5" live minnow LOL Here's a pic of it: And don't laugh cause this was in my ice fishing debut some 20 years ago LOL Again great job Tibbs, congrats on the great report card WOW!!! Leechman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ThisPlaceSucks Posted November 29, 2009 Report Share Posted November 29, 2009 nice snowsuit leechman! looks like a fun day exam on the water, and more importantly, congrats on the grades. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Piggott Posted November 30, 2009 Report Share Posted November 30, 2009 When I get the photos that Paul took,I will send you them.Keep up the good work at school and we can fish again. Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trapshooter Posted November 30, 2009 Report Share Posted November 30, 2009 That's a great reward for doing well in school... congratulations for that and for your fishing success. I've fished with Steve before myself, he's a great guy and he'll put you fish too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Posted November 30, 2009 Report Share Posted November 30, 2009 (edited) 87% average, pat yourself on the back, as you can see the effort pays off in the long run, keep it up. Edited November 30, 2009 by Fisherman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishing 24/7 Posted November 30, 2009 Report Share Posted November 30, 2009 whats up with all the mutant steelheads?!?!?!?!? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StoneFly Posted November 30, 2009 Report Share Posted November 30, 2009 God Job on the Grades Tibbs!! its your future!!! Excellent report,...I would really like to see some pics of the face of that Frankenstein...lol...looks like he hit your prop during the fight....if you have any please post them....and that Sturgeon,...thats sick...I have been hoping to hook into one for a couple years now!! musta been a treat...did you get any aerials out of it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassive Posted November 30, 2009 Report Share Posted November 30, 2009 BRAVO!! What a great report. Congrats on eh 87% and fish. Your right, Steve is a GREAT guide. he took me and Yakpiker out on Nov.11 and we caught 22 monsters. Look up our report. Great job Steve www.anglersway.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radnine Posted November 30, 2009 Report Share Posted November 30, 2009 Congrats on the great average and the great fish! Obviously you were raised right and you have done your parents proud. Keep up the great work and your education will keep paying dividends. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tibbs Posted November 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2009 Thanks Everyone!!! Beautiful report and awesome pics tibbs Love to pic of the sturgeon Nice surprise to hook into one and bet he gave you a great fight Kudos to Steve to put you into quality fish I've only caught a couple of sturgeon in my life time and the biggest one was a 49" while I was ice fishing..... caught on a still line and still to this date, don't how he got to suck in my 5" live minnow LOL Here's a pic of it: Wow... that must have been an interesting fight When I get the photos that Paul took,I will send you them.Keep up the good work at school and we can fish again. Steve. That would be great. whats up with all the mutant steelheads?!?!?!?!? Probably from all the junk we put in lake Ontario that causes the deformities. God Job on the Grades Tibbs!! its your future!!! Excellent report,...I would really like to see some pics of the face of that Frankenstein...lol...looks like he hit your prop during the fight....if you have any please post them....and that Sturgeon,...thats sick...I have been hoping to hook into one for a couple years now!! musta been a treat...did you get any aerials out of it? I don't think there's any close ups. It sort of looks like a reverse kype. I wish the sturgeon jumped, but it stayed on the bottom the whole time. The ones on the Fraser River in BC normally jump at least once when you hook them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spinnerbaitking Posted November 30, 2009 Report Share Posted November 30, 2009 Congrats on the Grades & the Fish, especially the Sturgeon, some day I'll try for one of them Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
splashhopper Posted November 30, 2009 Report Share Posted November 30, 2009 87% average, pat yourself on the back, as you can see the effort pays off in the long run, keep it up. I second that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corvette1 Posted November 30, 2009 Report Share Posted November 30, 2009 congrats on the steel and sturgeon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted November 30, 2009 Report Share Posted November 30, 2009 Looks like you had an awesome day! Congrat's on the 87.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anders Posted November 30, 2009 Report Share Posted November 30, 2009 Congrats on a great day, and a great report card...the only time i saw 87% was on others people's report cards! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigugli Posted November 30, 2009 Report Share Posted November 30, 2009 Well done for both aspects of your report. The trip proved to be an excellent reward for your efforts at school. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyb Posted November 30, 2009 Report Share Posted November 30, 2009 Steve said the water was a lot dirtier then he would like it to be, but It didn't matter since I already knew it was going to be a great day. Great attitude!! And a fantastic post! Keep up the great work at school, and on the water Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mepps Posted November 30, 2009 Report Share Posted November 30, 2009 Awesome stuff, great surprise too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Governator Posted December 1, 2009 Report Share Posted December 1, 2009 First, hats off to you on the great report card and a pat on the back to your parents for following through with a great reward. You landed some nice lookin' fish... well aside from Frankenstein of course lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tibbs Posted December 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 1, 2009 Thanks Again Everyone!! Paul sent some great pics: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehg Posted December 2, 2009 Report Share Posted December 2, 2009 Nice sturgeon, i assume they are not caught that often in the Niagara. The other fish aren't shabby either except for that one with face mashed Cool gift from your parents Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twocoda Posted December 3, 2009 Report Share Posted December 3, 2009 You are doing everything "right" Mr Tibbs....good on ya and keep it up! you will never forget the sturgeon ...ive only caught one in my life ( about 30 years ago ) and can still feel it like yesterday!...congrates !!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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