LookBack #1
So if you are going to LookBack you might as well look all the way back, all the way back to my 1st…
…EVER Fishing Story…
…ran on ESPNOutdoors February 7 2007. That’s a printed copy of what ran that day, and it seems I printed out the story copy as well back then…first and last time I’ve ever done that, but it’s the original script, can’t believe I still have it.
And this was the 1st Outdoor Photo of mine ever printed…
…it’s my brother-in-law Michael…which is why the story title has in it “with in-laws…”
2nd photo printed, my other brother-in-law…
…Jim. He’s the guy who gave me the best advice about how to write about fishing, since I had no idea, he told me what he likes to read about when it comes to fishing “the stories inside the boat, stuff your knucklehead friends do, the planning, the fun, the camaraderie, I know how to fish but tell me the stories of those who do.” My entire career doing this was based on that one sentence of advice. God’s honest truth there.
Capt Chris Cinelli our guide…
…who pretty quick on knew I had no idea about fishing but who thought that was cool and he had a blast as well as we told him to grab a rod and reel and fish as well. Chris still guides you can reach him here BTW back then he didn’t even have a website, he does now and it’s pretty fancy.
In the past 14 years I’ve been on a bunch of rivers…
…but my home river, The Lower Niagara is my favorite. The feds tell me that on it you can catch: Chinook salmon, steelhead (rainbow trout) walleye lake trout, brown trout, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, muskellunge, yellow perch and smelt. Google backed that claim up (always dbl source when it comes to fishing, maybe actually triple source).
Excuse Me Where Did you say we were moving to on the river to fish…
“…Devil’s Hole.” Um, hmm, wait, what..
The Lower Niagara River Copyright American Airlines Flight #264 Chicago to Hartford…
…window seat.
The ride back home on the NYS Thruway…
…welcome to the Northeast in winter.
The Lower Niagara River…
…not sure this photo comes from my 1st trip fishing there, it might be there’s ice on the water, but don’t hold me to it. I have since come to love that part of the Niagara River, been fishing there a few times now, scenery is always amazing as is the fishing.
If you’d like more information about fishing in the area my buddy Bill Hilts can help you out, he’s a great resource there.
Fishing up top, the Upper Niagara and a bit of Lake Erie my other buddy Jim Hanley can help.
To be honest I’m shocked my bosses at ESPN let me do the story in the 1st place, but they did, I’m shocked that my brothers-in-law were up for going out with me, and that Chris would take us out that time of year…but all of that somehow happened.
And it flat out changed my life.
db
PS: So you know when/if I recommend anyone I don’t get paid to do that, wouldn’t take their money to begin with, I just mention them in case you’d like to get more information or hire them…I’ve got no skin in the game and never will.
LookBack #2 “Ice Ice Baby…”