Catharine Creek is the principal spawning tributary for the rainbow trout that live in Seneca Lake, the deepest body of water in the Finger Lakes chain. Every April Fool's Day, thousands of eager anglers mark the beginning of the annual trout season by dunking a line in the fabled stream. Often, fishermen outnumber the fish at that time of year. But the few anglers who make a return visit in the fall will find they have long stretches of Catharine Creek to themselves and plenty of fish to go around.

The season on Catharine Creek, as on other Finger Lake feeder streams, runs from April 1 through Dec. 31. Depending on rainfall and water levels, many of the rainbows that won't spawn until March or April begin to nose their way upstream as early as the previous October or November.

Most years, numerous 12- to 18-inch males and some 3- to 6-pound hens can be found in the creek's deeper pools by Thanksgiving Day. Unlike the shy biters usually encountered in the spring, these early arrivals strike aggressively at spawn sacs, garden worms, artificial nymphs or in-line spinners.

Most of the fish caught in Catharine Creek in the fall come from the lower reaches of the stream, below Montour Falls, but heavy rains may nudge the fish all the way up to Millport, about 10 miles from Seneca Lake.

Catharine Creek begins in Chemung County and flows north through southern Schuyler County en route to Seneca Lake. It is paralleled by state Route 14 and is less than 30 feet wide in most spots.

Anglers new to Catharine Creek should be aware of special regulations applying to all Finger Lakes tributaries. For instance, only single hooks with a gap of no more than 1/2 inch may be used on the stream. That single-point rule applies to spinning lures, as well as bait and fly hooks. Also, fishing is prohibited before legal sunrise or after sunset. Other Finger Lakes-specific rules are listed in the current edition of the New York Fishing Regulations Guide.

Seneca Marine Bait and Tackle in Watkins Glen, at (607) 535-6690, is a good source for updates on the status of the fall rainbow run in Catharine Creek. For information on nearby lodging, try the Schuyler County Chamber of Commerce at (800) 607-4552.

On average, the Niagara funnels 1.5 million gallons of water into Lake Ontario per minute. Below the falls, currents gush at a pace of up to 25 miles per hour through 40-foot-deep pools. The spectacular river gorge is more than half a mile wide in places.

Sound intimidating? It is, but steelhead fishermen who know their way around the Niagara rack up some enviable catches. About 70,000 steelhead are stocked annually in and around the river, and many grow up to be whoppers. For example, Andy Picco of Baldwinsville fishes the lower Niagara at least once every winter, and usually reels in several 8- to 15-pound steelies per trip.

Most of the steelhead fishing in the Niagara is done from 17- to 21-foot boats equipped with dependable outboards and electric trolling motors. The first motor is to assure the occupants make it safely over and across; the second is for precise maneuvering along fish-holding runs or "drifts."

Niagara regulars tend to bait up with golf ball-size chunks of salmon roe still on the skein. Large mesh spawn sacs and colorful yarn flies also work well. Regardless of the bait or fly you choose, figure on using at least a full ounce of weight to keep your hook near the bottom in the powerful flows.

While hiring a guide is strongly recommended for your first Niagara trip, many freelance anglers launch their own boats at the Water Street dock in the village of Lewiston off Route 18F in Niagara County. The most consistently productive drifts are on the opposite side of the river, where anglers must have a Canadian license, available at any Canadian Tire store.

A limited amount of safe shore-fishing is available on the lower Niagara. Try the Devil's Hole and Whirlpool state parks, if you're willing to walk up and down steep, often icy trails, or try the casting platform at the New York Power Authority if you'd rather not.

The Niagara County Tourism office at (800) 338-7890 has maps to help anglers find these spots, and can also update fishermen on current fishing conditions and nearby lodging alternatives.

Naturally, there's a caveat to this enticing picture - a couple of them, in fact. First, because Cattaraugus Creek is relatively shallow and slow moving, it freezes over earlier than other prime New York rivers. While you can count on open water in early December, many of the Cat's pools will have ice rimming their banks by the end of the month. Second, anglers will need a Seneca Nation license to fish some of the creek's most productive pools. About half of the river below Springville courses through the tribal reservation. You can get the necessary permit at the Seneca Mart on Route 438 northwest of Gowanda.

Be advised that the creek usually has a muddy tinge due to extensive clay banks in the watershed. Fly patterns featuring black, purple or fluorescent orange hues tied on No. 4 to 8 hooks work well in the roily water.

For a map-brochure that shows popular access points on Cattaraugus Creek, contact the DEC's Region 9 office in Allegany at (716) 372-0645.