NAPLES CREEK
More than a few New York residents hold to the opinion that there are two kinds of trout fishing -- rainbow fishing, and everything else. These traditionalists wouldn’t think of opening the New York trout season anywhere other than one of the Finger Lakes’ tributaries that attract annual spring spawning runs of big, silvery rainbows.

In my opinion, the best of these streams is Naples Creek, which empties into the south end of Canandaigua Lake. Naples and its several prominent tributaries consistently produce ‘bows of 2 to 8 pounds, and usually hold decent numbers of spawners at least until the end of April.

Best of all, it doesn’t receive heavy fishing pressure after the first weekend of the season, and beginning in mid-April, I can count on having long stretches of the creek to myself.

Last year, I first tried the creek on April 9 and was surprised at the scarcity of cars in the various parking areas for anglers. I fished upstream all the way from the mouth of Grimes Creek to the crossing at Eelpot Road -- a distance of well over a mile -- without seeing one other fisherman.

Conditions were difficult, with low, clear water and bright sunshine. Yet I caught three respectable fish between 15 and 17 inches long. I also spotted several fish that appeared to be 20-inchers at least, hiding among deadfalls and other cover.

Patience is a major advantage for Finger Lakes tributary anglers, especially during the season’s first week or so when the water is chilled with snowmelt and most trout have yet to spawn. Until they propagate, lake-run ‘bows aren’t hungry and must be teased into striking.

Repetitive casts are necessary, and it’s wise to give favorite holes 20 or 30 minutes each before you continue upstream. Once the trout have finished their reproductive chores, however, they quickly resume feeding and can be quite easy to entice.

Along with the abundant rainbows, Naples Creek holds a fair number of wild brown trout. Most of these are on the small side, but occasionally you will tie into a whopper. My personal-best brown from the creek is a 21-incher. I suspect it swam up the stream the previous autumn and found the deep pool where I caught it to be just right for a winter vacation.

Before trying Naples Creek, be sure to review the Finger Lakes tributaries rules in the state fishing regulations guide. In particular, note that the creel limit on Salmon Creek -- and other tributaries up to the first barrier impassable to spawning fish -- is three trout a day measuring 15 inches or better.

Another critical rule limits anglers to using single-hook lures only. Conservation officers patrolling Finger Lakes feeder streams do not look kindly on trebles, even if they’re tucked away in a forgotten pocket.

Naples Creek flows through the village of Naples in Ontario County. Rochester-area anglers can find it by driving south from Canandaigua on Route 21, which overlooks the west shore of Canandaigua Lake. Although the mainstream is the most consistent producer of big rainbows, tributaries such as Grimes Creek, Tannery Creek and Eelpot Creek are well worth trying, too, especially after heavy rains have muddied their currents.