Greetings from WNY.

[Alex Contino]

Hello,

My name is Alex Contino. It seems that this site is mostly for competitive fly fishing. While I am not too interested in that, I am very very very interested in fly fishing. I am relatively new to fly fishing, but I feel I am rather knowledgeable and skilled already. I was living in Hood River, OR for a winter and it was there I was introduced to two handed fly fishing. Let's just say that was it for me. I love it.
I had to move back to the east, where I now fish the Genesee River mostly. I feel like a bit of a black sheep with my 4wt switch rod, but I love it. I also still use a single hand rod and love that too... it has its applications.

I am looking for like minded people locally and globally to discuss tactics (both single and double hand). I am hoping to also find some people to hit the rivers with.

One more thing... I realize there is some time before the steelhead season here in New York, but I am really hoping to find some people who are in to two handed (swinging flies) steelhead fishing!

Thanks for reading my intro.

[Dejon Hamann]

Welcome Alex. I actually live in Buffalo right now... shortly moving to Springville. 

There's a plethora of great fishing opportunities here in WNY.  I was just fishing the upper catt two days ago.  She's getting a little low and warm but the fishing was still great and the rains last two nights probably helped. 

We're definitely slanted toward the competitive side of things here, but love discussing advanced techniques to catch more trout in general, and sometimes dabble with the two-hander talk. 

If you don't find what you're looking for here in terms of your last query take a look at http://oakorchardflies.proboards.com/index.cgi? - Local WNY fly shop that has a lot of two-hand fans.

Man, Steel seems so far away here in the heat of the summer.

[Alex Contino]

I am originally from East Aurora, NY and I have lived in Buffalo. Currently I live in Hornell, NY.
I think many of the WNY rivers are getting low and warm. It has been tough fishing lately, but I've had some luck here and there.
As far as steelhead go, it definitely feels far far away, but my other passion in life is snowboarding and that is even further. At least now I have something to pass the time in the fall while I wait for snow.

I noticed on another posting you (Dejon) had picked up the Echo TR 7wt. I am thinking of picking up that rod for steelhead. What do you think of that rod? Is the 7wt a good all around size for WNY steel?

[Dejon Hamann]

I think it's probably the perfect choice for WNY steel actually.  Stout enough to battle some of the 10+lbers, but still more than enough action to have fun with the average 5/6lbers. 

Dammit! I hadn't even thought about steel until you brought it up.  Way too early to start gathering those nuts.