upper niagara river 2021 2

[@squiggymcsquig6170]

0:49 : I never knew muskies could meow.

[@NewEnglandPatriotsfan]

What amazing aqua life

[@PureNRG2]

Dove the Niagara many times. Lot’s of antique bottles. When the current gets ripping feels like flying. The Niagara never disappoints.

[@benjimolina6959]

I like the video better with all the natural sounds of the scuba equipment and boat motors.

[@GearheadExplorer85]

Thanks for uploading this! You seem to really know the Niagara River well. I want to do my Rescue Diver course there in the future. At what point along the river do the currents get too dangerous to dive in? I'm trying to get an idea of safe entry and exit points. I'm certain that if you don't get out before Chippawa, you're basically toast.

[@jimkinner]

I stay away from the Chippewa cut these days. Two divers died there when the current switched due to power plant operations. The area between the Peace and RR bridges are dangerously quick. We dive from our boats, but the west side of Grand Island and the Niagara Scenic parkway on the Ontario side has some access.

[@GearheadExplorer85]

@@jimkinner Thanks! I don't plan to do this dive for many years (ie until I'm super experienced). With a dive like this, I would be scoping the area several times, go over the plan several times, and pick out multiple exit points along the way. Even then, I might change my mind about doing it. Definitely doing my research on this area.

[@WNYXeb777]

Terrific Jim - ty - subbed

[@paulbriggs3072]

It seems there isn't much structure to the river there. Seems like more grassy patches would improve habitat if that was possible.

[@jimkinner]

there are some weedy areas, buy I tend to avoid them as its difficult to film there.

[@martinphillips4091]

Love the video

[@HEC350]

I'm amazed at the number of fish, very interesting video TY

[@bortz0230]

Great video Jim. Back in the 70's, this river was like an open sewer. We used to fish behind the City of Tonawanda police station for Bass. Many of the fish had tumors in the head area, from pollution. I can't believe how clear the water is today. A fish that was quite plentiful back then, was silver bass. Didn't see any of those in this video. Thanks for sharing.

[@jimkinner]

Thank you. That's true about the silver bass.You don't see them like back in the day.

[@gooseturtle]

Appreciate it so much. I am always glued to the screen because of the amazing footage you capture in these videos and your thoughts. Thanks for sharing!

[@jimkinner]

thank you

[@wd5091]

Thanks so much for sharing these videos . And i appreciate your comments

[@johnfagot3711]

Hope you do it next year I have always enjoyed your videos

[@jimkinner]

thank you

[@jakethesnake8842]

This is great! Thanks for sharing.

[@Maggot911]

Another great video, thanks.

[@seanpatrick5263]

Really can’t thank you enough for what you do. I wish you could do this more but understand why you can’t. Love your videos!

[@jimkinner]

thank you for the kind words.

[@Sherwoody]

@@jimkinner I saw a sturgeon in 2022 for the first time. It was quite a surprise. We were near Frenchman’s Creek on the Canadian side in about 20’ of water.

[@GhostOfTheAngels]

Just started watching all your videos yesterday, perfect timing for this to come out! Love to see it.

[@corym239]

these videos are incredible.

[@johnbarber8260]

Awesome video. Thanks for sharing the footage as well as your perspective and info on the local fishery. Super interesting as an angler in WNY.

[@frankungaro3758]

Love your vids as usual Jim, thanks for posting

[@MikeMcCarty6453]

Where was this drift?

[@georgebauman8159]

Hey man approximately how deep are you while you are diving in the river and seeing those musky

[@jimkinner]

Between 12 and 25 usually. Thanks for watching.

[@adamsmith3996]

Nice job Jim. Thanks. I caught a 19 lb sheephead this year in the upper Niagara. GO BILL'S !

[@zamrika]

Thank You for great video, how deep you was filming?

[@jimkinner]

about 20 feet

[@golforfishing]

Did I hear you say there may be no videos next year?? It may not seem like it Jim but my fishing buddies and I always watch your videos.

[@jimkinner]

Thank you. Our crew is "aging out". Like any sport, you can only do it so long.

[@vtek2508]

@@jimkinner we appreciate everything you posted for us!

[@ChiII_BiII]

What are the logistics on a dive like this? I'm looking to get my dive license in the next year or so and am trying to discern what is doable in the area. Where do you get in/out? Do you have a boat follow you? How do you keep from getting separated from the group? Great videos, thanks!

[@jimkinner]

This is how we do it. Its boat diving. There are 3 divers. We do 3 drift dives an outing . Each diver drifts twice and runs the boat once. 30-35 minute drift so all 3 get a little over an hour of bottom time. The line you sometimes see goes up to a float and flag. We do get separated at times. It happens. We tap on our tanks and if we can't locate each other in a minute or two, we surface and regroup. Thats basically how we've done this for years. I hope it answers your questions.

[@ChiII_BiII]

@@jimkinner it does, thank you so much for taking the time to answer!!

[@casSthEcrowN]

Amazing footage. Whereabouts in the river is this?

[@jimkinner]

Thank you. Upper river between IRRB and Grand Island.

[@sullyman6182]

Nice video Jim good work!

[@kidthump]

Do you think the zebra mussels have been beneficial?

[@jimkinner]

Well, as a diver, they gave me clear water to film fish. On the downside, they obscured wreck details and covered artifacts on the bottom that divers collect. I'd say win there but others would have it the way it was before if they could. It's the same with fishing. It changed the game.

[@ltsam4174]

Thanks for your videos. Very helpful. So have you seen many Perch in the River and Minnow schools?

[@jimkinner]

We sometimes see perch around the weedbeds. The minnows are usually done by the time we start diving. thanks for watching.

[@waterfrontangling5724]

"INTRODUCED" Gobies ?

[@DavidNiedbala]

Wow the bottom is very bright white in spots. Why is that?

[@jimkinner]

its mostly dead mussel shells

[@lukevilleneuve3249]

Great video have been watching em for a while now. You say the upper but roughly where are you going in closer to mouth of Erie?

[@ChrisG9978]

Your underwater videos and insights into the fish population and state of the river are amazing, Jim! I wish I could pick up where you might be leaving off...I would imagine the equipment, scuba gear, etc. are a large investment from a time and financial perspective. This may be a dumb question, but has anyone ever attempted a dive like this into the Lower, or are the waters too turbid and dangerous for line diving?

[@bpd3286]

I have a few divers if you need us bud