West Canada Creek

The West Canada Creek flows through the Kuyahoora Valley and next to the people of the valley is probably the greatest resource the area has. It is a beautiful trout stream that is enjoyed by thousands of people every day from April through November.

With the opening of Trout Season, you can drive the length of the river from Trenton Falls to Herkimer and at just about every fishing parking area you will see people our fishing and enjoying the bountiful river. As May approaches and the waters warm a bit, you will begin to see the fly fishermen appear as the trout begin feeding on the different forms of insect life that amazingly rise through the water from egg to nymph to fly and at the moment it reaches the surface takes off in a perfect symbol of the wonder of nature. It is the goal of every fly fisherman to be able to tie the perfect duplicate to the creature that Mother Nature has so amazingly created.

As June comes and the water continues to warm to a temperature that humans can stand, the canoes and kayaks appear. Then as July nears and the water is almost comfortable to a 40 plus year old the youth begin to tube the river. July and August find the river filled on a daily basis with you and old, men and women, enjoying a slow float down the river. The quiet and peace broken by laughter and screams of delight as someone is dunked or tipped into the cool, clean waters of the West Canada.

September brings the beauty of the leaves reflecting on the water and the quiet and peace of a canoe or kayak trip down the river. You pass through the rolling farms of Trenton, then into the Village of Poland. From Poland you pass through Railroad Rapids, passing more farmland on your way to Newport. Just before you get into Newport you can stop near the Blue Rose or the West Side Saloon for a quick bite to eat, then paddle down through Newport and take out at the Newport Telephone Company to portage around the dam. Put back in and continue your float toward Middleville. This area requires a more experienced paddler as the water is more challenging, yet just as pristine and beautiful as ever. After passing the KOA and floating about 2 more miles, your last portage around the Herkimer/Middleville dam, then floating about 3 - 4 more miles into the Herkimer and the Mohawk River.

The Kuyahoora Valley has a lot to offer and the West Canada Creek is the Queen of the area. If we treat her right, she will pay us dividends - if we continue to mistreat her, she will reward us with our due.