LOTSA 2025 Salmon School

Capt. Bob Songin has been salmon fishing Lake Ontario since 1980, and he became a captain in 1984. He hosts many clients from all over the U.S. He has fished both the south and north shores with many top 10 derby and tournament finishes to his name. He has always been willing to share information and new techniques with the fishing community as Lake Ontario has evolved over the years. He was instrumental in the founding of the original Lake Ontario online fishing report, At the Oak, and continues it today on Facebook as At the Oak when fishing out of Oak Orchard/Point Breeze, and as At the Bar when fishing in the spring in Wilson, NY. Bob targets the trout species in early spring, specifically brown trout, then turns his focus to king salmon from early May until September. With running over 120 charters a year for the past 15 years, Bob has a huge amount of on-the-water experience and knowledge on Kings, which he will provide to attendees during the school. In 1988, he founded the Lake Ontario cooperative net pen program with the DEC for raising salmon and steelhead, whic promotes increased survival and imprinting of both species when stocked. Bob is currently on the Pro-Staff of Dream Weaver and A-Tom-Mik, as well as Pirate Lures in its early years. Bob was instrumental in the founding, development, and promotion of some of the most successful baits on Lake Ontario over the years, including but not limited to, 42-second spoon, spin-doctors and flies, the Stud fly, the Bam Fly and Flashers. 

Capt. Brian Garrett has been fishing Lake Ontario's southern shore since he was 10 years old. With that passion for fishing, he attended college, majoring in Aquaculture and Aquatic Science. For the last 21 years, he has been operating Tall Tails Sportfishing Charters out of the Eastern Basin. Oswego Harbor has been Brian's home port for the last 14 years, with time spent each spring fishing the waters off Niagara County. Brian balances a career in construction management and his businesses Tall Tails Sportfishing and Captains Choice Marine Surveying. Given this, he understands the challenges of the recreational/weekend fisherman in finding and locating fish for a successful day on the water. Brian focuses his time on the water fishing for salmon and trout. Brian is also a marine surveyor and has a lot of experience with boats, boat systems and rigging. When Brian is not chartering, he and his Tall Tails Team are competing in tournaments and derbies along the south shore. They have won the Oswego Pro Am twice (2014, 2017). In addition, they have many top 10 placings in many other events stretching from Henderson Harbor to Wilson. Brian is also very involved in the fishery away from the water. He is the Vice President of the Eastern Lake Ontario Salmon and Trout Association. He also sits on the DEC Lake Ontario stakeholders group.