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ONTARIO FISHING ADVENTURES
Last winter we did a special feature profiling several fantastic fishing resorts in various regions of Ontario. The article was so well received that we decided to do it again, with a new group of lodges. All of this year’s destinations provide top notch fishing for multiple species, they’re relatively unpressured and they are easily accessible by car. From high-end, full service resorts to more laid-back fishing camps, each of these locations offer a unique fishing experience. If you’re thinking about where to go for your next fishing getaway the following pages feature Bob Izumi's profiles of some the trips he made last year. Hopefully they will give you some ideas on where to look for a fishing trip that is sure to meet all of your expectations.
FISHING ALGOMA COUNTRY
Wil Wegman is an award-winning outdoor writer, seminar host and tournament angler from Bradford Ontario. In 2017 Wil was recognized for his dedication to the sport by being inducted into the Canadian Angler Hall of Fame. www.wilwegman.com
Tales from the Road
As you may know I like driving, so jumping in a vehicle and doing a road trip is appealing to me. For years I would routinely do 100,000 km per year or more on the road. So this Tales starts with me heading out again, back to Brennan Harbour Resort in Spanish, Ontario. Located in Algoma Country, this friendly resort is operated by James and Casey, who are a wonderful couple.
CHAIN PICKEREL ON STRIKE
I’ve never stalked a whitetail deer, but I imagine doing so is a bit like fishing for large chain pickerel. Success is found by locating those prime areas where the big ones live, and by working those areas thoroughly and patiently with exact techniques.
What's Cooking
Elk Tartare with Horseradish Crema
Tales From The Road
Since my last Tales article I’ve been averaging at least six days a week, sometimes seven, on the road. Road trips are, and have always been, a big part of my life. There’s just something about being on the go that I love. In fact, as I wrap up this column I’ll be hitting the road again and I can’t wait, even though I just got back a day ago. I think it’s ingrained in me so much that I don’t mind living out of a suitcase. I know it’s not for everybody, but I like it.
The MGM Fishing Trip
On the first Saturday of June 2020, a group of 20 extended family members will celebrate an amazing milestone. They will be participating in the 50th consecutive year of a family fishing trip begun by four founding members way back in 1971.
Hidden Gems
Every now and again we anglers are lucky enough to find lakes, ponds or creeks that feel so isolated from civilization that believing they are a reality is sometimes more difficult than finding them in the first place. Stumbling across, or being introduced to, a body of water with such enormous potential for catching fish is what any fishing enthusiast dreams of. Fortunately for myself, I have lucked out three times in one shot.
Black Crappie
The black crappie is a member of the sunfish family and features the same deep, laterally compressed body shape as other sunfishes.
Fly Tricks For Fall Trout
In the fall, fly fishing changes. Not only does the weather cool, the bug activity often quiets down as well. Different techniques are needed to adapt to the rivers where fish are often looking for different food. Searching techniques and paying attention to details can improve your success.
Autumn Rivers Of Bronze
Cast number one results in a powerfully built 18-incher! Cast number two and a 20-incher comes to hand. Cast number three and I find myself hooked into something really big and powerful! Moments later, I find that my hand is barely fitting around the shoulders of a very thick 23-incher!!
Today's Hits And Yesterday's Favourites
I love how certain radio stations use the tagline, “Today’s Hits and Yesterday’s Favourites”, and that’s what this issue’s column is all about.
Barred Owl
“Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you-all?”
Walleye
The walleye is the largest member of the perch family and is closely related to the smaller sauger and the European zander. Despite being commonly referred to as “pickerel” in many areas of Canada, the walleye bears no relation to true pickerels, which are members of the Esox, or pike, family of fishes.
Ice Fishing Made Easy
Each year around November or December, Canadian anglers are faced with the task of storing their boats and tackle as winter moves in and ice locks down the lakes and rivers. For some, the next five-months are spent tinkering with gear, shopping for new fishing supplies, watching fishing shows and generally doing anything remotely fishing related as a means to stay sane until the spring. For others, the arrival of winter signals the beginning of a whole new fishing season. Snowmobiles and ATVs take the place of boats; long rods give way to short jigging sticks and chopping or drilling holes through the ice replaces casting as the method of offering baits to fish.
The Suick
It is interesting to note that one of the most renowned muskie lures of our time was created partly by observation and partly by accidental luck. Frank Suick owned a fish hatchery and he noticed that injured or sick trout would dive down to the bottom of the tank and then slowly rise up to the surface when he tried to dip net them. Being a muskie angler, this gave birth to an idea.
Foam Flies
Floating a beautiful summer river and casting easy-to-track flies through riffles and along cut banks is one of my favourite fly fishing experiences.
The Wallflower River
Originally called “Askunesippi”, (Ojibwa for “the antlered river”), Ontario’s Thames River received its present name in1792. The Thames was officially designated as a Canadian heritage river in 2000. It flows westward from the town of Tavistock through Woodstock, past London, into Chatham and on to Lighthouse Cove where it joins Lake St. Clair, a distance of some 270-kilometers. There are 94 species of fish that call this nutrient-rich water home, everything from brook trout to longnose gar.
Catching The Largest Pike In Any Waterbody
Northern pike are one of the most aggressive freshwater fish species throughout Canada and the northern US. They are very adaptable and can make themselves right at home in a wide variety of lakes, reservoirs, and river systems. They can grow well into the 40-inch range and some can even stretch the tape past the 50-inch mark.
Lake Trout
A member of the char family, the lake trout is a uniquelyCanadian fish. They are easily recognized by their long,somewhat rounded shape, deeply forked tail and bodywhich is covered with light spots on a darker background.
5 Simple Rules For Summer Crappies
It is hard to say anything negative about the black crappie. Here’s a fish that has a good attitude about hitting live or artificial baits; that presents a bit of a challenge to land thanks to a papery mouth; that schools strongly so good numbers can be taken; that provides a lot of meat for its length and that rivals or beats yellow perch, walleye and anything else you care to suggest as the best-tasting freshwater fish. Probably the only thing any of us will complain about is that they become elusive after the spring spawn.
Panama's Wild Coast
Having had my kayak launched from the mother boat I began to pedal it toward one of the many rock outcroppings that lined the shore. Almost within casting range I stop pedaling and let the kayak slowly glide forward. Stealth is everything; experience has taught me well.Loading my rod tip, I begin to assault the rocky outcropping with the longest casts that I can muster. My six-inch popper lands on the ocean surface with a loud splash. Immediately I begin popping the bait as hard as I can. It is crucial that a popper creates as much splash and sound as possible to draw up the monsters from below.
Why Do Fish Do What They Do?
Why do fish do certain things at certain times? Why? I’m asking because I’ve got a two-year-old granddaughter who’s always asking me, “Why?” When I take her out to my pond fishing, or for a walk to show her nature, she’s always asking, “Why”?All through my life I’ve wondered why you catch fish sometimes and sometimes you don’t. Why is that? As I get older I’m finding out more of the reasons but I know I’ll never find out all of them.
The Magic Never Dies
I opened the old metal tackle box and took a long look at its contents. After some thoughtful deliberations I removed a handful of ancient lures that had been relegated there for the last 60 or so years, give or take a decade.
S.W. Ellis & Sons
Samuel Wilson Ellis was born on the 4th of March, 1879, in Trent Bridge, Ontario, to Luke and Sarah (Hardy) Ellis.
Muskellunge
The mere mention of the name, Muskellunge, is enough toget most anglers’ blood racing.
Two Guides Traveling Two Roads
The generic definition that comes to mind when we think of a fishing guide is someone who helps us catch fish, period. But if we take the time to peel back the layers of this onion there is so much more to it. Guides bring people together - fathers and sons for example - creating traditions that are handed down for generations and that are looked forward to every year with the same anticipation as Christmas morning. They can teach and mold a new lineage of anglers and forge rich memories that will last a lifetime. This is not only an interview with two gifted fishing guides. Although it highlights the techniques and specialized methods of two very distinct angling practices, most importantly it reminds us that at the end of the day there is far more to fishing than just catching fish.
Flying Boats
The staple method of fly fishing is wading in rivers to approach fish but there are other ways to access excellent fishing opportunities with your fly rod in tow, including using a watercraft.
Better-Luck Baits
When a fisherman opens up an old tackle box and observes the contents, they might notice a brilliantly coloured orange cardboard lure box.
Blue Shark
Blue Sharks, as their name implies, have a pronounced bluish hue to their bodies.