Seasons Greetings from Southern Ontario Outdoors

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all my fishing friends. Thanks to all who are following this blog; your comments and suggestions will help me provide you with even better items throughout 2009.

With winter arriving in the middle of November this year all signs are pointing to an outstanding ice fishing season for 2009. Temperatures have hovered below freezing since about the middle of November giving ice formation an early start in most regions of Southern Ontario. I would think that by New Years we should have safe ice in areas throughout the region.

The one determining factor might be the amount of snow that has fallen in a given area. Heavy snowfalls weigh down the ice, forming slush before it freezes. This type of ice is not nearly as strong as ice that has formed without the extra burden of snow. Keep that in mind and check local conditions carefully before venturing out onto the ice.

If in doubt watch to see what the ice hut operators are doing. If they are getting their huts out you can be reasonably sure that the ice (at least in that location) is safe.

Over the next few weeks www.sooutdoors.ca will be publishing a special ice fishing section that will run throughout the winter. Also, within the next month I will have added a large interactive database to http://www.sooutdoors.ca that will make it very easy for you to zoom in on specific fishing destinations and local information.

Enjoy the winter’s ice fishing bounty and stay safe. Always err on the side of caution when ice fishing.

“Peace on earth: good will toward men.”

Lloyd

Late Fall Water Safety!

Well the sudden onset of winter has reduced the numbers of rainbow fishermen to those true diehards that still ply the frigid waters of the river mouths in search of their quarry. I truly enjoy fall fishing, but I must admit that walking through three feet of snow just to get to the river does dampen my enthusiasm.

Unless we get a break in the weather sometime soon I fear that I’m stuck in that no-man’s land between fall fishing and ice fishing. Methinks I’m not alone and with that being said there are a couple of precautions that we all must consider at this time of year.

1. It will be some time before lakes are frozen to a safe thickness, and with all the snow it will likely be quite sometime before we have safe ice.

2. Be careful when wading into rivers at this time of year. Shore ice often forms and can conceal drop-offs and fast currents underneath. Wading through ice to get to open water can also result in torn waders that will quickly end your day on the river.

3. Always wear a floatation device. Even in shallow rivers a fast current can sweep you off your feet before you can react. With water temperatures only a few degrees above the freezing point your muscles will cramp and you will be unable to function in a very short period of time after falling in. If you’re still fishing from shore a flotation suit is a great idea. It will keep you both safe and warm.

When fishing in cold weather safety should be your number one priority.

Lloyd

Time for Fall Steelhead

This is the time of year when the most dedicated and serious of Southern Ontario’s anglers hit the water. While many outdoors people have switched activities – after all it is hunting season – there are still those that are drawn like a magnet to the bountiful fall waterways.

Although there are still many species that are still in season, late fall is the time for steelhead and the fall run is just hitting its prime. There’s just nothing that can compare to the throb of a nice fall rainbow on the end of light line and a long rod. This is truly finesse fishing at its best.

Rivers like the Saugeen, Maitland, Beaver, Credit, and Ganaraska come to life with plentiful numbers of steelhead and anglers alike.

Most fall rainbow are caught by drift fishing, float fishing, or still fishing depending on the location. Drift fishing usually involves fishing a deeper fast moving run with a short length of line. The fisherman usually relies on feel to sense a strike. The drift fisherman typically uses a float and allows the line to drift quite a distance downstream watching the float for any signs of a strike. These two types of fishing are often incompatible – especially in the same place – and common sense and courtesy are paramount to allow everyone to enjoy their day on the river, but more on that another time.

The more relaxed art of still fishing often takes place off piers at river mouths or harbor entrances. A heavy sinker is attached to the line and rests on the bottom waiting for rainbow to be attracted to the bait (usually a spawn sack). Fishermen often employ the use of elaborate rod holders and huddle in warm cloths and sip warm drinks while waiting for a strike. Some will cast spinners but that often entails using two hands and there is no place for the warm drink.

Whatever your preferred method of angling for these cold water acrobats be sure you wear some kind of floatation device. Late fall waters are cold and can be deadly if you take an unexpected swim.

Be safe; be courteous and enjoy your wonderful fall angling adventure.

SD

Salmon Derby Wrapup

Well the major "big water" derbies are done for another year and once again proved to be a major tourism draw to their respective regions.

The Owen Sound Salmon Spectacular - hosted by the Sydenham Sportsman's Association - boasted a 22.44 pounder caught by local angler Craig Rourke to clinch first place. Craig takes home a host of prizes including a new boat and motor.

The grand daddy of them all is of course the Great Ontario Salmon Derby hosted by the Toronto Sun and the Toronto Sportsmen's Show. Held on the waters of Lake Ontario this huge 50 day event offers $450,000 dollars in daily, weekly, and grand prizes.

Port Credit resident Al Menard walks away with the big prize for 2008 after boating a 35.46 pound monster.

Congratulations to all the winners, but more importantly thanks for making these events a huge success and contributing to fisheries management and conservation in Southern Ontario.

Lloyd

Get Ready for Reel Smoking Action

I may be tied to the computer but my thoughts are on the river. The scent of autumn; the cool nights; and visions of the "big one" are at the forefront of every fisherman's mind as we wind down the last few weeks of summer and the fall runs begin.

One of the earliest visitors to Southern Ontario's river mouths are Chinook salmon. Right now they are starting to stack up off of river mouths like the Credit, Bronte Creek, Grand, Ganaraska, Maitland and Saugeen.

Drifting roe bags, bright coloured streamers, or even pieces of brightly coloured sponge will entice these massive migratory fish to strike. In the early days...like right now...a casual walk down the pier with your favorite lawn chair makes for a relaxing evening and often ends in some reel screaming action as those fresh from he lake lunkers grab your offering and head back out to the lake. Fish in the twenty pound range are common this time of year.

You know, I have a friend that used to swear by sitting with a big marshmallow and an egg sinker to keep it just off bottom. He fished off the pier in Bronte and really got into some great Chinook action. I've never tried it myself but to each their own (ha).

Be sure to identify your catch and get any inadvertant catches of Atlantic Salmon right back into the water so we can build a great Atlantic salmon fishery for tomorrow.

If you have any early season tips or tricks you'd like to share please leave a comment.

Keep your line tight!
Lloyd

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