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