Friday, July 9, 2010

Floating Down the River – 10 Tips for Relaxing Drift Fishing

The rain has started to fall and we just hit the tail end of the first true heat wave of our Southern Ontario Summer. We're also nearly at the end of National Fishing Week. This year Ontario extended the license-free fishing period from just a weekend to the whole week, giving newcomers to this great outdoors activity a chance to explore Ontario's vast fishing resources without the need to purchase a license. This program has become a true success story and is sure to keep growing in popularity.

A great way to enjoy these hot hazy days of summer is the float trip. I know that to some the term may conjure up images of drift boats and guides but it wasn't always that way. Although the services of a guide makes for a pleasant outing and you're almost guaranteed to get into some quality fish if you follow the suggestions of your guide, the float fishing I'm talking about is about a relaxing drift down a lazy river and being happy to catch whatever happens to tug on your line. In Southern Ontario this can be anything from bass and walleye to creek chub, suckers, catfish, and carp.

There is no need for fancy equipment, a couple of lures or a hook and can of worms, and some means of transportation (canoe, kayak, inflatable, etc.) is all you need. If you plan on drifting a significant distance it is advisable to take two cars: leave one at your destination – typically near a bridge that crosses the river; and drive the other one and the canoe upstream to your starting point.

Now you're set for a day of relaxation with no timeframe, just a relaxing drift down the river to your takeout point. You can cast lures into deeper pools along the shoreline or drift with worms through deeper runs, and you'll never know what you might latch onto. A couple of years ago my buddy latched onto a huge carp that actually pulled our canoe a good distance back upstream.

Here are a few tips to make your Southern Ontario drift safe and enjoyable:

  1. Wear your life jacket!
  2. No alcohol; but do take plenty of liquid refreshment on a hot day.
  3. Wear waterproof footwear like sandals or water slippers. Water levels can be low during mid-summer and you will likely have to walk through short shallow stretches on most Southern Ontario rivers.
  4. Pack a lunch or snacks…make a day of it and don't rush.
  5. Watch the weather. If rain or, especially thunder storms are imminent you might want to shoot for another day.
  6. Wear a hat that will shade your face and neck. And don't forget the sunscreen and packing some insect repellent might be a good idea.
  7. Did I mention Wear your Lifejacket?
  8. If you are alone or only have one car it's best to head upstream first and then drift back to your starting point.
  9. Check a map and be aware of the actual distance you plan to travel. Many Southern Ontario Rivers have huge oxbow bends in them; it may be only a couple of kilometers between bridges by car, but the actual distance on the river can easily be several kilometers.
  10. Be sure someone knows where you're going and when you plan to be back. Take your cell phone but keep it in a waterproof container or plastic bag.

I hope you get a chance to try this relaxing effortless way to explore Southern Ontario's rivers this summer. Leave a comment on our blog and tell us about your adventures. Have a safe enjoyable summer.

©2010 Lloyd Fridenburg – All rights reserved click here for copyright permissions

2 comments:

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