Fishing in Ontario has never given anglers a better chance to benefit from a variety of lures and baits to choose from. Our diverse fish species allow many lures to excel at catching multiple species on any given lake on any given day. Anglers can be a fickle bunch and many stay true to certain types of lures for certain types of fish. For example northern pike (content/view/14/81/) anglers will commonly use flashy coloured spoons, buck tail spinners and large crank baits while walleye (content/view/18/81/) anglers seem content with pickerel rigs baited with minnows, grubs and leeches as well as the time tested jig head and soft plastic grubs. Lake trout (content/view/22/81/) anglers find that large spoons in a variety of colours produce trophies consistently. Historically it is a proven fact that many anglers will only use one specific lure for one specific type of game fish (content/category/4/15/81/) . This was my philosophy for many years but has changed recently and has increased my success rate fishing in Ontario lakes (content/view/122/65/) with multiple species of fish. One of the newest lure technologies to hit the market and are making a splash in the angling community is the swim bait. Available in two primary types; the first laden with internal weights that produce lifelike swimming action and the second a jig head type with soft plastic tails. Many different sizes make the swim bait an attractive bait for many Ontario anglers and sizes range from 2 inches all the way up to 11 inches. Highly overlooked by the bass community we’ve found over the last 2 seasons that the swim bait really produces some amazing large (content/view/16/81/) and smallmouth bass (content/view/17/81/) action. First impressions by many anglers are that they would never use such baits for these types of fish species. With colours and actions so lifelike in some of these newer baits bass anglers have warmed up to them at an alarming rate and you’ll find them in thousands of tackle boxes now. Swim baits can be one of your most versatile lures in your tackle box. Having a decent selection of sizes will allow you to fish different lakes and conditions. Larger swim baits typically seem more effective when fished in deeper and bigger lakes where there is a good supply of bait fish and matching the hatch definitely increases hookups. Smaller swim baits fished in smaller backwater lakes and rivers prove just as effective as many soft plastic rigs and because of the weight balance of many of these lures they are great for pitching and flipping for bass off lily pads and around structure with their single hooks lessening the snag factor. We’ve found in our research that swim baits provoke reaction and sight strikes. With this in mind they are extremely productive in clear water or lightly stained water with 3 to 4 feet of visibility. Because of the weight of some of the larger lifelike swimming baits marking fish over points or drop offs will allow you to get your lure down into the strike zone. With the lifelike swimming action in many cases it is more than enough to drive bass crazy. Northern Ontario (content/section/3/33/) lakes are also a great location to experiment with swim baits. Recently I discovered a bargain bin at my local tackle shop with literally hundreds of swim bait packs on sale for less than 2 bucks each. It was a no brainer for me after hearing reports of their multi species effectiveness and I literally stocked a box just with swim baits. Choosing a variety of 3-7 inch paddle tails, 6 inch minnows, 7-9 inch twister tails and 3-4 hard body baits I left one satisfied customer knowing that I just increased my multispecies catching capability at a reasonable price. After field testing a few of them so far this season I’ve found that the single hook varieties work great for northern pike and walleye in shallow water conditions. I’ve also found that by altering your retrieve from a steady swimming motion to a dying baitfish twitch and retrieve style really drives northern pike crazy. Some of the newer larger lifelike swimming lures were best used in deeper waters and weed bed transition areas. Because of multiple treble hooks on many of these lures they should be fished away from heavy structure and used at depth for fish suspending near points of drop offs. Using a typical shad colour not only did we land a few good sized northern pikes put also managed a couple of ‘out of the slot’ sized walleye that eventually made the dinner table. What a pleasant surprise to have the chance at landing a voracious northern yet have the subtle ability to tempt a finicky walleye all within a few casts of each other. Seemingly up to the task the swim bait has a bright future for many Ontario anglers who not only want to land multiple fish species but also want to save a little space in the tackle box with multi use lures. This article was written by the contributing staff of OFT and its group of amateur and pro Ontario anglers. Copyright 2008. Ontario Fish Trips (http://www.ontariofishtrips.com)

It seems that on a daily basis lately we’re inundated with doom and gloom forecasts from those in the financial sectors across Canada and the United States. More and more discouraging financial news continues to spiral the price of gasoline, food and general living necessities to record prices. Many say that speculators are inadvertently increasing prices from just that. Speculating. Well, I’m speculating that there will be more fish on the end of my line in the near future. Yes, of course everyone is feeling a little lighter in the pocket book but that shouldn’t stop anyone from taking some quality time out to enjoy the great lakes and rivers (content/view/122/65/) that the province of Ontario has to offer. Just the other day I read in a local Toronto paper that angling in the province of Ontario has declined in the last 24 months. While for some it may be negative news but for me and many anglers it means more fish for us and less populated lakes and river. As a steady reader of local Toronto newspapers I understand that the price of gas has really left consumers with little left at the end of the day once all of the bills are paid and I can attest to the fact that one may have to find cutbacks in other areas to keep that disposable income handy for more important things such as fishing. Many who enjoy large cabin cruisers and high powered fishing boats are electing to either park them at the dock or take fewer and closer trips to home because of the soaring fuel prices. Try finding a 14 foot boat with a 9.9 on any popular online classified website and you’ll see that they are being scooped up in a flash. For those seeking larger more powerful boats it is definitely a buyers’ market and in time if we’re lucky and the governments get their act together prices for gas and other essentials should start a downward trend. With the cost of personal boat ownership on the rise it is much more economical for many to rent boats from resorts and lodges on a daily or weekly basis and makes perfect business sense for those who like to hit the water once or twice a month. But don’t fret. Many anglers who reside in Southern Ontario (content/view/42) have an abundance of locations to choose from that won’t leave a permanent scar in their wallet. Let’s just look at a few places I like to frequent which are easy to get to, hold good amounts of fish and are less than a 1.5 hour drive from the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Lake Simcoe (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?f=q hl=en geocode= ie=UTF8 om=0 msa=0 msid=117133510893101508090.000446cac76c438e0e74c ll=44.491607,-79.380341 spn=0.417327,0.819855 z=10) continues to be one of my favorites. Less than a 45 minute drive up Highway #400 on the western side or #12 on the eastern side Cooks Bay still produces monster pike, smallmouth bass and walleye. Its location offers anglers many great shore fishing opportunities as well as daily boat rentals from many marinas in the area such as Gilford and Keswick. East of Toronto resides another little hotspot known for many years by local anglers as a great lake for Panfish, Walleye, Muskie and Bass. Rice Lake (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?f=q hl=en geocode= ie=UTF8 om=0 msa=0 msid=117133510893101508090.000446cac76c438e0e74c ll=44.17531,-78.209953 spn=0.104896,0.204964 z=12) offers many different lodges and resorts such as Anglers’ Retreat (http://www.fishingricelake.com/) that offers daily and weekly 14 foot boat rentals. A one and a half hour drive from Toronto is all it takes to enjoy a great day out on the water with your family or friends. Taking the 401 to Hwy #28 north will have you there in no time and I find that an early afternoon departure from the city and later return around 8-9 pm will give you a great 5-6 hours on the water without the headaches of rush hour traffic. To the west of the GTA outside of the town of Fergus lies the Belwood Lake Conservation Area (http://www.grandriver.ca/index/document.cfm?Sec=27 Sub1=119 sub2=0) . Developed in 1942 as part of the Shand Dam it was primarily built as a reservoir for water control purposes. Today it is also used for power generation for many of the cities and towns across the province. 12km in length it has a great picnic and play area for the kids and also a trout/bass pond for the little ones to try their luck. 14 foot aluminum boats with 9.9 engines are available for half day and full day rentals. Great fishing can be had on a year round basis for northern pike and smallmouth bass. The lake record for northern pike in Belwood is 44 inches and there are annual pike tournaments held every year! Wow, not bad for a lake so close to home. For those with their own boats there are excellent launching facilities. Try the first and second cove to the right of the boat launch for some pretty good northern pike. Mepps #5’s and Spinner baits have produced some pretty good sized northerns in the past with my personal best at 35 inches. Other good areas to try are just in front of the dam (fish deeper) and around the island for Smallies. Downstream of the dam for approximately 1km the area is noted for excellent brown trout angling. Make sure to check local regulations (content/view/137/72/) before dropping a line anywhere in the province. Now is also the best time to explore some of the more northern areas of the province. I like to use this time to my advantage and take at least one good trip to a northern location to experience some of the finest fishing and lodges (content/section/3/33/) in the north. Grab a few buddies and take one vehicle. Splitting the cost between 3-4 friends can get you up to some of these great locations and lets be honest, you always have a better time when you’re with friends anyways. For the personally the higher price of gas has meant LPOTR. Less People On The Road which in turn leaves a much more relaxing drive for all of us. I think that for many in the Southern Ontario areas the time and conditions couldn’t be better to hit the road for a memorable fishing trip. So amid all of the doom and gloom if the so called experts are right there will be more fish for me at the end of the day and less congestion on our lakes and river systems throughout the province. Feeling the pinch? I am… I’m pinching myself…the fishing has never been better so close to home. This article was written by the contributing staff of OFT and its group of amateur and pro Ontario anglers. Copyright 2008. Ontario Fish Trips (http://www.ontariofishtrips.com)

OK, lets not beat around the bush here. If we do we'll stir up the mosquitoes and blackflies. Just kidding! Contrary to popular myth the mosquitoe is not the provincial bird of Ontario. But we do need to discuss the nasty fact that many fishing websites kindly overlook about the great Ontario outdoors. Yup, that's right, bugs. We're not going to lie, we got 'em and so does every other northern destination. Now, this doesn't mean that every fishing lodge, resort and outfitter (content/section/3/33/) is plagued with hordes of mosquitoes, blackflies, deerflies and horseflies but it is a fact of life in the great outdoors and we do share the same ecosystem of these little buggers. Click Here for Updated Bug Reports (http://www.theweathernetwork.com/index.php?product=bugreport pagecontent=cancitieson_en) Because of the shear size of Ontario its bugs and conditions vary from location to location. Many factors affect what is where and when. The weather (content/view/49/46/) probably plays the most important factor and we're not just talking about the present day conditions. Factors such as past winter conditions, snowfall amounts, spring conditions, global climate change and precipitation amounts are just a few that can affect the amount of bugs at any given place. Present day conditions also affect areas and rain, wind, temperatures and amount of sunlight play roles in the hatching of many types of bugs. While a good spring hatch is good for the fish it can be somewhat of a nuisance for anglers. Bugs are a fact of life but it doesn't mean that you have to hide in your cabin, resort or tent for fear of losing pints of valuable blood from your system. Being prepared for them takes very little effort and knowing a few handy tips and having some reputable repellents is all it takes in most situations. Probably the most infamous buggers in the province are the Blackfly and Mosquito. Both can be annoying and painful if not prepared so let's go over a few basics. Unlike mosquitoes the blackfly chews its way through your skin before feasting on your blood. They are notable crawlers and usually move around a fair bit sizing you up before the attack. This works to your advantage as it can give you precious time to swat these little critters before they select a buffet spot on your body. Active during the daytime the blackfly is noted to disappear during the evening hours and a good wind can keep them at bay. When out in the woods it is not uncommon to see swarms of them so don't be surprised. The spring and summer months are usually when blackflies are at their peak. The latter months of August and September see a steady decline in the population and eventually die off but this can depend on local weather conditions. The common mosquito on the other hand displays different characteristics but is just as annoying. Many fear the incoming sound of buzzing and can drive many people crazy. Opposite to the blackfly the mosquito likes the later hours of the day to come out and play. Notable flyers they will land mostly during the daytime hours and emerge just in time to spoil your dinner. This does not mean that you will not see any during the day though. Because the mosquito likes damp conditions they can be stirred by disturbing bushes and trees.Swampy areas and marshes will typically hold higher numbers of mosquitoes and standing water is a hot spot for them as well. Much easier to swat that the blackfly they fly slower and usually will try to dig in wherever it lands on your skin. Windy days and drier conditions will lessen the frequency of mosquitoes. A few tips to keep these critters at bay and to enjoy your outdoor adventures are: 1. Bug repellent formulated with DEET. 2. Reduce the wearing of perfumes and personal deodorants. 3. When weather conditions permit wear long clothing and tuck in pant legs in your boots or shoes. 4. Wear light coloured clothing such as yellow or white. 5. Keep moving. A sitting target is easy prey. 6. In highly infested areas wear a bug hat and net. 7. Burn mosquitoe coils and use citronella often. 8. Make a smoky fire at your campside or cabin. Using a few of these tips will definately help you enjoy the great Ontario outdoors much more. While you can't control the bugs you can prevent bites and the overall nuisance with a little preparation and knowledge.

Everyone needs a little rest and relaxation! Those who fish are the largest group of people that enjoy recreation and their skill gives them an advantage over non-anglers who enjoy getting back to nature. Not everyone, of course, likes any one particular fish. Some anglers love to fish for Lake Trout (content/view/22/81/) , others prefer Chinook Salmon (content/view/51/81/) and still others would rather catch Rainbow Trout (content/view/21/81/) . The beauty of the sport of fishing is that there is something and somewhere for everyone, no matter what their preferences. This is why so many people enjoy fishing vacations and those that prefer a more structured trip often choose a fishing charter. Fishing charters are perfect for those who enjoy the sport but would rather not invest in all the equipment and the watercraft needed. They would rather pay someone else and use their boat than be saddled with their own that they would only use occasionally. When you add in the insurance, maintenance and repairs, a fishing charter makes a lot of sense. Lake Ontario (content/view/122/65/) and Lake Erie (content/view/122/65/) have several big charter boats and are popular spots for anglers. Georgian Bay (content/view/122/65/) in Lake Huron on the Ontario side is also a beautiful fishing spot with charters to rent. After deciding where you want to fish, you need to find out how much it will cost. Fishing charters, like every other business, are competitive and the prices aren’t consistent from one company to the next. Be sure that you know the base fee as well as the charges for any extras you might want to take advantage of. You’ll want to ask about any deposits the charter requires or if you’ll have to sign a contract. And remember, you usually get what you pay for so any big price disparities might indicate a lack of quality or even unsafe watercraft. How long is the trip? If you’re paying by the hour and the captain decides he’d like to get in a little fishing before returning to the dock, you’re going to have a problem unless you make it clear that his fishing is on his dime! And speaking to the captain, be sure that he’s competent. Any captain worth his salt won’t mind if you check his references and ask about what type of training and experience he’s had. The majority of charter captains are pleased to discuss their skills and appreciate a potential customer who bothers to educate himself before signing onto a charter. Taking a few extra minutes of your time will ensure that you will have the fishing trips of a lifetime for you and your friends. This article was written by the contributing staff of OFT and its group of amateur and pro Ontario anglers. Copyright 2008. Ontario Fish Trips (http://www.ontariofishtrips.com)

Knots are the most important factor in fly fishing, even more than skill or luck.When you choose the right knot and tie it properly, you’ll avoid losing the fish you work so hard for and save yourself a lot of frustration! Learning the appropriate knots and how to tie them are the secret to successful fly fishing. It’s important to moisten a knot before you tighten it. You can do this with your own saliva or use water from the stream or lake if you’re onsite. The knot can’t seat properly if you tighten it when it’s dry and the moisture makes it easy for it to slide. It also helps to avoid heat created by the friction of drawing the knot tight; heat will weaken your line and there goes your fish! By moistening the knot before you tighten it, you avoid the heat of friction and your knot will be good and strong. Seating the knot means tightening it with a continuous and steady pull. You can check to be sure it’s secure by pulling on the line and line leader to see if it holds. By testing it this way, you know it’s strong and won’t break once you get a bite. You many want to buy or borrow one of the many books about fly fishing that list the steps of tying each kind of knot, accompanied by illustration. There are also plenty of tutorials online that you can use to learn the different knots and when to use them. You may also heard of “backing to the fly reel”, a term that describes securing your line to the reel. There is a specific knot you need to use to do this, either the Nail Knot or an Albright Knot. You can also use the Nail Knot when you tie your fly line to the leader. A Surgeon’s Knot or Barrel Knot are good ones to use when you secure the leader to the tippet. The next step, tying the tippet to the fly, is where you can use a Duncan’s Loop or a Clinch Knot. The most vulnerable part of your equipment is your knots so it pays to give special attention to how you tie them. A fish fighting to stay in the water and out of your boat will strain every knot between itself and the angler. If even one of your knots is improperly tied or weak, or if you’ve chosen the wrong knot the line will break and your fish will have won the battle. Learning your knots and how to tie them properly will leave you with very few stories of “the one that got away”! Fly fishing knots are, for the most part, fairly simple but some are a bit complicated. If you put in some time practicing your knots before you before you get out on the water, you’ll be ready to do a quick fix if your line breaks. Learn to tie the right knots in dim light as well as sunlight and you’ll spend less time on shore and more on the water. After a time, you’ll be able to know which knots work best for you. A good, well seated knot is an angler’s best friend so it’s well worth your while to learn to tie your knots properly. This article was written by the contributing staff of OFT and its group of amateur and pro Ontario anglers. Copyright 2008. Ontario Fish Trips (http://www.ontariofishtrips.com)

It’s always been a given that walleye love a jig ‘n minnow and that old standby was used by many serious fishermen. However, when we went to a favorite spot on a northern Canadian Shield lake we caught not one fish! Everyone else had great catches at day’s end using nightcrawlers so the next day saw us using jig ‘n nightcrawler. Guess what? All we caught were perch! The next day we switched back to minnows, embarrassed to ask many questions and our budget didn’t include hiring a guide. Needless to say, that particular fishing trip, over ten years ago, wasn’t the fish bonanza we’d looked forward to! These days, though, we’re not so shy of asking questions and guides are very inexpensive. On our recent trip to Northwestern Ontario, we decided to hire a guide. We wanted fish and we were determined to use every tool at our disposal to get them! The first thing our guide told us was that all the walleye had just switched over to crawlers from minnows. We found out that the water temperatures affect their taste in bait; as the water warms, walleye will strike at different bait. Since the water temps had risen into the 60’s the walleye wanted nightcrawlers instead of minnows. Our guide suggested we fish in the eastern basin of the lake so we scouted around the reefs and islands along the shoreline. We decided to use the good old time tested Lindy Rig. We could have used any number of techniques but the contour of the lake bottom demanded we troll slowly to stay as close to the bottom as possible. Our guide told us the best way to use a whole nightcrawler is to put the hook just once through the nose and let the weight drag. Letting the worm do its own thing without interfering is important. And, by keeping your bail open, your can feed out your line once the fish bites. After five to twenty seconds you can take in the slack and set the hook but if you still feel the fish nibbling, give it more line. At times the walleye didn’t seem to cotton to the worms; they could be larger than the fish are used to eating, or they are just too used to feeding on the Mayfly larvae or crawdads. If there are large numbers of larvae just beginning to hatch, this is probably the case. Thanks to the guides knowledge and advice, we ended up using half crawlers that appealed to the walleye. Some of them didn’t take the bait very well. It would feel as if we hit a snag and we had to set our hooks on a tight line; if the fish was given any slack at all, he’d drop the bait. When we’d used the whole crawlers we did a steady drag but with the half crawlers we employed a lift and fall on a tight, 8 pound superline, one of the best on the market. Good line is no place to skimp! With this line we could feel the faintest of changes. We were more than pleased with our catch that day, due almost entirely to having a great guide. Northwestern Ontario (content/view/43/33/) is a superb for walleye and has an abundance of lakes, lodges and resorts to get you out on the water fast. Many lodges have rental boats, guides, cabins, fly ins and outposts. If you decide to do some fishing there remember that live bait walleye tactics can be a successful and productive alternative to artificial baits and lures. This article was written by the contributing staff of OFT and its group of amateur and pro Ontario anglers. Copyright 2008. Ontario Fish Trips (http://www.ontariofishtrips.com)

From time to time we get some amazing deals from our world class Ontario fishing resorts and lodges. Take advantage of some of these high season specials that will get you fishing in some of the best freshwater destinations across the province. A variety of choices can be yours and getting the most out of your hard earned dollar is foremost on our minds when recommending an outfitter. From American plans, guided fishing tours, housekeeping plans, fly in fishing and drive in fishing take advantage of these latest specials from our top rated Resorts and Lodges. West Nipissing Resort Fishermans Special! Save 20% on your next fishing trip when you rent a cottage, boat and motor in the month of July 2008. Contact Us (http://www.westnipissingresort.com/contact.htm) today for more information. Website: www.westnipissingresort.com (http://www.westnipissingresort.com) R.R. #1, Hwy. 64 Lavigne , Ontario, Canada P0H 1R0 Tel: (705) 594-2549 1 888 673 6429 Moose Point Cottages Specials! 7 Day Spring Fishing Package: 2 People including cottage, boat and gas - $335.00/person CDN + taxes. 4 people including cottage, 2 boats and gas - $315.00/person CDN + taxes. Valid until June 20, 2008 Large Hillside Cottage Special: Available August 9-12. Contact Us (http://www.moosepointcottages.com/) for Rates. 4 bedroom cottage with accommodation for up to 12 people and suitable for 2 families. Website: www.moosepointcottages.com (http://www.moosepointcottages.com/) Address: 207 Moose Point Road Crystal Falls, Ontario P0H 1L0 1-877-429-2573 Moose Horn Lodge Last Minute Availability Catch some great fishing action with cottages available from: July 5-12, 12-19, 26-Aug. 2 We also have have space in our new cottages from: Aug. 9-16 Contact Us (http://www.moosehorn.net/) for Rates! Website: www.moosehorn.net (http://www.moosehorn.net/) Address: P.O. Box 284 Chapleau, Ontario P0M 1K0 Location: Chapleau (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en ptab=2 ie=UTF8 msa=0 msid=117133510893101508090.000446cac76c438e0e74c ll=49.001844,-83.408203 spn=3.05606,6.833496 z=7 iwloc=00044737b53a4b2877388)

What do most anglers wish for when it comes to a day out on the water fishing? Now, let’s be honest here, really. While we can’t really argue that a day of pulling 50 walleye out of a northern Ontario lake is exciting and rewarding our honest inner self really likes huge trophy sized fish. Chances are if you’ve ever fished in Ontario you’ve already experienced some of the best freshwater angling in Canada. Spending time with any group of friends while fishing the north usually brings the ‘biggest fish’ contest. And we definitely can’t blame one for that. Why wouldn’t you have such a contest? Trophy fish lurk in just about every fishable body of water and don’t kid yourself, size definitely does matter. When’s the last time your bragging rights held up for an extended period of time fishing crappie, perch or blue gill? Most anglers want to show their friends and family pictures of a big fish when they return from Ontario’s north. Trophy opportunities for Smallmouth, Largemouth, Lake Trout, Walleye and Pike are plentiful in the thousands of Ontario lakes (content/view/43/33/) right across the province but when hard core anglers think of pure size and trophy one fish species comes to the forefront of one’s mind. The Musky (content/view/15/28/) . Often thought of as the fish of a thousand casts this moniker is probably the furthest from the truth in many Ontario lakes. So where does one find some of the more productive Muskie lakes to fish? Increasing your odds of landing a 50+ inch fish starts with a little research when planning your trip. Choosing lakes with a good ongoing history of big fish and strong gene pool are key when locating trophy Muskie. Consistency over long periods of time can help narrow down your choices. Northwestern Ontario (content/view/43/33/) has traditionally been Musky central producing fish in the 40 to 50 inch range year after year. While fishing many of these lakes anglers fishing for Walleye and Smallmouth Bass can hook into one of these large toothy critters by accident. Often times these types of misadventures end up in a lost lure and broken line. Light tackle is definitely not the preferred method of succeeding when targeting Muskie either deliberate or accidental. Large fish can sure be the most gratifying part of any outing but knowing what to look for and when to look is of great importance and plays a large role in your success. Larger lakes with high concentrations of big fish can be intimidating for the novice but you’ll quickly learn to adapt to different characteristics and areas that can hold some of these larger fish. Big bodies of water have every combination of factors important to larger prey and the Musky is definitely at the top of the food chain in many lakes. A healthy, vibrant fishery with multiple species of other fish like Walleye, Bass, Perch and baitfish are key indications of good muskie hunting grounds. How many times have you heard about or seen a Musky striking a smaller walleye or Northern Pike already hooked on an anglers line? These things happen frequently and it helps to have a keen eye on the size of the fish in the jaws of the Musky in this situation. Common knowledge dictates that larger lures generally catch larger fish. This can hold true when it comes to trophy sized muskie but at the same time don’t put those smaller lures away just yet. Every lake and water body has its own unique characteristics so just because one type of bait didn’t produce a fish at Lac Seul it doesn’t mean it won’t be effective on Little Vermillion or Wabigoon Lake. Fish are as fickle as humans and tossing large baits all day with measured success isn’t a sign that there are no fish. It’s a sign that they are looking for something else. This is where a smaller lure presentation can come in handy. Just because your Bulldawg, Rumbler, Magnums, Suick, Believers or M G Spinner baits aren’t productive at any given moment doesn’t mean they won’t work at all. Be patient and experiment. Northern Ontario lakes are great places to cast out large lures. Just how large should be large? Above average works for us. We’re talking Husky Jerk sizes and slightly larger in length and girth. One thing is for sure as many of us age gracefully is that over the years casting these larger lures can be physically demanding not to mention the effort required to fight a 30+ pound fish and then successfully release it. I know I’m not getting any younger and my shoulders and back sure feel it after 3 to 4 hours of casting varnished dachshunds through weed beds and deep structure trying to get an effective presentation by working the bait. For now I stick to trolling with some of these larger monster lures. It’s easier on one’s back and is a great time to explore new areas of the lake and cover more water at the same time. One of the easier and yet productive lures to entice large musky is still the inline bucktail, 1 to 2 ounce variations, single and double Colorado or willow blades and a good combination of colours can put you on to some very large fish, Not to mention they cast well and won’t tear out your rotator cuff after 2-3 hours of fishing. Another trusted favorite for casting and using at various depths is the oversized spinnerbait. Bucktails once again with a good variety of blade choices and colours are a good starting point when stocking gear for a new tackle box. These lures vary in price and are generally less expensive than some of the larger body baits and you won’t have to take a second mortgage on your house to obtain enough to get you started in Musky fishing. My regular group of fishing buddies frequently use Slopmasters, M G’s and some custom made lures by Michael Thomas of Mikey’s Tackle Box based out of Ottawa Ontario. Picking the right lake, location, time of year and lure still doesn’t mean you’ll land that 50 incher. Stealth plays a huge factor when marking and sight fishing musky. While this doesn’t mean you have to take a Special Forces survival course in stealth tactics you should be as quiet and invisible to the fish as possible. Boat control, wind direction, motor speed and your trolling motor can make or break a stealthy approach and anything less in most cases will send a large fish packing. Remember that noise travels even farther under water and if care isn’t taken you’ll be wasting time washing your lures. In waters where you know fish are suspended on shoals and drop offs I like to keep some distance and cast past the fish slight up current and letting the drift bring your bait into range causing a reaction strike in many cases. Sometimes when a fish gets surprised and see’s the flash of your lure the predatory nature takes over and they will smash your lure. Also, don’t be surprised if large Northern Pike find these lures and presentations appealing and boating 40+ inchers happen all the time when fishing for muskie. Fishing for large muskies can be exhilarating yet frustrating but choosing a well known musky producing lake in the north west of Ontario can reduce the guessing and provide a fishing trip of a lifetime. Stay focused, stay patient and always be prepared. A trophy that will be talked about for generations can be just one cast away. This article was written by the contributing staff of OFT and its group of amateur and pro Ontario anglers. Copyright 2008. Ontario Fish Trips (http://www.ontariofishtrips.com).

With early spring fishing tips to make your Sunset Country spring visit more productive Sunset country is a great destination for any angler or anyone looking to enjoy a fun and exciting holiday. The beautiful wilderness, the lush boreal forests and the incredible fishing for Small Mouth Bass, Northern pike, Lake Trout, Walleye and Muskie are great treats. They have to be experienced to be believed. With over 100,000 lakes (Sunset%20Country%20Ontario%20Northern%20Pike) and rivers, there are plenty of places for fish to live and for anglers to find them! There’s also plenty of scope for water sports and other activities like kayaking, canoe trips, swimming in the wonderful clear lakes, simply boating the lake or just relaxing in front of a lakeside cottage. Fly in fishing and remote outposts The stay is good and the catch is great. There are great resorts and cabins to be found wherever you go; Sunset country has great Walleye fishing and also plenty of places for fly in fishing. Sunset country has a number of lodges which are reachable only by air. There are also outposts, which are great for fly in fishing and they have guides available who can lead you to the best fishing spots. Fly in outfitters (content/view/131/71/) will fly you into the wilderness, get you to set-up in a cabin and leave you alone to enjoy the great fishing. At remote outposts, you and those with you can fish and enjoy without being bothered by outsiders. All in all sunset country provides some great fly in fishing experiences. It’s not just the fishing It’s not just the wilderness and the fishing that’s great about sunset country, there are also many festivals and fairs which happen in various communities. Besides Canada day celebrations on July 1st, there are many festivals for you to go to, such as 1] The Blueberry Festival in Sioux Lookout 2] Norseman Festival in Red Lake 3] Kenora’s Harbour fest 4] White Otter Days in Ignace 5] “Christmas in July” in Sioux Narrows 6] Atikokan’s Canoe fest 7] Moose fest in Dryden There are also many landmarks of interest and various other attractions. Such as Husky the Muskie and Heritage Townscape Murals in Kenora, the White Otter Castle to the south of Ignace, the lighthouse at Morson and also the falls at Nestor falls. Some communities have local museums, which possess artefacts and displays pertaining to the country’s history. A good example and a great visit is Egli’s Sheep Farm situated near the small community of Minnitaki. The various museums and also the golf courses of sunset country are great places to spend time at. General early spring fishing tips Early spring fishing is great in sunset country. You can enjoy the sights and sounds of spring and also fish. To get best results in early spring, find warmer waters. This is where most of the fish can be found. The best time to fish is usually when it is hottest, usually in the afternoon. It’s better to fish in smaller bodies of water. Usually shallow shires and the smaller lakes will warm faster and fish will be more active in those parts. In a large body of water, try and find small bays and canals. These places warm faster and provide fish, which are more aggressive. As fish are generally more lethargic, hence slower lure presentation is better in early spring. Jigs are an excellent way to catch most types of fish in early spring. The combination of A Lip-stick Jig and minnow is good when fish snap at the bait. Try a Fire-ball jig and minnow combination when fish seem to bite slower. A jig and Power Grub combo is the best, when the fish are aggressive. Some lures, which are effective in early spring are flipping/casting jigs, spinner baits and jerk baits. Walleye in Sunset country! Prime among fishes in sunset country has to be the walleye; this incredibly tasty fish with glowing eyes is a perennial favourite of angler’s. Besides making for a very tasty shore lunch, it also gives the angler a good fight. And sunset country has lots of them. In springtime, walleye takes almost any bait or lure. Casting or trolling with spinners or minnow like plugs is a good technique. Jigs, either traditional bucktails, or tipped with any of the modern plastics, a piece of worm or minnow aregreat for walleye fishing. Excellent live bait to use includes leeches, minnows and earthworms. For walleye fishing, new emerging weeds are good locations, as are rocky and wooded shorelines. Wood cluttered bottoms are great places to get walleyes in spring. Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike and Lake Trout These are some other common targets for anglers. If walleye (content/view/18/28/) are not biting, try out smallies (content/view/17/28/) , northern pike (content/view/14/28/) and lake trout (content/view/22/28/) . Northern Pike will usually bite earlier than the other species and also give a good satisfying fight. There are also small mouth bass aplenty in sunset country. They seem to gather in the early spring months in places like rocky banks, bluffs, flats and also at junctions of major bodies of water [main points] where they feed on baitfish attracted to the points. Steep banks like rocky bluffs are a good place to fish for bass. Use suspending jerk baits and crank baits. Use the technique of jerk, jerk, and pause for best results. Large wooded flats are also good bass fishing spots where you should use jerk baits, plastic jerk baits and spinner baits. For lake trout fishing, sunset country is a good place. The hotter parts of a day are best for lake trout fishing. Whenever you use live bait, also use gang hooks which is the best way to present live bait like live worms. Size no 8 or size no 10 gang hooks are ideal sizes, which enable you to present live bait such as worms in a natural an outstretched manner. All in all, sunset country is a must visit for any lover of wilderness, adventure, nature and especially the angler. You will find plenty to like there in Northwest Ontario (content/view/43/33/) . This article was written by the contributing staff of OFT and its group of amateur and pro Ontario anglers. Copyright 2008. Ontario Fish Trips (http://www.ontariofishtrips.com)

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Fishing is the act of catching fishes. Fishing for leisure, sport and relaxation is known as sport fishing or angling, Angling is derived from angel , an old English word that means “fishhook”. Bass fishing is among the most well liked fishing sports, which can be experienced in our times. The bass family of fish, which include Largemouth, Smallmouth, Striped, Spotted, white and black bass serve to reward countless numbers of anglers every season. Bass fishing is very popular and is a multi-million dollar industry. There are even boats in the market which are specifically intended for bass fishing. Ontario provides some of the most excellent fishing grounds in the world. Whether you are visiting Algoma country, Gogama, Sudbury or Nestor falls, there is sure to be plenty of fishing action taking place at any given moment during open season. The summer season traditionally opens in the month of May and usually ends in late September. At this time, many anglers head for Ontario to fish for Walleye, Musky, and Northern Pike in addition to Bass. The wide variety of fish which are found within Ontario’s borders helps in preserving it as an extremely popular destination for sport fishermen. The fame of the tourism and fishing industry of Ontario creates many wonderful opportunities but is also a problem when it comes to the protection of the province's resources and more and more anglers and outfitters endorse CPR Catch, Photo and Release fishing. The region of Northwestern Ontario (content/view/43/33/) is famous for constantly offering a healthy fishery of Smallmouth Bass (content/view/17/81/) . You will obtain great enjoyment from the adventure as well with the experiences of hooking into hard fighting Northern Pike (content/view/14/81/) and Muskie (content/view/15/81/) , the tasty Walleye (content/view/18/81/) or the Yellow Perch. The beautiful, clean and scenic lakes offer great fishing in spring, summer, and fall seasons. You can grasp your limit on most days and even when there is a slowdown in the fishing, the loveliness of Ontario’s wilderness is a very remarkable experience by itself. You can fish for Bass, Muskie, Northern Pike, Walleye, Yellow Perch and Lake Trout in Northwest Ontario. Bass is an ordinary name, which is used for many types of food fish, but is not necessarily equivalent to a specific scientific classification. A number of basses are known by local names as white, rock or black bass. The calico bass, which is also known as black crappie, originates from the area of the Great Lakes (content/view/122/65/) system and is native throughout the eastern half of Canada, and has recently been widely introduced to the western regions. It reaches lengths of up to 36 cm or 14in and rarely weighs above 0.2 kg or 1/2lb. The rock bass doesn't usually exceed that weight and isn't a good food fish. The rock bass can be found in Ontario and it is native to the great lakes system and many of its rivers and smaller lake systems. Black basses are the most essential basses among the bass family. Largemouth black bass which are also called bayou, lake or straw bass are plentiful in many lakes of northwest Ontario and can weigh up to 3 kg or 7 lb. Smallmouth black bass resemble the largemouth bass but have a few character differences. Smallmouth bass can be found in the great lakes system, the St Lawrence River and up into the Hudson Bay basin. About 2-3 kg or 5-6 lb is usually the common weight they reach. Smallies or Smallmouth Bass are commonly known as little fighters and are very enjoyable to catch! Smallmouth bass are the pluckiest fish pound for pound in Northwest Ontario. In sunset country in areas like the waters around Sioux Lookout there are plenty of these energetic fighters just waiting to grab your bait and then provide you with lots of action. The amazing number of Smallmouth Bass in Sunset Country makes it one of Ontario’s and also Canada’s prime bass fishing locations. Moreover, many lakes offer plenty of largemouth bass as well, which make this region a must visit location for serious angler's. With around 70,000 lakes (This%20article%20was%20written%20by%20the) , there are many excellent fishing holes for people to choose from. These fish usually spawn over a 6-10 day period in early summer and late spring. Growth is initially rapid. Ask your outfitter for various tips on the best time and places to bass fish at their location and your lodge owner and guides will only be more than happy to put you into the path of one of the most rewarding fish to catch. This article was written by the contributing staff of OFT and its group of amateur and pro Ontario anglers. Copyright 2008. Ontario Fish Trips (http://www.ontariofishtrips.com)

Every once in a while a company or individual produces a product or products for the angling, outdoors and marine industry that is ground breaking and innovative. Ontario Fish Trips provides honest, unbiased reviews of some of the latest products and reviews them after extensive field testing in real world environments. Below are products that we've found exceptional and would like to share our experiences with our users. Manufactured by Spectra Products Inc. based in Toronto Ontario the new Termin-8r® (http://www.termin8r.com/) anti corrosion spray is a great all around lubricant, corrosion remover and protectant. Not only does it remove corrosion it excels as a lubricant and a moisture repellant for just about anything including marine motors, trailers, electronics and fishing reels. We applied the Termin-8r® to our boat trailer springs and hitch and watched as it quickly ate away the corrosion and kept a protective barrier between moving parts. Anything that is siezed or rusted is no match for this stuff. We found it extremely effective at lug nuts and corroded battery terminals. Just spray it on a battery terminal, loosen the nuts and wipe it clean. It works fast and you'll be amazed at how corrosion wipes away with no scraping and scrubbing. You can also use it to clean just about any electrical connection for your fishfinders, GPS units, radios and trolling motors. What we found most useful was on fishing reels. Never mind wasting your money on a small costly bottle of gear juice each year for your reels. We sprayed our spinning reels internal parts at the beginning of last season and were amazed at the immediate increase in smoothness of all the reels we tried it on. This is because it not only lubricates but repels moisture and excels at protecting the internal moving parts. The best part is that this stuff really lasts. Hands down this is by far the best all around lubricant we've ever seen because it works fast and continues to protect for up to 12 months with one apllication! It's excellent at protecting your expensive fishing toys. Contact Info: 41 Horner Avenue, Unit 2 Toronto, Ontario M8Z 4X4 Communication Tel: (416) 252–2355 Toll Free: 1-888-381-2355 E-mail: ssa@spectra-ssa.com Have a new product for fishing, marine or the outdoors and would like a website review by our staff? Contact (component/option,com_contact/Itemid,3/) Ontario Fish Trips and we'll field test your product and report the findings to our users with the professionalism that you have come to know from OFT.

There are many great bass fishing techniques out there when it comes to increasing your Largemouth (content/view/16/28/) and Smallmouth Bass (content/view/17/28/) catches. Here are some more which will help you become a better angler and catch more fish in Ontario. Splitshotting To master bass fishing, you will need to learn this and various other Bass fishing techniques. This wonderful technique can be the difference between an excellent day of catching fish and a long, frustrating and unrewarding boat ride. Bass fishing will be much more productive and fun in cold winter months, if you invest time to practice splitshotting. In highly pressured waters it pays to be as versatile as possible and these techniques are always good to add to your bag of tricks. If you invest the time and effort, you will be able to learn how you can master the summer and fall bass fishery in Ontario. Your reward will be exceptional smallmouth and largemouth of trophy sizes. You must also conserve your catch through the practice of responsible methods of catch and release, as it takes about 8-10 years for smallmouth bass to attain over 5lbs in weight. When the colder autumn weather rolls in and the bass are into fall feeding patterns, you can forget about spinner baits, rip baits and also crank baits. It is time to put your finesse gear to use. During this season, splitshotting is among the most commonly used techniques to get the bass to bite. Very little investment is needed in terminal tackle, as it is a rather straightforward technique. Detecting the bite is the hardest lesson for a bass angler who is learning to splitshot. The bite varies with the activity levels of the fish. At times, they will pop the bait very hard, making you aware instantly that the fish is eating the bait. At other times, there will only be a soft and nearly imperceptible tick and thereafter nothing. Finally there is the much dreaded pressure bite, which takes two different forms. The first form of pressure bite is where you feel a little bit of resistance to pulling the line forward. It feels like hooking a spongy and soft rubber band. The other type of pressure bite is where contact with the bottom is lost. When a bass fish has picked up the lure and is merely following along with any of your forward movement. It is the reason as to why the maintaining of bottom contact is so important. As soon as you realize that you have lost the sense of the weight against the bottom, and there is no significant change in your depth, then you should get ready to immediately set the hook. A sweep set is the preferred hook set to be used with this technique. Once you detect a fish holding the bait, drop the tip of the rod towards the bass, reel down till the point where you feel resistance or just short of it and horizontally sweep the rod away from the bass fish. If your rod loads up well and you are completely sure that you have got the hook in the fish, fight it to the boat. When you have set the hook, but it doesn't feel solid, then you want to probably set the hook again. The drag on the reel is to be set as tight as needed that it does not give on the first hook set. Take care not to set it so tight that bigger fishes cannot take the line when needed. Other useful techniques to know Use weedless lures when possible, as weeds and cover are the best places to catch bass. This practice will minimize the expense of lost lures. Bass tend to exist in a rather wide range of temperatures, but they generally become inactive during the duration of a cold front. Most fish will swim to deeper areas during the sunniest parts of the day. It is often seen that the sun adversely affects bass fishing. It is best to find deeper water with lots of cover or shady spots. Shallower waters are the best on cloudy or overcast days. In cold water, you must retrieve your bait at a slower pace. Fish will react at a slower pace in colder temperatures. Hopefully with some of these techniques you will be able to adjust to the variables in weather in the northern Ontario climates (content/view/49/46/) and adjust your fishing to different situations. Ultimately having a more diverse angle to bass fishing and using different techniques adapting to the conditions will ultimately put more fish in your boat. This article was written by the contributing staff of OFT and its group of amateur and pro Ontario anglers. Copyright 2008. Ontario Fish Trips (http://www.ontariofishtrips.com) .

Ontario has many beautiful locations that offer superb trophy fishing opportunities. Since Canadians have respected nature long before it was fashionable to do so, Ontario is a fishing paradise with abundant, healthy fish (content/category/4/15/28/) and truly spectacular scenery. There are many companies that can take care of the details so you can concentrate on what you came for-fishing, relaxing, rejuvenating, reconnecting with your family or friends in a pristine wilderness surrounding. One of these companies is Sudbury Aviation (content/view/45/33/). This outfitter will fly you to one of their many remote fishing lake locations (content/view/122/65/) such as Scotia Lake, Upper Due Lake and Kennedy Lake where you’ll stay in a comfortable, modern housekeeping cabin. Your peaceful surroundings are disturbed only once a week when the plane lands to check on you and deliver more supplies or bait. Northern Sunrise Outfitters (content/view/43/33/) of Lake Minnitaki, Ontario, is another exciting option for your sport fishing vacation. Located miles from the nearest road, the remote cabins are accessed by a short boat ride from base camp. 45,000 acres of breath taking wilderness and abundant wildlife await you at the cabins. Comfortable accommodations and a secluded location highlight the adventure. Mattagami Lake is the home to Green Wilderness Lodge (content/view/45/33/) , a small camp that’s big on service and comfort. The Lodge sits one of the great fishing lakes in the Gogama area and your closest neighbours are 4 miles one way and 9 the other. The 40 mile long lake is home to Walleye, Northern Pike, Small mouth Bass, Whitefish and other popular sport and pan fish. You may even want to take advantage of endless hiking trails or maybe an arranged sightseeing tour by small aircraft over the lake and area. Seclusion is just one of the advantages of Moose Point Cottages (content/view/45/33/) . Located on Chebogan Lake this lodge offers spacious modern cabins with all the amenities along 90 kilometers of stunning Ontario shoreline. Hiking, swimming, kayaking, paddle boating, ATV trails and hunting round out some of the activities here and is a truly family friendly outfitter. Located north of Sturgeon Falls this lodge is close to many possible day trip outings along the shores of popular Lake Nipissing. Ontario has many beautiful places to enjoy the sport of fly-fishing. Whatever your preferences or your price range, you’ll find several options to choose from. By carefully researching and choosing the type of lodge you’re most comfortable in, you’ll have a truly memorable fishing adventure in one of the most beautiful areas of the world. This article was written by the contributing staff of OFT and its group of amateur and pro Ontario anglers. Copyright 2008. Ontario Fish Trips (http://www.ontariofishtrips.com) .

The term “fishing lures” is somewhat misleading when applied to fly-fishing. There are all types of lures but since you’re trying to imitate the food that the fish is used to eating, fly-fishing lures are called “flies”. Choosing which fly to use is crucial if you want to take home some fish! Look around the area you’ve chosen and see what type of insects inhabit the waters. A fish population that’s used to feasting on water skaters and flies won’t be enticed by a lure that resembles a grasshopper. A small aquarium net is a good thing to keep in your tackle box; by skimming the net along the top of the water, you can see firsthand what type of insect the fish are used to feeding on. You can then select the appropriate fly for the area. You can purchase flies at a sporting goods store or you can make your own by hand. Anglers who make their own flies often catch more fish than those who buy them. While the fisherman working with commercial flies is cautious and doesn’t want to lose an item he paid good money for, the one who makes his own flies won’t hesitate to cast in the direction of obstacles such as submerged stumps where fish like to hide in and around structure. It doesn’t take much money or materials to tie your own flies. A few simple tools will start you off and you can either buy materials or take a refreshing trip into the woods to gather most of them. Your flies should be simple and small, mimicking the natural insect shapes and colors. As well as being a relaxing hobby, tying your own flies is an excellent way to get through the winter when you can’t fish. A simple vise, pliers, thread, scissors and whip finishers are about all you need to get started tying your own flies. Whether you tie your own flies or buy them from the store, be sure to carry a diverse variety in your tackle box. Fish can be just as fickle as anyone else when it comes to their appetite, especially if food is plentiful in the area. This article was written by the contributing staff of OFT and its group of amateur and pro Ontario anglers. Copyright 2008. Ontario Fish Trips (http://www.ontariofishtrips.com) .

The best part of a fly-fishing excursion, aside from the trophy fishing, is where you choose to stay. Some prefer camping but in recent years fishing lodges in Ontario have become popular and with good reason. Whether you prefer a remote location that can only be reached by air, boat or train or you’d rather be closer to civilization you can find a lodge that suits your needs and price range. There are many advantages to staying at a lodge, not the least of which is a comfortable bed instead of the cold, hard ground of latter days. Many lodges have maid service and central gathering places for socializing and telling fish tales. They serve meals and will even pack a shore lunch for you. There are cabins with full, modern kitchens if you don’t wish to take advantage of food service. Most lodges provide boats that are modern and comfortable. You can choose a lodge that caters to many guests or only a few. Quite a number of them have been in business for decades and are intimately familiar with the surrounding country. Some smaller lodge outfitters are often enjoyable as well and can provide professional services in line with bigger operators and outfitters. One of the best advantages of many northern Ontario lodges is their guide service. The guides are often locals who know the land, the hot spots for best fishing and can even advise you which lures to use. As you will find out through others experiences staying at a lodge with American Plans will allow you to spend less time on chores and more time fishing. Many lodges are in the isolated Ontario wilderness areas, surrounded by pristine beauty. The fly-fishing in such places is superb and unsullied with the noises of civilization. Some of the resort-style lodges have other activities, which make them perfect for families. One of the things you should consider when choosing a lodge is the type of fish you like to catch. If you like to fish for trout, you’ll be very disappointed if the area specializes in walleye or pike. You will also want to check their policies on what to do with your catch; some outfitters allow only catch and release while others offer packing and freezing services to bring your tasty catch home. Choosing to stay in a fishing lodge can make your fly-fishing vacation a little piece of paradise. And isn’t that what fishing is all about? This article was written by the contributing staff of OFT and its group of amateur and pro Ontario anglers. Copyright 2008. Ontario Fish Trips (http://www.ontariofishtrips.com) .

Ontario is diverse and stunning in its seasonal glory. No matter the season you will find an exceptional fly in fishing adventure in Ontario. Spring, summer and autumn fishing among the thousands of lakes and rivers are one of the many reasons to visit. Just image basking in the sun on a remote lake or river system catching your limit in minutes and not in the hours you are used too. With so many northern resorts and lodges to choose from you can rest easy knowing that all of them are of the highest quality even in the most remote locations and are eager to get you on your trophy fishing vacation quickly. Some of the best fly in fishing in Canada is found here in the province of Ontario. There are many lodges, resorts and outfitters you can choose from. The hardest part is choosing where your next adventure will be. So what’s so great about fly in fishing and remote outpost camps? Simple really; unspoiled fishing waters. Outpost fishing is truly the gem of the Ontario north. Just imagine pulling up to a hundred walleye into your boat on any given day and battle huge northern pike that will get your adrenaline pumping and exhaust your strength in no time. You’ve decided at last that you’re going to take that fishing trip you’ve always dreamed about but there are a few things you’ll need to think over first. You may want to get away from everything by yourself or with a group of friends. There are so many beautiful places for fly in fishing! Northern Ontario has some truly astounding fly in fishing locations, as do the Great Lakes region and Eastern Ontario. You’ll have the advantage of fishing some of the best streams, rivers and lakes while remaining only a short flight by float plane to civilization. If you’re the adventurous type, perhaps you’d like to try a remote camp outpost. Many anglers favor Ontario for its isolated, pristine wilderness and abundance of healthy game. There are lodges and camps in northern Ontario that can only be reached by air, making them ideal for fly-fishing. Outposts are ideal for such a trip and most of them have guides available to steer you towards the best spots. There are even fly in outfitters that fly you into the wilderness, settle you in a cabin and then leave you there to enjoy the great fishing with a weekly visit to ensure all is well! If you do decide to book a lodge for your trip you have great options from expert and professional operators that can accommodate your every need. Different operators offer different packages, plans, weight restrictions so do a little homework when deciding what is best for you and your budget. You may want to work in a few other things along with your trip, fishing near family or old friends you rarely see. This is a great opportunity for both. You may decide to rough it and camp out. Camping is a great way to enjoy fishing and the outdoors but don’t forget to have each member of your party leave an itinerary and detailed directions with someone reliable. Be sure you don’t forget an emergency kit and extra batteries! With a little planning and foresight, you can have a great fishing trip and perhaps you’ll even photograph an impressive trophy to show off. This article was written by the contributing staff of OFT and its group of amateur and pro Ontario anglers. Copyright 2008. Ontario Fish Trips (http://www.ontariofishtrips.com) .

The New 2008 Ontario Fishing Regulations here (http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/LetsFish/Publication/STEL02_163615.html) for the MNR 2008-2009 Regulations. (49mb PDF) Catch and Release Checklist With more and more anglers learning about the importance of conservation and preserving future fishing grounds catch and release has been a welcome practise to sport fishing in Ontario. With many fishing lodges enforcing catch and release policies it is important to familiarize yourself with this technique to ensure the safe return of your prize catch to its natural habitat safely. A successful release needs the proper tools and preparation. * Long nose or needle nose pliers (the longer the better) are required for almost all Ontario fish species especially toothy critters such as pike and muskellunge. * A good pair of hook cutters is recommended to cut hooks that are deeply embedded in a fish and is at risk of mortality if removing the hook fully will cause to much damage. * Jaw spreaders can be helpful at times but are not always advised as they can producs undue stress on the fish. * New nets which are knotless are great at decreasing the time it takes to get your catch out of the net and are less prone to lure and hook snags. If you have caught your prize winning fish or personal best decide first while the fish is in the water in the net if a picture will be taken. If a picture is to be taken make sure either you or a partner are ready in advance while you are still unhooking the fish. This will minimize the amount of time that the fish is out of the water. One quick photo is all it takes to capture that memory. Think about just how long you can hold your breath. This basically applies to the length of time that a fish should be out of the water. Properly holding your catch is important as it will reduce the amount of stress on the fish. For gill holding a large fish slide you fingers behind its gill plate with a steady amount of pressure until they come to a stop. On toothy fish like pike and muskie care must be taken not to cut your fingers on the back teeth as your hand may slip forward enough to enter the mouth area. While holding the fish in the gill use your other hand to support the body of the fish in the belly area. Supporting the fish horizontally is important. Stay away from vertical gill holds and hoisting the fish as this causes undue stress to the spine. Once your picture is taken it is important to quickly return the fish to the water. Water travels through the gills from the front to the back. When placing the fish back in the water support it upright to help it maintain its balance and to let it breath on its own. A constant forward movement will move water throught its gills but normally leaving it in a steady place will work. Do not rock the fish forwards and backwards. If you are in a moving current you can also face the fish into the current to allow water to naturally flow the gills. Using these techniques will ensure a safe and healthy release and help to develop and maintain a strong fish population in the province of Ontario.

Traditional fishing aside many anglers visiting the northern regions of Ontario come for their first fly fishing experience. Fly fishing is commonly associated with specific fish species such as rainbow trout, brook trout and speckled trout but many visitors to the province also enjoy fly fishing for northern pike, smallmouth bass and largemouth bass . While some purists will often visit lodges, resorts and fly in camps in search of traditional trout many are experimenting with different types of fish that provide exciting angling memories. If you are like many then making the switch from spinning and bait casting reels and rods to your first fly rod can be extremely intimidating and many would like to try it for the first time. Like other sports most don’t want to spend an arm and a leg on new equipment when they first take on a new venture to make sure that they will pursue it further in the future. So what should you be looking for in fly fishing equipment if you are deciding to try it for the first time? Like most other fishing rods and reels it usually comes down to personal preference and what type of fish you will be targeting. Fly rods can be just as versatile as regular spinning or bait casting rods and choosing a rod and reel with good overall performance will allow you to fish multiple species yet keeping some money left over in the pocketbook. For those with some basic knowledge of fly fishing you already know that it is truly another art form and mastering it with some degree of finesse can take years of practice. With that being said where does one start when looking to delve into the realm of fly fishing? First off you will need a fly rod and reel. Now you might think it’s just as simple as running down to your local tackle and outfitter outlet and grabbing something right of the shelf but for a first time fly angler it is not. Fly rods and reels can be quite pricey as most new fishing gear is so take the time to evaluate your needs over your wants. Getting over your head and being sold something that doesn’t suit your needs or skill happens all too often so do a little homework before you start looking. If you are the type who simply demands the best no matter what then be prepared to spend some time looking at many fine rods and reels that are indeed works of art. Generally fly rods are ranked by weight and capabilities. Other contributing factors that should influence your decision are the types of waters you will be fishing. Will you be fishing rivers and streams or lake systems? River fly rods are generally shorter in length as casting distances are reduced. On most occasions in slow moving rivers and creeks trout are in pools or moving current at closer range and thus a rod lighter in weight such as a 7’3 will handle just about any situation in those conditions. Faster moving water and lakes generally require a larger rod not only for the increase in casting distance but also for the size of fish and many will settle on a 9’5. Larger fish species do require more backbone in a fly rod. A good all around taper for the novice fly angler is usually a medium action. Newer rods on the market are able to target multi species and are mostly rated between 7-9 weight. These are a great choice for a beginner as they are more versatile when it comes to fish species. Now that you have an idea of the weight and action of the fly rod you need to think about the construction. Fly rods come in many different forms and a rod of fiberglass construction is a good choice for a beginner as they are a little more hardy and easier on the pocketbook yet provide good overall performance. After you have a rod picked out you should start to think about how you are going to reel in that fish. For a beginner reel you should look for a simple design with few bells and whistles. Quality construction should be your primary concern and check that the drag system works properly and adjusts with every turn and that you can feel the incremental pressure differences. A poor drag system will lose more fish than you could ever imagine so pay extra attention to this detail. Fly line should be matched to the weight of the rod and is usually matched with a less expensive backing of similar line strength. Any reputable fly shop will spool backing for you and setup your line and reel. If in doubt always ask a pro. In the fly fishing world there is never a dumb question. If you don’t feel comfortable at the first fly shop you visit then visit another. Most seasoned fly anglers and pros will take the time to instruct you on what you need over what you don’t need and the experience from these veterans should be appreciated. Just think…You have a new fly rod and reel. Next you get to decide what flies and bait to tip it with. That my friend is a whole new world into itself. This article was written by the contributing staff of OFT and its group of amateur and pro Ontario anglers. Copyright 2008. Ontario Fish Trips (http://www.ontariofishtrips.com) .

Ontario continues to be one of the best Smallmouth Bass destinations in the world. With so many other varieties of popular game fish to catch the Smallie still remains one of the most loved by anglers. Thousands of lakes, rivers and streams and the Great Canadian Shield provide ideal habitat for the Smallmouth and offer up continuing fun challenges for anglers of all ages. Smallie’s are enjoyed my traditional anglers as well as fly fishermen alike and provide explosive action once on the end of a line. Many Northern Ontario lodges and resorts thrive on Smallmouth angling and thousands upon thousands of anglers return every year to get their fix of Smallie action. A relative of the Sunfish family the Smallie also goes by many other names such as Bronze back, Brown Bass, Brownie and Bronze Bass. For many anglers across the province a short trip is all it takes to get in on some hard fought Smallmouth action. Bronze to a brown greenish colour the Smallmouth displays dark vertical strips along its flanks and has a narrower snout than its cousin the Largemouth. They also sport a small notch in the dorsal fin. Preferring rocky habitats and structure the Smallmouth can be found in clear lakes and rivers. In rivers and streams the primary food source is often crayfish and shad. Matching the hatch with your lure selection is a popular technique to get these feisty fighters to bite. In deeper waters the Smallie tends to school so if you’re fishing in these deeper conditions where you find one you will find many. Mark your spot with a buoy or your GPS to return another day and see if your luck holds out twice. Sunken islands, rock pits, sunken tree and rocky shoals are also favorite holding areas for Smallmouth to wait and ambush prey. When fishing for predatory Smallmouth’s presentation and accuracy can be the difference between landing or losing a fish. When fishing for Smallie’s from a boat wind direction can play a key factor in your lure presentation. Ideally you want get ahead of the structure you wish to fish and casting downstream let the current and wind do some of the work for you. Using artificial lures such as spinner baits, inline spinners, tubes, weedless football jigs, soft plastics, wacky rigging and drop-shotting prove effective in many situations but many anglers will also try the age old jig tipped with a live minnow. Whatever the case may be you will incur strikes and fish with your lure at the right depth. Many times Smallmouth bass will hit a lure and retreat. This is prime opportunity to get the fist to bite with a second lure. Many pro anglers will use multiple rods rigged with a different variety of lures and will cast a second different lure out in the same vicinity as the lost strike. This drives Smallie’s crazy. They are expecting the same food source in front of them and seconds later another different inviting bite comes along and many can’t refuse. When fishing Smallmouth always have a second rod rigged up with a follow up lure to get those missed strikes. Northern Ontario lakes continue to support a vibrant and healthy Smallmouth population. Some lodges report outings of 30-40 fish caught per person and all ranging in the 15-18 inch or 3-5 pound range. With this kind of action your next Smallie outing should be a Big one in Ontario. This article was written by the contributing staff of OFT and its group of amateur and pro Ontario anglers. Copyright 2008. Ontario Fish Trips (http://www.ontariofishtrips.com) .