Visit the freshwater fishing capital of Canada. Read the latest fishing articles and tips by the OFT pro staff. Fish for walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, musky and more. Find the best outfitters across the province today. http://ontariofishtrips.com Mon, 20 May 2013 00:46:25 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://ontariofishtrips.com/images/M_images/rss20.gif http://ontariofishtrips.com Visit the freshwater fishing capital of Canada. Read the latest fishing articles and tips by the OFT pro staff. Fish for walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, musky and more. Find the best outfitters across the province today. http://ontariofishtrips.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=177&Itemid=50 Trout fishing in Canada is great. And no greater than in Ontario. Trout have become the favorite species of many anglers and it is no wonder. They reside in rivers, lakes and streams throughout the province. Native to the province there are multiple species of Trout to satisfy just about any angler. Brook trout are popular amongst fly fisherman and traditional anglers as they can be easily caught on both types of setup, fly rods and regular rods. Brook trout can be found throughout the north and southern parts of the province. Rainbow trout remain a very popular species during the runs up streams and lakes. Ontario has hundreds of resorts and lodges that cater to trout anglers and range from ultra modern American plan lodges to old fashioned cabins and housekeeping lodges. Which ever way you like it you'll find a spot to wet your line and get into some amazing trout fishing. A couple of tips and factors to help you increase your catch rate throughout Ontario are as follows: 1. Leaders should be dry and free of contamination. This will help you while drifting as shadows will not cast through the water. It will also maximize your fly/lure potential in acting as natural as possible thereby providng more strikes as your lure looks like nature intented it to be. 2. Dry flies are the most common with fly rod anglers. Use currents and pools to your advantage. This takes some practice to prevent your fly from sinking. Relying on the current you can maximize your drifts to lure trout from cover, deeper ponds or pits. Practice makes perfect so don't get discouraged if you don't get the technique down on the first outing. With thousands of dry flies to choose from even master anglers will tell you it can sometimes take years to perfect. 3. Focus your energy and casting downstream. Going against the current will force you to have to much slack line that is hard to control especially in fast moving rivers and streams. Anglers should cast from one side of the stream either directly in front of them or slight downstream to maximize your lures' potential. 4. You never get a second chance at a first impression. How true this becomes when fly fishing. Presentation is everything and getting it right the first time greatly improves your odds of the fish taking your lure even if trout are suspended or deep in pools or hiding under cover. 5. Trout are like walleye and can have mood swings throughout the day. Patience is key when trout fishing. I like to use the old 10 cast rule. If I don't have a fish on after 10 casts then change up. Don't get stuck on your one favorite lure and fall in to the 'just because' category. What worked for you last week might not work for you today so be inventive, creative and don't be afraid to change it up. Changing lures and presentations can be rewarding during some of the toughest hours and stuborn fish will eventually bite with your persistance. This article was written by the contributing staff of OFT and its group of amateur and pro Ontario anglers. Copyright 2009. Ontario Fish Trips (http://www.ontariofishtrips.com). Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:28:33 +0100 http://ontariofishtrips.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=176&Itemid=50 To maintain the delicate flavor of a freshly caught freshwater fsh such as walleye, trout, salmon, pike and other smaller panfish proper care must be used in order to prevent spoiling the wonderful taste of these freshwater fish. Odour preservation is also a factor and will add to the delicate aroma of your catch. A few of the most poular ways to properly prepare and keep the high quality of your catch turning it into a delicious meal whether on shore or back at the lodge are: 1) Avoid any blunt contact with the fish to prevent bruising of the flesh and meat. Once ou have filleted your catch wash it as soon as possible to prevent bacteria and slime that may cause spoiling. Bottled water or tap water is recommended. Avoid water from the side of the dock or out on the lake. 2) Try to chill your catch as soon as possible. This can be with either an ice box, cooler or the fridge at your cabin. Use plenty of ice to cover your catch as it will freeze in the delectable taste. 3) Clean your catch as soon as possible. Avoid dragging fish around on stringers at the side of the boat. Live wells are usually the best way to ensure your fish stay in the best condition until you have time to properly gut them and fillet them. 4) Now the best part. Cooking. There are thousands of ways to cook a fish. This is usually a personal preference and we don't find one product or style of cooking over another. They are all great. If you are cooking in aluminum foil then allow a little extra time for the heat to cook through and properly back the fillets. If you are transporting fish home make sure you abide by the regulations set out by the MNR. For home cooking it is best to let the fish defrost and thaw out for 24hrs to maintain its consistency. Don't throw a frozen fillet into the pan as you will risk tearing apart the meat and end up with a pile of mush. Bon Appetite! This article was written by the contributing staff of OFT and its group of amateur and pro Ontario anglers. Copyright 2009. Ontario Fish Trips (http://www.ontariofishtrips.com). Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:01:23 +0100 http://ontariofishtrips.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=175&Itemid=50 Many say that only those people who live along an Ontario water coastline get fond of fishing. Most working individuals who live in the cities find more interest to go fishing particularly during weekends when they tend to have their rest after a long week pressure in work. It is true that some of the people consider it as their source of living but others find pleasure in it, so finally they will realize to just make it as their hobby. Don’t you know that most of the people who are getting into it even spend a lot of money just to buy the necessary equipments for fishing? It includes the baits, fishing rod and even the boats that they prefer to use when they go fishing. Some would even make it as their collections. Talking about fishing as a hobby and just to give you finer points about it, there are lots of information about bass fishing that you can surf in the net. Lots of boxes full of lures and baits can be found when you deal about bass fishing. They had been used once or twice and sometimes anglers would suddenly realize that these lures would serve its purpose anyway, so they shouldn’t regret even though they spend a lot of money just to purchase such stuffs. If this is your motivation for most of your lure purchases, then before you walk into the tackle shop again and spend some more of your hard earned money, you may want to take some advices first from someone who has been there and done that, so you wouldn’t spare any regret in the end. Most of the anglers usually go to their favorite tackle departments and try to check on the different selections of offerings that they are thinking and planning to purchase. One of the examples of the things that you can realize after visiting your most favorites tackle department is that, fisherman should take it more significantly to look at their lures as tools and not as toys. Moreover, aside from the necessity of knowing the right tool to be used, for a successful and dedicated bass fisherman, it is a significant consideration that they must try to know the proper manner of using it and under which conditions. To give you a clear picture on it, here is a very basic instance. Just try to consider this scenario, if a miner is hired to drill a tunnel through bedrock, it would be unproductive to use a bit that is designed to drill through sand or topsoil. Everything must conform under the proper condition. Now, obviously the same analysis applies to bass fishing, remember that lures are intended to be used in certain situations and conditions. To throw jerk bait with three sets of treble hooks on to a mat of floating moss is the same as attempting to drill through granite with a sand bit. You have to use the proper tool for the conditions at hand. Lure are used to catch fish but you must bear in mind that by simply throwing your lures in the water, it is already a guarantee that the fish will get near to you and take the lure as you wish. Bass Fishing needs a lot of considerations, such as the weather condition, the season, the type of body of water (be it natural lake, reservoir etc.). This is just the right time that you will determine where the fish can be found and the time when you can decide on the right lure to be used. This may seem like a lot of thinking to do on a day of recreating. But of course, the more time you spend on the water, practicing these techniques starts to become second nature and you'll spend much less time organizing expensive lures that don't seem to work. This is already a big help for you anyway. Remember that there is no substitute for experience, as the saying goes, and there is no opportunity better than fishing to prove that maxim true. So the next time you are in the tackle shop, stop for a minute and think about what you are doing, do not do things without even thinking about it. 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) . Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:51:43 +0100 http://ontariofishtrips.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=174&Itemid=50 Bass fishing in Ontario has evolved to a near cult popularity with so many anglers through the years that there have been so many products made, clubs formed, and articles written about it. Here you will read about the types of Ontario Bass fishing lures you can use to catch them. Also, there is also a list on the necessary equipment to have when going bass fishing within the province. The type of bass that will bite almost anything is the largemouth bass. Minnows, worms, or other live bait, plus poppers or streamers presented with a fly rod, or plugs thrown from a casting or spinning rod are ways where they can be caught. Since bass are usually associated with weeds, a weedless bait will often be necessary. Morning and evening are the best fishing times when warm months come. They usually like to stay in warm water and warm weather. Drop and splitshotting is another popular technique for Small and Largemouth Bass. Smallmouth bass pound for pound are the scrappiest fish of all fresh water bass. They are usually associated with a rocky stream, deeper water or lake environment where its favorite food, the crayfish, is plentiful. The best lake fishing takes place in the month in June just after the spawning season, and in early fall. Natural lure like hellgrammites, dragonfly larvae and crayfish are especially useful during early morning or late evening. Most likely, the best artificial lures are those who are used on the surface. Light tackle is ideal and 8-12lb line is usually more than enough to enjoy a good fight into the net. Fish quietly, casting toward rocks or logs, keeping the rod tip up and the line tight. Many fishermen debate on the colors used for their lures and variances in colours throughout the day can make a big difference. Bass fishing requires more than just a simple fishing rod and some lure for serious fisherman. People who fish for leisure are those who fish because it’s their hobby, they can have some tools and accessories that will help them make it easier and be able to catch more fish. Here are some suggested tools for starters that will help them improve in catching fish: • Fishing Rod. The most important piece of equipment and should be chosen with care. A basic spining rod-and-reel set is enough for beginners. It is necessarily important to have more featured materials. The most important is that you should learn how to use the rod and be comfortable to it before moving into another difficult type of equipment. Professional fisherman can experiment different types of rod for them to know what works best for them. Many pros and diehard bass anglers use baitcasting reels with 10-20lb mono line with a medium to medium heavy rod to yank bass out of the weeds and other forage. When buying a fishing rod, know before you enter the store what kind of fishing you'll be doing, and under what conditions. Rods come from different varieties of materials, from wood laminates to fiberglass to carbon fiber. Rod handles should fit securely in your palm, and practice casting with the rod, to test how flexible and easy to use it is. In addition have the proper length of the rod. For using lighter lure, or catching tiny fish, a 4 inch to 6 inch rod is advisable to use. For using larger lure, which gets larger fishes or casting longer distances, a rod of at least 6 inches may be required. • Waders. It is a water- resistant covering you wear over your pants to keep them dry so you can wade out into the water. A lot of are made like overalls, covering the chest and the legs, and with boots attached, for ultimate defense. Make sure the boots are warm and secure, to supply better balance while walking on wet rocks. • Fishing Vest. Contains several pockets for storing fish equipments and your hands are free to manage the fishing rod. Also, should you have to wade out into the water, wearing a vest will let you to have all of your gear with you at all times. Make a decision beforehand which gear is necessary; if you store too much in the vest, it may make it too heavy to wear, which could bring you down. • Tackle Box or Fly Box. In fishing it requires a lot of supplies and you need a something big to store all your gears. Spend in a durable tackle box, in which you can store your entire lure, keeping it easily to get to. Styles are classified into simple and inexpensive, and large and costly. Fishermen may only need something small, but the more advanced fishermen may want something handier. Furthermore, you should consider a fly box. Small enough to fit a vest pocket and allows you to keep them with you as needed. 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) . Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:48:01 +0100 http://ontariofishtrips.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=173&Itemid=50 What is it in bass fishing that everybody are driven on to engage on such activity? People get fond of bass fishing that is why every trend that they hear about it really catches their interests and as much as possible get into it. “Where are the what...? Where are the bass!” How many of the anglers (tournament and recreational) go to a body of water you've never fished before, drop the boat in the water, then, ask this question to yourself? This is probably one of the biggest topics in bass fishing that an angler should learn more about. Here you will be getting information on how to locate areas best for bass fishing. Locating bass and understanding the water would be the number one question among bass anglers today. The next most asked question would be is which baits they should use to catch a big bass. Now when you think about it, there are really only two (2) main topics that go hand-in-hand when it comes to bass fishing. If you understood more about these two, you would definitely become a much better angler, and they are: 1. Knowing how to locate bass. 2. Knowing how to catch bass using all the different techniques, presentations, and baits. Learning how to locate bass can be somewhat of a challenge to most anglers because there are so many different factors that need to be determined such as: 1. Knowing how to read a map - this is the fundamental skill that you should try to learn because through a map it is easier for you to take on the appropriate location good for bass fishing. 2. Knowing the most practical places to look for Active Bass just after cold fronts and during early spring and late fall periods - weather condition must be especially considered as well. 3. Understanding water depth- this is an important element because the depth or the hollowness of the water will serve as a factor for you to know if it is a good location. 4. Water clarity- it could be easier for you to now have your bass fishing if you are well-oriented about the water clarity of your location. 5. Water temperatures 6. Seasonal patterns- this is in relation with the trend whether bass fishing is seasonal or not. 7. Locating structure areas 8. Finding vegetation areas But there is more! Being a consistent bass angler is so much more than just getting in your boat, hitting the water, and casting your baits. That's why bass tournaments are so competitive and exciting, because the more you learn about locating bass the quicker you can start catching them right? And hey, isn't that half the battle? Let's start by looking at a lake map. There are two general types of lake maps that most anglers will use which are referred to as the; “Hot Spot” and “Topographical” maps. The differences between the two is that a “Topo” map shows more detail, and the “Hot Spots” map shows more fishing spots (well, at least they’re supposed to). The secret (or key) in learning how to use a lake map would be to sector the map. What I mean by this is that I will take the map and study it for a moment (looking for areas where the fish would most likely be.) Next, I will (using a highlighter) divide the map in sections based on how much time I have to pre-fish for a tournament or how many days I have to just fish the body of water for fun. The size of the sections will vary depending on contours, structure, and how many places I may want to check out during the course of the day based on what the map shows me. I am certainly not one to just cast bait into the water and work it for five minutes and leave; I will try an assortment of baits if I see signs of fish in any given area to try to establish a working pattern. Here are some key elements that you can usually look for when it comes to locating bass on any given body of water: 1. Vegetation areas 2. Irregular contours 3. Shallow water close to deep water areas 4. Points and point drops 5. Various types of structure 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) . Mon, 30 Mar 2009 20:49:26 +0100 http://ontariofishtrips.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=172&Itemid=50 For years businesses have rode on the vast interest Bass fishing has generated. Many people are hooked, pardon the pun, on this hobby and have elevated it to a sport and a passion. Resorts, sports gears and lines have been built and many more aspects have benefited from these interest. Today, there are more and more people trying to learn and find out what the buzz is all about. Bass fishing is more than just catching a fish. Its now about getting those prized big bass and having the opportunity to show it off. For beginners there are lots more to bass fishing that meets the eye. First, try to know the lures that you must have to enjoy bass fishing. And do you know what the top 3 lures for catching Bass are? Although there was no particular gauge that was presented by the researchers, a survey was performed among the pro bass fishermen and it was found that plastic worms was the most patronized and ranking on the second and third place were the spinner bait and then the crank bait. However, picking one of these 3 is not enough. Some factors are still needed to be considered. Primarily, you must consider if it is better to cover a smaller segment of water thoroughly or skim across a larger area as quickly as possible to find fish. Using a worm is slower, but absolutely effective and is very seductive to Bass. They do best when the fish are schooled over a particular structure. The problem that usually arise with fishing with a worm is the inability to sense strikes. Usually the inability to sense them is due to a sinker that is too heavy and a line that is too thick. To help you to overcome this predicament you are advised to use a variable buoyancy worm using lead strip sinkers. Here are some of its advantages: • No moving lead on the line to dampen the feel of a gentle pickup • You can apply the precise amount of lead to deliver the worm action needed • It makes it easier for a bass to inhale the worm • It aids in hook setting • It's easier to shake loose from snags • You can cause the worm to hang virtually suspended over the bottom when fishing shallow water. To tell how much lead strip is needed, wrap one strip around the hook and bury the barb in the worm. Ease it into the water and watch it sink, it should barely settle toward the bottom. If it sinks to fast, take some off, etc. Make sure to use no heavier than 8-pound mono line - preferably 6 pound. On the other hand, a Spinner bait can be moved more quickly across the surface and can be bounced on the bottom, sent against a tree limb and moved in many different ways in order to stimulate strikes. It is a great probing lure for the shoreline because of its tangle-free construction. Lastly, Crank baits cover a lot of water in a hurry. Using them, you can check out a spot without wasting too much time. You can use them for locating fish that may be scattered. The most important thing is, no matter what lure you select for the particular lake that you are fishing on, you need to make it as easy for the Bass to get at it as possible. Drop that lure right in front of them. Scientists have proven that Bass calculate the amount of energy it will take them to go after the prey. Discover and learn to use one of those lures that you preferred to use for you to really find enjoyment in bass fishing! Aside from considering the lures, it is also important to determine the accurate time in going for bass fishing. Dawn and dusk are definitely when the biggest bass can be brought in. First, remember that bass love ambush spots offering lots of cover from the baitfish. They like to hid, and pounce on their prey. These bait fish are most active in the early morning or evening. When they feed, bass follow because the baitfish is less aware of threats when they feed. Go out fishing during these times for the best success. When retrieving an underwater lure in poor light, keep it coming at a steady pace once it is set in motion. This will make it easier for bass to locate and grab it. The last thing is, don't bother going out in the dawn/dusk when water is below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature wipes out certain aquatics and terrestrials, which nullifies the food chain feeding. Lures and proper time of going on bass fishing are ample factors only that must be taken into account because other aspects such as water quality considerations and weather conditions are also necessary for you to win the game on bass fishing! 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) . Mon, 30 Mar 2009 20:41:54 +0100 http://ontariofishtrips.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=162&Itemid=50 Or a great lure? That’s a question that leaves many amateur anglers scratching their heads all over the world? Is it the actual lure design? Is it because it has caught you fish when all other lures have failed? Is it because it has a special patented design that nothing else has? Is it because it is made of composite materials only found in the space shuttle? Is it because you’ve never lost that lure or is it because it is affordable and you can easily stock it year after year in your tackle box? To be quite honest it’s probably a combination of all of the above and the debate over which lure is best will rage on through the centuries. Fishing lures come in a million different shapes and sizes and you as an angler can truthfully make the decision on your own. While many will say ‘Yes..this is the greatest lure on the planet’ we can’t make that choice for you but what we can do is suggest some great picks that over the years have proven themselves in various ways. Curly Tail Jig Any walleye angler in the northern hemisphere will tell you that in their tackle box is probably a wide assortment of curly tail grubs in various colours and jig heads in assorted weights and sizes. Absolutely nothing else says northern Ontario freshwater fishing like the old grub and jig. So what exactly makes this lure great? As mentioned in the opening sentence it is a tried and true walleye slayer. With so many variations to play with it is just a matter of time before you find the right combination for any given day. Now lets not forget about what really makes this lure great in Ontario lakes and rivers. The grub jig isn’t just relegated to walleye fishing. Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass and Northern Pike will also strike on it. Just remember when fishing in remote Ontario lakes for walleye it’s also a good idea to run a good leader just in case a toothy pike decides to strike. Without it in many cases you’ll just be left reeling in empty line. Spoonfed Who hasn’t as a kid growing up seen grandpa or Uncle George pull out this time tested fishing lure. Many remember the first white and red flash as it darted through the water and wished that they had enough Canadian Tire money in Dad’s jar to gleefully run to the store to purchase 2 or 3 of these magical fish tamers. I still remember it like yesterday as my dad hoisted my first Lake Trout into the boat on an autumn Muskoka lake while a long forgotten picture in my basement still shows that red and white stripe dangling from the mouth of my first ever 'Laker'. A favorite for trolling and also a favorite for Northern Pike the red and white Dardevle spoon is definitely a classic and isn’t at anytime about to show its age. Mepps Black Fury #4 Definitely still one of my go to lures when nothing else is producing. Coming in 4 distinct colours, white, yellow, chartreuse and orange the French bladed Mepps #4 in my opinion is a masterpiece of angling precision. Proven effective for Largemouth Bass, Trout and the occasional Smallmouth bass they are a given for medium to large sized pike. Coming in 2 variations with the non dressed version shown I will always swear by a fully dressed #4 Black Fury in chartreuse on a hot summer day. The secret to the success with the Black Fury is in the precision spinning and the attention to detail from the clevis right down to the buck tail. A lure for many species and all kinds of conditions they are very hard to come by in the dressed version as of late and many have taken to the internet to obtain these golden boys of angling. Swedish Pimple While we’ve touched on a few softwater favorites it’s only fair to discuss one that has proven itself year after year with the hard water crowd. Pop your head into most northern Ontario ice huts on a lake with walleye and you’ll probably find an angler jigging a Swedish pimple close to the bottom. Its overall design and variety of weights coupled with a minnow tip make this an all time favorite with the walleye crowd. Over the last few years many new colours have surfaced from a variety of manufacturers and are readily available at most local tackle shops. Having a few different colours to choose from always increases your odds and we like the ¼ ounce variety. If the fish are fickle then we downsize to a small 1/10 ounce rigged with a smaller minnow. This ice fishing season don’t forget about this lure before you head out onto your favorite Ontario lake. Check back periodically while we review a few more of our favorite 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) Thu, 17 Jul 2008 20:31:52 +0100 http://ontariofishtrips.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=160&Itemid= Thanks for your inquiry. We have recieved your request and will respond shortly. Please feel free to browse the rest of our website and discover all of the great fishing opportunities that the province of Ontario has to offer. Regards, Ontario Fish Trips Admin. Sat, 12 Jul 2008 12:14:00 +0100 http://ontariofishtrips.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=158&Itemid=50 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) Tue, 08 Jul 2008 13:04:34 +0100 http://ontariofishtrips.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=157&Itemid=50 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) Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:01:48 +0100 http://ontariofishtrips.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=156&Itemid=82 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. Thu, 26 Jun 2008 14:55:53 +0100 http://ontariofishtrips.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=151&Itemid=50 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) Thu, 29 May 2008 08:32:21 +0100 http://ontariofishtrips.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=150&Itemid=50 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) Wed, 28 May 2008 10:28:14 +0100 http://ontariofishtrips.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=149&Itemid=50 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) Wed, 28 May 2008 10:22:25 +0100 http://ontariofishtrips.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=148&Itemid= 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. Red Pine Wilderness Lodge I m convinced my husband, James, is definitely off his rocker now. He's babbling something about turning 50 this year and he wants others to share in the misery (or celebration) of this event. He's calling it the 50/50 Discount Package. According to him, if you are turning 50 years old in this calendar year of 2010, you can visit Red Pine Wilderness Lodge for 1/2 the regular rate!!! So if you, or a friend find themselves turning the big five-oh, you had better visit this year. James says that it will all make you feel like teenagers again because that's the price you'll be paying!* Please take advantage of this offer soon, who knows when he'll come to his senses. *this special price only applies to the Feed Me plan (I guess James wants to see you all at dinner, so you can weep collectively) Regular 7 Day Adult Feed Me Plan - $1350 7 Day 50/50 DISCOUNT PACKAGE - only $675 J J Bowden Red Pine Wilderness Lodge www.redpinelodge.com (http://www.redpinelodge.com/) redpine@worldchat.com (mailto:redpine@worldchat.com) Simply Unreel... Moose Point Cottages In Ontario's Near North, we are on a peninsula between Tomiko Chebogan Lakes. We have 7 clean fully equipped housekeeping cottages near Crystal Falls. Fish for walleye, pike panfish from one of our boats or your own. If you mention this site, Ontario Fish Trips, we will give you our 4-day or 7-day spring fishing package which includes cottage, boats motors for every 2 people gas for a 10% discount. This applies to a min. of 4 people only between May 15-June 19, 2010. Remember you have to mention Ontario Fish Trips to get this deal. Website: www.moosepointcottages.com (http://www.moosepointcottages.com/) Address: 207 Moose Point Road Crystal Falls, Ontario P0H 1L0 1-877-429-2573 Location: Chebogan Lake/Tomiko Lake (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q hl=en geocode= q=207+Moose+Point+Road sll=46.531625,-79.83287 sspn=0.076053,0.181103 ie=UTF8 ll=46.519658,-79.749413 spn=0.15214,0.362206 z=12 iwloc=cent) Fri, 23 May 2008 21:04:47 +0100