Fishing – Page 5 – The Outdoors Guy

February 8, 2011

Alcohol and Ice-fishing

It would appear that the Ontario Provincial Police are sending out mixed signals with regards to alcohol and ice-fishing.

As Kelly Roche of the Ottawa SUN reported:

“Last Thursday, Eastern Region OPP issued a statement saying it’s illegal to drink alcohol inside or outside a hut.

This was just two weeks after Sault Ste. Marie OPP said in a press release it’s OK to drink inside the huts — just not outside.

The Sun called OPP’s corporate communications department to find out who’s right.

While the force stopped short of saying they goofed, they did concede mixed messages were out there.

“We were aware that there was some contradictory information,” said Insp. Dave Ross.

Turns out both statements were clear as dishwater.

“Under the Liquor License Act, if you’re consuming liquor in an ice hut you could be charged,” Ross said, adding you’re exempt if you’re in a hut with legitimate cooking and sleeping facilities.

“The officer has to make a judgment call,” said Ross.

He said the majority of huts don’t have stoves or beds and people can rent ice bungalows with bunkbeds.

That has some ice fishers puzzled.”

Ok folks, anyone who has ever spent time on the ice with a rod in hand knows, full well, that a beverage or two may be consumed along the way. Unlike open water fishing, having a drink or two while out on the ice just seems to come with the territory.

As one angler pointed out, “It’s no different than going to the bar” I suppose, as long as that person doesn’t get behind the wheel afterwards.

But this latest ruling may have many folks second-guessing that decision to throw-in a 6-pack of beer along with the minnow pail and ice auger.

Outdoorsguy

January 6, 2011

Trophy Eyes – A wonderful day on the Bay

A note of appreciation goes out to our friend ‘Maple’ for sharing the details (& photos) of what surely was an incredible day of ice-fishing on the Bay of Quinte – North America’s walleye Mecca!

The only sad part was, he was kind enough to invite me on this trip and I honestly did not have the time…doooh!!

“I went to the Bay of Quinte yesterday with 3 other guys. I got up at 1:30 AM to pick them up on the way. Back home at 11:00 PM.

We arrived at 6:00 to meet the guide. We all had our own gear (shelter, flasher, rods and tackle). The guide supplied the minnows and direction. He set us up on contour just some 200 yards from where I’ve fished on my own!! (So much for the guide-cost you might think but we’re talking pin-point structure fishing here).

Before dawn we started fishing and catching. My first fish was a 10 pound beauty, pic attached. She went back down the hole. I didn’t catch another eye until dusk, although we (they) caught fish sporadically throughout the day. The perch were keeping me busy though, and I lost a couple good fish.

The second pic(below) is a 12 pounder easy. 30.5″ long and 18″ girth. Back down the hole for her too. Unless you want to mount one, which is common for BOQ walleye, they’re usually released. Your choice. The 2 to 4 pound ‘eaters’ are what you keep.

The best bite, as usual, was in the evening, but by then the newbies had used up all the minnows and we were reduced to using dead bits and pieces on the treble jig hooks. With the flashers you can detect the presence of a fish when it approached the jig, but that’s only half the game. Sometimes it takes 5 minutes to entice them to bite, with you watching their reaction to your lure’s teasing wiggles. Sometimes they just move off. Sometimes you just don’t have what they want.

By the end of the day we landed and released 5 fish over 10 pounds, kept 9 or so between 1 1/2 and 3 pounds, and lost lots more at the hole. Exciting even that was!! To see a big fish just under the clear ice, twisting and shaking, and you trying to get it’s head up the hole, and then it breaks free and there’s nothing you can do about it but watch it swim back down…..and curse….. I need a video of that.

I’d call it a “good” day for me on the BOQ. Sometimes I catch nothing. This was much better than that. To catch, or even see caught, a single fish of the calibre is a real treat, and keeps me coming back. There seems to be a couple more trips in the planning stages with some hardcore fishers. I’ll keep you posted.”

Thanks again to Maple for sharing his great story and for the invite. Next time I plan to take him up on his offer!

Outdoorsguy

September 29, 2010

Fall also means trophy muskie time

I know during the fall I tend to get carried away with hunting, so this post is dedicated to the mighty muskellunge, and to keep all those autumn anglers happy.

Back in the days when I actually had the time and freedom to hunt and fish during the fall, there was nothing I enjoyed more (expect maybe hunting) than chasing the elusive muskie

Although I haven’t pursued ‘lunge’ in a couple of years, I’m sad to say, my heart is still there every time I drive alongside the river.
So do me a favour will you, please send me a big fish story or two so I may live vicariously through you muskie hunters this fall.

Come on Bent hooks, where are you? Chris Purdy? Ed Hand? Matt Clay? Hedrik Wachelka? Chris Pepper? Jim Hutchins? Michael Kadoura? Eric Sanchez? Stefan McClelland? Dave Headley?

And for goodness sake guys, embellish the story if you have to I’ll be hanging on your every word!

Outdoorsguy

September 22, 2010

Meet the Greely Fishing Club

Long-time Outdoors Guy follower and contributor Pierre Menard has just started a new Club called the Greely Fishing Club and he’s hoping to generate some interest.

Menard’s new organization will be free and he invites the local community to join and have their stories and pictures put up on his new website:
www.leaguelineup.com/greelyfishingclub

Pierre is hoping to make the Club a family affair and invites everyone to get involved in his favourite pastime in one way or another.

Outdoorsguy

July 26, 2010

Outdoors Guy readers salmon trip of a lifetime

Thanks to Outdoor’s Guy Blog reader Denis Raymond for sending in some great photos of his recent salmon trip to Prince Rupert, British Columbia.

It is a fishing trip Denis is calling his ‘Trip of a lifetime’ and after seeing his pics I tend to agree.

I can recall stories an old hunting friend of mine, who use to live in Prince Rupert, would tell me. The area is known for having some of the best salmon and halibut fishing on earth!

Denis and his pals fished out of Prince Rupert (800 Km north of Victoria) which I’m told is the last community in Northern BC.

They were actually only 60 miles from the southern panhandle of Alaska and just east of the Queen Charlotte Islands

From the look of it they had one heck of a great experience.

Thanks to Denis Raymond for sharing his incredible photos with us.

Please feel free to send in stories and photos of your favourite hunting or fishing trip.

Outdoorsguy

July 14, 2010

Ottawa youth fishing spots part 1

Just because National Fishing Week has drawn to a close doesn’t mean you still can’t take a young person fishing this summer!

Instead of your kids sitting in front of the boob-tube, wouldn’t it be more enjoyable for everyone to plan a fishing adventure with friends and family?

Hitting the water with fishing rod in hand is the sort of thing I did as a child, and what I still enjoy doing with my own kids. Unfortunately the trend today is moving away from outdoor recreation.

I really think we need to do something about that!

The key to success, I’ve found, when fishing with young people is to keep it simple, make it fun and focus on the thrill of the catch.

My girls love nothing more than joining me on the water to ‘drown a few worms’ and perhaps pull-in some sunfish and rock bass, but I always make sure not to stay out too long and to make it interesting.

It can be a great time had by all so long as you keep it fun, and choosing the right spot sometimes can be half the battle.

For those looking for a place to go this summer, here is a couple of great fishing locations put together by the SUN’s Don Wilcox.

1) Morris Island Conservation Area – off Morris Island Rd. near Galetta (20mins west of Ottawa).

Located on the Ottawa River, this spot has a causeway cutting through a bay, and anglers can walk right along the causeway fishing off both sides. Great panfish, bass, pike, and even long nosed gar (Don’s son Jamie caught one of these throwbacks to the dinosaur age when he was about 10 …the gar was about 7-8 lbs) There are also some walleye and muskie to be found at Morris Island.

Boating, however, is NOT recommended here because of strong currents due to the nearby hydro dam. There is a nature trail, a nice fishing platform in centre of the bay and lots of room for other activities if the kids want a break from fishing.
2) Kars Fairgrounds or the Kars Dock in south Ottawa. The dock is on the Rideau and can be a busy spot, but the fishing is great for everything from panfish to bass, walleye, pike and muskie. It’s at the end of Old Wellington St. in Kars.

Just around the corner is the Kars Fairground (off Rideau Valley Dr.). Another super spot because when the kid’s tire of fishing, there’s tons of space for games, picnicking, etc. There’s lots of panfish along the shore as well as bass and some pike.
All are easily accessible for anglers without boats. They are close by too, so you don’t have to drive far, and there are lots of fish so even novice anglers should be able to make a few catches.

There’s the usual conservation area fee to access Morris Island. Fishing at the Kars spots is free. Good parking at the fairgrounds, but you might have to walk a ways to fish at the dock.

Hey, if you know of any other great fishing spots where you like to bring the kids, please feel free to drop me a line:

July 6, 2010

Better get your fishing license

One very sad fisherman in North Carolina is wishing he had purchased his fishing license last week, before entering the State’s big Blue Marlin contest.

One forgetful Peter Wann of Alexandria Virginia was fishing aboard the Citation during the annual Big Rock Blue Marlin tournament when a boat-mate landed a record 883 pound Marlin.

The behemoth marlin broke a tournament record set in 2000.

The $900,000 prize money was as good as in the bank, until official’s discovered Wann had not purchased the required State fishing license before entering the tournament.

Doohh!!!

The tournament board had not choice but to declare the runner-up boat the winner with its 528.3pound blue marlin.

I wonder if this guy will be asked to go fishing again.

Outdoorsguy

July 6, 2010

Welcome to National Fishing Week

With the busiest and most important fishing week of the year now under way, anglers in the National Capital Region and across the country are reminded of what this great sport is all about.

National Fishing week got under way this past weekend, and for those who live in the Ottawa region, there is more than enough ‘fishable water’ to whet any angler’s appetite, be they novice or seasoned veteran.

The idea of National Fishing Week is to introduce potential new anglers to the benefits of this past time we call sports fishing. Avid fisherman are encouraged to lead by example over the next few days, by offering those who are new to the sport a chance to cast a line and discover the joy and fulfillment of enticing a fish into biting.

We as wise- conservationists and responsible fishermen owe it to ourselves, to our children and to future generous to keep this great sport alive.

Do the sport a favour and take a young person out fishing this week!

Outdoorsguy

June 25, 2010

Get your Bass in gear

(Photo courtesy of Corey Hackett)

Local anglers will be out in hoards this weekend for the coveted bass opener. Guys and gals will be in search of lunkers like this beauty pulled from the Ottawa River by Corey Hackett two years ago.

And if you don’t think there’s something special about Micropterus – be they salmoides or dolomieu – just ask one of the local bass fishing organizations.

Ottawa is slowly becoming a largemouth & smallmouth bass fishing hub, thanks to groups like Renegade Bass, Bass Anglers of Ottawa and Petawawa Bassmasters.
Hey, if Bob Izumi and his son are willing to drive all the way from Oshawa to fish for bass up here, there must be something to it.

Regardless where you end-up heading this weekend, keep your line tight and your body inside the boat!

Outdoorsguy

May 31, 2010

Weird Facts about Fishing finally here

My first book entitled Weird Facts about Fishing is now finally available at the local bookstores!

Try your local Chapters-Indigo, Coles and all Canadian tire stores for your copy of this soon-to-be best seller.

As my Dad would say, the book is great; good for coughs, colds and sore holes!

Outdoorsguy