Tag: B.A.I.T

Valley anglers in search of northern pike and walleye have been out in full force with both species now fair game in Fisheries Management Zone (FMZ) 15. Be sure to check the rules and regulations before hitting the water this weekend! Where length limits apply, anglers should measure their catch carefully, and any fish caught must also be kept whole so it can be measured by a CO. If you should accidentally catch another species for which the season is still closed, it must be immediately (and safely) returned to the water.

FMZ 15 is a very large zone covering much of Northeastern Ontario; extending eastward to the Ottawa River, south to Arnprior, north to Deux Rivieres and west across all of Algonquin Park to Parry Sound. Best of luck in all your northern pike and walleye endeavours. I am hoping to land a few myself this weekend in Cobden. Early season northerns offer great table fare too with 4-5 pounders being the best eating size.

 

Blind Anglers International Tournament

I had the good fortune of touring Westmeath-area this past weekend; checking out the location for the 27th annual Blind Angler’s International Tournament. (B.A.I.T.) This region is a fitting location for such an event in a most beautiful part of the province. In two weeks’ time, legally blind men and women along with professional anglers will converge on Nangor Resort, for a fun filled weekend of angling! This year’s event kicks-off as usual with a dinner at the Westmeath Community Centre and runs from May 29th – May 31th. The opportunity to learn a new skill or to re-kindle an old passion, serves as a mechanism of rehabilitation for participants in this well-respected event. The Arnprior Lions Club will be hosting the tournament under the Lions’ B.A.I.T. project, and are justifiably proud of the benefits offered by this special program. For more information, please contact the Bait Hotline at: (613) 699-8412. Check out beautiful Nangor resort: http://nangorresort.com/?cfid=14694&cftoken=94689391

 

Conserving trout

When it came to brook trout, in my younger days it was always felt that ‘a fish caught was a fish kept’, but it doesn’t need to be that way anymore. On my recent trout trip to Temiscaming, we live-released 70 per cent of the trout we landed. To safely release a brook trout requires patience and a soft touch at canoe or boat-side. Barbless hooks and a good set of long-nosed pliers are a must. To witness a beautiful brook trout swimming away after a nice battle is an incredible feeling. Sure, you can catch enough smaller fish to bring home but doing your part for conservation will surely pay-off in the end. If you had asked me 15 years ago about letting a 2-3 pound brook trout go, I probably would have laughed. Practicing conservation of the species requires self-control but offers great long-term reward.

 

Quebec bear hunt

With all the hubbub around pike and pickerel, don’t forgot about the spring bear hunt across the river which also got under way this past weekend. Hunters need ‘bear ‘in mind that in certain sectors of the Outaouais the season closes on June 15th, two weeks earlier than for rest of the province which allows bear hunting until June 30th. With the month of June fast approaching, the once cautious animals will have become accustomed to feeding regularly at bait sites, and with the onset of mating season adult males’ travel extensively in search of a mate. Both of these factors will have a positive effect on hunter’s success rate. For more information on the Québec bear hunting, contact Tourism Quebec: 1 877 BONJOUR (266-5687).

 

Next time at Outdoors Guy

Be sure to check-out my next Outdoors Guy column where I’ll be launching the coveted Outdoor Trivia Contest with terrific prizes. Also on tap is another informative field-test as well as a huge announcement the hunting and fishing world will surely want to hear!