wallacio

Before 2008, Lake Huron and Georgian Bay tributaries had a 2 fish limit for some time. The limit reduction for Lake O tributaries etc happened when the 2008-2009 regs were issued (under the streamlined limit of 2 for FMZ 16). IMHO, given that almost all populations of Steelhead in Ontario rely on natural reproduction a 2 fish limit is still far too high. I have no issue with keeping a fish but selective harvest should be practised. Roping a limit of fish every time one goes Steelheading has a direct and negative effect on the fishery. I would personally support a 1 fish limit with an appropriate minimum size restriction which would ensure that all fish got the opportunity to spawn at least once.

Angling Specialties (3 locations), JB's Fishing Depot (Etobicoke), Tightlines (Pickering) just to name a few. By no means is this a comprehensive list but chances are if they carry Raven gear, then they sell Steelhead stuff: http://www.raventackle.com/retailers.htm

Would be happy to...is there any particular area of the province that you are close to/interested in?

There are far better places to go than BPS if you are after a float rod. Give some of the smallers stores (that specialize in this equipment) a try...there are lots of them around in the GTA and Southern Ontario for that matter.

They are definitely effective under the right conditions. They are actually pretty standard fare south of the border by even casual Steelheaders...often used to tip small jigs for pressured fish in clear conditions.

I use just a simple clinch as it's quick and is easier to tie properly (which is important given the number of times that one re-ties when Steelheading, especially in snag-filled water). The improved clinch is a stronger knot however it must be tied perfectly, otherwise a well tied clinch is stronger than a poorly tied improved clinch.

There is no doubt that detailed reports with recognizable backgrounds will draw additional pressure to a particular location however I'm not following the logic of declaring the Catt a "damaged" river due to the pressure it sees. It is stocked annually with over 90,000 fish (though it does have upwards of 25% wild fish)...as long as the NYDEC keeps up the stocking and people practise selective harvest (which most do on the Catt, in fact the vast majority of anglers practise C&R based on my observations anyway), there will be lots of fish to go around and as already mentioned, it's easy to find less pressured water if you stay away from the "tourist traps".

Great to finally meet you Cliff. Not a bad day despite the conditions. Sorry, I didn't bother with any pics that day....as my wife says, how many pictures of fish do you need??? LOL

Pretty amazing that such a populated lake still supports good numbers of Lakers. I assume you are taking most of them downrigging?

Love those 'hos!!!

I agree - send them back to Orvis to get them fixed properly (which as John says, will likely involve new boots). Ask Orvis for a loaner pair for the the 4-6 weeks. I had Simms boots replaced this summer and they agreed to send me a loaner pair for the time that they were assessing my old boots...I'm sure that Orvis will do the same. If not, tell them that their competition is willing to do it...

Contact Orvis first - most higher end companies such as Orvis, Simms etc will perform the repairs under warranty and doing certain repairs yourself (such as on seams) will void the warranty.

Chandru is correct Bill - there are still two weeks to go in the regular Trout season, including the Upper Credit. Good luck if you go!

The Brook Trout in the west end headwaters are not stocked and other than a limited Brown Trout stocking program on the upper Humber, the Browns are wild too. Brook Trout over 8" are definitely present in relative abundance - as with any resident fish, they get tougher to catch as they get bigger but I've fooled my share of bigger Brookies on flies up there. As for nymphs, most of those fish in the pictures took various Mayfly nymph patterns. I like Prince Nymphs, Pheasant Tails, Copper Johns etc...all with lots of "triggers" such as gold or copper bead heads, gold ribs, and even crystal chenile in the place of real peacock herl on the thorax portion of the fly. Don't be afraid to go big as well - ie #10 or even #8 flies as opposed to the typical #14 and#12 sizes...they get the attention of bigger fish!

That's 'cause you suck at it!

If you are after "smaller trout" ie resident fish, the Upper Credit is a reasonable drive from Mississauga - 30-40 minutes. As mentioned, no one is going to post specific directions however I suggest focussing your efforts almost anywhere above the Village of Inglewood. Between and Inglewood and the Cataract you'll primarily find Browns. Above the Cataract, it's Brookie water. There are lot's of access points at road/trail crossings and unless it's posted land, you are usually good to go. There are limited hatches right now so I would stick to nymphing for your best chances of hooking up. Because of the fishing pressure and the fact that it's all C&R water, the fish get educated quickly so don't expect easy success but if you put in the time, it can be incredibly rewarding. Here are a few shots of what lurks up there to get you motivated!!! Good luck!

Wow - this trip made our recent fly-in (Lake of a Million Walleye Report) look boring in comparison (though 30" 'eyes in a small lake is nothing to sneeze at). Well, this will give me the motivation to start the sales pitch at home for June....I have nine months to wear Amy down!!!

Looks like the same fish...a big hen, worn lower caudal fin.

This pic was posted along with the story on another board...though I can't confirm if it is actually the fish in question. (regardless, this one is a monster!)

Hark, Paulus awakes from his summer slumber!!!! 'Tis true...we've both been temporarily sprung from baby prison to rig for some soon to be extinct Lake O Kings.

Yeah, and the "experts" that are always refuting the results of the study are almost always those who have a selfish interest in seeing more Chinook stocking (ie the downrigging crew including charter captains). The eastern tribs support natural reproduction of Steelhead but not Chinook, whose smolts spend even less time in the rivers (and don't tell me that the Eastern Steelhead are primarily strays from US stocking programs)??? The adipose clipping will provide a rebuttal? So you already know the outcome of the study before it's complete?

Whoops - you're right (got my bridges confused). The no bait, C&R section starts at the pedestrian bridge US of Brant Park (and US of Wilkes Dam). That said, the few times I've fished in the C&R section up near the confluence with Whiteman's I've always found evidence of people fishing with bait (roe bags, worm containers).

It is. Not surprising, lot's of people flaunt special regulations or are just ignorant of them. I fish the Upper Credit all of the time and find more than the odd empty worm container. Here's a map (on page 2 of the link). http://www.brant.ca/forvisitors/Exceptional_Waters.pdf

Sure, I've caught fish near the dam at Caledonia...it can be relatively productive and other than strays from the US, they tend to be large, wild fish which will kick your butt. Not my favourite place though - tends to get very crowded not the mention that you are fishing right near a dam. There are other spots on the river (which I won't name in a public forum) where you can fish for Steelhead but due to the size and lack of holding water, they are quite limited below Caledonia. As for Whiteman's, I don't fish it much as I do most of my resident fly fishing closer to home. The overall feeling is that the numbers of small to medium sized Browns are down likely due to competition with Steelhead parr/smolts (Steelhead have only had access to Whiteman's for about 10 years since a dam was removed in Brantford). Before this, Browns were supposedly more numerous. That said, the big ones are still there as they have a great food source with all of those parr and smolts, you just have to modify your presentation in order to keep the young Rainbows off of your line (ie big streamers etc).

Incorrect. The Grand receives runs of migratory Rainbows (Steelhead) from Lake Erie. In fact, the area near the dam in Caledonia is a VERY popular spot to fish for Steelhead during the fall months. Steelhead actually run as high as the Paris area and will enter spawning tributaries such as Whitemans's Creek and even the Nith River. Pay attention to the numerous special regs ie limit of 1 fish with a Sport license, 0 with a conservation as well as a no-kill, no bait etc section ("Exceptional Waters - where resident Rainbows can be found year-round) between Brantford and Paris (which includes the section of the river where the confluence with Whiteman's Creek is located). As for Salmon, they are present in Lake Erie though certainly not in numbers which I would consider worth targetting (in the Grand anyway).