johnnyb

Spiel -- I can't believe we didn't see you! We were on the "right" side of the breakwater, fishing from shore...don't know if you saw us. Cliff -- check your inbox...pic with logo should be there Simon -- don't worry, pal...I'll get out as much as I can...the wife likes your reports, so, maybe I can play the sympathy card..."honey, I'm doing it for LimeyAngler...."

As some of you may know, my lovely Laker Jessy and I are going to have a baby…we’re a little over 3 months along, which means Jessy is finally starting to get her land legs back. Never mind morning sickness – the poor girl has barely been able to stand a short car ride for the last 12 weeks, which has meant a little less fishing for me, but even worse, fishing without her. As a rule, if she’s not around, I don’t seem to do so well…well, that was the case all winter, anyway. With the temperature forecast to hit 20 today, and Jessy feeling good enough to get out and try her new rod and reel, I gave her the choice of perch in Orillia, or catfish in Dunnville. Apparently, size matters….we headed for Dunnville, in hopes of some big cats, and we weren’t disappointed! First stop was Fish Masters…I’ve never actually been before, but it was super easy to find, and Steve wasted no time in getting me set up, and pointing me to “the good spot”. Now, I knew that cut sucker is the popular bait for big cats down there….but Steve has a secret recipe that makes the cut-bait a little better, so I was glad I used his stuff.  Combined with really beefy circle hooks and 2 ounce weights, it was only a matter of time….the first one came not too long after we got set up I noticed that while I had this one on, the guys beside us reeled one in, and a boat out in the middle was doing the same…interesting. After lunch, Jessy’s rod starting bouncing, but not in earnest. I went over and picked it up, as the line had gone slack….and she had one on! She’s a very cautious mother-to-be, and didn’t want to walk on the rocks to reel it in…so she let me do the honours…but I made sure she held it up for the camera  Again, with the bites in rapid succession, as I was taking the hook out of hers, I looked up to see my rod lurching toward the water. I pulled back smooth and gentle like – MAN I love these circle hooks! – and realized I had a much bigger cat on….after a nice fight, I had my first double digit cat! And that was all she wrote…great weather, fantastic company, and some thrilling action! Already looking at the calendar to figure out how I can get back down to Dunnville…

Holy crap! How fast do you run?!?!

But a fish is a fish, nonetheless! Can't beat quality time with family, great weather, and cooperative fish

I guessed ol' Bill right away...too bad I'm only seeing the post now...nice work Bushart

WOW..as always a great report....soooo jealous that you are still on the ice...thanks for posting that one

Well, if he started in Erindale park, I'm thinkin' it was a LONG walk to Streetsville. Pags...give us an answer here...where did you park?

Sounds like you're gonna be the one to provide US with info Let us know how you do...river is open from the south side of the 403 to the lake....good luck. I might get out there once between now and Monday...would love to know what's goin' on down there

Can't say, as I've never fished pigeon specifically. My favourite spring walleye techniques are jerkbaits (like x-raps, husky jerks) tossed around weed clumps with access to deep water, and trolling floating rapalas. PErhaps some of the experienced anglers on here will provide you with more feedback on what works well on Pigeon

from other reports I've read, I would say it's done...might take a bit to break up, but doesn't sound like it's worth walking on..unless you have a canoe and a float suit

According to the regs, lake trout is open from Jan. 1st to Sept. 30th, but you should check for exceptions on lakes you plan to fish. I think that your biggest problem is going to be finding water to fish safely...from what I've read/heard, the ice is pretty much shot, but I don't think it's ready for boating yet. Good time to scout out those backlakes you've always wanted to find, and plug in a route on your GPS

Thanks for posting the link, Court, but it doesn't seem to work. Could just be me....anybody seein' cats?

Hmmm...I definitely don't have any experience catching lakers in Lake O...maybe someone can comment on that for you, but what I do know about springtime lakers is that you want sloping, gravelly shorelines, with access to deeper water nearby. Spinners and spoons are great....as for trolling you can still use spoons, or bodybaits....not much for you, but hopefully a start? My best experience so far has been casting in 10-15FOW with a gold panther martin, in the spring, water temp about 52-54 degrees.

Meh... It was a wild ride while it lasted...

SWEET! Where do you go out from? I gotta head down there for some of that action!

I don't know what his prices are like, but, Angling Specialties carries that stuff, and the guy on Confederation (just south of Burnhamhtorpe) is quite friendly. There's also a store called WthaFly on Dundas, just East of Erindale Park...looks like they carry what you're after, but, I haven't gone in yet, so I dont' really know.

wow...I'm super jealous...thanks for sharing

Dang...I miss smelting....my dad used to make us go to bed early then wake us up at 10:30 or 11:00 and we'd go down to the pier under the bridge in Hamilton....the first few years it was a bonanza...but as I got older, there were fewer and fewer smelt...could have been timing as much as anything. I'd love to hit up Simcoe on a nice warm night this April/May....somebody PM me! I think I got a smelt net kickin' around somewhere....no spreader tho....

Great post, BillM...I too am new to steelheading...well, not new...watched others for years, tried to copy 'em...still didn't catch anything...gave up. I'm living down the road from Erindale now, so, I'm, ready to give it another go

Richy I think you have nailed it...I've been spreading myself out a lot this winter, not catching much but getting around to a lot of lakes....the upside is I have a few choice spots to work on next year. Oh...I should also mention, in regards to the low catch ratio....I AM CURSED! or something like that....

Yup....we sure siezed that day! Even though we came up a little short of our expectations, I'm glad we stuck to the plan, and made the most of it. Until next time!

Great report and pics....*sigh* I miss the ice already...don't know if I'll get out on anymore. However, I am going to join you in the newborn department...we're 10 weeks and cooking nicely

Gotta love that Temagami scenery...great report, Wayne

I'm definitely in....awaiting the sign-up thread...

Go to Canadian Tire this weekend -- Rapala Knife with sheath and little plastic sharpener for $9.99!