Annual Algonquin Report PART 1 of 3

[Ramble]

Well everyone I know many a full moon has passed since you have last heard much outa me. I’ve been pretty busy, and a little on the lazy side of things. I have been out on the water a few times and am ready to get back into the swing of things so here we go.

 

Dad and I did our annual week in Algonquin this summer, Booth Lake area of the park. Due to the amount of rain this year the water levels were extremely high for this point in the summer. The fishing was defiantly different then usual (not in a good way), however we managed to find a few fish. The high rain fall also had another effect of the area. Fungus of all types were rising all over and I saw many species I hadn’t come across previously. This post is going to cover the fishing, but also a plethora of other things we came across while we were up their for the week. Enjoy.

 

 

 

 

We decided to leave Belleville a little later then usual due to morning rain. When the rain let up, we set out north on 62 for the park. After a brief lunch in Bancroft it was no time until we reached our destination.

 

 

We piled (literally) our stuff into the canoe and took off down Farm lake into the beautiful August weather. Once we hit the main lake we rigged up our lines and trolled as we went. It seemed like only a few strokes of the paddle later and dad’s rod was doubled over with a nice northern. The fish was healthy and full of spunk. After an excellent fight on the fish’s part dad had the 1st northern of the trip to the boat…a nice chunky 34” er.

 

 

After the release dad fired the blue/silver Williams C50 back out and we continued on our way. Before reaching the other end of the lake, he was into another northern of respectable size.

 

 

This fish was considerably thinner, but was two inches longer. She measured in at 36”s.

 

 

The river up to the 1st portage at Kitty lake, surprising, didn’t produce any fish for us. We weren’t fishing it hard, but the usual methods were not paying off. Part way up the river in a calm bay we came across a couple of locals. They were having a early dinner of white water lilies and didn’t seem to mind a little company as they munched.

 

 

 

 

We reached the 1st portage, and as tradition dictates…skipped it. I pulled the canoe up the rapids while dad relaxed in the back, offering his usual “words of encouragement”.

 

Kitty lake was a breeze to paddle as usual, and then we were at the Booth Lake rapids. We had a quick look and decided that the high water wasn’t enough to over ride tradition and passed up the portage to take the watery route yet again.

 

 

It’s a bit tiring heading up stream against the current, but its more fun, and the water keeps you cool. We took a break at the dam, and then made the 10 foot portage up into Booth. By this point it was overly apparent the weather was changing so we headed for camp with a little fishing on the way.

 

 

The sun set and clouds made for an impressive evening, and just before reaching camp I managed a descent smallie.

 

 

After unloading and a bite to eat, we headed out for an evening fish. We found the fishing slow, but with a little work we found some cooperative smallies right around dark.

 

 

The next day we headed out after a relaxing breakfast. We beelined over to a laker spot and set out jigging to see if we couldn’t find dinner. After about an hour of fooling around, I had a solid hit, then a pair of head shakes but the fish shook loose. More time past as we paddled in the area, and then again I felt a good hit. I set the hook, and backed the drag off a little and started the fight. I took my time as the fish dogged around in the depths. As the fish closed in, the battle became more frantic. I maintained my composure.

 

About ten feet down the laker crosses into panic mode, and hopelessly and totally wraps itself in about 4 feet of line. Worst wrap job I've seen yet from a laker. After that little display the fish came to the boat quietly. It was a good looking fish, measuring it at the 23 inch mark. It was so nice in fact, we invited it to dinner. She grudgingly accepted our offer.

 

 

 

With dinner acquired we headed for supper with an after dinner fish in mind after. I don’t have to tell you the trout was DELICIOUS.

 

We hit the lake after tea and washing the dished. We were both into our top water arsenal. Dad was tossing his new chartreuse popper and I was plugging away with a Baby Torpedo. Top water smallies are a beautiful thing.

 

 

 

This fish gave me a particularly good soaking.

 

 

 

We caught several smallies each before calling it a night.

 

The next day we woke late again, and had another casual breakfast. Being in no rush to do anything I wandered the woods a little with the camera and came across all sorts of things which caught my eye.

 

White Pine

 

Indian Pipe

 

 

 

Unidentified Fungus

 

 

When I returned to camp. Dad and I decided to go for a hike up the hill in no particular direction, with no particular destination in mind…wherever our curiosity would take us.

 

We came across more things of interest.

 

Fungus

 

 

 

More Indian Pipe

 

 

Lichen

 

Moose antler rub from last fall.

 

Raspberries

 

Babbling Brooks

 

Jewel Weed

 

 

and more fungus.

 

 

 

A few hours of exploring later, and the rain started. So we wandered back to camp and straightened stuff out a little, while making dinner. After supper the rain died off, and in a light start/stop drizzle we head out with our top water lures.

 

 

 

 

As the evening went on the sky cleared and the fish cooperated.

 

 

 

 

We got in and made a nice fire to sit beside as we watched the full moon rise. The weather was changing and we were actually able to watch clouds form out of “thin air” to the south of us. It was gorgeous evening and we saw a few shooting stars courtesy of the Perseid meteor shower. I played with the camera a little and snapped these photo’s of the moon over the marsh.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The fire died around midnight and we went to bed.

Edited August 28, 2008 by Ramble On

[ccmtcanada]

Great part one!!! Fish, scenery, relaxation....cant wait for part two....going to read it now....

[Cudz]

Great fish and great pics

[Leecher]

Great report and pics Ramble On

 

Looks like you guys had a wonderful time out there and caught a good mix bag of fish

 

Thanks for sharing

Leechman

[ozaibak1]

Great report, nice fish.

[mikeh]

great pictures , awesome scenery in that area/ thanks for posting

Edited August 28, 2008 by mikeh

[Ramble]

Thanks for all the comments

[Guest Johnny Bass]

Excellent Report!!!Some nice pike and smallies. Those are some very interesting shots of the different types of fungus found in Algonquin. The laker was also a bonus. What did you catch it on and how many feet were you fishing?

[Ramble]

Laker was caught on a jigging spoon in about 30-40 feet down.

[addict]

awsome pics and some sweet fish there.