Georgian Bay Steelhead

[solopaddler]

I normally shy away from the popular streams on a weekend but Sunday was just too tempting.

A big slug of rain had spiked the water flow up north. Looking at the Environment Canada flow rate graphs, the rivers shot straight up on Sat.

With no rain overnight and knowing these rivers clear and drop on a dime I knew Sun would be good.

Arriving in town well before sunup we grabbed a coffee and proceeded to check a variety of popular access points.

Many anglers had had the same idea as huge numbers of cars were everywhere.

A little disheartening but not entirely unexpected.

Fortunately almost 30 years of fishing this particular river has provided options.

We drove further up stream to another access and found some solitude and fish.

The morning was crazy, we put a large number of fish on the bank, all bright chrome and full of fight.

Twice I had fish hit so hard my float was ripped 3' sideways across current, pulling my rod arm forward in the process.

Just wild!

Fish were caught on a mix of white and chartreuse roe bags to start with. Once the water dropped and cleared by mid-day and more anglers arrived on the scene the fishing slowed considerably.

We scratched out a few more fish by scaling down tippet and hook size and switching up to both live and pink worms.

That's a great tip actually: If you know there are fish in front of you but they're not hitting, change things up.

Even if that's simply matter of tweaking your rigging, do something.

 

I don't have a ton of pic's, but did manage to snap a few:

 

 

 

 

 

The glory hole.

 

 

 

My buddy walking a fish downstream in the afternoon with 2 frustrated anglers in the background.

 

 

 

 

 

Now is the literally the best time of year if you're looking to get out, I anticipate the first couple weeks of Nov all year long.

 

If anyone's interested the new reel is amazing. Startup is unreal and for a larger reel (it's 47/8") it's only 8oz in weight.

Very, very, very impressed!

 

 

Cheers, Mike

[MCTFisher9120]

Great looks fish as always!

 

Thanks for sharing,

MTBF

[craigdritchie]

Pretty fishies.

 

Pretty reel.

 

I feel a couple of "professional development" days in my future.

[BillM]

Oh nice Mike!!! I was about to ask you about the new reel!!

 

I've fished that spot a few times, only shakers when I was there though!!

 

Good job bud.

[Jet]

Awesome report Solo as usual. Love the reel, mine's on the way!

Edited November 2, 2009 by Jet

[lucabrasi]

Great report as usual, nice fish too!!

[solopaddler]

Pretty fishies.

 

Pretty reel.

 

I feel a couple of "professional development" days in my future.

 

 

Funny, I've got a pd day on tap for this Thursday.

[MJL]

Beautiful pictures Mike. Great report! That river looks absolutely stunning

[troutologist]

Nice Mike. Gotta love those fresh chromers. They are just angry.

 

What type of reel is that?

[DRIFTER_016]

Funny, I've got a pd day on tap for this Thursday.

 

 

You have one of those every Thursday!!!!

[dobee]

as always i love your reports.. makes me seriously jealous everytime!

[solopaddler]

Nice Mike. Gotta love those fresh chromers. They are just angry.

 

What type of reel is that?

 

Jay it's a Riverkeeper, model is the "Frogwater". The builder is an Ontario guy, lives near Tavistock.

He made a run of 20 I believe with another due to start early this winter.

Somewhat similar to the Mykiss but lighter and the clicker mechanism is unlike anything I've ever seen.

 

 

You have one of those every Thursday!!!!

 

Not true!!!!!! Unless I'm dragging my 2 wee ones along with me.

(If I fish on Thurs or Fri I have to pay for daycare)

[trapshooter]

Good show Mike. Some beautiful fresh chrome there, for sure.

[highdrifter]

I see ya got your new toy.. She looks great on that Rainshadow!!

 

Tried the new Lamiglas this weekend.. Couldn't put any bend on her, but she's just purrfect and will no doubt bring me many years of pleasure.

 

Twas good seeing you and the wee ones on Friday.

 

cheers

HD

[solopaddler]

I see ya got your new toy.. She looks great on that Rainshadow!!

 

Tried the new Lamiglas this weekend.. Couldn't put any bend on her, but she's just purrfect and will no doubt bring me many years of pleasure.

 

Twas good seeing you and the wee ones on Friday.

 

cheers

HD

 

 

Right on bud, glad to hear you got out with the new stick!

[BillM]

I think I might look into one of those fancy reels. I need something light

 

Mike, the green matches your eyes!

[elusive]

That's a great tip actually: If you know there are fish in front of you but they're not hitting, change things up.

Even if that's simply matter of tweaking your rigging, do something.

 

 

Thats so true. Nice fish and nice pics bro.

 

 

 

 

 

- Vick

[super dave]

Another new reel? You are such a gear junkie!

 

I'm just jealous.

[DRIFTER_016]

Another new reel? You are such a gear junkie!

 

I'm just jealous.

 

 

Correction:

 

Another new reel? You are such a gear WHOORE!!!!

[aniceguy]

hay who's that good lookin guy walkin down river, wonder why those guys were frustrated...looks like someone was having a moment

[steelhead hunter]

hit that same spot thurs afternoon and fri morning gin clear and nothing except some old boots what a day or 2 can do around there at least some one got some crome there

[Musky or Specks]

I use to miss so many classes at Guelph when I would get the call from a landowner up there that the river would be on the next day. It can produce absolutely stupid amounts of fish. Nice to see you could get into them.

[msp]

Mike, the green matches your eyes!

LOL......That just doesn't sound right?

[BillM]

LOL......That just doesn't sound right?

 

It wasn't supposed to!!

[StoneFly]

Nice,...Good Job Solo!!!