Toronto Islands 2010

[mepps]

I finally made it back to one of my favorite urban fishing locations, Toronto Islands. I fish there whenever I make it back to Ontario, but usually my time is very limited. For this trip I booked 3 days off of work and flew in from Halifax Monday morning to meet up with my fishing partner Jon at 9am in Toronto. I flew in with Porter so I wouldn't need to waste anytime getting down the the lakefront. Shortly after arriving we met up with fellow OFNer Fisherpete and we made a few casts before catching the ferry to Centre Island. The water levels were lower then I have ever sen them, and although the weed growth was only in early stage, the combination of low water meant that big heavy lures were not an option.

 

We covered some serious shore casting just about everything we had. We met up with another fisherman named Den and the four of us each used different lures and colours and fished different speeds and depths to try and figure out where the fish were. It wasn't until we ran into another fisherman who said the good ole 5 of diamonds had been producing that we started to get some fish. Den got into the first fish - his first ever pike around 3 pm, and Pete followed up the catch with his own - first TO pike - both on the 5 of diamonds (Den's lure was actually borrowed from Pete!). Sadly I didn't have have a 5 because I had decided to leave it at home since I had never caught anything on it. Within an hour or two, Jon had a nice fish, the biggest of the day, and Den ended things with another nice pike.

 

 

 

 

The next day started about the same time. This time we met up with another OFNer, crazyhook (Jamie Pistilli of Big City Fishing) We set out to help him film an episode of BCF and decided to start at Hanlans and cover some new water before heading toward Center Island for the afternoon bite. The weather was nice and sunny like the day before, but there was a strong south / southeast wind that got worse thought the day. We saw some big carp cruising, but no pike. By midday we headed out of the wind to fish carp and catfish at the swan pond in the middle of Center Island. I had a good size carp on for about 30 seconds before he managed to spit the hook. Jamie worked his magic and pulled a sunfish and a catfish out before we headed back to the main channel in search of pike.

 

 

Sadly, no pike would be caught while filming and Jamie and the crew packed up around 6:30pm to call it a day. Jon and I were feeling the sting of a tough day, but we weren't ready to call it quits just yet. It had been almost 16 hours of fishing and I had nothing to show for it. I switched up the my beloved Mepps Black Fury #5 and we headed out to a spot that has produced some big fish for us in the past. Three casts in and the drought was over, and the hard work finally paid off. Of course, I was a day late and a buck short as usual as there were no film cameras in site.

 

 

An average size TO pike.

 

Day 3 had a late start after getting deep into the hops and drowning our sorrows the night before. Jon looked at me with surprise when I told him we needed to go back - with reason though, I only had about 5 hours until I was supposed to be on my flight home. I told him 4 hours of fishing would be plenty and we set out on a noon ferry. Fifteen minute after stepping off the ferry I was hooked up with my first fish, another average pike caught on the Black Fury!

 

 

 

It was clear that this would have been the best day for filming. The wind was much lighter then the day before, and was now blowing North. It made casting far a little more difficult, but the fish didnt seem to care. Jon was on another fish within the hour, and the trend continued back and fourth. Four hours of fishing and 2 pike each.

 

 

 

A couple of action shots:

 

 

 

These were the lures that did the trick.

 

It wasnt until the 3rd day that I found a 5 of diamonds buried in my tackle box. Although it was larger then the ones the others were using, it still did the trick!

 

 

 

And of course, the Mepps Balck Fury # 5 with a larger hook replacement.

 

Jon also had a few hits on this Koppers Live Target lure. (played with my new camera lens too)

 

 

 

Overall it was three tough days fishing the islands, but it wa a blast meeting up with some fellow OFNers and sharing our love of the Islands. Not too sure when I'll be back in Ontario, but I sure hope its soon!

Edited May 9, 2010 by Fishing Fury

[lew]

Good to have you back in Ontario Clive and as always, a great fish'n tale.

[mepps]

Thanks lew, I hope to be back for muskie season - worst case I'll be fishing muskies in NB again!

[MJL]

Beautiful report Clive! Really digging the pics...Which lens did you pick up? The results are stunning!

[MCTFisher9120]

Awesome man...just awesome haha. I got to make my way out there some day!

 

Thanks for sharing man, great pic's!!

[mepps]

Thanks guys!

 

For anyone wondering, I have a Canon Rebel XS and the lens that give that nice soft blur in the background is just $120 (probably the cheapest canon lens you can get!)

 

Canon EF 50mm f1.8 II Lens

 

The first 5 images are from the standard lens, most of the others are with the f1.8 lens.

 

 

No more editing out the backgrounds with this lens

Edited May 9, 2010 by Fishing Fury

[frozen-fire]

Thanks guys!

 

For anyone wondering, I have a Canon Rebel XS and the lens that give that nice soft blur in the background is just $120 (probably the cheapest canon lens you can get!)

 

Canon EF 50mm f1.8 II Lens

 

The first 5 images are from the standard lens, most of the others are with the f1.8 lens.

 

 

No more editing out the backgrounds with this lens

 

I love the nifty fifty too

 

Great bang for the buck lens.

 

Your report makes me miss pike fishing. Great work!

[limeyangler]

Awesome Clive!...ive been waiting eagerly for this report to show up since you mentioned that you'd be posting soon....took your flipping time mate!

 

Anytime your up here i'd love for you to show me some esox techniques.

 

great post.

 

thanks for posting(finally )

[waterwolf]

great pic's, especially 2nd from last. looks like a good 3 day stint on the island.

thanks for the report ,, 5 of diamonds ,, which box,, where did i put that?

 

muskie in N.B. on the saint john?

[mepps]

Yup, Saint John musky...right in Fredericton.

[waterwolf]

hope to be there this fall , parents are in oak point near grand bay, grew up there.

[TC1OZ]

Sweet post! I've never tossed a line in when I'm in Toronto... I should give it a try some time.

[SlowPoke]

Great report Clive. I'm glad your persistance paid off. Funny you mention the 5 of Diamonds, I was just talking about that lure on Thursday with another OFNer. Very underrated lure.

[Roy]

Excellent report, Clive. Now get your butt up north....Connie's waiting for you. Thanks for posting.

[fish-miester]

Awesome man...just awesome haha. I got to make my way out there some day!

 

Thanks for sharing man, great pic's!!

 

 

well mike.. lets go..

 

 

and great report!

 

ps how do you guys like the kopper live target swimbait?

Edited May 9, 2010 by fish-meister

[Guest Johnny Bass]

Great Report. Sounds like the fish are still picky. The water must still be cold. Fishing should heat up in a week or two at the Islands.

 

Many people are saying the fish spawned early this year and are all spawned out.

Edited May 9, 2010 by Johnny Bass

[tbayboy]

Nice report Clive. That dock pic really shows how low that water level is. Cool pics and hey - it might have been tough but there's pike in the reports so it's all good

[Dusky]

Awesome fishing, well worth fly in!

[mepps]

Wish I could Roy!!!

[Joey]

Excellent report Clive. I really like how you do your pictures with the fading background.

 

Joey

[WeedLine]

Great pics.