MJL Posted June 17, 2012 Report Posted June 17, 2012 This spring hasn’t been as generous with regards to numbers of fish, but I can’t remember any other spring season where I’ve had as much fun. Trout Since I started hunting the resident fish a couple years ago, Brookies & brown trout have taken up more and more of my time in spring. I started with worms and spinners a few years ago but this year I had the luxury of borrowing a couple dozen different fly rods to test out from a friend (who is a guide and a serious gear junky). From 6wt down through 00wt, I tried all the lighter fly rods he had. Some I absolutely did not enjoy casting, some were too long, and others were just absolute bliss – I even tried 1 that was made of bamboo and a few that were fibreglass. After trying out the 0wt, 2wt and 4wt models, I ran to the shop and picked up a 7’11” 3wt Sage TXL-F and a small Orvis Battenkill mid-arbor reel to call my own. The rod has been a dream to cast in the tiny to moderately small streams I’ve been fishing. When you’re out on the streams 12-17hrs per day, you might as well get something that fits your hand like a glove. Some pics I took from 1 clear freestone stream Rising for bugs Dark purple brookie I caught from a tiny spring creek Brookie I caught in a stream behind a busy gas station - go figure Brown which put a nice bend in the 3wt Lakers/Whities Since I took up ice fishing for lakers a couple years ago, I’ve always wanted to try to catch one in open water. I also never caught a whitefish either so any opportunity to catch one would be awesome. A few weeks ago, Will (Young_One) took me & Frozen-Fire out onto Simcoe to try for some whities. The trip didn’t start out good. Will lost his boat plug the day before and we spent the morning in a Wal-Mart parking lot waiting for them to open – We killed time by pushing Will around the parking lot in a shopping cart... On the water we tried a few different areas without much luck. The last spot of the day, Frozen-Fire gets one whitie to chase his BadBoyz up almost 60ft before it hit With my 36” med-action ice rod, I managed to hook into a decent sized laker but lost it 15 ft below the boat after an awesome battle Walleye I got out twice for walleyes with Will, Frozen-Fire and EC1 the last couple of weeks. It would be my first time ripping bucktail jigs through weeds. Walleye have never been all that kind to me – In a nutshell, I just suck at catching them.LOL I borrowed a couple bucktails off Will and pitched them into the weeds. I was surprised at how effective the technique was. A lot of the time, they would hit on the drop and all I’d feel is a little tick on the line. I didn’t leave the lake empty handed and managed to eat my first ever walleye . Floured & fried up in hot oil, the walleyes were tasty! Double header action Goldfish For me, the carp fishing has been slower than normal this year. Usual spots which often cough up 20-50 fish per day haven’t been nearly as generous for the most part. I did still manage to snap some nifty underwater shots of some feisty carp. Ran into Mikeh at one swim – He was doing well (Frozen-Fire lending a hand with the net) Sweet mirror Today I took my dad out to one spot for an early father’s day gift. He enjoyed the trip very much – Last year he complained he hooked into too many fish and his arms were sore after 3.5hrs . This year my dad was happy we hooked into the perfect amount of fish Hope you enjoyed Mike
nroadrunner Posted June 17, 2012 Report Posted June 17, 2012 great report. Some very nice colouring on those trout. Ian
ccmtcanada Posted June 17, 2012 Report Posted June 17, 2012 Amazing report Mike! Love the action shot with MikeEh and frozen fire! Spectacular! Great variety of fish this spring...I hope your summer is just as fruitful!
Float Buddha Posted June 17, 2012 Report Posted June 17, 2012 Those are some great pics, love the underwater carp ones!
Jet Posted June 17, 2012 Report Posted June 17, 2012 I'm having deja vu looking at all these pics Really amazing shots Mike. You're becoming quite the photographer my friend.
Joeytier Posted June 17, 2012 Report Posted June 17, 2012 Good stuff. I also just upgraded my fly gear this spring to a 7 ft 3 weight. The longer, bulkier blanks are nice for longer casts on open stretches of creek but they're a pain once you get in the skinny stuff. I found the brownies pretty good too, finally.
Roy Posted June 17, 2012 Report Posted June 17, 2012 I'm so thankful to see you in good health Mike. You're a king at underwater photography. Thank you for sharing those great shots, many of which would make terrific paintings. Be well....
Grimace Posted June 17, 2012 Report Posted June 17, 2012 This is fantastic. I really like picture number two. Thanks for sharing those pictures.
davey buoy Posted June 17, 2012 Report Posted June 17, 2012 Always great pictures Mike,really enjoy them:clapping:
Broker Posted June 17, 2012 Report Posted June 17, 2012 (edited) I love those underwater pictures you're taking, keep it up What camera are you taking those shots with ? Edited June 17, 2012 by shasta
NAW Posted June 17, 2012 Report Posted June 17, 2012 Those are some awesome pictures! Great report man
JCRG Posted June 17, 2012 Report Posted June 17, 2012 I love those underwater pictures you're taking, keep it up What camera are you taking those shots with ? X2
craigdritchie Posted June 17, 2012 Report Posted June 17, 2012 Nice fish and pics, Mike. Looks like you're having a lot of fun!
misfish Posted June 17, 2012 Report Posted June 17, 2012 Great shots Mike and it,s pretty cool,the different colours of them specks.
TDunn Posted June 17, 2012 Report Posted June 17, 2012 very cool Mike! I think some Northern Ontario specks are calling your name.... TDunn
Leecher Posted June 17, 2012 Report Posted June 17, 2012 Mike, you've become an expert in my mind in underwater footage Love it You're progression since you acquired your additional digital gear is phenomenal Keep it up and thanks for sharing!!! Jacques
Rod Caster Posted June 17, 2012 Report Posted June 17, 2012 Thanks for posting Mike!! Glad to see you caught the walleye you were looking for!
MJL Posted June 17, 2012 Author Report Posted June 17, 2012 Thanks guys. Glad you liked the pics I'm having deja vu looking at all these pics Really amazing shots Mike. You're becoming quite the photographer my friend. Once I pick up a couple switch rods (5 & 7wt) and other bits & bobs of tackle, I’m definitely going to be getting that plane ticket to Cranbrook for some underwater cutty & bull trout photo shoots I love those underwater pictures you're taking, keep it up What camera are you taking those shots with ? Thanks For the underwater shots, I was using a Canon 40D with an 11-16mm lens very cool Mike! I think some Northern Ontario specks are calling your name.... TDunn You know it Tyler...After seeing all the pics of brookies that you & DanC post up, they have been on my radar the last couple of years. Finding time to make it north just hasn’t been possible yet. Hopefully if the season is still open in September, I may have a couple weeks off to chase some steelhead-sized brookies your way
asdve23rveavwa Posted June 18, 2012 Report Posted June 18, 2012 Fantastic shots, thanks for a great fishing report
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