October Camping Trip

[Tim Mills]

A few pics from a late October camping trip on the Mississippi River system in North Frontenac. I left Sat. at 530am and was at the access by 1030. The first access rd I tried was gated and locked so I had to back track and lost an hour.

 

Leaving the access point

 

 

20 minute boat ride to the camp-site (2 mins in a real boat)

 

 

 

Home for 1 night. I know the tree huggers don't approve but I always appreciate a site with furniture. The tables and shelves are a real back saver.

 

 

I camped at the same site in the summer and enjoyed catching a few of these in a near by back lake. I was hoping to fish the same water this trip as well.

 

 

 

Unfortunately, I had to change my plans when I realized that the lake I fished in the summer was drained dry when they lowered the dam downstream. This area behind my site was 4-6ft deep in the summer and led to the back lake. This is how it looked in late October.

 

 

 

The fishing was pretty good Sat late afternoon/ evening. I caught a few SM Trolling and casting smaller Rapala minnow baits and xraps. Also tried worm harness but got shut-out on that.

 

Also caught 1 small pike, 1 walleye and 1 good LM,

 

 

 

It rained alot mid afternoon and night. I needed the white man fire to dry out the clothes. After a couple of beers I was a little slow to notice the collateral damage to the tarp.

 

 

Fall Colours. A good time to go, nobody checking permits (or lack of permits). I had the lake to myself except for one boat on Sunday afternoon.

 

 

The sun came out Sunday and the fish cooperated. Caught some hard fighting SM in sheltered bays.

 

 

 

A short but very enjoyable trip except for the fact that I lost the rod/reel in the picture below. Sloppy rod holder rigging on my part. The rod was nothing special but I had the bait caster for 15 years. It was in fairly shallow water off an island and if I had been able to spot it I would have gone in for it.

 

 

 

Time to plan the spring trips I guess.

 

Tim

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[davey buoy]

Nice report Tim!!!!!.Looks nice and quiet. Too bad about that back lake drying up.Looked interesting!

Edited November 19, 2013 by davey buoy

[MCTFisher9120]

Great report, nothing better than getting away from the cars and traffic and going fishing. Looks like nice spot too!

 

Thanks for sharing

 

MTBF

[Christopheraaron]

Great report, looks like ya did pretty well!

[NAW]

Gotta love October camping!

 

How old is your GSP. I bet he/she loves camping with ya!

 

To bad about loosing the rod. Maybe you'll catch it next year!

[aplumma]

looks like a good trip and bringing Fido was just icing on the cake.

 

 

Art

[Tim Mills]

How old is your GSP. I bet he/she loves camping with ya!

 

9yrs old. It was like a switch went off between 8 and 9. Crazy at age0-8, mellow at age 9. He's good company when camping and fishing.

[chris.brock]

great report, that's cool that you braved the October weather

 

looks like a Curado that fell in, maybe bring a mask and snorkel if you go back this summer

[Marko]

Way to man up and go. October nights can get chilly!

Awesome report !

Mississippi River has some awesome bass fishing for sure never pulled a walleye out of it

[Musky or Specks]

Camping in October can be crazy Beautiful weather one day a foot of snow the next. Good on you for going.

[pidge]

I love reading these kinda reports. That a huge drop in the lake WOW! Nice pooch by the way and nice report.

[Whopper]

Looks like a good time.

You had that crawdad loaded up!

[Moosebunk]

Mississippi River is a gem from top to bottom. From the lake through Lanark County into Frontenac is some super pretty country. Travelled from Crotch to Mississippi Lake and the number of smallies up top, with decent numbers of largemouth, pike and walleye in parts can make for some solid fun fishing days. Thanks for the report... got me reliving a little. Ragged and King's Chutes were favorite places along the way.

[Joey]

Looks like a nice quiet trip. Beautiful place. Glad only the tarp got the collateral damage