Float Steelin' Down The Saugeen.

[Moosebunk]

FLOAT STEELIN' DOWN THE SAUGEEN.

Had never fished an actual "trout" opener weekend I don't think. Probably because of past place and time? And certainly can't recall being excited to do so either... but, this year was a little different.

After an invite and last minute decision to join Len and our friend Luke, not one of us got much sleep upon leaving the Ottawa area shortly after midnight for our overnight drive to the Saugeen River. Ten years had passed since I did any float fishing in Ontario, (never for rainbows) and the thought of trying my luck for steelies did make me feel rather young and restless.

The boys having drifted this Georgian Bay crick a few years now, over time I had heard a number of stories about their rainbow trout fishing through one long and quiet stretch of the river.

It intrigued me for sure. To see some place new, breaking away from any rumored steelheading crowds and to do it from a raft seemed perfect. Over twenty years I've quite enjoyed days on the water floating other rivers and lakes from a belly boat, this Saugeen with it's quick current but easy rapids appeared it would provide a great stage to kick the flips and try the fishing luck.

Once on the "Geen" I quickly realized what a treat this would be. Passing by anglers while leaving town it was made evident by some looks and comments that we were quite envied. Within a quick half hour or so we would be on our own, and other than one drift boat and one canoe passing us by, it would remain that way for the rest of our trip downstream.

The river itself was absolutely beautiful. Water levels were about a foot below seasonal although there was not one stretch I considered hazardous in the least. In fact, it was mentioned to Len and Luke several times over that the WarCanoe could have handled much, if not all of this length, and especially not a problem had the season's levels provided their usual depth. It certainly got the wheels turning.

The float itself was really cool. Sun out most of the time but the northwind off Georgian Bay, it was a little chilly now and again. We stopped in plenty of areas and even did a little hiking around here and there in search of bows. Once, my float dropped while "walking the dog" down the river. The float drifting in front of me, it was fun to steer while flowing above it from tube controlled only by my flippers. I lost that fish though, in fact, I lost most during the trip. Fishing from the tube you miss a little scenery while watching the float or casting hardware into fishy looking pockets along the way so, stopping ashore to cast good looking water seemed to bring better odds.

Len's two crafts were amazing for this style of fishing. Each having capacity for 1200+ pounds, they easily handled our payload. The thought of these things on a river like the Sutton for a week... oooohhh yeah me wanna!! So maneuverable by paddle and fins, riding high and dry and super made, they're like floating in personal Lazy Boys. This said, my craft with it's 400 pound capacity was real gnarly and comfortable too. Two or three precise kicks with one fin and it'll spin 360 in seconds. Below the knees, feet are submerged, the butt takes a little splash, but otherwise I was high and dry as well. Not having to worry about paddles and being able to quickly go one side of the river to the other kicking the feet, the arms were always free to fish. It's a choice float tube for a day or overnight trip.

This year the fellas and I didn't see all that many trout, especially in lower sections. They were used to a couple dozen in past trips but this time around with the waters low and real cold things just didn't quite go the same way I guess. Anyways, end of it all our float on the river was awesome and nobody took a skunk, there were rainbows for all. Hopefully, any trips to come the fish will make it up to us in better numbers. For me, this first round best goes to the new experience of it all. Drifting the Saugeen with a couple friends and taking in a whole other kinda fun on the water, it was quality from top to bottom. Thanks to Lenny for making it happen.

Bunk.

Edited May 3, 2015 by Moosebunk

[misfish]

So thats what it looks like . SWEET.

 

Those toons are totally stoked. I,ll bet they are not cheap.

 

Loved watching the drift through your eyes bud.

[FloatnFly]

can't say im not jealous! would love to do that with fly rod in hand!

[Beavertail]

Looks like a great way to spend the day. Wonder what was the fate of that Red-Tail?

[SirCranksalot]

I have been wanting to float part of that river for see time now but haven't overcome the hurdle of a car shuttle. What section of the river did you do, or is that a secret?

 

It really looks beautiful along there with the sand banks etc

 

thx

[fishindevil]

Looks like a great trip and very nice scenery !!!

[chris.brock]

That looks like a blast. I love paddling those rivers with a quick pace and no nasty spots.

[Moosebunk]

So thats what it looks like . SWEET.

 

Those toons are totally stoked. I,ll bet they are not cheap.

 

Loved watching the drift through your eyes bud.

 

Thought of you and Terry a couple times while out there. Belly boat float buddies. Guessed you'd dig this report Brian. And those toons... I didn't even ask price. Lenny only owns the best in everything, he totally disgusts me dood. lol.

 

Looks like a great way to spend the day. Wonder what was the fate of that Red-Tail?

 

Redtail died of a little buckshot to the belly. Rather fresh kill. Turkey opened day before, guess some dummy couldn't tell the difference. I cut feathers off for myself and the lads but misplaced mine somewhere on the trip. Bummer cause, we got one serious dreamcatcher over the head of the bed, and I thought the hawk feathers would be a great addition with the osprey. Eagle and owl to come later.

 

What section of the river did you do, or is that a secret?

 

No worries. Put in at Walkerton but got out somewhere quite a ways down. Not past Paisley though. Lotsa friggin' river to roam that's for sure.

[solopaddler]

Looks like fun! Had considered floating it myself on the Sunday of the opener but bailed because the numbers of fish that passed through the lift at Denny's was pretty low.

 

(also fwiw it's a Huron trib, not a Georgian Bay trib )

[netminder]

 

No worries. Put in at Walkerton but got out somewhere quite a ways down. Not past Paisley though. Lotsa friggin' river to roam that's for sure.

Yeah, to properly do it justice all the way from Walkerton to Southampton you need at least two days. Last time I did we stopped in Paisley the first night at the campground. Starting anywhere further upstream towards Hanover or Durham is a waste of time. You'd end up portaging further than boating.

[Beavertail]

 

Redtail died of a little buckshot to the belly. Rather fresh kill. Turkey opened day before, guess some dummy couldn't tell the difference. I cut feathers off for myself and the lads but misplaced mine somewhere on the trip. Bummer cause, we got one serious dreamcatcher over the head of the bed, and I thought the hawk feathers would be a great addition with the osprey. Eagle and owl to come later.

 

That's what I thought, brutal. I'm sure the ignorant slob who shot it knew the difference, but didn't care. Good luck with the dream catcher, sounds neat!

[Ralph Field]

Looks like a great trip and very nice scenery !!!

x2

[davey buoy]

What a nice piece of paradise Drew. Could only imagine the fun,you guys did it right !!!!

[PUMP KNOWS]

Wow... I never been but that place looks amazing

[Ven-Pisc-ator]

That looks like a great trip. Lots of fun no doubt.

 

Some great pix.Ven

[SirCranksalot]

Yeah, to properly do it justice all the way from Walkerton to Southampton you need at least two days.

 

I think it takes 2 days just paddling, Mike. I've float down the Notty here and only covered 5-6 km in a day of fishing(wasn't a really long day, mind you)

[Steelheadphycho]

That'd be a blast!

 

Another great report/ pics

 

Thanks Bunk!

[Moosebunk]

bailed because the numbers of fish that passed through the lift at Denny's was pretty low.

 

it's a Huron trib, not a Georgian Bay trib

 

 

Geeesh! Wished I had of known that... ON BOTH accounts. lol.

 

That's what I thought, brutal. I'm sure the ignorant slob who shot it knew the difference, but didn't care. Good luck with the dream catcher, sounds neat!

 

Bit of buck in the belly. Good news... I found the feathers. Stuffed then in my flyrod tube for transport but forgot. Showed Bren at home here (she LOVES feathers) and got, "you only brought home two?" She's right man, I should have trimmed the entire lot off.

 

 

and only covered 5-6 km in a day of fishing(wasn't a really long day, mind you)

 

Float-tubing down rivers in the past like the Moose & Attawapiskat I'd say it usually took in those slower summertime flows about 3-4 hours to cover 5-7km's. Makes for a great day.

 

 

Thanks all.