Canadian Pike Report

[arthur]

Canada Pike Report

 

Water Temps: 58–67, warming over the five days.

Visibility: Less than three feet, tannic color.

Weather: We got it all, but weather was usually comfortable temps,

60–80 daytimes.

Times: 9AM till 8PM on most days, with a lunch break.

Fishermen: Mike M and John Glynn, John’s friend Tim, and myself.

 

Note: We know that many here, and in esox fishing in general, frown

on the use of jaw grippers and verticle holds. Please know that our

hearts are/were in the right place. Cameras were out and ready to

grab one quick shot and all fish were handled minimally, slime layer

intact. all fish were immediately released and swam away strong. We

apologize in advance if the holds offend anyone's sensibilities. We love

these fish....OK.....

 

After much anticipation, extensive planning, and four flights, we

finally arrived at Little Vermillion Lake in western Ontario. Reports

from the previous days and weeks were not good. Snow, rain, and

generally cold weather had made the usual spring bite very tough.

Even experienced regulars had a tough go of it, though many ended

up with at least one trophy. Not to be discouraged, we fished hard and

despite the generally neutral fish, we boated many fine pike. Three of

us got a personal best, so no complaints. Add to this a constant

barrage of small northerns and relentless walleyes, we enjoyed

ourselves learning and exploring this 12-mile lake. In the lodge’s 16ft

V-hulls, outfitted with 15HP push-button start Hondas, we could fish

the day away. These little four-strokes, even after being run nearly all

day, still had plenty of gas left in the 6 gal tanks. Impressive. Quiet

too, and perfect in reverse as makeshift trolling motors when we

decided to work long shorelines.

 

We searched for viable patterns over the first day or two, trying to

locate good fish, working main lake points, structure and cover in

bays, rock, rushes, etc. It didn’t take long to see that fishing was best

in the emerging grass and rushes, particularly around incoming water.

Even better fishing was found when spawning habitat was close by.

Our last two days were spent focusing on just such spots. Even in

prime spots hours could go by without a quality fish. We continued to

fish like hell and wait.

 

I was able to boat eight fish in the high 30s and break my personal

best twice. Mike had similar results with many quality fish. Tim, the

newbie to pike madness, of course caught a 42” monster, plus several

other good ones. We were all impressed with Tim’s dedication out on

the water, which rivaled our insanity, fishing in weather that included

brutal heat, pouring rain, and 4ft waves. Tim also became a Walleye

jigging expert and must have boated close to 50 on our last day. John

is a diehard piker, originally from Ireland, so he knows big fish and

techniques. He also had a 40 and 42. It was great learning more

about big fish handling and release from such an angler. Hammer

handles reigned and many were caught (or got in the way, depending

on how you looked at it). I had 28 under twenty inches one day…

.enough of that! Just about all our pike were caught in less than five

FOW and as little as a foot or two. There was no sight-fishing

however, as the water is too stained for that.

 

The lures….walleyes responded readily to Gulp grubs and ¼ jig heads,

while also being caught on pike lures occasionally. The big pike

responded well to slow-worked Suicks, and generally hit on top.

(Search for Kevin Geary and Suicks to learn the technique.) They

missed often and one in the low 30s even flew clear out of the water

like a porpoise chasing one. It was a common site to see tremendous

boils around the Suicks, even close to the boat. Another amazing site

was to watch one of my walleyes get grabbed under the boat by a

45+. Other productive lures for the pike were a variety of spoons, in-

lines, soft plastics, and spinnerbaits. The curious thing was how

unresponsive fish were to so many lures. Hard jerkbaits, topwater,

and especially all the typical pike/musky baits (Believers, Jakes, Reef

Hawgs, etc.) were essentially failures.

 

We all want to extend a big thanks to JP Bushey for his invaluable

advice on fishing the lake, as well as Sportman’s Lodge regulars

Connie (Tennesse Guy) and Bob Bramlett. Thanks also to Brett Geary at

Sportman’s Lodge. He runs a great camp. Fishing is good there all

season long, so book now, go catch ’em yourself this summer.

 

<embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://w112.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w112.photobucket.com/albums/n168/arthur_rotfeld/Canada 07/1182093721.pbw" height="360" width="480"></embed>

Edited June 20, 2007 by arthur

[snag]

Wow, that was brilliant!

 

What a great read.

 

What are the GPS co-ordinates for that gold!

[Whopper]

Awesome written report!

 

Sounds like another satisfied customer!

 

Thanks for posting

 

 

 

 

Whopper

 

PS Where did you find the eagles nest?

[kennyman]

That looks like my dream vacation. Thanks for sharing ALL those pics. I couldn't stop watching. Thanks for the great report on bait choices as well.

[Guest mistyriver1]

Great report.

[tbayboy]

Great report, thanks a bunch.

[TennesseeGuy]

I'm glad you guys had a good week on the water. Thanks for the excellent report.

 

Gerritt seems to be doing well as he's into his second month in camp.

 

You had much less rain and more green stuff growing than we saw during our stay. It looks awfully inviting right now.

[mattyk]

great report! I think i may have to take a trip there myself.

[setomonkey]

Nice report! Really enjoyed the slideshow...

 

Mike

[Motorhead]

GREAT read... good going on the slideshow... I`m going to have to save some cash for one of these trips, looks like a fantastic time had by all..

 

Doug

[fishnsled]

Awesome slide show! Thanks for the report.

[arthur]

Gerritt seems to be doing well as he's into his second month in camp.

 

Great kid. Very helpful guy.

 

------

 

Thanks guys for the kind words.....

[Raf]

Well done guys

 

I've heard that JP fellow knows a thing or two about fishn.

[Whopper]

I've heard that JP fellow knows a thing or two about fishn.

 

Ya think Raf

 

This was one of the best reports I ever read

 

 

Whopper

[fishindevil]

Great fishing report & pictures, truly amazing pike,they are huge.. ..thanks for the interesting way of doing your pics...cheers

[arthur]

PS Where did you find the eagles nest?

 

Just south of Bullwhip Creek. The nest is set back a bit and it was tough to get a good vantage point for a photo.

 

 

 

BTW, that gold was found by the dockhand in Red Lake. It was in ore on his property.

Red Lake was/is a big gold-mining town.