2011 Last Rainbow

This turned out to be my last trip of 2011 to Calabogie.  ST46F but that didn't stop my toes and ankles from getting numb after three or four hours in the water.  I think at this time of year, one should get out every couple of hours.  If I didn't catch this 21-23"er, I would have called it a poor day's fishing.  I had only one other bite in five hours.  Not what I would call stellar fishing for this time of year. And I didn't see much on the scope.  Then again, we didn't see that much on the fish finders at Kenauk and we know that there are more fish per acre in private waters than in public.  It could be that in early spring and late fall they are all over the place and don't show up as much.  The other unfortunate conclusion might be that these new sterile females are easier to catch and are mostly gone creating a true "Put and Take Fishery".  I had never heard this unsavory description before moving to Ontario.   It was certainly not used in B.C. where they stock most of the lakes (very few naturally reproducing lakes).   What to do?  It is great having these fast growing trout but if they don't get a chance to get really big, what's the point?  Of course, I know what "to do" and that is slot limits.

At this lake you don't know what you are seeing.  They could be perch or bass which makes it worse.   Got this one at almost the exact spot that I have caught three others previously this year.  You bet it is a good spot and I'm not telling.  I was using a #4 sink and a #10 yellow HK. I was winding "this useless fly" in to change it when she struck.  She's back in there for you to catch, no worse for wear.  There should be a few days left this month.