I've been out a few times trout hunting since the last post. With a warm spell the surface temp (ST) went back up to 75C on some of the lakes. Yesterday I was out again and the ST dropped again to 67F. It was cold out there! My first day shivering on the water since early Spring. Although one first year trout went belly up. I paddled float tube as quickly as I could with its head facing the incoming water. It was pretty healthy in that I struggled to keep it from swimming away. I would let it go, it would swim down for awhile but then come back to the surface. In my discussions with fish biologists, I have come to the conclusion that trout are a bit more hardy than I previously thought. It is still worth the effort. They just might survive. I left it for awhile and eventually it swam away. Here's hoping.
Why would I make the effort? Well, shortly later I caught the one above, about 17-18". This was the only picture I could get before he was off the hook (I didn't bring the net). This is likely the same fish I caught this Spring, only an inch or two longer. In a lake this small, this close to Ottawa, there are not likely that many this size. Release a fish and you can catch it again.
On one of my previous trips to this lake, there was a family fishing as well (nice to see: Mom, Dad and teenage daughter). They kept five fish. I tried all suggestions possible to dissuade them: Did you know these fish have tape worms? They taste lousy from all the leaches they eat. Tastier trout in a neighbouring lake.....Who knows, maybe they got the message. I suspect this fish is a bit smarter, not likely to get fooled by spinners and probably hit the dust as soon as the tinny was on the water. Fishing from a tube, I am reminded just how noisy tinnies are!
Best fly was the Muncher which can be seen on the Fly Pattern section of this blog.
I saw only three rises in four hours and only one boatman flying off. It should get good soon. Unfortunately, or rather fortunately I am headed off to Trout Heaven next Thursday. Look for reports of fishing from the Manitoba Parklands soon.
Why would I make the effort? Well, shortly later I caught the one above, about 17-18". This was the only picture I could get before he was off the hook (I didn't bring the net). This is likely the same fish I caught this Spring, only an inch or two longer. In a lake this small, this close to Ottawa, there are not likely that many this size. Release a fish and you can catch it again.
On one of my previous trips to this lake, there was a family fishing as well (nice to see: Mom, Dad and teenage daughter). They kept five fish. I tried all suggestions possible to dissuade them: Did you know these fish have tape worms? They taste lousy from all the leaches they eat. Tastier trout in a neighbouring lake.....Who knows, maybe they got the message. I suspect this fish is a bit smarter, not likely to get fooled by spinners and probably hit the dust as soon as the tinny was on the water. Fishing from a tube, I am reminded just how noisy tinnies are!
Best fly was the Muncher which can be seen on the Fly Pattern section of this blog.
I saw only three rises in four hours and only one boatman flying off. It should get good soon. Unfortunately, or rather fortunately I am headed off to Trout Heaven next Thursday. Look for reports of fishing from the Manitoba Parklands soon.
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