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Regional Report for Eastern Ontario - Nick Pujic
Originally Published in
August / October 2007 Issue
We’re only part way through the summer and I think most fly
fishers residing in Eastern Ontario would agree that our
seasonal weather patterns are changing. Whether you call it
mother Nature’s cycle, global warming of just plain hot and
humid, there is no doubt that things just aren’t the way they
used to be. With wild temperature swings, ranging from only a
few degrees above freezing to over 30 degrees Celsius in
mid-afternoon by early June, it was difficult to decide
whether it was best to head to the few trout streams in our
area or spend time chasing warm water critters.
Now, in the
latter half of summer, with even lower water levels, that’s
not too hard a decision—at least until mid-September, when the
trout streams have cooled own and, hopefully, have been
refreshed with early fall rains.
In the last
(May / July 2007) issue of The Canadian Fly Fisher
Magazine, there was a feature story highlighting
opportunities for gar on the fly. You might raise a few
eyebrows at your local fly club should you mention that you
actually target gar, but this underrated sports fish is only
one of a dozen or more species which thrive in the warm waters
of eastern Ontario. The abundance of these species, their
size and willingness to play make them worthwhile alternatives
to weary summer-time trout, which under such warm temperatures
really shouldn’t be tampered with as oxygen levels decrease
significantly, making catch-and-release mortality rates much
higher.
As well as
gar, which are ubiquitous in our neck of the woods, late
summer and early fall bring prime opportunities for better
known warm water species: smallmouth and largemouth bass,
pike, and the ever elusive muskie.
For most game species in warm water rivers, focusing on
submerged structure such as weed beds, sunken timber,
overhanging trees and docks is always a good bet, especially
if fish have easy access to deeper (cooler) waters nearby.
If extreme
heat is a concern, maximize your chances by heading out in the
early morning or evening hours, when the sun is more forgiving
and the fish are more active. As water levels in rivers
continue to drop, fish of all species will concentrate in the
deeper holes, making it much easier to target them. Keep in
mind that one pool may hold a half dozen different species of
fish, so an approach which would target all stages of the
water column is always a good idea. Start off by fishing the
bottom, where river walleye may be lurking. Once you’ve
worked the bottom of the pool and are satisfied that fish on
the bottom have had a look at your fly, try a faster retrieve
to work the mid section of the water column, where bass, pike
and muskie will be ready to pounce. And, of course,
everyone’s favourite is the surface action—throwing out a
popper, slider or gurgler, even in unlikely sports, which can
result in takes from anything from a pretentious rock bass to
a heart-stopping, double-figure muskie.
If your plan
is to target bass, pike or muskie in our many lakes rather
than rivers, remember that with heat come the weeds – thick
weeds! Heading out with a good selection of fly patterns tied
with weed guards, whether they be mono or wire, will save you
time and frustration. You’ll also bring more fish to hand, as
your fly will spend more time in the water, free from trailing
festoons of weed.
By late
August, the Chinook will be returning to our Lake Ontario
tributaries, soon to be followed by lake-run browns and
rainbows as we head into October, and resident browns and
brookies will come back on the feed in September—all
opportunities which we will gladly welcome.
However, all
too soon we’ll be raking red and gold fallen leaves from our
lawns, and watching the first snowflakes falling from grey
morning skies. We still have a few weeks left to seize the
moment and get out there after late season warm water
species. Don’t let the opportunities pass you by. Grab your
rod and enjoy!
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