3 Seasons 16 - 23 June

[JLG]

Well another year is in and we had a good trip North.  As usual everything was great at Camp and what Reggie can control was outstanding.  Fishing was good with eyes caught in all the usual spring spots mixed in with a few pike.  By weeks end the eyes seemed to be moving into the big water hot spots. Bass (even though we don't target them) seem to be increasing every year.  Weather cooperated making for a good week but Oh the bugs.  All bug species seemed to be out to include new flys that I understand have been released to combat the caterpillars.  The new flys  didn't seem to bite but the sheer numbers buzzing around the boat and camp in full sun times was extremely annoying. The black flys seemed to be ending or slowing down by the end of the week.  The only disappointment was the Lake trout as my wife and I as we get older enjoy sitting anchored in afternoons using the dead minnow technique which Reggie showed us years ago and catching 20 to 30 during the week.  Since the ban on  frozen minnows we  have tried the gulp minnows but no confidence in them and after 4 hour sitting sessions with 2 takes total between 4 of us have concluded its not a alternative.  Im sure the Ministry will not change the reg back so if anyone finds a alternative bait to sit anchored with or knows a Lake where we can use that technique again please share since trolling in not a option we want to use.  Hope all who will be traveling up the remainder of the year have a great trip!!!

[T-Bone]

Nice report...thanks. Interesting on the 'new flies', though I can't imagine an insect being released with the sole purpose to combat another insect. I suppose it's plausible, but seems unlikely. Maybe those were just some kind of fly that's always been there, just thick when you were there this year. darn, I hope so...don't need any more flies buzzing me...

[JLG]

T-bone: Fairly common to release insects to combat other invasive species (biological control vs pesticides) for years now.  Some reading on the subject for your pleasure.   https://www.ecolandscaping.org/08/pests-pest-management/biological-control-of-invasive-pests-an-overview/

[WillageD]

Well another year is in and we had a good trip North.  As usual everything was great at Camp and what Reggie can control was outstanding.  Fishing was good with eyes caught in all the usual spring spots mixed in with a few pike.  By weeks end the eyes seemed to be moving into the big water hot spots. Bass (even though we don't target them) seem to be increasing every year.  Weather cooperated making for a good week but Oh the bugs.  All bug species seemed to be out to include new flys that I understand have been released to combat the caterpillars.  The new flys  didn't seem to bite but the sheer numbers buzzing around the boat and camp in full sun times was extremely annoying. The black flys seemed to be ending or slowing down by the end of the week.  The only disappointment was the Lake trout as my wife and I as we get older enjoy sitting anchored in afternoons using the dead minnow technique which Reggie showed us years ago and catching 20 to 30 during the week.  Since the ban on  frozen minnows we  have tried the gulp minnows but no confidence in them and after 4 hour sitting sessions with 2 takes total between 4 of us have concluded its not a alternative.  Im sure the Ministry will not change the reg back so if anyone finds a alternative bait to sit anchored with or knows a Lake where we can use that technique again please share since trolling in not a option we want to use.  Hope all who will be traveling up the remainder of the year have a great trip!!!

Rapala Jigging Rap for lakers. May not be quite as successful as the frozen minnow, but they are nice and heavy so they stay vertical and you have a good feel of them. They have produced fairly well for me.

[Fort Wisers]

Great report! Thanks for sharing.....

[JLG]

WillageD: Thanks for the input.  Was thinking jigging spoons in future to include the spoons I have accumulated over the years for Jigging spring eyes on Lake Erie.  Our first few times with the minnows was like watching paint dry to me but wife liked it and over time (and our age increasing) I really grew to enjoy just sitting still taking in the sites and sounds of Kipawa and sipping a beer (and relaxing after jigging all morning for eyes) with the rods laying across the boat waiting for the Lakers to pick at the minnows but we may have to change tactics unless someone finds a alternative bait the lakes will take.  They did take the gulp minnows but seemed to only pick at them once or twice till they decided not the real thing.

[Captain Hali]

For what it's worth, I saw an episode of Fish TV that was taped on Algonquin Park's Lake Opeongo, where the guide used White curly tailed grubs also White tube jigs. They boated and released a good number of lakers during that episode. I have not tried that method myself as I enjoy sitting back and sipping a cold one while trolling.

[crackers42]

1 ounce white jig head with a 4 inch tube, or crawfish colored 4"

Find the thermocline and they will be right underneath or over it anytime of the year.