leeches

[Oarin]

I understand that the Pronature store has a new leech distributor. Any feed back on the size and quality of the leeches would be appreciated. Thanks. Their leeches in the past have always been excellent.

[RHYBAK]

a mixed bag but mostly on the small end.

in some instances i had to give the walleye a double whammy

[Jay Thomas]

Find a dealer that will sell different sized leeches. Of course, larger leeches cost more $. For instance, last Aug, we paid $60 per pound for large leeches versus $50 for a pound of regular leeches.

Jay

[T-Bone]

Find a dealer that will sell different sized leeches. Of course, larger leeches cost more $. For instance, last Aug, we paid $60 per pound for large leeches versus $50 for a pound of regular leeches.

Jay

No kidding... You're buying by the pound...what's the difference? A "small" leech in my book is about 2" contracted, a "big" one is 3" contracted. I'd bet you're paying the premium for someone to sort them. Not sure I prefer one leech size over the other, or that it matters. I've certainly have never been at a place that sells leeches and offers them by size.

Where do you get your leeches Jay?

[crackers42]

I would also like to know.  I am not aware of anyone from trout lake in North Bay right up to Laniel that sells them by the size.

I would be surprised if you found a leech 3+" that was native to the water system.

[Jay Thomas]

Find a dealer that will sell different sized leeches. Of course, larger leeches cost more $. For instance, last Aug, we paid $60 per pound for large leeches versus $50 for a pound of regular leeches.Jay

No kidding... You're buying by the pound...what's the difference? A "small" leech in my book is about 2" contracted, a "big" one is 3" contracted. I'd bet you're paying the premium for someone to sort them. Not sure I prefer one leech size over the other, or that it matters. I've certainly have never been at a place that sells leeches and offers them by size.

Where do you get your leeches Jay?

Hi Todd,

We purchase our leeches in Gatineau, Quebec at a bait shop that sells by the pound and by size. It's not an issue to transport our leeches to lakes in the Abitibi/Témiscamingue area. Our group fishes quite differently than you. While we occasionally jig walleye with crawlers/leeches (only when we have located a pod(s) of walleye numbering 8 to 10 walleye), we usually troll (back troll) two hook crawler harnesses behind bottom bouncers. In this scenario, we prefer to use large leeches - leeches that stretch out 4 to 6 inches. When we do jig for walleye, regular sized leeches are fine - or half a crawler or less. I would be quite surprised if a guy couldn't purchase leeches by size in bigger cities like Toronto.

Jay

[Jay Thomas]

I would be surprised if you found a leech 3+" that was native to the water system.

Hi crackers42,

I'm not aware that "native to the water system" is a requirement. I checked the regulations this evening and didn't find it. If it is in the regulations, could you please provide the page number. Thanks.

Jay

[Jighead]

Looking for options to buy leeches. Can you please recommend places? Will be staying in Temiscaming overnight on 20th and like to purchase 21st morning. Thanks all

[Jay Thomas]

Pronature in Témiscaming or Corina at Kipawa Bait and Tackle in Kipawa. I'd suggest telephoning to reserve your leeches ASAP. I heard this afternoon from Billy Bob's in North Bay that this a particularly difficult year to obtain leeches. Billy Bob's is not selling leeches by the pound this summer.

Jay

[BigChief]

All,
We got our leeches for the first time from ProNature this year and I have to say I was not impressed. It did not seem like we truly got a pound and there were quite a bit on the small side.
We have always purchased from Corina at Kipawa Bait in the past and will definitely go back to her for future purchases. Was just trying to save the extra 20-30 minutes it took to drive to Kipawa Bait and then back to the highway to continue up to Laniel. It is definitely worth it.

Also the day we picked up they had no more leeches at ProNature available and we stopped back on Wednesday when we went to the store for supplies and they had none that day either. Luckily Dave from TML hooked us up with some to finish out the week.

[Hodgey1]

This comment came to me yesterday via Corina at Kipawa Bait, when I asked about leeches for our up coming trip the end of this month.

"Plenty of worms, But no promise for leeches , weather is warm and swamps r drying fast this year!!"

[limacharley]

Trout Lake Bait in NB had leeches a month ago. He sold by the pound. 705.497.3411

[Jighead]

Received same response from Corina. Also called Pronature today and same message - need to call just before trip to see if available. Thanks all.

[10ring]

I pre-ordered two pounds of leeches from ProNature in Temiscaming last week.  When I got there there no leeches were set aside for me.  I gave the guy my name a second time, still no leeches.  I told him I called and pre-ordered  my leeches weeks prior... he said "did you pay for them".  I said "$#%#@# no I didn't pay for them because you didn't ask and said nothing of the sort."  They acted like it was all good and it was no problem over the phone.  I hope whoever walked in off the street that Saturday with cash in hand enjoyed the two pounds of leeches I ordered.  What a fiasco!  Lesson learned for sure. 

After letting them know my frustration, the guy said another shipment was due in any time... and he'd give me a great deal.  It was the same price he quoted me over the phone.  Long story short, the leeches were very hardy and were easy to keep for a week of fishing.  The size was a mixed bag.  Many nice sized leeches with an assortment of smaller ones.  I just put two on the hook if they were small. 

[Oarin]

Thanks for all the replies. I'll call Pronature and make sure my order is still good.