Fishing Report - May 29th, 2012

Hit the Forks of the Thames with my daughter.  Lots of ducks, lots of geese, little bit of fish.  I got one carp (7lbs)  It was a nice night with the temperature gently going down.

Money targets Asian carp

By QMI Agency

The federal government said Monday it will invest $17.5 million over five years to protect the Great Lakes from the threat of Asian carp.

The money will be targetted at prevention, early warning, rapid response, and management and control, said Sarnia-Lambton MP Pat Davidson.

Emphasis will be placed on educating people about the danger of invasive species and ways to prevent humans from bringing Asian carp into Canadian waters, said Davidson, who has been leading a team of Great Lakes MPs advocating for a great control effort.

"One of the main components in an effective strategy to block the advance of the Asian carp into Canadian territorial waters is the need to educate communities that these species are not welcome in our waters, and in fact will cause irreparable harm if they are introduced," she said.

Asian carp, which have proliferated in the U.S. Mississippi River system, aggressively compete with native fish for food and habitat.

Some fear the Great Lakes sport fishing industry could be devastated if Asian carp become established.
Canada will work with U.S. counterparts to develop an early warning and monitoring system, and work with enforcement agencies to ensure compliance with regulations when transporting the fish, Fisheries and Oceans Canada said.

"We know that this species specifically could have an enormously negative impact on our waterways," Davidson said.

"And with the current study we have heard first-hand from important local stakeholders including Jake Van Rooyen from the Bluewater Anglers, Tim Purdy and his family from Purdy Fisheries Ltd. and also the president of the Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce, Garry McDonald, Davidson said.

Reprinted from the London Free Press.

Long Weekend Report

I fished a lot this weekend, in a bunch of different places.

Saturday night I fished Black Creek while visiting, a couple small sunfish. We did get a boat ride on the Niagara River, which was very cool.

Sunday I fished Hamilton harbour for a bit, lots of gobies and a nice sized bullhead.

Monday I hit the Thames and pulled in a nice 10 pound carp. I've never fought with a fish for so long. It took me 10 hard minutes to land it and my arms were like rubber. Awesome fish though. Carp are definately heating up in the warm water.

Weekend Report - May 10-11

I only got out once this weekend. I was supposed to meet up with Derek on Saturday morning, but I couldn't get out of bed after a late night Friday. My daughter and I hit the forks at Ivey Park in the afternoon.  After some nibbles, I did manage a Redhorse sucker and she fed the ducks. The weather was great and it's fun to get out for the afternoon.

I discovered a new bass hole last week and can't wait to try it.

A... Trout Hole?

So, we get an insider tip that there could be some good trout fishing inside Komoka, close to the bridge. This is potentially amazing news, as we'd heard there was some limiting factors on them getting that far up the river.

Anyway, needless to say we're taking the information we've got and heading out Saturday morning.

One concerning suggestion was to have a fishing buddy tag along. Generally, this isn't a big deal, but Mark and I don't always get out together, and if this hole pans out to be good for trout, I'm going to be keen to get there often. The advice suggested that while the fishing buddy probably couldn't directly save your ass if it starts going down river, at least they can call for help. What?! I guess if it's not difficult, it's not fishing!

Finally, it'll be a bit of a sore point if this advice turns out to be true. We've been fishing that bridge for cats going on 4 or 5 years now! It always delivers fiesty cat fish once the sun goes down. If there's trout in the same neighbourhood, think of all the times we could have been sporting the evening away, and then slumming it with cats after dark!

Weekend Report

The weather was nice when I arrived at Port Burwell on Saturday around 7PM.  I setup and fished some worms on a perch rig for a while.  A number of little bites, but no real action and no fish.  I spoke to some of the locals who had been out on the Friday night and were slaying the catfish, so I was excited. As soon as the sun went down the temperature dropped and the clouds came in.  We fished until 10:30 but never got a single bite. It shows what one night's difference there can be in fishing. It looks like a promissing spot, so I might go back at some point.

Fishing Report

I disturbed about half a dozen red tails and maybe a catfish (dark). That annoyed me.

Otherwise, I got skunked. Lost 2 flies, realized my Voltaeus needs new braid (got down to the backing after a long cast).

The Live Target 3 segment is amazing. It's action is completely remincient of the Storm Kickin' Stick. The extra weight it seems to have gives it better casting distance and makes it dive a little bit. It should kill, once I find the fish.

My hip waders are interesting. I got up to my thigh in depth and they have this weird vacuum sensation when all the air gets pushed out. It's nice to be dry after a morning out though!

Ditto, on the Weekend Fishing

Being more sport fish oriented, I'm foregoing the late night cat fishing and will instead be busting out the new waders and hitting Komoka Provincial Park... ok ok, it's not really a provincial park, just called one.

Anyway, there's a sweet spot, or at least a spot--it's sweetness is yet to be determined, that looks like something out of River Runs Through It. Low and behold, guess what my weapon of the day will be! A Loop fly rod. :)

Anyway, as Mark mentioned awhile ago, Trout's in season, so I'm hoping to wash the skunk off my rod with a nice little trout. Komoka Park rests nicely between the Komoka Trout Farm and Oxford Street. Rumour has it the Komoka Trout Farm stocks the river, and the Angler's Association stocks brookies somewhere around Oxford Street. This may not be a great hole this year, but it's time is coming (back, as I heard this place used to rock the town).

Weekend Fishing

I have high hopes for the weekend.  Full moon, warmer weather and an insider tip regarding catfish.  It may turn out to be a false lead, or a week or two early, but I am hopeful. I'll be getting all of my catfish gear and bait together and be off to fish this weekend.

I've been hearing about this place for almost a year now, the excitment is palpable.