Archive for July, 2012

Today I had the pleasure of fishing with Ed Zynomirski, Jim Goertz & Barry Dickson on the Lower Niagara and on Lake Ontario for smallmouth bass out of our 18′ River Hawk boat rigged with a Minn Kota Terrova electric, and two Humminbird sonars.  In a second boat was Bill Deba, host of the Lumberjacks TV series with his son and Ed’s son.  We started fishing at the Queenston boat launch about 8am and immediately started hooking smallmouth bass.  Water conditions were clear and the wind was blowing from the south-east until about 11am.  By noon, the wind had shifted to a north-westerly direction.  We took advantage of the off-shore winds in the morning and headed down to the mouth of the Niagara River to fish the Niagara Bar. 

It took as about 1hr to locate the bass, but when we did, the action was steady.  The fish were feeding over structue in 15-20′ of water right in the flow coming out of the Niagara River.  After catching about 15-smallmouth bass we headed back in to the river and started drifting the Canadian shorelines.  We ended up catching another 15-smallmouth bass and got off the water around 2pm.

 We saw a Vietnamese couple fishing from shore who looked like they had a couple of nice stringers of eating-size smallmouth bass and a sheepshead and large white bass.  They were using frozen shrimp & live crayfish for bait.  While the wife fished, the husband waded along the shoreline catching crayfish.

We all fished Rapala Shift, Griffin, & TS2 rod and reel outfits loaded with 10 lb. test Sufix 832 braid. Our lure of choice was a 4″ tube fished with a 1/4 & 3/8 oz. jighead right along the bottom.  Tomorrow we will explore the upper Niagara to see if the bass fishing will be similar.

The installation of new technology at the Peace and Queenston –Lewiston Bridges will help people cross the border faster.

This new system is expected to reduce border wait time for the travelling public and commercial carriers by up to one million hours per year. This new and advanced sensor technology near customs plazas and approach roads measures and reports delays and relays this information to travelers. People will be able to plan their routes better, time their crossing and select the bridge with the best wait time.

This project supports commitment under the ‘Beyond the Border Action Plan.’ Under this plan, Canada and the US committed to reduce, eliminate and prevent barriers to cross-border trade and travel and to install border wait time measurement technology at the top 20 land crossings.

The border technology will also help border agencies to better manage traffic volume by providing reliable information for planning purposes; ensure more efficient border operations by allowing border agencies to focus resources on security and reduce environmental impacts by decreasing vehicle emissions from border congestion delays.
Forward these crossing websites to guests who are likely to use these crossings:

Peace Bridge: www.peacebridge.com

Queenston – Lewiston Bridge: www.niagarafallsbridges.com

As supplied by http://www.noto.net

Tracy John Hittel reports. Another great week passes with our groups of friends, anglers and business people at the Kitimat Lodge. Pic 1 is a awesome display of Tyler Maclean from Whitecourt Alberta with a large assortment of sea caught Crab, Cod and Halibut.

Pic 2 is of Dougald, Tyler’s dad, who not only can pipe out with this big Halibut, as well instructs the Pipefitters of the future at NAIT in Edmonton Alberta.

Pic 3 is a family photo of our group from Clarsholme Alberta, having a productive day on the Kitimat with a nice catch, the kids hammering many fish on light tackle, and dads, Dr Hook and Kelly.

Pic 4 is the best pic I have seen in a bit, the pull of a hot chum salmon by a 10 year old, netted by Disco Donny, on a hot day fishing the BC coast.

Pic 5 is of Kevin from Medicine Hat, Alberta, with a nice Chinook Salmon as well a 40 lb Halibut today.

Chum Salmon returns are above average, a nice Pink run as well.

Arriving guests, Lorne and family, Rotech, the Free’s from Ontario, and the Irish-English threesome.

If you would like to book a guided fishing trip with Tracey John Hittel, you can reach him at, tjhittel@telus.net .

July 27, 2012 – Yamaha Motor Canada is pleased to announce significant changes to our Canadian distribution model for outboard motors.
Over the last several years, Canada’s marine market has shifted toward OEM, factory-installed, packaged engines – from a wide variety of boat manufacturers – across all segments of the Canadian market.
Effective today, all Yamaha dealers in Canada will have over 50 independent OEM brand choices from which they can receive Yamaha outboards direct from the boat manufacturer! From riveted to welded to fibreglass boats in the sport fishing & performance fishing segments, to family runabouts, inflatables and of course pontoons, every Yamaha dealer now has the opportunity to expand their sales with this new strategy.
Yamaha personnel throughout North America have worked diligently for the past 24 months to ensure Yamaha dealers have the right brand choices and an unmatched support system for the new business model. Not only is the new system convenient, with far greater selection, but you can expect significant price savings too!
Please take a few moments today to watch the following video which clearly outlines the details of Yamaha’s new strategy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9beXHt3UcA
Yamaha Motor Canada cannot understate the importance of this new initiative, how important it is for us moving forward, nor how excited we are to bring it to you.

Regards,
Yamaha Motor Canada

The most comprehensive pricing shift in Yamaha Motor Canada’s history.
July 23, 2012 (Toronto) – Yamaha has dramatically altered pricing on over 135,000 of their parts and accessories! The change in pricing has allowed Yamaha to be more competitive with aftermarket, online and foreign vendors. Some items have been decreased over 50%!

The pricing alignment covers all product groups that Yamaha sells, from the smallest engine components to the largest bolt-on accessories. The changes aren’t limited to obscure, dated, highly stocked parts. Some of Yamaha’s popular ‘fast moving’ parts have received some sizeable decreases as illustrated in the examples below:

PRODUCT   PART    OLD MSRP  NEW MSRP
Motorcycle   Air Filter   $49.79   $39.60
Motorcycle   Passing Lamps   $168.95  $131.95
Outboard   Gauge Kit   $443.16  $352.98
Outboard   Propeller   $164.82  $139.19
Snowmobile   Piston Ring Set   $50.84   $39.96
Snowmobile   Semi-Rigid Saddlebags  $219.95  $169.95
ATV    Brake Pad Kit   $51.78   $41.12
Side by Side   A-Arm Skid Plates  $164.95  $138.95
WaveRunner   Cover    $307.95  $232.95
Sport Boat   Wakeboard Rack  $549.95  $410.95
General    Chain    $69.55   $34.38

Yamaha’s National Manager, Parts & Accessories Sales, Jay Bretherick, commented on the massive pricing overhaul, “Yamaha customers can now get the quality, fit, and finish of Genuine Yamaha Parts & Accessories at a price comparable to those products supplied by other vendors. We feel that if given similar pricing, most customers would prefer to use OEM equipment for its quality and fitment advantages.”

Yamaha parts and accessories are developed in conjunction with the unit and are specifically made for a Yamaha, not an ill-fitting universal product designed for different makes and models.

Bretherick went on to say, “If you visit Yamaha-motor.ca, you’ll see we’ve highlighted over 1100 accessories that have had a 10% or greater decrease from the original MSRP. When you factor in the tens of thousands of parts that were also impacted, this is some of the biggest news to come from Yamaha Motor Canada in quite some time. ”

If you’re looking to accessorize, repair or freshen up your Yamaha with new parts, be sure to look at Yamaha first.
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July 29, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TORONTO BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB ENJOY A TRIP TO NORTHERN ONTARIO
From July 16th to 20th, 2012, Horwood Lake Lodge hosted the annual Kids and Wardens Fishing Adventure. This marks the sixth straight year the Ontario Conservation Officers Association (OCOA) has worked with the lodge to provide a trip of a lifetime to members of a Boys and Girls Club from a large urban centre in Southern Ontario. Joe and Sharon Richter, owners of Horwood Lake Lodge near Timmins (www.horwoodlakelodge.com), opened up the lodge for the week and provided the cabins, boats and motors free of charge to the visiting group.
“I learned how to fish” and “I had so much fun I wanted to stay forever” are just a few of the many comments made by the children attending the camp.
This year the club chosen to attend the fishing trip was the Jane and Finch Boys and Girls Club from Toronto. Nineteen kids and four counsellors boarded the bus in Toronto for the long drive up to Horwood Lake Lodge located approximately 100 km west of Timmins. Along the route they were joined by 10 members of the OCOA who would act as fishing guides and mentors for the trip.
“This project started with a couple of our members discussing the possibility of hosting an event like this”, says OCOA President Mike Duncan, “Through lots of hard work from many of our members and the generous support from all our sponsors this dream has turned into a reality for six straight years and hopefully many more to come.”
One councillor attending with the kids told officers, “this was an experience of a lifetime for the kids and it would be a trip that they would remember forever”.
Thanks to all the generous sponsors each child was presented with a care package upon arriving at the lodge. Each package consisted of a fishing rod and reel, tackle box loaded with tackle, sleeping bag, t-shirt, rain gear and an assortment of other outdoor gear they would require for the trip. Everything presented to the kids was theirs to take home at the end of the event.
In addition to learning how to fish the group was also introduced to a variety of other new experiences, including: an introduction to what Conservation Officers do on a daily basis, survival skills taught by an Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) Conservation Officer, canoe training provided by an MNR Park Warden, a demonstration from a Conservation Officer and his canine partner and a visit from the MNR Fire Ranger Crew which included a demonstration of the different types of equipment utilized to control forest fires and even a visit from Smokey the Bear.
“Our goal is to introduce the kids to an outdoor experience that they would not have a chance to be exposed to without this project”, says Duncan. “These kids will hopefully continue to enjoy our natural resources for years to come and being able to introduce them to fishing at a top notch fishery where fishing success is almost guaranteed helps to make a positive experience for all involved.”
A huge thanks to all our sponsors:
Ontario Public Service Employees Union: Locals: 635 North Bay, 319 Parry Sound, 313 Barrie, 455 Belleville, 362 Peterborough, 434 Kemptville,  447 Pembroke, 224 Owen Sound, Horwood Lake Lodge, Jane and Finch Boys and Girls Club, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (Enforcement Branch and Fire program), Bass Pro Shops, Ontario Out of Doors Magazine, Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, Greyhound Canada, Dave and Melissa Ferris, Ducks Unlimited Canada, WalMart, District 12, Mark’s Work Wearhouse, Big Mike’s Tackle Emporium, McDonald’s Restaurant, Orillia Fish and Game Conservation Club, Pickering Rod and Gun Club, Resources Integrated Ltd., Merrilu Brown, Donna Covey (Ottawa), SAIL (Vaughan), Albert’s Sports and Workwear (Timmins), Dumoulin Fishing Tackle (Timmins), 101 Enterprises (Porcupine), Pro Tackle Co. (Schumacher), Big Bear Camp (Timmins), White Birch Outpost (Timmins), Dr. Fuzy (Corbeil)
For a complete history of this event, please visit the Events area at www.ocoa.ca.
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For more information contact:
Mike Duncan
President
Ontario Conservation Officers Association
(705) 749-2689
President17@ocoa.ca
www.ocoa.ca

 

I had a chance to fish the Upper Bay with my good friends Kam Anderson, John Ross & Gerald Fisher.  Strong winds & really hot weather has made fishing tough throughout the Bay.  Surface water temperatures are in the high 70′s F, there is a massive algae bloom throughout the whole upper Bay of Quinte, and the fishing has been tough.  To make things worse, lot’s of Lake Ontario baitfish have moved into the Upper Bay.

We fished the Rapala Dives To Thug and the Tail Dancer around weedbeds and caught largemouth bass and longnose gar. To land the gar we fished the Original #9 Rapala that is equipped with 3-small treble hooks. All were fished with the Rapala Shift spinning outfits and the Concept Ti rods/Shift Reels with Sufix 832, 10 lb. test braid.  The key to catching the gar is to spot a crusing fish, than cast right across from them and bring the Rapala right in front of them with a twitching motion on the surface.

Walleye fishing was slow also with fish being caught off Northport Shoal and a the mouth of Hay Bay.

Wayne Sheridan reports: River levels are still very low but we finally got some rain on the Saugeen River on Wednesday and Thursday this week. Best time for trout fishing will be right at sunset and sunrise. Our friend Hailey caught her first fish while fishing on the Grand River near Kitchener. She had lots of fun fishing and caught and released this nice bass. Congrats Hailey.

River Flow Rates: low. Visibility clear 10ft.

River Levels: Saugeen River (above Durham) rising at 1.178M, Saugeen River (Walkerton) at 9.2M, Saugeen at Port Elgin down at 7.373M, Sauble River (Sauble Falls) stable at 0.72M, Sydenham River (Owen Sound) down at 4.855M, Maitland River (above Wingham) down at 9.811M, French River at Woseley Bay at 186.257M, Bronte Creek near Zimmerman up 5.756M, Credit River at Streetsville down at 4.405M, Credit River at Orangeville down at 11.196M, Grand River (Doon), down at 4.03M (below Shand dam) up at 1.63M, Rideau River at Ottawa up at 2.528M, Ottawa River at Britannia down at 57.57M

Prime Fishing Times: Saturday July 28th, 2012: 9:00 pm to 9:58 pm (moon overhead) and 8:21 am to 9:27 am (moon underneath). Moonrise 4:20 pm. Moonset 1:40 am.

Flyfishing: Sulfur dun, green drake, iso, caddis, red blood worm, crayfish and minnow.

Great Lakes Fishing: Trout and salmon are presently in the 100ft depth and below. Best bet is Lyman lures, monkey puke and herring colours. Use smaller lures that will imitate the smaller baitfish. Use Lucky Strike lures.

Always Fish Safely

Wayne Sheridan

Don’t forget to check the lunar times and check out our new articles on Flying Squirrels, Cod Stocks, White Nose Syndrome in Bats, and the Asian Carp Debate at www.canadianangling.com .

Tyler and Jason Howick report. We decided to try some trolling in Lake Erie today for walleye and set up in 63 feet of water. We went 5 for 7 on the walleye and caught at least 20 sheepshead, they were everywhere. We caught all of our walleye between 9 and 10 am, 3 were caught on the Luhr Jensen Dipsey Diver 130’ back, one was caught trolling 11-colours of leadcore length, and another was caught off of the downrigger trolling 45 feet down. Hot spoon colors for the day for us were Mixed Veggie and Green Monkey Puke.

 

Tyler and Jason Howick

Noel Gyger reports. Chinook (King), Chum (Dog), Pink (Humpy) and Sockeye (Red) salmon are the target fish now. In addition to salmon, Trout (Cutthroat and Rainbow) and Dolly Varden Char are always available in the rivers, streams and lakes. The summer-run Steelhead and Coho (Silver) salmon are coming soon. Weather predicted to be good with moderate temperatures for the next week so lets all get out there and fish.

Skeena River: Water is in fair shape and lots of anglers are heading out to try their luck. Sockeye fishing is good. My son-in-law Dennis and his friend Ray did very well fly fishing for Sockeye. Rumor has it DFO may increase the daily limit. The run is well above average. See the Sockeye chart below. Summer run Steelhead are in the river now. Coho and Pinks coming soon. Fly fishermen at Ferry Island in Terrace are hooking fresh Sockeye. Tip: In addition to fishing the main stem Skeena for Chinook you could try fishing for them at the tributary mouths.

Kalum River: Both the lower and upper sections are high but in fair shape. The Chinook bite is on. I have reports of some big fresh Chinook landed. When the main stem Skeena is dirty boaters and anglers fish at the mouth of the Kalum where it dumps into the Skeena. This spot is known as the “hog line”. Summer-run Steelhead will be entering the river soon. Warning: Jet boater be very cautious as a few new channels have formed and logs are nearly across the river. The upper end is closed to fishing Chinook. The river record is 86-pounds.

Lakelse River: People are catching Chinook of off the Lakelse River Bridge. My best friend Lester Bryant says the best fishing for Chinook is when the cotton wood fly…and guess what the cotton is flying. Joking, he used to say the bridge should be restricted to children under 6 and adults over 65. Can be a good place to camp.

Zymoetz (Copper) River: Water is too dirty to fish. Facts: Last year we had a record run of Steelhead, lets hope at least we have another good run this year. The fly rods work extremely well in this river.

Exchamsiks: It is closed to fishing for Chinook above the highway 16 bridge but you can still fish for them below the highway bridge, that is if the water is clean.

Kitimat River: Water is in good shape. Chinook, Chum and Pink are the target fish now. Float boaters be cautious, see danger notice below. Update: two drifts rolled over in a log jam yesterday July 21st, luckily no lives were lost. And apparently nobody was wearing life jackets. They are very, very lucky to have survived this.

Smithers area Lakes and Rivers:

Bulkley River: Water is high and dirty. We have not seen anyone fishing yet. Springs are in the Bulkley…. Are they zooming through again to go to the Morice or Upper Bulkley???

Morice River: Same story here. With the high temperatures the snow is melting rapidly at higher elevations… The river is high and dirty… Morice Lake is also very full. Springs should be in the Morice for sure.

Kispiox River: The Kispiox came up over one meter yesterday. It is coming down and greening up…. Again, Springs are in the system. We need the water to drop a bit now.

Lake Fishing: If you feel the urge to go fishing but your favorite river is still too high and too dirty consider going lake fishing…. We are truly lucky to have access to a multitude of lakes in the area. From really big lakes such as Babine Lake, Francois Lake… to smaller lakes such as Ross Lake, Irrigation Lake….Chapman Lake has been fishing really good as of late. Huge rainbows have been caught on Chapman… Rent a cabin and a boat on Chapman, enjoy the beautiful lake and scenery… For more info on Aspen Bay Cabins at Chapman Lake call 250-643-1385!

Prince Rupert: Good fishing for Salmon and Bottom Fish…plus good crabbing

If you would like to book a guided fishing trip with Noel, you can contact him at, www.noelgygler.ca .