After a great season on the ice with friends, and filming Captured, it’s time to say farewell to ice fishing and hello to open water! I love fishing several ways throughout the year; from shore, in waders, by kayak and by boat. This year will bring many great memories from my new boat, and I can’t wait to get it on the water (which should be next week)! We have some really fun episodes planned with the show and I look forward to showcasing just some of the great fishing opportunities available within the Land O’ Lakes region.
My first open water fish of the year was a gorgeous male steelhead in a Lake Ontario Tributary.
This fish put me through a heck of a battle in water that was hard enough just to stand in. Fast moving rapids, high and murky water conditions that made it impossible to see any fish. I found a section that looked like a good holding spot, and luckily I was right! I had a few takes and lost fish before I finally hooked up with this one. I played it out for quite awhile, as it took many runs up and down river until finally giving up. It was a long battle and I was so glad I didn’t have to deal with the heartbreak of losing this beauty! I tailed it and called my fishing partner Matthew Heayn, (who was up river) to come down and take some photos. I was shaking and smiling for awhile after this one! There’s nothing like catching a steelhead on the fly! Thanks for the photos Matthew!
The fish was successfully released to live on and make beautiful babies, and hopefully make another anglers day!
Matthew got a nice one too!
My first open water boating trip was just a few days ago. A lot of lakes in the area still have ice, but it’s been melting away slowly but surely. My friend, Jeff Chisholm, got his boat out for the first time this year and invited Matthew and I to join him in search of crappie. We had time for a few hours in the late afternoon, and navigated a small bay in search of slabs. Matthew was the first to land one, a nice 11.75 incher! We caught all of our crappie in an area that was 6-8 feet of water. The fishing wasn’t on fire yet, but we will definitely be back once the water warms up. It felt great to be out in a boat again!
My first open water (boating) fish of the year, a black crappie!
Now for my exciting news….
I am now writing a weekly fishing column for the Kingston Whig Standard newspaper! I am really honoured and excited about this opportunity to share my fishing experiences with a new audience. The column comes out every Saturday in the Sports section. It’s also available online.
With spring fishing heating up, I will try to have more updates for you! As always you can find me on:
Thanks for reading!
OMG think am in love!