text by George Gruenefeld photo by Chris Bolin The Ultimate Fish (part 4) CHINOOK SALMON: QUEEN CHARLOTTE ISLANDS (NORTH COAST), B.C. LOCAL BUZZ Anglers experimenting with lures such as the Luhr Jensen Coyote, Diamond King, Gibbs Gypsy and leadheaded jigs have been surprising the mooching traditionalists. GETTING THERE The gateway to the Queen Charlotte Islands is Sandspit, which is serviced by both charters and regularly scheduled flights from Vancouver. Local lodges provide float plane or helicopter shuttles from there. LEARN MORE Northern B.C. Tourism Association, 1-800-663-8843; www.nbctourism.com Sport Fishing Institute of British Columbia, (604) 270-3439; www.sportfishing.bc.ca The promise With plenty of 40-pound-plus fish on hand throughout the summer, this area is deservedly legendary. This is where migrating fish from the northern feeding grounds come to put on weight. Top tackle & tactics Midsummer is the best time for monster salmon. Mooching with cut plugs close to kelp beds in the lee of tidal flows is the traditional tactic for big springs, and probably accounts for more hook-ups than all other techniques combined. The ideal speed is dead slow; at frequent intervals, take the motor out of gear to let the bait flutter down. Twenty to 25 pulls of line ought to put you down where the fish are. Local lodges supply the specialized gear. TATSHENSINI RIVER, YUKON The promise Even if you don’t hook a 30-pound fish or better, you’ll never forget fishing this wilderness river among the highest mountains in Canada. Describing the experience as spectacular falls far short. LOCAL BUZZ Anglers fish elbow-to-elbow during the peak season at road-accessible sections of the Tat. To avoid the crowds, and for a truly memorable experience, book through a guide or lodge. GETTING THERE Whitehorse is the gateway to the rivers of southwestern Yukon. From there, it’s about 150 kilometres to Haines Junction via the Alaska Highway, then south along the Haines Road. LEARN MORE Yukon Department of Environment, (867) 667-5652; environmentyukon.gov.yk.ca Yukon Department of Tourism and Culture, 1-800-661-0494; touryukon.com/fishing.asp Top tackle & tactics July is the time to fish the Tat for big chinooks. The popular technique is to run a roe bag under a float through the slots; casting silver lures, such as the Pixie, also works. A nine- to 11-foot rod and a level-wind reel loaded with 30-pound test are ideal (use 15- to 20-pound monofilament between the mainline and the terminal tackle). Away from the road, fly fishermen do well on leech and Popsicle patterns, and Clouser Minnows. Nine- and 10-weight systems with nine- and even 10-foot rods are necessary to control these fish. LAKE ONTARIO, ONTARIO The promise The introduction of Pacific salmon into Lake Ontario was far more successful than imagined. Intended to replace the decimated Atlantics and control the population of non-native alewives, the salmon are now big and plentiful. LOCAL BUZZ In addition to increased stocking efforts, survival rates of naturally spawning chinook have been high in recent years, adding to the mass of fish in these waters. GETTING THERE Lake Ontario is accessible by road from just about anywhere in south/central Ontario. Charter operations and boat launch ramps can be found in almost every town along the shoreline. LEARN MORE Ministry of Natural Resources (Peterborough office), (705) 755-2001; www.mnr.gov.on.ca Top tackle & tactics The prime fishing is from early July to early September. Trolling in 80- to 100-foot depths using downriggers is effective; favoured lures include Northern King 28 spoons, as well as Williams Wablers in a variety of colour combinations. Later in the summer, a herring strip in tandem with a flasher will also produce big chinook. Look for water temperatures around 10ºC and schools of baitfish, and you’ll find the fish. BONUS HOT SPOTS FOR CHINOOK SALMON Stamp River, B.C. Rivers Inlet, B.C. Fraser River, B.C. Quatsino Sound, B.C. Georgian Bay, Ontario Portland Inlet, B.C. Chilliwack/Vedder River, B.C. Tasu Sound, B.C. Campbell River, B.C. Hakai Pass, B.C. BROOK TROUT: Part 1 | Part 2 CHINOOK SALMON: Part 1 | Part 2 LAKE TROUT: Part 1 | Part 2 PIKE: Part 1 | Part 2 SMALLMOUTH BASS: Part 1 | Part 2 WALLEYE: Part 1 | Part 2 MORE HOT SPOTS