OC Online - Hot Spots 2006

Simply the Best

text by Tom Adamchick, Mark Anderson, Ken Bailey
Patrick Campeau, Brad Fenson, George Gruenefeld
Jake MacDonald, Paul Marriner, Jim McLennan
Wayne Phillips, Gord Pyzer

(Channel Catfish, Chinook Salmon, Crappie, Cum Salmon, Cutthroat Trout, Halibut, Kokanee Salmon)

CHANNEL CATFISH
Red River, Manitoba With a cut-plug goldeye or prawn on a slip sinker, work the holes and current seams below the spillway of the Lockport Dam in early summer. More info: Travel Manitoba, 1-800-665-0040. –Jake M.

Winnipeg River, Manitoba Fish deep holes between Pine Falls and Lake Winnipeg in early May; skewer a slab of ciscoe or sucker on a 5/0 circle hook below a three-ounce sliding sinker and lay it on bottom. More info: Travel Manitoba, 1-800-665-0040. –G.P.

CHINOOK SALMON
Langara Island, B.C. When the large fish arrive in late June, troll cut-plug herring on downriggers, or jig a Buzz-Bomb or similar herring-type lure. More info: West Coast Fishing Club, 1-888-432-6666. –Jake M.

Cutthroat trout hot spot: Oldman River, Alberta (Duane Radford).

Lake Ontario, Ontario In July and August, troll a glow-green flasher ahead of a rigged herring or herring strip at first light, around Port Credit or Bluffers Park in Scarborough. More info: Great Ontario Salmon Derby, 1-888-695-2677 ext. 247. –G.P.

Toronto Harbour, Ontario In early fall, troll baitfish imitator lures on downriggers in 30 to 100 feet of water. Some of the best fishing is just a mile or so from downtown. More info: Salmon Express, (416) 931-7693. –Jake M.

CRAPPIE
Lake Simcoe, Ontario In the spring, fish a 1/16- to 1/8 -ounce jig tipped with an emerald shiner under a float around docks, marina slips or shoreline cover in the rivers to the south and east. More info: Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Aurora office, (905) 713-7400. –G.P.

Rice Lake, Ontario From spring to early summer, dunk a small jig tipped with a wax worm, maggot or minnow while slowly drifting over weed edges, rock shoals and sandy areas along the north shore. More info: Rice Lake Tourist Association. –G.P.

CHUM SALMON
Campbell River, B.C. In October and November, troll pink hootchies behind bright chrome flashers in 60 to 90 feet of water. More info: Fishing with Jeremy Maynard, (250) 286-1456. –G.P.

CUTTHROAT TROUT
Halgrave Lake, B.C. Early in the season, fish the southeast corner of the lake at the mouth of the tiny brook. Dry flies, or tiny Mepps on ultralight spinning gear, produce big time. More info: Columbia Valley Tourism, (250) 342-3261. –T.A.

Powell Lake, B.C. Throughout the season at the two narrows, Panther Martins and Krocodile-style spoons are deadly, as are Bunny Leeches on full sinkers. Or fish the mouths of tributaries early in the season. More info: Powell River Outdoors, 1-877-481-2555. –G.G.

St. Mary River, B.C. In the Cranbrook area around Thanksgiving, wade and cast attractor dry flies, such as small hoppers, to obvious lies, or work small spinners through eddies and pockets. More info: St. Mary Angler Fly Shop, 1-800-667-2311. –P.M.

Oldman River, Alberta Focus on the stretch between the headwaters and The Gap, from July to late September. Use attractor dries or small spinners. More info: Anchor B Ranch Fly-Fishing Lodge, (403) 627-7967. –Jim M.

Ram/North Ram River, Alberta From July to September, fly fishers should focus on pools, casting large dry flies, such as Stimulators, Sofa Pillows and hopper patterns. Spin anglers should use small Mepps or Panther Martins. More info: Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, (780) 944-0313. –K.B.

HALIBUT
Queen Charlotte Islands, B.C. From June to September, hover a pair of foot-long dead herring on a 10/0 circle hook so that they dangle a few yards off the bottom in 220 feet of water. More info: West Coast Resorts, 1-800-810-8933. –G.P.

KOKANEE SALMON
Bridge Lake, B.C. Work the shoals with bead-head nymphs during early summer fly hatches, or fish deep water off the islands throughout summer using small gang trolls with baited Wedding Bands. More info: Little Fort Fly and Tackle, (250) 677-4366. –G.G.

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