The Drummond Island Magazine 2011 : Page 8

Angling: Cast a Line and Catch a Dream Article by Robert Dorman Around “Ice Out” the days are growing longer and air temperatures are rising. April 1st brings great anticipation of the smelt run. These little silver delicacies enter our creeks and streams to spawn. This is primarily nighttime fishing. All ages enjoy this annual event. Laughter is commonplace as somewhere in the glow of a lantern or flashlight, a young person excitedly proclaims, “Look, I got some!” On a clear night, you will be awed by the stars that appear to be so close you can almost touch them. If you look to the north, some nights will bring about a spectacular display of flickering colors known as the Aurora Borealis, more commonly called the Northern Lights. This is an experience you will not soon forget. Spring and fall bring perch into the shallow water. All sizes and ages of perch are present, ensuring years of great fishing. There is a lot of action and taking a limit is common. The focus now turns to the opener for northern pike and walleye fishing. Trolling spoons and hard baits or still fishing with big minnows under large bobbers are also used for northern pike. Trolling crawler harnesses and shallow crank baits are the preferred baits for walleyes. These methods fit the ticket for the chance of trophy-class fish of both species. Walleye tournaments have gained popularity as each event has drawn more team entries. This is competitive fishing at its best. Great prizes and cash awards are presented to the anglers with either the most weight or the biggest fish. For more information go to www. drummondislandchamber.com. Excellent smallmouth bass fishing opportunities exist along abundant rocky shorelines. These bronzeback beauties, as some call them, fight hard and dance across the surface of the water when hooked. This is a great sport fish as well as wonderful table fare. Pound for pound, it is said that nothing pulls as hard as a smallmouth bass. A catch of twenty to fifty fish per boat a day is common. Using selective harvest of catch and release, you may take home a few for the table. Late June through July brings the aquatic mayfly hatch and soon to follow are the cisco, herring and whitefish. These are schooling fish and groups of boats can be seen tightly gathered together on top of a school. The gear of choice is either a cane pole or a long, ultra light rod and a teardrop lure baited with wax worms or mayflies. Whole families get in on the fun as the action is fast and fish are plentiful. They are easy to find—just look for the group of boats. These fish are great smoked and fried fresh. The Drummond Island Magazine Lake Huron offers a multi-species trout fishery. May 1st finds anglers at the mouth of the St. Marys river targeting lake trout and Atlantic salmon. Ivan Gable, a 25-year captain says, “Clients are amazed at how hard some of these salmon fight, with them stating, it doesn’t get any better than this.” Mid-July brings king salmon, sizes varying by age averaging four to ten pounds with some reaching up to 30 pounds. On odd years the pink salmon enter the system, creating a bonanza of action. Fish, one to three pounds, are common and fishing remains good through late fall. Winter finds ice shanties dotted around Potagannissing Bay. Anglers seeking northern pike use a combo tactic of spearing and tip-up. Perch are found in deep water this time of year. The waters around Drummond Island offer fantastic fishing opportunities all year round. Come join the fun! Robert Dorman has been an avid outdoorsman his whole life, enjoying the opportunity to live in a sportsman’s paradise. He will see you on the water. 8 Header photograph and fisherman's catch photograph by I. Gable  Little girl fishing photograph by P. Strom The waters around the Island offer fantastic fishing opportunities all year round.

Angling Around Drummond

Robert Dorman

Around “Ice Out” the days are growing longer and air temperatures are rising. April 1st brings great anticipation of the smelt run. These little silver delicacies enter our creeks and streams to spawn. This is primarily nighttime fishing. All ages enjoy this annual event. Laughter is commonplace as somewhere in the glow of a lantern or flashlight, a young person excitedly proclaims, “Look, I got some!” On a clear night, you will be awed by the stars that appear to be so close you can almost touch them. If you look to the north, some nights will bring about a spectacular display of flickering colors known as the Aurora Borealis, more commonly called the Northern Lights. This is an experience you will not soon forget. Spring and fall bring perch into the shallow water. All sizes and ages of perch are present, ensuring years of great fishing.There is a lot of action and taking a limit is common. The focus now turns to the opener for northern pike and walleye fishing.Trolling spoons and hard baits or still fishing with big minnows under large bobbers are also used for northern pike. Trolling crawler harnesses and shallow crank baits are the preferred baits for walleyes. These methods fit the ticket for the chance of trophy-class fish of both species. Walleye tournaments have gained popularity as each event has drawn more team entries.This is competitive fishing at its best. Great prizes and cash awards are presented to the anglers with either the most weight or the biggest fish. For more information go to www.Drummondislandchamber.com. Excellent smallmouth bass fishing opportunities exist along abundant rocky shorelines. These bronzeback beauties, as some call them, fight hard and dance across the surface of the water when hooked. This is a great sport fish as well as wonderful table fare. Pound for pound, it is said that nothing pulls as hard as a smallmouth bass. A catch of twenty to fifty fish per boat a day is common. Using selective harvest of catch and release, you may take home a few for the table. Late June through July brings the aquatic mayfly hatch and soon to follow are the cisco, herring and whitefish. These are schooling fish and groups of boats can be seen tightly gathered together on top of a school. The gear of choice is either a cane pole or a long, ultra light rod and a teardrop lure baited with wax worms or mayflies. Whole families get in on the fun as the action is fast and fish are plentiful. They are easy to find—just look for the group of boats. These fish are great smoked and fried fresh. Lake Huron offers a multi-species trout fishery. May 1st finds anglers at the mouth of the St. Marys river targeting lake trout and Atlantic salmon. Ivan Gable, a 25-year captain says, “Clients are amazed at how hard some of these salmon fight, with them stating, it doesn’t get any better than this.” Mid-July brings king salmon, sizes varying by age averaging four to ten pounds with some reaching up to 30 pounds. On odd years the pink salmon enter the system, creating a bonanza of action. Fish, one to three pounds, are common and fishing remains good through late fall. Winter finds ice shanties dotted around Potagannissing Bay. Anglers seeking northern pike use a combo tactic of spearing and tip-up. Perch are found in deep water this time of year. The waters around Drummond Island offer fantastic fishing opportunities all year round. Come join the fun! Robert Dorman has been an avid outdoorsman his whole life, enjoying the opportunity to live in a sportsman’s paradise. He will see you on the water.

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