Robert Burton
Fly Fishing Zombie
Eventually all things merge into one, and a river runs through it.
Posts: 4,744
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Post by Robert Burton on Jan 16, 2004 15:44:52 GMT -6
I was wondering where & when y'all will start your fishing season.
Since i moved here i have gone to the Whiteshell (once to the East Pine Creek) on the opening weekend. Traditionally i have been skunked (and for a few weekends afterwards)
So tell us ( me really) your secret, never fail, catch a fish for sure on the first trip of the year spot.
rb
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2004 19:31:54 GMT -6
My fishing season never ends, but fly fishing starts as soon as the water is open, until Darrell and I perfect casting techniques of hitting an eight inch hole . First trip last year was April 21, which I would consider early, Lyons was still frozen. Me and a buddy fished Reynolds, the Berry ponds, and the Whiteshell River. I caught one fish all day, on the fly rod at Reynolds, but just a little brookie. My buddy got a 22" rainbow out of the river on the devil's gear . It sure would be a treat if they could stock the river earlier, so we could target fish in there during early season. If I remember correctly, Robert fished there a couple days before us, and reported seeing ZERO fish, and when we went on April 21they had just thrown in four fish. I think they stock the majority of the fish a few weeks into May. Too bad. Aaron Wiebe
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Post by cane on Jan 16, 2004 19:03:08 GMT -6
I think your right about the Whiteshell -Aaron- its a just a place to throw a few trout to keep the local cottage owners/park vistors placated and gives the hatchery a chance to say hey look- theres fish ----> in there.Until they commit to it as a fishery rather than an " attraction" it wont amount to anything other than catching some pellet fed stockies- there till they get eaten/taken etc.
As for first trips- we do the Pine River usually the week before the May long weekend. Its just Brook Trout but the Pine can be very challenging- lots of different kinds of water/fishing/casting challanges.
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Post by RickL on Jan 16, 2004 20:31:29 GMT -6
I often hit William Lake early on. I don't find it as good as in the fall, but I love that lake (especially the brownies). The smallmouth don't relealize they are not supposed to be caught yet in early spring.
A couple of years ago, in April (forget the date) my wife was at a spinning wool conference at Camp Arnes, just a bit north of Gimli. I dropped her off and found the trout ponds along Hwy 8 (? or 9? I'm not sure now) and along the road into Grindstone Prov. They are listed in the stocking guide. They were open and a delight to tube in . I did okay, but the trout were not huge. I am sure they don't get too big in there, but they were some of the earliest open water that spring from what I could determine.
For something different, a days drive to Duluth Minnesota can put you into steelhead, salmon country. I fished there a few years ago in spring break at the end of a very nice March. Some guys were catching Kamloops trout and Chinook salmon just fishing from the shore. I tried fishing the Lester River, but it was still too cold in the river. It was a different start to the season. (oh yeah, I got skunked)
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Post by fishinmusican on Jan 17, 2004 2:19:14 GMT -6
You know I'm not sure when I first got out last year.I do know that the ice on Lyons and Camp was breaking up(therewas open water) and I caught small to average splake at camp,aslo Mchugh was still in the process of turning over.I was up at the Pine on the May long weekend(didn't catch anything) had a couple of Bows hit but no takes. I know Cane says that there's just brookies in the Pine but I have to disagree with him because I have got Bows in the Pine on a regular basis and some big ones at that....Kim
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Robert Burton
Fly Fishing Zombie
Eventually all things merge into one, and a river runs through it.
Posts: 4,744
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Post by Robert Burton on Jan 17, 2004 9:00:24 GMT -6
.......because I have got Bows in the Pine on a regular basis and some big ones at that....Kim Now y'all are makin' me just crazy!! Why is that place 6 hours away!! In my 2 times there i too have just caught brookies but the town of Pine River has a sign on the way into town calling it's self "The Rainbow Trout Capital of Manitoba" Now if only they needed a jazz musician
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Post by cane on Jan 17, 2004 9:15:02 GMT -6
Hi FishinMucian- ty for correcting me -your absoluteley right about the Bows on the Pine - though they seem to be more in the area upstream and down of the old railway trestle bridge east of #10 and up to the graveyard bridge ? I guess I have to stop being so obsessed about breaking the 20 " Brookie barrier . I mostly fish in the area between the graveyard bridge and the twin bridges thinking its the most likely area to hold one:))
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Post by flyfisheranonymous on Jan 17, 2004 11:30:32 GMT -6
The first place I go in spring is the Fairford River. Timing of course is critical. In March when the temp. reaches 5 degrees or better head on up there. The fishing is fantastic. I usually fish with a 4 or 5 wt. and the tullibe are great fun. While fishing for them you may tag a nice Walleye or a Burbot. That will put a bend in your rod.
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Post by Dale Martens on Jan 17, 2004 15:09:10 GMT -6
Hey Stu,
We were talking about the Fairford River in another thread and I got the impression that the low water levels this year might really put a damper on it. What do you think? If there's half a chance of getting some action, it sounds like a great trip.
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Post by RickL on Jan 17, 2004 20:46:46 GMT -6
I too have heard about the Fairford and may be headed up there this spring or summer if my wife decides to do some research there on the historical use of Manitoba salt springs. I do not know the area, so what type of situation is it? Is it like Lockport or more of a small stream? Is it wadeable, etc? I need info so as to present the case for how important checking the area out is to her research!
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Post by RickL on Jan 17, 2004 23:19:22 GMT -6
There is a not so secret spot that can in years of high flow be great. As you enter the Whiteshell along Hwy 307 you pass over a creek, known as Big Creek,. If the water is flowing through at a decent rate there may be large schools of perch or shiners that come from Eleanor Lake. The bass and pike fishing can be awesome.
A few years ago one of the CO's told me that he thought it was the best bass location in the park that had easy access that summer. Last year with the low water, there wasn't much action, but most years it is worth a few minutes to try. This is where I have caught my largest smallie, 19", and my largest pike, 41", both from the float tube. That summer, a fellow I had talked to claims to have caught a half dozen MA bass in one morning there.
Its not necessarily a guarantee for the opener, Rob, but worth a try, especially later on in May or early June.
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Post by fishinmusican on Jan 18, 2004 0:43:25 GMT -6
Hey Cane , I know the spots your talking about, great spots and your right most of the bows I've taken have been on the east side of the highway.Theres some spots even further downstream of the old railroad trestle that hold some decent fish. Hey Robert sorry for making you crazy it's a shame its not closer but if you plan on going up that way sometime let me know and We'll see if we can ease your pain....Kim
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Post by flyfisheranonymous on Jan 18, 2004 13:13:28 GMT -6
Dale: No matter if the water is high or low the fish will still be in the river. I have fished the Fairford in both situations and have had excellent results. All you have to do is adapt to the water levels. In low water I like to fish along side the walls of the locks or as close to the control structure as possible. Cast right along the walls and hang on. In high water I fish down stream about 20-100 yards frm the dam, fishing back eddies or casting along the shoreline. Tie up some small Mickey Finns ( 10-16 ) and have fun.
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Post by darrellmyskiw on Jan 19, 2004 13:17:20 GMT -6
the sequel - now that I've stiched me sides over the original ...... I got to second Kims' NUTS - to the point of - we're all nuts. Aaron - give me a bit - I've found some problems with my leaders that have attributed to my casting accuracy. The 8" target just might work - once I get that down - we can pose fly selection. Rob - you've created a monster here. With our banter earlier last year - its forced me - and ... converted me to stick with fly Fishing as a primary method (primary being 99.9% of chosen method). I have to say thanks. That said - first ice-off . . . historically, by other means - I left it for May long - which as I see is later for FFing. Got to pick earlier date. Where to go ..... so many great waterbodies to choose from - chase Rick's browns in William, hunt the supposed rock's in Sturgeon Cr., chase McHugh's tender morsels .. ... choices - [glow=red,2,300]AARRRGGGHHHHHH !!!!!![/glow] I've stuck with Reynolds or Lyons as a first try at FFing for the year - usually hit one or 2 smaller critters. choices, choices, choices ..... but that was ....... then. But I'm listening to those who know - and you all seem as confused as me - in a good way. you're just re-stating that there's lots of choices here. anyhow - gotta run (in paper-training today). dreaming.........
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