|
The massive size of Georgian Bay and the decline of commercial fisheries over the years, dictates that Georgian Bay is a prime location to catch (and hopefully release) record fish. With two thousand of kilometers of relatively undeveloped shoreline and thousands of islands and inlets the Bay is the ideal location to host big fish of many species. Georgian Bay is proven to deliver fast growing fish species due to the excellent water quality, bait and shelter conditions. The average 4' Musky is only 9 years old. A world record 65 lb. Musky was caught in Georgian Bay's Moon River area just south of Parry Sound and record Walleye have come from the Bay as well.
Georgian Bay fish species include Muskellunge, Northern Pike, Walleye, Large Mouth Bass, Small Mouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Crappie, Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Splake, Atlantic Salmon, Pacific Salmon, Whitefish, Sturgeon and Channel Catfish. Georgian Bay is classified as Zone 14 in the fisheries guidelines. Manitoulin Island has it's own regulations and is Zone 10. A portion of the French River is Zone 11. Check the local regulations before you fish. To view Ontario fishing regulations click HERE.
The best way to fish on Georgian Bay for those unfamiliar with the waters is via a guide service. Most resorts and lodges use a local guide services. Here are a few professional services that provide for all aspects of your fishing adventure.
Remember, responsible guiding services practice catch and release of trophy fish to preserve the species. Cameras are on hand to record the catch and most can have the catch recreated as a trophy without killing the fish. Responsible fishermen use guide services that supports catch and release of prime species.
On last word of advice – Georgian Bay is big water, and storms can blow up in a hurry even on a sunny clear day. Georgian Bay is known for huge waves and treacherous conditions in a blow. Plan ahead, watch the weather and have all of the necessary safety equipment before you set out to fish.
The Best Day of Fishing Ever!
Some fishing stories are a little hard to believe, but here are pictures to prove this story...
I've heard of salmon jumping into boats, but never anything quite like this...
Tom Satre told the Sitka Gazette that he was out with a charter group on his 62-foot fishing vessel when four juvenile black-tailed deer swam directly toward his boat.
"Once the deer reached the boat, the four began to circle the boat, looking directly at us. We could tell right away that the young bucks were distressed.
"I opened up my back gate and we helped the typically skittish and absolutely wild animals onto the boat. In all my years of fishing, I've never seen anything quite like it!
"Once onboard, they collapsed with exhaustion, shivering."
"This is a picture I took of the rescued bucks on the back of my boat, the Alaska Quest.
"We headed for Taku Harbour . Once we reached the dock, the first buck that we had pulled from the water hopped onto the dock, looked back as if to say 'thank you' and disappeared into the forest.
"After a bit of prodding and assistance, two more followed, but the smallest deer needed a little more help."
This is me carting the little guy.
"My daughter, Anna, and son, Tim, helped the last buck to its feet.
"We didn't know how long they had been in the icy waters or if there had been others who did not survive.
My daughter later told me that the experience was something that she would never forget, and I suspect the deer felt the same way as well!"
I told you! Awesome... huh?
Top Five Tips for a Killarney Fishing Adventure
If you've ever had an experienced fishing guide take you out on an adventure then you know it's the best way to go. As a forty-year fishing expert Robert Herbert, aka Bungy, has been one of the go to guides on what is regarded as Northern Ontario's fishing mecca: Killarney. Bungy has lived, worked and fished in Killarney Bay from his early childhood days and his knowledge of the waters and shallow, rocky shorelines around the North Channel is extensive. He's been the fishing guide at Killarney Mountain Lodge for sixteen years.
 One of Bungy's favourite destinations is Collins Inlet, a protected 20-kilometre channel, where he says the fishing has vastly improved recently, “I've noticed the last two or three years that the water is back up over two feet and the bass are back. The fishing has been great and we're finding good fishing in the Inlet and around Philip Edward Island.” As for finding the best spots, Bungy credits old-fashioned methods, "I have a fast boat to get where I can and I read the wind and take note of the timing of things to find the perfect spot.”
Bungy's Top 5 Fishing Tips on Killarney Bay:
- 1. Start with a strong fishing line, and ensure you have a proper rod & reel
- 2. Good hooks will help you a great deal, whether they be Daredevil, Five of Diamonds, or a Williams Wobbler
- 3. Bait is key and boxed worms are recommended
- 4. Have an experienced guide who knows the area and the good spots
- 5. Location, location, location, knowing the wind's location and timing will ensure a smooth adventure and one last thing, never give up
As for the catch itself, the North Channel is a fresh waterway and vacationers can expect to catch bass, muskie, pike or trout, and then take it back to the Lodge where it can be frozen to take home. New visitors to the Lodge can book either a half-day or full day fishing trips of up to five, including the guide. Tackle and equipment rentals with bait are available and the 25-mile long tours make for a great experience out on the water.
 Killarney, a jewel that is less than four hours north of Toronto, is a nature lover's paradise offering nearby access to hiking, kayaking and canoeing on Georgian Bay and in the interior lakes set within 187 square miles of undisturbed mountain wilderness at Killarney Provincial Park. The surrounding pristine, sapphire blue lakes provide the perfect setting for recreational adventure. Other activities organized by the lodge include biking, sailing and powerboat excursions, swimming, tennis and yoga. After a day on the mountain, or on the water, guests can savour gourmet cottage cuisine, including a weekly fish fry, Friday's at lunch beginning in July, along with lakeside views from the channel at one of the Georgian Bay's best adventure resorts. For more information, please visit: www.killarney.com.
Fishing Jokes
Pet Parrot
There's this fisherman with a pet parrot. But the parrot swears like an old sea captain. He can swear for five minutes straight without repeating himself! Trouble is, the fisherman who owns him is a quiet, conservative type, and this bird's foul mouth is driving him crazy. One day, it gets to be too much, so the guy grabs the bird by the throat, shakes him really hard, and yells, "QUIT IT!" But this just makes the bird mad and he swears more than ever. Then the fisherman locks the bird in a kitchen cabinet. This really aggravates the bird and he claws and scratches everything inside. Finally the guy lets it out. The bird cuts loose with a stream of vulgarities that would make a veteran seaman blush. The sailor is so mad that he throws the bird into the freezer. For the first few seconds there is a terrible racket from inside. Then it suddenly gets very quiet. At first the fisherman just waits, but then he starts to think that the bird may be hurt. He opens up the freezer door. The bird calmly climbs onto the man's outstretched arm and says, "Awfully sorry about the trouble I gave you. I'll do my best to improve my vocabulary from now on." The man is astounded. He can't understand the transformation that has come over the parrot.
The parrot speaks again, "By the way, what did the chicken do?"
Economics of Fishing
A man returned from fishing and proudly presented his wife with a 3 lb. bass.
“Look what I caught today - nice that a man can go out on the lake and catch fish to feed his family” he said.
His wife returned his comments with " Look what I caught today, a 15 lb. Salmon at the grocery store and it didn't cost $7,000 for the boat, $600 in fishing gear and $20 for bait".
The man replied "But you discount the enjoyable time I had catching the fish"
The wife answered back "Well I suppose your right, I forgot to take into consideration the enjoyment I get ... getting rid of you for the day.
Priorities
One day a man came home and his wife answered the door in a sexy negligee.
"Tie me up and you can do anything you want" she said.
So he tied her up and went fishing.
Blonde Joke
Two blondes rented a fishing boat, and were having a great day catching fish.
The first blonde said "This is such a great spot, we need to mark it so we can come back."
The second blonde proceeded to put a mark on the side of the boat.
The first blonde asked "What are you doing?"
The second blonde replied "Marking the spot."
"Don't be stupid" the first blonde said. "What if we don't get the same boat next time?"
Tobermory
A taxidermist was driving through to the ferry at Tobermory when he though he would stop at a local bar and have a beer. The locals weren't sure about outsiders in their bar and when he entered he was greeted with dirty stares and low mumbles.
He went to the bartender and ask for a beer.The bartender looked the man over and than went to get his beer. When the bartender returned with his beer he asked the man "what do you do?"
The man replied "I'm a taxidermist."
The bartender replied "Taxidermist? what is that."
The man replied "Well, I mount animals,birds,and fish."
With that said the bartender turned to the other men in the bar and said "It's ok boys he's one of us".
The Business of Fishing
One day a fisherman was lying on the shore, with his fishing pole propped up in the sand and his solitary line cast out into the sparkling blue water.
He was enjoying the warmth of the afternoon sun and the prospect of catching a fish.
About that time, a businessman came walking down the shore, trying to relieve some of the stress of his workday.
He noticed the fisherman sitting on the shore and decided to find out why this fisherman was fishing instead of working harder to make a living for himself and his family.
"You aren't going to catch many fish that way," said the businessman to the fisherman, "you should be working rather than lying on the shore!"
The fisherman looked up at the businessman, smiled and replied, "And what will my reward be?"
"Well, you can get bigger nets and catch more fish!" was the businessman's answer.
"And then what will my reward be?" asked the fisherman, still smiling.
The businessman replied, "You will make money and you'll be able to buy a boat, which will then result in larger catches of fish!"
"And then what will my reward be?" asked the fisherman again.
The businessman was beginning to get a little irritated with the fisherman's questions. "You can buy a bigger boat, and hire some people to work for you!" he said.
"And then what will my reward be?" repeated the fisherman.
The businessman was getting angry. "Don't you understand? You can build up a fleet of fishing boats, sail all over the world, and let all your employees catch fish for you!"
Once again the fisherman asked, "And then what will my reward be?"
The businessman was red with rage and shouted at the fisherman, "Don't you understand that you can become so rich that you will never have to work for your living again! You can spend all the rest of your days sitting on this shore, looking at the sunset. You won't have a care in the world!"
The fisherman, still smiling, looked up and said, "And what do you think I'm doing right now?"
Men Killed Fishing
Many years ago, a fisherman's wife blessed her husband with twin sons. They loved the children very much, but couldn't think of what to name their children. Finally, after several days, the fisherman said, "Let's not decide on names right now. If we wait a little while, the names will simply occur to us."
After several weeks had passed, the fisherman and his wife noticed a peculiar fact. When left alone, one of the boys would also turn towards the sea, while the other boy would face inland. It didn't matter which way the parents positioned the children, the same child always faced the same direction. "Let's call the boys Towards and Away," suggested the fisherman. His wife agreed, and from that point on, the boys were simply known as Towards and Away.
The years passed and the lads grew tall and strong. The day came when the aging fisherman said to his sons, "Boys, it is time that learned how to make a living from the sea." They provisioned their ship, said their goodbyes, and set sail for a three month voyage.
The three months passed quickly for the fisherman's wife, yet the ship had not returned. Another three months passed, and still no ship. Three whole years passed before the grieving woman saw a lone man walking towards her house. She recognized him as her husband. "My goodness! What has happened to my darling boys?" she cried.
The ragged fisherman began to tell his story: "We were just barely one whole day out to sea when Towards hooked into a great fish. Towards fought long and hard, but the fish was more than his equal. For a whole week they wrestled upon the waves without either of them letting up. Yet eventually the great fish started to win the battle, and Towards was pulled over the side of our ship. He was swallowed whole, and we never saw him again."
"Oh dear, that must have been terrible! What a huge fish that must of been!"
"Yes, it was, but you should have seen the one that got Away...."
Letter To Dear Abby
Dear Abby:
I have been so blessed in my life. Great parents, great wife and kids, great job, and a great education. When I finally retired, I could hardly wait to spend time enjoying my favorite pastime – pickerel fishing on Georgian Bay.
I got my own little fishing boat and tried to get my wife to join me, but she just never liked fishing. Finally, one day at the Bait & Tackle Shop, I got to talking to Sam, the shop owner, who it turned out loves bass fishing as much as I do. We quickly became fishing buddies.
As I said, the wife doesn't care about fishing; she not only refuses to join us, she always complains that I spend too much time fishing.
A few weeks ago Sam and I had the best fishing trip ever. Not only did I catch the most beautiful pickerel you've ever seen, only a few minutes later Sam caught another! So I took a picture of Sam having so much fun fishing on the boat and showed the picture to the wife, hoping that maybe she'd get interested.
Instead, she says she doesn't want me to go fishing at all anymore! And she wants me to sell the boat!
I think she just doesn't like to see me enjoying myself. What would you do?
Tell the wife to forget it and continue my hobby or quit fishing and sell the boat as she insists?
Thanks,
A Fisherman
P. S. I have enclosed the picture of Sam fishing on the boat.
Sage Advice
Give a man a fish ... and he can feed himself for a day!
Teach a man to fish ... and he will sit in the boat and drink beer all day!!
Teach a woman to fish ... hopefully she will retrieve beers from the cooler all day, catch the fish and cook the fish for dinner!!!
|
|
