A few of the Triple guys took a road trip to Algonquin Park last week. Traditionally, we do very well on Opeongo for some fall Lake Trout action. It was our hope that the water temperature in the lake would have cooled enough to help lure some lakers from the depths.
When we reached the Opeongo Store, the weather appeared to be holding at a mix of sun and clouds. There were was a guy getting ready to head out in his kayak and he waved as we lowered the Lowe down the boat ramp. I wondered if we hampered his Algonquin Experience with the presence of our E-tec 90 slipping into the glassy water?
I laughed inside.
I have been the guy from the canoe waiting all year to hit Algonquin’s shores by canoe. There is a mystery to it. I recommend that everyone should try it. Opeongo is a lake that shares it’s beauty with canoes/kayaks and motor boats. It just so happens that this day, I was in the powered boat with padded seats.
I liked it.
After a few moments of trolling, the weather took a turn for the worst. I caught the clouds changing very quickly above us. We scrambled to get the roof up on the Lowe and continued a labored troll into the building winds.
This fish were not biting. They actually were out of reach of our offerings. The boat with the downrigger did not come with us today. The Lakers were holding anywhere between 50 and 70 feet down.
Hungry stomachs forced our Captains’s hand (dad) to head for shore. This became a slight adventure onto itself. It was hard to navigate in the winds and spraying water that the sudden change in weather brought.
After one flawed landing, we found a sheltered bay that would not blow our boat around. It was not unlike a hidden oasis that kept us away from the winds fury. Looking at the following photo, you would not get the impression how stormy it was.
The shore lunch was awesome. The fire felt great.
After lunch we tried to troll in the sheltered bay we found. Our fishfinder hinted at some shallow lakers. We did not catch them.
We set a bearing for the landing and cautiously battered large waves. It took us an extra hour or so to reach the landing. Occasionaly, during our battered journey, I would scan the lake for signs of that kayaker.
That dark part of me started laughing again inside.
Bill Anderson
Muskoka Outdoors
I was out fishing for lakers last Friday with 2 buddies on Lake Rosseau. We didn’t get much action, but it was a beautiful evening to make the attempt. What was interesting is that our best bites were with really big minnows(small fish, really). I had something on the line, and it must’ve spit out the bait, because I could feel him….sigh. I’ll go fishin with you, Mr Muskoka Outdoors, if you have the time!