In case you have not seen or heard about this world record bucketmouth – watch this:

The 2009 OBFN Hank Gibson Qualifier will be held on Lake Muskoka in the Town of Gravenhurs on August 29.

The launch site will be the town wharf and weigh-in will be at the the town dock located beside Boston Pizza. For more details visit: http://www.ontariobass.com/OBF_Hank_Gibson_2009.html

The fish were not biting – but the view was spectacular!

The Bass Pro Shops Open Bass Fishing Tournament will be casting our way October 24, 2009 on Lake Simcoe.

For an application form visit the the tournament’s website at: www.simcoeopen.com

The Orillia Packet and Times quotes Patrick Walsh (Editor of Outdoor Canada Magazine) as saying:

“…the event will attract national media attention. This tournament has a high profile and it has drawn attention to Lake Simcoe as a world-class bass fishery. If people don’t know that Lake Simcoe is this amazing bass fishery, this will help them learn about it.” Entire Article Here

Bob Izumi, if you are entering, I could probably make myself available…

Finding smallmouth bass this summer may be easier than you think!

I was fortunate enough, last week, to have been invited to a small lake north of Huntsville by, Kevin Swinscoe. The lake, which can only be accessed by surrounding land owners, shimmered enticingly as I approached Kevin’s dock and waiting motor boat.

Before we left in the boat, Kevin introduced to me the equipment we were going to use:

1. A six weight fly rod and reel rigged with a Messinger Frog (photo right)
2. A ’standard issue’ spincasting rod with a Berkley Sabertail Grub (green)

I took a quick look up to the driveway where my car was parked. My own equipment was there occupying the entire back seat. If you listened carefully enough, you could have heard my favorite blue Rapala cringe, in it’s plastic prison, as Kevin said,

“You won’t need your equipment.”

When Kevin started the boat and we drove away from the dock, I hoped he was right about his assessment of my equipment.

Kevin’s plan was simple and effective. We would start at one end of the small lake and allow the wind to drift us down one side of the contoured shore. The motor was only used to make minor course corrections.

As we started our silent drifting, Kevin, reminded me to cast into the ‘pockets’ of weeds and shore structures that were prevalent along the lake’s banks. This proved key to our success as bass began to annihilate the top-water Messinger frog on the Kevin’s fly rod. The smallmouth bass were also hungry for my sub-surface offering of the frog-like Berkley grub.

One of my favorite times to fish for smallmouth bass is during the golden moment after a supper BBQ and the sun begins to set. Usually retreating with the sun -  is the wind. A small wind factor can help the angler to make some pinpoint casts while casting for pocket smallmouth.

At this time of the evening (at least in my experience – and Kevin’s) bass move into shallow water and occupy weed, dock and structure pockets along the shore.

Pockets are formed when any portion of weed beds and shore structures collide and create open ambush points for bass to sit and wait for incoming prey. I realize what I am saying should be obvious to most, but I have included some photos below to help illustrate what I mean. I have put red fish icons some of the places I would call pockets for bass. The splash seen in the middle photo (with the tree) is from one of the bass that made hammered Kevin’s frog fly.

Pay attention special attention where rocks, boulders, and trees interface with the water from the shoreline. These create fantastic ambush points – especially when in close proximity to docks. You don’t need a boat to capitalize on bass pockets. Find the nearest dock that has weeds on either side of it. Where the dock pasts the weeds and continues past them – that is a bass pocket!

After the smell of the BBQ is whisked away by the light evening breeze into the setting sun, look for smallmouth pockets along the shore of your favorite lake. Turn off your fish finder and forget fancy presentations. As Kevin says,

“You won’t need it…”

Over 70 licence-free fishing events planned for July 10 through 12, 2009

2009 promises to be another record-breaking year for the popular family fishing initiative, Ontario Family Fishing Weekend (O.F.F.W.). Over 70 outdoor clubs, service organizations and provincial parks are planning to host events from Friday, July 10 through Sunday July12.

Now in its 16th year, the Ontario Family Fishing Weekend Committee, led by the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.), will once again oversee a full weekend of free fishing at family-friendly events. There are two family fishing weekends held annually, one in July, which was started back in 1993, and one in February, which was introduced in 2007. The summer version of the province-wide weekend runs during National Fishing Week, July 4 through 12.

“Ontario Family Fishing Weekend helps introduce a new generation to nature and the pleasures of fishing,” said Natural Resources Minister Donna Cansfield. “Dozens of local events give novice anglers a taste of an activity they can enjoy for a lifetime.”

Canadian citizens do not require a licence to fish in Ontario waters during O.F.F.W. Conservation licence limits are in effect and all other fishing regulations apply. Free copies of Fishing Ontario 2008-2009 Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary are available at all ServiceOntario centres, many outdoor outfitters and online at www.ontario.ca/fishing.

“Fishing provides families with the opportunity to reconnect in the outdoors, away from the many distractions of everyday life,” said O.F.A.H. Executive Director, Mike Reader. “With 70 organizations volunteering to host Ontario Family Fishing Weekend events across the province, thousands of people will experience fishing, perhaps for the first time.”

There is still time for organizations to get onboard and register to host an event. The O.F.A.H. offers start-up assistance to new groups, including a free Ontario Family Fishing Weekend information package that includes volunteer and participation certificates, flyers and posters, Take-A-Kid Fishing and Catch Fishing booklets, and tips for event planning. Clubs are invited to add an event to the growing list, and participants are encouraged to visit the website to find the location of the event nearest them. Visit www.familyfishingweekend.com or call Mark Cousins at 705-748-6324 ext. 233.

Ontario Family Fishing Weekend is delivered in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, Canadian Sportfishing Industry Association, the Canadian Sportfishing Industry Foundation, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

*above media release used with permission*

Some events close to Huntsville are: (for more event listings click here)

Algonquin Park
Event:     Rock Bass Derby
Date:     July 11, 2009 ( 9am- 2pm )
Location(s):     Whitefish Lake
Host(s):     Algonquin Park

For more information please contact Kevin Hein at (613) 637-2780

Bracebridge
Event:     On Water Fishing Techniques
Date:     July 10, 2009
Location(s): Lake Muskoka, George Road Boat Launch
Host(s):     Bracebrdge Culture and Recreation, Muskoka Bass Masters
Details:

• 8 years old and over
• limited to 12 people

For more information please contact Diane Wyber at 705-645-3037

Haliburton
Event:     Ontario Kayak Fishing Classic
Date:     July 11-12
Location(s):     Kashaga Lodge
Host(s):
Details:

• Kayak, Bass Tournament
• Several Prizes to be won including 2 kayaks
• Starts on Saturday at 6am and ends at 4pm then starts again on Sunday at 6am and finishes at noon

For more information please contact Jeffrey Goudreau at 1888 MAD YAKR

Dorset
Event:     13th Annual Kids Fishing Derby
Date:     July 11, 2009
Location(s):     Dorset Public Docks, Lake of Bays
Host(s):     Dorset Community Center
Details:

• 9:00am – 9:30am registration
• 9:30am – 10:30am judging
• Prizes at 11am
• 3th Annual Kids Fish Derby for kids ages 12 and under accompanied by an adult.  We supply the bait, you bring the pole.  There is a prize for every participant with lots of kooky winning categories.  Hint: Funniest Fishing Hat.

Entry Fee if any:           $2 per child

Age group:                    12 and under

For more information please contact Melissa Alfano at (705) 766-9968