SLA Bay of Quinte Trip Saturday Trolling Tournament, November 13, 2010

The trolling tournament was slated for the Saturday and a repeat weather forecast of our Friday sunny and calm conditions was to be expected. Saturday morning our boat was the last one on the water. Nearly 9:00 am we had finally set up just in front of the Bat Cave tight to the south shore of Adolphus Reach .

20 minutes into the troll our starboard inside board rod is pulled back. The flat calm waters made reading the board really easy and our steady 2.01 mph speed was easy to replicate. Ron was on it and slowly reels the board to the boat and then 250 ft of 15 lbs mono flatlining a Yo-zuri Blue and silver fish comes to the net and we measure it as it comes up 24 1/3 inches. Wow- that’s our under fish taken care of.

The sonar screen when blank after the fish was caught and we decided to run the middle and north shore of the Reach and it was evident the fish were instead in those areas. We started marking fish stacked up like firewood and we started marking big schools of bait.

Now a slight 6 inch chop coming down the reach from the east was making the scenario a little better as the waves were current to cut down the light penetration in the gin clear water. On our 1.7 mph troll Easterly into the chop we manage another fish, this time on the outside board Starboard side flatlining 30 lbs Powerprow with 20 feet of 100% Fluoro Trileene 12 lbs test 250ft behind the board at Reef Runner 800 Blue Prizm Blue (silver prizm inside a clear body) and pink belly. I was on the rod and got the fish in the boat with little fuse, but the fish was actually only slightly larger than our first fish making it our first fish over but it was definitely not enough to help with a competitive weight.

That made two fish on Blue and silver colours and after a few phone calls, the other boats were also doing them on Blue and Silver. That was enough to tell us to put 4 rods with that colour and look for active fish.

We trolled back down wind over the same area as the last fish and the same set as the last fish manages another walleye and John brings it to the boat. But it happened to be the smallest fish so far. Now we are looking for big fish and a phone call to Bruno fishing with Dave Viles revealed that the hot spot was still about 4 miles up the reach near the Gap. We pick up and ran to nearly the Gap and set up in 140 FOW. There wasn’t many boats in the area at all. Its no wonder Dave Viles was managing a good bite with lower fishing pressure. Dave’s boat had 7 for 10 walleye in the boat by 2:00pm and one was over 13 lbs!

After setting up again with some additional deeper sets for a bigger fish, the inside board rod on the starboard side with 75 feet out then 4 oz of weight and then 125 feet to the board pulling a Blue and Silver Manns Stretch 20, started pulling back. Before getting to the rod, the board then went light again and realigned and it was called a missed fish.

Ten minutes later the Outside board rod gets heavy on the flatlined 250 ft with the Blue Prizm Blue (silver prizm inside a clear body) and pink belly Reef Runner, but that fish comes unbuttoned. The same set on the outside board on the Port side then pulled back and Ron was on the rod. Taking our time we boat that fish and it’s the biggest of the day but still nothing to write home about. may be 8 ½ lbs for our second fish over 24.8”.

The sun was going down and time ran out. Lines were out of the water by 5:00 pm and an easy boat ride back to the Picton Ramp.

We had weighin at the cottage and Dave Viles with Gord Viles and Bruno manages a monster box of three walleye at over 27 lbs. The big fish was 13 lbs 8 oz and they reported they threw back one other big fish over the 24.8” mark so they could keep fishing, hoping for one more double digit fish. Best producer for them. 10 colour leadcore with a Fire tiger Renoski (shallow diver not deep diver).

Greg Ameil with friend Ed Barbosa on board took second place with 22 lbs and we managed third with a weight of 21 lbs.

Shane Thombs
www.fintasticsportfishing.com

Lake Erie Bass, October 17, 2010

Lake Erie Bass are in fall feeding mode now. Toronto residents John and his son James were ready to do battle with some monster smallmouth bass. John and I were leery about the winds as they have been moderate since Saturday afternoon. Over night, the winds were coming out of the Southwest and it was difficult to suggest our morning trip on the big lake would be settled enough. So we had cancelled the trip and we were watching the wind forecast for the afternoon tip scheduled for John and James. A quick morning phone call at 9:00 am suggested that we had a window of opportunity to get out in the afternoon provided we start at around 11am and fish the early afternoon before the forecasted winds were to become moderate once more.

John and his son made the trip to Port Colborne and met us at the ramp at 12:30 pm. From 11:00 am to 12:30 the wind had increased from 10 km to about 20 km coming out of the Northwest. Northwest is an alright direction as it comes offshore, but the forecast for strong winds in the late afternoon told us we needed to get off the water before long.

When starting at Cassidy Reef on the east side of Port Colborne , the South west winds of last night was enough to lead a three ft roll waves on the lake.

The increasing Northwest winds were adding a different dynamic to the wave direction and how we can predict our drift direction. We initially set up on the windward side of the reef in 35 FOW and then drifted up on top and then off the east side of the reef the whole time we were inside the red can. We immediately connected with fish, but staying hooked up was the tough part. We offered a little bit of instruction on the technique of hook sets and how to fight a fish and soon after James started hooking up on the second drift. This time the drift was changing as it was more of a Northeasterly direction as the winds started to change and come out of the west. Now the wave were building and white caps were forming.

Drop Shot with Poor Boy Erie Darter Jr was the top producing set-up

James’ personal best was a 16 1/2 “ smallmouth that he caught on there cottage lake up in the Haliberton’s. It was our intention to bump that up a little.

His fourth fish was exactly at 16 ½” and him and his dad were impressed. Not minutes later we scoop up James’ next bass and it gets the wow’s and ah’s as it measures 17 ½ inches. His new personal best! But the story doesn’t end here. More fish come to the boat between John and James and they were having a blast.

Then on a Tube Jig, a solid bite sets up on a brute smallmouth. 22 FOW the fish comes out of the water almost instantly. Now the cheer’s start up as Jame’s is in the fight of his life. The dark coloured smallmouth bulldogs to the bottom taking drag and then comes up on the surface once more with heavy head shaking and white water. Again the yelling and excitement escalates. Then after clearing the driftsock and managing a netting space the fish comes to the surface and id scooped up in the net.

As the fish is revealed in the bottom of the net on the floor of the boat, John and James are ecstatic and are giving high-fives in celebration. John says “That fish is going to be mounted” So without hesitation we put a scale on it and the digital readout is bouncing between 5.1 – 5.4 lbs (we were in the waves and hard to steady the scale). Length was 19 ¾ inches and not only surpassed James’ personal best, but likely will stand as his best bass for years to come.

The wind and waves were building to 4 or 5 ft and it was time to call it a day. We turned to Port and motored in slowly. We sent John and James off on there trek back to Toronto with conversation with Advanced Taxidermy to have the fish prepared for the wall. Now the story of the trip on Lake Erie in the fall of 2010 will be remembered for years to come.

Shane Thombs
www.fintasticsportfishing.com

SLA Lake Erie Walleye Tournament, August 29, 2010

After a tough day of fishing on the Saturday, it was clear we were still in search of fish for today’s Strait Line Anglers Club Lake Erie Walleye Tournament. After 8 boats were registered and checked we made our way to the mouth of the Grand River at Port Maitland for a 6:30 am blast off. We were late for the blast off in registering the last boats and getting our own boat in the water. But with the nice conditions on the lake it was easy to see where the boats were running to. Some straight out of Port and other went East of Port, but no one went west.

We trolled starting in 90 FOW and worked our way North East to the Ship wreck. We were getting bites, but nothing that was of any value and we pulled in white Perch and Sheepshead a few times before deciding to pull lines and try different water. We ran to the south east side of Tecumseh Reef in 75 FOW and we trolled with the waves that were starting to turn coming out of the South west. They were gentle one foot waves and our presentation and boat control was assumed perfect. Everything ran smoothly and even the serge of a 1 ½ foot wave was minimal on the diver rods.We continued to troll East North East and started shallower when we reached in front of Port Maitland in 65 FOW at 13:00 hrs. It was then where all of a sudden things changed for the better. Without noticing it upon the initial strike, the starboard side Large 107 Walker Deeper Diver on a 8 ½ ft Ugly Stick Down Rigger rod appeared to be jerked slightly. Then noticing the line was at a much shallower angle running into the water then what was normally the case. I grabbed the rod and proceeded to give the diver a quick snap to tri the diver when all that occurred was a head shake and indeed direct pressure. A few cranks on the reel and I could feel the hooks pull out. Darn that was definitely our first walleye hook-up and I blew it by trying to trip the diver. The diver was already tripped and the weight I felt was all fish.

It wasn’t 5 minutes later when I went to set the full core 10 colour Leadcore out on an Inline Planer board that while I slowly allowed the board to engage and swing out to the side knowing the harness was sure to be close to bottom, then all of a sudden the rod loaded up and the board pulled down heavily. Fish on! I reel in the board and began fighting the fish.

Then moments later the Inside Starboard 107 Black diver set on 1 ½ and out 130 takes a shot, with one hand holding the leadcore rod bent up in the air I grab the diver rod and the weight of the rod was again loaded up where I quickly pass the rod to John. He cranks twice and a head shake pulls the hook out of that fish. Almost a double header!

I reel my fish in and it is a solid 6 lbs, but there was no time to waste weighing him. In the livewell it goes and back to work setting rods.

By now the depth has crept up to 62 FOW and our divers started touching down on bottom so it required shortening the leads. The inside starboard diver on 1 ½ setting was pulled in to a 100 ft lead and the outside starboard 107 diver was set on 3 ½ setting and out 130 ft instead. This adjustment immediately works as the outside starboard diver rod takes a strike and I am on it again. As soon as I begin fighting this fish the rigger rod pops on the other side of the boat and James takes that rod. We boat my fish around 5 lbs and then the fish on the rigger down 60 feet was in the net as well. NOW WE HAVE THREE!!!

With 20 minutes of trolling through that flurry of action we decided to make another pass through the area with hopes to connect with that pod of fish again. We do that and set back up in no time with fresh worms and eager anticipation.

We trolled through the same waters following our trail lines and nothing moved, we decided instead of running up again the time was ticking away and we were now closing into the last hour of the tournament. So we decide to keep trolling and as we did the water continued to go shallower. Now in 55 FOW and the clock is 14:10 and we had to pull lines at 14:40 at the latest.

The inside starboard diver rod with the black 107 Walker deeper diver set on 1 ½ was now only 90 feet out. It takes a strike and John is quick to his feet and fights the fish on a short line to the net- It happens to be our biggest of the day. WE CAUGHT OUR LIMIT!!!

Back at the marina, we discover other boats also go there full box and description of weights sounded like we may not have a chance. Turns out I underestimated our total weight as we landed first place with 23.67 lbs.

Here is the tournament webpage for more information, results and pictures http://www.straitlineanglers.com/SLA_LakeErie_Walleye/SLA_LakeErie_Walleye_Tournament.htm

Shane Thombs
www.fintasticsportfishing.com

Port Maitland Walleye, August 28, 2010

Bill was our guest for a day of fishing for Lake Erie Walleye. Launching out of Port Maitland we were faced with three to four foot waves from the south southwest, but we took our time and made our way out to 92 FOW South of Port Maitland. We managed one long troll from there all the way into 50 FOW in front of Mohawk Point.

Bill landed a nice walleye in 82 FOW and we continued to bait hooks and release countless sheepshead, white Perch and boxed on Jumbo Perch. The walleye fell for a worm harness with a Purple metallic blade in front and a large Colorado Purple Demon blade in the rear. It was presented to depth by a 82 sized Metallic Purple Walker Deeper Diver on braid set to 1 ½ and with a 200 ft lead. This runs 60 feet down.

When in shallower water (60 FOW) we hooked up on a walleye on a 7 colour leadcore off the inline Planerboard and the hooks pulled out midway into the fight. Black/Purple with Green worm harness.

Shortly after we pulled lines and headed back to the ramp. Conversations with others at the ramp and with other boats on the radio- NO FISH- Slow.

Grimsby Salmon, August 10, 2010

John, Brian Blainey and I made a 4 hour evening trip out of Foran’s Marine in Grimsby . The sporadic report of fish caught out front was enough for us to investigate. Our departure was a little later then our normal 4:00 pm departure, as we needed to transform the boat from what was a Bass fishing boat in last Saturday’s tournament back into a salmon fishing boat. Downriggers, rod holders, tackle, rods and take the pro-poles out.

We were greated by sunny skies and flat water at the mouth of Foran’s and we took off on plane to a straight out tack at 20 degrees on the compass to put us in 80 FOW just east of the weather marker. It was there that while scanning the water the SONAR screen showed slight blips going 35 mph. Backing off the throttle and we started to set lines and turn the boat east to stay in that depth . Sure enough marks were plentiful. 40 -60 feet down and the odd bait pod (few- but some).

15 minutes into our troll the Full core (last rod in the water of the six and only in the water 5 minutes tops) starts pealing line. Magnum sized Matrix spoon that thumps the core rod tip even 475 feet behind the boat. Brian was on the rod and wrestles with the fish for nearly 25 minutes before we bring it onboard. It was a dark and skinny fish but still managed to pull the scale hook down to have a reading of 25 lbs 2 oz. Tagged the fish # 1496 and off it went.

A short time later the port side rigger jerks from it’s downward bent position but fails to release. A quick check on the Magnum Hi Ho Silver with black dots MC Rocket (new colout to come out next year) to reveal that it was a bent from the fish turning but coming unhooked. The leader for the Rocket was set to about 66” and was put behind a Large Bechold Fish Catcher in Clear with Double Crushed Glow. The lead behind the downrigger weight was 15 feet and down 55’.

Marks on the SONAR of fish were numerous, but sinking deeper as we moved away from our starting point when down temps changed to warmer at the 50 foot level and as the total water depth increased. 47’F at our starting point and 50’F only about three miles away. We concentrated on fishing the cooler water and it pays off.

An hour later the same Magnum Hi Ho Silver with black dots MC Rocket down 59’ on a short lead, takes a shot. The drag creeps out and John is on it. The fish really doesn’t behave like the kings did only a week ago. The drag only slowly pulls off and the fight is long and deep with only the odd short burst of runs from the lazy big fish. We boat it after 30 minutes and it weighs 27 lbs 5 oz. It is released, but not tagged. It had the same Fork length of 36 inches as the first fish , but much wider girth.

About another hour goes by and the Easter Egg Glow 8” Spin Doctor with a #2 MC Rocket Regular size takes a small 5 lbs 2 oz king from the rigger down 50 feet over 75 FOW. Tag # 1499. All night we couldn’t manage any fish on any of the three divers we ran. After many line lengths and lure changes. Tried Whole Herring, Lymans plug, spoons and a few flasher/fly combos and nothing went on a diver. One of those days.

The evening was a slow bite, but we remained entertained with countless jokes as well as more serious conversation about the fate of the Hamilton Tiger Cats, the location of the Stadium Site and the Pan-Am games as was the debated at Hamilton City hall at the same time.

The sun dipped down and the red sky over the mirror like water made a nice close to the night and we were off the water by 9:00 pm. No camera on board tonight.

Shane Thombs
www.fintasticsportfishing.com

Vineland to Port Dalhousie, August 4, 2010

Friends Chris and Steve joined us for a evening fish for salmon on Lake Ontario . It was Chris's birthday. Busy schedules and Chris's bad back had made scheduling this trip a few times miss-fired.

The cloud cover was thick and the humidity was some left undesired. T storms were not forecasted, but a watchful eye was in order for this evening. A chop out of the Southwest alowed us to run from Foran's to Vineland where we set up in 70 FOW. After only getting the fourth rod in the water, the first rod that was set released from it's bent position in the downrigger. Steve was first to crank this one in and it was a smaller two year old king caught out of 60 'F water down 39 ft on the rigger and with a lead of 15 ft. M&M Glow Yeck 88. No adipose fin.

An hour went by when we turned back to fish the same area we started and hit our second fish on a Green Dolphin 107 Walker Deeper Diver set on 1 1/2 and out 110 ft. It had a Michigan Stinger reg 3.75" Green Clown. (small spoon was thought to turn strikes on fussy fish). The fish was a twin in size from the last one but it was a natural fish with it's adipose fin.

Then there was a long wait for 2 hours while we searched for more productive waters. At dusk we hook up with a fish on the port side rigger using a Warrior Dr Death Hot Glow using a short 10 ft lead and using a 8 " Mnt Dew/Crushed Ice Glow Spin Doctor on a 5 ft line clipped directly to the ball to add as an attractor and set down 75 ft over 80 feet of water. the fish came right to the surface and spit the hook.

There were more marks on the bottom at this point and the sun was fully down and darkness beginning to set in when the hooks on the bottom moved up to 60 feet in a 20 minute time frame.

Then we were startled by the instant and alarming sound from the drag of the 7 colour leadcore set down the chute brings Steve to his feet and he takes the rod while the fish strips the line from the reel. FINALLY a better fish.

While he fought the fish we worked hard to turn a double header, but the blackness of the night was on us and it was time to pull everything in before putting the net under Steve's fish. His personal best chinook salmon at 22 lbs 4 oz.

12 mile boat ride back to Forans in the dark while we watched the lights of the Lakehouse Restaurant and by the passing cars on the QEW, the bright glow from the greenhouses in Beamsville and finally the flashing green lighthouse light at the end of Foran's channel to mark our trip ending

Happy birthday Chris and congratulations to Steve on this still very chrome coloured king out there swimming with tag #1498.

Shane Thombs
www.FINtasticSportfishing.com

Colby (9) catches 33 lbs 6 oz King, July 27, 2010

We had a Father and Son guests on board last night that are familiar with the Kawartha Lakes fishing, but a recent move to Waterdown and an interest in fishing Lake Ontario but would like a starting point to a new learning curve.

Brett and son Colby (9) joined us at Foran's Marina at 4:00pm and we boated out to 110 FOW just east of the weather marker and began trolling east. 1 1/2 hours we watched a blank screen and had one release off the rigger down 26 ft but no one home.

Then the Wire Diver Walker Deeper Diver Black 107 on a 3 setting and out 140 ft on the Port side and towing a Mnt Dew NBK Spin Doctor and Mirage Howe fly takes a strike and it was Colby in the hot seat to wrestle the fish and it is a mature king with much vigor. After a 400 foot dash and bringing all that line back in to the 70 ft mark on the counter- the fish comes off on a headshake.

Then the rods started popping from that point. and action was steady with drag burning and some high flying rainbows. Noted sets that I can recall taking the majority of the shots include...

From

Mnt Dew NBK and CrazyB!tch fly down 60 on the rigger and back 50 ft lead.

NBK SpinDoctor with Hammer Fly behind Walker 107 Blue Dolphin on 3 setting out 170ft on braid.

Green Dolphin Walker Deeper Diver 107 on 1 1/2 setting out 70 ft and a NK 28 Black/Silver half and half with Green and Glow Ladders. This resulted in some high flying rainbows on a short string- Lots of fun.

But the highlight of the night was when 9 year old Colby was on the Rigger rod equipped with a new Super UV Crushed Ice house ProTroll Flasher
and a MC Rocket # 3 with Magic Marker on it's back is stressed to the extreme with a quality fish. BTW this rig fired three times with all mature kings down 46 ft in 50'F water temp.

Colby repeatedly was asked by his dad if he needed a rest, but his quick shot back "NO! I can do it- It's my fish". So we cheered him on and helped him pump the rod when his little arms couldn't take it any longer. Even some rod time in the rod holder was necessary to help clear lines and get prepped for landing the tank. But he didn't want to give up the possession of the reel handle- it was all his and he was determined.

Bring the fish to the net and John gets the fish half in and the big body of this king gets out, but John turns the net under the fish again and makes one last effort to boat the fish. It's in.

Put it on the scale and it weighs 33 lbs 6 oz!!! Now that's setting the kids bar pretty high and he was jumping in excitement and proud dad was eager to take pictures and capture the moment.
The evening fish continued until sundown with a few more shots on divers and lots of laughs and talking about the excellent Chinook Salmon fishing Lake Ontario has to offer right now.

They are definitely hooked!

Shane Thombs
www.fintasticsportfishing.com

Salmon Dance Tournament, July 24, 2010

The tournament morning weather was much better then the forecast had been calling for. Light winds out of the Southwest (offshore) and the cloud cover, although think, was without the threatening Thunderstorm and Tornado warnings that were evident over night in Windsor through to Long Point on Lake Erie. The front must have slipped south!

25 boats and roughly 75 participants lined up for blast off start outside the breakwall of Jordon Harbour at 6:30am. Countdown on the VHF radio and the horn was sounded to send everyone on route to fishing spots. Primarily the boats headed straight out although some travelled east and only a handful travelled west. Visibility was only 5 miles or so, so it was difficult to make the boats out too far.

John Poirier, Stephanie and I were not going to run very far as it was difficult to suggest an alternative that was better than what we had discovered on Tuesday night. There might be a better location to go to, but we haven’t heard much from other anglers over the past week and the Northshore was definitely not happening with many poor reports.

Once the boats had left we started to set-up in 45 FOW and initially put the riggers down 35 and 45 with Flasher/MC Rockets and set out the Planer Boards for Leadcores out to the sides. 5 colour and 7 colour with Flasher/Fly. And then two divers were set out. Slide diver on starboard side and braid 107 diver on the Port side, both with Flasher/Fly sets.

The sonar screen had definitely changed since Tuesday night. Where bait was think inside 50 FOW it had dispersed substantially. Bait was sparse at mid depths in the water column but although difficult to read on a sonar, bait was shown very high riding the top 15-20 feet, and there were still some fish in the area.

The night before was a full moon shining bright and it was the thought that much of those fish were able to feed throughout the night and early morning, and were likely fed up for the most part, requiring us to wait it out for the next feeding time window.

The morning up to 10:00 am was very slow managing only two small Chinooks both tagged and released but we also lost 5 other small fish. We also lost all three fish during a triple header. Short strikes and missed opportunities- but the fish were small anyways. All of our morning bites thus far were in depths between 50 and 60 FOW and in front of Vineland (slightly west of Jordon Harbour ).

Water temps were cooler on the west side of Vineland and the Sea Fleas were minimal west, but warmer temps were East of Vineland and the Fleas infront of Jordon were bad enough to load up the lines after 30 minutes.

At 11:00 and after many, many changes in presentation and flasher/fly and spoon colours, John picks out a Atommik CrazyBitch Fly matched with a Mountain Dew NBK SpinDoctor and place it on the rigger wit a 65 ft lead and down 40 ft over 52 FOW. Minutes later it goes off and Shane was on the rod. The fish was big- strong and not happy. It made short, but fast runs and dove continuously. 35 minutes and with all rods now cleared and riggers brought up, the brute was at the back of the boat. Kicker motor on idle and we manage the fish inches from the net when suddenly the fly pulls out, and John takes a last effort sweep at the unhooked fish with the net and came up with nothing. John says it was a fish in the mid thirties. The boat was silent for a few minutes- but a joke or two brought back the mojo. Hahaha. Hey it’s fishing!

PJ Poirier was on them- taking shot after shot in slightly deeper water 70-90 FOW. They boat a fish just under 30lbs and lost two other decent fish at the back of the boat. So at 12:30 pm we started to work deeper water as well. At 1:00pm we discovered where the fish were- 60 to the bottom and in 80 FOW.

Shane sets the wire diver to 200 ft on 3 setting using Blue Dolphin with Mountain Dew Tape on the face of a Walker Deeper Diver 107 towing a Green NBK Spin Doctor and Hammer Fly. It takes a big strike and John is on it. We turn the boat to reduce the line peeling off and at the same time we let out the braid diver rod on the port side to the same 200 ft 3 setting black 107 Walker Deeper Diver towing a Mountain Dew NBK Spin Doctor and Mirage Howie Fly and moments later the drag starts to scream peeling line off the reel. Doubled up!

Shane fought the braid diver fish and then passed the rod to Stephanie and then grabbed the net and scoop John’s fish into the boat. Then John fought the braid diver fish the rest of the way and Shane netted that fish. They were almost twins in size. Both went into the cooler knowing that we might have a chance to make something of the day at the scales.

At the scales- PJ puts the biggest box of two fish weighing 51 lbs and winning big fish with the one fish just over 29 lbs! Way to go Perry Junior!

From

From

We manage Second with our two fish totalling 49 lbs biggest was 25.26 lbs.

From

And Third Place was Brian Blainey with his two fish at 41 lbs.

From

Lots of boats got skunked and some got one fish only or two smaller fish. By the results the fish at Jordon Harbour were the better sized fish although 90-150 FOW at Port Weller had numbers.



Adrian Fleming at Grimsby Tackle put together a great Strait Line Anglers Club Event again this year- with some great prizes. The tournament was capped at 25 boats and with a great group of guys. No blown up heads with NASCAR like shirts. Low key events are the best!!!

John Poirier and I had an evening available and we took advantage of the calm seas and stable weather and tried our luck on Lake Ontario . At the ramp we talked to a fellow salmon angler returning from a day of tough fishing managing one rainbow and watching a blank sonar screen. We launched and set up in front of Beamsville in 50 FOW.

As we were told, the screen was blank but we managed only one release on a MC Rocket off a rigger down 52 feet over 60 FOW and about ½ hour later land a Rainbow caught on Mountain Dew NBK and Mirage behind a Black 107 Deeper Diver set on 3 and out 140 feet. It was released with pliers at the side of the boat.

A phone call to Perry Poirier that was fishing out of Jordon harbour revealed where we should be fishing as they report a good picture of bait and fish on the screen. John and I pulled in our four lines and motored over to in front of Vineland and set up in 50 FOW.

Moments later the screen lit up and it was evident that the past hour was wasted in comparison to our enthusiasm for the new potential. It was only 5 minutes later the 7 colour leadcore down the chute with a Nuclear Green SpinDoctor with Mnt Dew Tape and with a Crinkle Mirage Howe Fly. A powerful run spun 300 feet off the reel in a single dash and simply came loose. We later checked it one hour later to reveal the fly leader broke two inches from the knot!!! Yikes.

Next rod to fire was the braid diver again Mountain Dew NBK and Mirage behind a Black 107 Deeper Diver set on 3 and out 140 feet. King came to the boat at 7 lbs 8oz tagged with number 1494 and released back to the 60 foot waters.

Temps at 35 feet were 55’F and seemed to take the majority of the hits at depth, But as the night wore on the hooks on the screen continued to rise higher in the water column. We chased those fish up higher, by running the rigger at 35 feet instead of 50 feet down. This resulted with a soft strike on the rigger where it required manually releasing the line from the release before the fish pulled it out. It was thought to be a small shaker, but as I passed the rod to John, the head shakes were big and then the fish turned and took the line out to 400 ft. After a 15 minute fight the boat comes to the boat and weighs 25lbs 8 oz caught on the MC Rocket and Spin Doctor Mountain Dew tape and Crushed Glow tape on a White blade. The fish took the treble hook in the eye so we didn’t tag the fish.

Then the braid diver again Mountain Dew NBK and Mirage behind a Black 107 Deeper Diver set on 3 and out 140 feet. A small King came to the boat at 2 lbs tagged with number 1488 and released back to the 70 foot waters.

The sun was down and the Slide diver on 3 setting with the Mountain Dew NBK with Atommik Mirage fly out 100 ft then the diver clipped on the line and then set out another 90 ft took a shot. The drag sings and then the line binds up and we crank the boat about face and manage to avoid a break off. The fish was boated at just after 9:00 pm and weighed 23 lbs 10 oz and released again with tag number 1489.

Shane Thombs
www.fintasticsportfishing.com

Wire Walker Deeper Diver Day, July 4, 2010

John, Aidan and I went out of Foran’s Marine in Grimsby to see if the fish continue to inhabit the waters directly in front of Grimsby. As we anticipated it was another fantastic 5 ½ hour morning trip starting at 6:00 am. Landing 16 for 19. 12 Rainbows and 4 kings. Shaker, 10 lbs, 23 lbs, and 26 lbs were the worth mentioning fish.

It was choppy during the ride out as a shore breeze made a 1 ½’ chop coming out of the Southwest so to maximize our troll with the wind and waves on the stern, we ran the shoreline west until we were in line with Casablanca Blvd. Then set up in 56 FOW and trolled outward and towards the weather buoy. The bait balls were numerous and balled up all the way out to 75 FOW and then like a wall there was no more bait. But as soon as broke out of the bait, the sonar screen showed a fish on the move through the riggers. A few quick zig zags on the wheel turned a strike on the wire diver rod on the port side.

The drag sang indicating a king and I held on for a short run before the hooks pulled free. Walker Deeper 107 size in Metallic Green set on 3 towing a Green Dolphin Spin Doctor and Green Hammer Glow Atommik Tournament Fly and out 140 ft using 30 lbs wire.

We continued on a troll Northeast with wind and chop on our stern. The next to fire was a Braid Diver rod on Starboard side using a Walker Deeper Diver 107 in Blue Dolphin on 3 setting and out 140ft, towing a Mountain Dew Natural Born Killer (NBK) SpinDoctor and No-See-um Strong Fly. John was up to the challenge when the drag revealed the same sound of a good king. Later John managed to get the fish to the net and I scooped him. Just over 23 lbs and tag # 148?.

From this point on there was Rainbow after Rainbow that came to the boat dropping only two off the hooks upon reeling them in. Here’s Aidan AKA “Leadcore Little Man” with his biggest bow of the day caught on 10 colour full core 7 lbs 6 oz.

From

At 8:30 the winds shut off outside 100 ft of water. It was flat and hot with the sun and humid conditions. But to our surprise the kings were still willing to bite on the wire diver set. It shined as the stud rod for the next two hours pulling in three kings and two rainbows. But our location moved to the end of the reef fishing over 130- 170 FOW. We also discovered bait in the area and plenty of hooks in the top 50 feet.

John pulled a three year old king on the wire set that was spunky and full of energy.

At 9:10 the Wire took a power shot strike and then peeled line like hooking on to a freight train. I was on the rod and let the king make the run pulling 420 feet of wire off the reel with the line counter reading 560. I worked the fish to the boat while we circled the fish to keep him off our port quarter to manage to gain line. It came to the net after it’s last ditch effort to dive for the motor’s prop. But it on the scale and it weighed 26lbs 7oz.

From

From

From

Shane Thombs
www.FINtasticSportfishing.com

Grimsby Grand Slam Sudbury Style, July 2, 2010

Glen and Paul drove down from Sudbury after anxiously waiting this spring for good weather conditions, good fishing and open schedules. Finally the stars were aligned for there chance to do battle with some salmon and trout from Lake Ontario .

Our morning started bright and early, 5:30 am departure from Foran’s Marina in Grimsby . Blue skies and a rising son on the eastern horizon made a picture perfect start to our day. Winds were light at 10 – 15 km out of the West Southwest.

We motored out to 100 FOW just east of the weather marker and began setting lines. On the downriggers one rod had a Frog on Chrome Spin Doctor and Green Hammer Glow Atommik Tournament fly set with a 30 ft lead and sent down to 60 ft on the starboard side. The other rigger was sent down 50ft with a 50 ft lead using a Mountain Dew/crushed Glow on white Spin Doctor and MC Rocket that I had custom coloured with magic marker.

#2 Rocket with a black back and red gill accents put into a Big Eye Challenger clear head. Set the role to just turn on it’s own by putting a very slight bend on the Rocket.

Next rod to put out was wire diver Blue Dolphin Walker Deeper Diver 107 on 3 setting and out 140ft towing a Green Dolphin Spin Doctor with Green Hammer Fly (leader length 18 inches from nose to knot).

From

I was letting it out when the Port side Rigger with the MC Rocket snaps out of position and shows signs of our first king to hook up.

From

Paul was up first and he was stoked when he heard the drag sing. Moments later the Wire diver takes a crushing strike and the wire line is buzzing off the roller rod. Glen is handed that rod and both are at the back of he boat laughing away. Who needs a morning coffee when you have a double on kings first thing?

Meanwhile on the Port side of the boat we had time to put another diver rod down while the two fish were still pulling line. I grabbed the diver that was planned to have been set on the starboard side, but the back of the boat was a little crowded to do so. Change the diver’s keel weighted dial to a 3 and the braided Green Metallic 107 Walker Deeper Diver with a NBK Spin Doctor with a Hammer Fly (leader length of 22 inches from nose to knot).

Glen’s fish was coming in first and we boated it. 14lbs 10oz tagged it #1483 and it contained an adipose fin. Then Paul’s Fish comes to the boat and we put the net under that fish. 12lbs even and tagged with # 1485.

While photos were taken, I re-arrange and put the wire diver on the starboard side on a 3 setting and out 150 ft. I was interrupted with another rip on the port side braid diver that showed signs of another king. Glen's turn again and this was yet another drag peeling powerful fish.

From

While Paul was fighting that fish I set a slide diver and added a spoon Glen picked out, a Chicken Wing Warrior Mag size spoon. It was set back 70 ft then the diver clicked in place and then out 140 on a 4 setting. Also set the rigger up again with the Rocket.

The wire diver goes again and this time it’s a Lake Trout. Then the slide diver that was just set, starts to shake. John grabbed that rod until we netted and tagged Paul’s fish that weighed 16 lbs 6 oz. Tag # 1481. Triple header!

From

From

From

From

Paul quickly brings in the small fish on the slide diver , but when we get it in the net we were surprised to find an Atlantic Salmon. A rare catch indeed! 20 ½ inches long in total length.

From

Time to set rods again, We haven’t had four rods in the water yet in the first hour and a half, but after a quick set-up we were up to six rods at 7:40 am.

The rigger set with Frog on Chrome Spin Doctor and glow green Hammer was silent all morning down 60 ft but finally takes a shot. Paul jumps to his feet and grabs the rod. The fish swam towards the boat and the surface and Paul quickly made up line. The was not 30 feet behind the boat with nothing but white water and a big Chinooks head thrashing back and forth. Everyone in the boat said ‘WOW that’s a big fish”. Then the fish dove at the back of the boat going straight down. The line was peeling off the reel and Paul yelled in surprise of the power in the fish. Then the main line broke. Ahhhh.

Full core was put out and it took no time to fire. Glen manages to bring in the Rainbow at 4 lbs. OK- time to make the Grand Slam. Rigger down 80 ft over 100 FOW and a fat Lake Trout takes a Fish-on Fly behind a Mountain dew NBK Spin Doctor. GRAND SLAM complete.

But that wasn't were it would end. Paul catch's his personal best King at 26 lbs.

From

16 for 21 was the day's end count. It was great having Paul and Glen on board!!! Here's some more pictures...

From

From

From

From

Shane Thombs
www.FINtasticSportfishing.com

Far West-end Kings, June 25, 2010

We departed from Fisherman's Peir at 6:00 am and ran out just short of our way points. 100 FOW and I started to let out the port side wire diver with a Walker 107 Blue Dolphin with Mountain Dew Diver Ladder back tape on top. It was rigged with the Protroll Hammer and an Atommik Hammer Fly. As soon as I engaged the reel and stood up and watched the rod take a serious jolt and I grabbed the rod, but as soon as I pulled it out of the holder it was gone.

We were all set up and it didn't take long before we manage to hook up again. This time on the braided diver Green Metallic Walker Deeper Diver 107 on 3 setting nd out 140 feet and a NKB SpinDoctor and Hammer fly. John was on it and the fish was buzzing the line off the reel. We boat the fish and it went 17 lbs on the scale.

From

Next the rigger with a Frog Racer SpinDoctor and #2 MC Rocket takes a shot off the down rigger down 70 ft. It is a quality fish and John has the rod in hand as it is peeling the line off the reel. But that fish comes off after along run- Broke the snell hook.

We set that rod back up and it shows signs of a shaker this time. John pulled the line out of the release and it was gone.

We made a circle out past our waypoints and turned back towards them. noticing that the moderate SW winds were changing the water in tight and pushing the warm watr out of the corner of the lake. 43 'F was found only 40 ft down inside, but managed that same temp at 50 ft outside waters over 140 FOW. Surface temps had also dropped 5 degrees since Tuesday's evening fish and bait had dissapeared from the area.

We worked through the waypoints and it paid off with a flurry of action. The port side rigger fires down 40 ft with a Mountain Dew/ Crushed Glow on white Spin Doctor and #29 MC Rocket. Brian was on it and yet another quality fish makes a powerful run. During the fight John on the Starbourd side of the boat was distracted by the braided diver with the NBK SpinDoctor/Hammer Fly combo and it goes for a drag sing. But quickly the hooks pull out of that fish and John reveals the hook was straighten out. He fixes the hook with a pair of pliers and sets it out again and not five minutes later the same diver goes off again. And it peels line off again. The fish came off AGAIN!!! TWO DOUBLE HEADERS and the only one that came in was Brian's fish that finally was boated after a long fight and it was 21 lbs 1oz.

After that flurry of action things shut down and we called it a morning at 10:30 am. Brian had to trailer the Mako down to Whitby for the Scotty Tournament. He was on the road with hopes of no issues with the G8-G20 along route.

Rubber Hooks Day - 2 for 7

Good Luck to Brian and the rest of his team.

Shane Thombs
www.FINtasticSportfishing.com

Brain Blainey “Mako” in his 19 ft Mako took both my son Aidan (5) and myself out for an evening fish. Brain discovered good kings in front of Hamilton Beach and the Liftbridge. It was a rainy day up until 4:00 pm on my departure from the office. The skys slowly cleared, but replace of heavy clouds came high winds out of the WSW. Winds were 25- 30 km and whitecaps on the lake were everywhere.



At 6:00 pm we departed from Fifty Point and ran the shoreline, but waves of four foot were close together and made a bumpy ride. I was shocked as to how well Brian’s Mako ran the waves and we were motoring a 22 mph on plane with no problem splitting waves. The odd five ft wave would cause him the throttle down, but the boat handled it very well.



When we arrived in the area we set up in 100 FOW and trolled with the wind and waves towards Brian’s waypoints. Not to long into the troll the Rigger down 60 ft and back 60 ft fired. 6 lbs Rainbow on NK Mag Purple Thunder. We went for about 45 minutes sorting out equipment when the Port side braid diver came to life and the reel screamed “mercy”. Wonderbread Walker 107 diver on 3 setting and out 140 ft. It was pulling a Frog Racer Spin Doctor with a #2 with a black magic Marker coloured back MC Rocket Reg. I finally have the fish turned and the dial says 530 ft. Brought the fish to the boat and 25 lbs 2 oz. 1476 Tag number was put in the fish for the Spoonpulllers Tagging Project and it had a fork length of 38 2/4”.



The fish was released and before having a chance to set up again, the wire diver rod on the starboard side wakes up. Brian is on it and brings in a 10 lbs 1 oz king without an adipose fin (3 year old stocked fish). Put Tag number 1478 in that fish and away she went to be next years 40 lber. Green Dolphin 107 Walker Deeper Diver on 3 setting and out 150 ft with a Atommik Hammer Fly.



The port side rigger fired again, and this time my son Aidan was on it. He cranked as hard as he could and managed to boat his 5 lbs Rainbow that was out of the water more then in the water throughout the fight. We kept that fish for the table.



Then the Wire Diver set out with the same numbers as the last king shows signs of another king, but shortly into the fight, the hooks pulled out without getting a glimpse of the fish.



It was dusk and the red sun was approaching the edge of Rattle Snake Point on the Escarpment. I had to re-rig a MC Rocket after a line tangle so I put out a Mountain Dew/Crushed Ice Glow on white Spin Doctor and a #29 MC Rocket rigged with my favorite 60” leader. Down 55 ft and using a 50 foot lead, the rod fires not five minutes of being down. At first it didn’t appear to be much of a fish as the rod sprung up and only started to bend over. I tightened it up and then the beast from the west woke up and said “See You Later”. The reel sang and finally slowed to a crawl with dial at 490 ft. Turn the boat to gain line and the fish makes another run. 560 ft on the dial. It was a game of inches as the fish pulled out and then I gained a little. We watched as the Big Red Sun dipped down and we finally cleared all the lines put everything away while I continued to struggle to keep the fish coming towards the boat. I didn’t want to add any more pressure and we had the kicker motor only at idle speed. The fish moved Port to Starboard and then back to port diving down and then finally turning back towards the transom. Brian slips the net under the fish and boats the slab.

On the Scale it weighs 31 lbs 5 oz. At first Brian was holding the scale and it was bouncing all over the place going from 30 to 33 lbs. So I said- I will hold it and you read it with as much concentration to stay steady. He calls out the weight. 31 lbs 5 oz. Tag number 1477 and took a fork length of 40 ¼”. Away she went to be caught in the Sun Derby as the winning fish- lets hope it’s on my line!!!

The lake was only a slight chop by the time we motored back to Fifty Point. And it was 10:00 pm when I was finally on my way home. Even as late as it was, my son Aidan remained awake the whole way home talking about the big fish and big waves and the sun going down. Summer Nights like this makes fishing Lake Ontario memorable.

Shane Thombs
www.FINtasticSportfishing.com

Kings on Queen Victoria Day, May 24, 2010

One week after John Poirier has his operation, he is hard to keep at home any longer then one week out of the Hospital. Monday May 24 th Victoria Day was a glorious day on Lake Ontario . Light winds but mostly no wind kept the lake as flat as a pancake and the heat wave of temperature on land was moderated to a comfortable temperature out on the water. We had guests Joe and Mike with us to try spring salmon fishing for the first time.

6:00 am we departed from Port Weller’s St Catharine’s Marina and headed out to the Niagara Bar’s ledge at Four Mile Point. We stayed close to shore to see if the alewife were still in shallow and to much of our surprise they were still think inside 40 FOW. Surface temperatures were consistent around 56’F. We angled out to the drop off on the Niagara bar but continued to scan for bait. Balls of bait were numerous all the way out and we decided to drop down off plan in 60 FOW just as the ledge showed on the screen. Right away the picture on the graph looked promising.

We set two rods stacked on one rigger 60 ft down we ran a reg. sized Dreamweaver’s Dave’s Salmon Slapper 60 ft back and the top rod running 40 feet down and 50 feet back with NK 28 Orange crush. I set the other rigger with a Spin Doctor Mountain Dew with a Atommik Tournament Big Fin (B-Fly) and had it back 10 feet and down 100. I went to set the first diver rod and was stopped when the rigger fired with the Dave’s Salmon Slapper taking a coho at 4 lbs.

Almost got all eight rods in when the slide diver set 60 feet back and 120 feet out on a 5 setting with a Glow Frog Yeck 88 finds a 9 lbs Rainbow all over the surface.

Wire diver using a Black 124 Walker Deeper Diver on 1 ½ setting and out 400 ft pulling a Black/double crushed glow green dot Spin Doctor and MC Rocket #69 with Green dots in a Clear Rhys Davis Cutbait Head, takes a head shaking thrashing that was evident even 400 feet behind the boat. Before the assumed big king had a chance to turn and make it’s run the hooks pulled out. Time to target deep kings as well.

The Orange crush on the stacker clip on the higher set rigger goes off and short into the fight the fish comes off.

On the other side of he boat we set on braid a Kelly Green Tiger 124 Walker Deeper Diver on 1 ½ setting and out 380 ft with a Spin Doctor in White with Crushed glow tape and Mountain Dew Tape on either side and pulling a MC Rocket plain #69. Sliding snell rig with a leader length of 60” of 30 lbs test Seagar and set with the bend in the rocket to roll at just a little faster then 1 revolution per second. The down speed was consistent at 2.0 mph and temp was around 40’F to 42’F. After about a half an hour after it was set, the diver rod gets hit. 12 lb Chinook comes to the boat. One hour later the same set takes a 13 lbs Chinook.

Slide Diver with the glow frog Yeck 88 set 60/120 went off a short time later and the fish comes un-pinned in the middle of it coming to the boat.

Full Core with four ounces of lead snap weight was used at the leader end to maximize depth and then clipped on an inline board and set 100 feet out to the side of the boat. The board gets heavy and very slowly pulls back. A small Chinook of about 3 lbs comes on a NK 28 Green/Black/silver.

Fish were taking minnows close to the surface and it was decided to try a Baby Red Spin Doctor with a small Howie Fly in white. Two ounces of lead snap weight set 50 feet from the flasher and then let out another 50 feet and clipped to the board. The board was set out about 50 feet out to the side of the boat inside the Fullcore board mentioned above. 10 minutes later the board is jerked back and a rainbow at four pounds is all over the surface behind the board. Boated and in the box it goes.

At the end of the trip at 12:30 pm We began pulling rods when the Slide diver takes another shot, but the hooks pulled out again and that fish was left to grow bigger.

Final count was 6 for 9 (one coho, one small shaker Chinook, 2 Rainbows, and 2 three year old low teen Chinooks) All three Chinooks had the adipose fin clipped.

Many of the boats struggled and the deep pattern was a slow bite for those that were looking for a derby winner.

Shane Thombs
www.fintasticsportfishing.com

Feed The Fry Salmon Tournament, May 14-16, 2010

The second annual Feed the Fry Tournament was scheduled to run on May 15th, but with the chance of wind from the Northwest it was decided to go on Sunday May 16th. http://www.straitlineanglers.com/Feed_The_Fry/Feed_The_Fry_tournament.htm

On the Friday May 14th, Perry Poirier went out of Jordon in his boat. we started in 70 FOW in front of the harbour and worked our way out and to the East. For the majority of the morning the sonar showed no fish or baitfish until we reached 130 FOW. Then the odd mark of fish in thedeeper parts of teh water columnand small schools of bait. It wasn't until we reached 200-230 FOW that the picture appeared more promising.

With only a slight ripple on the water and the fog disipated we could see a slick that pointed out a surface temperature break. It was colder water inside (shoreline side)of the slick and warmer outside, as well the water was off coloured where it was a few degrees warmer. The bait was on the colder side and fish were now being marked in the top 50 feet as well as a deep of bait and marks in below 150 feet in 200 FOW. We set for the upper water column, but only managed a single strike on a wire diver flasher Fly on 3 setting out 110 ft.

In preparations for the tournament and the call to reschedule it for the Sunday, I was on the phone for three hours straight talking to the registered captains and notifying the tournament information. In conversation with some, I come to find out the bite had began at the Niagara Bar. No other information on depths or tactics, but it was a good starting point.

Our good friend Ed Barbosa was down from Meaford, Ontario for the weekend to fish with us int he tournament and also one day on the lake. I checked the marine forecast and sure enough the winds would be bad int eh afternoon, but tolerable in the morning. So we made plans to launch from Port Weller and head out to the drop on the outer Niagara Bar.

The moring was overcast and a three foot chop out of the Northwest. I took our time motoring out and set up in 100 feet of water. We set up for our typical above 100 ft sets and concentrated in the top 50 feet. We started trolling and every boat we passed was hooked up and we didn't move a stick with a "TYPICAL" up high rigger, Leadcore and diver sets. It was about 9:00 when we figured out that we needed to go deep- REALLY DEEP to catch those fish.

I put an MC Rocket Blueberry Muffinbehind a Black Double Crushed Glow Green Dot Spin Doctorputting it down 120 feet. It fires not five minutes later.

So I send the other rigger down even deeper at 142 ft using a Mountain Dew SpinDoctor and Hammer Fly and while we just net the first fish that newly set deep rod fires. Now we are saying "we figured this out", If that's not the most wrong thing to say, I don't know what is.

Next move was to set the big 107 and 124 Walker Deeper Divers down a little deeper as well. Sending them out on a 1 1/2 setting out 300 and 325 feet using Flasher/Fly and Flasher/MC Rocket. The MC Rocket # 69 was behing a ProTroll Green Dot behind a 124 black Walker Deeper diver and it took a crushing blow that snapped the rocket clean off. The other diver on braid managed a fish during a doubleheader at 12:00 pm where it was set on a 3 setting and out 200 ft.

We also managed a small rainbow on a Fullcore and a coho on five colour in the early part of the morning. Using spoons. 5 colour had a Northport Nailer Watermelon II but also with a glow Ladderback tape on the face.and the Fullcore had a Dreamweaver Reg. Dave's Salmon Slapper.

The core were set down the chute and had a number of short strikes.

Ended the morning at 12:30 after our last double header. Only managed 5 of 10 hook ups in the boat. The fish we lost were quality fish. This provided us a starting point for tournament morning.

Now, like I said, it was the kiss of death to say "we figured this out" and come tournament day our spot dried up and the three fish we had on, didn't come to the boat. We worked it hard but the picture on the graph didn't look anywhere close to it's picture onSaturday. The water also had gotten colder down in the depths where yesterday we had 42 degrees down 140 we had 40 down that same depth on Sunday.

At 11:00 am we made a last ditch effort andtried our spot we found on Friday but the water had changed and the blue clear water had moved in to that area and we couldn't find that green water patch.

After weighin we later found out the fish had moved down the ledge to the Canada/NY fence. Same patterns would have worked.

In the tournament a number of bigfishwere at the scales including a 27.44 lbs pig. Here are the details of the tournamentboth pictures and results.

http://www.straitlineanglers.com/Feed_The_Fry/2010_Feed_The_Fry_tournament_pictures.htm

results...

http://www.straitlineanglers.com/Feed_The_Fry/2010_Feed_The_Fry_Tournament_Results.htm

The tournament raised $1990 for the Port Dalhousie Pen Imprinting Project. 45 boats and 21 caught fish. The top 11teams caught three fish.

Shane Thombs
www.fintasticsportfishing.com

Bronte and Stoney Creek, May 7, 2010

This spring has been a tough one. Winds are still an issue and the baitfish are thick as thieves in tight to shore and no where else - up until now.

John, Brian and I launched from Grimsby and boated over to Bronte. Water temps started at 49'f and at Bronte was 45'F. We started fishing in 150 FOW and started marking bait on the bottom in clumps and the odd fish ranging from less than 40 feet down to the bottom. The majority were on the bottom. But we harked great big bait fish schools directly in front of Bronte out over 160 FOW. Reports from other boats that the water temps dropped west of Shell Pier to 42'f, we stayed East of that and found the better picture in front of Bronte instead of East of Bronte.

Talked to a number of boats and they were all struggling with us. We finally hit a fish on wire diver Walker Deeper diver out 300 ft set on 1 1/2 Glow Frog with a green dotted Glow ProTroll with a Dalmation MC Rocket in a clear head. Down speed was 2.0 mph. Wire had a loop - broke off the works.

Just as we were pulling lines the wire diver went off again but the fish was off before getting to the rod. Black 107 diver on 1 1/2 setting and out 180 feet pulling a Sea Sick Waddler SpinDoctor with a No-See-Um fly.

We pulled lines and headed to Stoney Creek and set up infront of Chipmans in 150 FOW and trolled into about 100 FOW. 130 FOW had more fish on the gragh, but no bait to be found. Water temp was 46'F on surface. Again,most fish marked on the bottom but some in the top 40 feet and at mid depths (60-80 feet down).

We managed a short and fat Rainbow on braid diver Walker Deeper Diver 107 out 270 on 1 1/2 setting pulling a Blue Killer Protroll and a UV Blue Atommik Tournament Fly.

We fished Stoney Creek for about one hour and then had to get off the water for 1:00 pm.

Shane Thombs
www.fintasticsportfishing.com