2013 Rainbow Trout Regulation Change for Lake Ontario, January 1, 2013

Most of you know that my sought-after specie of fish on Lake Ontario has to be the mighty Chinook Salmon. They are beasts- strong and challenging. But most of you that have shared time on the boat with me know that Rainbow Trout (Steelhead) are the most numerous in our catch tally for the day. Without Rainbow Trout our days would be a little less eventful.

This Rainbow Trout caught by Stuart last summer (2012) was the largest we caught on the boat. 16 1/2 lbs and it was released unscathed and growing even bigger and ready to be caught again.

From Photo_Gallery9

New for 2013 the Ministry of Natural Resourses announced a regulation change that would reduce the number of Rainbow Trout that can be kept by an angler. This change was spurred on, not just by a need to preserve the Rainbow Trout stocks in the Lake Ontario, but also to answer to an already conservation ethic shared by the majority of anglers on the lake. Creel census by MNR technicians at the various boat ramps around the lake, show that most anglers already keep 2 or less Rainbow Trout.

How will this change effect your 2013 charter, fishing with me? It will not! The total allowable "aggregated limit" of trout and salmon still remains 5 fish. Of those five fish, 2 can be Rainbow Trout the other 3 have to be salmon or another type of trout- like Brown Trout. I consider myself a sportsmen first, and I will continue to angle in a manor that takes this regulation change seriously.

Some adaptive techniques that I already have been using will be made common protocal this year. Things like suggesting we keep rainbow trout that are injured (lowest survival chance if released), release the healthy ones as quickly as possible Catch/Photo/Release, target locations, depths, tackle and techniques to add a salmon mix to our catch tally, and when the rainbow trout bit is hot and heavy, I will look to reduce long lines and reduce rod counts so we can get those rainbows to the boat faster and release them faster and stress free.

To read more about the regulation change see this link http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/stdprodconsume/groups/lr/@mnr/@letsfish/documents/factsheet/stdprod_101639.pdf

As an alternate on the Fisheries Management Zone 20 Council, my comments I added to the record are copied below...

In favour of steelhead reduction from 5 to 2, not because of science, but because of the social acceptance of Lake Ontario Anglers reducing the numbers. Largely Lake Ontario anglers have expressed that harvesting five steelhead per person is not sought after and regarded excessive. Practice of selective harvest has been an unspoken rule amoungst fellow anglers and although the creel limit is at 5, rarely anglers will bring home 5 (steelhead or salmon) even if they caught more then 5 in a day. There is a social change with the vast majority of Lake Ontario Anglers. The purpose for why anglers fish, is less about keeping fish, and more about valuable time enjoying fishing. Priorities have changed with respect to the reason why fisherman fish.

In Ontario, steelhead are more so an accidental catch while targeting Chinook salmon in the near-inshore fishery. Limits with an aggregated 5 salmon and Trout total would still provide opportunity for those anglers seeking to keep 5 fish while they continue to target salmon. 2 of the five can be rainbow trout, still leaving 3 fish that can be salmon. The aggregated total will allow anglers to keep fishing (potentially change tactics to strictly target Salmon) without having to stop fishing once 2 rainbow trout are put in the cooler. Longer time on the water and a change of focus to salmon can have positive economic spin-offs.

The regulation will help the social and economics of fishing Lake Ontario. There may also be science that will prove that the change was successful in future years, currently supporting evidence through science is not sufficient enough on it's own. In policy decision making, all aspects surrounding an issue need not be overlooked. In local governments all policies decisions are questioned on three criteria Environmental (in this case it's the science of the fishery), Social and Economic. If decisions are made using only one of these criterion, then it is considered bias. I feel that the Social and Economic benefits to the proposal to reduce rainbow trout limits, are enough to support the change.

Shane Thombs
www.FINtasticSportfishing.com

Giving Thanks to Lake Ontario Salmon on Thanksgiving Monday, October 8, 2012

This trip would make it two years in a row where fishing on Thanksgiving weekend was not only possible, but the making of a very memorable trip. The weather was beautiful, the lake was flat calm and the sun was shining. Oh and did I miss something - YES the salmon were on the fall feed.

From Photo_Gallery10

Fall time is usually the most overlooked time of the year to fish for salmon. I mention that I am out fishing for them and I often get- well haven't they gone in the creek to spawn by now. My response is "That's the big mature spawning fish, we are after the 1-3 year olds that can find 15 lbs silver sided tanks ready to do battle.

From Photo_Gallery10

Also another funny observation is that these fish are like spring time salmon and fight like they are supercharged. It's like the cooling waters adds a little energy to there fight ont he line.

This day I had my friend Rob who happends to the the Grimsby TSC store manager, and his friend David. David works for the Niagara Region Public Health department as a Food Safty Inspection manager. At the City of Hamitlon I also worked for the Public Health department and we had "shop talk" conversations throughout the day.

The trip started off with brisk fall air and a smooth boat ride watching the sun rise off our right shoulders.

We stopped 5 times to scan water during our brisk 14 mile morning ride on flat water, and when we finally found them, the fish were biting. Happy Thanksgiving!

It was not a daybreak bite. It took until 7:45 am for our first bite and then they shut down at 12:30 pm.

Cutbait behind a Glow Splatter 10" short lead down 60 feet managed three kings. One king on a Blue NBK Protroll with Hoover fly on diver out 185'. Outside of that it was all spoons.

Speed was 2.7 mph on FishHawk, and temps read 50'F down 54 feet. 56'F on the surface.

Little cruising & graph watching revealed a tight pocket of of 3 yr old kings, bows, & cohos 35-65 down over 300 FOW. Every rod in the spread went off, and spoons in Watermelon & Blue Dolphin patterns were taking a few bites.

From Photo_Gallery10

Steady pick through out the morning resulted in full box, had some great weather & it was very fine way to cap off a very memorable 2012 season!

Shane Thombs
www.FINtasticSportfishing.com

September Bow Fest, Grandfather, Father and Son Team. September 16, 2013

For some, Fall means fairs and festivals. For those who like to enjoy fall fishing on Lake Ontario, it means a festival of Fins. Rainbows in particular are ready and waiting for your lure and although they are often offshore, the conditions for angler comfort can be picture perfect in September.

From Photo_Gallery10

This particular day was an example of just that. Two double digit bows came to the net and there was plenty of action throughout the trip. Let’s just call it Bow Fest, because like no other time of the year can you catch good numbers and often the biggest bows of the year. Also they are only shallow in the water column making short lead shallow set riggers and short string divers the most entertaining way to take these silver rockets. Little need for long lines, they are on the feed and ready to bite the back of the boat if it tasted good enough.

John (Grandfather), David (father) and William (son), were ready for one finally boys outing before they find themselves deep into the Hockey season and convert to a lifestyle of a “Rink Rats”.

From Photo_Gallery10

William is in rep hockey along with his older brother and younger sister. The entire family lives the eat, sleep, hockey lifestyle and although the season had just started, they wanted to take a moment and enjoy a last opportunity to do a fishing trip before a full schedule of practices, games, tournaments, and travelling from rink to rink.

Watch this video for an example of the steelhead action during this Bow Fest...

ShaneThombs
www.FINtasticSportfishing.com

A POW after BOWS, September 14, 2012

Helmut was over from Germany to visit his brother John who lives not far from London, Ontario. There was a Language barrier with Helmut, but between fellow fisherman the only real language we need is the sound of the drag on a reel. The weather wasn’t the nicest, with light rain and choppy waters, but both John and Helmut were far too excited to turn back home. We started fishing and it didn’t take long before we were hooking up on rainbow trout. Helmut was really enjoying his time and was all smiles when we netted each fish. He was also no slouch in reeling in each fish, his confidence and experience shows he was an avid fisherman from across the pond.

From Photo_Gallery10

John was also pleased to see his brother enjoying himself and he shared in reeling in fish. John managed this nice 12 lbs Rainbow Trout.

From Photo_Gallery10

John is a Lake Erie Walleye fisherman with his own boat. I was paired with two that are good on the rod and reel, and yet clearly they developed fishing skills from opposite sides of the Northern Hemisphere.

Can fishing be considered a universal language? Or maybe it could be found in their genes.

John explained that even though they were brothers, Helmut and John grew-up apart, in much different worlds and were much different in age- nearly 20 years apart. It began with Helmut at a young age where during WW2 the Nazis took Helmut and his mother to a Nazi POW camp. As the war came to a close, Helmut was pulled from his mother and raised in an adopted family in Germany. His mother moved to Canada and John was later born and raised in Southern Ontario. Helmut and John didn’t know of each other until their mother passed away in 2011.

John and Helmut grew up in different corners of the world, but both happen to find fishing a centre for excitement and relaxation with the benefit of a delicious dinner.

Shane Thombs
www.FINtasticSportfishing.com

Schooling the Schooled on a School, August 23, 2012

Making this the second year Bob and his son Nicholas was able to fish with me, this was the first time for a new and very special guest. Bob’s daughter Madison was ready to learn with his dad and brother, what all the hype about Lake Ontario fishing was all about.

From Photo_Gallery11

Bob is a school teacher and his son and daughter were making their way through grade school and the start of high school. I was particularly fond of this fishing opportunity with the three, because like most tough social times in life, none of that stuff matters when you go fishing!

Nicholas explained that he is the centre of attention when it comes to amusing the bullies in school. Conversation about it was evident that it struck a sore spot and as with most adults listening to the stories of bullying, it immediately takes you back to a pivotal event where you yourself was in the bad situation and bullied.

From Photo_Gallery11

School years can be hard, but I expressed to Nicholas that for me, I found an outlet. Try to find an interest and allow it to be part of you. A passion for something allows you to focus on something that can become your place of piece, calm and understanding.

From Photo_Gallery11

We are given gifts, those gifts that are discovered and then applied with a purpose is the ultimate synergy. When you find that perfect fit you find yourself schooled outside of school. When you become immersed in your passion, that means so much to you, stress over social acceptance becomes less concerning. A passion that will take you to a new level of understanding of self-awareness of what you are capable of learning and being a part of, whole-heartedly. I write about this in first person because like Nicholas, I too felt out of place in the social fabric of school. But fishing and the outdoors was my found passion.

From Photo_Gallery11

This fishing trip was kept light, we didn’t dig into the social concerns, because fishing is an escape from all that. Instead Nicholas, Madison and Bob took turn after turn on the rods reeling in Rainbow trout after rainbow trout from a school of fish suspended over 240 FOW.

Shane Thombs
www.FINtasticSportfishing.com

The WOW Factor with Tom and Mac, August 22, 2012

Tom works with me at the City of Hamilton and we have been out a hand ful of times fishing together the past two years. Mac was also out fishing with Tom and I last year and to make it an annual thing Tom suggested Mac join him for a Steelhead fishing bonanza. To show him the "WOW factor" as Tom would call it.

From Photo_Gallery9

I was out in the morning and had a incredible trip with good numbers to the boat, This would be a tough act to follow! Here's the link to the morning trip blog report. http://fintasticsportfishing.blogspot.ca/2012/08/english-style-fish-august-22-2012.html

The lake was still very calm and it was warm out, but still very comfortable to fish in. We ran out to the vacinity of my morning waypoints and set up. It was nice to see the same sort of action start immediately after setting lines. Soon rods were firing consistently and the yelling with cheer from Tom and Mac came on every silvery steelhead leaped out of the water behind the boat.

From Photo_Gallery9

Tom says while holding up this nice steelhead, "This is the WOW Factor". It was an incredible afternoon and while the sun started to drop we angled the boat to shallower water in front of Grimsby. Even after leaving the numbers of fish out over the 240 FOW area, we still continuted to hit fish all the way into 100 FOW where we ended the trip. Some big Trout came to the boat on this 6 hour trip but a very productive 20 fish boated ending the day with 42 fish in total between the two trips. I was exhausted!

Shane Thombs
www.FINtasticSportfishing.com

English Style Fish? August 22, 2012

Steve moved to Grimsby from England a short time ago. Steve was not much interested in fishing when in England, but his brother Gary, who still lives in England, was a fishing fanatic. So much so, he was also a charter fishing captain who took large groups to angle bottom fish from the salt waters along the west shores of the United Kingdom in the North Sea and south to the English Channel. Salmon and Trout fishing was to be a new adventure for both Steve and Gary.

From Photo_Gallery9

My dad was with us on this trip and he has always had an interest in the English culture since he was second generation Canadian, but with roots in the United Kingdom.

Gary had flown in from England the evening before. This was his first day in Grimsby, Ontario, but Gary had travelled world wide for work and fished many exotic places. Steve made it a point to entertain his brother for the next week with somesite seeing and some Ontario angling trips. Steve had repeatedly mentioned he was less interested in fishing then his brother Gary, but he still wanted to see what Lake Ontario fishing was all about. Steve felt the need to know more about Lake Ontario and other local fishing opportunities since he now lives in Grimsby. I wish more Ontarians shared this interest for what outdoor activities are closer to home! More than 6 million Ontarians live in the Golden Horseshoe around Lake Ontario, and a small fraction know of the great fishing they have only minutes away?

From Photo_Gallery9

I am not one to pump up guests with high expectations of fish catching numbers or size. Instead I explain that we can only hope for the best. I use the caveat that the fish are always moving, sometimes you hit a good day when the fish are hungry and other times its tough sledding. Honesty the fishing had been superb since mid-June and a slow day this summer was still a very good day in retrospect. I had a lead on some great fishing over 220 FOW Northwest of Grimsby. I ventured to new waters today, but I had in mind what I needed to do.

It was time for the August Silver Blue Zone style fishing to begin. The Offshore connection! Although Steve and Gary may not completely understand the difference, the 9 mile run to our destination was a change from our shorter 4 – 6 mile runs we have been fortunate enough to make, and stay on top of fish, throughout the summer. Don’t get me wrong, the fish were still inside 150 FOW, but I felt the need to really stack the odds in our favour and knowing that August is usually the time to think off shore for numbers of fish.

I have a way of fishing blue zone (off shore habitat) waters that make things as productive as possible to catch fish and with a conservation ethic that will ensure thier survival when released. Although Leadcores are very productive in this pelagic environment, they are time consuming to set and are hard on the fish since it is a long fight to get them 500 feet to the boat. There are times Leadcore is needed to make bites happen on ultra-spooky conditions and shy fish, but if I can deploy a spread that pulls fish to the boat and can catch them on short lines- that is my favourite. Good for the fisherman and most of all, good for the fish.

Steve and Gary took turns on the rods as we boated 22 silvers with over half being 2 and 3 year old chinook salmon. The rest were high flying rainbow trout. Gary and Steve both witnessed great fishing, and we shared some great jokes and stories from the entertaining brothers.

From Photo_Gallery9

Shane Thombs
www.FINtasticSportfishing.com