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Saturday, September 04, 2010
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Welcome to the this month's “The Fishin' Hole” on Rice Lake Today.
By Terry Curtis
Here it is the middle of October, my favourite time of year for fishing
anywhere, especially Rice Lake.
I used to plan a Fall fishing trip to the Northern reaches of Ontario each year with a few guys from work and we thought we had the cat by the tail, so to speak.
Fresh air, no alarm clocks, good food, no phones ringing……fish when we felt like it, a few games of cards and lots of sleep. God, it was fun!
But year after year we kept saying the same thing- why did we drive anywhere from four to ten hours to reach our selected destination to fish when we had better fishing right at home on Rice Lake?
Sure we caught lots of fish on those other bodies of water, and it was fun to get away, but in reality we’d have caught far more fish if we’d stayed right at home if only because we knew the lake better.
Part of the lure was probably the chance to catch different species of fish than Rice offers, (such as Pike) and just the idea of “getting away” as we called it. Sometimes the best part of the trip was actually in the planning of it I guess.
Let’s see now. We went almost to James Bay to the North, the fringes of Quebec on the North-East, even two hours West of Sault St. Marie and lots of places in between, and some of those camps I’d love to go back to and probably will someday.
But when I want to catch fish and take in some of the most beautiful Autumn colours anywhere, all I have to do is head to Rice Lake.
Due to illness I’ve only been out twice in the last month, whereas I’m usually on the water four or five times a week.
On Tuesday of this week I got a friend to accompany me out for a short Walleye trip and once we hit the water I was reminded again just how lucky I am to live so close to the lake. The tree colours are stunning to say the least and we had a great time.
Best of all, the Walleye (and Bass) were biting! Too bad I got my butt whupped on the Walleye catch. The ones I didn’t miss ate my bucktail jig.
For a couple of quick “TERRY’S TIPS” on the where and how, pay attention.
During daylight hours lead head jigs tipped with plastic grubs or minnows (available at B.J. Tackle in Bewdley) are tough to beat in green weed clumps (as are the aforementioned bucktails) and at night black/silver floating Rapalas (31/4”) are tops along tapering points close to shore.
For some big Smallmouth Bass, hit the old train trestle with spinnerbaits or shallow diving crankbaits like the Storm “sub-warts”.
It’s not too late to enjoy the prolific fishing Rice Lake has to offer this Fall. Some of the best fishing is yet to come and many Cottage and Resort owners offer discount prices this time of year, even on short notice.
Think of this. Beautiful scenery, frosty days and nights, a campfire to warm you up and a belly full of fresh fish fillets all combined to lull you to sleep.
Without the long drive!
Pick up the phone, and “get away”. Beautiful, bountiful Rice Lake awaits!
Watch for regular updates at “The Fishing Hole” I’ll be providing fishing tips and pictures regularly. Feel free to contact me with fishing questions or guiding rates at:
Terry Curtis - Phone 905-342-2397 or email.
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