On today’s show, we’re going to be talking about something you can’t do right now, and that’s head north of the border for a Canadian Adventure.
Due to travel restrictions thanks to COVID-19, unfortunately all travel from the United Stated up into Canada has been put on hold, but that doesn’t mean you can’t dream a little bit and plan your next big trip north of the border as soon as they open things up. Our guest host today is Troy Lindner, who’s also a co-host of The Ontario Experience television show.
Troy Lindner: I’ve had the fortunate opportunity to travel all across Ontario the last few seasons – everything from fly-ins, getting there by train, by vehicle. Everything from luxury places with gourmet meals to remote outposts where you get dropped off by a float plane and get picked up a few days later. Often times you hear people going up there in late spring for the big walleye bite, but late summer can be absolutely fantastic because the walleye are in these predictable areas – sunken humps or big points with really deep water nearby. You can drive over those areas with a Humminbird Helix 7 and mark the walleye, then pull spinners or three-way rigs for them, but one of the main ways I like to catch them is simply with the Jigging Rap. Drop it down to them and give it a couple pops and they’ll bite it fast! It’s a lot of fun.
Nick Lindner: Spring fishing for walleyes is really enjoyable when the fish are up shallow, but during late summer when you cruise over a hump and it’s loaded up with those hooks, you know you’re going to have a good time – that’s what a true Canadian adventure is all about! Another fish that’s really popular, especially in spring, in Canada is northern pike. There’s also some good mid-summer and late summer bites for those as well.
Troy Lindner: Yes it is! Besides walleye, pike fishing is probably number two in popularity up there. In a lot of these areas where you’re catching walleye, you can also catch pike, and I’ve experienced that firsthand with pike actually hitting the walleye I was reeling up. I’ll usually upsize my bait if I think there’s pike in the same areas I’m walleye fishing. I love throwing swimbaits. As you can see here, I have smaller swimbaits for walleye and a bigger swimbait like the Storm 360 GT Searchbait. I’ll pop jig it or swim it over the hump where I think the pike might be, and most of the time, you’ll get a pretty big fish to bite. It’s really cool.
Nick Lindner: Yeah, walleyes and pike really take the cake as far as popularity goes, but what are some other opportunities that people might be missing the boat on up in Canada?
Troy Lindner: Muskie is another fish that comes to mind and in Sunset Country, some of the biggest muskies in North America live within just a few hours north of the Minnesota border. I caught my personal best there last season fishing up on Lac Seul with my cousin James. I also lake catching lake trout and brook trout. Brook trout are basically like like smallmouth bass in attitude and in size. They live shallow, are really aggressive, and have a mean attitude. This time of year in late summer, the lake trout can get concentrated in the deep water holes and with a good sonar unit, you can find those fish fairly quickly. You vertical jig for them – it’s like video game fishing, it’s a ton of fun.
Nick Lindner: I am a huge lake trout fan, so I’m getting excited just thinking about that! You spent a lot of time up in Canada, so what would you say are a few important items that an average angler should bring along on their next Canadian adventure?
Troy Lindner: Any time of year up there, even in late summer like this, your Canadian adventure could experience dramatic weather shifts. It can be 40 degrees one day and 90 degrees the next day, so #1 is having the right clothing. Rig up for hot weather, cold weather, and also for rainy conditions. I like to pack a nice sun shirt to help me stay nice and cool and protected my skin from the sun on those hot days. Waterproof bags for out in the boat are a must. For tools, you should pack a good fillet knife, pliers, hook sharpeners, hook outs, a fish gripper, a good head lamp, and a first aid kit. I also bring some water shoes in case I portage or want to wade around in the water. Obviously I’ll bring my rods, reels and tackle. Don’t forget mosquito repellent and sunscreen, too! If you’re you’re doing a fly-in, you want to pack smart and light. If you’re driving up, well, you can just fill up the truck with everything!
