For the third year in a row I fished the closing weekend of trout season in Algonquin park. All three years I have gone to the same area and done the same 3 day trip. My usual paddling partner had work obligations and couldn't join me. Not wanting to miss out on a good trip, I headed out on my own. I have done lots of solo paddling, but this is the first overnight trip I have ever done.
I packed light and brought my Swift Kipawa. I was able (just) to single trip all the portages, saving a significant amount of time. I left Richmond early Friday morning and arrived at the park permit office at 8:00am. Too bad they open at 9:00am this time of year. Doh! I got my permit and was on my way. I was able to put on quite a few kilometers before the strong winds on Friday started.
Along my route I passed a set of rapids that has produced well in the past. I casted a Panther Martin in firetiger and immediately started catching fish. They were definitely turned on. Every 2nd or 3rd cast resulted in a nice brook trout. Average size was about 12-14". In total I landed about 10, keeping one that was gill hooked. Even though the fish were still biting, I decided to move on before the wind got even worse.
Typical fish:
I was only able to make it a few more kilometers before the wind made forward progress impossible. I made camp about 4km from my intended destination. The site was nice, but a little exposed for this weather. It would be home for the next two nights. I had to use ear plugs to sleep that night because of the wind. I guess if a bear were to try to eat me I wouldn't hear it coming? Maybe that is for the best....
I woke up to rain the next morning and decided to stay in bed. I read for about an hour in the tent until the rain stopped. I made a quick oatmeal and instant coffee breakfast and was on my way by 9:00am. A little over an hour later I reached a set of rapids that has been hit and miss in the past. I fished it for about a half hour and only landed two trout, so I moved on.
The next set of rapids has a very large deep pool below it, with a steep weedy drop off all the way around it. The fish were present, and biting, but I did have to search for them. Having this large fishable area to myself I took my time and worked the drop offs, current breaks and back eddies. In a small weedy bay next to the main current I landed a PB at 17.5". Unfortunately the camera wasn't readily accessible, so there is no picture. I caught it on a small EGB spoon, like this guy:
Another fish:
Lunch time rolled around so made something my friend and I invented this spring, the Snickers Taco. Ingredients are: Taco shell, large quantity of peanut butter, Snickers bar, garnish with trailmix M&Ms, etc. Total calories: About a million.
I casually made my way back to camp, casting at any locations that looked good. I found some large boulders in a slow moving current that held several nice brook trout. It was difficult to stay in the right location because I was fighting the wind and current at the same time. But I did land 3 or 4 healthy brook trout in the 15"-16" range. Total fish for the day was 12+. All were released.
Fat fish:
Great colours on this male:
I made my way back to camp and settled in for the night. I sipped on some 18 year old rum and read my book. Sleep came early that night.
The next morning was cold. I had another oatmeal and instant coffee breakfast and broke camp. By 9:00 I was on my way home.
I stopped at the same rapid I pasted on the first day. I started casting a small EGB spoon.
Cast 1 - 3 hits, no hook sets
Cast 2 - Landed a nice brookie
Cast 3 - Landed a nice brookie
Casts 4-9: no hits. hmm....time for a wardrobe change. I put the fire tiger Panther Martin back on.
Cast 10: Landed another nice brookie
Here are the first three I caught. They all came home with me. The largest was 15". They were still alive at this point and weren't too keen on holding still for a photo. I guess they were a bit camera shy:
Despite the quick start, the fish were more finicky today than Friday. I had to keep changing the colour, presentation and profile of the lures to get them to keep hitting. In total I think I caught 6, and missed several more.
After about an hour I slammed back another Snickers Taco and went on my way.
This otter kept an eye on me as I paddle past him and his mate.
A few hours later I was back at my Jeep and heading home. I made it back to Richmond for 6:45pm. This was a fun trip, but every year I say the same thing: 3 days just isn't enough time. I think I will continue to do solo trips in the future. It was a great experience.
Rob
