Looking out the window at the pleasant sunshine and little breeze this afternoon, I decided to spend a few hours on the Rideau River, launching out of Echolands beside the airport.
This is a small stretch of river, one that I do quite well for musky in the fall, but have never really targeted bass on before. Of course, the pleasure boats and waterskiiers were out in full force, causing some major waves and turning the shoreline into the colour of coffee.
I had planned on flipping docks and cane for some largies, but due to the mudline that was present, ended up pitching to very few.
Hit a rocky point/bay that I've seen good smallies swimming throughout in the past, and decided to start pitching a Yum tube around. Targetted water between 4 and 12-feet deep. Didn't take long before the first smallie was snacking on my bait. Fought the 2.5-pounder for a bit, when I noticed a much bigger smallie chasing the hooked fish, trying to swipe the bait. Just as I am about to land the initial fish, the hook pulls free and shoots out from the surface. At this precise moment, the bigger smallie breaks the surface in hot pursuit of the abandoned tube. So, without a moments hesitation I drop the tube right back down and this smallmouth slams it. (Grabbed it as it dropped within the first foot of the surface!) Pretty neat to see in clear water...
Since I was fishing alone, I wanted to get a shot of this fish, so in the livewell he goes as I get my camera gear ready. It was as this point I noticed an immense tree lying in the water, beckoning me to pitch a flipping jig. I cruise up in the electric and begin pitching towards it. Nothing on the first two flips. Flip in a third time and jiggle the jig to and fro. Still nothing. Hmmm. Begin to quickly reel in to pitch again, and out from the branches comes a big-bellied smallie that slams my jig about five feet from the boat as I'm reeling the bait in. Now that was definitely cool to see!
A brief tussle and into the livewell she goes. Get the camera gear ready, set it on self-timer and happily pose with the fish. Easy as pie and back in the drink they both go. A quick weigh on the digi scale put the smaller at 3lbs 9oz, and the bigger one at 4lbs 1oz. Notice how dark the tree fish is from lying in the shade???
(I hope Big Bass 444 happens to read this post - goes to show how easy it is to take a photo when fishing solo without relying on a stringer and such...)
So, all in all a pretty good day. Spent three hours on the water, got a nice suntan and got a dozen and a half smallies for my trouble...can't beat that!
Good Fishing,
Justin
Thanks for the post justin... it was a good report and proves decent pictures can be taken when your alone.
