In this issue:
Our
Fishing
Video Site is up and running. If you have hi-speed
internet access
click
here to see some great short fishing video clips. We've
added a few new UNDERWATER Videos
Sunny Side Lodge
- We are located on the north shore of
beautiful Lake Nosbonsing. We have 5 fully equipped lake front
housekeeping cabins. There is a wide variety of fish in Lake
Nosbonsing, walleye, northern pike, trophy muskie, small and
largemouth bass and yellow perch. We also offer a full guided black
bear hunt in the fall which includes baited trees stands and
accommodations for a 6 day hunt (license is extra) there are also
fall and winter fishing packages available
Golden Eagle Camp - Great fishing for
Northern Pike, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass and other pan fish in the
famous Montreal River system. We’re surrounded by many remote lakes
to plan your daily fishing adventures. Complete packages available
with meal plan, boat & motor, all equipment, bait and ice included.
Plan this year’s vacation with us for fishing, bear hunting,
moose hunting and great snowmobiling!
Kenda Wilderness Lodge - Located on
Mesomikenda (Beaver) Lake, near Gogama. Kenda is a small informal
camp designed for your comfort. Fish for 30 miles on a beautiful
chain of lakes without a portage, or if you wish to portage we have
several lakes within walking distance that we maintain with boats
and motors. The log cabins are built of peeled log. The cottages are
insulated and paneled. We offer bear and moose
hunting, and fishing for walleye, pike, rainbow, speckled (brook)
and lake trout.
Cedar Ridge Lodge - At our Lodge you
get a truly memorable experience at a reasonable cost. Run by
sportsman who have a passion for the outdoors and want you to
experience the same. Located on pristine Burt Lake, 30 km west of
Kirkland Lake. Surround yourself with thousands of acres of crown
land and an abundance of your favorite hunting or fishing species,
including: Moose, Bear, Wolf, Grouse, Ducks, Geese,
Trout, Pike, Walleye, Small Mouth Bass and more! We operate a clean
lodge and offer full American Plans.
|
"Got the Cold Front Blues?"
By Justin Hoffman
We've all had to face it at one time or another - waking up on the
day of your fishing trip to a chill in the air and bluebird skies to
boot. What you are experiencing is the passing of a cold front, a
weather occurrence that can shut down fish, and cause severe
headaches for an angler. Fishing will be tough - there's no two ways
about it - but it is possible to put some fins in the boat if you
are prepared to alter your delivery.
Try these techniques the next time you have the 'cold front blues,'
and watch your catch rate increase dramatically.
What is a Cold Front?
A common definition of a cold front is as follows: "A narrow
zone of transition between relatively cold, dense air that is
advancing and relatively warm, less dense air that is retreating."
A cold front actually takes place a day or so before the drop in
temperature sets in and the skies become blue. This typically shows
itself in the form of high winds, rainy weather or thunderstorms.
It's those kinds of days where all hell breaks loose, as the
approaching front is causing a disturbance as the differing masses
come together.
As the cold front approaches, fishing can be excellent. Fish become
wired and active, feeding up a storm and hitting baits with
ferocious strength. Even the fish know that once the front passes,
they will take on a neutral or negative mood, and will develop a
case of lockjaw for a couple of days. So, they feed heavily in
preparation of this 'dormant' stage.
If you can get out on the water as a front approaches, I would
certainly suggest it. Enjoy it while you can, because within a day
or so, things will be much different.
Post cold front conditions vary greatly from the actual cold front.
Clear blue skies, calm winds and colder temperatures are the norm,
and not the exception. The change in pressure and temperature seems
to shut down the fish, causing them to retreat to heavier cover,
sulk on the bottom structure and become extremely inactive.
Where To Find Fish
After a cold front has passed, fish stage in predictable areas of a
lake or river. Don't expect fish to be moving around much, nor will
there be much activity in the open water shallows.
For largemouth bass, thick vegetation or heavy cover (boat docks or
pilings) are good places to start. Most fish under these
circumstances will snuggle into the security of some sort of
structure, content to sit still and wait out the prospect of
changing weather. In my experience, the thicker the cover you can
find, the better your chances of having Mr. Bucketmouth present.
Depending on the type of lake, walleye will either seek out a thick
weedbed and position themselves smack dab in the middle, or if rocks
and boulders are concerned, they will sit right on bottom, remaining
primarily motionless.
No matter what the specie, seeking out the shelter and comfort of
thick vegetation or other structure is a likely scenario. Remaining
in a neutral or negative mood is a given
Downsize Your Lures
Although a largemouth bass may have no trouble hitting a ten-inch
worm during a 'normal' day of fishing, he certainly won't be as
forthcoming after a front has moved through. Scale back on the size
of the lures you are tossing, downgrading to finesse style baits for
a better reaction. Since you are downsizing your lures, lowering the
thickness of your line is also a good idea. Not only will get more
of a lifelike action with your baits, but also less likelihood of
scaring away line-shy fish.
Lightweight lures and line are most certainly in, and will often be
the only thing that gets the attention of a heavyweight.
S-l-o-w Things Down
When fish are inactive, the last thing they want to do is chase down
a fast moving buzzbait, or a spinnerbait cranked at a lightning fast
tempo. They just won't exert the energy, nor do they have the
initiative to do so.
Work your baits in a 'slow motion' mentality. Even if it seems
excruciatingly painful to be fishing a worm or tube with nary a
movement, continue to stick with it. If anything, slow it down even
more. Deadsticking a bait is a great technique that can bring
positive results.
Think Vertical Instead of Horizontal
A neutral fish has a small strike zone or feeding window. What this
means is, unless a lure comes within six-inches or a foot (as an
example) to a fish's snout, he will not be willing, or convinced to
strike it. The closer you can get to the strike zone, the better
your chances for success.
Vertical baits work well in this situation because they can spend
more time in the strike zone, as opposed to a horizontal bait moving
through relatively quickly.
Switch to Livebait
When the fish are finicky, switching to God's lures is the way to go
- you guessed it, livebait. Minnows, worms or leeches will all work
well, and will play on a fish's natural prey attitudes and
preference.
Slip floats, livebait rigs and tipped jigs all have a time and
place, and post cold front conditions are definitely one of them.
Scent It Up
If livebait isn't available to you, making your artificials smell
and taste like the real thing is the next best thing to do. Go with
tried and true scents, including crawdad, shad and worm. Any extra
second you can get a fish to bite and hold on, is an extra second
you can get those hooks into him.
Cold fronts don't have to be the kiss of death in fishing. Although
the fish may of changed locations, and be reluctant to hit baits, it
doesn't mean they are uncatchable. All it usually takes is a change
of tactics to get into some fish again.
|