Patience and Perseverance

I often tell guests "It is amazing how a fish can humble a man."  One moment fishing can be nonstop action only to halt abruptly and lag for what seems like an eternity.  This downtime is a true test of patience for most fishermen.  However, outlasting the lull's can pay dividends.

Fish are temperamental and are constantly shifting to different areas. I have often left hot spots biting and returned twelve hours later only to experience the dead sea. Trying to explain their feeding habits can get down right silly.  Here are some of the favorite excuses explaining why fish don't bite:

• It's too hot.
• It's too cold.
• The wrong moon phase.
• Mars is in retrograde. 
• We need a falling barometric pressure, not a rising.
• Wash your hands! This is an absolute must if you smoke, chew, or touch anything smelly (especially bug spray!). Fish have an incredible sense of smell, and if the bait you're using smells like a can of deet.....No bite for you! 
• The wind is from the east.  

Most of these claim truly hold merit.  However, Mars in retrograde is a stretch.  After documenting fishing patterns at Big Hook for over twenty years I have made several conclusions about fishing patterns.  

1. Fish love a falling barometric pressure.  I have boated more trophy fish just before experiencing a low pressure system.
2. Moon phase can affect the fish bite, more so for the big boys.  I have witnessed more big fish boated during a full or new moon. 
3. If there is a high pressure, the third day will produce.  A high pressure system will start with slow fishing and gradually improve.  
4. Wind direction makes no difference.  If the wind is blowing, just go to the windy shoreline.  
5. Bug spray and gasoline are no no's.  If you apply bug spray or recent fill up the gas tank, wash your hands! I have noticed fish absolutely hate the smell of deet and petrol.  
6. Fishing will be tough following a cold front.  After a low pressure comes ripping across NW Ontario expect a tough bite.  Give it time, the fish are there but are not active.  

Now that Big Hook is closed up for the fishing season, I have the opportunity to explore the waters in Wisconsin.  I recently embarked on a three day musky fishing outing with several old college friends. A wicked low pressure had just pounded the Midwest and I was just about ready to cancel knowing the fishing was going to be slow.  I sucked it up because, in my opinion, being on the water is far better than sitting around the house. 

37" musky

The first two days of cold, windy elements following the front just about broke my confidence.  We saw no fish and boated no fish.  My arm was about ready to fall off from casting baits the size of a 2X4's for twelve hours a day.  However, the third day of angling, everything changed.  I should note, it was the third day of a high pressure and a full moon phase.  Our patience paid off and all within an hours time we boated a 31", 37", 38" and 48" musky.  We also missed several other fish that hit our suckers soaking boatside.  As I mentioned in the title of this article, persevere and you will be rewarded.  The following pictures are of the 37" and 48" fish we boated and released. 

48" monster

Fishing Tip

Most people replace line on their fishing reels over the winter time.  Here is a great knot for attaching line to your reel.  The arbor knot is a simple and secure way to attach your line to your reel, and it is very easy to tie. Here's how.....

1) Thread the line around reel arbor.
2) Tie an overhand knot around the line itself. Then just tie a second overhand knot in the tag end. This second knot keeps line from slipping through the first.
3) Grab on either side of the knots and pull tight. Cut off the excess. Then slide the first overhand knot down the line to snug it around the reel arbor.

Good luck in your fall fishing trips everyone.  Remember to practice CPR. 
-Nathan 
www.bighookcamps.com

From Summer Straight to Winter

The north country forgot to include fall as a season this year.  A pleasant August gave way to a chilling September.  Temperatures began to plummet around the 10th of September giving way to snow and many many chilly nights.  Several mornings we woke up to powder on the ground and frozen water lines.  A short stroll to the lake with a bucket in hand is the only means to a morning cup of coffee while waiting for the day to warm the water lines.  Dad and I managed to close up camp and depart the Opasquia Provincial Park on the 23rd of September.

A nice fall walleye from South Lake

Our customer numbers begin to dwindle come September. As I have noted above, the weather this far north can be unpredictable in the fall. One day the temperatures could reach 75 F only to be followed with snow the next.  Another reason for customer decline is families with kids returning to school.

I managed to chat with Sandy Lake Seaplane this week and get a weather update.  Several heavy snow storms dusted the area early last week.  About 4-6 inches carpeted the ground.  Amazingly, the east end of Southwest Lake was already beginning to ice over!  However, glancing at the current temperatures a warming trend looks to melt the current snow levels.

A pair of swans visited us at Central all summer.

Fishing wise, falling temperatures in September can provide superb action.  Numbers are more difficult to find however size can dramatically increase.  Fish begin aggressively feeding to pack on pounds for a long cold winter.  Most walleye and pike begin exiting the dying weed beds and migrate to moving water, rocky points and deep reefs. However, once the lake turns over fishing halts for several days.

For example, on September 19th I took a trip to South Lake and managed to fish for about 4 hours. During our short time we trolled some deep cut banks with Berkley Flicker Shads in about 18-25 ft of water with decent success.  We really started pounding the walleye on a deep rock pile in about 26 ft.  A simple 1/2 oz jig with a 4" yellow twister was the magical combination.  We didn't catch a ton but the numbers between 20-26" were amazing.  Just two days later we began noticing murky water throughout the park, sure enough, the lakes were beginning to turn.  Those were the last fish I caught this season.

Year End Projects    

Despite some sub par weather Dad, Tryol and I managed to accomplish some projects among the camps.  The first project tackled were renovations at South camp. All the old particle board interior was removed and replaced with tongue and groove knotty pine.  In the process of renovating I managed to fire a 3 1/2" nail into the palm of my hand with our Paslode Nail Gun.  A quick trip to the nursing station for a tetnus shot and some anti-biotics and I was good to go.  The new interior siding really brightens the cabin.  A new crib and pressure treated dock was also constructed at South.

Another big project that required much coordination was replacing the solar grid at Central.  I discovered this July, that the 18 panels powering our main camp fell into a warranty recall.  After verifying the poor power output, submitting numerous forms and explaining to the solar company where exactly these panels had to travel, 18 brand new panels were shipped from Scottsdale AZ all the way to Central Lake.  Now that is a journey!  After taking dozens of pictures of the current system, I had the confidence to replace the grid.  Two days later I gave myself a pat on the back, the new system was performing like a dream.

Visitors

In the video I have posted to the right are a couple of moose that decided to play across the lake at Central.  It truly was a unique experience.  I have never witnessed moose so tame.  For two days they played and frolic'd while we worked on closing up the camp.  You can hear Shadow barking like crazy in the video, all her noise didn't seem to bother the young moose one bit.


We Thank You

I cannot express my deepest gratitude to our guests enough.  I sincerely enjoy visiting with everyone over the course of the summer.  From myself, Mom and Dad, we extend our biggest thanks to all of our clientele for choosing to share the beauty of the north country with us.  We look forward to swapping fishing stories with everyone at the sport shows this winter.

Good luck on the water to everyone in their fall adventures.
-Nathan
www.bighookcamps.com

Late Summer Attack

It is amazing how quickly the days shorten here in the north country.  Just last month the sun was setting around ten p.m. and was high in the sky by six a.m.  The sun now just barely starts to crest the tree line at 6:15 and remarkably we are still losing 5 minutes of daylight every passing day.  The shorter days generally mean cooler temperatures.  However, weather forecasts are looking promising.  The week is predicted to hover around the mid seventies with nights dropping as low at 40 degrees.

so glassy, which way is up?

Water is flowing again at the West Rapids

Last week we received plenty of rain to raise the water levels.  A stubborn low pressure descended over the Opasquia Provincial Park last Wednesday and Thursday.  The system dropped about 2-3 inches of rain, cooling the water temperatures to 65 degrees.  The cooling water didn't seem to affect the fishing.  Both the walleye and pike bite remained constant

Walleye 

Fish have been descending through the water column to about 20 ft.  Most big fish have been caught jigging on rock reefs.  3/8 oz jigs with solid  chartreuse tails seemed to favor the trophies last week. However, I had tremendous luck trolling wind blown shorelines in about 18 ft with Wally Divers (white, blue) and Shad Raps (perch colored).   I have never seen so many pike strike walleye at the side of the boat as last week. South Lake boated the largest fish of the week at 30.5".  Central boated and released a 26.5" and a 27.75" just off Airplane Island.

Pike 

Quite the bear scratch on a Central Portage

Pike were extremely aggressive this past week.  As mentioned before, all lakes reported big pike striking walleye at boat side.  This aggressiveness is a sign of pike attempting to bulk up for winter. The shorter days coupled with the drop in water temperature has triggered the fall feed. 

Lots of big fish have been located circling schools of walleye.  When fishing on a hot walleye spot, it is common for the action to suddenly stop. This is a sign a big pike has rolled through the area.  At this time, I like to start tossing large deep water baits such as Depth Raiders, Bull Dawgs or large plastic jigs to entice the toothy trophies. 

 

Top water action last week was also amazing.  Top Raiders, Zara Spooks, Giant Jackpots, and Dancing Raiders all sent pike flying out of the water.  The top water action was superior during the evening (6 pm-9 pm) bite.  For example, a 30 minute nonstop top water blitz last Tuesday on Central was just jaw dropping.  Just about every cast resulted in a fish blowing up on the bait.  We (I should say my fiance)  boated a 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 34 and 36" fish during this short period.  I just ended up being the net man. The only reason we stopped fishing was to remove a hook that became buried underneath my thumbnail from a thrashing pike.  All I have to say is "thank goodness for barbless hooks!" 

The biggest pike last week was boated and released at Cocos at a whopping 43".  Central, Burnt and SW came close with respective 40", 40.5" and 42" fish.  

Good luck on the water everyone!

-Nathan

www.bighookcamps.com

August, in like a lion

A great night for top water. 

August has brought us ample amounts of moisture thus far.  Ten of the eleven days have provided some form of rain in the Opasquia Provincial Park.  The rain is welcomed considering the fire situation we experienced in July.  Now the fires have been extinguished and the lake levels have begun rising.  At Central Lake the water levels have risen approximately six to ten inches.  The rain has cooled the water temperatures slightly.  Water temperatures range from 67-69 degrees.

Walleye

Walleye are descending to their late summer patterns.  Most fish are being caught on rock reefs and deeper points.  Smaller fish have been found on the edges of weed beds. Locating 16-20 ft spots are key.  These deeper reefs and cut banks will hold the bigger fish.  Trolling crankbaits along a shelf is a favorite tactic of mine.  Today for example, we caught fish jigging on top of a reef however, we could not break the twenty inch barrier for walleye.  We switched to trolling a jointed Rapala Shad Rap (black/orange) and a Berkley Flicker Shad (blue/silver) and promptly boated five walleye between 20-22".  

Pike

The big pike have been scattered between points and deep weed beds.  Many big fish have been following schools of walleye.  While fishing for walleye on reefs, anglers should be pitching for pike at the same time.  As I have mentioned in previous blogs, deep diving baits such as Depth Raiders and Bull Dawgs are great for fishing deeper rock reefs.  Large jigs coupled with 5-7" tails are also key baits in a fishermen's arsenal this time of year.  Working weed beds can be frustrating.  Some fish embed themselves deep within foliage and reaching those fish can be cumbersome.  To combat heavy weeds I utilize the infamous Johnson Silver Minnow with a white twister.  The Silver Minnow glides through the slop with minimal hang ups.  In deep foliage I also prefer braided line over mono.  The lack of stretch braided line possesses cuts weeds with little effort.  Two other baits in my tackle box are a Rapala Gliding Rap and a Top Raider.  

Burnt  

Several forty inch pike were boated and released last week.  An impressive 28" walleye was also boated and released up on Sabourin Lake.  Bigger fish were caught in the northern half of Burnt.  

Central

The north narrows once again produced several 40 inch trophies last week.  Trolling Wind Sock island was effective for walleye.  The deep reefs on the north end of the lake also held some big fish.  Jigging walleye in 18-20 ft with a 3/8 oz tube jig was favored by bigger walleye.  

Cocos

The majority of bigger fish were boated in the Sagawitchewan River.  The deeper pools in the SE sections were "impressive" according to guests.  Duckling Island is harboring several large pike at the moment.  

Lemonade/Favorable  

The deeper water of Favorable located closer to the camp have been great for walleye.  The Three Sisters have held some amazing walleye over the past couple days.  Pike Alley and Wally Point have been other notable spots.  Lemonade is still churning out quality walleye.  

South

Once again South has produced another 30" walleye.  Several 28" fish were also boated and released.  The bigger fish were boated in 25-30 ft of water.  The weeds just NE of camp were productive for both walleye and pike.  

SW 

SW lake held up it's reputation as the fish factory in the Opasquia Provincial Park. Spoons are still incredibly effective for walleye in the shallows.  

West 

The north and east end of the lake have been outproducing the "fish bowl".  The deeper sections of West have been holding quality walleye.  Last week several 25", 27" and 28" walleye were released. 

-Good Luck on the water everyone. 

Nathan

www.bighookcamps.com