April 30, 2002
The plan for me to go trout fishing on the Ganaraska River had been hatched at the last minute. It was suppertime now, and my ride was leaving at 3:30 a.m. the next morning. As I don't do a lot of creek fishing for trout, I was forced to make a list of tackle items that I needed to buy in order to make the trip a success. Nancy couldn't believe that there were things that I don't already have in my tackle box.  With the exception of tiny earth worms, these items would have to be picked up at Canadian Tire, the store where trillions of Canadian anglers go to get the gear they need.

The cold drizzle falling outside told me I only needed to go as far as the sidewalk to find my live bait.  I recruited Meghan and Gracie to hunt down worms on the street.  The worms were trying to escape the soaked lawns - and the snow.  Meghan is a pro at worm hunting, but Grace can't remember the last time she did it.  Meghan showed Grace how removing winter gloves wasn't necessary to pick up the worms off the hard pavement.  She expertly slid a twig underneath a worm at halfway and lifted the slimy wiggler into the Pringles container.  

When the bottom of the can was covered an inch thick with a writhing, slimy spaghetti of small worms, it was time to race down the Queensway to the Kanata Canadian Tire.  My daughters love Canadian Tire too, and each time our visit becomes an event.  As we hurried up the parking lot toward the doors, Meghan confirmed the plans for that evening....
"Now while we are in Canadian Tire, remember, I'm Britney Spears and you are..."
"Kwisteena Agwhiwheerah."  Grace replied.
"And Daddy you can be that old bald guy you listen to, Bill Collins"

"Dad doesn't have any Bungees, Gracie - scoop them all."
"Wight, Meghan!"
"And then Dad needs some 3/0 and 4/0 worm hooks.'
"Wight, Meghan!"

I had to pull them away from the rack. "Girls, I don't need PowerWorms.  I crave them, yes, but I need to get gear for steelhead fishing tomorrow.  Small Mustads, a range from size 6 to 10, and some slip bobbers and bobber stops."
"Ohhhhh my gawsh, Bwitney.  Do you hear what I hear?  He doesn't even want the new Bungee wombs.  I'm fwabbergasted!"

Meghan talked me into buying some Bungee grubs useful for pike fishing in a couple of weeks, but then we spent the next ten minutes picking apart the display opposite the PowerWorms.  I bought some of the small mustad hooks, some colourful marshmallows with a garlic taste, and some bobber stops.

We arrived at the parking lot beside the Ganaraska River shortly before 7:00 a.m.  At this time of year, early May, the Ganaraska River is swollen with spring run-off.  Our day had been preceded by a couple of days of rain that increased the run-off and gave it just enough colour to provide additional cover for fish.  This should be perfect.

This is good water - note the rock in foreground.

By 9:00 I had already seen several anglers pulling nice steelhead out of the river - never where I was currently fishing, often where I had just left.  Would I even hook into one on this day? 

With renewed enthusiasm, we fished for four more hours.  While the action was less than thrilling on the end of my rod, I was fascinated watching other guys and their technique and tackle for catching the beautiful trout.  And next time, I know I will have the know-how to catch some of my own.

Fish-Hawk,

...what I am writing to you about, though, is the subject of etiquette on the stream itself. I think, if you had been offended when other fishermen encroached on your spot, that you were probably correct. Under most circumstances, experienced steelheaders will not fish "shoulder to shoulder" with one another, and they will wait for a spot to be vacated before they move in. Although, when there are lots of people on the river,
I am not adverse to sharing a pool with a couple of other anglers: after all, we are all out to try and have fun, right?

Also, as you said yourself, fish were often caught in spots that you had just vacated; this is commonplace on most Lake Ontario tributaries. In fact, on crowded days, many more experienced and wilier steelheaders will look for people who are (no offense) pretty obvious newbies. If they are not spooking the fish, they often leave pools and riffles in relatively good shape. One need only apply a more "sophisticated" technique, to fool the fish thereafter.

One thing I did notice which, as a conservation-minded angler, I found a little bit distracting. That is, the handling of the lovely "hen" which Steve caught, could have been much, much better. In the picture, I see
that Steve is holding the fish by the gill plate. I assume you kept the fish for eating? However, if that fish was released, it is highly doubtful that it survived to go back to the lake. Because steelhead are particularly delicate (not quite but almost as much as brook trout) any scratch or wound, however minute, on their gills can be deadly. In the future, I suggest handling fish that you intend to release, just like the fellow you photographed & put on your site. He has tailed the fish & is holding it under the fins, with fingers carefully away from the gills.

Sorry if it sounds like I am giving you a hard time! I don't mean to, really, but I can tell you that I learned from river-side critics who were a lot harder!

Paul H

Thanks for the informative email Paul. There is information in there that is good for a lot of newbies to know. For your info, the trout that Steve caught did make the trip home to Stittsville.

Fish-Hawk