Big Rideau Lake Trout outing (pics)

[jsdx]

Lake trout opener was yesterday but grass cutting, tree trimming and garden planting got in the way so we waited until today.

I got the little one and my son, using his technique of resting while the action is slow and quick to claim the rod on the "fish on", got the big one. The little guy was at 80 ft and the larger one was at 60 ft, both in the late afternoon. I suspect they are higher up in the water column, earlier in the morning. We tried from 40 - 90 ft in the search. We saw hooks all through the depths. We trolled a 24 inch gang troll with treble hooked salted minnow.

Here's my happy son with his monster trout. This one came home with us and will be the guest of honour for dinner. No weight due to scale malfunction but my son's guess is "87 lbs "... or translated to 4 (ish) lbs in the real world.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jduimovich/ ... 0850"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jduimovich/SDoSdJD ... 9.JPG"></a>

My son put on a demonstration of the "sleep when the fishing is slow" technique, something he learned from me now doubt. Note the advanced positioning of the fish-hawk cap for shading while still keeping an eye out on the goings on.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jduimovich/ ... 9970"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jduimovich/SDoSfUS ... 4.JPG"></a>

Turns out the kid is a bit of a show off... He whipped that fish out at the marina (twice!) and when we got home, to show off to the neighbours and then again when his mother came outside to see what the excitement was all about.

I got one too but mine was just a little guy
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jduimovich/ ... 0434"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jduimovich/SDoSemt ... 8.JPG"></a>

What a great day. Hope everyone else had as nice a day as we did.

[Erie-Eyes]

Congratulations to both you and the young lad on two nice fish - these are memories of a lifetime - I still remember my early fishing trips with my dad - PRICELESS !!! Hope to make it to Big Rideau myself within next couple of weeks.

[Bass Addict]

Cool report Dude.........


Congrats to you and your son

[B B]

Doesn't Big Rideau open the first Saturday in June for Lakers?

[troutnmuskiehunter]

Doesn't Big Rideau open the first Saturday in June for Lakers?

2008 Regs have new opening dates for Lakers in Zone 18

Lake Trout* 4th Sat. in May to Sept. 8

[Dartee]

Nice Job on the Laker by your son


We didn't see too many fish brought in Sat or Sunday.
Most in the 2lbs range an a few in the 4 but not many.

The reg change I think through a few people off, water was lighter the usual.

[B B]

Why thank you for the clarification. I guess I missed the opener! Were there a gozillion boats out? I don't see one other boat in the photos and you can typically walk across them on BR on opening day.

Congrats!

BB

[Tip-up]

Great day to be out. Congrats on your success! Thanks for the report!

[B B]

Big Rideau was always in Zone 10. Did they change the zones also?

[Todd B.]

There have been a number of changes, including the zones. I would suggest checking out the Regulations "Sticky" to familiarize yourself with the 2008 regs.

[B B]

Thanks. What's with the "Sticky" reference?

[Andy_L]

this is the "stickied" post being refered to: http://www.fish-hawk.net/hawktalk/viewtopic.php?t=29189

Stickied just means it stays at the top of the list and doesn't move down

[Andy_L]

great report btw I like your son's idea....my only problem with that is when i try it, the boat tends to end up against someone shoreline with me snoring away happily

[jsdx]

Were there a gozillion boats out? I don't see one other boat in the photos and you can typically walk across them on BR on opening day.

I was out on Sunday so that was the day after the opener and I only saw 4 other boats out on the water for lake trout. The boats were spread out so I didn't see any fish caught however on my way out we passed a guy in the channel near the narrows cranking in something serious.

I was also worried about the regulations changes as they not only changed the regulations but they changed the zone numbers too. Anyhow, I got mine here http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/Le ... 63615.html

I checked them 5 or 6 times just to be sure the season was open. Fishing for lakers on BR in May seemed early but it was nice anyhow.

The water temp at the surface was 55F so it's perfect for lake trout water even up shallow.

And the "Sticky" reference is that the regulations are included as a Topic in this forum and marked as "sticky" so it stays near the top of the listing.

[RJ]

It really shows you how much people actually read the regs....I was out Saturday and could count on 2 hands how many boats were out there...