Fish-Hawk.Net

This weekend was our much anticipated excursion to the legendary Upper Ottawa. The prime target was the monster pike the area is famous for. We booked in with Morning Mist Resort in Stonecliffe.
Friday afternoon we gone in a flash...and back in flash to get the camera; but then we were gone again...

We arrived at Morning Mist without incident...what an awesome place. I can't say enough good about the service and facilities...they were first class all the way. They even launch your boat for you ... we unhooked and they hooked on with their jeep...and by the time we unloaded the truck and mosied on down to the dock there she was, the Punisher of Pike: HMCS SASKEYE; ready to go...

Since it was getting on in the day, we decided to give Stonecliffe's pike a reprise and catch a few walleye for the pan. Straight across from the dock was the mouth of the Dumoine (sp?) R - off we went and starting slow trolling bottom bouncer/minnows...and trolled...and trolled

finally...FISH ON!!! After a brief but fiesty scrap, we had our first (and only as it would turn out) keeper of the evening - this 16.5":

After a slow start we appeared to have found the sweet spot as this one was promptly followed by four more smaller (13-14") versions, but no more keepers...oh well. Here's a better look at our one keeper:

Surf and Turf - Canadian style

What can I say - a perfect end to a perfect day - we couldn't wait for Day 2.


The next morning we were chomping at the bit to get out and tangle with some toothy critters...we ducked into several likely looking bays and shoals and quickly worked them over looking for hungry pike...nadda. Despite the slow fishing, it's real hard to complain about spending the day somewhere like this:

(the pike spot that wasn't)
If you look closely in this next photo, you can find 100 reasons why a bad day fishing is better than a good day working...

Eventually we were forced to concede defeat, but before heading in it was time for Chester to have some fun...the Border Collie that thinks he's a retreiver:

After a quick run back to the dock to refuel and rearm (and catch a nap while waiting out a thunder squall) we were back at it. Another brief attempt at pike at least produced a heart-stopping strike on a topwater - but no hook-ups. So we were off to our walleye hole again, and before too long we had supper...


And that was it...today was a complete skunk. Although admittedly we slept in and missed the morning walleye bite. We were disappointed with the pike fishing - especially not even getting snot rockets was a puzzler. The scenery was fantastic - the weather excellent, and like I said Morning Mist was top-drawer all the way.

A great weekend for sure!

Looks Like it was a great time... awsome senery, and photo's, Saskett, you realy should learn how to relax when your fishing

Great report Saskie, I've been waiting for this one. Too bad about the pike, they were hitting great here at home . I imagine the fishing up there is a good month behind with all the crappy weather we've had. I might head up that way in a couple of weeks once things get going. Was there any weed growth...?? Its just starting here on the Ottawa, I saw my first cabbage bed this week and managed four pike off of it. The four days I fished this week I think I caught over 30 pike.

Great report Dave!!

At least you caught a couple 'eyes to eat

Dumoine. Yep you got it right Sask. Great neck of the woods to be fishing in, or even just kicking back. Glad ya had fun.

Looks and sounds like a great outing Saskie. Sorry about the lack of dem toothy critters but hey, the bright side is, nothing beats fresh walleye for dinner.

Muskiemagnet wrote: Was there any weed growth...??

Zip.
We fished everywhere between 2 - 20'. The only green was my envy at hearing you and RJ talk about your pike - lol.

Nobody seemed to be catching pike - or decent 'eyes (judging by watching people head to the filleting house and dock talk). Numbers of small - mid sized eyes caught in the river/creek mouths seemed to be the order of the day. There was 1 - 4lb eye caught off the causeway at Mackey, but that was the only "size" fish caught this weekend there worth mentioning.

Looks like you guys had the good weather but not the greatest fishing ther Saskie & Saskette. You sure do have a lot more room to relax in the new HMCS Saskeye than ol' Leaky Lou dont you Sakette?

How easy was it to stay away from the bass up there? Last summer I was up at Driftwood park and it seemd like there was little smalles on every rocky point and bay.

That Canadian style surf n turf looks pretty amazing - can almost taste it from here.

Glad to see you guys out and enjoying the new boat and putting in the hours - the fish will come soon enough.

Take it easy

Fox

FireFox wrote: How easy was it to stay away from the bass up there? Last summer I was up at Driftwood park and it seemd like there was little smalles on every rocky point and bay.

Fox

Never even saw a bass all weekend. The shallow bays seemed utterly void of any life, we never fished the points much, other than those rimming the bay in front of some creek west of camp and the right (East) point of the Dumoine which is where we caught our eyes - watch for the basketball-sized rocks on shore- that's the ticket

The whole spring is way behind. I'm even thinking of delaying a trip this weekend.

You have the best of luck though. Nice ride and better yet a companion to share your interest with. My wife thinks I'm too hardcore. She'll fish with me if there is wine served in a glass with the afternoon sun reflecting off of the crystal. Air temperature should be about 25 degrees with a light breeze. lol

I was at that resort last year as one of my co-workers at work is friends with the owners of the Morning mist resort and I have to say it is a great little resort they have there. I love how they have private bathrooms and showers. We managed some smaller pickeral and some bass in August last year. Nothing too big but I must say the resort is awesome spot to stay at. I plan on going up again sometime this year and I am definitely going to try for some of the monster pike.

Wow, what an amaizing place! And so clean!

Too bad about the fishing but I have a bit of an advantage over Saskie, as I'm sure you can tell from the pictures. I don't get quite as upset about bad fishing as long as the weather is nice. I'm ok with trolling all day soaking up the sun and relaxing!

Good fishing or not, I can't wait to go back.

Excellent report!

Great report. Looked like a great time.

Gordo

Good report.
I can't wait to head up that way, my parents own property in Mackey Creek that is a summer property for us to camping at.
I have fished that area for years, great for Pickeral, Pike and Bass.