Well Fishboy and I decided to hit the Ottawa R. this morning. While not the balmiest of days to be in the water, the SM action was well worth the chill. Later on in the morning we managed to get into a number of nice smallies in the 10-14" range...lots of fun in the current. The flies of choice today were #6 conehead muddlers and woollybuggers.
One thing we both commented on was how slippery the rocks are this season. There seems to be a slime building up on the rocks that was never present in past seasons. If you're going to play in the Ottawa, make sure you take all the proper safety precautions.
Cheers,
Todd
Ottawa Morning Wade
The best advice I can think of is to go with someone who is already familiar with the water. That way you'll find out which areas are "safe" and which are just a little too risky. If the water looks too risky, it probably is. Todd & I both wore inflater vests just as a precaution.
As well, the relative safety changes as the season progresses and water levels drop. This is also when fishing gets tougher and you have to pick your spots more judiciously. As Todd pointed out, the rocks were extremely slippery, more so than either of us remembered from previous years.
As for rod choices, I use a 6-wt with floating line and 9 ft leader + 18" of tippet. You can also use plain mono rather than going with a tapered leader and tippet. While you can use a 4-wt or a 5-wt, a heavier rod gives you the leverage to reel in the fish relatively quickly in the fast current to minimize stress prior to release.
Weighted flies are a must in the current and the bass hit almost anything. (They are, after all, bass - not particularly challenging, but a whole lot of fun.) My personal favourite is a #8 conehead marabou muddler minnow in either black, white or yellow. They also seem to like wooly buggers in olive or black, large stonefly nymphs, etc.
You can choose to cast to pockets of slack water around the bridge footings or to cast across current and let the fly swing down. Most takes occur as the fly "hangs" in the current just prior to the retrieve. Remember, they are bass and finesse is not necessary.
The interesting thing about the river is its diversity. Todd caught all bass whereas I also caught a very large rock bass and a nice 18" walleye.
Rossco - you're more than welcome to join us if you'd like. PM either Todd or me and we can get you on the water.
As well, the relative safety changes as the season progresses and water levels drop. This is also when fishing gets tougher and you have to pick your spots more judiciously. As Todd pointed out, the rocks were extremely slippery, more so than either of us remembered from previous years.
As for rod choices, I use a 6-wt with floating line and 9 ft leader + 18" of tippet. You can also use plain mono rather than going with a tapered leader and tippet. While you can use a 4-wt or a 5-wt, a heavier rod gives you the leverage to reel in the fish relatively quickly in the fast current to minimize stress prior to release.
Weighted flies are a must in the current and the bass hit almost anything. (They are, after all, bass - not particularly challenging, but a whole lot of fun.) My personal favourite is a #8 conehead marabou muddler minnow in either black, white or yellow. They also seem to like wooly buggers in olive or black, large stonefly nymphs, etc.
You can choose to cast to pockets of slack water around the bridge footings or to cast across current and let the fly swing down. Most takes occur as the fly "hangs" in the current just prior to the retrieve. Remember, they are bass and finesse is not necessary.
The interesting thing about the river is its diversity. Todd caught all bass whereas I also caught a very large rock bass and a nice 18" walleye.
Rossco - you're more than welcome to join us if you'd like. PM either Todd or me and we can get you on the water.
Ottawa river
Todd & Fishboy,
I also had a great time on the Ottawa River this weekend. With my good friend Greg, who, by the way, caught his first (ever) fish on his brand spanking new fly rod. Greg took the fly casting course with the OFFS and did put into action what he leraned.
Greg and I were fishing the upper Ottawa on the Quebec side across from Petawawa/Pembroke area.
We both lost count, but we landed at least 25 or so very decent small mouth bass and as many got loose (we were just having fun by then, not really caring to landing them).
We were fishing off a shole about 300 meters from shore, using a weighted conehead muddler with a red tail. The bass just couldn't get enough.
Earlier in the morning, around 6:00 am, Greg landed a 28" Muskie to start the morning off. (on a spinner rod, that is)
Quite a change for me, all I've been fishing these past years were brookies. I have to admit, I sure like to play with a 2 pounder bass on my 5 weight fly rod, they all feel like monsters.
Tight lines and be safe on the water.
Gilles
I also had a great time on the Ottawa River this weekend. With my good friend Greg, who, by the way, caught his first (ever) fish on his brand spanking new fly rod. Greg took the fly casting course with the OFFS and did put into action what he leraned.
Greg and I were fishing the upper Ottawa on the Quebec side across from Petawawa/Pembroke area.
We both lost count, but we landed at least 25 or so very decent small mouth bass and as many got loose (we were just having fun by then, not really caring to landing them).
We were fishing off a shole about 300 meters from shore, using a weighted conehead muddler with a red tail. The bass just couldn't get enough.
Earlier in the morning, around 6:00 am, Greg landed a 28" Muskie to start the morning off. (on a spinner rod, that is)
Quite a change for me, all I've been fishing these past years were brookies. I have to admit, I sure like to play with a 2 pounder bass on my 5 weight fly rod, they all feel like monsters.
Tight lines and be safe on the water.
Gilles
Ottawa river
Todd & Fishboy,
I also had a great time on the Ottawa River this weekend. With my good friend Greg, who, by the way, caught his first (ever) fish on his brand spanking new fly rod. Greg took the fly casting course with the OFFS and did put into action what he leraned.
Greg and I were fishing the upper Ottawa on the Quebec side across from Petawawa/Pembroke area.
We both lost count, but we landed at least 25 or so very decent small mouth bass and as many got loose (we were just having fun by then, not really caring to landing them).
We were fishing off a shole about 300 meters from shore, using a weighted conehead muddler with a red tail. The bass just couldn't get enough.
Earlier in the morning, around 6:00 am, Greg landed a 28" Muskie to start the morning off. (on a spinner rod, that is)
Quite a change for me, all I've been fishing these past years were brookies. I have to admit, I sure like to play with a 2 pounder bass on my 5 weight fly rod, they all feel like monsters.
Tight lines and be safe on the water.
Gilles
I also had a great time on the Ottawa River this weekend. With my good friend Greg, who, by the way, caught his first (ever) fish on his brand spanking new fly rod. Greg took the fly casting course with the OFFS and did put into action what he leraned.
Greg and I were fishing the upper Ottawa on the Quebec side across from Petawawa/Pembroke area.
We both lost count, but we landed at least 25 or so very decent small mouth bass and as many got loose (we were just having fun by then, not really caring to landing them).
We were fishing off a shole about 300 meters from shore, using a weighted conehead muddler with a red tail. The bass just couldn't get enough.
Earlier in the morning, around 6:00 am, Greg landed a 28" Muskie to start the morning off. (on a spinner rod, that is)
Quite a change for me, all I've been fishing these past years were brookies. I have to admit, I sure like to play with a 2 pounder bass on my 5 weight fly rod, they all feel like monsters.
Tight lines and be safe on the water.
Gilles
Places without current can be fun too. I've hit Shirley's Bay a couple of times this year and found good bass action. Mostly little guys (& gals, too, I'm sure) but enough big ones to keep thing interesting. Can be slippery though and accidental swimming is still possible, more embarrassing than dangerous. Best place is the little point off to the right of the boat ramp.