Fish-Hawk.Net

Stayed close to home this past weekend - did a little house work, a little shopping - and I hit the Ottawa River Saturday night and Sunday morning.

Tried the Quebec shore on Saturday evening around 6pm. There was a light caddis hatch, but no risers, so I tied on a #10 conehead marabou muddler. Fished the foam line along the rapids and only got a nibble. I moved upstream to the top of the rapids and drifted my fly downstream in about 2' of water.

A fish took it and stayed down and as I brought it in it put up a real good fight. As I got it up close, I saw the red spots and when it was finally brought to hand, I realized I had caught my first Ottawa River brown trout in 8 years. It was a hale and hearty 12" fish that was quickly released. Sorry, no pics...I'm always uneasy about taking my camera in the river.

Sunday morning I returned to the same spot to find several others in the water. I fished it for about 30 minutes before heading off to Bate Island. In the middle channel between the islands the water is flowing well and is at a decent depth. Managed a few 1 lb smallies on a bead head wooly bugger.

Went towards the Ontario side and staked out my position along the rock reef that extends out just to the east of the Champlain bridge. It was a veritable bass-a-palooza! Virtually every cast produced fish between 1 and 2 pounds.

A fellow fly angler decided to join me, but his streamside etiquette left much to be desired. He walked within 15 feet of my position and began casting in the same spot as I was.

If you're reading this - slim guy with the cigarette, moustache, baseball cap, and tattoos - perhaps you could allow an angler a little more space. It felt like I was fishing a Lake Ontario tributary. I kept my eye on him to prevent myself from snagging him on the backcast. He didn't seem to be catching a thing. You know, had he excused himself before passing within a few feet of me or engaged me in conversation, I might have given him a fly and a few pointers (both of which he very obviously needed).

On the way out I met a newbie flyfisher. I introduced myself and gave him a few tips on casting and fly selection. He was a very enthusiastic type and I'm sure he'll take to flyfishing pretty well once he gets the hang of it. I also ran into an OFS buddy and we yakked a bit before he headed into the water & I headed home.

It was a great weekend to get re-acquainted with the Ottawa River. We are so very fortunate to have such a precious waterway at our doorstep.

Hey,

Interesting stuff... Good to hear that when you've got skills you can actually catch thoses browns. I hope one day I'll be good enough to catch one myself.

Oh and on the fishing etiquette thing, I've had the same problems... But the worst is that I'm just getting started with fly fishing and it shows when I fish, so why would you go so close to someone who doesn't look like he really controls his line??

By the way, I too fish champlain quite a bit, maybe I'll see you there someday. Last week I talked to someguy who speaked both french and english and was well equipped (all orvis, waders, reel, line, rod...) He was of good help and very kind in pointing me out where he was cattching browns and bigger bass, but of course I didn't catch any trout... Too bad I forgot his name

P-O

P-O,

Regarding the etiquette thing, I understand your point. Streamside etiquette is a bit of a weird thing and I don't profess to know all of the rules. However, there is such a thing as respect for another person's space.

The difference with my actions was that I got the angler's attention and his permission before approaching closer. I did so because it was apparent that he was struggling with his flyrod given that he was casting 2-handed (not a spey rod in sight). My intention was to try to help him to enjoy the sport with as little frustration as possible. His casting didn't look too dangerous to anyone.

He was happy to have some advice and a few quick pointers on casting. Had he given me any indication that I was not welcome, I would have backed-off and given him his space without hesitation.

The person that made me angry/frustrated just wandered right up beside me without warning and fished "my" pool. He even followed me along the river, often getting too close for comfort (15' is a little too close for flyfishing). At no time did he even attempt to engage me in chat, warn me that he was passing behind me, or ask my permission to join me. I think you'll agree that his actions were just bad etiquette.

BTW - I usually wear a wide-brimmed white hat, Orvis Silver Label waders (orange colour), and a green inflatable vest. If you see me on the river, say' "Hi!" It would be a pleasure to meet you and wet a line together. (I'm not promising any browns - like I said, it was a long time between catches! )

BTW #2 - the bass were hitting weighted streamers very aggressively. I just stood at the top of a riffle and allowed the current to drift my fly along and down. The fish were hitting on the drift away and not on the retreive. I also cast out and across the current and let the fly drift back while slowly retreiving. Strikes usually came within the final 25 feet. It was way cool!

When I was fishing in the Maritimes a few years ago, they posted the rules at each pool and I think it was even on the licence. You sit on the bench and wait your turn. You cast once, retreave and walk downstream a few feet and cast again. This is repeated until you are nearing the end of the pool and then the next on the bench heads out. It seems a bit formal but then you get to exchange stories on the bench and you don't have the hassles that Fishboy described above.

Fishboy wrote:P-O,

Regarding the etiquette thing, I understand your point. Streamside etiquette is a bit of a weird thing and I don't profess to know all of the rules. However, there is such a thing as respect for another person's space.

The difference with my actions was that I got the angler's attention and his permission before approaching closer. I did so because it was apparent that he was struggling with his flyrod given that he was casting 2-handed (not a spey rod in sight). My intention was to try to help him to enjoy the sport with as little frustration as possible. His casting didn't look too dangerous to anyone.

He was happy to have some advice and a few quick pointers on casting. Had he given me any indication that I was not welcome, I would have backed-off and given him his space without hesitation.

The person that made me angry/frustrated just wandered right up beside me without warning and fished "my" pool. He even followed me along the river, often getting too close for comfort (15' is a little too close for flyfishing). At no time did he even attempt to engage me in chat, warn me that he was passing behind me, or ask my permission to join me. I think you'll agree that his actions were just bad etiquette.

BTW - I usually wear a wide-brimmed white hat, Orvis Silver Label waders (orange colour), and a green inflatable vest. If you see me on the river, say' "Hi!" It would be a pleasure to meet you and wet a line together. (I'm not promising any browns - like I said, it was a long time between catches! )

BTW #2 - the bass were hitting weighted streamers very aggressively. I just stood at the top of a riffle and allowed the current to drift my fly along and down. The fish were hitting on the drift away and not on the retreive. I also cast out and across the current and let the fly drift back while slowly retreiving. Strikes usually came within the final 25 feet. It was way cool!

Hey Fishboy,

I think you misunderstood me... Sorry I'm french and don't always express myself right in english . I'm not saying you were wrong helping that guy fly fish, not at all, I was saying a guy did that to me the other day and it was very welcomed, he even showed me his fly!!!

I had two different story in my last post , the guy who helped me, and the guy who just started stoking me after he saw me having success, without never saying hi or anything else... I love fishing with someone else, but just a ''hey, how's the fishing?'' should be the least when you fish close to someone you don't know. But then again, some people see fishing as a peacefull and relaxing thing, while others see it as a competition...

Anyways, I though I'd go it the champlain bridge tomorow night but decided to take the kayak for bass fishing. It's gonna be my first time in our new kayak and first time doing any kind of fishing from a kayak, betcha its gonna be plenty of fun, and Meech as some easy fishing to help with the fun

P-O

P-O,

OOOOPS!
I guess I did misunderstand. I'm better on the water than I am on the internet.

Meech in a kayak...hope you do well. I hear that there are mouchettés in there, too.....

Sounds funny but even though I'd be coming to the city to fish I always wanted to try the rapids by the Champlain Bridge. Looks interesting.