In the late afternooon we trolled on the big lake and caught 3 lakers, which we let go. The biggest was 2 1/2 pounds, but they fought like bass in the cold water.
Since one of us foolishly had an evening engagement back in town, we had to pack up just as it was getting fishy and head back to Ottawa. Nice day but waaaay too short.
Then Wednesday May 11, my son and I headed north of Fort Coulonge about a hundred km for a few days at Bryson Lake. This is the only place I have ever actually paid to fish!!
Last Sat/Sun they had 8" of snow and howling winds, as some of you Hawkers know. The fishing went down hill after that. There were a few guys fishing Bryson Lake doing very well with lakers, some to 15 pounds. But you don't want to eat those. Lots of 4-8 pounders.
My son and I were after speckles in the smaller lakes. Man they were hard to find! We fished Wed PM, all day Thursday and Friday AM for five fish. Normally we can catch dozens a day.
LAST YEAR
But they weren't even sniffing the bait. Deep, shallow, worms, lures, jigs, fast, slow, sun, rain, minnows (frozen) crankbaits, flashers, flies......we fished hard.
All the time we had a nasty cold east wind, which I hold responsible for our meagre catch. Once it warms up it'll be great again.
THIS YEAR
But it was a great time out and about on the water and woods with the boy.
Maple
