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Our day began with a long run in 20 knot NE winds and big waves. I wasn’t sure how we would make out as it was my first outing for pike, this season. Flood waters surrounding Montreal had the lake much higher than any springtime level I’ve ever experienced. I was literally fishing areas that were usually land! To make matters worse, the water temps were only 48 degrees! I don’t even like fishing for trout and salmon in these temps! We remained shallow for a while slow trolling the lures and were eventually rewarded. John & Pascal had brought a couple of coworkers that had never caught pike before. They both managed to get their first fish, almost minutes apart! I covered water hoping to find some warmer areas but the best we could locate was 48.7 degrees. These fish were post spawn and should have been feeding heavily, but every hit was a grind. Bites were few & far between until I ventured slightly deeper. It was here, later in the afternoon that the action picked up. Everyone managed to fight fish multiple times in the last couple of hours. Several drive byes were also had throughout this afternoon trip. The short 5 hour day produced a decent number of fish and was still better than golf. These guys had the option of doing one or the other today and were just happy to be on the water. Catching fish was a bonus! I’m sure there were many more pike in the area but with the conditions we were faced with, they just didn’t want to move. Water temps can only get warmer in the coming weeks and the fish can only get more active. I will be back out plenty and hope to have more of those banner days I am so accustomed to at this time of the year. Bring on the heat!

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Extreme high water levels have caused major issues for many home owners this spring. Flooding in low lying areas and waterfront has only benefitted the media! Destruction always makes the news! Roads all over have been closed due to the flooding. Even places like main streets, that should have been far enough from the river are now under water!

With walleye opening soon, trying to locate a launch has become an issue as well. Plenty of ramps on both sides of the lake, are closed due to high water. My regular entry remains blocked, unless you’re « Transport Canada »! Barriers are blocking the drive to the lake, but launching is obviously doable. I don’t understand why they haven’t removed them yet! I’m hoping that they are gone before the end of this week. With any luck, the water will have receded enough, otherwise I will have to travel to take clients fishing.

Despite all these minor headaches, I’m still fortunate not be living close to the flood areas. I feel for everyone dealing with major water damage and possibility of losing their homes! Mother Nature definitely rules!

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Dan had been looking forward to today for almost two weeks now. It was either stay home with his wife’s gang and Karaoke, or go fishing. There’s a no brainer! I knew the best bite would be in the afternoon due to the cold night so we launched right around 9:00 this morning. To make matters even better, we were using his boat to fish! Due to the shallow waters we had to navigate, a lighter boat was our best choice. Unfortunately, the big winds and waves had me soon second guessing our decision. We were faced with 2 & 3 footers and a giant howl from the SW. A little splashy but we got the job done! Once we arrived at our destination, he was put to the test. Now he had to operate the electric motor and try to fish in these hateful winds. I was definitely enjoying being a passenger caching fish from the back of the boat. Dan on the other hand was struggling a bit, using the foot pedal on his new electric for the first time. Although it was  difficult in the beginning, he eventually managed and now we were both hooking up. We were targeting crappie and working hard to get them. Bluegills and sunfish were more active under our floats, but some crappie were cooperating. We moved around a few times but found ourselves back where we began, by the afternoon. With the air temps much warmer now and sunshine blazing down on the water, it was only a matter of time. Unfortunately the winds had also picked up and I eventually gave in and took over on the electric motor. With the boat so light, we were being blown all over too quickly and I didn’t want to spook the fish. Although I’m use to cables for foot control, I soon realized that his pedal wasn’t much different. For the last couple of hours in our day, we both boated our share of these tasty morsels. It was also their lucky day as every last one was released! Dan managed to get the biggest one and on his last cast too! I decided to call it a day and end on a high note. I’m pretty sure if we stayed there, we would have caught many more. Unfortunately I had dinner plans and needed to get home. What started slow, eventually changed with the weather and ended with a bang! There’s still plenty of days ahead for more crappie action but I’ll be splitting it between panfish and salmon now that the season has arrived. Either way, I’ll be on the water as often as I can in the coming weeks. Hopefully the weather as well as the fish will cooperate once again!

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With the seasons about to start for various fish, I am still catching the only thing legally open. Crappie and giants at that! Yesterday was a little better than today but the quality is well worth the lack of numbers. Some real monster « Gorillas » have been landed under a float and on extremely light tackle. These fish may not be the best fighters but what they lack in strength, they more than make up in taste. Very similar to a walleye for their fight but even tastier!

Salmon will be next on the list this week and hopefully the season opener will provide plenty of action for my guests. Fly rods will be the tackle of choice and trolling the technique used to pursue these feisty silver bullets. Hopefully there will be many reels screaming, just like they always do!

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With the season about to begin, I thought I’d take a look at the lake before dropping the boat in for a run. But after seeing all the crap floating and the water levels so high, I decided against it. No need hitting something big and costly before getting started! Plenty of time to fish starting next Friday when the trout & salmon opener hits Quebec anyway! Pike will open the following Friday, May 5th and walleye a week later. With all this high water, it should be great fishing for everything as the shallow bite will make for easy pickings. I can’t wait to get out with clients, both new & old, for another excellent season. Plenty of openings available for anyone interested in catching both numbers and size of these early season fish. Gift certificates also make for great fathers day presents as well as birthday gifts! Just something to consider!