Sign up today as a FREE member and get our free fishing newsletter with Tips and Tricks and we’ll send you a FREE copy of our brand new recipe ebook for anglers!
SIGNUP

Fall River Opportunities
by Derik Gates

A month ago: People are lined shoulder to shoulder along the Tributaries of Lake Ontario taking turns casting into the rolling water. The lucky ones, who have waders, move slowly through the sections inaccessible from shore, looking for fish that have slipped away from the commotion.  A fish is hooked and a long fight ensues. The angler uses good technique only to lose the fish as the line tangles up with another angler trying his best to get an extra cast in.

Today: I walk down to the river, the air is crisp, and a sign of the oncoming winter is seen in the icy puddles and frost lined grass on shore edge. It’s 7:30 am and there are no other anglers parked along the road.  I make the water to find a clear bank.  The only sign anyone has been here is a Tim Hortons cup (which I pick up), and the boot prints of the anglers that have passed since the last rain three days ago.  My only companions, and only ones who can confirm my near catches and this fish story, are a pair of ducks working the shallow waters and riding the rapids, up and down the river.

The water is still cloudy as the liquid that started many kilometers away rushes towards Lake Ontario.  Through the water I can see fish holding on different rocks, and log jams.  I rig up for the River and start to bounce my salmon row along the bottom towards my adversary. The first few passes he pays no mind, the row skips left or right by a foot or so. On the last pass he lunges forward and engulfs the row, the battle is on.  After a few minutes the fish is landed, photo’d and released. . . . And no one saw me do it!

Along the great lakes we are fortunate to have many extended seasons in the fall for trout and salmon.  Most of these areas include river mouths and a short stretch of the river before the mouth. Although, the runs are often much smaller in the fall and winter months, fresh fish do still enter the river.  And when you only see a few other anglers in a day, there are good odds that you can find an active fish.

When fishing in later months of the year, you have to be prepared for the colder temperatures, with gloves and a toque a must.  The gear used to land these fish remains the same as in the summer months.  Fly gear and long river rods are preferred, but that shouldn’t stop someone from using their 6 ½ foot medium rod. (but if you happen to hook into a salmon, you will be chasing it down the river) On this outing I was fishing a fairly shallow 1 – 4’ deep section of river so for terminal tackle, I used salmon row, rainbow trout row(smaller), or Berkley trout worms depending on the mood of the fish. I used non-lead split shot to get my bait down to the fish. In places where I was getting hung up too much I will reduced the weight, or added a float. 

If you want a chance at some fall trout and salmon, Check the regulations with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources for the extended open seasons.

Here is a link to the regs.  

Be careful when reading the regulations as there are many exceptions.