Must Have Tools for Any Canadian Trip
There is just something special about fishing in Canadian waters. People always ask me, “Why do you drive all the way to Canada to go fishing when the fishing is good here?”. I always tell them it’s more than just fishing. I love the peacefulness of being in the middle of the wilderness. The smell is different, the views are amazing, and there are endless fishing opportunities.
You wake up, grab a cup of coffee, and watch the lake come alive with the sounds of birds. You walk down to the dock, hop in your boat, and head out to your spot for the day. There are endless miles of shoreline with no houses, no boats, and the occasional moose sighting. You meander through islands and channels back into some of the most beautiful areas. You don’t often find these things in the States, which is one of many reasons I keep returning.
Canada is one of the few places where you can go out and catch multiple species in one day and have them all be quality fish. You can go from catching a 28-inch walleye to a 32-inch lake trout, all within a short time. Don’t forget about the smallmouth bass, muskies, and northern pike! I fished on Cliff Lake in Ontario, which has over 200 miles of shoreline and one resort. I did everything from casting, trolling, and jigging and had success. Cliff Lake is very deep and clear, but it’s unique in that it has many rock structures, shallow bays, islands, and channels, giving you a vast array of fishing possibilities.
Since Cliff Lake is so big, we used trolling to cover the water and locate fish. We were there at the beginning of June, and the lake trout started transitioning back into the deeper water. However, we did catch them anywhere from 20-70 ft. of water off of points and along the deep edges of the bays, trolling blue chrome Kwikfish with cowbells. For walleye, we trolled using spinner rigs anywhere from 8 to 15 ft. of water. Most of our walleye came when trolling along downed trees or over rocky structures and casting jerk minnows. The most exciting moment during the trip was catching a 32-inch lake trout on my walleye gear. It smashed my bait and took me for a wild ride. Let’s just say my forearms were burning by the time I landed it!
When fishing in Canada, having the proper tools on the boat is essential. I always have my Smith’s Consumer Products Plier and Scissor Combo. It comes with a hard case that you can hook to your belt or mount to your boat, so you never lose it! I also always have a spreader for those toothy fish and the Smith’s Consumer Products Regal River Fish Scale for the trophies. I typically use Smith’s Consumer Products, as they are good quality and reliable. The Smith’s Mr. Crappie 6” Flex Folding Fillet Knife is my go-to fillet knife for the boat. It folds up and can easily be stored.
If you have not been on a Canadian fishing trip, I highly recommend you experience it at least once. If you are still trying to figure out where to start, visit your local sports shows and talk with the resorts. We have found most places this way, which has worked well for us.
For more information about Smith’s Sporting Group, please contact Lacy Jo Jumper, at lacyjo@kingeiderpr.com
ABOUT SMITH’S SPORTING GROUP
Smith’s Sporting Group is a multifaceted, diversified company that supports a lifetime of outdoor pursuits and includes Smith’s Consumer Products and Tanners Team Sports. Tracing its roots to 1886, Smith’s Sporting Group designs, manufactures, and distributes key products and accessories for anglers, hunters, campers, and hikers, as well as those that love baseball, softball, and pickleball.
