Fishing for the hunter

By Gord Ellis

When September rolls around, my mind starts to wander. After months of feverish thoughts and dreams about fish and fishing trips, I start to switch gears and hunting mode kicks in. I still do a lot of angling in fall, especially for muskie, steelhead, walleye, and bass, but, with the hunting season relatively short in comparison with fishing, the focus is on birds and game.

I'm betting, though, that many hunters have been in situations where they could have fished or would have, if they had been prepared.

On moose hunts, fishing is a nice mid-day diversion after a morning stomping through swamps. Getting on the water is like cleaning the palate. By afternoon, you're refreshed and raring to go after that bull again.

Fish also add variety to a hunt-camp menu. On our annual moose hunt, someone spends time on the water each day to ensure we have a hot plate of fish for supper. If you do fly-in hunting trips, fishing gear is a must. Yet, it's amazing how often hunting parties fly into remote outpost lakes, drop a moose opening morning, and then spend the next five days playing cards. Most remote lakes have great fishing, and in fall it's at a peak. Luckily, gearing for fishing during a hunt takes little preparation.

You need a compact rod and reel, line, and a basic selection of lures. On hunts, I pack a two-piece medium-action spinning rod and a reel loaded with 10-pound-test line. A rod built to take punishment, like a graphite/fibreglass composite, is a good choice. A back-up rod is nice, but unnecessary. If space is a concern, there are three- and four-piece pack rods available. Many are on the light side, though, so make sure there's some beef in the butt. Hook into a 20-pound fall pike with a buggy-whip pack rod and your fishing will be over quickly.

For most fishing (walleye, pike, bass), I stick with a selection of basic jigs and twister-tail bodies. They catch everything and are easy to store. I usually bring about a dozen each of 14-, 58-, and 12-ounce jig heads and about 60 twister bodies in yellow, chartreuse, white, and orange. I like scented twisters, but have seen unscented models clean house when the bite is on.

For pike, also take 4-inch red and white or five-of-diamond spoons. This is not brain surgery folks. We're talking basic tackle for fish that have probably not seen a lot of lures.

Tie on a foot-long steel leader. You'll land more pike and lose less tackle, and handling walleye by grabbing the leader and lifting them into the boat is actually easier. Don't, however, try that with a 10-pounder. Sure, you can bring cranks, spinners, and even bait, if you like, but it's generally not required. The less tackle you have to worry about, the better.

I should also mention stocked trout lakes. There are hundreds of them stocked with brook trout, rainbows, and splake. Many of them have year-round open seasons. I often see moose hunters who are on a week-long sting rolling by small northern lakes that are loaded with brookies. They seem none the wiser. Some of these stocked lakes have awesome trout that are a delight to look at and eat in fall. A little research to find their locations is all it takes. Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) offices have lists of these lakes. Bring a handful of 14- to 12-ounce trout spoons and you're in business.

Okay, now that I've radically lightened your tackle box, I'm going to mess things up. I really, really recommend bringing a portable fish finder on any hunting trip that could include fishing. In fall, the majority of walleye, bass, perch, and even pike are hanging around reefs and dropoffs. Sure, you could fluke on a spot, or maybe someone has been kind enough to throw a jug on a reef, but don't count on it. When time is an issue, I don't want to go searching blind for my supper, especially when I'm wearing pumpkin-orange coveralls. Use rechargeable 12-volt batteries to power the portable unit and bring spares.

A few buoys will also help you mark hotspots. If it's not too windy, I leave them on the reefs until the hunt is over. There is rarely anyone else fishing in fall where I hunt.

Don't forget to throw in a few tools that will make your life easier on the water. A pair of needle-nosed pliers, a hook hone, a fish glove, jaw spreaders, slime towel, ruler, and stringer are all helpful. Keep in mind that regulations, seasons, and bag limits vary across the province. Never assume they're the same where you hunt as in your local area. Carry a copy of the Ontario fishing-regulations summary. If you have any doubts, check with the MNR district office closest to where you'll be hunting.

Fishing might only be an afterthought during a fall big-game hunt, but it's worth the time to be prepared. Nothing goes better with fresh moose tenderloin than a plate of super crispy Ontario walleye or pike. Don't forget the seafood sauce.