feeding frenzy , but this worked really well for splake . Matching the hatch is key in clear water , but don ’ t overlook bright oranges and chartreuse on cloudy days – they ’ re brook trout favourites . Heavy spoons , tube and hair jigs fished vertical can be a great option for finicky fish as well .
In recent years , loggers have bulled and widened old trails into lakes , easing access once hidden wonders . Tools like Fish ON-Line ( web2 . mnr . gov . on . ca / fish _ online / fishing / fishingExplorer _ en . html ) and handheld navigation tools , make it simpler to find those secret splake destinations near you .
Hang on to that trout gear . Falling and fallen leaves signal some of the best fishing before ice-up !
Tight lines .
Police get tough with illegal salmon fishers
THIS FALL , when the hordes of anglers arrived for the annual Eastern Ontario salmon run , Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry conservation officers and local police were ready and waiting .
Although final tallies were not available as this edition was going to press , dozens of anglers faced charges for illegal activities under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act , Ontario Fishery Regulations , the Liquor Licence Act and local bylaws .
During the Sept . 16-18 weekend , MNRF Conservation officers blitzed the Port Hope and Cobourg areas , where much of the fishing is concentrated . During those three days , officers laid 42 charges and issued 33 warnings . They also seized both fish and fishing equipment . Among the offences were anglers fishing without a licence , trespassing , snagging salmon , catching salmon with a net or gaff , or harvesting them by hand . The MNRF blitz was one response to numerous complaints from area residents and other members of the public during previous years .
In the Town of Port Hope , home to the fabled Ganaraska River , officials went even further , and their actions paid off handsomely . Members of the town ’ s police force received extra training in enforcing fish and game laws , then they headed out onto the Ganaraska looking for illegal and unethical activity .
“ Based on that additional training , we decided to dedicate some time to the river ,” said Insp . Darren Strongman . As of Sept . 30 , town police had laid an additional 46 fisheries act charges , 27 liquor charges and three bylaw charges . Patrols were continuing as the run extended into October .
“ The charges are
DON WILCOX
sending a message that the river is being enforced ,” Strongman said . Port Hope police had spent 151 hours on river patrols and interacted with many , many anglers . “ We received a lot of positive comments from people along the river . They appreciated it and thought it made a difference .”
He said the additional patrols are likely to continue in future years to ensure anglers respect private and public property , and the law .
“ I ’ d gauge it as successful ,” he said .
PHOTO JASON WHYTE www . fishhuntandride . ca FISH , HUNT RIDE | 15