Island Getaway

[MuskieBait]

I've been species hunting this spring and I have really neglected the carp and bowfin at the Island. Finally, the itch just got too much not to scratch. I just had to go pay a visit today.

I woke up early at 6:30am, but took it easy and didn't get out the door until 8:30am. By the time I stepped on the Island, it was already 10am.

A quick look at spot #1 and I decided to move on. There just weren't any signs of carp at all.

As soon as I got to spot #2, I saw some active carp. That's what I like! I quickly sent out my hair rig and chum the area a little bit with corn. There were carp either in a pair or in a small group of 3-4 checking out my chum, but they haven't found my baited hook yet. Finally, 30min later, I got a good take and my float shot off. YEEHAA! (Imagine an Asian cowboy )

Man, I forgot how fast a carp can run! My drag was definitely set too light and the carp peeled off line like nothing. I finally tightened the drag enough to slow it...before it decided to run around this little point.

Once the first run was over, I gained a bit more line back, but the fish went on a second run toward some fallen wood cover. I just managed to stop the fish before it went too deep into the stick. A little more tussle...and fish was in the net.

It's not even a big one...Maybe 6-7lbs...



Alright...fish released, chum tossed out and the rig went out again. It took a while for the fish to return. Finally, they came back and started nosing the chum again. About 30min later, I finally had a take and this fish ran right into the fallen wood cover immediately. There was no chance with this fish. I tried to ease it out gently but the hook finally got pulled out.

Okay, no problem...the fish are still active. They are active...but it seemed there was a pair of fish that were smart to me. They would eat all around the chum but pass right over my hair rig. I was just curious how smart these fish were, so when one fish came toward shore in about a foot of water, I quickly reeled in my line and positioned in its feed path. In the clear water, I could see the fish picked up the hair rig and immediately spat it out, without so much as a quiver of the super tiny, super sensitive float. WOW!

I tossed out my hair rig again and chummed some more. The pair of smart fish came back and ate all the chum. So I chummed again. And the pair came back...and I chummed again. Finally, the fish seemed to just leave the area...and I'm left hoping.

Somehow, hope paid off. There was a pair of fish that came onto the chum hot and they were on my hair rig almost immediately. In fact, the fish took it so quick and ran off so fast my rod almost flew into the water! Luckily (or smartly), I had my rod clipped to my carabiner clip attached to my backpack...so I had a backup system just in case of such scenario.

Anyways, this fish was a hot one too, but it ran into the unobstructed area. It didn't take too long to bring to the net.



After this fish, all activity ceases. I fished for another 30min and decided to move. I went back to spot #1 and it was still lacking signs of fish. I then took a long walk to check some areas for bowfin. I haven't seen a bowfin in my carp spot. They are usually there in the spring but the fish would leave after spawning. I walked around quite a bit but didn't spot any bowfin. An hour later, I decided to fish the afternoon carp bite.

On my way to spot #2, I checked out this little spot and happened to see a lone feeding carp. I carefully toss out my rig into the feeding path and chummed the area lightly. This fish came right on top of the chum, then found my hair rig, but somehow the hook didn't set. The carp managed to suck the bait right off the hair rig. Hm...

I could see that there were a few more fish in the area. I chummed again and set out my rig. Again, there was a pair of fish (I suspect it was actually the same smart pair, since one of them was a very light coloured fish) that ate all around the chum and left.

Finally, something strange appeared in the water. There was this really light colour shape on the bottom. It was moving rather slowly and hovered often. At some point, it hovered in the same spot for over 5 minutes. At first, I thought it was a turtle eating my chum. When my float twitched lightly and dragged away just ever so lightly, I thought maybe the turtle had eaten my hair rig. I tried to pull on the line and the "thing" came alive. It gave a jump!

Surprisingly, it was a small carp about 4lbs. I had never seen a carp hover in one spot like that for so long.



I fished this spot for another hour and the spot dried up. I took another walk around to look for more active carp. On one end of a bay, it was really very shallow and I couldn't see much. Just as I was leaving, I caught something stirred up the water a little. I took a better look...and there it was...BOWFIN! This bowfin was settling in among some fallen branches. My guess, with so many bedding sunfish around, it was trying to ambush some of these sunfish.

I quickly cut off my hair rig and put on a #10 circle hook, then baited with a whole nightcrawler. A perfect cast just beyond the fish, a slow retrieve to pull it into position, and a deliberate raising and waving of the dorsal fin. The fish moved forward and gulped the worm in!!! I waited for just a second for the fish to fully take the worm in the mouth, but the fish turned and ran right back into the wood. As I tired to set the hook, the line pulled against the branches and the hook just pulled out. DARN!!!

I was just lamenting blowing the shot. However, the fish settled right back into the hiding spot and acted like nothing had happened. This time, the fish had entered the sticks the other way, so instead of facing left, it was now facing right. I tossed the worm at the fish again. At first, the fish raised its fins in alert. I thought the bowfin had smarten up already. Luckily, the fish then showed interest again and quickly swam over and GULP! Gone!

I set the hook and it was fish on!!! In typical fashion, the fish cartwheeled, gator rolled, sidewinder slithered, and jumped a couple of times. It bulldogged and bulldogged...but finally, I had it in the net after 5 attempts.

Seriously, this is my new picture to represent my bowfin catch on the life list. A spectacular male bowfin with brilliant green belly and fins, plus that bright peacock spot on the tail!!! What a specimen!!!



After this fish, my day was complete. I wanted it to end on a high note. At about 5pm, I decided to bike around the island just to get some exercise. I did keep an eye out for possible fishing areas, but nothing really scream "fish here" to me.

It was a great day and my itch was adequately scratched. Although the carp were smaller than my usual grade, I was happy to spot these active fish and watch them come into my chum and finally take my hair rig. Sight fishing that spectacular bowfin was the icing on the cake!

[MikeH]

Awesome report! (fantastic colouring on that Bowfin).

I cant wait to get back on Monday and get out fishing. I picked up a bunch of micro lures at Bass Pro in Vegas while I was here. I'm fishing on the Colorado at Willow Beach about ten miles south of Hoover dam tomorrow, before catching the red eye back to T.O.

[tangledline]

sweet fish...i wanted to go fishing at the islands so bad...too much fishing politics and work work....crap.......i think you got bowfinning down to an art now ...well done!

[MuskieBait]

Thanks guys!

Hey Mike, we need to get together and fish the canal that you chum. I fished there on Thursday night and broke off a fish I just couldn't stop. There are some massive fish in there! The ones I spotted swimming and hiding were at least 20-25lbs...and I have an issue underestimating fish weight all the time...

[MikeH]

Thanks guys!

Hey Mike, we need to get together and fish the canal that you chum. I fished there on Thursday night and broke off a fish I just couldn't stop. There are some massive fish in there! The ones I spotted swimming and hiding were at least 20-25lbs...and I have an issue underestimating fish weight all the time...

Sounds like a plan!

My net busting PB Carp came out of there one evening last summer, and I have had run-ins with some serious fish on that section. I'm planning on hitting the harbourfront every evening this week, ITS BEEN SO LONG! plus a couple of early mornings over the islands before work.

Based on the success of my home made dragonfly lures at Grenadier pond (cut and reshaped crawfish plastics with wings stuck on....hahahaha) I just ordered 50 pro-made dragonfly plastics, ready for the bass opener.

[evanxrs]

Awesome Fish Ken.

Looks like the Island's produced....

[tangledline]

mike and ken since you both are masters of grenadier pond and the islands i am knighting you official Toronto Fishing Ambassadors.....
you will make yourselves available for kids fishing days at both venues....
the date ....they are telling me monday but it will be july 7-8 or july14-15....
the Toronto Parks and Recreation and MNR are mentoring myself to start a fishing program for the children of Toronto......
so i can not do this alone.....and i only want reasonable amount of time from others...communicate over the phone and internet and show up for 1/2 dozen events....
the rest of the time fish as you ussually do but wear Toronto Fishing Ambassador shirts and hand out business cards with info web sites listed and answer kids questions should they ask....i may even be able to supply you with free fishing rods to give to kids on your outings....

these are rewarding positions in the community and you guys are well deserving please please please accept these roles
thankyou david

[MuskieBait]

David, it'll be my honour. I love working with kids and I've helped at kids fishing events before. It's always a huge reward. I would like to attend more of them, but most of them are a drive away and I can't always get there. These Toronto events would be perfect.

You got my phone number. Just let me know what you need my help with.

Either July 7-8 or July 14-15 is good for me.

For the shirt, I wear Small.

Here are a couple of happy kids from last year. I let a boy fight one of the carp yesterday for a little bit...didn't get a picture with him, but he had a big smile on his face.

[Kokemachine]

That bowfin looks amazing!

[Pescetarian]

That was a great day down South in the Islands. Beautiful Bowfin.