Don river

**Pescetarian** · 06-01-2012, 11:50 AM

I used to catch channel catfish in the Humber Marshes many years ago. I know that's not the Don, which you were asking about re your catfishing buddies, but are they still catchable in the lower Humber?

**Kokemachine** · 06-01-2012, 01:59 PM

Mikeh: That's the way we like 'em! Good and nasty looking.

I'll have to give the Don a shot sometime and dig into a few of those mud cats.

Every time I think about going to the Don I always worry that I'm going to get into conflicts with hobos and other forest people. Do you find that that is an issue when fishing down there?

Pescetarian: I've tried for channels at the Humber mouth up to old mill. I have yet to catch one. That could have something to do with the fact that I don't know what the F I'm doing. Ha ha. I've seen a few people night fish at the Humber marshes park. I wonder if they're going for channels?

**Death Roe Romeo** · 06-01-2012, 02:14 PM

It was my first time fishing the don yesterday, but i do walk along the don trail often enough as its close to my house. Never had any problems during the day, mostly people on bikes, and drunks havin a few pints. Would obviously be more sketchy at night if you were by yourself, but ive never had an issue. Other then having to see the odd naked guy in the woods, in which case run!!! hahahah

**MikeH** · 06-01-2012, 05:22 PM

Originally Posted by Kokemachine

Mikeh: That's the way we like 'em! Good and nasty looking.

I'll have to give the Don a shot sometime and dig into a few of those mud cats.

Every time I think about going to the Don I always worry that I'm going to get into conflicts with hobos and other forest people. Do you find that that is an issue when fishing down there?

I haven't had any issues over there so far (fingers crossed), but I am backpacking a fold down landing net that has a three ft metal handle and a t-top hinge, which I have successfully deployed as a "communication device" on a drunken assclown down at the at Credit harbour during the salmon run a couple of years ago.

If you are thinking of fishing just before sunset and an hour or two beyond, maybe get a group together (or buy some pepper spray - its pretty good on bait too!)

**Pescetarian** · 06-01-2012, 07:28 PM

Thanks Kokemachine. Maybe it's not a great catfishing place anymore. It was ages ago that I did it and I would get right down into the reeds just North of the Queensway. I just used a simple bobber, sinker and hook rig with either a worm or a flour dough mixture I used to make when I was a kid. The hook was really low and likely touching the bottom. I'd like to try for them again, so I was just curious if their offspring several generations after still habit the area.

**Kokemachine** · 06-05-2012, 05:24 PM

Thanks dudes!

Mikeh: I have a similar communication device. It's a half broken "hide a net" with a heavy 4 foot handle. It would do very well communicatin' with a naked dude's kneecap if things had to go that way.

I would probably bring a few buddies for sure.

Pescetarian: how long ago was it that you were catching channels in the Humber? I've probably been fishing in the wrong spots. I'm still rather new to cat fishing.

**araret** · 06-13-2012, 01:46 PM

I'm really interested in cat fishing too. I used to live near the Detroit River, and the channel cats in there get pretty big. 10lb+ ones got big fatty liver when you gut em

@ Kokemachine - usually when I go channel-cat fishing, I use a pickerel rig, one of those pre-tied things with 2x metal T shapes, and hooks on each T. The bottom one I put worms, and top one I put 2 or 3 dead minnows. Then, just add in a HEAVY weight like 1/2 ~ 1oz weight, and try to cast it as far as possible without throwing your bait off. Channel cats like muddy and deep water, and deep water also tends to be free of the small bullheads. Bullheads will frequently steal your worm if you use too large of a hook on your worm, but too small a hook will break if a large channel cat "chews" a deeply set hook. Usually, I throw the rig out, set it down on a branch or something, and reel the rig back 1ft every 5~10 minutes to make sure its not snagged on the bottom, or a small bullhead has eaten the worm. Small bullheads are too weak to move the 1oz weight if they are hooked, lol. Basically use a heavy bell-shaped weight if the bottom is muddy and wont snag, and then just maintain a tight line.

Also, http://www.ontariofishingcommunity.c...pic=10578&st=0
that's posted 5 years ago, so I'm guessing channel cats are still around.

I want to go cats fishing soon haha. Especially if the weather gets hot and a bunch of guys can hang out in the evening.

**Kokemachine** · 06-14-2012, 12:43 AM

Wow, that's crazy! I definately have been fishing in the wrong places. It looks like a few of the dudes were night fishing. I think I'm going to have to give Humber bay park at shot at night simetime over the summer.

**araret** · 06-14-2012, 11:44 AM

Usually dusk (7pm or so) to a couple hours into the night is most productive for me. I haven't fished purely at night, past 11pm, but I have heard that it works good when the water is warm. Also it's quite easy to get there with the 301 street car, so travelling at night won't be a problem.

**MikeH** · 06-14-2012, 08:40 PM

Originally Posted by Kokemachine

Wow, that's crazy! I definately have been fishing in the wrong places. It looks like a few of the dudes were night fishing. I think I'm going to have to give Humber bay park at shot at night simetime over the summer.

I would be up for that, sounds like it could be productive fishing.