Where did it all begin? Whether it be our profession, our every day developments or our pass-times, every now and then each and every one of us must pause and reflect on where it all began.
When I pause and reflect on my favorite hobby, fishing,and where it all began suddenly vivid memories begin to transpire. I picture a somewhat scrawny kid, a little short for his age, sitting on any one of the make-shift raggedy docks that littered the banks of the Sydenham River during the late '60's. The mandatory "brush-cut" was not so much part of the late '60's as it was my fathers wishes.
One of grand-dads steel rods was granted to my temporary possession as it was indestructible. I loaded the antique level wind with 25 pound test line. 30 was better and only because I couldn't find 100 pound test for sale. I guess I didn't want to compromise anything just in case I actually caught one of those 50 pound perch I dreamed about.
Its a nice little picture to remember and the fact is that aside from the "hair thing" the same scenario is repeated day after day with kids all over North America. I truly believe that I exhausted more man (boy) hours back then chasing fish than I do now 20 years later.
Burt Myers, a friend of mine and Editor of ONTARIO OUT OF DOORS magazine wrote a special editorial a couple years back as to the significance of certain "special" fish species. He noted that although Walleye, Bass, Musky etc were highly sought after, species such as Carp, Catfish, Drum, Suckers and the like played a very important role in Ontario's sport fishery.
Occasional anglers, weekend fisherman, shoreline anglers, elderly, retired, handicapped and especially kids all take advantage of the abundant and easily accessible course fish species throughout the province. This group makes up a very large and important part of tradition anglers. Unfortunately this group of anglers and these fish species are often overlooked when you pick up fishing magazines or watch the popular fishing shows on TV.
Therefore I dedicate this space for those anglers and those fish. Catching fish is fun and catching more fish, any fish is more fun yet. And when it comes right down to it, I don't think I know any angler who would pas up the opportunity to tussle with a 20 pound carp or rod-breakin' dogfish. So long as its just for fun.
One of the most prolific fish species in Ontario is the carp. His range is wide and the waters he thrives in varies from shallow and dirty to deep and clean. Now this thriller of a fish is literally a hog. I call him a hog not only because he can obtain weights of 50 pounds or more but he will eat anything. Primarily a bottom feeder it is not unusual to see Mr Carp sucking plankton and insects from the surface of the water.
To catch this bruiser of a fish, one may simple attach a huge gob of worms to a large hook, weight it down so it will stay on or very near bottom and cast it out. In some of the more populated waters you can have a lot of fun with carp by chumming for them. Chum may consist of either half cooked potatoes or bread dough. Throw this chum into the water near where you plan to fish and within a few hours the water will be teaming with carp and suckers. If you practice this often enough in the same spot you will find yourself with some pet fish that the kids will enjoy feeding throughout the morning and evening hours.
Suckers are very similar to carp except they prefer to inhabit a bit deeper and cooler waters. The same fishing techniques apply as they are a bottom feeder, swimming and sucking up whatever is edible along the bottom of the lake or river.
For a bit of a change Catfish and Freshwater drum or Sheepshead can be caught by either casting various lures such as spinners. For the most part shore anglers and kids will get a thrill catching these battlers by simply still fishing with minnows.
I would suggest that you try to keep you offering slightly off bottom. 18 or 24 inches will suffice as these fish are bottom oriented eaters meaning they will feast upon minnows that are swimming close to the bottom.
While the drum prefers a slower, warmer more meandering type of river or warm water lake, the catfish (especially channel cats) prefer cool, moving waters. It is important though that you keep your minnow offerings stationary with some type of lead weights. You will find 3-way swivels come in very handy for this type of presentation.
As an added bonus to drum and catfish anglers, you may be pleased to know that a growing number of Canadians are finding them quite pleasing for the supper plate. 'Cats are the number one "eat me" fish throughout the Southern US and the firm mild tasting flesh of the drum is gaining popularity across the country as well.
Don't get me wrong here. All fish are edible its just that carp and suckers are a hard sell for the table. But in the end if you make a point of trying some of these techniques and species, you will quickly agree that they are "JUST FUN FISH" !
