Arguably (depending on the angler!) the prettiest fish that swims...the speckled trout.
A favourite Algonquin waterscape of mine... Roughly a dozen years ago my brother Nathan convinced me to go trout fishing in Algonquin Park via canoe about a week after ice out. Since I am an outdoors enthusiast with a large appetite for fishing and adventure, I did not require much convincing! Nathan had gone the previous spring or two with some high school pals, and we figured that we could imitate the success of those earlier trips.
Although we (Nathan) forgot the eggs for breakfast, we substituted freshly caught-like 20 minutes ago!-lake trout to go with the bacon. It was hard but we made the best of a (not so dire) meal catastrophe! With great weather, calm lakes, no bugs and 2 lake trout, I was, as the saying goes, hooked on spring trout fishing in Algonquin Park!
Although we (Nathan) forgot the eggs for breakfast, we substituted freshly caught-like 20 minutes ago!-lake trout to go with the bacon. It was hard but we made the best of a (not so dire) meal catastrophe! With great weather, calm lakes, no bugs and 2 lake trout, I was, as the saying goes, hooked on spring trout fishing in Algonquin Park!
Early morning in early May on Round Lake on the way into Algonquin Park. A month ago, 5 of us reconvened for our bi-annual Algonquin fishing trip. Both of my brothers, my nine-year-old nephew, Cliff, already a veteran canoe tripper with 3 spring trips and numerous summer trips under his belt, and Nate's pal, Darren. Nathan and Darren work outside year round, I work so that I can be outside as much as possible, and Ben is always good for an adventure. Cliff was not about to sit at home while his 2 uncles and dad were catching all the trout, either!
The plan was to have the canoes loaded and ready to glide off the beach at the Round Lake access point to Algonquin by 7 AM, when the Park office opened. Amazingly enough, we did it, and we were on the water no later than a quarter after.
The plan was to have the canoes loaded and ready to glide off the beach at the Round Lake access point to Algonquin by 7 AM, when the Park office opened. Amazingly enough, we did it, and we were on the water no later than a quarter after.
Ben, Darren and Cliff about to enter the Amable du Fond River. It was a cloudy but calm morning with a nice temperature, and we started across Round Lake for the mouth of the Amable du Fond River, which flows east through North Tea Lake, then north into Manitou Lake and Kioshkokwi, and on into the Mattawa River, which flows into the mighty Ottawa River system.
Anyways, Ben was soloing in a little 14 foot cedar strip canoe, Darren and Cliff were in Darren's lightweight-38lbs!-kevlar canoe, and Nathan and I were in the cedar strip prospector. Both cedar strips were made by Nathan, and are source of pride not just for Nathan but for anyone paddling in them, since many people compliment the craftsmanship and beauty of these vessels.
Anyways, Ben was soloing in a little 14 foot cedar strip canoe, Darren and Cliff were in Darren's lightweight-38lbs!-kevlar canoe, and Nathan and I were in the cedar strip prospector. Both cedar strips were made by Nathan, and are source of pride not just for Nathan but for anyone paddling in them, since many people compliment the craftsmanship and beauty of these vessels.
A young bald eagle standing sentinel above the river. As soon as we reached the Amable, someone spotted a juvenile bald eagle. At the same time, we also heard a moose crashing through the brush. At least, that is what the consensus is. The Amable is a river with plenty of character that is in no hurry to get to North Tea Lake. It zigs and it zags, and if you are quiet there is a good chance of practically canoeing right into a deer or a moose as you navigate a bend. The canoes were lined down the first rapids without mishap, other than the proverbial pack that jumped overboard, and we were at the North Tea Lake access point by 9 or 10. We were thrilled. Not only was the giant lake looking peaceful, but we had also not seen anyone else heading into the Park ( the less people out there, the better the fishing! Or so says my theory...)
On the glassy expanse of North Tea's West Arm. There are 2 people in the yellow canoe-one is resting!
This is the halfway point on North Tea Lake! North Tea Lake is a beautiful beast of a lake. It is about 11 km long, and can be easily divided into three sections, the wide West Arm, the North Arm that runs up to Manitou Lake, and the East Arm, which never comes to an end...or so it seems after spending several hours paddling down the lake. The East Arm has three long, sheltered bays, and upon closing in to each successive narrows one can't help but to think the next portage is around the point. Not so! Years ago, a buddy and I were just starting the return trip west down the Lake when we saw a moose swim across one of the East Arm narrows. Sure enough, we came around the point and the big cow was still there. We anchored by a rock and I shot an entire roll of film on her from way too close, probably 25 feet away. Fortunately, Algonquin moose are quite accustomed to people, but I sure won't do that again!
A giant white pine tree above the guys on North Tea's East Arm.
Cliff and Darren on Hornbeam Lake. Anyways, we arrived at the portage-finally-into Hornbeam Lake, more a pond than a lake, but as with most Algonquin lakes, very picturesque, with a nice waterfalls across from the portage, and waterfalls beside the portage. Here, right below the falls, I picked off the first trout of the trip, a gorgeous little speckled trout, also known as brook trout, or brookies. On 4 lb test line with an ultralight rod even a little fish like the one that opens this blog post is an exciting fight.
An iconic view, in my mind, of the entrance to Biggar Lake, at the lowpoint of the treeline.
Ahhh, the good life-Ben taking it easy on Biggar Lake.
These lake trout were caught within a few yards of each other on Biggar, both 4lbers and 22" long. The portage out of Hornbeam leads to a little river that is full of rocks. You come around a bend and all of a sudden Biggar Lake comes into view. I have mentioned in previous posts that it is arguably mine and Nathan's favourite Algonquin destination. It is a lake with 2 distinct areas to it. The west half is a long, narrow arm lined with cedar trees, while the east half is wide with no islands and a shoreline that climbs quickly, and a large beach at the far end. By now, I was in Darren's canoe, and Cliff was with his dad, Nathan. I had a silver-gold Lucky Strike spoon at the end of my line, and wham! My Ugly Stik rod bent double, and I had a good snag. We went back to retrieve it, and then the rod started shaking. FISH!!! She started running as soon as I got her near the surface. When I saw her I was sure that it was a 10 lber. Turned out to be a be a beautiful 22inch 4 lb female. Soon as Darren netted my fish, we saw Cliff crawling over the packs back to his dad in their canoe a few yards away, tight to shore. A minute later, Cliff netted another beautiful 4lb laker that Nate caught on a silver Williams Wabbler. 30 minutes later, we were at our campsite with over 8 lbs of fresh trout to eat! It was a tough job, but we got through it alright!
Friday morning rocking and rolling Biggar Lake. That first night out, the wind changed, from an almost imperciptable West wind to a good blow from the East. It also brought rain, a good, steady day's worth. We abandoned the campsite in favour of a more sheltered site closer to the portage into Biggar, which turned out to be a very wise move. The waves were rolling west, which was the way we were going. We found a good site, got a couple tarps up, with one over the firepit, and proceeded to dry everything out over a relaxed afternoon and evening. The 2 lb laker and 2lb speckie didn't hurt, either!
Nathan and his 2 lb laker.
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Darren's 2 lb brookie.
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I will conclude our 4 day adventure in my next post, with tales of more trout, more gray skies, and a rather memorable exit out of Algonquin on Mother's Day. Untill then, enjoy the warm weather, and get out there, eh!
Uncle Travelling Dan
Uncle Travelling Dan
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