Ontario Canadian Walleye Fishing Trip Fulfills Long Time Dream!

In 1970, my youngest son had just turned eleven, we had never been walleye fishing in Canada;  we had a dream--"to go walleye fishing in Canada and catch more fish than we could count".

Did it happen?  Well almost, in three days of walleye fishing in Canada, in miserable weather, the six people in our group each caught between 50 and 100 walleye each.  Was it luck or skill, or a combination of both?   While we would like to say it was skill, many trips since have proven "we hit it just right". 

Regardless of the fishing tackle, delivery of the bait, anyone walleye fishing that day would catch fish.  They were spawning in four to five feet of water, next to a stream draining into a sandy bottom bay.  It was windy, cold and snowing occasionally; our hands were freezing but we were walleye fishing in Canada and catching more fish than we could count.  (Almost)

That was 27 years ago and every year since we have made our Ontario Canadian walleye fishing trip.   We tried the same tactics and tackle but never quite replicated that first trip.

Over the years we have stayed at more than half a dozen different fishing camps.  We keep searching  for that "right" time of the year and "right" spot for walleye fishing that is as productive as that first trip.  We have been close, just as recently as this year.  (The weather was almost as bad)  This time it was not in Ontario but Manitoba.

To be honest, we have learned more about  Canadian walleye fishing from the trips when we had to work harder to find the "hot spots" than when "anyone" could catch fish. 

My son has become a bit of an expert over the years, studying fishing films, fishing with a several tournament walleye fishing  "experts" and continually trying new lures and equipment.  The use of fish finders helps but many times fish are found but not interested in biting.  Fish finders are more helpful to determine depths and drop-offs.

Bob Riege in one of his recent articles states: "Walleye fishing in the wind is not a subject that you read about everyday.  Most fisherman probably won't go out on windy days because they can't control their boats or they can't feel the jig on the bottom.  Walleyes fishing in the wind can and does produce walleyes and sometimes the best walleye fishing comes when it is windy".

Twenty six years ago, we learned a few valuable lessons:

1.   Don't sit in the cabin on nasty days--that may be the day your walleye fishing is at its best.
2.   Never stop learning--keep studying the habits, equipment and methods master anglers are using.
3.   Fishing builds strong bonds--memories are made with your relatives and friends that last for life.
4.   Be open to new equipment, tactics and locations--habits are hard to break--they can make our trip or break it.
5.   Walleye fishing in Canada can be a dream come true--the key is timing and preparation.
6.   Always practice safe boating methods -- never get caught in a storm you can't get out of--storms come up quickly in Canada.  Be prepared to stay out until it blows over--prepare a "safety" bag.
7.   Walleye fishing is different--it requires different equipment, rods, reals, bait and techniques than bass, northern or other fish.  More on that later.

For interesting reading and a chance to add some beautiful and artistic drawings of various fish to your game room, take a look at "MyFishBook".