By Layne Maier Last Mountain Lake seems to escape notice from anglers despite the fact it is one of the top walleye and pike lakes in North American. While hard core anglers from Regina and area know about the trophies this prairie lake holds it has escaped major international attention for the most part. This lake is 93 kilometres in length and was formed by glaciation 11,000 years ago and is the largest naturally occurring body of water in the southern half of Saskatchewan. It is just 40 kilometres north of Regina adjacent to the Qu’Appelle Valley. The lake was named…
Author: Hooked Magazine
By Gerald Konrad If you’re looking for monster browns, McHugh Lake is where to find them. Tucked between West Hawk and Falcon Lakes just south of Hwy 1, it requires some perseverance to reach. You can either walk in from the parking lot at the West Hawk turnoff, or drive in through Toniata to the pipeline road. The drive definitely requires 4 wheel drive and a stout heart, but is well worth it. The lake is as beautiful as any you’ll run across; it’s glorious just being on the water. McHugh is a finicky lake, sometimes hot as the blazes…
Fall fishing has its own set of challenges for fish and fishermen alike. Here are my ace presentations for putting muskie, walleye and smallmouth in the net, no matter the conditions. For the most part, winter and summer are periods of general stability. Water temperatures stay within a comparatively narrow range, fish lock onto predictable food sources and they show up on classic types of spots fairly regularly. In fall and spring, consistent fishing can be as common, just as long as you keep these season’s transitional and temperamental themes in the front of your mind. I’ve always loved getting on…
For much of the fall, trolling crankbaits dominates much of the fishing I do. The location (and how the fish are using a particular location) determines the most efficient presentation. So often, we find fish in transition relating to big pieces of structure. What I love about trolling crankbaits when fish are transitioning in the fall is that trolling is fluid, trolling allows you to see how and where the fish are moving much more effectively especially if you are on the water every day. Big schools of fish might be pushing up or down a reservoir. Fish might be…
By Shel Zolkewich If I didn’t love catching northern pike so much, lake trout would be at the top of my list. They’re beautiful, feisty and most of all—delicious. Because of their high fat content, lakers lend themselves well to smoking and quick grilling. Keep in mind that they don’t like to stay in the freezer for too long so eat them fresh if you can. My recipe borrows heavily on a gourmet creation from Helen Webber of Webber’s Lodges (who also happens to be the author of a series of excellent cookbooks, www.blueberriesandpolarbears.com). A few years ago, Helen’s version…
By Ed Doering A team from Edmonton fished its way to top spot in Roblin’s third annual Bug Chucker Cup stillwater fly fishing tournament held May 30 and 31, 2014. Jason Doucette and Josh Gelinas caught 15 fish over two days of competition with the largest three measuring a total of 455 cms. “We put a lot of work into this,” Doucette said moments after he and Josh Gelinas were awarded the trophy. “Hours tying flies, practicing, getting here—it took 10 hours to drive. But I was here last year and I loved it. It’s amazing.” Doucette made his first…
Pike and muskie are on the move right now, here’s a great way to catch up with them. The late Jack Burns had a great method for identifying top areas for pike and muskie on water bodies of any size or style. Pin any lake map to the wall, step back five paces, and the ‘first spots to check,’ he’d say, ‘will jump off the paper at you.’ Big, obvious structures that stand out were the starting points. Jack spent a lifetime prospecting and grinding out fish all over Northwest Ontario, and even though I grew up and fish many…
By Matt Dawson It’s that time of the year to get ready to do a little prowling around on the lake late in the day. As water temperatures warm and water skiers abound on your favourite lake, relax with family and friends during the day and get ready for a little night time fishing action after everybody exits stage left. The ideal situation is to have your boat tied to the dock ready to go on a body of water you are familiar with. If you have done a little scouting out during the day or in the previous week,…
By Jason Mitchell Like many anglers, I learned how to live bait rig for walleyes with the bail open and my trigger finger on the line. At the first indication of a bite, the thought process was to let line peel off the spool, giving fish line so that they could swallow the bait. Anglers insisted that the less a walleye feels your presence, the better. There are situations where giving to the fish, whether it be by feeding line or pointing the rod tip back, when either running live bait rigs or spinner rigs, can be the ticket. Especially…
By Shel Zolkewich Adding a few ingredients to your catch will offer a whole new twist on your favourite fish. Fish cakes are always a crowd pleaser. Serve them on buns or a la carte accompanied by some delicious side dishes. This recipe is also a great way to use leftover fish, although that seldom occurs at our table. Feel free to experiment with different flavours in your poaching liquid—thyme instead of dill, for example. If chives aren’t close at hand, use green onions or even finely diced celery. The secret to these cakes is a crispy crust. Make sure…