Sioux Narrows Ontario Lake Trout and More

I found it quite amazing where a couple of hours North of the U.S. border places a person. In my time, I’ve taken countless trips the Lake of Woods and other neighboring areas but never quite ventured into the new atmosphere of Ontario Canada. It was a landscape that is seen in movies and a simplified life of the “old days”. I could have never imagined the beauty of a place so near lying upon the same continent I reside. Simply stated, Ontario now holds a special place in my heart for my love of ice fishing. The following is a brief explanation of an unimaginable excursion into Ontario’s Sioux Narrows.

It was a long ride anticipating the fishing that I would soon see. Sunflower seeds were my friends as walleye and lake trout fantasies maintained my patience. Well, its fair to say energy drinks aided in my alertness after our departure at 8 PM. Two bags of seeds and snooze in the truck later, the sun greeted our arrival over the bridge of Sioux Narrows Ontario.
We were greeted by Matt of Crawford’s Camp, who appeared a bit more rested than the rest of us. All that was needed to maintain our arrival excitement were lake trout bigger than toddlers. I’ll admit I had high expectations of Canada’s water’s, but nothing near what Matt was able to lead us into.

Lake trout fishing quickly began around 9 AM. Fifty to Sixty feet of water produced the trout throughout the weekend. Scott Steil and Greg Holthaus quickly put the trebles to 10 lb trout leaving myself in desperation to “Get the skunk out”. Custom Jigs and Spins’ slender spoons unbaited let the trout see the sun that morning. However “my skunk” would have to wait for another day while the hungry crew went out in search of lunch at the crappie hole.
I shouldn’t call it a crappie “hole”; it was more similar to a 16’ stacked crappie shelf! In a matter of hours we had fine plethora of dining in the bucket, as well as some large 13 inch fish that were gladly respected and returned to the fishery. It certainly was nice to not have to retie a spoon, as the demon jig I use commonly for walleye at home was already fixed to the line. Apparently, red and white demons give Ontario crappies the sore lip.

At this point Scott, Greg, and Matt and I are faced with a snowmobile ride deep into the heart of an outstanding fishery. The half hour snowmobile trips through untouched powder are the times where you can let your mind wander as beautiful rock cliffs and forest pass you by. I’d compare to an out of body experience as the snowmobile encounters nothing but soft powder as you float to the next spot through winding islands and thick portages only having to stop for a walleye; walleye in numbers you couldn’t shake a stick at.

The walleye for the evening called a 50’ reef home. Its hard to call 50’ a reef if you’re used to 28’. But its Canada “eh?”, and its deep out there. Again the Custom Jigs and Spins’ Demon fell victim to the furiously angry walleye and several monster perch.

Another mind wandering ride lead us home at Crawford’s Camp in a rustically cozy cabin on the shore. Having the fabulous day of fishing we had encountered, we figured on being a bit patriotic and respectful of the land. A few Molson’s and good company accomplished just that.

Saturday was new day. We were greeted with 30 degrees and virtually no wind. A wonderful day to rid myself of the “trout skunk”. Matt insisted we head off on to half hour ride to an area that produced a variety of fish including walleye, tullipee, trout, perch, whitefish and northern pike. Without any resistance, we hit the unbeaten path.

Tullipee cluttered the screen and provided entertainment for what was to come. Scott found it necessary to simultaneously work a demon spoon and a large slender spoon in anticipation of multispecies. It didn’t take to figure out that all that was needed was the slenderspoon. But before that fact was established Steil’s 2 lb equipped rod doubled over as if he had indeed snagged china in the 60’ of water we were fishing. All active fish left the area as he battled an 18lb Lake trout for the following 40 minutes. And what a fish it was! Scott’s personal best on 2 lb test!

Believe it or not, the group tired and fell victim to famine as the continuous fish rifled through the ten inch holes. “fish on” echoed the steep rock walls around us. As Matt and Greg ventured to shore to start fire for a fry I remained seated for a bit and quickly became flushed with excitement as a double-wide red line suspended at 42’ raced for my demon jig. Keeping my composure, I raced the spoon away from it, but not fast enough. My medium power walleye rod doubled over as I appeared to have snagged Europe! It was me, a medium walleye rod, six pound Vanish, a demon jig and Europe on the other end. My wrist fatigued and my heart pounded. Could this have been what I thought it was? Forty grueling minutes later, Scott and I glanced into a ten inch hole upon what appeared to be a telephone pole. And you bet eh!, the skunk was gone and I was shaking like a puppy passing peach pits has I held an 18 lb trout proudly for the camera. What a feeling.

Just as all the excitement was previously, it continued as walleye perch and northern pike were caught from the same holes. The lake thrives on tullipee. A school of tullipee meant all other species were localized upon them. It was the spot of all spots. We quickly found that not only was the silver blue slender spoons applicable to situation but that bait was optional. An unbaited slender spoon caught just as many fish. At this point I’m thinking; “does it get any better?”. Just as I thought it couldn’t Matt congratulates me and hands me a Molson followed by a well needed shore lunch which hit the spot with great food, company and conversation.

Its not very often that I come home from a four day trip and want to leave again to share my experience with others due to the mentality of a fishing trip. This was indeed a trip of a lifetime and will never be forgotten. I wish that I could better describe the feeling involved with being there and experiencing what we did. It truly was amazing and I’d like to give a special thanks to Matt at Crawfords Camp. Turns out us “statesmen” have much in common with Canadian’s. Makes me want to search out a Molson.