Hello all,

This past weekend my buddy and I went out for a day of fishing in his small aluminum boat and got talking about potential weekend trips or even overnight trips.
When I suggested that we take a run up Opeongo and stay at one of the sites in the North Arm, and target Lake Trout on one of the drop offs.

The second I suggested it, he was all geared up for it - so we're going Father's day weekend!

I was just wondering if anyone here has any site advice, tips, or even better suggestions on where to fish. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Also I know it's going to be prime bug season, and I'm trying to scope out a bug tent - what about this onehttp://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/5/SportsRec/Camping/DiningShelters/PRDOVR~0993040P/Eagles%2BCamp%2BScreen%2BHouse.jsp

Thanks,
Aaron

I haven't tried it yet but the reviews are good!

Mec Mantis


http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302702975&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442498909

Hi Aaron,

I bought the Eagle bug shelter last year and think it's amazing. It surely is a backpacker or canoeist's best friend in bug season. It is compact, relatively lightweight, fits inside a canoe pack easily and sets up in minutes. We usually set ours up under a big tarp and we end up having a nice dry bug free place to eat, sit, just get away from the bugs. I would not hesitate to recommend it and for $25 you can't go wrong. Sure beats hauling the other shelter I have that weighs about 50 lbs.

Michael

Fishing Opeongo is no secret. Talk people around the dock. Get the book that has the depth contours. Apply the standard logic and fish depth appropriate for the time of year. This goes for both bass and trout. If you have any lake trout fishing in your background you are likely to have some success. The more you explore the more you will find.

Coincidently I took my Dainish friend to Opeongo on Monday. Saw a fox, 2 deer and 2 moose on the highway. It was cloudy with a slight north wind and we canoed about a km out. Loads and loads of black flies on land and water but barely any humans to be seen. I got bitten once but also got a bite of my own:) Trolling an brown spotted spoon against the wind in a canoe an real deep.
Oh and she LOVED APP

I just picked up the Eagles screen tent last night, looks pretty compact and light weight (only 3-4 lbs).

Omar - that's a nice laker - interesting mark on it's head.

As this year so far seems to be very atypical, what is the depth range that we should be targeting?
If I had to guess, I'd think that it would be around 40-50 ft.

I do have lots of experience fishing for lakers, just not in Opeongo, and also with lead core line. We plan on using bottom walkers and trolling with spoons, or jigging grubs, minnows, and spoons.
I've caught several lakers in the 2-3 lb range, but would love to hook into a 10+ lber!

Before we head out I'll have to ask the staff there where to go.

Thanks all. Take care,
Aaron

Once you're past the first small bay past the boat launch head right and troll the large bay about 40 ft deep. Hits guaranteed.

I was wandering through Canadian Tire last night and took a quick look at the Eagles Camp Screen House. Definitely light as folks mentioned. What I couldn't tell without pulling one out of the bag was how big the mesh is. On the packaging it looked like it might be a fairly big mesh, but the picture online looked good.

We're heading to the French River this weekend and I was planning on dragging along a big old screen tent (since there aren't going to be any portages) but for $25 ...

___________________________
No your other left!
www.loonislandoutdoors.com

Thanks Aaron, the mark on its head is probably from the the encounter with my paddle.
I think I was in the second bay Bearcub mentioned.

Hi Rob W.

The mesh is very small and tight and keeps things out, not to worry. We used it in the height of mosquito season last year and nothing was able to get through. Buy it, set it up and if you don't like it, bring it back. Canadian Tire is really good with returns.

Michael

Thanks Mike

One word of caution - I agree that Canadian Tire is really good with returns on most products, but tents and bikes are 2 areas where they are picky. The conditions for tents are something like 'within 7 days and must be unused' - so any dirt, leaves, etc. can be a reason for them not to take it back. Bikes are apparently supposed to be a 'repair only' deal. Unfortunately they aren't always good at letting you know the exceptions at the time of the purchase. On the other hand if you show up with the pieces of your belt sander that broke and you tried to fix because you can't find the receipt and figured you were out of luck without the receipt and they'll happily give you the last sale price.

___________________________
No your other left!
www.loonislandoutdoors.com

Opeongo is a great lake to explore and fish
I think I could spend a week at least on that
lake just wandering about its shores in a boat
or perhaps a Kayak or canoe. Perhaps even
arrangements for a water taxi delivered
resupply or fast food meal
( did someone say pizza/deep fried chicken)
could be factored in should the scheduel of
other water taxi passengers be factored in before
departing on the weeks adventure

P.S.
If you also had access to a portagable craft for side trips
( like a Old Town pack canoe )
then perhaps side trips like Marmot, Little Minnow and Myra
not to mention other possibilities that exist would perhaps
improve you day... especially if the Old Woman decides on
choppy waters for the Big O during your visit.



Raton_Laveur
aka

*Rac n*

Thanks all for the info - we're getting excited now. I only hope the weather holds up and there is a little breeze to keep the bugs at bay.

Does anyone know if there is a charge to launch a boat at the access point?
I've been to Opeongo several times, just never with a boat.

Thanks,
Aaron

Well we're back - got back Sunday, but I've been busy.

Anyway we had a GREAT trip!!! Could not have asked for better weather, and Opeongo was pretty calm the entire time we were there.
We found a great site (3rd site east of the portage into Proulx), which had a really nice beach for us to park the boat, and lots of room to spread out.

With the lake depths map and watching a couple of other boats, we managed to find the perfect trolling route. In total we boated 6 lakers, and lost 2 - the biggest was approx 5 lbs, with an avg of 2.5-3 lbs. All fish were very dark, even the bellies were dark. We kept 3 fish, ate 2 (very tasty), and I gave one to my dad for father's day - which he loved. I feel guilty for keeping 50% of our fish, but the ones kept were small guys.

I'm working on a trip log and will post shortly. But needless to say my buddy is now hooked, he's already booked a trip for him and his 2 boys, and we're talking about doing a similar trip mid-September.

The only regret we had was not making it 3 or 4 nights, 2 nights was too short.

Take care all,
Aaron

Hey Aaron,

Glad to hear your trip went well. Nothing beats a good site and some good fishing.

Were the fish pretty deep at this point? Did you have to use a 3-way swivel setup or something similar?

Hi Bryce,

Yes I was using a 1.5 oz bottom walker with a 4-5' lead and my buddy was using a 1oz bell sinker with a 3 way swivel (all about 3' leads). By our estimation we were trolling in roughly 45-50 ft of water. And most of our hits were in 60 foot range, and all on stick baits, no spoons or spiners - they liked the long body rapalas, ripplin' red fin, and smithwick rogue.

Thanks,
Aaron.