Lake Scugog, Late January

So here we are, one month of the year gone. The weather is unpredictable, temperature fluctuations ridiculous, unrest throughout the world and continuous turmoil in Toronto City council! But there’s always an assured constant. We can go fishing!  

We managed to get another day out on the ice before the month ended; and before the water on the ice was deeper than the ice was thick! With temps predicted to be five or six degrees above freezing and a few inches of rain forecast for the day, the ice-hut operator called me the day before to see if we were still on. There could be water flowing off the ice, under the huts and down our fishing holes. There might be no snow on the ice to block the wind around the huts. That’s what I was told. 

What I was interested in though, was whether they were catching fish, and if the ice was safe. In my experience and in my humble opinion, ice-hut operators lie about the former but speak truthfully of the latter. There’s ten inches of ice and of course they’re catching fish!

We were still on. A little water might dampen the day but not the spirit. The guys wore waterproof hiking boots, Aimee her “Wellies” and I donned my camouflaged, neoprene chest waders. I was dressed for a late-season duck hunt. I was staying warm and dry no matter what!

We were out on the ice by noon. The weather cooperated. It rained ever so sporadically,  allowing us to fish the holes we had outside the hut through most of the afternoon. To the West, the shore was half a click, Scugog Island sat about three quarters of a kilometer to the East. As the afternoon progressed the fog set in and the shorelines vanished from sight. And as the fog settled on us, it seemed to freeze, crystalizing as it swirled around us, mingling with our breath.  

Scugog is a productive fishery. It produces ample perch, not vast quantities of “jumbos,” but many small to medium size fish. The variety of species is also diverse. There’s something for everyone! During the summer when all species are in season Scugog hosts a renowned bass derby, rental and private boats dot the lake and the shoreline in places is crammed with families hoping to catch dinner. But, more importantly, Scugog has a healthy and accessible musky population. It produces trophy fish, even when targeting the less aggressive species in the lake. This past week only emphasizes this.

During one of last year’s outings, a friend of ours, new to fishing, new to the country, caught a musky for his first fish! This year didn’t disappoint either! Within half an hour of our lines being down the holes Nima had a musky! Unfortunately the fight went to the lake. We saw the fish, its tale was visible in one hole, its head through the next one! But the fish out did us; it swam off to fight another day!

Now here’s where I must tell you a little about my good friend Nima. Nima fishes, he fishes seriously. Nima loves fishing more than anything; other than his beautiful wife and precious little daughter. He’s only been fishing for about seven years. Before that his main concern was escaping the tyrannical regime of Islamic Iran. Now, he fishes weekly. 

Nima has embraced Canadian culture. His favorite thing about Canadiana is our connection to the lakes and rivers that hold monster fish. Canada gives him the freedom to earn an honest living, worship without persecution and FISH!   

This year Nima’s goal is to land a trophy musky. We weren’t targeting musky as the season is closed throughout the winter; walleye, perch and crappie were in our sights. But musky, not unlike their smaller cousin the norther pike, are ferocious, indiscriminate creatures of opportunity, and even our tiny, two-inch minnows were fair game and an easy meal for a lurking musky. Another musky was hooked within the hour! 

Nima’s goal is yet to be realized, but we’re only a month into the year. It would also seem more fitting to land that musky during the open season anyway! Not that he’d keep one, a few photos are all that’s needed; and a memory! 

We didn’t catch great quantities. Nima didn’t land his musky. But we caught multiple species; perch, crappy, walleye, bluegills, musky... And the year’s first largemouth bass! Again, another out-of-season fish. But further proof that Lake Scugog is a fantastic fishery! 

Although we didn’t fill any limits, in fact I only took three fish home, our trip though was successful. We stayed dry and warm, we had great company and had fun. We caught fish, multiple species of fish. We fish seriously, we’re not out there to drink beer and barbeque. It’s not a tailgate party, it’s fishing.

Now it’s February, and yesterday Wiarton Willie predicted only two more weeks of winter. I somehow don’t believe him. But I’m not troubled by that, it only means more hard-water fishing!

Let’s see how many more times we can get out on the ice!