Fishing in Ontario
by Gary McWilliams (aka Festival Nomad)
I don’t want to “deceive” you!
There are all types of “fish” and “fishing” in Ontario.
There are only two types of “fish” discussed in this article, Rainbow Trout and Chinook Salmon.
There, of course, hundreds of types of fish, but I live in Thornbury on Georgian Bay, and Salmon (Chinook) and Trout (Rainbow) are the 2 most sought after in this area.
Although “fishing” on the Beaver River happens year round, it really starts in earnest in April.
That’s when Rainbow Trout start their trek up the Beaver River to lay their eggs.
To get to their spawning area they must first swim upstream to a “fish ladder” and then, further on through fast rushing water!
All this, while “fishermen” on the banks of the river try their luck in “hooking” one of them!
This drama continues until the trout have made their way to “spawn new life“.
In the fall (late August), the whole process begins again!
This time it’s not the Rainbow Trout trying to make it up river,it’s the Chinook Salmon.
It’s different for the Salmon, they are at the end of their life span and once they lay their eggs, they die.
Thornbury, like most communities in the area attracts fishermen from around Ontario and the world!
It’s not unusual, on a fall day, to see a hundred or more people fishing for Salmon.
You can see the fishermen both on the “banks of the river” and right “in the river“!
The “chance” of “catching the big one” races through the hearts of those “trying their luck“!
For those who don’t want to fish but still want the “thrill” of watching the Salmon make their way “up river“, there’s the viewing lookout at the “fish ladder“!
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