Spring Fishing

My husband is passionate about hockey and fishing. Three weeks after we were married, he went on his annual spring fishing trip to Lake Temagami in northern Ontario. My grandmother thought our marriage would never last. I have joined him on many, many summer fishing trips but have never broken into the all male spring tradition.

My husband and a Lake Trout

For the past few years, he and his friends have gone to Lake Manitou on Manitoulin Island in Lake Huron the week after the winter ice sinks. The ice always goes off the lake on the last week of April, even this year when we had an exceptionally long, cold winter. Snow may or may not be present but it is sure to be cold and windy. The object of the trip is to catch the limit of Lake Trout before they descend deep into the water for the summer. This can mean many hours on the lake enduring a cold and rough surface. At least there are no biting insects out at this time even if you have to bundled in your winter clothes to keep warm.


This year's trip was very successful and each fisherman brought home his limit of trout. There is nothing that tastes better for breakfast or lunch or dinner than fresh fish.


The Sandhill Cranes had already returned to the island where they mate in the spring. Their plumage was light grey and unstained by the water. When we see them in the summer their feathers are stained a reddish colour.

Sandhill Cranes

We are planning a trip to this fishing camp on Manitoulin Island in July. It is a beautiful and peaceful vacation spot. Bass season will be open then and Lake Trout will be difficult to catch. I prefer to spend my time in a fishing boat with binoculars or a good book. My husband can catch and clean and cook and fulfill his hunter/gatherer instincts to his heart's content.