Author: Don Lamont

Action and excitement using topwater baits It was a beautiful mid-August day last summer, with the afternoon sun beating down on us as we launched the boat. We were heading out on a small, relatively secluded inland lake, less than an hour from Thunder Bay; one of my favourite off the beaten path bass destinations. With minimal angling pressure, it’s without a doubt, the source of the biggest smallmouth I’ve ever caught. My wife and I, along with our two labs, loaded into the boat and set out, hoping for a day full of smallmouth action. We’ve ventured to this…

I first met Les Johnson a few years ago at a Cabela’s grand opening in Regina, Saskatchewan. As it turned out we had a lot in common, and soon became good friends. After a little trash talk I invited Les to Manitoba for a little challenge. For those of you who do not know who Les Johnson is, he is one of North America’s top predator hunters. He also has a hit television show called Predator Quest on the Wild TV network. Day 1 — On the first day of our challenge I arrive to get Les at his hotel…

“The ability to change to fit different circumstances.” An insignificant definition to most, but for those who methodically target challenging species it’s an attribute that can influence the fine line between a substantial achievement and continuous disappointment. The Brown Trout, is undoubtedly one of the most actively pursed trout species on the planet. Equal to its sought after status, the Brown is widely recognized as a complicated and wary adversary that requires versatile techniques to successfully hook and land on the best of occasions. When searching for big Browns within a stillwater environment, fly fishing techniques have traditionally been focused…

With the fourth annual Bug Chucker Cup ready to get underway Joel Wiebe and I had drawn Twin Lake as our morning venue. Having pre-fished Twin the day before and having a subpar day, Joel and I were less than enthusiastic about drawing it right off the hop. Friday May 29th, 2015 6:30 am: Alarm clock goes off 6:44 am: Send text to Joel “Don’t want to jinx it but after this morning Giant Tiger is going to want to sponsor us” 7:00 am: Breakfast… translation… coffee and a Gatorade to rehydrate from a few Stanley Cup Playoff beers the…

Alternatives to a jig and a worm for panfish If you got your start fishing at a young age there is a good chance that your first fish was a panfish. Many people classify panfish as a fish sizeable for the pan. Be it a Bluegill, Crappie or a Rock Bass, all are fairly eager to bite a variety of presentations. Most anglers move on to “bigger and better fish” leaving the days of smaller species on the end of a line behind them, often forgetting the exhilarating fight and exuberant colours offered by the smaller members of the Centrarchidae…

Depending on the individual, fishing can mean a number of different things. For some it’s a relaxing pastime to unwind and surround yourself with nature. For others it can be a family outing, or a time honored tradition like an annual fishing trip to a remote lake. Oftentimes it is more about the company and comradery, the experience and the memories, and maybe harvesting a few fish for the dinner table. On the polar opposite end of the spectrum is the tournament pro or trophy angler, driven by competition, and the desire to catch the most and biggest fish in…

When it comes to family, beggars can’t be choosers, so best make yourself comfortable and learn your place. Fishing promises the unexpected, and how you manage to land a fish by hook, line and rod will be compared to all those proceeding and following. A good fishing story will decide your place in family history (especially a story about the one that got away). To claim your fame and survive family, recognize the cast of characters and manage their limitations. And be very afraid. Dad is passionate about knives, but his filleting skills are that of a human Slap Chop.…

In my 36 years in the sport fishing industry I have sampled a lot of water and heard about a lot of great fisheries. So when Hooked Magazine contributor and guide Ben Beattie talked to me about coming and fishing Lac Seul and area I didn’t have to think twice before I agreed. Lac Seul is noted for its gargantuan muskies, some of the largest in the world. Linda Rice owns the record for the largest muskie ever caught by a woman, an incredible 57 inch fish that was estimated to be 57 pounds. She also happens to own Moosehorn…

An angler’s paradise for hot summertime multi-species action. Nestled in the heart of northwestern Ontario’s Sunset Country, Sioux Lookout is rich with angling opportunities. At its doorstep lies tens-of-thousands of acres of unspoiled natural lakes that are teeming with fish. Walleye, northern pike, bass, muskie and lake trout are abundant in this unique setting where an angler could literally spend a lifetime fishing and not cover the same shoreline twice. STARS OF THE SHOW Walleye are the biggest draw for anglers to Sioux Lookout with legendary Lac Seul setting the stage for unbeatable numbers and trophy fish. Catches of 100-plus…

A Trip Down the Steeprock River   With near complete silence and my mind somewhat on auto pilot, I coast my way down rolling highways back to the city on a dark Sunday night. I look over to the passenger’s side and check on the wild flowers I picked for my girlfriend at the Steeprock River earlier in the day. A mix of horsetail, wild rose and a few plants I can’t quite figure out—I hadn’t caught a fish all weekend, but I wasn’t about to return empty handed either. [huge_it_gallery id=”6″] As much as I enjoy fishing, this nil catch disappoints me for only a second.…