Smelt-fest Saturday, Big Whitefish

Took the little man out to the big lake in Muskoka for some weekend fishing. Had a late start around 9:30am, drilled holes from 31-55fow and settled on 42fow. My buddy had all the luck for the big whitefish, he managed two, he’s still out there I had to go as my son stepped in a hole. I did manage to get into the smelts though, on a simcoe bug tipped with shiner eyeball, ultra ultra light setup. I was schooling the boys on the smelts. Missed a few hits of higher calibre, likely whitefish. Had to leave by 12. Kept a nice feed of smelts for dinner, and one random perch. Despite the incident with the hole, my boy had a great time.

7” ice, only 2-3” black ice, amazing walking conditions and barely any wind. No huts required.

Slammed his minnow line 10 ft under the ice as he lowered it over 40fow. Chunker.

And another right as I left.

Nice delicious haul! Congrats!

now that is fishing. I'd take those smelt over the white fish any day. Boy sure looks happy,

Heads off, guts out. They are soooo fresh!

Nothing better than a fresh batch of smelt.

Beautiful smelts, great post and thanks for sharing.

Way to go👍🏼. Many others out there?

Dusted in fish crisp butter and garlic.

No we were all alone until around the the time I left couple guys came out.

Sizzlin.

Just right!

Goes well with Thai green curry mussels…. And a beer… and a toot… and the days complete.