That time of year again!!!

It's that time of year again...the time I'm the happiest...FISHING TIME!  It's been a LONG winter of dreaming about pulling out my rod and getting to the shore.  Was lax on the blogging due to time constraints at the end of the season and the lack of exciting things to share...but now I'm rejuvenated by the warm weather and early catches of the season, I'm ready to start back in.

As is my goal every year on the May 24 long week-end (mostly because it's my birthday on the 18th and I consider it a gift to myself) I headed out this past week-end in hopes of landing a Pike.  Large pike would have been nice..but hey...I'm a pretty reasonable girl and I'll take whatever decides to take my line and be happy with it.

Headed out to Burrits Rapids (lock 17) on the Rideau in the early evening to try and get my gift.  Didn't take long to get one hooked and have the first pike of the year on my line without much of a fight.  Moved on to some of the other locks along the river, but not much luck besides my first catch. 

Next morning went out in search of some walleye as the season just opened here in Ontario and was hoping to finally catch one of my own (hubby has caught a few with me around and I've pulled them in and dehooked, but can never seem to get them on my own line).  Hubby was the lucky one again..I had a few bites but couldn't land them this day...I was all good with it as we did find the Honey Hole for Walleye...and will be making a trip back in the very near future.

Can't believe it's just the end of May and still have so much fishing left.  Weather has been amazing..so I'm super excited.  VERY  much looking forward to a cottage rental / over night stay in Pickerel Bay with a boat for the day June 2nd /3rd...and then a week long stay on White Lake at the end of July to mix it up a bit...but of course nothing gives me as much anticipation as heading up to Crotch Lake with the boys for hours of gorgeous scenery and awesome fishing:)

Finally a Walleye

I've heard a lot about Walleye for the past year....hubby talks about them frequently...and they are one of the fish I hadn't had the pleasure of catching, observing and learning more about.

We'd heard that there was good Walleye fishing in Almonte by the dam...so recently we decided to go and try to catch one so I could see them (and be prepared for our upcoming Ompah trips later in the summer).

The dam wasn't flowing heavy (only a trickle) the water was deep and dark...a perfect Walleye spot! It took about 30 minutes for one to get on the line after quite a few bites. Wow what an interesting fish....crazy eyes...sharp little teeth...was so glad to finally get a close up view:) This guy wasn't that big..but very feisty. Was a successful trip and hoping to catch some more this summer!

Now..I must say there was a moment where I almost caught and had a HUGE Snapping Turtle following in my lure that my heart almost sank...I don't want to catch a turtle...especially one the size of my 7 year old...i've never reeled in so fast...or seen a turtle swim and chase so quickly.