MANITOULIN—As of press time Monday, it’s only three days into the Manitoulin Expositor Salmon Classic, but the fishing, as organizer Dave Patterson puts it, has been “insane.”
“It’s three days in and already we have a few salmon over 20 pounds—you need over 18 pounds to make the top five,” Mr. Patterson said.
“The fishing’s been incredible on the south shore, and it’s heating up on the North Channel,” he continued.
Mr. Patterson, one half of the popular online duo the Ontario Fishing Guys, urged salmon anglers to use lures with greens and blacks. “They’re consistently producing the most fish.”
Monday, July 30 saw the biggest fish of the derby, so far, with ‘Captain’ Moe Gauthier of Screamin’ Reels Charters, while out for a solo fish, hauling in a 21.09-pound salmon from South Baymouth.
Gore Bay got on the board on Sunday with the leading trout coming from the North Channel, a 20.23-pound lake trout courtesy of fisherman Rob Ouellette.
Meldrum Bay is also producing salmon, albeit smaller ones than the south shore. Mr. Patterson doesn’t expect that tend to continue, however. “I expect the bigger fish to arrive in a week or so.”
The first of the daily prize winners, which has been bumped to $200, was Richard Brobent with his 18.84-pound salmon, also caught in South Baymouth.
As of press time Monday, 82 salmon and 39 trout had been weighed in. You can check out the leaderboard, which is constantly updated, at fishmanitoulin.com.
Mr. Patterson said he expects, with the way the fishing’s been, the winning fish will be at least 27 pounds, “the first time for salmon that size since the decline.”
“There’s still lots of time to fish,” Mr. Patterson added, urging everyone to get their lines wet. Tickets for adults are $65, youth are $35, and can be purchased at fishmanitoulin.com, at The Expositor and Manitoulin West Recorder offices, Up Top Sports Shop in Mindemoya, South Baymouth Marina, Trailside Sports and Fishy Fishy Bang Bang in Espanola, Moxie’s Bait and Tackle in Lively and Ramakko’s Source for Adventure in Sudbury.
For more information, contact Mr. Patterson at 705-968-0237 or info@fishmanitoulin.com.
