This program was very near and dear to Angelo’s heart. It took him back to an area that was instrumental in his growth as an angler: the Kawartha Lakes and the Trent Severn Waterway.
“I spent most of my youth fishing these waters from Lake Scugog down to Percy Boom,” says Ang.
Home base for today’s episode is Clearview Cottage Resort, a three-generation family owned property situated at the “Clear” end of Stoney Lake in the northern sector of the Trent. It’s the perfect place to stay when Fish’n Canada is in this neck of the woods.
Ang’s fishing buddy for this trip was Roy Armes, CEO and President of Cooper Tire. This was his final appearance on The Fish’n Canada Show bearing those titles, however, as he was mere days away from retirement.
“I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to mix business and pleasure with Roy for several years now,” says Ang. “I must admit, I’m sad to see him go. On the other hand, maybe in the future we’ll spend more time together just fishing. But not on this trip. The corporate jet is sitting on the tarmac in Peterborough waiting to take him to his final meeting with the Cooper directors in Ohio so we’ve got one day to get this done.”
Fishing is so much more than the catch. It’s moments like this get together that make it so special: the early morning sunrises, close friends, and the prospect of another adventure in the great outdoors—it doesn’t get any better.
As usual, when Ang fishes with Roy he assumes his position as the caddy or the net man, whichever is required. Make no mistake about it: Whether Roy is on a boat or in the boardroom, he is the “Boss Man”.
THE FISH’N
Ang and Roy were targeting both Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass. Armed with everything to cover the water from top to bottom, the boys set out to the north end of Clear Lake.
In no time, Roy was steadily hooking up with big smallies. Thankfully, Angelo didn’t miss a beat when it came to fulfilling his net man duties.
They ended up having an amazing day on this great body of water, but unfortunately, time quickly ran out; Roy’s had to go.
As for Ang: “I think I’ll poke around for another day and see if I can catch a few Bass.”
ANG FINALLY GETS TO SET A HOOK… OR TWO
The temperature dropped by almost ten degrees overnight—just Angelo’s luck. There goes that topwater bite Roy was on. But they shouldn’t have moved too far from where they we were the previous day. The difference? Deeper and slower.
With that notion, Ang laid a trouncing on these hunkered weed fish with a variety of baits. But as per usual, the Yamamoto Senko ruled again.
STONY AND CLEAR LAKE INFO
Stoney Lake (also spelled Stony Lake) is a lake in Ontario, Canada. There are three interconnected lakes (Upper Stoney Lake to the northeast, Stoney Lake in the centre, and Clear Lake to the southwest) which together are known as Stony or Stoney Lake. Stoney Lake forms the eastern end of the Kawartha Lakes region. It is primarily a summer cottage area, but there are many permanent residences on the lakes.
Stoney Lake was known to early European settlers as Salmon Trout Lake, but the modern name is perhaps more appropriate. Salmon Trout are no longer evident, but islands and shoals are everywhere. Today, Stoney Lake represents the classic Ontario “cottage country” enjoyed by its many seasonal residents; an increasing number of year-round residents; boaters using the Trent-Severn Waterway; sport fishermen, and many others.
The fish species list consists of Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Muskellunge, and Carp, as well as an array of Panfish.
Stoney Lake is located in Peterborough County nearly two hours northeast of Toronto. The lake is some 32 kilometres (20 miles) long from Young’s Point, Ontario to the lake’s eastern shores; about 234 metres (768 ft) above sea level; has a combined surface area of approximately 28 square kilometres (11 sq mi); and encompasses over 1,000 islands.
Geologically, the Kawartha Lakes are on the boundary between two important landforms. One of its islands, Fairy Lake Island, encloses another small body of water: Fairy Lake. Fairy Lake is surrounded by private property. The water in Fairy Lake rises and falls not with Stoney Lake, but with the waters of nearby Lovesick Lake.
Like most lakes in Ontario, Stoney Lake was created during and after the last ice age. The lake straddles the border between the Canadian Shield and the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence Lowlands land forms. The lake is influenced both by the rugged granite of the Canadian Shield to the north, and by the gentler, heavily forested Great Lakes – St. Lawrence Lowlands to the south.
SPECIAL THANKS
- Go Fish Ontario
- Clearview Cottage Resort & Marina
Young’s Point, ON – (705) 652-3542 - Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism
- Keith Beasley & Jamie Brockley
