Norland's on Fire

We finally kicked off the 2012 fall Ontario Trib season today.  Work and a lack of rain had put a damper on both Gene and I's fishing ambitions.  We had been holding out in hopes that our little home river would come into her own but that was not becoming a reality.  With a tiring week of extended hours behind me I was in need of some healing time on the water.  With nothing more than a burning desire to fish and some Internet leg work we found ourselves heading North towards the Huron Tribs.

 Over the years fishing has evolved into so much more than catching for us.  A day on the river has so much more to offer than mere numbers of finned adversary.  The conversations and camaraderie coupled with the pure spectacle of a river in her prime are worth the price of admission alone.  Our like minded tendencies no longer allow for the mass populous gang fishing protocol of the easy access venues.  It has been this way for quite some time and this mindset doesn't come without a cost. There is always a hefty physical price to pay for the solitude and we know our days are numbered.

It is, however, a price we will gladly dole out any day for the reward.  With this in mind we set our sites on some "shot in the dark" "off the grid" locale.  I had longed to explore these waters but lacked the much needed kick in the pants.  Today was to be the day and under the cover of darkness we found ourselves on the back roads of the county.  Soon we were meandering down  leaf covered lane ways manipulating the tight quarters until we reached the river access. 

Going in completely blind we hastily geared up under our dimly lit sourroundings with soothing tones of water over rock in the backdrop.  The morning light was breaking the horizon as we hit the trail head and made our way towards the aluring sound.  Arriving to the river we were pleasantly greeted with a large set of rapids dumping into a long meandering deserted run.   More pleasing was the fact that we had pulled off the impossible once again.

We managed to be alone on a stellar run in Ontario during prime steelheading season. It didn't take long for the first float to disappear.  I soon found myself fighting the first fish of the 2012 season.  It was a reward unparalleled as it validated the effort and confirmed a hunch.  Soon Gene found his own validation and continued to do so for the remainder of the morning.  It was a gift to watch him dole his craft and actually smile.  These outings are an escape and can even be classified as therapy.  All said and done we both put a few fish on the bank heavily slanted in Noland's favour.  I was happy for him but suspect not as happy as he was judging from the evil grins.  It's game on now.  Between Ontario and Michigan there will be plenty of opportunity.  Let the rains come.  Let Mother Nature bring her fury.  We are ready, willing, and quite able...  It's steelheading season 2012.