Toronto in August

[James Ovelmen]

TPFRs,

 

I am tagging along with my wife to Toronto first week in August, she has a conference so I get a free place to stay. I figured while she is in meetings I can get some fishing in. I have never been to Toronto so I was looking for some advice. Any recommendations/suggestions on DIY fishing, guides, fly shops? Also, any recommendations in general on non-fishing things to do, places to eat, etc... So far we plan to see a blue jays game, the CN tower, and take a train to Niagara Falls.

[Yambag Nelson]

Honestly, not a very good time for fishing in southern ontario unless you are into warm water.  The Grand is probably the best river up that way but will be a bit of a drive. 

[Misha Gill]

I second the Grand. It's a tailwater. Never been there but was looking into fishing in the area in August a few weeks ago and it was the best option other than the lakes. 

[Andrew LaVigne]

Not to repeat everybody, but the Grand River tailwater is pretty neat - fished it a couple times about 15 years ago, and would absolutely go back if I were in the area. 

The river is moderate sized, easy wading from what I recall, great population of browns, good hatches, and flows through pretty countryside. There's a fly shop in Guelph called Grand River Troutfitters that can help with advice; http://www.grandrivertroutfitters.com/. 

Highlights there are the Elora Gorge conservation area, and town of Fergus - it's super Scottish, and they have a highland games there.  

I think there's a couple other trout streams in the vicinity there, but not sure details on them - that shop can help. 

On Tuesday, June 16, 2015 at 9:02:32 AM UTC-4, James Ovelmen wrote:

[Paul]

My wife's family is from Toronto. Grand is a very good tailwater, also look at Whitman's Creek and Upper Credit River. If you have limited time... make the trip to the Grand. Great sight seeing in the area as well.

[Ship]

Last year, I decided to detour to the Credit River on my way up to Northern Ontario. It is a beautiful stream that runs cold all summer. If you search for Ontario Fly Fishing Maps there are great Google Maps based guides to the Grand and Credit. I have added them to my email hopefully they work. I'm going to head to the Grand in early August this year and then up to Algonquin park for larger Brook Trout.

 

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=zmEqiORh93Do.kEs6DetnCDe0&hl=en

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=zmEqiORh93Do.ku2dZbcqlIf8&hl=en

 

 

 

On Tuesday, June 16, 2015 at 9:02:32 AM UTC-4, James Ovelmen wrote:

[Derek Douglas]

Lake Ontario is a great fishery. Never fished Toronto, but I grew up directly across the lake in Olcott, NY. Northern Pike, largemouth, smallmouth (might call em black bass up there), Muskie (scattered about), perch, sheephead, rainbows, browns, salmon all available. Trouts and salmons obviously aren't fly fishable this time of year on the lake, but there is great warm (if you want to call it that) water fishing available. Lake temp was right around 62 degrees when I was back last weekend. The hard winter and recent storms are slowing the lake from warming up.

Find a harbor and throw some line. IMO fishing culture is generally stronger up there (a higher percentage of folks fish) and you won't have a hard time finding an open area to cast, or get chased out of too many places.