Welcome to Week CCXIII of ‘Fishing Parkland Shorelines’. Like most of us I am a novice fisherman, loving to fish, but far from an expert. In the following weeks I’ll attempt to give those anglers who love to fish but just don’t have access to a boat, a look at some of the options in the Yorkton area where you can fish from shore, and hopefully catch some fish.
Here is an observation for all my readers, although I’m not sure how profound it is, so you can be the judge.
While I would suggest readers of this weekly column are at least somewhat interested in fishing, if not avid about it, culturally fishing doesn’t seem particularly ingrained.
For example, fishing as an element of regular TV drama series are rather rare these days.
I vaguely recall the father on the series ‘Rockford Files’, played by Noah Beery Jr. was seen with a fishing pole, but that series is hardly recent running from 1974-1980.
Go back in time a bit farther and there is of course the famous opening scene to ‘The Andy Griffith Show’ where Griffith and Opie, played by Ron Howard, are walking down the road with their fishing poles. It might be the most obvious connection of a TV series to fishing there is. It is essentially an iconic scene, but that series ended in 1968.
Recent television is a different story, unless of course you follow British TV on a channel such as PBS.
I happen to be a rather big fan of British police dramas, and fishing is a rather common element.
‘Inspector George Gently’ played by Martin Shaw is often seen casting a fly as a way to get away from his job as a police detective in the 1960s. The series launched in 2007 and is still in production.
Then there is one of my all-time favourite British series ‘Foyle’s War’ starring Michael Kitchen. Set in the war years Foyle is often seen fishing, and catching a trout to supplement what the public was allowed to buy in stores because of war shortages
What brought this all about was the most recent episode of ‘Vera’ I watched over the weekend on PBS.
The show, fast becoming a favourite, began back in 2011, starring Brenda Blethyn as the main character DCI Vera Stanhope, had a great fish-related scene.
The episode entitled ‘Muddy Waters’ ended with Vera talking to a man whose son was murdered, the case in the show. They are sitting on a rock looking at a rather small, idyllic lake. The man has just learned he has a grandson.
“Maybe I can take him fishing,” he says, explaining he had taken his murdered son to the spot when he was young.
“Still fish in here?” asks Vera.
“Nah,” he replies. “There never was.”
Somehow that sums up fishing in the simplest of ways.
I have often commented about how we should just stop at a slough and fish, especially when fish are being slow to bite.
The reason is simple enough, often we head out to fish less to catch fish, and more to simply escape. It’s getting away from yard work, from signs extolling this ‘big sale’ and ‘that big sale’, and of course the drag of 9-to-5 realities.
We want a spot of solitude, where we can reconnect with a quieter reality, that contact with nature, fishing being more an excuse than the core reason for being on the shore, rod in hand.
That all said, we do at times want a walleye lunch too.
So if you have never experienced such joys maybe this is the weekend to try fishing.
Saskatchewan’s annual summer free fishing weekend is July 9 and 10, when residents and visitors can fish in Saskatchewan waters without an angling licence.
“Sport fishing is a popular outdoor activity enjoyed throughout our province,” Environment Minister Herb Cox said in a release. “Free fishing weekend is an excellent opportunity for families, friends, residents and visitors of all ages to experience summer fishing in Saskatchewan’s beautiful environment.”
Regular angling limits and all other sport fishing laws remain in effect. All anglers, including youth under the age of 16, and seniors 65 years of age and older who will be angling on Lac La Ronge, must have a Lac La Ronge endorsement and harvest ledger. These may be obtained for free through private issuers, Ministry of Environment and select Provincial Park offices. Free fishing weekend does not apply in national parks, and anyone planning to take fish out of the province must purchase a licence.
And on a somewhat related topic National Fishing Week in Canada is on now, running July 2-to-10.
In a recent press release the Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC) and the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation (SWF) where the two organizations wanted “to remind anglers that wearing your lifejacket is even more important than wearing your ‘lucky fishing hat’. But they do share one trait. They both have to be worn to be effective!”
According to the Canadian Safe Boating Council and the Lifesaving Society, 80 per cent of recreational boaters who drown each and every year in Canada were not wearing a lifejacket or Personal Floatation Device (PFD), detailed the release. Most of these drownings occur in small, open power boats, accounting for 60 percent of these preventable deaths. A majority of these victims were males between the ages of 19 and 35, out for a day of fishing. Many of those who don’t wear their lifejackets or PFDs believe that, since they are good swimmers, having them onboard and within easy reach is good enough. But a lifejacket stored under a seat or up in the bow will be of no help when the unexpected happens, like falling overboard while trying to net the catch.
“National surveys clearly show that more than half the recreational boats sold in Canada are used for fishing on a regular basis,” said John Gullick, Chair of the Canadian Safe Boating Council in the release. “During National Fishing Week, the Canadian Safe Boating Council would like to remind all anglers not only to have their lifejacket onboard their boat, but to wear it as if their life depended on it - because it just might!”
The release also relates that today’s safety gear is far different than what many of us more veteran fisherfolk might naturally think of.
“Many of today’s anglers are delighted with the models that are designed especially to suit their needs. They’re rugged, allow for full freedom of movement to cast and are constructed with lots of pockets for gear. Some even come equipped with an attachment from which to hang a landing net. When choosing their lifejacket, anglers should also check the label to make sure it is Transport Canada approved, is the correct size and fits snugly,” it stated.
“Spending time on Saskatchewan’s waterways with family and friends is a quality of life benefit enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of Saskatchewan residents every year. We encourage everyone to be proactive and wear a lifejacket. Please don’t become a statistic,” said Darrell Crabbe, Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation in the release.
Fishing is a part of our Canadian fabric and an activity that’s easy to get hooked on. At this important time of year, the CSBC and SWF are asking those who fish to ‘Get Hooked on Lifejackets’ too, it detailed.
With over one million lakes, rivers and streams plus three oceans, Canada can justly boast one of the most diverse natural environments on the planet. Fishing offers Canadians an opportunity to experience this vast landscape for themselves. Whether they’re seeking a little serenity, a getaway with family, or a heart-pounding adventure on the water, fishing offers it all, details www.catchfishing.com regarding the week.
“… National Fishing Week is supported by Catch Fishing, a national program dedicated to encouraging Canadians to get outdoors and enjoy our angling heritage throughout the year. It is supported by federal, provincial and territorial governments, as well as hundreds of organizations and businesses that work hard to ensure sustainable fishing opportunities while safeguarding fish populations everywhere.”
