Biking for bass

from Issue #44 - Ottawa Outdoors Magazine

Adventure Travel: Manitoba’s “big five

Biking for bass LOCAL TRAILS LEAD THE WAY TO FISHING NOOKS AROUNG THE CITY

By Tim Allard | Photos Tim Allard

The work day had been bad enough that I wanted to unwind outside and be near water. With too little time to take my boat, I opted for the next best thing – I grabbed a few lures, strapped my rod to my bike, and peddled to some shoreline fishing spots along the western Ottawa River bike path.

I stopped at a small bay, locked the bike hanced knowing I had spent an evening fishing and walked a well-worn path to the water’s within an hour’s bike ride from my city home. edge. In a few casts, I hooked a smallmouth bass that put up a scrappy fight before being THE SIMPLE APPROACH released. It was that simple. I love my boat, but at the end of a long day

After two more fish, I biked to a sandy flat for it’s sometimes not worth the hassle of towing some topwater action at dusk. I got a few more it in traffic, putting in at a busy launch, and bass that smashed my floating lure as the sun unloading gear. Cycling a pathway and fishing hung low in the sky. By now it was time to head from shore is a simple alternative with many home. Setting off at a steady pace, I breathed benefits. the cool evening air and watched the warm A bike lets you cover greater distances than light bathe the cityscape. The pleasure was enwalking. With wheels you can quickly fish

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several spots in a short time. It’s a versatile activity you can do solo or with your family. With my bike it’s always easy to squeeze some fishing into my schedule, not to mention the exercise you get from this environmentally friendly transportation.

GETTING STARTED

Outfitting your bike for fishing is easy. Although I cycle to work and use panniers, I prefer a backpack when fishing. This way all my equipment (lures, camera, snacks, etc.) is on my back and easily accessible. And a backpack is more functional when walking on uneven, rocky shoreline.

I own MEC’s Spirit Velo 25 Daypack, but any brand will do if it’s the right size for your fishing tackle and some extra gear. I like packs with side zippers, so I can quickly get at gear. Cycling backpacks can be handy, especially ones with shock cord systems for storing a helmet, and mesh side pockets for water bottles.

With a backpack you can carry all your gear and you won’t need to leave any behind with your bike.

To transport my fishing rod, I use the same system I have used since I started biking and fishing from shore. I secure both pieces of a two-piece rod with Velcro rod wraps along the top tube of the bike frame, with the rod is positioned between

CHOOSING A ROUTE

The route you choose is dependent on what paths and water are close to your home. Or, if you’re willing to load your bike onto your vehicle, or on one of OC Transpo’s Rack and Roll buses. You’ll find dozens of pathways in the Ottawa area worth exploring.

The Ottawa River pathway provides great access to fishing its shoreline. Starting in the west, Dick Bell Park to the Champlain Bridge is a productive stretch, as is the Lemieux Island shoreline. East of Parliament Hill the pathway meets the river just below Rockcliffe. From the Rockcliffe Yacht Club to Orleans, the shore provides dozens of fishing spots. When fishing the Ottawa River pathway, try features like points, bays, rocky shorelines and the creeks emptying into the river.

The Rideau River and Rideau Canal pathways are also great angling routes. Some well-known angling spots along these paths include the areas around New Edinburgh Park, Riverrain Park, Dow’s Lake and across from Billings Bridge Plaza, to name a few.

Gatineau also has something for the fishing enthusiast. Voyagers Pathway (from Deschênes Rapids east to Mousette Park) has good shore areas, with others east of the Alexandra Bridge as well.

Here are a few things to keep in mind. Even when fishing from shore, be cautious about currents, as some fast-water sections on the Ottawa River are deceiving calm. It’s also important to tread lightly on fragile shorelines, and use established paths. Keep an eye out for natural and urban hazards, like poison ivy or broken glass. When fishing from shore and along pathways, heed “No Fishing” signs around bridges or private property.

You’ll also want to ensure your bike is outfitted with proper safety gear, including a

CYCLING AND URBAN ANGLING CAUTIONS

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TOP LURES FOR SHORELINE FISHING

You want a variety of lures for fishing from shore for different conditions and the different moods of fish. Here are some favourites. • Spinnerbaits cover water quickly and are relatively snag-free. • Shallow-running crankbaits have a tempting wiggle and are an alternative to cover water fast. • Topwater baits – another snag-free option – float on the surface, and are excellent in calm conditions and at dusk. • Jigs are great when fishing a steep bank or fast moving water, and you need to get to fish feeding on the bottom. • Soft-plasticjerk baits are designed to look like a minnow, and can be rigged to not snag in weeds, making them a great bait to throw in heavy vegetation. CYCLING MAPS

For bike paths in Ottawa and Gatineau visit: http://www.capitalcyclingmap.ca

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