Author Archives: Michael

Salmonid insanity!

August 28, 2012

I had originally set out to catch a particular minnow which I have not yet identified. I had caught a minnow with bright red fins earlier in the year at this spot, and I wanted to revisit it to add it to my lifelist with a picture. Read more

All-You-Can-Catch new species buffet

August 27, 2012

Early Saturday morning Ken, his friend Andrea, and I headed out to get some fishing done! Ken had mentioned to me the possibility of Freshwater Drum and Mooneye at this spot, neither of which I had caught before. I was prepared to add to my lifelist! Read more

Family trip to California

August 22, 2012

WOW – that’s what I can say about my August 2012 trip to California. I want to extent thanks to all at SC Surf Fishing for replying to my numerous pre-departure questions and messages. A big thank-you to everyone I corresponded with before my trip! Read more

Lifer hunting in Oakville

August 4, 2012

I had some fun catching new species in a creek about an hour away from where I live. River chub: Spotfin shiner: Another spotfin shiner: The other fish are either rosyface or silver shiners. My pictures aren’t sufficient to differentiate the two and a future trip in the spring may be necessary to sort out the rosyface shiners based on the spawning colouration. Read more

Two days, 16 hours in the canoe, zero lake trout

July 31, 2012

This weekend the gang headed up to Drag Lake in Haliburton. Another great chance for me to clock in some lake trout fishing in an attempt to add them to my lifelist! My previous attempt to catch my first lake trout, in Algonquin Provincial Park, hadn’t been successful. Read more

Algonquin Park, Parkside Bay, first try at lake trout

July 23, 2012

Day 1 My friend and I left Markham for Algonquin park at 4am sharp. The drive north, in the morning twilight, was nothing short of spectacular. When we arrived in Muskoka, all of the lakes were sporting a nice layer of fog. Read more

My first microfishing adventure

July 5, 2012

It was about a month or two ago when Ken introduced me to Roughfish, the concept of lifelists, and microfishing. Well I finally gave microfishing a try! I tied on some 4lb fluoro and my smallest hook. My target was any sort of stickleback. Read more

Local suburban adventures

June 14, 2012

My hunt for suburban Markham fish is under way. Here are three of my more peculiar outings thus far. March 18: Rouge river I started my trek on a stretch of the Rouge by McCowan Rd. I was hoping it would feed directly into the pond at McCowan and Bullock, but it was blocked by a dam. Read more

Fishing for carp at Milne Dam

May 25, 2012

This spring I’ve spent a fair chunk of my free time at the Milne Dam Conservation Area in pursuit of carp. May 11: Well I headed out this afternoon in search of small carp in Milne Dam Park in Markham. The main gates were closed so I took the “back route” through the local schoolyard. Read more

Handline fun

May 9, 2012

I had built a handline last summer but never had the opportunity to properly try it out. Well I busted it out this evening and had a sight-fishing blast! That’s a toothbrush travel tube =P. Read more

Spring 2012 Steelheading

May 1, 2012

Following my hunt for late winter/early spring northern pike, I set my sights on steelhead. Before opener, I spent some time on lower Duffins. March 23: Today was my first attempt at fishing trout in the tribs. I missed the excitement of the salmon run. Read more

My first steelhead!

April 23, 2012

In celebration of the coming trout opener, I thought I’d get my feet wet (literally) in trout fishing. Following whitbyfisherman’s advice on the OFF site, I arrived nice and early to find the holes closest to the parking lot already full of avid anglers. Read more

Catching Them All

Michael Verdirame's journey of fishing.