By Tyler Marr

Hook, line and sinker

Jul 23, 2017 | 8:46 AM

The tranquil sound of waves splashing against the shore is just one of the many peaceful aspects that come with fishing.

And the sport of angling is a diverse and ever changing one, according to 30-year angler Jeff Matity.

“I have always been a fisherman and I have always been fascinated by fish,” Matity said, who is also a Fisheries Technician at the Fort Qu’Appelle Fish Culture Station.

Matity was at Emma Lake teaching the art of angling to interested campers Saturday. He says everyone always asks him “what the magic lure is” and are disappointed when he replies “there is no such thing.”

He likened it to golf. “You can go out there with only your five iron and play a round…but you are going to much better and have more success with the right tools.”

Riderville

Riders Have Options Heading into Tuesday CFL Draft

2h ago

Weekend hockey

PAGC set to host largest Senator's Cup tournament to date

3h ago

VAISAKHI MELA

Hundreds flocking to P.A. for Vaisakhi Mela celebration

3h ago

That starts with knowing what exactly it is you are fishing for. He says there are a broad diverse species of fish that call the province home, but around Prince Albert and in the North, sturgeon, trout, pike, perch and walleye are most commonly sought.

Each species brings their own set of cards to the table, which adds to the appeal for Matity.

“[You can have] something beautiful like a brook trout or a monster like a sturgeon or something vicious like a pike and they add that thrill to the hunt,” he said, adding the most targeted in lakes are pike, perch and walleye.

Once you know what you are going after, he said you can adapt your equipment accordingly. He used the example of Emma Lake. For the casual dock fisher, some of these fish are accessible. And despite the wide array of tackle out there, the conventional and trusty hook, line, sinker and bobber were yielding fair results.

“In the summer time, when it is hot and weedy, bobbers are magic,” Matity said. He made note how weeds provide comfort for the little fish and a great place to hunt for the larger ones.

He said using a bobber to keep the hook just above the weeds is key. If one would like to venture out on a boat, he suggested doing the same and finding the edge of the weed bed. Here, Matity said to “drop an anchor or two so you are not moving too much and just sit and cast and you will get a bite.”

Matity urged people to release mature, large fish to help keep the lake well stocked. Adding to this, he said smaller fish are better to eat as they have accumulated less natural mercury.

“Plus, those big fish make more small fish and a fishery is only as healthy as its brunt stock population,” he said.

This was just one of the many tips Matity – who also runs his own website and Youtube page – had for entry level anglers. But besides the thrill of the catch, Matity said angling is a calm, relaxing easily accessible outdoor activity.

“In Saskatchewan, our outdoor heritage is important and this is one way I can contribute back,” he said as to why he takes up the task of training new comers to the craft. “If people don’t participate in the sport, they are not going to care when there is an oil spill or storms or disease that can ruin habitat and fishery. I want people to care and it is worth our effort to get people involved.”

As well, for Matity, when most of us spend all day multitasking, taking a few hours to just focus on the water and the single task at hand “is very, very healthy for you.”

“Fishing for kids it is mentally calming, both young kids and older kids,” he said.

For those interested in picking up a rod and heading out, he encouraged people to obtain their hunting and fishing licence and be aware of the count and length limits in place; four trout, four walleye, five pike and unless in a designated area for regulations, 25 perch. 

“Do that, and everybody wins,” he said.

tyler.marr@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JournoMarr