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Mushamush Lake
Gordon Lighfoot sang in "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" of Lake Michigan. He sang "the islands and bays are for sportsmen". Well Gordy, Mushamush is our Lake Michigan. This is an angling paradise. Multi specie, crystal clear, islands, bays, shoals, channels, docks, sunken timber, not to mention that it's the largest lake in Lunenburg County. The angling opportunties exist all season long and seem endless. In 2002, a public boat launch was finally constructed and it seems the public may finally have a foothold into this amazing body of water.
For a good many years this has been my favorite lake to fish. From my first aluminum boat, through my bass boat phase and back to a trusty aluminum, Mushamush has called me back time and time again. Scenery that often seems surreal and excellent fishing makes the days far too short. Shoreline with cottages and much more without provide a wonderful backdrop for this sportsman's paradise. Starting to get the picture? Probably not, you have to see it to believe it. Enough waxing about scenery, let's get to the details.
Getting There
There are many ways to get to the lake but for time's sake I'm going to tell you the way I go, which is from Bridgewater. Leaving Bridgewater you take trunk #10. This will wind along the LaHave for the most part until you enter West Northfield. In West Northfield you will come upon a road on your right that will take you to Upper Northfield. You can't miss it, there is a huge red chicken barn right by the turn off. Follow this road for approximately 10 minutes and you will come to the crest of a hill that overlooks a small lake, Sucker Lake. At the bottom of the hill is the Harold Silver Road on your right, take it. Follow this road down pass the Sucker Lake boat launch and immediately turn left. Then make your next right. This will lead you to the campers beach and the Mushamush boat launch.
Boat Launch
After much work and many battles there has been a boat launch constructed. There were some indivduals that did not want the increased boat traffic on the lake. Respect the fact that many of the nearby cottages are permanent homes. Launch your boat and then park up on the Harold Silver Road. When motoring, go easy as there is a swimming beach next the launch. If it is early morning don't crank your outboard, motor quietly out of the cove. You represent all anglers so don't give us a bad name.
Landlocked Salmon (Ouananiche)
Mushamush has a modest but fragile population of ouananiche. Illegal introduction of smallmouth bass a few years ago may provide yet another obstacle in maintaining this fishery. As is the case with trout and atlantic salmon, acid rain is having a devastating effect on ouananiche and there is no stocking done at Mushamush to help maintain present stocks. DFO has put size restrictions and a two per day limit. I would strongly suggest that you practise c & r and forgo the limit. A quick photo will last longer than a meal anyway.
Although genetically the same as the atlantic salmon, these fish stay in fresh water their entire life. Basically a miniature version of the "King of Gamefish", they sport the same toughness and acrobatic leaps. In the spring of the year, just after ice-out, the winter-weary angler can enjoy one hell of a primer on these beautiful fish. For those willing to brave the elements the rewards can be incredible.
Fishing technique usually requires sitting in a cold boat bobbing through the waves. Not much casting exercise performed here. You need to be prepared to spend some time trolling big flies to hungry fish. I have on occasion had the opportunity to cast to minnow boils along the shoreline and taken a few fish but the majority are taking while trolling. By the way, the nastier the weather, the better the bite. Go figure, eh!
Traditional feather-wing streamers, bucktails and of course muddlers all work well.I usually keep switching till one works. If that fails, I go to a known producer and start varying trolling speed. Start with a crawl and work from there. Often inactive ouananiche can be triggered into striking by trolling very fast.
Tube flies rigged on spinners are a solid producer.
Following shorelines and shoals seem to work well. This time of year the fish have a feed bag on and minnows will be the mainstay of their diet. Where will the minnows be? Windy shores and warmer waters.
I usually give up landlocked fishing early in the year. I turn my focus elsewhere, perhaps too early. I've spoken with other anglers who continue fishing into June and July. Granted, most are not fly fishing(if you can call trolling fly fishing) but I'm sure a sink tip line might be able to compete fairly well. Ouananiche are a cold water specie, so one has to be aware of water temperature as the months progress.
More to come.
Gary Fraser, Canada, ©1999-2010. All Rights Reserved.
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