THE OWEN SOUND SALMON SPECTACULAR

The 2008 Salmon Spectacular is underway and the local fishing fraternity is in an absolute frenzy. About 4000 anglers have descended on Owen Sound for the competition, which is a huge event with major sponsors Molson Brewery ( Canada ) and Banrock Station Wines ( Australia), and injects about $1.2 million into the local economy.. The focus is " the beer tent" where there are competitions for kids, daily weigh-ins, entertainment and even a church service on Sunday with an Elvis impersonating preacher!!

The day began at 5am with a call from Ted to see if I wanted to hook a salmon. I was soon in the car and on my way around the lake to meet him at the booat ramp. As I drove, I couldn't get over the "fireflies" that covered the lake but was later to find out they were the navigation lights of the hundreds of boats already outon the water. We were soon away, downrigging our lures to a depth of about 100 feet as we motored along at about walking pace, waiting for the tug, tug on our lines that would signal a strike. A beautiful dawn gradually broke over Owen Sound as we continued to weave in and out of the hundreds of boats, ranging from 10ft "tinnies" to 45ft luxury cruisers. I was amazed there were no collisions as everyone's eyes were on their rod tips, not where they were going.

We could see schools of baitfish, big salmon and lake trout on our fish-finder but even though we dragged our lures right past the fish, we couldn't entice them to strike! Perhaps the fish were a bit bored with the hundreds of brightly coloured pieces of metal and plastic flashing by.

As the sun rose higher we decided to call it a day, but would be back soon to catch a monster and win first prize ( boat, trailer, motor and equipment). I'll worry how to get it home later!