Hey everyone, Chris here with your May 7th fishing forecast. We’re one week into May, and fishing has been fantastic across the board. Whether you're chasing steelhead, trout, or gearing up for pike opener in Zone 16—there's something great waiting out there this weekend.
Steelhead – Fish Are Dropping Back, But Still Around
Steelhead fishing was still strong this past weekend. That said, numbers are starting to thin out as fish drop back to the lake. You can still find plenty of fish in many rivers, but time is ticking—so don’t wait.
Tips for the Weekend:
- Focus on lower stretches of rivers to intercept fish dropping out
- All techniques are still productive: swinging, nymphing, or pinning
- Water clarity is good, so fish natural-colored baitfish streamers like sculpins
- Don't be afraid to throw bigger patterns—these fish are still eating well
- Last weekend, I picked up five on the swing, and Theo landed eight—so fish are very much still in play.
Trout – Conditions Are Improving and Big Fish Are Showing Up
Trout fishing continues to be solid, with some impressive fish being landed. As the water continues to clear and warm, we’re starting to shift away from eggs and worms and more toward bug-based patterns.
Go-To Nymphs Right Now:
- Hare’s Ears
- Pheasant Tails
- Frenchies
- Prince Nymphs
On the Grand River, warmer temps are starting to activate the fish, but keep in mind the stocking hasn’t happened yet. So while numbers may be lower, any fish you catch right now is likely to be a good one.
For higher numbers, check out the Credit River, Whiteman’s Creek, or smaller Georgian Bay tributaries—all solid options while we wait for the Grand to fill in.
Dry Flies – Hatches Picking Up
With warmer weather and more sun, hatches are starting to show more consistently.
Here’s What’s Coming Off Now:
- Blue-winged olives (already showing)
- Stoneflies
- Hendricksons – Expect these soon as water continues to warm (Size 14 is a good general starting point)
Coming soon:
- Sulphurs
- Gray Foxes
This is a great time to start stocking your fly boxes with these patterns. If you’re unsure what to tie or buy, swing by the shop and we’ll set you up.
Pike – Big Southern Ontario Opener This Weekend
Zone 16 opens for pike this Saturday, and the forecast looks perfect. Whether you’re heading to marshes, lakes, or rivers, this is a great window to get into post-spawn pike.
How to Approach It:
- Wading marshy shorelines can be productive
- Canoes or kayaks open up more water—highly recommended
- Look for fish holding near their spawning zones
We’re stoked for this one. Don’t miss it if you’re a pike angler.
Need Help? Come See Us
As always, if you need advice on where to go or what to use, we’re here to help. Drop into the shop or shoot us a message—we’re happy to point you in the right direction.
See you out there!
