With musky opener now behind us, trout season still going strong, pike settling into summer patterns, and carp fishing firing on all cylinders, there is no shortage of opportunities on the water right now. Add in bass opener in Zone 17 just around the corner, and June is quickly becoming one of the most exciting months of the fishing season!

Here's what we're watching heading into the weekend.

Warm weather has finally arrived across much of Southern Ontario, and while recent rainfall will help moderate river temperatures, anglers should begin paying close attention to water conditions.

We're still very much in the heart of trout season, however this is the time of year when carrying a thermometer becomes essential.

For catch-and-release trout fishing, it is recommended to keep 20°C (68°F) as a upper limit for brown trout and rainbow trout fishing. Above that threshold, trout can experience increased stress and reduced survival rates after release.

The good news is that most rivers remain well below those temperatures during morning hours. Early starts continue to offer excellent fishing opportunities, especially on smaller streams and upper river sections. We are also expecting cool weather after this weekend throughout southern Ontario, meaning we should have a prolonged trout season!

Dry fly anglers have plenty to be excited about.

Caddis remain one of the most important hatches on virtually every trout river in Southern Ontario. Anglers should carry both adult and pupa imitations for subsurface presentations.

Current trout fly box essentials include:

Gray Fox mayflies are currently among the most important hatches on many rivers and should be high on every angler's priority list.

While Green Drakes have largely wrapped up on rivers like the Credit, larger stoneflies continue to produce fish.

For anglers looking for a unique opportunity, Brown Drake spinner falls can produce some of the most memorable trout fishing of the season.These large mayflies occur on select rivers, including  portions of the Grand and Saugeen systems. During evening spinner falls, some of the biggest trout in the river will leave deep holding water and rise aggressively to feed.

It's a short-lived but spectacular event that rewards anglers willing to stay on the water into the late evening hours.

As rivers warm and insect activity increases, trout often shift their feeding behaviour. One of the best places to focus this time of year is faster, broken water.

Look for:

These areas provide abundant food, increased oxygen levels, and protection from predators. While slower pools still hold fish, much of the consistent action often comes from targeting these faster sections of river during summer conditions.

When nymphing, continue to focus on smaller, more natural patterns unless rainfall significantly colours the water.

If river levels rise and visibility decreases after this weekend's rain, don't hesitate to increase fly size and introduce brighter colours into your setup.

Southern Ontario's musky opener produced plenty of success stories last weekend, and conditions remain excellent for anglers looking to target fish this week.

Fresh off the spawn, many muskies are still holding relatively shallow.

Focus your efforts on:

Most fish are currently being found in less than 10 feet of water. One of the advantages of early-season musky fishing is that you don't need massive flies or ultra-heavy equipment.

A 9-weight fly rod is more than capable for many fisheries, while anglers targeting smaller systems can often get away with an 8-weight.

Fly sizes in the 5- to 7-inch range remain ideal and are significantly easier to cast than the oversized patterns commonly associated with musky fishing.

Pike fishing remains productive, but fish are beginning to move into their summer habitat. As water temperatures rise, pike seek cooler conditions and are increasingly found along deeper weed lines and offshore structure.

Most anglers should focus on:

Sinking lines become increasingly important this time of year. Type 3 and Type 5 sinking lines are excellent choices for maintaining depth while covering water efficiently.

The good news is that pike are generally aggressive right now, allowing anglers to fish flies quickly and cover large areas of productive water.

If there is one species that continues to exceed expectations this spring, it's carp. Carp remain one of the most accessible and exciting fly fishing opportunities available in Ontario.

Whether you're fishing river systems, Great Lakes shorelines, creek mouths, or shallow flats, opportunities are abundant.

The setup remains simple:

What makes carp so addictive is the visual aspect of the fishing. Spotting fish, making accurate presentations, and watching the take unfold is an experience that rivals many traditional gamefish species.

If you've never targeted carp before, this summer is an excellent time to start.

While bass season remains closed in Zone 17 for one more week, anglers are already counting down the days.

Opening weekend consistently produces some of the biggest bass of the season as fish remain relatively unpressured.

Now is the perfect time to organize tackle, check fly lines, tie leaders, and prepare for what is always one of the most anticipated weekends on the Ontario fishing calendar.

The transition from spring into summer is underway, but opportunities remain outstanding across Southern Ontario.

Trout anglers still have excellent conditions, musky season is now open, pike are settling into predictable summer patterns, carp fishing continues to excel, and bass opener is just around the corner.

Whether you're planning a day on your local trout stream or heading out in search of your first musky of the season, there's plenty to look forward to this weekend.

As always, if you need help deciding where to fish, what flies to bring, or how to adapt to current conditions, stop by the shop or get in touch.

We'll see you on the water.