Hey folks, Chris here with your fishing forecast for the weekend of July 16th. We’re in for another fantastic stretch of summer fishing! It’s looking a little cooler than previous weekends, with some rain rolling in at the start of the weekend to help knock temperatures back to a very pleasant level heading into the week. Overall, conditions are shaping up beautifully.

While this is very much a warm-water time of year, there’s still a window for trout anglers. The Grand River above Fergus at Shand Dam is holding around 17°C, which keeps the upper section of the tailwater in play for some trout fishing. If you’re heading out, keep a thermometer handy and keep an eye on those temps—if things creep towards the 68F/20C mark, give the trout a break.

For the rest of us, it’s full-on summer warm-water fun! Carp and gar fishing have been excellent, and of course, this is prime bass season. Bass are feeding heavily on crayfish right now, and we’re seeing some great topwater action too. Here are a few fly recommendations to match conditions!

Dead Ned – Think of it as a big bass jig for your fly rod. Perfect for punching through weedy or heavy cover. Darker colors like black and blue show up really well in that murkier, still water you often find in these spots. Bonus: bowfin love it too.

Cray Cray – A small, realistic crayfish profile that shines in clear lakes like Lake Simcoe or the Muskoka lakes.

Rio’s Hogan’s Headstand – Inspired by the conventional Ned rig, this worm pattern has a heavy tungsten football head and a soft tail that stands upright, getting right in the face of smallmouth. Perfect for rocky, hard-bottom areas where you need to fish slow and methodical.

As always, if you’re looking for more tips on where to fish or what flies to throw this weekend, drop by the shop or give us a call. Good luck out there and enjoy this great stretch of summer fishing!