Trying To Add Goldeye To The List

[kevin]

I've Caught Burbot, Pike, Walleye, Sturgeon, Sauger, White Sucker, and redhorse sucker (dont remember the exact name). I know how to catch each, when to fish for them, or where... But I have never caught Goldeye or Whitefish in the river (Saskatoon) With all these rants about how delicious smoked goldeye is, and all these people reporting their catches, does anyone have any tips on how I might hook my first goldeye in Saskatoon? Always looking forward to catching a new species.

[raf]

It does but a long way east near Nipawin. If a goldeye came up the Torch and got to candle it would somehow have to climb over the dam at the east end of the lake. Last time I was by there it's quite a drop from lake level to the level of the river. No fish ladder there either to my knowledge. I don't think even the most determine salmon could make that jump.

[raf]

Never fished for them through the ice because most lakes I've ice fished don't have them. I did however see a goldeye caught where I least expected it. Was fishing at Candle and a boat about 100 yds away called asking what kind of fish they had. At that distance thought it was a whitefish. They said no and brought if over. It was a goldeye. No idea how it could have gotten into the lake.

[terminator]

A slip-bobber with a chunk of worm can be dynamite on the river. Keep your hook a couple of feet below the water, and cast in the back eddies.

[scales]

I've read that spinners and small spoons work really well on goldeye, and that they like the moving bait. I've also read that floating jigs or any floating bait works well, and I used to catch a few with a dry fly on the fly rod (a whole lot of fun that is) From shore, I mostly use pickeral rigs baited with frozen minnows. The goldeye are plentiful, most of the time they bite on the top hook, but I have caught 2 at a time on pickeral rigs. I do think they tend to bite better right after reeling the pickeral rig in a little bit. I've also caught a lot shortly after the cast. They seem to bite on jigs from the boat really well also. I remember using grasshoppers and earth worms as bait, and catching more goldeye than on minnows. I've only caught a few on Bobbers, which is a bit of a suprise to me, and the last one was on a large jig and a large smelt, suprised me quit a bit actually.

[mlpikeman]

i almost forgot how hard those dang things pull, pretty impressive for a small fish.

[water_wolf]

Hi Kevin, The few goldeye I have caught at Tobin Lake were on small spinners that you would use for trout. I retrieved them fairly fast and probably no more than 2 - 3 feet under the surface. Worms, grasshoppers and minnows should work to as well as tiny rubber tails. At Tobin I found they were hanging out in the eddies of the river and behind structurs. According to the Outdoor Canada Fishing Guide, goldeye can be caught in Saskatoon near the "Big Bend", the section of river just North of the Circle Drive Bridge that takes a quick turn to the East. You could also ask at the tackle shops in Saskatoon, I am sure they could help you in your serch for goldeye and what to use to catch them. You were asking what a casting bubbe is, well a casting bubble is a multi-purpose adjustable float. It can be filled with water for extra casting distance. If you fill it compeatly it will sink slowly, half full and it should sit upright, you will have to expermint to be sure. They come in many sizes from 3/16 oz to 3/8 oz. They can also be clear or colored. Both the Fishing Hole and Wholesale sports should have them in stock. WATER WOLF

[remko]

I've been reading this topic with quite some interest and like to know if anyone has recently (in the last year or so) fished for goldeye in the river. I've tried it several times during the evenings last July and August, right at the pump house as described by RAF. This is a great spot to cast from, but each time these trips only left with mosquito bites and no fish. I was fishing on or just below the surface with caddis, various nymphs and small leeches, so maybe I was doing something wrong or the amount of goldeye in the river is not what is was when RAF was fishing there.

[kevin]

"The Pavillion"? I don't quite understand the access to the areas, though looking at a map "the big bend" now seems quite apparent. Do you walk from Meewasin all the way to the bend? Or is there maybe somewhere to park closer by? Can't really judge the distance based on the map. I'm going to assume that you were also fishing the west side being that there appears to be no way to get to the east side of that bend. Really impressed with the responses, im getting excited to land one now... Oh, and last question (I hope) How is the season? I know I usually catch very specific species in fall compared to summer. (Mostly Burbot)

[raf]

Actually this has now got me thinking(got to be careful, might give myself a headache ). IMO the only way that fish could have gotten in there is someone put it there. My bet is someone brought live minnows they caught for bait. We all know that's illegal but.....you can be pretty sure someone would do it.

[system]

It does, downstream of EB Campbell (Squaw Rapids) about 1.5 hrs by boat. Cumberland House country.

[system]

There is a bypass fishway that has been installed at the outlet of Candle (head of the Torch R) very near to the historic water control structure (ie dam). The bypass fishway hasn't been in operation for very long, though.

[remko]

GC, Thanks for this great bit of info. I am familiar with the technique, as I used it to fish some Czech nymphs (I still need some practice with it though), but was unaware of its name. Fortunately I have always tied my flies to the tippet using a Rapala knot; easy to tie and perhaps the best one there is. I noticed the effect of a loop versus a knot that directly connects to the fly, while fishing the troutpond with a buddy of mine. We both fished with the same nymphs, in a similar manner, yet I consistently had more hits than him until I suggested he should tie his flies using a loop as well. I will definitely try fishing for Goldeye on the river again this summer, but now with some of the flies you suggested. Hope to see you out there.

[raf]

Last time I fished the river was about 10 years ago. A friend had caught several big walleye so went out to give it a try. I was fishing by the big bend just south of the Meewasin pavilion. I was casting 1/4 oz jigs tipped with a crawler. I would cast out and let it sink. the current would carry the bait past me. Could feel the jig bouncing on the bottom. No walleye but plenty of goldeye caught. I don't know why I haven't gone down there for this long. I've got the time . Have to write my self a reminded and give it a try next year.

[mlpikeman]

i thought the torch connects somewhere to the sask river.

[walleyepiketrout]

Yeah, you see gold eye rising like crazy during hatches on the river.

[raf]

I just reread this topic and thought I'd add to it. Again back when we were kids we were always fishing down by the river. Some days we would target sauger and were by the weir. On those days we wanted goldeye we'd usually fish north of Windsor St. (Archibald arena) to just around the first bend. Our favorite spot was just north the pump station to the present circle drive brige. We used a wooden float about 8" long, 2 inches thick at the base and 1/2 way up it narrowed to 1/2 inch. They were always painted red & white. There was an eye screwed in 1/2 way up to attach line to your rod and a 2nd screwed into the bottom. We attached about 2 feet of line and couple of hooks and enough lead weight on the bottom to float it upright. Our bait of choice was earth worms we dug in the garden. Sometimes we used hoppers but worms seemed to work better for us. We'd cast out into the current and caught lots. From time to time we were lazy and just wanted to do the Tom Sawyer thing and just lay on the beach. Then we'd use drag lines. Usually caught suckers, carp and chubs but did get the odd goldeye. Writing this brings back fond memories of my youth and the many happy hours spent on the river bank.

[mlpikeman]

doesn't the torch river system connect into candle lake somehow??

[gc1]

Remko, have you tried soft hackle wets on a floating line with the Leisenring Lift? A few go-to patterns: Black Gnat, Leisenring Spider, Partridge & Orange, Soft Hackle Olive Dun -- see http://www.globalflyfisher.com/patterns/flymphs/ Good sizes are 8 -14. Bring lots of flies as goldeye teeth chew them up fast -- good thing soft hackles are fast, easy, and cheap to tie For goldeye, look for water about 1-2 m deep that's flowing well and that is a bit murky (goldeye's eyes are adapted to turbid water and flowing turbid water keeps them safe from pike). If the water is really murky try a pattern with more flash. I'm sure you know that Leisenring Lift but I'm surprised at how many fly fishers don't. It's dead-dog easy and can be deadly effective with nymphs, soft hackles, streamers, etc. To get the fly down use a longish flourocarbon leader & tippet (a furled flourocarbon leaders works great because it's heavier), a weighted fly, and -- if needed -- a tiny split shot 6" above the fly. Secure the fly to the tippet via a loop for more action. Make sure you let the fly hang in the current for a few seconds (5-10 if you have the patience) at the end of the lift because that's when most of the strikes occur. Perhaps I'll see you on the river this summer

[raf]

When we were kids we fished what you called the big bend. We caught goldeyes there. Also around the next bend where it turns north. The last time I fished the river was about 10 years ago. A friend caught some big walleye there, +10lb, so wanted to give that a try. No walleye but caught goldeye. If you walk south from the pavillion I was right on the bend. There was a path about 1/3 of the way down the steep bank that was just wide enough to stand on. Just bounced a jig along in the current. That path may be gone now after the high water a couple of years ago.