Sacred Tribal Waters Produce Smallmouths
Billy “Hawkeye” Decoteau
Smallmouths at what range,” I echoed!
“Smallmouths ranging from three to six pounds,” repeated Lakes Region Fishing Guide Nate Laskiewicz. If I didn’t know Captain Nate Laskiewicz so well I would have thought this was some kind of joke.
Imagine inviting me to go smallmouth fishing during the wintry chill of December in Canada on the St. Lawrence River? (www.LakesRegionFishing.com)
Becoming a bit more curious, our conversation became extremely technical in relation to specific techniques, water depth and type of baits we would be utilizing.
According to Laskiewicz, “These smallmouths were feeding heavily on crayfish, along rock, gravel and sandy shoal areas, just out of the main river current. They primarily feed in water depths from six to fifteen feet.”
One thing about Captain Nate Laskiewicz I admire is his honesty. There is no sugar coating or exaggerated numbers when it comes to actual fish counts or size per trip.
“In my last outing together with Mohawk Indian Guide Will Clute we landed 104 Smallmouths during a seven hour venture!” Laskiewicz added, “However, on my trip two weeks ago I landed 70 smallmouths myself in four hours!”
At this I asked when, where and what time?
Our scheduled date was Saturday December 3rd. We were to hook up with Mohawk Indian Guide Will Clute, meet him for breakfast at 6:00 AM, then launch at 7:00 AM from the Mohawk Indian Nation’s Reservation of Akwesasne, on the St Regis River.
The tribal waters of the St Lawrence and St. Regis River are located along the international border between the United States and Canada. Federally protected the Mohawk Indian’s Tribal Waters include the St Lawrence River, plus all of its tributaries from Valleyfield, Quebec Canada to the St Lawrence Seaway Eisenhower Lock located in Massena, New York.
Framed with the biggest smile, Mohawk Indian and Professional Fishing Guide Will Clute educated me on the requirements pertaining to fishing these sacred tribal waters.
“To enjoy the bounty our Mohawk Indian tribal waters have to offer, an individual only needs to book a trip with our Mohawk Trail Guide Service!”
“One major additional bonus to the outstanding Mohawk Tribal Water fishery, there is no requirement to purchase a fishing license and no Passport is required when traveling into Tribal Waters in Canada,” added Guide Will Clute.
Cruising down the St. Regis River, a panoramic view of my surroundings brought me back to a time when the only anglers on these pristine waters were Will Clute’s ancestors! Envisioning Mohawk Indians paddling their way in canoes or wading shore lines with spears, in search of dinner made me realize how blessed I was with the opportunity to actually fish these scared tribal waters.
Pointing to a large cove just off the main St Lawrence River, Guide Will Clute suggested Captain Nate Laskiewicz maneuvered his 21’ Triton towards a surface-rippling eddy.
Handing me a 3/8 oz green pumpkin football head style finesse jig Guide Will Clute instructed me to work it along the bottom slowly.
“Try working this jig without a trailer, and when you feel the gravel bottom, stop it, let it sit still and then slightly crawl it along,” he advised.
From the bow Captain Laskiewicz held our rig in the ten-foot contour, while we cast our baits to an opening of clear water, boulders, and a few scattered weeds within the gravel bottom. (Still green!)
3 Pound small mouth
Immediately on his first cast Captain Laskiewicz’s sweep set sent a 3lb smallmouth bass into the air!
“This is crazy!” I responded, “The water temperature is 41 degrees, our air temperature is 27 degrees and that smallmouth is battling like it’s the heat of summer!” (This statement was repeated most of the day!)
Utilizing a drifting technique, Captain Laskiewicz and I looked for openings within the submerged vegetation. In an effort not to spook our shallow six-eight foot feeding smallmouths, Captain Laskiewicz maintained our position in twelve-fifteen feet. Our water clarity idled within the twelve-foot range, making sight fishing an extreme pleasure.
After our first 300-yard twisting drift, we had determined our most productive baits, size and colors.
Captain Laskiewicz stuck with his ¼ oz ball head jig paired with a 3” olive green plastic spider jig, and finessed his jig with a Temple Fork Outfitters M/H 6’6” spinning rod, saddled with a US Reels 180 SuperCaster, spooled with 10 lb Power Pro braid. (www.USReels.com)
My arsenal included a Denali 6’6” Rosewood Finesse spinning rod, US Reel 180 SXi SuperCaster spooled with Seaguar 8lb TATSU Fluorocarbon line. My bait of choice was Skinny Bears Signature Pro Series ¼ oz brown/green pumpkin jig, and a Kalin 3” green pumpkin twin tail trailer.
Captain Nate and Guide Will enlightened me as to why these smallmouths were so shallow. The crayfish have been moving into shallow areas more conductive for their migratory process of laying eggs, and the smallmouth bass are here to intercept them.
The Captain was quick to advise me, “It’s imperative anglers realize not every crayfish in the lake or river will migrate within this migratory transition at the same time!” He also informed me there are several stages of movement during the crayfish migration.
“This process can take anywhere from two-three months depending upon an areas climate.”
Guide Will Clute agreed. “The full-moon seems to trigger the Crayfish migration to burrow into the ground, where their eggs may be protected. The warmer than normal temperatures have extended their migration!”
I quickly injected, “Thus, our too hot to be cold smallmouth action, during a sunny 30 degree air temperature today!”
With precision timing Laskiewicz and Clute turned to me and said, “Today is actually a very slow day!”
“So far we have not had any doubles, and except for once or twice we haven’t caught bass on consecutive cast either!” Said Laskiewicz.
“Nate is right on target! This is one of the reasons we have been covering so much water. And, at times quickly drifted through an area,” added Clute.
Although, our catch ratio was not going to peek at their usual 100 plus smallmouth per day mark, they kept apologizing to me for the lack of action? Registering six hours into the day, catching what I considered a good day of consistent smallmouth action, 56 smallmouths with an occasional yellow perch or walleye in between, wasn’t too shabby in my book! Best of all we only needed one rod and our one choice of crawfish imitation all day long to catch these Bronze-Back jewels!
Let’s also consider the size predictions quoted me as well……….”Smallmouths ranging from three to six pounds!”
When anglers can catch over fifty smallmouths, averaging between three to four plus pounds, during a cold front bluebird sky, then I can’t wait to return to the St. Lawrence River when the Smallmouth action is really hot! God Bless and Best Bass’n
It’s imperative readers understand you must be with a member of the Mohawk Indian Trail Guide Service to enjoy these benefits! Additional, information on requirements and regulations may be attained by contacting Mohawk Indian Guide Will Clute at www.MohawkTrailsGuide.com. ■
