Welcome to Week IV of 'Shore Fishing the Parkland'. Like most of us I am a novice fisherman, loving to fish, but far from an expert. In the following weeks I'll attempt to give those anglers who love to fish but just don't have access a boat a look at some of the options in the Yorkton area where you can fish from shore, and hopefully catch some fish for a good summer fry.
Among area fishing spots available to those who want to stand on the shore, few offer more places to throw a hook from than this week's stop.
So we start by a quick trip south on Highway 10 to Melville, where you watch for a small angling highway sign just south of the Melville hospital.
Turn right as directed and follow the grid road. The city's reservoir is only a mile or so outside the city and its home to fish.
Well at least that's what the literature says.
The day I headed south to the reservoir this spring the weather was warm, and the sun was out. We arrived at 5 p.m. and fished from one of the docks set out into the water for anglers. The two dock areas with a generally open shoreline around a large body of water offers numerous spots to angle from the shore.
I tried every beloved Len Thompson I had, fanning a rather large area with casts. Nothing bit.
I tried rubber grubs in a couple of different colors -- still nothing.
Out came a jig with shrimp for bait. Yep you guessed it -- nothing.
And when I say nothing I mean nothing. There was only one moment I thought it might be a nibble, a moment I think now was wishful thinking in my part.
Initially I figured the fish knew I was a Yorkton Terriers and Cardinals fan and simply refused to bite my hooks.
However, a local fisherman happened by for a chat and suggested fishing has been generally slow at the reservoir this spring, which seems the opposite of most areas waters in 2012.
On a good day the reservoir is home to perch, although the resource has to be under pressure as the body of water has a 10-perch limit as compared to most Saskatchewan perch waters allowing 25.
Melville reservoir is also home to pickerel.
I will say I can verify there are fish in the reservoir. We saw several fish rolling in the evening, although they may have been suckers, also resident to the waters.
There was also a group of about 10 pelicans well out in the water who were making occasional dives, returning with a fish you could see them swallowing. They were a highlight of a fish-less day, even though I got a feeling they were gloating at their own process and our lack of success.
I will say that in spite of the lack of fish that day, the Melville Reservoir is an excellent shore options for the number of spots allowing casting, and it's quick and easy access from Yorkton.
