Ray and I tried something new this year for the annual pilgrimage north. We went up to the head waters of St. Laurent River at the East end of Lake Ontario. To say this was BIG water is an understatement. Water can run to 90+ feet deep in this long, broad seaway that serves as a shipping lane between Lake Ontario and the Atlantic ocean. Fortunately, the area also lives up to it’s reputation as the “1000 islands region” so there is plenty of structure to make this farm pond boy feel not too far out of sorts. Those islands also helped break up the wind and current to allow comfortable fishing from my open 16’ Mirrocraft.
Figuring out any new water can be a challenge. This one was a degree or two harder than some for me. Still, once we figured the fishing out, we settled into to taking our share of HARD fighting "cookie cutter" smallies in teh 14-16" range. Odly enough, 5 days of fishing produced few bigger and almost none smaller. Pretty much all productive fishing was on deep slopeing points and shoals under up to 15’ of water and on fast sinking lines. 
Couple of things worth noting. Water there is CLEAR. You can see 15-20+ down and pick out fish in most areas. ( Even spotted a few 30”+ Salmonids cruising the bottom!) Bring sinking lines and flies should you go . There is a large local shop where you can buy a 7 day license but you won’t find a single spec of fly gear in the place! Accommodations were at Kring State Park which is a rocky finger of land that sticks out between the St. Laurent and Goose bay. Decent sites and facilities, friendly staff, great views! We splurged on a cabin vs tenting it. Cabins were basic (roof, bunks, fridge, microwave and electricity) but waterfront . leak free and bug tight ( not that there were many at all.). Free boat launch and sheltered docks for overnight tie up too. All in all a worthwhile and enjoyable trip for some different style Smallmouth fishing. Not the most fish, not the biggest fish but some solid fishing and an overall great time!
Dave
