A stroll around town will tell you something’s up the last few weeks, even if you’re not of the piscatorial persuasion. The steelhead rainbow trout season kicked off at the end of April with the spring run, and the anglers have donned their waders and gear and are out in full force on Meaford’s Bighead River.

A young couple casts for steelhead rainbow trout on Meaford's Bighead River this afternoon

(The Georgian Triangle Anglers’ Association 2011 Rainbow Trout Derby wrapped up on Saturday, and as we weren’t at the awards ceremony we’re still waiting for the results on their website!)

The Bighead is a major draw for fishermen (and women) in the know, but we’ll let Fly Fish Ontario fill you in.

“This river is probably best known for its run of steelhead rainbow trout in the fall and spring. It is also host to an excellent cold water fishery in its upper reaches…

“It is a small river. Really only the locals and seasoned veterans know the upper reaches due to its thrashingly thick bush and untouched banks. Private property conceals most of the river. Once permission is granted, access is golden as trout in the upper reaches are plentiful and fat. The lower reaches are well travelled by many fisherman in search of a wild silver trophy during the fall and spring…

“Many excellent runs offer great drifts for several kilometers along the river and the Rainbows, Browns and Salmon are plentiful when the run is on… Smallmouth Bass also inhabit the river, and a resident population of Browns and Brookies can be found in its upper reaches and tributaries”

Or to put it another way, “Man I am hooked on steelies!” That’s the verdict of “FishStalker”, writing on fliesandfins.com. Read his entertaining tale of a Bighead River fishing expedition (and forgive him for suggesting Meaford is in Northern Ontario – he is, after all, from south of the border).