On the water…with James Boraski
Does any place scream fishing and hunting louder than Thunder Bay? Not for me!
Welcome to On The Water where I hope to share some of my stories, knowledge and experience pertinent to both activities during their respective seasons.
As a Fishing Guide on Lake Nipigon and the Nipigon River, I quickly learned that the Brook Trout up here have a much more voracious appetite for big bait presentations than do their smaller cousins elsewhere in Ontario, especially Southern Ontario where I grew up.
One of the baits that I was introduced to that work tremendously well are the Mighty Mitch & Jungle Joe Jigflies that are now produced right here in Your Thunder Bay.
What started out as a hobby, turned into a small father and son family business. Mitch was only 7 years old when he and Joe Kostecki started tying Jigflies for themselves, and a few friends.
The business is now 25 some odd years old, and is quite a commercial venture servicing anglers and tackle shops both near and far.
Over the years, Joe and Mitch have enlisted the help of others like Emily Nixon and Janet Brooks in the tying and production of these popular baits to satisfy customer orders in a timely fashion.
Their Jigflies range in size and colour patterns from 1/4 oz. right up to 2 oz. Some of the popular patterns that I use with great success include the Smelt pattern, the Orange Crush, the Disco Gold, the Dace pattern, and the Bronze Bomber, among others.
Many of my clients place orders for their Jigflies every winter to be sure they’re ready when they arrive in the Spring & Summer… you can direct message Joe Kostecki via the Mighty Mitch & Jungle Joe’s Facebook Page.
To use them successfully, they are most commonly cast and swam back to the boat in a jigging fashion, or as a straight swim retrieve. I use the lighter 1/4 oz. patterns on shallow reefs and shorelines, and the 3/8 oz. patterns where shoreline reefs have quicker / steeper dropoffs.
When I’m fishing them in fast water currents, I will often upsize to the 1/2 oz. Jigflies to slow down the drift or swing and keep the baits in the sweet spots longer.
Here are some of my clients showing proof of just how effective these Jigflies can be… check them out and give them a try… there are patterns for every species – Brook Trout; Lake Trout; Steelhead; Walleye; Bass; and Pike love them too!!
Until next time, wishing you all some great days “on the water”.
James
