| Smallmouth bass fishing on the Grand River with | | | | Morris to Paris is "catch & keep" or the lower |
| platform rafts has added a new enjoyment to | | | | Grand from Paris to Brant Park is zoned "catch |
| the sport of fishing in Paris. Normally the | | | | & release". |
| riverbanks cannot be walked because the land is | | | | The reason the smallmouth bass fishing has |
| privately owned and restricted. This forces | | | | improved is due to the aggressive Fish |
| fishermen to wade the boulder bottom and | | | | Management Plan implemented in 1995. Along |
| wrestle river current when angling for smallmouth | | | | certain areas of the river special angling |
| bass in the Grand River. The use of platform | | | | regulations have been introduced to protect the |
| rafts resolves the wading problem. | | | | smallmouth bass. Anglers must use barbless |
| With platform raft fishing fisherman now have | | | | hooks, no live bait and do catch and release. This |
| access to miles of shoreline with excellent small | | | | restricted zone is called Exceptional Waters |
| mouth bass fishing all along the Grand River. | | | | between Paris and Brant Conservation area and |
| People of all sizes and ages can enjoy a time | | | | produces excellent large fish. |
| together with friends or families to fish as they | | | | July 1st in Southern Ontario is the start of the |
| drift down the Grand. The platform rafts allow | | | | smallmouth bass season on the Grand River. It is |
| anyone of any physical condition the opportunity | | | | normal to catch 40 to 50 bass in a four hour drift |
| to get out and fish some of the best spots for | | | | in the Paris area. The fish range from small to |
| small mouth bass. | | | | under 24 inches with lots of action. At the start |
| For families wanting a day of actually catching | | | | of the season late afternoon-evening trips |
| fish, the platform rafting is a great way to travel | | | | produce some of the best results. For visitors |
| together. The rafts offer a safe experience that | | | | arriving on the Grand without fishing gear and |
| allows children the freedom of movement and | | | | tackle, the Big Catch Bait & Tackle shop in |
| togetherness. There is the joy of no mosquitoes | | | | Paris will rent all equipment plus a loaded tackle |
| or black flies as the rafts drift through a | | | | box for $20. |
| wilderness of forest, fresh springs and wildlife. | | | | The Grand River is only one hour west of |
| The platform decks normally accommodate two | | | | Toronto. It is easily accessible by the 401 or 403 |
| fly fishermen standing or 4 people seated with a | | | | Highways. For those wishing overnight |
| guide steering in the back. Those that spin-cast | | | | accommodations there is the countryside River |
| can sit in deck chairs elevated above the water | | | | Ridge B&B in the area or the elegant |
| level to easily see striking fish. The best thing | | | | Arlington Hotel. For those wishing to camp, some |
| about raft platform fishing is the speed of the | | | | of the fish guiding companies in the area have |
| raft... it allows excellent casting opportunities at | | | | secluded campsites right on the river. |
| every pool. | | | | Smallmouth bass fishing on the Grand River is |
| These Grand River smallmouth bass platform | | | | exceptional... but so is the scenery and abundance |
| excursions are with experienced guides that know | | | | of wildlife. The closeness of the Grand River |
| the fishing spots well. The expertise of the guides | | | | allows people to get up in the morning... drive an |
| increases the number of strikes and fish caught. | | | | hour for excellent fishing... and be in their own bed |
| The guides in the Paris area conduct trips on two | | | | at night. |
| sections of the river. The upper Grand from Glen | | | | |