Fishing

The Club owns Franklin Lake, Harrison and Douglass Ponds, along with surrounding woodlands and property, which is 200 acres of Ontario's finest, unspoiled land.

We are located within the Lake Simcoe watershed and are protected in the Oak Ridges Moraine. This location, combined with our natural springs, provides the ideal water source for the breeding and maintenance of fish.

Fishing takes place on the twenty-two acre Franklin Lake and its two adjoining ponds. On the lake, members and guests may elect to fish from the well-maintained shoreline, from platforms, the dock or the bridge. Alternatively, they may opt to use the good supply of traditional flat-bottomed rowing punts.

Club Pro - Ian Colin James

Ian is famous for his razor-sharp Scottish wit and down to earth fly fishing methods. Well known for his "no bull" approach to fly fishing, for 29 years Ian has shown folks how to cast, how to find fish and to catch the fish they find. Not only is Ian our Club Pro providing members with instructional and guiding opportunities, but he also teaches the first accredited fly fishing course in Canada at Fanshawe College. He is an accomplished professional fly tier, with flies sold worldwide. His fly tying artistry is showcased in volume #3 of the prestigious Flytyers of the World by Steve Thorton. Several of his original patterns have found their way into the Orvis Catalog where they have become best selling flies. The Franklin Club is very fortunate to have such an experienced and talented individual as our Club Pro.

Considered by many to be one of the top fly fishing guides and fly tying instructors in North America.

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Harrison Pond, the larger of the two ponds, covers two acres and is surrounded by grassy banks with strategically placed landings. Both Harrison Pond and the smaller Douglass Pond were named in honour of respected Club members who believed that dry fly fishing represented the ultimate in angling. These ponds are exclusively reserved for fly-fishing.

The Franklin Club also owns and operates one of the largest private hatcheries in the province. Stock is reared from eggs or imported as fingerlings in order to maintain consistent quality and health of fish in our hatchery operation. The lake and ponds are stocked on a regular basis with good sized Rainbow and Speckled Trout.

Rainbow Trout generally range from 14 - 18 inches and can weigh up to 6 pounds. Recent catches have included a 9 pound, 28 inch rainbow! Speckled Trout have averaged 14 -16 inches and can weigh up to 4 pounds.

Members are encouraged to bring family, friends and business associates to share in the Club's excellent fishing experience.

To maintain ample stock for members, the Club imposes a daily limit of ten trout per membership and three trout for each guest. Member catch and keep quotas for the year are 100 trout, while fish taken over this limit are subject to a nominal charge. The Club encourages catch and release fishing, provided that single, unbaited, barbless hooks are used.

"many a story was heard about well fought but lost battles to the big one that got away."

A fish cleaning station is located near the boat docks. For the convenience of members and guests, the station is stocked with knives, a honing block, plastic bags, waste disposal and running water. Minnows and certain other live bait are not permitted at the Club. In the Clubhouse, refigeration facilities are provided for your day's catch.

Fishing is available right through the winter season, whether at Harrison Pond for the fly fishing enthusiasts or from the propane-heated ice fishing huts on Franklin Lake. The Club is not limited by provincial restrictions governing the trout fishing season and, therefore, The Franklin Club is able to offer fishing 365 days a year.

Special fishing events are held from time to time. The Members' Fishing Derby and the Children's Fishing Derby, as well as fly-fishing clinics are regular Club events.

"..to truly appreciate The Franklin Club you must experience it"