First Catch 25

This 16-minute featurette takes you alongside the Donna F and The Omsteader on their maiden fishing voyage for the 2025 commercial fishing season. This featurette will showcase the beauty of the frozen sections of the lake, featuring stunning views of Long Point and the fishing tugs breaking through the ice to catch smelt. It’s a rare sight for everyday people, so be sure not to miss it!

[williambark]

Absolutely amazing cinematography during the ice breaking scenes.

[scotsmanofnewengland]

That’s what you call “ Ice Fishing” Great photography and informative. Thanks from New England

[Ibhorscrazi]

Great film!! Thx for sharing love Long Point ❤

[Westlake]

Wow! Terrific footage! Can’t wait for fresh perch! :)

[paulprowse]

Yet another FANTASTIC glimpse at commercial fishing on Lake Erie, Thank you for all you do! Paul P

[drewsreviews]

Wow im still sledding on porcupine lake in Timmins 6 ft snow on the ground still!!.. cant wait to go back down to port maitland beach / dunnville .. go boatin once again❤, great video love that fresh lake erie perch

[colletteacres]

Hi Daryl…wow…so enjoyed that….in awe!!…Collette and Bob

[Tce]

Having lived in Leamington and also near Wheatley as a child and teen, I always wondered how the boats moored near Omsteads on Lake Erie, went about their work. I also had relatives that worked at and/or owned boat building companies such as TugWeld and Hike Metal…This was very interesting, thanks for sharing this with us!

[rinrat]

Really interesting, and also beautiful.

[sandrajones]

Fantastic video very interesting as a commercial fisherman up here in Maine I love watching this stuff especially boats dragging for fish. Fishing is a great way of life and it's great seeing others doing it many good hauls to all Paul J. Cundys Harbor Me

[gilibtj]

Wow !up close and personal! Great video! Always wanted to know what "turtle back"look like inside. Amazing, now I know how they can cut the ice. Georgian steel boats? Sounds crazy, but always wanted to convert to a houseboat. I don't see any in Lake Ontario but Lake Erie! Hope they have a great season!

[TrueNorthNever]

I’m in Southampton. Excellent photography of the inland fishing 🥰🫡🇨🇦

[ronaldvanbeekveld]

Remember those boats from Wheatley Ontario. Especially old Stubbys Donna F. And the Omsteader. I live in Donna F Omstead Lauheads former home

[snuffy]

i'm from just down the road Erieo and we got them boats too, i always noticed how low the ceiling were in them.

[pmc]

Here on the south shore of Lake Erie we would get huge die offs of smelt..maybe alwifes during this time of year. This was up to 1990 and have since stopped. I have been trying to find out why this has since stopped to no avail. any advice would be appreciated

[MrRickoscar]

Awsome, can you ask the Captain why the smelts don't come to the river mouths to spawn like in the 50s and 60s.

[tammyfoley]

This is amazing, Daryl✨️ You were made for what do you, and you do it all so passionately. Keep shining, my friend 🧡 We're all so so very proud of you!!!

[davidgulliver]

Nice video thank you. Could you give a little history on the smelt fishing quotas ? Where did the size restrictions go ? I know the smelt he held up is what they used to be like and probably the only sizable smelt caught tgat day. We cannot net them anymore because they aren't there !
I'm not hating. I'd just like to know why the size restrictions have gotten so small.
Thanks

[donmartin]

I love fresh breaded smelt.
Do they sell fresh fish out of a store in Port Dover too ?

[lrcb]

“Tug” is an interesting word since it’s not set up to “tug”