Few would list an old pistol, newspaper box, or change machine as their favourite fishing trophies, but then again, Michael Dale is no ordinary angler.

He’s among a growing number of magnet-fishing enthusiasts taking to waterways in search of long-submerged treasures. Based out of Lindsay, he’s been sharing his love for the pastime on Instagram.

A popular hobby in Europe, magnet fishing has taken root in North America thanks largely to social media influencers, like Amsterdam’s Bondi Treasure Hunter and Facebook communities, such as Magnet Fishing Canada and Magnet Fishing Masters.

Just like a traditional lunker hunter, Dale gets the biggest thrill from pulling in the big ones — like bicycles, shopping carts, and safes. After all, the heavier the load, the more money he gets from the scrap yard.

“The feeling when you latch on to something with serious weight and you don’t know what it is until it reaches the surface, is a feeling you just have to experience for yourself,” said Dale, pointing out how addictive it is.

“A saying I live by for the hobby is ‘Anything could be anywhere,’ and that philosophy keeps me throwing that magnet,” Dale explained. “You can get valuable finds. It just takes time and patience.”

The fact that he didn’t latch onto anything during a brief photo session earlier this summer didn’t come as a surprise, however, considering how much he’s already cleaned up at his favourite hometown hole.

The Rainbow Bridge and Scugog River have yielded a wide variety of tools, road signs, and fishing gear. He even recovered a police baton and firearms, including an Albion No. 2 MK1 Enfield Revolver, which he turned in.

In between hurling his magnet from the pedestrian bridge and retrieving it, he chats enthusiastically with interested passersby. He enjoys making those connections, even if he’s occasionally asked if he’s caught any steelhead.

“What I most enjoy about people coming up to me is that they usually have historical anecdotes about the surrounding area, as well as tips on potential magnet fishing spots I should search,” he said.

Dale uses a Brute Magnetics double-sided magnet with 1,000 pounds of pull force per side, and recommends always using one with more than 500 pounds of force and checking your rope’s breaking strength.

He encourages anyone of all ages interested in magnet fishing to give it a try. “I just want to share with everyone who is interested to see the beauty of magnet fishing and the things that are hiding in the waters of Ontario.”

For more on his finds, follow Dale on Instagram and YouTube @DaleDiscoveries.

Originally published in the August 2021 issue of Ontario OUT of DOORS Magazine.

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