During an interview on the Jim Richards Show on NEWSTALK 1010 Tuesday, Ford gave a vivid description of his time in a boat Monday with the Conservative leader at Harrington Lake -- the PM's country retreat.

As QMI Agency reported exclusively Tuesday, Ford and Harper had what's becoming an annual private fishing trip on Monday.

"It's a whole day and we have a good time," Ford told Richards.

"You should see the bass we were pulling in, I would say, and I'm not exaggerating, when I say four, five-pound bass "¦ it's beautiful."

Ford said he was at the Quebec cottage from around 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Asked if Harper enjoys fishing, Ford said, "I don't think he's into it as much as I am."

"I really love fishing," Ford said, adding he brings his own tackle and leeches and worms for bait.

The mayor did provide an interesting picture of the two politicians in the boat.

"I stand up in the boat all the time, he says, ‘Sit down.' I say, ‘No, no.' I stand up, I cast, you know, I get right into it," Ford said. "It's a lot of fun and when you hook into a nice bass, you can feel these and they give you a good fight."

The mayor also revealed the two right-wing anglers practice a catch-and-release policy when it comes to the fish.

"We didn't keep any, we threw them all back," he said.
Ford added he doesn't eat fish.

"I don't like fish for some reason."

He and Harper discussed the proposed new federal ridings for Toronto revealed Monday, Ford said, and the mayor's plans to reduce council from 44 seats to 22. Ford hinted he may only try to reduce council to 25 seats if the riding maps are redrawn.

Ford said the two talked about the next elections -- Ford's municipal election in 2014 and Harper's federal election in early 2015.

don.peat@sunmedia.ca
Twitter: @reporterdonpeat