Leaderboard

First off, it was good meeting you Josh. We didn't have a lot of time to talk; but it was pretty neat meeting another Londoner and board member!!! Lakeshore Suits was just as porkpie said it was. Lots of parking for the vehicles and trailer. The rooms are not fancy but very clean, big and super warm. When we got to the Lakeshore suits we drove by looking for Sunset park. It was less then a mile away; with very easy access to the lake. Went back to the suits and asked if we could unload and leave the trailer there. "NO problem just park it there and you'll be good". Every nice people running the place. Unloaded the trailer, hooked Bob and Sally together and off we went; down Lakeshore to Sunset park. Wasn't sure if we were legal driving on the street; but a cop went by giving us a thumbs up? It's North Bay and he knew what we were doing; I guess? Sally and Bob worked like they were meant to be. On the hard packed snow close to shore, I left Sally in high range and she pulled Bob easily in first gear. Once we started into some deeper snow I had to switch to low range and when the engine revs were right, shift into second gear. What a little trooper she was; start into a snow drift, you could hear the RPM starting to drop. Stick my foot into the throttle and she'd dig down through the snow. When the track's cleats hit the ice, she just started pushing forwards and through. We did get stuck once, I didn't see that the drift was that deep. When the snow came up over the top of the front bumper and the front wheels broke through the hard crust the tracks were just spinning in air. Pulled the winch out, connected it to the rear of Bob. Drilled a hole in the ice and set the anchor Pulled ourselves out and off we went again. About a 15 minute deal to get moving again. The fishing was slow; but we did get a number of keeper Walleye and a couple dozen or so of jumbo perch. There was a pressure crack that we didn't want to cross that kept us away from the water depths I wanted (25-30 feet); but we made due. We were about 1 1/2 miles out to the crack and the Manitou islands were another 2 miles. Would have liked being in that 20 to 30 FOW between the crack and the islands. Even with the 45 Klm winds we were able to stay warm inside Bob with the buddy heater going. We also put a wind break tarp up between Sally and Bob that helped a lot keeping us sheltered. Only took a couple of pics; to frigging cold and my phone didn't like it?

With our go to being taken over by smelts and small herring, it was time to explore . My buddy Walleyed says, lets try line X and take the 4 wheeler . I cant refuse a free ride . Give the short legged ole man a break from walking . Now we left from line X and fished out from line X down the lake. Trying to fool me ? His devilish grin and snarrel was a give away. LOL So with a new area, one never can tell whats up or even if there are fish there . A large flat with a steep transition was a good start. Marked nothing but those herring/smelt and some perch again on the flat. Darn things are following me, or are really on the rebound. Moved out just a bit past Rob as he said he was marking, but not hooking up. Marking is a good thing, not hooking up well, maybe the fisherman . HAHA. J/K buddy . As I start to walk away from them, I realize I was in his grace, as we only brought one auger. Limit the weight on towing my smitty, left mine behind . Walk back and get the auger, and off I go. Set up again and right off the bat, I am marking . I have the mini meegs down just dead sticking 6" off the bottom . They come in, they rise, I drop and tap a tap, and they go . Never do they just look and go at a meegs. How dare they do this .This happened 4-5 times . Even had 3 come in at one time and did the same .GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR Decided it was time for a cup of java and a cinny bagel with pb&j . Sit back, chill and watch the boob tube while I listen to some Dean Martin . Isn't that a kick in the head . LOL Against my better judgment, I grab rod 2 and drop the vibrado with a new shrimp bait drop shot I tied. After about an hour of lifting slow,banging the bottom and dead sticking, a fish comes in. I lift the bait slow . As i lift, the fish bypasses the vibrado and streaks for the shrimp. I just twitch and the rod tip jerks down . FISH ON All I was thinking , I have a fish on with one of my own ties again. I was pumped. I reeled up slow and steady as I use 6lb floro as a leader . Once I could see the white bugger, I just guided him into the hole . I had his head out and trying to grab him,but the bugger was having nothing to do with it . I finally decided to do the bear grip and said, enough of this crap. Grab him by the head, squeeze and the battle was over. A quick snap,blood peeing out, I had another first on a tied fly . I had no cell to text Rob or my buddies to share my joy . It was weird . I felt guilty for a moment, but dropped my bait again not even giving it another thought, and was hoping for another fish to come in, but it was not to be. The rumble of the 4 wheel was my que to pack up and it was the end of another outing . Thinking after and talking to Rob when he came to pick me up ( love ice UBER shuttle service ), I would of bet if I had a drop shrimp above the meegs, I would of caught those ones rising up. Now I will have drops on all my set ups. I have a red and white worm I have tied to try . Might not look like much, but it worked. Even cooks nice . Off to another line X spot in the morning . Got to keep moving. Long read, but I love sharing my stories.

I do most of my fishing alone it and it is one of the most important things in my boat. Caught a 40 inch pike a few years ago and it make the process so much easier. She had a nice swim in the net lol. Had her in it while I set up the tripod. Just a good investment. Good for you.

I spent a couple hours walking the floor Monday and sat in on a couple of sessions. I enjoyed my time and thought it was a good trip.

I’m so happy to see that thing eat some snow

Was it Pro Tackle? I saw the booth as I walked in but forgot to check it out before I left. Pretty good price for the net. I like the rubber coated mesh, that pretty sweet. Will definitely help when you’re by yourself.

Nice! Perfect laker net as well.

Damn you are good.

Just pulled into the motel in North Bay and instantly recognized the vehicle 😄 looks like fun.....I was getting some looks bombing across the lake today in my Subaru stuffed with big A/T tires lol. Dude's getting stuck with 4x4 pickups as I floated over the crusty snow 😁 Lotsa fish caught today, not a keeper in the bunch tho.... Josh

And here I thought we lived in a wildlife refuge. Nothing compared to your zoo big guy. I have seen hundreds of black and white Deer out here. They say Moooo rather than grunt. I am a bit of a citiot expert concerning aminals. I once bought a new pair of Cowboy boots to go to the Binbrook fair many years ago, I asked Ticha "What's that stuff hanging off that humongous Lambs arse." In between all the guffaw's of others she told me "That's not a Lamb stupid it's a sheep and those are his balls." Then of course I had to ask what the difference is it between a Lamb and a Sheep. Ya don't know till ya know.