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There was enough bites to keep it interesting. We all knew there's a chance at a true giant so that kept us on the edge of our seats. Unfortunately, the full day we had up there the bite and fish activity seemed to be significantly slower than the day we drove up. The slow, full day we had up there was very cold but with the blue bird sky and light winds we spent most of our time outside the hut. Like a lot of the places I've been to, I want another crack at the south end of Temagami. The most important thing is, it was another great family adventure and memories were made. And young Teagan was the fisherman of the trip for his lakers, whitefish and ling.

Well, the weather cooled off and so did the fishing -3 here this morning but the sun is shining and it will get back up to about 12 by about noon. The fishing has been really slow for about a week now and between the cold and the rain I really haven't been putting much effort into it. I have been spending time going for clams and oysters which don't care if it's cold or not. It's a learning process LOL. Understanding the tides and how the wind can affect them for starters. Yesterday the tide was supposed to be quite low but the wind was really blowing out of the NE, the water level in the flats where I have been going stayed at least a foot higher than it should have for the tide level that was predicted. Higher water levels reduce the areas where you can dig so it makes it a lot harder to get them. I didn't find out until just the other day that if you find one, dig deeper in the same spot, if you find one there are usually more, up until now if I found one I figured that was it and moved on looking for more, yesterday I took six out of a hole about 1' square. It's not unusual to find them buried up to 11" deep in the mud although most of the ones I have been finding are under 3-4 inches deep. The clusters seem to all be about the same size clams, it's unusual to find large ones and small ones in the same spot. Most of the ones I try to find are between 1 1/8 to 1 1/2" thick through the hinge anything bigger than that I have been using for chowder which isn't but t a bad thing. Steamed in a little butter, garlic, parsley, and white wine is still my favorite.

What a gorgeous morning to be sitting out there watching the sun rise . Since the white fish have been so negative to me and my pal,we decided to do some perch,n . I book my uber for 6:30 am pick up. Right on schedule he was. Hook up the smitty and off we went . Seeing the meter was getting up there,I said, drop me off ,,,,,,,,,,,,,right ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,here. I step on to the hard water and my feet start to tingle. Drill 2 quick holes, throw in the ducer and there are fish down there. Drop my first line. 7grm Halo vabrado with a shrimp drop shot. As it,s going down and gets 10 ft from the bottom,a fish rises . I go to reel up slow, but in my excitement,I forgot to unlock the handle. You know, unfold them. Fish hits,I am fuddling with getting the handle in position. Fish is still one once I complete the handle. Reel up and a nice chunky 12". Fish still down there,so drop and again and well,up it comes,hits and that is another 12"er in a matter of few minutes. Do it again as they are still down there. Same thing. WOW this is going to be a great morning. That is when the brakes lock up . Not a single fish comes in again for 20 minutes. Move 3 times and pick up 1 keeper at each stop on my shrimp fly. Make one more move,last for the morning . Marking fish. Lots. Drop and they are not interested . After 20 minutes of trying to hook up,I drop down a new bait. Norland purple lipless. Keep it 10 ft off bottom and jig it looking for aggressive fish. A few rise, but go back down. I drop to the bottom,smash it off the bottom then reel it up. Got a chase. Coming,coming,coming and on. I thought maybe it was a small whitie the way it fought, but it would turn out to be a PB 15 1/4 " perch. Sadly it blew it,s bladder out, so it was coming home. These fish are big, but the meat result is not great. Males IMO, have the best thick shoulders. Anyhoo Ended with lucky 7 keepers for the morning. Just enough for a fresh feed . I can say this about perch,n ,they sure keep you glued to the finder watching . Unlike those whities that seem to be just cruising about and making you pull yer hair out. If those dang whities don't start to get active , I just may need to take up this perch fishing.

You aren't going to get a low mileage vehicle that is over 10 years old in your budget. You should repost this when you are ready to pull the trigger. Good used vehicles don't last long before someone buys it. Spring is around the corner. I don't mind car and boat shopping especially with someone elses money. Now my screen is covered in Jeeps for sale.

Just a suggestion, I have been well pleased with the Honda Ridgeline. I have an 06 that I bought new that now has 226000 miles. I have done 2 timing belt jobs, replaced one radiator and multiple brake jobs and thats it.

The drive line in the 2007 - 2008 Grand Cherokee is by Mercedes. I drove mine across the continent and towed my Ranger bass boat with it many a mile.

I wish someone would dump a dozen winter coyotes off at my door lol. Thats about $1000 at the auctions. I averaged $90 last year.

Had some time so I search Kijiji and below is a Jeep Turbo diesel for sale like Albert suggested for under 9 grand. 300 Kms but that isn't much for a diesel I think. I've always liked the design of the Cherokees and was in the market for one when I was doing a ton of driving, some weeks well over 1000 kms. That was until I saw the fuel mileage they get, not great at all. Maybe diesel is better. I am looking at selling the Silverado after we move, my reno days are over. I would consider this Jeep just to tow the boat to and from the water and use if snow was an issue and getting out was a must. https://www.kijijiautos.ca/vip/13576668/ I just looked at the pics of this Jeep. Man it's loaded with leather and wood interior and a huge dash screen. Maybe I should look at it for myself. I could sell mine and buy that and put a chunk of change in the bank after I bought some toys like a big new GPS/Combo for the boat and new 100 lb thrust electric. It has me thinking.

Look for a 2007 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the 3 liter diesel in it. I had one and it was my favorite vehicle ever.

I've heard of this quite a few times over the years. Not a Ford thing.

Fired up the smoker today for some 12 hour brisket.

One time I had to finish my elk summer sausages in the oven. My house smelled like a deli for a week!