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After retiring back in November, this was the first week that I really got a feel for what the non-working life is like. I spent a total of 42 days this winter traveling in other countries and continents, and the ice fishing season wasn't very long or good to me. So the kick-off of Trout opener was something I finally wanted to take full advantage of.. Spent the first 5 days of the week chasing Steelhead...same river I've fished for over 40 years. Saturday was a blow out with all the rain, but after that the river settled down and the water turned that perfect colour. Although a few less fish than previous seasons, I still brought lots of fresh run Steel to the bank all week long. More importantly, it was a good few days to re-connect with buddies that I've shared that water with over the years. A shout out to Misfish...one his creations was killer slowly drifted in the deeper pools. After 5 days of getting up at 6am and bush whacking up and down the river all day long, these old legs had enough, and I headed to my cottage for some R&R. Well, I guess I haven't been retired long enough, because I still haven't learned to just sit and relax. I always feel that I'm still in weekend warrior mode and need to squeeze in everything all at once. Yesterday was a beautiful spring day, so I decided to go for an ATV ride up into the high country north of my place. I strapped on my 5 wt and a couple of empty fruit baskets and headed to one of my favourite spring-fed Trout lakes back in the bush, with dinner in mind (I don't keep or eat Lake O run Steelhead). I was lucky enough to get a couple of Rainbows to bite my Wooly Bugger, and even more lucky to find the Holy Trinity of early spring foraging at a few different spots along the way...Fiddleheads, Morels, and Wild Onions. Headed back to the cottage to make a spring dinner. Here's all the ingredients prepped and ready to go. Everything except the lemons and soya sauce are from Frontenac County. Even the wine is from a local vineyard in Westport. You've heard of the 100 mile diet...well this is the 25 mile diet. Here's the final results on the plate. Rainbow Trout grilled over alder wood and finished with a maple syrup and soy glaze...a ragout of Fiddleheads, Morels and Wild Onions sautéed in a white wine and butter reduction...and steamed Red Potatoes sprinkled with freshly snipped Chives from the garden. Oh man, so good. My wife tells me I should open a restaurant, but that would mean I would have to work again. After dinner, sat on the deck with my 15 yr old friend "Glen" and watched the sun set. What a great day...nothing like spring in Frontenac. It would have been an absolutely perfect day, but unfortunately the results of the hockey game didn't go my way. Next week, it's off to the north shore of Lake Superior to re-visit some of the most beautiful Steelhead streams on the planet...I must say, I should've retired years ago.

Turkey hunting, it’s addictive!!! My boys and I chase them every year. No joy opening morning this year but we’ll find em!! A couple pics of my oldest sons last 2 birds, I like getting them on birds as much as I like being the trigger man these days! Try to adjust to the mouth call if you can. Super convenient and has killed me 90 percent of my birds. You shoulda hammered that Jake. You did well for a first hunt!

that dinner is major drool worthy ! love fiddleheads !

Our newest family member is Stax. He's a miniature Pinscher. Mini Pins were originally bred to be ratters. It used to be a very lucrative business back when owning a pack of these dogs. The pack owner would rent out the dogs to farmers. When the farmers were cleaning out their grain bins or hay/straw stacks they have the dogs on the ready. These little dogs are so fast and for their size very strong that as mouse or rat nests were uncovered. These Pins would go on the attack, chasing down and killing any rat it could catch. There are vids out on YouTube showing how affective it is having them for this job. Now our Stax doesn't seem to have that killer instinct anymore but he is very smart and as fast as fast can be. If he wants something here in the house you'd better lock it away or he'll figure a way to get it. LOL Dan...

Barry's post of his dog got me thinkin that many of us have man's best friend and it would be neat to see some of your dogs. Here's a pic of "Maggie", Great Pyrenees we rescued in September after our 15 year old white Lab passed away. Maggie is very affectionate, but also quite nuts! Pic is of Maggie sitting on my son's girl friend. Yah, shes a big dog! HH

I just received this last night. I realize this has nothing to do with fishing and I was not going to post this but I just had to as some of you I am sure can relate. As far as I am concerned there never will be a cooler generation with the fun we had and all the things we experienced. NEVER.

Stellar, simply stellar!

If you put in your location Fred it may help.

You must be ahead of me where you live. From the look of those you may be sol. Some places I know along a river there can be an extended pic as water recedes but that hot spell sped things up for sure. Creeks around here are way down this past week. It's a good thing you posted that pic as it pushed me to go check that spot and I got a decent pick in, at most some of them were maybe 4" but usually there's a few short ones in the middle of the clump along with some clumps that were just starting. I only ever take short ones or right out of the clump and only 2 or maybe 3 at a time so it takes awhile. I got 3lbs in maybe 40 minutes and that was plenty as I have some other spots I go to as well. Calling for rain but I'll go anyway as one real good roadside spot has a couple of guys that go there and they take every damn one from the clump, really ticks me off. I'd have gone there today if I'd realized they were ready. Fortunately I have permission on the private property across the road along the same creek and it's always good for 5lb. Good luck finding some late starters. It's not uncommon for many spots to have some areas that are a bit behind, as you said with less sunlight. Cheers

Good size fiddleheads. I just checked along the north foundation of the house and there are now two ferns up so I'm thinking I better take a little tour up the road where there's a creek with a decent population of ferns that are always early. Then I went over to the side of the property to check out the leeks and woohoo, they are starting to swell so I picked a few for my first snack of the year. They are so mild and almost sweet when this young, I just dip them in salt and munch away.

Hi all, I did get out today as planned, still 18” of ice, but some exposed spots are starting to crystallize, might walk out somewhere in the next couple days buts motorized transport and me are done on the ice till the end of November.

This is Chiquita which we inherited from Maribeth's dying sister who could no longer care for her... The family figured we should be the ones to take her as we were home all day and have lots of room for her to run to lose weight... She was madly in love with the Burmese Mountain dogs across the road and every time she wandered off, sure enough that was where we would find her... Not too sure how long we had her but at about 12 years old we had to have her put down😪 I wanted to call her "Footstool" but didn't... (Maribeth wouldn't let me LOL) She loved to go for a ride in my old truck "To the dump, to the dump, to the dump dump dump "

2 special friends no longer around. No more for us. Losing them is just to much. Tink Gizmo Edit to add Both were my best friends, until mom got home . Used and abused I was. LOL

Here's our 3, from left to right, Hope (8yrs) boxer, Cooper (3mths old) Mastif, Chewie (1 1/2yrs) Aus Sheppard/Mastif cross

My buddy has been on this for a while and it’s ready for pavement. In my opinion it’s one of the best builds I have ever seen Simple clean very sexy!!!