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I like to give the fish a fighting chance too. It’s the reason I use small, unstable craft with unreliable motors. On the rare occasions that I use a fish finder it’s one that I purchased at a garage sale and I have no understanding of what it might be trying to tell me. I throw the same ludicrously oversized lure all day despite clear evidence those around me are catching fish on smaller more effective baits. Or………maybe I’m just kind of a crappy fisherman. I think that’s a distinct possibility, but I never really felt I’m missing out on anything for lack of tech.

I've said it here before but I was always old school when it came to fishing and never got into all the fancy doodads that do everything but stick the fish on the hook for you. To me the fun of fishing was figuring out where the fish were rather than having a machine to tell me where to throw my bait. I had a pair of simple sonars to give me depth and where the weeds were and a basic GPS so I could mark points of interest and track my drifts. I've got nothing against someone spending a fortune on electronics to show them exactly where the fish are sitting but to me that takes the fun out of figuring it out yourself. Just my opinion of course but to me all the fancy toys make catching too easy and gets rid of the skill involved in figuring out where the fish are by a persons own knowledge.

I guess the question at some point with technology is when does it become equivalent to cheating and not a sport anymore. If I were to equate to hunting, at least there for the most part that I'm aware of, drones are not allowed to be used to find game as essentially it takes the sport out of it.

Just a few random pics I came across by accident, forgot I had them. Tending to the trail cams Tuesday so hopefully I'll have some better stuff to post.

Some real nice pictures there Barry, specially #4, bobcat or lynx ?

I agree. For me personally, the "chess game" aspect of angling is as satisfying as putting fish in the boat. I get a lot more enjoyment from FISHING than CATCHING. The "means" is often more fun than the "end". But that's me. I like electronics too...but letting them do all the work...takes away a lot of the challenge which makes the pursuit of a finned creature with the brain the size of a pea so satisfying.

I think the reason I still love ice fishing so much after 50 years is that I can study a hydro-graphic chart at home, use that knowledge to walk out on the ice with a compass and a destination toting a hand auger, a stick wound with mono, a handful of lures and usually come home with dinner. 😊 Don't get me wrong, I have most all of today's modern toys and gadgets to aid me when I'm out, but somehow the above scenario seems greatly more rewarding at the end of the day. Just saying.

Read the post above yours if you need to figure out the implications of the impact this has on the fishery.. It's not about being jealous people are catching more fish lol.

It's certainly a grey area and difficult to know where to draw the line....either for your own personal ethics, or the gov't with legislation potentially limiting the technology. I have heard of reports from the US of guys Musky fishing with 4 to 6 ffs poles on their boat, and just cruising/criss-crossing the lake at 4 to 7 mph. They're not patterning fish (like looking for structure or weed edges), they're just looking for large individual fish they can sharpshoot. Often these are deep suspended fish that you would never find fishing traditional patterns (rock piles, drop offs, etc). Because they are deep, they are often much more susceptible to not surviving release, even when all precautions are taken. To me that's crossing the line...and I believe that's what the stewards of Eagle Lake are trying to prevent. Last September my buddy and I were jigging for Walleyes for a shore lunch on Eagle, when a bloated 55"+ Musky floated past us belly up. We could smell it before we saw it. One of the saddest sights I've laid eyes on..

Most know I have been a toon guy for the past 10 years or so . After many air leaks and then the big blow out last year, I had enough and decided I would either go yak or a small tinny . Put out a , ISO either a yak or tinny, but nothing crazy priced . Got a response from a local Barrie guy about a 12 ft light tinny . Went and had a look see . It was just what I needed. Light , deep and easy to handle . Fits in the back of the Ram and will be there til the notty is unfishable in the fall . First on the agenda will be whitie opener here on Simcoe . Maybe a laker chase or 2 . Then I want to fly fish for some bass and what not all summer . Then the fall salmon and bow runs on the notty . Powerd only by electric motor that I have had for a few years now from fisherman . It pushes this tin banger to almost 4mph . Made sure all was good and now ready for next weekends opener . After thoughts of needed things . A clamp on seat base . I have a nice folding padded seat still from my toons along with strong oars aswell . Bench seats are low and hard on the knees . Maybe an extendable handle so I can sit on the middle bench . Hard to steer the electric from the back bench . Nice to be back in the game for $300 . 😃 Simple man,simple float boat .

I have one, like brand new, rebuilt 60hp Mariner but you'd have to make the trip out here to Calgary to get it, Haha.

Less is more, sometimes. I've never been in a kayak, and wonder if it wouldn't be uncomfortable what with your legs stretched out in front of you?

Looks perfect Brian. Have fun! But Terry is right a 60 would push it along real nice!

Good going Brian, I don't think you will be disappointed in your decision. Not that you need it but good luck on your fishing adventures.