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Yeah, 6000 is too big for me. 2400 is more reasonable. I liked the smaller camps, food tended to be better, less of a rush in the morning. Though I did like the Tim Hortons at Kearl.

For a place like MEC you have to know what works and what doesn't. I rent canoes from there to go fishing as its the only place I know of that does so. I like the fact that if you have rented a canoe within 6 months, it comes off the price if you decide to buy one (yes its cumulative) They have a good selection of CLIF bars, Gels and outdoor energy snacks, buy 12 and you get 10% off. Work keeps giving me gift cards there so I've had a chance to explore. I like the running program they have set up here too. $5 for a race is a pretty sweet deal as well.

Sounds like you were at Kearl. That camp was huge.

If someone gets hurt going out on the ice that they 'hear' is safe in December without chrcking it, it's their own fault. Heck, in the middle of January I drill a few test holes unless I see trucks and wooden shacks on the lake.

I still say Edmonton was colder last week. Agree with Lew. -35 with wind, there were sometimes last week I don't know how I lasted more then 5 minutes.

Misfish, for the avid fisherman I can tell you, leaving Ontario for Alberta is a nightmare. I'm told the hunting here is good but fishing is more frustrating then anything.

Coming home for Christmas and going ice fishing.

-30 here. I'll tell the weather to move east.

Beauties. And probably a good meal to boot. Well done gents.

When I got dunked in the lake I lost interest. I've been out twice since July and both reports I posted on here. I'll be totally honest though, the lack of interest has to do with the area. I think about lakes all the time in Ontario, where I'd fish, what I'd use but I really really don't feel like learning about Alberta's lakes and tribs this winter.

I gotcha beat. I have two of Jacques (trout junkie) tip ups that I haven't had the chance to use yet. They have taunted me for too many days. Gotta agree with Bill though. Float coat or float suit is always a good buy.

I'll be totally honest (disclaimer, this is not me gloating, just an opinion) I get paid well over that here in Edmonton, but to be totally honest, it's too much. If I wasn't saving to come back to Ontario I wouldn't know what to do with it (probably donate most of it) I have my boat and my car and a roof over my head. That's all I need to be more then happy. $20 an hour for year round work sounds like more then enough to be able to sustain and go fishing on weekends.

Bah. I only caught the last 15 minutes. I keep forgetting I'm in Pacific time out here.

Beauty. Always nice to pick up dinner right before the sun goes down.

Oh man. Beauty fish. Well done.

Thank you very much Cliff. I have had the pleasure of working with a fantastic guy who used to live in North Bay and did all sorts of environmental work back in the 'good ole days'. I truly believe him when he says environmental work was better back then. He would tell me stories of fish surveys on Sturgeon and Scugog, creel on Nippising, back lake stockings all over the province. I really hope it returns to that point. Any person on this board I know would love to do work like that, me included.

Haha you guys must not know how bad the environmental field is right now. That job is better then my last Ontario job that I had been doing with 6 years of Experiance. I will be applying because it will, hopefully, get me back into the province.

Hey, I know that lake. Any luck?

No time for perch this year. Walleye, pike, trout. Soooo much trout. Oh and burbot.

Well, the girlfriend isn't going to be happy, but looks like I'm going to be able to do a lot of ice fishing over the Christmas break.

Not as memorable as my last pic but I figure I'll post a few more. Some of these were during and some of these were after a shift working the best job I ever had for a unnamed government organization that doesn't get the funding it once did. All of these were taking in Northwestern Ontario. I could post hundreds but these are the most memorable. Some of the greatest hospitality I have ever experienced. Guys I met the night before took me to their secret fishing spot. The is the one lake where when someone said 'You will never experience fishing like this anywhere else' I agree with them. Limit of Walleye and about a dozen 12+ inch perch in under 45 minutes. Later that day they had a fish fry and invited the neighbourhood. After experiencing this and spending the summer there I can honestly say Dryden folks are the nicest folks I ever have had the pleasure to meet. We used to try to get one gag photo on every lake we assessed. This is my favourite. I remember this night like it was yesterday. Bluffy Lake just outside of ear falls. This was probably hour 15 or 16 of a 17 hour day. So many fish to process. Keith and his wife were the best hosts anyone could ask for and were always good to us. I really hope to go back as a guest and not a worker some day. In my line of work 'I may never be here again' has a bit of a deeper meaning. Kern lake..... I don't even remember where because we had to fly in to process it. A fantastic lake with tons of fish and a beautiful area. Sunsets to die for. I remember talking to the girl I was dating over a satellite phone on the last night saying how sad I was knowing I would never be there again, she tried to tell me how it may be possible but realistically I knew that it probably wasn't. If I ever strike it rich, I'd go back and do that job for free in a heartbeat. The experience is something that will last a lifetime.

My favourite photo of all time. Reminds me of home and how magical my last days in Ontario were. The baffled look on my girlfriends face completes it.

http://www.paddleshack.ca/muskoka/kayaks/fishing_crossover.php Highly highly recommended. Wait until they go on sale. I was able to get mine for just under $1000. Held me and 2 buddies weighing over 200 pounds each. Had me and a buddy who was 250+ both sitting on the same side of the boat. Super comfortable and can take toooooons of add ons (captains chairs, rod holders, trolling motor). Bonus: Paddle shack is in Muskoka. Go ice fishing the day you pick it up.