wallacio

Ditto what Bill said. I used a T-bracket for years and you constantly need to fiddle with it while on the ice to ensure that it's pointing straight down...no more of that with the ice transducer, it's well worth the money.

I have considerable experience with them. We own the Hobie "Getaway" and my neighbours have the "Wave" and I've been sailing both for years...great fun for the family and they are both perfect cottage boats. I can't comment on tax/used boats but if you want to talk specifics about boats and what might meet your needs, feel free to shoot me a PM. Here's a photo of our Getaway. It's a bigger boat and you can load on 4-6 adults and/or a whole gaggle of kids. The Wave is smaller - 4 adults would be it's maximum capacity. Both boats are great for easy sailing with the family but can also be really pushed for some edge-of-your-seat sailing with a crew of two experienced boaters.

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Here's some info on public and private marine facilities around Lake of Bays. According to this, the South Portage launch is at 4066 South Portage Road. I believe that the only launch in Baysville is at Baysville Marina. http://media.cottagecountrynow.ca/special/muskokasun/data/pdfs/73/A16.pdf

Glad you had some success! What method worked for you?

If you have a decent fish finder, try anchoring/drifting and jigging for them with a white tube or a real minnow when you mark them. If you want to troll, try bottom bouncers or a 3-way rig and a small to medium Williams Wobbler or other similar spoon. It's not always necessary to dredge bottom for them - a lot of the time, the active fish are suspended just under the thermocline and are actively feeding on bait. You may be able to actually mark the thermocline on your finder and when you do, try to troll your presentation just below it to target these active fish. Here's a bit more info on various tried and true techniques: http://www.happydaylodge.com/laketrout.htm

As stated, a few seconds with a flashlight works fine but I've found that one of the best ways to get a long-lasting charge on a glow spoon is to use a camera flash. I've used one from an old SLR or even an old point and shoot film camera. X2 on the Moonshine spoons...Cleos are decent but the Moonshines hold a charge for much longer. Rattle Traps and J13s are my go-to lures for daylight fishing.

1. How much wire on the setup, i have a 1000ft spool do put it all or is 500ft blus 65 pound PP backing enough. - Depends on the size of your reel. You definitely want some backing or at least some tape on the reel first to ensure that it doesn't slip. 2. Is it only use for dipsey setups or can I use it for other setups. Wire is generally only for dipsey set-ups. Some guys run heavier Copper line in a similar manner to leadcore ie for flat-lining but this is a different animal than wire. 3. Can you use it with normal guides and roller tip top or do all of them have to be roller guides. - Regular guides with a twilla tip (looks like a sping) or roller guides. 4. drag settings, I assume very light due to the weight of wire and no stretch. - set the drag so the line doesn't creep out when trolling but is still light enough that a fish will pull line. Some guys tether a downrigger release to the boat and clip it on the wire to stop it from creeping while keeping their drags set lightly. 4. Flouro leader or straight to the dipsey ok? - Run the wire right to the dipsy though you will want a rubber snubber behind the dipsey before attaching your flasher or other terminal tackle to act as a shock absorber (so you don't pull hooks from the fish). Again, as mentioned previously check out Spoonpullers - there is a wealth of information there.

I think you are outnumbered on this one bud...as stated, you can feel every headshake when a wire diver takes a shot and they don't really add that much weight to the fight. Definitely a different story with leadcore...when one of those takes a fish, I do my best to ensure that it isn't my turn in the rotation LOL!

Awesome report. I love jigging up Lakers (and Whitefish) using electronics both through the ice and in open water. I use the same tactic - ie single out the aggressive fish that are cruising up off bottom and more often then not, they'll jump on your offering.

No, I can't take credit for the article. It was authored by Larry Halyk of The Wellington County Stewardship Council (also formerly an MNR biologist).

No worries. Hopefully the whiners won't accuse me of ruining the Grand Steelhead fishery after posting it.

It's to protect wintering Bass - see page 20 in the link below: Grand

Bohemian Waxwings only breed in the extreme north and are only encountered in more southern latitudes during the winter months.

Amazing. Any measurements (length and weight) on that last one???

A small plastic water bottle.

Damn buddy! Just another reason why I hate Bass! LOL! I like that you took the time to get some shots of the mishap!

Sssshhhhhhhhhhhh!

LOL...take it from me bud, wait till that second baby arrives and you can erase "some time" from that list!!!

Here's an interesting read...this document lists all of the waterbodies in Ontario which hold self-sustaining populations of Browns. Fisheries that rely on stocking are not included. http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/stdprodconsume/groups/lr/@mnr/@letsfish/documents/document/stel02_198444.pdf

I caught this one in a GB tributary while targetting Steelhead. I can't say with absolute certainty as it was caught in a tributary that does hold resident Brookies but it was also likely a lake-run fish given it's appearance (washed out colours)...very similar to your fish.

Correct. Splake backcross stocking in Huron/GB stopped in 1995 which is well before the life span of the fish in the OP's picture. Currently Splake are only stocked in inland lakes in Ontario. More info: http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/stdprodconsume/groups/lr/@mnr/@letsfish/documents/document/226919.pdf http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/SORR/2ColumnSubPage/STDPROD_086085.html

They are definitely Carpenter Ants (based on your description of size). We had the same issue a few years ago and the key to getting rid of them is to find their nest which is usually located in wood such as decaying stumps etc. Take some time to watch where they go, including outside...they'll usually lead you to the nest which you should then destroy. In our case, I tracked them to an old stump on my property which I dug up and the problem was solved. More info: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/pubs/pest/_pnotes/carp-ants-fourmis-charp/index-eng.php

I've been using "Turn-on" indicators for years and really like them...no need to thread line through them and they don't destroy leaders. You simply lay the line into the slit and then twist them a few times. If you want to adjust depth or remove them, you just untwist them again. Available at the fly shop in Bass Pro: http://www.basspro.com/TurnOn-Strike-Indicator/product/44566/103565