Jen

The cat fishing on the lower grand has been amazing as of late. I find they are a really fun fish to target while waiting for walleye to open. Sorry I missed you when you were out this way. Did you manage to catch anything? Cheers, Jen

buy a whole bunch of Cayenne ( not sure of the spelling) pepper at the bulk store and sprinkle it on the soil in your gardens. It will not hurt your plants but will keep the cats out... It works

Forsure now is the time to get into the 20lb plus fish ..sitting here now watching 2 kids out front of the store of the bank catching cats pretty steady ...you don't need a boat reach these hawgs ..

Thank you so very very much for the Birthday wishes... Being 40 gives me a new outlook on life, half way to that magic number 80 and still so very much to learn. Again, Thanks, it means the world to me and added a special cheer to the start of my day!~ Bernadette aka JEN

Dang you look awesome Carol... And it was nice of you to let all those fish go so the boys could feel accomplished for the day... Now thats a personal best DouG... one you can always improve on. lol Cheers, Jen

Great Pictures... I am sure the next time you post there will be fish along with that scenery Thanks for sharing... looks like a very peaceful day! cheers, Jen

Nice catch, and ouch on the rod and blurry picture... It seems whenever you catch something you really want to show off that happens... Your smile says it all though... Thanks for sharing Cheers, Jen Those birds are amazing...

Looks like you both had an amazing day... and you are so right about the view... Great post... thanks for sharing it. cheers Jen

Nice post Steve, seems I am going to have to remember to log out when I use your pc... I had a great time fishing last night. There is nothing like catching a cat fish while listening to the turkeys calling, and watching the eagles flying around ... And for all those that were wondering... I do love myself as should everyone! I just wouldn't do a post about it. LOL Cheers, Jen (Bernadette)

Channel Cat Fishing April 7th /08 Well tonight after the store closed Bern and I decided to take a run out to the lake and have a look. As soon as we got around the bend out towards the Lake man did it get Burrrrrrrr…Once we arrived at the lake we found out why! There was lots of ice floating around and still walls of ice piled on the beach. Well after a quick peak at the lake it was time to run to the Channel Cats Spot. Low and behold they are in and seemed to be very hungry . It wasn't 5 minutes before Bern lands the 1st Cat - 15lbs, then 1 for me then another for Bern ……little lay back then a double header …looks like its time to start the cat charter's... It was a beauty night to be out on the water watching the Eagles Fly around with the Cats bouncing the Rods And of course watching the Sun Set with the ladie I Love ..Thanks Bernadette for talking me into going fishing ..

When will Starbucks get on the band wagon and realize us fishing folk could keep them in business in small towns everywhere... !! LoL Cheers Jen

Sorry to hear about the atv Terry, however it looks like you managed a wonderful day on the water... Thanks for the post, loved the pictures... Cheers, Jen

Great seeing you guys out here Brian, and meeting you ... I did wonder how long it would take you to warm up... Cheers Jen

We will be there for opening weekend Mike... looking forward to it...see you there! Cheers, Jen

But did you see the shoes??? LoL Those boots were crocodile, snake, eel, ostritch and emu...and at only 2500pesos...now thats a deal Whats a post without a little contraband? cheers Jen

What did you manage to catch in those 2-3 hours a day? Jen

Sorry to hear you were sick... not losing your mind at all... Just me wanting to make my own contribution to a community I greatly respect... And the desire to share... plus , I added shopping pictures... LOL Wal Mart and Boots... lol

Yes Gerritt Steve did do a post however I felt I had a lot more to say... and a couple more pictures to add... Sorry about being so long winded... I just felt I had to share my perspective. Cheers, Jen

It has been almost a week since I returned from Mexico and I am finally off of cloud nine. Having never been south this trip was not only wonderful but very overwhelming. My expectations were not high, I looked forward to the resort, to the weather and hoped beyond hope that the fishing on the day of our charter would be good. We arrived in Cancun in the early hours of Sunday morning, got off the plane and immediately felt the change in the weather, the air was thick and warm. Our resort was spectacular... however dauntingly large from my point of view... I was sure I would be lost in moments if I walked along the wrong path, until I realized that all the paths lead to the ocean... where I stood in awe for a very long time. Wednesday could not come soon enough... Everyday was filled with one activity or event after another, be it searching the Market for the perfect souvenier, checking out the fishing section in Wal Mart searching for shells in the sand or participating in a pool side event... the entire time in the back of my mind was the reason we came and that was the fishing. We walked the beach, spent some time under a bridge talking to a local family who only had line and a piece of wood by which to fish. Their catch was being cleaned and eatten for lunch as we spoke. How I wish I had brought some gear with me, next time I will definately do that leaving it behind when I return home. Sunday and Monday were beautiful days, by Tuesday the wind had picked up to just short of 40 klms per hour. It was still sunny but there was a chill in the air and the water was rough... I was getting nervous. Our Charter was scheduled for Wednesday. We visited many docks, spoke to many charter captains, and saw a lot of fish coming in day after day. Finally Tuesday afternoon had arrived and we went to talk to the Captain of the boat we had booked online weeks in advance. Lo and Behold he knew nothing of us... and was booked with another group for the following morning. He asked us to wait a moment, as he rode off on his jet ski coming back with Captain Sharky... WE were assured of a boat and crew for the following day... and what a surprise that was. The boat was bigger than the one we had originally booked, and all of the crew members spoke english... We had arranged to leave the dock by 6:30 am, the normal time for these vessels to leave is 9:00am, but being used to fishing bright and early in the morning we convinced them we would be there and that it would make the day go by much more quickly. The captain had told us since we were only targetting Sailfish we should anticipate a slow day as usually a good day is one maybe two fish in the boat with a couple on for short periods of time. This was probably one of the best decisions we could have made. On the way out I got my first taste of salt water... wow is all I can say ... and it does nothing for your hair... LOL. The captain stopped several times to catch the bait we would use for the day. This was so cool. Six little gold hooks on line with a large sinker on the end dropped down to bottom and just reeled back up continuously produced 6 sardines... it was so amazing. The water was a tad rough, something similar to Lake Erie on a 12-14 foot wave day... but definately manageable as long as you took off your shoes... it seems the salt water on the deck of the boat makes it very slippery... Steve had first fish and it came about 25 min into our day... how exciting... I videotaped the entire fight, all 35 minutes of it and when I looked up to see his 130 pound sailfish in the boat I realized I would be experiencing my first bout ever of sea sickness... eeek... But man what a fish... The action was basically non stop for the next hour or two... My first fish on I fought for all of 7 minutes or so when it straightened the hook... I was a little sad but elated that I atleast got a chance to feel the power that these fish posses. At this point I thought we may not see another fish, the waves were splashing over the side of the boat , the sun came out and there were rainbows everywhere... fish or not I was having the time of my life. Wham, fish on, and a triple header at that... This time I thought I would try standing to fish, as that was how Steve had landed his first fish... well that didn't work so well, these fish pull you all over the boat. The captain spends his entire time steering the boat to follow the fish, Steve lost the one he was bringing in, Juno handed him another rod with the third fish still peeling out line, I decided to sit in the chair... twenty five minutes later my first sailfish was in the boat and Steves followed within minutes. I can not even begin to describe to you the adreneline that surges through your body as these fish take line, then run back at you diving and jumping with head shakes like you can not even believe. The line didn't break, which just baffled me. 20lb test with a 6 ft long 80lb flourocarbon leader at the end of which was tied a 6/0 circle hook. The bait was attached to that hook with a little copper wire that they fed through the sardines nose... Such a simple set up but it worked. Picture of the rods we used for the day Between sailfish we stopped a lot to catch more bait... Since it was there and easily caught the captain was filling his live well for the rest of the weeks charters... Then back to trolling lines out and two fish on, however they were not sailfish. Steve and I brought ours in at the same time, Bonitas the crew called them... and soo very beautiful . Silver, black, white with blue designs on the sides these fish were like fighting a huge walleye. I couldn't wait for what would come next. However saying this you must remember that I was sea sick, so in between the fishing I spent a lot of time leaning over the side of the boat. After four more sailfish and five hours of fishing both of us were ready to head back to shore. No feeling in our left arms from reeling these fish in and smiles on our faces I needed solid ground... Was the $750 dollars for the Charter and the $50 tip worth it...YES... We couldn't have had a better day on the water with a nicer crew... This was the fishing trip of a lifetime for me... what more can I say. Moments like these can never be relived but will last in my memory forever... Cheers, Jen

Hey TBay, This is the first year I have been able to manage catching crappies... They bite really light so watch that line closely... Small minnows and a red powergrub on a small very sharp hook seem to work the best for me. Once you get these fish in the frying pan you will wonder why you haven't targetted them sooner. Enjoy and let us know how it goes. Jen

Welcome to OFC, looking forward to your posts... From what I just read you have travelled a little and seen a lot... what an experience it must have been... Great Introduction, cheers Jen

Happy Birthday, it is your day, find the moments in it that fill your heart with happiness and joy... May it be your best ever. Cheers, Jen

Speaking first hand about PPD, I experienced it with my second son... thing is it took someone pointing it out to me for me to get help you may consider not just avoiding conversations but becoming pro active in your wifes recovery of herself! It is a tough road for both of you, lots of hugs, and understanding and you will both be ok! Kudo's to you for seeking reassurance and help...

Neat Pictures... weird how nature works! We found disformed frogs in the pond behind our cottage for years just outside of Owen Sound in Oliphant... I always thought the animal that survived like that was pretty special as they beat the odd s.

Welcom Jason...