Rizzo

haha great story. I've only been in a boat like that once before and it is quite an experience

where the heck do you live...because the answer is maybe

wow, didn't know Simcoe had gobies. Beauty bass though!

oh yea, rain is my friend...but if there's even a remote chance of lightening I'm off the water well before the rain starts...soon as I hear the first rumble in the distance

I've only fished pigeon once and buckhorn once but I would not hesitate to go back to either, good luck with your choice! Unfortunately I don't know anything about the resorts as I was at each just for the day.We actually had an OFC g2g at Buckhorn a number of years ago

ya he was pretty pleased with his first...shoot I would have been happy with his fish! And you know he was sitting in your chair pete, he was pretty glad when I called him yesterday when you couldn't make it

I took a friend musky fishing last fall...cold, miserable day where I managed one 42 inch fish and he got skunked. Turns out he actually enjoyed being pelted with freezing rain, and decided to invest in his own gear. He's been itching to get out this year, but neither one of us has had the time until today. Pouring rain and dropping temps on the way to the lake this morning brought back memories of the last time we fished together! The first few hours on the water produced nothing other than a visit from the ministry. At 9:30 I lost a small fish (low 30's) at the side of the boat that had taken a swipe at a boo-tail. That was followed up by a smallie that paid a visit (no photo), hitting the same bait a few casts later. Then at 10:30 this beaut fell for a jig. Measuring 48 inches and chunky, this is the best kawartha fish I have caught. No release picture, as it bolted for the depths as soon as it was back in the water. Shortly after this fish was caught I tied into a pesky pesky 18 inch walleye (no photo) speedtrolling a 10 inch grandma. What it was thinking I have no idea, felt like reeling in a dishrag. Needless to say my friend is starting to get discouraged...but isn't that what musky fishing is all about, especially when you're just starting out? Luckily at the 11th hour(literally...we had to be off the water by noon)we got him his first musky, a healthy 42 incher caught speedtrolling a storm thunderstick in 20 feet of water. When I say speedtrolling I'm talking 7-8 mph. I've taken a few new people out this year, and they all think I'm nuts...until their rod doubles over and their fighting their first ski! As long as the lure is staying submerged, I'm giving 'er. Although those storm baits are inexpensive, I'll say this for them, they do operate well at high speeds.

hilarious, although I'm a little concerned that you know how a raped ape behaves

if you're talking Head Lake near Norland you must mean 50 centimetres. great report Pete

haha...still running. A pole across the street from my house got hit last summer so I can relate to the racket. The neighbours were actually outside about 30 feet from the pole when it got hit...they ran too, straight to the bathroom!

sounds like a great opportunity! Good luck to all those who are able to go, unfortunately I don't see myself being able to attend...something about 4 kids under the age of 6 at home

took a 5 of diamonds off the forehead once, nothing below the belt

ya I was. I was real happy to get a good picture quickly. In the warm water conditions I wanted to get the fish back in the water asap! It was kind of funny, I had the fish back in the water and I'm trying to grab at the camera to see if I got a good shot! Nearl knocked it off the bow and into the drink.

zoinks...beauty fish. At least you have a few months left to try and beat it (good luck with that!)

The pike thing is not looking good. I watched a boat that I thought was figure 8'ing a musky, but when I saw them bring it in it was just a hammerhandle pike. I only get to Balsam once or twice a year, haven't caught a pike yet...but if I do its lights out mr. pike

haha too funny. If this works and they are winning, "ball" shouldn't be an issue. If it doesn't work....gonna have some expensive whiners. Sadly I think it will work, just look at Boston. When they signed their "big 3" everyone pointed to the lack of depth and how it won't work - seems to have worked pretty well to me.

First off let me say its been a while since I've posted a photo so I have no idea what the heck I'm doing! Can't seem to find the "old way of doing things" (upload a photo to my album etc etc...I can't even find my album!)So for the sake of us computer illiterate people stop changing the site!! Every time I figure something out everything changes! Anywho, got out to Balsam lake this morning for around 5 hours of fishing. Very much a last minute decision to go fishing (like its 4 am and I'm wide awake). Got on the water around 6:30 a.m. Air felt like 100, water was around 78. Got to my first spot and after a few casts noticed a fish cresting on the surface. These fish breaking the surface always end up being carp in my world (at least that's what I tell myself when I can't catch them!. Not this time. That cresting fish made a huge boil and smashed the white spinnerbait I had tossed 10 feet beyond it. After a brief tussle she was in the net. I don't know what it is with me and tiger muskies, but I seem to get a disproportionate number of them. This one measured in at just shy of 46 inches. A personal best tiger for me. Not a good sign...means there have been pike in Balsam a long time. Previous best had been a 42 incher from the upper niagara from around 5 years ago. Naturally we have to have the release shot. After a few minutes the fish swam off...but stayed on the surface. I've seen fish go 10 feet on the surface and then head down, but this one stayed on the surface for a good 5 minutes. Wasn't having any issues staying upright either...looked good, just swimming along on the surface. I stuck around and watched him until it finally took off. Ended up getting a smaller fish a few hours later, but didn't take any measurements (35 inches??)or photos of that one.

I am so out of the loop. What the heck is Mec??

good for you sticking with the fish for a successful release. Maybe I read something wrong but are you saying the next fish was 60 inches long (foot longer than the first one)???? Perhaps you were being sarcastic (which is so dang hard to figure out through computer!

happened to see that on the news. Another one of the guys who played hard and partied hard dying young (see Kordic: John). Sad to see, was one of the toughest guys to ever play and had some skill too

thanks for all the input...obviously this is a bigger task than I would have guessed!

starting to sound like this is a job for someone else to do. Its not like they are turning to mush yet so I'll probably just leave as is, and see what the future brings (when it becomes a necessary fix rather than a cosmetic fix)

nuts. I'm not the handiest guy but was hoping to take a stab at this! What kind of problems did you end up with? The plan for this canoe is to use it floating around in the ponds near my house (1-4 acres in size). It will have a easy life - no rocks, no rapids, no aggressive paddling!

Got my hands on an old fibreglass canoe. The wood gunnels are starting to rot a bit. Anyone ever replace these before?