Rizzo

thanks for the info, I'm heading south through that area tonight

right on! I just checked out a local pond on my way home from work and it was iced over too. Only has snot-rocket pike in it, but for some reason I don't have an issue targetting dink pike if its through the ice. I just love watching that orange flag waving . couple more weeks and I'll give it a go

Good info Lew. Still sticking with Pete's green/tan Lund eh? I can't convince you to hop into the blue princecraft? I will be out there again this Saturday I'm hoping and be able to give a bit of an update...hopefully not of the lure-washing variety. I also hope to be there on the 13th. I originally thought I would have a spot available in my boat but I have a couple of boatless friends in that area who are claiming seats in the boat each time I go down there...so sorry to any OFC'ers that were hoping to join me but it appears I will be full.

ah that explains it. I had my little guys out a while back catching some dink perch on the scooby doo rod when one of the rods just bent over. We lost the fish, I just figured it had been a pike.

to get rid of the ice, bring a big thermos of hot coffee......then drink it all, wait 10 minutes and let nature take its course

to get rid of the ice, bring a big thermos of hot coffee......then drink it all, wait 10 minutes and let nature take its course

snag, you're making me very nervous

Hi Lew, We launched at Netherby but I did notice about 8 vehicles/trailers parked at the marina, so the marina was still open last week-end, not sure if the same will be true a month from now.

wow what a day! Congrats on the new pb

Easier to pose with too I guess! You're right though, the little ones do have great markings

I survived the first 2 winters without a blower...last year in February I cracked (best money I ever spent and I got really ripped off!)

I swear someone will catch a fish this year when we get together on the 13th... and I'm doing my best to make sure its me. I went out on the river for the first time this year this past Saturday. Man what a nasty day. Rained a good part of the day but luckily almost no wind, and air temps were reasonable too. Clarity was good but not TOO good (like the river can be some times). I'd say 8-10 feet visibility in most areas. Water was 50 degrees. We launched at Netherby and booted up to Frenchman's then started a zig zag troll back downstream. Other than smacking bottom real good a few times we got diddly on the first trip down the river. We decided to troll upstream rather than down a bit later in the day and this produced 2 small muskies (both around 6-7 lbs). A third small fish (similar size) was caught after I stopped the boat from trolling..fish hit as I was reeling in to check the lure for weeds/zebra mussels. Nothing big, but at least we saw that there are some fish there! We also tried a bit of casting (one follow) and jigging (couple of snags) but had no luck. Trolling seemed to be the choice that day. No photos were taken and 2 of the three fish didn't even leave the water, just a quick release at boatside. Third fish we needed to cut a hook that went through its cheek so it came on board for about 5 seconds.

took the kids tobogganing today. Its terrible...the older you get, the heavier they get. Few trips dragging them up the hill and that was enough for me. dang lazy kids full of halloween candies

Thanks Ted. That sounds easy enough...at least I can see the spark plugs

very good info. My last boat i did these things. This boat (2001 Johnson 50 hp 4 stroke) I pulled the cover off and couldn't even find what looked like a carburetor to spray the fogging oil in (there are a few plastic covers over the engine under the main cover)! Are there different procedures with a 4 stroke?

good stuff! Now go get her before I track her down. Gotta love the figure 8 strike

wow, good memory...but no. I think I posted one I caught up near Parry Sound last year that went about 6 pounds but that was a different fish

all I can see is a little red X, but sounds like everyone else is seeing a nice musky. I'd guesstimate the X at around 5 millimetres

nice looking fish!

Thanks for the comments, and for posting other great "incidental' walleye photos. I was hoping to hear "10 pounder" but I guess I'll have to settle for 9'ish. I certainly was shocked to catch one that big for the body of water

The past 2 years I have caught an unusually high number of good size walleye while musky fishing. I'm talking 6 pound plus fish caught on big baits fished at a pretty good speed (hint to those who want walleye...speed up and get some bigger baits!). Last year I caught a real beauty on Head Lake on a suick, and a giant on Balsam on a 9 inch sledge. I think this next fish is the biggest one yet, and it hit the biggest bait yet. Caught this one in the Trent Severn system last week under bluebird skies in the middle of the day. It was caught in 30 feet of water while I was trolling a deep diving 12 inch custom musky bait made by OFC'er Robin (who I haven't heard from lately unfortunately). No offense, but these fish must taste REALLY good because I can't see anyone targetting them for the fight! It measured in at 28.5 inches in length and a girth of 15 inches. I generally don't weigh fish because I like to get them back in the water as soon as possible, but if anyone has a thought on the weight of this fish please post it here (and then I will give you the co-ordinates of where it was caught)

'cougars' hunt in the dark.....be afraid Brian, be very very afraid

there are no fish in Balsam, tell them to try somewhere else :angel:

Enjoy...and I am one of those who now suffer with dial-up, and I agree, it does suck

there was a post about this same spot on this board within the last year I believe. I think the property down that way is owned by a group of hunters or something like that but my memory of that post is a little vague because that location means absolutely nothing to me