bbog

Put your teflon suit on as you're gonna get slapped for requesting help without providing an intro. Welcome to the board if you survive.

I recently switched to OFAH brokered insurance and saved money AND got more coverage. My original insurer was offered a chance to match but the best they could do was offer less coverage and higher deductibles. I had considered the loyalty aspect but was willing to take the chance. You gotta do your homework I suppose.

Pollen is my bet! All over the lake I was on last weekend and my car as well.

Given our Governments terrible track record for managing anything we should leave Algonquin alone. Logging is not visible for the millions that travel the beaten path - but is a devastating mess for those that visit the upper interior. The Barron Canyon area is a spot that MUST be visited at least once in your lifetime. Stray away from this gem and you will see and hear the effects of "controlled" (more like clear cut) forestry. A real shame!

I don't have a use for it Lew but just wanted to mention how generous it is of you to share stuff that you can't use.

Hi fishingguy28, I do most of my fishing from a canoe (except when trolling deep for big fish) and was thinking a smaller back lake as well. I have my favorite lake just south of Parry Sound - but I think I'm going to try something different (and away from the crowds) for the opener. I'll post my results. Barn

Hi Stoty, Reading your story I don't feel so bad about my weekend. I had set out to find Crappie and couldn't keep the little Pike off. Imagine a 25" Pike interested in a micro tube? Was fun though on ultralight gear. Changed the target to Pike and then got into a couple OOS Smallies and Largemouth. The ones you want never seem to be available when you want them. At least we were out... Barn

Everything came together for a chance to get away for the weekend. The destination was my favourite Parry Sound location on an 1100 acre property (2/3 camp and 1/3 friends dream home). The location has two private lakes and many, many back lakes nearby. The plan was to bring the whole family. The trip started after lunch on Friday and resulted in a stormy drive from Durham region. Just a few kilometers from our destination the wind was bending small trees and breaking branches. The rain was teeming down but no thunder and lightening. Once we arrived at the camp (to pick up a boat or canoe) the sky cleared and rain stopped. Would this be the start of a fantastic weekend? Having brought the "boys" I was hoping to get a boat over a canoe. My favourite boat however was located in a back lake and several hundred meters from where I wanted it. This boat is a very old Crestliner Jonboat that is very, very heavy steel - it is not going to be carried or dragged over to my preferred lake. "No problem" says the camp guardian as he leaves to get his backhoe with forks. Comes back moments later and uses the forks to carefully lift the boat off the beach and proceeds to my chosen lake. Minutes later the boat slides off the forks into the lake. This trip is just getting better and better!! The wife proceeds in the car to where we will set up camp and I begin the peaceful row over to the other side of the lake. From this moment onwards we do not see another cloud in the sky. Now at the other side here is a shot of our weekend transportation. The goal of the trip was to chase down Black Crappie. Due to the warmer water temperatures I knew this wouldn't be easy but figured I could find them at certain times of the day. WRONG Tried all their favourite places at their favourite time of day to no avail. Switched it up to looking for the small to average size Pike that are found in this lake. Had no problem getting these guys to bite and also the odd Smallmouth. The Smallies all had evidence of damage on their tails (a result of spawning?) and were released as quickly as possible. Other than the obliging Pike it seemer the recent cold weather had shut everything down. No matter, it was just great to be out with the whole family. Here is a shot of our transportation with temporary motor Fraser is on the bow leading the way while Barnie hides from the sun behind Mom. With the slow fishing we started having contests with our favourite lure or technique. Soon as the chips were down the fishing really shut-down! All this didn't matter as it was just a blast to get out. The boys however were getting a little hot with their fur coats on so we stopped at a natural rock point the provided a nice walk off from the bow of the boat. The boys had a great swim and returned to the boat cooled off and ready for more cruising around the lake. The last day of our stay was calmer and hotter so the bugs were back in full force. The largest Pike caught over the course of the weekend was about 25" and those caught on the ultralights (while looking for Black Crappie) were a lot of fun bringing in. Two of the smaller ones were held back for a pleasant shore lunch. All in all a great chance to get away with the family - I hope to return to explore the smaller back lakes in a canoe once Bass season opens. Thanks for reading.

Can't help with the area but welcome to the board - lots of great info here.

Let's get that dealer name - anyone considering a purchase ought to know who steps up!

Wasn't that in the Montreal - Boston series where the Bruins were called for too many men on the ice. Don't remember the year but believe this is the scenario.

Welcome to the board Kev. Lots of great advice when we aren't ripping the Senators!

Was that Patrick Lalime wearing Ray Emery's sweater last night? Ottawa will never win a cup with goaltending like that. Good job Ducks!!

right on misfish!! let's get this done tonight (sick of Alfie and his antics).

Great Heron picture and nice report.

Watching Alfie raise the cup would kill my interest in hockey!! Any team but Ottawa and hopefully Alfie hangs it up after failing to lead his team once again. Many other potential leaders on Ottawa (and did I mention would not dream of shooting the puck at any player - classless act that Alfie goof!)

Regular flavour for delicate fish and cajun if you need to add a little BAM!

Another vote for Garmin. Have a look at the eTrex series (CX version comes with expanded memory capability). These units run on the more common AA batteries. Check out RadioWorld for best prices. Cheers.

Couldn't wait for an answer so called Bonnie Boats. I was told that as a non-resident the fee to launch and park would be an astounding $40!!! However this new fee won't be implemented until "sometime" next week. I could opt to buy a season pass that is "currently" available for $100. Unreal!

Excuse me for being a bit thick but... I launched at Bonnie Boats on Wednesday and paid $10 (including parking the truck and trailer while out on the lake). Is it now going to cost me $10 plus $30 to park or $30 to park and launch or no change ($10 still)? Certainly will restrict my trips if the worst case scenario plays out.

Had the day off work so headed up to Lake Simcoe with my neighbour. We launched at Bonnie Boats and followed the expressway to the usual spot. Jigged for a while for Whitefish but there were no takers (for us or anyone else nearby). The non-biting bugs were being a pest (pun intended) and so we thought we would get rid of them by trolling. Marked alot of fish but didn't get any hits until we no longer marked them sly devils. Didn't do so well but did catch my first ever Laker We were amused when a woman struggling to keep the bugs off ordered her companion to abandon fishing and return to shore. An hour later it was us doing the high speed evasive maneuver!! Still a great day to be out.

Happy belated bd Uncle Buck. Hope my bd next week is half as nice as yours! One day I'm gonna have to try Carp fishing rather than whining about them scaring off my beloved Crappie!

Fantastic report and an incidental Walleye to boot How were the black flies? I gonna be up in that same area next weekend.

Forget the Rock Bass and the bumper, where did you get that Reese's Peanut Butter cup!! Can't beat time with the family.

Even in tragedy you continue to be a fantastic story teller Lew, almost feel like I knew your brother too! My deepest condolences to you and your family.