suds

It's been almost 3 years since I moved here from Victoria B.C. We were getting hosed 1.08 back then. I could not believe how the government said there was no price fixing as I had never seen different prices for gas in the same city. Also they never changed for days on end. When I moved here and saw different prices across the road from each other that changed throughout the day, I was stunned. What a revelation. Competition is a beautiful thing. I gassed up for 68 cents, and I had to phone home and rub it in! Even Alberta's gas prices are comparable to Ontario's. I'm not saying we have to like it, but compared to the rest of Canada and the world, we are doing pretty well..

Howdy Fishheads, I got invited to a buddy's cottage on Mountain Lake this weekend. He is forcing me to play golf Saturday, but I'm hitting the water on Sunday. He say's there are lakers in there, but wasn't much help beyond that. The question i have is anyone familiar with the area and are the lakers still up in the water column? I was going to try the usual tackle, but I was wondering if anyone has flyfished for lakers? I wouldn't mind dragging a minnow pattern or something if I had a chance. TIA and I hope everyone gets to wet a line this weekend. cheers suds

Welcome Mark, I went up to Mew Lake a few weeks back with a buddy. We did all our fishing in Lake of two Rivers. We caught several, but they were all in the slot size so they are still up there swiming around. There was another group staying at Mew that fished in 2 other lakes, one before Mew off hyw 60 and on further east on 60 past LOTR, but before the visitor centre. They had some success in both. The lakers were up in the top 10 feet ten and we trolled rapalas, all kinds, out behind the boat. We trolled spoons and spinners as well, but they didn't produce. It was my first time fishing in Algonquin, so I'm no expert on lakers and no doubt conditions have changed since then- we never saw a bug!! Have fun and don't sleep in, LOTR will probably get windy in the aft. suds

I voted no, and the reasons have already been eloquently stated by others that voted no also. thanks

007, We were trolling spoons, spinners and rapalas. By far the most action was rapalas, no weight, about 100' behind the boat. We guessed that they were up in the water column and it seemed to work. We saw no one else on LOTR, but the actual campsite on that lake and Killarney lodge open this weekend, so that may change. My buddy sneered at me when I said, " what's in Mew?" I surmised not a lot. LOL. Saw a few kids fishing from shore. It had a great swimming/ wading beach. Oh yeah, never saw a blackfly or skeeter. Enjoy suds

Thanks for the input guys, here's how it went. Hopefully i can get some images from my buddies camera to add... We rolled into the campground around 1:30, beautiful sunny day around 18C. We had a tinny with a 7.5, so we dropped it of at the East beach of Lake of Two Rivers (LOTR). The LOTR campsite was closed still and they were cleaning up a TON of blowdown. Back to Mew lake, my neighbor had knee replacement surgery, so we went comfy! He has the trailer with all the goodies, so we set that up Friday and settled in. Grilled pork tenderloin, spuds in the fire, some red wine and in for the night. Sat. am on the water around 7:30- gorgeous morning, a little cool and a hint of a breeze. Trolled around for a few hours before we got any action; caught one laker in the slot that we released and my buddy caught a smallie about an hour later. Wind really came up so we got off the water and went to check out the visitors center- pretty cool alright. Gave me a better idea of what APP is all about. Headed back to camp, drank a few beers and BBQ' up some steaks. Watched the wind play havoc with everyone's tarps, saw a fox scoot through the campsite, and turned in. Sunday was a cool start, -2C,on the lake 7:30. Much calmer today, fantastic morning with the birds singing all around the lake. More action Sunday. 3 lakers to the boat, a few hits and misses, and I caught a nice smallie that was easily 4 lbs. All were released promptly. All in all, I really enjoyed it and it whetted my desire to go back. Thanks again for the ideas! cheers suds

Thank you for the link Nemo, much appreciated, suds

Hey Fisher folk, My neighbour extended me the last minute invite ( his buddy bailed and my wife is very nice ) to go to Lake of two rivers: Mew Lake campsite, Friday thru Sunday. He has the nice tent trailer and the boat so I'm pumped. I know nothing about this area, so does anyone know what to expect, what gear to take, etc. Thanks in advance and I'll be sure to take the camera for a report. Have a great weekend all, suds

Nice job Bill. I would have taken some small ones! I got the skunkaroo, as did most others fishing where I was, but I was ecstatic to be out chucking flies nevertheless. cheers suds

I'd spend a summer here http://kingpacificlodge.com/ not intended as a sales pitch, just been dreaming about it for awhile

LOL Thank you!

I second the custom cabinet maker. We renovated a house and went that route. We then bought a house with a re-done kitchen by HD. Everyhting looks OK, but every time I open and close a cupboard it irritates me. You really notice how often you use the cupboards. Go with the best you can afford. Future buyers notice the difference as well. cheers

Cool, I'll be sure to catch it as well. Nice fish Tony!!

made popper flies once by running the hook through those disposable ear plugs you roll up and insert in your ears caught a few smallies..

my oldest 4 piece pack rod is the "grocery-getter"

Thanks for the warm welcome all! Trapshooter, I grew up in Metchosin, lived for a while at Shawnigan Lake and my father lives in Coombs. I also did "time" at Uvic. GbayGiant; I am serious about the steelhead. Salmon is another story however, all 5 Pacific salmon species are available and the fishing is fantastic. Plus, it is year round with the winter spring fishing going on right now. But the west coast ocean going rainbows are in trouble. Things are OK up north- Bulkley, Skeena, Kispiox etc, but Vancouver Island and the lower mainland area are not good. Besides urban encroachment, habitat loss (logging) and fishing pressure, something is going on out in the ocean affecting their survival. Everyone has an opinion: seals, lack of bait, fish farms, commercial bycatch, but no one really knows for sure. Most stream and rivers on the east coast of Vancouver Island are closed to angling due to low returns. One man's opinion of course.. Tony, thanks for the invite and I'll gladly take you up on that. Send me an email where and when. Happy St Patricks!! suds

Tonyb: I need to do more local steelheading before I can give you a good answer. ( know any good spots? lol) I can tell you there are more rivers with more fish in Ontario although the fish seem smaller on average. The rivers are very different; generally smaller with slower current flows. The other big difference is the use of bait. There are only a few rivers out west that still allow bait. I haven't really bothered with it for years, as only the hatchery enhanced systems let you use it. The out of the way spots are all under bait bans, so most steelheaders get comfortable with artificials. I have been very pleasantly surprised by the steelhead fishery here! Jen: I was drafted onto team one. Sorry about that.... suds

Hello All, I discovered this site last fall and have been lurking in the shadows. Since I joined the on line tournament, I thought I should introduce myself. I have fished all my life, but grew up out west on Vancouver Island. I have only been in Ontario a couple years and am just starting to get more dialled in on the fishing opportunites and locales. I have always loved salmon fishing, steelheading, and trout fishing. There is a fantastic smallmouth fishery on Vancouver Island as well and almost nobody fishes them.They are a blast to catch! So far in Ontario, I have added the brown trout, brookies, lake trout, and pike to the all time list, but I have not lucked into a walleye yet. Haven't really tried, but have been on water that hold them. No Muskie either, but I have to do that before I die! Love to fly-fish and tie my own flies, but also own spinning gear, baitcasters, and an old Hardy Silex for drifting for steelies. Heck if its a worm, hook, and bobber that's getting it done, I'm on it! Looking forward to the warmer weather, and perhaps I can wet a line with some of you in the future. suds

Testing to see if the avatar worked suds