Old Ironmaker

I've seen worse, it rained hard and the wind blew?

Shilom, don't be silly, but I do appreciate the offer. How is that new boat?

Fantastic report, you hit all he W's of W5. Who, what, when, where, why?

Welcome Jiierbug. You live central to 2 world class fisheries, Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair. Lucky you. Plenty of tributaries to fish without a boat around there as well. Go get em. PM me for some info.

Our deepest condolences Matt. I has to be very tough to loose Dad. I almost take for granted that my Pa is 87 and still as healthy as someone 20 years his journey. I am about the only person in our group that can still pick up the phone and call him or stop by. I think we'll do that tomorrow. A very touching tribute making the ride for Dad. Stay strong, Mom needs you now more than ever.

jammer, we only have 3 days up there, I don't know how old you are but you will understand when you turn 60 and have been with same lady for 25 years a day with a professional guide is good, actually great gift. Now 25 years ago $450.00 would get me a great day with a different kind of pro.

Good for you Mike, want you around to read in the future your respected opinions and spin on things, good decision.

I had to watch it again, he sure knew why he did what he did in the video and he stated why with the utmost of conviction. I am actually more incensed now that I hear this Jackass than when I first saw it. Buddy here's a nicer shovel, dig that hole a little deeper why don't you?

Respect him for coming forward, no respect given here. He came forward for the reasons I stated above, nothing more. What a bold faced liar. He insults my intelligence. In my mind he's making it worse for himself.

Down and to the right, up and to the left. Watch the eyes, interrogation 101, a sign of lying and or waiting to come up with a lie. Yea he's sorry, yea sorry you got caught knuckle head, never happened before, not a lie he never got caught before. This joker is embarrassing his family. He came forward because he would have, still may, get barred from every Windsor Marina, ramp, pub, 711 and most important to every red and white maple in the middle Canadian sportsman, The Royal Canadian Legion.

I think you will agree Doug, best Picker, er I mean Walleye fishing here in years. Now the big Mama smallies are starting their feed on the shoals as these Pics move your way to the south side, pal got into a few Bass this morning dropshoting before the Hurricaine set in, a 5 and a 6 pounder.

A subject close to my heart. I wear my inflatable 99.9% of the time. I say 99.9 because I forgot mine in the truck once in the last 5 years and actually made me feel anxious and naked without it. I admit I didn't put on the 1 of 3 others on board but put in on the back of my seat. Why, I can't really explain. I tried to copy and paste my response to the other thread but can not. ( windows explorer is the problem , thanks Art) I am implementing the new Johnny Law on my boat that is used on Big old Erie 99% of the time. It is no jacket no boat ride or fishing. Simple as that. I hear a few excuses why jackets aren't worn by people here and in the real world. They are basically all ridiculous from I can swim well, I'll wear one when it's dangerous to it isn't comfortable. I will say I don't know anyone exept Analeese Carr that can swim on Erie through 6 foot waves into the current against the undertow. When is it dangerous, unless you can breath underwater anytime in a boat can be dangerous, even on glass like water. All alone, fall overboard in 45F water, you are done. Can't happen? Odds are it might not but I know guys with previous heart conditions that fish alone, how about a healthy person tripping on the anchor rope or the butt chair comes out of the holder because that rope released it? I saw a fellow OFC member have it happen to 2 years ago. Mike Borger, that video was us making rapid runs numerous times a day on the Ottawa downstream of Westmeath when the Blast Furnace boys went up there more than a few times a year, still do. Life jackets always on.

What's a boot Freshtrax? I have now caught 2 Salmon in my life, 30 years or so apart and I don't know Salmon lingo. The 10 pound Coho last month and my first ever and only other was a 32 pound King on a charter out of Burlington in around 83'. I really didn't appreciate it when it happened, but was on the board for a week or so in the newspaper. I figured if I got one on my first turn on the rod ever everyone else must get them that big. I remembered my uncle from NY telling stories about them fishing out of Lewiston NY, if you think it got off keep reeling like a mad man, it's running towards the boat, he was right, both times but 30 years apart.

A better way to go than most. On your own terms doing what you love.

A kicker is a nice piece of insurance to have and a nice peace of mind. I think anyone with a boat has been broken down and wished they had a back up at some time. If they haven't the boat must be fairly new. Believe it or not the first trip with the kicker was the first trip of the year and my new battery died. It paid for itself that day. Just warning you need to be sure that the kicker will mount on the transom and it is deep enough in the water to work as well you will be able to get a bracket for steering. Lucky I have good skilled friends with shops and we made a connecting bracket that works unbelievably. One marina told me I needed a $200.00 trolling motor mount, no I didn't, and marina #2 told me a bracket didn't exist to connect the 115 to the 15, we made one. Besides the peace of mind think of the fuel saving trolling with big girl plus the wear and tear on the big girl you will save. People will tell you there isn't any savings and trolling with a 115 is fine, look closely and you will see they don't have a kicker.

Nipfisher, we will arrive at 14:00 Sunday the 28th and would like to go out with him the next day. I emailed him through his site today but haven't heard back from him yet. I will try and call him tomorrow. Talking one on one is the way I like to do business I've always said. I'm not saying that much money is too much it just may too much for my budget right now. If he is willing to take me out solo I will go for it because you are right it is an opportunity to learn from the best and I am a good student, now anyway, should have been 45 years ago. Also my wife insists I do since my last post. And there is a dollar amount associated to learning, otherwise I would be practicing law by now. No way a Steelworkers kids were going to law school back in the early 70's, no one from my neighborhood anyway.

I have a Stearns and love having it. I put it on before launching the boat. I have become so use to it I have found I was wearing it ten miles down the road on the way home. I have buddies that can't swim 10 feet tell me a life jacket isn't comfortable. Or an inflatable is too expensive. No problem dropping the same money on tackle the don't need though. Some tell me they can swim, yea right. Lets see you swim into the waves that are 1 meter high 10 miles from shore, fighting the current to boot. Just an excuse. I told everyone I am implementing a new Johnny Law. No life jacket on no fishing from my boat. How am I going to feel explaining to the family why Dad didn't have a life jacket on when he was my responsibility. I hear guys tell their wives that yes they will be wearing one and have zero intention to when going out. A member here was telling me how much he paid for his new setup and how much for the designer shades just before he went over board. I saw him go down and fast in crystal clear water, had he hit his head on the gunnel he would be dead today.

We have been trying to get onto Lake Ontario for a few weeks, the wind has been blowing up that lake almost as much as here on Erie. Those are mighty fine fish you got there. Do most folks keep or release these fish? I bet 90% of the Walleye here are all kept. We release all others than maybe 1 rainbow per trip or may keep a few Silvers if they come from deep water and the bladder is blown. Actually caught a Coho last month that I thought was a Bow.

I've been told it's $450.00 per day per person, I didn't get a hold of the gent today. If it's 450 beans per person I will be watching a few Musky shows before I go, especially the ones with Jim Saric. Wasn't he one of the original In-Fisherman contributors? And begging for PM's from you guys in the know about Musky hunting.

Lets just pray he sailed off into the sunset for whatever reason and is safe.

I just sent Danny an email with questions. I looked at a rather impressive site and he has guided the likes of Pete Maina "THE Musky Hunter" and did a show with him also Ontario Outdoors Sr. editor Gord Ellis. I guess for any Musky hunters out there he is a household name. The problem may be that his site says minimum of 2 persons. It will only be myself, we will see what he says. Hopefully he has a single looking for a trip and we can go together. What really impressed me is that he will turn down the cold hard cash of locals at times as we all know how loose lips sink ships. Not often people turn away customers for any reason.

Thanks Art for the link, I'll check it out, I was typing the above reply when you posted.

I really wasn't sure what a fair price was so thought I should ask here. I know what a day costs me to run my boat just for fuel and ramp if I run and gun. I don't think I will be ripping around in unfamiliar water when I'm up there, I know what Nipissing can do to a boat and motor when a submerged rock suddenly appears. Musky Motivated I think that was the name of the guide Regan suggested. I am going to take him up on it, need to talk to Danny personally, if it is Danny. Lew I was typing a reply to that thread re: Musky kill and Art locked it as I was typing. I was feeling sensitive today, no foul no harm, keyboard Cowboys have feelings to you know. I like that Key Board Cowboy, may change my avatar. Those are beautiful pics, can't wait to take some myself. Now that I have a new PC and doesn't have Windows 8 RT, I should be able to post. There is a cool pic on their home page that Joey took. I can see me staying more than a few nights. "The Key Board Cowboy"

It may be a simple as the colour of the Dipsy, or they are not on the bite. They work here on Erie and out fished the riggers this year actually. "The Key Board Cowboy"

I'm not a keyboard cowboy( actually that's funny), and I wasn't starting a discussion, just trying to point out the relativity of how an individual perceives the worth of one species over another. I could say something really snarky now but won't. Come on guys, what's with all the jabs at everyone that doesn't see it like you do.