Old Ironmaker

Sorry I didn't mention the trailer park earlier, no way like I said to launch. I am so glad you got a nice one. 4 lbs is nothing to poo hoo at. It must have been a blast. What were you using with what set up? I will troll a Rappala and watch the screen for drop offs. If we find a school I will drift through it with a Carolina rig and floating jig head tipped with a black twister or plastic or leather leech soaked in juice. Live leeches will get them every time but they don't sell them here as far as I know. Bill's Bait in Hamilton, yes. But I'm told that's cheating, so call me a cheater with fish on my line. Yep the wind here usually picks up at 11AM, like clockwork. Never had luck with worms here in the 40 years of fishing here. Good for panfish for the kids at the cottage.

No they are waves, white caps, I would guess 2 to 4 footers. The wind is dying down right now but still not great boating conditions of course depending on the boat. From now until November this lake will be giving everyone a test of their boating skills. As far as Smallmouth the best spot for me in Fall is Nanticoke Shoal otherwise known as 5 mile reef. I didn't mention it before but to get to Tecumseh reef you will have to launch at Port Maitland or Nanticoke which is a long way from that spot. The launch at the trailer park close by is under a few feet of water. No way to launch there, no way no how. Can't even see the launch wall. I guess you can launch with someone in the boat, throw out the anchor and the driver of the trailer has to wade in and climb onto the boat. There's water where you usually park the trailer.

And of course the lake is angry today. I would say there were 4 footers this AM, same all day. Sorry I didn't post earlier. To show how unpredictable and how conditions can be different within a few miles. A few years back HTHM, Albert, followed us out in his Ranger Bass boat to the Perch grounds off of Selkirk P.P. It was very calm protected by Peacock Point. As soon as we made the turn heading west around the tip of the point we were met by a strong west wind and 3 to 4 footers, and they were tight together which can be dangerous. Get over the top of one breaker and the bow can plow into the next wave and take on water. Especially dangerous in a bowrider. He had a heck of a time to get to the marina, we beat him in by 20 mins and he was soaked. At least we all got some nice Perch. Did you go out GaraldT?

Wind directions change here on the lake continually. You might have an onshore wind in one bay and out on the lake it's different. Right now there is zero wind and overcast. The lake is like glass where we are. The wind turbines aren't moving. At least they are good for something. They can be facing west in Nanticoke and in Dunnville east. If I am up early tomorrow AM I can give you a lake condition here at Selkirk, if I remember. A few years ago I used to post lake and wind condition updates daily on a local fishing website before I hit the lake or went golfing. Then guys got upset when I didn't. I resigned.

With the NE wind I would go golfing. The lake is very calm today.

Nice one Bill. They don't have to be 50" to be a nice Musky. It's funny how you picture someone based on their writings and then you see the person. Sometimes it's what you pictured, most times not. I didn't picture the person that is the real Bill. I'll tell you I pictured a gent with a short sleeve shirt on and a plastic pocket protector. Not. More like a bouncer in a old time Hotel. Ya never know. In Japan Cormorants are basically starved and then tied to lines and used to dive for fish very deep, not sure how deep, I've been told 200 feet to catch fish and then they are regurgitated by the fisherman to be sold at market. Mmmm good nothing like regurgitated fish.

When we used to SCUBA and snorkel the Loon couples would swim with us checking us out occasionally. They are fast, Ducks too. Too fast for me to keep up.

I don't see many sunrises as of late. But drove into a beauty of one this morning on my way to a golf tourney east of our place. Very similar to the one you posted today Brian. Magnifico.

Hey MJL, any of your photos forth coming?

Exactly. Just because the guy isn't liked doesn't mean he is guilty of something. Let the investigation run it's course before we sentence anyone.

I have a Stradic, never a better reel at any price. Somehow a Daiwa ended up on a rod of mine. Oh yea I was given it as a gift. I have 17 spinning reels, 16 are Shimano.

I go to the Doc's and tell him my elbow is killing me. He looks at it and says " You have tendonitis, tennis elbow." I tell him "Doc I don't play anymore I got this from trolling for fish." He says " I fish so OK you have trolling elbow, not much you can do but wear a band and rest it." "How about writing a script for me?" he replies "For exactly what?"" I snap back. "For a downrigger of course." All you can do is ask. The elbow band does help Nick. For the wrist use the other hand.

I've never seen the contracts you guys signed but I'm sure it has something in it about servicing the vehicle as set out in the new car warranty. To prove you did of course you need to prove you did, how? With paperwork. That's one reason I go to the same guys for service, they can print out each and everything done on my vehicle under warranty. Courts will do nothing for you all, especially if they have gone teats up. I share your frustration and anger. A total scam to me from reading this thread.

The Family condo was on Edgewater Drive just across from the bridge. My cousin from Mount Hope has a house not far from the Port Charlotte beach and pier. He wants me to buy in. I'm not sure it is a good move. Relatives and business and all that. Have you fished the piers there. Dave? I've had great luck on the Bayshore pier. A walk from the old condo and Fishin' Franks bait shop. During the strike in 90' I went down in October for a month. A hurricane was supposed to hit the west coast right around Pt. Charlotte. Everyone was freaking out. I stayed up the entire night and it turned out to be a big rain storm. I'm happy it didn't hit but at the same time wanted to see a real hurricane. I saw the aftermath of Andrew a month after it hit in Homestead and the Keys and it was devastating to say the least. Entire city blocks wiped out to the foundations. As far as the Trump thing I'll leave that be.

We are driving to the brother and sis in laws in mid September. Going to take the ferry at Bar Harbor to Nova Scotia. They are right on Mahon Bay. They said you can see the now famous Oak Island from there place. I've been to Sydney but never saw anything but the motel and the inside of the steel plant. Want to go to Cape Breton and take a ferry to Newfoundland. I can say I've been to NFLD because I asked the flight attendant if I could get off the plane on the way to Europe back in 88'. Once I have been there for more than 5 mins I can call it the Rock too. Cod cheeks here I come.

I remember you had a Mariner Sinker. So my 94' Mariners the 15 horse kicker and 115 OB must be the same. Both as solid as ever. The 15 is actually louder than the 115. I sure wouldn't turn down a new 150 Yammy 4 stroke but sure don't need one.

When I see programs on TV from far away places there are Mariners everywhere. I was told our Mariners were Mercs with Yamaha bottom ends and Mariner cowls, not so I have come to learn. I do believe Mercs get a bad name for breakdowns because there are so many out there. Most all the outfitters I have come across had Mercs in their fleets, many still do and those things are going on 30 years old. Maybe I didn't see and Honda or Yammies because they weren't selling them in the early 70's. Bunk wasn't fishing then I bet, not born even. Man I'm getting old. So old the Feds are giving me money this October and so old I still use a Mitchel 300 and mono on it.

My wife's sister lives in Delray Beach, just north of Miami. Her husband and the rest of Florida line up for miles everything from gas for the vehicles and bottled water and food to plywood and nails a few days before a hurricane, each and every time. We Canucks are always ready for a blizzard in August, most of us anyway. Besides being Yanks what's wrong with these folks? (I an 1/2 Yankee so I can say that.) Johnny D/dual citizenship which means a Dem in the U.S. and a PC in Canada.

My pal tells a story when his brother and he were driving down Hwy 11 one fine day and a boat passed their truck at 90K. Their boat. That part of the story I believe, the hook it back up and drive away not so much.

Way to go David. I have been using a Carolina Rig for Smallies with great success here on Erie for years. Wear that red Maple Leaf proudly and go smash em'.

You did a fantastic job Terry, you should be very proud. Camo came out great.

I thought you might know where he could get some stuff. I only use live bait when I want to catch fish myself. Actually only Emeralds for Perch and tip hardware for Walleye. Went to Lake Okeechobee for big Largies in Fla. years back a few times, the Shinners they use exclusively are bigger than the Perch we keep.

Me either Chris. I know they are good ones without looking. You guys have to stop posting all the beautiful landscapes. I save many with the intention of painting them in the future. Many are of Joeys (RIP) that I told her I would paint someday. I better get crackin'.

My 15 HP Mariner kicker weights the exact same as my buddies Merc 9.9 does, 100 lbs. Size matters but there are 500HP V 4's out there, or even higher. In cars, maybe boats too. 400 hrs. for a Merc is just breaking in. If I was to upgrade HP I would go max for the boat. There will be a line up of boaters looking for your 15 HP Yammy. Sell it and get yourself a 30HP fill in the blank _______.

Sad. What is supposed to be recreation often turns to tragedy in a second. CHCH News tonight reported the boat that came into contact with O'Leary's did not have running lights and left the scene. Also that it was O'Leary's wife piloting their boat. Also O'Leary's wife had a breathalyser test and had zero alcohol in her system. The 1st sentence of his statement did say "Out of respect....."