lew

Good to hear everyones OK Brian and you can definitely be proud of your son for what he did. Things could have been much worse if it wasn't for him warning everyone about the fire.

One thing I do know for sure about barometric pressure is I've caught some of my best fish right before a big storm hits when the winds pick up, the sky is black and the lightning if flashing on the horizon. As for the moon phases, I don't wait for a full moon to go fishing, but I find it does definitely improve the fishing when it does happen. Couple years back I was on my annual trip to the West Arm of Nippissing with a full moon forecast in the coming days, and one day in particular had the full moon rising at the exact time as the sun was setting and I planned to be on a favorite spot when it happened. Couple days before the event and shortly before sunset I caught this fish. Day before the event and again near sunset I got this one. The day of the event and just about 15 minutes before the exact moonrise/sunset time I hooked and lost a big fish near the boat. I continued on and was on my spot and exactly as I watched the full moon rise & the sun set at the same time this 50"er hit right on cue. Certainly not the 1st time I've seen this happen and hopefully not the last, but in my opinion I think moon phases definitely trigger fish. I'll be back up there again in a few weeks and again there's gonna be a full moon, so we'll see what happens.

You can also slide a small piece of plastic tubing over the eye.

I did, and thanks for posting it

I remember that fish Steve, that's quite awhile ago.

That's a trip both you and your son will remember forever.

Great story Joey but I can't see the pics.

Those big large mouths are the bait Brian

maybe when I die Phil

Just took a bit of good food. https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CB8QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftoronto.ctvnews.ca%2Fbig-cat-caught-officials-nab-cougar-in-southern-ontario-town-1.1910607&ei=rkbEU-mZK5WhyASVnYLoAg&usg=AFQjCNEfJTPRKNGj0U5Kdq16-rhuEqS2bg

As I said, only a suggestion.

Prolonging the fight with a musky can kill him so it's recommended you use heavier gear to bring them in fast. Relatively lighter gear can work in the Kawarthas where the fish are smaller but if your fishing big fish waters like St. Clair or many other Ontario lakes, it's much better for the fish if you use heavier gear and land them as fast as possible. Not preaching, just offering a suggestion.

I normally keep my Sirius tuned to 50's oldies and that pretty well does me wherever I'm heading.

Lousy luck Joey, hope it's not as sore as it looks.

When I started working full time I made $50 a week and that was decent money...thankfully times change

Sounds nasty up there Dave, hope they can get a handle on things soon.

Good stuff guys.

Thanks Rob, sounds like their finally growing. I'm not heading back up for another month so hopefully they'll be good by then.

You & your brother have some great times together Rob, I always enjoy reading your fishing tales. How were the weeds this trip, I was up on the West Arm a few weeks back and they were practically non-existant ??

Your much better off with a decent net rather than a cradle, specially if your gonna be fishing alone.

Some very impressive pike there, specially that 42"er, she's chunky from one end to the other !!

As Mike says, Memqusit is a great place and I've stayed there a couple times myself and will be going back in August for another 2 weeks. Some excellent musky fishing in the area with some very nice fish. Another nice place is Mashkinonje Lodge just a few miles west of Memquisit, also on the West Arm. I stayed there last month and the cabins and new owners of the camp are outstanding and is another place I'd recommend. https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&sqi=2&ved=0CBwQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mashkinonjelodge.com%2F&ei=73TCU7bOEom1yATW8IG4BA&usg=AFQjCNFF5F_8NXO_6P2FPvvzMdpB6FaP0w&bvm=bv.70810081,d.aWw

The snow did alot of damage everywhere last winter but it sure looks like you brought Jiggy back together with some great work TJ, the place looks really impressive now. Can't believe how much Jaden has grown and that picture is hilarious

Atta boy Brian, beautiful fish.

Thanks for that link Snowball, it's a good map.