Tom McCutcheon

I guess the next question would be, have you checked to see if there is a separate selection tab or button to switch from the external IPod or Aux. port to just AM or FM?

Where on the French are you fishing? The Pickerel River and Lower French, (below Chaudière dam) is not charted. If you are above the dam and into Lake Nipissing, you're charts should work. Depending on you're unit, sometimes just removing the chip and reinstalling while the unit is turned on will refresh the charts. (only if the area has already been charted)

Cliff; it is something that we have been thinking about seriously for a few years also. Need to do this before we get too far past the age of being away from caregivers if needed. I have rented and looked at motor homes (35 to 40 feet) in the past and although they provide everything one could want they are restrictive once you get where you want to go unless you have a smaller vehicle attached, and for me and my 6'5", 295lb frame, that is not an option. I believe a diesel truck dually and fifth wheel attachment is a good choice. One other thing needed to consider is your provincial health care and the amount of time spent out of province/country. Good luck with whatever decision you make and we might see each other around a campfire someplace on this continent in the next few years.

Geeze I love to read posts like this. Great narrative and photos to boot. Thank You.

I used the Nikwax product on a 25 year old BPS Gore-Tex rain suite last year, and it did refresh the shell to the point where it repelled rain again. Not to the same extent as new but acceptable. Especially worked well on the seam areas to reseal them. Remembering that this is on a 25 year old rain suit, it is fine for summer wear. I would recommend the product but follow the directions to a "T"

I don't see a downside going this route. The motor is still at 700 RPM's and it was happy there in the past. If it does create a problem, there is always the old standby of backtrolling in order to get slowed down. You may need to install wave protectors off the back transom though. The other option is changing the prop out for a smaller pitch.

Pretty much exactly the same as yourself. Those are the rules that we play by. It has only happened once in my Muskie fishing adventures, but an undersized fish was not reviving on release. After more than an hour trying, it was determined that it had to become seagull and turtle food and allowed to float away. It happens and we all feel as bad as you do for having to allow a fish to go to waste. However when you think of it, this is nature and nothing really does go to waste. Muskie research done on the Ottawa River a number of years ago with tracking studies proved that even though a fish may seem injured enough to die, many of them do survive.

Sorry Lew, I should have clarified that a bit and I'll add "never enough until he finds what works" when you get to that point, just follow Lew's lead....

George Unis (outlaw) has been making baits for quite some time that work well on LSC as does Mike Parker and his Handlebarz baits. Not saying to switch up on what seems to work for you, but a muskie guy can never have enough baits. It comes with the lighter wallet....and extra tackle storage cabinets etc. etc.

As others have said, SHARP HOOKS I do not tighten my drag all the way down, but control the runs with my thumb pressure which is always on the spool during the retrieve and for the hook set.

Galvanized is preferable along with everything bowslayer mentions. Mine is 5 X 10 and I wish I had of went for a 6 X 10. Sometimes I wanted to leave the plow attached to the ATV and it is already at 60" wide which makes for a very tight fit inside the body of the trailer, even when the blade is on an angle.

What's the old adage....."you're never too old to learn and you learn something new everyday" I had forgotten about that program and stand corrected. The stocking was natural Muskies and no Hybrids. There may be some of that original gene pool still in todays fish, but the Kawartha Muskie are a genetically different species than others in the province and this is one of the reasons why they seem to be sort of defenceless against Northern Pike. They have never had to compete with another top predator until recently. (last 20 or 30 years) Not really answering your poll questions though.....LOL

Your correct, but to my knowledge Scugog has never stocked a Muskie. Hybrid or Natural.

If you have it hanging on you're wall, it means you are very proud of it and you should be. I wouldn't suggest any other means of a "positive identification" other than DNA sampling, and I am sure you do not wish to do that. Be proud of what you have accomplished and believe for yourself .

I'm not that far away Dax. It could be here for pickup next weekend.

To "Old Ironmaker" The easy to see differences between a Muskie and Pike are as follows. The caudel and paired fins of a Muskie are pointed whereas the same fins on a Hybrid and Pike are more rounded. Also the pores on the underside of a Muskies jaw will number between 7 and 9 and a Hybrid or Pike will not be more than 5. For possession limits, a Hybrid is considered a Muskie. There is also a possibility of a Hybrid migrating into the Kawartha's from Lake Simcoe Hope this helps and I really hope there are no Pike in Scugog.

"Marcia, Marcia, Marcia....Eat your Snickers bar, you're not yourself" LOL Pete.

I used to hang mine on the back of the seat Lew also, but I lost one once running down the lake and now I am thinking of hanging it on the seat, but attaching it with 6lb test mono. I will still wear the inflatable though.

That is just about the most asinine comment I have seen on this post.

It bothers me when I hear all the flak directed towards the folks everyone expects to rescue them when trouble happens on the water. I understand that we may get pulled over while we are fishing for a ten minute discussion regarding safety equipment. Heaven forbid we lose out on perhaps one or two fish. The reason the rules are there is for the simple reason of trying to prevent a tragedy on the water. Some people don't follow the rules and hence the need to inspect and enforce. It's a tough job and they just cannot please everyone.

As you have already heard, it's not a requirement. However, I know of one good friend who was out fishing (anchored) and his wife almost lost her leg because someone in a "14' Tinny with a 9.9" ran into them at wide open throttle. He couldn't see them because he weighed 200lbs. and the bow of the boat was up in the air so far he had no idea what was ahead of him. He is thankful he had insurance. Just a word of caution and enough said.

Oh you'll be able to get near the dock Dave, just not sure if two "Henrietta Chicken" bumpers will be enough......

The water must have come from the non existent snow pack in the north part of the watershed. A lot of worry about nothing. To me, Parks Canada finally got it right. Walleye eggs were not left high and dry and most folks did not need to worry about flooding.

Couldn't agree more Dog. The levels at my dock (Pigeon Lake) are almost to summer levels. About 6 inches below normal and still rising slowly. Seems like the Sky Has Not Fallen.

The only noise I ever heard a coyote make was the thud when he hit the dirt after falling 500' out of an ACME balloon.. Sorry, I couldn't resist. Yes I enjoy their noise also at night here on Pigeon Lake. Don't understand it though.