Tom McCutcheon

Good advice from all above. Not much you can do except cut the hooks as close as possible to the lure and watch it swim away. As Forrest said CRAP HAPPENS. Perhaps be a liitle better prepared the next time when fishing areas where large toothy critters swim. Tom.

Matt, I managed to pick up the 8'6" sling blade at the Muskie Odyssey in April for a great price from the silent auction. It is noticably lighter than the premiers which I have been using. I have a Daiwa Luna 300 on it at the moment and I have no problems handling some of the larger double 10's etc. When I was fishing on Saturday during the all day rain I found that my bottom hand had a tendancy to slip off the small cork part at the base of the butt, just need to get used to it I guess. I would have had a hard time justifying even to myself the price of the rod if I had to pay the full nine yards. (don't let my wife hear me say that) That being said, it is fast becoming the first rod I will pick up and use. Cheers Tom.

This appears to be hot debate. How many of you filled out the FMZ17 survey in March? How many of you attended one of the numerous public meetings with the MNR regarding proposed changes and management suggestions? The MNR is trying to get a handle on this before it gets out of hand. Lets let them and the biologists do their jobs with some guidance from anglers and cottagers. They do seem to be listening. Cheers Tom.

Love the pictures Pete. It's good to see youngsters getting experience like that. Well done. Tom.

Northern Pike could potentialy destroy the Muskie fishery in the Kawarthas. It is a fact that Pike are invading the Kawarthas. Recently a chapter of Muskies Canada has been established in Peterborough. Our mandate is to try to educate the public about the Northern Pike invasion through our KTD (know the difference) signs, help to protect and re-establish Muskie spawning areas, promote catch and release and also help the MNR with catch and release data through our Angler Logs. This chapter hopes to make some progress in stopping this invasion. We are a non profit organization and the monies raised from members and sponsor donations goes back in some way to the fishery. Tom McCutcheon Release Director Kawartha Lakes Chapter Muskies Canada

Thank you sir... Tom.

Gary just one question. I cast with my right hand but use a left handed reel. That way I am ready to set the hook and reel almost immediatly. Just something I have got used to. Does it matter if I rotate the handles down? When you have a question, ask the expert. Love this site. Thanks Tom.

Still laughing Fang. It's usually me sitting in that spray, now I know why. I was thinking the reason beaing mounted on the left is most people are right handed and that makes it easier to grab with your left and deploy with your right. Just an idea. Tom.

I like the irony of that comment Glen..... Who is hooked now? Cheers Tom.

That's the place and Bud's last name. Thanks Gary. My mind is not the same since I became a senior....... Tom

Shimano is located in Peterborough, off a side street off Ashburnam Drive just south of the 115 and Ashburnam exit. The guy to talk to there is named Bud. When you find the building the repair door is located through the gates at the back of the building. Sorry I don't have an exact address or last name for Bud, but he is a whiz at repairing rods and reels. Tom.

Please don't take this the wrong way. Just a little constructive advice. I understand the catch was incidental and you mention in your report that you had a heck of a time trying to revive the fish and hoped that it made it. When holding a large fish for the obligatory photo, whether it be a Muskie or Pike, try to cradle it instead of the verticle hold. When you hold a fish in the manner you have shown, all the guts tend to sag towards the tail of the fish which then makes it very difficult for the fish to gain it's balance when you release it. Tom McCutcheon Release Director MuskiesCanada Kawartha Chapter. By the way Nice Fish.

They will help get you up on plane quicker and hold you on plane at a lower speed or RPM. They also help in handling at slower speeds.

Rob, we just did the same thing on my brothers boat. Splice into the main line with a T and then you can either use the fuel line you have now which may be attached to a small tank or buy another one. You will have to cut the connection off the end which goes to the small tank and then install the hose onto the T by using two clamps (second one is for backup). Should be good to go. You can take the kicker off the boat using the quick connect at the motor and leaving the line attached to the boat. Cheers Tom.

John; If you want a pair of Knipex, you could get them from the MCI chapter in Kitchener or at the Odyssey this weekend in St. Catherines. Each chapter has a few pair of these cutters for sale. I am sure some one from the KW chapter can HOOK you up (pun intended). Cheers Tom.

I haven't seen anything either on the news or in the papers regarding this unfortunate incident. Please keep us informed if you can guys.

Geese Mike, I am just now getting the nightmare visions out of my head from the Chemong Dip. It will now be another two months of nightmares. AAAHHHGGG!!!! By the way; very informative meeting and well presented. Cheers Tom.

Weed edgeds in 7 to 13 feet of water for musky, Bass will be on the weed edges a little shallower. Smallmouth in the north end of the lake along the rocky shores and humps. Walleye can be in any and all of these locations. All the usual baits work. Sorry can't be more specific. I have lived on the lake for 6 years and still can't pin a definate pattern on them.

Was that wind as bad in your area yesterday as it was here Wayne? If so I am sure the waters were whipped up pretty good. Hope he is OK. Tom.

Do those screws come out where the rado would go? You might have access through there to install some sort of backing to stiffen the console up. Like Lew said, I think that is your best bet (stiffening) for long term use. Sounds like a commercial for Viagra!! Good luck; Tom

I thought an anchor was also a must.

That explains why he was STRUTTING around last night at the MCI meeting. HIS FEATHERS WERE OUT.... Congrats Ron.

I used a 6 foot shimano compre with an okuma convector line counter. It was like a pool cue; could pull all the heavy or large billed baits with no problem but very little foregiveness or sensitivity. I now have an 8 foot compre with the same reel, new this year so I can't tell you what it's like but it has to be better than the CUE. Tom.

I know you were there TB but I don't think I met up with you. If I did I didn't put two and two together. Sorry about that. I will have to make it a point at the next meeting to ask "who are OFC'RS?" Cheer Tom.

All good suggestions. While your in the area and need more to do , you could try the Reptile Zoo on #7 about 15 minutes east of Peterborough. I took my niece and nephew there last year and they both enjoyed it. Try to time your visit for one of the seminars. The kids learn a lot about snakes and turtles aligators and crocadiles and even get a hands on demonstration with a python. Takes about an hour to an hour and a half to go through. Have fun.