SuperDave

Was just there last week. Water levels very low. Fished all the usual areas. Lots of bait balls marked at river entrance trolled the heck out of it got nothing. 2 other boats fishing it both got skunked too. That lake is simply on or off, no in between.

When you go to the dealer, it's instant rip off. I built up trust in a local shop, and go to them with all my problems. I too drive a 4 runner, but would never get it serviced at the dealer! The guys I deal with now are as honest as they get. I've built a great relationship with them and it has saved me tons of money! That being said.... with 3 cars in our driveway, I'm pretty sure I've put a couple of his kids through college LOL

Thanks for the info guys. Appreciate it very much.

Thinking of trying for my first time. Have never been there. Curious about launching. Is there a good place? Hall's cottages perhaps? Just going for the day and am an experienced muskie fisherman. Need to fish more "Bay water". Thanks, Dave

If you wait a few weeks longer, you won't need a guide to catch fish. They come to you at the river mouth. You can troll the Thames River and catch fish without going out on the big lake. Or, you can join the fun and combat fish the river mouth with the pier chuckers and the rest of us wingnuts out there!

Took my wife camping for the first time to the Moon area several years back. The park rangers told us there were a ton of bear sightings. I scoffed, saying I have camped for years and never seen a bear. Went fishing, came back and a bear had tried to get into my cooler that I hung properly from a tree. All I can figure is it climbed the tree and crawled across the branch to the cooler. Luckily I had wrapped my boat strap also around the cooler so there was no way this bear was getting into it. The puncture marks were enough to make us decide to leave. Oh, and the huff from the woods as we looked around. Great first camping trip up there for my wife. I've never camped there again.

Do as Pigeon Troller suggested. I had the same thing happen with the Tranx on a custom X rod. Just didn't fit right and cost me a fish!

If its illegal to not help a boater in distress... I witnessed the worst case scenario. Upper Niagara river. A boater waving his arms for help while everyone was soaring around in their boats ignoring him including the Police boat. That's right... saw it with my own 2 eyes. So I helped him. Towed him back to US side. Gave me $40 American for helping him out. Obviously these people were new to Pigeon Lake and have very little idea how to run their big boat. Typical. Good on the jetski guy and his pup for helping those weekend warriors out.

I was out there too. Water temps are ridiculously high. We found a floater and spent a decent amount of time trying to revive it but no go. Saw the charters get a few. Had one hit. Weird day wind wise. We got there around 130pm and NW coming right at us as we left the Thames. 10 min later flat calm till about 6 when SW chop. I will wait till fall now. Those water temps are dangerously high and many fish must be dying. Too f'n HOT!!

For the past 3 or 4 years, I take a break from muskie fishing by doing a little close to home bass fishing. This means a 45min. drive to Crystal Beach. I generally fish the shallows with poppers and spinnerbaits and have had a ton of fun over the years. This year .... not so much fun. Where I used to see bass cruising the shallows has been void of fish. A strange sight considering how many fish we used to see just cruising around not feeding, while we caught the ones that were.

I thought it was just me. Found the fishing extremely slow this spring. Probably because I stick to my same old habits. The fish have moved. Did manage a personal best day of sheephead fishing lol. Couldn't find bass so jerk trolled an x rap in 7-8ft off Pt. Abino and had non stop, rip the rod out of your hand action. The bottom makeup of the shallows where I've caught dozens of fish in the past, seems slimy and moss covered. More carp than I've ever seen before, and sheep everywhere!

So hard these days to buy a vehicle. They all claim to be the best but get one made on a Monday or Friday and it could have a million problems with it. I have driven Toyotas since 1988 and have nothing bad to say about them. Depends how much you want to spend I guess.

Great report! That is a thick Kawartha fish. Take my advice..... don't target muskie!!

Been through it myself. And ive never had a tough construction job. I believe it is caused by repetitive motion. Whether you stack bricks, stock shelves, cut hair, rake lawns, install windows.... your going to experience this sometime in your life. I found icing it was good. I also started taking glucosamine/chondroitin for joint pain and that really helped. Exercise is good but if you go to the gym and pump iron it will only get worse. Mine hasn't flared up in a long time, knock on wood. People who don't fish, don't realize how hard it is on our bodies.

Tough situation. As a small retailer myself, I do everything I can to help customers. That way they become loyal, and you have their business for life. Now the big box retailer does have a return policy and unfortunately they follow it strictly. They don't care about you at all. However, the manufacturer who also doesn't care, will take their sweet time fixing it, when, they should just send you another no questions asked. That kind of thing really pisses me off.

started dropshotting for smallies a few years back. Deadly method when you need to slow down. Don't think that you have to only use vertically. In the Niagara river I cast it up current and let it bounce and drag along bottom. Caught some nice fish that way. Also caught fish in 3 ft. of water when I saw them right under the boat. Just dropped it down and WHAM! fish on! My buddy was thinking I was crazy drop shotting in 3ft but next thing I new he was doing it to and we were giggling as we caught one after another. A spinning outfit is perfect for it. I also bought a St.Croix drop shot rod which has a super sensitive tip so you feel even the slightest bite.Try it and have fun.

My yellow lab is the strangest lab ever. While teething did cause him to eat some baseboards and table legs, he sometimes will barely touch his food. He eats on his terms and that's it. He wont touch the cats food, but I have to scare the cats off his food. He is almost 4 and still has stuffed animals that he got as a puppy. He never eats shoes, towels, underwear, socks, wont even chase a squirrel lol. He is the kindest gentlest soul. He did destroy the pool cover and uproot a few shrubs as a pup though lol

It may be the same thing every year, but my soft water fishing fever is at its peak so going to the show is mental therapy for me. The Muskie Sunday is well run and I bid on a new Tranx that will grace my boat this season. I enjoy talking to some of the muskie nuts I know.

Awesome! Wouldn't miss it for all the lures in McClusky's garage.

Glad to hear it. The new rig is great! Glad I bought last year. That Honda motor you have will run forever! Cheers

And how did that used boat work out for ya Brad?

Bought mine last year. Several dealers told me buy now as prices were going up. Figured they were just trying to get me to buy off them. Glad I listened.

What about Fender? I have a Fender F-35 I bought in the 70's. Still sounds awesome.

I say welcome to parenthood. Been there done that with both my boys. 1st had chollic (sp?) and cried for hours. 2nd was breastfed and always hungry. didn't sleep through the night for 3 years I kid you not! Then when we decided to put them in the same room, they slept while we lied awake wondering when he would wake up! LOL!! I don't know who coined the phrase "sleep like a baby", but that person was wrong.

That's a cool video. Problem is by the time I hop in my truck and drive 3 hrs. to my destination the pressure could change again! Fish when you can and hope for the best.