Beavertail

Doubleheader, thanks for the great read. I always enjoy stories about the past and simpler times. For me growing up, it was a little, single tray Old Pal tackle box with a handful of lures(which were purchased at either the local Highway Market or Dutch Boy for those of you that remember Kitchener back in the 80's). Most of my time was spent fishing the Grand for Smallies and a #2 gold Mepps Aglia was hard to beat...that or we'd wade the shallows flipping rocks looking for crayfish(which was almost as fun as the fishing)to bottom bounce with, soft shells were like gold!

Nice report and nice fish! I know that feeling all too well (the walking part and sheer exhaustion) You have to admit though, at the end of the day when you finally make it back to your vehicle it's a pretty damn good feeling! I'm sure you wouldn't miss it too much once you get a sled though.

Big City living...people inevitably become so disconnected from the natural world, can't really blame them for their ignorance. In a way it's a good thing, imagine if every person in the GTA went fishing/hunting - our wildlife resources would be in serious trouble...things are bad enough now. I say keep your head held high, be proud of your passion for the outdoors and who cares what other people think? Some of the best people I know are "Barbarians"

I'm thoroughly enjoying this winter season with ice fishing and all, but seeing your report has got me a little bit more anxious for spring and boat season!

Too funny, thanks for sharing! That guy nailed it....and he's rockin some pretty awesome hair too.

Nice video...that looks incredibly fun and relaxing. The only thing missing from the video was the Corona!

Tallpolak, maybe read the original post again.

Last season on the ice, my iphone fell out of my bib front pocket as well and bounced right into the hole. Happened in slow motion, I couldn't believe my eyes. I jumped onto my knees and blindly threw my hand down the hole up to my elbow...miraculously I wrapped my fingertips around something and pulled up my smartphone before it sank outta sight. Everything happened so fast, I couldn't believe my luck. Also spent $80 on a Lifeproof case just weeks before, money well spent. I'm super cautious any time using my phone on the ice now and never near open holes.

Nice picture Lew, don't see those too often. Some people get bent outta shape when predators show up at the backyard feeder looking for a meal...I've always thought that was the best part!

That's very cool Lew, I always love seeing predator/prey interactions in person instead of on television as its a rare occurance for most people. I witnessed a similar event years ago between a fox and a ground hog - amazing how efficient and effective killers foxes can be!

Sounds like another great morning out there. Jeez, trying to improve on a record of 14/16 is setting the bar pretty high! You've got it dialed in...changing to a Vibrado ain't going to help any! I guess it can be fun to catch fish on new lures/techniques though. Thanks for the report and pics.

Thanks for the report and pics, looks like another great day. The last pic is crazy, what a gluttonous pig! Gobies eh...no wonder the meegs work so well.

Do you think they were Golden Eagles or could have been juvenile Bald Eagles? Juveniles are overall dark brown and don't aquire the characteristic adult plumage "white head and tail" for several years. Just a thought.

Just happened to see an adult Bald Eagle today while driving to work...just north of Waterloo. It was standing in a farmers field eating something the farmer must have discarded, along with a bunch of crows. They have become more common here in the last few years, especially along the Conestogo and Grand rivers. I never seem to get over how large they appear, surprises me every time!

Sounds like a great day on the ice! Gets me excited to chase some whities too, really looking forward to this season. Thanks for the pics.

This is going back quite a few years, but does anyone remember the commercials for the original Blue Fox Foxee jigs? I was just a kid at the time but it was brilliant marketing and a great commercial - basically a Foxee jig was swimming through the water taunting a huge bass before being engulfed. I ran out and just had to buy some....then couldn't understand why I wasn't hauling in 10lb largemouth every cast. Many lures/commercials are definitely designed to catch fisherman, not fish.

Yup, I agree with Manitoubass2...movement helps a lot. One of the reasons I like using manual augers is they warm you up in a hurry. If my hands get cold, sometimes just swinging my arms around like a windmill a few times gets the blood flowing back to the finger tips as well...if other fisherman are around though they just might look at ya kinda funny!

Dontcryforme.....wow, that's one lucky dude. Good on you for investigating further. I spent some time in the water after flipping a canoe, also in early May so I know what was going through that guys mind - not a fun experience.

I hunt in Grey County...still plenty of grouse and bunnies to be had!

I can only imagine how fun that would be for him at such a young age! (The smile kinda gives it away) Like they say...you never forget your first. I'm sure he can't wait till it's his turn to pull the trigger, a hunter is born.

The reels have never been dunked or abused. I thought it was gears at first too, but after inspecting the gears looked fine. Actually replaced some bearings and it made the reel usable again. Not picking on Shimano either, happened to an Abu Garcia as well.

I love chucking hardware for salmon and rainbows, mostly 3/4oz spoons and some #4 spinners. It seems to be hard on spinning reels(or I got the worst luck)as I'm on my 3rd in as many seasons. I assume it's all the cranking, those spinners have quite a bit of resistance. The reels don't explode, but they've developed tight spots which tells me it's faulty bearings. I don't buy the most expensive models, usually somewhere in the middle. The last reel to let me down was a Saros and it didn't last long at all...not even 1 season which was a huge disappointment after spending $150, the most I've ever spent on a spinning reel. I often wonder how a Stradic would have held up? However, after doing some research I've decided to give a Daiwa Tournament SS 1600 a try, apparently you can't kill these things - got my fingers crossed.

I can picture it now...all the guys playing dumb keeping too many whities, claiming they thought were Cisco.

Yup, although I always found Simcoe to be a gong show.

I've cleaned many but don't know any tips on keeping the fur unfortunately. Their skin is paper thin which I think would make preserving the hide kinda tricky. Good luck though, I'd love to see any finished product!