Dutch01

Last I heard Tama Kwa is not doing huts this year. Don't take my word for it though, that's just what I heard. Went there in September and had a great time. Spent a weekend in one of Dennis Johnston's Ice Bungalows in January and had a great time as well. I would fish with them again, they're a good outfitter.

For the number of times I would actually go alone (rarely), I'm thinking the extra room would be nice. Thanks for the advice guys!

That's kind of what I was afraid of. So my choice is a tiny hut that holds two (tightly!), or a hut that's comfortable for four, but I can't setup myself.... Did you ever have to finally decide??? Lol

Hey guys, need your help! Looking at shelters and was initially thinking of the Clam Vista, but for "only" a hundred more I can get the Six-Pack. I am aware of the zipper pull issue, and I'm cool with it, I'll just add split key rings as most reviews suggest. My biggest worry is if I will be able to set up the Six-Pack myself. If anyone has one and can shed some light on this I'd appreciate it!

WOW! What a hog walleye! That thing would eat the walleye I catch at Balsam!

I have changed a tire in the past, but now I have a car with run flats and NO spare so it's not even an option for me. I did get a flat once on the run flat, stopped at gas stations for air a few times and limped it home to my local tire shop to have a plug put in it. I could switch to non-run flat tires, but I'd lose half my trunk as there's nowhere to keep a spare.

"Sign, sign, everywhere a sign Blockin' out the scenery, breakin' my mind Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign?"

I forgot. So I packed up to leave my spot last night at 1:30am. Driving home an hour later I look at my phone and it's 1:30am. Good times!

The Escape is on my list so that's helpful to know, but I'm more worried about launching capability than fuel mileage.

I will be towing long-ish distances - I'm in Markham and like to fish Balsam, Lower Buckhorn, Nipissing etc. so I will need something with more than a 2000 pound rating I think. There are a number of small ute's with 3500 pound towing ratings (Santa Fe, Ford Escape, Dodge Journey etc), so if I can't get a proper truck I'll likely get one of those.

I haven't bought it yet but I'm looking for a 16' tiller or side console with a floor/casting deck etc and a 40-60 hp four stroke. I am guessing that will weigh under 2000 pounds.

I had Blizzak LM25's on my BMW and they are really great winter tires. But I agree with the other posters here regarding wear. I got 2.5 winters out of them and they were shot. I've got Michelin Primacy Alpin's right now and they're not quite as good in deep snow but much better on bare roads and on ice.

I loooove RWD, especially in the winter. I turn the traction control off and drive with the throttle - yeah I'm "that guy". I'll be sad to see the car go but the only other option I can think of is to pay for a slip somewhere which limits me to one lake all summer (if I did that I'd probably choose Balsam for the short drive there).

Lots of great advice here guys thanks. I'd like to get a 4x4 pick up if possible so I can launch anywhere anytime, but finances may not permit. And as an old (somewhat) wise man once said "you cant always get what you want". At least I know what I'm in for if I get a FWD/AWD SUV.

Saving to buy a boat next spring, which is going to require a new vehicle as well (mine won't tow anything). Just wondering if anyone uses a FWD vehicle for launching and how they've found it. AWD adds a few thousand $$$ so debating if I can get away with just FWD.... Appreciate any feedback.

That's what I read too. I will check those signs this weekend and I also sent an email to the MNR for clarification. Wonder if they will reply by Friday when I leave for Coby....

I've read the regs, including the exceptions for zone 17, many times and don't see what you're talkig about. Maybe you could share what you know with people asking for clarification?

I read the regs, and appears there has to be a fish ladder for it to be a sanctuary. Like I said I'll be there this weekend and will check the signs. I've never fished the dam, I have a few good shore spots on Balsam....

From what I have read in the Regs, the dam has to have a fish ladder to be a sanctuary. I'll be fishing in Coby again this weekend, I'll walk up to the dam and see what the signs say.

I was in Coby last night. I was fishing from the bridge because there was no more room on the damn dam! So whether it's illegal or not I don't know, but guys are still doing it.

I realize that the fish I put back are likely being kept by someone else anyways. All I can really do is my part though, sadly. The rest is out of my hands. Even sadder is that some experts are saying that over half of all the Earths animals (including fish!) have been killed in the last 40 years. I guess one day we'll be able to go to the "Anglers Museum" and show our kids what we used to do when there were fish in our lakes....

Thanks, Tim. Chris, I try to teach my Son right from wrong. One of the things I like to remind him of is that Integrity is what we do when no one is watching! I do keep the occasional (legal) fish for shore lunch, but I value conservation as this is my (our) Canada. This might be controversial to say here, but I often hear "locals" saying "it's all the foreigners ruining the lake!". Then I see the same guy return to shore 5 times, disappear inside for a minute and come right out again to "the spot". Wonder what he's taking to shore over and over again????

Not sure why my picture is showing twice? Anyways as an add on: As the evening wore on, the action slowed down, but I stayed for the scenery. The moon rose blood red, and twice I heard a pack of coyotes catch something in the forests nearby. I love the way they sound. My iPhone doesn't really take good night pictures, but the red moon with the mist rising off the water and the coyotes in the distance really made for a cool mood! Unrelated: I asked for advice on a Nipissing trip thread awhile back. The trip was incredible, and I have been lax in not thanking those of you who provided advice with a post full of pictures. I will get on that ASAP! Dutch

Hey guys, just a short report on my trip to Balsam on Saturday night. Fished from about 5:00pm to about 10:00pm. It was fairly slow, but caught some abnormally large rock bass and perch to keep us busy. I caught this little fellow after dark on a minnow under a lighted bobber: Measured at 20" even so had to put her back. Will be back up there a few more times before I'm through for the year, that was fun! Dutch

Bark Lake has absolutely massive walleye - I have seen plenty of 10+ pound fish come from there. You'll need good electronics though. The lake is huge and deep.