adempsey

...and here I thought you were quiet because you had work to catch up on! I missed my fall trip this year and it's my favorite time to be out on the water. Thanks for the pics, videos and report! Was a welcome read.

I could see my breath just looking at those pics!

What exactly does "greased out" mean anyway? You Steelheaders and your funny lingo.

Those are some nice fish! Why do I always feel like you're trying to hand the fish to me through my screen though? Lol.

(nice bird photos too!)

Not just your normal turnover algae??

Looks like a great time!

Not too sure about fishing from shore (fished from shore on Rice Lake in Bewdley once....wasn't very successful), but there are many lakes within 2 hours of Peterborough for ice fishing. Lake Simcoe being among the best.

I haven't had an issue with the straps at all, Lew. I find they work great on everything from my hikers, to waders, to my great big size 14 baffins. Never had them come off, or become uncomfortable. They do add a substantial amount of extra weight to your boots, though. I've had mine for 4 or 5 seasons now with no issues at all, and I put lots of miles on them too. I wear them at work when its slick as well.

Same experience. I have Baffins as well and use the HT brand. They work, but man are they HEAVY....especially when you walk out on the ice dragging all your gear behind you.

I'd check out the Lee Valley ones (or others) first to see if they are lighter.

Haven't been fishing on the lake from a boat, but used to live in the area. I think a lot of the water access is in the town of Mitchell's Bay.

There is also Deerbrook Marina in St.Joachim, Cove Marina in Lighthouse Cove and Belle River Marina in Lakeshore.

Have a good one!

I think the bigger question will be if you can even find one to buy!

Nice unit though.

I ended up buying a pop-up hut and portable heater so I had more options. So now, I can rent a winterized cottage and fish in comfort. Of course, for whatever reason I am rarely even inside the hut! It's more for my buddies to use since they don't always have the best clothing for -30 conditions.

I also go away for a few weekenders every winter. I've tried quite a few places, but what I've found is that there are not many lakes that have cottage+hut rentals - at least south of Nipissing. We've often just stayed at a hotel/motel and hit a lake or two in the area. Somewhat surprising and unfortunate if you ask me. One of the few places that I have come across [with the exception of Nipissing and area] that offers cottages+hut and walleye fishing is Leisure Cottages on Oak Lake (FMZ 15). I have never been there nor do I know what the fishing is like. I was thinking about going there this season though.

It be nice to know what you end up deciding on.

Good luck!

Pfffft...we'll always have TOFACON!!

If you don't like tent camping, you could always look into the Ranger cabins that they rent. Don't know much about them though, but have always been interested. Yurts have also piqued my interest [although mostly for winter camping], but again, I have not used one.

Nice! Thanks for the report. Never would have imagined catching a fish like that from shore.

Thanks for the report. It really is beautiful up there. We normally head up for a fall trip every year but I haven't organized anything yet. However, our fishing success is usually quite poor much like your first week. Nice to see it picked up for you! I remember reading your reports from previous years, keep it up!

Beautiful place! I have a feeling if you brought a rod and fished a puddle after a rainstorm you would catch something. Don't know how you always seem to do it

Did you go up to shut it down for the winter? I am actually surprised a fishing nomad such as yourself even owns a cottage+boat.

Thanks again for the report!

Best bet is somewhere in Quebec as mentioned.

Otherwise, you're going to have to give something up from your criteria.

Whichever one has a zoom feature. Don't recall models since it's been a long time since I looked.

If you fish Simcoe for both perch and lakers, the tri-beam might offer some benefits, but a single angle beam would probably do just fine.

ive always been intrigued by this fly in type of adventure....and now reading mike's epic report has put this need in high gear....thanks mike!!

 

but ive always wondered ...what would one need to spend on a decent to good outfitter...

 

i guess you do get what you pay for.....

 

just curious...

I am pretty sure you can fly to an outpost with sound boats/motors, decent service, reasonable accommodations and excellent fishing for $700-$725 per person. I'd say the good majority of outposts run $850 to $900 per person though. There are of course more deluxe outposts as well that run over $1000 per person. Also, the distance you need to fly will play a BIG role in the cost. A trip to Eddies North is about $1500 per person, but that's most likely because it's a relatively long flight (1.5 hours or so?).

Walmart and Canadian Tire usually have them. Could always put three 1 ounce ones together, but I don't know what you're doing so....

You really should consider a one piece rod if you're going to drop that much money. Otherwise, I am not sure if the advantages of the higher priced 2 piece rods outweigh the advantage of a one piece.

My personal preference for rods are St. Croix and G Loomis. New models are coming out from St.Croix for 2013, so it might be possible to pick the older models up at a great price. I'd shop around.

If I were shopping for a walleye jigging rod I would look at:

G Loomis Walleye

WJR752S or WJR752S GLX 6' 3" Fast Action Medium Power

I actually purchased a WJR752S in the summer for a great price. Excellent rod.

St. Croix Legend Tournament Walleye

LTWS63MXF 6'3" X-Fast Action Medium Power

St. Croix Legend Elite

LES63MXF 6'3" M Power X-Fast Action

For two piece rods, I'd probably consider:

St. Croix Legend Tournament Walleye

LTWS66MLF2 6'6" Fast Action Medium-Light Power

St. Croix Avid

AVS66MLF2 6'6" ML Power Fast Action

AVS66MF2 6'6" M Power Fast Action

St. Croix Legend Elite

LES66MLF2 6'6" ML Power Fast Action

LES66MF2 6'6" M Power Fast Action

However, I don't know if I would spend more than $100-130 on a two piece rod.

If you end up lowering your budget, I think the St. Croix Eyecon series is really nice.

St. Croix Eyecon

ECS63MXF 6'3" M Power X-Fast Action One Piece

ECS66MLF2 6'6" ML Power Fast Action Two Piece

Most of my rods are St. Croix Premiers though.

St. Croix Premier

PS66MF2 6'6" M Power Fast Action Two Piece is a good all around rod.

Closest = Stanton Air

Cheapest (7 days) = Air Mont Laurier, Pourvoirie Les As de Parent or Jesmer Outfitter

I read that report again (worth a second read), and all I have to say is "You had me at Bitburger."

Thanks for putting together that MEGA report and taking us along on your adventures. Definitely an amazing trip that many of us will never have the opportunity to experience.

I can't believe Bill ate fish even though he is allergic! Luckily he didn't go into anaphylactic shock! Definitely not the place for that.