adempsey

Thanks for the report. Always nice to read about successful fishing trips. I have to say though, that looks like A LOT of gear lol!

Out of curiosity, did you ever see anyone else on the lake?? I believe there are a few other outposts, but not sure how close they are to the O'Sullivan outpost.

Definitely worms, but I frequently use plastics (especially ice fishing).

Gulp Alive Fish Fry 1"

Gulp Alive Waxies

Powerbait Maggots

Powerbait Honey Worms

Microtubes 1.5" - 2"

 

Thanks Rick. The jig is a weird one for sure. It's a 31/2" tail that I bought two winters ago at Tackle Warehouse. Can't remember what they called it but I can find out.

 

I used the same grub at Abbey last summer and it slayed the walleye.

I would guess its a Wave Tiki Grub in Sweet Potato Pie Swirl. I recall Tackle Warehouse selling a lot of the Wave plastics.

Great report! Looks like you guys had a fantastic time. With that small cabin, I wonder what it would be like if it rained all week? Lol.

I don't have anything useful to add, but wanted to say that I had smoked ribs for the first time this year and wow they were good! Our host on our fishing trip to Expeditions North this year was kind enough to make some ribs and pass a sample out to all of his guests. I am not a big fan of BBQ ribs, but the smoked ribs were outstanding. I'd probably consider buying a smoker just for making ribs.

Lake Ivanhoe is nice. Red Pine Lodge had a fairly large trailer park. Might be too far though.

Email sent.

edit: I think I've heard that music on a fishing video before?

Looks like a great family trip! Brings back some memories.

I saw a t-shirt that said "if fishing was easy it would be called 'your mom!'" lol

Lol!

I broke a St.Croix Premier rod last year, but I know I slightly damaged it a few months before and I broke it trying to get out of a snag. I still bought another one as I do like them. My father broke a Shimano Clarus a couple years ago when the fish suddenly took off under the boat and the rod hit the side of the boat and snapped. Basically, all graphite rods are fragile no matter what price range they fall in. Bang them around enough and I have a feeling they will start to get weak points.

I have also been using a Browning Medallion GT rod for over five years and really like it. So, I'd also consider getting one of the BPS brands (I think Browning is a BPS brand???) since they seem easiest to replace if something happens.

My favorite rod though is a GLoomis Walleye rod that I picked up earlier in the year on clearance. What a nice rod, although it's a 1 piece. I never thought I would feel a difference between it and my St.Croix rods, but after using it for the majority of time on my last trip and then switching back to one of my St.Croix set-ups they felt "clunky" and heavy. Definitely not what I expected.

Nice little report. Never get tired of reading about the fishing up there. Thanks!

I keep suggesting Limberlost Forest & Wildlife Reserce because it's a place I want to go to, but never have. It's just outside the park and offers trout fishing.

What type of fishing do you want to do? trout? bass? pike? Are you fishing from a boat? a canoe? or shore?

There are plenty of lodges on the lakes that surround the park. Just not too many inside the park. There are some cabins in the park that I believe you can rent, but I don't know much about them.

If it were me, unless I was specifically after trout or wanted to canoe, I'd probably just hit a Kawartha lake.

Did you look at the 3000? I think that's what you want. It's the same weight and gear ratio as the 2500, but holds more line and has the same drag as the 4000.

http://www.shimano.com/publish/content/global_fish/en/us/index/products/reels/spinning/Symetre_FL.html

I have two 3000's. I use these set-ups for casting cranks/spoons and trolling. The 2500's I use for everything, but mostly jigging, slip bobbers and lighter lures.

Paid $65 for a flat near Sault Ste. Marie a few weeks ago. I'd say $45 is a good deal.

Starbucks instant coffee. It also happens to be on sale at my local Superstore, so hopefully that's chain wide.

Ermahgerd, WEREFISH!!!

Nice report! I can't believe you brought a banana on board !!

I suggest you try golf.

I dunno. The last time Skinny went golfing it didn't turn out that great either.

So, the morning of his golf trip he got up at 5AM and started getting ready. Of course, he hadn't been golfing in over a year and when he put on his golfing shirt it was a bit small. All that fruit cake at Christmas had come back to haunt him. Not much he could do about it since it was the only golf shirt he could find.

After Skinny finished squeezing into his shirt, he looked down and noticed his dog was at his feet with it's leash in it's mouth. Of course, he was running late and just couldn't take him for a walk, but the dog kept insisting. He said no again and again, but his dog was pretty upset and bit him on the ankle, which upset an old college sports injury. A little A535 and he was good to go.

After a mostly uneventful 5 hour drive [they hit a skunk on the way up] he arrives at the golf course that Skinny and his buddy Frank had been planning to play for over a year to find that it's closed due to an army worm infestation. Of course, they would have known that if they had remembered to make reservations - each thought the other had done it. They decided this wasn't going to ruin their day, so, they pack up and head off to a different course about 10 miles north.

They arrive a short time later, unload and head in to see if there's a tee off time available. Of course,it was seniors day and it was booked pretty solid. Luckily, as they were talking to the golf superintendent the phone rang and there was a cancellation. However, it wasn't until 2PM, but they decided to wait it out since they came all that way anyway.

They head to the bar to have some food and watch some TV. They ordered some coffee and a sandwich and proceed to talk and watch Cricket, Pakistan versus India (that's all that was on). Frank asks Skinny why his shirt has the pink Nike symbol? Frank now realizes it was his wifes golf shirt, not his. Not long after, Frank starts to cough and wheeze; and his face gets puffy. What the heck is going on?? Turns out there was some kind of sesame paste or something on his sandwich and Frank is allergic. Luckily it's not a life threatening allergy and Frank takes some Benadryl and is OK. Of course, that didn't stop Frank from getting sick all over Skinny's new golf shoes.

A couple hours later their tee off time comes, Frank is feeling OK by now and they head off to grab their golf cart and proceed to the first hole. They get out and realize they forget their golf clubs. So, they head back to the car and grab them. Head back to the 1st hole and there's a group there. So, they have to wait. Of course the group just had to be four 100 year old ladies. After 20 minutes, they start their game.

Things go well for the first five holes, with the exception that it's probably the worst they've played. Probably a bit rusty since it's been a year and they just can't get their swings right. That's when Skinny realized he had brought the wrong clubs, they were his wife's! He knew he shouldn't have bought those damn matching golf bags. Oh well, he had to make do.

At this course, on they way to the sixth hole you have to pass over a bridge that spans a rather wide river. This course is known for it's difficult water hazards. So Frank, kinda loopy after that Benadryl and few cocktails, is booking along and suddenly a possum jumps out in front of them on the bridge! Frank swerves a bit, they hit the side, and Skinny's golf clubs (his wifes actually) go flying into the river. Normally you'd think it wouldn't be so bad to get it back, but like I said, this was no ordinary water hazard. They were gone for good.

Not much they could do so they decided to just share Frank's clubs and finish the nine. The next few holes were fine, but as they were heading to the ninth the wheel on the golf cart starts to make a clicking sound and SNAP, flies off! The cart tilts to the left and is now scraping the pavement sending sparks everywhere! The cart veers off the path into the trees and comes to a stop once it hits an old fallen log.

Frank and Skinny step out of the cart, a bit rattled, but OK nonetheless. Frank then yells "Skinny your shirt!". I don't what the chances are, but the sparks caused Skinny's shirt [his wifes actually] to catch fire. Skinny quickly put it's out, but now has a small hole right where the Nike symbol used to be. Then Frank yells out "OWE, damnit, WTH!". They look up around them and they are surrounded by angry hornets! The log they hit must of had a hornets nest in it! They quickly grab the golf clubs from the back of the cart and book it out of there with only a few stings.

They finish the ninth hole and start the 1kM hike back to the clubhouse. Of course, on the way Skinny steps into a hole and aggravates the same ankle as earlier that morning and has to limp back with Franks help the last half kilometer.

After an hour of walking they finally reach the clubhouse. What a relief! After dealing with an angry manager for over an hour and working out the payment for the cart they destroyed they finally head to the parking lot. At that moment, Skinny's face just dropped. He realized his wallet and keys were in the golf bag. The same bag that was now 40 feet under water. So, he has to call his wife to come bring the spare keys. She wasn't happy either because she was in the middle of her bridge tournament and was winning after a eight week losing streak.

In the end, the golf game cost Skinny:

- a set of golf clubs

- a $500 repair bill for the golf cart

- his wallet and keys

- a shirt

- a twisted ankle

- an angry wife

In all seriousness, days like that really suck and I am sorry that anyone has to go through them. I know it's cliche, but things could always be worse and will get better.

Maybe it's time for you to take a trip to Texas??

http://www.grindtv.com/outdoor/blog/33939/texas+fisherman+prevails+in+epic+battle+with+enormous+alligator+gar/

Camping, fishing, hiking and even photography are not really about the gear, but the experience. So, IMO, the best gift would be somehow enabling that.

I am not sure if you mean Lake Bernard in Sundridge or not, but if so, here is a map of the lake I found online. Not sure if that's what you were looking for?

Don't know much else about the lake as I've only fished it in the winter.

I've looked at those maps too, but would like something infront of me that I can write on etc.

You can print the one set. Just sayin'.

Looking forward to your report. I've only ice fished on Kashagawigamog, but always wondered how people did in the summer there. Don't forget to bring some musky gear

Also, never trust the long-term forecast. The day before at best, IMO.

You can get a free depth map here: http://www.anglersatlas.com/lakes/25177/

You can also browse a "demo" version of the TrakMaps depth map here: http://trakmaps.com/PrintedMapDetails.aspx?PM=5b2353d3-ee2a-4f47-8fa4-6253f7f02803

Good luck!

Great report! Loved the variety of pictures.