adempsey

I use Teksavvy cable. They offer both DSL and cable. You don't really need it to be the fastest down speed either. The 3-6Mb should be just fine for NetFlix, but faster doesn't hurt. IMO, Teksavvy offers what I would consider a fair service. They aren't anything spectacular, BUT compared to what else is out there, it's one of the best options.

Here's a link to the really nice and free Algonquin Park map by Jeffrey McCurtrie. Many of the lakes are marked with fish species.

I liked the 6lb+ Floroclear, but not the 5lb and less.

Salus Marine is another company you can check out.

I also purchased the Cabelas Guidewear last winter since it was such a great price, but haven't used it yet so cannot comment - you'll will find a ton of great reviews though. I think any of the aforementioned brands make good rain gear and wouldn't hesitate to buy any of them. If it were me, the main factors would be price and warranty - not the specific brand. For example, BPS typically has an excellent warranty on their products, but I couldn't find the info on the rain suit.

Check out the four lodges on Lady Evelyn Lake - Island 10,Garden Island and Red Pineall have American Plans; and Ellen Island Camp has housekeeping.

I would just hit somewhere in the Kawarthas. I know Rice Lake has plenty of nice places and the fishing can be good. I prefer to fish on Pigeon Lake though, but there aren't as many places my wife would actually stay at so I've been to Rice more often

http://www.ricelakecanada.com/resort_finder.htm

French River is a beautiful system though, but I'd consider Bryer Lodge over Wolesley. Just a bit nicer place IMO. I am hoping to do a fall trip to Flat Rapids Camp on the Lower French this year. If I were to go longer than a weekend, I'd probably hit one of the boat-in camps.

http://www.frenchriverresorts.com/

Many people use pool noodles or the Lindy Snell Holder and put those in a Plano box. Works well, but not very compact. I've seen others use a piece of insulation styrofoam sheeting as well.

I picked up some of those Plano harness boxes not that long ago, but didn't really like them much. Just not compact enough for me.

In the end, I just use the small baggies from the dollar store. Very light and much more compact.

If you want either a Lindy Snell Holder or one of those Plano harness boxes I will send one to you if you pay the postage. I have no use for them.

Well, hopefully they make the prices more competitive as well because stock selection isn't their biggest problem.

I've been using a spin bubble on my spinning gear to cast out flies for pike. The spin or casting bubble is basically a bobber you fill with water that gives you the weight to allow you to cast a fly. I went this route as I didn't want to spend more money on a set-up that I might not use as often as I would like. So far, it's worked pretty well for pike (i.e., large flies), but I haven't tried fishing with smaller flies yet. Anyway, might be worth trying this approach out first.

The type of spin bubble I use. There are other types as well.

Example of a setup. The bubble is on backwards though.

For the leader, I have been using TyGer or Cortland Toothy Critter tie-able leader.

For flies, I picked up a bunch from Reelflies.ca like these. Started making my own now though - pike aren't picky.

Justin Hoffman has an article in the April OOD magazine about fish metabolism and water temp.

I was sitting here trying to remember where I saw that temperature table recently. Spent the last 20 minutes going through bookmarks, lol.

Anyway, here is a table showing active temperatures for various fish:

http://www.outdoorlife.com/weather/water

Personally, I like the Kawartha Lakes area for weekenders. They are close (1.5 to 2 hours from Toronto), have decent fishing and the accommodations/boat rentals are reasonably priced.

Check out Rice, Pigeon, Chemong, Sturgeon, Upper and Lower Buckhorn, Stoney, Balsam, Jack and Cameron Lakes.

Whole bunch of possibilities listed here: http://www.400eleven.com/getaways-romantic.html#quietbay

I've been to some of the larger places like Red Leaves and Taboo. They are nice and have good food, but are also very big and busy. If you want to golf though, these types of places are great.

Anyway, I thought these two looked nice.

http://www.cedargrove.on.ca/index.htm

http://www.trilliumresort.com/

If you believe Fish-Online, it indicates Lake Trout, Bass and Perch. The MNR regs have exceptions for lake trout on Davis as well, so maybe there's some in there still.

I mostly use swivels. I have no idea if it impacts the action of the lure or not, but I still catch fish. Maybe I would do better without them, who knows? I'd probably tie directly [to stickbaits at least] if I didn't switch lures so often and wasn't so lazy about it : However, I would love to see some underwater video showing the difference in action on various lures to see if using a swivel makes a difference in lure action; or using different knots like the Rapala versus the Clinch. Anyone have an empty long aquarium and a video camera???

Many lures come with O-rings and snaplocks pre-attached as well......

Can check these places out. Not sure what's open though.

http://www.ricelakecanada.com/amenities.htm

Either fly-in to a remote destination or drive as far Northwest into Ontario as you can.

You might be able to find someone on the Kipawa board with info since it's in the Kipawa ZEC. Looks like a nice camp though.

Personally, I never had much luck with pike on Lady Evelyn Lake the times I went (July and August trips). It was disappointing actually [the walleye and smallmouth fishing is great though!]. We fished [what I would consider] textbook locations and never really caught that many. We experienced the same thing on Horwood Lake. Maybe we're doing something wrong, I dunno. We did have much better luck on Ivanhoe Lake though, although the lake did have more ideal weed beds to fish for pike.

I'd suggest looking at the boat-in outposts on Ivanhoe Lake from Red Pine Lodge and Air Ivanhoe. Nice jumbo perch in the lake too. It's possible they aren't good choices for a party of 2 though.

Although we didn't have spectacular fishing on Horwood last year, I still think the lake is a great location; and others have done well there for walleye. The price at Horwood Lake Lodge is a great value for what you get. Horwood Outpost is another place to consider - although not quite as nice as Horwood Lodge, I think it's in a better location for fishing.

Good luck!

I have been viewing the planets with my telescope on and off for the past couple of weeks. Venus is incredibly bright. At first I thought it was Jupiter. You can also see Mars and Saturn quite clearly, but Saturn doesn't come out until later in the evening.

This site is great if you want to watch some live video broadcast from amateur astronomers

http://www.nightskiesnetwork.com/

Some of them are quite good.

Looks like he's had some great times! Nice video and Happy Birthday!

Ice fishing is generally fairly safe if you use your head and follow some simple rules. The thing is, people have been fishing that area on Simcoe for quite some time and I am sure those anglers thought today wouldn't be any different. I am sure they all knew that fishing in that area so close to open water wasn't particularly safe...but, nothing happened last week or the week before, right? People take those sort of risks every day. Ever drive down the 401? Half the people are doing 140km/h+. If that's not dangerous for them and everyone else on the highway, I don't know what is.

Personally I have not fished for whitefish/trout on Simcoe at all this year because I am not at all comfortable fishing in Kemp bay with open water to the east on the main lake. It was just a matter of time before the wind pushed that ice out. I am surprised it hasn't happened sooner.

Anyway, I am glad everyone was returned safe and there were no unfortunate mishaps with the emergency personnel.

oh yeah, I'm sure the Brace Lk outfitter will give you maps/ spots/ advice etc., but if you're into it, get a copy of "Northern Ontario Fishing Guide" by Hines, Herringer and Jensen (I've seen it at Lebarons), good reading and they have a map with spots and report for Ara/ Meta/ Brace, it'll get you really pumped up

I'll second that book. It's a bit dated, but still valid and one of my favorites.

It also works in the other direction and is why you don't microwave purified water.

I'll be the first to admit that I am a horrible lover and a horrible fisherman. How else could I justify all the time I spend practicing?