Ramble

Floro is closer th the refractive index of water then mono is. That is what all the visibility clams are about. All my ice rods use floro or a floro mix. The abrasion resistance is nice.

Mono will absorb water and "swell". YOu can really notice the colour change in the green lines available if you have a reel spooled with it.

THe biggest advantage for those of us not on the tribs has more to do with durability. It's tough stuff, and doesnt take on water. I often use it as a leader material for my bass spinning outfit. Also made a couple worm harnesses outa some heaver floro, and then there is always the pike and muskey leaders made from the really heavy stuff.

It isnt some miracle line as the advertising would have you believe. It's one more tool in the tackle box of tricks. Can it benefit your catch...Yes, Sometimes.

-Dave

That maps is AWESOME. Thanks guys. I found a trip report on the site for that route.

"We paddled the small lake call Dove Lake and we started the biggest portage of the day a 2355m. This portage was one of the hardest of the entire week. This portage was very hilly, with terrible terrain like walking along a mountainside. The next two lakes, Shrew and Big Red were separated by a 545m portage that was a cakewalk...."

Sounds like the fishing isn't too bad in the area as well. Next up is hunting for a depth map for the lake.

-Dave

Flemming has some stuff as well. Weekend courses and things like that. The colleges are a good place to start. Most of them have sheet with the contact information for the various options.

Other then that i suppose you could just drop him off some where and wish him good luck lol.

-Dave

Dad and I booked our August trip into the park. We are trying a different destination this year. The McKaskill Lake Cabin. There is about 4700m of portages to get into it. It's actually more walking then paddling lol. Should be a good time if i don't stroke out on the way in. Gotta love new lakes, and new country side.

I was wondering if any of you have been into McKaskill lake or up the portages from Crotch into McKaskill. I've done the Crotch into Shirley lake portage, but haven't been through Ryan, Big Red and Shrew lakes.

Any info would be great on teh portages in. Likewise any fishing information is welcome as well.

-Dave

Welcome.

I can't improve upon the units suggested. These guys know more about sonar then i do. The brackets are nice. Suction cups are trouble even with a 9.9. I've seen lots of guy forget to take them off before then run to a new spot and loose the whole unit. The cheapest bracket option is to remove the suction cup and mount it on a piece of wood. Then clamp the wood to the back of the boat. Its a quick fix and works well. I know a few guys who use this method. I use it as well cause i need the suction cup for a the canoe.

I also prefer the hand held GPS to a unit based model. That's one of those "to each their own things".

-Dave

As an out-of-towner...i much prefer it. Just park in Oshawa, and hop on the GO. Makes my life a lot easier. Also gives me a reason to stop at Gagnon's on teh way lol.

I know the sportsman show "powers that be" weren't thrilled about the gun law the city passed. Almost right away i think they found a way to get what they want while showing the city they don't agree with the ban.

-Dave

i took my from scott/crossman's "freshwater fishes of canada". this is my bible.

AMEN!!!

-Dave

i've seen one hanging around the area between peterborough and lakefield since january.

Lew the juvies are brown for a few years before they get their white heads.

And goldens are HUGE. i've only seen 2, but the wingspan looked 5 feet or better. Impressive to say the least.

-Dave

I was surprised at how indepth that was. They did a good job with it. Winter pan fishing season would be GREAT!!!

I liked some ideas on slots and possession limits they had. Wish there was somthing more on protecting brookies tho. Next survey maybe lol.

-Dave

Give em a Parry Sound Severe, or a sharp blade inserted just behind the head bone.

Bonk on the head is the most humane hands down. Instant lack of consciousness. Just remember you're trying ti kill the fish. So hit it like you mean it, and hit it twice. Kill as soon is possible and put it on ice. Stringers lower the quality of the meat. The fish are stressed and they get a lactic acid build up in the muscles.

Kill'em and chill'em.

-Dave

red winged black birds and blue winged olives.

-Dave

Ok, tell the truth.........you name yours don't you?

I've got a good story for you sometime about a stickle back i named lol.

Sometimes they get named sometimes they don't.

-Dave

Those quick strike rigs with the 2 trebbles are illegl with live bait in Ontario. You can only have a max of 4 points when using live bait. A single and a trebble can be used. This season pike fishing i have ben having good luck with a small trebble just under the dorsal fin of a large minnow.

This convo happened else where the other day. The Regs have changed. They redefined what a "hook" is.

Here is how it stands now.

Hook – A hook includes a single-pointed or multiple-pointed hook on

a common shaft but does not include a snagger or spring gaff. The

number of hooks includes any single-pointed or multiple-pointed

hooks that are part of a lure.

Hooks and Lines – An angler may use only one line, unless

otherwise stated in the regulations. Two lines may be used when

angling from a boat in parts of the Great Lakes (see Exceptions

to the General Regulations) and for ice fishing in many areas

(see Ice Fishing, page 11). A fishing line must not have more

than four hooks attached.

Shiners can be a bit of a pain, but they do alright short term. I had some for a month and a bit. The tanks temperature will average out to that of the room. The temp shouldnt surpass their upper tolerance in most peoples homes. Just keep the tank away from furnace vents and windows. If you stay on a steady cycle of new water for the shiners it helps as well. Keep 2 buckets filled with water. The frozen water bottle is a good technique if temp is a problem.

If you're on city water let it sit about 12-24 hours before putting the water in the tank. As far as the filter goes, don't use anything that will kill bacteria on it. Rinsing off the screen...(or whatever your filter has) with simple tap water quickly is good enough. You dont want to kill the bacteria on it. They take the ammonia outa the water.

Some species do better then others....as mentioned earluer. Central mud-minnows, and shiners i have found to be the most difficult to keep. The former is worse then the latter. Most of the dace are nice and easy. Longnose dace and pearl dace are acceptions as they prefer cold water. Redbellies do pretty good, and blacknose dace do the best. Creek chub and blunt nose are pretty simple. Tolerent of warmer water temps and are very versitile to habitat types. Sticklebacks are easy as well but don't last overly long. 6 moths at the most. They are a riot tho. The have a lot of personality as far as minnows go and are really entertaining.

Suckers do well as do central stonerollers, but you need small versions. If they are to big they dont do nearly as well.

If you're using minnows from teh minnow store watch of for disease. I can't tell you the number of times ich has showed up in my tank from minnow shop shiners.

-Dave

ooooooh yeah. No problem. I have some right now...over a month they've been in their. I had a black nose dace for 2 anda half years...then my cat fish ate him lol.

-Dave

If you need to talk about it we can always hed to the Olde Stone for a pint lol

-Dave

very, very soon lol. River and streams should be clear....then another week or 3 depending on temps. April 1st for the trout lakes in Bancroft at the latest.

-Dave

It depends on how active they are. The should be hunting for heat at some part of the day. If they are basking in the sun they might be slow even if you can spot them. Afternoon is probably your best bet. You're looking for shallow flats with old weed growth with access to deep water. If you can find a creek mouth even better. Try the flat, then try the drop then try the bottom of the drop. If they are slow they will move off the drop and lay on bottom.

Try the storm swim baits and hollow body swim baits. Keep them moving...the tail action is what catchs their interest. Baits like your huskey jerk should work well also. Slow moving spoons like the williams trouphy of wobbler sized 50 or 60 work well. Take off the treble add a sturdy single and jam 3 or 4 inch twister tail on it....it's deadly.

If you think they are holding on the bottom start jigging. Regulat pink, orange, white, chartruse twister tails can trigger a hit even when they are really slow. Another option is a white double twister tail. Jigged or swimming it near bottom.

Play around a bit. If you find that they are slow....they you need to sloooooooow down you attack. That often means going smaller as well...more often then not. Don't ignore creek mouths either. There is a chance the water is a little warmer and its carrying food. Pike might be in the area. If you can find a spot where the current runs our over a drop you should be in buisness.

-Dave

Soooo.... they take Visa right? lol

-Dave

catching brookies from the canoe casting shortly after ice out is my favourite time of year.

Let me know when you wanna go lol

-Dave

If the canoe will float it's time to go. This is some of the most fun you will have all year in a canoe. You can go way back into flooded forests in some places in the spring. Last year the Moira was awesome.

Ice out trout are another good option. Just try and avoid the ice coming down river.

-Dave

Most places will be locked up in ice still. Out side of the park is your only option, and that is gonna be icy at best. However a walk at Ragged Falls is always awesome this time of year. Might be able to get a cast in their as well. The park is on the North Side of the road just past Oxtongue lake a ways before you even reach the park. Check it n a map. Really impressive water fall.

-Dave

Thanks. i haven't played with rabbit fur yet. I have trouble finding it at a reasonable price. I have a short 8/9 weight i use with them. need to upgrade tho. It's toooo short. Makes for a lot easier packing, but i don't get the distance i want with it. However i dont really have the money for a new fly rod right now. I'm looking at shot guns and that will pretty much be the end of my spending for a while. Can't wait to get out tho.

-Dave

Here is a few i tied when i was in a Maribou phase a while back.

I really can't wait to get out smallie fishing

-Dave

Ahhhh canoes. Some good points have been raised above. It really all depends what kind you want out of it. Flat bottomws are more stable then round. Fiberglass tends to get heavy fast on portages. Aluminum are good and can take a pounding. kevlar is light but expensive. My dad's is a Swift Kipawa. Maybe 10 years old. 46 pounds and paddles really well. Test paddleing is a MUST. Stay away from those coleman plastic scows. It's like trying to paddle a barge. Huge pain. You can make a trip up to huntsvill area...maybe stay at the Blue Spruce in for the weekend with the significant other and hit up a bunch of the best canoe manufatorers and see Algonquin. Swift is right on oxtougue lake and they expect you take them for a ride. If you go up for the weekend in May, you can even get some trout fishing in lol.

Oh if you go with a nice Kevlar canoe....wood gunnels look a lot nicer....but maintainance is a problem. THe aluminum is no-work required.

-Dave