paulyboy83

I'm pretty sure the Waltonian suffered some severe damage this summer in a big storm we had in Callander. Stay away from the Mosey. All you'll catch there is stuff you'll need to see a doctor about.

Auld Reekie Lodge in Gowganda is a great place to go. They have several species specific back lakes that require little to no portage. One that is all pike, one bass, on mixed species and one walleye. Meal plan is excellent and you will not leave the dining room hungry. In fact, I'd be surprised if you left the dining room with your plate empty. Hosts Urs and Dianne Brunner and their family are exceptionally accomodating and friendly. I have been to this lodge many times over the last 8 years and have always had a good time.

"0n the Bows....was told Excalibur is good and local Canadian with good warranty....but hear that Ten Point bows are even better though a bit more expensive....that is why I was asking where can I find good heavily discounted deals on this stuff." I had an opportunity to shoot both the ten point and an older excalibur this summer. I won't say that the ten point is crap. Probably work for what you want but I did find this; Ten point was louder, heavier and slower (shot through the chronograph at 28 fps slower than the excalibur). Excalibur is great with less working parts.

It's funny. I know a lot of Sport anglers that have said its been one of te best years that they can remember. The only ones complaining that they aren't catching as much are the gill netters. Would it stand to reason that if you net the same area long enough you might deplete the population of fish. If the anglers are returning to their hotspots and having success still I would seriously doubt that it more the fault of the sport fisherman than the commercial fisherman. That being said, I believe all of us play a part and all of us should be working together to maintain the population of walleye as so many people depend on that for their livelyhood.

Just got back from the government docks on Nip. It's frozen as far as I could see out but did not look like safe ice to say the least. It's going to be a stretch for safe ice for the 1st in my opinion. Unless we get solid cold days and nights over the next couple of weeks. It's a start and it gives me hope but I wouldn't hold your breath on it happening.

I'd call Joss at Angling Outfitters in Woodstock and reserve one. They don't last long in there and sell out fairly quick. I've got a 4.5" I bought from there 3 yrs ago. Best investment I've made so far. Now I need a bigger one with Nippissing right on my doorstep. It might be hard squeezing the walleye and pike through a 4.5" hole.

Rod Caster, I just moved up here this summer and have been looking to get out into some of the back lakes in search of bigger pike. If you're ever in need of a stronger set of arms to help you haul your sportspal in, I'd be up for the challenge. There's a lake here I'll keep unamed, that I've been itching to get into. I drove all but the last 2 km and would probably need a chainsaw and a second set of hands to make the last part of the trek in. PM me if you want. PB

I was down there last Friday and not even a sniff. Should be any time but next weekend the derby starts and it will be shoulder to shoulder down there for a few weeks.

That's too bad about the camera but sure does give you an excuse to get a new one! lol How much are they selling for at Future Shop? I've been contemplating purchasing one for just such reasons. PB

Great topic! My first child is due the end of July. Just happens to be a little girl coming our way. I have already told my wife, as soon as the baby is old enough to hold up her head on her own I'm sticking her in the carrier and taking her to the river to do some casting! She thinks I'm a bit nuts but knows there is no stopping me. I figure I can inundate her with the smells, sounds and sights at an early age and have a great fishing partner for a long time! PB

I had a 98 Saturn. Biggest piece of crap I ever owned! The rough idling could be the engine coolant temperature sensor. Relatively inexpensive fix, located on the side of the block. Mine went and I had to actually push the gas pedal to start it. Short time later, tranny went. Apparently a common breakdown on these cars. Tried 3 different trannies from the wrecker before the tranny shop told me to come and get the car and don't come back. They were getting sick and tired of pulling the motor out and putting it back in. Drove the piece of crap home in D1 at 25 km and called Teen Challenge Farm and donated it to them. They came and picked it up and gave me a charitable donation receipt for $900 to use on my income tax. Best thing to come of that heap! PB

There are definitely some decent pike in there. I would try Gilmour bay at the south end of the lake and fish the narrows coming out of Gilmour Bay fairly hard. We see a number of big ones down there cruising around. Try the north end of the lake as well. There is a big shoal marked out by three buoys up there that is magnificant structure for feeding fish. You will probably hook quite a few smallies at this time of the year as they are protecting their nests and nailing anything that comes near. Hope this helps and make sure to post your results when you get back. PB

Try spooling up then remove the spool and place it in a bowl of water for the night. My initial response would be to switch to braid with a fluorocarbon lead.

I've been up there many, many times in the last 3-4 years. I have never stayed with Lookout Point Camp but stay exclusively with Auld Reekie right next door. The fishing on the main lake can be tough at times as the fish are well fed and it is a fairly long lake with tons of areas to cover but they can be had in May. Try the river that runs into the main lake from Stumpy (ask the owners and they'll point you in the right direction). Fish the shorelines at the mouth and then if you carefully make your way up to the falls the fishing in that area has produced some decent fish for us as well. Hangingstone is a fabulous bass lake. You can't beat the fish off with a stick up there. Try working the points and shorelines casting #4/#5 blue fox spinners or Big O type crankbaits. Obushkong lake is my favorite. Bass, pike and walleye. Your best bet in May would be to head straight north to the top of the lake and fish the emerging weed beds at that end with spinners/spinner baits and we always have fantastic luck with the pike on frog baits. If you feel adventurous, the Montreal River runs into Obushkong at the top and it has some great fishing in it as well. Longer boat ride but we have boated and lost some real decent pike, walleye and bass up there. Stumpy Lake is an excellent walleye lake. You must endure an extremely rough ride (decent 4X4 needed with no running boards unless you want to lose them) 4km up a rocky rutted trail. At a comfortable speed it will take you 45 min to cover the 4 km. Trolling Big O type baits is our best producing method in this lake. PM me if you'd like any more information. The lodge next door also operates as a restaurant with excellent food if you don't feel like cooking one night. If you do a search on here of "Gowganda" you may come across a post or two that I've made in the past. Here's one of the pike to come out of the main lake. PB

Large minnows on a quick strike rig will work for them I tend to keep them about 2 ft off the bottom on the edge of a "green" weedline. As well, whole smelt from the grocery store (check your regulations to make sure this is legal in the body of water you are fishing) work the same way. Set the drag real loose on the rod and sit back and wait, just remember to tighten the drag when you go to set the hook. Also works well under a tip up style unit. PB83