Jer

...I was trying for a pic worthy to send to Ottawa claiming twin 10 pounders...

Lots of dead carp still on Upper Buckhorn (and on Chemong according to my buddy). I hauled a few to the dump on Saturday. Out fishing yesterday, we saw a couple swimming that looked very sick, eyes hazed over, white blotches on the back, swimming very sluggishly, etc. For every 100 yards of shoreline...expect to see at least 5 or 6 floaters and lots just randomly floating in the wind. Most of the fish are big, I've only seen a couple that would be under 10 lbs.

My girlfiend's son, Brandon, & I went out last night for just a quick fish before dark. The wind had calmed down nicely so I was looking forward to a good topwater bite. I wasn't disappointed. I was throwing my favourite Pop'R (firetiger) while Brandon sped things up with a buzz-bait. The slower presentation of the popper seemed to be the key. While Brandon only managed one LM about a pound and a half, I must have caught at least a dozen bass (all LM) including these two beauties, both solidly over 4 lbs: In our haste to get out after dinner, we forgot the camera, so I brought them home in the livewell for some pics, both fish were safely released (hopefully to take up residence under my dock, lol). I've never caught two 4+ bass in one day before, never mind in less than an hour. Here's hoping for another calm evening tonight.

I've done alot of modifications already to get the boat to fit as best as possible. Raised the winch mast, moved the bunks as wide as possible, lowered the centre keel rollers as low as possible, added side guides, etc. The problem isn't really the length, the boat only overhangs the bunks by about an inch or two (all the boats I've had on it have been 16 footers, but much narrower and lighter rigs). It's more a problem of width and height. The boat sits up very high due to the keel rollers and crossmembers, rather than nicely cradled between the fenders. the boat also overhangs the wheels on each side by about 3". The whole rig looks kinda top-heavy and tipsy to be honest. Really a matter of too much boat...not enough trailer. Only 8" wheels as well, which I don't really like.

I think it's time for a new trailer for my boat. I've upgraded my boat twice since buying my first used boat package about 13 years ago. The problem is that I haven't upgraded the trailer and I think I'm really pushing it now with my current rig. 2004 Crestliner 1600 Angler... The trailer has mainly been used only for winter storage but I want to start to do some more trips to other lakes and really need a trailer that fits my boat better. I've found that it's a real pain to load at a steep ramp. We tried loading it unto my buddy's trailer that came with his Legend 1650 SportFish but my boat is wider and rubbed slightly on the fenders. I checked with the local Crestliner dealer, and a new trailer runs about $1800. I left my name in case any decent used units came in. Anybody here with a good trailer (of appropriate size, the boat is 16' with an 83" beam) that they're looking to get rid of?

Good to see you have a positive outlook...that alone should put some fish in the boat.

Funny you mention the eagle, Lew. Just yesterday, my neighbour and his wife were out for a boat ride in the afternoon and said they had seen an eagle on it's nest among the islands across the lake. I nodded and said how neat (and then whispered to my buddy next to me "osprey"). Where did ya spot the bird? Was it on Buckhorn near the passage thru the islands? The number of ospreys around lately is astounding...it would be great to see a few pairs of old baldy around as well.

I did very much the same thing to my Minn Kota a couple years ago. Motor left on continuous run (at low speed) while in the stowed position (my prop rests against the bow). At first I just thought I killed the battery, but after a good charge, the motor would only run at full speed no matter what the setting. After a call to Rocky's, I figgered out that the speed coil (potted in the bell housing of the motor) was pooched. A new bell housing (with speed coil) and shaft were ordered and after a couple hours of sweat, my motor was as good as new. There was no doubt about the damage once I had it apart. The expensive lesson I learned was always unplug the motor from the battery when not in use.

Peterborough got hit...but my girlfriend said there was nothing in Port Hope or Cobourg, so your guess is as good as mine. Probably doesn't matter anyway...today is a carbon-copy of yesterday. Every chance of severe storms again this afternoon...where they hit nobody knows.

The storms missed us here on Upper Buckhorn as well... My buddy and I were on my dock and watched the blackness pass by to the south, it got really windy for a bit, the temp dropped at least 5 degrees, lotsa rumbling thunder...and then it was gone...not a drop of rain. Was a beautiful evening for fishing (even though we only managed 2 small pickerel amongst a bunch of small crappie).

Must have been awhile Jud... The Park Hotel has been Burliegh Island Lodge for several years now and, unfortunately, Doug Wilson passed away a few years ago as well. The old coffee shop (open at 7AM) is now a tanning salon/spa. Stricker's and Trude's are still around. Some others to try: Emerald Isle Marina, Upper Buckhorn: 705-292-8452 Old Causeway Marina, Chemong: 705-292-5390 Good Luck!

Welcome to the "Holy Land"! Now you can be an "Ennismoron" as well! Maybe we'll see ya on the lake, I'm only about a mile or two to the west of you, just past Youngs Cove.

I renewed last May (06) for a 10 year term at 5.5%. I could have got 5 years at 5% but didn't want to gamble what rates will be in 2011. I also went with weekly payments rather then monthly, saves a huge amount of interest over the term. I'll be paid off a few months before my 10 years are up. Overall, I think I did pretty good on interest rates since I bought my house: 7.3% (5 year) in '96; 6.55% (5 year) in '01 and now 5.5% (10 year) in '06.

I've done some looking for tires for my truck as well (I also have BF Goodrich, Radial Long Trail on now and haven't been very happy with them). I think I'm going to go with the Michelin LTX when I buy. They seem to get very good reviews on all the tire sites and I've spoken to a few people with them on their truck and they couldn't be happier. They're not the cheapest, but good tires seldom are.

I don't know where you're trailer is, but things have certainly heated up on Buckhorn since the weekend. We were out last night and the water temp is up to 60F from 53 on the weekend. Water levels are also back up to normal levels. A few more fish to be found as well, we managed 5 keeper crappie and a big perch plus threw at least 20 crappie back along with the usual assortment of sunfish. We were only out for about 1 1/2 hours. The weekend should be dynamite...

I made the move to the lake about 11 years ago...and don't think I'll ever leave. Having grown up in the suburban hell of Mississauga...this is paradise. Don't worry about noisy jet-skis and snowmobiles. It really is only busy around here on the summer weekends. The rest of the time I sit on my dock and wonder where the heck is everybody? Of course, back in '96, prices were still a bit more reasonable. I paid $113,000 (though the house was listed at $139K) and could probably get at least $250K right now ($300K if I could put the fishing rod down and do some renovating). Your taxes won't be outta sight either. I was paying about $1450 in '96 and last year just over $2000 on a $218,000 assesment (Bridgenorth is the same township). I say, if you can afford the mortgage....go for it!

...my bad...

I don't think Durham is a town. More like a Region or County...includes Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, Bowmanville, Port Perry, etc. Maybe you need to be more specific.

Once I launch my boat later today, I'd like to make some adjustments to my trailer. I'd like to move the whole boat as far back on the trailer as possible to make for easier launching and loading. Everything will move, including the winch mast and the axle, to keep everything balanced as it is. Right now the boat overhangs the back of the bunks by only 2". How much is a reasonable overhang at the rear? The bunks themselves can be moved back about 6", the mast and axle at least two feet. The boat is a 16' Crestliner Angler 1600 with a 70hp 2-stroke on the back. Here's a pic of the rig...

$60 a face cord is definitely a good price. I just put my order in for next years wood...price has gone up again...4 bush cords, $240 a piece (last year was $225).

The ice on my part of Buckhorn blew out yesterday afternoon. Open water as far as I can see...

Rocky's Tackle Repair in Orillia is also an authorized service depot.

All I can say, is stay away from the Yard Works from CTC. I went through two brand new units in a couple years. Hit the smallest little stump and the crankshaft is bent, mower is garbage...costs more to replace the motor than the whole mower. After the last Yard Works crapped out, I went and bought a used LawnBoy for a $100. Hands down the best lawnmower I've ever had. 6.5hp but a 2-stroke which keeps the weight down. Cuts and mulches the longest grass I can find and never bogs down. Now I know why the new LawnBoys start at about $600.

You can mount a ball on the bumper (as Tracker said), though I think the bumper hitch is only rated as a class I. Any after market hitch is going to be minimum class III (it is a truck afterall). I bought a hitch (class III) from Bruce Fabricating in Peterborough a number of years ago for my 2001 Dakota. I believe it was about $120 plus about $50 for the 'plug-in' wiring harness. I installed it myself in about 1/2 an hour. Of course the truck was fairly new at the time so all the bolts were easy, you might need an impact wrench for a 7 year-old truck.

I bought a 1600 Angler (SC) a couple years ago. I don't know if it differs much from the FishHawk, but I couldn't be happier with the boat. Real solid feeling on the water and I love the smooth lines of the welded hull. I bought the boat (showroom model, hull only, no motor, no trailer) from White Water Marine (since gone out of business) for $7700 in the spring of 2005. I believe it is a 2004 model. What price are they asking for the FishHawk? My opinion, can't go wrong with a Crestliner...