wjw

We stay at the Flamingo on the strip. It is a little older but the rooms are clean and priced reasonably. I like the location as you are pretty much in the center of activity and when you step out the casino you are on the strip. Other hotels such as Caesar's are designed to discourage you from leaving. It probably takes you 10 minutes from the time you leave Caesar's until you hit the strip sidewalks. This is despite the fact that they are located directly across from the Flamingo. We always rent a car at the airport and the location of the Flamingo's parking garage allows you to avoid the strip traffic and access the less traveled backroads. It really is a time saver. Even if you are staying elsewhere, try the Flamingo's breakfast buffet. It is outstanding. My wife and I are not big gamblers but really enjoy Vegas. We usually end up taking a side trip somewhere. It's not uncommon for us to spend two days in Vegas, take a side trip for a couple of days, then return for several more before departing. You can be at the beach in California in 5 hours or Bryce Canyon in Utah in 3.5 hours. If you have never seen Bryce it is spectacular.

Got back Saturday from ny annual trip to the Upper French. The mosquito's were as bad as I have ever seen them and that goes back to the 70's. I am usually a stickler for closing the cabin door quickly. It got so bad that there were as many leaving as there were trying to get in. I even got bit while taking a shower. On the positive side, the black flies were not an issue this year and the UF was as beautiful as ever.

Was rooting for the U.S. gals but if they couldn't get the gold I'm glad the Canadians did. Really some outstanding hockey. The Americans tried not to lose it instead of trying to win it. Sort of like the prevent defense in football. Enjoy your victory.

Bushy23: How was your week of fishing?

For those using an open fishing boat you may want to add eyewash, a small mirror, and clear safety glasses. These pretty much elimates the "bug in the eye" problem associated with small boats.

Yes I do. We have limited pike fishing in Ohio but have access to some of the best walleye anywhere. Pike is a true sport fish and in my opinion, as tasty as walleye or perch. My trip to the Upper French each year is as much about the beauty/history of the region as it is about the fishing. If you are a local, appreciate what you have because it is priceless.

Got back late last night from my annual trip to the Upper French. We fish strickly for pike and fishing was off. The pike I did catch were down deep in the weeds. I used a count down before starting my retrieve which allowed lure to get into the zone. There were very few weeds to be found near the surface. Our group of three did catch 5 accidental muskies. All coming off shoals or coastline rock. We talked to other groups that were fishing for walleye and they told us that fishing was better than normal. The water level was just about normal for spring. The water temperature was 61 to 63 degrees in open water and around 67 in the bays. Black flys and mosquitoes were not an issue and only mildly aggressive one time near sunset. We had windy conditions 4 of the 7 days but that is about par for the spring. Wednesday and Friday were two very tough days of fishing with steady afternoon rain and temps in the mid to upper 50's. Monday was the warmest at near 80 and my most productive fish day. The open fire ban was still in effect when we left on Saturday morning. a word of caution for the night time commuters. Keep alert. In New York state I had two deer step out on the highway and then turn and bolt as I slammed on the breaks. If they had not changed direction, I would have surely hit them. Elsewhere in NY state, underneath a bridge, I hit about 3 or 4 inches of water on the road that fished tailed/hydoplaned my car. I just barely was able to keep control. The standing water was from a storm that had passed through just prior to my arrival.

Bushy, thanks for the info and the link. I will post the particulars from my trip but it sounds like you will be fishing by the time I arrive home. Capt, good info. Do you know if the lilacs are in bloom in the area? I have for years used this as a gauge. Fishing really seems to take off when the purple flower shows it face.

If you have friends that cross the border to hit the casinos you can make arrangements to buy their currency, thus avoiding the service fee.

Heading up on Friday for the week. Would appreciate any info on water level, water temp, weed growth, black flys, etc.

Andy, thanks for the detailed response and to everyone else that contributed. Something that I should have added in the first post is that we rent our boat, alternate days of driving, and share all the expenses. Under the belief that I was in compliance, the alcohol was not an issue and totally his personal choice/risk. Any suggestion to keep it back in the cabin was simply for the purpose of saving him the expense/trouble. Now that the drivers responsibility has been clarified, something has to change.

We fish Ontario every year,coming in from the states. Years ago I would take a few beers out on the water when I wasn't driving the boat. I stopped that practice when the authorities began cracking down. I have a fishing buddy that refuses to leave the alcohol back in the cabin. I keep telling him that it is only a matter of time until he is spotted or checked. He just flatly refuses to leave the booze behind. I for years had thought that I was not violating any of the drinking laws because I was not drinking. Recently, someone told me that by driving the boat I also was in violation. This person added that with a conviction, I could be banned from coming back into the country. Hence, no more fishing trips or vacations there with my wife. Does anyone know what the law is?

I just got back from a week on the Upper French/Nipissing. I was fishing for pike but also caught three walleye on spinner baits. I caught the walleye off the West end of Sandy Island earlier in the week. I fished the same area again on Friday after a two day blow. The water, which was very clear earlier in the week, was muddy and debre filled from the wind & waves. I only spent a half hour there on Friday with very little action. Good week overall. I caught 3 accidental muskies and heard of two others being caught. I also heard of a 43" pike being caught out of Twilight Bay (Off the French). The pike fishing was good. My thoughts on the boat operator test is that it is a gigantic waste of time and is an unneccessary burden on the tourist. What's next, a swim test before being allowed on a beach? With the cost of travel skyrocketing, the powers to be would be wise to drop this test.

Thanks for the info. Are the lilacs in bloom yet? I have found over-the-years that fishing picks up when the lilac bloom takes place? Sort of strange but past notes support it.

Several questions...... I am heading up next week to fish Nipissing and the Upper French. Has the lake recovered from last years low water level? Are shore lunch fires permitted this year? Is the spring bloom running behind the norm? Thank you.

I try to stay away from politics but I've heard Obama say twice that he feels a good price for gasoline is $5.00 a gallon. He feels that this would put the U.S. more in line with the rest of the world. If he truely believes this he is a fool. If you want to kill the ecomony, raise gasoline. It affects everything. Goldman Sacs, which has very close ties to Obama, is the prime "driver" of rising gas prices. They make a prediction as to where oils futures are headed and oil shoots up $3.00 a barrel. There is no oil shortage. The big money is controlling the futures market (George Soros & friends). When they get the prices high enough, they dump their holdings and screw the small investor. If the futures market was required to take possession of the product they were speculating on, the problem would be solved. My $.02

Drock, fun thread. In the early eighties my brother had a new rod/reel slip out of his hand while trolling in fairly deep water on the Upper French. He helplessly watched it sink to the depths. The water was very choppy and it was near dark so he decided to accept his loss and we headed back to the cabin. That night he and I called our mother to say hello and check on her. My brother mention that he had lost his rod. My mother, being a strong Chistian woman, said that she would pray to Saint Anthony (patron saint of lost causes) that we find the rod. We both chuckled and explained to her that it was long gone. She insisted that we have faith and she would pray. Several days later we were coming back in near sunset and the river was like glass. As we passed the area were the rod was lost I asked my brother if he wanted to cast for it with heavy spoons and he said no. Back in the cabin I brought up the rod again and my brother and our two fishing buddies all agreed it was long gone. Although I agreed, I mentioned to my brother that we owed it to mom because there was no doubt she was doing her part. We grabbed a high powered light and headed back out. Our two buddies had a good laugh and gave us a "gooood luck" wish. Back at the sight we cast heavy spoons and after 5 minutes snagged a line. My brother pulled of all the line and brought in the rod that he lost. He was estatic. On the other end of the line was his FLOATING lure. We did not even consider the lure which would have enabled us to locate the rod. Back at the cabin there were two stunned buddies when we came through the door. It was safe to say that St. Anthony gained 4 new fans that day. When we called mom and told her the good news, she said she knew we would find it. Great memories.

I have talked with Mike from Lunge Lodge several times. It sounded to me like they have adjusted well to their new role and the lodge has not suffered. They are from the Cleveland Ohio area and seem dedicated to making Lunge a quality place. If memory holds correct, I believe they have a construction backround which is helpful. They seem to be shuttling a good number of people back and forth to their dock at Dokis. I wouldn't hesitate to book with them. I was sorry to read about the Brian and Liz split, they are both good people.

I checked my notes from our 1999 trip to Nipissing/UFR when the water was at the "lowest level since 1908". I had a good week for both total pike and large fish but it started out poorly. After two days of frustration I abandoned the normally productive bays and concentrated on the entrances and nearby shorelines of these bays. When I made the switch I started hitting fish. If your are having trouble locating the pike you may want to try this. I'm heading up again Friday. If I find something that is working I'll post it when I return. Did anyone establish a pike pattern this past week?

In the early eighties I was fishing well off shore with my brother. We decided to move to a different spot. I opened up the 25hp outboard and noticed two terns standing on the water. Thank the good Lord for letting me quickly realize that terns don't stand on water. I cut the power and pulled the engine up just in time. I'm sure anyone fishing Lake Nipissing/French River has similar stories, but that was an eye opener for me. How low is the water? Is it as low as it was in May/June of 1999? I remember the water was down some 4 feet the first week of June in 99.

For the people who use small fishing boats, it would be wise to have the "tilt lever" on the outboard motor in the up position. If a rock is hit the motor will give, limiting the damage.

Flex, Sorry for your loss but how great it is to have the memories of the past. I had great parents and that eased the pain when they left this earth. I was at the local retail giant yesterday and passed a small boy and his dad heading to the checkout with a new bike. The boy's face was full of excitement it was obvious that they were having a special moment. Not more than a minute later I noticed two small boy's and a father (I assume) walking towards me. All three of them had fishing rods. My immediate thought was it is great to see this father/sons bonding. However, that thought was short lived as the father turned to the smallest of the two boys (5 years old?) and barked, "if that rod tip hits my arm one more time I'm going to stick it so far up your A## you will be lucky to find it". I felt terrible for the boy. I thought once again how lucky I was to have loving parents. Enjoy your memories Flex and fathers love your kids.

A number of years ago in my area, 2 small children drown after falling through some very thin spring ice. A number of people tried to reach them but could not get close enough. By the time fire dept rescuers reached them it was too late. After watching news reports of this tragedy, I went to my workshop and drilled a hole through a softball and tied 100ft of coiled rope to the ball. Every winter I carry this in my trunk just in case. I have not had to use it but it's there just in case. I don't ice fish but if I did I the softball would be part of my gear.

A few years ago I added clear safety glasses to the list of items I take up to Canada for my spring trip. I use them when heading back to the cabin near dark. I fish in an open boat powered by a Honda 25hp motor. Periodically I would get wacked in the eye by a black fly and have a miserable ride back. The safety glasses have eliminated that problem.

We are presently in the market to replace a second tv. We are close to buying a plasma Sony Bravia. We looked at the rp LCD but did not like the fact that you lose picture clarity when sitting off to the side. We looked at the Sharp Aquios and thought that picture was outstanding. Our daughter/son inlaw bought a 42 inch Aquios and they love it. However, a friend that is in the business said he would stay away from the Sharp because the technology is "new and radical". He further explained that Sharp is using mirrors (similar to binoculars) to produce the excellent picture and said there could be problems in the future, especially if the set is jarred. He further added that Sharp is the only company going with this technology. Another issue with the new TV's is the width. We have a fairly costly tv cabinet and will be limited to a 32 wide screen. My wife enjoys the cabinet so pitching it is out.