SlowPoke

Keep 'em coming folks, I like the HDR stuff - It looks like a very cool tool. I guess my point is with all the aids available to amateurs and pro's alike it's become an extension to photography that goes beyond recording a moment in time to an image depicting how we would like to remember the moment. Deano, the bench image is terrific. To my eye you've created a fairytale-like image from a subject that hundreds of people could walk by daily not taking any notice. -Brian

Wooo Hooo!!!! Thanks again Art! I don't know why I entered because I NEVER WIN ANYTHING! Even when I play Tim Hortons "Roll up the rim" it usually says "Don't even bother playing again". You have renewed my faith in games of chance! -Brian

I really enjoy these images but a question came to mind... When does a photograph capturing a moment in time become impressionist art?

Great report Cliff, nice 'ski there 'sled! -Brian

I can count on one hand how many times I've been out casting this year so it's not that I don't use them, I just don't get out enough to use them! -Brian

Thanks to everyone for the nice comments and taking a moment to do so! I've been enjoying disaster free fishing for a while now. I don't think you can jinx it by saying something - I know this because you keep bringing it up! The only disaster I'm still contending with is your fault! I found another 2 split shots and a worm weight yesterday while doing some maintenance. I'll keep you in mind Chris... is it okay to call at midnight for a 5AM departure? JP has been doing a lot of heavy lifting for our team, especially with the 38" carp that knocked my adorable little 26"er outta the running. I was more than happy to knock off his big 32" GL Trout with my 34"er... ahh redemption. Now get out there and fish! Long drive for you Emil... 3 hours to LSC. Those muskies don't just jump in your boat like Erie walleys - it might take a few trips to get you one but you're more than welcome. I think I'm done for Erie this year unless it's bass fishing. -Brian

I bought some last year at Lambeth and Steve told me the toughest part about fishing senko's was leaving it alone. I don't bass fish as often as I would like but I hope to put them to use more often this fall. -Brian

Too bad you couldn't get anything but at least you got out. I'm not sure where you were up the river but keep in mind there is (or at least was) a sancutuary from the Lakeshore Bridge north somwhat. -Brian

Hmmmm, someone removed thier "I'm a walleye fisherman" signature! Salmon in the canoe eh? Are you thinking of manual or electric downriggers for next summer? Two great fish and congrats on your personal best(s) -Brian

Wow, great report Joey! Some fantasic photos and some with Paul too! That sounds like a great lake for fishing - waterskiing, not so much. When you have a moment, could you PM me some info about the cottage rental? Glad you both had a nice get away. -Brian BTW, my wife has the same engagement ring! -Brian

I didn't get out last weekend and I'm kicking myself for it. The opportunities were there but bad planning kept me on shore. I began watching the weather Wednesday for this weekend and it was shaping up to be good for Friday and Sunday but Saturday was going to be pretty breezy. I have given up on the weather network for forecasts, they seem especially bad this year and rely mostly upon.. http://www.sailflow.com/ Another good source from Shawn... http://windguru.com/ You can customize these sites for local data and they have been very reliable. I'll fish in almost any weather but I like to avoid big wind. Friday morning forecast was ideal and I planned to fish Lake Ontario for Salmon. Who else would you call at the last minute during the week but Emil (icefisherman). Emil doesn't turn down too many opportunities to get out but he had to go into work. I reminded him to pick up an application for me while he was there. I was going to go it alone after work but I ran into a co-worker Doug around midnight. Some of you have met Doug at Lakair and he lives in Windsor. A thought came to mind and I posed the question: "15 seconds to answer - yes or no, Lake St. Clair Muskie after work?" He replied "ummm, well"... me: "YES or NO?"... him: "YES". Lake St. Clair it is. I finished work at 3AM while Doug continued on to Windsor where he finished around 5AM and we met at the ramp for 5:45AM. We had talked about trolling to the hump and maybe heading east from there. We trolled off and on the hump for a bit and marked plenty of fish in a couple locations so we threw a few casts. No hits, no follows. It was pretty foggy at this point and dedided rather than getting further from the ramp, we would head back in and fish closer to shore. It was almost to the point where you couldn't see where your lure was landing after a cast. We could have found the shorline with the compass but having the GPS is so handy, saves time and fuel. Even without the fog, I think Doug (a chart guy) is realizing the potentials of such gadgetry. Within a mile of shore we deployed the muskie gear once again and headed west. The fog was burning off a little and we bagan seeing the shoreline and a little more boat traffic. The wind was picking up a little, from ripple to chop on the water but still very calm. About 30 minutes into out westerly troll, Doug's let off a couple clicks but there was nothing there. No weeds either. Not long after my rod started zzzzinging. A few head shakes and pulls and this guy was ready to give up. Until he saw the boat. Pretty good bend in my rod now! I told him "it's okay, we just want a picture with you and we'll put you back". Seemingly reassured, he swam gracefully into the net. I got a measurement for the tourney and had a little trouble holding him under the jaw like Steve (smellinfishy) showed me last year. Just not enough grip and I wasn't going to gill him. I'm still a muskie newbie but I know the fish stands a better chance with the gripper than me farting around too long trying to get a proper hold. And the ubiquitous realease shot... First muskie of the year, first in my boat and the last one of the day. We fished for another 2 hours without a sniff and headed back to the ramp when the winds were really picking up - as forecasted by sailflow.com -Brian

It works in Bronte, I don't see why it wouldn't work at the Ganny. I used a slip sinker to adjust my distance off the bottom. I was also "drop shotting" for salmon before I even knew what drop shotting was! I would switch from one to the other depending on what I thought the down current was doing. I never had the fancy carp gear but that won't make a difference, if anything you're better prepared than I was with an old 7'er and crappy Mitchel reel.

It's a pike

61 that need sharpening and 55 that look okay for a total of 116 -Brian

This incident and this thread falls into the "don't let it ruin your day" category for me. A guy drops anchor and throws a bobber, big deal. A guy posts a semi-rant, guys disagree big deal. Now we're into picking up garbage and throwing lures at eachother? It must be hump day... the fishing buzz wore off from last weekend and next weekend seems so far away. -Brian

Lew, sure it's not ideal but what would the magic number be? 300', 500', 1000'? I could see your point if he started his drift 150' ahead of yours... for tossing a bobber, I don't think it warrents the "fish'n moron" tag. -Brian

I haven't seen it yet TJ. All I get on WFN is JP's interviews from ICAST Good spots JP, just funnin' ya. -Brian

Well done Brian! There were 30 other teams and hundreds of members here wishing they could be where you are on the board! Great report and pictures! -Brian

You rock Bly! It was only a matter of time. -Brian

You have to apples to apples... Glen Echo gets you a 16' Lund, pay extra for bow-mont and boat upgrade. Camp la Plage charges extra for the boat upgrade otherwise it's the same 18' Cedar as Lakair. The big cedar's are nice, used one years ago on the French. They are a very sensible choice for those waters and would venture to guess that they're worth considerably more than a 16' Lund when the weather kicks up. I can see your point about the boat ammenities - tough call. I've only stayed at Lakair in that area so I can't be objective - I did enjoy my stay and I caught fish. Me catching fish should be a ringing endorsement! -Brian

We're all glad that you're around to express your gratitude. Sorry to hear about your misadventure and I hope repair/replacement goes smoothly. -Brian

I'd say you won that derby. Good job keeping an eye on them, it may have been the difference between a boat insurance claim and a life insurance claim. WTG Iceguy! -Brian

Mike, I am NOT 6'11" ... everything else is pretty much bang on. -Brian

All good points carp but speaking for myself, it would be nice to have something in the boat to weigh a big fish. A deadly accurate scale in the 30-50lb range would cost a fortune and take up too much room. I was looking at scales locally just yesterday and it's tough to justify $60 for a Berkley or Rapala scale (marginally accurate) for the odd time a recreational angler gets into a fish in that range. If I were culling for tournaments, an accurate scale could pay for itself the first time I used it. -Brian

Corey, you're getting jumped on not for WHAT you are saying but for the WAY you said it. To belittle everyone else for thier suggestions doesn't make you helpfull, it just makes you look like an idiot. It would have taken less time to be tactful than it did to berate those involved. -Brian