Rich Clemens

Here we are ... just a shade over three weeks to go. Gave good old Bass Pro a call tonite and ordered two auto/manual inflatable PFD's, the re-arming kits, and my bug suit. Of course, during this spending frenzy, I had to call Musky Tackle on-line to pick up a couple depth raiders and a couple 9" grandmas. Dang this hobby is getting expensive ... now to go tell the better half. Ha Ha ... she's great. Letting me come up a couple days earlier ... hope to get there on Sunday now.

Being my first time coming, what if I pick up a nice musky lure or something similar. Would that be appropriate ? Oh yeah ... I may be coming up Sunday the 17th ... instead of Tueday the 19th.

Been there ... done that. After quite a few choice words .... I realized what was wrong. So simple, but we tend to think of mechanical problems.

Got get 'em Blaque !!!!

Next time ... put a few hungry piranaha's on there. Guess the guy can't tell the difference between a rick bass and another kind of bass.

Sounds great bud. This will be my first year in quite a while heading to the Rideau System and my Dad will not be there ... just ain't gonna be the same. He usually goes in May (actually left this am), July, and again the end of September. He's getting up there in years and the drive really gets to him, so he eliminated his July trip. Next year, we're changing our July trip to September so that I have the opportunity to fish with him while I still can. Enjoy those times Mike ... enjoy them to the full.

That just goes to show ya ... you can run, but you can't hide from OFC. Must be an obsession.

Very cool stuff ... looks like part of my own equipment. Frabil Net, Knipix ... it's geting about that time. I'm really looking forward to the musky reports and pics.

Great report Sheriff. Love that closing pic of the sunset. Just puts a great touch on a great day on the water.

Attaboy Mike ... getting close to my neck of the woods, could be just a couple hours away. Thanks for sharing with us.

Way to go guys

Now how cool is that ! First post ... intro, report, and a pic. Very nicely done. Welcome aboard BudsFan.

Welcome beastmaster. Hey just saw another new member on this thread as well. Welcome Patch !

At the time I was fishing the Wanapitie (out of Bear's Den), may primary lures were spoons and some larger spinner baits. This was quite a few years ago and there are a lot of nice new baits on the water. On the spoons, I would attach a 4 or 5 inch twister tail. The last time we were there, I landed my PB pike out of the weeds at 37 1/2 inches using a spinner bait. The very next day, just a short distance away, my step-son landed a 37" Northern, also on a spinner bait. I'll even add a twister tail to the spinner bait. On other bodies of water, I've had some some good success with the 1 oz. Cyclops for pike. Never fished for Walleye in my life, nor have I ever fished for Bass on the French, so I can't help you much there. DO heed wmshaw's advice on the French, unless you are certain of where you are going and what is under your boat, travel carefully and always keep an eye out. I've not damaged a prop YET, but know plenty of folks who have. The last time we were there, I was running through what I thought would be a channel ... out of nowhere came a large shoal. Fortunately I was going slow enough we saw it in time to raise the motor, but the bottom of the boat did scape a bit. After a while of running the water, I got comfortable as to where I can move along and I always use a little caution when exploring a new area. See what you can find out about your location and we'll go from there. Oh yeah ... please do post a report and some pics when you get back.

I've heard of the 'S' Curves, if this would be the area you are referring to. They are between Bear's Den (Fished from there a few times) and are on the way to the French River Lodge. The main area for me would be in the North-East part of Wanapitei Bay ... before the 'S' Curves. Stop at the French River Trading post, just after you cross the Pickerel and French Rivers ... on your left-hand side going up Rt. 69. You can pick up a nice map of the entire French River area . It's red in color with the logo of the French River Heritage Park. Don't recall the price, but may be $15.00 or so. See if this helps for the area you will be fishing. If It is, I may be able to help out a little more, with my experience up there.

Not bad xrap ... not bad at all. Very nice pics.

Very cool indeed.

Welcome aboad Manitoba. You picked a great province to fish in. I usually spend 3 weeks a year up there ... four this year. Hope you all got cheaper gas up there ! (HA HA HA).

Very cool pics TJ. I've been enjoyin' your trip with ya.

That is one priceless pic of your daughter Tinman. I just love that expression ..... worth more than a thousand words.

That's something. Nice fish like like right around the big city. Good read and love the pics.

For Bass, I don't use any kind of leader material. I am using Stren Superbraid at 12#. I do keep a close eye on the line for signs of fraying or wearing, and just re-tie. Gotta be careful of the hammer-handles from time to time. For Pike/Musky. Casting I use a 2 foot steel Leader and move to 3 foot for trolling. I had purchased these from an OFC member, Eh. Been looking for some place to pick up some flouro leaders around the same length,

Be careful what you ask for .... .you may just get it.

Welcome Tinman. I get wihtin an our or so of you for 1 week each July. We spend a week in Rideau Ferry, kinda between Smiths Falls and Perth. Got some great bass fishing there. Looking forward to this year's trip. Sometime I gotta try some musky fishing along the Rideau River ... I hear its pretty good in some areas.

My two best pike ... one was caught on a 1 oz. spinner-bait and the other on a Shallow Invader. I used to troll on the Rideau River system for pike with 1 oz. Cyclops and had some good luck. However the areas I fish on the Rideau are not know for large pike ... doing well to get one in the upper 20 / low 30 inch range. So I would say tha the shallow invader was the largest lure I ever caught a pike on.