Rich Clemens

Dang bud, wish I had know that, we could have gotten together for a chat and story story telling. We were there from the 18th to the 25th - with our Yellow Lab and Airedale Terrier. I try to wear my OFC hat, just in case any other board members are around. Met Tom Foolery a few years back that way. Double-Cowgirls seemed to be the bait of choice that week. My order from Musky Tackle Online just arrived yesterday. I now have 4 more. All Black Skirts, two with Gold blades and two with Silver. But, I may not make it to Wolseley next year. Contemplating taking that second week to head over to the Rideau System to meet up with my father and some bass fishing.

Great shots Brandon. I'm also looking forward to the full report when you get back.

Greatr report Skud. Someday, I'd really like to do something like that. Thanks for sharing.

Everything was great with the boat and I didn't hit a single rock - but I did lose a Double-cow girl on one. Ain't gonna put my boat up on a rocky shoal in rough water for a $20.00 lure. We really enjoyed the top we had built for her this year - to help keep the girls somewhat dry while I stood on the bow in the rain. That was the lure of choice while we were at Wolseley (Double-Cowgirls). Fortunately, I had two (now only one). The guy that was catching all the muskies that week - that's the only lure he could get them on hit on. So, I'll be picking up a few more this year. But, as it goes, buy the time we get there, they'll want something different.

Congratulations from Patsy and I to two of our best friends. Many happy years (and big fish) together. All our best.

Well, our long awaited two-week trip to the French River has come and gone. Lot's of high expectation that this would be the year to land a large musky. (we're not waiting for next year). Our first week was spent at Rainbow Camp on the North Channel of the French River. I think this is about our 6th or 7th year coming here. It's a nice quiet place and not a lot a boat traffic. The North Channel is kinda locked in with rapids on both ends of this section. So, we may have about 7 miles of areas to fish with several nice bays and weedy shorelines. The channel kinda runs east to west, so any west winds blow right down the channel and can get things stirred up quickly. And, this part of Canada really seems to get the winds of the Great Lakes and the Georgian Bay - as we will find out. We arrived after a 12 hour road trip that started around 4:00am. Quite tired, but we launched the boat and did all the unpacking. We went our the first evening to check out how the water levels effected some of our favorite spots. Some were definitely quite different this year with water levels down a few feet or so. We had a very nice cabin - actually a converted trailer with an addition. Perched up on the rocky shoreline and a magnificent view from the deck. The weather for the entire week was going to prove to be somewhat miserable. It seems the jet stream was coming straight across the great lakes and right over our area. So, this means that all the moisture would be picked up from the lakes and dropped right on us. Didn't see a lot of sun this first week and plenty of wind and rain. Even this small section of the French can see some nice white-capped waves, making fishing shorelines difficult to pick apart. You know - cast once and by the time you're ready for the next cast, you've already moved about 30 feet further on down. Really a cool, damp week, except for the last day we were there. Fishing was really tough for everyone in camp that week and no muskies were caught. Met a couple guys staying in another cabin and the one boated 4 the prior week. As a side note, Patsy and I were to be on the French the first week in September, but had to change our plans when my father had to undergo open heart surgery to repair a bad heart valve. He would have been coming home only a couple days before we were scheduled to leave on the trip, but that was just too soon for my comfort level, being that far away. Anyway, he is doing really well and we were able to adjust our weeks and push them out a bit. But, we stayed in touch calling home about every day. Anyway, the current week, these two guys were not seeing any fish, not even a sniff. With the bad weather all week, and not much action, they packed it up early and went home. Although we only landed a couple pike for all our efforts that week, we had a great time there and have already booked again for next year. We met another couple who own a trailer in that park and spent a fair amount of time with them. So, we made some new friends and our two dogs got along with theirs and they all have a great time running around, playing, and chasing the squirrels and chipmunks. We had more fun just sitting around the campfire chatting that we did fishing. Kinda sounds like our own OFC GTG doesn't it. I'm sure we'll be staying in touch with them over the winter and hook up again next year. Good times with great friends - doesn't get any better than that. Here's a few shots from this first week. My Airedale Terrier after a long day on the water. Patsy's Yellow Lab after the same long day. This is what we battled most of the first week. Maybe this is why they named the camp Rainbow Camp We found this quite interesting. On 18-mile island, across from camp, we spotted this cross. We had known there was a hermit the lived on an island in an old dilapidated shack. Story is that he had once shopped up all his own furniture to burn for heat. Once all the cottagers left for the year, he would go around and collect their firewood to keep himself warm through the hard winters. Well, this past Spring, nobody saw this old man, so they started searching for the island. The cross marks the spot where the old man had succumbed to hypothermia. A cross was placed where they eventually found him. Rather a touching little story. We bid our goodbye's to our good friends and moved down the road to wolseley Lodge for our second week week. I am sure glad we pulled the boat Friday afternoon and did most of the packing. When we got up Saturday am, guess what ... raining yet again. Pouring down rain for the final packing and moving on. It would actually rain most of the day on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Finally had two very nice days on Tuesday/Wednesday. After this, the rest of the week was rain and cool. Of course, let's not forget the dang wind this week - as we had to put up with a lot more of it this second week. Being Wolsely has more wider-open water, we had a lot of white-capped bumpy rides to the fishing sites. So, the conditions the first week were being repeated this second week. We met a number of new friends here as well, including a couple guys from Wisconsin and another group from Ohio. Guys we would chat with off and on all week. This was a very slow week for fish, other than a few pike I was able to pick up here and there. Grand total fish for two weeks Rich=4 and Patsy=0. But, Patsy did spend a fair amount of time fishing, but also enjoyed the cover we had made to sit in out of the rain and get some reading done. Patsy doesn't mind me fishing, if I don't mind her sitting there reading. Fair trade for me. We were talking with this one younger man from Ohio that was having success landing muskies that week - 4 in one day. These are not the small 20-30 inch variety, but we're talking 40+. By the time we left, he had already boated at least 6 or 7 fish, which is more than an amazing week of fishing in anyone's book. The one thing about this guy is that he is an obvious hard-code musky fisherman and really knows what he is doing. I think it is quite obvious in that he's catching and we're not. I know we have fished exactly the same places, with the same bait. This guy knows more about musky fishing at his young age than I will ever know in my lifetime. But, the key point I think, about this guy, is that he would spend the time talking to me. He taught me a lot in just sitting there talking to him. He would share what kind of structure he was fishing, lures, retrieves, and where abouts he was fishing. Not that I am looking for exact spots mind you, but this young kid was freely sharing information that could help me in my quest. You don't find a lot of young fisherman, who are having success, willing to do this. Well, I tried to pay attention to the tips and tried to put them to use. Then, we started to see some fish. About Wednesday am, I was in a bay, fishing shallow, and had a subtle hit. I could see the fishing moving on and set the hook. He was on (for now). By the time Patsy got the net ready, a few head flops and out flies the lure. Either I did not have a strong enough hook set or the fish was not hooked very well to start with. Fish gone and one disappointed fisherman. (I would later learn that a 49" was caught in the same area the next day. Can't say if it was the same fish or not). We kept coming back here, but no more hook-ups. Same area, Friday morning, our last day. We're fishing the same area where I had the hook-up a couple days before. During the retrieve, here comes this big fish at a 90 degree angle from my retrieve. Huge splash and the blind fish completely missed the lure. We fished a bit, came back around, and this time she gave me follow, but no reaction to the figure 8's. We were fishing the one side of the bay when we saw Chris (the guys I was talking about) and it appeared as if he had a fish on. We stood by at a distance and watched this fist take him around the boat at least two full times. He saw us and motioned for us to come over. We went over and kept a little distance until he had the fish in the net. He wanted us to grab a quick pick with his camera for him. We got ready and he pulled the fish from the net. A 50" monster French River musky. Huge, nice looking fish. Took a couple pics for him and he released the fish. After Patsy saw the size of that fish, she was really thinking if she wanted something that size on her line. Incidentally, Chris is the one who landed the 49"er in the same area I had mine on. I have to wonder if that could have been my 49"er ? So, the action the second week finally picked up, even though I was nut able to land any fish. I give a lot of credit to Chris for giving me pointers. Things I can learn from and use on our trip next year. My hat is off to our new friend from Ohio and congratulations on him having such an unbelievable week of musky fishing. To wrap things up, here's a few more pics I selected. Hope you enjoyed. Nice foggy morning to start the day. Couple scenery shots. This part of Ontaio has unmatched beauty. Ok - So I had to put in one fish picture ... didn't I ?

I'll second and third this post. We've got an abundance of great talent on here. Sorry about your experience Bill. At least the lures weren't 10 bucks a piece at that quality.

Yup - Downloaded an installed the updates a few days ago.

Great shots ... love the underwater ones. Ya just knew there was a big one out there somewhere. Congrats on a really hefty ski.

Welcome to the board. You'll not find a better buch of guys and gals.

That one goes a long way when the bite is off. Seems to be a common story from up in that area. Congrats on such a great loking fish. I'm leaving this Saturday for a couple weeks on the French - sure would be nice to run into one of these while I'm there.

Do good and ye shall be rewarded many times over. I'll bet you still have that warm feeling for helping this lady when she was in distress. Now ... I gotta go out and find me a nice little-old-lady who lost a sailboat. I'll go from there.

This should be an amizing trip with loads of phot ops. Looking forward to see what opportunities you're gonna be presented with.

We're on the same page. Had something of nice size lunge after a top raider just on the inside of that point a few years back. Too bad she missed the bait. Went back a few times and never saw her again. Did you take any runs out to Restoule Bay or Five-Finger rapids at all. Just trying to get a handle on any other prop-busters that have been found. I'll be sure to check in with Harold when we get there.

Thanks Bill: I have an idea on where you're talking about now. If I'm correct, this "small island" is kind of a long skinny island, with the lower point - pointing down in the direction of Cranes. This lower point extends our from the island a little ways. I know of the one shoal that was slightly out of the water with some nice weeds around it. From here, down towards Cranes, I know there is another rock shoal that was just under the water the last time I was there - about two years ago. So, it sure sounds like there is more in that lower shoal area than I knew about. Really appreciate the info. Thanks.

Hey Bill: Where abouts are these in the North Channel. I come out of Wolseley Bay and swing around to the right - making basically a U-turn to heard down the North Channel. There is a cottage there and you round the point. I know off this point, just past the docks, there is a big shoal right there that jets out. Gotta take this turn wide in good times. Is this the area you are referring to ? Thanks

The launch at Wolseley Bay may be interesting. Just out from the launch, between Wolseley's main dock and Totem Point, which are directly across from each other, is a nice sand bar. Either have to stay close to the docks or circle out around on the Totem Point lodge side. Not sure what it looks like now with the water levels down the way they are. I checked in with the Lodge a couple weeks ago and the owner reports no problems launching boats. Mine is 17' and he said they have been launching boats bigger than mine. But, you may still have an obstacle to work around - there at the launch. You will need 4-wheel drive - the launch is basically sand and pebbles. Seen a couple folks get stuck over the years. Once launched, stay toward the center of the bay and you should be fine. The closer shore ya get - the more you have to be careful. But, this is typical for the French River Area. I'll be taking it easy for a while when I get up there. Some rocks/shoals, I know where they are. But, with water levels the way they are, I'm sure I'll find some new ones. Just like I did when I was at Lakair in June. Good luck and make sure you jump back on and let us know how ya did.

The launch at Wolseley Lodge is a public launch. Wolseley Lodge will charge for parking if you are not actually staying there. Maybe you can arrange to launch there and have one of your buddies drive back to the lodge. I'll be heading to Wolsely Lodge in just over a week.

I feel for ya bud. It doesn't "kinda" sucks ... It plain outright sucks. I still miss my little girl that I pur down 2 1/2 years ago. Her picture still sits on my desk at home and at work. I feel your pain.

Hopefully they will re-adjust the totals - I'll keep on voting every day.

I'll bet after that one, you hooked. I started off the same way, but my first wasn't what I was fishing for. Congrats. You caught a very impressive fish as your first. Now - go out and get a "bigger" one.

Uh ... WOW

I was gonna wish you a Happy Birthday but, after that intro, sounds like you're in for a great one. Happy Birthday Paul.

Great report Mike. You seem to be able to find all of those great looking "out-of-the-way" places. It's great too that your family also enjoys the adventures. Keep on fishing and keep on posting the reports - I really enjoy reading them.

Great to hear ya had some success up ther. I hope the big girls are hungrey in a few weeks.