Moosebunk

I'm with Bill on this. You know, some biggest grizzly bear ever recorded was a zoo bear. No choice but to be lazy, fed to be a fat spectacle. But if someone shot that bear Boone & Crocket wouldn't be jumping up and down to change the record books. That to me is what these farmed triploids kind of are. Fat, fast growing fish cattle fed fat to be slaughtered. Even the Blue Mesa lake trout of last year, that thing is a bottom dweller maybe not even triploid but it just looks up at stocked salmon and trout schools and is given the luxury of feeding on highest fat content forage which in nature doesn't really occur too often or in the same kind of way. So, bigger than average lake is sprinkled with high amounts of excess bait food just prime for predatory fish growth. No, no, no! The world shouldn't reward the cheaters in the wild if it doesn't support human cheaters seeking records as well.

Some Inuit have said that polar bears can smell your fear. Like, when you encounter one and you didn't bring your gun, they'll know, cause you'll be shiznitting yourself instead of shouldering your weapon. A tracked polar bear swam a distance of 400kms over two weeks without getting out of the water. A polar bear's fur, the guard hairs are hollow, serving to trap air, maintain heat and help with bouyancy in the water. And the hair isn't white, it's clear, while the skin is all black. Northern Russians used to trade polar bear canines as talismans to southerners. To carry the tooth would help ward off grizzlies, the polar bear being the superior beast. World largest polar bear on record is 2209 pounds, the grizzly (grown large in captivity) 2130 pounds. Polar bears are the strongest bear by bite force and endurance, their average range is far superior, they don't hibernate, they're more apt to not take risk. Grizzlies are more aggressive, meaner, larger claws and likely to fight. In Nunavut the most expensive hunts are through Resolute and Grise Fiord. The largest bears are the furthest north. Hunter's pay $60,000-$70,000 on average per hunt. The Wildlife Office issues only so many tags per year. The community keeps the bear meat and pelt as these are not exportable to the U.S. and some other countries. On a recent trip home from Grise Fiord I met two hunters so filthy rich they wipe they're arzes with Benjamin Franklins. One got his bear in Grise, the other did not get his in Resolute. They've killed everything from giraffes, elephants, rhinos, lions and one fella all but 1 of the 28 big game animals of North America. I don't see the sense in it but, if they're not pulling the trigger and paying big bucks to Arctic communities, then the Inuit are pulling the trigger and asking big bucks for pelts.

If fish feel pain... then I feel for the fish. We'll call it even.

No matter the bear, they're a scary bunch of big fur balls I want no trouble with.

I just think the motor looks cool when straight and supported on the trailer.

Would like to attend just one show, some day! Always away working when it's on though. Some incredible bait makers, anglers and quite the fishy culture for the big toothy beasts all comes together there and it'd be sweet to meet and enjoy that vibe with others.

A nice collection of fish Rick. Walleye paradise just outside your door.

Amazing settings!

Terry, you can see the eye sockets, the jawlines, it's like the G-Loomis skeleton head coming at your bait. It's so fn' cool! lol

No waders last... but theirs didn't stand up too bad against my past Cabelas, Orvis and Bushlines.

TJ graciously helps with the website techy stuff. Just got a data plan for my phone, first time ever, about 18 months ago I think..? Don't care for tech and fret just putting "apps" on the phone. Boat runs Lowrance Carbons and an HDS 2. Good enough for me, for now! Until two years ago, the ice fishing sonar had always been a Lowrance X67 StevieZ bought me in 2009. But... the 2022 season fishing was growing boring in some respects. Bought a LiveScope going into 2023 and at first was slow to play with it. When I did though, my laker fishing, walleye, pike and muskie fishing were all made better by it. And it was fun too! Learned a lot. And usually I'm pretty confident without relying too heavily on tech that I'll get fish, whatever I'm after, figuring it out eventually. Well, the LiveScope takes that confidence up a notch. An example... with muskie. I've fished some spots for years that I can smell the fish, feel 'em, the hair on my neck stands up, the spots thru experience speak to me BUT, for all the times stopping there I couldn't get a fish. That's muskie fishing, never there at the right time I suppose..? But visiting with the Livescope and finding/seeing a couple here, a few over there, it was just the tool to confirm what I had been thinking all along. With that, came more confidence to fish those spots more, fish them at bite window times, and I suppose that's why catch numbers doubled in 2023 over 2022 and ALOT of that was done so on new water or old spots that felt fishy but never produced. In that respect it was a new tool to really enjoy, learn from and succeed with. Am I for or against it?!? Honestly, I'd rather go back than ahead. I don't care for Social Media as much as I ever did the forums but, the masses went there... and so I go too. It's the same with the tech, usually reluctant to take it on, spend the dough on it, get caught in that consumer trap but, it arrives and reshapes the landscape and eventually it reshapes you too. FFS is going to make rockstar anglers out of gamers, unless every single one of us turns a blind eye to it and we don't buy. That ain't happening! So, maybe just better to be happy you got to live angling past, present and whatever is to come in the future too.

Haha! I love you man!!! And I need you to email me your mailing address.

Hi. First time poster here. 🤣 2023 was an awesome of year of fishing and travel. Began the winter working at the most southern community on Baffin Island, Nunavut in a familiar little town to me called Kimmirut. Some ice fishing back home for a break in early March, the latter part of that month and into May I returned to Baffin, this time to its northernmost town way up by the north pole. Hiking the small mountains, watching the completion of Nunavut Quest; a week long dog sled race which had begun in Igloolik, and drinking only glacial water in my coffee each day, made for a very memorable contract there. Spring rolled in at home in the Ottawa Valley with crappies, gar and laker fishing. Much time spent with my youngest daughter who was back from University for the summer. Before long, the wife and I embarked on a trip up to northern Ontario with our close friends. Walleye, pike, lake and brook trout we had a blast catching them all. A fire ban in place, instead of evenings around the campfire we four enjoyed our drinks at the table playing Rummy and Bridge. Summer arrived and the heat as always was too much for this thin-skinned, red-headed whiteboy who spends five months a year in the Arctic so... to beat it I went back north a time for work. Incredible arctic char fishing on my days off and, oddly there was even a bachata video shot. Returning to Ottawa again it was a quick repack, load the boat and off to northern Ontario for more awesome trout fishing. The fall being my favorite time to fish local many hours did I grind with family and friends for big muskies. Turned out to be my best season yet as giant after giant were caught by myself and, new personal bests and firsts were had for nearly everyone aboard. Managed a solid sturgeon on a side trip too. Nice to have my wife and both my daughters alongside for much of the late season as well. Some of Canada’s finest fish species for 2023 slimed the Lund, and couldn’t have been happier with it. Too many pictures to share in a report here, but all of it from the glacial hills and dog sleds of Arctic Bay to the seaside bachata and char to October’s pumpkin carving contest and trophy muskies can be seen within... https://bunksoutdoorangle.com/from-out-of-the-splashes/

The 36V 112 Terrova's of old you have to be careful with, always. In rough conditions the head is heavy, sits big on the standard cradle and will self deploy then, explode the shaft if you're ripping. Hasn't happened to me, but twice I know of. The 24V 80's, no issues. The new Terrovas this year have beefed up some for both the 24 and 36's but they're brushless now and more $$$. The Ulterras... well, they "can" act up! Or at least, some were and time has improved them. If I have a preference here Rick... Terrova. Less to act up or go wrong.

Wonder if it's time to give up my 05 Bravo?

A diet of sockeye, brown and rainbow trout. Plenty high-density lipids for making a fat fish.

Arctic Char may be one of, if not the most beautiful fish swimming in Canada's far north saltwater ocean and freshwater lakes and rivers. Chances to travel up to Nunavut from 2008 to 2022, some here may remember how I fell in love with everything about the lake trout and especially Arctic char found there. "A Nunavut Nomad" is a series of 9 different stories told of my experiences for Arctic Char. A sample of all these stories plus information for trip planning, gear selection, weight calculation, and thoughts on the relationship between both Dolly Varden & Arctic Char is also included in the write-up; as these are insights into some questions more often asked by anglers who have messaged in the past. As far as it goes for Arctic Char trip reporting, photography and information, the combined work may be the most complete package to be found online, anywhere. So if Arctic Char, Nunavut and adventure interest you, take a look. Link here: FISHING CANADA'S ARCTIC CHAR Thanks and best of luck in 2023. 🙂 Bunk.

Dealership I'm with and mechanic I only use and trust has looked over some Alumacrafts these past few years and he thinks they're pretty awesome! I do too. I like that 2XB hull biz, I did own a smaller Alumacraft tiller for a time and was happy with the ride.

That's some wicked arse creative shiznit right there ole bawdy!

No not there, not yet, will not likely happen either. Two decades of working in the north I have been the "white man" since day one and many, many, many, many, many times been on the receiving end of racism, nurse abuse or whatever. I don't take it personally, however once finding some communities worse than others, rather than risk my license or losing my red-headed temper too often, it's best just to move on to other places that don't have or have less of the same issues. This particular place however, there's something wrong with a few too many people but, the fishing is really gooooood! lol. The furthest place I go, Grise Fiord in the highest Arctic, well, it seems the most down to earth. So you just never know ti'll ya go. Thanks for reading guys!

Combining work with this insane want to fish summer's Arctic char often requires a tonne of planning and plenty of luck. It's never once been a given to just show up in Nunavut and have all things laid out just right for the fishing. Timing is everything, location key, experience golden and confidence a must but still, the monkey wrenches that got thrown into all my big plans were seemingly too much this time around. But yet in the end, having the stars align for just that one right chance, it made for an experience never to be forgotten. Char fishing is the culmination of entirely who I am and what I do for a living, there are few fish that give me the same rush. Blessed to have worked a long time and find a job that allows for such amazing fishing opportunities in the Arctic. Link on in for some northern exposure. https://bunksoutdoorangle.com/a-nunavut-nomad-viii-the-ivitarulik-redemption/

AK see your inbox. Alligator gar would be a hoot to reel in and knock of the bucky Siwash. I'd think bottom baiting for something like that would be much the same as our sturgeon fishing up here... except a whole muddier and sweatier down there in that stanky Texas heat. That keeps it kinda lower on this pasty white ginger's priority list, the sunstroke and skin cancer and all. lol. Thanks for reading dudes.

Baaaaahahaha! Thanks baaaahhhdddy! For making me feel all warm and fuzzy, and tingling in my horn. Baaahhhem I mean, horns.

Ohhhh just don't write these reports nearly as often as I used to, especially outside of the winter months. Got the Covid this week though and that coughed up enough time to get spewing some out. For any interested, here's a latest about gar. Bit of a recap of this season along with some of my history and how it follows along with the OFAH records and other big fish caught over the years. Sorry, you'll have to link on over to my site if wanting to view.... https://bunksoutdoorangle.com/ottawa-river-gar-for-the-record/ Enjoy what's left of summer and into fall.

Enjoyed a couple days of grayling in Nunavut this past summer. Thank God they and the big, river whitefish were biting because the char were still at sea and didn't get the memo to come see me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csZWAUmmJK8