Moosebunk

Haven't done much of this over the years but usually now go with one rod with a jiggin spoon like Williams, sure, or Snakie, Buckshot or Champ. Second rod will be a lighter set-up, sometimes with something micro like a crappie jig, or have it dead sticked with a spoon, dropper hook then minnow. And if I did take a third to target just lakers, remembering one week on Temagami taking along a 3 1/2 foot stick with a big ole white tube. Longer so to get big rise and fall of the tube... best little fish of the week came on that. lol.

It was PIA to say the least... but the miracle did happen, it got renewed after 40 days and 40 nights in the storm. Real card not here yet, and the worst of it is... who knows if it ever will be. It's a crapshoot all of it, especially the "MNR store."

Keep on keeping on brother Wayne! Better days to come methings for you. And all the others too who be catching big fish, keep posting them. Great to check out.

Me too. Thanks as always gang. Lew, that was a crocodile that one!

Ohhh yes Grantilla! We have talked. Been looking that big book over a few times through the holidays. Hard to believe 10 years got logged and there's not a time or day I can remember forgetting. Some great memories and a few interesting things I'll put up in the coming weeks methinks. Now, before I hit reply, please do not crash on me again... the site for some reason has been doing that alot lately.

WHOA!!! Missed this thread... ti'll now. These fish are incredible guys... and gal. Hope everyone gets in on this thread. Billy bud, you've caught some wicked fish! And Randy... that's about the trippiest mount you've ever had painted eh? You make your payments to the taxidermist with Magic Mushrooms or what?

Eh Wayner... I'm just showing off now!

You don't happen to fish tribs do ya??? Cool pics. Good luck in the 2012.

My buddy Dan said in the truck one morning, "One can never fish too much, yet once a day should be quite enough." I laughed... Cause it can't ever feel wrong when you're out there. Outside, enjoying the day, challenging yourself, time alone or with friends, and maybe, reaping some great fishing rewards. Some folks get tired of these Year End Reports, but I take it as a chance to reflect and go into the New Year feeling personally satisfied by the opportunities and on-water fishing successes found during 2011. Could say it's a feel good process to put it all together and review, and something to remember to strive for in the coming year. This year brought on fish of all kinds. From the Arctic to just a stones throw from the front porch. In life... solid planning, work, love and commitments are the vehicle, but the fish God's pulling the strings force me running all over. In the end, it all came full circle to create one extraordinary year in fishing. 2011 has actually been deemed the "year of seconds." It was a second full year living home in the south here, so second full year fishing many of the newer species and lakes. On the water I caught my second best pike, arctic char, brook trout, laker, walleye, crappie and possibly smallmouth too. In the Arctic, my wifes bigger char threw mine in the backseat for a second time, while we enjoyed our second trip to Plummers. Up on the Attawapiskat during trip number two to Pym with friends, I caught a second biggest pike, a giant equal to that of our first trip. My buddy Keith joined me in the Lund for a second speckie go out west, while fishing at home I caught a solid first and then "second" big laketrout around the spring opener, and come fall took a second "mini-tour" for trib rainbows. You get the idea, because as said it was mostly seconds that counted, and there were more to be counted. Yet, there were a few firsts as well. All-in-all... the year went by in just a matter of seconds too... Thanks go out to the many friends and bit of family whom took the time to share the days and themselves. And, as well, thanks to those whom continually show friendly support and interest for these long winded reports online. I hope others do your fishing endeavors as well. A supportive online community of anglers makes coming home from fishing and choosing to spread the word about your day or trip, a more rewarding experience. Reading other angler reports during the slow days is always a welcome treat too. Good luck in 2012. TEN FISH SPECIES THAT STOLE THE SHOW! Arctic Char. It was a trip win as some people know, and quite the highlight of the year. Can't thank the online community enough for their support in that. The Tree River is my favorite place on this great earth and it's char the pinnacle of all fish. They are superbly beautiful and strong fighting, and to me it's always been a little crazy; but yet totally appropriate, that they are only found in the world's most harsh environments. Truly one of natures gifts. For char fishing I packed an 8 1/2 foot MH rated 8-17lb salmon/steelhead baitcasting rod. 50lb braid to a long 16lb floro lead, then strong snap/swivel. One ounce down to 3/4oz Pixies, DevleDogs and Cleos were the spoons of choice. Also, a 7 foot 8-14lb MH spinning rod with 30lb braid on a 3000 series reel made the trip. Same floro lead minus the snap. Tied directly were 3/4 ounce strong jigheads with 4 to 5 inch white grubs. Both set-ups took fish, the casting outfit used more throughout the fast and shallow runs, the spinning at the base of falls and bouncing through the deeper rocky trenches. Either would still take fish in the opposite scenarios. Pike. Missing a year in 2009, annually I have enjoyed putting together trips for friends since 2004. This year for our group was the always perfect walleye-pike combo fish at Pym, and a solo friend also joined me to head out west to the Nip. Both could be considered trips of a lifetime. Pike are creatures that in such places, I just LOVE to death. They have the nastiest attitudes and if muskies are to be considered the Mike Tysons' or George Foremans' of esox, well then northerns would have to be the Lennox Lewis' or Sugar Rays'. This year saw some pike step into the ring that would have certainly rivaled muskie heavyweights. For pike fishing though, I often use lighter gear than that for muskie. They most often hook themselves these fish, as they tend to rush and engulf baits rather than nip them first. Generally smaller baits with smaller hooks, easier to stick 'em. An array of too many usual suspect pike baits are in the box, but the rod/reel combos for bigger northerns are generally baitcast or spinning MH 7 - 7 1/2 foot outfits, 3000 spinning or low profile baitcasting, 30-50lb braided line, 45-60lb home-made steel black-nylon coated leaders and strong snap/swivels. I never use florocarbon leads for pike, and it's not that they don't work, it's just that I have seen what pike do to them up to the 120lb class, and I don't like going with thicker for some reason, especially too when you don't have to. Favorite pike bait of all time... well, different variations of an inline spinner dressed or not, have been responsible for bigger pike on the most bodies of water fished up north. Different spoons are responsible for the two biggest though. Speckled Trout. This fish is hard to beat and really, only it's bigger brother the char can do that. A tempermental, delicate and therefor tough fish to catch, speck chasers often find themselves moving on to other species in disbelief of themselves or, angry and in blame of the fish or their God. To me, they are worth driving oneself to exhaustion for the chance at a trophy, but settling for even just one is often prize enough that really makes your day out. Most times I fish specks with either light to medium 6 1/2 foot spinning outfits. Ten pound braids with a 5 - 8lb floro lead, or 6-10 lb mono straight to the lure, is perfect enough. Depending where and how, spoons like Cleos & EGB's, spinners such as #2 to 3 Panthers, Mepps and Bluefox's, and lastly bucktail jigs or soft grubs in 1/8 - 3/8 oz. are some lures preferred. Worm tipping helps and so does a lot of patience, a lot of homework and some skill. These fish will humble an angler, anytime. In this province, a catch of five pounds, is an equivalent to a bass of at least seven, and a much more rare occurrence for most anglers. Plus, a speck in it's prime water temps has every capability of rocking a smallie for strength. Lucky this year to enjoy two at six plus pounds. Again, a fish that's hard to beat and a favorite amongst some real diehard fisherman known. Gar. This is new... but what fun it is! Gar fishing fills a void that by personal experience can only be so slightly similar to fishing char or spring clearwater pike during certain times. It's sight fishing. It's hunting. It's exhilarating. Gar aren't amazing fighters, but the look in their eyes, the takes, and the initial runs are heart-stopping. These fish are coyotes... wily in ways. It's a gnarly ride and wicked game when these fish are on. From the first online reports I knew that was one fish I wanted to tangle with. Working gar gear is whatever the conditions call for. Gar can get in heavy junk but at times roam free in the open. Rods, reels and line would be same as that used for pike. Once I tried a 9wt. fly rod with forward tapered float line off a medium arbor reel as well. Worked too... would have been better if the angler was more practiced. Lures are spinners, cranks, rope and long bucktail streamers. The true prehistoric toothy giants have yet to be caught... Lakers. Watch the boards, online friends and TV because enough times all will come together and give you the chance at trying something new. In this case it was lake trout opener, and it was easy enough to follow the boats. But, even if there weren't any others out there people in these parts will talk... to the point that even Izumi will broadcast it. Yet, if I couldn't piece all things together for a first full season crack at the lakers, then the trip to Great Bear would have certainly taken care of any void. Both worked out.. Lakers are brutes meant to test the arms. They are such gluttons there is something to be said about feeling their dogged weight on the line. They're awesome! Gear needed for them is off the charts too, but if planning on a northern Canada escape to where the record breakers dwell, this could be recommended... your muskie gear. Heavy baitcasting rods 7 - 8 feet, good working reels countered or not, line 50-80lb braid, and 65-80lb, 3-6 foot 65 - 80lb floro leads to a strong snap swivel. This gear presuming you'll be flatlining mostly, and preying to God for greys possible in the 40-70lb class. We haven't yet come close to those weights, but when catching 44 one day with many in the teens and a few twenties, you don't want to be wasting time getting them in and shaking them off. Rainbows. Another relatively new experience is "tribbin" for bows, and this fishing is addictive. Rewards of such pretty looking and hard hammering fish, the whole feel of it is a rush. One day out in the 2010 year, 2011 would mark the second fall since 2009 that a little extra effort was put forth for steelhead. A timely guided driftboat day followed by a solo day bank beating, was a mint way to familiarize and experience a new river and hone the skills needed to put some fish in hand. For the first time in fishing I had the choice to be guided or not, and chose to. Some frown on hiring a guide it seems, but if all did this, then some friends wouldn't make a living, and many anglers would in the end waste even more time, effort and money, learning the slow way. An extra morning or evening of overtime at work can sometimes mean paying for a day, then days of worthwhile enjoyment could follow that much sooner. I like catching fish when I go fishing, you know what I mean? No gear recommendations as I'm no pro to this... but the friendly tip is likely better. Walleye. Ole Marble Eyes has kind of taken the place of sentimental favorite. In many ways, it's this fish that I have historically really cut my teeth on, honed skills on, pursued most often in the past ten years, still fish for during all seasons, understand the most, feel confident in fishing, love to eat, and take the most enjoyement sharing with others, and always have. It's understandable that 40% of Canadian anglers choose walleye over the remaining 60% which spread out amongst all other species. It's a no-brainer to see why our friends south of the border flock to our Province to fish walleye more than any other fish. They are at number one because they combine fun and food in every corner of Ontario, during any season. No other fish does this as well. This year they were caught all year round, and gear for that is plentiful enough. So then, onto eating walleye... try this fried in oil next time. 1/2 parts buttermilk pancake mix to 1/2 parts original Shake N'Bake, a little garlic salt and optional spices to all make up the coating. Dip walleye in an egg or two beaten with a little milk and maple syrup before coating. Fry that goodness for some sweet battered walleye with a hint of a honey garlic flavor. Smallies. Bass are something I'll moan and groan about at times because I often equate them to the egos of tournament sportfishing, uber consumerism, Pro-this-and-that, go big or go home, winners and losers, and the often over publicizing of the one species in TV and mags. That said, it's much of those types of things that push fishing into the next best thing... so it's hard not to take note of now and again. But bass alone, outside of all that, are a cool fish myself and so many enjoy. And although I didn't get hardly a chance to fish largies this year, it was a special time in the fall when finding the smallie bite. Smallmouth gear for all fish this year and last, a 6 1/2 foot fast UL rated 2-6lb test, coupled with a 750 series spinning reel spooled with 10 braid. One doesn't have to, but I run a 2-3 foot 6lb Drennan florocarbon leader and chuck what would be considered micro-baits only. Never much of anything else. This is exactly too, what's worked for jigging walleye over the years. Always ultra-lighting for bass, every fish is a good and fun catch, and the bigger ones are an even bigger bonus. Crappie. Total crappie dummie right here but gotta admit to liking 'em. They bring high fives in the boat and graciously take the place of northern spring walleye jiggin' for numbers and their table fare. Craps are pretty stylin' to look at, most times easier than walleye to fish when you find them but harder to find most times, and just a great recipe for good social fishing experience. Can't offer much into tips and tactics that would trump what many other good crappie anglers could tell, but I will say a few things I like. Narrow and clear Drennan floats if using one, 8lb braid on the UL over mono, and a 4-5lb floro lead. Why... just used to that from fishing other things. Whitefish. Heard it said before, "most over-rated fish." Whiteys put up a good fight from what little and new experience I can offer, but it's not speck or laker good by any means. Where they lack in that comparison though, they make up for in other ways. They are challenging fish to hook and/or keep hooked. It's finesse fishing in more than one sense. There's no horsing whiteys and oftentimes it seems, no aggressive fishing to be done. They steal minnows left and right; at least up on Kesagami the few caught would often show up at home with half your bucket of dace in their bellies... So far after this first winter trying for them here, it seems micro is the way to go. Would love to work and better results in the 2012 and maybe fish some new areas where live bait is allowed. That's probably key right there to ensuring whitefish commit more times to the hook... fishing time will tell. Whitefish are also a great meal. Perch. To go from Arctic char to perch one could think the bottom of the barrel is being scraped. Truth is, perch could have been near the top in 2011. Through the ice and in the boat come summer, this fish was bread and butter for me and the girls. Friends have no trouble jumping in and joining us for ice time too, because perch and even the other pannies keep us kids and kids at heart busy and laughing. Whenever perch fishing in winter it's almost a must to have a sonar, light gear, light line and what helped me and the girls get a few more too, were some maggots from down at Bits & Baits to tip our hooks with. Mini jiggin' spoons like Buckshots and Flyers and Diamond Jigs with Powerbait Honey Worms or Ratsos worked good, as did a hook, split-shot, and peewee minnow. Of course fish weren't the only company. Aside from the big winter group Bogie gathering, 30 different souls shared space on the ice, bank or in the boat this year. A few of their fine catches need to be shown and sorry for leaving some things out. Bren's killer but only second biggest 20lb char. Dad's first ever and personal best, 16lb & 6oz gar. Christine's first rainbow. Fra's biggest splake the old dog waited a long while for. Carl (The Gouin) with the walleye of the Pym trip. StevieZ's PB soft water northern pike. Grantzilla with a giant trip best sunset topwater pike. Mikey releasing one of his 3 trophy pike on Redemption Pym Island's, final day. Amelie's first 40-incher after just losing one much bigger. Last laugh football and possible PB speck for Keith. Pat's PB 14lb walleye caught on his chosen "bargain bin lure." Big eye of the year. Dad's PB walleye... or it might have been the other one that day. Mike's PB walleye during his first Quinte trip. Banner day! Tony's PB walleye during his first Quinte trip. Dan's PB walleye headed for a wall in Yellowknife. Fourth fish landed in a 4-rod fire drill. Old school chum Paul with a Quinte beaut! And all their best walleyes left me beating my chest and quite a big drum... It was a year of great moments, great fishing, great company. If this was the year to be lived and coined as the "year of seconds," it surely feels that my family, friends and I came out on top. 2012 the plan is to actually chill a little more through the winter, come out rippin' in the spring, find a little timely air conditioning up north but otherwise hide from the heat of summer, and then finally repeat the autumn cycle with maybe some extras too. Hoping your year will be good to you... Bunk.

Whoa... good question... never thought about it. 7+7+7+7... gonna say about 20-30.

It's certainly a place I would have considered too. It's a real cool city up there, and a personal friend; whom like Dave, has made it his chosen home for life. Once upon a time it was almost going to be Whitehorse for me as the annual climate is pretty much identical to Attawapiskats. Had to see about a girl first though... Good on ya Dave for showing the newcomers around. Ice fishing is something one would HAVE to love doing ALOT if living there.

Cool recap Dan. Many WICKED shots in that post. Crabby Colin makes me laugh when I see photos of him now. Dunno why..? He's not really that Crabby afterall. Good seeing you too and sharing some time with all of yas. You know full well it won't be the last of it. Now Mikey... COME ON MAN! lol. 5' 11" gots the average beat by 2". Roy was somewhere under a toe though... lol.

This whole report Terry kinda seemed like a dream come true day out for ya. Impressive fishing! Good show. Andy makes me laugh too..

Love the muskies. Great year dood!

Enjoy the new pup!

Some quality fish and fishing in the 2011 fella! Good luck with the 2012 year.

SOme great holiday R&R Jacques! Happy holidays to you and yours dood! Great looking place too...

They are NOT comfortable... at all. Lawn chair is waaaaay better.

2011 Trip - http://ontariofishingcommunity.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=55120 2008 Trip - http://ontariofishingcommunity.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=21455 Agree with Bill... anything could work. If I had to pick just 3 lures I'd go with what Bill already said as one of them. Second, an inline-bucktail spinner like the "L'il Hustler" as that's what has killed 'em for me in the two trips. And lastly, jigs and twister-tails. Gotta catch eyes to eat, and they'll catch pike too. Something weedless is a must... there's plenty other things you could experiment with that'd work too. Your trip conditions in July should be more like what we had in the 2011 trip. You'll then rely more on the guide for river travel, but you'll be quick to learn spots. For food... find out if anyone has things they won't eat. Then one of you plan each meal for the week (you can count on fish meals) so you have an entire menu. From that menu you should be able to almost count the eggs and everything else needed to the perfect amount. This will keep your weight down when shopping for only what you know you'll need... and I remember in 2008 we left only some jam and eggs behind, and ate like kings. Our limit was 500lbs for 5... and we weighed in just 10 pounds over. You'll have a great time. It's an amazing place, amazing camp. Harry and Norman are two cool Ogoki dudes who have traveled the entire 800km length of that river in their freighter canoes. Depending when you go, sturgeon might be open too. They'll know a spot or two near camp you could always try drowning a chunk of meat for a half hour or so. Good luck. Tell Melanie I say hello. Looking forward to the report.

Hey... favorite response of the day. My wife, friends and family wondered why I didn't want to relocate too.

On that day I think did too... In the spring that spot was part of a little milk-run and now and again if getting there first after a good fresh tide, the odd searun speck or two could be waiting... Thanks gang. Looking over old pics is something done often enough. They are "happy" places and good memories to be relived.

With that kind of world all around you, it comes easy to be silently happy with life. The northern life. 01/2000 to 08/2009.

When times came to speak there was often plenty to be said, but when looking around, there were few to none who would listen. A glimpse into the Attawapiskat and James Bay. Where here, there's nothing to be found except peace of mind.

All good years. Every one of them. If there is any that takes the cake, it's 2008. Expected (and was) to be my last full year living in the north, every opportunity presented, I took full advantage of. It was a year of many great experiences, personal bests, firsts, friends, family and finishing touches. In 2008 I visited my 5 favorite places... Costa Rica, Kesagami, Pym, Great Bear Lake & the Tree, as well as Nipigon. New species that year were, marlin, wahoo, arctic char, grayling and ling. Also caught my first coaster brookie. Fish totals were 182 walleye, 182 pike, 30 lakers, 12 specks, 7 arctic char and 39 other... Picked up PB's in all the new species plus, a looong overdue Moose River pike PB, soft water best walleyes for the North French and Attawapiskat Rivers, a PB lake trout and PB speck. Spent more days fishing with family than any other year, and watched on as Brenda caught her PB's, pike, walleye, lake trout, arctic char, grayling and mahi mahi. Also managed to snap probably my favorite nature photo to this day. With access to pics at the fingertips, in usual report mode... here's a load of 'em... January Costa Rican Honeymoon... Marlin, wahoo and mahi mahi dream day. February skidoo run from Moose Factory to Onakawana up the Abitibi River... a tour I'd wanted to do for some time. Got "an" eye and a first ling for making the long trek. March on Kesagami ice. Bren scores PB's time and again, and a couple caribou walk by while fishing. May at home with Bren we scored some time alone up the North French for a few days. Found a new fishing hole with some specks and managed a PB eye for that river. June escaped with friend Stevie Z on the Moose and Cheepas Rivers. Exploring new waters coughed up PB Moose River pikes for the both of us. July came and along with a group of friends, we all visited Pym Island on the Attawapiskat for the first time. It was a week long slay of big fish and soft water PB's for many... Early August Bren and I lived out my dream to catch arctic char. To this day, that trip is still the pinnacle for us both... Late August... First trip to the Nip. A roady worth the drive for sure. September through to the end of the year back home I was in withdrawal for a couple months just fishing the usual eyes, pike and fallfish. Kids and Stevie joined in a few times, and so did "Red." She stayed put for my favorite shot... 2008 was incredible. It was made possible because of having taken the right steps with career and family during the years preceeding. It was full of amazing and rewarding times, and a great way to capture all that had been worked for and loved while on the James Bay.

Wickd Tyler!!! Some great pics and man, what a place to call home.