Moosebunk

Sometimes there's just not enough winter in a winter to get it all in. Sorry I missed ya AGAIN this year bud. Jacques, won't be the first time I'm on your side of the fence, ober der! 3 Bravos NAW. 2 of which got stuck in the slush actually, and Stevie Bomby pulled 'em out. The quad is the machine to have. Thanks for the replies guys.

Picture Report. Well, more of a picture report anyways. One thing that will be missing for the first time in a number of years from a winter ice fishing report will be the pike... Kesagami's pike. Times have changed and future fishing there will likely occur from a boat during the safety and warmth of summer. A little worry I would miss the experiences there this year, in the end the valley winter flew by so quickly I barely had time to. Instead, what the ice season gave was an interesting mixture of fast and slow days, times on ice that were all work for fish, and then others when it was all play and fun with family and friends. General concensus for a number of anglers in the valley was that this years fishing was "tough" and "slow." There certainly were days like that, but for me it was overall good. Swapping out the old ice life when the season was 4-5 fly-in trips and a couple icy cold skidoo outings, this year a couple dozen days fishing provided a variety of fish in a number of different settings. At times I still catch myself living in that past, but I guess as more winters like this one go by, it will eventually fall into that same place. First day of winter was the first day on the ice. Last day of winter was the last... most likely. Before Christmas Christine and I enjoyed a morning roady to rainbows followed by an afternoon hoping for walleye but, settling for perch. It was a great day out, catching six bows with Christine getting her first ever. Thanks for sharing the day. The holidays were fun as always and this year was the first in a long time we didn't have to either host, work or travel any great distance. Perfect time spent for all the family. Before the New Year while Christine was still around to join us, Slop, Huddy, she and myself took a trip to the boonies to beat up on some bush crappies. Wild stuff making for fast action days. Never before have the girls joined me for as much time out on the ice as they have in the past couple months. To them, they make the best of their time playing, fishing, snacking or just doing whatever they want. This year as well, I have had the good fortune of helping to introduce new friends Rick and Angie to ice fishing. Between everyone there's probably been 8-10 pannie outings logged. They could all be hooked. Angie with her first fish through the ice. Splake have eluded me all my fishing life but during January I managed to squeeze in two quick morning outings. First trip old friends Keith and Fra took me along, and the second pass I was able to track down the long lost MuskieMagnet Pat. One point along the way I tried heading out fishing on a least favorite lake for my nemesis the lake trout. A long day of jiggin' with a laker missed I was surprised when come afternoon when a lone pike came by and tried biting my transducer. Reeling up from 60 feet I rubbed my lure on his side ti'll he swam ahead then came back to smash it. When the snow flew in heavy come early February I took the opportunity to explore the area around the house on the Bravo. The girls let me drive them around awhile too, before taking over the machine to ride their race track around the yard. Reconnecting with a relocated and father of new babe, Pat, he and I got away one day to adventure to new waters. Not sure what to find, we were both happily surprised with some solid perch. One more outing there afterwards with big kid Slop and my little kiddies too, we were greeted to more. An annual gathering in Calabogie couldn't come soon enough and unfortunately, ended all too quickly. While playing in The Hills with a couple dozen yahoos and a Slop and the Sock, all under quad and sled power, we found a few fish on the slushy lakes. During January and February I snuck away four times to Quinte. First trip with SM05 (Mike) we didn't get a sniff. Trips two, three and four things picked up some but overall Quinte was tougher this year for me. The last trips went 8/8 with Slop, 4/4 and a dismal 1/3. However, a few nice fish did make the surface and each time out using the Instashak was total comfort. To cap off February Grant, Huddy and I rented a cottage up in Quebec for three nights and planned to fish for whities while fighting off lakers. The fishing itself was hit and miss although we all got some lakers. The cottage, company, meals scenery and quading were all top shelf though. A great time I hope to do again. Early March came in like a lion on the weekends, but during the midweeks Slop and I managed some perfectly timed outings to take advantage of quiet fishing opportunities. Whitefish did finally show themselves while the lakers were taking midday breaks. By ice end for me, Grant, Huddy and myself took one last weekend day to the whitey hole and bumped into a couple fun Fish-Hawkers in Paul and Craig. What was the final outing was a complete day of fish and relaxation. That was winter in a blob of pics. Next year I hope to see Stevie Z in his backyard of Hearst for something new, but for now thoughts of next years ice time are packed away. The Bomber is ready to go. Float tube a quick grab. The WarCanoe will be flipped shortly. Rods are readied for spring crappie, specks, browns and bows in the coming weeks, with hopefully a side of lakers and whiteys. Like spring just arrived, summer is fast approaching too. Hopefully see some of yas out there. Bunk

A little more than 24 hours to go... Thanks so much to everyone for taking the time to give me a vote in the contest. If it's meant to happen I'll be sure to come back and take everyone along in a report.

No Sir. You can't be disappointed with either bows or browns. Such amazing looking fish. Solid as usual Mikey!

Found this on page 2. It's getting near quitting time... but time near quitting it's not. Few more days. Gotta hold on!

Get out of bed at noon. Check! Coffee... check! Take the boat motor for a tune-up... check! Sniff some liquid tape to fix the frayed wire to the transducer... ohhh check! Log on to OFC and bump this post... Yep Checkin'. 4-5 more days now, then I'll quit hounding and leave everyone alone. CHECK!

To quote the contest rules sent in email to past guests... ... "The story with the most "likes" will win a trip to any Plummer's Lodge, anytime in the summer of 2011. Contest closes March 31st... That sounds like a "WILL" to me Darsky.

Nice! Even if it was for a better cause. I don't know if extra votes in the end are being counted or not, but if they are allowed they certainly can't hurt.

You just can't be fast enough many times with that site Lew. Good quick sale for ya.

Take that back bud. In the ER one of us said "it's quiet" at the beginning of our shift last night. Man, we paid for that all night. Karma is a b-ee-yotch!

Right On Dan! It would certainly be a trip that would find its way back home here to Ontario, and one report that would be owed "big time" to many. Less than a week of hoping to hold on. Support if you can with any votes. Thanks. Dave... liking the Innis & Gunn of late.

Right on doods! and.... bump. 1 week left... or 5 or 6 days or something.

Great series of pics dood. Nice part of the country you live in. Those sturgeon pics P me off some.

Vote "like" for, "Lying Beneath The Dream Giving Tree." http://www.plummerslodges.com/share-your-story-contest/entries Thanks again all.

HEY ALL. Overnight my closest competitor made his biggest jump yet. He's still a ways behind but did pick up 20 votes while I was asleep. I hate leaving anything to chance if I can help it. Please, if you haven't voted take a second and do so. It only takes a second if you have a FB account. Link is page 1. I'll repost again below.

Drifter... Dave... You're a big dood. I'll have to cut you off at 3. Carl, that'd be pretty cool if it happens. Good luck getting the job.

Woke to this one morning in the fall of 2006. Someone was watching over Joe and I later that day.

Slipped a vote in this morning. C'mon folks, vote if you can. Jen could use some OFC love.

Lunds or Alumacrafts... both were my top two choices when buying as well. With two Lund dealers nearby, one just 15 minutes away, I chose the 16 foot Rebel XL. Plus, I think I just wanted a Lund having always really liked my buddies 16 foot Classic tiller. Tiller vs console is a very personal choice as only you know what your comfort level, season and fishing needs are on the water. I'd love to have both, but was happy to take the tiller. I fished last year into December, spent some time on two of Ontario's Great Lakes, chased everything fishy that swims, got wet a couple times because of having a tiller, but it never once really bothered me. Rainsuit and/or goggles came out a couple times. I like having the full boat in front of me, engaging everything ahead. The extra room and the quick response of the tiller is great as well. If fishing the GL's more often, then an 18 foot with a console would have been the choice, but the Lund handled BOQ well this year when picking the right days, same as the Ottawa River... and I got in and out of some smaller lakes with shallow launches unscathed as well. 16 foot is the workable size for big and small water. Enjoy whatever you get. Lund or Aluma, tiller or console, when it's yours it's the best thing on the water.

Great looking speck. Wow. Looks like a cataract but on the wrong side of the pupil. Maybe scar of sorts like FG said.

It's an amazing area. I'm sure guys booked will have a blast, and for $1000 that's tough to beat. From what I hear, water levels will be much much better this year than last. Should make river travel easy and open up spots that may haven't been hit too hard last year on the Skat.

Billy if you're on FB and you haven't looked me up. Shame on ya!!! And no, ya can't compete. If the contest was for 20 people I'd still be looking for all the fishing partners to be women first. Haha! Abberz... get working on those 10 other friendships bud!

Gem of a vid report. What a great day of specks.

Bill... hehehe! It started with cats for me too.. then dogs, now kids. They're sick people, trust me I know. FSled... good of ya to lay chase... that cat probably uses your flower beds more than you think.

That's just me Wayner... horny for fish. I'll let Bren know to cast a vote Jen's way too.