Moosebunk

Cool shot. A little hike in the spring helps shed a few winter pounds, we should have all joined yas.

Superior Metalworks indeed. Love seeing pics from spots rarely seen. Enjoy the spring fishing.

Score... Bly 1 ..... Cliff 0.2.... Hehehehe. Fishing with the wife is always a beating.

Caught this earlier and liked it very much. What a great looking spot for catching them beauties.

MJL the naked little woodland nymph is found basking with a wet phone over his privys by another steelheader out for a stroll along the bank. Tune in for what happens next.....

Superb Mike and Bill. The new canoe is a beauty and some of the shots with it are really smokin. Gotta love that set-up with the 2hp for blazing across those monster lakes. Yes, you say ya missed out on some of the fish you envisioned, but I don't think anyone could ever ask for a better way to spend a few days. Consider yourselves Kings for what you've just ruled... and onward to the next land.

You could take the rod to a shop and size it there as well. Done a few and I usually crazyglue the tip on, let set. Then, take 3/0 tying thread and wrap it nice and flush and even over the tip shaft(?) and rod, while applying epoxy. Finish with some more epoxy then for the first hour or so keep an eye how the epoxy is setting and rotate the rod some you don't get lumps in the finish. So far, no probs. You know what I mean sorta???

After pooping oatmeal and suffering a screaming rectum for a week a few years ago in Peurto Plata, I think it's best to always just stay away from these "crappier" vacation locales where Montyzumy still haunts the darker orifice and deep caverns of the human body. Try Costa Rica... worst thing that might happen is this... not too common though... not "Pandemic" anyways... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hwd5YioRpG8

Best reply. No strippers... Geez, I thought you were his best man, not best woman. Seriously, it always makes for the most fun for the guys for the night. Beer. Golf. Beer. BBQ. Hard Alcohol. Strippers. Poutine, Tylenol, Chocolate Milk, Gatorade. Crash.

Good one John. Maybe he snorts or smokes his "crystal" too... Ahhh the Chronz. I enjoyed his show with his son on saturday. Can't miss "Going Fishin".... and that song always get's stuck in your head.

Fantastic fish. You're buddy should be proud of that catch. Gotta ask though guys.... 24/7 - you and WhiteSpinner are fishing buds, right??? Sometimes I believe you were and now you're not. I tend to also believe that WSBait has shown you a few great spots over the years and now you're out sharing them with others...??? Is this right? I don't read everything posted so maybe I just catch the odd tidbit that makes me think this way. WSB, you sometimes come across as upset by 24/7's good catches from some places??? Is this why? Doods, no need to answer publically or at all if you don't want. I was just curious as I seem to recall some other times in other posts when you two were at odds.

Used 10 and 20lb. Didn't like it. Stiff. Strong. Frays. Use it for ice fishing though, deadsticking big pike. It serves me well for just that. PowerPro's good. Stren not bad (little noisy). Trying the P-Line braid this year as my experimental line. Suggest you move onto something that get's a better than average rating by your peers. And of course Chronz says it's the best. He's paid to say that. Careful taking the word from guys who are paid to promote or work for the companies of their said products.

Icefishing monday on Kesagami Lake, packing tuesday, skidooing off the island and flying to TO wednesday to Orlando heat the thursday... Coming home and in two days experiencing the reverse. Loved the heat... felt refreshing the whole ordeal. Skud... it's not an expensive camera... it's a Lumix. Does the job I want. John... great minds think alike. My daughter Summer was pretty spooked before and during a number of the rides, but not more than her mother. Summer was ready to tackle them again the minute she got off most of them. lol. Thanks for the replies. Knew there would be a few people who would appreciate and relive Disney a little with this report.

Fine fine fish Jacques. Congrats on the PB. Nuthin' much can get you happier than big specks landed in your net.

Get it when I get there. Or nearby. Or catch it on the way. Agreed Wayne... Temagami store has great meat. Went in there the tuesday after family day. Asked the butcher for a large tenderloin to cut my own steaks for the guys. Had it... quick trim... dang fine on the BBQ that night.

MICKEY, MINNIE, MOOSE & THE BUNKS. My parents took their time and drove to Florida. We took no time and flew. Air Canada actually... and things went smoothly for once. Daytona Beach... Day 1. Getting There. On the flight I watched "Yes Man." It was a good flick. In Orlando we had an early supper at Red Lobster. Considering this is where the franchise began, it's since been left lagging behind by Canadian standards. Day 2. Disney's Animal Kingdom. Summer (10 years old) and I (older) at the end of the trip decided to rate the rides we went on and shows we attended at all the parks. The scale is between 1 and 5 and we pretty much agreed on everything. 1. Not worth stopping, keep trucking. 2. Worth checking out, time permitting. 3. Good fun for all. 4. Great fun, don't miss it. 5. Wicked awesome, the bestest time. While we were at Disney it was Easter Weekend and spring break for some of Florida's schools. At a couple parks we missed some of the primo attractions due to time or crowds. Disney's Animal Kingdom. This was the quietest park for us. We did much of what we wanted to in a matter of about 6 hours but had an early start to beat the building crowds. Time could have been stretched to take in a couple things or do some rides twice. This was a great park for those kids that haven't been to a zoo or haven't been to one in a long time. Also, there are a number of kickass attractions or rides with Animal Kingdom. Expedition Everest - Roller Coaster.... 4 Kilimanjaro Safari - Vehicle thru Game Reserve.... 4 Kali River Rapids - Water Ride.... 3 Maharaj Jungle Trek - Walking/Animal Observation.... 3 Dinosaur - Vehicle/Simulator Ride.... 5 Tough To Be A Bug - 3D Movie Ride.... 4 Ate at Ruby Tuesday's that night. Much like a Kelsey's. Good Food. Day 3. MGM's Hollywood Studios. We didn't take too many pics this day... more videos actually. Some would argue this is Disney's best park, other's would likely lean to Magical Kingdom. Anyways, MGM is not one to miss. If only planning one day at Disney during a trip to Florida; and the kids are taller than 40 inches, then this is the park to go to in my opinion. Loaded with shows and rides get there as early as possible and expect to arrive home at 11:00pm at the earliest. The crowds on our day were busy but things went really smooth. FASTPASS: all the really big ticket rides have a system called FastPass. You can only pick up so many FastPasses for rides at a time, and only every 2 hours will they be issued, your first pass will tell you when you may get a next one. FastPass gives you a scheduled 1 hour time period to return to the ride. This way, no waiting in line. With FastPass when you return at your designated time you will wait no more than 10 minutes. Standby lines without FastPass can vary anywhere between 5 minute to 2.5 hour waits. FastPass is great. Upon entering the park in the morning have a couple of your favorite planned rides in mind, go get your FastPasses first, then go about your day. The Great Movie Ride - Nostalgic Ride.... 2 Indiana Jones Stunt Show - Special Effects and Stunts.... 3 Star Tours - 3D Star Wars Simulator Ride.... 3 Muppet Vision - 3D Show.... 3 Lights, Motor, Action - Car/Bike Stunt Show.... 4 Beauty & The Beast - Stage Show.... 3 Aerosmith's Rock N' Roller Coaster.... 5 FANTASMIC - Fireworks & Light Show.... 5 Twilight Zone's Tower of Terror - (like DropZone but inside).... 3 We missed "Toy Story 4D," by 11:00am all FastPasses were gone for the day. Day 4. SEAWORLD. My father's favorite Florida Fun Park, trumping all Disney and Universal Parks. My folks treat to us, we took a break from Disney. We weren't disappointed. Our SeaWorld day we were in the park by about 9:30am. Eight hours later we had taken in everything except their main water ride attraction and the new roller coaster opening soon. SeaWorld's shows and rides were a real hit with all of us, and the exhibits were good as well. KRAKEN - Roller Coaster.... 5 (as good or better than any Disney coaster ride) Believe - Killer Whale Show Shamu.... 5 Blue Horizons - Dolphin and Stunt Show.... 5 Clyde and Seamore Take Pirate Island - Sea Otter, Walrus and Sealion Show.... 4 Exhibits - Aquariums and wildlife viewing.... 3 MANTA - Roller Coaster.... coming soon. That night we ate dinner at an Italian Restaurant called Pacino's. Pricey but wicked good food. I had the rack of lamb and it was sooooo succulent and full of meat... magnificent. Day 5. Belz Center, Ron Jon's, Bass Pro, Mini Putt and Cici's Very briefly... Florida shopping is more expensive than Canadian. I bought some sale items and got a great new Columbia rainsuit, bibs and jacket. Ron Jon's only clothing line stuff was cheaper than the name brands so I picked up a chapeau and shorts. Bass Pro was a HUGE disappointment. For dinner it was Cici's. A chain of all you can eat pizza for $5.99. This place was great. Day 6. Disney's Epcot. Tornado and storm warnings in the morning meant we laid low until finally getting into Epcot around 1:00pm. EVERYONE was already there when we arrived and many big ride FastPasses were nearly taken up for the day. Epcot is a little older a park and so my daughter Leah (5) was kind of left in wonder with some of the attractions. This is considered a "world showcase" featuring flavors and life of many countries. They've also added some new and awesome rides since I was there 20 years ago. Unfortunately, we missed 3 of 4 of the biggys. SpaceShip Earth - Roller Coaster.... 4 Ellen's Energy Adventure - Educational Imax Ride Thru Time.... 3 Mission Space - Simulator Mission to Mars.... Missed it. Soarin - Free Falling ride.... Missed it. Test Track - Disney's Fastest Roller Coaster.... Missed it. Living with the Land - Educational horticulture ride.... 3 Honey I Shrunk The Audience - 3D Movie.... 3 World Showcase - Walking tour of the countries.... 4 Illuminations - Fireworks.... 4 Day 7. Magical Kingdom. You can see in the first pic what an absolute zoo this park is. Our timing was poor though. The day before people had held back from Magical Kingdom because of the weather warnings so... next day they came flooding in. Magical Kingdom is the original. It's Disney. It's the kids park of all parks. Older kids might like MGM better but this is for all the little Disney lovers. It does however hold alot of appeal for adults as well. We arrived around 11:00pm and were already too late to grab FastPasses for newer rides like Peter Pan's Flight and Pooh's Adventure. Expect 8:00am to midnight day if you want to get it all in. Pictures for the kids with Disney characters have line-ups 1 to 2 hours long. Stitches Great Escape - Spinning Theater Ride.... 1 Space Mountain - Roller Coaster.... 4 Buzz Light Year - Interactive Intergalactic Shoot'em Up ride.... 4 Tomorrowland Speedway - Go Carts.... Missed it, looked lame. Carousel Of Progress - Tour ride.... 1 (Bren did it, it sucked) Mickey's Philharmagic - 3D theater ride.... 3 Haunted Mansion - Spooks and thrills.... Missed it. Big Thunder Mountain - tame Roller Coaster.... Missed it. Splash Mountain - Water ride.... 5 Jungle Cruise - boat ride through plastic jungle.... 1 Parade of Lights - Parade.... 4 WISHES - Castle Fireworks.... 5 Day 8. Disney's Typhoon Lagoon. Disney has two waterfun parks, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. We chose the Lagoon. This was Summer's favorite day of any. It's endless waterfun and rides all day. She and I picked our favorites.... Humunga Kowabunga Crush N' Gusher Storm Slides End of the day we ate at a place called Joe's Crab Shack. Stellar seafood. Blow yer freaking mind crab cakes and other buttered crustaceans. Day 9. Poolside, Mini-Putt, Flea Markets Take It Easy Day. We stayed in a Windsor Hills Condo with VillaDirect. It was perfect, roomy and great for our group of 6 being that it had a big bunk for the girls, and two king beds in two large master bedrooms, ours with an ensuite bath. We were 5-10 minutes from the main gates at Disney's Parks. Tonnes of restaurants, shops and conveniences along West Irlo Bronson Hwy 192, and, easy access to Orlando, the airport and International Drive and other theme parks. Many, many, many vacancies at major hotels there. $29.99 to $49.99 a night for alot of them. The hotels are hurting due to the economy and home/condo properties. Tonnes of cheap buffet places to eat too. Things I didn't like in the U.S. ESPN Toll Routes Yuppies, and especially idiots with strollers and kids too young for the parks. Oversized carry-on baggage Merchandise Prices. Red Lobster Things I did like down there... Traffic... very good considering. Pacino's and Joe's restaurants. FASTPASS Sunshine/Weather/Lack of Snow. Orlando Airport. Denny's breakfasts X5 while there. I'd say as far as Disney's Parks go, Hollywood Studios and Magical Kingdom are the must do's. Epcot and Animal Kingdom are great but not the main draws. Although, Dinosaur could very well have been mine and Summer's favorite ride. Kids need to be 40 inches tall to get on most rides. Don't waste time and money taking toddlers as it won't make the trip a good family experience. Man, we saw alot of miserable folks, whiney impatient little ones and couples arguing because of stressing out. We felt we had it perfect and my girls never complained once. Universal Studios' two parks are supposedly even better than Disney's main parks. Just not enough time this trip to get it done. Would have needed 3 more days, 2 for those parks and one for the rest. Big rides there. On our last night we ate one more time at Pacino's. Been there, bought the T-Shirt, good family spoiling. Was the best time I think the kids have ever had doing anything.

Perfect canoe Mike. Gnarly pick-up. Looking forward to the trip and fish reports you bring us from this ride.

A sheepish but good humored morning to ya Wayne Tarp, blanket, matches, hatchet... and if it looks real lousy in the forecest, a small pot and pan. Only once we really worried... Bren and I. Nice deep snow in the bush, always have a shovel there anyways... little wind in the thick spruce. Small flashlight with fresh batteries in the tackle box. Big warm Parkas on our backs. Walleye in the lake and fresh water. Almost makes ya wish it would happen Wayne, especially if ya have to work the next day. Thanks for the replies all.

DNB CBR : "I have to ask tho, is Kesagami's single barbless hook policy not valid in the winter?" I should have taken time out at least one of the four years in a row, while I had a CO checking my lines, rigs, fish and card, to ask him this same question. I believe it's a lodge policy, not a lake policy. Not sure though, so, if you know different please pass that info along to me.

Some folks have a Great Lake or Nipigon or some other big lake in their backyard... Kesagami is in mine. Fun lake to fish. Thanks all for the replies. Wayne... the more I chatted with Don the more I agree. Friendly guy from the onset and I liked having the company and talking about the areas fishing and his great stories of getting his plane stuck in the slush and catching big brookies. Came into the lake twice while I was there, kept his limit of eyes then flew over to a spot on a nearby river to fish specks. What a life. Thing is, as nice as he is, he can fly in and out anytime and when two people are sitting alone on a 30km long lake with NO PLANE, who have obviously chartered at a cost to them, they have chosen their spot and cannot relocate easily... I have to say it's rude on his part. Simple. Rude. Other planes came in and out on other days and they all kept a reasonable distance... of like 100 meters or more away. Don first day was on the ice first... shuttling over the snow when we set down near him. I backed off my favorite spot and ended up paying the price with the pike catches. Next trip with a good arm I could have nearly chucked a snowball to their planes when they landed beside us. I was considering giving him a blast for it, but again, he is a nice fella and my wife's cooler head settled me quick. If you ever fish there Wayne, you would easily learn that his being on top of us was totally unnecessary... especially if his quarry is a limit of eyes.

GAME 4: TRIPLE DOUBLE. Poor Bren couldn't catch a break at all over the next nine days. With little flexibility in her schedule; yet that itching desire to get back on the lake for some more fizishin', she switched shifts with co-workers best she could to try and free up time... so did I. Tuesday the 24th we had it in mind to go but a morning of freezing rain stopped us dead in our tracks. Reworking her shifts again we tried for Monday March 30th but a freak 15 hour snowstorm cancelled that trip as well. Sadly, Bren ran out of options and her ice fishing year came to an end. In the midst of waiting, one day Stevie Zebco and I blazed 50km out of town to Renison so I could try a spot that usually produces well for pike and eyes in the spring. It was an hour and half ride to get there and on route I flipped the sled once and broke my auger box. The auger itself survived. Once at the mouth of the little bay I got to punching holes. The first had a depth of about six inches of water below the ice. Moving out a little, next hole I drilled the ice near bottom had been sitting atop of a rock and it unfortunately destroyed my new auger blade in an instant. This was the Renison fishing exploration in a nutshell. Luckily we salvaged the day by dropping back to the Cheepas to chop open some recent holes using the hatchet I had handy. Steve caught a pike and me an eye, keeping the skunk off. March 27, 28 and 29 were beautiful days while... "at work." The 30th the freezing rain cancelled Bren and I but, then the 31st was calling for sunny skies to fly. It was expected to be a short window for April 1, 2 and 3 were back to freezing rain again. I recruited the "very fortunate" Stevie Zebco... "who owes me big time" ... to join me for another day on the Kesagami ice. Stevie worked his nightshift and when he got off at 8:00am he zipped over to meet me at Tozer's. By 8:30am we were in the air. John circled his landing area before final approach when out of the corner of my eye I caught glimpse of a black timberwolf running across the lake. Aborting the descent he then zipped us over to buzz the beast as it ran hard for the nearest trees. For Steve and I it was both our second time seeing a wolf. Strange feelings they evoke... and I flashed back to the first trip with Bren earlier in the month. The howls and barking I had heard were not my imagination after all, and from the plane we caught site of many tracks that lined the trees nearby and the remains of a moose carcass around the corner from our fishing hole. Pretty amazing to think Bren and I could have been alone on the ice at times while a pack of lip licking wolves watched us from the shadows of the nearby woods. John dropped us off then headed back to Moosonee to pick up another group coming into the lake. Before I finally got settled into fishing Stevie was already six walleye ahead on the day. The eyes were really on for the morning and between ten and noon we were averaging about ten fish an hour. The bite slowed for a few moments around 11:30, the walleye taking cover from a big toothy visitor. Stevie Zebco was up to his old tricks... After the initiation to big pike on his last trip, Zebco played this guy like a pro. Another trophy pike in fact, caught on a........ well, take a look for yourself. A plane parked behind us with a couple other anglers, they were fighting a big fish same time Steve had this one on. When theirs was up the hole they snapped some quick pics in front of their plane then came running over to have us measure and weigh the fish. The angler and his buddy were pretty ecstatic and I was happy they chose to release that fat bellied prego trophy female pike full of future. Man, it's great being a part of these kinds of moments. Simultaneous awesome anglinations... doods. Moments after both pike were released, Stevie's hotstick still on fire pops two quick newcomers to the game. These whiteboys may have been his first, I dunno... forgot to ask. They were nice sized specimens though and pic worthy for sure. With Zebco holding all the luck these days I was reduced to running back and forth between the jiggin' site and a deadstick in the distance. A very likely, small walleye, kept triggering the large spoon I had tipped with a fallfish head. I got tired of him later in the afternoon and switched holes for that rod. Upon finally settling down to a mid afternoon beer, a respectable fish came up my jiggin' hole for a hello. But I wasn't done with just him. While Steve so graciously finished up heating some bowls of chili, I was kickin' it in the chair when I got a sudden solid wake up. Finally a real reel peeler on my light jiggin' stick. Thought about standing up but I was doing so well figured best just go with the flow. After a good tug of war up comes a biggun. The early evening walleye bite was dead. Steve and I were anticipating pike. In the distance the Pyzer rig with a huge quickstrike'd fallfish takes a sudden thud, but before I can even get half way to it a misfire is evident. A little later Stevie shouts out "the far one!!!" yet, same thing happens before allowing a few steps; the big spoon rig suffers a violent miss of its own. Time winding down I feel a little tink on the line. I'm reel up my jiggin spoon to check the minnow, when suddenly a chasing walleye accidentally propels itself out of my hole a foot into the air, landing beside my chair. Steve and I are laughing about it when his line gets struck. "It's a pike Bunk," he claims excitedly. Then with some major line rippin' Stevie's out if his chair, "it's a big pike." I'm shaking my head in disbelief at this point and giving him the friendly finger, thinking... I get flying dink walleye jumping out of my hole and here's Steve slaying another big toothy. It's Bren' s rod... there's something amazingly magical about it. He puts the gears to this one and before the fish was nearing only half spent he had it's head turned in and it's body vertically trapped in the hole. Well done Steve... well done. Next time “BUDDY,” bring your own gear, tackle, rod, bait, auger, food, plane and bull!!! Hahaha. Bitter much... not at all. Only kidding. Now that Steve's cut his teeth on a few of Kesagami's trophy pike and gotten "hooked" by the 40 some walleye day we just had.... I can’t wait to come up and visit him next year. FISH ON!!! And the release... See ya next time!!! The prize pike kicks away strong... and it’s "Game Over." Johnny came in early for us "during" the days prime pike bite. It would have been hard to leave had Steve and I not just released a couple tankers. Man it felt good out there during the calm, warm day, and it was nice to see numbers of both species turn up strong. The morning I had chosen to pull us off the area we had fished the previous two trips and instead move shop a touch north to where I figured the walleye bite would be better. Well, the gold entertained all day and the bronzebacks sure thrilled us on our lighter gear. All a part of the game plan. GAME 5: THREE POINTERS FOR THE WIN. More bookings to Kesagami got beaten down by weather the Saturday and Sunday April 4rth and 5th. Snowstorms. Monday the 6th was the absolute last chance. Opening the blind early in the morn my mind was plastered with a good dose of this... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dl9IoIY7ghY Our pilot John had us up and flying by 9:00am but with a little warning... "Ceiling right now is at 1000ft. Kesagami is at 1000ft and we're at sea level." What he was implying is that we may get there and have clouds on the ground and not be able to land. A wicked tailwind we were approaching the lake in no time and squeezed in a landing between sky and earth. The team today picked up a newcomer, my uncle Norm. As per usual, I had my right hand man Agent Stevie Zebco along again as well. A spoiling this boy was getting. For what may be my last trip into Kesagami for years to come, I wanted nothing but fun. No stress to produce big fish this day. A game plan of a solid numbers outing of walleye ensuring Norm gets a handsome share for his family. Although don't get me wrong, I wasn't against welcoming a trophy or two for me and Norm. Zebco was well enough off this year. The first hour fishing was slow before the boys began nailing walleyes pretty consistent. Myself I tend to putter around alot and rarely jig, keeping my rod set in a holder. Sometimes, that works perfect... Stevie shouts, "BUNK!!!" and I'm on it. Solid fish. I know right away by the speed in which it shreds the line from the reel that it's a tank. The fight lasts longer than any in memory but during the battle I'm confident the fish is good and stuck. Afterall, I had a bigger than usual spoon and treble on the end of the line and believed the leaderless PowerPro was likely clear of teeth. I was right... and this crap eating grin on my face can only mean one thing... The "hoop and the harm." A new personal best pike. A solid shouldered, fat bellied bronzeback. My karma had been running kinda bad with all the cancellations into the lake and all the personally missed hooksets and lost fish in the first few outings... I was on cloud nine now. When the crap luck shifts as it always does, sometimes the sweetest rewards for hours and hours and hours of effort really pay off. It was only noon and I told the boys we could head home now. Stunning big fish... tiring to hold up. And to take it on the light rod was good sport. Without even taking a moment to think about it, the fish was released. Norm and Steve were great to share this with. They were as excited for me as I was. Kept thinking; maybe even saying, that it was just the perfect way to end the ice season. Without a plane coming back to us for another seven hours or so, plenty more fishing was to be done. Norm and Steve continued to plug away raising the walleye numbers up over the first dozen of a few dozen to come. After the big fish, I put the rod back in the holder with a fresh piece of meat on the hook and prepared lunch. The team angled on until chow time. Was about 2:00pm and "piking hour." My rod tip slams, pops back up... and then slams again. Feeeeeeesh ON!!!! This one was a real test. The fight actually took about a half an hour. I thought I had a train on the end of the line. The fish felt bigger and stronger than the last. After some time I started guessing that what I had was the most gigantic pike of my life and that it was just too big to turn up the hole. That's when the call was made for Steve to fire up the auger. I handed Steve the rod while Norman helped steady the Jiffy, slowly we began the second hole. A couple times we stopped, Norman cleaned slush, Steve kept the auger going and I tried every which way I could to turn the fish. Then we repeated the process of drilling. Finally, third time was a charm and we punched through the bottom ice. We were met with a whole lot of reel peel, but taking the rod back from Steve I was quick to turn the fish back around and finally up the hole. A great pike a little shy of trophy status turned out to be foul hooked in the back of her head. Not a 50-incher like I dreamed moments ago, but surely one really thrilling half hour for us all. Norm I think even shot a little video. I no sooner rebaited the line and reset my rod in position when Stevie jolts out of his chair and is up and running to a far pike set-up. He was pretty jumpy to get a pike and actually nabbed Norm's turn, but it was all good. He was there so fast it paid off when he pegged a big male pike. The far rods loaded with heavier line and bigger reels Stevie says when Norm and I arrive to him, "man it hardly fought at all. Came up quick." Normally the Agent is fighting the big fish with 10lb test, this time 30lb... yeah, horsing is a little easier. His pike was long and thin, making it into the 40+ club. Nice job again Steve. Three trips and how many trophies??? MVP for the team this season... glad to see it bud. Having already been out kicking about through the snow before Steve nailed his fish, I was kinda beat so I sent him back to rebait and set the rod he just devastated. Usually, I'm pretty particular about the pike set-ups but Steve catches on quick and knows his shistuff now. This trip... no Maina, no Pyzer, all old school. Big spoons tipped with meat. Afterall, it was meant to be a fun fish today with good numbers for Norm. Speaking of Norm. Steve was still off setting the line when back at the jiggin holes from my opposite ear of Steve I hear the jingle of a bell. "GO NORMAN! JUST GET THERE AND SET IT." Norm listens and is off sprinting to the other pike rod. Grabbing the pike box I'm hot on his heels. Just before he arrives at the rod it's tip pops up. "DON'T SET IT NORM!!! WAIT!" He takes a moment and gingerly releases the elastic off the rod holder, the tip smashes down again. Norm gives the perfect rip set out of the holder and is into one gnarly beeyotch. A lifetime of fishing he rides her out reel well. "Ohhh reely-peely-doods, here come a great big GATOR alert!!!" Steve and I rolled around all over the place in the snow snapping pics. Uncle Norm's grin never left his face. So glad he came with us. Made it a treat for me, absolutely. To be caught another day. Evening arrived and both Norm and I actually lost a big pike each back at the jiggin' holes. No big thang though. The bite slowed and Steve took a turn at the camp stove for supper. We weren't finished mowing stew long when John dropped in out of the sky an hour early at 6:00pm. Upon landing he lets us know that some nasty weather is heading our way and we could pack up slow. "GAME OVER." We jumped aboard the 206 very satisfied with our day. For me it was quite possibly the best big pike day I've experienced at Kesagami. Yet... thinking about it now as I type, I can honestly say that there have been so many big pike days over the years with friends and family that have been really exceptional as well. Walleye numbers into the hundreds and hundreds too. To share this great finale on this day was just so totally awesome. Trophy win for the team. If this ends up being the note I go out on after 18 cold ice lifetime dates with my love Kesagami, I'm happy to consider the moments a love well spent; leaving it at that and moving onto the next big game. Thanks Bushland Air's, John and Dale and, John and Dexter, for all the safe flights, putting up with my never ending phone calls during winter months and keeping the lines "reel" tight, every time.

MARCH MADNESS. KESAGAMI. PRE GAME SHOW. Yeah... I'd say it was a cold winter. In fact, there was a stretch of deep freeze across this province I'm sure much of us could have lived without. Fishing this January was not really in the cards. If it wasn't too chilly it was just way too chilly. The family took shelter in the igloo while the first wave of flu season blew in. I managed to survive unscathed. The new moon of January 28th came and a rare, warm, forecasted daytime high of -10C was expected, decided then to venture out for the first fish of the 09. Much of the way was trailblazing. The river in parts froze terribly, especially around Kwetabohagan. The shallow levels in fall must have been cause for the uneven ice in the rapid stretches. A very full and busy year had passed since last riding a snowy river. Big Red sold in the fall so, with just the Bravo now the pace has slowed; no more bombing about at 170 klicks holding on for dear life. Truth is, taking a little more time out to travel didn't feel like missing anything at all. Reached the home of the Cheepas Monster and drilled a triangle to work. Peace and quiet all around, clear skies, light southwest breeze, after a little jiggin' in the middle hole decided on a siesta in the sun while allowing two set lines north and south do the work. No sooner got the second set-up rigged when in the distance the first got a strike. By the time I ran there a fish was already gone. This turned out to be the game over the next two hours. I didn't get that nap because of being busy jogging from one line to the other and back again. End of the day it was evident that small fish were triggering my lines yet not getting stuck on the big baits placed out for that one smart old fish I know resides in the bay. Ended up eventually getting a snot rocket with a timely hookset, a fish which came after missing eight earlier chances. By quitting time I could have been more upset with the results but, it had been three months since the last days fishing and it was just great to be out. For as long as possible, took the time to enjoy the sun dropping on the horizon before packing up and beginning the hour ride home. January surely limited many days for fishing, but this one was a treat. The month of February began real cold, much like most of January. Even if there was a day to fish, my wife since the New Year was grinding through hours working almost two full-time jobs. Our babysitter needed a break and it didn't seem right me dumping the kids on anyone to get out fishing. Especially not when I already had a southern road trip planned for later in the month. See "Southern Roady" Report - http://www.ofncommunity.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=29107 Well, with that trip, February fishing worked out awesome. Instead of cold I got a little bit of everything tropical in the south, Bren made it out for a break too, and her and I both got some time in with family and friends. GAME 1: HALF DAY PRESS. First days of March came in like a lamb. After a week a lion teared that wooly bugger apart and then roared and ripped the Moose a new one. Before all went to he!! Bren and I had booked a day on Kesagami for March 4rth. That morning we woke to a rare winter fog which put our plans back several hours. I had slept little the night before. Anticipating the first run loads my adrenaline days before. Six dozen creek chubs had been living in my fridge two weeks, I had prepared and frozen enough chowder, stew and chili servings to handle five runs in for three people or more, the lures had all been inspected thrice and the auger blade switched out for a brand new one. A couple times I drew out some hole plans for the spot and considered and reconsidered where the quickstrikes, versus the big spoons, versus the jiggin' outfits should be. Even the previous summer I set out a couple fishing days to strictly chase after fallfish, so the baitbucket in the freezer would be full. Long story short is that I had a game plan... but now the game had a fog delay. Nevertheless, by late morning we were finally out of agony, off the ground and saying goodbye to Moosonee... ... Saying wachay to Moose River James Bay... ... and saying see ya, Moose Factory Island. Flying into the fishing area on the lake I was quick to spot a plane already on the ice there. In fact, when he saw us he was quick to shuttle several hundred yards right to where I had hoped to fish. Giving a little distance, John set us down nearby so we could unload and see him off. It was evident many people had already fished the lake. Past couple years Bren and I had seemingly been the first, but this time skidoo and plane tracks lightly covered by snow did criss-cross all around. I drilled a number of holes a little north of where I would have liked to be and by about 12:30 after cleaning out slush and setting some lines, Bren had quickly iced 10 walleye within the half hour. Years passed saw the wife more content to fish the food while I waited out the trophies, this year she was more about the other. She picked her pike hole and sure enough by about 2:00pm her bell rang and the rod tip pointed straight down. She set the second she got there. A solid fish gave her a run for her money but Bren's skills paid the bills, she reeled in the prize. The day was passing quick as we jigged up numerous walleye. The fella from the plane came by for a visit and introduced himself as Don from Cochrane. He spoke of the many years he'd been flying into the lake and that only until recently did he begin fishing this area. Set to his GPS from the previous winter Don was convinced he was on the walleye spot. He seemed like an alright guy. For a few hours he fished and managed three walleye, but us, we didn't see any more pike. It was late in the afternoon when my quickstrike rod fired. This was the set-up closest to Don who was south of us and over the pikey area. Arriving at the hole the rod tip was down and line peeling... I set and felt a good solid fish for about five seconds, then it was gone. I quickly reset the bait, really loosened up the drag, balanced the rod and walked away. A half hour later the bell rang again. Over I go and this time wait. The tip is bouncy, non-committal. I wait some more until it holds awhile pointing down the hole, the line slowly peeling out off the reel. Finally I take a swipe and feel a second of weight before... nothing. Reset again. Meanwhile Bren's having a productive day, so good she's picked up a new species for herself. After her whitey the south set-up fires with a sudden and violent ring and reel peel. I no sooner pick up the pike box and begin running when the tip springs back up and sits there lifeless. Nothing happens after that. The sun is beginning to set. It's pre-daylight savings time and the plane is due back for 5:30pm. A five hour fish is really a half day for us, we usually spend up to nine hours on the lake. Any time out there in that space is infinite in a way though. Kesagami is one of the sleepiest giants I know. With Don long gone we are totally alone, the world and wind is so silent for some time. Along the nearest treeline there are moments I swear to Bren I hear faint howling and barking sounds, but the breeze muffles those noises enough to keep them from registering with my wife’s ears. Peace all around until a whisper in the wind. A faint hum over fifteen minutes grows louder and louder until our buzzing plane flies overhead. "It's game over." First chance in was short and kind of bitter sweet. The walleye numbers were good and the day beautiful but, the many signs of fisher-people and the three missed chances on the quickstrike had me a little rattled. On the plane ride back the day gave me much to think about... GAME 2: LOW SCORING WIN. March 11th's return was cancelled due to a Blizzard so we rescheduled for the 16th. Come that day freezing rain kept us grounded as well. The minnows in the fridge received some fresh water and oxygen by this time as they were beginning to grow quite pale. They weren't the only ones sick and tired of waiting through the days. By friday the 20th all looked good. A co-worker took the last part of my shift the night before, kindly giving me a break to relax at home while taking time to prepare. The morning saw us off and out of Moosonee by a timely 8:30am. With a cold but full sunny day ahead the hopes were high. On the ice we relocated everything a little south from before. A blizzard the week before, again tracks made it obvious many planes had been in since. While finishing up drilling, two skidoos came by and we were met by our neighbors Doug and Betty. They have a camp on the lake they stay at several times a year, and after a brief convo they gave us some space while they set-up deeper in the channel for some walleye. For hours Bren and I went fish-less other than a perch. Noon time and thinking of lunch there's a buzz in the sky and before long another annual visitor to the lake makes an appearance. C.O. John. McD first takes some time with Betty and Doug before beginning a walk over to us. While he's on route one of the pike rods fires and I run over, play and quickly release a 34" pike. When we greet each other I thank him for bringing some luck. John and I met the previous year on the lake. A local out of Moose Factory who works at the Cochrane detachment for the MNR, John is about as nice a fella as anyone could ever meet. Last year when first introduced, he read my card and gathering from my last name looks at me and says, "you're Moosebunk. Heard about you." John, Bren and I were talking about the very slow fishing, wondering if the increased pressure on the area over the recent years was affecting the fish pop when... ding-a-ling-a-ling-aling. The C.O. being there and all I was quick to announce, "It's yours Bren's! Should be a bigger fish, set the hook right away." She did just that and pegged a gnarly tough fish. I had chosen two new different styles (The Pyzer and The Maina) of quickstrikes and made them at home to try on the pike. Bren battled a fish on the Pyzer rig while John and I made our way over to her. Several times Bren got the fish to the hole but couldn't turn it up. We had a good foot of water below the ice, maybe a couple more inches than that, but nothing could solve rolling this pike a little sideways to bend it's head in. She managed the rod perfectly while I fingered and tugged the line every which way possible... the fish felt heavy and several times ripped off line before needing to be brought back again. After 15 minutes or more I ran back for the auger and began drilling a hole beside the hole. Very nervous to say the least, I was talking a blue streak with John, Bren and now Doug who had skidoo'd over to see what's up. "Gotta be a big fish guys," I babbled on. "I've never not been able to turn one into a 10-inch hole. It feels good and heavy too... could be biggest yet." Blah, blah excited blah. Bren controlled the line to the opposite side of the hole best she could and I managed to slowly and safely get that second hole through the 40-inches of ice. Once complete, the fish turned and a big headed pike with jaws gaping open came to the surface. Bren scored a trophy for the team. The fish wasn't as big as anticipated, but still big... especially it's head. The Pyzer rig had been deceiving and the problem, for one treble was firmly in the yap while the other loosely hooked in the back. When we pulled up on the fish to turn it, the two hooks working together provided even tension and ultimately tried to raise the pike's head and shoulders same time into the hole. Reality was, the pike's face couldn't be lead in and up, and nor could the fish actually roll a little sideways while the line was taught. In essence, the rig worked to pull the fish into and up the hole in an almost horizontal fashion... not allowing it to turn vertical. Nevertheless, the first quickstrike fish was up. In the immediate moments of pics, measurements and release, I forgot to get John in a picture with Bren. As soon as the pike was in the hole he checked my card, said wachay, then made his way to the warmth of the plane. With John's departure it was only moments later when Don and company set down right on top of us. I became annoyed and angry at first... won't lie about that. It's a 30km long lake with nobody else on it and these two landed both planes and set-up only a stones throw from us. A man after his walleye limit every day, he just won't take my word and set-up where the walleye numbers really are... instead his plane and auger shakes the ice overhead of the big pike I quietly and patiently wait for. With the company next door the bite shut down a couple hours except for a single hard smash on the Maina rig that was an instant miss I didn't even have time to get up from my chair for. We were right off the walleye turf now. Bren and I have had 40-60 fish days but on this one we ended the day with nine. I knew we were over pike and it was only a matter of time. Bren jiggin' away with her favorite little rod and reel and her favorite little spoon she always picks... "Honey" she quietly announces, "I got a big one here." Man... I can't tell you how many times I've watched this girl tame big fish with the 10lb Power Pro attached straight to a tiny spoon. She's sick... she's that good... I switched up to a new spoon that I picked up in Timmins. Never used the kind before, don't know anyone who has actually. Bren thought it was too small when she saw it. The thing was no sooner on the bottom when a big fish smoked it. I played and played what felt like a solid pike when at the surface it came off. Bren who had been peering down hole had to tell me it was a big walleye. From then until dinner nothing moved. Finally a little evening bite of eyes came about... ... and some pike too. This average fish entertaining me with a "little" show. Johnny at 7:00pm buzzed over when just then Bren suddenly says, "Drew!!!" The Pyzer was down. Bolting over I can hear peel and when arriving I drive the hook. A nasty first run followed by a few big shakes and within 10 seconds I'm reeling in slack line. The plane lands and "it's game over." Fifteen trips into this lake, twice have there been multiple trophy pike days. This day was certainly a win with Bren's big pike. Ice fishing could really be her niche being that she's so steady in her approach, gentle, determined yet patient. It's great to see how much she enjoys these days out with me. I wonder at times how many women out there would get up at 6:30am, make hot chocolate and get the kids off to the sitters, jump in a bush plane by 8:00am, spend nine hours on the ice sometimes in real cold or blowy windchill days and fish their hearts out..? Only to go home, make a late supper, help clean some fish and repack for the chance of doing it again the next day. She can't be fishing just for me, this girl must love making these memories too. GAME 3: ZEBCO'S IN PLAY. The Quickstrike on the left is the one which has had some success the past two years. Problem is, unless fish are in a mood to really chomp deadbaits I find they're too ineffective on pike that gently taste their meals. The rig in the middle I call the "Pyzer" rig, as he was fishing pike with one on LOTW during an episode of Real Fishing. The third rig on the right I named the "Maina" as this was a set-up he used on Tobin Lake's trophy pike fishery. Unlike the rig of old (left) these two new rigs it's recommended that as soon as you get to the fish you set the hook. With the Agent Stevie Zebco on board for his first ever chance to fish Kesagami, I had but one obvious game plan... help get him his biggest pike ever. Having him along was exciting. Stevie's always game to please, a real stand-up fella whom I'm lucky to have as a friend. He joins me for more fun adventures than anyone of late, and without his company there are oftentimes days that just wouldn't be either feasible or safe or physically possible without his assistance and our teamwork. The Agent makes "Mission's Possible" and for that it's always nice seeing him get on some fish and have a quality time. Steve and I had planned two full days with an overnighter March 21st. Fishing the big lake all day saturday and sunday surely was an awesome preminition, but when the morning of departure rolled in several snow squalls accompanied by high winds cancelled our day. The lake weather was forecasted to be nice through the night, except the -23C plus windchill. Tenting in the open space wouldn't have been too cozy. Cold, no cold.. we had little choice anyways... the plane was grounded. Sunday we were supposed to be gone first thing except that a power outage in Moosonee kept our airline service in bed longer than planned. Bushland Air was making two runs in on the day with two groups slated for full days of fishing. This meant, if we go first we come out an hour and a half earlier than necessary; so to allow the plane to return and get the second group before nightfall. Fair enough, we got off the ice strip in good time actually. On Kesagami it was apparent over the first first two and half hours that we were going to have a slow day. Not a fish moved before 11:00am, I don't think. I had taken a walk to clear the holes at the set lines when Stevie Zebco yells out, "Bunk I gotta big fish on over here!!" "Alright!!!" Back I go. Using Bren's blessed combo Steve had a small Champ attached on the line. I missed some of the early fight and when I returned to him I seriously underestimated the expected size of his fish. The first couple runs witnessed didn't seem all that big (figured mid 30" fish) until I first fingered the line for the head turn and his fish took off on a marathon. Stevie remained pretty calm... he wasn't Brenda calm by any means though. His ice fishing experiences before this year he told me were all tip-up days with 50lb Dacron to hand-line walleye. He did alot of reeling against a peeling drag at first but then with a little advising settled into a more methodical lift and reel down. He got the fish back to the hole in due time where I was able to assist him pop the head around the corner before securing the fish. The small spoon was deeper than usual. Only the end of a snap-swivel kept those teeth from a bite-off. The hook came out effortlessly and before pulling the fish from water I had Stevie open the pike box then come over and take hold of what I knew was going to be his personal best pike. He hadn't seen it yet... and when he pulled his fish up the camera was ready for every priceless moment... It was a tank trophy pike. Stevie was beside himself. Giving the fish ample time to breathe atop the hole before pulling it out for pics, the measurements and moments out of water did the fish no worse for wear at all. It was one of the fastest, hardest tail kicks on the release I have seen. Great being a part of this moment. Stevie figured his best pike before this one had been about 10 maybe 12 pounds. Now he had something double that. The morning fish for me wasn't going well... although, I had spent a lot of time just sitting in wait. Hadn't caught a thing and that's never happened on this lake. Two planes came in and landed a distance away, I recognized them from last year. Come the afternoon a whitefish came up the hole while Stevie had managed a couple smaller pike and eyes. It was a few hours after his big fish that while off clearing the pike holes I found a big surprise. The Pyzer rig had been stripped of its bait and about eight feet of line stolen off the reel in the process. Both Stevie and I were in awe because, A: we hadn't heard the bell, and, B: the reel rested gently on a chunk of ice that when triggered should have fallen off and been an obvious sign of a hit, or missed hit. I let the event bother me, thinking... I'm slipping. I no sooner got back to Steve when the other pike set-up had a very soft tug then slow reset into position. From a distance we watched and nothing happened again. Later, while over clearing that hole I found the large spoon had been stripped of its bait. What the hell is going on here!?!?! Brutal. With Steve's big fish under his belt the day was left for me to salvage something. All day nothing. Even after I reset the spoon with new bait, when it fired later I drove the hook and had a hard short lived battle before suffering another unpegging. I took to jiggin' and hit a pike... finally. The smallest pike I have ever caught on the lake... (but still not as small as FLOAT'S the time we went in the summer) The day was winding down and so far I had caught 1 walleye, 1 pike and 1 whitefish. Stevie with Bren's hotstick had fared better, but it was by a mile the slowest day of fishing ever on the lake. Plane was buzzing in and we're collecting the gear when luckily the big spoon rod fires. I got there and made certain to nab a quality fish before finishing the day. Quick work of it then the release. "It's game over." Although I expected more for numbers and of my own fishing, the mission was actually accomplished by the end of the morning. Another trophy pike day... and one heckuva satisfied Steve. The other group in on the lake worked water about 100 meters away from us and more down the channel... those two were at 39 walleye and 1 small pike with several hours to go when we talked to them before leaving. They were going to have a 50 fish day... all keepers I bet too. To me that simply affirmed we were over pike... a choice made... and having caught six on the day and missing three other chances at what were likely significant fish, new choices would need to be made for the next time. We flew home.

You shouldn't drink, smoke crack, listen to Lenny and drive.

Quality fishing in quality weather TJSA.

I didn't think anyone really gave a damn about that kinda stuff. Hold your horses though, I'm working on it... been quite a few hiccups this year in the plans. Won't be any sort of StarWars or Excalibur themes this year... straight up! Thanks for asking.