Moosebunk

January got out once. Big trip on the skidoo 165 km’s return for the shot at some good speckled trout fishing. Arrived at Halfway Creek 80 km’s up the winter road from Moosonee to Fort Albany, to find the ice road workers had dammed the creek to create a large pool at roadside so which they could fill their trucks with the water. Water they in turn use to flood and smooth sections of this winter highway. Needless to say, the water on the lower section of the creek; where we fish, was greatly affected. My buddy Paul and I had hoped an incoming tide off James Bay scheduled for about 3 pm would still bring a fresh school of searun trout, but, an offshore wind during a new moon cycle didn’t really help with that either. We went fish-less, but enjoyed the riding. By the end of January a new “PikeSlayerinator” was born too. Through February tied some musky bucks and four attempts at pike were made. The growing number of ice anglers around here, and the bad freeze-up around one of my usual walleye spots forced me further upriver. First day out ended in huge disappointment as a big pike was lost during the sunset. About 5:15 I was packing up and on my way over to grab my set rod. The tip dropped an inch suddenly, and just remained there for a second. I started to run and the reel began peeling, when I grabbed it there was very likely the heaviest Moose River fish on the end of the line I had ever felt. We played for what seemed like 10 minutes and did make a couple passes at the hole, yet it wouldn’t turn and eventually snapped 30lb braid. I sunk into the snow crushed for a second, then ran over to the skidoo for another spoon, rigged it quick, went back and started jigging the hole, but came up empty. I’m pretty convinced it was a bite-off above the leader, but, when fishing through nearly 3 feet of ice and in only about 2 feet of water, there’s always the great chance that the line running and rubbing at pretty much a right angle with the bottom of the hole is reason enough for the line to get cut. While there though I did manage to pick up four snot rockets as some sort of consolation prize yet, dropped the camera in a hole and totaled it. Did manage to retrieve the disk though... for it’s 3rd time in about 1 ½ years. Remember that, they’re reason alone to grab the camera from the water. It's been a cold month. A week later I returned for that big fish. It was a cold sunny day and a friend of mine John and his wife flying their plane landed where I was so to come over and talk awhile with me. Throughout the afternoon I picked up just one small pike and it was so slow I laid back on the skidoo for a wee siesta while the sun was setting. After about 20 minutes I hear a little crack in the ice from the hole beside the skidoo. One eye open I see that the tip of my rod has dropped just an inch and is sitting there very still-like. I spring up, grab the rod from it’s holder on the skidoo and set the hook. Immediately it feels like a good fish, not like “the” fish, but a good one, so I put some pressure on it when suddenly my reel screams for just an instant, then snap. Again, 30lb test braid broken off, and again, I sink into the snow crushed and really quite bothered by this second loss. Waiting only 1 day to get back there this time when I arrived two locals were on my spot with about 20 rods down. I had only brought the hand auger so to just open my pre-drilled holes but these fellas had those taken up. Could say, I was miffed, but I went over to politely say hello anyways. Always ask, “catch any,” and so sure enough one lad motions me over to his box sled and points out a 3 lb. walleye and 1 wee snake. Then, he tells me about 15 minutes earlier they nearly lost a rod and it’s holder down a hole to a big fish that got off. “Yeah, is that right” I say then ask... “Mind if I borrow your gas auger?” One moochacho says “it’s kinda dull,” a comment that nearly had me clench my left... being that I just traveled 30 km’s on skidoo, had a crappy and dull hand auger of my own that wasn’t going to be drilling through 3 feet... twice, and, two local yokels were putting me in a bad mood. Just then though, my buddy Francis who I wasn’t sure was joining me for a fish, comes late around the point. “See yas doods.” Francis at hello says, “I knew I was following your tracks, double carbides on each ski.” Francis and I got set-up and over the afternoon he did well picking up six pike to my four. I had to work the midnight shift, had been out since just after lunch, and couldn’t wait around for that big fish and it’s 5:15 bite, besides, I had a chill in me for about 2 hours and was feeling the need to get home and get warm. All the pike were pretty much weenies anyways. This past Sunday I headed back there with my eldest Summer. I think she likes skidoo rides more than fishing. Two new fellas were sitting on my old holes now with about 20 rods down and they complained the fishing was slow. We got to the other spot nearby and first words out of Summer’s mouth, “Dad, I’m really sweaty now.” I drill four holes and get the lines down when she says, “Dad, my feet are getting cold.” “Keep moving around Summer” I tell her. After about only an hour with 2-3 to go Summer says from her perch sitting on the skidoo, “Dad, I’m cold.” Now, Dad knows to dress his kids to the max when taking them out. In fact, Summer has handled colder than this many a times. She’s a real trooper too and not usually one to complain. I got a blanket out, she was being lazy anyway and so I covered her up while she laid on the skidoo. About 10 minutes later she says she’s warmer then falls asleep. An hour goes by and I’m doing great with three snot rockets caught. It’s nearing the magic hour for that big pike. A northeast wind is building a little, while the suns heading down, then Summer wakes up. “How ya doing kiddo?” I ask. “Dad, I’m really cold, as she starts to cry.” My mind goes ARRRRRRGGHHHHHH! “OK Summer, just a wee bit longer. You gotta get up and start moving around to warm up.” “I can’t” she says. So I put her on her feet and she’s shaking like a leaf. DING DING goes the bell on the Slayerinator. “MOVE AROUND!” I yell as I’m running over to the tip-down to pull up a dink eye. Get back to her, that’s it, I’m packing up, worried about the ride home against that wind. On the way home drove by my usual walleye spot at Kwetabohagan to see about 30 people fishing a space about 50m squared. (Later told it was about 60 people during that afternoon) Back at home, hot chocolate, a blanket and mom’s long bear hug warmed Summer’s bones. Remember that sweat is your enemy. Yesterday slipped out to Kwetabohagan for some walleye. Had the place to myself and tonnes of holes only thinly frozen over to choose from. Just punched a couple easy enough. Nice day to be out, mainly sunny and warm but with a slight north wind that could come along now and then and getcha. Things started slow and during the afternoon I found myself taking a ½ hour nap on the skidoo. Finally around 4:00 a school must have roamed on in as I caught the rod tip bounce. Picked up for a jiggle and nothing. Put the rod just so it sat on the skidoo seat kind of teetering and could fall off with the lightest tug, and was quick to pick up a nice eater fish when the tip dipped. Not wasting time I gave this another go after baiting, dropping down, giving a jig, then setting the rod to teeter. Sure enough, fish. Repeated the process 5 times, releasing the third fish as it was too small for supper, and happily when the bite ended I had my limit. Packing up, a gang load came skidooing along the path that lead the 10 km’s up to the pike spot. Glad I was to have chosen a different venue for the day. When I got home after getting things put away and letting the fish thaw out a little, this blue slime on two of the fish was evidently thick. Caught two blue walleyes before regardless of what specialists and authorities say about it, but these were the first 2 blue slime walleye that I’ve read about in OOD. Back at the grind for a short while today in nice warm weather, again the place was barren of others. Just after dropping the lines around 2 pm I was into an eye. Over the two hours I caught only 3 and lost a small one atop the hole, but, didn’t much care as it was good to be catching something anyway.

Few NHL fellas, Kirk Muller bought me and some buds a few plates of Mussels, pints and wine in some restaurant in Montreal we would have never got into if he hadn't said, "these 20 people are with me." Sat on a plane beside Ted Nolan back when he was just newly unemployed from Buffalo. What a he!! of a nice guy. Mike Modano, strangely while he was with Kirk Muller, buying pints at the Beer Store in Kingston on Princess. Kirk didn't remember me... basssterd. Wayne Ronstad when he was "On The Road Again," at Edgetown (now Penny's Pit Stop) outside of Perth. Got on a chair lift with Captain Jean Luc Picard one time. When we left the ground I said "ENGAGE!!!" Made the bald headed little french man freak, smile a little. Had a little Subway with Eddie Vedder the singer from some band. Talked about music and boarding. Said hello to Natasha Henstridge at some little Diner just around the corner from the Delta Chelsea. Told her I thought she was really hot in the movie Species, but hadn't seen the sequel. She said "thanks."

Don't know John, but heard the opening tune playing on the tube so went over to the TV and changed the channel to something better. Maybe Dimestore..?

I often set the hook on the tip-down by running over and giving the thing a good kick. Now I surely will never miss a hookset again, and, I'll be looking real fashionable at a good price while I ice fish. Thanks Dan. You truly bring great things here to OFC. lol

Thanks Marc, Pete & Sandy. Looking quite forward to this issue.

Not much fishing, I mean catching, done lately. Worked on some lures recently though. 20 Inline Spinners. Average about 8-10 inches long, and 2-3 ounces in weight. Beginning bucks were taking about 3 1/2 hours but the last 12 that were just finished up over the last week took about 30 hours only. Tying isn't that slow, but because I used thicker steel shafts that still wouldn't screw the action, (not the Real Pro Lure Making skinny crap) I had to drill out each bead. That, and the saddle feathers, the glue setting in stages, the flashabou, dressing each treble... pretty much everything other than just tying the marabou and bucktail took extra time. I used 750 to 800 meters of thread, 20 feet of wire, and 1 large bottle of laquer that quite frankly, I likely inhaled half of it. Some of these buggahs I gave names while going along. Orange and black one: Trick or Treat. Blue and pink one: Rainbow Treasure. Yellow and Red one: Mickey Finn. Blue, purple and black lure: Cold Steel Black, brown and gray: Rusty Rat. Black and red lure: Nightmare. Brown, orange, yellow lure: Charlie Brown Pumpkin Green and white: Kermit. Pink and white lure: Miss Piggy Red, white and Blue: Capitaino Americano Brown and yellow: Pike Peanut Butter and Chocolate. Next project, 50 inlines. Sizes 3 to 5. All single hooks dressed in popular fly and streamer patterns. Just like the Europeans do. lol.

Yeah, I'm trying to cut back on my portion sizes. But, it's also lead to more portions.

Obviously doooood, to a football "fan" it's more.

Sure was a crappie report Justin. Fish looks good, but no matter how hard mom tried I still could never finish the peas. Yuck.

Geeeez Andrea, shaky start hanging with that Uncle Buck fella. lol Stick with the good people here and you'll learn a trick or two for the water.

Pretty little area up through the "Red Squirrel." A fair bit of roadside camping and lakes to fish along the way. Can't help ya with Anima Nipissing itself, haven't fished it. Heard a little though and Dave's pretty much summed that up. Choose to fish that lake or some of the others you won't be disappointed in your surroundings. A-Nip river in places you can catch stocked bows too. Have a 4-wheeler and you can got lost south of Liberty and find a number of brookie ponds.

That is a fantastic shot and worthy to be in there for sure.

When a kid, never thought I'd say anything good about Neil. Times sure change. Thanks for the link dood.

Rock. Chili Peppers and Zeppelin. NOFX

Fantastic fellas. Marc and GH crew that truly was the best muskie show I have seen to date. C&R techs. moon phases, gear reviews and 2 huge toothy mammoths. Congrats.

Sorry to hear Lew

Well Solo, I took the journey in my head this morning. In your post when I saw Eskakwa Falls I knew I recognized that name and so in finding it on the map was reminded that it lies pretty close to Liddles Lodges along the Albany and it's at their website and fishing opportunities that I probably read about it. You covered an area nearly 5 times the size of Nipigon Lake. Through some of the most remote parts of the province. Forest fire nipping at your heels from the very onset then going 3 1/2 months and likely well over 1000km in a canoe and across unmarked land with likely no portages. On your own!!! Geeeeeeez man, so impressive and makes me so envious. Many places I'd love to have seen, especially this one spot on the map called "Speckled Trout Rapids" on the Ogoki. Ogoki reserve where you made the turn south would have been cool, I betcha you felt along the way that you had just hit a major route marker when getting to that spot on the Albany and making the swing to start your return. If you still have all the old rolls of film and there's anyway they're like Advantix and can get them all put onto disc do so. This past Xmas had 17 old rolls of film put onto 3 discs at Blacks. Now they can be touched up and reprinted perfectly anytime at home. 110km trip through Temagami was about the biggest trip I've done. Mighty proud with my very limited paddle skills to have made it, by day 5 when the drier food started to come out I was like, dang man, this is getting tough. Always wished for better paddle skills and trips, never had enought time. You sure showed me. Look forward to you posting some more of this type of stuff.

Intriguing to say the least. One day when old and grey and on your last breaths, unlike many you'll feely fully content. I'm stuck at work but looking forward to going home, throwing in my Fugawi Maps software and trying my darndest to follow your route. Anytime you want to post adventure like that, please do, but elaborate even more.

If you're living in the Moose, don't leave home with out the axe, knife, tarp, matches, tp, string, spare prop and tools, bug repellent, first aid kit, touque and mitts. It's always packed and goes with, just in case.

If I'm with buddies or someone new and fishing somewhere out of the ordinary and we catch nothing, it doesn't really bother me. If I set out at certain poor times of year or in god aweful conditions, I usually expect little to nothing for reward, so, getting skunked doesn't bother me. If I'm paying an arm and a leg on a fishing trip and I get skunked, I get homicidal or suicidal ideations. If I'm fishing good conditions for species I know should be available, and I get skunked, I feel defeated in a sense and it makes me want to get back out there even sooner to try again. If I'm entertaining people in my boat and we catch nothing, I feel sorry at first, but then feel like it was probably them and they are cursed, so I don't invite them out again.

Rock on fella. Bar lakers bar none tonnes of fun. lol.

Thanks OFC'ers, always a pleasure posting reports here as the gang is always super supportive. It was one heckuva good year, just wish I could have gotten out more. The period in July and August with the motor down and out, the early flash freeze on the river in November causing the boat to go away, and a back injury set me back about 8-10 fishing outings. Shift work sure has it's perks as it gives me about 200 or more days off a year. Again, glad the reports from the north give pleasure to some. I sure enjoy making them happen. Next year should be alright too.

Other than 1 back injury in the summer, this has been the best year for staying healthy. Last fall got the flu shot and was down and out 3 or 4 times over the winter with one time a nasty cough lingering 2 1/2 weeks. This year no flu shot, go to work everyday and have everyone cough and puke around me, and I'm still going strong. Flu shot.... hmph..? BTW, thanks for the card, Happy New year to you too Pam.

WTG man. Fishing with Sheldon is a real treat as there aren't many if any that have a handle on walleye like that guy. Did you enjoy the ride in the Stealth Bomber???