Moosebunk

SUMMER Squeezing all necessary work inbetween vacations has become the hectic summer ritual. Busy ER's, two trips to Nipigon and one to Kesagami put me on tilt this past summer, yet it wouldn't happen any other way. The preparation and efforts I have always shouldered for my family and friends has been a labour of love over the years, and despite the odd freeloader who takes advantage, most everyone has been helpful and thankful during those planned fishing vacations. Len and Leah's trip alongside to Nipigon, later Bren's trip with me to Kesagami, and finally an unforgettable pounding on Nipigon specks with good friend Mike, the right people made the right memories for 2013. Reports Nipigon’s Virtues. http://ontariofishingcommunity.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=70646 Kesagami Reflections. http://ontariofishingcommunity.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=71508 Just The Specks. http://ontariofishingcommunity.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=71977 Videos Onaman River Ride. Len’s Nipigon Laker. Kesagami Lake. AUTUMN Couple of fall reports still kinda fresh online, it seemed a quick season ending with early snow. Friends often aboard the Lund, the company was great many times over. Set out early for muskie and had best results by a landslide. The Quinte walleye bite was fast and furious, and some exercise for steel capped things off nicely. Leah came out as well, fishing all four seasons with her dad; having my youngest interested is something I hope continues. Hopefully 2014 when looking again for those muskies I find 'em too. Reports My Best BIG Bad Mooskie. http://ontariofishingcommunity.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=71662 Autumn Rush. http://ontariofishingcommunity.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=72410 Videos Float Tube Diddy. Proud of the fishing life created and work hard at it because I love doing it so much. It has been this way since the first day float-tubing in a May ice flow on the Attawapiskat, and on through the years alone when once home in the north, exploring further into the James Bay wilderness to find a path with fishing. It was during those times when realizing just how incredible and important it all is for me, to be a part of it and to continue on with it. And so, thanks for kindly sharing it along the way. Alone, or with family & friends, this coming year we'll all continue to enjoy our fishing. Happy Holidays & Best to All in 2014. Bunk.

2013 CLOSED TO FISHING. Leaving it all here!!! With plenty of pictures, links to the years reports and videos, and decidedly a few less words than usual, this should recap 2013's days on the water chasing after any and all goals and, the great fish that were caught. A multitude of species and angling styles to experience, opportunities for growth, new knowledge, fond memories and big rewards, are things which keep me passionate and always in pursuit of a healthy and driven fishing life. Rarely slowing down, the nearly five years since relocating south to rejoin family and friends at home here in the Ottawa area, fishing has challenged me in so many more ways than I ever could have imagined it would. It's just part of existence really. Many highs and some lows throughout the day to day and upon the water, within the online communities, between friends or alone, the most important lessons have been... to be true, to be real, to be myself, to work hard, to trust carefully, to enjoy more and more, to share with those important, to back down to no one, to speak up, to let go and to leave behind, to continue on with what works, to challenge, to want, to balance, to love, to live, to fish. Along with age and experience comes an importance of trying to honor these long understood lessons, that much more, and to ultimately be happy and hopeful moving forward. Fishing can take us to great and interesting places. 2014's a coming and so this chapter will close in preparing to fish on. WINTER Plenty of days on ice hunting local lakers, along with a few different outings for pike, eyes and whiteys, kept the action through the winter season super steady. With trips to Costa Rica and Maniwaki Quebec too, friends and family alongside we were able to enjoy some serious vacation fun. 2014 the goal is to ice a best lake trout and relive some of the serious numbers walleye and big pike fishing I was once used to up north. With the snow we've been getting, the snowmobile should see some more miles too. Reports By Air, Land & Sea in Costa Rica. http://ontariofishingcommunity.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=67774 Possessed By The Grey. http://ontariofishingcommunity.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=68395 Every Inch Of 31. http://ontariofishingcommunity.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=68633 Far Out Groovy Greasers Man. http://ontariofishingcommunity.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=68831 Videos Costa Rica Zipling. Costa Rica Rafting. Costa Rica Tubing. Bravo Sunshine Sledding. Ice Laker. SPRING Fished everything possible this past spring. Tried Lake O for lakers and popped a goody, jigged up a pile of 'em too on inland lakes. Early season crappies, opener walleyes, pike, then later bass kept things busy. First time ever taking a couple cracks at spring steel were successful and of course, plenty of miles and miles of toothy gar were my highlights of spring. 2014 I'd be happy just to do it all over again. No trips planned of yet, but trying to make different ideas come together. Reports Fishin' Them Purdy Steelheaded Rainbow Trouts. http://ontariofishingcommunity.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=69080 Releasing A Giant Gar. http://ontariofishingcommunity.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=69625 Spring Woes & Whoas. http://ontariofishingcommunity.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=70305 A “Fifty” Gar Salute. http://ontariofishingcommunity.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=70929 Videos Giant Gar.

If not already having pretty well all St.Croix rods ( with one Berkeley and a Rapala), I'd probably look at the Fenwick.sticks. So far more than happy with St.Croix. Not so much with their longer rods these days though.

Christmas Happy Merry HoHoHo Joy Holiday to all.

Hafta work every second Christmas. This year was a year to work, but another person wanted a switch. Now next Christmas will be off too. Gladly work New Years instead.

Lakes aren't owned, just the camps upon them. Being that they are remote access and in many cases leased land, then it often works out that the lake is pretty well only used by the camp owners and patrons. If Partridge was included, then that means Moose Cree with Cochrane Air has the monopoly now for Kesagami Lake and, Maurice with True North must have reached an agreement that suited his needs. This is excellent for both, and only time will tell how the Partridge Lake camp will be managed. Glad to have been there with Brenda last August, to enjoy it one last time the way Maurice ran it.

A buddy has many times over mentioned his wanting to go to Manitoba's Duck Mountain area (Dauphin) to fish trout there. Browns, bows, specks, lakers, arctic char and tiger trout all relatively near one another. They are one gnarly looking hybrid. Would be great if instead of say maybe splake they could try stocking some Ontario waters with them.

GPS co-ordinates please and thanks. lol. Good to see ya get in some R&R with the buddies Wayne. Deserved.

That'd be one fine fishery to have in your backyard. A fine season for ya Mike. Would think it really cool to be casting for some of those big toothies like you do, out there in the offshore waters. 2014 you'll get to start all over.

You just answered my question. Try it in flasher mode Brian. Set your upper and lower limits in the exact range you're fishing, with the lower limit 1 or 2 feet deeper than your total depth. Shoot a little vid or take a picture if you think of it. Buddy of mine gave me an X67c as a gift some years back. Have used Vex's, Marcum's and Birds and do find they are all the same in that, without one you're blind so with ANY one of them you're in the game. Never had any issue with the X67 but am curious about the Elite. It's nice to have both sonar and flasher options. You now have a portable for any season.

You're foolin' around in the woods more nowadays there Sasquatch. Mikey's In and out without a trace, stealing fish with a grin on his face. lol.

Lotsa slush and snow will probably keep a good few of the walkers off the ice. This year might be tougher all around for many wanting distant access. Good day out for ya dood!

Great buy. The Enticers are a perfect machine for the sensible rider looking for a work horse and reliable sled for ice fishing. Was it not around 2005 when they stopped making them? This winter is shaping up to be a wicked snowy one. Glad this rain is thickening up the snow and surface crusts, should help keep the Bravo floating up on top. Some wicked pics too BTW.

Alistair Sim in the Original Christmal Carol. And Elf is one the kids and I enjoy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbQZ8GK2usU

Agree with others, get yourself one or two combos for walleye and a combo for pike. For jiggin' or pulling harnesses you don't have to break the bank on a walleye stick. Good old Berkeley Lightning rod rated up to 10lb test and about 6 1/2 feet in length would be good. Shimano sticks Clarus or Compre for a little more money and quality. Spool up with 10lb braid and if you have a spare spool keep 8 or 10lb mono on that. If you like spinning rods for pike too, beef up to a med/heavy rod rated up to 15/17lb test. Used St.Croix, Shimano, Fenwick, Loomis and a few others for pike over the years, so many options at different prices. Spool up with 30lb braid on a 3000 series reel and don't forget a steel or titanium leader at the business end. Agree with Bill on netting. Haven't netted a pike in ten years because of just what he says. Learn to handle them right and well and you'll do less damage.

Your music is waaaaaaaaaaaaay more messed up dood! Those funkadelik fellas were weird. lol. Christmas spirit this morning... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ovi1SKwfyxU Mike... Out For A Rip just might be the next Canadian Classic. lol.

FOR PETE'S SAKE MAN!!! lol. A great multi-species year for ya Pete. Says a tonne about your fishing prowess that's for sure. The 50" won't be long for you, cause you gots thems muskies number dood! GL2014

The pluggin' was interesting and you surely pounded a tonne of steelies on them. What kind of water do you generally look for when plugging? And do you try to keep baits beating bottom on the retrieve? Great northerns too. Enjoyed your earlier season trip recap north. Gotta love those experiences.

Enjoying a cup of coffee on my cozy morning flight across land and sea. Cool stuff flight commander Irishfield. It is some cooooooooooold out there this December. Interesting stuff about the solar farms. Have 3/4 acre behind a thin treeline and in open field behind the house here, because it's pretty well out of sight I often wondered if it would be worth it to have 2 or 3 of things?

Both solid brands. Used the Humminbird 585ci for a few years and never had a problem. When a brand new Lowrance HDS7 Gen2 came my way for $500 though I couldn't say no. Took me awhile to switch the H out for the L but glad I did because now that Bird can go to the bow and I won't be jiggin' up there blind anymore for gnarly lakers and snarly smallies, while the definition, options and even mapping are better viewed now in the Capn's chair. Again though... nothing wrong with either product.

Summer's first harvests fishing involved her. We would walk Store Creek in Moosonee and catch small specks. To keep moving without the fish I would hide them under bark or leaves and ask her to remember where they were on the way back home. I'd slow the pace nearing our stocks and ask her if we forgot anything, or if we're close to our fish. She loved being responsible for finding them... more than reeling them in. They were her Easter eggs and back home I would cook them in the pan only gutted. They were her snacks she got to share, and share she did. Only went that way a few years but the process of catching and harvesting fish took early roots in a good way. When I come home now with fish and put them in the sink, even as a teen she's curious to drop what she's doing and have a look at the catch. Leah fell into it because she's just curious about everything. Wants to see all the inards, touch the fish, talk about it, watch them cook, understand the process, and if she can go with Dad fishing to get them. After every time I get back from fishing, if she's home, she comes to the garage and asks (yells out) the same questions. How was your fishing? Did you catch any fish? Did you bring any home? She's like a broken record that has been playing that same tune for years now. No matter what about harvest and fishing the main thing with kids is, they need to see you're happy and that it's being done right, and that in some good way they are very much a part of it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YE4a3KdIQiY He's a funny guy! Didn't know that Bill. Do now. Thanks.

As long as your gas doesn't smell like oil... cause that'd be something weird to think about, especially after your friday night out drinking with the fellas.

I had just dug out a big greener while driving by MEC one day and so I flicked it out the window onto the sidewalk infront of their store. From my rearview mirrow I watched three patrons and a worker come rushing out and divide my boogie into four equal parts. The first skinny rake simply ate it for she probably mistook it as a tiny piece of spinach. The teenage store worker took his piece inside and put it in a recyclable paper bag labelled GreenPiece, then stuck a $5.00 label on it with all proceeds to... duh!!!! GreenPeace!!! The third guy closely examined his nugget under a pocket microscope and must have noted a tiny speck of blood indicating it was of human origin. After some DNA testing and follow-up with InterPol I received a call with notice to appear in court on charges of littering. And that last little ChiaPet of a woman; before I could even turn the corner, she watered, nurtured and made my greener into a beautiful crop garden complete with trees that grow tofu burgers. MEC is a magical place I thought, and I'd spend the $5 to belong for sure.

Fished largies once this year and caught more bigger ones than those. Just joking around of course. Mike... I think you and this TRJ are in bed together and each night you plan then execute perfect bass slayfests on the water. Chunky year for ya!