Moosebunk

Wicked fishing dood! Stared at that exact same Bondy on the shelf but bought the Pearl! Figured, if only have one, it should be shad-like. Looks as though you jigged the right one. Great PB!

We didn't call out numbers... But for $4 I had to put 'em on there. The mounts are called the 1-2-Punch. They held up awesome! Good luck Lew and Co. Hope for southwinds if any. And you're right about Andy. Your not kidding Rippin' Terry!!! Dude's arse was at back of the boat more than mine, and I was driving. That name is taken by a guide out in BC... but if he's cool with an Ontario lad being called the same, I'll take it. I know... he's weird! It was all Andy!!! Thanks again George. They're Scotty's. Wasn't sure how they'd hold up Trev, but with the drags real tight and them taking most of the fish and snags, they were great. Held up to the abuse and they twist/bend long before breaking. Nothing broken this tour. Thanks for reading!

When Andy read your text while on the water Wayne, it surely cracked us up! I'm home now... still relatively "normal" too, same as when I left.

Right about now Sandy is ripping her way north, and as far inland as Ontario out to the Atlantic coast, people are battin' down the hatches preparing to wait her out. Trees bending outside, waking groggy, coffee in hand, the warm basement fire dries any thoughts of bitter, damp cold. Sitting down at my desk, it's time to relive last weeks fun, sun and glory during what was the perfect spell, before any perfect storm. Taking it back some years, it was in the fall of 2009 the occasional pursuit of musky began. During that time, I can recall 38 hours over seven outings of trolling and casting the Ottawa River, only to suffer the loss of one big musky that in the final seconds made it's attempt to steal a boat-side Depth Raider; which was simply being reeled in one last time before heading home after a season of defeat. Better results occurred in 2010 while during nine days fishing, the WarCanoe managed to boat a personal best 40-incher off the Rideau River. Friends Joe, Pat and Grant riding along in the Bomber also caught decent skis up on the Madawaska, but unfortunately Joe's big fish suffered a saddening knock-off after my botched net job. Thankfully, Joe was more than just happy enough to have the experience of fighting a truly big fish, as his best before it was about a 3-pound bass. Come 2011 the drive for muskie just wasn't there. Four outings spread to the Rideau and Ottawa no fish were caught. Missed a good rip and another blow-up while out with buddies Trevor and Kev, and that'd be about it... guessing not really much of a musky fisherman or musky experience overall. With every intention to chase more musky in 2012, either time or motivation just didn't permit, and big pike trips filled the gap as well. While driving home from Northwestern Ontario the topic of musky and pike was brought up, and in the same breath so too was the Lake St. Clair fishery. In truth, for me there was little inclination to travel there. Afterall, it's a long shot, a summer of giant pike could certainly suffice, crossing Toronto irks me, and great musky fishing "should" be found closer to home. About five years ago while a member of a private board, my eyes opened wide when first witnessing a husband & wife's report showcasing their spectacular musky results upon LSC. They continued on making the annual pilgrimage and sharing that online with us, and in short order others began venturing there as well. Bottom line was, they were catching musky and making it appear easy. A few great fish in the mix, numbers seemed very intriguing, and potential for giants did in all likelihood exist. Fast-forwarding, in more recent months LSC admittedly crept back on the map. First Ron posted at OFC his awesome account with a number of 50's, followed by P.F. Jones whom popped an incredible fish from shoreline too. In some magazine I caught Brandon's Movember-sporting-photo of him holding an autumn jigged river giant, and then finally, my friend Dave was treated to an initiation on LSC with his buddy Elias, that when finally hearing about that day and Dave's 50+... well... it made this camels back really feel some weight. In the past year alone, guys are proving down on LSC that BIG dreams of BIG fish are becoming a more common reality. Musky got on my mind, and once something takes root in that matter, it's gonna grow. October had an opening in the work schedule. Wheels turning I posted to OFC for help and in short time had some good folks PM'ing me with different sorts of info to digest. Appreciated guys, thanks again. The Belle was covered by Andy & George, Thames by Tyler & Brian, and the Detroit by Brandon & George again as well. Gavin pulled a great map source out of his back pocket, Bill pointed to some local websites, Phil said listen to Mike & George, and Mike when getting in touch, by then just affirmed I had a good game plan in motion. One thing was missing though, a partner to share the Lund with... this was until I received this message from out of the blue, "Pick me up on your way by my place. Have always wanted to go there to try something different. I have everything for a good trip and the time off, so make it so and lets go for a few days." My response to Andy, "Will pick ya up on the way by for sure. We'll get our muskie on brutha!" Everything nearly set in motion I had just a couple small tasks ahead to ensure things were totally smooth. First, print up the maps, have a good look at the fishable water and begin envisioning a gameplan with alternate options, and finally, sort out when we're going. Secondly, prepare the boat. And more specifically, what was needed for that, which were good solid mounts for the Salty's. So, I got the tools out and made some indestructible posts to sit atop the Cannon rigger pedestals. Before departure there was time to check out the build and be sure all would work out fine, in the end I thought the result was pretty mint. The two holders with a couple 8-foot rods out the sides gave nearly a 20-foot spread with rod tips down a foot in the water. Pivoting the mounts, two lures could be side-by-side in the propwash too if that was wanted... MINT! Near the stern, I had previously carpetted some ply and built it to snug over the battery compartments. Some strength and support there, the extra bit of platform nearly adds 4-inches of width for standing upon. Playing fish from the back and working the rods, every bit of extra footing is welcome. And so yeah... wrote a shhnit-tonne of jibber-jabber here when what's likely wanted is just fish porn pics. So getting to the trip I left the Ottawa area before the kids got on the school bus last Monday. By 1:00pm I was at Andy's after squeezing in a stop at BPS for a few things. By early evening we were at LSC, so we took some time to cruise around and find our launches. DAY 1. RIPPERS!!! Tuesday morning we made it onto the water early. Within the hour we had a fish. My God... "within an hour," WE HAD A MUSKY!!! Andy was up next... and at this point, I began shaking my head in disbelief. After catching and unhooking a decent muskie at boat-side, he simply released it quick before calling it, "a rat"... "just a rat." Here he had never fished LSC and I'd half expected he'd want a picture of his first fish, but Andy was confident there would be more to come and, he's already caught his lifetime's share of bigger and better off of Georgian Bay. So I wasn't going to argue but, told him I'd have to get some pics of him with what he deems are better fish. He reluctantly agreed, after reminding me that this was my trip and he was just along for the ride. Still, he kinda remained set in his ways and gestured his displeasure of my taking photos of him... Andy is a character for sure, certainly a genuine one of a kind. Before morning's end he got another and I nabbed a couple more... One fish was my first ever tiger muskie. Cool looking suckah!!! Come afternoon the bite slowed down some, yet pressing on, the two of us searched out more quality fish. I likely picked up a PB with mine but didn't put it to tape. Finally too, Andy was agreeable with an awesome catch of his own, and the best of the day! Thanks for posing with one... KnuckleNut!!! Ten plus hours on the water and I couldn't believe this place and it's fishing. DAY 2. TRIPPERS!!! Wednesday morning in the pitch black we hit the Tim's before making our way through pouring rain to the launch. Upon arrival, the light broke and the skies began clearing, what remained would be a beautiful, calm, sunny day on the lake. Outside the marina walleye anglers, RCMP, muskie jiggers and trollers, as well as shore anglers, all shared the water while the sun came up. Andy and I took a turn at drifting the river and jiggin' for skis, this just after bumping into John Bondy while he was out guiding. A quick hello and Andy confessing he left Toronto without purchasing a Bondy Bait, John was kind enough to sell him one cheaper on the water than what I had to pay at BPS. Good of John. We set to castin' and jiggin' 'em up but unfortunately for our time we could only witness three guys in another boat catch and release two of their own. We took off to the lake. Setting up for the troll we aimed at a pod of "Perchers" way off in the distance, and before reaching them I popped a first fish. A friggin' beautiful muskie! Through the rest of the day we remained on the troll. Andy stayed stubborn with his "rats," while I enjoyed the limelight on LSC. Could not have asked for a better day. Turned out real hot for October and so we lazily cruised around all over the place. As long as the rods were in the water and we cleared now and again for weeds, we were in the musky game. We did lose more than we caught though... and Andy swore at days end we'd be needing to sharpen up some hooks. Ending our time, one final dusk fish made an appearance only to catch the sun on the horizon. Another amazing day. DAY 3. GRIPPERS!!! Andy could only laugh at me in the morning when I told him the lucky shirt was going on. So far, through each day and night we talked up a storm, bantered some back-and-forth, worked well on the set-ups together, and by this final day seemed a well oiled machine in the boat. There was no guessing it was going to be a great finale for this team, especially after Andy boated an awesome early fish and was surprisingly happy to pose with it. We'd learned that mud-lines were a good bet for fish, as well as any usual things like structure or drop offs; which are actually kinda hard to come across on LSC. Having the maps did help, but on the water having his giant Lowrance just for it's GPS and hydrographic chart was way better. My Humminbird didn't have LSC on it's Nav chip. We'd started early to get out and hit the big water. Troll... troll... troll. Andy truly is a veteran with this kind of fishing. Being that he actually catches muskie with some regularity, it was a great thing for me to share the Lund with someone who has confidence is his baits and program, as well as experience. This allowed me more of a chance to experiment and concentrate on driving the boat. We smoked the muskies throughout the day. In the last hours Andy sat back and let me at 'em. There was one rip about an hour before sunset that really got his juices flowing but the fish didn't stay on. This lost beast peeled that two-handed drag steady and constant before a few speedy "zzzut zzzuts" scored one for the fish. It was the 50... but ohhh well..? The short trip in my mind had already exceeded all expectations. I caught more fish in four hours at times, than I did in four years. We averaged a fish caught, lost, or just a good rip every hour over 30 plus hours. Insane!!! Pretty certain Andy walked away from this one super pleased as well. Quality time man, thanks for jumping aboard!!! Next fish in the pics broke any old PB's for sure... and then a couple more after it would have easily done the same had they come first. Trolling into last light the muskies just wouldn't quit, and neither would we. Can surely see me fishing LSC again in the future. All of it seems to hold fish... it is a musky factory down there. Wild!!! Thanks again Andy, and thanks all for reading... Bunk.

My condolences Paul

Gonna be hard to notice a walleye on and the boards fall back on Quinte when trolling into 100K winds on Tuesday. lol. Play safe this week.

Smoother than fish scales, maybe not as smooth as a catfish though. Rub the hand backwards on the fish it's a little leathery but overall smooth. The scutes along the back can be razor sharp though. Generally, the smaller the fish the sharper the scutes... they must get worn down in time or just dullen as they grow in size. Best to tail them as far back on the tail as you can, and if it's a big fish grab right inside of the mouth too. You can "log roll" from the water into your arms this way. lol. You won't get under a gill plate easy or at all. I've never eaten sturgeon... kinda wished I tried it up north as a good few people there do. Had one girl in the ER have an allergic reaction specific to eating sturgeon, her father thought she may have got some "belly meat" off the fish. Was there to see one filetted by a Native fella... because the fishes body has no bones, but instead just cartilage like a shark, the knife sliced through the meat and cartilage with ease.

Things I learned from Trev's picture report... We have similar tastes in boats and fishing trips. The guy fishes alot but generally his wife outfishes him. He takes some wicked pics and probably likes beer.

Put and take fisheries shouldn't have any closures. Natural fisheries at a truly identified risk, should. All harvesting inbetween can be left up to any deemed "responsible." My 2.

Will tell this... After a good few years here, there and just about everwhere online... EACH person's involvement, contributions, participation and reasons for being at, or belonging to, are a very "personal" thing. The people are oftentimes as different as night and day, things don't always make sense, the flow cannot be controlled or even bent by will (unless by the hands of Mods) and, "most times" you've just gotta be the one to remember to try and keep it light and be polite. Pretty simple but not... lol. I'm here too because I love to fish. Seems there are others here in that same boat!

Local farmer told me Jacques that he'd seen a 3 legged buck around his acreage for a few years. (Not the same buck I hit obviously) I have no reason to think he's fibbing. Stories like yours, mine and his can tell ya how resilient these big beasts can be. And BTW... I don't know anything about antler felt... I do know this buck didn't like me circling it while taking pics from the boat. Didn't bother it long. Get'er done Cudz! Gotta get Bren out more too. She's a quick study and always seems to enjoy whatever we're fishing for.

Kind words appreciated as always gang. I don't think too much so. Sometimes have had the urge to approach magazines with story ideas and such, but honest truth is the simple report is oftentimes all the extra push to fish harder that I need. To do Something that's already enjoyed anyways. Ya know? Just putting fishing out there the way and when I want keeps it real too. Hey Jacques... hope that fall hunt season is shaping up for ya bud. This buck was caught crossing a lake on September 6th. My boat trailer also clipped and mangled the leg of another BEAUTIFUL buck while coming home from fishing one evening. It was certainly nuts and had it in for me. Thing came right at the truck but brushed up against my door before slowing and then having the wheel well on the trailer nearly rip off it's hind right leg and leave it sliding 360's on the pavement. It made it into the bush on 3 legs before I could stop. Too bad, it would have been someones best trophy this season. Keep the bows in mind... but yeah Mikey, winter is approaching. Thanks gang.

Even in the best places you can take your lumps some days. Fished those conditions every year for nearly a decade directly after ice-out OR, after they've let a dam open upriver. High & really cold water often can be tough... there are times you almost have to resort to still fishing deadbait. You wouldn't expect it at places like that, but it's true. Although, the first year traveling to the Attawapiskat, the river was somewhere about 6 feet higher too and it was the best combo pike & walleye slay I've ever had on any river. I thought it was a "good" show. Agreed, they didn't sound too flattering about the accomms, but from what I saw and what Mike initially emailed me some years back, I think Eddie has done a superb job making it very homey and suitable for a week of fish slaying in paradise. I think the conditions for Ang & Pete was maybe part excuse, because maybe the place didn't live up to the hype for them??? I dunno??? Wasn't there alongside them. Maybe they did good for a first time there? How long did they stay? Like it was said, any fishery can have some tough days fishing. As far as that episode, I'd watch it everytime it's on... just to look at that place.

Other than a few local fishing outings during the busy summer travel months, home waters have remained quite safe from this prying angler. Winter and spring had been hectic with both work and play, and once the real heat arrived it was comfortably rewarding to just chill alongside friends in more northern climes. Back to school truly marks the beginning of autumn. Being mainly a weekend shift-worker, an easy routine during other's Mon to Friday grind is to see the kiddies onto the morning bus, while the boat waits hitched to a running truck. Reminds me of many frosty mornings packing the WarCanoe at first light, for those long anticipated hauls up the Mighty Moose. While living up north what really got the fishing juices flowing in fall were a few things. The rivers would swell up some with the seasonal rains, making travel more possible to further reaches of the wild. The Cree turned from fishing to hunting, resting pike and walleye from any hooks and nets. Cooler air made it more accommodating to spend entire days enjoying the outdoors, and the fishing for at least a few weeks in October would generally be the nutz. Pike schooling up and putting on the feedbag were a seasonal favorite, and sighting seals, belugas, moose, hawks and bears while enroute was a more frequent occurrence. Back at home here in the valley that same colorful, fall spirit to fish and explore lives on. When younger, never having had any chance for bass, walleye or trout in these parts during this season, everything today seems new and rather experimental. Within the past 3-years for "just bass alone," I have fortunately had the time to sample nearly 40 new lakes, with much of this testing being done during autumn. It's a rush really, as most of these water bodies were scouted out in books, online, talking to friends, in topo & hydrographic software and Google Earth, and then finally set to target. A few places just rocked the socks off, most were OK, and some were total duds. Like this year, September 6th the bass season got rolling for me, and in the past six weeks with many outings and nine new lakes to test this fall, there were a few explorations which worked out great, and some that taught a tough lesson. With pavement, gravel and bush trails going everywhere, the journeys through the land of maples, elm and oak all sharing vibrance before winter takes hold, the bass at the end of the road simply give a greater reward to the entire experience. It's an awesome time of year to be enjoying outdoors. As far as the bassin' goes, it wouldn't be honest to say I completely started the season in September. There were a few occasions I had to get out through the summer months, and one such day was with friend, Christine. Our morning on the water she showed me as she has in the past, what it takes to actually catch fish, and I felt grateful that she took time out during her vacation home here to make room in her busy schedule. I much appreciated this from Chris... she is a talent, an optimist, a worker, and interesting woman... the real deal. On route home from a trip out in western Ontario, travel buddy Tony stopped in Petawawa and signed up for the Hawg Bass Tournament on Muskrat Lake slated for September 8th. Without a partner, he eventually recruited not-so-bass-guy, me. Having never fished a tournament and being rather skeptical with that whole scene, I thought... why not? Best to experience such things to really know. Well, two days before competition a serious bass season began with my little prefish to just set some hooks on frogs, senkos and toobs. Come tourney time, it poured rain and howled cold winds all day. But, Tony made it worth it more ways than one. Big bass for $500 and third place overall for another $500, we walked away happily in the money and I learned a thing or two. With much thanks to the Capn’ of the A$$ Tracker, I'll likely be retiring 100% for my tournament career. Mikey's had an awfully crazy fall with plans to basically lay new roots and begin a new chapter in his life. It’s ballz and about bloody due. Finding time with this work-a-holic ain't been easy, but we did. Mike a backwoods billygoat, it only seemed befitting we go on a good tour in the hills. Our day was met by unseasonably gnarly, cold-front, north winds while we tried for smallies on a deep and remote lake. No tanks caught; which we know are in there, we did pretty darn good considering with some decent bass. Enjoyed that outing. Never see enough of this old friend; my oldest friend of 31 years, and I surely make that known whenever the chance does finally come about. Fraser joined me one day for a tour up into the other side of beyond. After launching the Lund I pretty much hit a stump right away, and again later on a river rock shoal. Thankfully I was suspicious of the area and only traveling at idle speeds. Our time together we were panning for green and bronze bass on waters known to have chunky nuggets, yet on this attempt any flashes in the pan remained rare. Fra did pick up a golden walleye and a few fish, myself as well. For a monday late September I was surprised how many other anglers had the same idea to go panning for bass. No day is a bad day for fishing I guess. Somewhere in the midst of things, I spent a day on the water chasing bass and muskies with another cool fella I had never really met. Len, an old regular to some fishing boards and I had bumped into each other before, on the Ganny, on some icy Bogie backroad, and one other time while shopping fer fishing shtuff. Our day out we worked for a few fish and unfortunately had a good ripper of a ski come unpegged while on the troll. It was a really good day though with Len, and the ski fishing kinda sparked some new interest again. Looking forward to our next time. One other outing this autumn was a real rare treat. Bren joined me for a day fishing. Armed with a light rod and an inline spinner, she put the beats on bass and pike through the morning until we stopped to enjoy a late lunch before heading home. There's never enough days to fish with her. To the fishing in hand... and something new to share. This paragraph just some rambling about dropshotting, so never ya mind if it doesn’t really interest ya. In 2010 there were a couple days I tried drop-shotting to very limited success. In 2011 didn't bother with the method at all. It was this year after witnessing the effectiveness of the drop by Tony and noting that much of the anglers at Hawg Bass were using the technique, that it was worth giving a try again. So, on three new lakes this fall once finding good depth with fish below on sonar, I giver’d with some drop-shotting. First attempt slowly drifting over 30-35 feet and just kinda draggin' the drop yielded a big hook-up, but a loss. Second time out I hit paydirt as it was a calm day, and therefor easy to short cast and slowly tweak some Gulp back, getting a real feel for things. Must have felt or hooked forty fish that day, but probably 75% of them got off... it just wasn't happening. The third try it ended up a blow day but boat control was do-able over what I figured were good spots. Same thing happened as the second time out though, but this time lost a biggy and a few others. Fish were interested but something was wrong, and so it was guessed to be the hook or how it was tied. Using Gammy's with a palomar to the shot, every now and again I had to tweak the knot to make the hook stand up and out more. This thinking relatively standard right??? Well, it wasn't ti'll heading into see Gord at Bits & Baits that I decidedly picked up a pack of the VMC's rigged to prevent line twist. Having a morning to fish the following day, I tried another new lake and picked up five largies. A week later, returned to the lake where I had lost so many of the fish previously, and before big winds made things really difficult, it turned into a great morning picking up a dozen or so smallies, and a few chunkers too. Thing is, over these two outings it was a 100% hook-up and catch rate with these hooks, and some quality fish to boot. So come end of a little trial and error, it appears as though something was found that works for me. It's been an effective little trick to add to the trade. I'm looking forward to tweaking this method even more to suit, as it feels a little more natural to this walleye jigger from days back. Bass this autumn haven't only received the subtle approach to wind up over the gunnels. Everything from frogs, cranks, senkos, tubes and mini-tubes, grubs, swimbaits and inline spinners have taken a turn hooking fish. Keeping with last years fall theme of bass on light gear, this seasons fishing the same tried-and-true methods have worked well again. Decent numbers of respectably big bass have exceeded personal expectation, especially considering it's been a short window on new waters, and half of the lakes are kinda smaller backwood holes off the beaten path. So for what's ahead I dunno? Six weeks of bass has been fun but maybe about enough... (who am I kidding, I'll be out a few more times) November is around the corner though, and with realistically only six or seven more weeks of boating season left, thoughts are turning to other fish elsewhere. So in finishing bass for now; or possibly for good, I'll leave the end of this report with just a handful of fish pics and a short 3-minute video / slideshow... (please excuse all the grab&grin shots too, creativity with only the tripod is at a premium) Here's a whole lotta fish! And there's a tonne more in the Vid. Click here for the goods!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJCRNqgnLf0 Thanks for tuning in to Bassin' 2012. Enjoy the rest of your season. Bunk

Outer rods - 8.5' Taloras 10-20lb. Inner rods - 8.5' Clarus 8-17lb Steelhead Casting rods. Why... better fight on the Clarus but not if it's a Sheepie on the outside. lol. Other Taloras for rigger, dipsy and core too. Reels - Diawa Sealine or Accudepths & Cabela's Depthmaster in the 17 or 27 series. NEVER an issue not having enough line spooled up. Reels haven't failed me yet, and decently priced. Look for sales with LeBaron's for the Diawa's and Cabelas for the DMaster. Line - 40lb PowerPro to 40 foot 12lb floro leader. P-Line snaps. Whatever 14-17lb for backing. No troubles with rippin' lips... occassionally fish come off regardless. Boards - Offshores. On outside boards the back clip is replaced with a big snap swivel. (trust this tip) Like those orange planer boards too though... Lures - Reef Runners, Yozuris, Rapalas and NK spoons. Book - Precision Trolling. Really, it's all personal preference. Tonnes of different options to get the same results.

Can't believe it's been 5 years Clive!!! Seriously, I think I remember you posting baby pictures of Ash before you left. Good to have ya back dood! The beard is just whacked!!!

Solid fish Rob. Great little road tour in the books for ya. You're making me think I too gotta visit this legendary Lac Seul place before time is up. Would prefer to leave the snow out of it while boat fishing tho!!! lol. Ben reminds me of my buddy James from back in highschool. James played guitar in our band and wanted to live music and rock & roll. And so he does still to this today, with his own band, and presently producing and recording 3 of the tracks on Blue Rodeo's next album. James has played alongside Neil Young, Randy Bachmann, Blue Rodeo, Tragically Hip, Mathew Good, Sam Roberts... and puts out some great stuff out on his own too. Ben, well, I remember it wasn't that long ago when he wanted to fish and write... and look at that dood fish on now!!! Pick the right place, find the right time... and presto!!! Magic happens. Nice skis!!!

Very nice way to spend the end of September.

Don't do enough recreational reading but the past two books I most enjoyed were, Through Black Spruce by Joseph Boyden. Fiction/ non-fiction. Trespassing In God's Country by... think by George Therriault (Canadian Bushpilot) himself. Non-fiction. Need a work gig up north for a few weeks. That tends to be where the reading gets done.

Them's some freaky beasts. Good laugh. Thanks Craig.

That's some pretty slick quick internet there fer Yellerknife tho Dave! My buddy is coming down next month from yer big town next month and am looking forward to seeing him. Couldn't tell ya what speed it was in MF.. although it was instant. DSL with Ontera, $48/month in 2009. Now, base rate $65 for the two sticks but usage is up'in the monthly cost to about $110 on average. Hopefully now that the wife is done school it comes down... except that our 13 year old is wanting more online time too.

You're not kidding man!!! And I thought there was a big initiative to bring highspeed to all rural areas... problem is; and you obviously know this as well, is that highspeed is deemed anything faster than dial-up. So first we get.... XPlorenet.

Dang Raf... I know you know stuff! My stick operates on 1 bar outta 5 for it's signal. It's the weakest there is. I plug in a small external antenna to that which gives me 2 bars... sometimes. The wifes computer is 1/5 too. Our tower (Bell) is about 3 km's away. The next closest is Telus and it's maybe 7km's. (Cool link, thanks) Ohhh it's faster than dial-up Skip. For sure. I had dial-up once back in the 1930's while living in Alert. j/k But yeah man, it's an improvement... I used to be on DSL and it was great! And that was on an island in the subarctic. lol. So... your ping should be lower, but your UP and DOWN higher. My father for instance tested and he's at 21 Down and 4.5 Up. He's in town... and here I am at 1.8 Down and 0.5 Up. He's got highspeed. Thanks Dave... kinda forgot about the Hub. I'd heard about these sometime back from my buddy who works with Bell. They were in their infancy... I should see if he can bring one out to test somehow... although, if going by what Raf has said, it may not cure any bottlenecking issues but could maybe give us a better signal to the tower and at just one cost. Appreciated guys. I'll be talking more with Storm in the coming week or two, and I guess as far as providers go... the TurboHub could be worth looking into.

Thanks Skipper. Now you know A) that the Speedtest site exists and that neither one of us are operating on any decent level of "highspeed" You can test and retest changing to different locations but, it usually still ends up the same. Currently I'm at... ping 123 Down 1.8 Up 0.57. Usually for us with two sticks costs are about double... but we're a little faster by the looks of it.

Go to www.speedtest.net Do not click on "start now" where it says, before your speed test BUT, instead click on "begin test." You'll have to wait about 30 seconds until it is complete, then it will give you your ping rate, download and upload speeds. Those numbers are the results.