TJQ

LOL

Wow!! Nice!!

Well.. were over half way there.. so I thought Id share our progress. In June when we went in to camp we were met with our worst nightmare, not one, but both camps had succumbed to the snow load. The big tent had been up for 7 years and we had never had a problem. I was surprised to see the small one down as it was even better supported. Well... it didn't take long for me to decide to turn these lemons into lemonade. I know it would be a big task... but as the song goes... "I get by with a little help from my friends" and I called in some favours... (som BIGGG favours) lord knows I owe some people big time now... hahaha. So Monique and I went in, and managed to reconstruct the damaged little toad hut, and put everything we could salvage in it. It wasn't good enough to sleep in. but would keep stuff dry at least. Then we cleared the big platform. I spent the next weekend with the task of starting to bring material in the 4km (8 km round trip) 4 wheeler trip in. I think Ive done 20 or so trips so far. With the deck cleared we began construction, Joe and I and the girls for a couple of weekend and then we brought in another heavy hitter Marc. The last four days were rainy and crappy but man did we all giver. Its pretty much closed in now, and i can go up to do the soffit and electrical and fireplace inside outta the bugs. Here some pictures as the construction progressed. Oh yes... and we fit Jadens prom in there as well... Looking out the window. sorta... Walls up! We did get some fishing in too! New kitchen wall Nights were well lubricated and connected.. lol Put a nice little loft in..... where i can hide... Getting the roof on.... (crap that's scary... lol) and were done for a bit!!

I know I know....

checked in. And I apologize for that. I dont know how we got so busy, but as of the end of next week things will slow down for me and i can get some fishing in and actually have something to talk about. It was a crazy winter here... more snow and bad luck, more renos than we know what to do with, , new wood stoves, new floors, new garage siding, and a new 24x48 pole barn to put the stuff in this winter. That along with my dads passing has really thrown us for a loop. then we found out that our happy place.. Jiggy was destroyed by the snow load this winter.. so weve been up there every chance we got to clean up and rebuild.. which should be complete soon.. uhhg. Hopefully by Wednesday all these jobs will be complete and I can be a little more active here... just seems like theres not enough hours in the day... However on a brighter note... On July 20th... KESAGAMI HERE WE COME!!!!!

Its as bad here as I can ever remember!!

West Bay Cottages would like to announce that we are currently holding an auction to raise money for the “North Bay, Relay For Life”. This event raises money for the Canadian Cancer Society. My wife (Lucille) and I (Randy) have both had cancer touch our families and wish to give back to this worthy cause. For Auction is a 2 night’s midweeks stay in a 2 Bedroom Cottage at West Bay Cottages for up to 4 people. We are also including either a 1 hour Sea-Doo Rental or 1 day boat and motor rental if you prefer to fish. You will also be able to Canoe, Paddle Board and take advantage of our beach and children’s play area. We will even supply you with some firewood. You will be able to take advantage of this prize during any available midweek day in June, July or August of 2014. This package is valued at $500.00. We are starting the bidding at $100.00. The auction closes Friday May 30th at 5:00pm You can either call, e-mail or message us on Facebook with your bid. I will post the current bid every Friday afternoon to keep everyone posted. Like us on Facebook to follow along. www.facebook.com/westbaycottages If you would like to donate as well you can go to the link on our page and give your pledge. Please help West Bay Cottages give back to the community and maybe even find a cure. http://www.westbaycottages.com

SWEET!

Got alot to take care of around the house this summer. but hoping to get to camp as much as possible, got our annual Kesagami trip in late July and hopefully a fly-in with the kids to Partridge Lake before we send Jaden off to University in August.

Got our second batch in the bag.. 900+ litres of sap boiling down in a couple of days! about 6 gallons of syrup. in the last one. Still too much snow in the bush here to use the four wheelers.. but not enough to use the skidoo in a few places either... next collection is gonna be difficult. I still have one more run and maybe another after that! http://howtomakemaplesyrup.com/maplesyrupjournal/2014/04/23/a-good-run-with-a-heavy-heart/

Ya it needed gas.... filled it up.. it should be fine for a while now.

The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), with the support of the Lake Simcoe Fisheries Stakeholder Committee, is inviting the public to provide input on proposed changes to fishing regulations for cisco (lake herring) in Lake Simcoe. The cisco population within Lake Simcoe has shown positive trends in recent years. The ministry is considering re-introducing limited harvest opportunities for anglers to support sustainable resource management and promote recreational angling opportunities. Lake Simcoe’s cisco population once provided a major food source for several species of sport fish, as well as a significant recreational fishery. However, in 2001, the fishery was closed following several years of population decline due to a lack of natural reproduction. The decline was largely associated with habitat degradation in the form of low dissolved oxygen content within the deep, coldwater habitat of the lake. Habitat conditions have since improved, and recent population monitoring by MNR has suggested a positive trend as the population continues its recovery. Increased cisco numbers have resulted in cautious optimism by fishery managers and anglers alike. The proposed options include: Limits Option #1: Sport Fishing Licence: 2, Conservation Licence: 1 Option #2: Sport Fishing Licence: 2 (Aggregate Limit with Lake Whitefish), Conservation Licence: 1 (Aggregate Limit with Lake Whitefish) Proposed Season January 1st to March 15th and 2nd Saturday in May to September 30th Recent monitoring data suggest positive trends, including a total of nine year classes present in the population with two strong year classes since 2008. This has supported an increase in relative abundance over the past three years. A very strong year class was also evident in 2004; however, many of these cisco have since died due to natural causes. The proposed regulatory options are not anticipated to negatively impact the cisco population or other fish species in Lake Simcoe. Based on the positive monitoring information, MNR supports a limited cisco fishery that encourages sustainable harvest opportunities. This support recognizes the irrevocable changes in the aquatic ecosystem of Lake Simcoe (such as invasive species) and that the lake will likely not support historical population levels of cisco again. The proposed regulation changes align with the Lake Simcoe Fisheries Community Objectives which aim to manage cisco as a forage base for lake trout, and when sustainable, to re-open a cisco fishery, for harvest opportunities. These proposed changes are endorsed by the Lake Simcoe Fisheries Stakeholder Committee and MNR’s Lake Simcoe Fisheries Management Committee. The proposed regulatory options are not anticipated to increase the number of anglers on Lake Simcoe. However, they could increase the total number of angler hours on Lake Simcoe annually by providing additional recreational opportunities to existing fisheries. Angler reports of incidental catches of cisco have increased in recent years. The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Lake Simcoe Fisheries Stakeholder Committee welcome your input on these proposed changes and all feedback received will inform the decision-making process. You can provide your feedback through email at [email protected]. For more information, you can contact the Aurora District office at 905-713-7398. There is also an Environmental Registry Posting associated with these proposed changes. You can review this posting by going to the Environmental Registry website at http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/ and typing in the registry number 012-1601. All feedback through these avenues must be received by Tuesday May 20th. Additionally, there will be three public open houses occurring around the watershed (see poster attached) including: May 13th, 2014 5 – 6 pm or 7 – 8 pm Orillia Museum of Art and History 30 Peter St S, Orillia, ON May 21st, 2014 5– 6 pm or 7 ‐ 8 pm Southshore Community Center 205 Lakeshore Drive, Barrie, ON May 22nd, 2014 5 – 6 pm or 7 – 8 pm De La Salle Chapel 1940 Metro Rd N, Jacksons Pt., ON The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), with the support of the Lake Simcoe Fisheries Stakeholder Committee, is inviting the public to provide input on proposed changes to fishing regulations for cisco (lake herring) in Lake Simcoe. The cisco population within Lake Simcoe has shown positive trends in recent years. The ministry is considering re-introducing limited harvest opportunities for anglers to support sustainable resource management and promote recreational angling opportunities. Lake Simcoe’s cisco population once provided a major food source for several species of sport fish, as well as a significant recreational fishery. However, in 2001, the fishery was closed following several years of population decline due to a lack of natural reproduction. The decline was largely associated with habitat degradation in the form of low dissolved oxygen content within the deep, coldwater habitat of the lake. Habitat conditions have since improved, and recent population monitoring by MNR has suggested a positive trend as the population continues its recovery. Increased cisco numbers have resulted in cautious optimism by fishery managers and anglers alike. The proposed options include: Limits Option #1: Sport Fishing Licence: 2, Conservation Licence: 1 Option #2: Sport Fishing Licence: 2 (Aggregate Limit with Lake Whitefish), Conservation Licence: 1 (Aggregate Limit with Lake Whitefish) Proposed Season January 1st to March 15th and 2nd Saturday in May to September 30th Recent monitoring data suggest positive trends, including a total of nine year classes present in the population with two strong year classes since 2008. This has supported an increase in relative abundance over the past three years. A very strong year class was also evident in 2004; however, many of these cisco have since died due to natural causes. The proposed regulatory options are not anticipated to negatively impact the cisco population or other fish species in Lake Simcoe. Based on the positive monitoring information, MNR supports a limited cisco fishery that encourages sustainable harvest opportunities. This support recognizes the irrevocable changes in the aquatic ecosystem of Lake Simcoe (such as invasive species) and that the lake will likely not support historical population levels of cisco again. The proposed regulation changes align with the Lake Simcoe Fisheries Community Objectives which aim to manage cisco as a forage base for lake trout, and when sustainable, to re-open a cisco fishery, for harvest opportunities. These proposed changes are endorsed by the Lake Simcoe Fisheries Stakeholder Committee and MNR’s Lake Simcoe Fisheries Management Committee. The proposed regulatory options are not anticipated to increase the number of anglers on Lake Simcoe. However, they could increase the total number of angler hours on Lake Simcoe annually by providing additional recreational opportunities to existing fisheries. Angler reports of incidental catches of cisco have increased in recent years. The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Lake Simcoe Fisheries Stakeholder Committee welcome your input on these proposed changes and all feedback received will inform the decision-making process. You can provide your feedback through email at [email protected]. For more information, you can contact the Aurora District office at 905-713-7398. There is also an Environmental Registry Posting associated with these proposed changes. You can review this posting by going to the Environmental Registry website at http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/ and typing in the registry number 012-1601. All feedback through these avenues must be received by Tuesday May 20th. Additionally, there will be three public open houses occurring around the watershed (see poster attached) including: May 13th, 2014 5 – 6 pm or 7 – 8 pm Orillia Museum of Art and History 30 Peter St S, Orillia, ON May 21st, 2014 5 – 6 pm or 7 ‐ 8 pm Southshore Community Center 205 Lakeshore Drive, Barrie, ON May 22nd, 2014 5 – 6 pm or 7 – 8 pm De La Salle Chapel 1940 Metro Rd N, Jacksons Pt., ON

Yup... thats about the right ratio. Gibsons for the bottom of the batch... Crown for the good stuff.. lol

Hopefully we will have a few more runs!

LOL.. thats a great ad. "Rotund Friends" hahahahahaha

FINALLY!!!! http://howtomakemaplesyrup.com/maplesyrupjournal/2014/04/15/first-run-woot/

Nice haul... finally... it has started to run here still two feet of snow in the bush, AND RAIN TODAY, BUT YESTERDAY WE COLLECTED 600 LITRES. http://howtomakemaplesyrup.com/maplesyrupjournal/2014/04/09/all-good-things-come-to-those-who-wait/

Thats crazy.. your gonna be done before I even really get started!!

Put in a few litres of sap on sat..its just starting... still 2-3 feet of snow in the bush, but the weather looks pretty good, looks like by the end of the week, il, be busy.

Thats impressive!

Where do you live???. Florida?? LOL

Thats what I figured... but even still... theres MONSTERS up north..

LOL.. Great title... To bad so sad.. http://mnrwatch.com/minnesota-angler-pleads-guilty-loses-potential-world-record-lake/ I keep wondering why they are saying world record.. i could see Ontario record, but surely someone has caught something bigger say in the NWT??

Started VERY slow yesterday, for the first time. http://howtomakemaplesyrup.com/maplesyrupjournal/2014/03/30/run-forrest-run/ I've got a total of 340 maybe even 350 tapped... now im scared its gonna run... hahahaha

You peeps are awesome, thanks sooo much!!