Zubris21

Yes Dease Lake B.C. We are pretty northern and pretty remote. Allen lake is a small lake right in town that is stocked with brookies. From what I've heard the last stocking was 3 years ago, but I believe they have taken to naturally reproducing. Have seen several fish in there that are in the 5+ lbs range, but have also seen some that are only about 6" long. It gets hit pretty heavy in the winter, but really there are not a ton of anglers up here so the fishing is still great! Hopefully the next report will be filled with Rainbows from another nearby lake.

I agree with you, targeting species out of season is unacceptable, and against the law. C&R is not ok, exactly for the reason you mentioned, you completely disrupt their spawning behaviour/pattern, even if just for a short while. Some will argue that in the case of bass there should be no closed limit, and well, I am no expert but I don't really see any benefit to it. If anything, I would like to see more limitations put in fishing during the spawn, even for panfish.

Looks like a great day out there! Do you think the Browns will still be in the streams come mid July? I really want to add one to my list!

Kalvin and I headed out to Allen Lake yesterday for a couple of hours. First time out in a canoe this year, so if we caught anything or not I would be happy. Here's the view from the launch (less than 1km from my house) what a place to live We've had great success on this lake during the hard water season but this was the first time out on this lake since ice off. We got into them right away, casting a small 1/8oz Gibbs croc. First two casts I had fish right to the side of the boat before loosing them trying to get myself re-arranged. Oh well it was all C&R today anyways. We spent about 3 hours out and only came in because we were getting hungry. Lost count but probably landed 10-15 fish with many more strikes and follows. At one point we were even sight fishing for them in the clear water. What a day, here are some pics of the fish... The biggest of the day. This baby took a few really nice runs, stripping 50ft of drag at a time, what a fight and what a fish. Measured in at 23.5" Token release shot... -Andre

I understand what you're saying, but the shows can still be aired on TV with not detriment to sponsorship, not to mention a lot of online shows (see myoutdoortv) still have commercials inbedded.

I know he sells the DVDs, but I really don't see why people dislike airing their programs online, when they are publicly available on TV. I can get the no download thing, but if you stream them, your really just adding some convenience for your fan base.

Sounds like a great weekend out with your daughter! Memories that will last!

Great work Simon! That's one heck of a stringer! I really wish I was getting out as often as you do!

Thats the launch I was referring to that is across from the post office. The only problem with that one is that there is no parking. However there is a fellow just a few hundred yards up the road who lets people park on his property (he may be the golf course owner and using the course lot but I can't remember) anyways he charges a small fee, I think it was about $10 a day, but fairly reasonable.

"Homestyle Lake Erie Fish-Corn Chowder 1 1/2 C boned fish fillets (freshwater drum, white bass, carp, or any other Lake Erie fish)" Is there a distinct flavour to lake Erie fish or something? if you had said Lake Ontario, being at the dumping end of the watershed I might understand, but Erie? haha

There are a couple launches there. I worked at camp kitchikewana for a fall and Honey Harbour was our port. I forget the name of the Marina, but it is a big blue place up on top of a hill, I recall the launch being relatively steep, but it was still a good one. I also believe there is a launch right in the middle of town almost directly across from the post office/grocery store. really there are plenty of places around there to launch, you shouldn't have any problem at all.

I have a hard time believing these spots are a result of handling and thus catch and release. Very well could be, it just seems unlikely to me. After reading the post about the bass transplanted in Alaska evolving better camouflage after the oil spill, I began to wonder if perhaps the fish we are catching are responding to the Zebra mussel outbreak. It seems logical to me that a bottom covered in zebra mussels would be much darker in colour, and therefore bass would hide more easily with darker colours. Just a theory, but the time line doesn't seem too far off.

Great job on the PB! looks like it would be a great fight from shore!

I have caught some Largemouth Bass with similar markings, but not nearly to that extent. That is by far the most extensive pattern and intensity of black spots that I have ever seen. Seems like we have been catching them more recently in the past couple of years, but that could just be that I am fishing more. Anyways we call it black spot disease, however this is just a term we conjured up and I really have no idea what it actually is. I wonder if there are any studies being done on it? Mike the Bass Fisherman - You're about to start your post-secondary education in this kind of field... looks like an interesting study/term project for you if your course does these sorts of things.

Well, I'm glad to hear you were successful. great stuff thanks for sharing your results.

Gorgeous crappie!

Wish you had better pictures of the Bowfin. I've never seen one in person but would like to catch one just to say I have. They seem like they are a relatively rare species, but I'm told they can be caught in similar locations to largies?

Thanks for the tip I wasn't aware of that forum, but I may become a regular now!

Thanks for taking the time to post. I love the reports that venture from the norm. Keep em coming!

great job. despite being OOS those smallies are niiiice!

I want to do a decent Canoe trip while I'm back home for the summer. I've heard about the Mississipi river/watershed from a couple of outdoorsy people and decided I may give it a go. I haven't done much research yet, so I'm starting here, does any one know this route and things I should watch out for? hard to find portages? difficult ones? tough rapids? damns? treacherous swamps? or even nice sights not far off the path? Any advice would be really appreciated. -Andre

sounds like the most effective method to me. The natives up here still build smoke houses for their salmon catches. Basically big airy cabins with all kinds of cross supports to hang the fish from.

Great report, I love those back lake canoe adventures, thanks for taking the time to share this with us.

Sounds like a great day!! I gotta say the more and more I read about float fishing the more interested I get. I did recently buy a 8'6" heavy casting rod with a level wind reel to use on the rivers up here, but I don't think it'll compare to the center pinning you guys go. Thanks for sharing the report, they're always pleasant to read!

Sounds pretty tasty!!!