CrowMan

Yeah, getting old is a b***h. But like I said...old school is the best school...that old IM6 blank was a little "noodley", but it's a legend. If you're not using it, I'll definitely buy it from you...lol

Jason, I certainly appreciate your efforts and dedication to the resource. I was involved for a long time in several conservation organizations. I know the work is often thankless and many times it feels like you're banging your head on a rock. I have mixed feelings about the Ganny closure. Yes, it was seemingly done in haste and without complete input from all the stakeholders, and it's never a good thing when we lose angling opportunities. However, I think the writing has been on the wall for sometime, and this decision was inevitable from a political perspective. Afterall, the mayor was democratically elected and I'm assuming carrying out the wishes of her constituents. That, and the OMNR simply doesn't have the budget or the manpower to effectively police the situation. The current Conservative gov't has no interest in increasing taxes or taking money from Education or Healthcare to pay for it...that's not what's going to get them elected again. The "steps" on the Ganny are just too tempting for casual "fishermen" to employ methods that were unlawful. For a lot of the people there, it was the only "fishing" they did all year. A few steps from the parking lot on a paved path...just makes it effortless for folks who couldn't be bothered to fish otherwise. A lot of them were new Canadians and teenagers who weren't fully invested in being ethical anglers. The Ganny is unique in its topography as the steps are shallow and congregate fish to make it a shooting gallery. Trying to enforce snagging and flossing is next to impossible, especially if the fish is released....and that's what a lot folks were doing...just having fun, and doing it by hook or crook. When you have that many fish in water a few inches deep, people just can't resist. Not a great example for younger folks, and frankly it just became an embarrassment for ethical anglers to have non-fishing people witness these hi-jinks. One could argue that the closure is in some manner just an extension of the existing reg's. I think most anglers have no argument with the current law where you can't fish within 75 ft of a dam. It might be a bit of a stretch, but you could interpret the steps to be an "obstruction" as defined in the reg's. Afterall, the intent of this reg is to prevent people from fishing where fish are stacked up and vulnerable...and they're certainly stacked up and vulnerable on the lower Ganny during the Salmon run. I think the additional opening of the river after mid October to the end of the year for fishing is a fair trade off, especially for us who have no interest in river Salmon, but like to chase Steelhead. One door closed, another one opened.

Very nice ! Old School is the best school. What rod blank are you using ?

Leaving tomorrow morning for Dryden...looking forward to some great fish fries. Crappie are right behind Walleye and Perch on the shore lunch list.

Geezus...that's definitely the biggest one I've ever seen. I like them simply grilled. I cut them into thick slices (approx 1"), then just brush with olive oil that has some minced garlic mixed in, salt and pepper. Just grill them right alongside the steaks on the BBQ. I've also done a meatless "parmagiana" with them. Same flour, egg wash and bread crumb schnitzel as you do...but then top with marinara/tomato sauce and then a mix of parmesan and mozzarella cheese. 20 minutes in the oven until the cheese is bubbly. We've also had a good crop of Boletes (sometimes called Porcini or Cepes) the last week or so. The ones we don't eat fresh, we dry for use in the winter. They make an awesome risotto.

Technological development only moves in one direction. At what point do we as anglers, or the agencies that write the regulations, draw the line. When do we say enough is enough, and fishing is no longer "the art of angling", but just a technology arms race. Don't get me wrong, I'm first in line for new tech...but something to think about.

It's much easier to enforce an outright sanctuary, than try to enforce whether people are snagging or flossing fish (and other illegal methods). You're near the river with a fishing rod...pretty simple, you get a ticket. Period. There's no grey area, where a CO would have to examine every fish to see if it was legally hooked, and observe the unlawful act in person. It should be effective in shutting it down, just like you never see anyone fishing there between January and April under the current reg's. OMNR's rationale for the closure is to protect the largest run of wild Chinook in Ontario. Although there are obviously social factors that were involved in making this decision, it's being done under the guise of conservation.

Here's the link.. The circus will have to find another town... http://www.ontario.ca/page/fishing-notices-and-updates#section-0

I've been to that one...just absolutely crazy the way Americans create a retail shopping experience. The original BPS in Springfield, Missouri is another incredible store..

I have a Lund 1625 Fury XL with a standard Merc 60 4-stroke (not Bigfoot). By myself, on a flat lake, I've touched 36 mph at 5500 rpm. I'm not sure how the added drag of the larger and deeper lower unit on the Bigfoot will affect that number. Bigfoots are designed to provide greater torque at lower speeds with a larger diameter prop. With the higher gear ratio it may be difficult to find a prop that will give you top end speed without over-revving the motor.

Best drive-to Walleye (quantity & quality) fishing in NW Ontario is Lac Seul. Although the lake is huge, it fishes "small" due to the number of protected bays and myriads of islands. You can fish all day and not see another boat. Our group of 4 often catches over 100 Walleye a day, with lots of 26" to 30" fish in the mix. In fact, after a day or two, we get bored and just concentrate on the big toothy critters...world class Pike and Musky.. If you're looking for a "remote" experience, take a look at Lac Seul Outposts. It's a boat-in (bring your own, or they pick you up at the launch) camp with housekeeping cabins. If you want the full American plan with meals and an easy drive, look at Silver Wheels Lodge.

I was there in September too, a few years ago. The Denvic, Tube, Kecil chain where the lodge is located is good for Smallmouth. Walleye can be a challenge...but I understand they started a stocking program several years ago which should be showing results now. Most of the Pike are hammer-handles. Drop shot and Ned Rigs in natural colours for the Bass. The bigger Bass were on deeper structure. The Walleye we did get were deep too...most of them caught vertically on Jigging Raps and Hyper Rattles. Do the ATV trip to McCarthy Lake. Unbelievable numbers of Bass when we went there in September. Non-stop action.

Sounds like you were there...

Hmmm...several years ago we did a fly-in fishing trip with Amik in NW Ontario. They happen to have the exact same photo on their website. https://www.canadianflyinfishing.com/2007/08/more-new-pictures/

Where was that taken ?