CrowMan

Same here, my Terrova is like the Energizer Bunny...keeps going and going...and the brushless models are quite a jump in price. I do like the benefits of brushless. Last year there was talk of after-market replacement brushless motor kits. There's some on AliBaba (which I don't trust buying from) for between $500 and $800 depending on the MinnKota model. My current Terrova has all the tech I need other than the motor, so it's something I might consider. Anyone know anything ? Is there a reputable source ?

Well said Randy. I also think there needs to be a distinction made between different types of anglers and what they want to achieve from a day of "fishing". Obviously a tournament angler's goal is to put as many big fish in the boat as quickly and efficiently as possible. I have no problem with using whatever technology it takes to accomplish this...if that's what it's all about. For the weekend warrior, cottager, or casual angler going out with his kids or buddies that may not necessarily be the goal. There are other elements of "fishing" that make the experience "recreational" for folks just going out for "a day on the water". For a lot of anglers it's the mental chess game..."where are the fish today based on the conditions on this particular lake". That may also mean doing nothing else but just wanting to flip shorelines and docks...or toss frogs in the pads..or rip jig in the thick cabbage...because that's what they want to get a kick out of that day.. Even though it may not be the most productive pattern .. and they may be missing a lot of fish that are perhaps on structure or suspended offshore that could be located with FFS. It's not always about the most and biggest fish, sometimes it's "how" you're fishing that makes it a great day. I think for most people (non-tournament anglers) for now, that $40k may be better spent on something else. And the time it takes to master it could also be used more effectively learning something else. Obviously that equation may change as the price inevitably comes down and the technology becomes more "user friendly". I just think that people shouldn't feel that they're missing out by not having the "latest and greatest". I will say as a consumer/viewer of pro tournaments...FFS has definitely degraded the experience and entertainment value. Watching a bunch of guys head down looking for blobs on their screen and then casting to them, doesn't exactly make for compelling TV viewing. The "good ol days" of watching guys blindly fishing competing "patterns" was a lot more intriguing and fun to watch. Some of the sponsors/mfgr's may want to be careful of what they wish for...hence the advent of "Old School" tourneys.

I know that some of the Musky tourneys have banned FFS, and it seems some of the Bass competitions have too.. I'm not sure where, or even if, you draw the line on the use of technology. Interesting times.

Bears are already out and about in Frontenac...hungry too...their usual foods aren't available yet, so the local dump is getting a good going over..

One of the reasons I like flats fishing down south...electronics are useless in 2 ft of water..

Brennan Harbour or Vance's...both near the mouth of the Spanish River on the North Channel of Lake Huron. Or Kipawa Lodge or Alawaki Lodge on Lake Kipawa, Quebec.

I'm assuming: LiveScope left, 2-D down, chart/map, LiveScope right I like to take my grandkids out fishing to get them away from video games. I'm just afraid the next generation is going to turn fishing into something that's not the experience we grew up with. The art and science of learning to "pattern fish" is becoming irrelevant. Seems to me it was a lot more fun when times were simpler..

One of the competitors from the BassMaster Elite tournament in Texas this weekend. 4 units on the dash, and another 3 up on the bow...Looks like he has more screens than NASA Mission Control in Houston...

Still short a shut-down D-man and a goalie. Maybe Woll will be the guy, but I don't trust Sammy.

Doesn't list all of them I'm sure, but hopefully helps: https://www.destinationontario.com/en-ca/articles/top-ontario-fishing-tournaments

On the other hand, some cottage associations and environmental groups are encouraging folks to dump their wood fire ashes into the forest (groundwater) and lakes. To the point that they are promoting "Ash Drives". Ashes, because of their high alkaline content, help to offset the effects of acid rain in lakes. Afterall, forest fires provide a lot of benefits....and in areas with human habitation, we have suppressed this completely natural process. Like I said...mixed opinions. It seems like the OMNR and the Ministry of the Environment don't talk to each other... https://fotmw.org/get-involved/#ash

In my neck of the woods, the annual Big Bass Mega Bucks on Big Rideau Lake is always a lot of fun. Also, Kiwanis Walleye World on Quinte is a good way to kick off the season with lots of festivities. BTW, is there a difference between a tournament and a derby...just askin'

Something must've changed. I bought my AOLithium from Amazon last year.

I agree Bill. The higher the ABEC rating, the higher the tolerances...but that doesn't mean they spin any "faster". At the RPM that fishing reels turn at, and the minimal torsional load, it's really not that critical.

I'm partial to G Bay, but not necessarily that specific area you mention. A lot more opportunities (and less people) further north on the Bay...anywhere from Honey Harbour right up to the French. Especially if you're looking for trophies.. That being said, even though they're heavily fished, the Kawartha's are still a Bass factory. Although they'll probably be smaller, the chances of hooking a Musky or Walleye are more likely too.

Is it legal to have a fire directly on the ice ? I'm referring to a wood burning camp fire on the lake's surface. Seem to be mixed opinions.

Jeez...and by himself. That's one kind of crazy.

I do agree that hydrogen is a viable solution to a lot of problems. However, I'm not so sure "safe" is a word that can be used in relation to hydrogen. Hopefully, things have changed in the last 100 years...

I'll second that. The first weekend in May has a big red circle on my calendar. C & R season in Zone 20 is still open for Bass...and Walleye and Pike open up. We concentrate our efforts around Prince Edward County. On another note, last year we did pretty well in south Algoma coming back from a spring Steelhead trip on Superior. The lakes in Algoma that have Smelt populations (usually Trout lakes) grow some pretty big Smallies. I posted about it:

It's odd how species are distributed in the province. Limey Angler is well north of you, and there's plenty of lakes in NW Ontario with ample populations...but in southern Ontario it's hard to find them north of Parry Sound (except maybe Georgian Bay). On my lake in eastern Ontario, 15 years ago no one even knew what a Crappie looked like....now we can catch buckets of slabs. We like ' em in fish tacos...

We have one (Instant Vortex)...works just fine, but frankly I'm just not a fan of air fryers. Yes, they are quick and convenient....and perhaps healthier because you are using less oil for some things (but that's up for debate if you properly deep fry, drain and blot). It's just that IMO it's a trade-off of convenience for quality. Personally, I don't think you get the same taste, texture and sear/crispiness of food as with cooking with traditional methods. I prefer my French fries double deep fried in beef tallow. I prefer my chicken wings deep fried in peanut oil. I prefer my roast beef cooked in a ceramic charcoal oven (Big Green Egg), or if weather doesn't permit then a regular convection oven. I prefer steak cooked over real charcoal, or at the very least a cast iron pan. It's not like I eat these foods every day, so the health benefits of an air fryer are negligible...and for me not worth the convenience factor either. So for now, in my house the air fryer sits at the back of cupboard gathering dust.

I'm actually in Mexico right now, and this thread has me thinking of Trout...lol. I'm not much of one to lie around the pool or beach anyway. Got up early and walked over to the lagoon behind the hotel. Managed to hook a little Snook....photo courtesy of the grounds keeper. Out to fish Tarpon tomorrow...hope the wind dies down. Even though it's 29C, the wind's been howling the last couple of days...

Another place you may want to take a look at it is Blue Fox Camp in Algoma. I haven't been myself, but a couple of buddies were there a few years ago and had a great time. Some other food for thought. A few years back we drove up the James Bay Road. It's a "highway" that runs up the east side of James Bay in Quebec, that's the furthest north you can go by road in eastern Canada. It was constructed to facilitate the building and maintenance of the huge hydro-electric projects up there. It starts in Matagami (9 hours from the GTA) and goes 600km north up to the small outpost of Radisson, where there's a campground and lodge with excellent fishing (Brookies, Lakers and huge Pike) on one of the reservoirs. In between there is nothing but wilderness...one gas station at just past the half way mark....but absolutely nothing else. There are several primitive unserviced campsites along the way, some with gravel boat ramps on lakes (that had good trout fishing too). The reason I mention this trip is, almost every single river or creek we crossed and stopped to fish had Brookies....lots in the 12"+ range. We just pitched tents along the way, but if you rented yourself a nice RV and towed a tinner, you would have a fabulous couple of weeks of wilderness fishing in relative comfort.

They recommend that you bring a 12 g slug gun for that trip....apparently lots of big white bruins about...that'll keep you on your toes when you take your afternoon nap..

I've done a couple of corporate trips to Reserve Beauchene in Quebec. Not a fly-in and not a far drive from North Bay. They have a bunch of different lakes on the Reserve including many with good populations of Brook Trout. They manage the lakes and have their own stocking program. Its basically like a private club. On one lake (in early June), in one day, the two of us put over 2 dozen Brookies in the net, with a few over 18". The lodge is first rate...it's all-inclusive, they take care of everything. It's far from roughing it. There was a house-keeping option too, if I remember correctly. If you want to go all out and spend the kid's inheritance, check out Minipi Lodge in Labrador....it's been on my bucket list for a while.